We had family pictures taken a week ago, and so I updated the pictures on my blog. I have such a beautiful family, and fall is such a beautiful time of year. We took them just a mile up the road at a boat dock area. We were not alone, as several families had the same idea. The only family pictures we have taken in a long time, have been out riding with friends, or at a ward function. This was a little uncomfortable, and we weren't sure what to do, but many of the pictures were beautiful. Thanks to our friend for donating her time to share her talents! Thanks Connie!
I just finished parent/teacher conferences and everything went well. It is a relief. It reminds me of speed dating, but with parents and students involved. One appointment after another, makes for short appointments, and limited time to talk in depth about individual students. However, it is contact face-to-face with them, and we both can identify where we are right now, where we need to go, and how we are going to get there.
Fall is here, and it is beautiful. Cold. But beautiful. Our house is finally being worked on. We have sat for almost 2 months of good weather with no progress, waiting for our contractor, Corey, to get to us. (His company is doing the framing as well.) He took on more work than he should have, and his 2nd crew is not doing the quality of work he needs them to. We couldn't go with anyone else, because we would have had to start over with the bank and bids. (It took us 6 weeks for them to figure out bank documents.) We couldn't take the permit ourselves, because we don't have the experience to know what we are doing, and the housing boom is picking up again, and we would be waiting on a new framer for 6 weeks. We were between a rock and a hard place. So, we waited as the good weather slipped through our fingers. This week, after work, Greg has been helping them frame up the basement interior walls and put in the floor joists. Today they are working on upstairs walls. It feels so good to be making progress again. Greg and I have been picking out all kinds of things for our home. We have designed our kitchen cabinets, and explored tile options. I am so glad we have similar tastes, alternate priorities, and good communication skills. (He has strong opinions about things I don't, and he doesn't have strong opinions about things I do.) So far, so good.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
While I have a minute....
My life has changed so much, I don't quite know where to begin.
I had a great summer. It was so relaxing. I didn't take any college classes, or take on any big projects. I just concentrated on enjoying the moments and remembering what it felt like before I started work as a teacher. I played with my kids, took them to the library, and cleaned the house. I rode my bike with Greg regularly, and both of us lost a few pounds. We went to Derek's wedding festivities and spent the rest of the summer camping and riding dirtbikes. Only occasionally did we go boating this year, but enough to get our fix. We didn't have the water this year to do a lot of the things we enjoyed like jumping off the bridge, as those who maintain the reservoir are trying to release enough water to make repairs on the dam.
We have been living in Grandma Grover's OLD house. It definitely has character. The grounds are huge, and it has been a large undertaking to keep them up. We did some weed spraying, cleanup, and generally tried to make the job easier. Greg's dad has been generous to loan his lawnmower to us, which makes the job a little less time consuming. We have enjoyed having mules in our backyard to eat fallen apples and any branches that fell on the lawn. They are quite a friendly trio and follow us as we walk across the field to the garden, or just want to hitch up to go camping. We have had a HUGE lawn, and lots of shade trees which has made the transition easier from our old house on 100N. However, this makes squirrel hunting a bit of a challenge. (There are still a few left, as they have learned to listen to the opening doors, and climb up the trees faster then I can get outside.) I am slowly decimating the population. Inside the house, there is no dishwasher, the ground slopes all over the place, and the climate changes as you walk up the stairs. It is really hot up there in the summer, and a little frigid as we go into fall. It is a small space, and we will be glad when we have a little more room. For right now, we are learning to get along.
We are right next to Grandma & Grandpa Grover as well, so we can walk to family dinner, or visit whenever we need to. We planted a garden with them this year. Dad and Greg did the soil prep, and planted the seeds. The kids and I spent much of our time weeding and harvesting. It turned out to be a beneficial arrangement for both of us. Now, much of what is left has been put in the root cellar at Grandma Grover's OLD house.
While I was busily setting up my new classroom at Farnsworth Elementary, and adapting a middle school for elementary use, Greg took the kids up camping for Labor Day weekend. Their first ride out, Greg met up with his buddy, Kenny Koster, and their family. Jacob ended up with a broken arm after trying to ride through a ditch while he followed his father. This started quite the ordeal. His arm was set at the emergency room at the hospital, but he was not put in capable hands there. When we went in to get a hard cast on Tuesday, our regular doctor would not do it, because after x-rays, his arm was 30 degrees out of alignment. We were sent to a specialist, an orthopedic surgeon. He tried to set it with the tools he had in his office. He got it down to 15 degrees out of alignment. Both times Jacob was in a lot of pain. It was decided he would have surgery during the first day of school. So, with a continuous x-ray, his arm was set in a surgical center by the specialist. He was put in a splint, with pins to keep his bones in place. Currently, he has only had a hard, florescent orange cast for 2-1/2 weeks. He hopes to get it off on Tuesday. Of course, he broke his left arm, the one he writes with. School has been a challenge for him.
My transition at work was difficult to say the least. With a new school to set up, there has been tons of changes, to find ways to have the school run efficiently. I have a partner I teach with. She is teaching Math to both her class and mine. I signed up for a challenge. (I don't know why I do this to myself.) I am teaching Reading, Language Arts, and Spelling in an hour and a half to both her class and mine. So, I have three grades to keep track of for about 50 students. In addition I am grade co-chair, which means I have extra meetings to attend, and responsibilities to coordinate with other teachers, and help them with their educational needs. I thought it would be a nightmare, but it has turned out to be a cooperative. I have a teacher I work with, who teaches the same way I do, and we are collaborating on lesson plans for Reading and Spelling, which helps me with my load. The atmosphere is comfortable and helpful, a drastic change from my previous working environment. It has taken a lot of time to get to where we are now, as far as organization and established procedures, but the benefits are awesome. I love my class of kids. Either I am a better teacher, or they are just a great group of kids. Each is unique, but as a whole, they are hard workers.
I had a great summer. It was so relaxing. I didn't take any college classes, or take on any big projects. I just concentrated on enjoying the moments and remembering what it felt like before I started work as a teacher. I played with my kids, took them to the library, and cleaned the house. I rode my bike with Greg regularly, and both of us lost a few pounds. We went to Derek's wedding festivities and spent the rest of the summer camping and riding dirtbikes. Only occasionally did we go boating this year, but enough to get our fix. We didn't have the water this year to do a lot of the things we enjoyed like jumping off the bridge, as those who maintain the reservoir are trying to release enough water to make repairs on the dam.
