Orals

I passed my orals!

5 Second Post

Here is a five second post for anyone who still checks this. I know it's been a while since I've posted last. I'm finishing my last year of school and hopefully will graduate in may. With an externship in the summer. My placement this semester has been in the hospital and I have loved it. So I'm leaning towards working with adults. For those of you that don't know we are having another baby and this time it's a girl. The due date is March 22, (thus the "hopefully" graduate in may) and we couldn't be more excited. I'm excited to finish school and move on with my life. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, this baby will have to work pretty hard to keep me from finishing.

Well I exceded my 5 seconds. I'd like to say that I'll write again soon but we all know that it would be a lie. Most likely it will be to announce the baby arrival or my graduation. The graduation is going to be such a big achievement I hope you all make plans to come up and celebrate with us!

Thanks for continuing to update your blogs it is nice to know how you are all doing and how your lives are progressing. See you all later.

Oh! just as a side note- the bonsai tree died- I think I loved it to death. Don't worry I'll try again some day.

First Bonsai Tree

Okay I got my first bonsai tree. It is called a dwarf mugo pine. It's kind of cute. Since it is a dwarf it grows really slow, only an inch a year. Currently I am only keeping it alive. I still haven't decided how I am going to shape it. It is living inside but starting this summer it will begin living its life outside.  Anyway, here's a picture of the little guy. 

It still needs a nice pot but this one will have to do for now.  

I plan on getting a maple in April. I have to wait until the nurseries get them in for summer. 

Anyway this is the first bonsai. I'll keep you posted.

Bonsai

I love trees. Whenever I am in the car I always enjoy looking at all the different trees that I drive pass. It is always so sad to see a tree that hasn't been taken very good care of or has a disease. I am so excited for this spring when I get to start my yard and plant my own fruit trees, I also have some oak trees to add to the lineup. I have two cherry trees and a pear tree coming. The peach that I ordered won't get here until next year (bummer). Anyway, I've decided to start a new hobby. I'm going to grow a bonsai tree or two. I am so excited. I have been learning a few things about them before I decide which tree I want to try and grow, these are a few things I have learned.

• Bonsai trees are not genetically altered trees to grow small, they are regular trees that are kept in a pot and the roots and branches are trimmed to keep the size and shape that you want the tree to be.
• It is recommended that the trees are kept outside (which I am still a little bummed about) since they are regular trees.
• you grow trees that are suitable for the area you live in.
• You can grow fruit trees bonsai style! cool huh.
• The tree is all about the art and design. It is the goal to make it look as natural as possible, a lot of the trees are manipulated with to make them look older than they really are.
  

Here are a few pictures of some amazing trees.

This one is probably my favorite. I love the maple trees and the little scene below is so fun. I can just imagine driving by this scene. Too bad it's only 5 feet in length, a foot in height.


This arrangement is so pretty, all it needs is a tent in the middle of all the trees, just kidding. I want to grow a forest arrangement out of aspens, like the mountains in this area.


The maple is the tree that I am leaning towards starting on. Wouldn't it be fun to grow a maple tree and then add a little wooden swing into the scene.

These trees below are in the US National Arboretum in Washington, DC. They are just so old it is amazing. This tree looks like the tree that Rafiki lives in from the Lion King.

This one is just really old and cool.

So, I'm going to start growing a tree. I'll let you know how it goes.

Ok, ok, I feel like it's probably time to add a little post. Catch everybody up on what has been going on in the lives of the Richardsons.  

Mark- Mark continues to work from home doing freelance work. 3-d stuff. If you want anymore detail than that you are going to have to ask him.  He is always  busy on the computer and Coleman and I have to come in and poke him to get any attention sometimes.  He is the best little daddy and spends alot of time making Coleman laugh.  Everytime Mark walks into the room with Coleman and I, Coleman will laugh and jump at the same time in anticipation that he gets to play with daddy. 

