Another Year Later

Has it been that long already?  I finally have an electronic device that is mine and can make time to get on here.  I bought a Chromebook for myself and I love it!  My school received the Race to the Top grant (RTT-D) so every student and every core teacher was given a Chromebook.  Thankfully my Chromebook is way better and way cheaper than the ones given to the students.  I figured if the kids have a Chromebook and I am in charge of them, I should have one so I know what the kids are doing with them.. At least that is what I told myself to justify buying it.  Anywho... the past year.  Let's get started:

Road Trip to South Carolina:  My parents decided to visit Grandma and Grandpa Gilmore this past summer.  They also decided to drive the entire way.  31 hours from El Paso, TX to Pawley's Island, South Carolina.  Thet made a pit stop in Houston to pick me up and away we went, twenty hours.  COincidentally, my dad's car's blinker went on the fritz as soon as he entered Houston so we ended up taking my new car.  First road trip and the Tuscon was great!  I drove all but about six hours of the trip there and back because I didn't really trust anyone to drive it.  Dad was the only other person allowed to drive on the trip.  Mom always messes up the seat so I didn't allow her to drive. Louisiana has got to be the second worst state to drive in, while Alabama is the worse.  We spent three hours the first day trying to get through Mobile, AL.  There was not accident, it was just poor city planning.  Louisiana had slow downs for no reason whatsoever and half the state is driving on highway over water with no shoulders and trying to compete with semi trucks on narrow lanes.  Never again!  Once we arrived in SC I was able to start my vacation.  The beach was a great place to run and relax.  Grandma and Grandpa are still the best ever and so much fun to be around.  Grandpa even starting picking up his artwork again.  I loved seeing his drawings of the Maine coast lines and lighthouses.  He has so much talent its annoying.  How did no one in my family get his creative/artistic genes.  I just wish Leland had been able to join us ont eh trip.  Unfortunately, he was in a pretty grueling part of his residency and was unable to join us.  I tried to buy him a plane ticket but realized it wouldn't be worth it since he wouldn't be able to stay very long.  I love going to South Carolina, in fact I wouldn't mind living there if we had to, as long as I was close to a beach.  I love spending time with my family and being able to listen to my grandparents stories about my dad and his siblings. I just hope one day I will be able to do that with my own family.

New school year: The 2013-2014 school year came fast and strong and it's still going.  We had hiring issues and the people the other AP's and I fought for turned out to be duds.  I mean, terrible.  They interviewed very well, but when it cam down to actually teaching students, they just didn't get it.  The staff has been nothing but negative and downright disrespectful.  I will be so glad once this school year is over and I don't have to deal with the craziness anymore.  I can't wait to go back into teaching and be with the kids again.  I thought being where I am would be a positive to administration, but it hasn't.  Maybe I will give admin a try again when I can't hang with the kids anymore.  There has been way too much to even begin telling of experiences.  Only seven weeks left of the school year.  I pray I can make it to the end.

New Doggie!: I seem to collect strays.  I was driving to work one morning and everyone in front of me was hitting their breaks.  It was 6:30 in the morning, what was going on?  Then all of a sudden I see this skinny little thing dart in front of my car.  Thankfully I was still stopped so no heart attack for me.  I pulled over into the parking lot at the corner I turn down to get to work.  I saw the little thing across the street and she looked like she was heading into an apartment complex.  I thought that if she went into the complex I would continue on to work and have no worries because someone there would probably take her in.  She then decides to start crossing the street back in my direction.  Once she did that I knew I couldn't let her wander. There is a vets office down the street from my school so I waited there until they opened.  "Sugar" stayed in the back of the car until I let her out and took her inside.  I had them check to see if she had been microchipped. Unfortunately, she was not. They told me that they could not take the dog in unless I was willing to take financial responsibility for her.  I said I would take care of the bills and pick her up on my way home from work.  I called Leland, thankfully he was still somewhat asleep and didn't really know what was going on, and told him that we had a new dog.  He said okay and went back to sleep.  After work I picked her up, took her to Petsmart and brought her home.  Tyson was a little concerned about this new dog that was coming onto his turf.  He, being the sweetheart that he is, has been very patient and loving towards her.  It has taken about six months, but they are a lot of fun together.  We don't know what breed(s) she is, but she is a total goofball and has become quote the cuddler.  She is VERY energetic and loves to play fetch with whatever she can get find to play.  she is always on defcon 5 alert.  It's great, but she doesn't relax very much and it's scary, especially when she decides jumping out of a moving car will be fun. I have loved Sugar from the start and Leland is growing to love her more each day.  He still says Tyson is his favorite, but Sugar will work her way to the top with him and they will be on a level playing field.  Welcome to the family Sugar Page!

