Brent and Rita's Blog: Let's get this 30 day party-that-feels-more-like-a-headache started!

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Let's get this 30 day party-that-feels-more-like-a-headache started!

My lovely sister-in-law, Andrea Paxman challenged the Zimmerman family to a 30 blog posts in 30 days challenge and because I looooove her, I accepted. Brent accepted too so you're in for a LOT of Zimmerman news this month.

My first post is a little bit of a cheat since it is a recent update I wrote for my own family's website on MyFamily.com but, knowing that it's going to be difficult to come up with enough material for 30 days, I'm using it. Here's what's going on with us:

Brent is fabulous. He is being super nice to me lately and I'm not just writing that because I know he's checking the site more often. (Well, maybe I am doing it for that reason but it's still true.) He is working on a cool new healthy behaviors/weight management program that is different and great. If you are interested in being a test subject, let us know. Since I gained back 6lbs in 10 days of the 10lbs it took 6 weeks to lose, I think I am a prime candidate ;<

I am going to GREECE in May. Yep, Greece. My super fun, sweet neighbor who works for an airline asked if I wanted to go with her and I jumped at the chance. I'm saving up jokes and conversation bits and stockpiling headache meds for her so she doesn't regret inviting me on the week-long excursion.

I just finished sewing some more African dance skirts and jackets for an instructor who knows Todd and Todd's drum teacher well. She is darling. Sewing for other people is a little nerve-wracking. That said, any sewing project lately has given me a joyful feeling of productivity. I'll save one of my posts for more on this.

Todd bore a very nice testimony at our church a few weeks ago. Many mothers of young women were swooning. Hahaha. I guess won't flash them his report card. It is easier to be patient with his lack of organization and seeming ambivalence toward school when I think of what a good, good boy he is.

Todd got his driver's license today!! To clarify, he has his license but is still restricted from using it until completes the paperwork for his Eagle Scout award. Could be a long time. Will one of you give him a ride to my funeral? Oh thanks.

Kenna does not hate Jr. High. She does not hate bass lessons and she does not hate me. Halle-freaking-lujah! Her grades are up and despite some typical Jr. High girl insecurities, she is generally a happy girl. I love her.

She just got her hair cut. BANGS. So. Dang. Cute. She and Brent are going to a "Lights" concert next weekend. She is some Canadian (all the best ones are!!) singer that Kenna loves. Brent will do anything for baby Kenna. I don't blame him.

Today Alec is wearing the Calgary Flames hoodie that I got for Todd a million years ago. Crazy. My kids are getting so old. He is a happy, toothless boy. When kids start losing their teeth, they look like little trolls and he's no different. The fact that he never wants to shower is not helping. Gross. He just told me that he wants to sing in the Christmas Primary choir. Cute. When I try to pay him a compliment, he fills in anything I missed.
For example:
ME:"Alec. You are good at so many things. I am glad you want to start singing too."
ALEC: "I know, right? I am can dribble with both hands. I am like, THE BEST, at Math in my class. Plus, I am super nice to everyone. AND, I am killer on Minecraft."
ME: "Yes you are." Uh...healthy ego too.

I'm OUT. See you for the next 30 days.

5 comments:

Barb said...: Loved on the web site love it here! So excited to read EVERY POST!; November 2, 2012 at 8:16 AM
Andrea said...: I'm so glad you and Brent are participating this year! I miss you like crazy and this blog is the next best thing to sitting at your kitchen table (and eating your candy). I would love to be a subject of Brent's recent healthy behavior/weight management program. After six months of constant running, I haven't lost an ounce. It could be all the candy that I am now eating around my kitchen table. I need an intervention! Can't wait to read all your future posts.; November 2, 2012 at 9:27 AM
Scott said...: Fun! I can't wait to see what you come up with.; November 2, 2012 at 10:28 AM
Zimmerin said...: I sure love you guys! Oh, and Russ and I would love to be a couple of Brent's guinea pigs. :) It's gotta be better than what I've been doing...; November 3, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Russ said...: Thanks for the update on the family.

