What Can I Say.....

He is just too darn cute!!

Spring Projects

The weather continues to switch back and forth here. We will have a few days that are just beautiful with temps in the 60's and low 70's to tease us only to switch back to 30's, rainy (they have even said maybe more snow) and windy. This is why yesterday the boys took full advantage of what was to be the last nice day this week. The went and got a load of woodchips and continued on putting down landscaping fabric and more woodchips in the back area where we planted the new plants a week ago. Caleb gets so excited about their "dirty jobs" that when I asked him what he wanted for lunch he wanted to eat outside where daddy continued to work. Since I knew the weather forecast for the rest of the week wasn't good I figured I may as well let them take full advantage and I brought there lunches out. By last night the clouds had set in and the wind was in full force. Today is gloomy and cold so I am glad they got to enjoy their day. Hopefully by the weekend the weather will have improved again so they can continue with their dirty jobs.

Naturalized!!

So today was the big day! As I was making the trip on my own and would not have anyone to watch the boys at the ceremony, they got to go to the child development center for the day. In fact, when I got back around 5pm to pick them up, Caleb was having so much fun that he was crying and did not want to leave.

Thus, I started my day out with a lovely coffee stop and got to read the paper. I then hit the road and put my Ipod on. Now it is a good thing for headphones and that Simon Cowell was nowhere withing earshot because the roadtrip was great with me singing my heart out. I arrived in Boise early to hit the mall for a little bit. I then had a delicious elk burger at Fuddruckers for lunch. Delicious!!

I arrived at The Department Of Homeland Security by 1:10 (ceremony was to start at 1:30). The only glitch I had was going through the scanner as you enter the building. Something on me was setting the alarm off and I couldn't figure out what. This is why the lovely picture of my feet is included in the post. I had to show off the lovely job I did on my pedicure with my red polish, and to show you my sandals. They were what was setting off the alarm as apparently once they went through the x-ray machine we found they have metal shanks in them. This was beneficial to learn as I guess this means I should avoid wearing them in airports too.

I then got into line to turn in my letter and green card, in which I was then given a packet with a card to register for voting, passport application instructions, a copy of the Pledge Of Allegiance and Oath Of Allegiance, a letter from the Governor, and a letter from the President.

At 1:30 the ceremony began. There were 30 of us to be sworn in. They recognized the countries people were coming from and these are the ones I remember: Sri Lanka, Thailand, Philipines, Ukraine, Bosnia, Turkey, Canada (I was the only one), and Mexico. We then stood and with our right hand over our hearts said the Pledge Of Allegiance and followed with raising our right hand and saying The Oath Of Allegiance. Now I have to tell you, I got choked up for this and held tears back. All I could think was that if I couldn't pull it together and say the words, someone was going to notice and I wasn't going to get my citizenship. That didn't make it any easier. Today I did not lose my Canadian citizenship (even though the US no longer recognizes it), but I gained my American citizenship!! We were then called forward individually and presented with our certificates of naturalization. I was able to catch a lady from World Relief that often attends these ceremonies to take a picture of me and that was it!!

Tomorrow I will be applying for my passport as we were told to do immediately as they told us that it is taking 10-12 weeks to get right now. I am set and proud! I will post more later.

Signs Of Spring

I have officially decided that spring is my favorite season. The air feels so fresh, the sun so warm but not hot, and everything (including us) coming back to life. The kids were getting so anxious to spend more time that since the weather has come and I think spring is truly here to stay, they have been out in the back yard every day for the last couple of weeks.

Dan has sponge painted my cafe, trimmed the trees, and torn out the old rose bushed against our fence (that were arranged very poorly). This past Saturday, Dan and Caleb spent the day putting in drip hoses in the back flower bed against the fence and planting 2 blueberry trees, 2 rose bushes and a lilac tree. Caleb thought it was a great "dirty job" and was very pleased about getting to help.

My cafe has the perfect view of all the backyard and has turned into a wonderful place for me to relax and keep an eye on the boys as they play. This has greatly improved all of our moods. It is amazing what a little sun therapy can do!! Dan came up with the brilliant idea of putting an old lap top out there for me to keep up on my internet reading and thus my Internet Cafe has evolved.

Last night we all went for a long walk around the neighboorhood after dinner. I have always hated wearing shoes/boots with socks and only wear them when the weather requires me to so last night (after all the boys were in bed), I gave myself my first pedicure of the year and painted my toenails red and put my toe ring on (it is special to me as I purchased it in Grand Caymen when we went on our Carribean cruise before we had Caleb). Sandals, there is no turning back now!!

