Puphi's Postings

Stress

2012-02-14T09:17:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been under a lot of stress. It has taken a toll on my body. In general I feel OK, but my blood pressure has increased greatly over the past year. I've tried to donate blood and all four times have been denied because my blood pressure is too high.

I guess it is time to make an appointment and get lots of things checked out: blood pressure, cholesterol, thyroid, knees, hips and feet, etc.

I'm an everything eater. I eat socially (dates, parties and gatherings), absently (like while watching TV), because I'm bored (like while on the computer), emotionally (like when I'm sad because ice cream makes everything better), and with stress (usually caffeine and chocolate). I've been trying to exercise more to work off the stress instead of eat my problems away. I wish the following statement were true.

A New Semester

2012-01-20T15:32:00.000-07:00

This week was the end of the first semester at the middle school where I teach. I can't believe we are already halfway through the year, on the other hand, I can't wait for summer.

I have 12 special needs students. Then I have peer tutors who are general ed. students that come in and work with my students. Peer tutors are an extra pair of hands to help with worksheets, run errands, get my group to lunch or the bus or assemblies. I of course have a few that are my favorites, and then there are those that drive me nuts. Let's just say I am definitely ready for a new batch of peer tutors.

I feel like I am looking at the first semester as a trial run. Yes I taught last year, but that was at a high school with a different set of kids, curriculum and expectations. This year I am starting over again. I have figured out what kind of things I want to do differently for the second semester. Hopefully this will help alleviate some of the problems from first semester. And as always, personality plays a big part.

I had some peer tutors that just got right into the swing of things. They buddied up with one of my students and developed a friendship. Then there were other peer tutors who hung around the perimeter of class and waited to be told what to do and who to do it with. I would make comments like, "this isn't an 8th grade dance where you hang out by the wall, pick a student and help" or "this isn't peer tutor social hour, get with a student and help."

Maybe its their age or maturity level where I have to invite them to participate in class. Hopefully this new batch is better.

Just a few Christmas Traditions

2011-12-21T14:39:00.001-07:00

Over the years I have incorporated the Christmas traditions of my family from my childhood into my own family.

One is we open gifts one person at a time. This way we can ooh and ahh over what others received for gifts. I delight in watching the faces of others when I got them a gift that is oh so special.

Another is that my husband and I give each other an ornament. I always give him a car ornament and he gets me a bear ornament. We always have a live tree. We just don't have the storage space to keep a fake one.

A new one just started about 2 or 3 years ago. I'm always trying to find something special to make for Christmas breakfast and Christmas dinner. So a few years ago I made Cornish game hens. It must have left an impression on my son Cooper because the next year he asked, "Are you going to make those little chickens for Christmas?" Again this year I was asked the same questions, so that is a new tradition.

Growing up my mother would hang up the cards we got in the mail over the archway between the living room and dining room. I too hang up cards around the archway between the living room and family room.

I love setting out knick-knacks for the holidays. I make little vignettes. I have a Santa section, and Christmas tree section, a Snowman section, Christmas bear section, and a couple of Nativities. My mother-in-law often gets the kids a book as a gift and I am able to pair these holiday books with the corresponding vignettes.

I'm not really sure which traditions my husband had in his family that we know incorporate, I think I dominate the traditions. I should ask if there is anything he would like us to start or stop doing.

I'm a good driver, really I am...

2011-11-26T09:06:00.000-07:00

I have been visiting my in-laws for Thanksgiving in Newcastle, WY. My Cousin Ray lives about 50 miles away in Moorcroft and I went to visit him. My parents were there for 2 days for Thanksgiving, I wanted to touch base and give them Zac for the return trip back through Utah then Nevada.

During the trip as I get to Osage there is lots of snow and wind. It was like driving through a mini-blizzard and it was like that through Upton too. It all cleared up as I got to Moorcroft. We visited and about 2 1/2 hours later I left for the return trip, alone.

Once I hit Upton the snow and wind started, though the wind wasn't as strong as before. It was snowy all the way to Osage, visibility was low and I was driving about 40mph on the highway. The snow stopped once I passed Osage so I thought it would be smooth sailing the rest of the way.

The road was slushy and icy. All of a sudden I start to fishtail. I counter-steer but couldn't seem to straighten out, then a big spin and I end up on the shoulder on the other side of the road. Stuck. Couldn't get out. A car pulled up along side of me and asked if I was OK and needed help. He said he had a tow rope and 4-wheel drive so he may be able to get me out.

He had Indiana plates and I commented that he was a fellow Hoosier. He was from the Bloomington area, I explained I was from the South Bend area. Well, he got the rope hooked up and slowly we made our way out of the ditch/shoulder. Woohoo! I told him thanks and that he was my savior.

So I get to Newcastle, call my parents to tell them that I made it safely. Then I drive up the dirt road to the lane where my in-laws live. At the bottom of the hill I wonder if I can make it up because I wasn't sure how icy the dirt road was, but I didn't have cell service there and I should have called the house when I was were the dirt road met the highway. Also, I had to pee really bad and decided to drive up the hill.

I didn't even get halfway up when I hit a slick spot and lost momentum. I tried and tried. I decided that I should just back down the hill and either try again or drive out to the highway and make a call. The minivan slips and slides as I back down the hill. I end up veering into the side of the hill, I'm glad I didn't go off the other side of the road and down the hill.

I get out to walk part way up the hill to Larry & DeeDee's place (I still had to pee so I make a pit stop). DeeDee drives me up to Jim & Mary's place. Jim gets his pick up truck with the plow on the front. He plows the road as he goes down the hill, picks up Larry and they both go off to work on my minivan. With a tow rope, lots of slipping and luck they were able to back the van down and park at the bottom of the hill.

So while I had the 2 mishaps on my drive home, I am thankful for the prayer of safety we had as a family before I left Ray's house. You might think that the prayer didn't work, but it did. I am thankful that I wasn't injured, crashed the car, hurt somebody or something. I am also thankful that there was somebody to help me out so that I didn't have to spend the night out in the cold on the side of the road.

Featurette: Johnny's Blog

2011-11-04T09:14:00.001-06:00

So my friend Johnny has been a friend of my family for a long time. I've known him for as long as I've known my husband. I think Johnny is a great artist. I would call his style whimsical, modern, futuristic, fantasy and caricature. I know one of his artist influences is James C. Christensen. In the past Johnny has done some graphic arts with video games, with such companies as Morpheus and Avalanche.

Artwork by John-Lehi Jensen

Johnny has made cards for us.

Artwork by John-Lehi Jensen

We asked him to do drawings for our business.

Artwork by John-Lehi Jensen

He's just so talented. You can check out some of his other artwork and artist influences at his blog: ragbagmedley.blogspot.com

I recently made one of his 3D paper dolls, it was pretty cool (you can find it on his blog). His more recent work that he shows on his blog I think belongs in a Tim Burton movie. Do you hear that Tim Burton?! You need to hire Johnny as one of your animators!

Anyway, check him out. He's new to the blogosphere, he could use some subscribers.

New Roof

2011-11-01T22:08:00.000-06:00

Our roof has been bad for a few years now. It leaks, it's rotting. The swamp cooler has leaked. Some shingles had blown off during a windstorm or micro-burst. The final straw was when 2 trees at the side of our house fell and landed on the roof.

So a few weeks ago we were at Sears and they were having a home improvement special. We signed on to get a new roof.

A big dumpster was dropped off, and after the project it was filled to the brim.

Sears had to replace almost half of the sheeting for the roof it was so bad. The front half of the house had 3 layers of shingles, the back had 4. After it rained, because of so many layers of shingles the roof was not able to dry out and it just rotted. On day 2 one of their guys was walking and he actually fell through. Well he fell through all the way up to his waist. A leg was dangling.

A couple of days later another crew sent by Sears came and repaired the ceiling.

The new roof looks great. The swamp cooler is gone, there is a ridge venting system install, an ice guard, and Feltex Roof Wrap.

Oh, and it came with a lifetime warranty. I'm glad that we had professionals do it (even though it was costly) because I would have felt horrible having a neighbor or family member fall through the roof. At least this guy would have been covered by worker's comp.

Pumpkin Party 2011

2011-10-29T13:28:00.001-06:00

This year I feel my pumpkin party was rushed. It didn't get invites out as early as I should have. I rushed to clean the house before the party. We also had our roof redone that week (I will post about that next).

The menu this time included both the sweet and savory pumpkin dips, Thai pumpkin soup, sausage stuffed pumpkin, pumpkin shaped sugar cookies, pumpkin mango smoothies, and my sister brought pumpkin brownies.

Sweet Pumpkin Dip, serve with cookies, graham crackers or apple slices.

Savory Pumpkin Dip, serve with crackers or veggies.

Thai Pumpkin Soup, this had more flavor than the last pumpkin soup I tried. I'll probably make this again.

Sausage Stuffed Pumpkin, it has Italian sausage, rice, currants, curry, and shallots. This has been a crowd-pleaser each year.

Pumpkin Mango Smoothie, it had pumpkin, mango, yogurt, ice, and sugar. Kyle liked this, and even Zane liked it.

This is a book I found at my public library. It is where I got the soup and smoothie recipes. It also has a Pumpkin BBQ sauce recipe that I want to try. Oh, the lantern was the prize for the best pumpkin carving.

I found these cute little salt & pepper shakers when shopping with my sister and her neighbor at Rainbow Gardens Gift Shops in Odgen.

The kids carved pumpkins. Kienna and Cooper each carved a big pumpkin eating a little pumpkin. I tried making a slingshot to launch pumpkins, but it didn't work out so well. I have plans to modify my design. I would love to build or buy a trebuchet for next year to chuck pumpkins.

5 Random Things

2011-09-24T15:17:00.000-06:00

The Challenge: Post 5 random facts about you that most people do not already know.

1. I know how to drive a stick shift.

2. I have never been to Disneyland or Disney world. I'm hoping to go next summer before Zac leaves on his mission.

3. I like to Zumba. I'm addicted to a lot of things; chocolate, TV, reading, food in general, but I have never been addicted to exercise. Well, then I discovered Zumba. I'm a little obsessed with it. I like to look up routines on Youtube, download music from Amazon, and if I had Wii I would get Zumba Wii. I like to Zumba because it is more dance moves than just exercise moves.

4. With as much reading as I like to do, I've never read Lord of the Rings or any of the Harry Potter books. I have seen all three Lord of the Rings movies. I have seen some parts of the Harry Potter movies on TV because the kids were watching it.

5. I hate bananas. OK, maybe most people know that about me, but there are plenty of other foods that I don't like. I don't like broccoli, mushrooms, peas, green beens, and melons. I have never tried nor will I try calamari or octopus. I like ketchup but not tomatoes, I like pickles but not cucumbers, I like green olives but not black olives.

Bacon Birthday Party

2011-09-17T12:55:00.001-06:00

For Zac's 18th birthday party it was all about bacon. As a gift we got a t-shirt with a pig on it titled Baconfreak. I got it from www.baconfreak.com. They also have bacon themed gifts and foods. I got some gummy bacon strips that were strawberry flavored. It went well with the gummy eggs I bought at Essenhaus.

I bought Cheddar & Bacon Kraft Easy Cheese and I made a bacon cheddar dip that I got from Sam's Club. These were great with crackers.

I made cheddar and bacon biscuits and displayed them in a bacon basket that I made. Zac especially liked the bacon basket. I placed a Pyrex glass bowl inverted on a plate lined with paper towels to catch the grease. Then I wove bacon over the bowl until covered. I placed that in the microwave for 4 minutes, checked it, 2 more minutes, checked it, then another 2 minutes. I pulled it out and set it aside to cool and harden. Then I placed another plate on top and turned the whole thing over, over the sink. The bowl was easy to slide out.

The main course was grilled bacon wrapped scallops, bacon wrapped chicken, and bacon wrapped jalapeno chicken.

I also made Pull-Apart Bacon Bread. This was really good, even Kyle liked them and he is not a fan of Ranch dressing. Here is the recipe:

12 bacon strips, cooked and diced or use 1 package of Oscar Meyer Real Bacon Bits
24 thawed Rhodes Rolls bread dough
2 Tbsp. olive or vegetable oil.
1 cup shredded mozzarella
1 envelope (1 oz.) ranch salad dressing mix

In a bowl mix together bacon bits, mozzarella, and ranch mix. Pour oil into another bowl. Roll bread dough in oil then in the coating. Arrange dough in a ring about 2 layers high on a greased baking sheet or in a dutch oven. Let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes. Bake for 30 minutes.

The birthday cake was just a spice cake and I mixed some bacon bits into the batter. I coated the cake with maple flavored frosting. I made some bacon 'roses' to hold the candles.

One of his guests gave him bacon flavored toothpaste and that guest was wearing a shirt that said Bacon Strips, Bacon Strips.

The activity for the night was just Xbox video games. All boys, munching bacon, yelling, whooping and hollering as they played. My sister Emma and her kids were there. We adults hung out in the kitchen told stories, gossiped and laughed.

BYU vs. Utah

2011-09-14T17:52:00.002-06:00

So the middle school where I work is having a food drive leading up to the BYU vs. U of U football game on Saturday the 17th. To kick of the food drive we had the cheerleaders and mascots from both teams at an assembly. Just before they left I was able to talk them into coming in my class and taking a picture. It was easy because my classroom is right by the front door.

They agreed and I think I became a hero or rockstar to the students in that class. It was awesome and everyone was so nice.

Indiana Vacation

2011-08-14T19:18:00.001-06:00

My family had a reunion in Middlebury, Indiana where I grew up. We left Wednesday night after Zac got home from work and drove through most of the night. We stopped in Eagle, Co. for a nap. We took I-70 East. This route let us see some cities we don't normally see when we go to Indiana. We usually drive I-80. We stopped in Kansas City, MO and ate at Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue. I feel like since we have a BBQ concession stand that eating BBQ in Kansas City has given us some street credit.

We drove on spending the night in Independence, MO. Sadly we did not take the time to visit some LDS historical sites (I'm saving that for our next trip out). We did stop in St. Louis, MO and had BBQ at Bandanas. I loved the country decor of this place. We visited the arch taking the tram to the top.

We drove on to Indiana arriving at the cabin about 2am. There were 19 people staying there, but surprisingly we all got along fine.

Saturday morning we had breakfast at the Essenhaus.

Then we did some sightseeing in Shipshewana. We got back to the cabin for some reunion talent show and games. Sunday we went to church and visited Elkhart I and II wards. My nephew was baptized that afternoon. Then for dinner we went to an ice cream supper at my uncle Tony's. From there I met up with 2 friends, Rachel and Jennifer, at Rachel's house. We had a nice chat with her parents and my brother.

Monday we went swimming at Lakeside Park in Syracuse, IN. I got sunburned. We got some nifty pictures of my parents napping.

And Zane flashing things.

That night we had an Amish Dinner at Uncle Leo's. After dinner more family showed up and there was a comedy routine performed by Professor Schnitzel (my dad's cousin Merv or Merf as I heard him called).

Tuesday we did some more sightseeing/visiting in Middlebury/Shipshewana. The kids got buggy rides at Cousin Susie's.

I went to Davis Mercantile, I got to chat with my cousin Heidi at her Red Wagon Toy Shop. Eat lunch at cousin JoJo's Pretzels.

We ate so much food during this vacation. I'm sure I've gained at least 6 lbs.

Then we went to Cedar Point where we rode some serious roller coasters. We went on Mantis, Millennium Force, Iron Dragon, and Top Fuel Dragster to name a few.

