My new grandson!

My daughter and her husband had their second little one in August.

My first grandson!

 Grandma and Grandpa holding baby Knox

He's such a sweet baby boy!

 I couldn't cuddle him enough!

Grandpa and Knox

Mommy, sister, Knox, and Great-grandma

Christmas 2012 in Utah

 A few days before Christmas Ryan and I flew in to SLC from China and Marc flew in from ATL.

Sydney and Lance picked us up at the airport.

Christmas Eve at Grandpa's house.  My siblings and their spouses.

 My brother didn't want a photo.  Syd, Lance and Ryan.

 

 I gave Syd a fan from China.

Ryan picked out a remote control car while we were in China.

I gave Marc a shirt from China.  They like to put English words on shirts. 

Sometimes it's just letters that have absolutely no meaning at all.

Do you have a Fun-Loving Child in your life?

Do you have a Fun-Loving Child (Type 1) in your life--a child that may be viewed as "Hyperactive", or "Overstimulated"? The video above has some great tips for you to better support and honor their naturally bright and light expression. 

I've just finished reading "The Child Whisperer," by Carol Tuttle.  I love that this book is helping me understand each of my children and their unique natures--which helps me be a better parent.  The best thing about this practical advice is that I am able to use it immediately, which is making for a more happy and peaceful home.  I will be sharing a video about the four types of children over the next several days.  For now, I recommend that you LIKE The Child Whisperer Facebook page  to get a taste of what will become available to you on October 23.  Sign up to win a free copy here.

Here's a photo of my Fun-Loving Child, Sydney. 

She lights up my life!

Do you have a Sensitive Child? (Type 2)

Do you have a Determined Child? (Type 3)
Do you have a More Serious Child? (Type 4)

Curly Girl Program Review and Results

Here's a photo of my hair.

I bought the book "Curly Girl" by Lorraine Massey and I've been using her sulfate-free DevaCurl products (DevaCurl No-Poo Shampoo and Low-Poo Shampoo,  DevaCurl One Condition, DevaCare Arc AnGEL (gel), or DevaCurl Frizz-Free Volumizing Foam and DevaCurl Set it Free).  You can buy a combo trial pack with all of the products HERE.

Moisture is the KEY! My curls are so much better defined since I've started using her methods and products because they keep moisture in and frizzy hair stays away.  

"Curly Girl" helps you discover your type of curl, from wavy to zigzag, and comes with a DVD that shows you what to do for each type of curl.  The book will tell you how to use small metal hair clips to hold your curls in place and give volume too (here's a video tutorial). 

I knew it was working after I tried the method and products because I received more compliments about my curls in one week than I had in a year.

A GREAT haircut will set your curls FREE!  My hair is layered and cut in a special way that works especially for curls. I went to a hairstylist who is DevaCurl trained to give haircuts like they recommend in Curly Girl. 

My hairstylist has some great photos of curly hair on her website here. You can find a DevaCurl trained stylist here.

It takes me about 10 minutes to wash, condition and put gel in my hair like they recommend in Curly Girl.  I leave in most of the conditioner and I use a lot of gel.  Then I put in small metal hair clips around the front to set the curls in place and give lift while it dries.

Sometimes I gently twist up larger parts on the sides and back and hold them with large plastic clips. After that, I spray it with "Set it Free."  Depending on how much time I have, I either let it air-dry, or I blow-dry with a diffuser on a lower setting so it doesn't disturb the curls.  

Use the Pixie-Curl method to blow dry your hair without frizz.  Here's a video.

I also do what the book says in not washing my hair every day.  It's too drying.  I wash it about every 3 days.  At night I twist and hold my curls with clips in front , then I tip my head over and put it up in a loose pony tail on top of my head with a soft scrunchie.  

To really keep frizz away I wear a silk nightcap.  On the days I don't wash my hair I wear a shower-cap so the moisture from the shower doesn't cause frizz.

Read this blog for a wonderful overview of the Curly Girl program and why you want to use no sulfate or silicones on your hair here.

Here is another blog post from a woman who wrote about her experience trying the "Curly Girl" method and the products she uses here.

Syd's Wedding Photos

In June, Syd and Lance were married in the Vernal LDS Temple!

Here are some photos of their special day.

Syd has a blog post about it here

Syd's great-grandfather performed the temple marriage sealing.

See their engagement photos here.

Dual Enrollment. Earn High School & College Credit at the Same Time!

My daughter, Sydney, took advantage of Dual Enrollment during her junior and senior years in Utah.  She graduated high school with one year's worth of college credit.  The only thing we had to pay for were the books.  It was a valuable way to help her along the path to finishing college early with much less expense.  Dual enrollment generally refers to high school students taking college courses.  If these students pass their college classes, they receive credit that is applied toward their high school diploma and toward a college degree or certificate.  Hopefully more parents will find out about this option and take advantage of the opportunities available to them.

The state of Georgia has dual enrollment or joint enrollment available (more information here) but they usually don't promote it.  The schools in Georgia love to push Advanced Placement (AP) classes instead.  I don't know if it's a money thing or what, but you would have to have some sort of inside knowledge to even ask a high school counselor about the option of "dual enrollment."  It is paid for with funds from the state ACCEL program.

Previously you had to be enrolled in an accredited homeschool to take advantage of the ACCEL program, but that has now changed.  ACCEL funds are now available to traditional homeschoolers for Dual Enrollment.  At their quarterly meeting on May 11, 2012, the Board of Commissioners of GSFC approved a change in ACCEL regulations to define Eligible High School as: "any public or private secondary educational institution, including unaccredited Home Study or Home School programs".  This is effective beginning with the Fall term of 2012. A homeschool student no longer needs to be enrolled in an accredited homeschool program to qualify for Dual Enrollment funding.   However, there are some changes to the level of funding for everyone. ACCEL funds will pay the full tuition charge, but it will no longer pay for fees or provide a book allowance. Funding for private colleges has not changed. More information is here.

There is a wonderful article about the benefits of dual enrollment titled, "When choosing high school classes, why not pick college instead?" by Rob Jenkins, an associate professor of English at Georgia Perimeter College.  You can read it here.

Syd is getting married!

I am excited to announce that our daughter is getting married in June.  She's found a great guy that treats her like a princess. We are so excited to welcome him into our family.  Syd wrote a blog post about her engagement here.  They are going to be married and sealed in the Vernal Utah Temple.

Engagement Photo

Here's a photo of her ring.

Here are some photos of the happy couple.

Syd started a Blog that is hilarious

My daughter, Sydney, recently started a blog with all sorts of amusing and clever observations. Enjoy!


Garrulous: In which I express my loathing for cereal powder.....: Today, I ate Cap'n Crunch (without the crunchberries) just like I do most normal mornings. (By the way, who even likes the crunchberries? T...

Sydney's First Solo Flight!

My Daughter, Sydney

Sydney is majoring in Aviation at Utah State University

She's getting her Private Pilot License this semester.

She had to do her first solo flight.

Take off

Logan Valley

Taxiing back after flying by herself!

Sydney with her flight instructor Kizna

We are so proud of her!