A Tradition of Epic Proportions

So, for as long as I have remembered, the children in my family have had a tradition of waking up our parents on Christmas morning.

The earlier, the better.

Well, ever since my older sister got married and left the roost, we may have gotten more...extreme...in our methods. For example, one year involved sending a brother through a downstairs window, to scale the exterorior walls to his window, climb through, and then fling a blaring alarm clock into my parents bedroom and then leaping from his bedroom window and scrambling back into the basement. Ah good times.

Another year involved another brother dressing up as Buddy the Elf and the siblings sneaking out to go wake up our sister and her family at 5am. Unfortunately, she didn't hear the doorbell. But we had fun being the only people on the freeway.

Last year, we snuck out another basement window (notice a pattern?), set up the ladder, and serenade our parents with an original song. One brother sang the song while playing the guitar, another held the ladder and offered back up vocals, and the rest of us danced around the ladder. My father rewarded our performance by flinging water on the singing brother.

This year, however, we strayed from tradition slightly. At 4:50am, we woke up, bundled up, and then snuck out through a window (it's the one time a year we can actually get away with doing it), grabbed a couple sleds, snuck them into a car and drove to the local sledding hill. And we went sledding at 5:30am. Best part was we didn't have to wait in line. After we had our fill of sledding, we jumped into the oldest brother's car and drove to his house where we watched a bit of a Christmas movie. We eagerly awaited the text that would come asking "where are you?"

At 6:30, we finally sent a text to our mom. She didn't answer. So we decided to sneak back home. Our older brother acted as a decoy as he took his son through a door and greeted our parents. The rest of us slid back into the basement window and ran back into the bedroom we all sleep in on Christmas Eve and jumped back into bed, quickly shedding all our snow gear.

My mom opened the door and said, "thanks for letting us sleep in! you guys slept late this year." We snickered evily to ourselves. We had fooled our parents.

However, our older siblings revealed our ploy to my parents later in the day when they commented on the facebook post I had made at 5:30am.

Either way, it was a lot of fun.

But I am a bit sleep deprived today.

Merry Christmas! and I promise I haven't died

Right...
So I haven't written since September...
Not much has happened since September...So I don't feel too guilty.
Okay, that's a lie...a lot has happened since September, but none of it is stuff that I feel the need to share with the world (hoorah for privacy).
So basically I am writing this post because I felt the need to write something...but I am not sure what...

In regards to the running...due to a family event I did not get to do the run in December that I wanted to, however, I am doing one in the spring...I just haven't decided which one yet.

Anywho...here are some photos from Salt Lake when I went up last week with some friends.

It wasn't a very good camera...but it still captured some of the spirit up there.

Merry Christmas

Going the Distance

Every now and then I get all "New-Year's-Pshaw-I-am-setting-a-new-goal-right-now" and then I have to live with whatever radical thing I decided to do...

This time...I decided I am going to run.

Yikes.

I've never been much of a runner...unless you scare me really good then good luck getting me to stop. But I have always wanted to run a 5k (it's one of those bucket-list thingies, I think...) and as I was reflecting on my exercise plan the other day, I thought, why wait? Why not now!

And so I found a plan...and a 5k that I am running in December.

Yikes.

The good news, is that I haven't missed a running workout yet. The bad news is that it's only been two days into the workout (it's a three-days a week type of running plan, so I have done day 1 and 2).

I am excited. The prospect of finally being a runner is exhilarating to me and I am excited for it. I am just paranoid that I am going to putter out.

But you gotta keep your head up, oh oh, then you can let your head down, oh oh....

Ahem, excuse me...So, I will update y'all periodically on how the whole running thing is going (because we both know that you stay by your computer all day just waiting for one of these priceless nuggets of a blog post).

And if I, for whatever reason, slip up and am not ready in December, I am going to need a large furry animal for a few hours...do you know anybody who may have one?

Summer 2012

No staffers were hurt in the making of this summer....

These are the people I worked with all summer long. 

We take our job very seriously.

We believe in the importance of tradition.