Wednesday and Thursday we drove back along I-80 for home. Our van started breaking down so we stopped in La Porte, IN. The van spent a couple of hours in the shop. It had a broken rocker arm at cylinder 6 (if that means anything to anybody). But we got to check out a cool store, The Co-Op Shoppe and have dinner at Martin's Pizzeria where they have delicious cheese rolls. We spent the night in Davenport, IA and Laramie, WY. We arrived home Friday about 4pm.

Graduation

2011-07-28T10:38:00.000-06:00

Well, it's official, I have graduated college and now have a Bachelor degree. Here I am with the Dean of the McKay School of Education of Brigham Young University.

I chose to walk with my class in April even though I needed to defer my actual graduation until June because I had to finish up two general education classes on Independent Study.

I got my diploma in the mail and Kyle said, "Well, it's official. They can't take it away from you now."

I have earned a Bachelor of Science in Special Education with a Severe emphasis. Also, I have my teaching license that states I am a Level 1 teacher.

In some ways I can't believe I've made it. I don't have anymore classes to take (at least until I want to get my Masters). I don't have anymore homework assignments except for what I assign to others.

This year I will be working at South Hills Middle School in Herriman. I will be teaching 7-9 graders in an ID Cluster Unit (Intellectual Disabilities). I will be commuting again this year. But, I am thankful that I have a job this year. It seemed like several school districts have been making budget cuts through lay offs, job consolidation and furlough days.

I am also excited about making a full-time teacher salary. I know, I know, teachers don't get paid much. But working for 12 years as an aide and 1 year as an intern it is still an increase for me (like, double what I've made in the past).

I am looking forward to using the increase in funds to fix this old house, sell it, and buy a new house. Maybe get a new (to me) car that gets better gas mileage. Also, start saving for my kids' missions and college funds.

Big plans, I've got big plans.

Camping

2011-06-20T06:59:00.000-06:00

I like to camp. I like planning out the meals, making lists of what to pack, and the beautiful scenery. Well, this past weekend another family (Mitch & Jen) and we decided that we wanted to go camping. Of course, it being Father's Day weekend almost all campsites were full, or at least that is what it showed online. But some campgrounds you couldn't book online, only had a phone number, and some just an address.

We decided to take our chances and drove south. We came to the beautiful, small town of Spring City. We drove out to the mountains to the east. We did find an official campground (maybe we didn't drive far enough up the mountain) but we found several cut outs along the road with firepits. We chose one and set up camp. We were losing daylight because we had gotten a late start (which kind of made me grumpy because I hate to be late). We had a nice dinner of hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and of course, S'mores. Oh, and we roasted Starburst too, that is a kid favorite (but I don't know where they learned it).

For breakfast I had brought some Dutch Ovens. I made a breakfast casserole of potatoes, onion, peppers, bacon, eggs and cheese. I also made some Monkey Bread or Cinnamon-Pull-Aparts. They were good except I put too many in the DO and the sugary topping burned.

We were near a river and had the rushing water sound, it was lovely. The only thing I didn't like is that there were no bathrooms. We were really roughing it. We packed out all of our trash, I even found numerous cans (beer & soda) to recycle. Another person's trash is my treasure.

After we tore down camp we did a little sight-seeing in Spring City. Mitch knew a family from a former ward that had moved there. She and her husband had been renovating an old theater. We got the grand tour of that and her house. It was awesome. We also stopped in at a couple of art galleries/studios. Mitch teaches art at a Junior High.

Then we headed home. We stopped in Mount Pleasant for some pizza for lunch, it was the best. Oh, Mount Pleasant has a working drive-in theater. We thought that maybe next weekend we could drive down for that, they are showing Kung Fu Panda 2.

Special Olympics in Cedar City

2011-06-05T10:10:00.000-06:00

So I went to Cedar City this weekend for Special Olympics. The events were softball, track & field, and soccer. My group was Unified Soccer. This means that the teams are a mix of students with and without special needs. Traditional teams are athletes that all have special needs. Bingham High had 4 soccer teams. We play with a ratio of 2 with special needs and 3 without. Our A team took gold, B and D teams took bronze, and C team got a fourth place ribbon in their divisions. A couple of times our A and B teams had to play each other and once our C and D teams played one another.

We took a charter bus down to Cedar City Thursday morning. It seemed pointless for me to drive up to South Jordan just to get on a bus to go south. So it was agreed that the bus would pick me up in Spanish Fork. I told them what exit and that I would be waiting there. Many did not believe that they would just pick me up at the exit, but there I was on the side of the road by the stop sign.

We watched some movies on the bus. The kids had a great time talking, playing some games, listening to their mp3 players and napping. Many of our peer tutors had graduated the day before and had stayed up all night partying. I chatted with the bus driver a bit, his name is Tyler. We talked about bus driving. I told him about my dad and his bus driving & mechanic career. He thought that was neat. Tyler drives a school bus during the year, he also teaches 6th grade, plays the organ at the tabernacle for midday recitals, and drives charter bus part time. I thought he is amazing. We also had some things in common like our teaching experiences and relatives with special needs. We also talked about our addiction to caffeine (mine Diet Pepsi and he Dr. Pepper).

Anyway, back to the Special Olympics. Thursday was opening ceremonies. That was hosted by Bob & Randy Harmon of the grocery chain Harmon's. There was a local band playing and of course all our male peer tutors fell in love with the lead singer Carlie. We all stayed in the Holiday Inn Express. I was worried that our group would be very noisy. They weren't too bad, but they could have been better.

Friday was competitions. We played many preliminary games. Some we won by forfeit because the other team did not show up on time, or they did not have enough players. My voice was hoarse from cheering on all of our athletes. There was also a Victory Dance that night in the parking lot. Our kids really know how to boogie. While there I recognized a kid. Turns out he was a student at one of the middle schools where I had worked. So I texted that teacher (and my friend) about him. Of course she remembered him and had me tell him hi. One of teams ended up playing his team the next day. So I was cheering for both teams that game.

We all got sunburned, possibly a little heat exhaustion. We tried to keep hydrated with water and Gatorade. A few had minor injuries that required having a knee taped up but no one broke anything or had to go to the hospital. That was a blessing. We did however see the ambulance a couple of times during the weekend. It is rumored that one person had either choked, passed out, or had a heart attack and died.

The students were amped up and tried to play some practical jokes on the other teacher, Jared. He's a good sport, but I often feel bad for the guy since he is such a target for practical jokes. They were going to shave parts of his hair and even shave off his eyebrows while he was sleeping. Luckily he woke up in time and kicked them out of his room.

Saturday were the final games. These determined the medals earned. All of our athletes did well. Sometimes we had two games going on at the same time. Luckily they were in neighboring fields so we stood between the two and cheered back and forth. It was confusing because while you were watching one team, behind you the other team scored. Also, it made it hard to keep track of the score.

Somehow we missed the closing ceremony that evening. Then headed home. We were still amped up on the bus, but I had movies we could watch and I think that settled the kids down some. As we got close to where I needed to be dropped off I walked up to the front of the bus to be sure the driver remembered the exit. But as I walked from the back to the front of the bus I got caught in a tickle gauntlet. I was laughing so hard I thought I might pee my pants. I made it to the front, Tyler our driver remembered the exit. So then I had to make my way back to get my stuff. Again, the tickle gauntlet, one of the aides tried to intercede by tackling students so I could make my way. I got my stuff. A lot of peer tutors and aides gave me hugs goodbye. For many of them this is the last time they will see me since I will be working at a different school next year. It was hard not to cry. I know 2 peer tutors teared up a bit. One peer tutor gave me a can of silly string that I could use as a weapon to make it back to the front of the bus. Well, it wasn't a tickle gauntlet but a hugging one that time. When I got to the front of the bus I turned and said, "Goodby Suckers!" Then sprayed everyone with silly string. Somehow it got taken from me and then I was sprayed. I got it back, then got off the bus.

Kyle was there waiting for me and had seen the craziness. I handed the can to Tyler and told him he may need this. Some opened the windows and yelled good bye as the bus pulled away. I waved until they were out of sight.

It was a long, fun, crazy weekend. I'm glad I went, it was a great last hurrah to my first year of teaching.

I Got a New Job!

2011-05-02T17:03:00.000-06:00

Last week I interviewed at a middle school in the Jordan School District where I currently work. I also had an interview at a charter school the following week. I felt like I didn't do my best at the middle school interview. I felt like I have interviewed better at other places. I thought that I stumbled to answer a few questions, that I wasn't saying the right things because the principal rephrased at least two questions before I used the key words she was looking for. I also felt like I said 'um' a lot. Well, today I got a call from the principal offering me the job. I asked how soon she needed my reply because I had an interview at another school tomorrow. We discussed charter schools and she gave me her opinion. She conceded to wait until the day after my interview and for me to call her that morning. She also recommended that I talk with a few people.

So, I did. I talked with my special ed. administrator. She echoed many of the opinions of the principal. During our discussion, she happened to get a phone call from a district person, after they discussed their business she asked them a few questions about charter schools and relayed that info to me. I also did a little research online and said a short prayer. I kept thinking about all of the comments and I kept thinking of the middle school. I decided that I would cancel my interview for the next day and call back the middle school.

That is exactly what I did. I called the charter school and left a voice mail and also sent an email stating that I am canceling my interview for the next day because I have been offered a position elsewhere. Then I called the principal (I got her voicemail), and told her that after considering her words, my supervisor's words and my internet search I've decided to accept her offer. She called back saying that she was excited that I accepted her offer and she will contact the district office saying the position is filled.

So, next year I will be working in an ID cluster unit at a middle school, grades 7, 8, & 9.

It happened again

2011-04-21T22:26:00.000-06:00

So today another rainstorm was blowing into town. Around 1pm the winds were really strong. I could hear lots of debris blowing across the roof. What I didn't know is that another of our trees fell over and I was hearing its branches brush across the roof. Zane took some pictures and put them on facebook. I'll add some here in a bit. This tree also damaged some of our fence.

The Tree is Gone

2011-04-07T18:42:00.000-06:00

Well, I came home yesterday just as the stump of the tree was being loaded onto the bed of a truck. A guy in our neighborhood does tree removal and landscaping. He had talked with Kyle about helping out. He didn't give us a price, just said to pay him what we thought was fair. Kyle had told him what the insurance company had allotted us for the tree removal. It was way under what he would have charged, but he said that's OK, we're neighbors and ward family members. We haven't paid him yet, but Kyle went and bought gift cards to Outback for all the workers involved.

We are also figuring out what we need to fix the roof and how much that will cost. It will be a lot cheaper if we do the work ourselves. So we need to do some pricing of supplies.

Microburst

2011-04-04T11:24:00.001-06:00

This weekend was General Conference. We got 4 tickets to go to the Saturday Morning Session. My sister Emma watched the two younger kids for us. After our session we went to her place for lunch, visiting, and played some games. There was one point where it got very overcast, the wind picked up and big forceful rain drops came. The wind blew strongly from the south, then a moment later it blew strongly from the north.

Well, about 6:30 we get on the road to go home. En route our neighbor calls to tell us that one of our trees blew over and landed on the house. She didn't think that there was much damage, but wanted to let us know. We got home about 7:30. Zac and I took pictures of the tree and house while Kyle called our insurance agent. The earliest a claims adjuster can come out is Tuesday.

Our Bishop stopped by to see how we were. Several neighbors either called or stopped by. The tree damaged the eave or soffit of the garage. No branches broke through the roof or the windshield of the stepvan. We are OK int he house. I am hoping that we can get enough home owners insurance money to get a new roof. Many shingles have come of in the windstorm.

Kyle wondered why that tree. It was a fairly nice tree, a blue spruce. It had a nice shape and wasn't half dead like 2-3 other trees we have.

Zumba

2011-03-05T12:37:00.001-07:00

So I've started a new exercise program. About every Wednesday evening and Saturday morning I go to a Zumba class that is held at my local Curves. If you don't know what it is, here's the low down. It uses Latin music; reggaeton, salsa, merengue, etc. It works the arms, legs, abs, waist and butt. There is a lot of booty shaking. It really gets you working, sweating, burning calories and breathing hard. Some of the moves are sexy. Some of the moves remind me of African dancing and Polynesian dancing. Here is a video of a Zumba class (not mine). Most of the first timers and older ladies are like the girl in the white tank top and green shorts.

At first you are self-conscious but you just need to think that people aren't watching you they are watching the instructor. Though I know some people are watching me because I usually stand in the front row. Not to brag, but, I've been going for a few months now and am familiar with the routines. I feel like if I am in the front row, and someone can't see the instructor then maybe they can watch me as a back up.

I did have a horrible dream one night after a Zumba workout. I dreamt that the back of my workout pants were threadbare in the butt and I didn't know it. So that while we were working out my butt was hanging out for all to see.

The shirts of Taylor

2011-01-03T20:38:00.000-07:00

So there is a student in one of my classes that wears these awesome shirts. I've taken some pictures to share his shirts with you.

Ooh, I love a man with muscle!

I'm as green as the next gal.

I love how the shirt is all faded as if it was made in the 70s.

There are days that I wish this was legal to do to some people.

I like this last one and made it the wallpaper for my phone. The only thing I don't like is that the toilet paper is on the wrong way.

Christmas!

2010-12-27T11:56:00.001-07:00

On the 18th we had Christmas with my parents and sister. We had a nice brunch of Skier's French Toast, hash browns, and bacon. Then the present opening began.

Chloe got an Easy Bake oven, Cooper got Spygear stuff, Zane & Zac got money.

I got a book, and a case of birch beer. Kyle got money. After presents we sat around and chatted. Then we snacked and played games.

Kyle's parents came to spend Christmas with us. We went and saw them at Thanksgiving as we do each year. This is the first time we've gotten together for Christmas.

They hung out with us Christmas Eve. We chatted, ordered pizza for dinner, and just had fun. The kids didn't go to bed as early as I had hoped. After they went to bed, presents were wrapped, stockings were filled. I got hooked on a couple of Christmas movies. I think I dozed for about 2 hours. Then I got up to make scones.

Grandpa & Grandma came in the morning. We had a nice Christmas breakfast of scones, eggs, hash brown scramble, bacon, monkey bread and juice. Then the present opening began.

Chloe got a bike, some dolls, a Zhu Zhu pet, and a purse. Cooper got Legos and Magic cards.

Zane got money, a hat and Magic Cards. Zac got money, a hat, and shirts. Grandma gave each of the kids a book and a science themed t-shirt. I got movies, movies, and more movies; Despicable Me, Sorcerer's Apprentice, Family Guy, SA Christmas Carol, Corner Gas 5 & 6; and a book. Kyle got a Sears gift card, Iron Man 2, and a netflix membership.

After playing and talking for a while and taking naps, we had a nice Christmas dinner. I used the china I had gotten from my mother-in-law. We had Cornish game hens, roasted herb potatoes, carrots, stuffing, and sparkling cider.

Rudolph (You Don't Have To Put On The Red Light)

2010-12-03T17:34:00.001-07:00

Crazy Cat Lady Costume

2010-10-31T17:52:00.000-06:00

You may not know the crazy cat lady character from The Simpson's so here is a picture of her.

So a few year ago, I used a dress that I had as a template and made a dress. Then I went to Deseret Industries (DI) and bought the sweater and slippers. I bought some cats at DI, Shopko and the dollar store. I attached the cats to my dress, sweater and slippers. I put a cat in a pocket and I stained that pocket yellow so it looks like the cat peed on me. I have a cat that meow when you grab it or throw it. That is the cat that I throw at people.

So I have a cat on my shoulder, one on my behind, one in a pocket, a small one on a slipper and one that I throw. I want to get some more and have one climbing up my arm, one hanging off the dress and attach one to a headband so that there is one in my hair.

