Family Time

The Bair Family

We had a great short weekend. All my siblings came into town this past weekend. My parents wanted all of us together for stake conference. My dad was called to be the Stake Patriarch. It was a special time to be together and be there when he was called and set apart to this calling. We of course decided to have a family picture. It was quite the production to have all the family in one room and smiling.

Some of the extended Family

My grandparents and cousins came to be there. Mom was also called as the Stake Young Women's secretary. It was quite a weekend.

This is what happens when you plan a picture during nap time.
Really, it was a short weekend but very long in many ways. The kids can attest to quite a weekend.

Scandinavia and Oprah

Norway

Oprah

Recently Oprah had a special on about Copenhagen. I was so excited especially because I served in Norway, just a hop away from Denmark. Culturally Denmark is extremely similar to Norway. So I sat excited to watch Oprah take on Scandinavia, and eventually turned off the tv a bit dejected. I still love that part of the country, but it brought back some of the memories of why my mission was so hard.


Great Things:
Healthy Food: mostly fresh vegetables and homemade food.
Public Transportation: Awesome pretty much everywhere
Health: Always active, riding bikes, skiing is a part of life
Clutter: Homes are small and people don't like extra stuff. Things are just simple.
Homeless: Really nobody is homeless
Rabies: Rabies Free Country (just a little fact)
School: School is free from toddlers to University. Truly that is nice.
Maternity Leave: Near full pay for 6 months- 12 months. Free to have a kid.
Beauty: Norway was full of amazing beauty. Seriously one of the most scenic places.
Chocolate: AMAZING
Crime: Next to nothing. The cops don't even carry guns.
Summer: Average temperature 70 degrees and SO GREEN!

Not so Great:
50% Income Tax: People are taken care of in many ways. For church members add 10% for tithing and now people only have 40% to live on. Many struggled with this.
Free Health Care: In reality this is nice, but I saw people waiting over 1 year for a simple knee surgery. They sat at home making 90% of their income waiting for a simple procedure. My mission president almost died because they could not figure out what was wrong with them. They sent him to America and they figured it out in no time. One upside: Free to have a child and they give you money per child.
Tax breaks for Single People: Women are given huge tax incentives for being single. Young girls are given money to have a child. There is no incentive to every marry. Many just live with their significant other. Daycare is also free for kids. Hmmm... Why stay home and raise your toddler.
God: Most don't really believe in God. Some do believe in God, but have no need for religion. They are taken care of by the government in most ways, so why rely on a Him who has given us everything.
Unemployment: Near full pay for 4 years after being laid off. That sounds great, especially after being laid off, but it just fosters laziness.

Oh, I do love this part of the country, but boy was it hard to be a missionary. The episode with Oprah was great yet so awful. The women told Oprah there is no need for marriage or God, OUCH! Interesting to bring back the memories.

http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahshow///20091021-tows-women-world

Christmas 2009

Christmas Eve with Grandpa and Grandma Smith, Briley, and Taylin.

Playing the white elephant game.

Colbie looking cute

We took Colbie and Allan to the mall. They were not real fans of Santa. Allan was greatly confused at why Santa did not give him his Cars toy he asked for.
Christmas Eve with the family.
Taylin showing off her new Christmas gifts.
Allan and Briley hiding their gifts behind them. They really did not grasp the concept of the white elephant game. Many tears were shed.
Colbie woke from her nap (not very happy).
Moments later with Mom.
The purple people. Brian happened to wear purple and matched the Gilberts.

Catching up with the Family

I realize it has been awhile, but here are some fun pictures of the family. Here is Taylin and Colbie on Halloween.

One of the best experiences of the night. The kids went over to our neighbor, Dick, who is in his late 80's. The kids ring the door bell and Dick comes out laughing hysterically. He is our favorite part of Halloween as he laughs so hard whenever he sees any of the kids dressed up. So, Dick is laughing and as you can see from the kids' expressions, they are a bit confused. They get their candy and walk back to all us adults. Allan looks at me as says, "What so funny?" He is totally confused that just their presence makes this man's day.

Thanksgiving with the kids, Colbie and Taylin with Allan taking the picture. I worked hard to be the favorite Aunt that weekend. I took kids to the zoo, park, played games, ect. Come to find out that my stairs at my house is the only thing that makes me really the favorite.

Bert and Gil"bert"
Grandpa Bert Smith and Allan Gilbert share the same birthday today! Happy Birthday guys!

