So, Obamas ...

My A has just announced his plans to marry Malia.

We'll talk in a couple decades or so.

Perfect

We went to the library today. And I found this on DVD. And I have seven nifty saris to dance with. We are going to be dancing this weekend! How fun is that?

In other news, it appears we are not moving to Montana this summer. It has been surprisingly deflating to learn this. I was sure it was going to happen since it was a location I was ambivalent about. (A lot of cold weather and not so much cultural diversity!)  So I got myself all psyched up for it. We got really close to it. Really close. And then - blah.

So. If you work at a university, college or research organization, or if you have one near you, and you would like a sari-stocked, Bollywood dancing neighbor, check their jobs site and let me know what you find for a Ph.D. hydrologist. I am way tired of helping with the job hunt and Dr. G is even more bummed than I am.

But we are dancing!

Seven saris

I made a little Goodwill jaunt today and found all these nifty tye-dyed, embroidered, trimmed and sequined saris for $1.50 each.



I don't know what I'm going to do with them - wardrobe pizzazz? home decor? - but Z has some ideas.

{Part 1} First Lady Michelle Obama Commencement Speech @ U.C. Merced

{Part 2} First Lady Michelle Obama Commencement Speech @ U.C. Merced

{Part 3} First Lady Michelle Obama Commencement Speech @ U.C. Merced

New journey

So yesterday was Dr. G's commencement marking the awarding of his Ph.D. It was an amazing day!

Sally got here about 9:30 to watch my kids. She is an ANGEL! We left about 9:35 thinking we could get to campus by 10 (the prescribed arrival time for grads). Oops, we forgot about thousands of others with the same thought. We arrived there (usually a 6 - 8 minute drive) at about 10:35. YIKES! Clearly though the planners built in plenty of cushion time 'cause Dr. G. was fine.

Then my father in law (henceforth FIL) and I stood in line for a little while to buy t shirts and talked with a nice family from Los Banos (nearby) whose daughter was graduating in biology. Got shirts for G and me and the two older boys - no shirts in littles' sizes. What a missed opportunity! I totally would have forked over the $17.50 for each one!

Then we went through security to get into the library. I was thinking we could go see a photography exhibit on the 3rd and 4th floors but they were closed off. So FIL got a coffee and we just sat down in the cafe area for a while. It was crowded - we were lucky to get a booth. FIL saw the chancellor of UC Merced and marched right up to introduce himself. Very in character. The chancellor of course was very gracious and kind - he is awesome. Very well loved by the students and it's because he is so friendly and open with everyone.

About 12:15 I went upstairs for my meet and greet. There were a lot of VIPs there - elected officials, UC Regents, etc., and then a few people from the community who supported the campaign (that was my group). They called us into a classroom and had us line up at the back. There was a TON of staff and Secret Service. They had a little curtain set up with the U.S. flag and the CA flag. Michelle came in from another room where she had been with the electeds. SO pretty in person, just classy and lovely. She wore a black sleeveless dress and very pretty black low-heeled pumps. Then they just brought us up one by one to meet her. I shook her hand, she hugged me, I told her I was so honored to meet her and I hoped she had a wonderful day in Merced. She said thanks for your support. They did not want us to take our own pictures so I have to wait until the White House sends me mine from their official photographer. I hope it doesn't take too long! I am so eager!

So then I went back downstairs to get FIL and we went to stand in the security line to get into commencement, which was outdoors in a bowl-shaped amphitheater. The line was pretty long and we had just left to get in a shorter line when they closed our line down entirely. So we were lucky to get in the shorter line when we did. But then they shut down all access while they got Mrs. Obama into the amphitheater area. So, we waited and waited! UC Merced had people come by handing out bottled water - good thinking! It was definitely getting very hot by this time! The high yesterday was around a hundred degrees.

Once the line moved again they had all 40 (!!!) metal detectors going and it went very fast. So we just went in and grabbed a seat. It was kind of over on the side, not the very best view of the stage. But the jumbotrons worked great.

