Are you a male Teuscher?

Are you a real Teuscher?

There’s one sure-fire way to find out if you are a real, true male Teuscher. What is it? Good looks? (nah) Exceptionally smart? (not that either) Superior Physical Acumen? (You were kidding with that one right?!?)

Nope, the answer is this:

Now most of you would look at that and either say:

A) What’s that?!?
B) I see the Intel sticker, so it must be a computer part?
C) Hey, that’s a computer processor (Most likely this is the least common response)

Well, if you were a real, true male Teuscher you would look at that and say:
“Hey, that’s the Intel the Core 2 Quad Q9450 2.66Ghz processor with 1333Mhz FSB and 12MB Cache!”

Now let’s get to the story…

A week and a half ago the boys were complaining that the computer sounded “funny”. Stephanie shut it off and in passing mentioned to Brian that she had tried to restart it, but it was making “funny noises” and wouldn’t boot up. (Ok, side note…”funny noises” isn’t a good description to give for troubleshooting, you need to say ‘it’s making grinding noises’, ‘it’s making a high pitched noise”, not “funny” noises – alright…back to the story). Brian decided to take a look at it and after troubleshooting and diagnosis Brian reported that the motherboard had gone bad.

So the computer is dead, that means time to upgrade right?!? Music to Brian’s ears. He immediately set off looking at components and pricing them out. You see, when you have to upgrade your computer you can’t simply go out to Costco or Sams or Best Buy or even some independent computer store and purchase a system. No, you have to build it from scratch. Not only that, because we built our last system so long ago, the type of memory, the video card, the connectors, the case, everything was pretty much outdated. Brian was in heaven. Stephanie was under the impression of “oh, we’ll just buy some of these little things and we’ll be on the way” – oh how wrong she was!

As most of you know, Brian works at Intel. One of the benefits he gets is discounted pricing on Processors (the Brain’s of the computer for those not familiar). Not only that, but they have a Chip Loaner program wherein Intel “Loans” a chip to employees for them to use in their home machines. The Loaned chip is free, and hey, you can’t beat free, so we decided to get the loaner chip. Of course, it didn’t hurt that the loaner chip was one of these high-end processors. This is quite the departure from previously built systems of ours which ran on the cheapest items that could be found. Of course, when we found out what processor we were going to get, we then needed to buy a new motherboard, new CPU fan, new Case (it has to have fans inside to keep things cool), new memory (upgrading to twice the memory at half the cost), a new video card, and a new hard drive (their so cheap, it just makes sense). They are to be delivered on Monday.

Well, Brian finally got the processor from work on Friday. He came home and was so proud of it. Stephanie sort of looked at it and gave that “wow, that’s small” while Brian gave her the “do you know what this is? It’s the Core 2 Quad Q9450 2.66Ghz processor with 1333Mhz FSB and 12MB Cache”…Stephanie just looked at him and said “so I’ll still be able to read my email and surf the web with that right?”…She is definitely not a male Teuscher!

In a future blog posting we’ll make sure to cover step by step the building process and we will be sure to include all reports of yelling, screaming, slamming, swearing that may occur during such event!

Today

I have been asked- have you disappeared? How come so few posts? etc.... The honest reality is there just is not enough time in the day to wear all the hats I wish to, so the ones that aren't so important get put on the shelf, only to come out briefly as time permits. The blogging cap falls perfectly into this category.

A year a so ago I was struck by a visting teaching message in which my VT shared a quote about finding joy in the journey- hence the name of our blog. This message was reiterated by President Monson at this last General Conference ( he says it much better than I):

Day by day, minute by minute, second by second we went from where we were to where we are now. The lives of all of us, of course, go through similar alterations and changes. The difference between the changes in my life and the changes in yours is only in the details. Time never stands still; it must steadily march on, and with the marching come the changes.

This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now.

Since that visit with my Visiting Teachers I have really strived to find happiness and satisfaction in the everday. Each night one of the songs we sing is " The Today Song" ( I really don't know the correct title)

Today while the blossoms still cling to the vine;

I'll taste your strawberries, I'll drink your sweet wine.

A million tomorrows shall all pass away;

Ere I forget all the joy that is mine, today.

Of course Andrew always likes to change the words in the second line to something that we have eaten and drunk during that particular day, so the song changes many nights. But we take time to remember the things that have brought us happiness each day.

So in the same spirit here are a few things that have brought joy into our lives the last few months.....

