Landon and I have both finished school now and passed with flying colors. Let's just say there were a lot of A's. ;-)
So now on to Christmas. We're both looking forward to my work party on Friday because they are tonnes of fun! Lilly loves all the lights everywhere, and when she gets up in the morning she runs into our living room and insists I turn the tree lights on.
My book is speeding toward publication! Yay! Keep an eye on my stories blog for updates on that and also follow my page on facebook.
I've got a new calling after 3 years in young women's. I'm sad to leave my girls, but with all the dramas going on, I'm glad for them to have new leaders who will put them first. So now I'm the Ward Conductor. Blah, boring.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Thursday, September 20, 2012
What's New?
This week Landon has been sick. With all the crazy rain we had recently our yard grew knee length grass and weeds, so, he has spent quite sometime trying to cut it all back. Unfortunately has can only do it in small increments because of all the pollens getting spat out at him. Fun times.
School is going well for both of us, Landon is on straight A's and I'm at 100% for my class too. We are quite happy.
Back on the yard thing, Addy is the most awesome dog ever. While the front yard was being worked on, Landon left the gate open so she came into the front yard and chilled under the carport. Our road is quite busy too, so the fact that she had no desire to head out onto the road was awesome. The only time she approached the road was when the postman came and she started doing the stereotypical dog-attacks-postman moves. But as soon as I said, "Addy come here!" she came running back under the carport. She's the best.
Lilly continues to do her thing. Trolling around, expanding her vocab. We need to buy her a doll because she rocks her toy dog to sleep and tries put diapers on it. Yeah... she's also into biting. It's driving me nuts. I can never catch her so I just don't know what to do. She's clever enough to know not to do it when I'm around or she'll get spanked, so I never see it.
So that's it for another week. Oh, I got a request from an agent for my manuscript today :-)
School is going well for both of us, Landon is on straight A's and I'm at 100% for my class too. We are quite happy.
Back on the yard thing, Addy is the most awesome dog ever. While the front yard was being worked on, Landon left the gate open so she came into the front yard and chilled under the carport. Our road is quite busy too, so the fact that she had no desire to head out onto the road was awesome. The only time she approached the road was when the postman came and she started doing the stereotypical dog-attacks-postman moves. But as soon as I said, "Addy come here!" she came running back under the carport. She's the best.
Lilly continues to do her thing. Trolling around, expanding her vocab. We need to buy her a doll because she rocks her toy dog to sleep and tries put diapers on it. Yeah... she's also into biting. It's driving me nuts. I can never catch her so I just don't know what to do. She's clever enough to know not to do it when I'm around or she'll get spanked, so I never see it.
So that's it for another week. Oh, I got a request from an agent for my manuscript today :-)
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Lilly
So I think I have raised my kid perfectly. This morning I went to get her changed, but instead, she jumped back into her crib, told me she wanted some books, then told me to "Go away". She then proceeded to sit and "read" aka look at the pictures, which is all a 22 month old can do really. I couldn't help grinning to myself as I went about doing things I hadn't expected to do until this afternoon. I think I'll start teaching her letters soon so she really can read her books.
Potty training is proving difficult. With me being the only person trying, it seems to be going nowhere. She tells everyone when she needs to go, but I don't think anyone but me actually takes her. *Sigh* She knows what's going on, and she hates diapers, so I just want to get it rolling. At my parent's house she pooped in the toilet twice, and peed several times, but here I am just struggling. I'll keep trying, that's the only thing I can do.
Potty training is proving difficult. With me being the only person trying, it seems to be going nowhere. She tells everyone when she needs to go, but I don't think anyone but me actually takes her. *Sigh* She knows what's going on, and she hates diapers, so I just want to get it rolling. At my parent's house she pooped in the toilet twice, and peed several times, but here I am just struggling. I'll keep trying, that's the only thing I can do.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Quick Update
So Lilly and I are home now. We are mostly recovered from jet lag, and I'm back at work.
Landon has decided to grow a beard. It's pretty hot too so I'm not complaining. The best part is he started while I was gone so I missed the prickly stage.