The good part is, the official party processional came in on our side so I did get to watch the first lady walk in and got some pictures. It was truly exciting.

So (skipping ahead past a lot of the usual commencement stuff) Mrs. Obama's speech was outstanding, very inspiring. It was all about service - remembering those who have paved the way for you and those who need you to pave the way for them. I can't wait to find the entire text online and reread it. They announced that they are naming a children's garden for her on campus - Michelle Obama's Garden for Young Children. I loved that because of her focus on her own kids right now with her husband in the presidency and her careers'emphasis on reaching out to children to encourage them to pursue higher education. It's a great fit. They also awarded her the Chancellor's Medal.

After her speech a lot of people left because it was SO hot. Seriously dangerous weather. So FIL and I moved toward the center and had a better view for the next couple of things - the student speaker and the announcement of the class gift, basically major improvements to the amphitheater making it a permanent fixture of the university.

Then G was up on stage to receive his doctorate along with four other people and several Master's degree recipients. Pretty exciting moment. His advisor (what a classic kooky scientist move, very in character for her) put his hood on wrong the first time and had to redo it!

After that FIL and I went to watch the rest of the proceedings from the gym (air conditioned!) It was fun for me to see a lot of the students I worked with in my job reach the goal of getting their college degree. They are awesome young people, and I am truly excited to see what they will do in life.

It took a while to get together with G and walk down to the car - we kept seeing people and talking - and then traffic was crazy, so we got home maybe like 5:00 - 5:10. It was a long day and I could NOT get cooled down! But we got the barbecue going and made some food - we had tri-tip and corn and rolls and baby squash and strawberries and Costco cake - it was all good.

Commencements are really happy days and I always love them but this one was super special! And I cannot thank Sally enough ... it would have been really hard to have the kids on campus in that heat for such a long time. What a lifesaver!

Here are a few pictures:

Michelle walking down the ramp to the amphitheater area


Michelle at the podium ... yes, that little dot


Michelle on the Jumbotron


Dr. Glenny onstage


Dr. Glenny all official


Dr. Glenny and Dr. Glenn (his dad), talking to his mom on the phone


I will post more pictures when FIL sends me some, and of course when I get one from the White House!!!

Overheard in the back yard

K recruits his sister to battle [keep in mind he does not actually say his Rs]:

K: Serina, we need your help.
Z: Okay.
K: Come get in the plane.
Z: Dis plane?
K: No, over here.

---

Z comes in to report:

Z: Bad guys come out!
Mama: How many?
Z: Two. One, two.
Mama: What are they doing?
Z: Get out. My castle.
Mama: Are you scared?
Z: No.

---

A narrates:

A: Then I grab my sword back from Serina ...

---

Clearly I am missing far too much, in here on the computer.

Mini-news

I got an e-mail this morning from our adoptions worker (a Mormon guy, actually, who grew up in our ward) saying that he got our files back from Sacramento where they have been for the past several weeks waiting on a state clearance for the kids to be adopted.

Z's is clear. For K they asked for additional information on his bio parents. Our worker has sent the information.

We need to pray that they will get back to it quickly and clear it. We want to seal these kids in June when our families are here for A's baptism!

Join us, won't you? And add in a little word about the job we are waiting for word about ... we really want it. (Sorry I can't give more info there, but there is a really cool surprise for someone in the making if he gets it!! Anybody who knows, shhhhhh!)

Want

I want everybody else to blog, and I don't really want to blog lately. I just am not feeling it. Nothing that exciting is happening. I have no news to share, not even the news I really want to have about adoptions and jobs and maybe moving.

But I am happy. Things are good. I have really cute and smart kids who keep me on my toes, and a very smart and patient husband, and amazingly wonderful friends, and springtime in California.

While it makes for a pretty nice life, it makes for a pretty boring blog.

I should remember to resort to food writing when that happens.

Here's one thing that made me happy this week shortly after I found amazing deals on good cheese at Grocery Outlet. We won't talk about how much Brie I have been eating.

