Karate Kid!

Tayson is the BEST Karate Kid I've ever seen! We signed him up to take Karate last week and today was his very first day! He loved it! They did kicks all class (for a fundraiser) and I bet he won't be able to walk tomorrow! I know I wouldn't! Everyone was really friendly and he left just as excited as he went! I think it will be good for him to have something that he loves. And he looks so grown up in his Gi (uniform)! I'm awfully proud of his focus, dedication and perseverance! He never gave up, even when I know he must have wanted to collapse! I think he's going to love it! Watch out for Ninja Tayson!!!

:0) All Smileys! :0)

Tayson did it! Every day at school Tayson fills out his Reflection Log. He gets to color in a smiley, straight, or frowny face depending on his behavior. He's been working so hard to get all smileys and we told him he could go to the Fun Park when he did. The week before last was soooo close. Only one straight face, (and I think his teacher was being a bit strict on that one) so we took him to McDonald's, but not the Fun Park. Last week he did it! He has been working hard and trying to do his very best, so we were very excited for him! Today we took him to the Fun Park and he had a blast! We played on the soft play, played games, ate pizza, had root beer and got prizes for the tickets we won! What a fun day! He did get quite a nasty cut on his knee...he doesn't know how, he was too busy playing....but if you don't have war wounds to show for a good day what do you have?!?

So..got a new template for my blog. Like it? Well, it's way late for me....off to bed...

A New Throne!

Well, yesterday was an adventure! As the saying goes, " The shit hit the fan!" Literally. Not only the fan, the floor, tub, sink, walls, towels, and any other surface imaginable! And it was my fault! An accident, but a very bad one! Earlier in the day, a pill bottle got flushed down the toilet. By me. Yep. Me. I figured we'd have problems right then, but everything seemed to be flushing smoothly. Then. It. Didn't. And we don't have a plunger. So, I left the kids with Mara, ran to Walmart, got yelled at for entering through the tire and lube entrance, made a smart alec remark back, grabbed a plunger and sped on home. Then. It. Didn't. Work. ARG! We called housing, (poor housing!) and they came and worked on it for a couple of hours. Nothing was working. He left and said he'd see me in the morning. Now, during this whole dramatic event, my long time friend, Brent called to catch up. What a great night to call! We hadn't talked in over a year and he got to hear about my overflowing, clogged toilet! Bet it will be awhile before he calls back! :0) So, anyway, after housing left, I walked upstairs and into the bathroom. My eyes bugged out and I walked back out. It was awful! How in the #@*! did it get in my tub!!! GROSS! Well, I got it cleaned up and went to bed. They came this morning with a spanking new, CLEAN toilet! And it's working and all cleaned up! That's the end of my dramatic event. Now...what will be the next?

Hmmm...What To Say...What To Say...

Hmmmm...what to say...what to say....

Not much is happening here at the Copeland's. Just school, homework, tests, cleaning, laundry and walks. Just more of the same old stuff. We are doing good. We are happy to be doing the same old stuff. This weekend we get to go to Owen's baby blessing (my new little nephew). I've only seen him once in the hospital, so it will be nice to see him again. I'm not too excited to deal with my kids...and the combination of church and cousins! Who could stay quiet when there are cousins to play with. Guess I'll try to think of some fun, quiet toys to bring. Haylie got a new dress, since hers are all summer dresses and it is definitely turning to fall! It's way cute....now to remember my camera to capture the cute kids! Oh...that reminds me...Tayson's picture day is tomorrow! I almost forgot! Guess I've got to figure out what he's going to wear! Oh..I'm looking forward to date night. Grandma Copeland has said that she will watch the kids on Friday night, so Shaun and I can go to dinner or a movie or something! Should be fun. Then on Saturday we are taking Tayson to a Karate lesson. If he likes it, we will sign him up. He's been looking forward to that for awhile now! I bet he'll look so cute in the little uniforms! Oops...handsome, I mean. More later....

Hiking, Hands, and Cars, Oh My!!

On Sunday we went out to my parents for dinner. Then Tayson decided that he needed to show us the cave in Green Canyon that he and Grandpa go to. So..we stopped at home, got some shoes and headed on up. I didn't have my camera, so we'll have to go again to get pics. Tayson is such a little hiker! I kept yelling for him to be careful and Grandpa kept telling me to leave him alone. It's hard to remember just how grown up and independent he is! Tayson loves to go up in the mountains and hike. Guess we'll have to get a few more hikes in while the weather is nice. We ended up running into some of my parents neighbors while hiking and the two little kids just love my mom and had to hold her hands. Poor little Haylie was dying of jealousy and poor Grandma got to hold three little hands....and hearts, I'm sure. When we got back home, Grandma and Grandpa were dropping us off and Haylie just couldn't leave. She climbed back into the front seat and buckled herself in..all ready to go home with Grandma and Grandpa. When I finally got her unbuckled she scooted over to the driver side of the car and played with lights, turn signals, keys, steering wheel, and all sorts of knobs! We finally got her out, and in the house, but I'm sure the car will never be the same!

