My Birthday Boy Then and Now

Happy 39th Birthday Wayland! I love you so much --- I have been going crazy this week and you have been more than supportive as I've gotten back into my teaching career. My life is wonderful because of you and I hope you know you are an awesome husband and father. The kids and I adore you and are so blessed to have you as the patriarch of our home.

By the way, wasn't Wayland the cutest little boy? Now he has five of his own and I know he counts them as the greatest blessings ever given to him (besides me....of course :) lol Love you Babe!

39 Reasons We Love Our Dad

1. He loves us
2. He's a good example of the gospel

3. He plays football with us

4. He cheers us on at games

5. He supports us

6. He makes us laugh

7. He is a nerd at home

8. He is strong

9. I love him

10. He dresses nice

11. He helps picks out our clothes

12. He sings good

13. He gives us blessings

14. He takes us on vacations

15. He helped us catch crawdads

16. He cooks good food

17. He tells funny jokes

18. He lets us have sleepovers

19. He buys us stuff

20. He loves Heavenly Father

21. He's nice

22. He plays games with us

23. He pushes us to do our best at everything

24. He's fun to joke around with

25. He's strong

26. He prays for us

27. He takes us to practices

28. He lets me borrow his clothes and shoes

29. He gives good talks

30. He will try anything once

31. He thinks we're awesome

32. He watches movies with us

33. He lets us drink his soda

34. He has a soft heart

35. He defends us

36. He loves the gospel

37. He is handsome

38. He helps others

39. HE IS THE BEST DAD IN THE WORLD! :)

We love you Dad! Happy Birthday!

The Camera Issue

Okay, it's official....I am a dork. Remember the "dot" camera I was talking about that I said I had no idea what it was? So today, the same teacher was talking about it again and I thought she said "doc" camera. This makes more sense. My guess is that it's a document camera, otherwise known as an Elmo. I have absolutely no idea how the cameras work in the classroom, but I hear they are pretty useful. So I just thought I'd throw that out there as a bit of useful information that most of you will never do anything with. And by the way....my classroom is finally done being decorated. Now for planning..... Isn't that a typical woman? My class looks good but doesn't have one ounce of classwork ready. lol Guess we all know what I will be doing for the next five days. Have a great day everyone!!!

Thank You :0)

Thank you to all my great friends out there! Your comments are all way too nice and I so appreciate them. You have pumped me up to go out there and give it my best shot. I'll let ya know how it goes after the first week with kids. And as for the dot camera, no one seems to know what it is so maybe the person talking about the camera didn't know what they were saying...lol....makes me feel much, much better!!!

What Ten Years Can Do

So as all of you know, I went back to work this week. I have now attended two days that were full of meetings and one day over at my new school. It has been eight years since I taught full-time and ten years since I opened the school I am returning to as a teacher this fall. I have noticed some things this week that are vastly different.....all in just ten years.

1. There are specific rules for cell phones and ipods at school. I think cell phones were still giant when I taught last....you know, like the kind that had antennas which easily could poke an eye out. Now they are small, inconspicuous, and they type.

2. There is something called a dot camera that is readily used in the classroom. HELP!!! I have no idea what this is and I didn't want to ask and look dumb because everybody else knew what it was except for me and another returning housewife (we talked about this too). Now that I'm typing this I realize it would've been better to have asked than to announce my ignorance to the entire blogging world....oh well.

3. Modesty is gone out the window for the majority of junior high students. Thank you for being a good example all of you out there who still care about what your appearance means to those around you :0) I am a little bummed that I can't wear my spandex and midriff to school....it would've looked so nice.

4. There is A LOT of technology.....I don't know where to start. I can hardly control this blogspot and it took me 3 1/2 hours to figure out how to input info. on my son's football team website that I am in charge of updating. This could prove highly difficult.

5. Lesson plans....this one is crazy. In order to plan, I have a set of state standards, a course syllabus, a set of county standards, the power standards and the course benchmarks. Somehow I'm supposed to combine all of these items into one lesson. Maybe the one room schoolhouse wasn't so bad after all.

6. My body is definitely not fitting as well into my teacher's chair, teaching clothes, and isle ways. Must start exercising.....just think if I had started that ten years ago....

7. Clark county school district has raised my salary about $13,000 since the 90's. Too bad it's still very low compared to the cost of living here and most teacher's cannot buy homes until they have a master's degree.