We have been living in Grandma Grover's OLD house. It definitely has character. The grounds are huge, and it has been a large undertaking to keep them up. We did some weed spraying, cleanup, and generally tried to make the job easier. Greg's dad has been generous to loan his lawnmower to us, which makes the job a little less time consuming. We have enjoyed having mules in our backyard to eat fallen apples and any branches that fell on the lawn. They are quite a friendly trio and follow us as we walk across the field to the garden, or just want to hitch up to go camping. We have had a HUGE lawn, and lots of shade trees which has made the transition easier from our old house on 100N. However, this makes squirrel hunting a bit of a challenge. (There are still a few left, as they have learned to listen to the opening doors, and climb up the trees faster then I can get outside.) I am slowly decimating the population. Inside the house, there is no dishwasher, the ground slopes all over the place, and the climate changes as you walk up the stairs. It is really hot up there in the summer, and a little frigid as we go into fall. It is a small space, and we will be glad when we have a little more room. For right now, we are learning to get along.
We are right next to Grandma & Grandpa Grover as well, so we can walk to family dinner, or visit whenever we need to. We planted a garden with them this year. Dad and Greg did the soil prep, and planted the seeds. The kids and I spent much of our time weeding and harvesting. It turned out to be a beneficial arrangement for both of us. Now, much of what is left has been put in the root cellar at Grandma Grover's OLD house.
While I was busily setting up my new classroom at Farnsworth Elementary, and adapting a middle school for elementary use, Greg took the kids up camping for Labor Day weekend. Their first ride out, Greg met up with his buddy, Kenny Koster, and their family. Jacob ended up with a broken arm after trying to ride through a ditch while he followed his father. This started quite the ordeal. His arm was set at the emergency room at the hospital, but he was not put in capable hands there. When we went in to get a hard cast on Tuesday, our regular doctor would not do it, because after x-rays, his arm was 30 degrees out of alignment. We were sent to a specialist, an orthopedic surgeon. He tried to set it with the tools he had in his office. He got it down to 15 degrees out of alignment. Both times Jacob was in a lot of pain. It was decided he would have surgery during the first day of school. So, with a continuous x-ray, his arm was set in a surgical center by the specialist. He was put in a splint, with pins to keep his bones in place. Currently, he has only had a hard, florescent orange cast for 2-1/2 weeks. He hopes to get it off on Tuesday. Of course, he broke his left arm, the one he writes with. School has been a challenge for him.
My transition at work was difficult to say the least. With a new school to set up, there has been tons of changes, to find ways to have the school run efficiently. I have a partner I teach with. She is teaching Math to both her class and mine. I signed up for a challenge. (I don't know why I do this to myself.) I am teaching Reading, Language Arts, and Spelling in an hour and a half to both her class and mine. So, I have three grades to keep track of for about 50 students. In addition I am grade co-chair, which means I have extra meetings to attend, and responsibilities to coordinate with other teachers, and help them with their educational needs. I thought it would be a nightmare, but it has turned out to be a cooperative. I have a teacher I work with, who teaches the same way I do, and we are collaborating on lesson plans for Reading and Spelling, which helps me with my load. The atmosphere is comfortable and helpful, a drastic change from my previous working environment. It has taken a lot of time to get to where we are now, as far as organization and established procedures, but the benefits are awesome. I love my class of kids. Either I am a better teacher, or they are just a great group of kids. Each is unique, but as a whole, they are hard workers.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Time for a little R & R
Well, we made it to summer! Yea! The month or so leading up to it was a challenge for sure.
~I made it through state testing along with my students. They showed progress and growth which is the ultimate goal. Despite the pressure at work, and the friction with the rest of the 4th grade team, we showed we can persevere and succeed. I had second thoughts at one point, thinking I could stay in this position for another year. I originally was told that SFE was losing a 4th grade teacher due to the number of students who would leave the school as the district shifted into the new high school. Then, the principal decided that would still make class sizes too large. A 4th grade position opened up at SFE. I even went so far as to ask for the 4th grade position. However, I was told that I have been assigned to the new 3-5 school. They need me there as a 4th grade team leader. A teacher and I share the administrative responsibilities. I am still not sure how I feel about this as it will mean more work. Altogether there are 7 4th grade teachers in this school working together. I am hoping for the best! Already, I am feeling like the change will be a good thing. The 3 ladies I am leaving were the nicest toward the end, offering me words of encouragement, and giving me a plant, etc.
~I made it to Idaho History day or Mountain Man Rendezvous as it is called here. Last year, I couldn't make it due to cortizone shots in my feet. However, this year was a lot of fun. We listened to mountain men describe the things they needed to know to survive. The kids played some pioneer games, and some of the girls were able to grind some corn using Indian tools. It was a nice day, a rarity for this event, I am told.
~Jacob turned another year older. We were really scrambling as his birthday approached to finish off the last requirements for his "Arrow of Light" and his "Webelos" badge. We made it, though. He showed up at pack meeting, and received a ton of badges to sew on the uniform he will no longer wear. One advantage is that he can wear the "Arrow of Light" on his new uniform. He received a whole grocery bag full of candy bars, all of them with cute messages that talked about what Jacob learned throughout his Cub Scout program. He didn't really know what he wanted for his birthday, and we were so busy, which I will describe later, that he didn't have a huge ordeal. We took him to an archery range, and he tried out numerous bows, learning the technique that is associated with them. This is his new aspiration. His last one was the drum set that sits the majority of the time, so we were not anxious to jump into another large purchase without some ground work first. He ended up with a tent, and some ground pads. His new scout group camps three times a year. The first was the weekend of June 1st. He and his dad enjoyed the outing.
~The first Saturday of May, in the evening, we received an offer on our house. We put our house up for sale in January, so I thought this was a long time coming. On Sunday we counter-offered, and on Monday, we received an acceptable offer. The offer stated that the family buying our home wanted to close on the 15th of May. This gave us two weeks to pack up and move out. Greg and I both work, so this sent us into a frantic pace. We packed every chance we could. The weekend before the close date, the buyers pushed the date to May 28th, giving us another weekend and then our Memorial campout. Greg received permission to rent Grandma Grover's house, (vacant for 5 years); she died about a year ago. This caused a bit of friction between all of her children. There are still some sore feelings. I am just grateful we have somewhere to live. It is a really old farmhouse: no dishwasher, slanted floors, old windows, a beautiful yard, and it is a smaller house than what we were previously living in. It has character. We are adapting and learning to live with less "things."
