Anne Frank Memorial

Yesterday we went to the Anne Frank Memorial in Boise. It's one of my favorite places. I love to read the quotes on the walls, they're good reminders of the trials and tribulations people have gone through throughout history. I took a picture of my favorite quote. For one of my college classes a couple of years ago, I had to go to the memorial and find a quote that evoked a strong emotional response and this quote did so:

"Dear Teacher, I am the survivor of a concentration camp. My eyes saw what no man should witness: gas chambers build by learned engineers, children poisoned by educated physicians, infants killed by trained nurses and women and babies shot and burned by high school graduates. So I am suspicious of education. My request is: Help your students to become more human. Your efforts must never produce learned monsters, skilled psychopaths, educated Eichmanns. Reading, writing and arithmetic are important only if they serve to make our children more human."

Haim Ginot, Teacher and Child, 1972

With a Story to tell

My grandma is here and she didn't come alone. She brought her trusted friend...adventure. She almost made it to my house without a phone call, but that last turn took her in the wrong direction so she called and I went to get her. Upon arriving, I noticed a huge piece of cardboard adhered by duct tape adorning the place where one of her windows used to be.

Adventure #1: About 16 miles or so outside of Great Falls one of those incredibly odd coincidences happened. At the very moment she was on a very specific stretch of highway, so was a state mower...mowing the excess grass and weeds. And, at that very moment, the mower flipped a rock or something which happened to strike my grandma's window..shattering it into the vehicle. Had it been a moment sooner..it could have been disastrous. She turned around at the nearest exit, where they took her name & info and temporarily fixed her window. Did she turn around? Did she sulk and moan? Did she give up? NO! She drove all the way to Boise with her flapping, vibrating cardboard window.

Adventure #2: After hearing of her harrowing rock experience, we headed to my house. She followed me closely, but drivers around here will wedge in with little room to spare and this is exactly what a HUGE red truck did...blocking her from seeing me. As I passed the side street right before ours, I looked into my rear view mirror to see my grandma following another little blue car onto that street. Uh oh! I turned on our street and went the back way to get her but by the timeI got there...she had vanished. I looked down the main road and couldn't believe my eyes. She was a LONG way down the road, driving just as fast as everyone else . Coop & I sped after her and almost a mile later she passed us going the opposite direction...still speeding along. Luckily she heard me honk and we were able to make it the rest of the way to my house with no further incidents.

Cooper drew a little picture on the sidewalk and luckily a grandma with the last name Curtis made it!

Family Reunion in Lincoln, MT

We had a blast at our reunion this summer. Misti & Chad were in charge and they made sure we had lots to do but free time to relax as well. I loved the talent show and our annual potato derby. A special treat this year were the many hidden messages left by the Rowleys who happened to have stayed at the cabin right before us.

To go completely off topic, the boys & I started watching some old video of us when Cooper was just a baby and Hunter was around 8 years old. I thought my hair looked pretty good until Cooper said, "Why did you get that bad haircut?" and Hunter concurred. At one point there's a video of Hunter's birthday party and Khanyi is sitting right next to him. After we watched it Cooper said, "How come Khanyi looked old fashioned there? She is all plain". I thought that was pretty funny. I hope I can somehow save clips from the tape onto our computer because there is some funny stuff going on and lots of you are part of the scenery!

Ouch, Emily Tagged me

Emily tagged me and I'm supposed to answer using one word answers, but I may have to be creative (she was for sure!).

1. Where is your cell phone? unowned
2. Your significant other? pre-garden
3. Your hair? ponytail
4. Your mother? selfless
5. Your father? leader
6. Your favorite thing? home
7. Your dream last night? hmmm?
8 Your favorite drink? water
9. Your dream/goal? Disney Cruise
10. The room you’re in? bedroom
11. Your hobby? blogging
12. Your fear? spiders
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? teaching
14. What you’re not? sentimental
15. Muffins? chocolate
16. One of your wish list items? car
17. Where you grew up? montana
18. The last thing you did? blowdryhair
19. What are you wearing? capris
20. Favorite gadget? dishwasher
21. Your pets? none
22. Your computer? used
23. Your mood? content
24. Missing someone? always
25. Your car? persevering
26. Something you’re not wearing? shoes
27. Favorite store? Target
28. Like someone? lots
29. Your favorite color? blue
30. When is the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? Wednesday

Who will I tag? All of this power is going to my head. I'll tag Erika, Cooper, Kevin and my mom.

