Finally!

My peonies and bleeding hearts are blooming and I love it! They don't last long enough. I brought the peony from Page with me after keeping it in a pot for a year in anticipation of the move and being able to plant it where it would actually grow and bloom. I couldn't get bleeding hearts to grow in Page either. They do so well here.

Check It Out

So I caved. I started a blog. I thought it would be a good way to share our experiences as we make our move to Texas. Take a look and see what you think.

http://rubyslippers-noplacelikehome.blogspot.com

Gabe's Life Presentation

I know I have an annoying habit of pre-dating blog posts that I didn't get to when they happened. I have done it again, but I wanted to be sure and let Grandma and Grandpa know about it because it is the Life Presentation Gabe gave which I told them about. I am putting a link so you can go right to it:

Click Here for Gabe's Life Presentation

Don't Change Teachers. Change the Job Description.

I just read a brilliant article that explores the opposing viewpoints on teacher quality. On the one hand, we have people who say the job is superhuman and the best we can do is admire those who choose to do it and stay out of the way. On the other hand, we get people we are ready to dump the ineffective teachers and find better ones through system of merit pay and the like.

In the middle is an approach that is so obvious I'm embarrassed I haven't thought more about it. Stop expecting teachers to do everything. Allow them to specialize and combine in unique ways to provide all the services students need.

We would think it bewildering if we walked into a hospital and saw elite cardiovascular surgeons, novice residents, and bookkeepers taking turns conducting heart surgery and handling administrative duties. Yet that is standard practice in schools, where all teachers—regardless of skill or demonstrated performance—take equal turns monitoring the lunchroom, supervising bus loading, patrolling the hallways, filling out stacks of mandated paperwork, and the rest.

In fact, if one walks into a local elementary school and asks the principal to identify the school's best 4th grade math teacher and the school's worst, it's almost certain that each will be teaching the same amount of math to the same number of students each day. Each teacher is instructing his or her bundle of 20-odd students in math, reading, science, history, and everything else, regardless of skill or expertise. This is a profoundly careless use of talent, yet it is unexceptional today.

You can read the whole article at the American Enterprise Institute.

What Difference Does One Digit Make?

4 bundles of shingles.
5 sheets of plywood
1 roll of tar paper

Yes, we goofed by one digit in our very first calculation of the area of our roof. A 2 that should have been a 3. Sigh. It gave a result that was close enough to what we would have guessed that we didn't catch it. Sorry for all the extra running around and consternation our mistake caused, but I must say that you guys were terrific in working around it!

The roof looks really good. I'm going to drop by the roofing supply store and pick up the extra shingles either Tuesday or Wednesday and slap them up there. It should be a quick finish to a huge project.

Keryn and I both want to thank the Hannays and Gillelands and Mom and Dad for volunteering to help us with the mammoth project of replacing our roof. It turned out to be a larger task than I had envisioned; I didn't originally figure we would need to replace the plywood and all the fascia boards. I can't wait to post a finished picture for you all to admire when I get the last shingles put up.

Next project for the summer: replacing our snow-smushed shed. Hopefully I prove to have better math skills for this one. :-/

High school and nerds

I came across this thought at a political blog I follow, and Bradley and I wondered if any of you have thoughts about it.

REVENGE OF THE GEEKS: What made them outsiders in high school makes them stars in the world.

If high school is an environment that systematically punishes traits that lead to success in the real world, then why not abolish high school? As institutions, they don’t do a very good job of teaching math and history. If they also punish traits linked to innovation then what exactly are high schools good for?

Mixed Up

Is the family reunion July 6-10, or 13-17? I'm so mixed up I'm not sure anymore! :)

The newest LDS Homefront commercial

(Also known as this year's Ross Family contribution to the ward movie night.)

Happy Spring!

Glad we aren't putting a new roof on tomorrow.

Easter Weekend

We had a great weekend in St. George. Friday we attended a session in the St. George temple with the Pierce family which was followed by the sealing of Ken Ray and Trudy Pierce and the sealing of Ken Ray to Sherry Pierce. The children who were in attendance were sealed to their parents (2 were missing) including Dorey's twin they lost as a baby. It was awesome to have Nicole there with us. Saturday morning we witnessed the marriage of Lynny and her new husband in the same sealing room. Ken Ray seems so happy to have finally made it to the temple. I am sure Trudy is very happy to finally be sealed to her children.

Saturday night we attended the reception for Mitch (Elder Huntsman from Tobago). We walked into the reception with the Leishman's who took our place on Tobago. Chas (Elder Barton his companion for a few transfers) arrived just before we left. It was so fun to see the both of them.