~We found land that offered a better situation than what we left. I wanted more country living. Greg wanted to have natural gas to heat with. We had to compromise, and ended up just a couple of miles away in a less-populated subdivision. We played the offer/counter-offer game, to come to a price we could live with. Long story short, we closed on the house and bought the land outright on the same day. We have been working on house plans the duration of time our house was on the market. Our plans ended up to be larger than we had originally planned. However, we couldn't find a place to limit the square footage and keep the design of the house. So, we are just waiting for the bank to run through the financing end of things to begin construction.
~We went camping Memorial weekend out to the desert, and it was half-way descent. We rode without the weather raining on us. At one point, we rode through fields of yellow and purple flowers out in the middle of the desert. This is a new phenomena. We saw elk, a deer, and a horny toad. We played in the sand as if we were on the beach, resulting in sun-tans and sun-burns. We visited with extended family, camping side-by-side, because this is the only way to do it. I have learned, however, that this is not common to many families besides ours. (I think this is a product of Grandma Mason and her kids.) Whatever the reason, we love the tradition.
~I finished up work for the year, said good-bye to my students (heartbreaking), and then packed up my classroom. My family helped me finish the job up, and I said good-bye to the school I have loved. This has opened up a ton of freedom (rest & relaxation) to which we are all adjusting. I think it has been hardest on Greg, because he still has to work. We are working out the kinks.
~Rebekah has started driver's education. She finished school only to start again. She has homework to do each night, and she begins her drives next week. We are told she is not to critique her parents' driving, which is a blessing in disguise. It is hard to believe we have a child old enough to be driving. It is a reminder that time is passing, and changes continue to happen.
News: Derek is married at the end of this month. We welcome a new sister-in-law. Congratulations!
Sarah & Ryan are welcoming a new baby into their family.
.......And that is all for now. Have a great week!
~I made it through state testing along with my students. They showed progress and growth which is the ultimate goal. Despite the pressure at work, and the friction with the rest of the 4th grade team, we showed we can persevere and succeed. I had second thoughts at one point, thinking I could stay in this position for another year. I originally was told that SFE was losing a 4th grade teacher due to the number of students who would leave the school as the district shifted into the new high school. Then, the principal decided that would still make class sizes too large. A 4th grade position opened up at SFE. I even went so far as to ask for the 4th grade position. However, I was told that I have been assigned to the new 3-5 school. They need me there as a 4th grade team leader. A teacher and I share the administrative responsibilities. I am still not sure how I feel about this as it will mean more work. Altogether there are 7 4th grade teachers in this school working together. I am hoping for the best! Already, I am feeling like the change will be a good thing. The 3 ladies I am leaving were the nicest toward the end, offering me words of encouragement, and giving me a plant, etc.
~I made it to Idaho History day or Mountain Man Rendezvous as it is called here. Last year, I couldn't make it due to cortizone shots in my feet. However, this year was a lot of fun. We listened to mountain men describe the things they needed to know to survive. The kids played some pioneer games, and some of the girls were able to grind some corn using Indian tools. It was a nice day, a rarity for this event, I am told.
~Jacob turned another year older. We were really scrambling as his birthday approached to finish off the last requirements for his "Arrow of Light" and his "Webelos" badge. We made it, though. He showed up at pack meeting, and received a ton of badges to sew on the uniform he will no longer wear. One advantage is that he can wear the "Arrow of Light" on his new uniform. He received a whole grocery bag full of candy bars, all of them with cute messages that talked about what Jacob learned throughout his Cub Scout program. He didn't really know what he wanted for his birthday, and we were so busy, which I will describe later, that he didn't have a huge ordeal. We took him to an archery range, and he tried out numerous bows, learning the technique that is associated with them. This is his new aspiration. His last one was the drum set that sits the majority of the time, so we were not anxious to jump into another large purchase without some ground work first. He ended up with a tent, and some ground pads. His new scout group camps three times a year. The first was the weekend of June 1st. He and his dad enjoyed the outing.
~The first Saturday of May, in the evening, we received an offer on our house. We put our house up for sale in January, so I thought this was a long time coming. On Sunday we counter-offered, and on Monday, we received an acceptable offer. The offer stated that the family buying our home wanted to close on the 15th of May. This gave us two weeks to pack up and move out. Greg and I both work, so this sent us into a frantic pace. We packed every chance we could. The weekend before the close date, the buyers pushed the date to May 28th, giving us another weekend and then our Memorial campout. Greg received permission to rent Grandma Grover's house, (vacant for 5 years); she died about a year ago. This caused a bit of friction between all of her children. There are still some sore feelings. I am just grateful we have somewhere to live. It is a really old farmhouse: no dishwasher, slanted floors, old windows, a beautiful yard, and it is a smaller house than what we were previously living in. It has character. We are adapting and learning to live with less "things."
~We found land that offered a better situation than what we left. I wanted more country living. Greg wanted to have natural gas to heat with. We had to compromise, and ended up just a couple of miles away in a less-populated subdivision. We played the offer/counter-offer game, to come to a price we could live with. Long story short, we closed on the house and bought the land outright on the same day. We have been working on house plans the duration of time our house was on the market. Our plans ended up to be larger than we had originally planned. However, we couldn't find a place to limit the square footage and keep the design of the house. So, we are just waiting for the bank to run through the financing end of things to begin construction.
~We went camping Memorial weekend out to the desert, and it was half-way descent. We rode without the weather raining on us. At one point, we rode through fields of yellow and purple flowers out in the middle of the desert. This is a new phenomena. We saw elk, a deer, and a horny toad. We played in the sand as if we were on the beach, resulting in sun-tans and sun-burns. We visited with extended family, camping side-by-side, because this is the only way to do it. I have learned, however, that this is not common to many families besides ours. (I think this is a product of Grandma Mason and her kids.) Whatever the reason, we love the tradition.
