Thoughts of a tired but happy Mom

If you have any poo...fling it now!

2011-09-01T20:49:00.000-06:00

The family knows this story, but I want to document it since I'm going to try to also use this as a journal. This is the most classic story I can think of to demonstrate the "fun" you can have with a two year old! I love her dearly and this story will haunt her when she grows up and I share it with others. In relief society a couple weeks ago someone said that before you get completely angry at your child you should take a picture. That way you will laugh and calm down at the same time. This was not a picture moment, so it has to become a blog moment!

**Disclaimer** Some people may find this a little gross...

Little Miss Hannah is potty trained. We were so excited that she was trained before 2. We really hoped that she wouldn't backslide when Eddie came, and she has done pretty well. I was just getting ready to feed the little one who was getting to the frantic stage. Hannah announced she had to go "poo potty" (what she says any time she has to go to the bathroom). I told her to go quickly. Then she started frantically crying. I look up and brown in running down her leg. She is a very girly girl, so she doesn't like to get dirty. She is now dripping on the carpet (of course one of the professionally cleaned ones). I lay the baby down on the bed (still shrieking), and

pick up the other one to run to the bathroom. Meanwhile she thought that she would get the nastiness off of her leg. She wiped it with her hand and then was grossed out by that. She started shaking her hand to get it clean (thus the title). I finally get her into the bathroom. She wants her underwear off NOW and doesn't wait for me to help her, dumping anything out that may have been easy to clean up. Of course I can't just put her in the bathtub because all of her toys are still all over the tub. Now I have a giant nasty mess, I'm gagging, Hannah's crying and flinging, and Eddie is starving and shrieking. Did I mention that this was only about 8:15 am? Good Morning. What a way to start the day.

Oh...and Hannah was wearing Winnie the Pooh pajamas...a little irony? I think so!

The Lord Knows What He's Doing

2011-08-29T08:50:00.004-06:00

It has been a whole year since I've written, but what an incredible year. Isn't it amazing that things don't necessarily work out the way you planned, but the always turn out the way you hoped in the end? Here are just a few highlights from the last year.

I finished teaching my last year of 5th grade. It was definitely the toughest year that I've taught, but I still loved it. Legislation, new teaching ideas, lovely children, being pregnant. All of it worked together for my good. We decided to go with the middle school concept so I was just teaching math. I had some tough classes, yet it was so rewarding to see the light come on and a few confidences build!

Jared began teaching his first year at a high school. Because we were both working and commuting we decided to move to the same town with the high school. Wasn't a huge fan of moving from a place we lived for 4 years, but we met some fun people and had some learning experiences.

Jared got his job after I had signed my contract, so I was a working mom for another

year. This was definitely not my ideal situation, but I wouldn't trade the experience. Especially since I had an amazing babysitter (my sister). She had a baby in February, so Hannah got used to having a baby around. Still didn't get completely used to the idea, but it helped :). Working really helped me to appreciate the little one and the time that we got to all spend together as a family.

We bought a house in May and moved in in June. The house was a short sale, but really the entire process was pretty quick. The house was the first one we l

ooked at and fell in love with! We moved back to our hometown so Jared will commute, but this is where we are supposed to be. There is no doubt in either of our minds! Great ward, close to family, and we have a house (so I can do laundry at 2 am if I so desire!!!).

In July we added another bundle to our family. He is so adorable and a good baby. Because his sister was not the best baby I truly appreciate this one. Now I just have to figure out how to balance a husband, 2 year old, newborn, and a house! I have to learn how not to go back to work! So weird! A new adventure that I'm embarking on.

If you asked me a year ago what I saw in the future, this may not have been exactly it, but we are truly blessed and very happy.

Cute quote that I stole

2010-08-17T22:06:00.002-06:00

I found a wonderful quote on a friends blog (written by unknown...dang that person writes a ton!).

"Find a guy who calls you beautiful instead of hot, who calls you back when you hang up on him, who will lie under the stars and listen to your heartbeat, or will stay awake just to watch you sleep... wait for the boy who kisses your forehead, who wants to show you off to the world when you are in sweats, who holds your hand in front of his friends, who thinks you're just as pretty without makeup on. One who is constantly reminding you of how much he cares and how lucky his is to have you.... The one who turns to his friends and says, 'that's her."

Jared is so amazing...this makes me think of him...I just want to brag a second. I had a super crummy 1st day of work yesterday. I came home with a huge headache and didn't like people in general. When I walked in there were daisies on the table with cheese cake and caffeine free Mountain Dew...just because he thought that I needed it! He's amazing, isn't he?

Some recent pictures

2010-08-03T21:16:00.005-06:00

I realized that I haven't put up any pictures since January. I can't believe how much the little one has changed!

Family photos

Playing with mom!

Sending Uncle Jeff on his Mission

1st Birthday

10 Months

Aunt Holly's Wedding Day

The new routine

2010-08-03T21:05:00.002-06:00

So Jared's family started this new get fit, lose weight competition. We both agreed that we could stand to get a little in shape. So far I haven't fallen off the wagon! (ok, so it's been a whole 3 days!). I do have to admit, however, that one of my goals has become quite annoying. We were supposed to set a fitness goal and a diet goal. I wanted to do some sort of a workout 5 times a week for 30+ minutes. This is not a big deal. The diet goal however....was not thought through.

I decided to drink the recommended amount of water every day. Really I should be drinking 80+oz a day, your weight/2 in ounces. I thought about doing that, then realized the 64 ounces a day is hard enough. Do you know what happens if you drink 64 oz of water when you don't normally do that? Let's just say that I now know all the intricate details of the bathroom because I'm in there so often!!! According to the Wii, however, I've lost 1.5 lbs. That could be good...mostly because I can only drink. I don't eat as much because I'm sloshing!

One more complaint. Apparently if I'm married to my husband, I'm also married to his goals. He doesn't want to eat after 7. This means that I have to think out dinner and have it cooked in plenty of time so he can eat. It also means that I don't eat after 7 either. I feel bad eating in front of him. If I do eat, it has to be healthy so he won't feel bad about not eating it! Actually this is a good thing. I'm really doing several goals at the same time, so it won't hurt!

I want to keep track of my success so that as I hit those blah days, I will remember that there are good days! Here's to the rest of this week!

By the way, Hannah has a goal of sleeping through the night and gaining weight!!!

Blogging takes a back seat!

2010-07-17T22:12:00.002-06:00

I realize that it has been since January since anything has been posted. I thought that I was oh so good at prioritizing and multi-tasking. Apparently I am, just blogging doesn't make the priorities list. To some this would seem like not a large problem, but as I look at the last few months, I realize that I haven't kept a journal, haven't blogged...I'm not even so good at writing in Baby Blue Eyes' book! I keep saying one day I will have time. Then I realized, one day will never come. I must decide to take time out for this because I actually enjoy writing. I don't do this often enough! I have time at this moment only because husband is in bed sleeping and so is the baby (although she is not really a baby...almost 15 months!). For the summer this arrangement could work. When the school year starts up we'll see what happens.

As I think back over the last few months I realize that I have learned (or been reminded) of a few things:

1. Sleep is precious. Don't take it for granted

2. Teething sucks (see #1)

3. I have a husband that loves me and his little girl. He stayed home with her from December until May and played Mr. Mom. This made going to work much easier.

4. The Lord answers your prayers. ALWAYS. It may not be the way I would have done it, but he has.

5. A smile can melt your heart (and frustration)

6. New adventures aren't always a bad thing

7. "Uh oh" should never be taught to a young child. It just gives them excuses to make messes!

8. A 19 year old boy going to Africa on a mission can be such an inspiration and kick in the pants to get back in gear!

9. All things happen for a reason

10. Sometimes you just need your Mommy, and that is perfectly ok!

11. 5th graders are fun, tiring, rude, hilarious, smart, and make you think. Yet they still have faith in you (even if they don't want you to know that!)

12. Friends make all the difference

13. Being married to your best friend is the biggest blessing one could ask for

14. A happy home isn't always a clean and organized home

15. Chocolate fixes a lot of problems and bad days!

I'm sure that people can relate!

It's been a while!

2010-01-20T20:32:00.005-07:00

I haven't had much time to breathe, let alone sit at a computer! Here are some pictures to catch you up!

Had to wear a coat (I can't put my arms down!)

Wore Daddy's Hat

Opened presents

We drank some soda

Hannah met Santa

Daddy Graduated!!!

We Slept

We Looked cute!

(We also now have 4 teeth...but can you see them in any pictures? that would be too fun!)

More pics

2009-11-10T13:05:00.003-07:00

Here are some recent pics. Life has been too crazy to blog. As it is I'm taking a sick day...that's the only way that I found time!

playing with mom

6 months

Halloween

just being cute!

HOLY SMOKES I'M ON A ROLL

2009-09-30T20:00:00.002-06:00

Check this out! Three blogs in 2 days! I thought I would mention one other exciting thing that we have done in the last month, that actually had not much to do with Baby Blue Eyes. We went to the fair, just Big J and I. No diaper bags, no stroller, no blankets (although it got so cold I wish that I brought one), no baby! Thanks Mom and Dad! We went out to eat at a local diner after work and then it was off to the fair to eat crap! The crap of choice was FRIED CANDY BARS! So good! Big J likes them so much that that is what we are doing for his birthday treat when we celebrate on Sunday!

We went to the fair on a Friday so we could listen to the concert by Rodney Adkins. He was really good! We were too cheap to buy tickets, so we just sat outside and listened! Then (sad, but one of the highlights) we went home and slept until 8:30 a.m.! Thanks again Mom and Dad. Then we went and got our little bundle and continued the weekend. So fun though! We had forgotten what it was like to go anywhere together alone (does that make sense?)!

(I'm going to post fabulous pictures later...blogger is having issues!)

The Formula Saga

2009-09-29T12:51:00.003-06:00

As a lot of you know, Baby Blue Eyes is quite an eater. I was feeding her every 1.5-2 hours for about 30-45 minutes. I was getting a little tired of this! Plus, I was going to work and she certainly could not starve at the baby sitter. There was no way that I could keep this eating schedule and work, so it was time for formula. What I didn't realize is that SHE didn't think it was time for formula. We tried everything! We tried different different bottles. We tried liquid formula. We tried powder formula. We mixed it 3:1. I even spent the day at my mom's so that we could be mean and starve her until she took it (as you can tell by the rolls...this shouldn't have taken long...). Nothing worked. We were about 2 weeks away from me going to work and she was still only sort of drinking 3:1 using soy (it smells so nasty!). Finally, the Tuesday before I went back to work....drum roll...she took straight formula! I cried with joy...no...seriously, I did. Big J thought I was weird, but I was so excited! I was starting to try and figure out how to hide her in my classroom so that the students and teachers couldn't see her. Then I could sneak away and feed her. Plan Formula was much better!!!

