Joc Comes Home

Last Saturday, June 11, my little sister Jocelyn came home. She has not been home since Christmas, and I could not have asked for her to be home then at a more needed time. I had kind of had an emotional week, and the moment I saw my little sis walking down the escalator, I started crying.

She got home and we immediately went to Virg's for breakfast. It was delightful and so yummy! We love Virg's and it is one of the places we always like to go to eat some grub. We then went and looked at some hair supplies, and I immediately asked Joc for a hair cut. My hair was looking awful and I had been counting down for a month for her to get here to cut my hair.



So, while the babes went down for a nap, Joc cut my hair. She did such a good job and I loved having the change.



After we went to Liberty Park to meet NeeNers and Grandpa Garry. Gar and I took the kids on a paddle boat ride, and they LOVED it.











After Joc and I headed towards Jen's house for dinner. I must say, this was exactly what my soul needed. My cousin Sara joined us, and when you get the four of us together, it is pretty much non-stop bantering and laughing. They are all so damn fast, and so damn funny, I can't keep up. But I love to sit back and watch. We had a great dinner and then went out to feed the ducks. Avi and Josh were hysterical and LOVED going from zero ducks, to "at least 20!"











It was so fun to spend the whole day with Joc and get to see some of our favorites. I am so glad she was home!

A Visit From Janelle

When I was 19 years old, my friend Liz McGee and I went to Pennsylvania for a summer to be camp counselors at Camp Joy. We spent the whole summer back east working with people who had disabilities. While we were there I had the priviledge to get to meet and really get to know some amazing people. The summer was short lived, we all promised we'd be back the next year to work again, but life happened. Not many of us went back, we lost touch with so many, and I didn't hear from some of these people for many years. Then Facebook came to life and fortunately I have been able to reconnect with some of my friends from Camp Joy.

Well, almost a year ago Janelle and I started talking about her coming to Utah. Janelle is from New York but has recently moved to the west coast and currently living in California. We had tried to setup a few weekends together where she could come in, but due to scheduling and jobs, it had been difficult.

Last Monday night I had had quite a day. I had been out shopping with my sister and was in a pretty good space. I got on facebook and read that Janelle was in St. George, UT. WHAT!?!?!?! I quickly called her, found out she was headed our way on Tuesday and would be spending five days with us. HOORAY!

Janelle arrived on Tuesday afternoon. When she got there it was so fun to see her and how much she has changed, and yet how much she was still the Janelle I so loved from Camp.



Janelle was very interested in learning more about the LDS religion and the best place to learn is Salt Lake, so her first night here we took her up to the Salt Lake Temple and walked the grounds. I forgot how pretty Temple Square really is, and I think Janelle really loved seeing and talking to so many people.







Wednesday morning I had a business meeting and had to leave Janelle for a bit. When I got back she was getting ready and wanted to go to lunch and bum. Unfortunately, I fell asleep, and due to the circumstance Janelle let me sleep and spent the rest of her day and evening back downtown reasearching the LDS church.

Thursday Janelle and I just spent the day at home. We both needed a nap and then just talked and relaxed. That night, once Dustin was off work, we went to The Pie for dinner. I LOVE The Pie, and think the atmosphere is so fun. I think Janelle enjoyed the scenery and the food.









After we were done at The Pie, we took Janelle up above the Capitol and to the view. I wanted her to be able to see the city at night and see how pretty Salt Lake City is all lit up.





Friday was our last real day together before she left. I took her out to Antelope Island so she could see The Great Salt Lake and how pretty it really is. I have never really been in charge of showing someone Utah, and I must say, though I still do not believe there is a ton to see, the physical beauty of Utah is INCREDIBLE.









After Antelope Island we came home and watched tv then got ready for a bbq at Kristie and Rand's. Corey and Nikeita joined us and we enjoyed the night.

We had a lot going on at our house this week, and I don't know if I was necessarily the best hostess. However, I really enjoyed having Janelle here and getting to show her a little part of Utah.

How Does One Start Their Summer?

A little like this.



Last Sunday my family gathered around at our place to celebrate this one's 7th birthday.



The weather was beautiful, the sun was hot, and this forced the water guns out.











I don't see all my siblings enough, so when we can get together and get the cousins together, I LOVE IT! They laugh, they play, they get along, and they are family. I also get to talk with my sisters, my folks, and hang out. I miss my brothers, and look forward to when we all can get together and have a day together.











I love my family, and look forward to getting together!

BRING ON THE SUMMER!!!

That's A Wrap

June 3, 2011...THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!

What a year it has been. I have NEVER had a school year like I have had this past year. I have dealt with a group of students from one extreme to another and I think I have grown more professionally and personally these past 10 months then I ever thought could be possible.

I have been tested, tried, and have fallen head over heels for a group of kids I didn't know could absolutely win my heart. This year there has been a challenge in our area that is gang related.

We went through a few weeks where it seemed like we were always breaking up groups, trying to get kids to leave one another alone, focus on school, and do anything but fight. It was emotionally exhausting and the school was wearing thin. However, do to the BEST administration I have EVER had the pleasure working for, things fell back into routine and back on track.

This year I had the pleasure in getting to know a certain group of kids and saw a side I didn't know existed for so many. This group won my heart and I will never forget it. I have had to have some pretty intense conversations with them, have learned about some of their life events out of school, gone head to head with other teachers for the sake of a child instead of a behavior, and in the end had more love and respect from a group most shy away from then I have ever known.

Thursday night Tracy and I attended promotion. I watched one of my kids, whom I have taught since 5th grade, present a speech to the 9th grade class, that I helped him write. I watched close to 300 students walk across the stage to receive their certificate of completion, I bawled like a baby when the concert choir sang Michael Jackson's, "Heal the World," because I do wonder what the world will be like for the next generations.