~I finished up work for the year, said good-bye to my students (heartbreaking), and then packed up my classroom. My family helped me finish the job up, and I said good-bye to the school I have loved. This has opened up a ton of freedom (rest & relaxation) to which we are all adjusting. I think it has been hardest on Greg, because he still has to work. We are working out the kinks.
~Rebekah has started driver's education. She finished school only to start again. She has homework to do each night, and she begins her drives next week. We are told she is not to critique her parents' driving, which is a blessing in disguise. It is hard to believe we have a child old enough to be driving. It is a reminder that time is passing, and changes continue to happen.
News: Derek is married at the end of this month. We welcome a new sister-in-law. Congratulations!
Sarah & Ryan are welcoming a new baby into their family.
.......And that is all for now. Have a great week!
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Behind Again
O.K. So November to April? Could I possibly remember what has happened in the last 5 months? Obviously, I was too busy to write about my life.
Rachel grew another year older. In celebration, the girl who has had perfect attendance every year, cut school, with her mother's blessing. Her father took the day off, and pampered her to the fullest. She chose all the activities. She watched a movie at the theater with him, "Wreck it Ralph," ate tons of yummy food, and enjoyed every minute of her day off. The only negative comment I heard was: Now, I have to make up my schoolwork.
I have been in limbo with my job. I didn't know what grade I would be teaching next year. I didn't know what room I would be in. I know I have not been happy with my current situation, but not knowing what is to come has been difficult. Just recently, I learned I will be in the 4th grade in the old middle school. I have been impressed with the new team I will be working with. I don't know if it is too early to tell, and we are on our best behavior, or if I have found where I am meant to be. It seems they are willing to teach and work together with one another.
School district budget meetings have made teaching a dismal career. Everyone has been on pins and needles to see what the state legislature will do. Sounds like a supplemental levy is in the near future. Teachers are planning early retirement and many are looking for jobs in another state. Just when you thought things couldn't get worse..... We will have to see what happens. I feel like the district has been fiscally responsible. It is up to the community to determine what they will support. A few of the meetings have caused me to take a stand for the sake of education and best practice.
The water board had to call an emergency meeting to vote on a new president. I am to remain as secretary. I have had to work with him to get all of the accounts changed over. It has been a long, educational process. A new account has been opened and updated with the appropriate information, and we are wiser.
In January, we put our house up for sale. So far, no one has made an offer. I used to stress about it. In fact, we have been trying to leave the house each morning ready to show. Result: Our house is cleaner. We have been scouring the internet for house plans that will fit our needs. We hired a drafter; crazy, right? Since both of us graduated in design and drafting. What does this amount to? Picky designers. We finally settled on a plan, but as I look at the houses available, I find bits and pieces of them I like. I just can't get one with everything, and have it consume natural gas (Greg's specification). So, we are planning on building. I think it will be a long, tough road, with tons of decisions.
Rebekah participated in a play with a whole bunch of lines this time. She was an old lady in a nursing home. She is becoming quite the actress. Both she and Rachel have been called to their church class presidencies. Jacob is coming up on his birthday, and is about to graduate into new scouts ( at least I think that is what is called).
Our tarantula is a SHE! She surprised us in January by making an egg sac. We used to have two; came home and caught them wrestling. I don't know how she got in the other side. She must be related to Houdini. Long story short, we are trying to harvest tarantula eggs. You heard right, and yes we are a bit crazy. :D
We made a trip to Mesquite, Nevada, thanks to Karl and Mom's planning. They found a beautiful home to rent that met our needs and then some. Dad went with us this time. Greg didn't disappoint; he pressed our boundaries and took us to places we have never been before (and won't be traveling again). At one point, we thought we would never get down to the valley floor after a long, steep descent. Karl's and Mom's family didn't seem to mind since they both rented Razers, little cars to drive on the trails. Tecia got some great pictures, and we made some memories. They let our family take them out for a spin on the sand dunes in the Valley of Fire. We had a blast with the kids yelling for more! We were worn out after our 4 day vacation, however, we were blessed with a couple days to recoupe before heading back to school.
State testing is just around the corner, and I am a little worried, but hoping for the best.
Derek is getting married. Yikes! Hooray!
We are preparing for Rebekah's drivers' ed. coming up. Greg just purchased a car that needs work.
We had to buy a new freezer, because ours suddenly stopped working, resulting in raspberry syrup all over the bottom of the freezer.
We are taking life day-by-day. Love to you all!
Rachel grew another year older. In celebration, the girl who has had perfect attendance every year, cut school, with her mother's blessing. Her father took the day off, and pampered her to the fullest. She chose all the activities. She watched a movie at the theater with him, "Wreck it Ralph," ate tons of yummy food, and enjoyed every minute of her day off. The only negative comment I heard was: Now, I have to make up my schoolwork.
I have been in limbo with my job. I didn't know what grade I would be teaching next year. I didn't know what room I would be in. I know I have not been happy with my current situation, but not knowing what is to come has been difficult. Just recently, I learned I will be in the 4th grade in the old middle school. I have been impressed with the new team I will be working with. I don't know if it is too early to tell, and we are on our best behavior, or if I have found where I am meant to be. It seems they are willing to teach and work together with one another.
School district budget meetings have made teaching a dismal career. Everyone has been on pins and needles to see what the state legislature will do. Sounds like a supplemental levy is in the near future. Teachers are planning early retirement and many are looking for jobs in another state. Just when you thought things couldn't get worse..... We will have to see what happens. I feel like the district has been fiscally responsible. It is up to the community to determine what they will support. A few of the meetings have caused me to take a stand for the sake of education and best practice.
The water board had to call an emergency meeting to vote on a new president. I am to remain as secretary. I have had to work with him to get all of the accounts changed over. It has been a long, educational process. A new account has been opened and updated with the appropriate information, and we are wiser.
In January, we put our house up for sale. So far, no one has made an offer. I used to stress about it. In fact, we have been trying to leave the house each morning ready to show. Result: Our house is cleaner. We have been scouring the internet for house plans that will fit our needs. We hired a drafter; crazy, right? Since both of us graduated in design and drafting. What does this amount to? Picky designers. We finally settled on a plan, but as I look at the houses available, I find bits and pieces of them I like. I just can't get one with everything, and have it consume natural gas (Greg's specification). So, we are planning on building. I think it will be a long, tough road, with tons of decisions.
