Sorensen Bugz

So Small Bugz had a book exchange at his class party yesterday.  I sent a new book wrapped.  He comes home with this ratty book that has the back cover falling off.  I am thinking how rude of someone to send a ratty book to exchange.  I am getting huffy and puffy over the fact that my child got such an old book.  I ask him why he got such an old book.  He told me that he exchanged with another kid.  So I am getting madder as the conversation goes.  I said to him why would you choose a ratty book over a new one.  He said because I wanted to.  Still getting mad.  I asked again.  He said that the boy sat out during the exchange and was sad that he did not get a book like all the other kids.  So Small Bugz gave the new book he had just gotten to the boy and got the ratty book in exchange.  I was shocked that I was getting all mad thinking that someone had been rude, when it really was Small Bugz having the real Christmas spirit! I am glad that he has learned somewhat how to treat other p

I went to the eye doctor two weeks ago and was told that it is surprising that I have never had glasses.  So I was given a prescription for glasses - my one eye is like 160 and the other is like 40 or something.  So today the glasses came in.  My eyes are not liking the adjusting - 33 years of trying to focus on their own and now they are being forced to focus on the correct things. This is the first year that we are not having Santa play a big role in our Christmas presents.  It seems to be working out much better this way.  Small Bugz has even asked how we do stockings.  If we get up really early and do them.  He will get to help with that this year too. We are planning to go see Invictus and Sherlock Holmes this week. Anyone have any opinions on the government health care plan???

Small Bugz will be learning to play the recorder beginning in Jan, at school.  He has brought home the recorder.  We did a small lesson with him the other day and he is so excited that he can play "Hot Cross Buns"  I am glad that today he took a small break from playing! Today was a fun day at the Mission.  The ladies there are so fun to work with.  They get my sense of humor and dish it right back!  It has been fun to see the people come in and buy Christmas gifts.  We have had grandparents buying for grandkids and missionaries getting ready to go and brides getting ready to be married.  My favorite one this week was a lady around 40 or 50 who would be going to the temple for the first time and the excitement you could see on her face but yet how nervous she was at the changes that were coming.  I am grateful that I have the chance to see people as they are making huge changes in their lives that will allow them eternal happiness.

Greetings to all!   I hope your year has been filled with as many blessings as ours has. Our biggest announcement for this year was that we were able to sell our house in Eagle Mountain and move to South Jordan.   We now live about a 10 minute walk from the Oquirrh Mountain Temple.   We love the area we are in and have enjoyed the new opportunities we have been given Big Bugz graduated this past August with his Masters in Education - Instructional Design.   He still travels for work.   Big Bugz is serving as the Ward Mission Leader in our church in a ward with over 750 members after splitting in March. Momma Bugz is once again a stay at home mom.   Momma Bugz has been called on a church service mission doing work at the Jordan River Distribution Center a couple of days a week.   It is a great environment and there are some great ladies there.   Momma Bugz is a ward missionary in the church as well. Small Bugz is in fourth grade.   He is attending a new school where

So Big Bugz has a rich Uncle.  He pays part way once a year for us to come to Tucson.  While we were there, he suggested that Small Bugz take a private riding lesson for horses.  He said it was his treat.  So we got to take Small Bugz to learn to ride.  He was scared at first but as he went along the more comfortable he got riding. Small Bugz thinking about getting on Pal. Getting one foot in. Getting the final checks done before beginning. The instructor took him on a big arena to teach him how to make the horse do what he needed to do.  Then they went to this obstacle course.  He had to lead him around and up hills and make him stop in certain places.  Then the real fun came.  He was taken into an enclosed area where he would learn to trot.  Small Bugz got scared the first time, but then after he knew he would not get hurt, he actually was laughing and singing the Lone Ranger theme song as he would trot. Small Bugz at the end, petting Pal to tell him thanks

We went on our yearly trip to Tucson this past week.  Big Bugz was in Phoenix for a conference so we drove to meet him and stayed in the hotel and drove the rest of the way to Tucson.  I had my diet Mt. Dew - I had 48 oz so I was wide awake on the drive down but it was either raining or snowing the majority of the way. This is what we get to do while there This is the front of the house when you come up the drive.  The just redid the drive with this stone and we had to park outside the gate since the drive was not sealed yet. This is the path to the guest house - you can see the house in the top left corner.  I don't know if you can see the wall here in the front that is like a window - that is their bathroom - their shower wall is that block glass stuff that would let the natural light in.  I think that is pretty cool.  I am glad that I have never walked past while they are taking a shower though.  They do have a his and her bathroom so there are actually two window/wall