SOME of the formula and bottles

The one that worked!

Oh Woe is me...I have to have a bottle!

No excuses

2009-09-28T09:52:00.003-06:00

I know that I have been horrible. Why have I not written in so long? Could it be that we spent a month trying to get the sweet little dear to take formula? Could it also be that I started back to work? How about we changed internet providers to save $20 a month so not it works only when it wants to? What about that we all had the stomach flu? Or Baby Blue Eyes got a double ear infection....found out she was allergic to ammoxicillan....broke out in hives....got a new prescription....and was still fussy for a good chunk of time? Nahhhh....The reason I haven't written....I'm lazy! Now that I'm on Spud Harvest maybe I can catch up! For starters we'll post milestone pictures!

First Safari!

3 Months

4 Months

1st bowl of cereal

5 Months (in a super cute outfit from her aunt!)

Major outings

2009-07-13T11:40:00.003-06:00

So I dropped the ball and didn't post a 2 month picture! We've been pretty busy! She is now 12 lbs and eating constantly!This is what we've done the last month and a half!

4 generations @ 4th of July picnic
waiting for the fireworks

sending Uncle Je to boot camp
old faithful

playing with cousins

Holy Crap!

2009-07-13T11:21:00.004-06:00

Baby Blue Eyes and I love to go on walks with our friend around the river.On one particular occasion she started crying unconsolably, so I went to take her out. I reached in and...GROSS!!!My hand touched a slimy mess. This delicate little one had exploded in the carseat, up her back, out the arms...it was bad! We pulled under a tree and stripped the poor little one and wiped her up as best we could with wipes. Big J came and got us and we bathed her. We wased clothes and the carseat as well! This is something your baby books don't tell you!

the mess

the bath

all clean!

the final product

One Month

2009-06-15T12:14:00.003-06:00

The past month has been eventful for Miss Blue Eyes. It's hard to believe she has been home for over a month. She gets bigger by the day!!! In her short little life she has done the following...

Attended 2 graduations

Driven (okay ridden) to SLC

Met tons of family

Been Blessed

Fed the geese

Eaten at a hippie bus

Shopped

Learned how to smile

Gained weight...a ton!

gone on many walks

Visited the Farmers Market

Went to a drive-in movie

Eaten at 2 restaurants

Met 3 great grandma's and one great-great grandma

Slept a little

Made Mom and Dad so Happy

With her Great Great Grandma
4 generations
The Bus

One month
Blessing Day

Three Years

2009-06-15T11:57:00.003-06:00

So...I was going to post on our anniversary and never got around to it! Better Late than never! It's hard to believe that it's been 3 years already! It's gone so fast! I made a list of things that I loved about the last 3 years and gave it to Big J in a card...here are just a few that I listed

Going on walks

Watching movies...weird ones...from the library

Laughing

Going to NM

Beating him at games (ok...he kicks my butt usually)

Being in love

Things I took for Granted

2009-06-04T11:26:00.002-06:00

They say that we have so much and that we take them for granted...whoever "they" are! Well, after much contemplation I now realize many things that I used to take for granted!

Typing a blog with 2 hands
Eating with 2 hands
Eating a warm meal
Taking a shower
Taking a shower alone
Taking a shower alone with no screaming
Sleeping for 8 hours...a solid 8 hours...whichever 8 hours I chose
Walking around without tip-toeing
Sitting or standing perfectly still...no rocking, swaying. or bouncing motion of any kind
Wearing only 1 outfit a day
Wearing real jeans...with no elastic
Cleaning my entire house in 2 hours
Doing only 3 loads of laundry a week
Going anywhere alone
Being spontaneous
Being able to go shopping for more than 1.5-2 hours
Modesty...

You know what though? I wouldn't trade it for anything! I love my new life!

Top 10 Things I learned while having a child...

2009-05-03T13:12:00.003-06:00

Okay...so I couldn't have only a serious post about this whole ordeal! Ready for this one!

1. Big J's pain tolerance is high...his pain tolerance for me is very low.
2. No matter how hard you squeeze Big J's hand...he won't cry...I think he has feeling back now :)
3. Drugs are friends, not food
4. Even sports is interesting to watch when you are stuck to the bed
5. Everyone should learn "I'm okay" in about 12 languages so you have something interesting to say when the nurse asks you for the 12th time how you are feeling (I'm having a kid...how do you think I'm feeling?)
6. I like morphine
7. I like epiderals
8. The anesthesiologist is my long lost best friend
9. Family is more excited for this baby than we could imagine
10. This was the most interesting/ different experience ever...I would do this again...maybe...someday...

The rest of the story...

2009-05-03T12:56:00.002-06:00

For those of you that care...I'll share a little piece of baby girl Hannah's entrance into the world.
My awesome bro called to see if I would traipse around the park with him and mom to take senior picks. This sounded like a good plan, so the two day overdue lady was going up and down hills and climbing rocks (bro still thinks it is his great pleasure of encouraging the baby to come!)

Mommy really wanted to park in the "expecting mother's" parking spaces. I had yet to do that and it may be lame, but it sounded fun. Big J and I went out to dinner since it was probably going to be the last time for a while that we would do this "alone". After dinner we drove to the mall and had to drive around the entire thing to find that "pink spot." It made me happy. We wandered the mall for a while (honestly trying to walk this child out). Stopped at RedBox to grab a movie (big j recommends "Bedtime Stories"...I will have to watch it again since I remember very little.

Contractions 2 min apart from 8pm until 1:30 when I gave up. We went to the hospital...not even dilated. Walk for an hour. No change. Don't want PIT. Go home 3:30 and sit in the bath for 2 hours while husband sleeps (I told him to...even if he didn't want to!). Go back to hospital at 8:30...I can't handle this anymore. Surely something changed....nope. Walk some more...1 hour later only at 1.5. Might have to go home. I want to cry.

I took morphine. Yeah for drugs. I was able to sleep. Wake up 2 hours later, at a 4! Yeah! Not leaving without baby. Hang out for a while longer at the hospital. Baby doesn't like any pressure or mommy's pain so heart rate continually drops. Moms on oxygen....annoying....watch the Bulls game on TV. Suddenly at an 8.5...where's the anesthesiologist? Oh, still on his tractor! He makes it and becomes my new best friend! Baby comes at 5:43 (cool time, huh!) Family is there by 6:15.

She is so perfect. Big J said that after seeing the entire process, one could not deny that there is a higher power. She really is a miracle and we love her (even when she cries, poops, pees, etc). It is still crazy to believe that we are parents. Only old people have kids! I feel like I'm playing house sometimes, but I still love it! Here's to the next step in life...parenthood!

The Arrival

2009-04-28T16:58:00.003-06:00

I'll wil post details later, but Hannah made her appearance April 26 at 5:43 p.m. 7lbs 3oz and 19.5 in long. We are all doing great. Here's the teaser for the next installment.

The Update!

2009-03-26T09:11:00.005-06:00

So I've been a slacker writer. I make no apologies! I will have plenty of time to write every day when I have nothing to do but stay at home with a baby. That's what moms do, right? Sit around, blog, eat bon-bons and watch soap operas? I'm pretty sure that a man told me that once!

Being prego isn't so bad. I'm actually enjoying it most of the time! I do walk into a room, however, and my siblings ask how Baby is doing...forgetting that I'm attached to Baby! I'm confident enough in myself to be okay with that though! She is making mommy quite large, however! The best thing is that my sis got married and we had to wear lovely yellow with a sash tied right under the bust....can you say accentuating? I don't have a pic at the moment, but I will be sure to post one! To get back at her Big J and I wore a Mrs. America sash and tie that said Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head. She was too happy to be annoyed, but we enjoyed it!

The wedding party...the best I have at the moment!

The sash and tie! hehehehe

Last time I saw Doc, he was feeling around and says "my! She's not little!" Apparently I will follow with family! No smaller than 8 lbs is expected....try not to think about that....not thinking...not thinking....

This week I'm on Spring Break (you wouldn't be able to tell it by the snow that fell last night!). I've played with my sis and mom who've also been on break! We've watched movies, tied a quilt, painted a dresser for Baby's room, and eaten...definitely had to have food!

Really life is good! Big J has 3 weeks of school and I have 4 weeks of being prego! We are both excited to be done with our adventures. I will try to keep you better updated...but no promises!

Teacher! You're Luminous!

2009-02-03T19:57:00.002-07:00

Sometimes kids say the dangdest things (is that a word?). Last week one of the vocabulary words was "luminous". The teacher across the hall was trying to explain the word. She mentioned that people often say pregnant women are glowing. She told them to tell me I was luminous. One dear soul did, and I looked at her so confused. I said thank you, and about 1 hour later it struck me as to why she said it. This is not all...

Also in that language arts class is a young man I love dearly. He makes life interesting. He has been diagnosed with a high functioning autism, and he fits that stereotype perfectly. He is in my math class, so we have "fun" every day. My class has been well aware that I'm pregnant since about November, but this has not connected with the little dear...until that day. I think the talk of luminous helped him make a connection. In the middle of my lesson about probability he says (very loud and matter of factly) "[Teacher]! You are getting fat! You are going to have a baby!" The whole class froze until I busted up laughing. I had nowhere to go from there! I did tie it in ( I mentioned that the probability of me having a baby was 1. The probability of me having a frog was 0). Later, when they were going to lunch, he ran up to me, poked me in the stomach, and said, "There's a baby in there!"

Gotta love 'em!

Teacher' need a break too!

2009-01-22T16:36:00.002-07:00

I decided after joining my profession that teachers enjoy breaks and snow days just as much as kids. As I began teaching this year (feeling all of the lovely effects of pregnancy) I learned that this is so much truer. I feel as if I'm running on empty more often than not these days. Today and tomorrow, however, I will get a break, thanks to good fortune!

I'm showing my class the movie Zathura. This is all we did during class today! We read the book in class, and we are practicing the skill of comparing and contrasting. We will eventually write a paper on the differences and similarities between the book and movie. So tomorrow I will only have to "teach" for about 25 minutes during reading time.

In the afternoon my homeroom class earned a party from the PTO. They brought in 4500 points worth of box tops for school in a quarter. The PTO is providing popcorn and a fabulous movie!

All in all, I have to teach math (1 hour) and 25 minutes of reading. That's it! Today they had computer in the afternoon, so I taught math and then about 30 minutes of social studies. I almost have my grades done and now I can make all my fabulous plans for next week! Yesterday...didn't like teaching so much! Today...great! I love teaching. I'm not sure there is a job with as many ups and downs when you consider if you like your job. For a teacher it changes on a daily basis!