Barbecue chicken pizza

Your favorite 14" pizza crust (I use the Betty Crocker big red book recipe, more or less - 1 c warm water, 1 tbsp. yeast, 2.5 c. flour, pinch each sugar and salt, splash of olive oil)

Your favorite bottled barbecue sauce
1/2 - 1 c. chopped cooked chicken (grilled is best)
About 1 c. grated Gouda cheese (can substitute mozzarella or jack, but Gouda is best)
1 green onion (scallion) white and green parts, sliced thin
2-3 tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro

Spread sauce on crust as thick as you like. Top with chicken, cheese and onions. Bake at 375 degrees 20-30 minutes. Slice and sprinkle with cilantro before serving, or let diners sprinkle their own (not everyone likes the herb my mom calls The Weed).

I first had this type of pizza at Wasatch Pizza in Salt Lake City. They use red onion instead of green onion and bake the cilantro on the pizza. I think a similar pie is also on the menu at California Pizza Kitchen. But I think it's best homemade with a whole wheat crust.

Ending

Just in case you didn't know yet, the season for roasting and baking is officially over. Done. Today I made pork roast and peanut butter cookies (I know, huh? They were good) and I am dying in my house. It got so freaking hot. Now the open windows and ceiling fans are finally starting to do their job and I am not sweating in my computer chair. I am so not turning the AC on yet. We are too poor for that.

The kids got to play in the hose today. It was 91 degrees according to Sally Lou, and I am a lax Mormon mommy who doesn't feel that's a Sabbath breaker, so sue me. They put it up on the roof to create a waterfall. My kids are smart and danger-happy. Me, I figure if the roof can survive a Central Valley winter it can certainly take a garden hose for a couple of hours. We have definitely had rainstorms that have dumped more water on it than that.

My cooking has been less inspired lately because we are relying on food sources that steer us more toward the most basic of basics. But maybe I can get my mojo on with the grill and the ice cream maker, officially being fired up this week.

Bye-bye, roasty toasty. Hello, grill marks and frozen treats.

Sickievoice

My little Z has asthma inherited from her birthmom. (I have it, too, and so does A, ever since we came to the San Joaquin Valley where we mainly breathe diesel exhaust and particulate pesticides.)

At this time of year, she also has allergies. Again, the rest of us can certainly sympathize.

And then she got a cold. It seems to have pushed her poor little voice over the edge. Mean mommy thinks it is really, really cute.

Zoobabies

Just some images from our trip to the zoo yesterday. 

Back to life

Did you think Watch Out for Mama was dead? It only sleepeth-ed.  I'm back with Easter fun. And I have to share some pictures because some people (Dad!) are not on Facebook. That I know of.

Yesterday we had a lunch/egg hunt/pool party for crazy cold kids at Sally's darling new house up north of here. It was so relaxing and fun, and our wonderful friend Lehua from our University of Utah married student housing days came, too. The kids had a wonderful time and got cold in the cold cold pool. (Dude, my best friend has a pool! I can't wait for summer!)

K made the quickest work of his candy, but Z also kept her mouth pretty full!

A and Sally's S got chilly in the pool. Great friends.

Not only did we get to catch up on life, we got to have some very deep and enlightening conversations that I am still turning over in my mind. Love these girlfriends who are not afraid to get right down to the real stuff and open up their hearts. Thank you, thank you ladies. I love you so!

Lehua came back to Merced with us and we gabbed late into the night. Glenny had to catch up, too. He didn't go to Sally's with us because, HELLO! He is defending his dissertation THIS THURSDAY! I normally try not to be a shouter, but ... THIS THURSDAY! Can you believe it, after six years of doctoral studies? We are finally approaching the end. Really close.

Anyway this morning I got up at a crazy time and made muffins and then went over to the church to practice with the choir and run through my solo one last time. All went fine there. Came back home for the final roundup and took some pictures of the kids with Auntie Lehua. How blessed we are with loving, wise and wonderful friends.