I am so happy that I was able to finish all of my Christmas shopping this last week.  I have a few things left to get for Big Bugz but I am waiting a few more days to go get those things.  I hate the crowds during the holidays - people turn nasty in parking lots and stores. I did finish the second of two book fairs yesterday.  I made another $4000 at this one.  I am very tired and glad it is all over - I need a vacation! I get to cook Thanksgiving dinner this year.  I have only done this one other time and it was only for my Father-in-law and for sibling-in-laws.  This time I am cooking for my parents - Mom always cooks and knows what she wants and how to make it.  They will be traveling here the day of, so it all falls on me to make sure I get it just right. I am getting involved in a book club - the book for next month is Recovering Charles - I hated it!  I hope there are others that feel the same way when we discuss it or I will have to sit silently while everyone else discuss

Small Bugz new school does a parade at the school for the parents to come see the costumes. I happened to be there setting up the book fair for the coming week - he was the only Spock in the whole school! Small Bugz was so excited to go trick or treating tonight.  He said I wont eat the candy but you and dad can eat it and that is fine!  How lucky are we that we don't have to share his loot with him?? He got so much that we emptied the bag from Big Bugz's work trick or treat and then they went out, (see previous post) and we emptied that and when they came back the last time, Big Bugz had to have some in his pockets so the candy would not fall out. We only got 6 groups that came to our door.  I guess they do not know we are hidden back here but the good news is that Christmas candy is already bought! Hope everyone had a safe night!

Big Bugz actually stalked the author tonight.  He said what better night than Halloween to go over.  He took a book with him and got it autographed.  Then the author must have seen the excitement because he went over and got the brand new book that was just released into stores and gave Big Bugz a copy and signed that one as well. Talk about walking on cloud 9.  And they are going to try to get together at the start of the year when things are not so busy for the author. I don't know how he will sleep tonight - he might not even wash his hand!

What have I been doing all week - So I thought I would be nice and take over the book fair at the school this year since I have done a few in the past at the other school.  This was before I was called on the mission.  So with almost no volunteer help to man the fair, I managed to work the fair plus do my mission stuff this week.  The fair was from 9 until 3:30 most days until parent/teacher conferences began on Thurs and Fri., then they went until 8.  Since they have year round school, they have to have two fairs, one for each conference session due to some kids not being at school.  So we got to take the fair down Fri night only to put another one back up this coming Fri and do it all again the following week.  The things we do for our kids! I am counting the days until Small Bugz is off track - three more weeks!!!!

We have a famous author that lives around us and Big Bugz has been reading his books since he was like 11.  So once Big Bugz realized who this person was, he has been trying to devise a plan to talk to him.  He has already looked up the author's address and has considered walking over but decided it was a little too far to walk.  Then he thought he would corner him at church and discuss the books but decided it was not appropriate at church.  So now he is thinking he will just drive to the house and ring the door bell.  I asked him if it was Stephen King, would he be going up to his door and his reply was ummm yeah!! Needless to say, I am past embarrassment!  I told him not to give his name out so that the author does not know who I am.  I think he may need to enroll in a Sci-fi author stalker program.  He is a little too giddy about talking to this author!

Today I started my Service Missionary calling.  The ladies were shocked at how quickly I caught on to things.  I guess they get some older people in that have never touched a computer so it is hard for them to catch on to learning the register.  They were all very nice and friendly and I think this will be a great place to be able to have some interaction with some great people a few times a week.  Wednesday I will find out more of what my schedule will be and more specific jobs.  I will also get my black missionary badge - I guess that will really make it all official.  Maybe I will get someone to take a picture of me with it on.

The Stake HP had a service project day Saturday morning.  It was to plant trees in a bird migration area.  I guess the guy running the project was not a member and was overwhelmed with the 300-400 trees that were planted in 3 hours.  Here were are planting two trees.  We only had that much time because we started the morning out being at the pick up place to get $16 worth (a laundry basket full) of fruit and veggies at 7 am and then we had to pick up the new glasses before 11 down in Orem. My big strong man digging the first hole. We were told to bring water so here I am with 3 water bottles stuffed into my hoodie.  It was not easy to bend over to help dig the hole with all those bottles.

Since I am so bored at home all day while Small Bugz is at school, I have been racking my brain to come up with something to do.  All the scrapbooking is done (as far as photos developed) and my book stack is shrinking.  No luck on finding a work from home job or a job that would let me off with the year round school schedule.  I did a search on Service Missions and have found one. Sunday I will be set apart as a Service Missionary.  I will be working a total of 8 hours at the distribution center every week.  I start my training this coming week.  I am hoping this will give me some interaction with people and make my weeks not seem so long. Now to find something to fill the other days!