Me- I have been calculating and I am now on my 13th semester of school. That is 6 1/2 years of school.  I technically should have been done with six but I didn't make it. I am counting down and after this semester I will have 2 left before I get to graduate!  It is so exciting and I know I can do it.  I continue to look up to my Aunt Denise, who has been going to school for much longer than I have, and I know she understands what it takes to get a degree and the hard work that is put into school work.  I have a lot of respect for that lady and all the work that she has done for her education.  She has a doctorate in English and I can only imagine the work that she has done.  I like to go to family get togethers when I get to see Denise because I know I can talk 'school' with her. I feel like going to school for this long has left me unable to converse about anything but school. It is so sad. 

 It is a little depressing as I watch all the girls I have been going to school with for the last 4 years all graduate without me but I know that I can do it.  I don't regret my decision to slow down to be with Coleman for one minute.  I am so proud of all those girls for finishing. YAY!

On a more personal note I love being a mom and love the time that I get to spend with my little bug. Every day I look at him and think how did I get so lucky to get such a smart and fun kid. I love him so much!  and he is only getting cuter.  It is so funny to see him walking around.  He is so short and small but he loves to walk! I can't image what he is going to be like during the "terrible two's" because he is already into everything and running around into every room and pulling every thing off the shelf. Not only that but he hates laying down to sleep, puts up such a fuss when he doesn't get his way.  But I still love him.  

That leads me to Coleman.  As I mentioned earlier he is walking around.  He also says mama and more.  On occasion when you ask him where his nose is he will point to it but he doesn't seem to like that game very much, he would much rather play tag and tickle and peak-a-boo.  He also has decided it is very funny to cram himself in tiny areas, such as cupboards and under the bed. Anywhere he can find that is just his size.  He especially loves the closet.  

While he wanders around the house he will carry a walky talky that his grandpa got him for his birthday and talk and talk and talk.  It is so cute! He will then shove it in my face and expect me to say something back.  He isn't picky though, he will hold a remote up to his face, the camera, anything that he can get his hands onto that looks like he should be able to talk into it and has buttons, he will carry around and jabber away. 

I am waiting for the day that he has enough hair that I can do it.  He has a few long hairs in that back that could probably be cut, But I can't bear to take away some hair while I'm waiting for more to grow.  I've tried to give him a mohawk a couple of times but even with hairspray and gel  it still only lasts about 2 minutes.  oh well, that's my boy. 

Also! Our new little house! I love it so much. It is so nice to be in our own home! I think my mother-in-law likes it better too.  I always think how funny it is that our culture has brought us up each family living in our own homes.  When other cultures it is expected to live together.  So when we are in a situation where we need to live together it can be a very uncomfortable thing. Anyway I like living in my own home, it has been wonderful.  

Here are a few pictures of our past little while.

This is Coleman reading a book. He is so funny, he will go into his room and pick a book from the shelf and just start reading to himself.  He really loves books, but we have to be careful or he'll love them right into pieces. 

Coleman got this for christmas. He thinks it's pretty cool. He even has learned how to walk with it underneath him.  

This is Coleman in a cupboard, he thinks it is so funny to climb in and then shut the door and play peek-a-boo!

 This is a little clip of Coleman's new skill, Walking. 

 I just had to add this little video, he is so funny. This is one way that I can clean the kitchen with him around. He loves to play in the sink so I stick him in there and he will play for sometimes 20 minutes.  He likes to take the oranges off the counter and play with them in the water.  

New House

I am so excited! We have been house shopping for a while now and we found one that we like! We had a very nice (and patient) realtor that has been helping us out named Jason.  Our little home is in a cul-de-sac (spelling?) with one other neighbor at the moment. I hope they like us! The rest of the development is not finished yet and with the economy the way that it is who knows when it will be. But we like the quiet street and there is a street lamp close to our home. 