Then, church. Lehua came with us which was a treat. I only made two bathroom trips with kids during sacrament meeting, and the choir number and the solo both went fine. I mean, I can always find points to criticize when I sing,  and sometimes I am very aware that I am not as trained as I could be. But the really key points in the song ("The King of Love my Shepherd Is") worked well and overall I am satisfied. I am especially lucky to have had a wonderful, versatile and talented accompanist today. That makes everything so much easier and makes me miss my dad a little less on a special day!

Then I subbed in doing singing time for junior primary and taught my darling class, which was really special. Because I happen to know the words to a couple of musical settings of the Easter story as recounted in the Bible, I am able to share it almost word for word by heart, and at least for me, that has a lot of power. I think, and I hope, the kids in my class felt what I felt. He is risen, as he said. (Oh, His promises are sure!)

I had a little meeting after church, wherein friend Matt (who is married to dear friend Molly) subtly suggested a blog update, telling me he blog-stalks while he is waiting for his patients' anesthesia to take effect. Or something like that. Who knew? Maybe I would taken his career option if I knew it was a career that offered blog-stalking time. 

We came home, and then I fixed lunch, grabbed a quick 45-minute nap, and started cooking Easter dinner. We had baked ham, mashed potatoes, peas, green salad, water with lemon, and banana cream pie. And missionaries, but not to eat. We have some fun new missionaries in our ward and the kids loved meeting them and pestering them. Haha ... really, we are very grateful for the positive example these elders provide for our children and the opportunity to have them in our home. 

After dinner, a quick Easter message from the elders and a little candy hunt in the backyard. (We didn't want to give the kids all their candy before church - just a little. This strategy worked pretty well and I think we may do it again in the future.) I watered my little plants including new nasturtiums and greens just sprouted. We are going to have some yummy salads soon! Then we watched Pinocchio and ate chocolate and snuggled until bedtime. Nice.

I felt like a superparticipant today. I am tired, but I like how it feels to work and serve and know I am contributing in my ward and my family and my friendships. And I did get that nap!

One sad note: I had to say no tonight to a 9-month-old baby boy who needs a foster family. I wish we had more capacity, but it is important to be honest about what we can really do. It's just that the county is technically not even supposed to be calling us for placements right now, at all, so when they do, I know they are running out of options. And that means the child is running out of options. And then what happens? (Is there room in your home for one of these little ones?)

Jumping beans

My two big boys are participating in Jump Rope for Heart with the American Heart Association this spring. I am hoping it gets some of their energy out.

If you would like to send them a buck or two for this great cause, do it thisaway:

I'll split it equally between them and make sure you get credit.

You can also join their Jump Rope for Heart group on Facebook.

Say it nice

Biggest

Lately my oldest child has been busy. What's kept him busy? I shall tell you!

Exploring the Exploratorium (field trip today - I chaperoned! Look at our cute group!)

We left at 7:30 this morning, arrived at 11, played until 3 or so, then drove and drove and drove until we finally got home about 7:30 in the evening. Still a great trip overall, but that is a lot of time in a big bus full of excited fourth graders driving over bumpy roads.

What else?

Getting a Bear Scout award at the Blue & Gold Banquet (Woot woot S!)

Making a Gold Rush cake for the banquet 

Kept on rejecting my culinary efforts. You can't win 'em all. At least K and I got to eat what S refused.

Staycation

Just some pictures from a precious, mostly non-crazy afternoon during the kids' week off school last week.

Daddy time

Playtime

Mischief time

Here's hoping they remember this time.

And not all the other times during the week when they were fighting and trashing the house and I had lightning coming out of my ears.

I think the key is pulling out the camera at the correct moment. Already I am starting to remember this staycation as kind of blissful and funny.

Accentuate the positive, right?

Prone

We had quite a weekend. If I didn't know better I would swear we somehow got a houseful of malevolent sprites causing things to go wrong (and I don't mean the kids).

