Memoirs of Me

Year in Review

2012-01-28T11:12:00.002-06:00

2011 is gone and it is now 2012! Let's take a look as to what happened in 2011 (or at least try to remember)

January: Leland went to the SPIE conference in San Fransisco to present his research and entered a drawing for an Apple iTouch.

February: Went to plenty of Rodeo events and concerts. Just the break I needed for the middle of the month. Leland received notice that he had won the drawing for the free iTouch. SA closed down for a day of sleeted snow.

March (the greatest month ever!): I celebrated my 29th birthday and realized that I only had one more year until I was no longer in my 20's, eek! An amazing surprise happened. Leland was planning on getting me a netbook for my birthday, but when his iTouch arrived he opened the box and it was an iPad. No netbook for me, but I got an iPad that we affectionately call the Prize Pad. Best part, he didn't have to spend a thing on my birthday gift! We also went to Utah for Spring Break and I discovered I never want to fly without Leland again. I also found out that walking around the Phoenix airport with a 20lb backpack on your back for three hours is quite the workout. Six hour layovers are no fun.

April: Mom came to visit for her birthday and Easter. I also started thinking my mono had come back. Trying to get the energy to do anything was ridiculously hard. Started looking for a new apartment to move into in July.

May: Found a new place to live and started packing for a July move. Still no energy. Graduation ceremonies for the 8th graders and Senior class of 2011. First graduation ceremony that I participated in. Ended my first year as an assistant principal.

June: Energy continues to wane and other help issues start popping up. Continue packing and taking several trips to Goodwill to drop off all the junk we have accumulated. Gosh, we have a ton of junk.

July: One of my best friends from college got married and another one had her second baby, a girl. Leland spent 4th of July with his family and surprised his mom with the visit. I spent the 4th with my family. Drought conditions in TX get worse by the day and temperatures continue to rise. We move into out new apartment. I go to the doctor and after three blood tests I find out all my health issues are related to tumors on my parathyroid glands.

August: Meet the new principal and from the start I do not like him or his attitude. Funniest quote of the month, "If you do not have control of your bathrooms, you do not have control of your school". Have surgery to have tumors and parathyroid glands removed. Energy is through the roof! A new school year begins.

September: Still don't like new principal or how he likes to run things. Learn that this year's kids are a total mess and have more behavior issues thane ever. Staff is already counting down the days to Thanksgiving. Worst school year start ever!

October: Didn't dress up for Halloween. We were both way too tired and stayed home from all parties. Leland counts down the days until reffing ends and is sad. Tyson Page (the family dog) entered our lives. It's been craziness ever since, but we love it!

November: Thanksgiving in SA was cancelled due to my dad having back surgery. Leland and I did our first Thanksgiving together. Very nice and cozy. Finally a good relaxing break from all the craziness of work.

December: Things at work are getting more stressful, no support from parents, teachers, or principal. First fight in four years occurs and both parents want to file assault charges. Discipline Committee makes a decision for both kids, both parents appeal the decision. Appeals Committee makes another decision (that I do not agree with and the after hearing the discipline committee decision, appeals does not agree with it either). Principal is MIA and of no help to me. Kids never receive consequences before school lets out for Christmas Break. LELAND DEFENDS HIS DISSERTATION AND IS OFFICIALLY DR. PAGE! Sigh of relief. Job hunt starts, MD Anderson contacts Leland after one of his professors contacts them. Time with family is amazing. Anniversary was fantastic! Alamo Bowl rocked.

All in all, a pretty good year. 2o11 had it's ups and downs, but through it all I grew as a person and my relationship with my husband became closer. I am grateful for all the opportunities I have had to learn, grow, and experience the things I have. I have been so blessed and am grateful for all the Lord has given me. Bring it on 2012!

Out Like A Lion

2012-01-28T09:24:00.002-06:00

It's been a really long time since I last posted anything. Sorry for the wait for all my religious followers out there. Things haven't been what I would call "smooth" around here. First, for the good news:

December 14, 2011: Plain old Leland Page became Dr. Leland Page! Yes folks, Leland finally finished his doctorate! I took a whole day off from work (which for those who know me, is the hardest thing for me to do) and went to listen and not understand a word coming from my amazing husband's mouth as defended his dissertation on opto-acoustic imaging. I understood words like MRI, CT Scan, wood, plastic, glass and, well, that's really about all I understood. The whole time I was texting my MIL and giving her updates. I think she was crying the whole time I was texting her. I love her, she's amazing and the cutest thing ever! It was fun watching Leland present and seeing the people in the room get into what he was talking about. I am so proud of him! I love you!

Christmas! We went my parent's place in EP for Christmas this year. I was so upset the day after we got there. Why? It snowed! I live in south Texas because it doesn't get that cold and we don't have snow. It is quite perfect weather for me. The only good part about the snow was watching Tyson run around in it not knowing what to do. It was pretty funny. That day the entire west side of EP closed down. In the valley where my parents live the snow was not that bad. It wasn't really sticking to anything but cars and roofs. Up on the mountain though it was almost blizzard conditions. We left the valley to take my dad's car to get the repairs it needed. Thankfully it was the Grand Prix that need the repairs and the Santa Fe was okay because that is what got us through the snow and crazy drivers. That and a husband who grew up in Utah and snow. I now understand why the city shut down. No one knows how to drive in snow in EP. People were gunning the gas to get going and spinning out. Others were trying to go as fast as possible to get out of the snow and others were skidding because of the ice on the road. It was not the best of times. Thankfully I was able to hand the keys to Leland and have him get us home safely. Other than the snow, Christmas was great! It was the relaxation I needed. Thanks Mom and Dad for all the fun!

December 29, Our Anniversary! Crazy it's been two years since I was sealed to Leland for eternity. I am grateful for that blessing in my life. The time has gone by so quickly! We had a fun anniversary. We went to Cheesecake factory at La Cantera for lunch then it was off to work the Alamo Bowl. We volunteered at the Fan Zone and had so much fun watching all the fans and families from the schools play and have a great time. We were suppose to have a break during our time there but over half the people that were suppose to show, didn't. We ended up working the five hours straight. I don't mind because it was so much fun! After we were finished with the volunteer work, we went to the game. It was a great game! Baylor, and the Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III (RG3), and Washington were the teams playing. It was a back and forth battle, but Baylor ended up victorious. I love that a Texas team won the Bowl. I also toyed with the idea about making a sign for the game saying "I have the greatest wife ever! It's our anniversary and she let me go to a football game." for Leland to hold, but I didn't. Oh well, there will be other years. You have to admit, Leland does have the greatest wife ever ;) For me, that is the best way to spend an anniversary, doing activities that allow us to spend the entire day together, because it's more about the time we spend together than the romanticism and gifts.

New Year's was, meh. We spent the evening with a couple of friends. The older I get the less I care about New Year's activities because I am so tired that all I want to do is sleep. I made it, I stayed awake until we got home then I crashed. Happy New Year to all!

The day after New Year's I got some good news. We have a new principal on my campus. I have no idea what happened to the other one, but the new one is awesome! I love working with him. He helps come up with solutions to problems rather than making everyone else come up with them then throwing them away. He is talking to the students and teachers to get their thoughts on what would make the school better and what they would like to see happen in the future. He is actually talking to people and getting them more motivated to do their work. It has been a refreshing change.

The other evening we went to an Alamo Bowl volunteer thank you dinner and Leland was surprised with a "Distinguished Volunteer Award". I was wondering when he was going to get the recognition he deserves. I know it's volunteer and you shouldn't want recognition, but after five years of him working every event possible and always asking where he is needed all the time while working on his doctorate and all the other things he does, it's nice to have a "Thank you" from the organization.

Now, for the not so good (but could be good in the long run):

Back in October I said something about having great news that I couldn't share at the time. Well, the news was that Leland was going to have a job in SA when he finished with school. well, that news is no longer great. Since there have been budget cuts all over the place, the job he was going to get when the original person left was cut. The company is not going to hire anyone else for that position. On the other hand, Leland was recommended for a residency position at MD Anderson in Houston. The position was suppose to be filled at the beginning of January but it is still open and he has his interviews this week. I think I am more nervous about all this he is. Here is the dilemma in my mind: I love SA and don't want to leave, but I feel like it's time for a change. I have one more year until my 6th grade babies graduate and I would love to be with them until they graduate in 2013. On the other hand, I can always come back and still be a part of their graduation. Neither of us want to live in Houston, but there is nothing around SA and Leland is going crazy not having a job. The other night he even talked about working at a pizza place again. I quashed that idea very quickly. If we moved to Houston, there is no guarantee that I will be able to find work and we don't know how much the residency position will pay. I told Leland that if that is to be an option he has to be making more money than me or the same amount as me. If he does get this position, it is a great career started. Doing any type of program through MD Anderson puts you in the spotlight. You can go anywhere in the world and get whatever job you want in the medical field if you do anything at MD Anderson. There are so many mixed feelings about this. I just have to trust in the Lord and where he wants us is where we will go. Even if he does get this position at MD Anderson, it's only a two year stint, so we could always end up back in SA. Right now, it's just the thought of not knowing what's going on that's killing me. I just hope I know in early February what is happening.

That's the look into my world since the last post. Mostly good things have happened. The end of the year was busy and crazy, but when is my life ever not busy and crazy, right?

Good Stuff Happening

2011-12-13T14:29:00.002-06:00

We have had Tyson now for two months. He has proven to be a handful. Terrible twos? Try terrible 11 months! He is experiencing the world through his mouth right now and four pairs of our shoes have been the victims. My favorite heels, chewed. Both of Leland's pairs of dress shoes, goners. My casual Nikes, no more. It would be one thing if he would just chew, but he rips apart and chews. His favorite activity is ripping things apart with his mouth. If he could rip off my arm he probably would do it. When he's not ripping things apart he's a total sweetheart. On Firday I came home after one of the worst days of my life. The first thing he does is make me laugh. My arms were full of stuff from work and I had brough home some extra bananas. As I was standing, letting Leland hug me as I broke down into tears, Tyson jumps on the chair, stands on the arm and grabs a banana from arms. It lightened my mood for a few minutes. The rest of the evening he sat on my lap and let me pet him. It was the first night in a few weeks that he did not try to bite me or act all crazy. Dogs really can tell when you are feeling down. He really made my night and weekend that much better. He is also a whopping 26 lbs now! He is still trim, but boy did he put on the muscle! He is one strong pup. He hasn't grown a whole lot, but hs stout. I guess he really does fit in with the family. The only issue we have right now is his baldness. Last time we went to the vet he had a little bald spot on his head around the temple area. The doc said there was hair starting to grow in, but to keep a look out for any more hair loss on other parts of the boy. This past weekend, we started noticing hair loss on his shoulder, more on his face and his back. I am really hoping it's not mainge. We go to the doggy doc tomorrow to find out what is going.

The best thing, LELAND IS DEFENDING HIS DISSERTATION TOMORROW, EEEEEK! SO EXCITED! HE WILL FINALLY BE FINISHED AND HE CAN BE CALLED DR. PAGE! Can you tell I'm more than a little excited? Five years of this stuff for him, two years for me. School will be over and he can finally get a job. Can't wait for that to happen. As soon as he get a job, he gets the rent payment. I will still cover everything else, but he gets the rent. I am actually going to take the day off of work tomorrow to go watch him present. I will have no clue what he is talking about, but I wil be there to support him. I love that man and all the hard work he has done. YAY!

Wait a Minute Hold the Phone

2011-11-04T17:27:00.004-05:00

Did I hear that correctly? Did he really say I am doing a good job? I have finally been told I am doing a good job. It only took nine weeks. I was finally in an admin meeting where I wasn't being chewed out or pointed out for something. Kinda nice when that happens. Things at work have been absolutely crazy! I have never felt so much like quitting than what I feel like now. I am not a quitter though, so I will work it out. I will make it through the toil and strife of this dang blasted job.

On the great side there is good news to share, but I can't share it yet. I have to wait until everything is official and the name has been signed on the dotted line. So you must wait as patiently as I before I can share. Let's just say I will finally be able to breathe a sigh of relief when the news goes public. When I heard it last night I almost cried.

Tyson is doing well. When we got him about a month ago he weighted 11 pounds. As of last week, he weighed 16 pounds. He seems to still be growing and the weight he has put on does not show, so I think it has been muscle becasue he is finally getting the nourishment and most of the exercise he needs. He is still a handful. he has come to the conclusion that Leland is the alpha in the group (we all know I am the true alpha of the family, but I gotta give something to Leland right ;) ) and I am the chew toy. He always so happy and excited to see mw when I get home that now jumps about two feet in the air when I walk through the door. Last night I went down to pet him and he jumped a the same time and my hand smacked his head and went falling, hard. Like a little trooper he got back up and did the same thing as though nothing had happened. He's so much fun and he has been a great heater as the the temperatures have been dropping.

The Page Family is Growing!

2011-10-22T10:10:00.002-05:00

I know what you are thinking and I am not preggers! Last week Leland and I adopted the cutest little puppy ever! He is a weimeraner mix. We think he is mixed with pit bull. He is eight months old (almost 9) and a total sweetheart. We found him at the Animal Defense League. I actually had my mind set on a little Boston terrier/beagle mix, but that dog wasn't there when we showed up. We started looking around and went to the small/medium dog habitats. The first little face I saw was Varick (that was his name until we changed it). The other dogs were running around barking and howling and being unruly. Varick was sitting at the fence calmly and sweetly looking up at those who walked by. There was another group that was looking in the same area and they saws Varick as well. My heart completely melted when I saw this guy. I had no intention of getting a dog under 1 1/2 years old. I didn't want to go through all the puppy stages with a dog. But this little guy was all I could think about even after taking another stroll around the complex. Leland knew I was not going to back down, so he gave in and we started the adoption process. We weren't able to take him home right away because it was nearing the end of the evening and the apartment complex had already closed it's doors for the day so the ADL could not get in touch with them. That's okay, because it gave us some time to think of a name for him. Varick was just weird, to say the least. It took us all night then Leland said, "Tyson". I agreed and now we have Tyson Page.

The past week has been full of little surprises on the floor and learning how smart this little guy really is. Leland has been teaching him to climb up on the couch and the bed. Thankfully, he hasn't learned to get on the bed yet. Due to his climbing training he learned to climb over his kennel and take over the whole apartment. We had bought a kennel for Tyson for night time and help him potty train. Since he is so young and we don't know who long he can hold his bodily functions we decided to block him into the laundry room with his kennel door open to his food and water and a wood floor in case there were any accidents. I came home on Wednesday evening and was going to change before letting him out of his enclosure. I walk in and a bunch of Leland's shoes and a a belt in the living room. I knew he was out reffing a game and he would not leave his belt, runners or one dress shoe in the living room. Just as I was looking over to the kennel, Tyson comes running from the bedroom. He has learned to climb his kennel and get out of the enclosure. Right about that time I also saw a nice little present in the middle of the hall too. He is one smart cookie. Now, we keep him in the bathroom where he has room to stretch out and potty on the potty pad if need be.

Tyson is a lot of fun and has a great personality. We love the little dude! He has brought more happiness and smiles to the home and for right now, the family feels complete. I tell people that if we can do a good job with a dog, then we can do an okay job with a kid :) It's great having a fur kid around the apartment. He really does make my day better. Tyson, welcome to the Page family!

PS: I don't know how to upload a photo from my phone, but as soon as I figure it out, I will get a picture up here of him.

General Conference

2011-10-03T16:41:00.004-05:00

This past weekend was General Conference. Like always, I have no idea who spoke about what, but for me, there was a lot of cousel and guidance for families. I wish every parent I work with on a daily basis would have been able to hear those talks. It would be evenmore wonderful if every person who heard those talks would heed the cuosel that was given. I don't remember specifics, but I do remember feeling the Spirit testify to me that all the words which were spoken are true. I can't remember the last time I had such a strong impression. I think maybe it is because I am seeing the deterioration of the family all around me. With the families I work with at school and the families I work with at church. It's not very often that I meet two parents that have the same last name as their kids. It's disheartening because I see the troubles of the kids then I look at the family and realize that is where the troubles are starting. I know there are a few quotes that I will be taking from some of the talks and making little posters to hang in my office so every parent who enters my office will be able to read and hopefully learn a thing or two.

Maybe it hit me so hard because I want a family of my own. Someone else to take care of besides my hubs. Don't get me wrong, I love taking care of the hubs, but I feel like I need someone or something else to take care of. Do I want kids? Yes. Do i need kids? Right now, until I get a handle on the ones I take care of on a daily basis, I don't need any of my own. I like the ones that I get for eight to ten hours a day and then give back. What I really want though is a dog. I am starting to wear Leland down on the idea of getting a dog. I know he doesn't want a dog right now because he thinks we are not home enough for a little one, but I disagree. I am gone all day, but he is home more than he thinks he is. I have it all worked out too. When I get up I can feed the little one and take him/her outside for a morning potty break. Leland doesn't get up until later. When he gets up he can give the little one a treat of banana or carrot and let him/her outside for a little bit. Before he leaves he can put the dog in the kitchen with a treat ball, toys, bed and water. When I get home I can feed the pupster dinner and take it for a walk or jog. then, it's all good and the pupster is ready for bed. All planned out. I got this! Now, just to find the perfect dog. I am about ready to go get one from the Humane Society this weekend. If I can just hold out a little longer then it will be all good. But if we get abother text from my sister-in-law with a picture of Patches then I will just break down and get one.

A Month Ago

2011-09-27T18:19:00.003-05:00

Doesn't seem all that long. A lot has happened this past month, and I mean A LOT! It all has to deal with school since that is all I ever do now. I still am not a fan of my principal. He is still thinking of things on an elementary level with our kids. I wonder if he is ever going to make the cognitive switch to secondary school. I have not been in my office for more than 10 minutes the past two days so the fact that I am writing this right now is a miracle. The school is being taken to court because of an idiotic mother whose son is not even autistic but when we say there is no evidence to support autism she decides to sue. It's a really, really long story and I don't have enough space in the world to tell it at this time. Two sixth graders had their first fight ever at school. Imagine two little guys that weigh maybe 70 pounds soaking wet and with glasses. Total nerd brawl. I have eighth grade girls that think they are the shiz and nothing can touch them. I have teachers who couldn't give a care in the world to working at this school and are only doing it for the paycheck. I have other teachers who are already telling me they are going to quit at the end of the school year because their concerns are not being taken seriously. I am ready to hang up my hat because I still cannot get any respect from the male admins. There are so many Special Ed kids in the school I am starting to think we are turning into a behavior/special needs school instead of a college prep school. All I can talk about at home is work. All I can talk about at work is work. I have nothing outside of work in my life. My poor husband has to listen to me talk about work all the time. I feel like there is nothing else to talk about. I have not had a good day at work since, well I haven't had a good day at work and we are now in the sixth week of school. I keep telling myself things are going to get better, but I don't know if that is going to happen at this point. I am having a really hard time believing things are going to get any better.

Now that downer is out of the way, I have to talk about something more enjoyable. I am almost finished with Personal Progress. I hadn't looked at my book in a really long time and as I was going through it, I realized that I have done almost everything. I just have a couple of more journal entries to write and once I finish reading the Book of Mormon I will be finished. It's amazing how much stuff I do in my daily life that relates to Personal Progress. I have forgotten how it feels to be able to work on me. I am so focused on other things that I forget to focus on my personal development. I am grateful that Personal Progress was opened up to all women of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I feel so refreshed and renewed! I was also able to attend the Relief Society General Broadcast this past Saturday. Don't tell anyone, but the presidency messages were a little boring to me and I went all ADD up in the place. President Uchtdorf's talk was amazing! I love listening to that many speak. The talked about the flower the Forget-Me-Not. He said there are five petals on the flower and five simple things in life must remember in life. They are:

1) Be happy now
2) Be patient with yourself
3) Sacrifice for the good things
4) Forget not the "why" of the gospel
5) The Lord loves you.

Those five things are so very important and I needed that reminder at that time. I love the simplicity of the gospel and sometimes I need that reminder. Life can be simple but we have to have those little reminders. Now, if I ever see a Forget-Me-Not I will remember those five things.

The best two parts of this week will be being able to see my dad. He isn't coming to visit me or anything but it will be nice to just see him and relax for a little with him. The best part about the weekend? It's General Conference weekend! One of the two best weekends of the year. I know I will be watching a lot of recorded sessions, but that's okay. I will still be learning and soaking in all I can. The speakers will be wonderful and I know there will be many questions answered on my part. I am so glad it is conference weekend. I really need this right now. I really don't know what else to say. My life is boring right now because it's just work. Hopefully the next time I post I will have some better stories to tell.

Back to School. . .

2011-08-27T13:01:00.002-05:00

And I'm already ready for Christmas Break. It has been a bear of a week. I was told on Monday that I was not allowed to smile at the kids, ever. Then I was told the first day of school was a complete disaster because the kids did not leave the cafeteria in an elementary order. Meaning that the high schoolers were let go when the bell rang in one big group not led out by a teacher by grade level and section. Then, half the lockers do not work. I tried every single combination in the book for those lockers and NONE of them worked. I have been chewed out by not only parents who refuse to follow school protocol but by my principal as well. I never want a repeat of this week, ever again.

I also found out this weekend that my husband's little cousin William (he's about 2 or 3 years old) has tumors on his brain. He is at a children's hospital in Utah. Many prayers and people fasting for that little boy. He is a doll and a half and the funniest little kid I have ever seen. IN the words of little William "Aw, Man!"

On the bright side, my energy is through the roof! I have not had any feelings of wanting a nap in the middle of the day even after getting only a few hours of sleep every night. The surgery was a success and the biopsy came back clean. I go back to the doc this week to do some blood tests to make sure all my levels are still good and in the clear. My mom told me about this cloud she felt like she was under before she had her surgery and then after it was lifted. I didn't really understand her at the time, but I do now. I feel like my old self again! I am so happy I had the surgery.

Today Leland and I will finally get to go dryer shopping! He was able to secure some financial aid and receive two months worth of pay. This will make laundry way easier to do. I hate having to wash my clothes at home then go to the laundromat to dry. I would also hate to go to the laundromat to wash and bring home to dry. Either do it all at home or all at the mat, but going between both is awful! Hopefully we can find something within our price range.

