Church, Jill asked to give impromptu talk on the Holy Ghost in primary, primary program planning, landlord came by with realtor, dropped DUP stuff off, 60 day written notice, Sunday study, Come Follow Me with Emma (Job lesson), game of Ghost in the Graveyard, dinner of stove top chicken, Ross took Abby driving, Allen and Rose went to mission prep.
Slept in, Bezinque garage sale, finished registration for JAA for three girls, packing, cleaning (showers), pizza, Ms. Marvel, Allen worked 10-6.
I saw this article about Roseville: https://fox40.com/news/local-news/roseville-california-livability-study-america/#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=16589860187006&csi=0&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&share=https%3A%2F%2Ffox40.com%2Fnews%2Flocal-news%2Froseville-california-livability-study-america%2F
Yes, definitely a great place to live. That's why it's so expensive here :)
Off to take Abby to her last day of lifeguard training, buying and dropping birthday flowers for my ministering sister, taking Allen to late band camp.
***
Dropped flowers and treats to ministering sisters office desk. I beat her to work and left it with a not for a fun birthday surprise!
I picked Abby up from lifeguard training. She passed all of her tests!!
I'm down one car today, so I'm doing more rides than normal, BUT the van AC is getting fixed!!
Today:
Kids need lunches
Abby to lifeguard
Allen to band camp
Jill to Ortho
Pickup Allen at band camp
Take Allen to work
Pickup Abby at lifeguard
Laundry and ironing
2nd level crown molding
Window sills and blinds
Notify old schools to pull records
Enroll at new school
Allen's work schedule
Update Dad's photos
put 5x7 in kids books
organize / clean desk
pharmacy refill
Study plans
Frndly movie
Check Temple names printed
Tonight Jill and Emma have basketball photos. Jane and Abby have a YW activity (dole whip and games) and Allen will drive them and bring them home since his activity is cancelled this week,
I have 5 piano lessons (new students) lined up Thurs and Fri
Ross is in trial this week
Abby comes home really tired from lifeguard training. Had to rescue a 300lb man yesterday.
Allen has been messaging people to take his Fri shift because the band camp bbq time changed
Jane, Emma and Jill are helping clean baseboards. A little fighting, but they are good workers. Emma helped me with hangers and ironing. I'm sad to leave the during the day next week before they start school. They are going to have to take care of each other.
Ross and Emma did tennis early this morning. I drove with them and walked home from the park. I helped get Allen and Abby ready for their camps and packed lunches. Dropped Abby off, put on shoes, got some groceries at S&M, went to the bank to deposit TSP (ironic), drove back to get Abby her towel, taught the girls how to clean crown molding along the walls, catching up on the blog from the last week (and a TON happened last week -- whew!), Allen's shift got cancelled and he's trying to find a replacement for Friday, Ross came home and told me about his sad trial, dinner plan, Jill at basketball practice, Ross is going to help me with all my school paperwork tonight. Our new family pictures arrived. Need to separate them and finish the kids special books so they can get packed.
Monday...
band camp for Allen, 9-3
lifeguard training for Abby, 8:30-5
fingerprinting
wait-list application
moved dr appt
Navy striped couch transported away (a family that needed it more than us)
Tacos and taco ring for dinner
Emma basketball practice
We closed out our new house!!
$60 for groceries and piano lessons.
$60 for gas & couch transportation
..hmmm... interesting similarities
After 9 years of renting in California, we bought a house today!!! Only about five minutes away. Moving in a month or two. I'm really excited it has a pool! ...Merry Christmas in July!!! 🎄🎅
We went to church with the Tolmans and headed out. My dad packed us sandwiches. We had Come Follow Me (Esther) in the car. Then Ross talked to a guy on the phone about applying for clerkships. During his phone call the AC of the van went out... only 2 hours in. 8 more to go...
Processing this summer and the journey of the house and job, which has been kind of a spiritual experience of the house and the job, as we drive across HOT Nevada ... Yes, hot. Our van AC went out. :( ... We went 24 days in our house with no AC and now going 7-8 hours again with it...
Most of June I searched and dreamt of houses. I did not sleep well all month. I was in panic mode.