Ladies, ladies, ladies

Ladies, ladies, ladies....beware of your derriere!!! I took this photo on the 4th of july, when I was trying to watch the floats but reruns of Mama Got Back kept ruining the show. I am grateful a thong wasn't strapped around the waist, but COME ON! Can you feel a breeze? I think so because you keep pulling your shirt down until it comes just above the beginning of the divide.

I think it would be a good idea if we were to bend over in front of the mirror or someone we trust to make sure we aren't exposing the public to things which are not meant to be seen. I know there are some crack rebels out there and I have good news for you. I'm going to start a penny brigade. If you see an open slot, feel free to toss a penny. Some people could earn a pretty decent living.

ps. I have no idea who this woman is. If you do, please don't tell her to come to my blog...unless she is a crack rebel and proud of it.

Never too old to be naughty

I've often heard stories of little ones getting ahold of the scissors and cutting their hair, much to the dismay of the parent who finally was able to pull their hair into a ponytail. I was unaware this still happens at the ripe old age of 9 years old. It does. Here's how I discovered the deed.



Scene: My dad and I were playing Mexican Train when Cooper had to come sit with us because he was acting sassy. All of the sudden something catches my eye.



Me: Cooper, what happened to your hair?



Cooper (all bewildered looking): What?



Me: How come there's a chunk of your hair missing? Did you cut your hair?



Cooper (after an extremely long pause while I'm giving him eye darts): Yes, but it was an accident.



Me (in an unkind mommy voice): You mean you accidentally picked up some scissors, pulled up your hair, and cut it? Was it an accident or was it on purpose?



Cooper (glancing down and talking in slow, robot fashion): Weeeellllll, it was on purpose. I was walking with some scissors in my hand when I tripped. I stood up and the scissors happened to be by my head, so I just cut my hair.



That's his story and he's sticking to it. Geeesh!

The Trek

In June, Hunter transformed into a pioneer...a military pioneer to be exact. I don't really think he was supposed to take on the roll of a military pioneer, but the only pants we had were camo. I was so proud of Hunter for doing this and grateful to his leaders for all the hard work they put in to making this a success.

For the four day long trek, he was allowed to bring supplies that would fit in a 5 gallon bucket, a sleeping bag, and a water bottle. No cell phones were allowed (or other electronic appendages). I really thought Hunter would have texting withdrawal. I expected a phone call in the middle of the night asking me to meet someone at the hospital due to the fact Hunter had gone into convulsions and his fingers were locked in a partially bent position, but it didn't happen. He made it 4 days without a cell phone.

During the trek they were rained on, snowed on, and then endured high temperatures...basically the 4 seasons in one short span of time. He had to push a handcart many miles everyday. I don't know if I could do it, but Hunter excelled and had a wonderful time. What a wonderful way for people to realize all the luxuries we have and to gain some appreciation for those who prepared the way for us.

Hello Cupcake!

My mom bought my sister the most spectacular cupcake book ever called Hello Cupcake. When my film is developed, I'll show you her amazing creation. When I returned to Meridian, I quickly bought the book for myself and tried out one of the creations. There was a slight flaw in the construction, but they turned out fairly decent for a first try. I'm not a natural like Kelli, but I'm a pretty fantastic wannabe!

ps. Cooper made one of his own. The best part was whenever I spilled frosting someone had to clean it up. Luckily my finger and my mouth were there to do the job!

Little Green Thumb

Cooper grew a cabbage. That's correct...he planted a seed (maybe it was a bean), did some magical plant stuff, and a cabbage grew. I'm not sure where this talent came from, but it certainly didn't travel through my genes. I look at a plant....it dies...I eat it. That's just the cycle of life baby. So if you want to grow something, call Coop. If you want to eat something, call me.


ps. See the weeds around the cabbage? I grew those. I'll be making weed pie soon enough.

Guess Who

Happy Birthday!