Simon has been volunteering at a local cub scout camp this week, he works in the hot sun from 8 am until 4:30. On his first day there he worked the waterslide, he is a scout certified lifeguard and this earned him the coveted spot in the water. Half way through the day he came upon a little boy who was lost, after figuring out where this child needed to be it became apparent to Simon that David needed some special attention. Simon went and talked to the person in charge and volunteered to take care of David for the rest of the day. Simon came home that night with cute stories about David always wanting to hold Simon’s hand, and the funny stories David would tell him. The other kids teased David and so Simon definitely wanted to have his back. Tuesday came and it was decided that David would have his own special buddy, Simon. Simon no longer worked the waterslide but went from activity to activity with David. He took him to the bathroom ( at least 15 times a day) helped him shoot the BB gun and aim the bow and arrow. David (who is going into the 2nd grade) loved his buddy and liked to rest his head on Simon’s tummy while waiting in the long hot lines. Today was Simon’s last day to work the camp, he has his “real job” to go to tomorrow. David knew it would be Simon’s last and was sad to see him go. Simon laid down the bathroom rules and they only went 6 times today. The den leaders all commented to Simon that he must have the “patience of a saint” to be dealing with this little boy. Simon absolutely loved every minute he spent with David. After Simon walked David to his car today and said goodbye the camp leader came over to Simon and handed him a little gift. Simon opened it in the car, it was a note from this woman praising Simon for his caring nature and willingness to help out. She mentioned that she knew his parents must be proud of their son. I sat there crying while he read this note. She attached a gift card for Simon as well as some Hershey Kisses. Simon is an amazing son, I am constantly blown away by his gentle ways and kind words. He thinks about people so much and always wants everyone to be happy. He has a special way with kids, they tend to flock to him. I wish he’d reconsider the whole engineer thing and be a pediatrician instead, but hey, at least I know he’ll be a great dad and a fantastic scout leader.
June 24th, 2009 | Category: Simon | Comments (3)
I am starting to realize that Olivia will be 13 in less than two weeks. When and how did this happen? It seems like it was just yesterday when Tom was driving us to the hospital for my 7 am scheduled C-section. Now things are happening like teaching her how to shave her legs, or purchasing her favorite boy cut underwear at Victoria’s Secret. And before you go and get all in my face about me buying her underwear there it’s a great deal, (when it’s on sale) and it lasts forever. While shopping there we ran into a high school friend of Tommy’s and we spent some time catching up. She just finished her first year at FSU and had spent the last 6 weeks being the personal assistant for her aunt in LA. ( her aunt used to be married to this guy). I realize how quickly these kids grow up and turn into mini adults, and it makes me think Olivia will be there soon.
I am going to enjoy these next two week with my 12 year old, cause I am sure not ready for her to be a teenager.
June 24th, 2009 | Category: College, Florida Friends, Olivia, Tommy | Leave a comment
We had a fantastic weekend, full of friends and fun. Pool volleyball was great, even though I had a cotton ball stuffed in my bad ear. We played catch up with old friends and I was even able to hold a darling 8 month old baby named Tommy. He reminded me of my own Tommy, sweet and happy. We went to the lake today for father’s day and had a great time swimming in the lake (another cotton ball) eating Chipino (fish soup) and apple cake.
I broke down and got myself a twitter account, and you can follow me on it. I think my name is Christinashouts or just type in my name on Twitter and follow me there. I thought I’d get it and update everyone with our summer travels. Right now my phone isn’t wanting to update twitter to my facebook, I am starting to think that these things are smarter than I am….and it’s getting frustrating.
June 21st, 2009 | Category: Florida Friends, Old Friends, Travels | Leave a comment
I have two body parts that are apparently smaller than most people’s parts, my ear canals and my pelvis. The first one causes me to get swimmer’s ear frequently and the second one causes c-sections. I am currently suffering from swimmer’s ear. I am almost completely deaf in my right ear. This is somehow affecting my smell, taste and brain function. I am ditzier than ever and can’t seem to remember where I put things. I know that if I could hear correctly then all things would be back to normal. I open and shut my mouth often, hoping to pop my ear, but alas, no such luck. Today I laid on the bed and put the ear drops into my bad ear, my other ear was on a pillow. The phone was laying NEXT to me and I didn’t hear it ring, huh????????? I pray to the ear god, please give me back my special powers.