A photo catch-up

2009-01-18T18:36:00.008-07:00

Yes...I have been horrible! I have had it pointed out to me that I haven't kept up with the blog! I decided to do a little photo diary of the past month just to catch you up!

We had a picnic on the night we decorated the tree...I was bored and wanted pickles...a picnic it is!

Here is our tradition of margarita's on decoration night! (virgin of course...I am pre-go)

The tree with a hottie!

Look at the tummy!

Some of the loot on Christmas!

Hannah got way more than the two of us combined! This is about 1/2 of it!

Christmas Seasons...with pink

2008-12-20T12:45:00.002-07:00

I love this new Christmas background! Does anyone know why it is pink? I'll give you a hint...it is not a watered down version of red! Give up?

The answer is...the ultrasound tech is 90% sure this baby is a girl!

I kinda already knew, but this was a nice to have confirmation! Big J is excited, but slightly worried. He seems to think that he will be wrapped around her little finger. I think that he is right. You should see him with the nieces...he'll do whatever they want if they act cute enough!

Everything looks good so far! We are at 22 weeks and the baby is 1.1 lbs. I laughingly said that the baby was fat and the tech thought I was serious! She was freaking out! It was hilarious to see the look on her face. Now that I'm out of school for two weeks it is nothing but comfy pj pants that fit really well!

I hope to blog more now that I'm on break...but if not....Merry Christmas to all!

Kids say the darndest things!

2008-11-19T16:55:00.003-07:00

I have told many of you this, but I think that this is the funniest thing that I have heard for a while. I finally told my class that I was pregnant (it was starting to get a little obvious...not necessarily for 5th graders, but some adults were curious). The all of my classes were really excited that their teacher was pregnant. What does one student say? "I thought you were getting fatter, but my mom said that I couldn't ask. She said that was rude!" I almost hit the floor! I tried to keep composure and move on, but it was hilarious.

Also, I'm now getting pregnancy advice from my 5th graders. They are constantly asking if I should be eating whatever they think I should be eating (candy, pop tarts, etc.).

My favorite bit of advice: I brought a CAFFEINE FREE Mountain Dew (Big J gave me a case for my b-day) for lunch. I have to walk my class to the cafeteria and see them through line before I go to the lounge and eat. One student says "Should you be drinking that?" Feeling facetious I asked why. The other piped in that the baby might like soda. She says, "But what if the baby is born and is addicted to soda?" What do you say to that?

Finally, this happened to a fellow teacher, not me, but I still had a good laugh. A young girl came up to her and asked, "In the olden days was it black and white?"
Teacher:"You mean the t.v.?"
Student: "No, just everything"
Translation: Was it a black and white world and we are just now able to adjust to color...how do you answer that?

Happy Birthday to me!

2008-11-13T21:24:00.004-07:00

Cute statue that I got!

This has been birthday week! On Sunday I celebrated my birthday with my lil' bro. Our birthdays are 4 days apart, so we have shared the family party for quite some time! Big J's family came to my parents house so we could celebrate together! They really are awesome! I sometimes think that my family scares them...we are a little touched...but it was fun nonetheless. To my surprise the families had gotten together on my gift. I fell in love with a rather expensive nativity set and I got several pieces from it. I also got a CD from the past...OMC's "How Bizarre!" Thanks Hol! I also got some hot chocolate! Yummy!

The cute nativity

On Tuesday it was actually my b-day. My mom brought me lunch at school! I thought that was totally great! Then she brought in cupcakes for my class (I was secretly grateful and excited, but I couldn't let on! I pretended to be shocked and embarrassed!). Big J made blueberry pancakes for dinner (my favorite) and gave me the rest of my gifts (Darius Rucker, hot chocolate, and mountain dew!) He truly spoiled me!

We wanted to go to dinner, but life happens! Tonight we went to Taco Smell (J was tired and I didn't want to cook!). I think that is a fabulous dinner! Actually, we are going to lunch on Sat. after life settles down!

Thanks to all that made my day (and week) great! You guys are great!

The Dreaded Conference

2008-11-09T10:31:00.002-07:00

***Disclaimer...this is not based off real life events...totally imagined....If this sounds like anything similar to what I or another teacher have said it is simply a coincidence!!!***

During Parent/teacher conferences, one might hear phrases repeated over and over. Do you ever wonder what the teacher is actually saying? Here is the translation:

What the teacher says (WTTS): "I love having your student in class!"
What the teacher means (WTTM): "You student is not one of the students that makes me pull my hair out on a daily basis!"

WTTS: "Your child is a little chatty"
WTTM: "Your child never shuts up and I want to throw something at him/her most of the time!"

WTTS: "Your child needs to be more organized"
WTTM: "Their junk is all over, they never have assignments in on time, and they are constantly losing things. This is why they are failing!"

WTTS: "Your child keeps me on my toes"
WTTM: This could go either way. Positive "Your student is really smart and constantly makes me think of intelligent things to answer back with.
Negative: "He/she presses buttons and I have to think of new tricks not to loose my cool and keep your student interested!"

WTTS: "Your child is great! They are polite and kind and helpful! They are wonderful and a joy to teach!"
WTTM: "Will you please clone your child?"

WTTS: "Your child has an attitude we need to work on in class."
WTTM: "Your child is a brat that talks back. No matter what I say they have an argument and I go home each night wanting to rip my hair out. I see you agreeing that your kid has an issue, but you don't seem to care...oh wait...I forgot...you taught them that attitude!"

*I'm sure if this following situation happened to me I would have thought it hilarious...but since this is completely fictitious...I just assume that I would have laughed with colleagues for hours after*

Parent: Why does my student have a B+ in math? (thinking....how is she going to get into an Ivy League school with grades like that...what is wrong with you?)
Me...I mean teacher: The student turns in half completed assignments or sloppy work that is incorrect and rushed
Parent: What can we do? (Thinking: what are you going to do to fix it?)
Teacher: Encourage child to spend more time and maybe look over the assignment
Parent: Is that all (Thinking: there isn't a quick fix)
Teacher: That should do it (Knowing: you won't do anything and there is no easy way out. Be a parent and help. Also...don't worry about Ivy League at this young age...is the student ready for that pressure....)

I hope you enjoyed this edition of "What was said...what was meant"

My life is lame!

2008-11-09T10:21:00.003-07:00

I realized that I haven't blogged for an entire month (several family members have been so kind to point this out to me!)! The sad thing is that I thought I should catch up. Then I thought..."What do I say? Nothing has happened?" This is why my life is lame! In the last month I have worked, slept, woken up and repeated the process. Big J has gone to school, studied, slept a little, and then woken up and repeated the process. We are still living the college student life (I feel for you Mel if you return to it! It is still fun though!).

I did go to "The big city" three hours south with some of my teaching pals. The big highlight...we got a refund from Priceline! We had three lame-o friends that backed out last minute, so we didn't need another hotel room. Because of the teenager mess-up at the desk, Priceline had to give us a refund since the worker already cancelled the room for us!! *Blessing* We shopped, ate good food...shopped...and shopped. It was good to just get away for a weekend!

Another adventure that Big J and I experienced was making a rather large purchase.... We bought a WII! I have never seen the guy look so happy in my life! We always joke that if we are in Walmart and they have a Wii we will buy it. Since that never happens, I figured we were safe. We got there and there were 2! J stood there and stared at it for about 15 minutes (imagine the drool) while I continued to get the things that were actually on our list! In the end we bought the system. It sat in the box until the next day. I was a meanie and said that the house had to be clean before we could play it (am I going to be a mean mom or what?). I've never seen J move with so much energy while cleaning the house! We don't regret it. My arm is slightly sore however...can you get tennis elbow from Wii?

Sadly, this is all that you missed from our lives in the last month! P.S. I'm now officially wearning fat people pants. I told all of my classes that I was pregnant on Thursday. I had one boy (interesting young lad) that actually said he thought so because I was getting fat, but his mom said it was rude to ask! Bless his heart....NOT!!!!

Blessings...you can always find them...

2008-09-28T16:29:00.006-06:00

I've heard over and over that you have to look for the silver lining. Today I thought that I would take it to the extreme...

A child tells you that you are the meanest teacher ever...
*Blessing: You are not his parent and you can send him home

The RS teacher didn't come to church and you find out 20 minutes before church...
*Blessing: You get to teach and learn your lesson on service

I'm nauseous or puking quite often...
*Blessing: I will have a bundle of joy eventually...and it will stop someday

My jeans don't really fit anymore...
*Blessing: See above blessing....plus I can get new pants! SHOPPING!

This was the craziest week ever with the most hyper students ever...
*Blessing: I'm now on Spud Harvest for 2 weeks...time to relax

My house is in deep need of a deep clean...
*Blessing: Now I won't have to wonder what to do over Spud Harvest

We are not millionaires....
*Blessing: If our bank fails FDIC will guarantee our $$ back

We have a million birthdays to attend and buy for in the next 1.5 months
*Blessing: We can spend time with friends and family

We have a ton of chicken left over from my parent's 25th anniversary party
*Blessing: I don't have to cook

I have to go back to work in 2 weeks
*Blessing: I'm going to get paid so we can pay rent and groceries

Our rent is going up $15 a month
*Blessing: We have a place to live that is not a van...but it is by the river:)

I'm OCD (or CDO)
*Blessing: I now have an even number of blessings (I had to go back and edit the post :)

I hope you had a good laugh for the day! Count your many blessings!

Broken

2008-09-09T17:12:00.002-06:00

If you are an observant person you will notice that I changed my playlist. I've had this other one cookin for a while, but haven't used it. It is random, but I kinda like it. I decided to pick a word and see how many songs I could tie in with it. I thought of broken because there is a broken picture frame in the corner that needs to be fixed. This made me think of all the other broken things that I run into...

Broken cookies: not as good as the whole ones, no matter what Dad says

Broken brain: mine...it is not in functioning mode right now

Broken off button: my students no longer have one! They never quit talking or moving!

Broken: Washington...or so McCain says

Broken arm rest thingy: I think I popped the spring in my car and now it opens on its own

Broken Record: Yep...I feel this way too...I think I remember my mom saying she felt like
one...by the way...what is a record? I'm not old enough to know :)

Broken Picture frame: Big J's friend knocked it off the wall...it shattered!

Broken ambition: I think my ambition button is broken...I have none!

Batman and the classroom

2008-09-02T19:50:00.002-06:00

First of all, I think that Dark Knight was awesome! Heath Ledger...not only a fairly attractive man...was an amazing actor! Kinda creepy...but good! The movie was action packed and interesting. It was a little creepier than Batman Begins, but I still loved it. One statement that Alfred made to Bruce Wayne was profound. He said that not every criminal can be fixed.