Lilly is picking up new words everyday. It's so much fun to hear her repeat things we say back to us, and so nice to know what she wants because she uses the word for it. Really if I could just skip the first year with all my future children I think I'd be happy. Lilly is in such a wonderful stage.
So our A/C is still broken, which sucks, but at least the last few days haven't gone much above 100. Yesterday didn't even break 100! We are trying to work out how to get it fixed before next summer so we don't have to suffer through the heat again.
That's it!
Landon has decided to grow a beard. It's pretty hot too so I'm not complaining. The best part is he started while I was gone so I missed the prickly stage.
Lilly is picking up new words everyday. It's so much fun to hear her repeat things we say back to us, and so nice to know what she wants because she uses the word for it. Really if I could just skip the first year with all my future children I think I'd be happy. Lilly is in such a wonderful stage.
So our A/C is still broken, which sucks, but at least the last few days haven't gone much above 100. Yesterday didn't even break 100! We are trying to work out how to get it fixed before next summer so we don't have to suffer through the heat again.
That's it!
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Australia
Right now I'm in Australia! That's right! I'm sleeping in my old room in my old bed at my parent's house! Lilly is in my sister's room as she is now on her honeymoon and we are enjoying away from the sweltering heat.
So we are here because my sister got married last Friday, and will be here until the 30th. Since the healthcare system in the US is so appalling I have been hitting up the doctors, optometrist and dentist because as an Australian citizen I get medicare - which means actual doctor care! I have a years supply of meds which hopefully should get my PCOS back under control and help me take off all this extra weight, I'll be getting new glasses because I'm getting night blindness in my left eye, and of course a good ol' fluoride treatment to keep my baby teeth strong and in my mouth. I also got a myriad of blood tests done, and will be getting an ultrasound on the giant painful lump in my wrist. I didn't know that going without for almost 4 years could rack up so many health issues!
Anyway, aside from that Lilly and I are having fun. We went to Featherdale wildlife park today to see all the native animals - which Lilly of course LOVED, especially the wombats.
I haven't seen many friends yet, but it doesn't help that so many of them seem to live in Queensland now! But I have seen a few, Libby, Becc, Tam, and of course I have visited my beloved Emu Plains ward.
I'm loving more than anything else the weather. It's cool, the air is fresh, and I can go outside with my child! Oh my gosh the small things I have missed about this place...
Well anyways, I miss my hubby and wish he was here with me and not stuck in our house with the broken A/C.
Also, I've started school again. English baby!
So we are here because my sister got married last Friday, and will be here until the 30th. Since the healthcare system in the US is so appalling I have been hitting up the doctors, optometrist and dentist because as an Australian citizen I get medicare - which means actual doctor care! I have a years supply of meds which hopefully should get my PCOS back under control and help me take off all this extra weight, I'll be getting new glasses because I'm getting night blindness in my left eye, and of course a good ol' fluoride treatment to keep my baby teeth strong and in my mouth. I also got a myriad of blood tests done, and will be getting an ultrasound on the giant painful lump in my wrist. I didn't know that going without for almost 4 years could rack up so many health issues!
Anyway, aside from that Lilly and I are having fun. We went to Featherdale wildlife park today to see all the native animals - which Lilly of course LOVED, especially the wombats.
I haven't seen many friends yet, but it doesn't help that so many of them seem to live in Queensland now! But I have seen a few, Libby, Becc, Tam, and of course I have visited my beloved Emu Plains ward.
I'm loving more than anything else the weather. It's cool, the air is fresh, and I can go outside with my child! Oh my gosh the small things I have missed about this place...
Well anyways, I miss my hubby and wish he was here with me and not stuck in our house with the broken A/C.
Also, I've started school again. English baby!
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Exchange Student FAQ's
I have just begun working as an exchange student coordinator with Aspect Foundation. It's something I have a lot of passion and drive for being a former exchange student myself, but it seems to be something people have A LOT of apprehension about. I'm struggling to find families willing to host. There are some good reasons ie. our home is under renovations so it won't pass the federal regulations, but there are some which I really wish I could smack them! So, instead I will rebut all those reasons right here!
