Trip to Rexburg

My cute sister, Michelle, and her hubby, Sandro, have always dreamed of being professor's at BYU-I.  For the last few years Sandro has been a vice principal at Endeavor Elementary in Nampa, ID.  Out of the blue Sandro's friend, Kevin, who happens to be the director of the education department at BYU-I called up Sandro and told him that there was a temporary position opening up to teach students how to teach ESL students.  Sandro was torn because if he got it, it would mean uprooting his family and leaving their beautiful home, and the most important thing, leaving my mom who just happened to move there last winter.

    The cute Benitez Bunch at the Black Island Farms here in Utah.  Since John-Charles and I got married, my family has got together for a Halloween celebration and we always go to this fun pumpkin patch. 

 

This is from when we ate lunch on campus.  Penny took my cup and dumped it all over herself, and being the awesome mom that I am, I didn't bring any extra clothes.  Poor thing had to J-Lo it until we got the car.  Where Penny borrowed form of Josh's clothes until we got back to the hotel.

      Penny was such a trooper on the drive up and back.  She only screamed sometimes. :)  Here she's telling us that it's all good with her thumbs up. haha.

       We all sat in the car waiting for Sandro to come out from his meetings.  We were all starving and so my mom decided to finish off the left over pie from dinner the night before while we were waiting.  She's such a cutie.

He felt like he needed to interview, and rightly so, because that was one of his dreams that he hoped to accomplish in his lifetime.   At the beginning of October the whole Benitez Bunch, plus Grandma Linda, and Penny and I made the trek up to BYU-I so he could interview.  They put us up in the Quality Inn right off the highway.  It was really nice actually.  They had a hot tub and a swimming pool. However, the swimming pool was about the temperature of Antarctica and the hot tub felt like something out of Dante's Inferno.  Penny was a good sport and actually let Deven and Sandro drag her around in a raft for a few minutes, which is more that I can say for myself.  I could only get to my waist and then I'd chicken out. 

It was so nice to spend time with my mom and the Benitez family.  We went out to eat every night and played in the halls of the hotel.  Deven and Micaella loved pushing Penny in the luggage cart down the hallway.  So classic. We spent a lot of time in the hotel while Sandro was interviewing both days.  There isn't a whole lot to do in Rexburg.

Rexburg is an interesting city.  I never had a desire to go there because of small it is, but my sisters that have gone say that it is a blast.  Going on campus and seeing all the students definitely gave me a glimpse of what they were saying. Everyone was so nice and friendly.  Their styles are COMPLETELY different from BYU.  At BYU it seems like everyone is wearing a designer something or is super trendy.  The people in Rexburg dressed modestly and didn't look super stylish.  It was actually really refreshing.  Sometimes I feel this great need to always look super in style and trendy, but I often fail because I rarely buy new clothes because we are so poor. So, I kind of felt like I fit in there because my clothes are basically all from two seasons ago.  :)

Rexburg is TINY but has a lot of character.  At first I was anxious about them moving there because the community is so old and worn down.  I didn't see any new houses aside from the mansions by the temple.  Michelle and Sandro's house is gorgeous in Nampa.  Being a stay at home mom myself and spending the majority of my time in the home I think it would be depressing to go from a beautiful new home to an old, small house from the 70's.  Luckily, Kevin, Sandro's friend, told us to go and look at a community outside of the city.  It was so beautiful with farmland and lots of new communities and new schools.  Once I saw that I felt much more at ease about them possibly moving there.


A couple of weeks ago we heard that he officially got the job, and will most likely be hired on as  permanent  professor when some other faculty retire.  Michelle and Sandro have to pack up their house, put it up for rent, and be in Rexburg by the middle of December because he starts teaching winter semester 2011.  Needless to say Michelle is freaking out with all that has to be done in order to get there, so I my mom bought me a plane ticket and Penny and I are going to Boise on the 10th, next Wednesday, to help them prepare the house to put for rent. 

Overall, it was kind of a stressful trip because we all got a little stir crazy after being cooped up in the small hotel rooms for two days. But, all in all, it was totally worth going and being with them during this exciting time in their lives.  Congrats Sandro!