It's been ages

2010-10-15T17:52:00.000-06:00

Wow, it has been ages since my last post. Let's get y'all up to speed.

My internship at Bingham High School is awesome. I have an awesome group of students that I work with. The teachers and paraeducators are awesome. The peer tutors are awesome. Recently we went to Homecoming. I took Kyle as my date. He looked hot. I will post some pics as soon as I get them.

Chloe is in 1st grade this year. She has a new group of friends, and some old friends from her Kindergarten class. She is reading very well.

Cooper is in 4th grade this year. He hopefully on the verge of a growth spurt. He seems to like his class and his teacher works well with him.

Zane is in 9th grade this year. I don't know how well Zane is doing because he is in his moody teenage phase right now. But he's got a couple of groups of friends that he hangs with. He and a friend have been taking dance lessons. He plays the cello in orchestra.

Zac is in 11th grade. He is taking Japanese and guitar as some of his electives. He has his learner's permit and is registering for Driver's Ed for next semester.

Kyle is working. He works a split shift. He goes in to work for a couple of hours, then comes home to get the kids off to school, then goes back to work. I leave the house by 6am to be at work by 7am. The kids don't need to leave until 8am, so...

The two dogs are fun to watch, but I am giving them up to a good home with a better fencing system that will keep them in the yard. So if you, or someone you know would like a dog...

That's about it.

2 female English Pointers

2010-09-09T21:42:00.001-06:00

Sadly, I must give up my dogs. My work schedule (along with family and scouting schedules) has me busy that I do not have the time to give my dogs the attention they deserve. If you or someone you know would like a good hunting dog, or companion dog, please let me know.

These two girls are fun, friendly, spirited and energetic. I have worked on training them to sit, shake, stay and down. They are about 9 months old. They have not been spayed, but they have had their first shots. The gray one is named Pepper and the white one is named Speck. I hate to see them go, but I am just not able to walk them and play with them as much as I would like and as much as they need.

Best Buddies

2010-09-07T22:28:00.001-06:00

The high school where I work has a program where general education students are paired up with a student with special needs. This is a national program. Tonight at our meeting we watched a video about the program. You can check out there website here, Best Buddies International.
I am one of the faculty advisors for our school's chapter.

Forks are for eating, tridents are for ruling the Seven Seas

2010-08-24T17:12:00.000-06:00

I've been catching up on The Big Bang Theory. Such a quirky, funny little show. I had seen this episode a couple of weeks ago. Then recently, Kyle and I went out to eat for a date. This clip came to mind.

Kyle and I went out to eat at Olive Garden, and what should I notice? My utensil was a three-tine fork. Excuse me, a trident not a fork.

I think it is funny that the girl in the clip mentions going out for Italian food, and an "Italian" restaurant is where I find the three-tine fork.

Lagoon

2010-08-07T19:27:00.000-06:00

Today I took the family on a surprise trip to Lagoon. Well, I had actually spilled the beans to Zac & Kyle, but the others didn't know. We got some discount passes from a purchase at Deseret Book. We weren't able to be there all day because Zac had work tonight. But, we got to ride a lot of rides and have some fun. It started to rain as we were about to leave, so I guess our timing was good. Here are some pictures.

Kyle and the boys on the Wild Mouse

Chloe on the Merry Go Round

Cooper & Chloe on the Bumper Cars

Kyle, Naomi & Zane on the Rocket Blast-Off

Kyle on the Top Eliminator

Cooper & Zac on Thunder Track Go Karts

Chloe & Zane on Thunder Track Go Karts

After Lagoon, we ate lunch at JCW's The Burger Boys. It was very good. I recommend it.

New Teacher Training

2010-07-27T19:32:00.000-06:00

So this week I've been attending a new teacher training called Running Start. It is put on by the Utah Personnel Development Center.

Most of the topics I have already learned about in my Special Education program but, it is a good refresher. Also, the presenters may have another view point or a different slant on that topic, that has been beneficial. Most of us are new teachers this year. Then there are some experienced teachers acting as coaches for us. My coach is from the school district where I will be interning. She has been very helpful and given lots of insight about my class.

Not only are the presentations good, but we have been given some free stuff. I got a bag, binder, pencil case, and door prizes. Also, they provide breakfast and lunch. The food is awesome. Kyle was so jealous that we had steak for lunch and biscuits & gravy for breakfast. We all commented that we are going to gain so much weight by the end of the week.

Also, I am getting a stipend to attend the training. (that means I am getting paid to attend). Bonus!

Children's Parade

2010-07-17T15:34:00.000-06:00

Cooper & Chloe were a part of the Children's Parade for Spanish Fork Fiesta Days. The theme was, Surround Yourself With... and then each ward chooses their own. Our ward chose to Surround Yourself with Your Ancestors. They wanted each of the kids to dress up like pioneers, and to hold a sign of the name of an ancestor.

Cooper was wearing an Amish straw hat. Chloe wore a bonnet and apron. The two ancestors I chose were my grandmother Velma Griffith, and Kyle's grandmother Doratha Jones.

Neither of these ancestors were the 'typical Mormon pioneer". But both of these women were the first member of the LDS church along with their two youngest children. The other interpretation I wondered was, do they mean pioneer as in first family member to come to Utah? Well, that would be me and Kyle as far as coming to Utah for school and then just staying here to raise our family.

4th of July

2010-07-09T08:24:00.001-06:00

We had a nice vacation in Newcastle, Wyoming for the 4th of July weekend. Kyle's high school has an all-class reunion every five years. Some events are planned for everyone, and some are planned by individual classes.

We left Thursday night after my class. We drove through the night. I did most of the driving. I felt like if Kyle could sleep on the drive then he'd be awake and available for the activities his class had planned for Friday and the weekend. I on the other hand could sleep away.

We all stayed with his parents, Jim & Mary. Kyle and I had the guest room. His brother Kellen and wife Trista had a room set up in the garage. (It looked like a triage unit with all the tarps.) The boys slept in a tent outside. Kyle's sister Candy, her children Sadie, Cruz, and Caysen, and Kyle's high school sweetheart Shelli slept in the spare bedroom.

Yes, I said Kyle's high school sweetheart. They dated off and on during high school, went to prom and such. We keep in contact through Christmas letters and are Facebook friends. And no, it wasn't weird having her there. It felt like she was a cousin, or a friend from church.

Friday night Kyle went to a restaurant, the Flying V, where they had a band playing. He visited with lots of people there. I stayed behind at the house, visited and slept.

Grandpa Jim had some fun activities for the kids. They were divided into teams and sent on a treasure hunt on the property. Each kids ended up with $13 in gold coins. Also, Jim has a 3-hole golf course that he is setting up. Cooper and Cruz helped out to earn some more money.

They are manly men with their shirts off.

Saturday there was a parade. Zac, Zane & Sadie were fighting for candy that was thrown from the floats. Tootsie rolls seemed to be the candy of choice to be thrown. For lunch we went to Taco John's which is a restaurant that Kyle frequented as a teenager. You know he was a frequent customer when the owner recognizes him and calls him by name. Later that night, Kellen and his friend Tim set up a fire pit and we roasted marshmallows for s'mores.

Kyle went to the Antlers Hotel to meet his classmates and then on to a street dance. He again caught up with old friends.

Sunday we all went to church. There were quite a bit of adults, who were teenagers in that ward, that bore their testimonies. Again, it was picture time after the meetings.

Here are Shelli and Carma. Carma came up to the house for a visit, but I slept through that. Bummer.

We set off fireworks that evening. In Utah you can only set off flowers, fountains, snakes, poppers, smokebombs, and flashers. But in Wyoming you can also set off some bottle rockets and aerials. That was cool. Then later that night we went to the fairgrounds and watched the firework display.

Cooper & Zane battled a cold all weekend, but, all in all we had lots of fun. We ate lots of food. Got to take plenty of naps. Had great visits.

Cleaning and Ice Cream

2010-06-28T16:34:00.000-06:00

This morning, four of us had dentist appointments for teeth cleaning. We got there at 9am, and left there about 11:30am. Zac has 1 cavity. Zane has no cavities, but his 12 yr. molars came in and the dentist recommended getting sealants put on them. I have some receding gums. And Chloe has about 3 cavities. Now Cooper didn't get his teeth cleaned because he had gone in recently for that, they had also pulled some of his teeth. He's got appointments coming up for his cavities.

After our visit to the dentist, we went out for lunch. I had a Subway gift card, so that is where we ate lunch. Of course, I couldn't find the card until after I had already paid and we left the restaurant.

After lunch we went up to BYU campus. I had a textbook to purchase and one that I had ordered had arrived. We stopped at the Cougareat for some ice cream. Cooper and Zane got donuts instead (I realize we had just been to the dentist that morning). They noticed that there was a maple bar with bacon pieces on it.

We went to the pond on campus and fed the ducks. Then came home. It was an eventful day.

Short Little Visit

2010-06-22T13:23:00.001-06:00

My mother and sister, Rachel, were traveling from Carson City, NV to Niles, MI. We had them stop in Utah for lunch while they were passing through. My other sister, Emma, and her kids joined us. The kids were able to visit, we adults were able to visit, and we all got to eat good food. We went to the Jimmy John's in Bountiful.

My kids have gotten a lot of visiting family this past weekend. We had gone to Emma's on Thursday because our cousin, Laura, was bringing her son, Steven, out here to attend BYU. Her mother, my aunt Glenda, also came. It was nice to see some extended family.

Well, the little ones talked us into having a sleep over. So, Chloe & Cooper stayed the night. I came back up the next day, Friday, with a change of clothes and swimsuits. Emma's ward was having a pool party. We joined them. Zane stayed the night, along with Cooper & Chloe. The kids stayed Saturday also to go so Toy Story 3 with their cousins. Then Emma brought them all to my house on Sunday.

It was weird getting ready for church that Sunday morning without hounding little ones to hurry and eat breakfast, brush their teeth, take a bath, get dressed in Sunday clothes, quit fighting over who sits where in the minivan, etc.

We had a nice Father's Day dinner. Kyle had a steak, we had ribs, shrimp skewers, roasted herb potatoes, pasta salad, and brownies with ice cream. Yum, yum!

Internship

2010-06-14T22:11:00.000-06:00

I got a call from Jordan School District asking if I was still interested in interviewing for an internship. Even though that area is about 45 miles from my house, I hadn't been able to find anything closer, so I agreed to interview. First I interviewed with a woman at the district office. She then contacted the principal of the school where there was an opening to see if I could interview with him. He did not have time that day, but would call me later that night.

So later that afternoon, I got a call from the principal. We had a nice conversation about my past experience with the schools as a paraeducator. He explained about his school and the various programs they had. They have a strong inclusion program between special ed. and general ed. They have peer tutors, best buddies and are involved in Special Olympics.

At the end of the phone conversation he said that I was hired. I asked, "Don't you want to interview me in person or is a phone interview good enough?" He said that yes he still wants me to come in, not only to meet me, but for the rest of the special ed. team to talk with me. We set up a time for my interview.

Then I went to the school. I met with the principal, an assistant principal, and their director over special ed. They asked me all sorts of questions, asked if I had any questions for them. The principal really liked me and again told me I was hired if I still wanted the job. While I am not looking forward to the commute, I felt like this school had a very strong program and that I would learn a great deal from them. So I accepted the position.

The assistant principal took me on a tour of the school. He talked a bit of the history and legacy of the school. Oh, I guess I should mention the school, Bingham High School, in South Jordan.

Chloe Got a Haircut

2010-06-09T14:43:00.000-06:00

So Chloe had a haircut at the beauty salon. She wanted her hair to be like one of her friends from church. It is an a-line style.

Doesn't she look cute?

In the last 10 years, I ...

2010-06-02T11:30:00.000-06:00

OK, I stole this idea from my sister, Emma.

In the past 10 years, I...

- had my 3rd and 4th children

- I've changed job locations twice

- got a dog

- lost a dog

- got two dogs

- was a Webelos den leader

- was the Cubmaster

- was the Girls' Camp Director

- started a barbeque concession business

- traveled to Indiana, Michigan, Wyoming, Nevada, Arizona, Oklahoma and Arkansas

- attended funerals for grandparents

- went back to college and finished generals

- started degree program for Special Education

- took PRAXIS exam and did exceptionally well

- bought a new minivan

- got rid of the old minivan

- replaced water heater and furnace

- realized I was addicted to caffeine

- became caffeine free

- back on caffeine

- started Pumpkin Party tradition

- lost 12 lbs.

- gained back 12 lbs.

- upholstered couch with help from siblings

- took in a stray cat, named him Dave

- accidentally killed cat in the dryer

- got two more cats in addition to the one I had

- bought a laptop for schooling

- got on myspace, facebook, and started a blog

That's all I can think of for now. So, what have you done in the last 10 years?

Girls Night Out

2010-06-01T12:29:00.000-06:00

My husband and sons were at a Fathers & Sons camp out. So, my daughter and I had a girls night out.
We had dinner at The Pizza Factory in Spanish Fork. We got the twisty breadsticks; one garlic, one cinnamon sugar.

Chloe got pepperoni pizza.

I got pastrami, onions and green olives.

It was yummy despite how it sounds.
Then after dinner, we went to Blockbuster and got some movies. She got Pollyworld (it is about Polly Pocket) and I got Stranger Than Fiction.

Schools Out For Summer!!!

2010-05-28T10:49:00.000-06:00

OK, here are some pictures of Cooper and Chloe for their class programs and Chloe's Kindergarten graduation.

So there is Cooper at his desk. Cooper with his teacher. Can you find Cooper getting ready for the Third Grade Program?

Chloe had a part in the Kindergarten Program. Hers was the very first that began the program. (I'd show you a picture but it is all fuzzy and blurry). Her line was, "Everything we need to know, We learned this year in School. We learned about the ABC's, And how to live the golden rule."

Had a Nice Visit

2010-05-24T07:39:00.000-06:00

My mother and my sister Ruth came to Utah for a visit. They came to my house to watch Chloe's Kindergarten graduation. Chloe's class sang, had a slide show and received their diplomas. During the slide show, we of course looked for any pictures of Chloe. But I was in a few of the pictures since I had been a mother helper in Chloe's class. I turned to my mom and said, "Mom, that was me in the movie. Did you see me Mom?" She laughed, nodded that yes she saw me. Then afterward, she said, "Oh, I should have said, That's my little girl."

After the graduation, we went out for lunch. Kyle took his lunch break from work and met us there at Barry's Parkview Drive-In. Then it was to my house. We played games, watched some videos and took naps. We played Dictionary Dabble and Upwords. We watched the two Brian Regan videos that I had. Ruth and Mom were cracking up.

On Saturday we went to my sister Emma's house. We had a nice visit with her family and with a few friends too. It was good to catch up. The food was good too. There was an assortment of kabobs,sides, snacks and the kids made S'mores on the new fire pit. Chloe called them snores. We had a god laugh at that.

We went back on Sunday evening. This time to play games. We played Qwirkle, Apples to Apples, and Mad Gab. We snacked and snacked. Of course, the diet starts tomorrow, right?

Day at the Zoo

2010-05-15T20:26:00.000-06:00

Friday I went with Chloe's Kindergarten class to the Hogle Zoo. I was one of the parent helpers. I had a small group of 5 kids, one of them being Chloe.

One of the little boys didn't want to be a part of the picture.

We saw monkeys, tigers, camels, snakes, penguins, birds, kangaroos, giraffes, elephants and rhinos to name a few.

We rode on the little train. We even played at the playground there. The weather was nice and cool. It rained a bit. The kids did pretty well. I lost two of them once (one of them being Chloe). There was a little bit of whining about when can we ride the train, when are we going to eat, my feet hurt, can we play on the playground, etc.

