School is almost out

Well, I have almost finished my first year of teaching. It is crazy to think that at this time last year I was busy buying everything, nervous for the year to start. Now, there are only 6 more days of school and they are going to be a busy six days.

There are many things that I have learned about myself this year. A few of them are:
- I like organization with a little chaos
- Second graders are the best!
- I am good at what I do
- When it comes to the hard days, I can focus on the good to get me through the day
- Sometimes I can be a bit hard on them, but I know that it is going to make them better

That is just a few. The parents that have entrusted their child into my hands for about 7 hours a day are just wonderful. I had each of the students write a big thank you note to all the parents. I was able to recall things that I had forgotten the parents had done to help out. I am so grateful to have wonderful parents that support me and tell me that I have done a great job with their child.

I will miss those wonderful kiddos! However, on days like today, I will not miss all of them. ;) These kids extend love so much, that it will be hard to say goodbye on Tuesday. Many are returning to the school, some are going back to their old ones and I will miss them the most. Well, I guess that is part of being a teacher!

Mister Cupcake...

Well, over the weekend we went down to Provo to spend some time with the wonderful Taylors. We were so excited to just have fun and relax with each other. It started with a softball game in the early afternoon, which the other team had to forfeit due to the lack of players. Oh intramural games, you are so funny...

After the softball action we head back to the car to head over to the Taylor's apartment. On the way, we noticed this new place called Cocoa Bean - a cupcakery. So, Brandon just had to check it out. If any of you have heard of Sprinkles in Hollywood it is like that. They have big cupcakes, and a cupcake menu that changes based on the day. We purchased 6 cupcakes and were very pleased to show our friends the goods.

After a wonderful grilling session we decided to head to a movie. Did I forget to mention that this whole time we had the dog with us? Well, this is where the story gets interesting. Each couple grabbed one cupcake to split for the road (we were still stuffed from the wonderful burgers). Then, not thinking we left the box of cupcakes on their table. Honestly, I didn't think that he would get into them. But, you can guess the rest of the story. Gus helped himself to the cupcakes, devouring three and licking the frosting off of the fourth! We were so shocked that we didn't know what to do. Of course he ate the cupcake liners as well, so that will be interesting...

When we found him going crazy in the apartment, we didn't have the time to take him home to let his sugar high out. Brandon had a mission reunion; therefore, Gus was passed off on to Brandon's unsuspecting sister. When we got home to him, we asked her how he was. All she could say is that he was unable to walk in a straight line for a while!

Then, tonight we were watching a movie and he started barking at the DVD as I ejected it from the PS3. Oh man! This dog is strange. He was honestly scared of the DVD and would not look at it no matter what Brandon said or did.

Sometimes it feels like I have a kid...

Leaving on a jet plane...

As of this morning we are making our way to L.A. for Brandon's brother's wedding. Well, okay, we are really not leaving on a jet plane but we are driving. You understand. We are taking the dog with us, so we will see how he does on long car trips.

Yesterday was a blah weather day here, so needless to say I got really excited last night to be going someplace that is sunny and warm. At least, I hope that it is warm. We are going to go to Disneyland with Brandon's whole family tomorrow and then off to San Diego for the wedding. it is going to be a quick trip, but fun!

Of course, this means that I had to get a substitute. I don't like doing that ever because you are not there and I remember as a kid how we would treat a sub. Plus I am getting this one from a substitute service so I have no idea what their experience is. It is very hard to trust some stranger with your class, hoping that they will be fine. It is especially hard for me today because yesterday they were great for me and then they went to P.E. at the end of the day and they treated the P.E. teacher horribly. They had to sit and do nothing because they were just out of control. Then, I didn't see them again because they leave from P.E. for home. Not only am I disappointed in them, but I can't talk to them about it before Monday. Why did they have to be mean to her? Also, does that mean that they will be mean to the sub? The joys of a teacher...

Spring Break!

So, this week is spring break! I am loving having the time off. However, I still don't get to sleep in. Gus makes sure that I am up by the latest 7 am. Which is sleeping in a little but, not as much as I would like to.

Brandon was out for his field training this past weekend. He has to rush a girl to the medic because she was not taking care of herself. Apparently, she was "dieting" because she is over the weight limit for the Army. SO all she ate all day was snack bread that is 180 calories. She collapsed from the lack of food and started to have an asthma attack. Brandon thought that she was going to pass out and that he would have to give her rescue breaths. Instead, they got a van and took her to the medic but that took like an hour. He yelled at her the entire time to keep her from passing out. Why is it that many girls think that "dieting" consists of not eat at all. I can't believe that people think it is healthy not to eat.

Anyways, life has been wonderful. For all you that have wanted to see a picture of Gus the dog here you go...

House and DOG!!!

Well, we are officially moved into the house. It is wonderful to have a place that is ours and that we can do whatever we want to it. I love the fact that it has a garage. I don't think I could ever go back to not having one.

Right before we got the keys and signed the papers, we were homeless, living with some wonderful friends. They housed us for just about one week. Then, we were able to sign the papers and move right on in the next day. However, I had to fly to California two days after we got the keys for a funeral. It was nice to be with family, but very sad at the same time.

When I got back, Brandon had of course finished organizing the house. I am so grateful for him.

Yesterday was an exciting day for us. We were up in Salt Lake looking at washers and dryers (since we still don't have them) when we just happened to drive past the Human Society of Utah. Needless to say after about 3 hours we were leaving with our new dog!!!! It was hard to choose but he just so well behaved that we couldn't help ourselves. Plus, we did save his life! He is an Australian Cattle Dog, about 4 years old, and he was already named Gus when we got him so we kept the name. We couldn't be happier!

Sick of it!

Well I am! I am just sick of being messed around with. One thing after another seems to be ruining our plans of moving into the house this weekend. I can't believe it. Stupid IRS, stupid Title Company. We might be homeless as of Saturday, and now the only question is where are we going to put our stuff. It is one of those time where I needed a good laugh and chocolate to make it through to 5 pm....

Sorry for venting, I am done now!

We are just too nice

So, we went to the mall a few weeks ago looking for a new hat for Brandon. While we were walking through one of the people working at the Dead Sea booth jumped us. We had just been talking about not looking directly at anyone because we were in a rush and we just always end up telling people no...

We were just too nice to say no, so we stopped. She did the whole spiel, and then tried to get us to buy the product. She even threw in a buy one set get one free just to entice us even more. Brandon had been wondering what to get his mom for her birthday so we bought it for her, but then the girl just kept pushing another set on us for a Valentine's present for me. Finally, we got away and laughed all the way to Macy's.

This whole experience reminded me of a time when my mom was in town and we were in the mall. We got stopped at the same booth and my mom was too nice to say no and ended up purchasing a nail set for her and one for me. She flew home that day and forgot that the set had lotion in it, didn't check her bag, and the lotion was thrown out the same day she bought it.

We are clearly just too nice to tell people no and therefore we end up buying things that we either hadn't planned, in the case of Brandon and I, or didn't need, my mom and I. Oh boy!