Rex is 8!

Congratulations Rex! We are so proud of you! It was great to see the Martin clan in Page!! xo

Plan-a-holic

I am neurotic, I am a freak. My life is so up in the air with our Texas move that I would like to make a plan for something, anything! I have been watching the back and forth on the reunion stuff, and I am not sure if we have firmed up anything. Since I don't know if everyone will go back and read the thread on an older post, I thought I would just make a new post to reopen the dialogue (I must have a plan!). I suppose I should include an apology for throwing a wrench in everything when we informed everyone that we no longer had a conflict in the later part of July since Theo is not doing a running camp this year. We are hoping to be moved by July if Providence smiles on us. With that said, I would vote for the July 13th-17th dates (Durango is WAY closer to us than SLC). I know this is a problem for Skip's family because of a scouting conflict. Is there maybe a camp in SLC that Blake could attend while you are in town? I would even go so far as to say that I am sure we could pass off a ton of cub stuff with the activities we will be doing in Durango! (= Then there is the Harry Potter factor. I admit that I am having all kinds of giddy thoughts about donning a Gryffindor scarf and staying up until midnight with all the big kid cousins for a last hurrah at Hogwarts (did you just feel the chill right now too?!). Then there is the cherry on top of that whole weekend with the baptism of Jackson! The Gillelands have always been the most dedicated attendees at family milestones that I would love to return the favor! OK, as I have typed this, I realized I am kind of making a pushy case for the date change. It is the planner in me (curse you Ross compulsive planner DNA) that is hoping we can all come to an accord soon. If we stick with the original dates that will be OK with us too. We most of all just want to see everyone and to hang out. So let's hear it Rosses, what are your leanings?

Best Family Ever!

Mom, Dad, and Kim were such a wonderful help bringing us all kinds of beautiful decorating items and furniture to "stage" our house! Here is a small sampling, and I don't think the pictures show how great everything looks due to my amatuer photography skills. Thank you so much Hannays and Mom and Dad! You were a huge help in getting us ready!

Spring Break

In preparation for selling our house, we have had many projects both big and small. Since this week was our spring break Theo decided it was time to tackle two of the big ones. He put the boys to work shoveling dirt, hauling brick, fetching tools, and then some. We managed to finish a new patio area in the back yard and to build a pantry.

Now that the week is about out, we are trying to finish up the smaller stuff in hopes to get this house on the market. Pray for us that we can sell quickly! (=

Ross reunion dates

Hello Rosses! I am finally posting about our reunion dates. We had tentatively gone with July 6-10, but I would like to do July 13-17. Martins are able to come that week, and it would be much better for us. Jackson will be baptized on July 17th and we would love to combine those 2 events. We are actually thinking of doing an early morning baptism if the ward let's us. Thoughts? Concerns? Conflicts?

Rex's baptism

Hey, Page-ites, we need a good recommendation for a campground for the weekend of Rex's baptism. We've been wanting to do a lot of camping this summer (now that I am not pregnant, and Gideon is doing so well with walking), and this Page trip is a great opportunity! Do you have any good ideas for where we might camp?

Rex's Baptism

We want to officially invite the Ross clan to Rex's baptism. We are having it on his birthday, April 9th which is a Saturday! We hope you can all come celebrate what may be our last big milestone in Page (no pressure)! Let us know if you think you will make it!

Miriam von Yum-Yum

Deep in the Heart of Texas....

We are MOVING!!! After lots of though, consideration, and prayer, we have decided to go back to school. Theo is realizing a longtime dream to become a physical therapist. Several months ago we started applying to a few programs, and today we got an acceptance to our top choice, Texas Tech! The school actually has three campuses in Lubbock, Amarillo, and Odessa. We are still waiting to hear which of the three he will be assigned to. We did make a trip out to Texas a few weeks ago when Theo had his interview (thanks again mom and dad for watching our kids!), and we are excited about our prospects there. There will be lots of decisions and hurdles to clear in the coming months as we prepare to go, so pray for us! More details to come as we learn more!

Happy B-Day Nate

My baby is turning 16 tomorrow!















Hard to believe. Nate's 2 best buddies live in our neighborhood. All of them turn 16 within 3 weeks of each other. So, we thought it would be fun to have a surprise party for them together.















We rented out the theater room at Noah's. The theater room has 24 recliners and a projection TV. It was so fun. The kids ate pizza, had treats, played our Xbox Kinect dance game, played pictionary, and watched Mega Mind. What fun!!!