I'm the heaviest I've been in my life, so it's time to start doing something. Like Erin said, I'm happy to be a guinea pig on Brent's project.; November 4, 2012 at 2:09 PM

Crazy Kid Quotes!

8/2010
After we had visited pregnant Andrea, Alec asked, "Don't you wonder if your dad ever has a baby in his tummy because it is so big...cepts boys don't have babies in their stomachs."
8/2010
While rubbing my legs, Alec told me, "I don't see your spikes but I can feel them."
7/2009
Alec calls Hershey's bars *chocolate words* because they have 'Hershey' imprinted on the chocolate. Love it.
6/2009
I asked Alec to retrieve the phone for me. He quickly obeyed and started over to me but hid the phone behind his back. "Oh. I'm so sorry, Mom. I couldn't find it," he smirked.
4/23/2009
Alec asked me if he could have an orange for lunch and then said, "And I want you to take the paper off of it for me."
4/2009
Alec wanted help with a computer game. Brent asked where the CD was. "It's already in the computer, sick-o," was Alec's reply.
4/2009
I found Alec doing his best to unwrap every piece of chocolate in the house on the couch of the front room. Before I could say anything, he looked caught and asked, "Mom, am I being a naughty-potty?"
10/30/2008
Todd asked me to look inside his mouth at a canker that was beginning to form. I empathized with a sigh and shook my head. Alec asked to see it and upon sight said, "Yep. There's a kangaroo inside there."
10/17/2008
I have a habit of asking, "Do you understand?" after I correct Alec for being naughty. Today I told him not to throw his stuffed animal at the ceiling fan but DID NOT add my tagline. He remorsefully approached me, "I'm sorry, Mom. I'm so sorry...and, I understand."
10/13/2008
Today Alec cut his finger and asked me to put a battery on it.
3/2008
We were eating lunch together. Alec looked around at all of us and exclaimed, "Family ever!" (I took this to mean BEST family ever since we often say, "Best kids ever.")
10/6/2008
In the car today I said to Alec, "Whew. I smell a stinky skunk."
Alec:"Me?"
Me: "No, Honey. A real skunk. It's so stinky."
Alec: "Yeah, they're uh-skusting."
10/5/08
Last night we were leaving the pool in St. George. Alec stopped, looked up into a palm tree and said, "Dang it! No monkeys."
9/21/2008
When Jesus was first mentioned in the Primary program today, Alec yelled out, "Hey. They sayed it about my brother!"
2002
Kenna used the "word" nah-dutz to communicate anything and everything when she was two. Her intonation and speech pattern were right on but nah-dutz was the only thing comin' out. She could tell entire stories using this simple utterance varied only in speed, expression, and voice tone. When she finally did learn to speak, she made a cute mistakes. These are some I remember:
scub cowts=cub scouts
patterkiller=caterpillar
nomefumber=phone number
1999
One day when Todd was 3 and was learning his letter sounds, he asked me what the word *ODD* meant. I told him it meant strange, different, or weird. This disturbed him, "So, my name is T-weird?!"
9/2008
Today Alec was at my friend Melinda's house. He asked if he could give the dog a treat and was allowed to do so. He wanted to give more but Melinda told him that too many treats would upset the dog's stomach and she would throw up. Later Alec said that he couldn't be friends with Melinda's daughter explaining, "I already have five friends and if I have six friends, that will be too many and then I will throw up."

