everyone just settle down

Disclaimer: This is not meant to be controversial or political or offensive. It's meant to be a way for me to put my thoughts out there and clarify some points in my own understanding.

All this financial stuff going on is scary, but it doesn't help that the headline on every news outlet proclaims gloom and doom and catastrophe and crash and every other bad scary word you can think of. Bailout? No bailout? I'm the queen of being able to argue both sides of a question intelligently and convincingly, so it's no surprise there are respected people out there on each side. Here are the facts as I understand them, in plain-people-speak:

motivation #1: people want to own houses. it makes them feel good.
motivation #2: the government wants people to feel good. it gets them re-elected.
motivation #3: companies like to make money.

problem #1: people are by nature lazy and will usually take the easy road to get what they want
problem #2: the government did certain things (why? see motivation #2) to encourage and support companies to lend money to people who couldn't really afford to pay it back. (i.e. companies were given assurances by the government that took away some of their good business sense so they were willing to take more risks - motivation #3 - with assurances they'd be supported or bailed out if it went wrong)
problem #3: people took advantage of those no-money-down/stated-income/sub-prime-interest programs (see motivation #1 and problem #1) and bought more than they could afford.
problem #4: When people don't have to work hard (motivation #1) for a down payment and good credit and proof that they can pay back (see problem #2), they value what they have less. When they have no equity in a home, it feels just like renting (i.e. no pride in ownership) and when having bad credit isn't an issue then why not just foreclose.
problem #5: the real estate market goes through normal ebb & flow and ups & downs and right now is a down. This isn't usually a problem, but on top of problems #1-4 it has been magnified.

result #1: People who couldn't afford to make their payments defaulted on their loans. This makes people sad (and homeless)
result #2: Companies are holding loans that are worth more than the securing property is worth. So even if they sold the property, they'd still be in debt. This is bad on a balance sheet and ultimately will cause companies to go under.
result #3: When companies go under it makes people worry and panic. this makes them want to pull money out of banks and sell stocks which makes everything worse.
result #4: The government thinks they need to step in to "fix" everything so people will be happy again. Thus the bailout package. If we do not address problems #1-4 (#5 is normal) then we are bound to repeat the results again and nothing will actually get fixed.

Here is an article that is written by an economist that really explained the issues well.

I don't know what the solution is, and I hope (and trust) that there are smart people out there arguing each side and thinking it all through and coming up with a plan. But one thing I am frustrated about is the fact that all the blame is falling to the companies and the government (as rightly some of it should) while there is no discussion at all of the people's responsibility in all of this. We all need to harken the counsel we've heard over and over to get out of debt and live within our means and take responsibility for ourselves, so we'll be in a better position to weather hard times and to help one another when necessary.


Disclaimer: I am in no way judging anyone else's choices or intentions or holding myself above anyone else. This is meerly intended to be a commentary on general concepts and does not preclude my sympathies with individuals who find themselves in hard circumstances at this time. Life is all about learning from our mistakes and improving ourselves and doing better next time, myself included.

dads

Oliver has a good friend Jacob who lives around the corner from us. Oliver and Jacob play together almost every day. Jacob's dad is a philosophy professor at BYU. Here is a conversation between them that I overheard the other day:

Jacob: My dad's at work right now.

Oliver: My dad's at work too.

Jacob: What does your dad teach?

Oliver: Nothing. He plays music.

Jacob: Oh. My dad plays philosophy.

goosebumps

I just got home from seriously one of the best shows I've ever seen. It looked great, sounded incredible, and was comfortable and fun. It was obvious that the people on stage were having a great time and it was so fun to watch Scott play again and to have George there and the drum kit was crazy and the organ was loud enough and the pedal steel -- well what can I say -- there was pedal steel, and paul was funny and danced and dominic and sarah were awesome. I got chills and was just struck by how mature and professional they all looked and sounded and how wonderful it is to watch people excel at their craft. Inspirational.