• Only the motherboard failed on the desktop, not the hard drives ( hence no pictures)
• Getting sunburned at the park yesterday ( 90degrees on Nov. 19th)
• Most days, realizing nothing important got thrown away by Zachary- he has a fettish for throwing things in the garbage ( we've lost a few sippy cups, toys and the DVD remote so far)
• The beaches in North Carolina actually look just like you see in the movies ( I went and visited Jenn for a few days in Oct)
• Flying all by myself. No kids. And I didn't have to sit by anyone else's either!
• Watching the boys lovingly take care of each other and want to be with one another. Tuesday there were no sports, no nothing afterschool and they happily played with each other in the backyard for over two hours.
• Brian slowly regain use of his arm- makes you appreciate a healthy body.
• Hunting through an apple orchard for any remaining apples- the boys had more fun searching for the few that were left than we expected. The hunt was worth it- they were very good.
• Hiking- there are so many fabulous things to see and places to go. We hiked in Chiricahua National Forsest over fall break- somewhat like Bryce and Zions incredible rock formations.
• Having Dawn live with us- the house seems so empty now that the downstairs bedroom isn't occupied. There was a third pair of hands around to help with whatever and when Brian was down and out, it was especially nice!
• Watching Matthew score a goal- it has taken three years, so it was quite a celebration when it happened.
• Matthew playing soccer with one of his best friends Korbin, it is fun to see them shoulder bump and chest bump when one does something good on the field.
• The nights when no one wakes up.
• The Sunday's when all the Primary Teachers show up- and we don't have to go look for subs
• Being able to work with some of the most wonderful women in my calling
• Serving.
• Listening to Brandon finally be able to play the Star Wars theme song on the piano.
• Having wonderful friends, who even when time and distance has separated you, stops by for a night; it is as if time has been erased.
• getting to the time of year when you are actually happy to say, " I live in AZ!"
• Andrew's universal acceptance of people.
• The WHOLE family getting flu shots
• Listening to kids conversations: Andrew's co-op preschool was over one morning and as we were eating our snacks the kids were discussing who created more: Jesus or Heavenly Father. They were going back and forth, until one boy said, "Did you know that Jesus teleports?" I didn't want to get into that subject... so we quickly redirected their thoughts. Another friend came over and said, " Andrew's mom, do want to feel my big muscles?" All the muscles in his face and neck were taut and straining, but there was no little bicep bulging. They just crack me up.
• The nights when Brandon goes to sleep without any issues ( these are joyful nights)
• Having all the socks match up when folded ( doesn't happen real often!)

Well the blogging cap must go back on the shelf for a time. Life for us good and busy.

So, what's brought you joy today?

Overheard....

Dawn ( Brian's sister) was reading the paper this morning, and as Andrew walked by he looked up at the front page of the paper. Then remarked, "Yes! The guy I was rooting for won. McCain was too old." ........Quite a thought for a four year old.

random pics

Brandon's new pet

HI this is Brandon

I caught a lizzard on Friday afternoon. He is about 3 1/2 inches long. He is very active and very fast. He is still getting used to living in our habitat. He likes to sleep ( not like me) We have been trying to catch bugs and crickets for him to eat. Andrew likes to bang on the side of the habitat to make him run fast. On Saturday morning Andrew let him escape, but I caugt him and put him back. His name is Skippy.

For Jenny....

Hey Jen... these are some pictures of the front of the house. The trees are really starting to grow and it actually looks pretty green. Brandon wants you to know he edged and mowed the lawn this weekend. He did a great job. He is going to give Brian a run for his money soon on Saturday morning chores!

The bad haircut...

Every once in a while we all get a bad cut. Right?? Well our tree happened to be on the wrong end of the clippers this weekend. We lost some large branches with the heavy winds this week, so Saturday Dawn and I, (Brian was obviously sitting on the sidelines) tried to trim up the tree in hopes we wouldn't lose anymore of it. It took us an hour and a half to get half of it done. I think we were getting pretty proficient in using the telescoping lopers, but our necks were sore from looking straight up and our backs were getting a bit stiff and we must have looked quite the sight. Two guys pulled up in an old truck and told me they would finish cutting my tree for $100. After a quick internal debate, it really wasn't that quick, more like a split second flash I told them I had $40 in cash ( since that was the only currency they really wanted to deal in) and they could trim whatever they could for $40... here's the result:
It is a tree with a very seriuos pruning. On the brightside I am not going to need to trim the tree any time soon!

This is a before picture, taken during the downpour earlier in the week

When it rains.....it pours...

There is no such thing as sprinkling in Arizona. It either rains or it doesn't. And when it does rain....it rains. We have had the fourth wettest monsoon season on record this year. The streets flood... the backyard floods... the parks are built primarily as retention basins and they can get a few feet deep. We have had some pretty good soakings this last week. I do have to say it is nice for a little change in the weather.

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Variations on a Theme

Here is a little trivia for you. In the morning which boy prefers which beverage?