Oh, I saw a friend of mine from high school days. Vicki was there with her two youngest children. It was nice to talk with her, but of course the kids were bored because we were just standing there.

All in all, I think the kids had a pretty good time. I know I was pooped when we got home. I took a nice long nap on the couch.

Mother's Day

2010-05-10T12:59:00.000-06:00

So my day started out pretty nice. I was able to sleep in a bit, we don't have church until 11am. Nobody had to run off to meetings in the morning, they had all been canceled for Mother's Day.

At church there were a few youth speakers talking about their moms and motherhood. The Primary kids sand 2 numbers. My kids actually sang and didn't just stand up there waving at me. The mothers were given a music CD of hymns out of the hymnal that Emma Smith had put together.

After church, Kyle and I cooked together to make my Mother's Day brunch. But it wasn't technically brunch since it was at 3pm. We made a frittata, home fries and scones. The scones were not what people out here in Utah call scones, which is just fry bread, but the type of scones you would find in a New England bakery. They are like breakfast cookies. The recipes I got from Anne Burrell, she is a chef and star of Food Network's Secrets of a restaurant chef. She was also one of the chef mentors for the Worst Cooks in America competition.

Kyle really like the frittata and home fries. I really liked the scones. I want to make them again, but try some other dried fruit and nut combinations.

Anyway, Chloe had made me a book for Mother's Day. Kyle's mom sent me a bouquet of flowers. I have yet to tell Kyle what gift I want. I sent my mom a bracelet and a necklace, one was for her birthday and the other was for Mother's Day.

So I had a nice relaxing day with good food and good company.

Blow to the self-esteem

2010-05-05T08:05:00.000-06:00

Lately I've been going to interviews trying to land a student teaching internship for the Fall. Some of the interviews have been with individual principals for a specific job opening and others have been with district personnel for a teaching pool to draw from for their multiple openings.

I interviewed at Alpine School District. They had 4 intern openings. I never heard back. Never got a call to interview with a specific principal. In talking to some of my cohorts, I think the 4 positions have been filled.

I interviewed with one principal for an elementary school in Springville. I thought it went well. I got a call back saying that the position was filled, but that I was a strong candidate and they wished me luck.

I interviewed with a Nebo School District man, Mike, and two principals of elementary schools at the same time. I thought it went very well. But again, I got a call back saying the positions had been filled.

Then I interviewed in Provo School District with 3 people who were putting together a teaching pool I have yet to hear back. I've emailed the lady twice for information as to whether or not I am in the pool. I called yesterday and left a message on her voicemail.

My visiting teaching companion is a secretary at Spanish Fork Junior High. She told me that their Special Education Teacher just put in her resignation effective at the end of month. The job wasn't posted yet but she told me to call the principal. I did call. He had interviewed only one person so far. It was one of my cohorts. He was under the impression that only one person was interested in secondary. I informed him that there were at least 7 of us wanting internships. He said he would talk with Mike. I called back a few days later. By then, he had gotten a copy of my resume from Mike. He said that his schedule was hectic that week with an accreditation team coming in so he'll do interviews after that. So I called the day after the team was in his school. Again, I got the hectic excuse. I asked about interviews. He said that they'll schedule them for later that week. I call again Friday because I still did not get an interview set up. I know that two other of my cohorts got interviews with him. I called again yesterday. "Oh, yeah," he says, "I got a note right here to call you Friday". Well, the position had been filled. They did a couple of interviews and one stood out. But he thanked me for my interest.

Seriously?! I was so upset. Why wasn't my interest enough to warrant an interview? I had called, made myself available for interviews. I didn't call every day, I didn't want to be a pest. I only called once, maybe twice a week. For some reason this really was a blow to my ego. What about our phone conversations or my resume wasn't good enough for an interview? Did Mike tell him something about me because he had sat in on one of my other interviews. Did one of my references not give me a good review? Who knows. Oh, and at the end of the phone conversation he told me, "I was talking with Mike, he said that there may be an opening at Springville Junior High" so I should try there. "Good luck."

I was very emotional the rest of the day. I talked with a few cohorts, they too are frustrated that district personnel have not returned their emails and phone calls.

I just felt like I was being black-listed or black-balled or something. Kyle thought it was weird that I am having a hard time getting an internship. He thought that with my years of experience I would have the pick of the litter. I guess I'm not as great as I thought.

Happy 17th Anniversary!

2010-05-03T08:07:00.001-06:00

May 1st was my anniversary. To celebrate Kyle and I went to Salt Lake City for an over-nighter. We went to a restaurant called The Roof. It is on the top floor of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. We had a nice view of the Salt Lake Temple and the city below us, and of the sunset set across the valley at the Oquirrh Mountains. The food was delicious. It is buffet style. There were sections of appetizers, salad bar, main course, soup & sides, and of course, dessert. We had Monterey Chicken, Marinated Flank Steak, Pork Roulade, ham and prime rib as our main dish. I had french onion soup, and some coconut shrimp appetizers, a salad, and pasta. then for dessert I had strawberry cheesecake, brioche, creme brulee, rum ball (which I didn't know what it was until after I had a bite and we asked the server what it was because I couldn't place the flavor), peach crepe, and a chocolate covered strawberry. For dessert Kyle had an eclair, peach crepe, chocolate cake. The servers bring you hot rolls and refresh your drink. I had a pomegranate lemonade and Kyle had a peach lemonade. Even though all of my portions were small, there were a lot of portions. I felt like I ate so much I could puke.

We stayed the night at the Little America. We just laid around like beached whales and watched TV. We slept in and took it easy in the morning. When we got hungry (which wasn't until about 9:30) we went down to their breakfast buffet. Oh man, I ate myself silly again. I had bacon, sausage, strawberries, grapefruit, pineapple, blintzes, a cream cheese danish, hash browns an egg benedict, apple juice and chocolate milk. Kyle had a biscuit and gravy, bacon, hash browns, oranges, melon, ham, 2 blueberry muffins and Dr. Pepper. They also had a section where you could have your omelette custom made. After breakfast we lounged around the hotel room again. Checkout wasn't until noon. Kyle took a nap, I watched TV.

After we checked out, we went to IKEA. It was on the way and we've never been there. It's pretty big. There are lots of ideas. We got a new pillow for Kyle and some magazine holders. We also bought some Swedish food, an apple soda and a sparkling apple-pomegranate juice. There is a restaurant there. Maybe after we get a new house (who knows when that will be) we could take the kids there for a meal and to get decorating ideas.

It was a nice relaxing weekend.

New phones

2010-04-29T08:57:00.000-06:00

Kyle and I are on a new every two plan for our phones. But, we never upgrade every two years. It is more like every three or four. The zero key on his phone now only works haphazardly, and mine was looking kind of beat up from dropping it often. So, I got online and looked at some phones. There were some that would be free with a combination of our upgrade points and an online discount. So, I ordered us each a new phone. With our previous phones, when I upgraded, they had a buy one, get one free. So we have the exact same phone. Sometimes I would grab his phone by mistake. The only way to tell the difference was to open the flip phone and see what pictures was the wallpaper. Now for the new phones, they are exactly the same except, his is black and mine is red. We got the Samsung Intensity.

It's like we have his and her phones. It was fun playing with the new toy. I programmed all the sounds, backgrounds, and moved the contacts over from the old phones to the new phones using backup assistant. I've been doing more texting lately and wanted a phone that had a QWERTY keyboard set up. These have a keyboard underneath that slides out.

So, just wanted to brag a bit about my new, free phone.

Spring Term

2010-04-28T08:07:00.001-06:00

So last Monday was my last final exam for Winter Semester. Now, this week Tuesday I started classes for Spring Term. I have 3 classes from Monday to Thursday. One Monday I have a Multicultural class 4-7pm, on Tuesdays and Thursdays I have Curriculum and Instruction 4-7pm, and on Wednesdays I have Practicum Prep 4-6pm. Also, I have an online English class. That's 13 credits for this term. So I'm back in the swing of things.

I was working on an assignment from last night's class and Kyle says, "Geesh, you already have homework? They don't waste any time." Nope, they don't, not when you try to cram a whole semester's worth of classes into a term.

But, the end is in sight. Next year at this time I will be graduating. Yay!

It's Pinewood Derby Time!

2010-04-21T07:56:00.001-06:00

Last night was our Pinewood Derby for Cub Scouts. Kyle and Cooper have been working hard getting the car cut out, sanded, painted, and wheels put on just right.

Cooper wanted an Army El Camino.

He used some of his Lego pieces for the gun and such. The paint job is actually a wrap. Kyle wasn't sure how to paint camo by hand, so they bought a paint wrap.

Here is Cooper's car for his second racing heat. He is the car in the middle. He continually did well, sometimes beating another car by .02 of a second. The boys voted on each other's cars: best paint job, fastest looking car, best looking car. Cooper got best looking car. All boys got a trophy, 100 grand, and a certificate. Then the final results were announced, Cooper got 2nd place!

Ok, Ok, I know, I haven't posted in a while.

2010-04-14T08:16:00.001-06:00

OK, here are some photos that I've said I would post.

First, Chloe lost her first tooth, now it's kind of hard to tell at first because she had a space between her two front top teeth. But, she lost one of her front bottom teeth.

Cooper had to get in on the action. He has lost about four teeth. Since he doesn't have any top front teeth, he now has a lisp. I tease him that he looks like a Jack O' Lantern. He thinks that's funny.

An update on the puppies. They are now like gangly teenagers.

Here they are. Speck is the white one, Pepper is the gray one. They are always getting into something. They fight over everything. If one has a stick, the other wants it. Or if one has a bone, the other wants it, even though she has her own bone. Usually it is Speck taking from Pepper. I think Speck sees herself as the alpha female between the two.

Chloe Lost her First Tooth

2010-03-31T10:35:00.001-06:00

Saturday morning Chloe lost her first tooth. She was painting a picture to take to the Primary talent show. She couldn't open one of the bottles, so I guess she used her teeth. And out popped one of her bottom front teeth. I don't know if that tooth had been loose, because every time we asked her we wouldn't get a good response. Kyle would ask her, "Have you been wiggling that tooth?" I don't know if she is scared to answer because she doesn't want to admit to doing something wrong. She of course hasn't done anything wrong, we just want to know if it was time for that tooth, or if this is a premature departure for that tooth.

So, she goes to the Primary Talent Show that morning with her picture. It is her turn, she gets up on stage, tells everyone that she lost her tooth. Shows her teeth, and then, oh yeah, she shows the picture that she painted.

Then at church, during Relief Society we have a good news minute, so I shared that as my good news.

When she comes home today after school I'll get a picture and post it here.

Recruitment Fair and District Showcase

2010-03-26T22:32:00.000-06:00

So tonight I went to a Recruitment Fair and District Showcase. There were representatives from various school districts in Utah to recruit new teachers. This was for Special Education. Most everyone from my cohort was there. I went because I need to find a school for my internship. If I were student teaching, BYU would pair me up with a school. But since I am doing an internship, I need to find the job on my own if I can. I will be paired up with a professor and a mentor teacher at the school where I will be hired.

I talked with three school districts that are my top priority; Nebo, Provo and Alpine. Nebo is the Spanish Fork area. This is the school district that I live in and that my kids attend. Provo is where I worked as a Special Education Paraeducator for 12 years. Alpine is north of Provo and is a big district. Alpine has more job openings than the other two and has a higher starting wage. The benefit of Nebo is I wouldn't have as far of a commute. The benefits of Provo are that I know lots of people there and am already familiar with how that school district runs.

I also checked out some other school districts: Weber, Davis, Granite and Jordan. I got lots of free stuff: magnets, pens, a lunch box, candy, wooden box, pads of paper, water bottle, toys

There were also representatives there from Utah State University and Brigham Young University. I got some information from BYU about their Master's program. There were representatives for the Council for Exceptional Children. I signed up for this, got to enter their raffle/drawing and I won a book. Since I pre-registered for this event, I also got $25 as an incentive/bonus.

They served a dinner there. It was a great night. I got lots of information, I was able to place a resume with my top 3 desired districts. I even have an interview with one of them on Monday morning at 9am.

Top O' the Mornin' to Ye.

2010-03-17T10:52:00.000-06:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Green is one of my favorite colors and I look good wearing it.

Here is an Irish Blessing for you all:

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
And the rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

I don't have any specific St. Patrick's Day traditions. I am thinking of making food that is green. Maybe I will make some Irish Soda Bread, or Irish Potato Bread. I could make some potato pancakes. I asked Kyle if he would like to have corned beef and cabbage today for dinner. He looked at me, with a disgusted look upon his face, and said, "How about some pizza instead."

I need to look through my videos and see if I have a copy of Darby O'Gill and the Little People. Maybe I can find it at Blockbuster or Comcast On Demand. I think the little kids would enjoy watching it.

Dinner with Dad (well, lunch, actually)

2010-03-11T14:56:00.000-07:00

My father was in town on business. He's also been helping my sister with some home projects. I was hoping that I would get a chance to visit with him, but I have classes in the evening until 7pm. I am home sometimes in the mornings, but that's when he's working.

This morning I had plans to go to the temple with the Relief Society sisters. I have some family file names that I am working on for my mother. Just as I'm brushing my teeth and getting ready, my dad calls. I answer but have to pause to spit out the toothpaste. He said that it sounded like I had a mouthful of donuts. Ha, Ha.

Anyway he wondered if I was available for lunch. Of course I can squeeze him in for lunch. I usually eat lunch with the sisters at the cafeteria in the temple after our session, but I can ditch them. So he picked me up at the temple for lunch.

We decided to go someplace that I have never been, and to eat a food that I often don't get because my hubby and kids don't like it. We went to a Chinese restaurant.

They bring you this hot pot of soup. You get to choose some raw meats and veggies from the bar and cook them in your hot pot. I had never done anything like this. It was very good. We got the hot & spicy soup. We tried crab, shrimp, chicken, beef, pork, mussels, meatballs, fishballs, tofu, tofu skin, cabbage, zucchini, squash, bean sprouts, potatoes, seaweed, and mushrooms. It was very tasty. Except, I didn't eat the mushrooms or squash. I thought that I would try a mussel, but backed out at the end. The table next to us had dumplings. We never got a menu so I didn't know that I could have ordered noodles and dumplings. Next time I will try those.

Anyway, we also had rice, and there were some sauces we could use, a peanut sauce and a hot sauce. Other things at the bar that you can use were noodles, broccoli, eggs, and lotus flowers.

They also had an ice cream buffet, which was good because after all that hot & spicy soup and sauces my nose was running and I was working up a sweat. Then when they bring you your check, it comes with a little sesame seed candy. It tasted like eating a Butterfinger but without the chocolate.

You can check out this restaurant here.

Resumes

2010-03-09T11:46:00.000-07:00

I don't know how often you've had to write, update or revamp a resume, but that's what I've been doing this month. I am preparing for a teacher fair, and a school district showcase. I've download different resume templates trying to figure out which one I like best. I had gone to a teacher fair prep workshop, took notes and am trying to get my resume to fit what those district people said that they look for when they are hiring.

It is weird talking about myself and trying to showcase my skills and talents, and yet, trying to not sound boastful, or like I am padding my resume. I mean, I'm all for being the center of attention, but...

I've changed my resume from showing my experience first to showing my education first. That way they can see when I am graduating and from where. I had put things in chronological order, and then I read somewhere that you can put your resume in reverse chronological to show growth. So, I've done that. So, instead of showing my first job first, and then the next job second, I am showing my current job now, then the previous job, and then the job before that. Whew!