"Some men aren't looking for anything logical. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn."

Chew on this quote for a while.....How true is this? Some people just want to watch it fall apart. As sad as this is, I think that there are some students that are like this already at the early age of 9, 10, and 11. It makes me sad to think that there are people with this attitude. I choose to think like Bruce Wayne, however. I will do whatever I can to "fix" things. I know that this is not possible, but at least I can say that I tried.

Labor Day Weekend...the best thing since sliced bread!

2008-09-02T19:29:00.003-06:00

I had a very much needed three day weekend! I was super excited! To make it even better, we have a three day school week because Friday we have a teacher inservice! I think that the Lord knows what he is doing..., or how to let the children live! Okay, so things really aren't that bad. I really do love teaching! I love the ladies that I work with! If nothing else, they make it worth it!

Saturday J and I picked a mother load of greenbeans at my parents house...we are talking 9 Walmart sacks FULL!!! I think I will puke if I see another greenbean!. After that we watched my bro run in the "Mud Run". This was at the local sand dunes. They use firehouses and soak the place. High schoolers + Mud= a fun mess. THis was his last run, so I think he liked it that much more. Later that evening J and I saw the new Batman movie. More on this later...

This weekend we celebrated S Dog's birthday with Big J's family (mostly S Dog is a cool name and I haven't commented on my bro-in-law on here...so he will forever have a cool name!). We had a blast and hung out until about 11 just laughing and talking...I was pretty much falling asleep!

Monday we celebrated my sisters b-day. She is an old person now...22! It was fun playing games (everyone should check out "curses." It's an awesome game!)and hanging out with ALL of my family. This is becoming more rare! We ate good food...especially ice cream! Gotta love it!

I hope everyone had a safe and fun weekend! Now I just look forward to Spud Harvest :)

hmmmm....

2008-08-29T16:53:00.000-06:00

see more pwn and owned pictures

I'm just saying.....does anyone else think that this is funny?

So it's been a while

2008-08-20T20:59:00.005-06:00

Life has been so super insane! I took pictures of insanity thinking that I would document the slow, down-hill lifestyle that I have chosen. Apparently when you go insane you don't have time to check e-mail or even blog stock, let alone blog. I hope that my readers understand! By the way...The last two posts with the video....I tried to post a month ago and they wouldn't work. They suddenly appeared...dang YouTube.

I started working on my room the 6th of August! I begged my family (actually they came pretty willingly) to come and help unload! This took all day. I knew that I had to get it done since we started August 14th. That is right America...on a THURSDAY the second full week of August! I was frantically organizing, plus I had meetings all day on the 11th, 12th, and then I had the 13th to get ready. Since the building was remodeled, we had a few little kinks to work out. Apparently if you attach the Bell wires to the intercom, neither of the necessary items work...we still have no bell or intercom. The fire alarms are now hooked to sprinklers. If the alarm goes off it at least leaks for 2 days afterwards. The fire drill can be heard two counties away, and by the time that they have put a torch to the censors in every room of the school, you want to throw something at anything or anyone in your path! Not good on a stressed teacher's nerves. (Big J will vouch for that!)

While I have been doing all this, I have been attending to my RS 1st counselor duties, trying to sleep. It seems that I have been sleeping in odd places in order to catch up on the sleep. Last night we were at Big J's parents and we were watching the Olympics. Everyone thinks that I was sleeping for an hour, but I was just resting my eyes while listening to the commentary. I was making the pictures in my head...trying to use that imagination rather than having someone show me the picture...Believe that? Well, before enrichment tonight, we were listening to a book on tape and Big J woke me up at 5:40. I had fallen asleep sitting up, with my head just resting on the back of the couch....hmmmmm....

With my lack of sleep, I still have to deal with children that missed the memo: you are supposed to be good on the first few days of school! Don't knock someones head into the water fountain so that their tooth cuts their lip and bleeds. Don't puke in class! (This has happened, thankfully not in my room, but 3 times in the 5 days we've been in school!) Don't let your teacher die inside by asking stupid questions like..."Where is the margin at the top of the page" while holding the paper upside down and backwards...

I don't remember being this tired last year, but apparently I was...today was a good day, as we really got down to work and began switching class for math and reading. The kids were super ready for it...now if we could get a bell, intercom, our other dry erase/smart board that belongs in that empty hole in my wall...we are set! Here's to another year!

This is start to finish in the room....I will have to post later with the decorations on the wall....

This is the nasty carpet where it meets the room and hall...messes with my CDO!

The first day of school outfit and newer haircut! Dang I'm hot! Humble to boot!~

Wicked POV Opening Day At Lagoon 2008

2008-08-15T21:05:00.003-06:00

Just in case anyone hasn't seen the wicked ride, I found this on Youtube...I think that you get the idea! So fun!

Lagoon's Wicked (Opening Day 1 of 2)

2008-08-15T21:05:00.001-06:00

So long summer!

2008-08-04T09:54:00.000-06:00

This weekend was my final Hurrah of the season. Big J and I drove down with my family to UT for a family reunion. We went to Lagoon on Friday and had a blast! The whole family went on Wicked...the ride that goes straight up, straight down, and then into a controlled roll (or upside down:) We all had fun but we were quite worn out by the time we got to the hotel. The next day we went to the Golden Spike Park and watched a reenactment. After that it was off to the family reunion picnic. My dad's cousin roasted a pig in the ground. Big J was super excited since he had never had it before. YUMMMMMMM!!!!

We drove home Saturday night late because J had meetings and I had to teach. I taught on temples. Can I tell you how intimidating it is to teach that topic when the temple matron is in your ward sitting there smiling at you? All went well and I survived.

This morning I was up and moving. J went golfing and I went to breakfast with one of my best friends that is moving to UT *sigh* She is moving on to bigger and better things, but I will miss her a ton! Then as I got home, who should call? The principal of the school. I have a meeting about a student tomorrow at 9. We are supposedly going to be allowed to get into the school tomorrow to unpack EVERYTHING!!!! This would be helpful since we have meetings all day next Monday, registration in our rooms on Tuesday, and the kids come back Thursday! It is coming to fast....with that, so long sweet summer!

The race

2008-07-28T10:21:00.000-06:00

The day after returning from Boise, I did a 5k. That sounds awesome right? First of all, I walked. There was the run and then the fun walk. While my trackstar sister decided that the run would be great, my mother and I walked. We weren't in a huge hurry. We just didn't want to be last place! I thought that that was a worthy goal! Mostly this was a race for a smaller community that was raising money and celebrating the community. I was able to walk and laugh with Mom for a while...52:22 to be exact. Well, we were each broken up into age groups and prizes were awarded within the age group. You understand my surprise when they called my name for 2nd place! I had to laugh! I got a really cool medal, so that was fun. We decided that next year the whole family would run and we would have matching tie-dye shirts (similar to a family that ran this year). Next year if I win a prize maybe I will feel like I earned it? I also just realized....this means I have to get off of my butt and start running...tomorrow :)

Conference fun!

2008-07-28T10:09:00.000-06:00

I had a blast in Boise last week! I know that it sounds funny, but I actually enjoyed the math conference! We learned new ways to teach math so that the students understand and maintain the skills required for math. We also met a bunch of people that were hilarious! I traveled over with 2 other teachers. I even won a math game for my classroom that is quite expensive (about $100 for the actually game, but if I wanted to get a set for the class to play it ranged from $200-$450!).

We had way too much fun! We each took a night to pick dinner. Monday was PF Changs, Tuesday was Cheese Cake factory (ughhhh....still sick because of overeating!!). Wednesday we ate little because we were so stuffed. The taco place right next to the hotel was perfect! We also went on a walk to make ourselves feel a little less fat! Thursday was subs....at a WATER PARK! The park was a blast! We were probably the only adults without any kids there...but who cares?Friday we stopped at Tomatoes on the way home. We ate well. Each night we played in the hot tub and went to bed way to late. We almost died 2x as our driver ran one red light and almost ran a second! (by the way...I never drove). We hit the mall one day. Really it was play with a little work! I enjoyed it. One of the ladies bruised/broke (we don't know) one of her ribs at the water park, but other than that we had harmless fun! I loved it! Just wanted to let everyone know why I was absent from the blogging world!

Decour at Cheesecake Factory
The "leftovers" from the Chocolate Cheesecake

My "sista" and I after eating She really is happy! I think we were just full!
Thorns in my shoe after our "fat walk"

Princess Quiz...do you believe it?

2008-07-27T10:35:00.000-06:00

I stole this link off of Melissa's page. I thought that it was interesting! Do you agree! I think that we all should do it and find the true princess in ourselves (don't you love that cheesy line!).

You Are Jasmine!

Independent and adventurous. You don't want much; just to break out of the guilded cage society has put you in and experience life to the fullest. Following orders isn't really one of your strong points, and you would rather live a life of poverty than being forced into something that you hate.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

I do follow orders...sometimes....and poverty isn't so bad, is it?

Isn't life funny?

2008-07-16T20:58:00.000-06:00

I went to lunch with a friend today that I have known since 8th grade. We used to live in the same neighborhood and go to church together. We were in all the same classes and were even on newspaper staff together. After high school we went our separate ways, still keeping in touch occasionally. Today was a fun catch-up day. We made some interesting realizations, however. We got to talking about friends and acquaintances over the year and how much they have changed. Recently I have also gotten in touch with some friends from my home state and talked to them about their lives. I have made a realization......

drum roll please.....

I'M THE ONLY NORMAL PERSON I KNOW

Okay, so that is not true, but it feels like it. After talking to my friends I see how differently our lives have turned out. My lunch buddy is actually normal. She is active in church, has a degree, a job, and is loving life. My husband is also quite normal (but don't tell him I told you that!). As my friend and I talked today and as I chatted with other friends I'm shocked at the amount of drug and alcohol use, tattoos, unwed mothers, etc. We weren't all raised that differently. It is at this point that I'm grateful to my parents for raising me the way that they did. I have to admit that I didn't always like them, but they fully admitted also that this was not mandatory. They were my parents, not friends. They have always been there for me. They introduced me to the gospel and helped me find my own testimony of its' truthfulness. It is this testimony that has gotten me through life's "fun" times. It is this strength that helped me become the person that I am. Now I can share my life with my husband for eternity. We can have a family (don't tell our parents that we are considering children :) ) forever and raise them as our parents raised us. If you ask us, we are perfect! Our children will be perfect! Okay, maybe not! Hopefully, however, they will learn the truths that we have learned and not stray from them. I know that some are taught the correct way and still stray. Thankfully I chose not to. As I analyze my life I know that I am truly happy! I hope that my friends find happiness, but thankfully I didn't have to go through the misery before finding the true and lasting joy.