8. My brain is not functioning right. I spent an hour and a half standing in my empty room figuring out where I wanted my desk to be. It seems like before I just picked a spot and went with it. This time around, I went through about 30 scenarios of where the students would come in, how they would sit etc. etc. Most of the time, I just sat there too overwhelmed to do anything and then finally it all came to me and I moved all the furniture myself including the wardrobe closets because I didn't want to wait for the janitors to do it.

9. Another ten year change....my back cannot handle moving wardrobe closets. I paid for my impatience. when did my body go straight downhill?

10. And lastly, most things have not changed. Teachers are still the people who shape and mold the world's future. Students are all inherently good and desire to do well in their lives. The four walls of a classroom are still empty canvasses waiting to be filled with motivating posters, student work, and colorful artwork. And public education has still revolutionalized our nation. That's pretty awesome!

So amidst all the changes, I find myself rededicated to the task at hand. My panic and confidence are shifting places on a regular basis, so I jump from highs to lows on a moment's notice. I wonder if I can reach all of my students? Can I give them something more in their life? Can I help them know they are special, unique, and so precious in this world? Can I be an example that will someday come back to them in a positive light? Can I motivate them to want to seek knowledge? Can I help them embrace diversity and relish in life's differences? Can I help them feel the love I have for each of them? Can I be a teacher they will remember because they felt secure in my classroom? Can I provide the consistency needed to raise the expectations of every child? Can I teach and respect every child the way I would like my child taught and respected? These are the questions that plague my mind nightly. When I finished college, I was ready to go out and change the world. I didn't ask questions.....I just went and did it. After having children and knowing the importance of my position, I feel the weight of the task at hand. My job makes a difference.....every day to every child. I can lift them higher than they believe they can with my attitude, desire, and enthusiasm. So really, the question is not "Can I?"....it is "Will I?"

Will I help one of Heavenly Father's children to see their potential, grasp onto their future, and reach for their goals? Yes.......without a doubt yes!!!! This is going to be an awesome year :)

My Take On Things :)

I have been super busy this week, but figured I should update just a bit. Let me start by saying I love my kids so much!!! Of course I always do, but this past week especially. I had a lot going on with work, young womens, and a visiting friend....this caused me to be gone from home A LOT. My wonderful children didn't complain when I had to go serve and they weren't upset when I spent hours talking with my friend....they just went with the flow. Trajan babysat without complaint and I just want them to know I love them. I even had a few hours to go with my friend, Christa, and my mother-in-law to the temple....no whining from the kids. On Friday, we had a Young Women's super activity that lasted about ten hours (super fun). My kids were so great. Even though they called to see where I was at and how much longer I would be, they still did it. I'm thankful for their willingness to allow me to serve and their understanding that when I serve, our whole family is blessed :) So with that said...here I go :



1. Breaking Dawn. I am about three quarters of the way through because I just didn't have time to be ultra involved in it like I always get with books, but so far....I like it. This "like" comes with a few warnings though. If you are one of my Young Women reading this post....I suggest you don't read BD. I think this one is a bit too mature for youth (maybe a senior on up). I think it pushes the limits to the very brink...so although there's nothing graphic...definitely not for my young women :) Also, so far I think there is too much info. crammed into one book....like she's trying to shove it all in and bring it to a tidy bow at the end. I'm not sure if I'm right, so I'll let you know when I finish.

2. Las Vegas HEAT! I absolutely can't stand Vegas in the month of August. My garden is dead, my flowers are dead, and my brain is dead. The only thing alive and kicking is my power bill (I know, I whine about this too much). The kids can only swim just so much. We've outplayed Life, Monopoly, and Deal or no Deal. My kids are now on their fourth 1000 peice puzzle (we're going to modge podge them with all this work), and we're all getting a little stir crazy. Can't wait for October :)

3. My Wardrobe: Okay, this is bad. Over the past years of staying home and not being in the work force...I have no working clothes. I think I can come up with five outfits that don't look like a "mormon mom". That will have to get me through until I can buy some more....lol. Maybe I'll be like one of the crazy science teachers who always wears the same outfit on test days. Better yet, I could just wear one of the lab coats and nobody will know what I have on underneath. And, I won't even touch the shoe department. What will I do without daily flip flops?