Today

Ever felt like this? Yeah, me too. TODAY.

Good Day!

Today has been a good day! Nothing special has happened. I was just able to accomplish a lot! That's always a good feeling! Haylie and I dropped off our boys at there respective schools, went grocery shopping, said hello to Mara and Landon and then came home for a nap. At least Haylie got a nap. Mom got homework. I got lots done, and I feel ready for my quiz tomorrow in one class. The other class...well, I have another chat tonight. Seeing how "great" the last one went, we'll see if I actually enter the chat, or just read it. I'm going to babysit Landon tonight. Or sit on their couch, rather, since he'll be in bed! It's so good to have someone that I completely trust to trade babysitting with! And I just love Landon, so it's fun for me too! I'm planning on keeping an eye on the chat and doing some more reading for my Psychology class. Should be good. It's nice to end the day feeling like what you needed to do has been done! Then you know it's a good day!!

An Outing Turns Into An Adventure!!

This morning, my good friend, Mara, her adorable little boy, Landon and Haylie and I decided to go on an outing! Nothing too exciting...just a bus ride to the campus book store. The bus stop is right by our mailbox and every time Haylie sees a bus she says, "Haylie go bus!", so I thought she would enjoy it. The outing was going great! We caught the bus, rode it without any hiccups to campus. We went to the book store, let Landon and Haylie pick out a toy and some skittles, waved to Liza and decided to catch the bus home and get some lunch. So..we walked to the bus stop, waited, and got on a bus. No worries...everything was under control. Then...

The bus passed our stop! Oh no! We were on the CITY bus, not the campus bus! Mara and I sat and stared at each other, mouths open, trying to figure out what to do and finally decided that we we just going to have to get off , rather than end up in no-man's-land, and walk the couple of miles back home. Hopefully the two toddler's legs would make it!

Thanks to our sugar rush from the skittles the mommies and babies are home safe! I still can't believe Landon and Haylie walked the whole way! Such little troopers! We had a blast just laughing and walking...and walking...and walking! Needless to say, we will never make that mistake again!!

And that, my friends, is how a simple little outing becomes an adventure!!!

"No Homework!"

So it's been awhile since I've updated, but life drones on in the same old day in and day out routines as always. We are busy with school!! Busy with kids!!! Busy with life! And loving it! I am no longer wishing away my days, but wishing for more hours in a day! What a change from the girl I was a few months ago! I'm enjoying feeling my brain expand...sometimes hurting it is expanding so much, but enjoying it none the less. I'm definitely out of my comfort zone, but it's getting a little cozier!

Haylie, I believe, is missing me a bit. She is really good to let me study for a bit and then she comes up to me, closes my book and says, "No homework, Mommy! Play with Haylie!" How can I resist that? She lets me know when my time is up and I'm usually grateful for the playtime with my bugs!

Tayson told me today that he liked Kindergarten better than first grade, because there was more time to play outside. I didn't have the heart to tell him that he had a LONG way to go! He'll adjust! He's doing very well on his homework and the tidbits forgotten over the summer have seemed to come back! He's my smartypants!!

Shaun has been amazing! Helping with kids, housework, homework and even grabbing takeout for dinner tonight, since I had just about had it. I was too tired to want to cook and clean up! What a sweetie! I'd be lost without him!

So...I'm loving my busy, hectic life and now I'm just trying to remember that sometimes it's time for "No Homework!"

Mamma Mia!

I went out with Liza to see Mamma Mia! last night. It was so much fun! What a good movie and what great company! We were, however, missing our friend, DeAnn...the third in our trio! I loved the show and will definitely see it again! It was nice to get out!

School is going good. We have gotten into our schedule and I'm not stressed out...just enjoying the learning experience. I like going to school now, when I'm a little bit older. I have noticed myself thinking of things in an entirely different way than I would have if I had gone to college straight out of high school. I think I will do much better in school now. I guess things really do turn out how they should.

Haylie has been showing her age and throwing tantrums lately. Her new word is "NO!" She is also a sweet girl when she wants to be and has really started showing her compassionate side. I love to watch her grow and learn! We have been working on singing her ABC's, which I'm proud to say she is quite good at! What a cutie!

Tayson is enjoying first grade. He doesn't seem so tired anymore when he comes home. It took him a bit, but I believe he is adjusting well.

Tayson and Haylie get to go spend the night at Grandma and Grandpa Dodge's house on Friday night. They are so excited to go play....so are mom and dad!!! We are so lucky to have grandparents close by on both sides that are willing to play! Don't know what we'd do without them!!