This just makes the teacher in me happy.

Life is good. I have had a great time with friends and family. I am still working as a substitute and have been very busy. It has been nice to see some classrooms after having teaching for one year. I have learned a lot. In the meantime, I have more time on my hands without all the meetings I had to go to last year. I am trying to use my time wisely. I am reading, running, and trying new projects. I am loving the Christmas season and can't believe Christmas is coming so soon.

5K...Run, Succor, Run

Loren, Ariane, Kenny, and Heidi

The Sacramento Regional YSA put on a 5K run. The event was titled Run, Succor, Run because the "entry fee" was can food (the succor part). We had a great time running along the American River and helping those in need. I actually did run the whole thing and got third place for the ladies. Not too bad...(not to mention that most of the ladies decided to walk). Still I proudly drank my prize of a Gatorade.

Loren, Kenny, and Heidi

Loren before the big run/ walk/ ride.

Oh, Our Government!

So I just got off the phone with EDD (or unemployment). Boy we have problems here. I had decided not to apply for unemployment after being laid off. I thought I could handle it without taking money from the government. I was paid throughout the summer because my checks were split up that way. Then I started getting worried. I started the paper work to receive unemployment and then I decided not to send in the rest of the information because I could do it without. Then I saw how much COBRA was going to cost me, so I sent it back in about two months later. Because I sent the paperwork in so late, I was given a phone appointment from EDD to see if I was trying to fraud the government.

So here is how it turned out. Because I am subbing and earn more than $600 a week, I do not qualify for unemployment (which makes sense). But, whenever I earn less than $600 in a week, then I can reopen my unemployment claim. If I just can't "find jobs" for the week, then I can reapply. At that point, they will send me a check for $450 dollars for the week. As the man was explaining this, I said, "Oh, I see how people take advantage of this." He then told me how really this is to help me and that it is just fine to keep applying for unemployment.

I just figured that if I work:
2 days a week x $147= $294 That is less than $600 a week. I can then apply for unemployment and get another $450 a week for a total of: $744

3 days a week x $147= $441 That is less than $600 a week. I can then apply for unemployment and get another $450 a week for a total of: $891

4 days a week x $147= $588 That is less than $600 a week. I then can apply for unemployment and get another $450 a week for a total of: $1,038

If I work:
5 days a week x $147= $735 and not eligible for unemployment.

Wow! So, they are encouraging me to work less so I can make more. Amazing the world we live in. It's too bad that I feel satisfaction in actually working. I could really be doing quite well financially. I still don't understand why the guy did not see how people take advantage of this. I had to stop him at one point of the phone call and tell him how I really don't know the process, I have never done this before. So, I think I have figured it out. I should work three days and then head down to Disneyland for the rest of the week. Why not, the government is paying for my trip. It's free. Holy Cow!!!

I LOVE DISNEYLAND!

I have now gone three times just this year to Disneyland! I have tried my best to use my season pass. I really do love that place. The magic is still there every time I go. My friends John and Lindsay were getting married in San Diego, so Loren, Jessica and I included a few days of Disneyland into our schedule. Here I am getting ready for Splash Mountain with my plastic poncho. I love wearing a poncho!

Jessica and I before the big "Ghost Galaxy" ride. They made some changes to Space Mountain for the Halloween time. I LOVED THIS RIDE! They truly did a great job to spook the rider with a pretty scary ghost. At night, the building would change colors and they piped some scary ghost sounds into Tomorrow Land. Good times!
Loren and I in the VIP section of the monorail. We got the very back. It was pretty awesome touring in our own section.
Jessica and Loren getting ready for our third day of the Disneyland. We were exhausted by the end, but ohhh so worth it. We went for two days and then down to the wedding for one day and back to the Land for the last. What a great trip with good friends.
This was a perfect way to end the day. The Disneyland Marching Band played the The Star Spangled Banner. Then the had all the service men and women in the crowd surround the flag as they lowered it. They then had the crowd sing God Bless America. It was truly an inspiring moment. It may sounds silly, but being in Disneyland and remembering what an amazing country we live in was very touching.

Good friends and good times. More to come about the beautiful wedding. I have a few more months left until my pass is expired. I am looking to go one or two more times before February. I used to be one of those people who did not quite understand the thrill of DL and DCA, but I sure get it now. I know...too funny!