I love the master bathroom and closet and the laundry room is on the main floor, which I love, so those are good. As a girl those were things I looked into. Also the yard is little but nice, there will be enough room to  grow a garden, some raspberries, and a few fruit trees along the side. (And if I'm nice maybe a sandbox for Coleman ;)) 

Anyway we are very happy and excited to move in.  The hope is to move over thanksgiving break. I am excited to slowly decorate my own home and have our own space. More on this later I am sure! 

Pictures

These are just a few pictures of our week.

This is Coleman in the cupboard.  It was pretting amazing. He has started to stand up on his own for seconds at a time when walking along the furniture.  So as Coleman was opening the cupboard he was balancing all by himself while he opened the door.  It is amazing to see what he learns each day.   Colemans will also sit with a book on his lap and turn the pages and "read" to himself and put a phone to his ear and "talk".  It is so cute. 

This is Coleman and his dad drawing with a pen. He has recently learned how to write with a pen and loves to scribble on paper (and whatever else he can reach). Today he had a marker and wrote on his grandmas wall before I caught him and took it away, he wasn't very happy with me.  

Halloween night we went to "boo at the zoo" it was really fun.  The three of us were all pirates. Coleman was so cute.  I was so proud of him,he didn't touch his hat all night and left it on his head, once he saw his daddy and mommy with something on their heads as well. (he's a smart kid). This is a picture of him with his grandpa. Coleman wasn't sure he wanted to go to grandpa looking like that but once he figured out who it was, Coleman didn't want to go to anyone else. 

Boo at the zoo was a fun place to go trick or treating.  Businesses from around town set up around the zoo and hand out candy. There were just little families running around, not a lot of teenagers, it was a very safe place to go. Because you have to pay admittance it limits who comes and there were also security guards walking around keeping an eye on things. My parents were there giving out candy which is the reason we went.

I just have to say, I have never seen a warmer halloween in Idaho. It is usually so cold everyone has on their coats over the costumes and this year it was warm enough that no coats were needed. It was so nice!

A few more pictures of all of us. 

Our little pirate family and then

Dad, Mom, Me, Coleman, Mark, Clay

It has been a crazy month! Even part time school keeps me on my toes. I leave at 6:30 in the morning and don't get home until 6:30 at night, twice a week. But I'm not complaining, I enjoy it and seeing the girls at school is fun. It is nice because they know what I'm going through so they understand and like to talk about it with me.

Mark has been so good to watch Coleman while I am gone at school. He is the best husband, I don't have to worry about either of them when I'm gone because I know he takes such good care of him. Mark started working for a advertising agency out of SLC doing freelance work. He seems to enjoy it and they are keeping him busy so that is good.

Coleman is growing up so fast. He is crawling around like a mad man! He zooms around and the next thing I know I can't find him and he has reached the stairs and is half way up them. When I turn the corner and he sees me coming he squeals and starts climbing faster. He knows I'm coming after him but it's a big game for him. I don't want him to fall back down when he looses his balance. We have been working on sliding down on our bellies but I don't think he gets it yet, we'll keep working on it. He is such a smart kid I don't know how I got so lucky.

Anyway that is our family in a nut shell for the moment. We are doing good and enjoying the last days of fall before it turns cold. I'm excited for this time of year, all of the holidays and fun time we get to spend together as a family.

Getting to know you

I can't believe I got tagged to do this and it is the longest "getting to know you" thing I have ever seen!