Our Uniforms were always very official. 

We strove for excellence in appearance, which included hairstyles. 

As scouts, we were prepared for any situation we could find ourselves in. 

We handled each crisis calmly...

And never panicked. 

When we would venture off the mountain, we would present our best sides to the public.

We taught the scouts valuable skills.

And proper stances. 

We excelled at entertaining those around us and keeping the work environment fun.

When discipline issues arose, we handled them in a matter that took care of the issue quickly and effectively. 

We were prepared for all types of weather. 

We enjoyed nature...all the time...

We cared for lost animals...this is Benedict. He had a hard life and found peace and solace on our lake.

And we would never spend an entire night pretending to be an evil group stealing priceless artifacts.

Alas...Camp ended much sooner than I thought it would. But at least I have the pictures to help me remember my summer...

Because it was pretty epic.

A night at Wah-kah-rah Ridge

Ahem....I present to you...my friends...

See! I socialize!

Hahaha. Ok, the story now. So these pictures show three of my very good friends from Maple Dell this summer. The last week of camp, we decided to have an impromptu picnic with soup...hey, it was what we had. The story is that I was hungry (it was Sunday night and half the time I didn't get dinner due to the fact that it was SUNDAY and my ward didn't finish until 4pm and I had to pick up my ridees by 5ish and get up to camp for a 7pm meeting), and so I made some soup and we thought it would be awesome to go up and eat it at the highest point in camp where we meet for the Monday night campfires. And we had a plethora of plastic spoons (if you hadn't guessed that yet). 

The fellow in the green shirt (sorry, no names. I would hate to have them stumble on this and be embarrassed  *snicker*) brought up a camera with him and randomly started taking pictures. And so we randomly started posing. The one above is one of my favorites, just because of the different poses in it. 

He got excited for this picture and I was shocked when he was suddenly on my lap. 

Like I said, he was taking pictures without warning us.

And then suddenly she was on my lap...I was a bit popular that night. 

And then we played a game. 

I don't think we went to bed until like 1am...not the best way to start our last week at camp...even more sleep deprived, but hey it was worth it for the memory. And really, the only reason we left was because we got freaked out by the sounds coming from the woods surrounding us. And none of us was carrying a gun. 

It was definitely a night to remember. 

Humbled

Wow.

This last month has been crazy.

Camp ended August 11th. My wittle brover got married the week after that. I started substitute teaching the week after that, which I did not want to do. Substitute teaching had been a difficult job for me and I was convinced that I was done with it. So I frantically started searching for another job.

Well, I got one.

I was excited. It was something new, different, it was at a law firm and I was so excited because I had always wanted to work at a law firm.

And I ended up hating it.

By the end of the first week I felt like I was going to have a nervous breakdown. It was horrible. The job involved calling people and getting very personal information and then informing the "client" if we could help them or not. Most these people had absolutely nothing. I felt like a crook.

And so the Tuesday after I started working, I quit.

Substitute teaching had never looked so good. I leaped back into subbing and I was so happy to be back doing something that I knew how to do and something that I enjoyed. It just took one week at this other job to help me remember why I am a teacher and that I do love it.

But I was confused, because I had received the distinct impression that I was supposed to go work at the law firm. But once I started working, I felt like I wasn't supposed to be there. When I started subbing again, I felt like it was temporary. And so I continued to look for more permanent jobs. Three weeks ago, I applied for a handful of teaching positions hoping I would at least get an interview. Nada.

And I felt troubled. Angry. Upset. Disappointed. Like a failure.

I really was loving subbing, but I felt like I wasn't living up to my full potential. And so I prayed, read my scriptures, read conference talks, and was reminded again and again and again that the Lord has His own timetable and that trusting in Him is the best thing to do. I had to have faith in that. So my prayers began to change. Rather than praying to find a job or some satisfaction in life, instead it went to "please help me to have more faith in Thee" and "help me to remember to be patient." It was hard, but I resolved to do better and to trust in Heavenly Father.