When July hit I knew I would have to start looking for work. I started applying for sub positions and did so for 3-4 school districts. I did not like the idea of working and felt like I wasn't sure who to talk to to help me get placed in the right spot with my college training. And I didn't sleep well this month either because it was so hot at night.
Then mid-month after meeting with PCOE I was encouraged to apply fulltime. I had the preliminary credentials done and could be hired while completing the full teaching credential.
I updated my resume, I wrote a letter of introduction and wrote essays on the separate applications, most of it at home, sweating with no AC.
Here's just one Letter of Introduction (with no formatting):
July 19, 2022 To the staff of John Adams Academy, My name is Andrea Tucker and I seek employment as an elementary teacher. I have abilities that will allow me to connect to students and faculty. As a former elementary school teacher and a mother of five children, I have the qualifications to address various needs, manage a classroom, and effectively plan and execute lesson plans. As I began working on paperwork for a substitute permit, I looked closer at California’s requirements for a teacher and realized I had all the necessary qualifications (college degree, teaching license, CBEST tests) to apply for a preliminary credential. Should I be hired, your school could assist me in the multi-subject credential application process and I would complete the other pieces, such as the induction program and ELD, in a timely manner. I graduated with a B.S. degree in Elementary Education with an Early Childhood Emphasis from Brigham Young University in 2003. I taught one year of Kindergarten until I became a mother and moved out of state due to my husband’s graduate schooling. In the span of about eight years we lived in four different states and I had four more children. I managed my home and family using skills I had learned in college to organize routines and instruct my young ones. Music and humor were tools I used in raising my children, and a consistent daily schedule helped me be successful as a mother. Besides helping my own family, I served in my church as a youth leader (ages 12-18) for seven consecutive years, teaching lessons on Sundays and facilitating weekly activities on Wednesdays. I helped supervise a girls camp for four years and two youth conferences where I worked with teens. Currently I am serving in my church as a weekly music leader for children ages 18 months - 11 years. I have created almost 100 Youtube videos of me teaching songs as a resource for children to use for more practice at home. I love having visuals as we learn words to songs and also using actions or sign language to help in their learning. I have a talent for teaching children and remembering names. I also work well with adults. Three years ago I joined a community group, Daughters of Utah Pioneers, and worked as the local secretary, treasurer, and group leader and recently was voted in as vice president at the regional level. We meet monthly, celebrating and honoring family heritage, and learning and appreciating history. Most of the members of that group are 20-30 years older than me, but I connect well with people and enjoy relationships of various ages. Now that my own children are older, I am ready to step back into the classroom and assist other children. This past school year, I started working at Stoneridge Elementary School in Roseville daily for an hour at lunch and recess, and I also volunteered weekly in the classroom during reading groups and every other month as an art docent. I am now ready to return to the classroom full-time and be a mentor to children. I welcome the opportunity to work as a teacher at your school and especially enjoy working with younger children. I know students at Johns Adams Academy thrive on a classical education. My understanding of a classical education is teaching students how to learn, think, and draw conclusions by using historical mentors from the past. It’s a concept of educating the whole child instead of focusing on test scores, and exposing students to a rich curriculum in a traditional classroom setting where they can discover truth and beauty on their own. America was founded by great minds and students today can be inspired by their pattern of learning and can be empowered to also become great thinkers and leaders. I know several graduates from John Adams Academy who received a solid foundation and are outstanding examples of dedication and hard work. It’s inspiring. I have several letters of recommendation (besides the ones posted with my application), available upon request. I would appreciate the opportunity to work for your school. Thank you for considering me as an elementary teacher. Andrea Tucker 916-897-3113 andrea_ceu@yahoo.com
At the beginning of the summer I continued to pray about housing I told Heavenly Father I was willing to live wherever. We could move to a different area, different ward and serve new people. Where were we most needed? One home caught our eye. It seemed like it would be great for our family. The location wasn't as desirable but the size, the pool, the park nearby, close to high school and lower cost were appealing. But it was priced a little high for the neighborhood so we waited a few weeks before we put in a lower offer, which was turned down. We waited for another price drop and our 2nd offer wasn't accepted either. I figured we would move to that area and new needy ward... but it didn't work out. 6-24-22
That Friday I saw a home posted that caught my eye. It seemed perfect. We had a list of homes to see Saturday morning but Bob fit that one in at the top of the list. Walking through it looked a tad smaller, but just as nice as I saw online. It was my favorite. After a day of other homes, it was still a favorite and we put an offer in that night -- Saturday, Jun 25.