Getting to Know You!
1. What time did you get up this morning? We got to sleep in this morning so 8:30
2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds. But lately I have been eyeing those bigger pearls that are really pretty with ribbons used as the necklace, I think those are really pretty
3. What was the last film you saw @ the cinema? Iron man - that was pretty good
4. What do you usually have for breakfast? Cold pizza or cereal
5. What is your favorite TV show?? Where to begin? Since tv is now on the internet and I can watch it at my own pace i've started watching a lot more. but at the moment we are watching  House, MD
6. What is your middle name? Don't have one unless you count my maiden name
7. What foods do you dislike? tomatoes, my mother in law tells me that is because I haven't grown up yet
8. What is your favorite CD at the moment? I don't listen to a lot of music
9. What kind of car do you drive? Mitshubishi Diamonte 
10. Favorite Sandwich ? Ham and roast beef with all the toppings!
12. Favorite item of clothing? ones that fit, I just bought a new pair of jeans i'm pretty happy about
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation: Where would you go? a rainforest would be fun or australia
14 Favorite brand of clothing? whatever is affordable
16. What was your most recent memorable day? Mark's birthday was pretty fun, 
18. Furthest place you are sending this? Who knows on the internet

21. Your birthday? March 29
22. Are you a morning or evening person? Neither, I like my sleep in the morning and at night
23 What is your shoe size? 8
24. Pets? None unless plants count
25. What did you want to be when you were little? I think it changed all the time, depending on what I was doing at the moment. Probably a teacher, I know I always wanted to be a mom. I'm pretty sure Speech Pathology didn't cross my mind
26. Any new and exciting news you would like to share with everyone? I'm pregnant. Just kidding
27. How do you feel today? a little anxious for clinic on Monday, I have no idea what I'm going to do
28. What is your favorite candy? probably a baby ruth
29. What is your favorite flower? Roses and Daisy's
30. What is the day on the calendar you're looking forward to? Hmm, December. Coleman's first birthday and the end of my semester
31. What is your full name? Misty Turner Richardson
32 What are you listening to right now? My husband's mouse scrolling
33. What was the last thing you ate? Mini 3 Musketeers
34. Do you wish on stars? No
35. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? A beautiful Red
36. How is the weather right now? Dark, maybe a little windy, I'm not quite sure, I'm inside.
37. Last person you spoke to on the phone? My mom, I get to taxi my little brother around tomorrow.
38. favorite soft drink ? Rootbeer
39. favorite Restaurant? probably Craigo's. I'm all about the all you can eat. 
40. Hair Color? Strawberry blonde
41. What was your favorite toy as a child? I had a stuffed bear that I used to carry around with me every where
42. Summer or Winter? Is fall a choice? 
43. Hugs or kisses? Are we talking about the candy or the action? Hugs if the candy, Kisses if the action
44. Chocolate or Vanilla? chocolate

48. What is under your bed? Shoe boxs
49. Salty or Sweet? Depends on the moment
50. How many keys on your key ring? I don't know and I'm not going to go find time to count, more than I need or want to admit
51. How many years @ your current job? What current job? If you count school 7
52. Favorite day of the week?  Wednesday, It means I don't have to go back to school for 4 more days.
53. How many towns have you lived in? 2- Idaho Falls and Pocatello for a few months
54. Do you make friends easily?I think so

I guess I am going to tag Bethany, Natalie and Adrienne

School

School has started for the semester. I have to say I am already so stressed out! I think the longer I do school the more I worry about it.  I have one class on Neurology, mostly dysarthria. (a problem in the muscles used for communication), it usually happens after a stroke or brain injury.   Anyway, that should be an interesting class. The teacher is really fun to listen too and is apart of the clinic setting instead of academia so the things she says are a little easier to follow and she emphasizes the more clinically relevant items.  

 I'm a little more stressed about my clinic assignments.  I will be working with a stroke patient who is aphasic and is basically learning to speak again.  ( if you want to know- Aphasia is different than dysarthria in the sense that aphasia is caused by a lesion in the brain that affects speech).   This client has been coming to the clinic for a while and is doing really well but I still feel like I have no idea what to do.  It's a little scary but I'll just take it one day at a time and I think it will be fun.  I also have an adult language group.  This is a group of seniors that have minor language problems or dementia. I'm kind of excited about that one. My last clinic assignment is with a 14 year old child that has hearing aids who has language goals.  This week I am doing all the assessment to figure out what our goals will be for the semester and then we'll go from there.   My brain is on overload trying to remember all the things I need to do and sort out, hopefully It will be a fun semester.  