This last Thursday, I was sitting at the computer looking for subbing jobs and my phone rang (ok vibrated). It was an unknown number and so I wasn't going to answer it. But then I thought, I need to and so I did. It was the director of the special ed department at a local school asking if I was interested in a job as an aide. I wasn't really interested at first, because aides usually don't get paid very well (bottom of the totem pole if you know what I mean) and then she mentioned the pay. Now, at the risk of sounding greedy, it was an amazing pay offer. Much higher than any job I have ever had before. Once I realized that this was a job that could help me meet all my financial needs, I realized that this might be a really great opportunity.

I went the next day to an interview. Five minutes later, I had the job. And I really enjoyed it.

My new boss had discovered me when she was looking through teaching applications people had sent to the school. One of them was mine.

As I drove home from work yesterday, satisfied with the days work and really looking forward to the school year now, it hit me how everything that had happened in the last month to have all this happen. And the hindsight was amazing. It was like watching puzzle pieces fall into place, each leading me to where this job was. If I had never gotten hired at the law firm, I would not have realized how much I loved teaching and that I still wanted to do that. If I had never quit the law firm, I never would have sent my application to this school and I never would have had the job offered to me.

The lesson I learned is that even when it feels like there is nothing there, I can't afford to forget that there is someone with a higher perspective, someone who can see exactly what our lives can become. It reminded me of a favorite quote from a movie:

"I don't believe in God."
"It doesn't matter. He believes in you."

I love it because it's not that I stop believing in God, but sometimes I feel like I've been forgotten or that I'm not important enough. But He always knows where I am and what I need. This whole experience showed me that He cares and that He will never forget me.

And that is always nice to know.

Back from the Grave

Hello?

tap...tap...

Is this thing on?

Hello world, how are you doing? Ok...more like the three of you that might be reading this, as to which I have already spoken to the three of you so I know how you are doing.

So, my whole plan of posting stuff on the weekends while I am off from camp gave way to doing laundry and falling asleep on my floor. Translation: I am tired. Oh so very tired.

But camp has been going really well. There are days when I want to rip my hair out and other days when I want to do a victory lap around camp.

Being a commissioner is way different than I ever thought it would be. Literally, the only people that understand what I go through are my fellow commies, which have been an awesome support system. I have also realized that I still get stage fright...which I apparently hide really well...or at least that is what people tell me. There have been ups and downs, which allows me to segue into one of my favorite things: a list! Hooray.

1. Cardiac hill isn't too bad...especially when you experiencing an adrenaline rush

2. It has taken me 20 minutes to get a group of 8 scouts, 4 leaders, and a commie from the top of Rendezvous Ridge to the bottom, a grand total of 1.5 miles (It's quite steep in some places). No one got hurt and we even stopped for a few breaks. I consider this a great accomplishment.

3. Gummy bear?

4. While I am okay with leading songs, I've noticed that I can't use my "nice" singing voice...personally, I think it is just a defense mechanism and stage fright.

5. Being a commie means that you often don't get fed...imagine trying to compete for a single steak with a pack of adolescent wolves. Most of the time, it is better to let the wolves get fed so that they will leave you alone.

6. As a female, I get treated very differently from the male commies. I have to carry myself completely differently and act very differently. The other commies don't quite get it.

7. I am one of two commies that are over the age of 21, which means I am one of two people who can drive the camp trucks when they need to be driven. My afternoons can be very busy.

8. Sleeping often can become a luxury and not a necessity.

9. I love my friends...I wouldn't survive without them.

10. Learning to let things go is one of the first lessons a commie has to learn.

and with that, I bid you a fond goodnight!

Things I have Learned as a Substitute Teacher

1. There is always at least one student in every elementary school class who acts as if their world has been shattered when a substitute doesn't do everything exactly like the regular teacher.

2. Four square is weird. Period.

3. PE teachers leave the worse lesson plans.

4. In high school, a substitute equals book work or a movie. If it's the first, you are loathed and seen as evil. If it's the second, you are seen as a heavenly deliverer...until they find out they have to take notes.