June 19th, 2009 | Category: Living in Florida | Leave a comment
Sometimes it is important to share, especially something cool. I stumbled upon this artists work in St. Augustine and gobbled up some stuff. I can’t seem to keep my eyes off of her work! I just pre-ordered the 2010 calendar and a few other goodies through the website. The world being as small as it is, one of my friends has a family connection to this artist, small small world. I hope you enjoy her stuff as much as I do.
June 17th, 2009 | Category: Living in Florida | Comments (1)
As I sit here I can hear my mother mopping my floors, ahh glorious sound. Yesterday we took them to St. Augustine and had a fantastically hot day. We toured the famous fort and Grandpa asked tons of questions and is now educated in all things St. Augustine. We ate at the famous Columbia restaurant, which lived up to it’s hype. We then took a boat ride out to the lighthouse. Of course some shopping was done and a few things purchased, what do you expect??? Grandpa and Greg are golfing and Simon is patiently waiting for Grandpa to get back so he can look at the air conditioning problem in his car. I sat down with Isis this morning and worked on a craft project, we made a princess wand. She is now walking through the house ‘wanding’ everyone.
Every visit my parents make the better they get. When are they gonna realize they need to buy a condo here and visit even more????
June 16th, 2009 | Category: Family, Housework, Kids, Weather | Comments (1)
My dad took Simon golfing today for his first time, here’s hoping neither one drops from heat exhaustion. We are planning a HUGE pool volleyball match for this afternoon and I can’t wait. Tom is planning on running some errands and my sister and I are headed out too in a bit, but hopefully everyone can meet back up later on.
I’ve been having violent dreams this week, ones where I am fighting physically with my brother Greg. Last night was a crazy one that included a man in a cape, me with a sewing machine and some sort of store set up in someone’s garage ( I think it was selling porno mags). I’m telling ya these dreams are killing me, and before you ask I am not taking any meds. I am so wiped out after fighting my brother in my dreams that I’ve been waking up tired.
I made some awesome pasta sauce this week, it had top round beef, veal and hot Italian sausage in it. I made a ton of it and still have some in the fridge so tonight we will be ‘carbing it up’ after a day of pool volleyball.
June 13th, 2009 | Category: Family, Living in Florida | Leave a comment
I don’t know if you call it morbid curiosity but I always check the Salt Lake Tribune Obits at least once a week. I look for a last name that looks familiar or maybe a date of birth that is close to someone in my family. Tonight I found something utterly tragic. I found my maid of honors son’s obituary. We had worked together at Cottonwood mall for a few years before I was married. We both had sons a few months a part. They even played together a few times after we moved back to Utah. We traded Christmas cards until one of us moved that one last time, you know the one where you lose some one’s address and can’t find it. What a sad night this is. What a beautiful baby he was. My heart goes out to an old friend. I am so sad I lost contact with her, but hopefully I will be in contact with her once again. Please keep the Crowell family in your prayers tonight.
June 11th, 2009 | Category: Old Friends | Leave a comment
Goings on this week
My parents, sister and niece are here from Utah
Isis is now swimming across the pool all by herself
My dad hung some curtains in my living room
My parents, sister and brother killed us during pool volleyball
My dad slipped and fell coming in from the pool, twisted his leg and smacked his head
The entire family fawned all over hurt grandfather
Went shopping with my mom and sister
Took Simon to DMV to replace his lost learners permit
Took Liv to the Dr’s for a nasty boil/staff infection in her nose
I’ve made some incredible food this week
June 10th, 2009 | Category: Family, Kids | Leave a comment
Something has happened to Simon, something unexplainable. He cleaned his room this weekend, and I mean cleaned. Numerous bags of ‘crap’ filled the hallway, the metal tv stand was unscrewed from the wall, old toys were found. I’m not quite sure what spurred his actions on, he claims he was starting to feel guilty about how often I harp on his room. I think the reason stems from his lost wallet and his incredible desire to practice driving before getting his license later this month. Whatever the reason I am thrilled. Julia even joined in the cleaning frenzy and they tackled his walk in closet that had at least 4 feet deep of ‘crap’ on the floor. All I can say is that I am now ready for my mom to come into town tomorrow. 
June 6th, 2009 | Category: Housework, Simon | Comments (1)