Coleman's first word

Coleman said his first word today. He said bye-bye. We have been working on him waving and he has been doing that and then today he said bu-bu. I was so excited. But I contained my excitement and thought that it was just him babbling, so I told myself that if he did it again that we would know that he know what he was saying. And he did! He said it twice today. I am so proud. I thought his first word was mommy because when he is kind of whiny he would say mum-mum-mum, and just repeat it over again, while he was reaching for me. But then he stopped doing it so I don't think that he realized what he was saying it was just babble. (Even though it is cute and I like to think that he knows). Anyway... I didn't realize how complicated it could be to figure out what your baby's first word was going to be. But it has been fun to follow Coleman's development and see the new steps he takes.

Speaking on steps. He is starting to take his first crawling steps. I have been so impressed and sad as well. He has been scooting around like mad on his belly every where he goes for a month now and just recently has started to get on his knees and hands. Well I've never seen him move more than one knee before he reverts back to the belly. But since I've been going back to school I have had Mark and my mom both say they have seen him go about 4 feet before going back to the belly. That is why it made me sad. I don't like not being the first one to see his new growth and development. I guess there is nothing I can do about it.

Wedding

Our little family at the reception.



Here is the happy couple, they are so cute together. I am so excited for Sandy, we went to high school together and to now see her married was so neat. She is the most thoughtful person I know and deserves all the happiness the world has to offer. I know the two of them will be happy. I noticed something at the wedding that is so amazing about Sandy. She is so good at just naturally posing in front of the camera. She has this ability to pose in such a way that she looks great every time. Nobody ever had to tell her what to do because she was so good at doing it naturally. It was astounding.



This is my Uncle, Tim. He was a good person for Mark to hang out with at the reception. Along with my Uncle Troy they all complained about having to go to receptions and stay all night. I'm sure they were all just happy to be there but being men they have to whine about being made to go. So the three of them sat at the edge of the reception and talked and laughed the whole time. I was glad they were there.



This is Coleman and his Grandpa playing in the fountain while we were waiting for the couple to come out of the temple. Coleman wanted to go swimming, just putting his feet in wasn't enough.

Mark's Birthday

We had a lot of fun on Marks Birthday. His parents took us out to eat at Johnny Corino's to eat and then back home for his brother to come over to help us celebrate and open presents. It was fun to see him open his gifts. I had been working on a gift for him a week before the actual day. I was making little covers for his iPod out of socks. I went to Gap and got some cute baby socks and cut the end off and sewed them shut. He thought they were fun and now carries his iPod around in a little red and white striped sock.


For those of you who know what a cricut is I used mine to cut out his happy birthday sign. That was fun.




This is Mark's brother Eric and his little daughter Shea.



Mark's birthday was really fun. I don't know if he was exaggerating or not but he did say it was his funnest birthday ever. I'm sure he said it just to butter me up and it worked, I was officially buttered. It was just a way for me to show Mark how much I love him!

Latest Happenings.

I haven't posted in a while. It is hard to find time. Coleman has been teething so he doesn't want to be sat down or left alone. The poor kid, I'm sure it's painful. August has been a busy month, I guess it always is. Here are a few things we did; we went to a wedding, it was Mark and my Dad's birthday and school started, along with other things that I'm sure I'm forgetting. Here are some pictures.



This is Mark with his remote control airplane. He actually got this for Fathers day but hasn't been able to fly it much. The problem is that we live in Idaho and there is never a calm enough day to go out and fly it. But when he gets to it is really fun and he gets better every time he tries.