A. Milk with Ice
B. Milk
C. Water
D. Ice Water

The Answers:
A. Andrew ( he really does have different tastes!)
B. Brandon
C. Zachary
D. Matthew

Down and Out

Brian had surgery on Thursday to repair a SLAP tear in his right shoulder. For all you closet ER/ medical fans:

A specific type of labral tear is called a SLAP tear; this stands for Superior Labrum from Anterior to Posterior. The SLAP tear occurs at the point where the tendon of the biceps muscle inserts on the labrum.

He'll be keeping the couches warm through next week and then hopefully back to work. The black sling will be the newest fashion accessory to his wardrobe for six weeks, and the PT office his next favorite place to be, besides home, for six months.

The doctor had delivered here to the house a cold compression unit- which is great. Under the large white foam wrap over his shoulder are two balloon type bags. One is filled with air and compresses and decompresses every minute or so and the other has circulating cold water, keeping the shoulder area nice and cooled down. We just hook him up to the tubes, and along with those great pain meds, he's as comfortable as can be.

Back to School??

The boys headed back to school August 6th- we got back into the swing of things- we were all feeling great, .... and then Andrew got the flu Saturday night. By Tuesday Brandon was home fom school with it, Wednesday afternoon Matthew succombed and spent the rest of the week home, and fianlly Brian, Dawn and I were grateful there were so many hours of Olymipics shown during the day as Thursday passed in blur on the couch. Andrew got the brunt of it- we wouldn't let him go to any friends houses to play in fear that he might pass it on- so he spent the whole weak home with a bunch of sickies. Though on Thursday he thought he was top dog since he got to play gopher for all of us who didn't want to move. Today life is almost back to normal, Brandon wanted to make homemade salsa for dinner...maybe tomorrow. And thankfully on Monday, hopfeully ... the boys will ALL be back to school.

vacation pt. 2

Andrew was helping me pick out pictures to post and begged to do the writing... so the following is our vacation according to Andrew.....



That is at the Yankee game, we were watching the Yankee game. We got hotdogs and ice creams in little Yankee hats. It was loud. It was quiet- no! We went in the night and we went cause they are going to tear it down.


Zachary fell asleep.




I don't want to say anything about this picture.




We were mining for crystal rocks and then throwing them into the water. We hit little rocks with big rocks and cracked them. We got bikes and rode them down the beach road to the end fast.





This is moms' birthday. She got to wear the Jedi birthday button.



We made lots of water balloons. I got to stand close and then Matthew had a line and then Brandon and Mom and Dad and Grandma and Grandpa. The kids won the race- we erased our number 33 first.


The huge beach. The waves were humongous. They sprayed up to my head. We dug and dug and dug we saved the castle. We got to eat Wendy's at the beach and even guess what, we got to have frosties in the car at night when we were going home.

Zachary...zachary... he didn't go near the water.



This is Balto. It is in Central Park. We went there and climbed up.


Matthew and I climbed to the top of the castle. It was really hot. We saw mom and dad down at the bottom.


I don't remember this. I guess it is a bridge. ( Steph's note: This is Bow Bridge, most romantic movies shot in New York will have the characters walk across this bridge at some point!)


I rode in a stroller and Matthew and Brandon rode the scooters. I got to ride it once. But I just wanted Grandma to push me.

We got ice cream at the carousel. I got a snow cone. It was really frozen.

Vacation pt. 1

Andrew wasn't so fond of boogy boarding after he got roughed up by a pretty good wave. He finally let Dawn and I get him on a board with 2 inches of water underneath! At least we ended on positive note and in the water.



Matthew and Brandon had a great time( and so did Brian and I) Brian and Jamie ( his brother) ventured out a lot further than I did, the zoom lens wouldn't have captured much more that two dark haired specs. The boys thought it quite funny that I got pounded a few times, and liked to remind me of the fact.


Andrew lets me take the funnest pictures. He is a child who really just gets into things. I love that he spent time just laying on the sand getting it everywhere- just facinated by making roads and tracks in it. Ok so I didn't love trying to get all the sand out of him later on that afternoon.


The 1st Teuscher 5K
We held the 1st Teuscher 5K on the 4th of July along Highway 101- down by Swamies. The adults ran-walked-jogged-talked their way through the scenic 3.1 miles. We then set up a 1/4 mile fun run for the kids at a park. The boys wanted to get medals since they have seen Brian and I get something for running races- so we even provided lovely-high quality- party city medal to all participants. I think we all had a great time- grandma and grandpa even came down to watch us and watch the kids while the adults ran. Jamie, Heather, Laurel and Dawn were all down in San Diego for the 4th as well. To all family members- get your running shoes ready the 2nd Teuscher 5K will be coming up next July!