5. There should be room moms in all grades--it would eradicate 90% of behavior problems.

6. Cafeteria food isn't too bad...Ketchup fixes everything.

7. Always have a whistle. You never know when they might stick you on recess duty (a lesson I learned too late).

8. Secretaries either treat you as perfectly capable or as completely incompetent.

9. Sending a student to the office rarely fixes a problem because they always send the kid back (figure that one out).

10. Variations of my name have included: Ms. Louis, Ms. Lemon, Ms. Elle, Ms. Lowly, and Ms. Lonely (I went home and cried after that one).

11. 6th graders think they rule the world--heh heh...just wait six months into jr. high, we will see how you feel then.

12. Special Ed classes are my favorite to sub for.

13. Most students are surprised to find out that I am a "real" teacher.

14. Driving over 40 minutes in a snowstorm to a job = NOT WORTH IT.

15. Kindergartners will befriend you at the drop of a hat.

16. Substitute teaching does not equal brain stimulation - 80% of the time you are watching the students do book work anyway.

17. Half the time, teachers do not leave enough work for the students to do. It's on those days I can feel my hair turning gray.

18. Never sub for a foreign language class unless you speak the language--sorry spanish class, I tried.

19. I love watching the teenage boys try to act tougher than they really are...especially the ultra-white Utah boys who act all "gangsta-and-I'm-from-the-ghetto"...It is really amusing.

20. 90% of misbehavior is a result of boredom, which I totally understand. If I had to sit through some of the lessons that I have been left to "teach", I would be misbehaving too.

Another List...

1. My little brother is engaged...I remember when he was born...and now he's getting married. It's definitely a bittersweet thing...but I am happy that he has found someone to spend the rest of his life with.

2. I used to misspell definitely...I would spell it definately...that's what it sounded like phonetically to me.

3. Taught some really hard classes this last week. They left me emotionally drained and exhausted. Substitute teaching has burned me out faster than anything I have ever experienced before.

4. Had brunch with some of the girls in the family on Saturday. It was too much fun...we really need to do it more often.

5. Realized that someone who I used to be close to has moved on and acts as if I had never existed in their life...it feels strange to have someone try to erase you. It also hurt more than I thought it would.

6. Found two songs that capture that desire to show the world that I am not beaten yet, even though some days I want to throw in the towel and surrender.

7.  Find it interesting to watch the members of my ward. Is anybody sincere in what they say or is it all just another move on some complicated dating chessboard?

8. How do I get back on that chessboard?

9. I showed that I know how to close a projector screen (tug and then let go). I used to be so scared of doing that. It's funny as a teacher what you realize you are afraid of.

10. Camp starts in two weeks...I feel like that is what I am living for these days. I love camp.

11. I wish we could learn to look past the facades that people put up...we have gotten so good at hiding what we are feeling all the time.

12. My brother was trying to show me how to box tonight...he doesn't realize that I know the stances he was trying to show me...I was just messing with him.

13. I love taking pictures...I miss using my SLR and just walking around taking pictures...the price of film has prevented me from continuing this habit.

14. I love laughing with my family...we laugh over the dumbest stuff and that makes it all the better.

15. When I start to feel overwhelmed, I try to remind myself that no matter what may happen, life will go on. In 5 years will I even remember whatever dilemma I have right now? No, I won't. I don't remember what I panicked over 5 years ago...life goes on. I can either try to fight that and make myself more miserable, or I can accept that fact and just go with the flow. My choice.

16. Camp starts in two weeks...I didn't realize how excited I was until someone asked what I was doing this summer and I began to describe it. I got this big goofy grin on my face that I couldn't hide.

17. Life goes on.

18. History says so.

The Power of the Y

So last week we were at Disneyland, right?

Well, my brothers and I like to play a game whenever we leave the good ol' state of Utah. We call it "Spot the Mormon" (we bore easily...what can I say). We also tally up liquor stores and churches...liquor stores usually far out weigh the number of churches. But anyway, so we usually play this little game. And a little trick we have is trying to wear something that will associate us with the Church so that other members recognize us and will smile and wave and then we get more points. The rules are complicated, I'll write about them some other time.