Happy Halloween!

I really looked forward to Halloween this year. Maybe it's because it was Penny's first Halloween that she got to wear a real costume. But, I was all in the spirit.


John-Charles and I scavenged the costume bins in the basement of his parent's house.  These costumes are all handmade for the most part by Ann, my mother-in-law. She is an amazing seamstress! Here is John-Charles showing us a conglomerate of costumes. Although he ended up being Tigger from Whiny the Pooh (don't worry, it is a costume he originally wore in 7th grade...the pant-flood-water look was going for him). I chose to be Pocahontas. I found out later that it was a costume that my sister-in-law, Katie, had worn in 3rd grade. No wonder it was tight! :)

Since we don't have much money, we only wanted to spend money on Penny's costume. I found this adorable Carter's cow costume for 75% off on diapers.com and it ended up being like 14.99 TOTAL. No tax. Free shipping. Pretty awesome. 

Penny was such a champ. It was drizzling rain and was ice cold outside, but we still went trick or treating with the cousins on Oakview Dr.  It was so fun to see all of their cute costumes! Katie always comes up with the most creative costumes...she's amazing at it!  I love that they all get to be together for such a fun holiday.  Even though we were all soaking wet by the time we got back, it was worth it. Penny,  *cough* *cough* John-Charles, got a bag full of candy! Our favorite was probably when one of the neighbors handed out unwrapped Swedish Fish. Ick!

After our trick or treating adventure we headed up to our friends' Sutton and Andrew's house for a Halloween shin dig. It was way fun. We played Catchphrase and watched Hocus Pocus. Penny was the star of the party though. Everyone loved her costume and her growling/grunting/whistling noises she makes.  Her facial expressions are pretty classic. I just love her. How did we get so blessed to have such a beautiful little girl with such a fun personality?

We ended the night with some yummy Sonic drinks. I think this is the latest Penny has stayed up in her life. We didn't get home till 11:30 pm. She was pretty tuckered out.

     Here is Penny and I at church on the actual day of Halloween. We wore black to be festive.

Penny Turns One 8/30/2010!

 My Penny turned 1!!! Can you believe it? Since this was such a special occasion I decided that I would attempt to make her a cake.  I have never made a cake like this in my life. So, needless to say, this was quite a challenge. It took me three days to bake the cakes, freeze them, make the numerous batches of frosting, and to decorate it. It didn't turn out to be as cute as I was hoping, but it didn't fall flat, it tasted good, and most importantly, Penny loved it.

                   We thought it would be fun to just let he dig into the cake and go crazy with it. She thoroughly enjoyed it! She was giggling, kicking her legs, and smiling from ear to ear. When she was done she looked like she had rolled in the mud. Thank goodness for showers!

We gave her a couple of fun gifts, like a walker/pushing toy and a V-Tech learning toy, but to be honest, she just loved playing with the tissue paper and bags the most. Isn't it funny how they love the most simple things? I love the joy they get from smallest things like wrapping paper. 

Penny and Kindra being silly on Penny's birthday. Kindra is wearing her white blankie as her bridal veil. :)

At one year old Penny is:

• Crawling like a mad woman
• Pulling herself up on whatever she can get her hands on. Including the walls, legs of the high chair, mommy and daddy's legs, the dishwasher (which is one of her favorite things), and also the garbage can in the kitchen.  I persistently tell her "no, no Penny" when she goes for the trash can, but she just looks at me with a twinkle in her eye and smiles.  I wonder if she knows what "no, no" means? 
• She is a serious flirt.  She gorgeous and she knows how to work it.  In church she will crawl down the isle and smile at the old men. It melts their hearts.  
• She LOVES Grandpa Terry. When he comes in from work she gets very excited, smiles from ear to ear, and won't take her eyes off of him
• She started giving kisses this week. Which John-Charles and I are both so happy about. It is the cutest thing ever.
• She says "Ma-ma-ma-ma" and "Da-da-da-da" and "ba-ba-ba" as well as various other noises and screeches. She likes to hold onto the side of the stairs and dance back and forth while she makes this deep, growling noise.  
• She is drinking cows milk, stage 3 baby foods, some finger foods, and is working on the transition into adult foods. It is not easy. She still gags on a lot of things and spits them out. I think she will be a picky eater like her daddy
• She will make a sing-song type chatter while laying her in crib and falling asleep. 
• She wears size 3 diapers. 
• She weighs 22 lbs--54th percentile
• She is 29 inches tall-56th percentile
• Her head is 19.5 inches round-84th percentile
• She has three teeth. Two on the bottom and 1 on the top.  Another one is ready to break through any day.
• She knows how to drink out of a cup and even tries to do it herself if I would let her.  If I hold the bottom of the cup she will put both of her hands on the side of the cup. One time I did and she spilt it all over herself. I learned that she is not quite ready for that yet. Sometimes she will take really big sips and as a result she'll spit out most of it and it will run all down her front. 
• She loves to crawl from our apartment/room, through the hall, to the living room and look at this picture of dried flowers. She is absolutely mesmorized by it.
• She can walk with her walker/pushing toy on the carpet and will walk if you hold her hands.  If you try to let go and let her stand by herself she will promptly go into a squatting position. Although, she is capable of standing for 10 seconds by herself.
• She loves pink lemonade
• Loves taking baths and going on runs with mommy in the jogging stroller. Also, she loves to play with mommy's long hair and pull it. She also likes to grab faces and everything on them. Usually not so softly. We are working on that one.
• Takes on average about 1 nap a day and will go to bed around 7:30 pm and sleep till about 8 in the morning.
• She loves being held by her mommy. She will crawl over to me and kneel at my feet with her arms up in the air towards me and bounce while kind of screeching until I pick her up. 
• John-Charles and Penny will lay in bed together, with her head on his chest, and will snuggle while watching cartoons. Most often they watch Spiderman or the Jackie Chan Adventures. Her daddy is a kid at heart. I love it.
• She is such a bright, cheerful, happy little girl. She melts our hearts every day and we can't believe how lucky with getting such a sweetheart. 

Happy first birthday, Penny!!

Happy Graduation To ME!

  

Finally, after many years of school (six to be exact), I graduated from BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY! WOOT WOOT.  You may be asking yourself, why did it take me so long? Well, let me tell you.  When I graduated from high school I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do.  My original plan was to go to hair school first and then go to college, paying my way through by doing hair.  However, a few weeks before I was to leave for hair school in Utah, I had a feeling that I needed to stay at home in St. Louis with my parents. It was as if I heard a literal voice saying, "Do not leave St. Louis. It is not the right time."  I listened to that voice, maybe I am crazy, but I quickly scrambled my stuff together and registered at St. Louis Community College.  Staying at home that year was the best thing I could have done for my relationships with my parents.  We became so close and little did I know that my dad would pass away a couple years later.  I will forever cherish that time with him.  After my freshmen year I moved out to Provo and worked until January because I didn't get accepted into BYU until winter semester.  That year I lived with Hill and she introduced me to some of my closest friends.  Then a couple years later I met John-Charles, we fell in love, got married, and had a baby.  So, I took a semester off to take care of Pen Pen.  All in all, even though the journey has been long and hard, I am so grateful that it worked out the way it did.  I think it was arranged the way it needed to be.  The important thing is that I finished, right?  My dad always stressed that you always finish what you start.  Here is to you Pappy! :)

  
Now starts the rest of my life as a stay-at-home mommy.  I have enjoyed every minute of it thus far! I couldn't have done this without John-Charles! Thank you, baby-love!

Penny 8-11 Months

It is hard to believe my baby will turn one in less than a week! Here are some recent pictures of her...

 Our little crawler likes to go in the darnedest places ;)

 "Tron" Jr.

 Mommy and Penny at Lagoon in June

 Our baby crawls!!

 She also loves to swing

                                                               Getting fitted for the helmet

 Daddy and Pen at Market Street Grill with the whole Terry fam

She just recently had two little teeth emerge...can you see them?

What Makes a Good Father...