Well, that's all I have time for right now. Maybe I can write some more later, maybe ;) Have a wonderful weekend!

2011-08-08T14:52:00.005-05:00

The surgery was a success! The two adenomas and glands were removed and my levels have dropped to normal. The strangest thing happened during the surgery though. I swear to all that is good in this world that I began to wake-up during the surgery. I know some people don't believe me, but at one point I remember hearing the doctor talking and feeling a pulling on my neck as well as a burning in my neck. I also remember trying to move some part of my body and trying to yell to let them know I was felling something, but I couldn't do anything. It was strange. I have heard of this happening to people before, but I have had four previous surgeries and have never had that happen so I though it would never happen to me and it never even crossed my mind. From what I have heard from news shows about the phenomenon, it happened. The things I heard described is what I felt. Call me crazy or say it was all in my head if you want, but I know it happened.

The recovery has been slow and I am not happy at all. I have been locked up in my apartment for four days, four days! I am going crazy! I am not suppose to go anywhere until my doc appointment on Wednesday, but I have to get back to work Tuesday. Whatever the doc doesn't know won't hurt, right? I am also doing my best to let Leland take care of me. My mom came for a few days and did a great job of being Nurse Mom. It's not easy for me to be so helpless. I want everything to go okay at the doc so I have to keep reminding myself to stay down and let other people do things for me.

In news from around the country, the US has lost it's triple A (AAA) credit rating and the markets from around the world are crashing. The Dow has lost 600+ points in less than a full day of trading. The world is starting a huge slippery slope of markets. Fox News just showed the European markets and every country has lost huge. Just another sign of the times.

I am starting to feel a little light-headed so I should get back to my recovery. Have a great week!

Goin' Under the Knife

2011-08-03T16:01:00.002-05:00

I don't have much time to write seeing that I have been in meetings all day and now have a ton of assignments to do before surge tomorrow. Surgery is tomorrow. I am a little nervous, but I know and have enough faith that things will be okay and turn out how they are suppose to be. No biggie. Mom is driving into town as we speak, er, write. The only items on my list of things to do before I have surge are laundry and grocery shopping. I had plans to do all of that yesterday afternoon and today, but meetings at work took six hours each day. Six hours! Let me tell you, it's going to be one really, really, really long school year. I just may have to try to find another job next year. Hopefully they won't be as bad as what I am thinking they are going to be. Back to work!

Surgery. . .

2011-08-01T09:31:00.002-05:00

is a go. Friday I received a call from the doc office saying the scans showed a bilateral parathyroid adenoma and a possible thyroid adenoma. I will have the two glands with the adenomas removed and a possible thyroid biopsy if there is something there. I am fine with the removal of the parathyroids, no sweat. I am more worried about the thyroid adenoma. All the "what ifs" start coming to mind. What if it's cancerous? What if it's metastasized? What if what if, what if? On the other hand there is relief knowing that what is ailing me could be gone forever if the adenomas are removed successfully. Such a mix of emotions! Now it's a race against time to prepare every needful thing not only at home, but at work as well. I have my surgery Thursday and the following Tuesday teachers and admins go back to work. I have to make sure I have all my presentations ready so that I don't have to try to do too much when I get back. That's the plan for today. Get all my presentations updated and ready to go. In order to finish all that, I have to stop playing around on the computer. Have a wonderful Monday and an amazing week!

2011-07-27T10:50:00.003-05:00

I went to the ENT yesterday to find out if there was any more information that she can give me about my whole situation. I will be going in for some more scans tomorrow to find out more. If there is anything on the parathyroid I will have surgery next Thursday. If that's the case, it will be good to get everything done before I go back to working full-time on August 9. It does put a little kink in my plans though. I am suppose to have some dental work done next Friday, that may not be happening. If I have the surge on Thursday the doctor wants me in the hospital for 23 hrs (so it's still considered an out-patient surgery) because I am a red-head. I guess she has had experiences with red-heads and this surgery. I have never had any real problems directly after a surge, but if that's what she wants, then that is what she will get.

Last night I went to the temple. It felt so good and so many of my worries were put to rest. It's great to be able to go to the temple and have that feeling of joy, happiness and peace. After I left the temple I called Leland and told him that we are both going to get to the Celestial Kingdom no matter how hard we have to work. Since he was at the Rangers game with his dad last night I went by myself. I told him it was so wierd to be sitting in the Celestial Room and not have him come walking through the doors. It made me a little sad to know that there are people whose families don't make it back. The feelings I was feeling, well, I don't want to feel like that ever again. This life is about experience and work. There are no free passes to the Celestial Kingdom. Faith without works is dead. It's not enough to know, but you have to do. I hope I am doing what I need to do in order to not feel the way I did in the Celestial Room and so my relatives do not have to experience those feelings as well.

Summer of Crazy

2011-07-25T13:57:00.003-05:00

I feel like the Cathy cartoon, AAAAAAAAACK! The school year is nearing and new principal is going to be way different. He wants all graffiti cleaned off the walls right after it happens (not at the end of the day because that takes too long) and the paint can will be in my office. "If you don't have control in your restrooms, you don't have control anywhere else". Direct quote from said new principal. I am a little weary about how this year is going to go. It's going to be, well, interesting. Every year with a new principal is always interesting. They all come in with their own agenda and try to force it upon everyone else. I think this is the fifth principal in my going on six years now. Outside of one other person, I have been on this campus the longest and know this building and the things that need to happen. On top of that we are going to be more ghetto than ever. Now, new principal wants to place a fence (chain link no doubt) around the dismissal area for, "the safety of the children". The kids thought it felt like a prison here before, now they are going to really feel like they are in a prison. In talking with new guy I felt that my concerns were not heard or really cared for, but we will see what happens in the next few months. Crazy, crazy.

What else in the past few weeks? I finally went to a real doctor. I know shocking, me going to a doctor for something other than an emergency? I can say that I have a real doctor that I can see for all the little things, but know I will only go for periodic blood testing and a yearly physical. This physical was an experience. I went in to ask a few questions in get all my levels tested to see how well I am. The doc noticed some strange things with my results. My red blood cell count is really high meaning my body is making too many red blood cells. This is a sign for sleep apnea, yay. I still have to do a sleep study for that one. He also noticed my bilirubin levels were high too meaning there is something wrong with my liver. After going through an ultrasound of the abdomen, it was found that my liver is fine but I do have what is known as Gilbert's (pronounced jill bears) Syndrome. Basically, my liver is a little sluggish in flushing out the toxins. No biggie though. He also noticed that my calcium levels were really elevated and much higher than they should be. Knowing that my mom has parathyroid issues he saw that as a red flag and ordered another blood test to check out my pth (parathyroid hormone) levels. The big news, I have hyperparathyroidism. After seeing those levels I went in for another ultrasound and they found three nodules in the parathyroid region. Tomorrow I go to the ENT to find out more. Basically, the parathyroid controls calcium levels in the blood. If the para is messed up it will sense that there is not enough calcium in the body and it will take it from the bones causing elevated levels of calcium in the blood. Many people do not see that as a big problem, but it has huge ramifications. Many people, like my mom, don't find out they have this problem until after they have kidney stones or something else happens. You can have this for years and never know. I don't know how long I have had this, but as I look back on the past year and half I can tell when I started feeling different and noticing something wasn't clicking. I just thought I was having a difficult time with some changes in my life, but now it looks as though that's when my para could have been starting to act up. The only way to cure this is through surgery. No meds or alternative therapies can fix the problem. If there is a nodule, I will have to have surgery. Once the surgery is done, the problem is over. Hopefully I can get things taken care of quickly. I do worry about things like this, but I just have to roll with the punches. And right now life is handing a lot of them to me. I know some of the things that are happening are out of my control. Okay, almost everything is out of my control and I am trying to deal with that and understand that, but it's so hard to do. A lot of faith and a lot of prayer.

On the plus side, Leland, the luckiest man in the world, had some luck fall upon him. So it's not the funding he is looking for to finish his dissertation, but it is something to get him away from some stress. He won tickets to the Texas Rangers baseball game tomorrow night! Incredible! Since I had previously made plans with a friend, he will be taking his dad along for an incredible trip. He wins everything, concert tickets, sporting event tickets, iPads. Man, I got one lucky guy =0)

I have successfully caught you up on my dealings. Oh, yeah, we finally moved to a new place! A cute 2 bed 2 bath apartment. Now all we need is a little doggie and life will be complete, for now ;) Have a wonderful week!

What a Month!

2011-07-14T11:24:00.004-05:00

I can't believe it has already been a month since my last post! A few things have happened since then. Leland and I have started moving into our new apartment which I love. It has been a little difficult in doing that since he is working on his research or clinicals everyday and it has been left up to me to get it done. I understand he is busy, but I feel like I am in this by myself. I was able to go see my parents and my college buddies for a week. It was nice seeing all my EP friends. Jeanne got married and I finally got to meet her little 3 month old, Joshua (absolutely adorable!). Jeanne was so beautiful and happy and her new hubby, Eddie, was just beaming with joy and happiness. Erika, one of the funniest people I know, is about two weeks away from delivering her second (and last) baby, a girl. The rest of the gang is doing well and living the life. I miss those girls and we need a reunion with EVERYONE soon. There were a few that were missing that would have completed the entire thing. My other good college buddy, Kristi, is getting married this weekend. I so wish I could be in Hawaii right now for everything rather than SA doing work and moving everything, but it's all good. I wish her and her hubby the best. They are really the perfect match. Outside all that news, not much else is happening. . .or so I would like you to think.

These past two weeks have been really trying for the both of us. We found out that Leland has no funding to finish his research and has no job opportunity for another, at least, three months. Because congress could not pass a budget the Navy, who was funding his research, had to cut it out of the budget because they didn't know how much money they were going to have. Thanks congress and Obama. My husband was a month away from finishing and presenting his dissertation and now, he may have spent five years wasting his life because you couldn't get your act together. On top of that, we will have to pay upwards of $1800 just so Leland can present his dissertation. We will have to pay a full semester's worth of tuition for a couple of hours of work. Why? Because his advisors will be out of town until August 20, the day he would have to present by in order to not have to pay the tuition. Now, I know his advisors go out of town from July 15 ish to August 20 ish every year, it's a tradition. BUT, if you know you have someone who is about to finish their dissertation, has no more funding, and can't afford to pay another semester and has no job, you can cut your vacation short a couple of days. Leland has been working with these men for five years now and they can't cut him a little slack? On top of that, he has always had to wait on them and other people to do his research because the school doesn't have the equipment necessary. All in all, it's not his fault this has taken so long to complete. It's a whole chain reaction. Oh, the best news we found out about, UTHSCSA is the MOST expensive public university in the entire nation. Awesome. It is going to be a tight couple of months. I am still hoping that the school realizes they are being dee,dee,dees and will find some type of funding out there for him. Prayers and faith are being stretched at this point.

Now on to me. There is a reason I never go to the doctor, even if it is just for a wellness check. No matter what I go in for, the doc always finds something wrong or weird. I finally went to a doctor yesterday to do a routine physical. I was concerned about a couple of things, mainly thyroid/parathyroid issues and diabetes since those things are in my family. They did the normal blood tests and read the lab work. I get a call this morning saying the doctor wanted to see me to discuss my results. There is a litany of things going through my head at this point. I have thyroid problems or diabetes, he found something else, or he was just calling me in to praise me for such good results. Boy was I wrong! All my red blood cell readings were too high indicating that I may have sleep apnea so now I have to go through a diagnostic sleep study. The rest is a little weird and where the weirdness factor comes in. My bilirubin is really high indicating something could be seriously wrong with my liver. Which is weird because I don't drink alcohol nor do I smoke. Best case scenario is that I have a slow running liver and there is no issue. Worst case scenario is that I may have the beginnings if cirrhosis of the liver. Again weird because I don't do the things that would lead to cirrhosis of the liver. The other possibility is a fatty liver because of the extra weight that I have. The extra weight that I cannot get off no matter how much I work out and what type of diet I am on could be the effect of sleep apnea. If that is the case, then there is a simple solution to everything. If that's not the case then we have no idea what is going on. So, there is more stress to add to the piled high stress we already have. Hopefully I will know more tomorrow. Then the blood work showed my calcium levels are way too high which, due to my mom's parathyroid condition, is a concern for me because high calcium is a sign of parathyroid issues. Again, I should have more details in the coming days. The good thing is, my thyroid is perfect and so are the other tests, BP, cholesterol and other stuff. I always knew there was a reason I didn't like going to doctors.

The good thing is, these are little trials that we will get through. I know we have these trials for a reason. They are definitely faith trying. I know that we will both grow from this and learn some pretty cool things. I love that I have the gospel in my life and I know that these things will be for my good. I have the knowledge that these things are placed in my life for a reason and I decide how I am going to view them. When it rains, it pours. But I have the option as if I am going to only see the never-ending rain or if I can look to the extended forecast and see the sunshine ahead. I choose the latter. My Heavenly Father knows what I will be able to handle and he will never give me more than that. I have the responsibility to be faithful and do what I know is right. I see this as a little shower that will end. How long will take? I can't say, but I know I will be okay, that Leland and I will be blessed as long as we stay faithful.

Spritually Filled

2011-06-20T12:26:00.003-05:00

This past weekend was just what I needed. The youth of my church had a youth conference this past weekend, "What Are You Broadcasting?" was the theme of the weekend. It was all about what things you are putting out to the world. Are looking for things that are lovely, of good report, or virtuous or praiseworthy? Are you being honest, true chaste, benevolent, virtuous and doing good to those around you? So basically, you are being an example, a light on a hill, to the world around you? The best part of the weekend was being able to listen to Sis Cook, First Counselor of the YW General Presidency, speak. She was fabulous! I was able to hear her speak three times. I would like to share some of the things that I think are most important for the youth today.

- Challenge our youth today. Give them an assignment and let them do it, don't do it for them.
- Have the youth plan and teach so they feel they have some ownership.
- Look at yourself and others as God sees you, not as the world sees you
- Live with virtue
- Serve the world around you
- Serve the Lord
- Serve your family
- One righteous young man/young woman can change the world
- We must teach the doctrines and principles of the church and gospel plainly and bluntly
- Young Women teach the Young Men benevolence
- Young Men teach the Young Women the Keys of the Priesthood

That's only a little bit of the three "trainings" I was able to sit in on. The best thing, I think, that I heard was to challenge our youth. We are so in the habit of not challenging our youth and allowing them to either accomplish the task of fail miserably. We are so afraid to let our kids fail (just look at the school systems and you will completely understand) and learn and grow from their failure. We are to the point that we don't want to challenge our youth so they can accomplish everything they want to. When they do struggle, we take over and don't allow them to struggle, problem solve and figure it all out. We want to take away the hardness of the task so we don't have to see them hurt and struggle. Yes, it hurts to see our youth struggle, but nothing done the easy way is ever truly worth it. We all have struggles and fights but it is how we handle those trials that make us who we are and allow us to grow and learn. If someone is always picking us up when we are down and they do not allow us to fight our way back, we have learned only one thing, that we don't have to fight, someone will always get us out of whatever the problem is and we don't have to do anything. Allow the challenges to come and allow yourself to get back on track. I am not saying we don't help and support them, just don't outright rescue them. Two cents done, now on to the rest of the weekend that I was able to participate in.

Friday I was able to be a COPES facilitator. I went through COPES facilitator training when I was in college and have been doing it with my job for quite some time now. I was so excited for this opportunity, but the guy I was partnered with must have felt I didn't know what I was doing because he took over everything. I had told him I have done facilitation for this age group of kids and that I do it on a regular basis at work and he would not let me get much in edge wise. I had to fight my to say anything. He was stuck on a script that he was given when the kids were learning something not on the script. I was trying to let them continue with the path they were on, but he would always go back to the script. That's okay, the kids learned at least a little something from it. Every group was different with different dynamics and they had to work together for a common goal. Some groups were tougher than others, but the last group of the day was my absolute favorite. They were so engaged in the activity and the discussion that I didn't want them to leave. They thought of things that I never thought about and discussed things that to a normal person would be way above their heads, but they grasped the point. They understood and it was fun to see the light bulb go off in their heads. That is why I love working with the youth. It's those light bulb moments. It was a spiritually fulfilling couple of days and I am so grateful for the opportunity that I had to be a part of it. It totally filled my spiritual tank which was, honestly, a little low. We have a great group of teenagers in the world today, we just have to teach and challenge them to get them on the right track. They will do wonders if we just believe and have faith in them.

The Spark of Memory

2011-06-14T09:48:00.003-05:00

It's funny the things we randomly remember from when we were little kids. The other day I was brushing my hair after my shower and the memory of my dad brushing my hair came back. My dad loves long hair and when I was younger I had really long hair, almost to my elbows. On occasion, after my showers my dad would have me sit on the floor in front of him and he would brush my hair until it was dry. My hair would be long, straight and pretty the times he did that. When Mom was out of town or at work and I wanted my hair braided I would sit down on the floor in front of Dad and he would pull my hair into one of those "face-lift" ponytails then braid it. The ponytail and braid, no fail, would always hurt my head and give me a headache, but I didn't care because Dad did it. That was about all he could do with hair, but it worked for me. After that memory had lapsed, I then thought about all the different hair designs my mom did for me. I feel bad for my mom because she did not get the cheerleader daughter she always thought she would have. She got me, the anti-cheerleader, sports enthusiasts who could learn anything but despised cheerleading and cheerleaders. Poor Mom! She always did my hair some really cool different way. It would be in a french braid, french braid pigtails, bun, halo braid, whatever she was feeling for that day. Sometimes it would take an hour for her to do my hair perfectly, but it still looked pretty awesome. Now that I don't have that talent around me anymore, I miss my hair being braided and sitting for long periods of time while someone was doing my hair. I have tried on numerous occasions to braid my hair and do cute things with it, but I can't, I just don't have that skill set. Now my hair is either down or in a ponytail. Oh, well. Maybe sometime in the future I will be able to have those sweet skills, but I won't hold my breath.

Just a Little Rant

2011-06-09T10:14:00.002-05:00

What's the deal with people hating on members if the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka Mormons)? I don't get nor do I want to understand the pure hatred. I was reading an article yesterday online and my eye caught hold of a side article. Michael Otterson the public affairs guy for the Church had a couple of opinion articles stating the beliefs and some little known facts of the Church. I sat and read some of the comments that readers wrote and I was just disgusted by the vitriol and hate that was coming from these people. It didn't matter how many people stood up for the Church whether they were members or not, these people would continue to bash and bash and bash some more. It was almost as if they were refreshing their browsers every few minutes so they could jump on in with a comment in support of a fellow basher or find some way to try to prove a supporter of the article wrong or make them doubt what they know to be true. As a member of the Church, I am not going to engage in the arguments and bashing. I know what the truth is and I will be an example of it and live my testimony. I do become angry when I read that stuff (and I should stop reading it) but it is not my position to judge another person for his/her beliefs, so i won't do that. I will say though, it is disheartening when there are other religions and religious leaders that proclaim tolerance for all, but cannot seem to stop hating on the Mormons (the same holds true for all the politicians that are screaming that conservatives/republicans/etc are not tolerant because of their views of society yet, those same people hate and bash and have no tolerance themselves, but that is a discussion for another day). Anyway, rant over, just had to get that off my chest. Ahhhh, I feel better now :)

2011-06-08T13:11:00.003-05:00

I had my end-of-the-year evaluation last week. Everything went well. I even got a little bit of a raise. It was a great feeling to know that I will be coming back for another year! I had two complaints from two teachers. It was funny, I wrote a small paragraph on their evaluations about some things that needed improvement for next year, and they wrote two - three pages of complaints against me. What's even better, not once did they ever tell me to my face or write a letter about what they were feeling and it wasn't sent until after the school year ended that the e-mail was sent to my principal. Thankfully, he saw through what they were trying to do and had the same feelings I had. One of the complaints came from a teacher who thought I was always second guessing her and taking authority away from her. I believe in being open with my teachers and telling them what is going on with students and the complaints I receive from them and the stories they tell me when the teacher does not send a referral with the student to my office or call me and let me know what happens. Most of the time I only hear the student's side of the story. Later I ask the teacher what happened and tell them what they student said happened. There was one time when this teacher sent the troubled student to my office with another student to tell me what happened. After the second student told me what happened he then goes on to say that the first kid really wasn't doing anything wrong. So I went and told the teacher what the second kid told me. She thought I was second guessing her abilities. I just wanted to find out from her what happened and let her know that the kids she thinks she can trust are pulling the wool over her eyes and will lie to anyone they can lie to so they do not get into trouble. Perfect example, a kid had his yearbook taken up by this teacher because another student was looking at it during class after she said they could not look at them during class. She comes to me all concerned because the yearbook she had taken up was missing so I check the cameras then do a little investigative work. I see the yearbook everyone was talking about then ask some kids some questions. One kid says, "She never took any yearbooks away from any kids today during class!" I tell her what student had said that and she says that student always tells the truth and never lies. I heard it with my own two ears and saw it with my own two eyes. The kid then goes to her the following day and says he saw the owner of the book pick-up the yearbook from her cart. She believes the kid, even after he bold faced lied to me the day before. I gave her some advice and told her that she can't always trust one kid after only knowing him/her for a school year. The kids I trust have shown me over the course of two to five years that they can be trusted. She also told me that another student lied to me and told her truth about another situation, but refused to give that kid's name. This situation was something that was possibly going to get a kid thrown out of school that should have been thrown out of school, but because the one kid lied to me and signed a statement, the kid who should have been thrown out got to stay. She wants to complain about me undercutting her authority? The other teacher complained about me being unfair in assigning subs and giving my friends an easier sub schedule than what she had. On top of that I am a hypocrite in all ways. Granted, some of the examples she pointed out looked like they could be hypocrisy if she didn't know what I was doing. Every time I was talking to someone in the cafeteria it was about a situation that needed to be handled or a questions a teacher had about a topic, but not once did I ever take my eyes off the students and what they were doing while in the cafeteria. There were many times when I was talking to a teacher would see a student doing something that they should not have been doing and the complaining teacher would walk right by as if nothing was going on and I would have to go ever and handle the situation because she wasn't even paying attention or thought that whatever the kid was doing was okay. There were also many times in which I would look at the camera and she is talking face to face with another teacher while kids are running around the cafeteria, trying to fight, and yelling at others and she didn't do a thing about the situation. Anyways, I could have been a whole lot harsher then what I was in the final evaluation, but I like to give the benefit of the doubt and allow for improvement the next year. I guess they thought they could hammer me like that since I was a teacher last year and they could not deal with me being moved into the role I am in now. Oh, well. They will have to deal with me for at least another year.