Rebekah participated in a play with a whole bunch of lines this time. She was an old lady in a nursing home. She is becoming quite the actress. Both she and Rachel have been called to their church class presidencies. Jacob is coming up on his birthday, and is about to graduate into new scouts ( at least I think that is what is called).
Our tarantula is a SHE! She surprised us in January by making an egg sac. We used to have two; came home and caught them wrestling. I don't know how she got in the other side. She must be related to Houdini. Long story short, we are trying to harvest tarantula eggs. You heard right, and yes we are a bit crazy. :D
We made a trip to Mesquite, Nevada, thanks to Karl and Mom's planning. They found a beautiful home to rent that met our needs and then some. Dad went with us this time. Greg didn't disappoint; he pressed our boundaries and took us to places we have never been before (and won't be traveling again). At one point, we thought we would never get down to the valley floor after a long, steep descent. Karl's and Mom's family didn't seem to mind since they both rented Razers, little cars to drive on the trails. Tecia got some great pictures, and we made some memories. They let our family take them out for a spin on the sand dunes in the Valley of Fire. We had a blast with the kids yelling for more! We were worn out after our 4 day vacation, however, we were blessed with a couple days to recoupe before heading back to school.
State testing is just around the corner, and I am a little worried, but hoping for the best.
Derek is getting married. Yikes! Hooray!
We are preparing for Rebekah's drivers' ed. coming up. Greg just purchased a car that needs work.
We had to buy a new freezer, because ours suddenly stopped working, resulting in raspberry syrup all over the bottom of the freezer.
We are taking life day-by-day. Love to you all!
Monday, November 12, 2012
Catching up
I really have my work cut out for me this year. I felt more prepared. I had a year of teaching under my belt, and had a better idea what I wanted to do. I have had the confidence to venture out on my own to find what works best for me when it comes to lesson planning and pacing. However, this year has been very challenging so far. My students this year have severe behavior problems due to lack of structure in previous grades. On top of that, I have learning challenges that come with a normal set of classroom students. Then, my health has not been the best. Add it all up, and I am overwhelmed much of the time, and hoping that I help prepare these kids for 5th grade. Right now, the plan is "survival."
I went to visit a naturepath doctor due to promptings from Greg. I about fell asleep in the examination room. He comes in, administers some tests. I didn't tell him much of anything.
Then, he proceeded to ask me, "Which one of them did this to you?"
To which I responded, "Which one of what?"
"Which child?"
"I am afraid you will have to be more specific."
He told me that my symptoms are common to a crash in the pituitary gland that results from a strenuous child birth. However, many of my struggles happened after Rachel was born, and I remember severe baby blues. Tons of symptoms that I have thought are normal were listed by this doctor, all resulting from this problem. He said that other problems could be masked by this gland, but that we would not know until it was functioning properly. I was at 20%. He said he had seen worse. Many people come in so sick that they have been brought in on a gurney. Thankfully, that was not me. He prescribed me some natural medicines, and scheduled me for another visit. My pituitary gland is functioning well now, but a problem was unmasked. My antibodies are fighting against my good cells. This has resulted in mood swings and fatigue, but it is manageable. I am wondering what I will feel like when I am well. I have lost the feeling of "pushing myself to always overachieve, to do everything right." It is a little disconcerting. I am not sure who I am some of the time, and I am struggle to find a balance that will make me happy.
Our children are excelling. I am so proud of them. Of course, Rebekah has her piano, but is doing wonderfully in school. She is becoming a social butterfly, but seems to have her head squarely on her shoulders. She spends her time looking up new hairstyles for me to try in her hair. Rachel is writing up a storm. She keeps us entertained with her stories. She loves to be in the kitchen helping cook, and we would be starving during lunch without her. She has done the majority of the planning for cold lunches for Mom and all the kids on their hot lunch budget. Now, all the kids have to help out in the morning to prepare for the day. Jacob is doing very well in school, and is still making friends everywhere he goes. (I think this comes from his grandpa S.) He is in to airsoft guns, and joins the neighborhood boys often to have wars. They schedule them and invite everyone to come.
Greg has purchased a new dirtbike, and in his efforts to have a good time, has crashed yet again. He sliced his arm open, and then asks me to clean and bandage it up. (Needless to say, this is not my favorite activity, but seems to happen more often than I would like.) He says he has bent the radiator on his bike, and might need a new one. I think I have heard this somewhere before. He has done a lot of the negotiating with the insurance companies, scheduling of contractors, and rebuilding. He held his ground, and we were blessed by the decisions he made. We now have a new section of fence, a new tree where a couple of pine trees once stood, and the siding on one end of the house has been replaced. It was a lot of work, but we are happy with the results.
And, the neighbors are starting to rebuild as well. They were blessed with good weather to get their concrete in. Miracles happen every day.
I went to visit a naturepath doctor due to promptings from Greg. I about fell asleep in the examination room. He comes in, administers some tests. I didn't tell him much of anything.
Then, he proceeded to ask me, "Which one of them did this to you?"
To which I responded, "Which one of what?"
"Which child?"
"I am afraid you will have to be more specific."
He told me that my symptoms are common to a crash in the pituitary gland that results from a strenuous child birth. However, many of my struggles happened after Rachel was born, and I remember severe baby blues. Tons of symptoms that I have thought are normal were listed by this doctor, all resulting from this problem. He said that other problems could be masked by this gland, but that we would not know until it was functioning properly. I was at 20%. He said he had seen worse. Many people come in so sick that they have been brought in on a gurney. Thankfully, that was not me. He prescribed me some natural medicines, and scheduled me for another visit. My pituitary gland is functioning well now, but a problem was unmasked. My antibodies are fighting against my good cells. This has resulted in mood swings and fatigue, but it is manageable. I am wondering what I will feel like when I am well. I have lost the feeling of "pushing myself to always overachieve, to do everything right." It is a little disconcerting. I am not sure who I am some of the time, and I am struggle to find a balance that will make me happy.