1. We can't afford it.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? Worst reason EVER. These kids save for months so they can cover their OWN expenses while they are here. I will say this over and over throughout this blog, I was expected to, I did it, and these kids will too. Yes, there are some instances where legally I can't place a student in a home, like if the family is on welfare, but anyone else really cannot use this as an excuse. All you need to do is give them a safe home and provide them with meals which you would be eating anyway. How often do you have left overs that end up wasted? That's throwing money out the window, and these kids can eat that instead! My host family were a normal family, and I'm sure with two sons on missions having me living with them didn't exactly ease their burdens financially, but never did I feel like I was weighing them down or causing them hardship. They still have their home, vehicles, married off three children, and are sending another son on his mission, so I obviously didn't suck them dry by living with them. An exchange student is not a financial hardship.
2. It's just me, they'll get bored.
No. The kids placed with single people have said they are fine with it in their applications. Often Asian kids LOVE this set up because they are more withdrawn and studious. They will make plenty of friends at school and throughout the community so coming home to a quiet, peaceful environment can be very beneficial. Or, you can have two students in your home!
3. We've only got small children.
So? They usually have siblings in their homeland. Builds character. I lived with 6, 9, 11 and 17 year olds, and I had a lot of fun with each on different levels. I was expected to, I did it, and these kids will too. Going hand in hand with this I get people telling me -
b. We don't have teenagers so we can't host.
Yes, yes you can. If you are over 25 and fit federal regulation requirements for your home then anyone can. I had a fellow exchange student from Finland that I was friends with during my time on exchange and he lived with an empty-Nester couple. This same couple had been taking in students each year for a while. They loved having a foreign student in their home and learning about other countries directly from the source.
4. We have no spare rooms.
An exchange student can share a room as long as they are the same gender and within 5 years of age of one another. I shared a room with my 17 year old host sister, and yes, we struggled at times with my home sickness and her adolescent moodiness, but we are friends now and I have a great deal of respect for her as a person.
5. We have (insert event here) during the time they will be here and can't take them with us.
Uh huh....That's what I'M for! As their coordinator I can take them in if you need it. Simple. Problem solved.
6. We had some friends who had an exchange student and they said it was terrible!
Okay, so in general this is a two way street. I know there were times when I clashed with my host family members. I said before my host sister and I clashed on occasion, and struggled to get along at other times, but the biggest thing I remember disliking was having such a strict curfew after never having one in my life. I didn't comprehend exactly how strictly I needed to follow it so I got in trouble once or twice with them. I'm sure in return they thought I was reckless and somewhat wild at times and wondered what they had gotten themselves into. But I appreciated the boundaries they had put in place. Boundaries are the key! You teach them how to behave in your home, so from the very beginning if you get them helping with chores and doing whatever you expect your other kids to do etc they will be more pleasant, more willing and happier.
Yes, there are some students who are rotten, but generally speaking exchange is something they are excited about and want to make the best of. I love my host family to this day and they don't seem to regret taking me in :-D
So I hope that squashes any excuses and answers questions for people who are genuinely interested but are having doubts.
Katie
1. We can't afford it.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? Worst reason EVER. These kids save for months so they can cover their OWN expenses while they are here. I will say this over and over throughout this blog, I was expected to, I did it, and these kids will too. Yes, there are some instances where legally I can't place a student in a home, like if the family is on welfare, but anyone else really cannot use this as an excuse. All you need to do is give them a safe home and provide them with meals which you would be eating anyway. How often do you have left overs that end up wasted? That's throwing money out the window, and these kids can eat that instead! My host family were a normal family, and I'm sure with two sons on missions having me living with them didn't exactly ease their burdens financially, but never did I feel like I was weighing them down or causing them hardship. They still have their home, vehicles, married off three children, and are sending another son on his mission, so I obviously didn't suck them dry by living with them. An exchange student is not a financial hardship.