Strangely Excited

2008-07-16T20:34:00.000-06:00

So...I have learned to use the word "strangely" since watching one of my favorite movies "Pride and Prejudice." Darcy called Elizabeth "strangely attractive." (Imagine an attractive person saying this in a British accent...it just works!)
P.S. The above statement had nothing to do with this post!

I got a phone call today from one of my teaching buddies. She was supposed to go to a conference in our lovely state capital with 2 other 5th grade teachers. They were going to a math conference to learn other unique ways to teach the lovely subject. Sadly she has had some family issues and is unable to go, so she called me to go in her place! I'm a little excited!

Good side: I'll be in Boise for a week. I like that city
Bad side: I'll be in Boise for a week and Big J will be home...he finishes school in 2 days so he will just be hanging out!
Good side: I'll be hanging with some really hilarious ladies!
Bad side: I'll be in classes 'til 5 everyday
Good side: I get a hotel, conference fee, and food allowance paid by the district!
Good side: i will learn how to make math more interesting
Good side: I'm just leaving town! This is good for your health!

Is it twisted to be excited? Not only that, but the day after I get back I'm going to walk a 5k with my mom. 2 of my siblings are running it! I said that I would train so that I could do that next year...this year I'm in walking shape! Fun stuff!

I think I've been in my house too long! Walking and spending all day doing math sounds fun. Am I sick?

Some Random Thoughts

2008-07-11T10:37:00.000-06:00

I was tired of the old blog look, so I changed it! Last time that I did this I didn't put a new post and was reprimanded, so here is a post. I have not much to write, however, so too bad for you!

First off...do the colors and schemes work on this page? One time it looked fabulous on my screen, but not so well on others!
Did you know that flip-flops are worse for your feet than high-heels? "They" just did a study on it...who ever "they" are!
I was reading a book on how to better test scores in your classroom....did you know that homework can be both effective and ineffective? What a thought! (note the sarcasm dripping down the computer screen)
92% of all statistics are made up?
What is the difference between roast beef and pea soup? Anyone can roast beef!
Square ice cream is famous, but it is just a square scoop. It tastes the same as a round scoop ( I had some last night...I know!)
I don't mind stupid people as long as they don't get in my way!
Can you tell I'm avoiding laundry and dishes and the bathroom?

I am a random person, but when you sit down and try to be random, it becomes too contained, therefore, no more random. Hope that you enjoyed this! It was mostly for you Melissa! You are my inspiration!

Some summer fun!

2008-07-09T10:48:00.001-06:00

I seem to be really busy, but when people ask what I've been doing...I don't know what to say! My aunt and 2 of her kids came up a week ago and we hung out with them. We also did the whole parade and fireworks thing on the 4th! I decided that I'm not a huge fan of crowds....a little late to realize that now! Here's a little picture journal to catch you up!

Holly, Jeff and I at Downeta
The 4th of July Pedicure
The best friend who did pedicures with me!
Big J and I at the Fireworks

Ummmm...some fireworks?

Cedar Badge...part 2

2008-07-01T12:26:00.000-06:00

As promised...here is another installment of Cedar Badge. Kim so graciously reminded me yesterday that not everyone knows what Cedar Badge is...sorry! It is now part of a NYLT scout program, National Youth Leadership Training. This is a youth led program with a little adult guidance. Youth teach other youth how to be great leaders. It is amazing to watch the young men (and some young women) change in a matter of a week. On the first day you see terrified boys and parents. By the end of the week everyone wants to go home and take showers, but other than that most are sad to leave. There are friendships that last for a while and skills that will last for a life time. This is why going was so worth it! Seeing the change in 6 days!

Another touching note about this week is how much the boys cared. They were always making sure that others were included and everyone was safe and having fun. There were a few run-ins, but not as many as you would think with 300+ boys together for a week. As we began staff week, we learned of the horrible tragedy that occurred in a similar NYLT camp as 4 scouts were killed by a tornado. As a way to show appreciation, the board (the 17ish year olds in charge) gathered 4 staff neckerchiefs and had the staff sign them. They will be sent to the families that lost their scouts that day.

While I was "on the hill" I was able to see two flag retirements. One was conducted by a man that had served 2 terms in Iraq. He explained what the country and the flag meant to him. It was amazing and brought tears to many eyes, including the "tough" 14-16 year olds. It was amazing. It made me ponder my younger brothers decision to join the National Guard. It added a little understanding and pride as I think of what he is willing to do for his country.

This years theme was "Crusade for Character." There was much talk of slaying your own dragons in your life (sin, fear, etc). We say many cardboard dragons burn, but the meaning was there. It was very apparent as I went rappelling. I have never done this, and frankly, hanging from a cliff with nothing but a rope and a 17 year old bleach blond holding me in place did not sound very appealing. It was fabulous however! It was so pretty and frightening at the same time! I was in awe as I watched the Varsity group (14-15 year olds) coach and encourage one another over the mountain. There was terror and hidden tears in many faces. I was touched by the encouragement, and most of the boys made it over. I can't tell you what the cheers meant to me, and I was "old" (don't worry...I was told that I was old several times :) Can you imagine what it meant coming from peers?

I am around teachers quite often. The longer that they teach, the more faith they lose in "these kids." After spending 2 weeks with these youth, my faith was restored. The next generation is amazing, as long as they are guided! I would not trade this experience for anything...and hopefully I will be able to go again next year! Although I'm still exhausted, I can't imagine a better way to spend some time than on the hill watching a wonderful transformation!

Cedar Badge...part 1

2008-06-30T16:00:00.000-06:00

I'm not quite sure how long this will take to get caught up, but I don't have the energy to write EVERYTHING in one sitting! I will do my best, but this is why the post is listed as part 1. I know that I will need to add more. This first one will be more about the day to day happenings... Plus, as of now I don't have any pictures. I have to steal them from my sister who brought the camera! You will just have to wait!

I was informed the night before I left that I needed to bring snow clothes...at first I thought that this was a joke! I mean really! We are half-way through June! Thankfully I listened. I went up with my brother and sister, and thankfully a few other scouters from the Driggs area showed up. We got 6 inches of heavy, wet snow that day! As we unloaded the truck that day we got soaked. We had to put that food in a walk-in freezer....our hair froze! Have you seen "Cool Runnings?" It was Sanka style! The next day it also snowed and we got another 1.5 in! I couldn't believe it. The first full week of the Cedar Badge the snow melted and it was slightly muddy, but perfect weather. By the end of the second week the snow melted so quickly that the rivers were flowing quickly and we were worried about flooding! What a change!

I was there Wed-Sunday with just the staff. This was fun as I got to know some of the staff and youth leaders. These were amazing young men and women. They truly believed in the program and it had somehow changed their lives! They were amazing! The next generation of leaders. The following Monday-Saturday the participants came. The commissary ladies woke up about 5:45 each morning so that we could send out the food for about 315 people. After we got breakfast delivered to the campsites so that they could cook, we worked on getting lunch separated. I'm not going to lie...by the second week I would get breakfast out and then take a nap! After lunch was out about 11:30 we found things to do....ate with different troops and teams....cleaned....started getting dinner ready....annoyed the Quartermasters (that is so another story!). Dinner went out about 5:30 and we went to eat with the boys again. Usually there was a flag ceremony or flag retirement or some activity that we attended. We counted breakfast and then went to bed between 10-11. Repeat the process everyday!

In order to keep life fun....we played a few jokes on the Quartermasters (some of the men that were in charge of maintenance and such). We started with a skit that poked fun at them. They retaliated by placing a toilet in front of the commissary that had the bowl full of flowers. We couldn't let them be even, so we placed a drying rack with frilly unmentionables (things that you keep hidden :) ) in front of their tent with a sign that said "For quartermaster use only." As not to be behind, a quartermaster wearing a gorilla suit leaped out at us at 5:45 am scaring the tar out of us....they had a video camera, and I have yet to see the video! We communicated by radios throughout camp, so I turned it to their channel and played "Don't worry, be happy" repeatedly....just so that they would have good music to listen to! We had a blast!

I have done very little but sleep since I got home, but I'm bushed! I think that I will take a small nap and continue the saga of Cedar Badge later. There are so many things that I learned and saw and was touched by, it is difficult to put into words. I will sure try, however!

Boy is He laughing!

2008-06-09T11:13:00.000-06:00

There is a country song (shocker) that has a line that says, "If you want to hear God laugh tell him your plans." Well, I'm pretty sure that he is laughing!

Last week I proudly announced that I was going to be a new nursery leader! How great, right? I was going to kick back this summer (except for the next 2.5 weeks where I will be surrounded by scouts that are hungry) and work with the kids for 2 hours on Sunday. Now problem, right? Great plans.....well, JUST KIDDING!

Saturday night Big J and I got a call asking us to meet with the Bishop on Sunday morning. "No Problem!" I thought! I just got a calling last week! Surely this is for J, or a plea for us to speak in church. After the initial "How ya doin'", he turned to me and said, "We are changing the RS presidency, and are extending a call for you to serve as 1st counselor." J said I kind of looked like a deer in the headlights. Of course I agreed. Can you say intimidating?

Most of the ladies in our ward are older. There are some young ones, but wow....I'm 23...no children....no experience in the RS Presidency. It's mind boggling that I could be put in this position. I know that whom the Lord calls, he qualifies, but still.....

This will be very interesting. We are all trying to meet before I leave bright and early Wed. morning, so this means I have a meeting tonight and tomorrow. J really is going to be a widower....he thought it was just going to be for the next 2.5 weeks! He can handle it! He is amazing....

So...umm...what now?

2008-06-02T10:09:00.000-06:00

This is the second week of summer vacation. I decided that the first week I was going to take it easy, and I mostly did. I have read 3 books. I decided that I couldn't be completely lazy, so while watching the ENTIRE 8th season of Full House, I finished crocheting a scarf and potholder that I have been making for quite some time. The well seasoned ladies in my ward think that us "youngins" don't know enough of homemaking skills, so they often teach us at Enrichment activities. 2 projects down....

I also filled 2 16x20 collage frames. They have been sitting in the corner since I got them in November. My problem is that they have to look just right...and then I have to hang them. That troubles my OCD slightly, as they all have to have a pattern and be even. This took more than 4.5 hours to fill the frames and then rearrange the frames in my house to match. Big J just laughed when he got home..."taking it easy huh?" he was thinking.....he knows how long it takes me to do pictures!