Now, I have listed employers, job titles and job tasks. I want to put in everything I've done to show my experience, but that seems wordy and takes more than one page (it is good to try to limit your resume to one page because a potential employer doesn't want to read a book about you right of the bat). So, I've had to edit my experience and list things that I think will stand out, and really showcase my skills and talents.

I also read not to put, "references upon request" but to actually put some references on there. So I contacted a few of my former bosses and coworkers to see if they would be a reference for me. It seemed kind of awkward. It is like asking, "Will you be my friend?"

Everyone I contacted said yes. Yay, people like me, they really, really like me!

So I've got my one page resume. Then at the workshop I was told to also have a resume packet. What the he** is that? This is something you might bring with you to an interview. It is a cover letter explaining your interest in a certain job or position. It is also a place where you can showcase more skills and talents or awards that you didn't put on your resume. Then there is your resume, this can be one that is a little longer and more in depth. And then a page of references and their contact information. You can also include a picture of yourself. So this is what I need to work on next.

After this, I need to start preparing for the forthcoming interviews.

My Gas Gauge is an Optimist, Not a Realist

2010-03-01T11:06:00.000-07:00

Some of you may know that I am a research assistant for a project called Book-in-a-bag. Well, I had the opportunity to present our research at an undergraduate research conference called UCUR at Southern Utah University (SUU) in Cedar City, Utah.

I woke up bright and early Friday morning (4am) so that I could get on the road bright and early. I was on the road by 5am. I made a stop at the Payson Walmart to buy some nylons and batteries and a Diet Pepsi. I needed batteries because I was going to listen to a book on tape while I drove. I need to read Dracula for my Humanities class.

Well, I continue driving. I stop for breakfast in Fillmore, which is 90 miles from my house. I remember looking at my gas gauge and thinking I could get gas, but I had enough to make it to Beaver and I will just get gas there. Besides I was going to be eating my breakfast while I was driving.

Onward I travel. I pass Cove Fort, the I-15/I-70 interchange, a sign that says Beaver 20 miles, and then my car dies. This is about 7:30am. I'm not sure where I am because I didn't bring a map. Well, I know where I am, but I don't know how far away I am from anything. So I call my husband. We try to think of who we know in Fillmore that we can call and see if they could come rescue me. We can't think of anybody. Then I remember that Kirby, a guy in my ward, grew up in Fillmore. So hubby calls Kirby. Kirby calls me to figure out where I am. He determines that I am closer to Parowan, so he calls his brother there. His brother Kipp comes with a can of gas for me. He then follows me to Beaver to make sure I make it there. I offer to pay him for the gas I used and to compensate him for the gas he used to come to my rescue. He just has me pay to fill up the gas can for future use.

After being rescued and driving on to Beaver to fill up the tank, I realized how close to Beaver I was, and also on the return trip home I saw how close I was to Cove Fort. I probably could have walked those 8 miles. But, I was in a dress with heels, and it was still dark out. Also, that section of I-15 is out in the middle of nowhere and I didn't know which way was closer to civilization. I suppose if I had gotten out and started walking, that someone would have picked me up and driven me to a gas station.

In this day in age it is sad to say that I was too scared to just start walking. You don't know what kind of crazies there are out there. I'd rather have a stranger that is a friend/relative of a friend of mine than a total unknown. I need to get Kipp's address. I want to send him a thank you card and maybe a gift card to show him my appreciation.

I've realized that my gas gauge is a liar. When it says 1/4 of a tank of gas, it really means, STOP NOW AND FILL UP!!!

Time

2010-02-23T07:48:00.000-07:00

So my mother posted about time. I feel like I do not have enough time. I feel like I am sacrificing time. Too much time is taken away from my family. It is my own fault that I am away from my children so much lately. I have 14 credit hours this semester, and they are evening classes. I say goodbye to my children as they go to school in the morning (they are gone by 8am) and then I don't see them until after my classes, so not until 7 or 7:30 at night. My daughter is in Kindergarten so I usually get to see her for lunch. But lately I have had to do some observations for my research assistant job, and I have to go to secondary schools to do a practicum for a class.

One day was especially hard this month, it was last week Tuesday. I was running late for everything. I had to go to the high school, then the scout office, then a training, then two classes, then Pack Night of which I am (was) the Cubmaster. I had planned to skip my second class and had already talked with my instructor the week previous. I ended up skipping both of my classes just so I could get all the awards ready for Pack Night. I was certainly glad when the night was over.

Sunday, I was released from being the Cubmaster. It is bittersweet. I like the job. But I feel that lately I haven't been giving it my all, just coasting because I do not have enough time. Everytime I go to the scout office I usually forget something or will get a wrong thing because I rush since I am pressed for time. For my Spring semester classes I have a class scheduled that will conflict with Pack Night. So I pretty much asked to be released. This is the only time this class is offered and I have to take it when it is offered for my degree program.

If you need to get a hold of me, I usually have my cell on me. I may not be able to answer at the moment but I will get back to you. I am rarely home, and if you were to leave a message there I may not get it anyway.

Cooper's Birthday Party

2010-02-14T22:27:00.001-07:00

Cooper's birthday is on Valentine's Day, which happens to be on a Sunday this year, so we had his party on Saturday. It was Lego themed. We had plates, cups and napkins that had some Legoville pictures on it.

Then, I made a cake to look like Legos stacked up. It was my first time using fondant and I think it turned out OK. Oh, and I used trick candles on it. He had to keep blowing and blowing. Finally we took them out and put them in some water.

He had lots of friends over. He got cash, candy, a paintball gun, Lego crab and a cool Lego firetruck.

A good time was had by all. The puppies had lots of attention too.

Meet my babies

2010-02-09T08:39:00.000-07:00

My babies are about 7 weeks old. They are both girls.

Meet Pepper.

Pepper is gray with big black spots over her eyes and ears. She has a little black spot on her tail. She also has dark shading on the backs of her front legs between the elbows and wrists. It looks like she is wearing armbands or legwarmers. She is the quieter of the two. She is more calm and docile, but she will join in the fun and play. She will not walk on the leash. She just stands there.

Meet Speck.

Speck is white with big black spots over her eyes and ears. She too has a black spot on her tail. She has lots of little black dots and specks. I especially like the ones around her nose. She is more active and vocal. She will walk on a leash and does a pretty good job keeping up with me.

Since they are babies, they go potty all.the.time. You will have just brought them in from going potty outside, and yet one or both will sniff around and start to pee. We've gone through a lot of paper towels and carpet cleaner. We just need to be vigilant and they will soon learn that the house is not a potty.

I have to take their photo while they are sleeping because they won't pose for me. They have too much energy. They each have a rope to chew on and play with. I love when you play tug-of-war with them and they growl, shake their head, and bark. Last night they each had an end of the same rope. It was fun watching them play together. Speck won the tugging contest.

I worry about them like they are my babies. I have a dog carrier crate that they sleep in at night, and I put them in there while I am gone at class or visiting a practicum site. I wonder if they are barking or whining, are they playing nicely, have they made a mess of their carrier, etc.

They are just so cute and fun. I almost can't wait until they are bigger and walk well on the leash. I am looking forward to the exercise. But I will enjoy these puppy days because they don't stay this way for long.

Puppies!

2010-02-06T19:37:00.000-07:00

I got two new puppies. They were free! Kyle said I could have one, but I was able to talk him into two. They are both girls. Their mother is an English Pointer. The owners weren't sure what the dad is. They think he is an australian shepherd (some dog that belongs to the neighbors).

We are trying to pick names. We can't agree, so I thought I would post their pictures and get your suggestions.

One is white with black dots and spots.

One is gray with black dots and spots.

Ain't they sweet?

Baby Names

2010-02-03T08:26:00.000-07:00

I was reading my sister's blog and she was talking about baby names. So of course I had to copy her idea and post names of my own.

I can remember making lists of names for my future children. I thought that I would have 8 children. So of course I had to have 8 girls names and 8 boy names on the off chance I would have 8 of one gender. When I was pregnant with my first child, I still had that list and just handed it to my husband and told him to pick what name he likes from that list.

I don't think I still have that list, but I do have a baby name book that I made notes in. Here are the names that I like/liked or have considered when I've been pregnant.

Girl Names
Anne or Annette
Arlynne
Ashe
Bess
Beth
Carissa
Caycee
Caylee
Chloe
Corinne
Dawn
Elizabeth
Holly
Jennifer
Jessica
Katharine
Kendall
Kenna
Kerry
Kimberly
Kylee
Lynne or Lynnette
Mallory
Mindy
Molly
Sabrina
Stephanie
Tiffany
Vanessa
Veronica
Zaidee or Sadie
Zoe

Boy Names
Aaron
Aidan
Alexander
Allan
Austin
Axel
Benjamin
Chandler
Conner
Cooper
Evan
Jeffrey
Jeremy
Jonathan
Joshua
Kendall
Kendrick
Matthew
Nash
Nathan or Nathaniel
Scott
Sebastian
Timothy
Zachary
Zander
Zane

I try to figure out if I were to have twins, would I give them names that start with the same letter, or would I give them rhyming names? Jennifer & Jonathan, Jen & Ben, Molly & Holly, Molly & Mindy, etc. I've even considered Annemarie & Maryanne. I told my sister once to name her daughter Mary Annette. (she could be her little puppet).

I still make lists of names. I guess for the children I would like to have but will never have. Maybe I am just preparing for the day when I have grandchildren and can give suggestions.

Student Teaching or Internship

2010-02-02T07:51:00.000-07:00

Last night we had a meeting with the Special Ed. cohorts about the pros and cons of student teaching and internships. They also had some past students return to tell us about their experience.

Student teaching. This is only for one semester. You are paired up with a teacher. You watch the teacher teach in their classroom for a few weeks. Then you start to take over certain sections or subjects of the day with the teacher guiding you. Then you get to a point where you are teaching all day while the teacher observes you. Then you begin to fade out. Your student teaching is on BYU's schedule not on the school's schedule, so you don't start until September. This option you have lots of support with the paired teacher, you use their supplies, and you can graduate early in December. You do not get paid with this option.

Internship. This is for the whole school year. You are on the school's schedule. So you start in August, and while you graduate in April, you are still teaching until the end of May. You are on your own, you are the teacher. You are assigned a mentor for some support. You do get paid, it is half teacher wage plus benefits.

I am choosing the internship option. I feel that my experience in the classroom as an aide has prepared me to handle it. Plus, I don't want someone hovering over me. I am fairly independent. Also, I gots to get paid.

My Crazy 8's

2010-01-29T09:25:00.001-07:00

Today's Meme is brought to you by the number 8! It's pretty simple. If you wanna play along, just copy and paste to your own blog, changing the answers to reflect you, and viola!

8 Shows I like to watch:
It is really hard to limit it to just 8
1- The Office
2- Fringe
3- Supernatural
4- The Middle
5- Corner Gas
6- Flight of the Conchords
7- The Closer
8- Psych
(additional shows, 24, House, Lie to Me, Big Bang Theory, Community, The Soup, dog shows, most cooking shows on the Food Network)

8 Favorite Places I like to eat and drink:
1- Dalton's
2- El Gayo Giro
3- Mekong Cafe
4- Thai Kitchen
5- Fazolis
6- Gandolfo's
7- Tucanos
8- Gloria's Little Italy

8 Things I look forward to:
1- A Day Off
2- Pay day
3- Vacations
4- Road Trips
5- Parties
6- Date nights
7- Snack time in class
8- Graduation

8 Things that happened yesterday:
1- Worked out at Curves
2- Wrote a lesson plan
3- Had lunch with hubby
4- Got sick and vomited
5- Emailed instructor saying I wouldn't be in class
6- Worked on Humanities paper
7- Caught up on TV shows
8- Played on the internet

8 things I love about winter:
1- Hot cocoa
2- Get to wear my favorite sweaters
3- Christmas time!
4- New Year Celebrations
5- Sleeping in during Christmas Break
6- Building snowmen
7- Beautiful snow scenes
8- Sledding

8 things on my wish list:
1-A bigger house
2- A dog
3- Weight loss
4- New wardrobe
5- A cruise
6- Master the instruments I sort of play (flute, violin, piano, guitar)
7- Become fluent in the languages I kind of know (German, ASL, Spanish)
8- A piano

8 things I am passionate about:
1- My hubby
2- My kids
3- My schooling
4- Reading
5- TV
6- Cooking
7- Music
8- Candy

8 words/ phrases I use most often:
1- what
2- mm, mm-hmm, huh, uh, uh-huh
3- whatever
4- probably
5- woo-hoo
6- yes
7- knock it off
8- anyway...

8 things I learned from the past:
1- Follow your instinct
2- Listen to your mother
3- Choose your friends wisely
4- Get God's answer before you give yours.
5- Get an education, especially when you are young
6- I am a daughter of God
7- It is better to question and ask for clarification than to end up doing it wrong
8- Communication is key

8 places I would like to visit:
1- Germany
2- Chile
3- Disneyland or Disney World
4- Ireland
5- Alaska
6- Regina, Saskatchewan
7- The Caribbean
8- LDS Church History tour

8 things I want/need:
1- teaching degree
2- great teaching job
3- better body
4- better house
5- a dog
6- a romantic cruise with my hubby
7- chocolate
8- and chocolate **wink, wink**

Special Education

2010-01-26T08:09:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went with my cohorts (Special Ed. program classmates) to a post-high school. The students here are 18-22. They learn academics, functional skills, life skills, leisure skills, and trade skills. They have a job coach and go to different sites working on a volunteer basis to learn skills they can use to find a job later. This school also has its own greenhouse and woodworking shop that the students work in and can earn money. They get a paycheck that they need to go cash/deposit and they learn about balancing a check book, budgeting, etc. It was an awesome school.

My class carpooled. I drove seven of us up, but six of us back. On the drive back we were talking about being in the Special Education program. The others commented that when they are at an activity on campus where you meet people and get asked the typical questions; what's your name, where are you from, what's your major, that they get many different reactions to their response of the last question.

Some people might tease them about being Special Ed. Some people say, "Aw, you are so sweet for working with those kinds of kids" or they comment on how it takes a special kind of person to work with those kids, or they say how they could never do that job. Some may even comment that those with disabilities or those who are retarded scare them a bit because they don't know how to work with them or handle them.

One friend commented that she was at an airport recently. She got talking to a family. The mother happened to be a high school math teacher. When my friend stated what her major at BYU is, the woman went off about working with retards. She would not be able to work in that setting with a bunch of idiots. She can't see how anyone would be able to work with such students. Working with idiots just isn't a rewarding job. The husband, who was really nice, kept apologizing for his wife. My friend was just left speechless. She said that she usually has a comeback for when people say that they would never be able to do what she is doing, but this lady left her dumbfounded. I said, "You should have said that working with those with special needs is a rewarding job, but sitting around talking with people who are ignorant is what I can't stand. Then get up and leave."

They all had a laugh at that, but we were all shocked that someone who is supposedly educated and working in the school system would have that reaction to special education.

Doppelgangers

2010-01-24T00:18:00.000-07:00

On Facebook we are posting pictures of people we've been told that we look like. So, I thought I'd post a few here to see if you agree.

I've been told that I look like Mary Mastrantonio. She played Maid Marion in Robin Hood starring Kevin Costner.

I've also been told that I look like Andie MacDowell. She is known for Four Weddings and a Funeral, and Groundhog Day. Again, it may just be the hair.

I think I possibly look like Julianna Margulies. She is well know for her role on ER. And of course, I think it is the hair.