So far summer is treating me well. I have lost four pounds since summer started, which is great! I am not going to worry about how much more I need to lose because if I worry, I will not improve. I am just going to continue to work out and have fun. We finally found a place to live, we just have to wait to hear back about whether or not we are approved for the place. Leland started his internship and thins seem to be going good so far. One of the guys he was out with yesterday asked him if he has talked to the head guy about a possible job when he finishes with the internship and school. Everyone seems to be getting along with Leland and like the work he is doing. Hopefully, fingers crossed, prayers answered the way I would like for them to be answered. He received an e-mail from his advisor about a group in Portland, OR that has a position to be filled. He just sent that guy to the trash folder. Now Leland's advisor is telling him that there is no way he is going to finish his dissertation before the first week in August. That just lights the fire under his butt and gets him more motivated. He should be finished in July. If he spends all of his extra time in the lab and library writing, he will do it. I have faith in him and he will get it done when he says he will get it done. If not, he knows how mad I will be and he doesn't want to make me mad. Things will get done, I am sure of it. Dad goes in for eye surgery tomorrow. He is getting a lot of work done and hopefully all goes well. The doctor even told him if things go well he may be able to get my dad's vision to the point where dad will not need glasses anymore. I told my dad that would be really weird since my entire life he has worn glasses. I may not recognize him without glasses ;) That's about it for this week, sorry nothing too interesting. It's summer, not drama, what can I say?

Summer is Here!

2011-06-02T14:31:00.003-05:00

Summer has finally made it's way to me! It has been one very long school year and I am grateful that it is now time to relax. So far I have fallen asleep and taken a two hour nap. Yesterday I told Leland that is what I have been doing and he told me I was still recovering from the school year. I have to say that I agree with him :) I have been able to workout four days in a row! That is the most exciting thing so far. I already have started feeling better with the workouts happening. Still do not have a new place to live. Leland did not get the job in Utah!!!! His third letter of recommendation was never submitted so the job went to someone else who had everything in, but more on that later. I have already started preparing things for next school year. I will be resetting all the locker combinations in the coming weeks. I just hope I am coming back next year. I never had an end-of the-year evaluation because my principal and I both forgot about it, so I don't know if I have a job next year or not. I did notice today that the settings on my database have changed and are now more restricted but I wonder why. I found out that my principal will not be back next year, which totally hoovers since he is the best principal this school has had. I don't really know who is coming to take his place but the rumors are that it is a principal from one of the other campuses or the guy that was here three years ago that I cannot stand. If he comes back for this next school year then I may end up being fired because I won't be able to hold my tongue. I guess I might want to look for another job starting in September ;) As much as I love summer, it sure is a summer full of uncertainty.

Back to Leland not getting the job in Utah. I am not sure if I told this story or not in a previous post so if I have, please bear with me. Leland received a call last week saying he did not get the job because his third letter of recommendation never came in. When Leland asked about it, the person who was suppose to write it said he never wrote it. From what I know, Leland would have had the job in a heartbeat if that letter made it in. Everything had already been sent in and HR was just waiting for that third letter. When I asked why it wasn't written, Leland just said that the person had so much stuff going on that he just didn't have the time to write it. My reply? "If someone asks you for a letter of recommendation and there is a due date for it, it doesn't matter how busy you are, you write the letter that should only take 30 minutes and get back to what you are doing. I think he didn't write it on purpose. I think he sabotaged the whole thing. he doesn't want you to leave SA". To which Leland agreed, partially. That's my thoughts and feelings towards it. If you have known someone for five years and always talk to others about him in such high regard, then it shouldn't take but 15 minutes to write a glowing letter of recommendation for that person. Anyway, that means two things, so far we are not moving anywhere, but Leland still does not have a job. Grrrrrrrr!

Yesterday Leland started his internship with MARP, the company he would like to work for when he graduates. I really hope it turns into something more than an internship. Hopefully he can impress those he is working with enough for them to hire him at least part time by August. It is going to be really tough if we have to live off my check for a few months. Especially if we move into the place I checked out yesterday and have to start paying off his student loans. I just want him to get something, even if it's just 20K-30K. I know he wants something more, but anything is better than 0 right now. I am always praying that he will find something. I worry a ton about this stuff. I will not be comfortable until I know we have enough saved up to last two years without jobs. I hope it never gets to the point where we have to live off savings for that long, but the way the economy is going and budget cuts in education and other places, it could happen.

Summer is here, and I am grateful for the time away from kiddos for a little whole. I know I will start to miss them, but it's nice to work without someone stopping in or calling my office every 10 minutes. I can actually get things done. Now it's back to working out the locker situations. I hope all is well with everyone out there in the blog world. And congrats to all my preggers friends! I know each one of you will make great moms because you are already absolutely amazing women.

Dear School Year

2011-05-23T07:35:00.002-05:00

You seem to have taken forever to get here, but alas, you are now upon me.
Thank you for the many highs and ever so more lows this year. I have experienced
many new and interesting things that I will carry into next year. This has truly
been a roller coaster ride of a year. Never have I been so stressed, so nervous,
or so grateful for my upbringing as I have this year. So many changes have happened.
School has officially destroyed my social life, but that's okay since summer is upon me and
a social life can begin again. No more stressful days and sleepless nights. You have
no idea how much I am looking forward to that first Saturday of the farmer's market
and finally being able to really clean the apartment. I also look forward to packing boxes
and searching for a new place to live. This summer is going to be full of surprises and
blessings. 2010-2011 school year, you are finally coming to a close. Only three full days
and two half days left. Thank you for everything (except the 20 extra lbs).

Love Always,

Katie =0)

Eight Grade Graduation

2011-05-20T13:05:00.003-05:00

DONE and DONE! That is a huge load off my shoulders, whew! It was a nice evening if you are talking to one of the parents. To me, it was a little disastrous, but that's only because I know of all the mistakes and problems we had. If I did not have the help of some of the teachers there, it would have been a complete nightmare. Thankfully, I work with a group of dedicated teachers who are always willing to help at the drop of a hat. I think, after all the complaints and remarks about having to go to an 8th grade graduation, all the kiddos had fun. I saw some smiles on some kids that were doing the most complaining. Clark gave a great little speech, I was a little choked up, but I can control my emotions and get over it quickly. I know in a couple of years if I am still at this school, I know I will not be able to control my emotions. In 2013 my first class of sixth graders from my first year of high school will be graduating. It's been fun and a interesting watching them and guiding them through their teenage years. If my kids turn out like most of those kiddos, I will be one proud parent. Back to grad. I was amazed as to how many people attended. I had the kiddos set-up about 200 chairs for 72 (actually less since about 15 kids did not attend) graduates. We had to add about another 50 chairs to the set-up. Kids were bringing their mom, dad, gma, gpa, aunt, uncle, aaaaalllll the cousins, and their neighbors to an 8th grade graduation. It's almost as if they were graduating high school or college. I understand that for some families this is the highest level of schooling to be completed by a member of the family so it's a pretty big deal. I thought I had bought enough food with two full sheet cakes, two very large veggie relish trays, two very large fresh fruit trays, and a donation of six dozen cookies. By the time I got to the food, there was nothing, literally nothing, but a couple of carrot sticks and a few pieces of broccoli left. At least, I got some icing scraps, so that made me happy. As long as the guests had a good time and liked, that's all that matter. Only five days left and no more kiddos at work. It's going by way, way too slow.

Time to call some parents and work out some deals so kiddos don't get expelled. Have a great one!

A real quick shout out to my friend, Rebecca: Congratulations on your recent engagement! You are heading into one wild, exciting, tiring, full of joy experience. Have fun with it all, don't stress over the little things, and remember what you are preparing for. It makes all the difference.

Oh, and one more thing: The job in Utah is no longer an option. The position was filled, yeah! No Utah and 6 months of winter for me! Prayers are answered, no matter who is sending them. Also, Heavenly Father knows that I would not be happy in the frozen north during the winter. This means we are back to the drawing board and everything is really uncertain, but at east it's not Utah (so far).

2011-05-16T16:47:00.003-05:00

He now knows how I feel every night I come home. It only took all school year for Leland to feel what I feel every night. Our roles were switched last night as I had some work to do at the real computer while he fell asleep on the couch at 8:00pm. I finally finished my work around 10:00pm and he got off the couch and said, "I now know how you feel every night". Finally, he saw the light or should I say the inside of his eyelids. I am happy he understands where I am coming from and why it is so hard for me to get back to the bedroom almost every night of the week.

I have been feeling like such a slacker and a horrible wife lately that I did something to say, "I'm sorry for slacking and making you do all the work lately. I love you!" Leland loves WWE. I personally don't care for it. But WWE is in SA tonight so I decided that I would give him a little gift, I bought him two tickets so that he could go with anyone he wanted to go with. I knew his first choice would be me, so I told him to take a friend. I am happy I did that because, in exchange, I get to go see Josh Groban Wednesday night with a friend. It's a fair trade.

I have been so crazy busy these past couple of weeks that I haven't had time to breathe, and this afternoon I get to take a deep breath. I just keep counting down my school year by the number of events I have left to go to. Tomorrow is NHS induction, Thursday is 8th grade graduation (I still don't understand why 8th graders need a graduation), Friday is Teacher Appreciation dinner and ward spaghetti dinner and auction for the youth camps this summer, Saturday is auxiliary training and NHS rummage sale, next Thursday is high school graduation and finally next Friday is the Senior Reception. Once that is over, summer can officially begin, if I make it to that point. All day I have been trying to tie up lose ends for the 8th grade grad and have been falling asleep behind my desk. I should say that I have been trying to fall asleep, no one ever lets me do that though. Only a few more events left.

Things are not looking too good right now for Leland in finding jobs in SA. All the places that told him to let them know when he finishes now have no openings. One person was asking about him, but his firm is up in Dallas. The other option, if he gets the job, is Utah Valley University. I told Leland about a week ago that I keep having this feeling that we will not be in SA much longer. I hate that feeling. I had that feeling before and it turned out I left. On the other had, I did have that feeling the summer Leland and I started dating but ended up staying and look what happened, something amazing! Anyway, I just want to know what is going to happen so I can start getting things prepared. I just hope we are moving to another apartment not another city or state. This is one time I wish I had the gift of being able to see directly into my future.

I better finish my work. I still have grad stuff to work on. Hope all is well with all of my followers, even if you don't ever read this or learn anything from it. Have a wonderful week!

Buh-Bye Lakers

2011-05-09T10:40:00.003-05:00

The LA Lakers were swept by the Mavs yesterday. The Mavs! Really LA!? The Mavs, really!? And the way you went out? Classless, totally classless. I know it was only a couple of people, but a couple of people represent the whole team. I really hope David Stern steps up to the plate and suspends those players for their blatant attempts to hurt an opposing player. They should be suspended for at least the first 50-60 games of the next season. If there is a lockout of any kind next year then whenever the NBA regular season starts, those players should be suspended. On top of that, they should be fined at least $50,000. You may say I am being too harsh, but c'mon. These players are role models whether they want to be or not. They placed themselves in the soptlight. If they are not served with the most serious of consequences for their actions, then middle school, high school and college players will start doing what the pros do. Kids will alway mimic what their role models do. You may make a rebuttal that pros should not be role models, and I agree, but you have to look at reality. Realistically speaking, not many kids want to be like their moms or dads when they are barely getting by living from paycheck to paycheck. Heck, I didn't want to be what my mom and dad were because I thought we were poor. I wanted to be the first professional female soccer player to play for a men's team oversea's where they get paid millions of dollars, but reality struck when I got older. Now I have followed somewhat in my father's footsteps. Kids want the lavish lifestyle they see on tv and in the mags. They want to buy the fastest cars, the biggest houses, all the latest releases of everything and the best boats. How are they going to do that on the salary of a teacher or a janitor or a farmer. They aren't, so they look to the professional athletes and models and actors/actresses. They mimic their bad behaviors and think it's okay. "Those Lakers players didn't have any consequences when they played in that one game that one time so why am I getting punished for the same thing?" That is the mindset of impressionable minds. Lakers, you are ridiculous. One the plus side, Phil Jackson is retiring. I liked him when he was with the Chicago Bulls back in the day of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Steve Kerr, but he went to LA and became a sell-out. Buh-Bye to your championship dreams Lakers, buh-bye.

Dearest Students,

2011-05-07T11:42:00.003-05:00

I love how you make me laugh everyday and keep my life very interesting. Your deeds of the day always give me something to talk about when I go home for the evening. I do not understand a few things. I wish you could actually explain them to me. Why do you not tell me what is going on then try to take things into your hands? Why do you tell your parents what is going on and when they say they are going to tell me you tell them not to say anything and that you will take care of it, but then you do not say anything to me? Why is it that when I talk to you about what happened and you write down everything that happened and signed it, after you talk to your parents new information arises? Why can you not tell me everything that has happened? Why must there always be a surprise visit by a parent with new information about whatever incident has occurred? I also can't seem to figure out how after I get one situation with you under control and over with, a new one always arises and it seems to be the same thing with different people. I just don't get it.
Please remember, even though you seem to think you are, you are not adults. You do not know how to handle things appropriately. Hitting another person is not going to make it all better. You may feel better, but the problem is still there. Nothing has been solved, and you in turn, have become the bully. I understand you are trying to defend yourself, but did that person hit you before you hit them (and throwing a piece of paper at you doesn't count)? I just don't get it, please enlighten me.

Sincerely,

Me

No Life

2011-05-04T06:50:00.002-05:00

This next month of my life is going to be the busiest ever! Let's take a look at my schedule for the month of May, shall we?

May 6 Multicultural Fair and Fundraiser Night

May 11 Dodgeball Tournament

May 12 PTO

May 13 Prom

May 19 8th grade Graduation

May 20 Teacher Appreciation Dinner and Ward Auction (hopefully I can do both)

May 26 Class of 2011 Graduation

May 27 Senior Reception

Every Wednesday is Young Women Night. Every Monday is volleyball night, Tuesday and Thursday nights are Body Pump, and Sundays are my only relaxing day with church. Social life this month? Not so much. I just have to get through this month then it's on to summer. I still have to work, but at least there will be no kiddos around for that time and I can come in later. Summer, you are so close but oh so far away. If I don' t think about you, maybe you will come faster =0) Have a great Wednesday!

After 10 Years. . .

2011-05-02T12:54:00.003-05:00

the families of 9/11 have some closure. Last night Barak Obama announced that Osama Bin Laden had been killed. The Navy Seals did their duty and got that S.O.B. Thank you to all the military who have been working their tales off trying to get this guy and protect our soil! Without our armed forces, we would not be able to sleep peacefully at night. We would have to wonder if the next time we start our car it will be ht last. Thank you intelligence forces and armed forces.

Not to take away from this glorious moment, but I have to be the one to look at this realistically. Bin Laden may be dead, but that is not the end of the terrorism. His number two man is still out there and there are still many followers that are quite upset over this. We cannot rest. They are not going to try to strike now when everyone is on high alert. No, they will wait until everyone is at ease once again, like when 9/11 happened, then strike. They are not dumb people. Misguided and hateful? Yes. Dumb? No. Keep up your guard America, this is not the end. This is the last days as prophesied in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The world will grow angrier and more resentful before it gets better. Am I ecstatic that Osama is now dead? Of course I am! Am I still cautious? No doubt about it. Living in TX is especially scary for me because we don't have the security on the southern borders that we need. I should know, I lived in EP for six years and saw what came across on a daily basis. If we don't get protection to our borders Bin Laden being dead won't mean anything.

To end on a positive, he is dead. What do you think of your 72 virgins now bin Laden? Are you taking that one back yet? The rest of eternity in perdition doesn't seem so great now does it? At least you can no longer terrorize people on this earth. Now, families and to some extent the USA has some closure knowing that the ring leader of 9/11 has been sunk to the bottom of the sea. Thank you again to all who have so proudly and bravely served this great country and worked until the mission was accomplished. Now, if only the rest of the terrorists would throw up their arms in surrender.

Race for the Cure

2011-04-30T17:26:00.002-05:00

Yep, that's right, another year of Race for the Cure. It was a blast. This year I didn't really know if I was going to run it because of Saturday Detentions, but when I told my principal I would not be able to make it too Saturday Detention that morning on time he told me to get a group from the school together to run/walk it. So I did. I had one student out of the ten that told me they would run with the group actually show up. Many of the teachers were suppose to come as well, but there was a ton of last minute emergencies that had to be attended to. There were a few teachers that showed and it made me feel a little better. Although, there was one teacher that paid the registration fee and bought the team shirt and everything, but stayed to get a picture with the Spurs Coyote, yell out the school's name over the loud speakers and then leave. It was interesting. I wonder why he even showed up. Oh well, he at least came. It was great being able to spend time with the one student that was there. I learned a lot about her. While we were there, we ran into many more kids and families from the school who were with different groups. One of the families had an uncle that dressed as the Pink Panther. It was awesome! They took about an hour and half to walk the 5K because everyone wanted to stop and take a picture with the Panther. My group, of course, had to get a picture with them. It was one of my students so naturally I had to get a picture. All in all, it was a great day. Waking up at 4:30 in the morning, getting downtown for cheap parking by 5:45, not leaving until 10:30, then not not getting home until 1pm was a great. I can't believe I am still awake at this time. I tried to take a nap, but couldn't. Dang, I need one too, but alas, I am sitting at my desk at work trying to figure out a sub schedule this week for all the teachers that are going to be absent. After this I don't want to go home because Leland won't be there since he is out of town reffing a semi-pro football game. I will figure something out though. I sometimes do that. I can be creative, well, when I want to be that is. Or maybe I will go home and call it an early night. We shall see. I have to get back to work. Only four more weeks until summer vacation, whew, it's getting closer.

Another 3-Day Weekend

2011-04-21T16:17:00.003-05:00

I am a little glad that Easter came later this year. It has given me two weeks of 3-day weekends. While I love that, it also reminds me that this is the last break I have until May 28. I know I am spoiled since I have summer's off, but when working with kids at this time of the year, you really do deserve it. Plus, I don't just sit around and be lazy, nor do I go on all these wild adventures during the summer. I do all my CEU's and get caught up on all the other things I have been needing to do all year, but have not been able to do it since I have been at work. Those long neglected doctor/dentist appointments, fixing things that have been broken, and packing to move into a new place all have to get finished in the summer. Anyway, I digress.

It is Easter weekend and what a wonderful weekend it is! Today, my mom gets into town and Leland and I will take her to Longhorn Steakhouse for dinner to celebrate her birthday which is tomorrow. And Earth Day is tomorrow too! Leland's aunt and one of his cousins will also be in town to visit his cousin that is stationed at Ft. Sam right now. On top of that his dad may be coming in too. We are going to have one great Easter dinner! I am so excited! Which means, I have to make my bunny cake. I can't believe I almost forgot about that. Hopefully with all of these people I will take some pics, but I don't think that will happen because I always seem to forget to do that, waa waa.

Aside from all the people that will be here and having a blast, the Easter weekend is the greatest celebration of them all outside of Christmas. Easter weekend is the time in which our Savior, Jesus Christ, burst forth from the grave and brought us the opportunity to live with our Heavenly Father again. Without the Atonement, we would not be able to receive our full glory. We would only know justice, no mercy. We would not be able to repent of all our wrongs. We would not have any hope in this world. I am so grateful for the Savior. He truly loves us and died for us all. The greatest gift a friend can give is to lay down his life for another. He really is our greatest friend. I like to think about how blessed the Earth is to have that great event happen here. If you think about all the worlds that have been created and all the planets in our solar system, we were the one's that had the Savior come and fulfill the great plans Heavenly Father had. There are other worlds with other beings that did not get this great blessing. We did. It may not have happened during my lifetime, but it happened and I have been greatly blessed because of it. For those of you who think I am some religious zealot who believes in aliens you have it all wrong. It is amazing the peace and knowledge the gospel brings. The doctrines and principles that are taught are everlasting. If you have ever wondered where you came from, what your purpose on Earth is and what will happen after you die, then visit www.mormon.org to find out more. The only way to know is to find out for yourself. You may not believe everything that is there, but trust me, you know of it's truthfulness after reading some of the content and then experiencing things for yourself.

I didn't mean for this to turn in to what it did, but I am happy it did. It's amazing what you start your post with and what you end it with. Have a Happy Easter !

Things That Make My Heart Ache

2011-04-14T08:51:00.009-05:00

I don't know why this came to mind today, but as I am sitting in my office thoughts keep running through my head that I feel need to get out. I know, it's a downer of a post, but sometimes in life we have these downers. It's all about our perspective in how we deal with these things that make us able to learn and grow from them. These are in no particular order. 1) A kiddo I have known for 5 years and feels like my own kid swallowed 30 pain relievers to try to escape the pain and confusion she is facing. Hardest part, She didn't tell anyone she was having these feelings until it happened. She is doing fine now, but I will always wonder what is going on. 2) Parents who do not let their kids fight their own fight and try to work things out on their own. 3) Parents writing nasty accusatory letters because they still have a bully complex. Get over it! 4) People who never take responsibility for their own actions. You can show them on tape doing something and they will not take responsibility for their actions. 5) NO BLUE BONNETS! 6)People who try to hide who they really are because they are made fun of or bullied when they do. 7) Bullies 8) Those who have a hard time accepting gospel truths and only want to ridicule because they are too hard-hearted and blinded to see that they are only hurting themselves. 9) Couples who have been told that they cannot have children that actually want them then seeing people who don't expect to get pregnant and when they do they don't care. 10) Children and animals who have been dumped, abandoned and/or abused by people, family or not, that do not care or who think they are more powerful because they are bigger. What's great about recognizing the things that make me feel blue? It will help me to not become those things in the future. Blue bonnets is just something that I missed this Spring. We have not had any wildflowers this year because we have not had the needed amounts of rain. I love the blue bonnets in the spring, but this year the places that I trust to have them and bring a smile to my face, has none. Everything else are personal traits that I know I have control over. As long as I can recognize those things in my life, I can strive to become and do better.