Plus, as an added bonus Paul organized a raffle to benefit Stephanie & Christian and not only did they raise over $500, which is awesome, but my numbers got called 3 times! No, it wasn't rigged, and no, I didn't take all the prizes, but I did get this adorable Leia Bell print which will go great upstairs.

So too bad for all of you who didn't get to soak in all the good music vibes and win a raffle. Now go buy Paul's CD to make up for it.

You won't regret it - this is going to be a good show!

Paul Jacobsen and the Madison Arm will be playing their CD release show at the Post Theater at the University of Utah in Salt Lake on Saturday. This is going to be a great show. Scott will be playing and even George flew in for the event to join them on the bass. Dominic Moore and Sarah Sample are opening who are also fantastic.

You get a free CD with your $10 admission (and in spite of my bias I can honestly say this is a fantastic album - so this is a great deal). And there will be a raffle held at intermission to benefit Nienie. Some great music and a good cause -- what could be better?! Really - you should come. You won't be sorry.

a good referral

So we're getting ready to remodelate our basement and as luck would have it we found this business card on our front door just today. We've decided to hire them since they seem to get what we're going for. Also due to Scott's line of work it will be important to do some good accustical treatments, and looks like these guys can help. Anyway just thought I should spread the word in case you're ready for some remodelation too.

Happy Birthday Brenden!

The day is almost over, but I wanted to send a heartfelt shout-out to my firstborn, Brenden, who turned 9 today. What a fine young man he's turning into. He still has those perfectly piercing blue eyes and now has a few more crooked teeth but most of all he's just nice and thoughtful and smart and accommodating and a nice friend. In the past week a few things happened that made my heart swell a bit with pride.

First: A kid came by the other day looking for Brenden's friend Chandler, and accusing him of stealing his PSP. Brenden, instead of saying "I don't know where he is" or "you should just talk to him about that" immediately jumped to Chandler's defense saying "I know Chandler wouldn't do that. It wasn't him. Maybe you just lost it." I thought that was significant because my first instinct was to just stay out of it and tell him to try looking for Chandler at his own house, but Brenden cared about his friend's reputation and wanted to defend him.

Then the next day Chandler came over to ride Brenden's motorcycle in our cul-de-sac. Another neighbor offered to take Brenden & Oliver on a motorcycle ride up in the mountains behind the neighborhood, which is something the boys love to do, and Brenden decided to let Chandler go in his place. I watched this and right away wanted to stop them and let Brenden go and tell Chandler sorry, but when I mentioned it to Brenden he said, "No, I've gotten to go lots of times already and will get to go again and Chandler's never gotten to go, so I think he should get to go." How thoughtful!

I have a lot to learn from this kid. In both cases he did the opposite of what I would have done, but he was right on.

I love you so much, Brenden, and am honored to be your Mom. Happy 9th Birthday!

finally a year later...

I finally got our Jon Canlas pictures printed out and framed and hung on the wall. I'm not sure why I dreaded and avoided the project so much. I'm excited about the results. Thanks to Rachel for helping me conceptualize, measure, mark, and hang.

we love packages! but please don't take my picture anymore

We got a fun surprise in the mail from seamstress extraordinaire Aunt Annee. She made some delicious treasures for June. Check out this dress. Awesome fabric and great forgiving Muumuu style. June and I went shopping and she found some accessories that really pull together the ensemble.


Then there's this apron with all the pockets around it. What a cute idea and June had a great time storing her treasures.

And finally a shirt to go with everyone's favorite skirt. Perfect outfit for eating donuts.

Thank you so much, Annee. You are so generous and talented.

remembering...