4. Rest in Peace Grandma: My Mom, Dad, and Sister met with my Aunt, Uncle and a handful of others to lay my Grandma's ashes to rest. It's so nice to know she is at peace and with those we love who have also passed on. I am grateful every moment of every day to know that the gospel is true. I know family's are forever and that life is eternal. If you are one of my relatives, and while reading this you wonder how I can know this.....I will tell you!!!! If you will but just entertain the idea that there is a God who loves us very much, I can show you how to know and understand the rest. One of my young women last night straight up asked me why I decided to be a mormon. She didn't understand really why anyone would CHOOSE that. So I told her my straight and simple answer. I asked God if the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and all of its teachings were true....my answer was undeniably yes. I cannot describe the feelings in my heart to any of you except to say I know as surely as I breathe, it is true. For me to deny the answer I was given, would deny God Himself. The material things I give up in this life for the blessings of the gospel are minute....If any of you ever feel inclined to know....I would love to share my thoughts. I feel like I've been given a gift to know this truth and I would be amiss if I didn't try to share with some of you. Love you guys!

4. Skymania: this is a giant warehouse full of wall to wall trampolines. We took our young Women there and let me just reiterate....I AM OUT OF SHAPE! I was running around like I was a superhero and totally took a dive on the tramp...TWICE. I mean, it wasn't even pretty. Now, I love myself....don't get me wrong. But you have to imagine that I am a good sized woman. I'm running on these trampolines: hips, butt and thighs a-goin'. The girls and I are playing tag. I cannot catch ANYONE. I cannot BREATH. My legs are getting WOBBLY. BAM....face plant. I jump up, to show I can still hang with these young girls, and about five seconds later...BAM. Another face plant. I seriously can't breathe at this point so I beg one of my beehives to take over my spot. Although it was totally fun, I am re-energized to continue running on my treadmill. And yes....I'm very sore today.

5. The Temple: I love the peace going to the temple brings to my life. Being a convert, I love the fact that I can go and help someone else receive the blessings of the gospel that may or may not have been presented in their lives. I need to go more often.

6. The Olympics: I'm so excited they have started. I missed most of the opening ceremonies because we had our great YW activity, but I already started watching last night. I did not know they had badmitten in the olympics. The girls volleyball this morning was AWESOME! I just really love watching this olympics.

7. Journal: I have a new goal to write in my journal more often. yes, I'm keeping this blog, but obviously I don't update that very often (sorry everyone). I'm trying to stay focused on one journal that holds my spiritual moments and one that holds every day things. I just remember Sister Hinkley's journal notes. She would be the cost of something she bought that day and it was neat to see how things change over time. Anyway, just a goal.

Okay, well I can tell I'm getting pretty boring by now, so it's time to go read. We're taking the kids to the pool, so maybe I'll finish the book up today. :) I will go brave the heat once more and quit whining about it. It's all in our attitude right? Life is great....live it that way.

( Does anybody watch Run's House? I feel like I'm ending this post the way he does. ha ha ha Only those who've seen it will know what I'm talking about...I'm a dork)

I Hate Excercising

Wish I was one of those people who found great delight in working out my body and spending time sweating while my muscles energize the rest of me....I'M NOT!!!! I don't like exercising and I doubt I ever will. I was walking on the treadmill, running here and there, and saw myself in a mirror that I hung across the room to my side (not realizing it's poor placement). Let's just say that was not a pretty sight to see a larger sized woman, running, sweating, and flopping her body around the treadmill. I think I had a picture in my mind of how I looked and that was definitely not it....can you imagine if I had worn spandex? Now there's a sight...lol... :0)

I Am Doing It!!!

Okay guys....

This is it.....

I am going full board.....

This chunky face will be a thing of the past.... (notice how I strategically placed myself behind my children)

I started my weight watchers again today. I was successful in the past with it and then I let it go. So I am documenting and going on record that I will be working very hard to get much healthier. I am giving myself a little over a year to reach my actual target (loss of 60 pounds needed to hit my "heart healthy" weight--scary huh?). That's the hard part of being so tall...I can pack a ton of weight on :( Anyway, by 40 I should be feeling better than ever. I'm sick of talking about it, wishing about it, and thinking about it. JUST DO IT ALREADY! So here I go...any one want to join me? We could keep eachother going ya know....I can't afford to actually go to weight watchers, so I just do it on my own. But if anyone wanted to jump in, I would love to keep track with friends, check in, and keep eachother motivated. And, if anyone wants to join the party but you don't have the info., I can tell ya what I do and how the points work etc. :) I feel like I'm totally ready for it this time....I know I have cheekbones somewhere on my face...lol. For anyone out there who struggles with weight issues like me, you know that it's a roller coaster ride of ups and downs. Lose the weight, gain the weight. I will make no more excuses for myself. If I want something different, I have to change my lifestyle. So here I go...there's no turning back. My heart will thank me as well as my grandchildren when they have a healthy Grandma not a sick one :) Anyone on board?