Our children are excelling. I am so proud of them. Of course, Rebekah has her piano, but is doing wonderfully in school. She is becoming a social butterfly, but seems to have her head squarely on her shoulders. She spends her time looking up new hairstyles for me to try in her hair. Rachel is writing up a storm. She keeps us entertained with her stories. She loves to be in the kitchen helping cook, and we would be starving during lunch without her. She has done the majority of the planning for cold lunches for Mom and all the kids on their hot lunch budget. Now, all the kids have to help out in the morning to prepare for the day. Jacob is doing very well in school, and is still making friends everywhere he goes. (I think this comes from his grandpa S.) He is in to airsoft guns, and joins the neighborhood boys often to have wars. They schedule them and invite everyone to come.
Greg has purchased a new dirtbike, and in his efforts to have a good time, has crashed yet again. He sliced his arm open, and then asks me to clean and bandage it up. (Needless to say, this is not my favorite activity, but seems to happen more often than I would like.) He says he has bent the radiator on his bike, and might need a new one. I think I have heard this somewhere before. He has done a lot of the negotiating with the insurance companies, scheduling of contractors, and rebuilding. He held his ground, and we were blessed by the decisions he made. We now have a new section of fence, a new tree where a couple of pine trees once stood, and the siding on one end of the house has been replaced. It was a lot of work, but we are happy with the results.
And, the neighbors are starting to rebuild as well. They were blessed with good weather to get their concrete in. Miracles happen every day.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Refiner's Fire.....Literally
We had an enjoyable summer. It went much too quickly, though. Once school time hits, I don't think I stop to take a breath. You would think being a teacher would be....easier. Not for me. I am always trying to be better, do more, and follow through. I have been so overloaded lately, I have been trying to figure out what I can give up. Where is the BALANCE I long for continuously? How do people stay so long in this profession? But, it is not just school that is throwing me for a loop, we have been hit time after time, and I have been in survival mode.
My kids and I went to visit Chelsea and her family for a week in August. We drove across central Idaho despite the fires that have been burning there. Our kids had a ball, playing together, watching movies, and just being together. We even watched Cameron win a baseball game.
We faced a forest fire. That's right! One of the first days we were there, Chelsea had scheduled us to watch an outdoor show. We were to feed the cast as our fee. I packed our outdoor cooking gear, and we headed to Garden Valley. However, about 12 miles from the theater, we were stopped and couldn't go any further due to the threat of a fire coming over the ridge. So, we drove down the road a little ways, and the kids and I waded in the water, and played on a sand bar. An hour or so later, the road was opened for a short time. As a caravan, we drove past blackened hillsides, soot covered firefighters, and charred trees. Due to our late arrival, we were forced to feed the cast after the performance. Believe it or not, people still came to fill the theater. It was a play based on "Cinderella." The two girls that played the stepsisters were a riot. They truly put their talents into their roles. We were laughing at the ruckus they made, fighting together. At the end of the performance, the manager of the establishment stood on stage to tell us our way home was blocked, because of the movement of the fire. We fed the cast, cleaned up our tools, and loaded up our families. We waited; the policeman decided it was safe enough to get through. The only caravan that went home through the 12 mile pass, was ours. The others had to take a long detour on gravel roads. Driving through that canyon was surreal. Fire was burning all around us. Right up next to the road trees were ablaze. Across the hillsides around us, we could see burning fire lines. The sound, smoke, and light of the fire testified of its true presence. It was an amazing adventure! One that would prepare me for what was to come.
Chelsea, our kids, and I visited a Science exploratory museum, after we had a picnic with the ducks. It was full of fun Science experiments of sound, wind, water, and electricity. There were puzzles of patterns to solve, and exhibits based on things we see all around us. We made huge bubbles, played with wind tunnels, and explored the world of televisions with a green screen.
We swam at a local swimming hole where Nicole and her kids joined in on the fun. The pool was complete with a waterslide which we wore out. The swimming pool was shallow enough that many of our kids could have a great time as well as the parents.
My kids and I visited the capitol grounds, and we floated down the Boise River. Brrr! Thanks to Cameron's parents for lending us some tubes for the float. We found the park thanks to some good directions. Then, we had to fill the tubes and put on our "wet" clothes. I wish we would have known to pay for our bus ride back at the starting point. We floated for a couple of hours. People joined us, floated past, and we worked together to stay together and to keep from getting caught in the vegetation along the edges. We floated under bridges and past many buildings. We were pretty wet and tired when we finally reached our destination. A kind-hearted bus driver granted us a ride back to our car. Then, we drove back to Chelsea's.
We went to celebrate Riley's baptism. We played at a reservoir, ate some great food, and visited with Chelsea's friends and family. The baptism was nice, and my kids were worn out when the time finally arrived. Riley was glowing. We could tell he was happy about his decision to be baptized. Avery was our pal for the week. She always wanted to "ride with the girls." She would watch movies, Rachel would read to her, or they would color, etc. Sometimes, we tried to get her to take a nap. Having cousins there threw off her schedule.Jacob was happy to ride with the boys. He even went to scouts with Riley for the first time.
On the way home, we stopped at historical sites important to Idaho. It broke up the trip a bit.
Both girls attended girls camp, made some memories, and had a great time. They are really good sports!
Just before the first day of school, I was making a grocery list. I went outside to check the camper for any groceries needed, when I heard the SNAP! CRACKLE! roar of a fire. The neighbors' garage was on fire. Smoke was billowing out the open door. I ran to see over the fence, then made some quick decisions. I wanted my family safe if the fire moved towards my home. I ran inside, shouted to my kids to get out of the house. (They were watching a movie.) They moved immediately, barefoot, in pajamas, out to the trailer in the back field. From there, they watched the events unfold. I called 911. I went back to the house to spray water on the side of it in case of sparks. The heat was intense. I prayed the firefighters would arrive soon. The chief of police kept checking the temperature of the wall of my house closest to the fire to see if heat was coming through. The temperature did not rise. I waited at a moments notice to begin packing things out of the house. However, I never felt the need. Outside, a horse trailer parked near our pine trees was burning. The pine trees caught fire, and just in time, the fire trucks arrived. Moments later, and our house would have been lost. The much needed water started to calm the flames. The siding on my house stretched and melted. The grass was black. Plastic slats in the chain link fence lay in a crumpled heap on the ground. Water drenched everything. The neighbors lost everything. The only thing that mattered. The only thing they saved, were there three small children. When her husband and mine arrived after being out to the site, all they could do was cope. There was nothing left of their house. Ours could be rebuilt, and we would do all we could to help our neighbors rebuild their lives.