The Living Room

The hallway

The Bedroom, complete with "butt pants"

More living room (this is 3 different frames put together! Cool!)

J and I also double booked ourselves on Saturday sort of. We helped with the ward breakfast. He had to be there at 6 to set up....I slept until 7:30 and then had to leave to serve. We came up with this fabulous plan (okay, I dreamed it up and he just agreed). We should build up food storage....what better way than by planting a garden....wait....we live in an apartment....we have even very little grass. How were we going to accomplish this? Never fear....our parents are here! We promised we would share in weeding and taking care of the gardens at both homes if we could have some of the food. Because of the lovely Idaho Weather....cough, cough....the gardens both had to be put in this Saturday. We split our forces....he went to his parents and I went to mine....it took about the rest of the day!

Yesterday was church. We got a little shocker. I was teaching the 14-18 year old Sunday School class. Well....after a year things change....you are now speaking to....or reading from....the newest nursery leader....I'll let you know if in a week I've changed my mind on having children!

That's the latest, but now what do I do now???

School's Out for Summer!

2008-05-27T12:53:00.000-06:00

The year is over! It was a learning experience, and I loved most of it! Packing was exciting! Sadly I forgot the camera, so no one got to see the lovely job that I did! The other teachers made fun of me because I was too organized. I went from one corner of the room to the other when I packed. All of the boxes were in neat stacks. I even organized the cords for the computers that were going to be moved! At least I could add humor to their day, right?

In other news...we celebrated 2 years yesterday! We went for ice cream and were going to walk along the river...rain stopped that idea! We wandered the mall instead! We went to a movie "Made of Honor" and then to dinner at Olive Garden. We also watched "Red Eye" in the warmth of our home (this movie was one of J's presents from me). It's hard to believe that it has been 2 years! It doesn't seem that long! Here are some pictures of us over the last couple of years~love you babe!

The Haircut

2008-05-27T12:35:00.001-06:00

I often get sick of my hair. It gets to a certain point and I just can't handle it anymore. Big J. discovered this right after we were married (2 years ago yesterday!). I had shoulder length hair when we were married and then two weeks later is was about chin length. I've been at it again! Some places I lost close to 5-6 inches. My hair was layered before....now it is super layered. I love the look for summer! I thought that it was a fitting change....you be the judge!

The Front

The Back

Hello world that I have missed!

2008-05-14T16:50:00.000-06:00

So I have not blogged in a long, long time. Life has been so insane! We are done to 6 days with students in the classroom! I can't believe it! I will have to take pictures, however, of the mess that I am about to make! I have to pack up absolutely everything in the room. The only thing that can still be filled with "stuff" is the file cabinet. They are remodeling and gutting the entire room. We have to box up EVERYTHING, and then the high school football team is going to haul it to a square in the gym.....I haven't even started yet! I'm too OCD. Once I start something I have to finish....so I don't want to start. Several of us are considering an all-nighter on the last day of school....that will be fun!

Really life is not very exciting! I haven't missed documenting much in our lives. I have, however, neglected my mothers! It was Mothers Day and I didn't post anything! I did get to see both of them on Mother's Day, however. For the special occasion I made them each a paper bag scrapbook that listed all the things that moms are like....here are a few of them:

Moms are like:
...Energizer Bunnies.....they keep going and going and going....
...Puppies...they are so cute, and they get so excited when you finally give them attention.
...buttons....they hold everything together
...pizza and candy bars.....they may be round and sometimes nutty, but they are always a sweet treat!
...ice cream....they come in all flavor, and they can always make a bad day better!
...bras....they are always there to support you, even if you don't always appreciate them
...the Internet....they are full of a wealth of knowledge even if you don't want to hear it.

Finally...a mother's love is like a circle. It never ends!

Happy Belated Mother's Day to all of you moms!!!

The lovely Cali pictures

2008-04-25T16:33:00.000-06:00

Here they are...as promised! I was able to "borrow" the pictures off of Big J's parent's camera. Enjoy!

This started it all

Doesn't anyone know how to spell around here?

J smiling after church...isn't he cute?

The fateful trip down splash mountain...now why did my cell phone die?

Dang he is strong!

With two of our favorites....Minnie actually flirted with J!

Dang we are tired...but still cute!

Gotta love those "Tender Mercies"

2008-04-24T16:27:00.000-06:00

Some people have already elluded to it, but I thought that I would share a little story with you! In Cali (I'm going to move there by the way), I broke my cell phone and our camera. In the process of breaking the camera, it wiped out the card with all of the pictures on it! Sounds horrible, right? I will admit that I was really upset. I felt horrible! Not only did we just spend $$ to go to Cali, but now we have to fork over more because I'm a dork. Well the Lord cares, even if it is silly. I just wanted to share the many blessings that He has provided in order to let me know He cares:
1. Everyone we were in Cali with took pictures, so I didn't miss too many.

2. I had to buy a phone for $100. Thankfully my phone was one of the cheaper ones. The next day I was caller #10 on a radio station and had the phrase that paid. We have been trying for weeks but never got through....I finally got through....we are now $105 richer...or even...depending on how you look at it.

3. Last summer we went to visit my great-grandma. She noticed that we brought duffle bags and thought that we needed real luggage. Nana sent my mother $70 to give us for our anniversary (next month). My mom knew that we both had "real luggage", so she asked if we could put the money towards a camera....she said absolutely! I got a camera that was on sale, and a card that was on sale. Total we only paid $110 out of pocket.

4. Big J's friend paid for the books that Big J gave to him for school. That was $80 we hadn't really counted on. So really we were out $30 for the camera :)

Is this not amazing? I just thought that I should express my gratitude in public!

A trip to Cali...a good idea and bad idea....

2008-04-20T20:08:00.000-06:00

Good Idea: Going to California for a week to visit a cute niece, awesome nephews, an amazing sister-in-law and brother-in-law. Traveling by car so it is cheaper than flying. Traveling with your inlaws. Eating lots of food.

Bad Idea: Listening to a Veggie Tales road trip cd so many times that everyone is singing "Are We There Yet." Not moving for 14 hours in a car (okay, we had 2 potty breaks). Eating too much so that you can't fit in clothes. Staying up way too late playing games....this causes you to say things that are slightly inappropriate. It also causes innocent family members to buy you a really cool gift!

Good Idea: Marrying a hot and awesome guy that surprises you with a trip to Disneyland. Riding all the rides together. Having a blast. Taking a camera.

Bad Idea: Dropping your camera on your sister-in-laws tile floor before leaving, causing the camera to break and sd card to erase all your pictures (pictures are coming...we just have to borrow them!). Sitting in the front seat of Splash Mountain. Leaving your cell phone in your bag that gets soaked on Splash Mountain....this may cause it to go dark and never turn on again....

Good Idea: Learning to boogie board. Riding awesome waves. Being on the beach at 75 degrees when at home it is 40 degrees. Wearing sunscreen.

Bad Idea: Drinking salt water. Letting your husband have a camera while you look SOOOOOO attractive.

Good Idea: Shopping at an amazing outlet. Laughing as your SIL gets her ears pierced. Buying clothes for amazing deals. Laughing at a pair of $200 sandals at Gucci.

Bad Idea: Eating nasty fries at the outlet mall. Spending a little too much shopping.

Good Idea: Eating your SIL's fabulous cooking...desserts and real food too! Pretending to help cook the delicious food.

Bad Idea: Eating too much!

Good Idea: Having the best time ever!!!!! There is no down side!

Bad Idea: Having to return home to work and cold weather!

The San Diego Temple is Beautiful!!!

Slightly Disturbed

2008-04-02T19:07:00.000-06:00

Can I just vent for a second? Did anyone hear of the three 3rd graders that were arrested this week for plotting to kill their teacher? This obviously happened nowhere near me, but it still left me in shock! THIRD GRADERS! The plan was very thought out with weapons, ways to knock out the teacher and bind her. They even had lookouts and a clean up crew!!! I don't want to sound like the old teachers, but kids have no respect! I was shocked as I have watched my 60ish students come and go from my classroom. What has happened to parenting? They have not taught their children to be responsible for their own actions. These children also have no sense of respect for authority. Let me revise that. There are many that are responsible and respectful, but there are many that are not! They talk back to teachers, they give attitude, they refuse to do work, they throw things! I'm just awed and amazed. I would have never thought of acting this way EVER!!!! And plotting to KILL A TEACHER!!!! That absolutely dumbfounds me! I can only remember 1 kid being suspended from school (up until I got to middle school) and that was because he refused to listen to a teacher at recess and spit and swore and tried to hurt the teacher. I have had 3 students kicked out this year...just from my homeroom! You should have a license to be a parent! I fear for the future. At least if Big J and I have kids, they will NEVER be this disrespectful. If they are they will be kicked to Kingdom Come...wherever that is. (Thanks for letting me vent!)

APRIL FOOLS!!!!!

2008-04-02T18:58:00.001-06:00

I love April 1st! I played several tricks that were quite hilarious! I thought that some of you would get a kick out of them!

1. I convinced my mother that I was pregnant! THIS IS FAR FROM TRUE!!!! I texted her a secret code that led her to believe that I was in the family way. I did it right as school started and then ignored all contact that she tried to make. I finally called her after school to confess...she was slightly upset she wasn't going to be a grandma! Sorry MOM!

2. After lunch I knew that I had to do something to fool my class of 5th graders. I gave an incredibly hard pop quiz. I asked things such as "what was the date of the Boston Massacre," "What is the name of the black man who died?" "who represented all the colonies at the 1st Continental Congress..." I threw in some easier ones so that they were not suspicious. I had one of my more advanced students almost in tears because he was going to fail. For #10 I told them to write April Fools. The was a huge groan...I got a couple of High 5's and a few quizzes thrown at me! I love teaching!

3. I can't take full credit for this. One of the 5th grade teachers has a father who works as an administrator...therefore he can be harsh and convincing. She had her father call our principal. He pretended to be a professor from a nearby university where another teacher is working on her masters. He was told that her paper was horrifying, listing many safety violations. She had described and EXTREMELY hostile working environment. He was obligated to call the state, he said. All our principal could say was "okay" with sweat dripping and a groan. Sadly, 2 of my students had to be suspended that day for unrelated issues, but the principal had to deal with parents...and this.... We finally came clean and he was so relieved. It was hilarious, however!

Update:

2008-04-02T18:51:00.000-06:00

Husband taking finals in 1 week = very little computer time for wife who is just wasting time!

Spring break is over and I am sad. It was fun however! I watched "Enchanted" several times. I also went on another shopping conquest! I bought the sound track for "Enchanted." Big J's mom had a 40% off coupon for any cd in Barnes and Noble. We used it to buy some cd's that are oh so good. I also used my mom's Barnes and Noble card so we got another 10% off. I also had a gift card left from Christmas...after using it the cd was (drumroll please) FREE!!! I love my life!