Scott went frisbee golfing early in the morning and I was at home safely snoozing with Brenden, a week away from his 2nd birthday. Scott heard the early reports on the radio and called me and told me to turn on the TV. In a drowsy half-awake state I saw the awful incomprehensible unimaginable images of the planes and the buildings and the panic and the confusion. We spent the rest of the day together (going to work seemed inappropriate or non-essential at that point) watching the story unfold. At lunch time I remember thinking we need to get out of the house and we went to the Riverwoods. It was eerily quiet and calm outside. Some stores were closed, some were open, no one knew what to do or what to say.

Those of us who were around and cognizant and effected by the events of September 11, 2001 have a responsibility to keep talking about them and teach the kids first-hand.

Where were you when you heard the news? What do you do to actively remember?

he's very bounce-back-able

Monday was a great day for Oliver going to school. No complaining, no "feeling a yittle bit sick", just walked right in no problem. Tuesday was our worst day yet. This time he actually grabbed on to my legs and his poor teacher had to be pry him off while he was screaming and I was trying to make a break for the door. But when I picked him up after school he was smiling and happy and said his day was "good" and told me all about his music teacher and gingerbread men and the cafeteria ladies. I absolutely love his ability to bounce back. I love that we can just move forward without having to re-hash it all and apologize and get to the bottom of it. I love that he doesn't try to hide his enthusiasm. I envy this quality and would like to be more like that myself.




p.s. Today was a good day again. No problems. No explanation.

p.p.s. That picture doesn't have anything to do with this post. I realize that.

a little more yittle, please

Oliver has been making a conscious effort lately to improve his "L" and "R" sounds. I'm not sure why or what prompted him, but every once in a while I'll hear him really work on enunciating "P-lll-ease" or "G-lll-ass" or "RRRR-ead". It's good and I'm glad to see the progress, but I am very sad to report that yesterday his infamous "Yittle" turned into "LLLL-ittle". That was my favorite and seemed the last vestige of his toddler-hood.


On Friday Scott hung out with the boys and I took June shopping. She was great company and was super cute as she imitated everything I did. When I'd touch a shirt to look at it she'd touch one too. When I'd pick up a shoe to look at the price on the bottom she would too. When we'd go in the dressing room she'd take her shoes off and try to put on my clothes. When I went up to the register to pay she'd find a paper in my purse and hand it to the cashier. When I'd eat a cookie and get chocolate all over my face and cry, so would she :)

R & C & I discovered the Springville Antiques Mall this week. Can't believe I haven't been there sooner! Check out these great vintage finds. I've been on the lookout for a great cookie jar - colors go perfectly in my kitchen - and for a small crystal pitcher. I also got a great mini bird bath, which Rachel promised she'd blog about, so check here for an update soon (and feel free to bug her about it if it isn't soon).


On Saturday Scott had to work so we were on our own for entertainment. The boys did 3 jobs each so we went mini-golfing. Then I made a deal with them that that we could hit a bucket of balls at the driving range but then they had to get haircuts (see how this parenting thing works?!). Turns out Brenden has a great swing, Oliver doesn't mind at all picking up his ball and taking a 6 after hitting it more than 5 times, and June likes the water holes best.



June was not a fan of her first haircut. I couldn't take any pictures of the actual process since I had to hold her still, but these pics of the reinactment capture the sentiments. The bob turned out super cute, but I'm not sure we'll actually get around to round-brush blow-drying it every day, so hope that's ok. Oliver was better at sitting still, but was nonetheless quite concerned that he'd "look like a dork" afterwards. Brenden said he'd get his cut but would wear a hat every day until it grew back.


Today for Sunday dinner Rachel treated us to some beautiful and delicious stuffed peppers. It's been really fun having Rachel & Christine back in town and seeing them more often. I hope now that they're getting settled into their own places they won't forget where we live and will continue to drop by frequently.