We learned a valuable lesson. Always be prepared. Due to our husband's large size, we would have grabbed their clothing. I would have grabbed the school supplies, and newly bought school clothes. And, I would grab the pictures, computer, and camera. Everything else can be replaced. Our cars and camper would have survived so we would have had a place to live if we needed it.
I truly believe the angels of heaven shielded our home from the blaze. It is truly a miracle.
My kids and I went to visit Chelsea and her family for a week in August. We drove across central Idaho despite the fires that have been burning there. Our kids had a ball, playing together, watching movies, and just being together. We even watched Cameron win a baseball game.
We faced a forest fire. That's right! One of the first days we were there, Chelsea had scheduled us to watch an outdoor show. We were to feed the cast as our fee. I packed our outdoor cooking gear, and we headed to Garden Valley. However, about 12 miles from the theater, we were stopped and couldn't go any further due to the threat of a fire coming over the ridge. So, we drove down the road a little ways, and the kids and I waded in the water, and played on a sand bar. An hour or so later, the road was opened for a short time. As a caravan, we drove past blackened hillsides, soot covered firefighters, and charred trees. Due to our late arrival, we were forced to feed the cast after the performance. Believe it or not, people still came to fill the theater. It was a play based on "Cinderella." The two girls that played the stepsisters were a riot. They truly put their talents into their roles. We were laughing at the ruckus they made, fighting together. At the end of the performance, the manager of the establishment stood on stage to tell us our way home was blocked, because of the movement of the fire. We fed the cast, cleaned up our tools, and loaded up our families. We waited; the policeman decided it was safe enough to get through. The only caravan that went home through the 12 mile pass, was ours. The others had to take a long detour on gravel roads. Driving through that canyon was surreal. Fire was burning all around us. Right up next to the road trees were ablaze. Across the hillsides around us, we could see burning fire lines. The sound, smoke, and light of the fire testified of its true presence. It was an amazing adventure! One that would prepare me for what was to come.
Chelsea, our kids, and I visited a Science exploratory museum, after we had a picnic with the ducks. It was full of fun Science experiments of sound, wind, water, and electricity. There were puzzles of patterns to solve, and exhibits based on things we see all around us. We made huge bubbles, played with wind tunnels, and explored the world of televisions with a green screen.
We swam at a local swimming hole where Nicole and her kids joined in on the fun. The pool was complete with a waterslide which we wore out. The swimming pool was shallow enough that many of our kids could have a great time as well as the parents.
My kids and I visited the capitol grounds, and we floated down the Boise River. Brrr! Thanks to Cameron's parents for lending us some tubes for the float. We found the park thanks to some good directions. Then, we had to fill the tubes and put on our "wet" clothes. I wish we would have known to pay for our bus ride back at the starting point. We floated for a couple of hours. People joined us, floated past, and we worked together to stay together and to keep from getting caught in the vegetation along the edges. We floated under bridges and past many buildings. We were pretty wet and tired when we finally reached our destination. A kind-hearted bus driver granted us a ride back to our car. Then, we drove back to Chelsea's.
We went to celebrate Riley's baptism. We played at a reservoir, ate some great food, and visited with Chelsea's friends and family. The baptism was nice, and my kids were worn out when the time finally arrived. Riley was glowing. We could tell he was happy about his decision to be baptized. Avery was our pal for the week. She always wanted to "ride with the girls." She would watch movies, Rachel would read to her, or they would color, etc. Sometimes, we tried to get her to take a nap. Having cousins there threw off her schedule.Jacob was happy to ride with the boys. He even went to scouts with Riley for the first time.
On the way home, we stopped at historical sites important to Idaho. It broke up the trip a bit.
Both girls attended girls camp, made some memories, and had a great time. They are really good sports!
Just before the first day of school, I was making a grocery list. I went outside to check the camper for any groceries needed, when I heard the SNAP! CRACKLE! roar of a fire. The neighbors' garage was on fire. Smoke was billowing out the open door. I ran to see over the fence, then made some quick decisions. I wanted my family safe if the fire moved towards my home. I ran inside, shouted to my kids to get out of the house. (They were watching a movie.) They moved immediately, barefoot, in pajamas, out to the trailer in the back field. From there, they watched the events unfold. I called 911. I went back to the house to spray water on the side of it in case of sparks. The heat was intense. I prayed the firefighters would arrive soon. The chief of police kept checking the temperature of the wall of my house closest to the fire to see if heat was coming through. The temperature did not rise. I waited at a moments notice to begin packing things out of the house. However, I never felt the need. Outside, a horse trailer parked near our pine trees was burning. The pine trees caught fire, and just in time, the fire trucks arrived. Moments later, and our house would have been lost. The much needed water started to calm the flames. The siding on my house stretched and melted. The grass was black. Plastic slats in the chain link fence lay in a crumpled heap on the ground. Water drenched everything. The neighbors lost everything. The only thing that mattered. The only thing they saved, were there three small children. When her husband and mine arrived after being out to the site, all they could do was cope. There was nothing left of their house. Ours could be rebuilt, and we would do all we could to help our neighbors rebuild their lives.
We learned a valuable lesson. Always be prepared. Due to our husband's large size, we would have grabbed their clothing. I would have grabbed the school supplies, and newly bought school clothes. And, I would grab the pictures, computer, and camera. Everything else can be replaced. Our cars and camper would have survived so we would have had a place to live if we needed it.
I truly believe the angels of heaven shielded our home from the blaze. It is truly a miracle.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Life moves forward....
I keep meaning to update this blog, and time continues to pass. Long story short, I made it through my first year of teaching with good evaluations. I have another year before I should be holding my teaching certificate in my hand. My husband brought the fact to my attention that it won't change much. I will still be doing what I love in a great school, and I will have to continually prove that I am qualified to teach school. To me, this will be the end to my tunnel vision. I will have finally attained something I have been working toward. My husband was quick to remind me that I outrank him in education and that in itself is an accomplishment I should be proud of. He is certainly right. I am so glad he is here to be my cheerleader.