The Bracket Is OUT

Bingham has been named the #1 seed from Region 3!!! Eric is so excited to play at Weber State in the big college arena. The state tournament starts on Nate's birthday, Monday, February 28th. View the bracket HERE. It will be updated as games are played. GO MINERS!!!

Missionary Mail

It's February!!

Thanks Martin Family for volunteering to send Ty a care package. Remember, nothing fancy or expensive. Even have your kiddos draw pictures or write letters. Elder Hannay will LOVE it.

Elder Ty Hannay
2700 West 16th Ave. Apt. #143
Amarillo, TX 79102

(Transfers are around the 23rd. So he may have a new address by then.)

Upcoming Schedule -
March - Brad Ross Family
April - Grandma Hannay
May - ?
June - ?
July - Grandma Ross

Reunion Question

Would the weekend of the 4th of July work for the reunion?

Question for Kim and Grandma/Grandpa

My little sister is looking into buying a house in the Salt Lake Valley, and she is seeing some really good ones in West Jordan. Is that a nice place to live? Are there neighborhoods to avoid? What are the schools like?

If you have any intel on this, she'd (and I'd) sure appreciate it!

When can you NOT come?

As we try to set dates for the reunion, what are absolute CANNOT attend dates?

Family Reunion 2011

It's that time again...

Durango
July 13-17

Please let us know if this works for your family.

Possessions Aren't Important

The Lord wanted to remind me about the relative importance of possessions. You'd think I'd know this, but I have to confess that I've been coveting a new home recently. I was browsing the home listings yesterday and I saw a home for $150,000 that is almost the same size as our house--but on one level. Plus, there is an equally large unfinished basement. That is a total of over 3,000 sq-ft. Plus, it was built only a few years ago. That means current plumbing and electrical that I wish our current home had. Oh, the bounties for the buyer of the short-sell.

But as much as I want that snazzy new home, I just can't afford it yet. I'd need to have a sizable down payment with the tighter lending standards. And I'd have to be able to sell my current home or have enough financial cushion to be able to surf the uncertainty of the rental market. In short, I just don't see it happening, as nice as that would be.

God knew I was still fantasizing, though, so he allowed me to have a reminder that the most precious thing in my life is already here. My wonderful wife and family were in a car accident today. They were all an their way up to my office to spend lunch with me and then head up to visit Keryn's sister in Salt Lake. The freeway was very congested and a whole bunch of traffic braked all at once. Keryn ended up rear-ending the person in front of her and the person behind her rear-ended her in turn.

The van is pretty smashed up. We'll hear within a couple days if the repairs will be less expensive than the value of the car.

As I zipped down to pick Keryn and the kids up, I found that I was just so incredibly grateful that they were all okay. I didn't give two figs about the van. I was just happy to be able to load all the kids into the borrowed car and shuttle them back home. Ezra has a bump on the back of his head and Keryn has a sore knee, but other than that, we seem to be doing great.

The thing that matters most, my family, is just fine.

Missionary Mail

Everyone - Steve's sister Lori had a brilliant beyond brilliant idea. She asked me to see if any of you were interested in helping out. She thought it would be fun to organize ourselves and send Ty a package each month.

She wanted to send him a package for Christmas as many of you have, but realized that Ty would get a lot of mail and then none. So, she thought we could each take a month and send him a care package. It doesn't have to be anything big. You can even just have all your kids write him or draw him a picture. He would love getting the mail. (As all you former missionaries can attest!)

So please post a comment as to what month your family would like if you want to participate. I will fill in the gaps. Let's just do 2011 for now then see how it goes.

THANKS!

The Last Airbender

Too bad Halloween is over. I think that if you put him in a monks robe, handed him a staff, and painted an arrow on his head, Gideon would be a dead ringer for the Last Airbender cartoon guy. :)

St. George anyone??

Hey all you investors. The Ross Family is looking for a "time-share" investment property in St. George. We are trying to get the best real estate bang for our buck while still staying under $200K. Nicole is looking at a couple properties we found online this Saturday while she is there doing some Christmas shopping. (Condo with pool and clubhouse $125,000 and single fam. home fixer-upper on 1/2 acre for $135,000.)

We want to give everyone an opportunity to "buy in". The payments will be under $250 per month depending on how many of you are interested. Mom & Dad are in with Steve & I for sure. Nic & Theo are interested as well. We are not in a rush as we believe interest rates will remain low over the next year. We are waiting for the right opportunity for a family "get away" vacation home.

Details of how we will share the time and expenses will be hammered out among those of us who are interested. Please leave a comment YES or NO so we can go forward (the more of us that pitch in, the bigger better property we can acquire).