My sister Emma thought that I look like Scarlett Johansson. I could only find one picture of her with dark hair in all the others she is blond. Emma said that she was watching "He's Just Not That Into You" and she kept thinking, "where do I know that actress from?" She just couldn't think. Then Scarlett made a certain facial expression or had some mannerism and then it hit her, "that's my sister!"

So, what do you think? Do I look like these people? I need to look for more pictures of me to scan. I know that there are some that would be a better match. Is there anybody else you think I look like? Who have you been told that you look like?

Motivation

2010-01-22T07:45:00.003-07:00

OK, I've been a member of Curves for about 3 years. I like the workout. I like the people who work and workout there. I like the assortment of music to listen to while working out. I have lost weight while being a member, but always seem to put it back on during the holidays. I also let other things get in the way of working out. Some days sleep is just a better option than getting up and going down to Curves.

When I workout, I put a butterfly sticker on the calendar. This way I can visually see how many times I've been there this week. I used to go walking in the evenings and would put on another sticker for that. I thought that this would be motivating. But is a sticker a reward enough to exercise? Apparently not.

So now, Kyle and I are trying to decide what I can earn. Like a token system. I exercise to earn sticker, then maybe I can trade in the stickers for something. Or maybe the reward isn't based on the number of workouts (stickers) but on the inches or pounds lost. We haven't worked that out yet.

We've discussed purchasing a new wardrobe when the weight is lost, or a new wedding ring set, or a gift certificate or something. Yesterday Kyle asked if a cruise would be motivating? I had to think about that because I've never been on a cruise and lately it seems like everyone I know is going or has gone on one. A mother and her daughter just got back from a cruise in Hawaii. One family went on a cruise to Mexico for Christmas. Another family went on a Caribbean cruise during Thanksgiving. Kyle's parents are going on a cruise in April, I think to the Virgin Islands. And just this morning while talking to a Curves member she is going on a cruise next month with some friends.

So, this morning as I was getting dressed to go exercise and Kyle was getting ready for work, I stated, "Well, I am going to workout so I can have a bathing suit body for a cruise."

If you've been on a cruise, do you have suggestions for us as far as a destination, specific cruise lines, etc?

Sweet Sassy Molassey

2010-01-18T13:24:00.000-07:00

There is someone posting comments on my and my sisters' blogs. They are under the name Sweet Sassy Molassey. There is a mystery to find out who this person is.

I did a little research and googled the name hoping to gain some insight to the name. This is what I found online.
Ray Romano on Saturday Night Live as a Sports Newscaster

I also tried to look at the picture and see if this person has a blog. Their profile pic is just a classic Marilyn Monroe, and they do not have a blog themselves.

The mystery continues. Perhaps this person could leave us some clues.

Marriages

2010-01-13T07:57:00.000-07:00

So my sister recently posted that someone thought her marriage was in trouble, but that she's fine, really. I know that she has asked our mother, "So, how's your marriage?" It got me thinking about how we perceive other couples.

There are some couples that I look at and think, "More power to you. I could never be married to him/her." Then there are couples that I hear are getting divorced and I think, "Wow, I didn't even know they were having problems." And of course there are the couples that I hear are having problems or hear they are getting divorced and I think, "Yeah I coulda told you it wouldn't last" or "It was only a matter of time" or "No surprise here."

I wonder what other people think about my marriage to Kyle. Are they thinking that they couldn't have married either of us, do they think we are having problems?

I know that there are things that we need to improve on. We need to communicate better, we need to make time for just the two of us, and we need to get to the temple together more often. Now, I have never been that diligent in the house cleaning department. I am kind of a slacker and kinda lazy. Lately I've been able to use the excuse that I work and go to school, so Kyle has picked up the slack, but I know that he's getting burned out since he too works all day. Kyle has also been picking up some overtime-hours at night. So he comes home by 5pm. I get home around 7pm or later. He'll go back to work at about 8pm for a couple of hours.

We are kind of in a transition phase since I am going to school. My classes are in the evening so I don't see the family very much. I spend my mornings doing homework and studying, but I try to include a little housekeeping too. I have one more year and then I graduate. Then as I start making the big bucks things will hopefully settle down and we can get into a routine. I feel like my family is haphazard in housecleaning, family prayer, family home evening, family scripture reading, and date nights.

Books

2010-01-09T11:37:00.000-07:00

For my Special Education Teaching Program I have a class called Teaching Reading and Language Arts: Students with Disabilities. After the teacher introduced herself, she wanted us to state our name and our favorite book. The very first girl she asked stated that she in not big into reading. She has a hard time sticking with a book because she has a very short attention span and that reading is not very enjoyable. She tried to remember the last book that she read and all she could come up with is a book that she remembers her mother reading to her as a child that she really liked.

As we went around the room, I was kind of surprised at how many people were not really readers. They really had to think hard of either the last book they read, or what their favorite was. There were a few people who enjoyed reading and it was hard for them to narrow it down to a book, so they stated a favorite author.

When it came to me, I stated that I love to read. I love books. In fact, there was one summer (I was 14 or 15) that I read a book a day. I would go across the street to the library and get a book. Then I would go over to the gas station and get a candy bar or a drink. Then go home and spend 3-5 hours reading. The next day I would do the same thing. The last few years I would pick an author and try to read everything they've written: Orson Scott Card, Mary Higgins Clark, Gary Paulsen, and Jan Karon. I stated that one of my favorites was A Wrinkle in Time. I remember reading it in 5th grade for class. We were assigned so many chapters a day. I read ahead and finished the book because I enjoyed it so much and couldn't wait to see how it ended.

Then later, the teacher asked if any of us have specific experiences with books, like a book that changed our lives, or how reading has impacted our life, etc. I made the comment that I can remember my dad lying on the couch reading a book I also remember that my mother read to us a lot. One time my uncle came over to visit, I got out a book and said, "Uncle Jim let me read to you" and proceeded to read aloud to him. He was amazed because I wasn't even in Kindergarten yet, and here I was reading to him. My mother told him that I had the book memorized and even knew when to turn the pages.

The sad thing is that I haven't read much lately, other than text books, and I haven't been very good to read books or stories to my children. So, that is another area of improvement for a New Year's resolution.

The teacher gave us a assignment that for this semester we need to read 10 childrens books and 3 chapter books. I began thinking of books that I have, books/authors that I want to read, and books I would recommend.

Here are some of my all time favorites that I would recommend.
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
I am the Cheese by Robert Cormier
Stranger with my Face by Lois Duncan
The Third Eye by Lois Duncan
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Alvin Maker series by Orson Scott Card
anything by Jack Weyland
anything by Lane Smith & John Scieszka
Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer
Encyclopedia Brown mysteries by Donald J. Sobol
Trixie Belden mystery series by Julie Campbell Tatham
The Boxcar Children series by Gertrude Chandler Warner

Do you like to read, do you have a favorite book, series, author, or genre?

One of My Instructors

2010-01-07T07:55:00.001-07:00

Tuesday, I was sitting in my first class of Teachings of the Living Prophets, Religion 333. In walks my instructor, Lloyd D. Newell. I thought, "Man, he looks familiar." At first I thought he looked similar to one of the Special Education professors. Then as he began to talk and explain the syllabus and how the class will go, I thought, "Man, he looks and sounds like the guy who does the Music and the Spoken Word and narrates the televised General Conference sessions." But, I could not think of what that guy's name was. So, after class, I was talking with a few classmates and I said, "Is it just me, or does he look like the guy who does Music and the Spoken Word? The told me that it is him. I feel like, "Wow, my instructor is a celebrity", well, maybe in Mormon Culture.

Lloyd D. Newell

New Year's resolutions

2010-01-06T08:08:00.002-07:00

I have been thinking about, and discussing with my classmates about New Year's Resolutions. Each year my resolution is to exercise more and to lose weight. I start off pretty good for a few weeks, but for some reason taper off. I think because it takes almost 6 weeks to really see the results that I get discouraged after 2-3 weeks. I just don't stick it out long enough to see the fruits of my labors.

I've been thinking of what other things I want to start or stop. One of my sisters mentioned that she doesn't make resolutions, she thinks of expectations. I like that. What are my expectations for this year?

1. I expect that I will exercise at least 4 times during the week. I expect that I will have more energy and will lose weight by exercising.
2. I expect that I will not procrastinate my homework.
3. I expect to get A's and maybe some B's this year.
4. I expect that I will start an internship this Fall.
5. I expect to be able to help out more in the house work. My husband has picked up a lot of slack because I have been focused on school work.
6. I expect to pay off debts to become financially solvent.
7. I expect to fulfill my callings better. Sometimes I feel like I just do enough to get by. But this year I want to not just get by, but to do my best.
8. I expect that I will be able to use my tax return to put on a new roof this summer and do other needed renovations to the house. I am hoping to be able to sell the house. We need a bigger house because we are just busting at the seams.
9. I expect that my family will be able to work well together and earn lots of money with our BBQ booth this summer.
10. I expect that I will be able to travel and visit family members this summer.

Here we go again

2010-01-04T07:45:00.000-07:00

I've had a nice Christmas Break. I've slept in almost every morning, just hung around the house, and got to play with friends. But now it is time to get back to the real world. I tell ya, I had a hard time getting out of bed this morning. My bed was cozy and warm, and I was having a nice dream. But the alarm went off, I got to get kids off to school.

I start another semester of school today. I did well last semester, all A's and B's. This semester I have five classes which total 14 credit hours. I have Humanities, Living Prophets (these two classes are some generals that I need to finish), Secondary Curriculum & Practicum, Social and Behavioral Strategies, Teaching Reading for Special Ed. (these three are for my Special Ed. major).

While I got A's and B's, some of those B's were very close to being C's and some of those A's were close to being B's. This semester I plan to be more organized and not procrastinate (as much). You may remember previous posts about a run to Walmart at 1:00am for supplies for a project due that day, or pulling an all-nighter studying or putting together a project. I plan to be on top of things this semester, hopefully I will be able to avoid unnecessary stress.

Happy New Year

2010-01-01T03:26:00.000-07:00

We all went the the LeFevre home. We have a standing invitation to party with them every year for the New Year.

The evening started around 8pm. There were many snacks: deviled eggs, little smokies, cheese ball, shrimp salad dip, crackers, chips, cheesy bean dip, chocolates, puppychow, pecan tartlets, soda pop, egg nog and sparkling juices.

There were many games: One Word, Mumbo Jumbo, Apples to Apples, Catchphrase, and Mormon Mouthful (which is like Mad Gab but phrases and words are specific to the Latter-day Saint culture).

At Midnight everyone had a sparkling juice, we clinked glasses, toasted and gave our honey a first kiss of the year. Then there were fireworks outside at the curb. They looked beautiful reflecting off of the snow. We had poppers/snappers and confetti.

Some of the couples left soon after that. But a few of us kept on with the games. We got home before 3am. A good time was had by all.

Christmas Day

2009-12-25T14:01:00.001-07:00

So this morning began with the playing of Christmas music to arouse those who were sleeping. Once everyone was awake, about 8:00am, we began to open presents. As per tradition we started from the youngest to the oldest.

Chloe got lots of Polly Pockets, a Barbie kitchen and laptop, and new pajamas. Cooper got a Nerf gun and compound bow, harmonica, camera, and new pajamas. Zane got a Nerf gun, a shirt, ear buds, gift card, and cash. Zac got ear buds and an mp3 player, a gift card, cash, and a new shirt. Oh, the shirt has a cow talking to a gallon jug of milk. The cow says, "Milk, I am your father." and the milk says, "Noooooo!"

Kyle got a watch, cologne, gift card, and an ornament. I got a glove and scarf set, perfume and body wash, a DVD, an ornament, and a canister set. So we opened all the gifts, everyone got to play with their toys. We lounged around a bit. We watched A Christmas Story (there is a marathon on TBS). Then we watched my new DVD, PeeWee's Playhouse Christmas.

After the movies, I started on our Christmas Dinner. We are going to have prime rib. I will add to this post after dinner and after the other things we do today.

Christmas Traditions

2009-12-23T13:00:00.000-07:00

My family has been talking about traditions for Christmas. I thought I would put my two cents in.

1. Christmas tree. Growing up we had a 3 ft. plastic tree. Since I've been married, we've always gotten a real tree. Sure the first few years the tree was like Charlie Brown's tree.

2. Ornaments. we generally have the same color scheme for our tree each year. We use a string of bead as the garland. The lights are colored lights. The ornaments are a mixture of red and gold. There are also Hallmark ornaments. See, as a teenager I worked at a Drugstore that sold Hallmark ornaments. I love to collect teddy bears, so I began purchasing teddy bear Hallmark ornaments. My husband gets me one each year as my stocking stuffer. He likes cars, so I get him an American Classic Car ornament each year for his stocking stuffer.

3. Decorations. I remember some of the little Christmas tchotchkes that my mother had that would be placed around the living room. My favorite was Mr. & Mrs. Claus kissing. I too have knick knacks that I put around the house. I group them. So there is a tree section, a snowman section, a Santa section, an angel section and two nativities. One nativity is the nice one that is put out of reach of little hands. Then I have a wooden kid-friendly nativity that is put within reach. Also, each of my groupings have books that go with them.

4. Stockings. I made our stockings after Zane was born. I of course had to make more once Cooper and Chloe were born. The stockings are made of felt and are fur-lined around the top. I hang them from some posts that divide the living room and family room.

5. Presents. Kyle and I try to stick to a certain dollar amount to spend for each of the kids. Depending on what they have asked for, and within the confines of the set $ limit, the kids will get one or multiple gifts. They also get gifts from their grandparents. On occasion they'll get something from their cousins or aunts & uncles. For the ones that come in the mail, they go under the tree. I know the kids would rather open them as they come. But then they wouldn't have as many to open on Christmas Day. We also open the gifts youngest to oldest just as I did as a kid.

6. Cards. I like to get and send Christmas cards. Sometimes I include a newsletter. There have been some years where I don't get that many cards. I wonder if it is a dying art. I always send a card because you have to get to give. Also, I have friends, former neighbors or coworkers with whom I want to keep in contact. Sometimes, the Christmas card is the only communication we'll have, unless one of us has a baby or has moved. I post my Christmas cards around the entry way that separates the living room and family room. My mother did this too. Her cards would be posted around an entryway, archway or doorway depending on the house we lived in.

7. Meals. I am often the first one awake on Christmas morning. I don't want to just go around waking everyone up just because I am anxious to open presents. I want them to naturally wake up. I am surprised that they aren't already up. So, to lure them out of bed I start cooking breakfast. I hope to awake their sense with smells of bacon, eggs, and hash browns. I also make breakfast for them to eat something nutritious before they just binge on candy from their stocking. We also make a nice Christmas dinner. This is usually a ham or turkey. I like to set the table with china and crystal. Last year Kyle got me some nice flatware.

8. Snacks. I like to make some snacks to give to the neighbors. The kids will help me make Christmas cookies. This year I am making fruit cocktail cake. The neighbors also give us some holiday snacks. So far this year we've gotten cinnamon rolls, carmel corn and toffee. I have a neighbor who is from England. She has given us mincemeat mini pies.

9. Christmas Day. So we wake up, eat breakfast, open presents, check our stockings and then just hang out. We spend the day playing with our toys, playing games, playing in the snow, and taking naps. We will make calls to the grandparents to thank them for the gifts, and to see what they got.

10. Faux Christmas. Now, since my family is spread throughout the country we can't all get together for Christmas. My parents will travel to make the rounds to visit all of their children. So they usually come to Utah the first or second weekend of December. We gather at my sister's house and eat a nice meal, open presents, play games and have a nice visit.

A Christmas Meme

2009-12-18T10:18:00.000-07:00

The last time I went caroling - last month I went with the Primary kids and we sang Primary songs to the elderly in our ward. I haven't been Christmas caroling in I don't know how long.