Dear Battle of Flowers,

2011-04-14T08:45:00.003-05:00

Oh how I love that you are the one random day off during the school year and give me a four day weekend every April. I do not know why you are an SA holiday, but I am so very grateful you rescue me in the middle of the month and give me the mental vacation I need every year. Where have you been all my life? Why are you only in SA? I don't really care, but I love you Battle of Flowers. Please continue your reign as the random day of the year for a school holiday. In all gratitude, Katie P. =0)

Never Been Happier. . .

2011-04-09T11:46:00.006-05:00

that it is the weekend. This week seemed to drag on for-e-ver! I think it mostly had to deal with the longest Friday of my life. In one day at work we had class pictures, two presentations from St. Mary's Pre-Engineering program, and a PTO fundraiser. Class pictures went pretty smoothly. The right person got it all organized and there were so many great people that volunteered their off periods to help without being asked. It was wonderful! The only issue, since it was class pictures, was the free dress day. How hard is it to listen to the major things of what not to wear? Seriously, I must have said it 15 times in each homeroom the day before, announced it at lunch for all students a week ago, sent it home in the Wednesday Folder and it is in the handbook that skinny jeans are not allowed at any point during the school day or as part of the school uniform. The most irritating part, parents told their kids to wear the skinny jeans and sent a note with the student addressed to me that they are allowed to wear the skinny jeans because they do not have any other kinds of pants to wear. They obviously can wear their uniform pants, they do not have to wear jeans on a free dress day. Really?! What kind of parent buys their kid or allows their kid to wear only skinny jeans? Then, what kind of parent writes a note thinking that it will excuse their kid from having to face the consequences of them not wearing the appropriate clothing? Grrrrrr! I think there was one class that followed the rule to perfection. I was so proud of those kiddos :) In the future I will only allow those kids free dress. The presentations were scheduled during the homeroom times, so 30 minute presentations. I don't know why, but the presentations lasted 45 minutes cutting into the 8th graders lunch by ten minutes and then for the high schoolers that attended it cut into 20 minutes of their class time. All it takes is a little organizations and some guts to cut off the speaker in order to do what is right for the kids. Finally, the PTO fundraiser. I had community service volunteers that I had to keep track of and I was the only administrator there to oversee things. Thankfully, the PTO was on point. They did a great job. The main event of the fundraiser was the faculty vs. students basketball game. Sadly, the students won, but it took them six years to finally beat us. We only had about six people that were anywhere close to athletic on our team and the students had the entire boys basketball team and part of the girls basketball team playing the entire time. On top of that, we didn't have real refs so the student team was fouling all over the place and nothing was called. On a good note though, I haven't seen those kids work hard ever. It was nice to see what they are truly capable of doing. Hopefully, they continue to work at that rate into their adult years. Saturday was not so bad. It was actually a great break for the world. Leland and I were able to go to Chris Madrid's for the best hamburgers ever for dinner and then to the Spurs game. It was a pretty good game; although, I did get a little bored and had to look away. There is this thing that if I watch a game the Spurs always lose, no fail. During the time I was looking away the Spurs gained a huge lead. The Spurs won and all was right with the world for that moment. The Spurs were having their "fan appreciation night" and "Mormon night". It was an evening of free stuff and a little inspiration. A group of missionaries from the SA area sang the National Anthem and another group presented Sean Elliot (former Spurs player) with his family history of up to 5 generations. It was a sweet little showcase of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The whole evening was something that I have been needing for a while now. Now, I can look forward to a four day work week. It is awesome when you get a random day off of work for something like Battle of Flowers. To this day I have no idea what Battle of Flowers is really all about, but I am happy I get a three day weekend out of it =0)

It's April

2011-04-04T06:38:00.003-05:00

and that means General Conference! This month it was fabulous! Again, it was the rejuvenation I have been needing. All the talks were so inspiring and amazing. My father-in-law was in town and there was a was wondering what we were going to do for dinner. Since we had been laying around all day not doing much and ate a really big lunch at 3pm, dinner was not on the schedule. My FIL asked Leland if we were going to go out for dinner. Leland told me later that he would have normally said "yes we can go out" but since hearing the talk on keeping the sabbath holy he had to say no. I was so proud of him. The only time we have gone out to eat on Sunday is when we were visiting my family in Florida and they took us to Tarpon Springs because that was the only day we were going to be there and when my Grandma and Grandpa come to town (which is only like once every five to ten years). There were a lot of talks on the church's welfare system. I thought the leaders of the church really know what is ahead for this country and were basically telling everyone to be prepared and know that the church can help; until, President Eyring mentioned that is the 75 anniversary of the church welfare system. Even so, I think it is both reasons. My favorite talk of the weekend had to be Elder Quentin L Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on Saturday morning. His talk was about the women of the church and their strength and good works and charity. It was exactly what I needed. Many of the faults he listed, which are not bad things, are some of the things I struggle with on a daily basis. For example, knowing that what I did was enough. Elder Cook said at one time that women will do so much yet feel that what they did was not enough. I have been feeling that way quite a bit lately especially with my calling in the young women. I feel as though I don't do anything compared to the rest of the leaders. Even the mom with four kids ages 3-12 does more than what I do for the young women. I also know my situation and what I am able to do with the situation I am in. But, hearing the words of Elder Cook really made those feelings wash away, at least for the time being. I am grateful for his words. There were a couple of other talks that I truly enjoyed that I hope more people were listening to, but since I can't remember them off the top of my head, I will have to wrote about them in another month or so when the conference issue of the Ensign comes out. I am short on time today because I have to go let the kiddos into the building. I will hopefully be able to write more about all the events of my life in a little later. Have a great day!

Spring Break in Utah? Not So Springy.

2011-03-26T09:16:00.007-05:00

Since Spring Break ended I have been hitting the ground running and have not had a ton of time to give an update on my Spring Break. Leland and I went to Utah for the vacation. We checked the weather from the normally very accurate weather.com (the Weather Channel's website) and it told us it was going to be upper 50's lower 60's and sunshiny all week long. Let's just say, I thought I was going to be able to take gorgeous pictures of the snow-covered mountains with a blue-sky backdrop and I couldn't even see the mountains because they blended in with clouds so much. A couple of times the mountains were completely obscured by the clouds. At one point, we were snowed on. Can you believe it's Spring Break and there is snow?! Seriously, snow?! Really?! Utah, you are not wining my heart at this time, if you ever want me to even think about moving there, you have to make some serious changes. While the weather may not have been all that desirable, the rest of the trip was pretty good. We left SA Tuesday evening. I was flying Southwest and Leland was flying American, long story so I won't bore you with all the details. All my flights are on time and things are going pretty smoothly, until I get to my layover in Vegas. I get off the plane and we are delayed 20 minutes. not a bad delay and the time could be made up in the air. About the time we should be boarding for our flight, there is an announcement that the flight is being delayed another 40 minutes. Grrrrrrr! We finally board about 45 minutes after we were suppose to take off originally. Leland had planned our trip perfectly so that we would land within five minutes of each other and there would not be any major wait time for his sisters who were picking us up. As usual, we make a plan and it doesn't happen. I got into SLC about an hour after I was suppose to feeling so air sick and gross that I couldn't hold my head up, not a pretty sight.

The times we were in Orem and SLC area were pretty good though. I was able to do a Zumba class for the first time. I will never do Zumba again, my non-rythmness doesn't work for a dance class. Sorry Zumba, but you are not my favorite class at the gym. I also was reminded of what good grocery competition can do. If only TX had the same grocery competition that UT has. The prices are so low it's unbelievable. The only thing we didn't like and laughed about were the descriptions of the large avocados. Leland and I are looking at the grocery adds and we see that large avocados are $.99 each. We are elated because the large avocados in TX are a $1.50 each. We go to the store where we saw the add and are looking all over the place for the large avocados. We can't find them anywhere! We keep seeing the small avocados and we start thinking that what we consider small may actually be large. We go back to the small avocados and sure enough, they were considered "large". We just had to laugh, these "large" avocados were so small that it would take 3 of those to even come close to being as large as one large avocado here in TX. It really is true what they say, "everything is bigger in TX".

We were also able to celebrate my birthday while I was there. It wasn't technically my birthday, but a little early celebration is never all that bad, right? We went to Grandma and Grandpa Moon's and had so much fun with family. We also celebrated a couple of other family member birthdays. I really like having a whole family around for birthdays. That would be something really cool to do if we live close enough to our families in the future. It was also really fun to watch little William. William is Leland's cousin and is about 3 yrs old. He is such an outgoing child. He will talk to anyone and will say the best things. At one point in the night he was going to pick up his drink and picked up an empty cup instead. He looks in the cup, realizes it's empty and says, "Aw Man!" Cutest "aw, man" I have ever heard! I had a lot of fun with the family. It was a great break from the stresses of everyday life. It is always weird for me when I go on vacation and don't do anything because I am so use to always doing something and having to worry about something that I don't know what to do with myself when I have no responsibilities. I also had my very first In-and-Out burger experience. Can we say delicious and cheap? Loved it, big fan! That's really about it for my Spring Break. In summary, weather was not spring break worthy, snow, family, birthday, total relaxation.

I have bored you to tears enough in this post so I will say good-bye and sign off. Oh, but before I do, Happy Birthday to one of the greatest people I know, Erin Wall, have a fantastic day!

Finally, A Little Validation

2011-03-22T16:14:00.002-05:00

A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of being able to speak at one of my student's Court of Honor as he received his Eagle Scout. First, I was called an "eloquent speaker" by one of the other speakers then I received some thanks. The last person to speak was the Eagle Scout himself. During his speech he thanked a few people. He thanked me, but I thought he was only thanking me because I spoke that evening. Afterwards the boy's den leader told me that he was really thanking me for his workouts during PE. She said that she heard amny times on hikes they took that as much as he hated the things we did in PE, I was right. He could now see where the things we did in PE were useful in real life. It was such a wonderful experience. I am glad I was the administrator picked to speak at his Court of Honor. I finally have some validation in all my years of teaching and coaching. All it takes is one kid to say a sincere "thank you". Is there anyone that you need to give a little validation to? Don't wait, act now and thank someone for what they helped you achieve.

2011-03-11T15:47:00.002-06:00

Last Saturday I was so happy I finally got to see WICKED! It is such a fun musical. It is a great story about the witches of Oz. It is the behind-the-scenes story of how they all met, why the Wicked Witch if the West is green, where the ruby (in the real story, silver) shoes come from, and even tells the story behind the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion. There is a pretty good twist at the end too, but I am never telling ;) I love the music for the show too. One of the people we went with had the soundtrack of the original Broadway cast (by the way, the off-Broadway cast that we saw was waaaay better than the Broadway cast) and while I love the songs, they didn't make much sense until after seeing the real thing. It was a blast! I want to see it again. Unfortunately, it is no longer here, but that's okay, it will be here again sometime and I will go then. This is one musical that I hope they make a movie out of. It is fun, charming, witty, and altogether a joy to see. You will not leave disappointed. If you ever have a chance to see this show, go! Get tickets early and go. You will have a ton of fun and will think of the music all the time. I still do.

Spring Break is Here!

2011-03-11T15:12:00.002-06:00

The one week all spring semester I look forward to, SPRING BREAK! And just in time. I know things are only going to be even more crazy when I come back, but right now, the craziness takes a break. I don't know if I have ever been so excited for a spring break before. I was excited a few years ago when I went to South Padre, but not this excited. I guess I am just that ready for a break and some good quality sleeping in and working out time. Will I be staying home for the break? Not at all. I will be going to Utah to visit Leland's family and help out with some things. I am not the most excited for this trip. I do not consider it spring break if there is snow anywhere in sight like there will be on the mountains in Utah. Spring break is sunny, warm, and gorgeous. At least I will get away for a little bit and see some family. It will be weird to not be in Texas for a spring break since I am a Texan, but I will have to get over that.

Speaking of Utah, Leland received a phone call the other day from one of his physics profs at UVU. When we were in Utah over the summer we went and visited UVU and all his professors. While there one of his profs said there was a position open in the physics department. Jokingly, he mentioned if they still had the opening in a year he would apply. Since he said that, I think they may have taken him seriously. The phone call was concerning that position. It is still vacant. Although I never want to leave Texas, if we have to I will. Gratefully, Leland loves Texas and the warmth as much as I do, so it is highly unlikely that we will have to pack up and head to the frozen tundra. I was telling that to a few of my co-workers and they about hyperventilated telling me that I could not go anywhere, I have to stay there, Utah is way too far away. I agree! Wherever the Lord needs us to go, we will go. If that means we pack up and move to another state, we will do that. If it means we stay in Texas we will be more than happy to do so. We shall see what the future holds.

So yesterday I had a workshop training that I had to finish it was cancelled when we were shut down due to the freeze. I get a text message from one of my co-workers at five til seven saying that they were still outside and no one was at the school to unlock the doors. Let me put this in perspective, at 7am I open the student entrance doors to let all the kids into the building, 7:05 am breakfast service starts, 7:15am the front office opens for parents to do any business they need to do, 7:30am 0 period starts for the high school kids. I normally get to the school at 6:30am because I have teachers that arrive a few minutes after that in order to get ready for the day and eat breakfast and take a little time to relax before the craziness starts. It wasn't until 7:10am that another admin showed up and opened all the doors. At least someone was there before 0 period started. I have never received such a warm reception after walking into the building as what I received yesterday. It felt good to have a reception like that. After all the self-doubt I have been going through lately and worry, it helped ease my fears and doubt about how I was doing in my first year as an administrator. Even though I complain a ton about my job and the things I have to deal with, I really do love my job. I enjoy the interaction with the kids, parents and teachers. I am not the biggest fan of the little time I have with Leland because of this job, but I knew what I was getting myself into when I took this job and thankfully I have a husband who understands the rigors and hours of my position. He knows I am not happy about it and sometimes he is frustrated with it as well, but we both understand how important it is right now to do this.

I have taken enough of your time in telling my lame stories. Happy Spring Break!

Around the World

2011-03-04T07:49:00.002-06:00

The fun thing about having a blog is receiving comments from people from around the world. I get insight from other cultures and it helps me get a different perspective on things. To the person from Holland who commented on my Valentine's post:

I did not grow up in a family that was real big on Valentine's. I take that back, my mom was big on every special day or holiday. She would go all out for the family. One year she even made chocolate truffles. They were delicious! No one else in my family is big on the day. I also never had a Valentine until last year so the giant teddy bears, flowers and all the hype have never been important to me. The thing I love about Valentine's is being able to really show those I care about that I care about them. Then I think, it shouldn't be like that. Only taking one day out a year to show people that you care about them? It should be a constant in one's life to show how much he/she cares about those around him/her. Anyway, to my Holland friend, Valentine's may not be a big deal where your from, but there is nothing that says you can't make it a big deal in your own way. Who knows, you may start a new trend or tradition amongst your family and friends. Give it a try, see what happens. Please don't be discouraged if people don't take to it right away. Nothing that is ever worth it is easy. Good luck! Oh, and welcome to the wide world of blogging. Have fun exploring and sharing!

I have also noticed there are people that follow from other areas of the world as well, whether or not they actually follow because they are interested or to just say that they follow a lot of blogs is not my business. They can follow for whatever reason they choose unless it's to place spam on my comments. If I find out you spam me or put things up that are totally ridiculous, you will no longer be a follower and I will block you. Hopefully through doing this, people will learn a little something about me and I will learn a little something about the rest of the world and what they feel about topics I write about. To all the bloggers out there in the blogosphere (I hope I spelled that correctly) live without regrets and record it, love those who are around you, and laugh about anything even the things that anger you because you never know how it is going to affect someone else in the world. Remember, record it all.

Thank you for reading my blog. Someday my kids will read this and they will read your comments as well and learn from you.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T16:20:00.003-06:00

Another Valentine's Day is upon us. As much as this "holiday" made me want to barf when I was young, immature and single, I kinda like it. Now the only reason it makes want to barf is because I have to watch as students bring in 3 ft tall teddy bears and give giant boxes of candy to other students. It is a little ridiculous to me, but that's kids, they specialize in the ridiculous. I don't like this day because I am married now and have a permanent Valentine. I started liking this "holiday" years ago when I realized it's not about loving one person and being given gifts. It's about showing everyone you care about how much you care. Yes, it's was originally designed as a day for lovers, but society has changed and now, to me, it's about reminding those around me whom I love that I love them. It's about friends and family. It's about letting others know that you think about them and their well-being. It's about making someone else's day better.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY !

Now go and make someone else's day better.

90's Music

2011-02-11T16:44:00.005-06:00

I kinda feel like being random today. There are so many things I could talk about today, like having five teachers out again or kids in ISS, or the amazing cake I ate at lunch (layered white cake with lemon custard and chocolate ganache). Instead, I'm just gonna go with the flow, literally. I found this radio station on music.yahoo.com that plays only hits from the 90's. It's kinda fun listening to the songs and remembering my childhood. Right now, for example, "Insane in the Brain" by Cypress Hill is playing. I was in the sixth grade when I remember this coming out. Now i ma thinking about the movie Mrs. Doubtfire because that song was in that movie at the beginning when the son is having his birthday party that he wasn't suppose to have and Mom walks in with a birthday cake in shock as to what is going on. Great movie that Mrs. Doubtfire. It takes me back to finally sitting in the back of the bus, ruling the elementary school, being the only girl the boys really wanted on their teams, hitting kids because they would cuss, being the only kid in the sixth grade to complete the one-minute times tables test the first time given every time, and soccer trips with my club team. Oh, yeah and orchestra for the first year.

"No Diggity" by Blackstreet reminds me of freshman year of high school. Sitting in my mom's car on the way to K-town to visit my dad before the family moved out there. State soccer championship game against Norman High School, ankle surgery in October of '96, the only goalkeeper in the state with a 0.0 GAA (goals against average) and not getting any honors for my hard work, seniors sticking up for the freshman, first experiences in a predominately black high school, "Penny" Hardaway, apartment living for the first time, out Pekinese Brownie who was stolen from our vehicle by apartment workers because no dogs were allowed on the property (which a car is private property so they had no right to yell at us about it or take our dog), moving to TX from OK.

The music has really brought back more memories than I thought I remembered. I gotta do this more often. It really gets my creative juices flowing.

Just Say "No" To Crack

2011-02-09T13:11:00.003-06:00

Last night Leland and I went to the rodeo and Reba McIntyre concert. We were able to see all the really pretty cows outside the AT&T center and watch some great rodeo action. One of the events of the night was the calf wrestling, round-up thing (can you tell I am not a rodeo aficionado?). Boy, was that a sight to see! The calves run all over the place and so do the kids. The funniest, and dare I say best, part of the event has to do with the title of my post today. There was a kid that had gone after at least calves and each calf had eluded his grip a couple of times and even stepped on him a couple of times. Third calf was not so lucky. This kid was a biggie too. I would not want to meet this kid in an alley, ever. As everyone is watching this go down the kid pins down a calf. The only thing you see on the big screen is a huge backside, crack and all. If i had to relate it to a moon, it would have been a half moon. The whole time the crowd is cheering, laughing, and watching as this kid gets the rope around the calf and tries to pull him in. It was an exciting event! Which leads me to, kiddos, just say "no" to crack, all kinds of it.

The rest of night was entertaining with the calf roping, barrel racing, bull riding, and most of all, Reba! She is an amazing singer. The best part is she sounds the same live as she does recorded. Now, that's a singer! I have also come to realize that the $10 tickets really aren't that bad of a seat and you get a good workout trying to get up to them. It's a win-win situation.

Oh, and before I forget, SA got snow! More about that later.

F-f-f-f-f-freezing!

2011-02-02T11:09:00.004-06:00

WHAT THE HECK MOTHER NATURE! One of the reasons I live in the greatest state in the union is because of it's beautiful winter weather. It rarely gets this cold. It's 11 am and 20 degrees outside. The high is suppose to be 35. I don't think that will happen today. When I left my apartment this morning it was 17 degrees with a windchill of 8. Brrrrrrrrr! This is not the type of winter I signed up for when I moved here. I am not a fan of all this arctic air! It needs to go away so we can start enjoying our winters in the 60's and 70's again! I know all my friends up north would be in shorts and t-shirts outside right now and they are making fun of me, but I don't care. I admit, I am a wimp in cold weather. I am cold on a normal day, adding coldness outside doesn't help me any. It is so cold there are rolling brownouts all over the city, pipes are freezing, and peoples cars are seizing up. Hopefully, Dawson doesn't seize up. UIL has cancelled all outdoor events (soccer, softball, baseball, track, etc) which never happens. We are expecting winter moisture (may be snow, may be sleet, may be a mixture of things) Thursday night into Friday morning. I just received a text from Dad saying that in EP they have cancelled school for the day (he doesn't know why because there is nothing going on). He says they cancelled school today for no reason, but still made them play a soccer game when it was 22 degrees with 30 mph sustained winds. Ridiculousness, absolute ridiculousness. I don't think we will have to close school here, but if we do I will be very mad. I like my scheduled holidays that other places don't get, like Battle of Flowers Day. If we have to cancel school on Friday we have to make it up on Battle of Flowers. Anyway, it's sooooooooo cold here. It has not been this cold in the 14 yrs I have been in TX. I am not a cold weather person. Before I got married I told Leland that we could not move farther north than ATX. Thankfully he agreed and we will stay in south TX as long as possible and have beautiful winters. Too cold, definitely too cold.

Individual Worth

2011-02-01T13:03:00.003-06:00

The next topic is Individual Worth. This one talks about future plans for family, education, and home. When I was younger this one was great because it was simple answers like, "I'm going to college and will graduate, then I will get married, have kids and create the most amazing home". A couple of those things have happened, but not all of them and there are some areas I want to improve upon.

#1 Education: I want to go back to school and earn another Master's. This time I want it to be in High School Counseling. It could be a good step for my future. Plus knowing the psyche of a kid is great when trying to decided how to handle delicate situations with kids. The only thing I need to do now is wait for Leland to graduate and find the money to go back to school.