"A man who is in the traditionial sense a good fanner is husbandman and husband, the begetter and conserver of the earth's bounty, but he is also midewife and motherer. He is nurturer of life. His work is domestic; he is bound to the household."-Berry Wendell

Wendell talks about how a good husband is also a  'midwife and motherer' and this really touched me because it reminded me of the amazing, tender husband and father John-Charles is.  I feel a 'oneness' with him that is divine and beautiful. He cares for me in every way, and I couldn't ask for a more loving, sensitive man in my life.  As Laney, a dear friend, once said to me, "The 'one' you  marry will be a man without guile." Truly, John-Charles is a man 'without guile.'  I love you, John-Charles.   Happy Father's Day.

SFL 345: Journal #2

Interesting-topic/idea-#2: The Jewish Sabbath, or Shabbat
 
 In Judaism the Shabbat, or Sabbath Day, is a holy day.  I loved the way Greenburg talked about the Shabbat (pg. 25-26):

                  "You would not think of time as having texture, yet in a traditional Jewish household it becomes almost palpable. On Shabbat, I can almost feel the difference in the air I breathe, in the way the incandescent lamps give off light in my living room, in the way the children's skins glow, or the way the trees sway. Immediately after I light my candles, it is as if I flicked a switch that turned Shabbat on in the world, even though I know very well the world is not turned on to Shabbat. As remarkable as this experience is, even more remarkable is that it happens every seventh day of my life." 

I thought this paragraph was one of the most beautifully phrased written pieces I have ever written. She communicated to my soul what the Sabbath Day is to me by her words. Sunday is a unique, wonderful day that is different for me than the other days of the week, and she is right, we are so blessed for the remarkable blessing that it is in our lives. 

"Why do I or any other Orthodox Jew take these steps, week after week, month after month, year after year, with never a slip up?...I do so because I am so commanded."

So many times in my life my non-LDS friends would ask me why I couldn't go out on Sundays and hang out with them or go swimming, etc. It is because the Sabbath is a holy day for me and is sacred in its whole existence.  They would also ask how I could stand to go to Church for 3 hours every Sunday and I would always say, "because I have to."  Now that I look back at saying that, I didn't mean that I was literally forced to, but I 'had' to because I committed to God to keep the commandments and to do what is right. I wanted to keep my commitments to him. Greenburg said it so well above. This is exactly how I feel.

"The Biblical commandment to observe Shabbat has two reference points: God's Creation of the world, and the Exodus/freedom from slavery. True, these are events in history, yet, linked as they both are to Shabbat, they also suggest something else between the poles of one's life, mastery at one end and enslavement at the other; mastery in drive, energy, and creativity---and enslavement to the pressures and seduction of the hurly-burly world."

When I read this, I identified with it so strongly.  Truly, this life is full of polar opposites, and that is necessary to bring balance to the universe.  Good and evil, happiness and sadness, love and hate, etc., but now I have learned of another opposite through Greenburg, "...the poles of one's life, mastery at one end and enslavement at the other; mastery in drive, energy, and creativity---and enslavement to the pressures and seduction of the hurly-burly world." How true is it that we can so easily become enslaved to the natural desires and tendencies, that the world presents before us, that impulsively come to us? We can either be free agents that act upon this world and become our own masters, so to say, or we can make choices that cause us to be acted upon, or enslaved. 

SFL 345: Journal Entry #1

For this class I am to tell others about things I find interesting as I read about the different faiths. I figured a great way to 'tell others' is to blog about it.

The first couple of weeks of class we are focusing on Judaism. We are reading How to Run A Traditional JEWISH Household by Blu Greenberg.

Interesting-topic/idea-#1-Movements of Judaism

• In Judaism there are different branches or sects much like Christianity that has many different sects (i.e. Catholicism, Methodist, Lutheran, etc.) However, Judaism's sects, or what they call 'movements' has much less to do with different ideologies, for example of what God is and is not, between each one, but more so the commitment level and level of liberalism/conservatism in how they interpret the scriptures.
• 
  
  ØOrthodox Jews believe that God gave Moses the whole Torah (Written and Oral) at Mount Sinai.
  ØOrthodox Jews believe that the Torah contains 613 mitzvot (commandments) that are binding upon Jews.
  ØModern Orthodox Jews strictly observe halakhah (Jewish Law), but still integrate into modern society.
  ØUltra-Orthodox Jews, which includes Chasidic Jews, strictly observe Jewish laws and do not integrate into modern society by dressing distinctively and living separately. 
  *The term "Orthodox" Judaism only emerged as a result of the growth of new branches of Judaism

   

  
  

Spring 2010 Classes and the Ensuing Craziness

As you know, if you read the post below, I am taking 9 credits this semester which is the equivalent to 18 credits in a normal semester. Needless to say, it's a bit crazy.  Finding the right balance is proving to be attainable, but very tricky.