My favorite Drink in the winter is - Hot Chocolate. In the winter I have a cup and some buttered toast for breakfast about every morning. I love the Stephen's gourmet hot cocoas. This year I have tried their cinnamon cocoa and their dulce de leche caramel cocoa. I have yet to try their chocolate orange.

My favorite Holiday meal - I love to cook a nice formal Christmas dinner. We use the china and crystal, and last year I got fancy flatware.

I think Fruit Cake - is something that people love to hate.

One tradition we had growing up - was that we couldn't come out of our rooms on Christmas morning until we heard my mother's Christmas albums playing softly. That was our signal that it was OK to open presents.

One tradition we have now - When my husband and I are out Christmas shopping we stop at Apollo Burger and I get some baklava.

I get my Christmas Tree from - which ever local place has nice ones that are cheap.

I decorate - usually the first weekend in December.

On Christmas Eve I/we usually - probably watch Christmas movies. I'm anxious for the kids to go to bed so that I can fill their stockings.

On Christmas morning I/we wake up - I am usually the first one up and am always surprised that my kids aren't up and waiting to open presents. I play Christmas music and bake something to arouse them from their slumber.

One special thing I make at Christmas time is - sugar cookies that the kids help me cut out and decorate.

My Favorite Christmas song is - I have sooo many... "With Wondering Awe" "Ave Maria" "Baby It's Cold Outside"

Every Christmas - we play all day, watch whatever movies we got as gifts, eat a lot of candy from our stockings, we put together the toys, play outside in the snow and just hang out being lazy.

I hang my stockings - on posts that divide the family room from the living room.

Something I look forward to at Christmas time is - getting Christmas cards and getting treats from the neighbors.

My Favorite Thing about the Holidays - is spending time with family & friends.

Something I want to start incorporating is - having more Christ centered activities

I say it's my Birthday! Happy Birthday to me!

2009-12-17T14:22:00.001-07:00

One year older and wiser too.

So, today is my birthday. I am 37 years old. I can hardly believe it. I don't mind saying my age out loud. I'm not one of those people who are 21 or 29 for 15 years. I like to say my age because I look younger than what I am. One good thing that I got from my mother was good skin. Oh, and the good sense to use sunscreen and not fake-bake. I also have the good sense to not smoke. Tanning and smoking are wrinkle makers. I do have some wrinkles. My laugh lines. If I wasn't such a humorous person, but had a serious, stoic personality I wouldn't even have those wrinkles.

My classmates are always shocked when they find out how old I am. They swear I look 25 years old. They say I don't look like I am old enough to have four children already, much less that my eldest child is 16 years old.

I like birthdays. It is the one day you don't need to feel selfish of being self-centered. Hey everybody, look at me! It's my birthday! There are those people who never mention their birthday and hope that it passes just like any other day. Not me. I want to be showered with congratulations, attention, and gifts. I will mention my upcoming birthday in casual conversation. While going over the calendar with my students I would mention my birth date and how I like chocolate and teddy bears.

This year my birthday got celebrated early. Kyle bought me an mp3 player for our Thanksgiving trip. Then last weekend he took me out to eat at Gloria's Little Italy. I love pasta. Kyle, not so much, but he puts up with it once a year for my birthday.

My parents gave me perfume and sent me an e-card. I have received many birthday greetings on my Facebook page from former high school classmates, my friends, family and coworkers. Kyle promises me that he will give me a card today. I hope there is a cake or some chocolate eclairs to go along with it.

Praxis Recognition

2009-12-15T08:54:00.001-07:00

So what I like about blogging is that you can brag about yourself because it's your blog. You don't have to feel guilty or you don't come off as a pompous jerk (hopefully).

Anyway, my last post I told you about the results of my Praxis II exam of Elementary Education Content Knowledge. Out of a total of 200, I scored a 192. So yesterday I get a big envelope with this big blue folder.

Inside the folder was a letter.

And then there was a certificate.

Again, I sang like Homer Simpson, "I am so smart. S-M-R-T, I mean S-M-A-R-T."
See Homer dance here: Homer is so smart

PRAXIS exam

2009-12-09T20:07:00.000-07:00

Last month I took the PRAXIS exam which is the teacher licensure exam. (Doctor's take the MCAT, Lawyers take the LSAT). Today the PRAXIS exam results were posted. A passing score is 150 out of 200. The average range of performance scores is 151-176. The median score was 164. Those who score in the top 15% earn the Recognition of Excellence. They will be given a formal recognition certificate and congratulatory letter from the Educational Testing Service.

The PRAXIS scores 4 content areas; Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, and Science. So, now that I've built it up you are wondering where my score fell. Well, I passed! I scored a 192 and I am in the top 15% of candidates and have earned the Recognition of Excellence!

Oh, yeah! I am so smart, S-M-R-T, I mean, S-M-A-R-T. (sung like Homer Simpson)

Miller Christmas Early

2009-12-06T13:13:00.003-07:00

This weekend has been a busy weekend. My parents were in town for a family Christmas. We spent Friday night at my ward's Christmas party. Then Saturday we went to my sister Emma's for our Miller Family Christmas and stayed for her ward's Christmas party.

We ate lots of good food, there was something for everyone we had pizza, Chinese and KFC chicken. My dad made a fruit cocktail cake (which by the way I need the recipe). Then we played some games and snacked on the desserts. Then Kyle made a run to the nearest convenience store to get us something salty to snack on while we played games.

We opened presents in the mock family room.

Now, my sister had posted on her Facebook and blog about eating marshmallows, how she has been out of marshmallows, snacks she's made with marshmallows. So what else could I get her for Christmas?

Then, later, guess who were Santa & Mrs. Claus?

Many faces of Kyle

2009-12-02T12:17:00.001-07:00

So my husband Kyle has been playing around with his facial hair. For many years he has worn a goatee. He has black hair, but as he is growing older he has gotten some gray hairs. His goatee sported black, brown and gray hairs having a salt and pepper look. It was very distinguished.

Also, since he's gotten older the goatee is getting grayer. He thinks it is making him look older.
Kyle shaved part of his goatee for Halloween for his rocker costume.

Of course he couldn't go to church the next day with that kind of facial hair so he shaved it all off. Then throughout the week he got many comments on how he looked younger. One friend said he was now "Babyface Kyle".

Kyle also wanted to play with a scruffy look. He had seen the People magazine's Sexiest Men Alive and noticed that most of the men in there had some facial hair. Just think about some pop culture icons with a five o'clock shadow or a three day shadow; George Michael, Dr. Gregory House, Hugh Jackman, George Clooney, I'm sure I could go on and on.

So, what do you think? Goatee, clean shaven or scruffy? What look do you like on Kyle?

Thanksgiving 2009

2009-11-27T13:37:00.001-07:00

Our family tradition for Thanksgiving is to go to Wyoming to Kyle's parents' house. From where we live in Utah it is an 11 hour drive. We load up the minivan with our luggage, travel snacks, toys & games and movies for the drive.

We leave bright and early Wednesday morning so that we can arrive around dinner time. Thanksgiving day is full of cooking, cleaning and preparing for the big dinner. My job is to set the table and to make the relish tray. Each relative has their own food dish that they are in charge of making ranging from salads and sides to pies. We had turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls, veggies, fruit salad, pecan pie, pumpkin pie, cherry pie, peach pie and muffins.

The kids got along well, they played pretty hard this weekend. There were lots of babies for me to play with and get my baby 'fix'. Then before everyone left for the evening we took some family pictures.

We got everyone in there including one of the dogs. We have Kyle, Zac, Jim, Mary, Kellen, Trista, Krystina, Candy, Cayson, Cruz, Mercedes, Anna, Mike, Naomi, Chloe, Cooper, DeeDee, Kassie, Daxton, Larry, Zane and Yoti the dog. Jeremy took the picture.

Lost Dog

2009-11-16T08:28:00.001-07:00

As I walked home from choir practice yesterday this dog was following me. I figured after I got inside my house she would go away. Nope. She hung around. Cooper and Chloe went outside to play in the snow and the dog was still there. She followed the kids around. They played fetch with her. We found a tennis ball to throw to her. We gave her some water. Chloe tried to feed the dog some cat food.

Kyle called the police animal control department. The guy doesn't work on Sunday so we'll have to call back on Monday. Our choices were to leave the dog out and maybe she'll find her way home, or keep her contained over night until someone could pick her up in the morning. We left her outside until we were ready to go to bed. She was still out there. So I put her in the garage with a blanket and some water.

This morning I let her out hoping she would just go home. Nope. She has been hanging around. So after the kids left for school I called the police department for animal control. She said that she would send the guy over.

Here are some pictures of the dog. I think she's a boxer mix.

Look at those big brown eyes. How could I turn her over to the doggie police?
I have three cats, a broken fence and no dog supplies, nor any money to buy such things.

BYU Campus, a nature preserve?

2009-11-14T05:41:00.001-07:00

Friday I had some work to do on campus and Chloe came with me. As we were walking up the hill, we saw two deer on the trail. They seemed lost. First they crossed the trail ducking under the railing. Then they went up the hill a ways. Then they back tracked down, ducked under the railing, and continued down the hill.

After I did what work I could, we took a different path down the hill to the parking lot. We stopped by the pond to see the duck. There were lots of them. Some of the ducks were fighting over an acorn that they found. We stood by the pond, all the ducks in the pond started heading our way and all the ones on the ground started coming toward us too. We just stood there, they just stood there looking at us expectantly. I think they were expecting us to throw them some food. Too bad we didn't have any bread. When they realized we didn't have anything, they moved away.

After we watched a few splash-landings Chloe decided to chase a few ducks. She got all the ducks in the pond. What a good little herder.

Next time we go to look at the ducks I'll be sure to bring some bread.

Personal Space

2009-11-11T08:54:00.000-07:00

For my Instructional Psychology and Technology class we had to make a self-modeling video. We picked a social skill that we could emulate inappropriately and appropriately. My group chose to model respecting the personal space of others and not being a "space invader". Here you will see Autumn, Katie and Cami going up to random and unsuspecting people on BYU campus displaying the inappropriate ways to interact with others. Then, I make an appearance (and Chloe) in displaying appropriate personal space distance.

Space Invaders

I hope you watched the end credits. After watching our video you have to take a look at our inspiration for this social skill. Here is Aaron 'the close talker', played by Judge Reinhold on Seinfeld.

Seinfeld clip

To everyone out there, be aware of your space bubble.

Halloween 2009

2009-11-01T21:14:00.001-07:00

Here's what we dressed up as for Halloween this year:

Chloe was a Spider Witch

Cooper was Sub-Zero from Mortal Kombat

I was a Bar Wench or a Gypsy. I needed either a bierstein or more jangly jewelry to make it complete.

Kyle was my 80's rocker boyfriend. He was basically Joe Dirt's dark-haired cousin.

Zane and his friend Shay dressed up as band member from Guns N Roses. Zane was Izzy Stradlin and Shay was Slash.

Grown-Up Girl Bonding Time

2009-10-23T16:10:00.000-06:00

I had some errands to do on campus today, but no classes. So, after lunch I took Chloe there with me. After walking all over and climbing many stairs we got the task done. So I treated us to some ice cream at the BYU Creamery at the Cougareat.

Chloe had the cookies and cream. I had the Bishop's Bash, which was chocolate ice cream with burnt almonds and caramel. Mmmh, Mmmh, Good! Jealous?

Pumpkin Party

2009-10-19T20:40:00.001-06:00

We had a lot of fun at the Pumpkin Party. We got a late start, but once we started there was no stopping.

For eats we had a stuffed pumpkin, a savory pumpkin dip with crackers, a sweet pumpkin dip with cookies and crackers, pumpkin gooey bars, pumpkin streusel bars, pumpkin muffins and pumpkin-shaped cookies for the kids to frost and decorate.

The kids also got to do some Punkin' Chuckin'. There were targets in the back yard, sling-shots for the smaller pumpkins and when they ran out of pumpkins they started shooting crab apples.

We also had pumpkin carving. There were some funny faces, a lion and Chloe's name.

There was plenty of good conversation and games. This is my second annual party. I've been thinking about having parties featuring other foods. Hmm, almost like my own Iron Chef, each dish must contain the featured ingredient.

Cool House

2009-10-16T12:01:00.000-06:00

Our furnace wouldn't turn on. We could hear it click and hum like it was about to turn on, but it would never blow. So last night Kyle called a heating and air company. They sent out a technician and yes, our furnace is broken. So then they had one of their sales reps come out and tell us our options.

So it will be back into the crawl space for Kyle. He's got to put some gravel down there for a condensation drip tube for the new furnace.

I wonder what else can break down before Christmas, we've had the dishwasher and water heater replaced. Also, our sub-woofer for our computer speakers broke down so our music sounds funny. Oh, and we got a new minivan. Apparently someone thinks we're made of money.

Rainbow

2009-10-15T10:25:00.001-06:00

I was walking to my car after class last night. It had been rainy all day. It was evening, the sun was casting that sweet light on the mountains. As I was walking down the stairs I saw someone with a camera taking a picture. I wondered what they were capturing, then I saw the rainbow over the mountain. It was beautiful. I thought about taking a picture too. But, I only had my phone's camera and it takes crappy pictures and wouldn't do it justice. I guess I felt that if I couldn't capture the beauty of it it wasn't worth it.

Another reason I didn't take out my phone to take a picture is because I didn't want anyone seeing me take a picture of the rainbow. I could just hear their thoughts, "Geez, lady, you've never seen a rainbow?" Then in my thoughts I answer back, "Yes, I've seen a rainbow many times, does that mean I don't ever need to look at a rainbow again?"

This rainbow was beautiful with the mountain as a backdrop. I could see the whole arc. Usually I just see one end of a rainbow. Also, the violet was vibrant and each color was distinct. Most rainbows I see are hazy and the violet is faint.

Anyway, I just liked the rainbow and wanted to share. (is it crazy for me to have imaginary conversations in my head with strangers?)

Pictures of Kyle and his Big Boy pants

2009-10-10T19:56:00.003-06:00

Here is Kyle wearing his big boy pants
for working underneath the house.

Isn't he just darling?

Kyle and his big boy pants

2009-10-04T23:49:00.001-06:00

We had a pipe leaking under the house in the crawl space. Kyle and Zane went to check it out. There was a pool of water that was moldy. Anyway, it has been making the house smell like mildew. At first I thought it was the garbage disposal or the broken dishwasher. Well, we remedied those. Turns out it was a busted pipe.

So, Kyle went to Home Depot and bought a replacement pipe. Then to prepare for his subterranean fix-it job, he suited up. He got on his grungy denim shirt. Then he got on his Carhart tan work overalls. He told me that he may need my help getting the shoulder straps on. Then I said, "Aw, do you need help getting dressed? Does little Kyle need help getting his big boy pants on?" He made some comment about that's why he keeps me around, because if we were divorced there wouldn't be anybody to help him get his work clothes on.

So, Kyle and Zane went below, switched out the bad pipe. They will probably go back under tomorrow to fix another leaky spot. Kyle thinks we need to have our pipes snaked. I'll be sure to keep you all posted because I know that you are just on the edge of your seats to see how my pipes turn out.