#2 Family: I want to be a better wife for my husband, daughter to my parents, and sister to my brother. I sometimes have problems with feeling unsupportive in all areas. I tend to become a little more selfish when I am under a lot of stress. I forget about my family's needs and focus on my own. I have to remember that doing things for others takes my mind off me and brings those around me great blessings. I would love to have three kids, but right now, I can't take care of a dog. Maybe in the near future we will have a dog and can focus on that. I have to reach more outside of myself and open my eyes to what is going on in other's lives.

#3 Home: Right now I just want a place that isn't so small. Then I can start making it feel more like a home and not just a place to shower and sleep. I am not very handy and I definitely missed the feminine touch train when it passed by. I try to be better at decorating, but then I don't like what I do and start all over and never finish. I want a home that is comfortable and welcoming. Color and pictures on the walls. I want a home that is a refuge from the world. I actually gave a lesson on this in YW this past Sunday. I need to be more mindful of the movies and TV shows I watch and the music I listen to. My taste in music has changed a little since I was younger. It may be easier than I thought to change some of the things that need it.

Remembering my divine nature will help in seeing my individual worth. Things can only get better when I am improving upon the things that matter most.

Divine Nature

2011-02-01T10:04:00.004-06:00

After writing everything about Divine Nature I will only have two more experiences to do and I will be finished with that value. Divine Nature, as well as Individual Worth, are tested on a daily basis. Many women forget where they come from and who they are. They do not understand the real meaning behind being a daughter of a kind, gracious, loving Heavenly Father. They also do not understand the divine role of being a woman and a wife and a mother. It has taken me a very long time to understand my divine role. I was always the girl who didn't care to get married or have children. I was the one that was going straight to the top and nothing was going to stop me or take me off course. I have very high expectations and goals for my career and my life. I was well on my way to doing that when a wonderful man came along and has put a kink in my plans. I have a loving, understanding husband who knows what my aspirations are and supports me in all my endeavors. Recently, especially since doing Personal Progress again, my aspirations have changed. Right now, I have to work to support us. But I am growing tired of my normal work. Probably because I have been thinking more and more of a family. When I got married I thought, "It's okay to not have children right away. We both want kids, but it's not like it has to happen now." As the past year has progressed I am wanting to start a family more and more and live up to my divine roles as a wife and a mother. At work I feel like I am a mother already to 400 kids. I see their ups and downs, I see them when they do something stupid, I see them when they do something good. I actually have a place in my heart for these kids. Some kids I am sad to see go home because I would love to have them in my home. I have learned to be loving and disciplined with the kiddos. I have had to learn a ton of patience and kindness. I have seen the effects of not having a mom in the picture. I see the importance of being a parent and teaching children to walk in the paths of righteousness. Whether or not I am ready is up to my Heavenly Father. He will bless me when he feels it is time. The closer it gets to Leland finishing school the more excited I am about the prospects of being a wife, mother, homemaker. I anxiously await the time when we will have a family and I can fulfill my divine roles.
This time around going through Personal Progress, I am able to understand and really see the importance of what is being taught. I have developed many qualities that are needed to fulfill my roles. I know it is not going to be easy, but it is going to be worth it. I know there will be many challenges along the way, but as I go through them I will come out a stronger person and will have learned something else from it.
What cold be better than being a wife and a mother? Nothing! I await the day when the mother part will be filled and I will be able to teach and rear my children on the paths righteousness. I am a daughter of Heavenly Father who loves me and love Him.

Tithing

2011-02-01T09:40:00.002-06:00

The first area I will be writing about today is tithing. I am suppose to record in my journal how tithing has helped my faith grow and list the blessings in my life. I grew up paying tithing. I had incredible parents that made sure I understood the importance of paying tithing, even on a dime. If I found a dime on the floor I had to pay a penny. For every dollar my parents gave me because of chores, I had to pay a dime of tithing. I have always known the importance of tithing. Sometimes I pay tithing because I know I need to pay. Other times I pay because I know I will be blessed if I do, but I have never really thought of the blessings of tithing that i have received, until now. I worry, I worry about the economy. I worry if I am going to be able to pay all my bills this month. I worry if I will have enough money in case of an emergency. Recently, especially since getting married, my bills have increased, but my paycheck has not. In fact, this month my paycheck went down because of that stupid Obama "making work pay" tax credit. I am not going to go into that right now, but maybe a later time. Every month I try to figure out how much money I will have leftover for fun little things to do like going to a play, or a sporting event, or out to eat. The first thing I take into account is my tithing. There have been times when I thought about not paying tithing because I would not have the minimum amount of money in my checking account that I want in there. For example, November and December were very tight months financially because of the holidays and increased bill payments and other things going on. I was well below what I like to keep in my account for emergencies each month. I felt like I was never going to recover because I was so low. I decided that I was going to pay a full tithe and fast offering. Every month, I have been able to rebound and I am now back to where I should be. I am also hoping to be able to increase the minimum amount I keep in my account. It was also an amazing feeling to go into the Bishop for tithing settlement and declare that I am a full tithe payer. The Lord knows me and what I am capable of. He does not give me more than I can handle. He knows my financial threshold. With the economy not doing so great and not knowing if I will have a job next year due to education cuts more will have to be done on my part and tithing will still have to be the first thing I pay. I have always had a testimony of tithing, but the older I get the more I understand and really see the blessings that come from it.

Personal Progress

2011-02-01T09:35:00.002-06:00

Since there is testing going on in the school this week and no one will be coming into my office for a couple of classes each day I decided to start going through my Personal Progress book to remind myself of what I am working on. As I read through the book I realized that I have completed many of the experiences that I need to. The only thing that I have not done is write in my journal (er, blog) about them. The next several entries that will be posted will have to do with those things. Some of them may be long and some of them may be short. While it looks like I am writing a ton and am skilled in the art of blogging, it's all a hoax. I just have a ton of stuff to catch up on. I hope you enjoy reading the next few posts over the next couple of days :)

Memories of the Past

2011-01-29T10:09:00.002-06:00

As I sit in my office on this gorgeous Saturday morning I am reminded of soccer and basketball games when I was younger. Every weekend I was either playing in a soccer game, basketball game or both. Afterward I would go home and either have to clean my always messy room (which now that I think about it, I must have ADD or something because I couldn't and still cannot keep things neat and orderly), get ready to go to the mall with my dad and my friends, or get ready to chill with Erin and Adrienne. I look back and long for those days again. You know, the days of little responsibility, no bills, cleaning the house was your only job, and hanging out with your friends was your top priority. Now, my weekends are filled with Saturday Detention, trying to keep an orderly apartment, worrying about if I am going to have a teacher call in sick on Monday morning and only having a few hours on Sunday to relax. Oh, crud! I just remembered I have to prepare a lesson for Young Women tomorrow. I guess I better stop goofing around and get back to work. But I am thinking not right now.

Last weekend I was able to have a little bit of the old days again. My dad's team that he coaches was in Corpus Christi for the weekend participating in a tournament. Since Leland has left for San Francisco earlier that morning and I didn't want to be at home by myself all weekend, I decided I would drive out to Corpus and watch the last game of the tournament which just so happened to be the finals. I was able to talk to some great friends that came for the weekend from EP and sit with someone who sees the game like I do, from a coach's perspective. I actually had someone I could talk to about the game and who would understand what I was saying. I sure hope she finishes with college before Dad has to leave coaching so she can take over the program. I was suppose to take over the program, but the Lord had other plans for me that I think have turned out to be pretty swell. If this girl has the opportunity to take over the program she would rock it! She would do wonderful things for it and carry on the traditions that my dad has been establishing in his ten year reign at that school. I digress. Dad's team won the tournament, but played horribly. Afterwards I went back to the team's hotel, talked with Dad and his assistant coach, Rick about the game I saw and the things that needed to be done to improve and then went to dinner. Every year the team goes to Joe's Crab Shack the last night in town. I was really looking forward to it because I was going to be able to eat shrimp and crab. I have not had that kind of food since Leland and I started dating and I found out he was allergic to shellfish. It was delish! Crab nachos and surf and turf burger, mmmmmm! Dad and i shared our meal and it was perfect. I am now satisfied until the next time Leland goes out of town and I can eat seafood. After dinner I was planning on driving back home, but since dinner didn't end until 10pm I decided I would stay with Dad. When we got back to the hotel Dad and I went for a walk on the beach right outside his hotel. It was chilly and windy, but I didn't care. We walked down to the USS Lexington and the Texas State Aquarium. We talked about soccer some more, then talked about how things were at home, then just had fun walking around the beach and checking out the outer decor of some of the other hotels in the area. It was a pleasant walk. It was really nice being able to see Dad again since I didn't go home for Christmas. It will be another long while until I am able to see my dad. Until then, phone calls will have to suffice. Well, I guess it really is time to stop messing around and get back to work. In the famous words of Billy Madison, "Peace! I'm outta here!"

If You Don't Agree. . .

2011-01-20T06:37:00.003-06:00

Don't sign the papers. Just a little advice. First, make sure you read everything thoroughly, even if you or your family members have never in the past done anything wrong. Second, if you don't agree with something, don't sign the paper. When you or your family members get into trouble is not the time to say the law is just words on a paper. Is the Constitution just words on a paper? Today's liberals would have you believe that, but it's not. Is the Declaration of Independence just words on a paper? If so, then this great nation we live in still should be under the rule of England. American Revolution or not, we, that live in the, USA should not have the things we have nor the freedoms in which we all have claim. If the laws were just words on paper we would live in total chaos. Wrong would be right and right would be right. There would be no accountability. Anyway, if you don't agree, don't sign.

C'mon, Really!? Can you. . .

2011-01-15T13:10:00.004-06:00

really make my job any harder that what it is? Again, for the fourth time this school year, the cops were at the school. This time I did not call them. A parent called the cops before ever knowing what happened to his kid. A 6th grader comes into the front office while I was there to see the nurse. The nurse says, "We've got a biter". I was in a little shock. I looked at the boy's arm and saw a huge bruise. He said that a girl in his class bit him on the arm at lunch. It has been about 30 minutes since the event at lunch even happened. He waited that long to say anything because he didn't notice the bruise until it started hurting. As I am walking back to my office I see a teacher with the student who did the biting. As they are sitting in my office I am getting their statements and asking questions I am wondering why the kid didn't tell any of the adults in the room what had happened. Kids would rather not tell anyone until they realize their parents are going to ask questions about it. The boy asked if he could call his dad and I told him he could. I should have told him no and that I would call his dad, but after everything that was going on that day I was just trying to figure things out and understand what was going on. Before dad even got to the school, he was on the phone with the PD. I didn't find this out until after talking to the girl's mom about the incident. I had to get the little girl and send her to the office to wait until her mom got there and until the police talked to her. After talking to the policeman and telling him about the camera footage he asked to see the footage. I showed him the footage and he counted about 14 or 15 attempts by this little girl to write on the boys face with the pen. Even though the boy was fighting against her to get her to stop she continued and the pen landed a couple of times on his head and around his ear. At one point the boy is able to grab her arm and then she bites him. The officer then informed me that the parents have a good case against the girl if they want to take it to court and it would be a class D misdemeanor. The mom gets to the school and sees the officer and asks what he is doing there. I escort her to my office and let her know what is happening. The officer then takes the girl and her mom into a another room and tells the girl that what she did she can go to juvi for. He then tells her the horrors of juvi. He informs her that if the boy or his family wants to press charges that he will place his handcuffs on her wrists and take her straight to juvi. By this time the girl is just bawling and can't control herself and mom is just beside herself. The boy's parents want to talk to the mom and hash everything out. With the officer present the parents talk to one another and come to an agreement that the boy will not press charges but the girl's family is responsible for the medical bills arising out of this. The boy had a bruise on his arm, there was no blood, no breakage of skin, no damage to anywhere else on his body. I think if the mom of the boy was not there the dad would have called an ambulance, gone to the ER and had the girl's family pay out the ears for this little incident. I have had a run in with the dad before and he is just so unreasonable and will look for any way possible to say that everyone else is out to screw his perfect kid's life. Anyway, ridiculousness. I apologized to the dad for not calling him myself and admitted to my mistake. We all make mistakes and I will admit when I have made a mistake. I think the little girl learned her lesson. I honestly thought she was going to pee her pants during all of this. The officer was good and scared her straight.

I just wish we had a security professional on this campus during the school day until teachers leave. Someone that can work 8am to 6pm. My principal is so big on keeping everyone safe right now that he is upping the amount of duties that teachers are having to do and adding more stress to them that if we had an officer on campus should be taken care of by him. It would also be nice to have him in situations like this so that the PD does not have to get involved. The officer could take care of it. It would have also been nice to have him around with the locker fire. As hard as I try to tell the rest of the admin that we need these things the less they listen to me. I have good ideas and I use the ideas and give credit to those who give me the ideas, but I am rarely listened to. Whatever, I guess that happens when your bosses are Islamic men. I have to get back to some work. Peace!

Another First

2011-01-13T17:50:00.004-06:00

Yesterday was quite an eventful day at work. I was in my office before classes because I had to make a few phone calls so I wasn't in my normal area when the bell rang for the day to begin. That's when all the trouble started. After I was finished with my phone calls I started my usual walk around the school. Before I could make it halfway down the hall one of my best students runs up to me and tells me there is a really string smoke or gunpowder smell in one of the hallways. When he said what hallway I heard him wrong so I went the long way around to where it really was. As I walked I remembered I was walking by a science room so I stopped in and asked the teacher if she was using a burner for something. She told me know and I continued down my planned path. As I was turning the corner to the hallway I needed to be down one of the students yells, "There's smoke coming from that locker!", then proceeds to open it and smoke filled the area around the locker. I would rather had him not open it since there could have been actual flames, but there wasn't so there was no risk. He was trying to be heroic.

Upon finding out whose locker it was I was able to start the investigation. The victim said who it was in his statement, but I had to find other sources. I still interviewed the original suspect. Upon our first interview the suspect told me that he had entered through the side doors (lie #1), gone into the cafeteria (lie #2) and sat until the bell rang talking with s few other students (lie #3). As I had him writing his statement I was looking at the cameras around the time he said he entered the building. He actually entered through the front entrance and went straight to his locker. After receiving his written statement I talk with my principal. We sat and watched the video together for a few minutes then I went back to my office to continue my interview with the boy. I asked him if there was anything he wanted to change about his statement. He said no and I continued telling him that I know he is lying since I am watching him on the cameras come from the front entrance. Again, anything he wants to change? Again, nothing. After about five minutes of this he decides to change the entrance he came into the school from but nothing else. After spending a whole morning hearing many stories from many people I finally just decided that all the 8th graders were going to spend their DEAR time writing what they did that morning from the time the bell rang to start the day until the time they entered their first period class. I got a lot of kids that wrote what they did from the time they woke up until I came into their classes. It made for some pretty interesting reading.

After DEAR I read through all 75 statements sorting through the ones that looked like they could lead somewhere. The rest of the afternoon I was calling all the students out of class to ask questions regarding their statements. Some kids shed an inkling of light while others were duds. It wasn't until the last group of kids came in that I was able to get some concrete evidence. Three boys came to my office and one boy sat in one of the chairs and immediately raised his hand saying that the suspect told him that he was the one who had done it. I asked him why the confession was not on his statement and he told me because the kid confessed after DEAR as they were standing in line for lunch. He said he asked the suspect what kind of firecracker he had used and the suspect replied that he used some cheap Mexican firecracker. When I asked why he didn't come to me he said he thought that I already knew after reading another student's statement. I had read that statement but wanted more evidence. After speaking with my principal that night he said what we had was enough and to call the suspect's parents.

The following morning I called the parents and told them what I had. They set an appointment to come in at lunch time when they both could get away from work. Thankfully, they did not show up until a little after lunch. I had a pretty good feeling that this was the kid who had done it, but I wanted that last nail - in - the - coffin statement. I wanted someone to come forward with more info. Right after middle school lunch a seventh grader comes to me saying that he found a note on the floor of one of the teacher's rooms and that it had info about yesterday's firecracker. As I was reading the note and came across a part that was saying the suspect told a specific person that he had done it, that person walked into my office. Perfect! I asked the girl what the suspect had said and had her write her statement. As she was signing her statement the suspect's parents showed up. I talked with them about the situation and they told me they had been in Mexico for the holidays and had shot off fireworks. They were highly apologetic and very hurt. They pleaded their case against expulsion but in the end the safety of our students is our number one priority. I spoke with the guilty party and asked him why he lied to me. he said he didn't think I actually had him on camera and that I was bluffing. The sad thing, he showed no remorse, no regret, no fear about what could happen. Hopefully, people now know that they will not get away with a slap on the wrist when they are caught. That kid is gone and it will be the talk of the school for the next few days after vacation. I wish him all the best. Hopefully he has learned from all of this and will not try the same things at his next school. Good luck kid!

It's Hard Coming Back From Vacation

2011-01-10T06:47:00.008-06:00

Before the school week started Leland and I were commenting on how we needed just one more week of vacation. When I was in school I thought the two weeks off was borderline crazy. IN college I thought one month was absolutely ridiculous. Now, two weeks is too short and one month sounds about right. It's funny how we long for the "old" days the older we get.

The first week back at school went as smoothly as expected. Kids were still in the holiday daze, so it wasn't too bad for me. The only major event was one sophomore that decided that instead of doing her work she was going to write a story. This was no ordinary story for a sophomore girl. it was an all out gay porno story. Blech! When I was a sophomore I wasn't writing stories while day-dreaming in class, I was writing notes to my friends about how boring Mrs. Lunt's English class was. It's interesting to see the difference between when I was growing up and today's youth. The things that were once taboo are now the norm. When I was in young women I always heard how my generation was the greatest generation and we were saved for this time because of our faithfulness and our strength. I think about it now and believe that my children will be among the greatest of the children on the earth. Things will get worse before they get better and my children will be in the midst of it. I hope that when I do have children I am able to teach them to be strong and be able to outlast the evils of the world. That's still a long way from happening, but hopefully, when it does happen I will be ready to teach.

This past weekend Leland and I went to the US Army All-American Bowl. The game was really boring. In fact, the most excitement I had was peeling my grapefruit and listen to Leland and one of his ref buddies discuss the mechanics of those reffing the game. I think the best part of the game was seeing all the soldiers from Ft. Sam out there. It was a sea of camo in about three or four sections and they were having a great time. They got a wave started that went around the Alamodome about 10 times. It was neat to watch. It was also pretty cool to see those kids that were deciding on where they were going to commit to play college ball make their choice. Those schools are getting some pretty darn good players. The overall experience is neat. It's a great family environment. The best part, no alcohol is sold. Love it! No drunks making themselves look bad. If only the city hadn't drained the river for the annual river cleaning it would have made for a very nice experience for all involved. For some strange reason, the city likes to drain the river when huge, national events are taking place. When people come to San Antonio they want to see two things, the Alamo and the Riverwalk. not much to see but sludge and trash when it's drained and that makes the city look oh so beautiful. I wonder when the city will finally get it through their heads that the best time to empty the river is not when you have big things like the All-American Bowl coming to town. I think it should be drained the first week of February, but I digress.

On Sunday, my ward got a new bishopric. I am a little sad to see the old bishopric go, but I am excited for what the new bishopric is going to do. I don't know how things will change, but I look forward to what happens next. Hopefully this bishopric is stricter on cell phone usage during church and really focuses on the youth. The last bishopric was great, but I don't think they were strict enough on the youth and what their responsibilities are. The youth are good kids, but I thinking we are holding them to the standards as those that are not members of the church. Before I go off on another tangent I better end my writings for the day.

2010 Year in Review

2011-01-03T11:45:00.004-06:00

I have come to find that the year in review is a ton of fun to write. I get to look back on my year and realize how much I have grown and what I have had to overcome. Sometimes what seemed to be the biggest obstacle was only a little thing and those little things turned out to be big turning points. Here it goes:

January:
Started the year as a married woman trying to get use to being called Mrs./Sis. Page.
Basketball season started and the girls were ecstatic. We lost all of the games but had a blast.
Started feeling a scratchy throat which ended up being a major throat infection that abscessed and mono.

February:
Still fighting the mono.
Leland went out of town for a conference for the first time in our short married lives and missed out first Valentine's together. Can't give him any grief about that one since I said he should go to the conference.
Mom came to visit to make sure someone was there as I was still ill. She was mostly there to make sure I took my meds, gross.
Basketball girls won their first basketball game, then lost in the play-offs. But a season of learning was capped off with an awesome banana split party.

March:
My birthday! I turned 28, one more year closer to 30, ouch!
Mono starting to go away, but still really tired after work and everything else.
Spring break at home relaxing and stuff
Soccer season started. Again, lost most games.

April:
Soccer still losing but getting better each game.
Had our first win. It was awesome!

May:
Soccer played in the 3rd/4th place game and lost, but it was another great season. We ended this one with a movie and food afternoon. We really improved and had a great time.
Schoooooooool's out for summer!

June:
Leland and I went on our first real vacation together to Orlando, FL. We went to Disney Epcot and Universal Studios. I realize how much of a goof my husband really is, but loved every minute of it. Also saw family in Tampa, FL. Del and Edna Coll. They are lovely people. Took Leland to Tarpon Springs, FL for the the BEST Greek food ever at Hella's.
Started getting everything ready for Girl's Camp and re-discovered Hobby Lobby. Man, I love that place!

July:
Girl's Camp! It was a blast. It rained most of the week, but that's okay because there was still lots of activities to do and fun to be had. It was also made very clear that I am not creative at all after seeing all the other ward's tables centerpieces.
Leland reffed the state 6 vs. 6 football tournament in College Station. He loved every minute of it.
Went to Utah for the first time in my life. What an experience.
Met the rest of my in-laws. They are a fun and interesting group of people. I love them.
July 4th went to watch the fireworks at Fiesta Texas, but was disappointed when a firework misfired and set off the rest of the show early. I may have been disappointed, but it was pretty funny.
Leland's grant proposal passed! He also turned 30, he's an old man now.
Called to be the 2nd Counselor in the Young Women's Presidency.
Water line to the ice maker in freezer busted flooding the whole apartment.

August:
Promotion to Dean of Discipline. Finally, but it means no more coaching and way more work.
School started back up, yeah!
Leland started teaching seminary and a radiation therapy class at Texas State.
Football season officially began. Which meant Leland was gone quite a bit during the week and weekends.

