Yes, kids still do use their imaginations

Since Cory was just a little boy he has always loved Annabella. He loves it for many reasons but mainly because there is, and has always been, an abundance of bricks, rocks, dirt, wood, or just about anything you might need to make something fun. He has always loved to build and create things indoors and out. Lincoln logs, Knex, Tinker Toys, and Bionicles have been a constant fascination of his.

I have found Annabella to be a place where a child's imagination can come alive. I believe this is why my Dad is such a brilliant man, he grew up here. He helped his Dad with just about everything, followed him around and learned just about everything there is to know. When he was young he would take things apart just to see how they worked, and then he'd put it back together. Cory reminds me a lot of my Dad, not just his looks and build but his shy little personality.

When Cory was about 7 or 8 he built a fantastic little brick house. If you look closely you can see Jackson sitting inside. That is a little frightening, I know, but the picture is priceless. I love the huge grin on Jackson's face. This little house needed to be condemned, but it was so cute.

The latest fun thing for the kids to play with is the huge pile of rocks in the back yard. The rocks came from the original foundation of the house we now live in. My Dad put in a new foundation and basically rebuilt the entire house over the period of 4-5 years starting in about 1999.(My dates could be off, I'm sure I'll hear about it.) The original foundation and home were built by my Great Grandfather in 1905. So the rocks have some history and my Dad left them in a pile in the back yard. The kids all love to build little homes, garages, tunnels, etc with the rocks. When we moved in a year ago the kids pulled out the chevron car collection, that Cory has cherished since his early years, and have parked them in and around the rocks. They are constantly updating their towns and naming new businesses. I've heard them coming in the house at night talking about their new store, or school. I think it is fun.

My neighbor and I were talking at the fence a few weeks ago when we were weeding the garden. He said he felt bad for all the little kids that don't have a pile of rocks to play with, and that he had really enjoyed watching the kids.

Basically, I guess I'm saying that kids do still have imaginations. Do my kids like video games? Of course, but they enjoy just as much, if not more, the fun in their own back yard. I especially enjoy the fact that my teenagers can still have fun together playing like kids, and I'm in no hurry for them to grow out of that.

Tagged by Julie
I think that everyone needs to feel loved,
so I am doing this tag. Here are the rules:
1. As a comment on my blog, leave a memory that you and I have together. It doesn't matter of you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember. If we are only blogging friends, write about a post that is most memorable. If you don't have a blog, or don't know how to sign in, please comment as anonymous.
2. Next, repost these instructions on your blog, and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll be sure to write one about you, either on your blog or in my comment box.
3. If the memory happens to involve my husband, please include him.
4.If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all. :)
OK, let's see what you've got.

Chelsea's new braces

Does this look comfortable to anyone?

Chelsea's name on the Orthodontists"New Faces in Braces" board. Anyone looking for an awesome Orthodontist? Dr. Douglas Anderson is his name, we really do love him and his staff.

Cory & Chelsea in braces. Cory would be nearly done if he could remember to always wear his dang bands. (My children have a serious problem keeping their eyes open for pictures)

All Done, Yea! She is only smiling because the impending pain has yet to arrive.

Tag by Julie

10&5

10 years ago
Hmm-1998 I was 25, had been married for 6 years and Jackson was born this year. It was a good year. I was working for Clarke American doing data entry at night. We had been living in Balmoral for 2 years at this time and really loved it there. I was Alisa's visiting teacher. Cory and Chelsea were attending early intervention pre-school together for their speech. I loved watching them take the bus together, they were so cute. Oh man, I'm getting teary, I really miss this time in my life.

5 years ago

2003- I turned 30, ugh, had my 11 year anniversary with Arden. I was working for ARUP and our family was living in West Jordan. Cory & Chelsea were attending Hayden Peak Elementary, which I miss immensely. Jackson started pre-school. Jackson also decided to find a new friend to play with without me knowing where he had gone. I had to call the police, I hope to never have to go through that again. It is the most helpless feeling in the world to not know where your child is.

5 months ago

February- I was most likely being a depressed home-body. Winter's are not fun here in the country. I was job hunting on a daily basis. Cory went on a winter camp out and survived. Arden was a couple months into his new job and loving the freedom with his new employer. Did nothing for Valentine's Day, the kids didn't even send valentines to friends around town. I guess their getting too old for that.


5 Things To Do Tomorrow

1. Laundry(doesn't everybody to this every day?)
2.Go to work
3.Finish needle work project
4.Worry about and miss Chelsea(she's gone to girl's camp)
5.iron

5 Bad Habits

1.need to fix dinner more often
2.need to read scriptures more often
3.spend too much time checking blogs
4.spend too much time playing solitaire(to avoid important jobs)
5. I can be impatient

5 Places I've Lived

1. Alaska
2. West Valley
3.Kearns
4. West Jordan
5. North Salt Lake

5 Things People Don't Know About Me

1. I worked in a fish cannery in Alaska after graduating High School.
2. I've never been to Disneyland with my family.
3. I wish I could adopt a baby.
4. I love Fall.
5. I only have to shave my legs about once a month.

I will now tag: Alisa, Alayna, Janet, & Angie

New Job

Well it's official, I finally have a stinking job(no pun intended with the word stinking). I actually got the job with the Sanitation Department. I didn't even have to slather on the glitter. I started this week in training as the new office assistant. Although I am supposed to be training, I'm not learning as much as I'm sure I should be. The girl leaving has worked for the company 8 years and is trying to finish up loose ends before she leaves. I guess it will just have to be baptism by fire next week when I have to take over on my own.

So- I didn't have to be selected out of 40 applicants, it was just 7. However several nice resumes were received after I was hired, man was I thankful they came later, they looked great. How did I know how many applicants there were you might ask? Well, I got to help write letters to all who had not been chosen, kind of funny and a little shocking that this would be my first task.

Well I will do my best for the time being. I am torn however because Arden and I had pretty much decided that we would need to move back to Salt Lake. I did submit a couple of applications in Salt Lake and now I will have to decide again what will be best. Due to the lack of acceptable pay and no health insurance, moving home would be a good decision. The kids, on the other hand, love it here and for the most part are doing quite well.

Time will tell all things, as usual. Off to work I go.