I drove out to Rigby...and got lost with my sister. Who gets lost there? Anyway...I got my car fixed at an autobody shop of the Bishop's son. He only charged me $800...now the "lovely" man that hit me only owes me $100 more. Happy days! And my car looks so lovely.

I did finish "Twilight." It definately was not a deep book. She spent most of the time talking about how perfect looking her boyfriend was. It was clean, however. The last bit was intense. It was good, but I don't understand how people have a book discussion with it...not deep enough!

Other than this I slept....ate...read....ate...slept....ate....hung out with my lovely siblings who were also on break....oh...and ate!

Hooray for Spring Break!

2008-03-25T09:56:00.000-06:00

This is a lovely week! I'm on SPRING BREAK!!! The great thing is...it kinda has felt like spring! Even in Idaho! Now, everyone should have a goal for spring break, so here was mine...take all the stupid grocery sacks to Walmart for recycling....clean out our computer room closet. Guess what? I accomplished both yesterday so I have nothing else to do this week, right? I do have some things that I should do...take my car in to have an estimate, go visiting teaching, finish a book I'm reading... Random side note: I have been reading Twilight, the book series that has been on the New York bestseller list and everyone (even my 5th graders) has been talking about it. It does deal with vampires...I don't like them...but I can't put the book down. It is 500 pages long and I read 250 in about the 1st 3 times of sitting down to read. It is actually not horrible. I'm not done yet, so I won't recommend it until I've finished.

Last night I got to play with 2 of my adorable nieces. Today I get to play with my mom and siblings. I think tomorrow I'm going to lunch with my other parents and my hubby. Dang...I'm going to need a break from spring break! Then in 3 weeks we are headed off to Cali. We are closing in on the end of school....2 more months! Slow down...slow down....hyperventalating...getting slightly overwhelmed...okay...I'm better!

Another Shopping Conquest!

2008-03-16T18:20:00.000-06:00

I usually don't go out and simply buy things for myself, but this past three weeks I think I have caught a disease! Big J is happy, however, because it is costing him very little money. I bought a shirt on Friday. It is a St. Pat's Day shirt from Old Navy. A teacher has to have an outfit to match the holidays right? $2.50. Yesterday I went on the most amazing girls night with my two moms. We went shopping and I picked up two pairs of shoes. I only paid $0.86! I did use a gift certificate, however. The total was really $19.08. I thought that I did amazingly. So here is my play on a common commercial...

Red Shirt at Walmart: $3.00
Old Navy Green Shirt: $2.50
Shoes at Payless: $0.86
Thrill of the kill: Priceless

The funniest dinner

2008-03-13T17:58:00.000-06:00

Because I messed up date night this week, Big J and I decided to go out tonight. He has never been to the IHOP in town, so we decided to go there for dinner. Mind you, I was with 5th graders all day. It is the end of the week. Tomorrow is a work day with no kids. It's the end of the quarter. I'm slightly stressed. I'm writing in short sentences. Longer ones are too difficult. I'm slightly punchy. Well, IHOP is celebrating "Horton Hears a Who" (which I want to see by the way!). They have a fabulous breakfast special. They had green eggs and ham (the green eggs had spinich...very healthy). What did I decide to get? Who-cakes. Pancakes with colored pink and blue syrup, chocolate chips that were candy coated, and a pink sucker (I think it was bubble gum flavored) sticking out of the top. The waiter thought that I was insane. There was also a drink that had jello ice cubes, but that was a little much for me. I thoroughly enjoyed the child's meal. It made me giggle. Big J just shook his head. Hey! You have to let loose somewhere!

Is this my personality?

2008-03-11T20:18:00.000-06:00

I took this quiz. I don't know if I agree. What do you think?

Take the Quiz here!

You are Elinor Dashwood of Sense & Sensibility! You are practical, circumspect, and discreet. Though you are tremendously sensible and allow your head to rule, you have a deep, emotional side that few people often see.

Some tagging action

2008-03-10T16:23:00.000-06:00

I was tagged by Jenn. I'm tagging Mom, Melissa, and Jessie. Now you have to fill in the questionnaire:

20 years ago: Let's see, 1988...I was turning 4 that year. I don't remember much. I lived in Albuquerque. I liked Barbies. My sister was born. I probably pulled my other sisters hair. Yep, that's about it!

10 years ago: 1998...I moved to Idaho. I still hated it. I had some friends, Heather J and Rachel and Ellisa. I was in band and played the flute for a crazy man. Sad days, but that is all I can really remember.

5 years ago: 2003 I was graduating high school in 2003. I graduated as one of the valedictorians. I also went to college for the first time. I lived in the dorms with some crazy people. Here I met some lifelong friends, Monica and Chantal. I worked at a yucky fish and chicken place during the summer. It is kinda like Skippers, but it was yucky. Mostly because I hate fish! I watched 2 extended versions of Lord of the Rings from about 12 am to 8 am, and then got up for class the next morning. Ahhh...freshman year!

3 years ago: 2005I was finishing my 2nd year and beginning my 3rd year of college. I loved college life. It was also at this time that I started liking a boy that was on his mission. We will call him Big J. We wrote letters back and forth quite often. I moved into a house/ apartment with Jenn, Chantal, Jord, McKala, and some insane cat lady that was supposed to move out, but she didn't. That was a good house. We said that we lived in a horror movie because every time more than 3 electrical appliances turned on, the lights would flicker. We were shocked in the shower. A squirrel lived in a dryer hole in the house. Water poured out of our light fixtures. You know, fun stuff. This was a fabulous house, though. We roasted marshmallow on toothpicks over a 3-wicked candle (and may have burned the carpet). We went to WinCo at 2 am. and bought food with only change. We had all night movie marathons. We slept on couches. We had an awesome quote bored. We knew a guy who we will call Juan (pronounced wan). Good times, good times.

last year: 2007 We were celebrating our one year anniversary. I graduated with my degree. I got my first teaching job that I love. I worked at TLC with children with special needs. I miss those kids! We ventured down to NM and Big J. met my psycho/special family. We moved from one street to my grandma's back to an apartment a street away from the first place. I bought a car that did not smell like gas. It did not have a sticker that said "Honk if Parts Fall Off" (this was used several times). It also allows you to roll down the window without holding the glass. It also blows heat on other settings besides the highest one!

yesterday: March 9, 2008 This was a lazy Sunday. I egged my hair when I got out of the shower and it was super hot and curly. We watched a movie and then went to church. I cooked a roast and made, as my father-in-law would call it, good gravy. We had 2 visitors within 15 minutes of coming home from church. We visited both of our families, and I was asleep by 10:15. I was also cursing Daylight Savings Time.

today: March 10, 2008 I went to work way too early today. I got all of my grading done. I am fully intending on making dinner, changing into PJ's and reading or watching TV. Obviously my life is super exciting.

tomorrow: March 11, 2008 I am going to go to the bank. We have a band assembly. That will be inspiring to listen to a middle school band :) I will probably change into PJs and watch a movie while hubby is at his youth group.

this month: March 2008 I have spring break at the end of the month. I will get to hang out with two of my siblings. I'm going to buy the movie "Enchanted" next week. I am helping out with a book fair this week. I have parent teacher conferences next week. Help Me!

this year: 2008 We will be celebrating year 2 of our wedding. We are planning a trip to Cali in April to visit my favorite sister-in-law that lives in Cali (just checking to make sure that you read this far). I'm going to be on Cedar Badge staff and feed a million hungry boys this summer. I will begin teaching my second year of 5th graders....do I need my head examined? I will also probably eat, sleep, wear pajama pants, and repeat that process several times. I will turn 24...dang I'm old!

Testing...Testing....

2008-03-09T11:54:00.000-06:00

So someone (I will not mention names) discovered that my blog was hard to read when I changed the background. You see, on my computer it was fine. This is not because I am so much younger than the before mentioned person...although I am...hehehehehehe. I think my computer colors are set differently. I did realize, however, when viewing my blog from Big J's parents that it was slightly more difficult to read. Is this any better? I love when people read and comment, so I must make it easier for them. Also, I cannot offend the person that I mentioned if I want good food and can hopefully bring back some sunshine for my mother. Anyone want to fit in a suitcase in April...hint...hint...hint?

I made a difference...

2008-03-07T16:43:00.000-07:00

I'm not really trying to toot my own horn. Some days, I will admit, I seriously dislike teaching. Big J will attest to that! This week has had several ups and downs with students. However, on a particularly rough day I got a note from a student. She just wanted to let me know that she appreciated me teaching her and that she loved class. She said that I was her role model. I wanted to cry! This helped me just a little bit. Then there was a particularly difficult student that is in my homeroom. This student was suspended for about a week and this is the week of the return. Because of the chaos that is unimaginable, the child is slightly struggling with school and assignments. This person took a test today (dang AR) and was so excited to finish the book, but did not do as well as expected. Self esteem raised and then dropped 3x. I don't normally do this, but I had the test erased and then talked with the student about it. It was obvious that the book was well read and understood, there were just too many other distractions. Upon retaking the test, 100% was achieved. In order to meet this required reading goal, only 3 more points are not required. Completely attainable in a week. At the end of the day the student left with a smile that I haven't seen and a slightly larger spring in the step. These two helped me students helped me to remember why I love to teach. They also helped me remember what a tough time I probably gave my teachers!

Threeeeee Dollars!

2008-03-04T18:26:00.001-07:00

So this is a funny story and good memory...I hope that both of my moms don't think less of me! Tomorrow is the dreaded class picture. The other new teacher and I were discussing what we were going to wear~hey...the students will keep this picture forever and ever. Well, I had to go to Walmart do deliver some recycling--I'm not really "green", it is a school fundraiser. I decided to quickly peek at the racks. I found a shirt for...drum roll please...$3! And it is even cute! I was so excited! I'm so excited I will even put a picture up...don't mind the laundry! Well, this reminded me of a time in college.

Insert Memory Here:

I had some hilarious roommates. On a day when I'm sure that we were supposed to be studying, we found ourselves wandering a busy street next to the university. This was fast food row. One roommate had, you guessed it, $3. She announced it to the entire street and all the drivers that would listen. (Just so you know I am laughing right now because it sounds much funnier with her voice in my head). We ran into a friend of a friend on the street, and he was semi-attractive. She asked what he would do for $3. He said that he would take his shirt off. Now this guy was LDS, and taking his shirt of meant that he had another shirt underneath, so this wasn't too exciting. We turned him down. On the next corner we got another guy offer to strip...it was hilarious. We decided these men were not worth $3, so we went to Taco Smell...I mean Bell. What was her total? $2...exactly!!! So then her little sing song voice went on about having $1. I'm not sure what happened after that. I think we may have offered it to our unattractive building manager to strip, but a no go. We probably ate more food and watched a movie....Ahhhhh....the college years!