However, we were at Disneyland on a Friday. Friday is Alumni Day for BYU. All alumni are asked to wear cougar blue to help represent the school and to show school spirit. Well, since I have a plethora of school spirit, I wore a BYU shirt to Disneyland. I had at least 10 people acknowledge that shirt and BYU. Half of them were wearing some sort of BYU gear themselves (a shirt, hat, etc) but others would just see me as I walked by and would shout "Yay! BYU!" or "Go Cougars". It was AWESOME!

Now you may think, 10 people really isn't that huge...but in years past when I have worn a BYU shirt, I've gotten nothing. So I see this as a vast improvement. And I am sure more people recognized it but didn't want to say anything. You can tell by the way someone will look at you and then smile. Needless to say, it made my day at Disneyland so much better to be able to have a little school spirit thrown into the mix.

Oh, and you know that crazy fan who will just yell at the players at a game, convinced that their words of encouragement or advice will change the game? ...yeah...I'm that person.

I have been to heaven...

...and it's name is Gloria's Little Italy.

My parents took me out to dinner Thursday night to celebrate my graduation from BYU. Since I took Italian in college and feel a deep connection to all things Italian, I have wanted to go try this restaurant in Provo called Gloria's Little Italy. The owner is from Italy and her grandfather owned several restaurants in Italy as well. I had heard that the food was amazing and so I wanted to try it.

And so I did.

And I died and went to heaven.

It was delizioso! Molto, molto delizioso.

I had the lasagna ragu...the creamiest, most flavorful lasagna I think I will ever taste in this life. Sorry Olive Garden...you've been demoted! I will dream about this lasagna for years to come and no other lasagna will ever taste the same!

My parents both enjoyed their dinners, which were equally yummy, for different reasons (there was a lot of sharing going on at our table).

And then came dessert.

Now my family doesn't normally get dessert when we go out to eat. Usually because we filled up on the main course. However, this was a new experience, and my mom came in saying she wanted to try some gelato (Italian ice cream). So when the waitress asked if we wanted any dessert, my mom asked what did they have. And we were taken back to this wonderful counter stuffed full of Italian desserts. Now let me say this: if you have not had an authentic, Italian dessert in your life, REPENT NOW! They are amazing. Especially the  ones with  mascarpone. Our American sweet cheese (such as cream cheese or even cheese cake) don't hold a candle to that stuff.

To shorten an already long story...we each got a different dessert and shared and they were oh so good. I am salivating now just thinking about them.

It was a meal from heaven...my Italian heaven. I want to marry an Italian cowboy now (do those even exist?)

Also, I got to teach my mom how to say gnocchi (knee-yoke-ee). It was a great night!

Thanks mom and dad!

Surprise!

Guess where I was this last weekend?

My family has been planning a trip to California for the past few months. We decided to go to Disneyland this time around (it would be a nice change from the funerals). However, we did not tell my nephew and niece about it...until the morning that we were leaving. Needless to say, they were surprised. 

It took Tessa a minute to get with the program.

Awww! Little Gwen, all snug

Adam was very excited

So was Tessa

...And this was in the other car...Matt sleeping

...Andrew sleeping...

...Mom sleeping...

Matt using me as a pillow (happened often on this trip)...oh and that is his leg sprawled across my lap

The look on Adam's face says it all...

The Matterhorn is Adam's favorite ride...unfortunately it was closed but he was still excited to see it 

Gwen

Snacking on the carousel 

The teacups

The "happiest turkey in the USA"...the turkey that got the presidential pardon two years ago on Thanksgiving

Adam got to try three new rides this time: Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, and Indiana Jones 

Tessa did not like Haunted Mansion

PLATYPUSES!!!

On our way into Indiana Jones...The ride actually broke down just as we finished it. So we sat in the jeep for about 10 minutes before we got let out by a nice worker. 

It was a really fun trip and we had some awesome memories. I shall write more as I remember stuff :)