Table for Eight

Speaking at our local elementary for the kick-off of a Spring Fun Run. A few people have emailed asking me how the "speaking circuit" (we'll use that term loosely) is going? Well ... let's just say I love it! I love meeting people. I love hearing about their lives. I love that our family has been able to see new places. And I love talking about facing challenges and overcoming obstacles (adoption, Survivor, motherhood, etc.). And let's just also say that I'm learning.   A lot.  And fumbling.  A lot. For one, I'm not able to speak at all of the places where I'm invited (some are too far away, some are out  of my budget, some are in conflict with other events, etc.). So, I'm having to learn to say no--and not feel bad about it. That's been tough for me. (Have you read the book "I Feel Bad When I Say No"? I need to.) For two, it's actually kind of hard to balance my family-life, teaching, and the speaking en...

I have spent a good part of my adult life training my brain to see the good in most situations. When something "hard" or "bad" happens, I really do try my best to reframe it--and FIND some life lesson or positive that comes as a result of said hard/bad experience. Sometimes this is easy. Like when the hard thing is gaining weight: Well, I'm fortunate I have enough food TO gain weight. OR when the bad thing is getting laid off: Well, this gives me more time with my family AND I never really liked that job anyway . But most of the time--and I mean MOST OF THE TIME--this is a difficult thing to do: --Like say for example, when you get in a car accident and one of the other drivers leaves the scene. --Or when your best friend is fighting an awful disease and has to bend metal with her mind just to tell you what's on her mind. --Or when your other BFF has to have a bone marrow biopsy. --Or when your other other BFF br...

We're on our way to sunny So Cal to speak at a youth conference. I. Can't. Wait.  Heaven knows there's nothing quite like green grass in March ! Woo hoo! **** Now, about Survivor last night. Did you watch? Oh, man. What the what? What did you think? Here's how I felt after watching last night: And here are a few other thoughts: 1. The women ROCKED that reward challenge! It's hard to launch coconuts using surgical tubing. The women were amazing! 2. The women did not ROCK the immunity challenge. I'm thinking maybe the lack of food, water, and sleep may have contributed to that. 3. What's up with the rice and lawn chairs? I've been able to confirm this w/ a cast member: both tribes have rice this season. Huh?  (And a lawn chair?) We didn't have rice, just coconuts/fish. (Granted, Savaii won taro in the first reward challenge, but Upolu never had a starch/carb.)  How are people supposed to star...

Our daughter Papaya turned 13 this weekend.  (For those of you keeping track at home, that means we now have THREE teenagers under one roof.  And come August we'll have FOUR--because our son Jr. turns 13 then.) I kinda crack up every now and then--when I realize that we have SIX kids. (That's kinda a big number, no?) And when we add that they all came to us through the gift/miracle of adoption, I'm floored. I love our kids' birthdays because they remind me of how incredible it is that our lives have some together they way they have.  I'm so grateful.  It's not a perfect life, but we're going to love every minute of it. Blam. Papaya celebrated her bday at the Olympic Oval in SLC, ice skating. Oh, to be 13 again? (Can I just say, thank goodness SKINNY JEANS weren't in style when I was 13?) Jr., LuLu and ZuZu skated, too. More skating (and some falling). Jr. brought his good friend (Our neighbor, whom we plan ...

(c) Read Across America, 2012. Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss! I'm off to an assembly to talk to elementary school kids about Survivor and reading. I can't wait! I've got my Survivor clips ready (the weight-lifting challenge--shameless plug), as well as all of the books I read as I prepped for the game. I hope K-6th graders like Survivor. (Our kids are coming also, so we'll be  sure to post photos later.) Some of the books I read for Survivor. **** PS: Any big weekend plans? Our daughter Papaya turns 13 this weekend,  so we're ice skating and having a Pie Party.  Can't wait! Do you remember turning 13?  Man, that's a great age. Love you, Papaya!

The Lorax movie comes out next week!  (c) Universal, 2012. I love to read. BUT, I didn't always love to read. ( Which is kinda funny for someone who teaches English.) But, it's true. It was only after marrying Dave that I became a "book reader." (Sorry mom and dad, I know you both read a lot.) And that had a lot to do with the fact that Dave was a reader--and therefore, gave me books for EVERY anniversary, birthday,and Christmas. The first few years of our marriage it was kinda funny.  "Oh, a book, thanks."  [Zzzzzz.] "Oh, another book. Thanks." [I  can see I better get a bookshelf soon.] And so on, and so on, and so on. Until one year he gave me a book that for some reason just SPOKE to me. You know the kind of book I'm talkin' 'bout? --A book you want to read and never put down.  --A book that teaches, helps, inspires, and changes you. --A book you WANT to write in. --A book you want to share with ...

Answering questions after the presentation at Bryce Canyon Winter Festival. Well, I made it through my first big speaking event without throwing up! I'd like to think that alone makes it a success. Ha ha ha. To be honest, I am dying to talk about it, but I don't know what to say. I'm not exactly the most objective person to ask "How did the talk go?" So, I thought I'd give you the overview--AND just add that we LOVED the trip, I learned a lot, and am looking forward to speaking again (March 9). Overview Speaking Location: Bryce Canyon Winter Festival 2012 (Utah). Here: Is this incredible? Bryce Canyon after a night of snow. Attendees: About 200+ people. (Ages 8-80.) These are p eople attending the Winter Fest (Where they snow-shoe, cross-country ski, ski, hike, ice-skate, and participate in all kinds of outdoor/snowy activities.) Oh, and our 8 people ... so probably 208 attendees. Here: Length: I spoke for...