I love Gordon B. Hinkley's admonition of how to 'BE'.
Be grateful...
11/10/2008-This morning both of my running partners didn't make it. I went anyway. I am thankful for my legs, for my body, for my mind, for my neighborhood park, and even for the rain that was falling. It was a beautiful run.
11/06/2008-I went to dinner with two friends tonight and one of them even picked up the tab. How thankful I am for people that I love and love me.
Be smart...
11/11/2008-Reference Brent's post about our freshly automated home. He is brilliant and I feel smarter from having been his conversation partner for the last 15+ years. I love you, Honey.
11/06/2008-Brent received 4.2% of the vote in 'his race' for the State Representative for our district. If he ever decides to do a serious campaign and actually won, he would be great. I'm proud of him.
10/31/2008-After neighborhood Trick-or-Treating, Brent took the kids around to other families who live further away from us but are on our special list. I am so thankful for all the people who influence our lives and many of them acted like we were making their day for visiting. How sweet.
10/25/2008-I am grateful for the beautiful fall day today. Beautiful colors and weather make me smile.
10/19/2008-Todd passed the sacrament for the first time today. When he was through, one of the High Priests who had helped patted him on the shoulder and winked at him. The phrase, "It takes a village to raise a child," came to mind and I am thankful for others in the 'village' helping me out.
10/12/2008-Today Kenna made a sandwich for Alec. When she gave it to him, he reaction sounded like she'd given him the moon..."For ME? Thank you, Kenna! Mom, Kenna gave me a ham and cheese sandwich!!"
10/12/2008-A sweet 10-year-old girl in testimony meeting today said that she has been learning about different countries in school and feels blessed to live in a rich and clean country.
Be smart...
10/25/2008-Today I returned a whole bunch of scrapbook supplies to Michael's. They've been sitting around forever and now I have a much more compact $56 giftcard in their place!
10/20/2008-Happy birthday to my smart friend, Quincey...Actually, I should say Happy birthday, Dr. Atkin. Look where the small town girl ended up! I'm proud to be your friend.
10/16/2008-Brent came to my computer rescue today when I was trying to edit a cute graphic. He's such a brainiac!
10/10/2008-Grades came out today. Todd and Kenna did great.
Be clean...
10/25/2008-Opposite. Today we had to kick Kenna out of the room while we watched our DVR'ed episode of The Office. Hmmm. If she shouldn't watch it, I shouldn't either. Dangit!
10/16/2008-Did not swear yesterday when I heard some rotten news at work!! On a more literal note, today Kenna and I organized her endless supply of craft items. Whew.
10/12/2008-Yeah, NOT my house today!
Todd was ordained to the office of a deacon today. I am pleased that he makes earnest effort to choose the right and to be a good person.
Be true...
11/09/2008-Our Relief Society lesson detailed some of the letters Joseph Smith sent to his wife, Emma and their children during the frequent times he was away from them. I don't know how she endured so many trials and remained as strong as she did.
11/6/2008-Todd went to the Conference Center tonight to take part in taping the New Year's Eve address for the youth. I am so grateful for the programs of our church. I know where my kid is tonight.
10/31/2008-Todd went with his deacon's quorum this morning to do baptisms for the dead for his first time. He had a very peaceful, nice experience.
10/16/2008-Brent shed a few tears at BYU's loss today. He's COUGAR true.
10/12/2008-Today our Relief Society instructor had each sister stand and introduce herself as a daughter of God. It was beautiful.
Be humble...
11/06/2008-Tonight we visited someone in our neighborhood who has been honored as Family of the Year by Layton City. First, PERFECT choice--they are super great. I love them. Second, it reminded me that my responsibilities as a wife and mother need to be my top priority in time and energy. Good thing I like these guys I live with. :)
10/29/2008-My Uncle Randy, his wife, and his son stayed the night at our house. They have very little of the world's riches but are a happy, grateful family. I love them. They remind me that "stuff" is nothing.
10/16/2008-Todd teared up when he received a birthday present from my parents today. He was touched by their kind words and thoughtful gift.
10/12/2008-My in-laws are being set apart as missionaries tonight and fly out to Peru on Saturday. They turned all over to the Lord throughout the ups and downs of preparing to serve.
Be prayerful...
11/11/2008-Being assigned to a High School this year has opened my eyes to issues that I will deal with as my kids are fast approaching teen years. I pray that I will find the right balance of giving them guidance and independence and feel confident and comforted in my parenting decisions regardless of their choices.
10/25/2008-Our prayers that Brent's parents would arrive safely in Peru were answered. They arrived and are already settled in their apartment. We hope they feel our love and thoughts.
10/16/2008-A young father from my hometown lost his battle with Leukemia today. I don't really even know him but 3 little kids are without their dad tonight. I'm praying for them.
10/12/2008-I have a prayer in my heart for my parents this week. They have had a couple of tough spells. I love them and I hope they feel the peace and comfort of our Heavenly Father this week.