September:
Leland passed the first part of his board exam!

October:
Halloween! We were minions from Despicable Me. We won a 32 in LCD TV!
Football season is almost over and I am about get my husband back =0)

November:
Football season ends, play-offs begin. Leland is upset every time he doesn't get a play-off assignment.
Thanksgiving with my familia in the EP! The day in which we stuff ourselves then sleep. Greatest day ever! (almost)
I didn't run in the Turkey Trot this year. Due to all out exhaustion and illness I decided that running would not be very helpful.

December:
I got sick and puked for the first time from an illness since the third grade. Can we say disgusting?
Leland informed me that his parents are getting divorced. I have a few words to say about that, but I will keep all comments to myself as I do not want to look like the fool in the situation. Let's just say I am not happy with my father-in-law right now.
Alamo Bowl season. Leland brought me along as we greeted the University of Arizona football team, chilled in the hospitality room with Oklahoma States alumni and coaches, and went almost crazy in the players and kids hospitality room. It was a lot of fun. Would I do it again? You betcha!
December 25, Christmas. Relaxed at home and started new traditions with Leland. Christmas Eve was my family's tradition of tamales and yummy dip and crackers. Christmas breakfast was Leland's family tradition of German pancakes, delish! Then dinner with the Carltons.
December 29, only the single greatest day of my life. Leland and I celebrated our 1st anniversary as man and wife. We went to the temple and did a session then went home and relaxed before dinner at Jasmin Thai (my choice) and the Alamo Bowl. OSU won 36-10. It was sweet! I may be an OU fan, but I will root for the Oklahoma teams over the Arizona teams every time.
As an anniversary gift Leland gave me the Biggest Loser Cookbook which I have been wanting for the longest time. Poor guy has to travel allover the city to find it. I gave Leland his favorite box of football cards. He had said earlier in the month that he was not going to buy and cards in the month of December. That's when I knew exactly what I was getting him for our anniversary. He was elated. I love doing things that make him happy. It's fun watching him go into little boy mode with excitement.
New Year's Eve was spent getting the rest of my anniversary gift (a new wedding band since my $13 one is all beat up and lost its white gold covering) and relaxing at home until the clock struck 12. Ed also called. He was only a little drunk at that time.

All in all 2010 was an eventful year. I am excitedly looking forward to what will come in 2011. I have learned a few things this past year that I didn't think I would learn. I learned that 2 people + small space = no bueno. Always turn off the water running to your fridge before leaving for any extended amount of time. Always take the time to tell the ones you love that you love them. No matter how many times you say it it doesn't get boring if you really do feel that way. Drink lots and lots of water every single day. It's true, you can't pick your family but you can choose how you treat them and what you feel about them. Always, always, smile and remember exactly who you are.

2010-12-17T13:38:00.004-06:00

So many thoughts are running through my head right now so I will try to straighten them before typing, but knowing me, that won't happen. Last night I was at the store getting all my stuff to do my holiday baking. I am so excited to be able to do the holiday baking this year! I haven't done my own baking in a couple of years and boy have I missed it! I was so excited that I was literally dancing down the aisles of HEB, especially in the baked goods aisle. I didn't care that I was making a complete idiot out of myself, I was just so happy. I can't wait to get things started tomorrow. As I was shopping, I found some green curry and rice noodles in the Asian foods section and since I was feeling like curry I picked some up to make at home. I am really glad I picked up some extra coconut milk and green curry paste, you will find out why in a second. I go home and see that Leland is home. he was suppose to be at a meeting until late last evening so when I saw his car I was totally excited. I asked him to help with the groceries and when he was closing the trunk the bag on his arm got caught, had a hole ripped in it and the curry sauce fell on the ground and broke. The parking lot had some good curry that night. I was half tempted to scoop it off the ground and try to salvage it, but I controlled myself. Luckily I had bought the coconut milk and paste so no worries. That was just the beginning of an awful evening.

As we are putting away the groceries I was telling Leland about my fantastic trip to the store and he says he's glad I had a good trip to the store and didn't know if he should tell me what he was about to tell me. I told him to tell me what was up. He says that he got a message from his mom that his parents are getting a divorce. I so thought he was kidding because he had a little grin on his face. He then tells me it's serious and proceeds to tell me that a couple of weeks ago when we went to his dad's team's football game that his dad had told him that he was thinking about a divorce but not to say anything to his mom or me. Now I am feeling really bad because I didn't even notice that Leland was not himself that night and hasn't really been himself since then. How could I not notice? Was I so into myself and the other things going on in my life that I couldn't notice my husband was a little different? He is not that good at hiding things so I should have noticed something, right? This is going to be a tough trial for all in the family. Last night there was a different atmosphere in the home. Things just weren't right. I know this is really hard on Leland, but he won't say anything to me about it. I want to be able to help him, but it may take a long time before he is ready for it. While I wait, I worry. I can't help it, I'm a worrier (sp?).

The yearbook for this year is all about wishes. Right now I wish all was right and good within the family. I wish people had to work things out and figure out how to be happy again. I never thought something like this would effect me so much. Maybe it's because it effects someone I love so much. I don't know how long it will take to get over this, but I am hoping it will not take long. I know this is something that will be in the back of my mind for a very long time.

On a brighter note, Christmas break starts today! Finally, rest for my weariness. I can also get into the gym and workout again. Oh Gold's how I have missed you. I can't wait to get back to you and start working off this 15 or 20 lbs I have gained this school year so far.

Fun

2010-12-11T11:40:00.002-06:00

UTEP is in the #35 (out of 35) ranked bowl game of the year playing against BYU. I will be living in a house divided on December 18 when the two teams meet on the field. My side, navy and orange. Leland's side (or should I say corner ;), blue and white. I may not be a fan of the school I received my bachelor's degree from, but I have never been one to really care about the school I went to. I went to school for two reasons, education and athletics. It really didn't matter where I went as long as it was affordable and I received the knowledge I needed. I am not real big on all that school spirit jazz. I have to give love to my Miners, but I reeally don't think they are going to win this one. They may come out guns blazing in the first half or so, but after that they fizzle. It happens every year. To all my UTEP peeps, don't hate because you know it's true, it happens all the time. I will support my Miners because anyone is better than the Cougars. Oh, and good luck to Pay Dirt Pete in the Capitol One Mascot Bowl. He's up against the Old Dominion Blue or something weird like that. If you get a chance look up the Capitol One Mascot Bowl website and give Pete a holla and a vote. GO PETE GO!

On another note, I have been sick again this week. I feel like I am always sick now. I just don't get it. Maybe it's time to buckle down and get a real doc. This time I am a little concerned because this illness, whatever it was caused me to throw-up and I have not thrown-up due to illness since I was in the 3rd grade. Yes, that's right twenty years ago was the last time I threw-up due to illness. The last time I actually threw up was 7th grade and only because I was dehydrated and no one told me I wasn't suppose to chug water or gatorade when dehydrated, so it all came back up. I do not like the whole throwing up thing. Now I am worried that since it happened once it will happen in the future. All this happened on Tuesday night and I am still having some troubles with my tummy after I eat . Regular food, does not like me. Water does not like me. Ginger ale and cranberry limeade seem to be doing the trick, but nothing else. I hope it all clears up by this afternoon because Leland and I are going to the Tamale Fest at Pearl today and I want me some delicioso tamales! Here's to hoping all clears up and things go well. It looks like it's time to go. More writing to come as the year winds down and school gets out for the first semester. Peace!

Christmas Devotional

2010-12-06T10:35:00.003-06:00

Last night was the First Presidency Christmas message. I love the messages every year. The main message, to me anyway, was to remember what the season is all about. President Uchtdorf reminded us not to be like the Grinch. President Eyring reminded us of Christ's mission. President Monson recalled a story from WWII in which there was a three-story house that a few American were living in. During the day an elderly German lady would come and clean the house and leave it sparkling. The America would go to the PX and get his allotment of candy bars, soap and a couple other things. He would use what he needed then store the rest in his footlocker. He decided that he was going to give this poverty-stricken women what was in his footlocker as a Christmas gift. He was feeling so proud of himself, thinking that she would be so grateful for the gift because she would be able to use it as currency in her village and be seen as a rich woman. He was very smug about the whole thing. He arrived home that night to find the gift and the woman gone, but on the table was 10 postcards pre-WWII with full buildings. The woman had put the postcards together to form a star, the Christmas Star. The woman's gift was not one of elegance or "Look at what good I have done". Her gift was one given of humility and love. Which ahs reminded me that the gift of love is better than a gift given that is elegant or over the top. There many gifts that we can give that are not of a monetary matter. We have many talents that we are able to share. May I encourage all those who actually read this blog to use the gifts and talents that you have been given to bless another person's life. The person you help will be more blessed than if you just give them the book they have been wanting because you may be giving them something they need but didn't realize it until you stepped in. Good luck this Christmas season. Merry Christmas!

Tis the Season!

2010-12-03T09:39:00.002-06:00

I am so excited it's the Christmas season! I love this time of year. This year I have actually decorated a little bit. I have placed a few of my favorite Nativity scenes on my cocktail table and on the shelf between the kitchen and the living room. The other Nativities are more for a Christmas tree that will be coming out very shortly. I just have to find out where to place it. Things were so much easier before I started living with a boy. I actually had room for all my decorations and I knew ahead of time where everything was going to go. I still don't know where the tree is going to go because there is so much stuff in there. I really need a house or some place with two bedrooms so there can be an office for Leland's bookshelves and desk. When Dad was visiting he talked to me about getting a bigger place. I agree, we need something bigger, but we are tied in to our lease until July and we really don't know where we are going to be next year after Leland graduates so houses are a little out of the question right now. I digress.
Christmas! Last year there was so much focus on the wedding that Christmas just kinda got pushed aside. This year, I am starting Christmas off right. I love music.yahoo.com because I can have Christmas music all day at work. Teachers and some students have walked into my office and heard the music and their spirits are a little lifted. I love the music of the season, it makes me happy. I still have not done any shopping because I have no idea what to get anyone this year. Finances are tight this year, so there may be some homemade gifts or just cards in the future. Seeing that I am not crafty nor do I have the ability to make things look nice the homemade gift may not work, so cards it is!
The thing I love the most about this season is the focus on Christ. Many people would rather focus on the shopping and the crowds and everything else, but that's the 100th thing on the list when it comes to CHRISTmas. As the season begins and all things Christmas are underway, think about those around you and how you can serve them. Think about our loving Heavenly Father who gave his Only Begotten Son. Think about the birth of the Savior. Remember what he did for you so that you could someday live with your Heavenly Father again. This season I am going to strive to do all those things. Gifts are not important, but family, time with friends and other loved ones, and Jesus Christ are. Merry Christmas (not Happy Holidays)?

Gratitude

2010-11-29T17:23:00.003-06:00

There is a lot to write about, but I will try to keep it short today. Last week was Thanksgiving. Leland and I went out to my parents for the five day break we had. Mom is Mom, Dad is Dad, and Eddie is, well, Eddie. The family is fine and healthy and ready to get December going. Dad is getting ready for soccer season, which after school practices started today. He also celebrated his 57th birthday yesterday. Mom took all of last week off and is headed back to work today. Since Eddie works at Best Buy he had to go in on Black Friday. Poor guy. I hate the crowds and messiness that is Black Friday, but I do love the sales. If only those sales could be done on regular days as well. I can just imagine what it is like for the employees of stores that are inundated from 3 am to closing time with ungrateful, ignorant, bossy, dissatisfied, angry people. I can't stand the messes that are left after Black Friday. I also get a little peeved when people try to hide things so they get the deal they want. My whole philosophy, be prepared then and there. If you have to hide it then you don't need it. Someone else will find it anyway. As much as I loathe Black Friday, Leland loves it so I go. He knows I hate it too. I guess I am not the best at hiding my feelings towards it all. Usually I have fun shopping. It's my favorite things after sports and workouts, but Black Friday just grates my nerves.

This year I did not run the Turkey trot. I decided that I needed rest and sleep more than a run. Plus, I was a bit under the weather. I was really sick for the drive to EP and running a day later was not going to help matters. While I so missed the fun of the Trot, I was so very grateful for the much needed rest and sleep.

Turkey Day was amazing as usual. The food was fabulous. The only sad part, I don't have any of the leftovers. Next year Thanksgiving will be at my place just so I can have the leftovers. I am so grateful this year for so many things. My health has not been 100% this year, but I am grateful to still be alive and doing the things that I love. I am grateful for a family who supports me in all I do. I am grateful for a loving husband that puts up with all my little quirks, neuroticism, stress and stories. I am grateful for the job I have and for the challenges and opportunities it gives me so that I can progress. I am grateful for this land that I live on. There may be problems, but I there are so many great things to be grateful for, like, freedom to speak what we want, freedom to worship how we want, freedom to live anywhere we want or can afford, freedom to be who we want to be. There are so many other things to be grateful for but I just can't think nor do I have the time to write them all down.

Well, the computer screen is getting blurry and the stress of the day is catching up to me, so I better go.

Dear Thanksgiving Break,

2010-11-19T11:26:00.003-06:00

Can you please hurry? I have never wanted you so bad and now that it is almost time you are making me wait longer. I have never begged and pleaded for anything more in my life than you right now. You give me strength, hope, even deeper feelings of gratitude, and much needed rest and relaxation. I am so very grateful for you Thanksgiving Break.

Love,

Katie

Is It Just Me. . .

2010-11-12T16:55:00.002-06:00

Or was this the longest week ever known to man? Wednesday night I got home from the Bishop's Storehouse and was all excited because, even though I went to YM/YW, I thought the next day was Friday. Then Top Chef Just Desserts came on and I realized it was only Wednesday, dang it! I still had to muddle through Thursday AND Friday. I ended up falling asleep on the couch and staying there all night. Usually I wake up and somehow make my way to the bedroom, but that didn't happen and I was awakened by my dear, sweet husband before he left for seminary. I was hoping to wake up and it be Friday morning, but alas, it was still Thursday. Today it is finally Friday of the longest week of my life. Even the week leading up to my wedding, one of the most exciting days of my life, wasn't this long. Maybe it's because it is the first week after the time change or maybe I am just looking forward to Thanksgiving just a little too much, but who knows. The week is almost done and the weekend is getting ever so close.

The week was full of wonderful events. The senior class decided that they wanted a game associated with their homecoming dance so they organized a juniors vs. seniors game. The seniors won 25-22. You may asking yourself, "What kind of football score is that?" Let me assure you, it was not a football game, but a basketball game with a clock that was running two 20 minute halves. It was quite the game of bad basketball. It was fun to watch and I loved the spirit it brought to the school for those couple of hours.

Last night was the school's appreciation dinner for out Veterans. It was a very nice potluck with lots of entertainment. The school choir sang a couple of songs, but it was the duet by two sisters that really made the night special. The two girls sang "God Bless the USA". There was more patriotism in that room than anywhere else that night. It was nice to see the vets stand and and be honored. I thank them with all my heart for the service they have given to this great county so that we can keep the freedoms and life that we know.

Wednesday was also the YM/YW combined activity night at the Bishop's Storehouse. We were suppose to start everything at 7 pm, but the drivers got lost and couldn't find it, so we didn't start until almost 8 pm and had to leave by 8:30pm. It was still fun and the kids were able to serve. I wish we had been able to do more and have the kids do more, but the important thing was the kids were able to put a little something else before themselves for a little bit and help those who really need it. I, personally, love working in the Bishop's Storehouse. It's my favorite service project. I was very happy while I was there and the rest of my cares went away.

I have found I am happiest when I am working. I am usually very tired and can't wait until the next vacation, but I love to work. Sometimes I just need a little break to gather myself again then I am okay and ready to get back to work. Work is good for the mind, body and spirit. I am excited for the weekend and the time I will have to rest and be rejuvenated, but I still can't wait to get back to work. I don't know of you agree, but, is it just me?

Faith

2010-11-08T08:57:00.002-06:00

I am in the midst of completing two requirements for my Personal Progress. The first one in Faith is about prayer. I was to read some scriptures about faith, do some praying, and then write in my journal of my experiences. So here it goes:

I have always had a problem with saying my prayers on a regular basis. I would get started then stop, then start again. Or I would start with twice a day at least then lower to once a day before I went to bed. I noticed this time, that I pray more than I think. I find myself stopping and thinking about what I had just thought and it was usually a prayer that I was saying for something. The more I look back on situations the more I realize that it was a prayer, albeit a little one, that helped me in that situation. I pray more than I thought I ever did. It is through our faith that we see the answers to our prayers. It is through faith that we are even able to pray, to talk to someone that we have never met physically on this earth and know that we will receive an answer. Every now and then I need a little reminder to pray and Personal Progress has been that reminder this time.

The second experience is about the Sacrament. Another goal is to read about the Sacrament, really listen to the words during the prayer and write about it. The Sacrament Prayers have been something that took me a long time to really listen to and understand. It wasn't until I was in college and found out for myself what the prayers were all about. I grew up hearing the words of the prayers every week. It was nothing new to me. It wasn't until I decided that I was going to really listen to them that they took on a whole new meaning. It was during my time of true conversion. I had recently had a knee surgery that kept me out of soccer for about eight months. During that time I was able to focus on the things that were necessary for my life at that time. It's amazing what one little injury can do and how much it can change you. That is when I started to really use the words of those prayers in my life. I had never done that before. It was a whole new thing for me. I felt different. I felt a sense of peace and happiness in hearing those words every week. I have been in a family ward now for almost a year and I realized that I stopped paying attention to the words and what the Sacrament was about and paid more attention to the kid screaming behind me, the kid running in the aisle, or the person sleeping next to me. I had lost that peaceful happiness that I once felt. After reading and remembering the feelings I once had I wanted to get back to that. I have been listening more carefully and thinking of the great sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for the world. I am so grateful to Him for the life He lived and the example he is. I am so grateful that because of His sacrifice I am able to repent and return to my Heavenly Father once again. Faith is a major part of this life. If we can rely on our faith we will be a happier people and a more caring, forgiving people.

Halloween and Expulsions, Fun!

2010-11-06T09:41:00.003-05:00

Yesterday I had to "expel" my first kid. It wasn't a real expulsion but more of an opportunity to withdraw before the expulsion. When kids reach 75 DPS (our discipline system is based on points) we sit down with the parents and tell them their kid has reached 75 points, there's nothing more we can do at this point and let them know that they have the option of withdrawing from the school so there is not a black mark on their record. If the parents do not withdraw the kid by the end of the next school day then we have to go through the expulsion process and paperwork. The parents decided to withdraw the kid. I may have to expel a kid this coming week though. He is already a trouble maker and doesn't really want to be at the school so he messing up. Thursday he decided that he was going to steal a student's cell phone from the PE changing room. After school the kid went looking for his phone and after doing some investigative work of his own, found out who had stolen his phone, tracked him down and got his phone back. That's where I come in. Since the crime happened on campus I had to investigate, get the kid to confess and inform the parents. Monday we will have a discipline committee meeting in which we will decide his consequences. I don't know what the committee is going to say, but the punishment will be anything from 3 days OSS to expulsion. Good luck to the kid.

In other news, last week was Halloween. Leland and I were Minions from the movie Despicable Me. Since my computer at home is having internet problems I have to do all my writings from my work computer and I don't have my camera to download the pics. I love being married to a man that loves Halloween because he always has great costume ideas. Every year everyone who knows Leland is always excited to see what he will be next. I, on the other hand, have no creative bones in my body for Halloween. I thought about Charlie Brown characters (you know Charlie Brown and the little Red-headed girl he has a crush on) but no one would know what that was, so no go to that. We looked pretty darn cute if you ask me. If you have access to my facebook page you can check out the pics there until I get a chance to post them here. The best part of the night, we won that grand prize at the party, a 32 in LCD TV! How awesome is that! I really wanted the $150 shopping spree, but the tv works too. I have never won anything like that in my life. In fact, I told Leland he was marrying the unluckiest girl the whole world when it comes to raffles and stuff like that. Thankfully, it was all his luck that won the tv, but I was holding the winning ticket, so I consider it my win ;) The only problem we have now, we have no place to put it in our little apartment. I already had a nice tv when we got married in the living room, and there is no space in the bedroom for a big tv. We will figure it out one of these days though. Maybe Dad can place a wall mount in when he comes to visit in a couple of weeks. That's what Dads are for right? Well, it's time to get back to work. Have a wonderful time until I write again!

Personal Progress

2010-10-25T09:18:00.002-05:00

I have decided that I will be doing Personal Progress again. I had been contemplating this for a couple of months now and decided early last week that I would buy a book and start. Last night I sat down and started looking through the book and seeing what I had to do. As I was looking through the book I started remembering when I was a young woman and starting my Personal Progress. I felt so overwhelmed as to everything I had to do. This time I read it and have to try to adapt the value experiences to my situation. There are so many things about a future home and family. Since I already have the beginnings of my family (a wonderful husband) I have to adapt some of the experiences to meet my needs. I no longer write about my goals to go to the temple to receive my endowments and to be sealed to my husband. I guess I can change them to how to stay worthy to enter the temple and attend the temple regularly. I know I can make my own value experiences, but I can never think of anything so I just use what is given to me as a guide. A lot of my experiences are surrounding sewing and creating things. I have such a huge lack of that skill that I think it would be something nice to learn so that I will be able to mend my clothing, create new things for my home, and even make my own clothing (that's a little ambitious, but who knows, it could happen, right?). I write this because this is my journal and will be writing a lot about my experiences as I go through this whole journey of Personal Progress again. Just a warning :)

Parent-Teacher Conference

2010-10-22T13:11:00.003-05:00

Parent-Teacher Conference day is one of the best days of the school year. I have never seen more than six parents even today. Actually, I have talked to two parents that I saw in teh ahll and wanted to say hi to and that is it. I thought I would have more parents come in and want to talk with me, but no dice. It's a little nice to be like that. Now, I can get all caught up on the work I need to get caught up on. Whew!