Saturday morning I left for my walk about 8 a.m. The big boys were in the tub. They'd run out the hot water and asked Dr. G-to-be to heat some on the stove for them. He was doing this because he is a nice dad. He got it a little too hot ... and he also spilled it on himself on the way into the bathroom. He ended up with a nice salmon-colored burn in the shape of an artist's palette about 4 inches in diameter on his belly. He still managed on his own until I returned, clueless, an hour and a half later. Poor G! He iced it all day and it's much better now. No blisters or anything.

I made chicken nuggets for lunch. I'm telling you, it's gourmet. They were even shaped like dinosaurs. I bet you can't imagine how I managed that. Well, I set the pan on the table with kids gathered all around - and G was there, too - and went to get the ketchup or something. Next thing I knew I heard a two-year-old wail. Z had grazed her wrist against the hot pan. Oh, I felt like a loser! Poor baby! She did get a little blister.

Then, here is the crowning moment: Late in the afternoon I decided I should squeeze in a little bathroom cleaning before heading to the evening session of Stake Conference. (I had been graciously told I should run away for a while. The kids have been off school all week and I've built up a good bit of crazy.) After getting the fixtures all shiny I remembered I have been meaning to wipe the dead ants down off the ceiling where they were left after being repelled in their last invasion by G and a can of Raid. We won't say how long ago this was. 

So there I was, standing on a chair inside the shower. Can you see this coming? If you checked my Facebook yesterday you already know the ending. I will tell you the story anyway.

I felt the chair slip. I thought I could shift my center of gravity. I failed. I felt myself beginning to fall. I started to scream. I landed on Z's Dora the Explorer potty chair, shattering the plastic and making a well-defined print on my behiney. I lay prone on the floor crying for a few minutes. I thought my tailbone might be broken, which would be horrible but also karmically just, given the number of years I have spent laughing about a middle-school teacher named Mr. Butz who sat on a table, which broke, sending him to the floor and breaking (yes, really) his tailbone.

My family asked me if I was ok. I was too mad and hurt to talk. Sometimes I tend to lose power of speech when I am overwhelmed. They were baffled. Eventually I determined that I was ok, and I got up and cleaned up the shattered red plastic potty. I got dressed and even did my hair with a straightener for stake conference. I think I needed extra self-assurance after this debacle. After the meeting I checked my bruise, and I have to say it is awesome, but I will not be posting pictures.

There is actually a song about me and my accident-proneness written by a famous songwriter. I worked as a cafeteria line server - burning my arms all the time on hot pans - in the Morris Center at BYU with Cherie Call, whom you can see on any number of Time Out for Women dates and stuff. I find her really quite good, and not just because she penned the following for me (sung to the tune of "Walk on the Ocean" by Toad the Wet Sprocket):

Walk on the lotion

Slip on the stone

Fall in the water

Accident prone!

I am ready for Monday in so many ways.

Tour

Today was the big day - the Tour of California bike race came by just a few blocks from our house. And it couldn't have been more perfect. After a week of rain, the breeze blew and the sun shone and our little town (which sometimes smells like onions and/or car exhaust and/or manure) was fresh and clean and lovely. We saddled up and walked/biked/scootered/strollered up to the creekside trail where I do my weekend walks to wait. 

We waited a long time. We threw a lot of sticks in the water. Smart S brought along some Legos. Z got to pet a lot of "goggies." She is soooooooo dog crazy. Lucky Sally has a dog for her to love now, so I don't have to get one.

Pretty soon the motorcycle cops and the team cars started coming through and we heard people say, "No more traffic," and "They've just gone by the courthouse."

Then we saw the peleton coming. 

(not my backside here, by the way)

Then they were there!

Then they were gone.We watched some more team cars go by - fun, with the crazy marketing paint and the equipment and stuff.

Then we packed up and walked back home.

Man, that happened fast! It was fun and exciting. My regret: I watched it through the lens of the camera and I'm not sure whether I saw Lance Armstrong or not!