2. It's just me, they'll get bored.
No. The kids placed with single people have said they are fine with it in their applications. Often Asian kids LOVE this set up because they are more withdrawn and studious. They will make plenty of friends at school and throughout the community so coming home to a quiet, peaceful environment can be very beneficial. Or, you can have two students in your home!
3. We've only got small children.
So? They usually have siblings in their homeland. Builds character. I lived with 6, 9, 11 and 17 year olds, and I had a lot of fun with each on different levels. I was expected to, I did it, and these kids will too. Going hand in hand with this I get people telling me -
b. We don't have teenagers so we can't host.
Yes, yes you can. If you are over 25 and fit federal regulation requirements for your home then anyone can. I had a fellow exchange student from Finland that I was friends with during my time on exchange and he lived with an empty-Nester couple. This same couple had been taking in students each year for a while. They loved having a foreign student in their home and learning about other countries directly from the source.
4. We have no spare rooms.
An exchange student can share a room as long as they are the same gender and within 5 years of age of one another. I shared a room with my 17 year old host sister, and yes, we struggled at times with my home sickness and her adolescent moodiness, but we are friends now and I have a great deal of respect for her as a person.
5. We have (insert event here) during the time they will be here and can't take them with us.
Uh huh....That's what I'M for! As their coordinator I can take them in if you need it. Simple. Problem solved.
6. We had some friends who had an exchange student and they said it was terrible!
Okay, so in general this is a two way street. I know there were times when I clashed with my host family members. I said before my host sister and I clashed on occasion, and struggled to get along at other times, but the biggest thing I remember disliking was having such a strict curfew after never having one in my life. I didn't comprehend exactly how strictly I needed to follow it so I got in trouble once or twice with them. I'm sure in return they thought I was reckless and somewhat wild at times and wondered what they had gotten themselves into. But I appreciated the boundaries they had put in place. Boundaries are the key! You teach them how to behave in your home, so from the very beginning if you get them helping with chores and doing whatever you expect your other kids to do etc they will be more pleasant, more willing and happier.
Yes, there are some students who are rotten, but generally speaking exchange is something they are excited about and want to make the best of. I love my host family to this day and they don't seem to regret taking me in :-D
So I hope that squashes any excuses and answers questions for people who are genuinely interested but are having doubts.
Katie
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
It's been a long time
So, I haven't posted in forever because I have been completely focused on my other blog kjhstories.blogspot.com where I have pumped out 8 full length stories (some of which I have had written since high school) and a series is currently on it's way. The blog is worth following - I think anyway - and each story I always give a nice run down before and after about it ie. background, history etc.
Meanwhile, life does go on here in the Teller home. Lilly is now almost 18 months old and has a nice bratty vocab of 'No no no mine!' along with the ever endearing sweet smile and 'hi' that she gives to everyone else.
Landon is still doing very well at school, with straight A's and he seems to be right on track. He is also 1st councilor on the elder's quorum presidency which means he is quite busy helping with the upcoming fathers and sons camp out
I have finally sent in my passport stuff to the Aus consulate, so hopefully I will be able to get my new passport soon so we can travel to Aus this year.
I am also going to Girls Camp again this year! Hooray! We are going to have a rockin' good time, as we are combined with Gold Canyon ward which means the more the merrier!
Meanwhile, life does go on here in the Teller home. Lilly is now almost 18 months old and has a nice bratty vocab of 'No no no mine!' along with the ever endearing sweet smile and 'hi' that she gives to everyone else.
Landon is still doing very well at school, with straight A's and he seems to be right on track. He is also 1st councilor on the elder's quorum presidency which means he is quite busy helping with the upcoming fathers and sons camp out
I have finally sent in my passport stuff to the Aus consulate, so hopefully I will be able to get my new passport soon so we can travel to Aus this year.
I am also going to Girls Camp again this year! Hooray! We are going to have a rockin' good time, as we are combined with Gold Canyon ward which means the more the merrier!
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