I lost it when the final student who had promised me would be there, showed up 15 minutes late. As I was wiping tears and feeling like the proudest teacher in the world, I recognized that Tracy and I were the only ones there for a group of students and this broke my heart. So, after, we took pictures, we laughed, and we chatted for a little bit.

As I went home my heart ached for my kids and yet I knew they were there and taking in the moment, their right of passage, like they promised me they would. It meant the world.

Yesterday was yearbook day. I signed everyone of their books with a message of love, hope, and letting them know I cared. They signed mine and Tracy's and said things that I never thought I would have the priviledge to read as a teacher. They loved us and told us how much we made a difference in their life this year. And I really know it was sincere.

As they were wrapping up their year and getting ready to go, they each gave me a hug. I cried again, and told them how great they were. I made them promise me they would come visit and take care of themselves. They promised me they would see me in the fall, which is a big deal for us, and then I ended with, "make good choices."

The promise and the saying to make good choices is what I know they will always remember me by. And if nothing else happened this year, my students all knew they were cared about and loved. They all knew there is someone who believes completely in them. They all knew that I am always going to be here and only an e-mail away.

Next year I have a new vice principal, we found out on Tuesday, and I couldn't be more disappointed. My administration this year has backed me and supported me more than ever. I am so sad to have Scott leave, but in the same breath grateful my kids will have a familiar face as they enter the halls of high school.

Thank you to my 9th grade class...the class of 2014. This year has had ups and downs, but I truly believe it is the best year I have had as an educator. I have had sleepless nights, long days, rough hours, and so much more. Thank you, I will miss you all and fully expect graduation and all major life announcements from each of you! Much love...Take care of you, make good choices, and I promise to see you in
August.

A Fun Filled, Sun Filled Day At Lagoon

On Wednesday I had the opportunity to spend my entire work day, plus some at Lagoon. I have not been to Lagoon in probably 9 years or so, and I was a little nervouse about going. I knew I used to be a HUGE rollecoaster fan, but it has been so many years, I didn't know how I would feel about them at this point in my life.

At 8:30 we loaded the busses, and were at the park by 9:10. Fortunately, there was only one other school there yet, so we walked in and were able to basically walk right on to the white rollercoaster. As soon as I was on the ride and going up, I remembered why I love rollercoasters! I had my hands up for the ride, and once it was over I couldn't wait to go on the next.



Little did I know the next one we would be going on was wicked. I have seen the ride from the road and thought it looked scary. BUT...to be standing in line and getting ready to go on it had me TERRIFIED. Well, Trac loves rollerocasters more than me and was hell bent on going. So, we waited and then we went. And it was AMAZING!!!

(photo from: http://iutah.tv/entity/view/127241/photos/gallery?page=5)

I won't even try to act like I was brave and didn't scream like a 8 year old school girl, because I sure did. I have NEVER been on a coaster like that and it was fantabulous.



While we were walking around, hanging out, I looked in one of the picture booths, and this is what I saw.



A booth full of TOMS...So, I think I am going to submit the picture to TOMS.


We then did a few more rides, ate lunch with the faculty, bombed some kids on rattle snake rapids, went on Wicked again, then the Collosas. After that we walked around and played a couple games. I had to win a toy for Peanut, so I chased a bear up the wall with a water gun, bought a diet coke and called it good.



It truly was so much fun. I will definitely not let it be another 9 years before I go back. There are some rollercoasters to be done, some sun to be soaked in, and some fun at Lagoon!

What's In A Frame?

My sister in law, Tanya, gave Dustin and I several nice pictures to hang in our home. I really wanted to put one in my fritn room and I really liked it. So, after I decorated my front room, I hung the picture back up.

Well, I felt like due to the color of the frame, the whole picture disappeared.



So, I decided to paint it the same color I painted my little table that I did a few months ago.

I taped it.



Then I painted it blue.



Put it back on the wall.




TA-LA...SO MUCH BETTER!!!

I have decided I really enjoy my little projects that make a difference in our home.

Taking On The Front Room

For those of you who know me and those of you who have been to my house you know, I HATED my front room.

Why do you ask? Let me show you!



IT. WAS. ORANGE!!!

Last Saturday, over Memorial Day weekend, I was home. My friends were out of town. Dustin was at work. Carter was hanging out with me, but tired. I was alone. I decided this was the prime time for a PROJECT!!!

Carter and I went to home depot, I bought all the paint supplies I needed, and then headed home. Carter went down for a nap and I started clearing out the room. I took down what I had put up, emptied out the furniture, and got going.

First step...Prime the room. Never had done this before, but ummm...okay!



DONE!

While that was drying I decided I would start on the bay window. I had matched the two colors I wanted to paint with a pillow I had purchased from a student at school. She had made it and it was in the display case for weeks. After my para asked for the student to come see me and twenty bucks later the pillow was mine. So, I decided on the colors "Cinnamon Spice," and "Sandy Feet." So, while I was waiting for the primer to dry, I decided see what the bay window looked like in chocolate. I painted the bay window area, and could tell pretty quickly I was headed on the track of my vision.



I then decided I might as well keep going and paint the next color, my sandy feet. Well, then I could not WAIT to see it all put back together. So, I painted and while I cleaned up the rollers and brushes, I let the paint dry. Once Dustin got home, I asked him to help me hang everything back up and put the furniture back into it's place.

Finally, it was finished. It turned out so much better and I LOVE IT!


This is my bay window.


This is the other main color.

Anyway, TA-LA, I did it. And now I can't WAIT to get other parts of our house done!