Holidays!: This Thanksgiving Mom came to visit.  I feel bad since I had to work most of the time she was here and she didn't really get to do much with us.  Dad tried to warn her that Leland and I were going to be at work and unable to spend a whole lot of time with her.  I don't think it was the Thanksgiving she was hoping for.  We were able to spend Thanksgiving with my boss, his family and couple other co-workers.  I enjoyed it and had a good time, but no sure how Mom liked it.  She did learn the recipe for delicious Turkish rice though.  That's a plus.  Christmas was spent at my fam's place in the 915.  It was a nice and relaxing.  We were able to leave the dogs with my parents for a week while Leland and I went to the frozen tundra (Utah) for New Years.  I was not a fan of the cold, snow, or inversion.  I thought pollution in Houston and El Paso were bad, there were days in which you couldn't see the mountains as you were driving up the mountain side.  Bad stuff man.  Even though I did not like the cold and snow, I had a fantastic time meeting up with family and new friends, and partaking in a Moon/Page family tradition of homemade Chinese food and games until the new year was upon us.  Leland also participated in a Martinelli's chugging contest.  He did terrible, but that's okay he doesn't need to be the best Martinelli's chugger to keep my heart.  Sappy, I know.  But what can I say, I love the guy!

December 29, 2013: Four years as an eternal family!  We weren't able to attend out usual football bowl game this anniversary, but we were able to spend time with family and see some gorgeous lights.  The one thing I really wanted to do in Utah was see the lights at Temple Square (and get a pizza from Pie, mmmm Pie).  The family hopped into Pearl (Mama Ellen's car) and drove up to Salt Lake to see the lights.  It was more beautiful than what I had seen in pictures.  I was very grateful to have that opportunity.  It is an experience that I will never forget! I just wish it wasn't so cold and I had a better camera.  I love my husband and I am so grateful that he came into my life when he did.  The Lord has impeccable timing. Over the past 4 years I have seen how much love can change and grow deeper when you really cherish each other and you remember the covenants made with your husband and your Heavenly Father. I am so grateful for temples and the blessings that come from them when you are doing what you need to do and keep your covenants. I hope we have many more years in this earthly life with one another and that our love continues to grow throughout the rest of our lives.

Job Hunt: Since Leland is finishing his two year residency at MD Anderson, it's time to look for a job and a new adventure.  We are back to where we were two years ago.  Leland is still without a job after he finishes the residency in a month.  It's concerning to me too.I like to know what is going to happen so I can better plan.  I have to know now what the future holds for work.  We were so positive that he would have a job by now that I have already told my principal that I am not coming back.  If he doesn't get a job, we are p a creek without a paddle.  It's frustrating to no end to not know what's going on and feeling like he's not ding anything but waiting for something instead of actively searching.  You can't just wait for something to come along, you have to go out and work for it.  FRUSTRATING!!!!  Hopefully we hear something soon. I don't know how much more uncertainty I can take.  I know this is a test of patience and faith, but there are a few important things that are on hold until Leland has a real job.  I don't know how much longer I can take having these plans on hold.

There is probably a lot more that has happened but I can't remember anything else right now.  I'm going to say goodnight and work on my Primary lesson for Sunday.  Goodnight all!