This summer, we have been camping and riding our motorcycles like crazy! We have been to both eastern and western Idaho, and drove everything in between. Idaho is a beautiful state to live in, with awesome scenery to enjoy. We are so lucky to live here! This year we didn't get as much snow in the mountains, and our favorite places are starting to dry out quickly. The dust is thick in the mountains already, and their is threat of fires in the states all around us. I don't know how long we will be able to enjoy camping this year. However, the family time we are currently enjoying is priceless. Our boys have hurt their ribs from crashing, but nothing too serious.
I felt this overwhelming feeling that I needed to dejunk and unclutter, and get my house in order. So, my family and I spent a weekend cleaning, moving furniture, and shampooing carpets. I must of known change was coming. A week ago, I was released from my Young Women calling. This came as a bit of a shock since I was preparing for girls camp in a month. The previous week, I sent my third 2nd counselor on an adventure - as she moved to a new place. I needed a new counselor again. I have had 2 secretaries. The class presidencies were all waiting for the bishopric to set new members apart. The program was crippled for a time. I have really struggled with the bishopric accepting the names of people I am inspired to submit to them. I was not looking forward to another round. However, I was willing to go the distance as I assumed I would be in this calling for some time still.
The bishop called me in after church and it looked like he was struggling with something. I told him to "spit it out." When he told me, I obtained the necessary information to coordinate with the new leader, and left. My heart broke; I felt like I had been taken out because I wasn't doing a good job. I genuinely love those girls. I enjoyed the time with them watching them grow, watching them change, and teaching them. I felt like my family and my calling had finally meshed. But, we must have been getting too comfortable. I will miss this time with my girls, as both Rebekah and Rachel are in YW right now. Perhaps, now that I know the program well, I can help them attain the goals to achieve their Medallions.
This is the first summer I haven't been in school, or had to take a class. It has been an adjustment to a different pace of living. I am still trying to figure it out. In the process, I am trying to discover my "happy" place as I am not just living day-to-day and surviving. I actually have time with which I can choose what I want to do, or what is most of worth. I have forgotten what this feels like. This adjustment to Mom being home has had the biggest affect on Jacob. He and I are struggling with our relationship. It is time for me to return to being a responsible mom, and well, he has had to fend for himself this school year a little bit. So, there is a little bit of a power struggle going on. We are both learning how to deal with the situation and "talk" to each other. Hopefully, we will figure it out. I still have many things I need to do to prepare for this new school year, and I want to spend some quality time adventuring with my kids. I just haven't figured out how to do this. Balance again is the key. Finding the balance is the struggle. I need to feel I have accomplished items toward my goals at the end of the day on one hand, and on the other, time is slipping away and before I know it, I will have missed this precious time with my family. In addition, I am struggling a little bit with my identity as I am no longer a "student", a "YW president, and currently I have put on hold the title of "teacher." So, what is it that I want to be now? Of course, I am a "wife", and will always be a "mother." My thoughts are I need to strengthen my relationships, and find joy again in these roles before "teacher" and my job take over again. Hopefully, then, I can find my "happy" place and find comfort in where I am right now.
Until then, I am gardening which can be therapeutic, finishing projects, and completing the daily routines of life.
This summer, we have been camping and riding our motorcycles like crazy! We have been to both eastern and western Idaho, and drove everything in between. Idaho is a beautiful state to live in, with awesome scenery to enjoy. We are so lucky to live here! This year we didn't get as much snow in the mountains, and our favorite places are starting to dry out quickly. The dust is thick in the mountains already, and their is threat of fires in the states all around us. I don't know how long we will be able to enjoy camping this year. However, the family time we are currently enjoying is priceless. Our boys have hurt their ribs from crashing, but nothing too serious.
I felt this overwhelming feeling that I needed to dejunk and unclutter, and get my house in order. So, my family and I spent a weekend cleaning, moving furniture, and shampooing carpets. I must of known change was coming. A week ago, I was released from my Young Women calling. This came as a bit of a shock since I was preparing for girls camp in a month. The previous week, I sent my third 2nd counselor on an adventure - as she moved to a new place. I needed a new counselor again. I have had 2 secretaries. The class presidencies were all waiting for the bishopric to set new members apart. The program was crippled for a time. I have really struggled with the bishopric accepting the names of people I am inspired to submit to them. I was not looking forward to another round. However, I was willing to go the distance as I assumed I would be in this calling for some time still.
The bishop called me in after church and it looked like he was struggling with something. I told him to "spit it out." When he told me, I obtained the necessary information to coordinate with the new leader, and left. My heart broke; I felt like I had been taken out because I wasn't doing a good job. I genuinely love those girls. I enjoyed the time with them watching them grow, watching them change, and teaching them. I felt like my family and my calling had finally meshed. But, we must have been getting too comfortable. I will miss this time with my girls, as both Rebekah and Rachel are in YW right now. Perhaps, now that I know the program well, I can help them attain the goals to achieve their Medallions.
This is the first summer I haven't been in school, or had to take a class. It has been an adjustment to a different pace of living. I am still trying to figure it out. In the process, I am trying to discover my "happy" place as I am not just living day-to-day and surviving. I actually have time with which I can choose what I want to do, or what is most of worth. I have forgotten what this feels like. This adjustment to Mom being home has had the biggest affect on Jacob. He and I are struggling with our relationship. It is time for me to return to being a responsible mom, and well, he has had to fend for himself this school year a little bit. So, there is a little bit of a power struggle going on. We are both learning how to deal with the situation and "talk" to each other. Hopefully, we will figure it out. I still have many things I need to do to prepare for this new school year, and I want to spend some quality time adventuring with my kids. I just haven't figured out how to do this. Balance again is the key. Finding the balance is the struggle. I need to feel I have accomplished items toward my goals at the end of the day on one hand, and on the other, time is slipping away and before I know it, I will have missed this precious time with my family. In addition, I am struggling a little bit with my identity as I am no longer a "student", a "YW president, and currently I have put on hold the title of "teacher." So, what is it that I want to be now? Of course, I am a "wife", and will always be a "mother." My thoughts are I need to strengthen my relationships, and find joy again in these roles before "teacher" and my job take over again. Hopefully, then, I can find my "happy" place and find comfort in where I am right now.
Until then, I am gardening which can be therapeutic, finishing projects, and completing the daily routines of life.
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