The Life

2010-10-16T11:45:00.002-05:00

It's been a few weeks since the last time I was able to write. My computer at home is starting to fail me and since I had to change some things with the internet through my provider, my internet is not working on my computer. When I go home I am either cleaning, making dinner, or vegging out and falling asleep on the couch so I have not been on to write in a while. Some interesting things have happened the past couple of weeks. General Conference was the first week of October and boy was it the spiritual enlightenment I needed! General Conference helped give me a new, refreshed outlook on life right now. I feel so much better after receiving such great insight and inspiration from the leaders of the church. The positivity that comes from conference helps increase my confidence. I know I have things that I need to work on right now, but I feel better about where I am in my life and what I am suppose to be doing. General Conference rocks! It is still on our DVR so I can go back and listen to a talk when I need that little extra boost.

Leland is still struggling a little with the bronchitis, but is sounding much better. I think it's been three weeks with this thing but it is finally starting to clear up, yay! I hate it when someone else is going through an illness or situation that I can't help them with. Now, since things are better I don't have to worry so much. Leland is also counting down the number of games he has left to ref football. he's down to 13 more games. He's sad, but it can only help him with his school work and seminary stuff. I found funny when he told me last night over dinner that he is no longer the nite owl he use to be because if seminary. Did my ears just deceive me? My husband admitting to no longer being a nite owl? I thought that would never happen, but it did and I love it! His research is coming along slowly. He had a definitive end date in May, but now he's just hoping to get done by then. I just want him finished with school already! Mostly so I can start saving more to go and get my docorate or another master's in school counseling or something
like that. Overall, he's doing well and things are going in a positive direction.

Work is crazy and busy, but what's new? I had to deal with a situation in which I thought I would have to call the police again, after talking to the mom we decided that the girl was lying. She claimed that she had been sexually assaulted at school towards the end of the year last year and that it had happened again by the same kid two weeks ago at school. That is what her boyfriend told another kid at the school and that kid came to me. So the investigation started and the end result was that she was lying. Thankfully, the parent really likes the school and knew that what her daughter was telling us was false. How do we know it was false? Her stories never matched up. It's hard to keep all the lies straight. She even had to ask me what she had said before in our first meeting the second time she came in to my office. The first and second meeting were only about 30 minutes apart. How else did we know? The timelines were different from story to story. With some of the things she was saying and how everything went down there is no way in such a little school that not one person would have walked in on it happening. We have sixth graders with bladders the size of a quarter so some kid would have had to go to the bathroom during the time she was talking about and would have seen everything that was going on. Plus, she had said it was student in the school that doesn't go to the school anymore, but when looking at pictures and trying to find the kid who matched the description, she couldn't point to anyone and there were no kids that matched the description. Why she would tell a story so huge, I don't know. But it really made me upset that she would do that. You hear about things like that all the time and until you are involved in something like that you ahve no idea how much it hoovers. What is going on with our kids today that they think they can tell things like that and not expect it to be a huge deal? Whatevs.

Things are plugging along and life is going. I just continue to hope that things continue to be positive. I know trials will occur and things won't always be smooth, but I look forward to all the new experiences and knowledge that I will gain from it all.

Inadequacies or Paranoia?

2010-09-30T17:49:00.002-05:00

Lately I have been feeling like I keep messing up. I am not a fan of having to feel like I have to "check in" with someone all the time about everything. I feel like I am being watched like a hawk. I can't stand it when people micro-manage. My principal is good, don't get me wrong, but I feel as though what I do is not good enough, or I am not doing enough. No matter what I do I have to check in with him on everything. Just let me go and do! If he would let me do my thing with these kids then I would be able to do so much more in the discipline realm. I try to always tell him what is going on but when I do it seems as though he a) isn't really listening, b) is judging every decision I make, or c) doesn't care until something is about to go terribly wrong then I feel stupid. I feel like I just can't seem to get it right. Like maybe I really am not cut out to be an administrator. I feel like by this time in the school year I should have been settled and have a routine, but I am still all over the place. I can't even get all my stuff organized before it's unorganized again. I am so behind on everything that I need to be doing. Will this feeling ever end? Will being under a microscope ever stop? I want to be doing the right thing and making the best decisions, but it all seems so useless right now. Maybe I'm just being paranoid. Maybe I am doing better than I thought. I don't know, I just don't know.

On the Run, As Usual

2010-09-27T10:56:00.002-05:00

Things never seem to slow down, even for a tiny it. This morning I awoke hoping it was still Sunday, but to my disappointment, it's another Monday. The weekends just seem to fly by. I really would love to have two days in my weekend, but that will not happen until Thanksgiving break for me. Saturday was the annual parent picnic. I think it turned out to be really nice even after all the mess in the morning. The people who work at the city community centers are so incompetent. I was told I had one pavilion but when I got there there was a 5K that wasn't ending until 11am at that pavilion. Thankfully there was a really nice police officer that was helping out and he called the park police to find out what was going on and got us to the pavilion that I had originally wanted but was already booked. Everything turned out to be really nice. The kids seemed to have fun, there was good food and the parents and teachers were able to mingle and talk to one another. All in all a nice morning/afternoon.
Saturday night Leland and I were finally able to get all glammed up and go out for a night on the town, well, partially. I had the Women's Conference that I left a little early from so we could go to Leland's event. Every year UTHSC does a huge fundraiser dinner and a dance after the dinner. All the graduates for the year were invited to attend the dance after the dinner. We decided to go and check things out. It was at the Grand Hyatt in downtown and I have to say, it is a gorgeous hotel! We were on the fourth floor in the Texas Ballroom. It was lit in red, white, and blue, and it was huuuuuuge! I was amazed as to how big of a room it was. We did a little dancing, ate some appetizers and talked to some of the profs at the school then it was off to Mi Tierra, only my all time favorite Mexican food restaurant. It felt so good to finally spend a few uninterrupted hours out with my husband. It was a fun little date night.
Leland has been sick for a few days and I am afraid he has mono. He has some of the same symptoms I had and his schedule has just worn him down. Fevers on and off all day and it gets really bad at night. Sore throat, hard to breathe, coughing, stuffy nose and altogether tiredness. I really hope it's not mono. Hopefully today he is better and can get back to his old routines. I feel so helpless. I wish there was something I could do for him to get him better, but I know there's nothing I can do. Poor guy.
Life is still busy as ever and trying to keep up with everything is really hard. I might have to go into hiding, oh, wait, I have already done that. Well, maybe go even more into hiding until I can get caught up with everything.

Finally! I Finished Something on My To-Do List

2010-09-20T13:49:00.004-05:00

A long time ago I decided that I was going to refinish a hope chest that was my Grandpa Smith's. After about four years I finally decided to do it. The big reveal won't be for a couple of days, so you are just going to have to wait on pins and needles to see the finished product. The part I am happiest about is the fact that I actually did a fun, redecorating thing that I always talk about doing but never actually do it. My next goal, the dining room furniture. I may have to call in some help on this one. I want to replace the seat bottoms and cushions, but don't want to ruin the antique chairs and table. I also want to refinish the the chairs, table and buffet but living in an apartment doesn't make it easy to do since I can't move my furniture outside to do it. I will figure it all out then get it done. It feels so good to finally do one thing that has been on my to-do list for so long. I just wish I had a "before" picture so I could post and compare the "before" and "after" shots. Why didn't I think of that before? Dang it!

Musings at Midnight

2010-09-12T23:40:00.004-05:00

I hate it when I can't fall asleep. I can't get comfortable, I'm too hot and things just keep running through my mind like crazy. It's like I can't turn my brain off right now. I thought what better way to turn my brain off than to write what is in my head, so this may be a long post. I don't blame you for not reading it all the way through.

Item Numero Uno: Cops (bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do, whatch gonna do when they come for you?)

The cops paid a visit to the school twice this week. Once was to serve a student with a Criminal Trespass Warning (he cannot step foot onto or into any NEISD facility without the written permission of the principal of the school he trespassed on or the police at that facility for two years), and once for making a report about a student who was mugged on the way to school. The mugging couldn't have happened to a better kid either. He takes the city bus to school because his grandmother and uncle whom he lives with cannot drive him to school. He gets off the bus and BAM he's pushed down from behind and has his phone stolen from him. Luckily the kid wasn't hurt. This is what peeves me. The cop comes in to take the report and stands with his arms folded across his chest the entire time he's there except when he is writing stuff down. He says there is nothing the police can do and then lectures the kid for about twenty minutes on safety. What the heck are the SAPD officers good for these days? They couldn't get the report right when my car was stolen and couldn't find it and now they can't help a scared kid. Here's what they can do, GET OFF YOUR FAT LAZY BUTTS AND START PROTECTING YOUR COMMUNITY! Instead of lecturing a kid for twenty minutes how about you get in your car and start driving around the area looking for the perp? That would be a good idea. My guess is the cop left and didn't do a darn thing to try to find the perp. On the up side, the kid that ran away last week was safely back home two nights later. he now has no freedom whatsoever, but he is back at home. Then there was a kid that threatened another student because he has been bullying a smaller kid in the class. It was kinda nice that the kid was sticking up for his friend, but it caused all sorts of trouble for me for about four hours then the kid that was threatened decided to leave the school after we called a conference with the all the kids parents that were involved. That made for an awkward conference. I had teachers come in to discuss things with both parents and I was ready to rumble then the bombshell of one kid leaving the school just made perfect timing for the awkward silence. Nice! The best part of the week is that there are two sixth graders that are constantly picking on each other. A boy and a girl no less. The girl says stuff to the boy and the boy to the girl and the girl's friends are all involved in the drama. The friends of the girl are in my office reporting to me the haps at PE that day because the girl is too upset to talk to me herself. Whatever! It's funny the things that come across your office.

Item Numero 2: Church

Today was a pretty good day at church. I was actually awake this morning so I could focus a bit easier. The best part was the lesson in YW. Cordy gave the lesson to the Beehives on journal writing. I think this is why I can't get to sleep tonight. My mind is racing of all the things I want to write about. As I was sitting in the lesson I soon realized there are two major events in my life that I have not written about ever, my baptism and my patriarchal blessing. I am going to start with my baptism and my memories of that and then move to my patriarchal blessing and the things that have some to pass thus far in my life.

My Baptism happened in Tulsa, Oklahoma on April of 1990 about three weeks after I turned 8 yrs old. I had to wait until then so my Grandpa Smith could come up from San Antonio to be a part of the event and confirm me. My mom had made my baptism dress of white terry cloth material. It was so soft. Sis. Walsh was the main speaker. She gave me a plant to remind me of the new covenants I had made that day. She was one of my favorite people. She died a few years later of cancer I believe. My dad was the one to baptize me. He had to dunk me twice because the aforementioned dress came up and lifted out of the water, go figure. Then my Grandpa Smith confirmed me a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I remember being a little nervous and scared, but once I come up out of the water and was confirmed, a feeling of peace resided in me. I am grateful for the choice I made at such a tender age to be a member of the church. I have learned so many things and have had so many blessing come my way because of that one evening in April.

My Patriarchal Blessing was done in July 1998. I was 16 yrs old and was just learning to drive and was so happy when my mom let me drive to the Patriarch's home in Copperas Cove to do the blessing. My dad was the bishop of my ward at that time and did my interview to make sure I was worthy to receive the blessing. Dad was not able to attend the blessing because of his duties as Bishop, but I know he was happy for my decision. Mom and I sat and talked with Patriarch Olsen for about ten minutes before he began the blessing. I had never met this man before and he was going to talk to me for ten minutes then be able to give me a blessing that was going to lay out my life for me? I thought that was interesting. My mom told me after my blessing that he truly is an inspired man, without knowing which of the 12 tribes my parents are from he was able to tell me that I am of the lineage of Ephraim (like both my parents). He also told me twice in the blessing to be sensitive to the Spirit. There have been a few times in my life that I have had to really listen to the Spirit. The most recent happened last year when I received a job offer in EP and didn't take it even though it was what I have been wanting to do with my life since high school. The Spirit gave me such an impression that I was not to take that job. At the time I didn't know why, but if I had taken that job I would not be happily married to an amazing man. The next impression of the Spirit was when I decided to move to SA. I originally moved here so that I could help take care of my aging, ailing Grandpa Smith and go to grad school. When G-pa died five months before I moved it put a kink in the plans and now I was moving for grad school and start my teaching career. It also put me in the place I am now. Inspiration three happened when I was trying to decide what college to go to. I was being heavily recruited by The University of Louisville. I was about two months away from signing on the dotted line when the head coach was no longer working there. I decided I would wait and see what was going to happen before I moved on. When January rolled around there was no news and I decided to re-start my search for a school. That's when UTEP entered. It was a difficult decisions because I was going to be 10 hrs from my family and no one lived there that I knew. I didn't want to go, but I did. I was able to grow a lot as a person and develop my testimony. It was a tough six years in EP, but I am grateful for the experience and the people. I was able to serve in capacities that I never thought possible and learn more than I ever have. My blessing also tells me (and I am paraphrasing here because I don't remember the exact wording) that I will be an example to and lead the youth. Right now I am an assistant principal at a middle/high school charter. I am also a counselor in the YW Presidency in my ward. I have also served as a Relief Society President and Counselor and more importantly, as a friend and confidant to many youth in my life. I was also told in my blessing that I would be married to a worthy priesthood holder in the temple. I believe because of that blessing right there I made the choices I did for my life. It was always my goal to be worthy to have a temple recommend and marry in the temple. There were many times when I had many choices before me that I knew would not lead me to the temple. I could have spent four or more years partying with my friends who are not members of the church and placed myself in some pretty bad situations. I could have not accepted the callings that I did. I could have made the decisions my brother made so I would not be made fun of for my my beliefs and so I could fit in with those around me. But I didn't. I made the decisions that I knew were going to benefit me. Many people would say that all of this is coincidence, but I know it's not. When a man who you have only known for ten minutes tells you these things at the age of 16 you are inclined not to believe it. But when you look back on the years and everything that has happened in your life and you find and read your blessing, you begin to see that that one man is truly inspired and led by the Spirit. After twelve years and many moves I have lost the actual blessing that is on paper, but I remember the blessings in my heart and my mind. There are some other things that are in my blessing that have not come to pass yet and I anxiously await the days that they do. I know my blessing is not a one shot deal it will continue to last through this life and the next. I am grateful for my knowledge of the gospel and the blessings it brings to my life.

I am still not tired nor am I ready for bed. It's after midnight and I have to wake up in about five hours. Maybe now that things are out of my head I can let me mind be at rest and I can sleep. We shall see what happens. But for now, Good Night!

9/11 - I Will Never Forget, Will You?

2010-09-11T11:12:00.004-05:00

Today is the 9th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that took out the World Trade Towers. I remember that day so clearly. I woke up about five minutes before my dad left for work and walked into the living room. I saw a building on fire and asked my dad what movie he was watching. He said he was watching the news. I didn't believe him until I heard the newscasters and started to really watch everything. It was unbelievable! I left for school at my normal time went to my first class where some people were talking about it. After class I went to the student union at UTEP and met a friend for breakfast before going to my next class. AS we sat and watched the TV at the union the crowed started to grow. A little after 9am we watched as the first tower started to fall. By this time the second plane had hit the second tower. Then before going to class the second tower fell and there was nothing but a dust cloud. Later that day more and more footage and pictures started coming out on the news stations. There were pictures of papers falling from the sky, people jumping and falling from the buildings, firemen in all their gear, people crying, battered, torn, families watching from apartments, looks of confusion, shock, horror. Then there came the unity. I have never felt such a sense of American pride an unity across the entire country. From the Atlantic to the Pacific, from the Canadian Border to the Mexican Border the entire country heard the words of George W. Bush, "Let's Roll" and everyone was ready to fight, ready to take it to the people responsible for this sucker punch from behind. Today we are still fighting the terrorist and many people do not agree with what is going on. Do they not remember what was done on our soil? What happened just nine years ago? How quickly we forget, but me I will never forget. As I sit watching the History Channel (I must be getting old when I can see myself in history) and seeing the pictures and video from that day I am taken back to what I was doing that morning. I still cannot believe what happened that morning and it is still weird looking at pictures of the New York skyline without the Twin Towers there. It's still heart-wrenching. I will never forget the men, women and children effected by the events of that day. I will never forget the brave soldiers that are still fighting for our protection and putting their lives at stake so I can live as I do. Thank you to all who protect this great nation. You are blessed and loved by so many. I have the deepest respect for you. Thank you. Do you remember what you were doing that day?

A Set of Fresh Batteries . . .

2010-09-04T19:58:00.005-05:00

and I bring you this (ONLY IN UTAH)

A sight for sore eyes! So TEXAS!

Seeing Double

Family Preparedness Sale. Where else could you find this?

I have made my own, but it comes pre-packaged.

The Marriage Guarantee? Really? You can guarantee that? Can you get your money back if you don't get married? haha!

This isn't all the pics, just a little taste. Blogger isn't being very helpful right now. When I get them all posted on FB I will let y'all know.

Best Hot Fudge Ever!

2010-09-02T17:57:00.002-05:00

1 cube butter
1 can evaporated milk
1 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet)
2 cups powdered sugar

Throw it all into a pot and let it boil for two to three minutes. The longer it boils the thicker it will be. Let it cool then serve with your favorite ice cream or other dessert, or you can just grab a spoon and dig in like I do. Either way it's so yummilicous!

Enjoy!

What a Life!

2010-09-01T17:17:00.004-05:00

It's been a a little more than a week since I have done any writing. Who knew my life would be so crazy right now? I thought it would be, but not like this though. I knew I was going to have late days at the "office" and I wouldn't have much time for socializing, but I had no idea it was going to be this busy. I go home and if I am not doing anything work related I fall asleep on the couch and stay there until about 1 or 2 in the morning before making it back to bed. I have not been able to workout as much as I thought I would. I maybe get three workouts in a week. I just have to get more settled then I will be okay.

Updates from school:

I have already had three parents in my office for minor skirmishes. Better to call the parents right away than wait for something bigger to happen.

I have already made one boy cry. I thought it would affect me more than what it did. He understands what he did, the consequence he was given, and why it was given. He actually came into my office today to pick up his notification form in a good mood. Weird.

Kids are following the school rules a little better than they use to. I had one kid tell me he's really grateful that I am the Dean of Students. He then proceeded to tell me what he thought of the last guy and how much he hated him. Good times.

Locks placed on the wrong lockers was a blast. Kids coming as much as a week after receiving their lockers and needing their combinations. Kids don't remember anything.

Two of my favorite kids left the school.

So far, no graffiti in the bathrooms. Although, I think I just jinxed it.

Wednesday Folders, grrrrrrrr.

I now appreciate the weekends so much more. I will really grow to appreciate Sunday even more than what I already do.

Those are the events of the past week and half I guess. I have completely lost track of all time. I forgot today was September. I even forgot that we have a three day weekend because of Labor Day. I didn't even realize that Leland and I have been married for eight full months now. I just hope I don't forget the big 1 year mark, that would totally hoover (it might be funny a few years from now).

Leland is quite busy as well. Seminary is going good, so far. He took his board exam on Monday and we are now anxiously awaiting the results. It was a computer test so the results should have been immediate, right? At least you would think they could get the results to him quicker than October. Reffing football is in full swing and he's loving it. Football season is here and so there goes my husband. We were at a friend's house the other night playing games and he was distracted by the NFL Fantasy Football Draft that he had on his phone. Sad. I married a football man, what can I say. He is back in the lab researching and writing so he can finish everything by May. I think that's all. There is just so much going on that I can't keep up anymore. Thanksgiving will be a very welcomed break for the both of us. Life is great, I love it and would have it no other way!

Life is Getting Busy

2010-08-22T16:20:00.003-05:00

This whole "Dean of Students" thing is killing me! It's been a struggle, but it's also been good knowing that I have the support of my teachers. I also found out that I will be acting as the liaison between the admin and the teachers. That was not a duty assigned to me by my principal, but something I found out from talking to one of the teacher's husbands. I knew that was going to happen though. My teachers have told me that they finally feel comfortable going to someone in the admin. That makes me feel better. I was also told by a few parents that they were glad to see that I was the Dean of Students. One parent almost fell to the ground with relief when he found out. A bit too much of a reaction if you ask me. I have spent 12+ hours everyday at school trying to get things ready for the year and, most importantly, the first day of school. I am really hoping things go smoothly tomorrow, but I know Murphy's Law will rear it's ugly head in there somewhere. I have also realized that I will not have as much time to write on my blog. I apologize to all my followers out there (all 7 of you). My life will not be out there as much.

Today we had a special Stake Conference. President Butler and his presidency were released. President Butler and President Brooks either will be or have already moved out of SA. The new Presidency is President Spendlove, President Lindberg, and President Carlisle. Elder C. Scott Grow of the Quorum of the Seventy came for the whole event and gave a great talk. He spoke on the Family Proclamation and the importance of family. We see so much the attack on the family so it was a great reminder what we should be doing and who has given us the responsibility of family.

Leland is working hard studying for his boards which he takes in a week, preparing to teach seminary, reffing high school football, and working on his research and dissertation. It's going to be a busy year. Great, but busy.

Oh! I found my camera cord so I can now upload my "Only in Utah" pics. It won't be all of them, but some of them. I do know that some of the things pictured are not just Utah, but for me, it's "Only in Utah"

Aw, dang it! My batteries are low and I don't have any in the house. Okay, so when I get batteries, I will get them up here.

New Job Title

2010-08-02T22:44:00.001-05:00

I am now the Dean of Students (main job Discipline) at my school! Woo-hoo!

I'm Back!

2010-08-01T19:04:00.004-05:00

It's been a little while since I have written because I have been out of town the past two weeks and did not take my computer. Seeing the family was a lot of fun and meeting the rest of Leland's family was great! Utah, I have to admit, was fun. But I will touch on that later. It's great to be back in SA. I missed home so much. There is no place quite like Texas!