So today is the end of a 12 day business trip for Dad Bugz (he gets home almost to make it 13 days).  I am about worn out from playing both mom and dad roles.  I don't know how single moms do it all the time! Anyways, today was one of those battle days with Small Bugz.  He was tired and being sassy so he was getting in trouble left and right as he got ready for school.  He put his church shoes on a few months ago and said I can't get them to go on, so I got down and shoved his foot into the shoe and it really would not go on.  Gasp!  His shoes that he had been wearing for the past two years really did not fit anymore.  We have gotten so use to the fact that he just does not grow that we don't think he actually grows and needs larger sizes.  So back to the original story - I got him out the door after having an argument about him riding his bike to school.  He had been gone for about 3 mins when I hear the door.  I open the door and he says, "My sock is being weird,&q

Small Bugs did his first errand, by himself, for me today!  We had to get some money to the Scout leader for a day camp thing they are doing on Friday.  Small Bugz put the check in his pocket, got his helmet on, and got on his bike.  (He just learned to ride his bike without the training wheels a month or so ago.  He has been wanting to ride it to school but school is mostly uphill for him and he is not strong enough, yet, to do that.)  He rode the two blocks to her house and back without incident.  He was all proud of himself for helping out. I was thinking the other day that I have less than six years and he will be able to be behind the wheel!!  I don't think it will be all that bad as he is one of the most careful go cart drivers around!

WOW!  That wind is blowing.  I had to take my wreath off the door so it would stop screeching on the window.  I am thinking if the mat had not been so wet, it would have blown away.  I can feel the windows rattle.  I guess I should be grateful that it is day time and not trying to sleep with that wind.  I can see the waves on the lake.  They say that the worst of it is yet to come this afternoon when the cold front comes in. Conference has had some great talks.  Even Small Bugz was paying attention.  On one of the talks yesterday, I had to pause (yes, we tivo Conference) so I could hear his thoughts on the talk.  He went off for about five mins.  It is great to see that even when it looks like they are not paying attention, they are hearing everything.

What to do on a Friday with no school?? We were going to see the Toy Story movies in 3D but looked and saw that they were almost sold out and the remaining seats were not great.  We saw Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs.  I loved this book growing up and have bought it for Small Bugz along with the second book, Pickles To Pittsburg.  The movie was not the book but it was still an okay show.  In the book it is the Grandfather that tells stories about the town Chewandswallow.  In the movie, it is about a guy who no one likes because he is smart and invents things that don't work out.  He messes up and sends his food maker machine into the sky and it ends up producing the food. Small Bugs likes the no school days.  He can play Madden! I am in charge of getting birthday things to the women at church and need to go do that for the next week's birthdays but I am already comfy at home.  I guess I will have to do that tomorrow between conferences but then that means I have to be

What is the last book you read and what are your thoughts on the book??? Mine is the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins.  Once I got into the book, I could not stop reading.  We first only bought the first book but then by the time I was done with that one, I ran to Costco to get the second one that just came out.  I am now waiting for the third book (no idea when it will be released but I am hoping soon but it looks like 2011!)  And I just learned they are making a movie from the series.  For those of you that have not read the books, I don't want to say too much about them so you have the same experience reading them that I did.

So when the soccer clinic was over, I went to find Small Bugz.  I did not recognize him.  He did not have his glasses on that he has had since he was 18 months old.  I asked him in a very motherly tone, "Where are your glasses?"  He said, "They broke and I want contacts!"  He then told me that one of the ladies running the clinic had them.  I went to go find her.  This is what I got ....... I was glad that today was the yearly eye check up.  I knew we would not be without the correct prescription for long and thank goodness we had a backup pair from two years ago.  So after a two hour appointment plus an hour wait for eyes to dilate where we ran to get a flu shot at the other doctor office , we walked away $400 richer , I mean poorer.  Isn't having kids so much fun??

The Major League Soccer team in Salt Lake City is the Real Salt Lake.  They play a stadium owned by the people that built the community where I live.  So this past Monday they came to hold a free soccer clinic for two hours.  Small Bugz was very excited to go.  They paired him up with the nine and ten year olds and set off to do about five different activities.  One he got to be the goalie (the top photo).  And the second photo is all the kids running trying not to get hit my the balls.  If you did, you were out and got to help get the other kids out.  He had so much fun.  I think that will be one of our last days of shorts until next Spring - We went from 88 on Tues to 49 for the high on Wed.

So I have been told to start a blog. So to all of you that have asked me to, here you go! Not sure what direction I will take this but I will try to post the most exciting things that happen to me like doing dishes and mopping the floors. I am thinking I will start out with questions and see if we can get some interesting conversations going on different topics. I will stay very clear of politics - that is a nasty topic to get into with anyone.