I'm Graduating!

Woohoo! I'm almost done with classes at Idaho State University. I have one day of finals, a research paper to finish and then it's on to Pomp and Circumstance for this college grad. Can you believe it? I think it finally feels real for me today.

It makes it even more exciting that my younger brother is graduating at the same time, my Dad will be sitting on the stand with the important people, and my father-in-law will be reading the names.

This feels like such an accomplishment and I appreciate it so much more than I would have if I would have graduated at the age of 22. It's been a lot of work, but it was worth it and I hope my kids get used to having me around again.

Yahoo for Erin Cannon having a BA in Marketing from Idaho State University. First an Idaho Falls tiger, and now an ISU Bengal! Go Tigers!

Today I was a surgeon.

I know we've all had those days when we wished we actually had a full-time job working at an office or store somewhere rather than being a stay-at-home mom. We all know that this is MORE than a full-time job. Today, I saw things a little differently and thought I'd share.

Ever watched Dirty Jobs? I am fascinated by this show and love to see what he's going to be doing next. One day, I thought...how fun that he gets to do different jobs every day instead of the same thing day in, day out. Well...today I was a surgeon. I sewed up Hayden (my daughter's stuffed wolf) who had a gaping hole in his leg. She was so distraught and I was glad I could help. Little needle and thread action...wam, bam, good as new. Smiling child! Some days I get to be a sculptor and make creations out of playdo. Sometimes, I get to be a painter, and make masterpieces with the help of Crayola. I realized that in the past I've been a taxi cab driver, a veternarian, a chef, a dishwasher, a maid, a laundress, a seamstress, an accountant, a construction worker, a fireman, a police officer, a psychologist, a teacher, a landscaper, a musician, and many more.

I no longer envy Mr. Mike from Dirty Jobs. I haven't been up to my knees in mud, or up to my eyeballs in swarming bees, but I've done enough. Each day I have the opportunity to be something else, do a different job, wear a different hat. All are important in my life and my family's.

So...Today I was a surgeon.

My CrAzY Life!

I have about 5 minutes, so let's hope I can get this done. :)

School started for my kids on August 31st (finally!) They are attending the same school that my husband went to. They love it cuz it's right next door to Grandma and Grandpa's house and we've been playing on their playgrounds for years.

School started for me on August 25th. Yep, I know...You are all thinking...She's too OLD to go to school, but alas...ISU still accepts tuition money from 31 year olds. I quit college and put my husband through school back in the day and decided it's about time for me to finish what I started. I've been trying to slip in a few night classes over the years, but I am biting the bullet and going to school almost full-time this semester and full time next semester (after which I will graduate.) My degree will be in Marketing. I took my first Marketing class last Spring and loved it so much I changed my major.

My oldest daughter auditioned for the musical Annie and made it into the Orphan chorus. She is extremely happy because she found out she gets to sing, dance, "act", AND wear costumes! What could be better in an 8 year old's world? Now we just have to get her to the twice a week practices and performances in November.

I am Enrichment leader in my new ward so that's keeping me on my toes as well. We are having a Back to School Social next week and I don't have a committee yet so Imagine me running around like a Chicken with it's head cut off. (I know...sorry about the mental image.)

But overall, I shouldn't complain. I enjoy being busy. It ensures that I stay organized and goal-oriented. I am extremely blessed with great kids and an extremely supportive husband whom I adore!

If you have any suggestions for Enrichment Super Saturdays...Now would be the time to comment! I'd love to hear any and all suggestions. What works? What doesn't? What's a craft project that you've done lately?

Hawai'i July 2009

For Jason and I's 10th Anniversary, we decided to take a trip just the two of us. Okay, let me backup...I decided. We haven't left our kids longer than overnight but for a trip to Palm Springs a few years ago. Anyhoo, I thought it would be the perfect time since our kids are getting older and let's face it, a large tax return helps. Hawai'i seemed to be the perfect "second honeymoon" destination. Ummmm...did I just type "second" honeymoon, cuz we really didn't take a first, but I guess that's neither here nor there.

Our anniversary is July 23 so we wanted to be in Hawai'i for that date. We flew out the 22nd to Honolulu. My mom took my kids the first 4 days, and my mother-in-law took the last 3 days. (THANKS AGAIN, Judymom and Momma C. if you are reading this.) We rented one bedroom apartment through vrbo.com. It was located on the North Shore up in Laie on Oahu.

It was a cute little town (known to the locals as the Mormon town.) The temple is located here as well as the Polynesian Cultural Center.

Don't you love my sunburn? It was splendid. We went to the Lanikai beach on Friday (this pic was taken Sun) and I apparently was not vigilant enough with the sunscreen. We were sad to learn (before we left ID) that the temple would be closed. It is under extensive renovation. They have closed it for the whole year. We did visit the Visitor's Center and saw a BEAUTIFUL photography exhibit. Turns out the Laie, Hawaii temple is 90 years old. I had no idea it was that old. It was beautiful even in it's renovative state.

On our anniversary we got up early like as in 4 am.(Thank you JETLAG, we salute you) We drove about as far north as we could go. We drove to Dillingham Airfield where some Lost props were located. If you are a fan of lost, you will recognize the planes. We also drove past a YMCA camp that Lost uses as the OTHERS camp. So fun!


We rented a convertible. Why not live it up when you get a chance, right? Here's my sexy husband in our car.


This is taken fairly close to where the pilot scenes of Lost were filmed. Oddly, this is one of the few pics we have of the two of us together in Hawai'i.