Aren't Girl Days Grand?

2008-02-29T20:26:00.000-07:00

Today was another no school day...I love the small town! I had about 10,000 things that I could have done, but none of them were very fun! Instead I was able to hang out with my mom. To start off the day I was actually able to make a lunch for Big J. Usually he is still in bed when I leave for work, so this was a great treat. I spent a little bit of time (I won't mention how much) finishing up my new playlist. *Side Note* I know that this is about the most random mix ever, but if you know me, it makes sense. Anyway, I finished that up and it was off to Mom's...in my pjs. We went to McD's for breakfast because they were giving out free sandwiches with a drink purchase. Who gives up free? We got two chick flicks and went home to watch. I forget how much I love a good chick flick. "Sydney White" was the first movie. Slight teeny-bopper movie, but so cute. I will own this some day. We ate a bag of popcorn for lunch and then went to Barnes and Noble for sinful cake. I used a gift card, so I didn't spend my money. All in all I spent $1.48 today. We picked up my siblings from school and returned home to watch our 2nd movie. Somewhere in there I was also informed that I stink at Guitar Hero as my brothers AND MOM showed me up....HORRIBLY! We watched "The Nanny Diaries." Cute, but I liked the first movie better. My parents left for a date, and I was able to take my 13 year old brother to buy pizza for dinner. It was fun to catch up a little. I miss seeing my family all the time. I ate with three very cute boys..17, 13, and 8. I returned home to wash laundry and take a hot bath with a book and music. Big J is spending much needed boy time with his friend. All in all today was so relaxing and just what I needed. I honestly think that you could solve the worlds problems with a chick flick, hot bath, and a book!

Just wanted you to be jealous!

2008-02-26T20:25:00.000-07:00

So this week is already appearing better than last week. I only have a slight cold left; I have much more energy. Big J, however, had a yucky flu yesterday, keeping him home to recuperate. This is probably for the better; I'm sure that he needed a break. The best is yet to come, however. On Friday, the boy's basketball team at the high school in the district I teach in is going to state. Because I teach in an incredibly small town, the district cancelled school so that the students and faculty can go enjoy the game 4 hours away! I love teaching in a small town! I think that I will wear my pajamas and do nothing. Doesn't that sound grand? What many people don't know, however, is that I wear my pajamas on a regular basis. There was one time that I came home from college to wash laundry at my parents house (Hey! It was free!). I hadn't washed laundry in about 2 weeks. I washed 2 skirts (from a 3hr wearing at church) and a pair of jeans. All the rest were pajama pants! Some people may say that I'm lazy...I say that I'm just smart. They are so dang comfortable. I have pajama pants in all fabrics and colors! I even made pajama pants for my (okay Big J's) nieces and nephews for Christmas! Hey! They had to be as cool as their aunt! What's even better, I think I'm converting the husband! I've brought him over to the dark side! Hahahahaha!

Marwage...It's what brings us togever today...

2008-02-24T16:33:00.000-07:00

This past week has been insane. Between work and church and life and being sick, it was a tough one. I must say when the going gets tough, I sometimes complain...or cry...or yell...or mope...or all of the above. I went to a class this week with the women at my mothers ward. It was based on a book called "Strangling your husband is not an option" by Merrilee Browne Boyack (this is an awesome book that I would totally recommend...anyone in this area can feel free to borrow it from me! You can also find it online or at any LDS bookstore). There were probably a dozen women there discussing certain aspects of their marriages. Now I was by far the youngest, which was slightly intimidating. I did not go to this class because I wanted to strangle my husband, but I thought that every little bit would help, right? The book actually talks more about how to change yourself so that you can have a better marriage. The more I sat through the class, the more that I was thankful for my husband. For our first valentine's day together I made a list of 100 reasons why I loved Big J. If you will indulge me, I will not list 100, but I would like to tell you some of the wonderful things about the man that picked me!

1. He loves me....no matter how grouchy or rude that I am

2. He WANTS to help around the house. He gets offended if I don't give him a job on Saturday!

3. He makes me laugh...all the time.

4. He is an amazing spiritual giant.

5. He wants a family and will be a great Dad (don't tell our family : )

6. He watches chick flicks with me.

7. He works hard at whatever he does.

8. He has hobbies he's passionate about.

9. He lets me cry on his shoulder.

10. He is so dang cute!

Valentine's is a funny thing...

2008-02-14T16:14:00.001-07:00

I was discussing the meaning of Valentine's Day yesterday. I was showing him the present the I had bought for Big J. He agreed that it was cool and not the usual gift. My feelings about this day is that you don't need a day to say "I Love You." You should say this every day because you never know when it is the last. I buy gifts that are meaningful, but not the typical candy, card, flowers junk. I will admit that I did by a card (a funny one that fit my personality), and some chocolate, but they were in the shape of Sponge Bob, Big J's favorite cartoon character. I also bought a game since he loves to play them, and it would be semi-practical and fun. Did I mention that it was a golf game? Big J loves golf and sadly he cannot play under feet of snow. (This is a blessing in disguise because now we can afford to eat...hehehehehe). While this is an unusual gift, it is just an extra token of appreciation, however I always try to let those loved ones know that I love them regularly.

Being a teacher has also given me a different perspective. Everyone gets a valentine, and it doesn't always mean anything. They just had to bring enough for the class. My favorite, however, is the gifts for the teacher. You get the lovely candy and handmade cards, but the bigger the butthead, the bigger the box of chocolate. I think that their parents are hoping that if they buy a good gift I will have mercy on their child! I even had a student get up the nerve to ask if he got me another gift, would I give him a better grade? This totally cracked me up!

Happy Valentine's Day everybody!!!

I'm a slight pack-rat and OCD...is that okay?

2008-02-11T16:31:00.000-07:00

On Thursday my school had a snow day. I decided that I would organize a few things and get some tasks done that have been on my list of things to do for quite some time. One of those things that I wanted to do was get a box from my parents house. Now this box is many years old. It contained a few items from high school, but mostly the box was filled with memories from elementary and middle school. As I was going through the box I had to laugh at the funny things that I had saved. I had a school journal from 3rd grade. Every class picture from k-5. Old newspaper presspasses, bad pictures (the ones that are taken as you drop the camera...half a face...or a blur). Some of my favorite things however were hilarious. One is a certificate saying that I graduated from DARE...in 5th grade! The funny thing is that my class of 5th graders is graduating from DARE tonight and I have to go hand out certificates in a few hours. A little ironic.

The other thing that was funny yet disturbing was an abundance of posters. I once subscribed to a teen poster magazine and saved almost every one. We're talking early JTT, Leonardo, Backstreet Boys, etc. That is slightly disturbing, but it gets worse. As I went through the folder, I noticed that I had two counts written down on the pocket. One was the number of 8x10 posters. The other was the number of huge foldouts. There were over 300. It gets worse. As I sifted through the mound, I found a paper that listed each star, in alphabetical order, with a tally and count of all the posters that I owned of them. The sad thing...I was probably 11-12. I was OCD even then!!! If you know me, you know how OCD I am now. Everything has to have a pattern or be even; I MEAN EVERYTHING. When we have children some day, we have to have 4, preferrably 2 boys and 2 girls. One is spoiled, 2 are still spoiled, 3 is not even, so I have to have four. Hanging pictures is horrible for me. I have to have the same number of frames that are the same color, or at least I have to have a pattern (two small ones and one large one, set out like a pyramid). My husband just laughs at me. The pictures also have to be straight. I have fixed pictures in homes of other people because it was driving me NUTS!!! That is all I can focus on.

I don't only have a problem with evenness. My food cannot touch. My father-in-law loves to watch me eat because I eat one food item in its entirty first, before moving on to the next item. I also eat clockwise around my plate. I sort candy (ie M&Ms) into color or shape and eat them evenly. Everything also has to be meticulously clean and in order. It's enough to give a person a heart attack! At least it is good to know that I have done this since I was 11. This isn't a new dilemma. I do find it odd, though, that someone with as many OCD tendencies as I have is a slight packrat...interesting thought.

Anybody want to move to Canada?

2008-02-08T16:32:00.000-07:00

So I'm a slightly political person. I have watched the debates and I have followed the polls and primaries and caucuses. I feel like I'm pretty informed. Because I am informed, I was slightly disturbed when Romney pulled out yesterday. I'm not saying that I agreed 100% with the man, and his religion has nothing to do with it. I am saying however, that I think most of the other people are idiots. It worries me. Who will I vote for in May...and in November. At this point I'm ready to move to Canada. This may not solve the problems, but at least there is an excuse for some much snow! Does anyone else agree?

Snow Day!

2008-02-07T09:21:00.000-07:00

Can I tell you...as much as kids love their snow days, I think that the teachers love them equally if not more... I was ready to get in the shower this morning and I got the call. School is cancelled today, so go back to bed. I couldn't tell the person on the phone no, so I jumped right back into bed while Big J had to get up for his classes. Poor guy. I think of all the fun thing that I could do today, but I just have to decide what. There are so many things that I have neglected since I started working. I could organize a closet. I could make copies of pictures that I have been putting off. Any number of things. I could also blow the whole day off and go back to bed. I guess that we will have to see what today brings. It is only 9:25...

Stop the madness...

2008-01-18T16:41:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been on a roll and you just can't seem to stop yourself. No matter how hard you try it seems impossible? Today was a work day for teachers, so I was at the school all day with no kids. I got so much done. Then I came home and I am still in the mood to accomplish things. What on earth is going on? I put in laundry and next on my list is scrubbing the bathroom and vacuuming. How sick is that? I thought that I would get all of the house work done so that tomorrow I could do....nothing? I have no grading, no homework, no projects, no cleaning, and nothing on the agenda. I should be excited, but I'm already feeling lazy. I wish I could go back to the days of doing nothing and being okay with the fact. Alas, I must press on and continue while I still have energy :)

My first bit of blogging

2008-01-10T20:07:00.001-07:00

So, at first I just decided to get a blog because my super cool sister-in-law has an awesome one. Yet, I'm one of those people that feels guilt if I just sit at a computer for a minute....or hour. Then I had an epiphany.... Really this is a journal. All I have to do is write about my life, and I am also documenting it for future posterity. Now I am just typing this on a computer for the whole world to see...slightly scary. Now I can look forward to future blogging. It doesn't even matter if no one reads this, because I am helping myself through wasting time!