A few great things are coming of this semester:

1. John-Charles and I are going to bed much earlier and getting on a better sleep schedule.  Pretty much our ENTIRE married life we have been up till 1, 2, or 3 a.m. on a nightly basis.  Crazy?! Yes, we are. But, this last week we have been making it to bed my 11:30 or earlier. Thank goodness since I have to wake up at 7 a.m. to get ready and make it to my 9 a.m. class in Provo.  I was hesitant about taking early classes but I am really glad that I did. I think it will be really good for us all.

2. I am learning more about sewing by taking the beginners sewing class for my major. In the last few months I have started taking up sewing baby slings and nursing covers (i.e. Hooter Hiders), but I wanted to know how to make actual clothes, and this week I am making my first pair of pajama pants ever! WOOT WOOT. I'll have to take a picture and show you how they turn out.  It has been a goal of mine, since I lived with Carly and learned that her mom always made their Halloween costumes, to do that for my own kids. My TA said that the skills I learn in this beginner's class will allow me to do so. Blessed day. 

                           This is the sling I made for Michelle and her new baby, Joshua.  I got the fabric at Ikea for 5.99/yard. If you're into sewing you definitely need to check out Ikea's fabrics. They're cheap and adorable! I made the sling AND the hooter hider for under $25 and they retail for $42 A PIECE. I might start a little business and sell my creations. What do you think?

3. One of the upper-level elective requirements that I could to take to graduate is Floral Design. It is SO fun! I love creating in my sewing and floral class. The labs are full of fresh, color flowers. It definitely brings in the spirit of spring to my life. I love love love it.  Today I learned how to wrap a bouquet of fresh flowers. So, I wrap up beautiful flowers, put in a card, and brought them home for my hunny-bunny.  I'm pretty sure this was the first bouquet of flowers he has ever received. I should have taken a picture of it before I put them in the vase, but I didn't. Next time I will document my creation. In fact, next Tuesday we are making glass box arrangements. Get excited.

4. I am learning about some of the main different faiths of the world: Judaism, Islam, and Catholicism in my SFL 345: Religion in the Home class. It is fascinating to learn about these different religions, and how each one has similarities to each other and to the LDS faith.  Each one has bits of truth.  I have a testimony that The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints is one true church, that is a religion with ALL the truth, on the earth, and that Joseph Smith restored the true Gospel back in 1830. I know that this Church is true, but I really enjoy learning/seeing the pieces of truths in what I am learning about Judaism, Islam, and Catholicism. It definitely strengthens my testimony of Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ.

    *As an off-shoot I will be writing journals for this class on this blog about things I am learning or found interesting in my readings for this class. So, get yourselves prepared for some learning people!

Ashley is Graduating!

 I took the plunge and declared Family Life: Home and Family Living so that I can graduated in August!  It was a big decision for me to make the big switch for many reasons but to name a few:

1. I was afraid of people judging me for graduating in Family Life: Home and Family Living because people think it's just an M.R.S degree. 

   

  *It is not. It is an incredible way to get an education on what is most important in life and you learn many valuable skills/knowledge that you can use in ALL facets of your life.

2. I wasn't sure if I was really ready to be done with BYU yet. It was a miracle that I was accepted in the first place and to think about it being over is kind of emotional thing for me.

3. If I graduated I would have to start paying back my student loans. YUCK.  Thank goodness we live with my in-laws. Due to their amazing generosity, when I graduate and start paying back student loans, we, thankfully, won't end up in the poor house.

4. If I ever needed to work, say if John-Charles was injured and couldn't work or, heaven forbid, if he passed away, what kind of job could I get with this degree besides being a mother and wife?