Tonight we made use of our new backyard and played a little croquet. Isn't that fancy?! Notice the new Great Wall that was just built behind our house. It is so flippin' tall!! And it casts a glare into our house during the day so bright we have to squint and close the blinds. So that's pretty awesome. But at least they can't see "e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g we do in our kitchen at night" anymore (that's what they told us as justification for making it SO TALL, but actually it doesn't block the view from their upstairs windows at all).

summer cowgirl

Thanks again to Aunt Annee for the kind and thoughtful gift ever so many years ago of bright red cowboy boots. They are making a comeback after June discovered them in the back corner of a closet this morning. She also found the summer hat we forgot about and together they make quite the ensemble, don't you think?

give me some more

We inaugurated our new firepit last night. Scott fancies himself (and has proven himself) a marshmallow-roasting expert. Brenden's turning into a little pyro. Oliver was a little nervous at first, but then enjoyed roasting marshmallows for other people (since he doesn't like them?!?!). June was always one mis-step away from falling in, which kept Scott anxious all night. The weather was perfect. Company delightful. And man do I ever love me some s'mores.

milestones, birthdays, and "the worst day of my life"

June has entered two very important developmental phases recently.

#1: Coloring on everything, including her left arm. Time to put the sharpies away. (Anyone have any tips for getting black sharpie out of linen upholstery? I've tried hairspray and rubbing alcohol so far.)



#2: Waving at everyone around and saying "Hi" or "Hello". She waves at cars, to other Costco shoppers, to her siblings, to the dog statue at the front of the boys' school. It's cute, but also a little embarrassing sometimes.

Brenden's birthday is coming up, and he decided that he wanted to have his friends party at Seven Peaks. It closes before his birthday, so we did it last Saturday. In our family our birthday party deal is they can either have a party at our house or at a park with games and activities, and invite the number of people equal to the age they're turning. Or they can have it at a place (Boondocks, Seven Peaks, Chuck E. Cheese's) and invite 1 or 2 friends.




Brenden invited his two friends in the neighborhood, Chandler and Dylan. They had a great time going on slides and got a triple-tube and we had lunch there (huge treat since I usually say we have to go home for lunch) and we got giant pixie sticks for a goodie bag treat. Afterwards we went home and had some cake and opened presents.

There was one mishap in the wave pool where Brenden did a nose-dive off the tube and face planted onto the bottom of the pool. He was fine but quite shaken and sat and sulked with me for a bit. He declared it as "his worst birthday party ever," but pretty soon got over it and went back out on the tube with his friends.

Oliver was having a particularly emotional day on Saturday (the day of the party) and declared about 6 different times that "today was the worst day of my life." Once it was because he fell down. Once it was because he got a bruise a week ago. Once it was because he couldn't play with Brenden's new birthday gift lego car. Once it was because he dropped something. Needless to say he was ready to go to bed early that night.

His anxiety about school has gotten worse this week with more resistance every day. His teachers are very understanding and helpful taking him out of my arms and letting me leave while he is still crying. I stand outside the door until I hear him calm down and they report back that he comes around in about 15 minutes. Every day he's happy and enthusiastic and proud when I pick him up. Today when I asked "how was school" his answer was "kinda good." I'll take that as a ringing endorsement.

Too good to pass up

CHECK THIS OUT!!!

Our favorite photographer, Jonathan Canlas, has caught the NieNie spirit and is donating all of his September earnings to their recovery fund. You heard me right -- straight from his site:

For the month of Sept, all proceeds from every family session booked and all reprint orders from the sessions will be donated to the Nie Nie foundation which helps with the family's medical bills and recovery. Again, 100% of all proceeds will be donated to this family.

But that's not all... Jon has a goal of donating $10,000, and he says if he hits that, he will give each participating family a disk of all their photos. Now we had him take our pictures a year ago and went ahead and splurged on the disk, and trust me, it wasn't cheap. This is a very good deal.

Not only is Jon the most awesome photographer around

Not only are his regular rates quite reasonable

But everything you'd pay to him will go to help Stephanie & Christian

Plus if you help spread the word you could get a free disk of all your photos

Make up an excuse. Just do it.