Andrw and Matthew had no problem in aiding Aunt Heathers sweet tooth with some cookies.

OUR FAVORITE PANCAKE BOY

Matthew loves pancakes. Matthew can eat a lot of pancakes. But we finally stumped him. One of the favorite places for breakfast is "Potato Shack" in Encinitas. They serve a great diced red potato plate for breakfast- but they also serve Man Hole Sized Pancakes. Matthew made a valiant 6 year old effort ( I applaude him because I could never eat an entire one, Uncle Jamie can)



Hopefully I'll get to the rest tonight or tomorrow.

What brings a 9 month old joy??

Snuggling and playing on the big bed- Matthew grabbed the camera from the desk when he heard the squeals and came and played camera man.

Sitting in the middle of the lego pile

Brothers- ( well most of the time)

Crawling- what a delightful new found freedom

Wrestling

Food

More food....more food and more food ( photo curtosey of Andrew)

His favorite is Rice Cereal- he screams with delight when he sees it come out of the pantry.

He also loves splashing in the water, playing with the door stops, crawling pel-mel to the fridge tyring to get inside before it closes, whining just to get picked up ( boy the grin on his face is a mile wide when he accomplishes this one)

A trip down memory lane

Sometimes do you have those experiencesthat flash you back two, five maybe ten years? It was a certain person, a certain color, something very specific that unleashes a huge wave of memories that come crashing back. I bought a loaf of useeded rye bed yesterday and made a sandwhich for myself for dinner ( we had gone to sunsplash yestday afternoon and evening- so by the time the kids were in bed, it was a fend for yourself dinner)
As I opened the bag of bread up I was overcome by that distinct smell of rye ( which had eluded my mind, motherbood would be to blame I suppose) and I was taken back twenty five years prior to my grandma's kitchen and dining room. There on the mustard yellow countertops was the rye bread sandwhich bowl. On special occasion, when we were very young she would get a rye bread basket. It was a LARGE loaf hollowed out with small hors de vour finger sandwiches made from the inside bread. I remember the ham and egg salad filings, but can't remember the others- Mom, Jen do you remember??? For some reason those small sandwiches were such a treat.
I learned to set a proper table at her house, for some reason Ialways thought it was a privilidge to set the table at Grandma's house. Always linen napkins. It was a casual dinner when the THICK paper napkins came out! We have been trying to to teach the boys on Sunday dinners about a few of these lost art forms- though I haven't pulled out the linen napkins yet for them.
I love when I have these quick poignant reminicing moments

The Ultimate PB&J(HC)

Andrew has concocted the ultimate PB &J. His sanwhich consists not only of the standard Peanut Butter and Jelly, but combines in the other two kid friendly ingredients of honey and cinammon and sugar. No sandwich is complete without all the ingredients. I've eaten my fair share of crusts off his sandwhiches ( what mom hasn't) and it is quite the combination of flavors in your mouth! To go along with this creation he has invented two new words to indicate in what manner the sandwhich is cut. To update your vocabulary............. if he asks for a sandwhich "hoy-ya, hoy-ya" the sandwhich is to be cut like in a cross (+), if he asks for the sandwhich" wa-ching, wa-chong" he wants it cut diagaonally (X). I have no idea where these things come from, definitly not my genes;perhaps Brian's .......??

Peach Picking

We spent part of Saturnday morning picking peaches at Shnepf Farms. Little hands love picking peaches- the peaches were so heavy the branches were hanging towards the ground. We tried to institute the rule that mom or dad needed to feel the peach before the boys picked it off, but that didn't work so well. It was just too inticing to grab a soft peach and just pull. Schnepf Farms is an organic farm so the peaches could go straight from the branch into the mouth! The peaches were delicious.. warm, juicy and sweet! Zachary fell promptly asleep in the backpack, so he just snoozed in the warm shade. Andrew is our peach king as was evident by the amount of peach juice found soaking the front of his shirt. ( Rule #1 never leave home without a full box of wet wipes) We had peaches for dinner, dinner plate sized pancakes with peaches and cream for breakfast this morning and Peach Dessert is waiting for us for dessert tonight.Mmmmmmmmmm!

This is Brandon typing.... On Saturday I had a birthday party. We went swimming in thier pool we had a delicious lunch of hot dogs, watermelon, chips, and fruit punch. We had cupcakes and cookies with ice cream. The ice cream had bits of chocolate cake in it and sprinkles. We opened presents, and swam some more, and played basketball in the pool with thier pool basketball hoop and I played on his Wii on bowling and for the party favors Parker gave out water bottles full of candy complete with its own ice stick that conects to the lid.