Breakfast at Tiffany's

I just finished watching the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's. What an amazing movie. The story of Holly and the inability she has to attach herself to anyone or anything. She calls herself a wild thing that can't be tamed. She even has a cat that she won't give a name because she refuses to 'own' the cat. During a party scene in Holly's apartment you see a bird cage. Inside the cage is a fake bird. I think because of the inability of her to have anything alive locked up. She gets something she calls the mean reds. The feeling of depression which is worse than just being sad , also known as, the blues. The reds are when you feel something bad is going to happen, only you don't know what it is. Her only cure for the mean reds is to visit the jewelry store, Tiffany's. She feels that nothing bad could happen in a place that is so calm and proud looking.

How sad that she isn't able to accept the love of others and come to realize the calm that comes with knowing there is someone else you can rely on that loves you. She is a character that makes you think. It helps me to realize how lucky I am to have Mark and Coleman in my life to love and hold close, along with the gospel that brings a sense of purpose into my life.

We just got back from vacation. It was a long trip. Overall, it was fun but camping and sleeping on foam mats for a week and a half is hard on your back and spirits. We went to two family vacations, one in southern Utah and the next was by Bear Lake. I saw people that I haven't seen in probably 10 years. It is sad to say that although I knew their name and who their parents were that's all I knew. Too bad that family members have to live so far away that it is next to impossible to get to know them. I guess that is what family reunions are for, to get to know one another again. Here are some pictures of our travels.

Mark Graduates

Mark just graduated from college!  I am so proud of him.  He got his degree in communications with an emphasis in advertising.  He also got a minor in graphic design and photography.  He is so smart and talented in all of these areas, I am always impressed with what he comes up with.  The ceremony was good and Coleman was very good.  He got a little mad at the end when we didn't leave but over all I was very proud of how well he acted. Best baby ever!  That picture of him is at wingers before the graduation.  He loves to drink out of straws.

We are now going on a vacation to see all our family it should be so fun! I am excited.  Mark calls this vacation the marathon.  We have two family reunions, one this weekend and then another next weekend, it's pretty awesome. We'll see how it goes.

Baby Coleman

I've been trying to figure out how to do this picture thing. I think I finally figured it out. But every time I get a minute to work on it something happens and I don't get to do it. So here it goes. Babies seem to change so fast, I took these pictures of Coleman this morning, so this is what he looks like today.

Well, now that I have a blog Mark told me the internet is now complete. I guess now that I have a blog my life can begin. Not a lot is happening here. Coleman is getting so big I've been working on figuring out a new way to carry him. The car seat is just not cutting it anymore. I have to use my whole body to lift the thing and then trying to walk with it, along with a diaper bag, is a sight to be seen. It's quite rediculous. So I started researching baby slings. This is what I came up with.

http://www.mobywrap.com/

Of course, I didn't buy one, I'm too cheap for that. I went to the fabric store and came home and made my own. It has been so nice. Even though Coleman weighs over 18 pounds, I can hardly feel him. All of the other baby carriers I tried put all the weight on my shoulders. This one distributes it all over my back. Not to mention Coleman loves it. Anyway, it was fun to make.

I just finished a summer class I was taking. The whole class was silly. This professor isn't a very good teacher and not a lot of people like her besides the fact that we never learn anything from her. Well, it was funny she told us she had gotten another job some where else and wouldn't be coming back in the fall. Since she doesn't care anymore, all of our assignments from this class that we were to turn in automatically got A's and so I got an A out of the class. Easiest A I have ever gotten. Teachers should quit more often.

Well, this is my first entry into my blog. I am so nervous.

Now I know why I haven't started a blog until now. I have no idea what to say. I just love all the blogs that I see and read. Everyone is so good at writing about their life and what is happening in it at the moment. It is such a great way of keeping in touch with the ones you love. I just hope people will want to read my blog. I am definitely not the best writer, but I'll try my bestest.

It is crazy how this blog stuff works. I have this crazy urge to show all the pictures of my baby that I have, to share his cuteness with the world! I'll have to contain myself since I don't know how to do it yet.

I've been looking around at all the options I have in making this page mine and I am having a difficult time. I don't know what I doing. This is complicated. I'm going to have to get Mark to help me.