A Simple Solution

Today after the boys' naps, we walked to the park. Sure enough about 20 minutes after we got there I started feeling like I needed to use the bathroom. I avoid the park restroom as it's state is questionable, but at the same time if I've gotta go I will. I gathered up the boys and headed down the hill only to find when we got to the door a sign that said " Closed for the winter". It's March!! Anyway, Caleb was quick to offer a simple solution "Mommy, just pee in the grass". While I appreciated his critical thinking skills, mommies aren't aloud to do that.

The Ten Most Interesting Things About The US Government & History

I have mentioned that I had to study 96 questions about US Government & History to prepare for yesterday's interview and testing. It has been requested that I share the top ten most interesting things I was required to know. I guess this is also fitting since the interview I expected to take 2 hours only took about 10 minutes. First I have to tell you that in this list I would want to say as well as most interesting these are the 10 I find to have the most meaning.

1. What kind of government does the United States have? Republic. Before this I would have said democracy.

2. What is the most important right granted to United States citizens? The right to vote. I not only see this as a right, but as a responsibility. It was one of my reasons for wanting my citizenship as the decisions made in this country will affect my children as they grow up. Just as a on the side, I will not be voting for Hillary Clinton for many reasons. While it would be something to have the first female president, this alone will not gain my vote.

3.What are the first 10 amendments of the Constitution called? The Bill Of Rights. These guarantee the rights of individuals and limits government power.

4. Name one right or freedom guaranteed by the first amendment. The rights of freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and to petition the Government. I think these rights are often taken for granted by many. There are so many countries in the world that do not get to experience them and we should value them.

5. What are some of the basic beliefs of the Declaration of Independence? That all men are created equal and have the right to life, libery, and the pursuit of happiness. After watching the movie "Pursuit Of Happyness" I was able to remember this one easily and also a new appreciation for it.

6. Who elects the President? The electoral college.

7. What are the three branches of the government? The executive, judicial, and legislative.

8. How many supreme court justices are there? Nine. They are nominated by the President (another question). The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is John G. Roberts (another question).

9. Who becomes President if both the President and Vice President die? The speaker of the house (Nacy Pelowsi). The thought of this one is scary!!

10. What group has the power to declare war? Congress has the power to declare war.

Ten Minutes!!

I showed up 30 minutes early and was prepared to wait. I only waited about 5 minutes from setting my appointment paper in the box. "This should only take about 10 minutes". That is what the gentleman said to me as I was escorted into his office for my citizenship appointment today. That was the point where I said "This is for my citizenship test right ?" as I was sure my paper said to plan on the process taking 2 hours. I guess the interpretation of that is that it can take up to 2 hours. He indicated that being a Canadian, all my paperwork in order and clean background made the process very simple. I raised my right hand to swear I would tell the truth, answered a few questions about my background, had to write "I live in Idaho" and read one sentence aloud (the English portion of the test) and answered about 10 of the 96 questions I studied. I'm telling you I learned all 96 questions and could of answered them all.

March 20th is my date to return for me to take my oath and citizenship ceremony. Here is the funny part about it all. Originally Dan and I agreed I would go on my own today and he would go with me when I went to take my oath. Being nervous about weather and stuff, I ended up having Dan take today off and go with me. He is working March 20th and because he took today off, can't take it off as well.

I have to tell you that I was so excited as I walked out of the office for Homeland Security today and felt so blessed. I want to thank everyone who said prayers for me with this process over the past couple of months because I felt them today. In the years experience and visits I have made to Immigration this was my most positive experience!

I am now a Camerican!!

Sushi Night At Home

When Dan and I got married I was the one into sushi. Now Dan makes sushi at home!! Of course we don't make anything raw at home, just California rolls. Because of Caleb's new found interest for chopsticks, he ate his sushi that way tonight. This was Elton's first sushi experience and he seemed to quite like it. I have even converted my parents to eating sushi.

Chinese New Year

Caleb spent February learning about the Chinese New Year at school. On the final day, they got their faces decorated, practiced tradition of removing their shoes, and got to eat chinese noodles with chopsticks. This was Caleb's first experience with chop sticks and he loves noodles with chopsticks at home. In fact earlier this week when we went out for Chinese food he was quite adamant about needing chopsticks to eat with.

2 Year Stats!!

Elton had his 2 year check up today and the numbers are in. He weighed 24.9 lbs and measured 34.25 inches. His weight has leveled off from 6 months ago, but as we discussed, it seems to fit with his busy little lifestyle. Dr. Trotter said he looked well proportioned and like a strong little boy. I agreed as I shared his getting stuck in the doggie door, fine motor skills of opening cuboard latches and agility for climbing. All in all he seems like a pretty typical and spirited 2 year old. He only had to get one shot in which he didn't even cry, but big brother (who came along for support) hid under a chair and couldn't look as memories of his 4 year check (5 shots) flooded back. Cleared for another year we exited with McDonald Cookies in hand and everyone was content.