We went to the Polynesian Cultural center on our anniversary. Here are a few pics. We even got to dance together on stage at the Luau because it was our anniversary. Us and about 30 other people.


One of my favorite things was snorkeling. We snorkeled at Shark's Cove which was up the road 15-20 minutes from where we were staying. We saw beautiful fish, and got to hang out with a school of the fish you see in Finding Nemo. Our kids thought that was cool. No pics of that though, only wonderful memories. I do have a nice pic of me in the snorkel gear though so enjoy that...(sarcasm was inserted into that last comment.)

One of my other favorite things was seeing the HONU (sea turtles). I compare it to seeing bears in Yellowstone. We were driving up the coast headed to Shark's cove when we saw some people standing on the beach taking pictures of the water. We decided to pull over to see what the fuss was about, and lo and behold there were 5 or 6 turtles fairly close to shore. I could've sat there for hours watching them.

We went to Pearl Harbor, of course, and Punchbowl. We went to the Swap Meet for souvenirs. We at Aoki's Shaved Ice. Yum. We peeled or own Sweet n Spicy Shrimp at Romy's Shrimp Shack. We ate at an AWESOME hole-in-the-wall Mexican Restaurant called AZTECA. So delicious! We did spend our last day there in Waikiki, but I was not a fan. Give me the North Shore anyday. Waikiki had too many expensive shops, and too many people.
Jason and I had a glorious time together. We laughed at the Wild Chickens. We lived in our bathing suits. We attended church on Sunday. We went to a movie theater. Which a little sidenote, was cheaper in Hawaii than it is here in Idaho Falls. Sick!!! We enjoyed the Nose flutes in the Tongan performance at the Polynesian Cultural Center. We enjoyed quiet dinners back at our apartment. We were grateful for the GPS. (note to those planning a trip to Oahu. DON'T rent a car unless you bring a GPS!!!) We almost lost our snorkeling gear before we even got to Shark's Cove. We enjoyed Hawaiian fry sauce. We read on the beach. We took morning and evening walks on the beach.

All in all, it was a FANTASTIC week!

Wow!

There is really no other word for the complete lack of bloggin on my part for the last 2 months. I apologize if any of you fainted on seeing that I have updated and added a new post.

The Cannon family has been in our Idaho Falls residence or almost 2 months now. It's been great...a small adjustment, on my part, as we have neighbors so close, but worth it. I have yet to go around and take pictures of every room to post simply because we have been busy getting things setup and comfortable. This pic is us on our front step.


The month of June is pretty much a blur. Here's a random picture of Carter helping Jason mow our "new house" lawn. I say new house because that's what Carter is STILL calling our house. He refers to it as the new house constantly...so cute!


Taylor's birthday is July 4, so that's always fun. We didn't go to the parade this year because we were too busy getting ready for Taylor's bday party and family BBQ.

Our family has a July 4 dilemma every year as we our oldest child is TERRIFIED of fireworks. She runs inside whenever she hears them. We tried to talk her into viewing the infamous Idaho Falls fireworks show from Community park (far enough away that she wouldn't be able to hear the noise) but that was a No Go. So, my gracious mother-in-law offered to stay home with her while we went to the park with the other 2 kids. The 6 year old fell asleep 15 min in and our 2 1/2 year old was very bored with the "pretty lights," so we ended up leaving before they were finished. No worries though. We were together and that's what mattered.

These last pics are at the Tautphaus Park zoo just this last week. My father-in-law is a member of the local Rotary club and they have a family picnic in the zoo every year. It's catered by Chiz's and they give the kids free tickets to ride the rides so it's a BIG HIT!!!! We genuinely look forward to this event all year long.


This picture if of my future tigers! Go IFHS!!!!!


This next week sees Jason and I off to Oahu, Hawaii for a week. I am wicked excited!!! I'll be sure to take lots of pics and get them posted before Halloween rolls around!

We made it!

We are moved. Pause for big sigh of relief! We are so happy to be here, but always sad to leave good friends behind. Thank goodness we didn't move too far.

I promise to post pictures and more about the whole move thing, but right now I'm too tired to think about it. I have to drive the girls to school in Rigby for the next couple of days. I'll be painting and cleaning our old house while they are in school so the work isn't over yet.

Stay tuned...

Evan, Brother #3

I completely spaced my third brother post. Thank goodness my brothers don't read my blog or else I'd have heard about it by now.

Evan...is my youngest brother. He is 8 years younger. When he was born, I was staying at my Grandma Mortimer's. My parents called me and told me I had another little brother. Boy, was I upset. Three brothers was a lot! I just wanted a baby sister. A couple of days later, we were able to go to the hospital. I soon changed my tune. He was the cutest baby. He weighed 11 lbs and had a mess of dark, dark hair. I loved him from the moment I laid eyes on him. From then on, I became somewhat of a second mother. I used to tote him around on my hip (no easy feat, since he was a big kid, and I was only 8.) I think I still feel like Evan's second mom.

I can't imagine what my family would be like without Evan. He loves to get us all riled up, especially my Mom, but he LOVES with his whole self. A few years back, he was being a typical teenager and doing something stupid. This act involved fireworks. He ended up in the hospital with a split-apart right hand. Very SCARY! He pulled through the whole experience like a trooper. He is a better man because of it!

Evan is our family job guy. I say that because he's had a lot of jobs. He has worked for my Dad in construction, worked for a couple of pest control companies, worked for a hotel, worked for a gas company in Vernal, and now for a politician. He is currently attending BSU and getting pretty good grades I might add. He's very intelligent, articulate, and hard-working when he wants to be. :) I love him to death!!!