No other offers were there until right before they accepted ours on Monday and then we were told to give highest and best. We did, but I felt awful at bedtime. My stomach was sick. I was afraid we'd be outbid and have to start this process again and I really liked this house and liked the location even better. So we raised our bid for a 3rd offer, with 2 months rent back (1st free, 2nd with rent) and weekly cookies to sellers if they were interested. I knew I would have to work as a sub almost every day so we could afford it. ... Offer accepted! Then loan officer loved the cookie offer! We made sure to make a plate for her, Bob and the sellers at the final walk thru, since they were out of town most of that time before. Sellers were getting a divorce and Mr. already moved to Colorado and Mrs. was moving someone nearby.
The bank had our offer ready about a week and a half early, but our own loans took a long time to process. Ross spent hours on the phone on hold trying to work things out. We weren't sure it would all come together by the contracted day. We were in Utah at the reunion for a few days. We had signed all the paperwork before with a notary at our house, but no money had showed up yet and Ross kept his eyes on our account for a quick wire at the bank. Saturday morning it arrived and he went to the bank when they opened, before our 2nd day at Lagoon. Everything received Monday morning and we closed, July 25th ... Merry Christmas in July! Still waiting to hear if they want full 60 days. Sounds like it might be less.
The timing of this summer -- different housing, buying a house, new job -- was a little scary. I wasn't sure what would happen and HOW it would happen. I trusted that the Lord knew us and would help us, but wasn't sure how. It was doing all we could and waiting for "his arm to be revealed". I thought a lot of Moses parting the sea and other miracles. We definitely had miracles this summer! I got two piano students and maybe more...
During this time while I would read scriptures or conference talks I made a list of things that stood out to me ---
The future is always uncertain. ... (Many) actions are largely beyond our control. But there are some things we can control, including how we spend our time each day. - Pres Nelson, April 2022
"O Lord, wilt thou give me strength, that I may bear with mine infirmities." Alma 31:30
"Positive spiritual momentum will keep us moving forward amid the fear and uncertainty... let God prevail in your life. Give Him a fair share of your time. As you do, notice what happens to your positive spiritual momentum." -Pres Nelson, Apr 2022
7-17-22
🎵 Courage, for the Lord is on our side ... If we do what's right, we have no need to fear. For the Lord our helper we'll ever be near. In the days of trial his Saints He will cheer... (Let us all Press on)
7-20-22
"their afflictions had truly humbled them, Alma 32:6 ... Interview later that afternoon
7-24-22
🎵We'll find a place which God for us prepared far away in the West .... God will never us forsake. (Come come ye saints)
7-25-22
God is merciful unto all who believe on his name
...I'm so thankful Heavenly Father was aware of us this summer. He will take care of His Children. Proverbs 3:5-6
Another morning of motel breakfast and cinnamon rolls! Some of us went to the pioneer parade in Salt Lake, some went to Lagoon. Ashley saved 2nd table again at the Maple Terrace. She had tacos and burritos for lunch. We started at Pioneer Village to do log flume and Rattlesnake Rapids. After lunch Jill and Jane went with Claire on rides. Amy's kids and her and Ashley went to Kiddieland. The rest of the us went to Bat and then rides near Cannibal and then took Sky Ride to rides over by Colossus. Enjoyed a cold gelata at Zepe's and then more rides finishing with Terror Ride, Dracula, Bombora and "white" (rickety rough) roller coaster. My favorite ride is Wicked. We met for dinner at all-you-can-eat Golden Corral at 6:30 in a reserved room. My parents wanted another nice dinner to celebrate their 50th and the reunion. The lime slushie was my favorite thing! It was really hot at Lagoon.