Quality TV Time

2009-09-30T23:12:00.000-06:00

It seems like most of the shows we like are on the same night but different channels. We like Fringe on FOX, Supernatural on the CW, The Office on NBC and the new show Community. We got Comcast and we can DVR our shows, but it only lets us record two shows at a time. If you are recording two shows at the same time you have to watch one of those shows. You can't watch a third show on a different channel. So we've had to resort to watching two of our shows online. Kyle and I watched the season premiere of The Office online together. Then the next week we DVRd Supernatural and Fringe. So I come home from class the next day and Kyle is watching The Office without me. I felt a little dejected. The next day during lunch when Kyle was home, I had some spare time. I announced that I guess I could watch The Office since I hadn't seen it yet and Kyle watched it without me. I went ahead and got online and watched it. Kyle finished his lunch and went on to work.

I then get a text from Kyle saying that he had watched The Office because he didn't know how important it was that we watch it together. Then I texted back saying I now know how Homer Simpson felt when Marge was going out with the neighbor lady on a Thursday night. Homer says, "but that's our special night." Then Marge asks, "What's so special about it?" Then Homer say, "Oh, I don't know, a little something called Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman."

Big Date Night

2009-09-26T23:59:00.001-06:00

The evening started by dropping off the kids at Aunt Emma's house. The kids had a great time playing video games with their cousins.

Then it was dinner at Tucanos. If you don't know what this is, it's a Brazilian Grill restaurant. www.tucanos.com I love their grilled pineapple, the garlic sirloin, and the teriyaki beef.

Then we went over to Kingsbury Hall to watch stand-up comedian Jim Gaffigan. He did his bit about Hot Pockets which got tons of applause. He also did his bit about bacon which also got tons of applause. We were cracking up and had a great time.

Our final destination of the evening was Little America Salt Lake City. We had a king bed suite on the 14th floor. There was a balcony, flat screen TV, and just all around swankyness. I have never stayed at a hotel that had bell-hops, concierge, and everyone was dressed up in suits and uniforms. I felt like I was in a TV show about a hotel. There were marble floors, a grand staircase, a baby grand piano in the lobby, and high-end gift shops. It was a lovely evening. For the next day, I got to sleep in and lounge around in the morning. We had breakfast at the hotel restaurant, I had the Shrimp Etoufee Omelet. It was fine and tasty.

It was great just spending quality time with the hubby. Thanks Hubby for a great time!

He Still Surprises Me continued

2009-09-25T09:42:00.001-06:00

Tonight is our big date night! Earlier this week we made reservations for Tucanos for dinner tonight. I just love their grilled pineapple. Before making reservations we consulted my sister for the best eating places in Salt Lake City. This was one of her recommendations. We have frequented the one in Provo, I didn't know they also had one in Salt Lake.

On Wednesday, while in class, I get a text from Kyle. He wanted to know which parking lot at BYU campus I was parking in nowadays. I texted back which lot. At first I thought that maybe he needed to trade vehicles or something. But then I remembered that I had the only key to the minivan. So I texted back asking why he needed to know. I got no response.

After classes, I walk to the parking lot. There is no Kyle, so OK, he's not meeting me here with flowers or chocolate or some other hairbrained scheme that I was imagining he might do. I get in the van, start her up and look in the rearview mirror to check behind me before backing out of my spot and this is what I see written on the back window.

I just started laughing. I had to take a picture when I got home. Of course I had to post it on the blog.

Research Assistant

2009-09-17T07:59:00.000-06:00

I got a job as a research assistant! I'm excited! It isn't much in the pay department. I will only be working 5-7 hours a week at $8.00 an hour. That will be a change from the 30 hours a week at $12.00 an hour I had been working. But, since school started I had no job. So, even the meager pay is better than nothing. I have bittersweet feelings that I wasn't hired back to my old job because of my college classes. I hate that my classes have caused me to lose my job. But, since I haven't been working I have been able to accomplish a lot, both in the homework and housework departments.

What this new job means to me is flexible hours. I will still have time to do my studies and take care of my family needs. I think it will be a good experience working with a professor and the program director. Kyle says that this position of research assistant will be a good thing to put on my resume.

What the job entails, as far as it has been explained to me, is that we are putting together these packets. It includes a book and then lessons for the week pertaining to the book. The lessons focus on different aspects of the book, like social, language, etc. The job also has clerical tasks, data collection, interviewing, attending meetings, recording the minutes, and I don't know what else. Today I meet with Human Resources to get all my information, start a timecard, etc.

Collaboration

2009-09-15T08:16:00.000-06:00

One of the classes I'm taking is about collaboration. Usually when you think of this word you think of working together, or being on a team. In an educational sense you may think of co-teaching. In a musical sense you may think of duets, or a joint effort on a song, or album. I'm learning that collaboration is more than just working together. It is people voluntarily working together toward a common goal. Both or all participants are ready, willing and able. In a collaborative effort everyone is coequal, meaning that they have equal power in the decision making.

In class we discussed how this works in a school setting. Then the instructor had us think about collaboration in our own lives. I thought about being the Cubmaster, and being a part of a Pack Planning Committee. We discuss the needs of the Cubs. We all brainstorm ideas of the upcoming Pack Night. After we decide what activities we are going to do, we divvy up the responsibility. We use the collective knowledge, experience, expertise, connections and resources that are available to us.

Then I thought of my marriage. Kyle and I need to be equal partners. We both have a say in the finances of our household, how to raise and discipline our kids, and the upkeep of our house. We split up the different bills, household chores, running the kids here and there, etc.

One example that came up in class was the First Presidency and the Quorom of the Twelve. These men come from different backgrounds, have had different experiences, have different personalities and have different expertise/interests. Yet these men come together to discuss the needs of the church and have a common goal. Sure they are inspired by the Lord. We also thought that there might be contentions but we assume that having the Spirit with them eases tensions, and helps to unite these men toward the common goal.

Within the church we have other collaborative groups. What about Ward Council? Or even the presidencies of each auxilary? These people come together, discuss the needs of the people over whom they are responsible, and determine how to best help these people. They also divide the resposibility or tasks at hand.

In my class we also discussed why some people don't want to be part of a collaborative group. We determined it is because we are afraid that someone won't do their share, won't contribute in a meaningful way, won't participate. But in that case, we can only account for ourselves, and take satisfaction in knowing we did our part. We can't control others, collaboration isn't coersive. At first collaboration may take more time and effort. The hassle of choosing a time and place to meet. But in the end, it is more productive than doing it alone. Responsibility is shared, the load is lightened in the joint efforts toward the common goal.

After 16 years he still surprises me

2009-09-11T01:22:00.000-06:00

Last month sometime Kyle asked me if I felt that any of our anniversaries were memorable. Our 16th wedding anniversary was May 1st.

I remembered that we used to go out to eat at Magleby's for our anniversary dinner because where he worked at the time would give an anniversary gift certificate. But, he hasn't worked there for at least 5 years.

Then I tried to remember what specific gifts we got each other for our anniversary. I couldn't think of anything really special. Lots of times we would just get each other a card, go out to dinner, and maybe get a gift. The gift was usually a movie, music or something to that effect, and the gift was usually belated (have to work around pay-day).

So, Kyle schemed a scheme. He debated on telling me his plan or just letting it be a surprise. But then he thought he better tell me so that I don't schedule something on that day. Kyle got us tickets to go see Jim Gaffigan at Kingsbury Hall. He also made arrangements for my sister to watch the kids, overnight. He is also looking at reserving a hotel room so that we don't have to drive home so late at night from Salt Lake City.

Now, maybe the thought of going to see a stand-up comedian isn't your idea of a romantic getaway, but the fact that he planned an enjoyable weekend for just the two of us is romantic.

Oh my aching back! legs, feet...

2009-09-04T00:38:00.000-06:00

Well, I've finished my first week back at college. I'm getting used to the different buildings where my classes are. Some are in a different part of campus than where my other classes have been. They are farther than what I am used to walking. I've been rethinking of where to park. The one parking lot that I used most is near the Marriott Center and Monte L. Bean Museum. There are sets of stairs, but it is going downhill to classes. I thought that this would be great because I wouldn't be out of breath for class, just when I return to my car. That parking lot has construction going on around it cutting the lot in about half the size that it was. So now it is full by the time I get there.

Wednesday I chose a different lot. It is huge and about the same distance as the previous lot. It is also packed, it seems everyone parks there. This is near the physical education and recreation buildings. There are also stairs, but these go uphill to campus. OK, I'm trying to lose weight and what better way than the stairs to get the blood flowing? HOLY COW there are a lot of stairs! These stairs are steeper than the others and there are more of them. I was a huffin' and a puffin' when I got to the top. I knew I was out of shape, but that was ridiculous!

Thursday I chose another lot. It is closer, and smaller, but at the end of campus where not many buildings are. Again there were stairs and a ramp going uphill to campus. I was still breathing hard at the top but not nearly as bad as the previous day's stairs.

I've been walking a pretty good pace on campus and taking stairs instead of the elevators. I knew I would be doing a lot of walking so I bought a couple of pairs of shoes. Since they are new my poor feet have blisters. I hope they break in fast, I'm running out of Band-Aids.

For the past two years I've just had a book bag that I would carry or sling over my shoulder. This year I have a backpack for all my books (more classes = more books) and I bought a laptop and actually this backpack came with it. I am not used to the extra weight on my back (I usually carry all my weight in front). So not only is this year going to be challenging mentally with more classes and a heavier homework load, but also physically with the walking and carrying/packing.

The only consolation I can take is that hopefully at the end of this experience I will come out smarter and slimmer.

Back to School for Me

2009-08-31T08:16:00.000-06:00

For the past two years I've been taking classes at BYU to finish up my General Education requirements and electives. I would take two to three classes per semester averaging 6-8 credit hours. I would take classes on campus right after work, and also take an online class.

Online classes through Independent Study are great. I like that I can be home more with the family, I can do the lessons on my own time, I can "attend class" while in my pajamas, or even in my underwear like my sister. (Hahaha, comment on that one Sis.) Anyway, I've taken some religion classes online, and was able to structure my time so that I finished the class within the semester even though I had a whole year to complete the class. Well, I then had two classes, American Heritage and Health. I was not structured with my time and let it slip away. The end of the year was nearing and I wasn't finished with either class. Then the end came up, I was able to file for an extension (that added 3 months). I studied and crammed. I requested the final exams by the last day of classes. This gave me another 30 days to complete the final exam. I studied and crammed for the American Heritage class. I wasn't worried about the Health class, before I realized I didn't have anymore access to the online lessons to study since they expired.

I took those two finals this past week before I start a new semester of on campus classes. I did the Health exam first since I would be flying blind anyway. I got a 65% which is a D. I did worse than I expected but it was harder than I expected. Since I had A's on all the quizzes it averaged out as a B+ for the class. I'm happy with it, but disappointed in myself for being cocky thinking that I could take an exam without studying because it would be "easy".

The next day I took the American Heritage exam. There were multiple choice questions, definition of terms and 4 essays. This test was not Scan-Tron but Instructor Graded, so I do not know what I scored. The instructor has two weeks to grade and post the results. This class was hard. I'm not a very political person. This class was not a History class of dates and events, but more about the political philosophy behind the events and the people involved. I flunked this class the first time I took it back in 1991-92. I'm just hoping to pass it, but I think I did well.

So let this be a lesson to you to not procrastinate, because you just end up running out of time, rushing and cramming.

Today I start the Fall Semester of classes. These are on campus in the aftenoon and evening. I will be taking 16 credit hours! These classes are for the Special Education Teaching program. I have 1 1/2 - 2 years of this program and then I will be a Certified Teacher. That is assuming that I pass the PRAXIS which is the exam for certification.

My Baby is Going to School!

2009-08-27T08:06:00.002-06:00

Wednesday marked the first day of Kindergarten for my youngest child.

My baby is going to school!

I walked to school with the kids. I took pictures of Chloe with her backpack and ready to go.

Then I took a picture of Chloe at the school.

Then I took of picture of her outside of her class.

After we put her stuff in her cubby, she went into the classroom. The teacher had Chloe find her seat and begin cutting a kite. I barely got a goodbye from her.

I didn't think I would cry. I don't think I cried with the other kids. Isn't school just a part of life? Why cry? What's so sad about it? I'm not one of those moms who aren't able to let go of their children.

So, I'm leaving the school, I see the principal, I think about telling him that he has the last of my kids. I don't even get those words out. He says hi, asks how it went, all I could say was "good". Then he says it's going to be OK. I don't think I sounded choked up, but I realized that I was getting choked up. My baby is going to school! So I called Kyle right away to tell him that Chloe was sitting in her class. He too sounded a little sentimental.

After school, she had lots of stuff to tell us and show us. She has a couple of kids in her class that she knows from church, so I think it helps that she has some ready-made friends. She was also able to walk to school with her brother, his friends and their sister which is her friend, but in a different Kindergarten class. She was excited that she got to walk to school with Aubrey.

My baby is going to school!

Homebody, not by choice

2009-08-24T07:26:00.001-06:00

The elementary school where I have worked for the last 2 years was unable to work around my BYU class schedule, so, I was not hired back. I learned this 2 days before school was to start. I have looked online at other job postings within the school district. I have applied to 4 of them. I have also thought about substitute teaching. So, that is what I am doing today, revising my resume and going to the temp agency. While I would be limited in the type of subbing jobs I could take because of my schedule, I figure some income is better than no income. Hopefully the subbing is just until I can get hired on as an aide at another school.

I have also had the time this week to study for finals for my 2 online classes. Chloe and I have run errands and cleaned the house. I admit, it has been hard to wake up in the mornings. I know I need to get up to get the kids up for school. But I don't have the drive to get myself up and go workout before going to work since I don't have work. It's like, what's the point of getting out of bed?

I'm just not proactive to structure my at home time. I should set a schedule; when to workout, when to study, when to clean, when to play on the computer. I love making lists, so this should be up my alley, my problem is sticking to the plan.

Not having a job at this time makes me worry about bills. My tuition for this semester was paid by my mini-scholarship. Today I noticed I have a Pell Grant credit to my BYU account, so I will be paid that in two weeks. That will help with book costs, maybe get a laptop for my studies. I had applied for student loans to help with living expenses, I don't know when those come in. Kyle wasn't too happy about my getting loans. He's still paying off one of his student loans. I feel that after I graduate, I will get a job making more money where I will be able to pay off the student loans. I'm not worried about the future finances, I'm worried about the current ones.

I hate being in limbo.

School Days

2009-08-19T07:30:00.000-06:00

School starts today. Zac is at the high school this year as a 10th grader. His school starts at 7:55am. We apparently don't live far away enough for Zac to catch the bus so he needs to walk or catch a ride. I think the school is 1 1/2 miles away. I think I heard his alarm go off at 5:30 am. He was gone before 7am when I finally rolled out of bed.

Zane is at the junior high school as an 8th grader. His school starts at 8:oo am. He and a friend walk the 4 1/4 blocks to school. His friend showed up 1 minute before my alarm went off at 7am.
I don't know what the rush was other than they were going to eat breakfast at school. But still, it just seems awfully early to me.

Cooper is at the elementary school as a 3rd grader. His school starts at 8:30 am. He was already up when I got up. He was dressed and ready to go. I told him to get some breakfast. He said that he eats at the school. Well, I told him he can eat at home today since he still has 1 1/2 hours until school starts. That is plenty of time to eat. Last year he ate breakfast at the school because he would lolly-gaggle around and not finish in time before his friends would come to pick him up to walk to school. They have about 4 blocks to walk.

Chloe starts Kindergarten next week, she will walk to school with Cooper and then go to a friends house after class while the rest of us are at school or work. Then we will pick her up in the afternoon.

Apparently my kids are anxious to get to school. Is it because they have a thirst for knowledge? No, I think they are excited to see their friends.

The elementary school where I was working informed me Monday that they are not able to work around my BYU class schedule, so currently I am out of a job. I do have applications in at three other schools. Just waiting to hear back.