I have been pondering this big decision, and mainly the above questions, for months and the answer of 'what to do' hasn't come easily. There have been many prayers, blessings, tears, anxieties, etc. in the whole process.  However, during winter semester I started feeling more at peace with declaring Home and Family Living and graduating.  To be honest, it was mainly financial reasons that made me very hesitant to graduate. With me going to school, in addition to John-Charles attending school, we get double the grant money; yet, I realized that this is really a stupid/selfish reason for staying in school. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING, is more important than my husband and daughter.  I just needed to practice a little faith and believe that we would make it financially. With God's help, we will provide for our needs. It is far more important for me to be at home with my little one, raising her, loving her, and being the mother she deserves than any amount of money that we could get. Also, it is more fair to John-Charles because he won't have to juggle his school schedule with mine, and us coordinating who will be with Pen-Pen.  Since I have made the decision, declared the major, and applied for graduation I have felt extremely at peace with my decision and know that is the right one.

                                                  April 2010-Penny with her 'twin'--Micaella's baby doll

    April 2010-The Terry family (Penny is 8-months-old) with the new addition to the Benitez family, little Joshua Benitez!

I still have 18 more credits to complete before I can graduate. So, I am taking 9 credits on campus Spring term, 2 independent study classes, and 1 class on campus Summer term. It will definitely make for a busy 16 weeks, and also means that I will miss out on making memories with my family when they come in town next month for the big Crowley family reunion, but it's so worth it. John-Charles is being the stay-at-home-daddy while I finish up school. He is such a great husband and father. I just love him so much!

Someday I hope to complete a master's degree or some other vocational degree. Who knows, maybe nursing or a master's in teaching or family therapy, or heck, maybe even hair school? :) I have so many interest in life it has been hard for me to narrow down what I want to do (i.e. first majoring in History Teaching, then Public Health, and now Home and Family Living). What? It took me 6 years to graduate? :)

All I know is that I am thankful for the guidance that I have received from my Heavenly Father, and know that He is aware of all my wants, needs, anxieties, hopes, etc.  I testify, that I know that He knows me personally. It has been amazing to witness Him weaving the threads of my life on a constant basis through these 24 years.

So, basically, what I am trying to say is that, as of August 13, 2010 I will be a professional, full-time, stay-at-home mommy and wife!

To Drink or Not To Drink

Penny is starting to hold her own sippy cup! She only does it sometimes though.  It's a work in progress. She is an amazing little eater too.  She'll usually eat one four oz. jar of fruit or vegetables and a 1/4 cup of rice cereal morning and night.  It's so hard to get her to drink as much as she should. I find myself feeding her a bottle or nursing her like every hour because she'll only drink like 3-4 oz. a time.  Sometimes we'll get lucky and she'll drink 6-9 oz.  She averages about 15 oz. from the bottle, plus whatever she gets from me when she nurses.  I hope she's getting enough liquid. It stresses me out like no other.  We've found she likes to drink apple juice as well! So, we mix up breast milk in some feedings and half water/half juice in others.  It's so weird to think that she's growing up and will stop nursing in 5 months. Tear. I love nursing, weening will be a sad day for me and for her.

 

She's thinking "Mom, enough pictures already. Jeesh. "

Sponge-Bob-Bet

My mother-in-law got the cutest Sponge Bob pajamas for Penny from Walmart a few weeks ago. She felt like Penny needed some warm pajamas because her nursery can get chilly. They were only three dollars! What a steal. They are my favorite! She looks so cute in them I just  like to squeeze her over and over again. John-Charles calls her his little Sponge-Bob-Bet, which is also my favorite. :)

                                                     World's cutest baby. Ever.

                                      She is sitting up all by herself now! My big baby girl.

Love those cheeks and baby blues.

This is how we found her when we got her up from her nap. She likes to roll around in her crib now, that little rascal.  Quite often in the morning, we will walk in to find her at the opposite end of the crib that we had put her down on and turned horizontally.  We no longer can just do her blankets with the 'towel-wrap' because she is moving too much now! We had to invest in a sleep sack that is much safer, and very cute!