We started the vacation visiting my parents in El Paso. We went up to Cloudcroft and Ruidoso, NM to take a break from the heat. It gets into the 70's in the middle of summer. It's a nice little retreat to see the beauty and feel the coolness. We didn't really do much there besides help my dad out with some decorating things around the house and do an early birthday celebration for Leland. The dogs were excited as always to us. Tipper has finally accepted to playing second fiddle to Leland. He's still not happy about it, but he has accepted it. Hallie has also realized the Leland is part of the family by wiping her slobbering water mouth on him. After Hallie drinks water from her bowl she has enough manners to find the nearest napkin to wipe her mouth on so water doesn't get all over the floor. That napkin just happened to be Leland no matter where in the house he was. It's official, Leland is part of the family =0)

Utah, let's say it is something never to forget. It was different from what I expected. When I got off the plane and we were driving to Orem the only thing I could think was that I was in a bowl and began feeling a little claustrophobic. But I got use to it by time we left, so no big. I ate a ton of food from some of Leland's favorite restaurants. The list includes, Tucano's Brazilian Steakhouse (yumminess), Cafe Rio, Mi Ranchito (both are nice tries at Mexican, but would never pass in Texas), Brick Oven (best calzone I have ever eaten in my life), Sensuous Sandwich (great sandwich) and I think there was one more, but I can't remember. One night Leland's best friend, Jarred, and his wife and two adorable little girls took us out through Alpine Loop. It was gorgeous! The stars were so clear, the air crisp and cool. The only bad thing was the ride up was really curvy and the roads were do narrow I thought we were going to drive off the side. It was fun seeing a waterfall at night and all the aspen and pine trees. I would love to go back during the day and do some hiking up there. Thanks to Jarred and his little fam for taking us up there. I also had the honor of participating in my first Pioneer Day celebration, family style Minute to Win It, and Cul de Sac of Fire (or Cul de Sac del Fuego as I call it). We also celebrated Leland's 30th birthday. He's and old man now, no longer a young buck. It was fun and we had a fantastic time! I also took a grand tour of Provo and the BYU area. It wasn't as nice as I thought it would be. It did have some really cute houses (I love the red brick homes) but it wasn't what I expected. The one thing I loved about the areas I went to, they were so clean. I have never seen public restrooms and universities that were so well taken care of. There were no plastic bags in the street and I saw no litter. No joke, I didn't see one piece of trash on the street. It was so refreshing! I also started an "Only in Utah" photo album. There were so many things that I had never seen anywhere in my travels across the United States that I had to have an "Only in Utah" album. For example, there was an apartment complex that had the title of "Home of the Marriage Guarantee". The Sam's in Provo also had paintings of Temples and pictures of Prophets for sale, only in Utah could you find that. That will be the next album I put on facebook once I get back into the apartment. I almose forgot the best part of the visit, the Salt Lake City Temple. You can't really see it anymore because of all the build up around it, but it is beautiful! I was able to go through a live session which was so much fun! The workers did a fantastic job and really got into the parts they were playing, I loved it! We also did an open house out there. I was telling Leland we should get married and have an open house every year. The gift cards are awesome! It was fun meeting all the new people in my life (and seeing a friend I had not seen in over ten years) and hearing stories about my wonderful husband. He is a really loved person in that area of the world. It's fun hearing all the wonderful things about your spouse from people you don't know.

Being back in SA has been great but it would be better if I were in my own bed (I miss it so much). We got home Saturday night and there was this awful smell of mildew. I just figured it was because we had turned off the A/C while we were gone and it was really humid and rainy. It wasn't until Leland looked at the floor and saw that the carpet was completely soaked. The copper wiring to the refrigerator had sprung a leak. We spent the rest of the night securing a place to stay and helping the carpet guy move furniture so he could start sucking up the water and removing the padding underneath the carpet. He said that there had to have been a couple hundred gallons of water that sprung forth. Silly me, I was worried someone was going to break into the place and ransack all our stuff. I should have been worried about the fridge instead. We don't know the extent of the damage yet but will find out soon enough. But, you know, it's a part of life that you have to deal with. Deal with it and move on to other things like meeting with my new principal tomorrow morning. I think I will find out if I got the admin job or not. I will let you know tomorrow. Fingers are crossed, eeeek!

Congratulations Espana!

2010-07-12T09:52:00.004-05:00

Espana is the new World Cup Champions! The game was pretty uneventful, except for all the yellow cards the ref was giving out. The goal came in the 116th minute of the game. For non-soccer people a soccer game is normally only 90 minutes. With only about three minutes left in the game Iniesta scored to win the game 1-0. The Netherlands and their really cool orange jersies took second in the world and Germany took third. It is no easy feat to be a World Champion. Maybe the NBA and NFL and MLB should take a shot at playing the top countries in the entire world before they call their champions "World Champions". Anyway, Congratulations to Spain and all their talented soccer players!

Happy Independence Day

2010-07-03T12:59:00.004-05:00

Since I will probably not write tomorrow, since I will be getting ready for girl's camp, Happy 4th o' July! The day we, these great United States of America, declared our independence from British rule. It seems a little ironic that on the day we celebrate our independence, we have a government that is trying to take away our independence. I am not going to get into politics because it will just make my beautiful day turn grey, but i just think of everything that is going on with our government and can't help but think that we are in a major decline, and we will be losing our God-given freedoms. On to better stuff. . .

Last night was a great night. Leland and I went to dinner at Pasha, a really good Mediterranean grill. It is more of the Middle Eastern Mediterranean than Greek or Italian. They have this Tanour bread that is oh so good! If you have ever had Indian naan, it is very similar. I then got a falafel wrap and Greek salad. The salad was not the normal Greek salad. It had shredded beets and an almost catalina-like dressing. It was still really good. Leland got the gyro (pronounced hero) plate. It came with fresh, homemade hummus and nothing but the lamb and beef meats and salad. I love gyro meat. It is always so flavorful and the perfect thinness. Mmmmmm, gyro meat. After dinner we went to North Star Mall and walked around a little bit. While there Leland saw a shirt at Spencer's that he really liked, then I saw it and it was awesome. It's not the normal Spencer's crude t-shirts. It is an American Fighter t-shirt for Carwin. He's a UFC fighter that will be fighting reigning world heavyweight title holder Brock Lesner tonight. The shirt is black with an American flag running down the front and the back with the wording and stuff for Carwin's sponsors and fight club stuff. I just really like how patriotic it is. It is pretty cool. So he bought it. Then it was my turn to do some shopping. I haven't bought a really cute pair of heels in over a year, so I decided it was time to look and buy a pair of really cute heels. So off to Journey's we went. I started looking at some shoes that are purple, white, and silver a little strappy with a peep-toe and a zipper on the back of the heel. Soooo cute! Even better, only 20 buck-a-roos. When I asked to try them on I noticed the salesgirl was gone a little longer than normal and figured they must not have the size I wanted and she was searching for them. That was not the case, they had my size, but she was also looking for other shoes that I might like in those colors and styles, score! She came out with two pairs of heels, the original ones I saw and another really cute pair. The other pair are a darker purple with a few different designs. They are still a peep-toe and the top has a cute zipper. They are really hard to explain, you have to see them to get the full picture. The girl who was helping me disappeared and another guy came over and was helping me instead. I had one shoe on each foot trying to decided which shoe I wanted. He said they both looked good, which I did not argue that because they both looked great, and said I should get both. He went to the display and found the second shoe and showed me the price, 50 bucks. My heart sank, I was only going to be able to get the first pair. To my surprise, he then says "Tell you what, buy the $20 shoes and I will give the other pair for $25." What!? Could my ears be deceiving me? Buy one get one 1/2 off? I could not pass that deal up! So two pairs of shoes of the original price of one. That totally made my night. As we were walking down the halls of the mall I turned to Leland and said, "What more could a girl ask for? A great dinner, shoes, and a great man!" I know, cheesy, but oh well. Then we went to La Cantera to check out the Six Flags fireworks. If you need someplace to watch fireworks tomorrow night, go to La Cantera and watch the Six Flags fireworks from there. Finally, back home after a quick stop at HEB for ice cream. All in all a great date night and beginning to a wonderful July 4th weekend!

Summer and Soccer, What More Could You Ask For?

2010-06-24T14:27:00.004-05:00

Summertime is wonderful time! I am really enjoying the time I have off. I cannot remember the last time I had so much free time. I am actually able to keep the apartment clean and all laundry stays caught up. The living room and kitchen haven't been this organized since Christmas Break, I love it! The past couple of weeks since getting home from Florida has been all about girl's camp. This year's theme is "It's a Jungle Out There!" I have been to almost every single store to find safari/jungle themed things. Hobby Lobby has been my best friend. I love walking through that place when I have a chore in mind. Hobby Lobby has some kind of power over me or something. I am not a creative person so I steer clear of places like Hobby Lobby unless I really have to go there. These past couple of weeks as I have been looking for stuff I have had a flood of ideas and creativeness. I am not finished with all my projects yet, but it's getting there. I am so excited that I had at not one, but several creative thoughts! That never, and I mean never, happens to me. Maybe there is some latent creativity and all I need to do is walk around Hobby Lobby to unleash the creativeness. Things are coming together and I am getting more and more excited and stressed as camp rolls around. A couple more weeks and it will all be over so I better take in all the fun now before it's all gone for another year.

The World Cup! It has been the most amazing World Cup ever! I mean, Italy and France two nations that have recently won the World Cup are out the first round! Two of the favorites gone. Thrown out like yesterday's garbage. Brazil, of course, is still in it. It is very hard for them to go our first round and sometimes it's hard to get them out in the elimination rounds too. The story so far though has been the USA. They tied England 1-1, then they come from behind and tie Slovenia 2-2 (they actually beat Slovenia but one of the goals was called back for no reason) and then, in a do or die situation, they beat Algeria 1-0 in stoppage time to win the group and move on to the round of 16. The USA, again, had a goal taken back. It's absolutely ridiculous the reffing that is going on. Two game winning goals in two games that are called back when there was no foul or off-sides to be called. I really think there is some personal biases against the USA by the referees that call their games. The refs have been tough this year, tougher than I have ever seen them, but they have not been this unfair. The problem also lies in the refs not having to answer for the calls they make. They never have to explain one call. In some cases, it's justified because it's a clear foul or something else happening, but in the cases of the USA there were no fouls being committed by the USA, but by the Slovenians, and the goal was taken back and the ref could not give a reason why. Leland keep saying they need to have a review system during the games, but this is soccer. There are no time-outs there is only stoppage time for injuries and cards. It's the purity of the sport that I love about it. I do not care for the fakers that roll around like they are in agony until the foul is called or card given, it only cheapens the game and is also one reason why soccer will never be a powerhouse sport in the USA. If you can't take a hit and you have be cheap to win, then you are not a real athlete and need to be in a career that you can handle. But, anyway, the World Cup has been amazing and I am loving every minute of it!

It's been a little funny seeing all these people that could not care less about soccer all of a sudden becoming a soccer fans. Actually, it's a little annoying. If you can only like a sport every four years then why bother, you make a mockery of all that is decent in the sport. Either live it and love at all years, or don't. Stop jumping on the bandwagon!

FLORIDA!

2010-06-11T12:13:00.002-05:00

Instead of placing pictures here, because it would take forever, I am giving you the link to my facebook photo album of our trip to Florida ( http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=228369&id=520695309&l=db74a0b24f ). I hope you enjoy the pics!

The trip was amazing! We were able to see my Great Aunt Edna and Great Uncle Del. It was nice being able to spend some time with them, especially since Del's medical happening since Christmas. Del and Edna will be celebrating their 61st anniversary in a couple of days. They are the cutest couple ever. The love they share is evident. Edna is a great care taker. She makes sure Del has all of his medications everyday to keep him alive and kicking. She also wakes up in the middle of the night to check on him to make sure he is doing okay. Del gives her a hard time, but that's just what he does and he is always kidding when he does so. When we pulled up to their house in Tampa I didn't recognize Del. He has lost almost 100lbs since I saw him last. He was 220 and now he is 139 and getting thinner. Those two are great together. It was nice being able to bring some sunshine into their lives. They have one son that lives in Maine and no grandchildren. They do not get to see their son much and don't get out much either. It was a good visit and I wish I didn't have to leave them. We were able to go to my favorite restaurant in all of Florida, Hellas. Hellas is an amazing Greek restaurant. The Gyros they serve are, no joke, as big as your head. The calamari is perfect, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. I love Hellas. Once you eat Hellas, you can not eat any other Greek food.

The rest of the trip was spent at Disney and Universal. We went to Epcot for our Disney Day. It was interesting. It is more of the science and nature park. The rides and lands you go into are more on the "let's help the environment and do our part" type. It is a learning experience. It was cool going on the "living with the Land" ride. The ride takes you through the Disney Garden. The garden area is full of fresh fruits and vegetables and many new scientifically researched methods for growing foods. The food in the restaurants in this area comes from the garden. I really wanted to get off the boat and go pick all the freshness. I know I would have been kicked out of the park and my picture posted as "Do not ever let this person back into the parks", but it was so tempting. It was neat to see a tomato tree, jack fruit, and a combination hydroponic/aquaponic growing area. Disney is on to some good stuff and great ideas and ways of growing foods. We also went through the Nemo exhibits. The dolphins and the manatee were putting on little shows for everyone. It was fun watching them in their aquariums. We also did the "Soarin'" ride. It was a great simulation sky ride over California. The best part of the ride was the scents that coordinated with the areas with you were flying over. Over pine trees there was a real pine smell and going over the orange groves you got the scent of fresh oranges. Thankfully it was all simulation on a screen because a few times I did get some motion sickness but all I had to do was close my eyes and I was fine. It was a great day a Disney!

The next day was spent at Universal Studios. This was my playground. Disney was great, but Universal was way better. Universal had a little bit of everything. We started out on the "Return of the Mummy" roller coaster ride. It was a little scary, especially for young ones, but it was the perfect rollar coaster for someone like me who gets motion sickness very easily. Then it was off the The Simpson's. It was fun standing in line (fun standing in a line? Yup!). Here's why. There were TVs that were playing clips from past shows and Krusty coming on to talk about the ride. There was always something to look at to take your mind off standing in lines. Once in the ride you are in a simulated environment. Again, if you get motion sickness, close your eyes. Like the "soarin'" ride all the rides and shows at Universal had scents, and water and air to make you more a part of the action. After The Simpson's we went to MIB (Men in Black). This ride has you going against the aliens. You have a laser gun and shoot at all the aliens you see. You are spinning, going backwards, and trying to shoot. It is a blast. Leland got almost 200,000 pts while I only got 47,000 points. I am a terrible shooter with a laser gun. Give me a real rifle and I am all over that. After MIB Leland went on the JAWS ride, I abstained from that ride because I still cannot watch the movie, it scares me a little too much. We then went on to Disaster! An activity in which they take people from the audience and place them in different roles as you are part of the filming for a new movie "Mutha Earth" starring "The Rock". It's a lot of fun and Leland was cast in one of roles. He played a guy screaming in terror for the trailor. The first part you on a sound stage and they are filming the different shots of people that were chosen for different roles. The second part you are in the subway and are caught in an earthquake. You have the responsibility to ham it up and really play the role as the cars go sideways, tankers blow up and water comes rushing in. As the ride goes back to the beginning the trailor plays and you get to see what you were a part of. It was quite fun and interactive. Then it was off to Twister! I was a little disappointed. I thought it was going to have more wind on the audience and less action so you could see everything that was going on. But it was like a real tornado ripping through the area with cars moving, signs falling, and things flying in the air. You are even sprayed with water and the roof above you starts to come apart. It was okay. We then went to Shrek and it's 4-D experience. The seats were moving, water was sprayed and air was rushed at your face and feet. Totally fun! Then there was Terminator 2. If you want a real 3-D experience, T2 is it. It was so freaky with things jumping off the screen right you.
We also went on to Islands of Adventure where we went to Jurassic Park (a little scary for little ones and makes your heart jump a little), Seuss Landing (where the worlds of Dr. Seuss come to life), The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (opens this weekend so it was closed for us, but we still got pictures), Spider Man (Way cool 3-D with character jumping on the car) and then Poseidon's Fury. That show was funny and full of action as Poseidon battles his fiery opponent. All the "rides" at Universal had actors and really made you a part of the action. It was so much fun! If you ever get a chance, Universal is the place to go!

That's the Florida trip in a nutshell. I wish I could share more on the experiences, but some things you have to try for yourself to get the true feeling of it. If you go to Disney or Universal, get the express passes. They put you at the front of every line. It is a little more expensive (we paid 30 per person but the price is different at different times of the month so check it out on-line first), there are only a certain number of passes allotted (so get there early), but it is totally worth it!

One More Year Down. . .

2010-05-28T13:08:00.002-05:00

many more to go. The good news is - - IT'S FINALLY SUMMER, WOO-HOO! Some good news for next year. I still have a job, whew! More good news possibly will come in July. I'm not suppose to say anything, but how can I not with something so exciting? If all goes well, I will be a Dean of Students over discipline. I am excited, yet hesitant at the same time. If we have the same principal as last year (because he is now talking like he will be coming back next year) I will be under the biggest magnifying glass in the world. I am really looking forward to this opportunity and hope that all will go well. I have noticed I do a lot of hoping. Maybe I look to the future a little to much and am not engaged in the present enough. I will have to work on that, this SUMMER! Ahhhhhh, beautiful summer!

One More Day!

2010-05-27T07:47:00.003-05:00

One more day left until summer officially begins! Eeeeeeek! I asked Leland last night what the plan was for Monday, being Memorial Day and all, since I had nothing planned. Number one thing to do on the list, sleep-in. That's right ladies and gentlemen, sleep-in. I am so grateful that sleeping in is on the list of things to do. The rest of the day I have no clue what we are going to do, but at least the morning is taken care of. I may just go work out after I wake up. I can begin my summer workout ritual. I hope I am able to continue my plan without getting burned out too quickly. Run to the gym (3 miles away), do a little weight training, then run home. I will hit 6 miles a day. My goal for this year running is to be able to run a 10K with no problems. I know I could run a 10K, but without problems is the big thing for me. No tight hips or hurting tendons in my left foot and definitely, no slow-almost walking jogs. It's a tough goal to reach in just two and half months, but I can do it. It will be really nice to be able to go to Utah and run three to four miles without dying in the altitude.

Today the kiddos are taking their Science finals. I am usually in one of the classrooms administering an exam, but when I looked at the list, my name was nowhere to be found. So this is my schedule for Thursday: 0 period - nothing, 1st period - nothing, 2nd period- nothing, 3rd period- nothing, 4th period- nothing. Then the kiddos go home. Then I have my contract meeting at 1pm. I am wondering if there is something else in the plans for me though. I know books are starting to be returned today so I wonder, hmmm. . . Whatever it is, I hope I am able to get it done in a satisfactory manner. Isn't that a killer schedule? In the good way of course. I mean, how often do you go into work and realize there is nothing to do? There is always something that needs to be done. Right now with athletics over and no more classes to teach and grade finalized I can only think of one thing to do, review my ILD/PDAS training books and prepare for my meeting. Also, with nothing to do and my meeting ahead I have plenty of time to think about it and drive myself crazy with the "what if's". So no thinking about it. None whatsoever. The bell just rang, gotta get to the hall patrol. =0)

2010-05-24T10:09:00.002-05:00

The end of the school year is approaching. Only four more half-days left. The middle school kiddos are getting excited, the high school kiddos are starting to panic. It's fun watching the kids and thinking back to the times when I was in those grades at the end of the year. The only difference between the kids I teach and myself is that I never really panicked about anything. NOW the kids are starting to fret about not getting the credits they need to graduate. It's the last week of school! If you were worried about not graduating or getting the credits you need so your not held back a year (or in some cases another year) then you should have been doing your work and asking for help all year long. There is a student in the 8th grade that failed 8th last year. So this his second time going through the 8th grade and it looks like he is going to repeat it for the third time. In two of his classes he would have to make over 100% in order to pass his classes and go on to 9th grade. I remember talking to this kid before school started and he seemed to be very remorseful and was ready to make a change for the better and get out of middle school. His actions this year totally contradict what he said he was going to do. He fell right back into his old games even after I pulled him aside several times to help him. From what I know, I am not the only one that has done that and his parents are at a loss as to what to do too. How do you get through to a kid that just doesn't care and thinks he doesn't need to graduate high school in order to be successful? It's a sad situation. Maybe after this year he will realize what he needs to do because no one is going to fall for his stuff again and all is friends will be in high school while he is still in middle school. That would embarass the heck out of me! It's ultimately his choice and all I can do try to help him see the light. It's tiring trying to do this day in and day out with more than one student every day.

Enough talk about work, on to life. This past weekend was a lot of fun. On Saturday I went to the annual Border Patrol volleyball tournament out near Bracketville, TX. I went with my friend to cheer on her husband. It was a a very relaxing day. I shouldn't have been, but I was a little taken aback that the people we trust to protect our borders from terrorists, drugs, and other illegal substances are so high school and petty in their thinking and drink alcohol like there is no tomorrow. I know it's their day off and stuff like that, but have a little more self control so you don't look like an idiot like a lot of the men and women ended up looking like. I won't dwell on that sunject. It was nice spending time with a friend and watching drunk people try to play volleyball. But I like the time with the friend more.

I am getting more and more excited about my summer plans. I can't wait to take some time away from SA and Texas in general. I love my state and I am full of Texan Pride, but sometimes you just need to get away. It's Disney in two weeks, Girls Camp in a month and a half, and Utah in two months. I can't wait! It's going to go by really fast, but summer is almost here and I am so excited!

Ten Years From Now...

2010-05-21T15:17:00.002-05:00

One of my friends had the whole "Where do you see yourself in ten years?" question on her blog. I thought that was a good thing to think about. I, at this point in time in my life, can't even begin to imagine where I will be in ten years. I thought I had it all planned out when I graduated high school that I would be happily engaged by time I graduated from college and have my perfect job driving the perfect truck and ready for my life to really begin. What did I actually have at that time? A Grand Prix, no job, no boyfriend (didn't even have any dates that whole time), no money, and was getting ready to start grad school. Not what I thought would happen by time I was out of college. Then the next year I was moving to SA to finish grad school and start a whole new life. Since then my life has been nothing like I planned. My life has had so many twists and turns that I feel like I could never get back to my starting point. So for me to answer the question "Where will you be ten years from now?" is impossible. I really can't imagine or begin to think where I will be. I hope in ten years that I will have a beautiful family, running kids from activity to activity, living in a house, and just being the best darn wife and mom that I can be. Who really knows what the future holds. I just want to focus on the here and now and find joy in the journey. Then I look back in ten years and see that my life was nothing like I had ever planned it to be =0)

The Real Story

2010-05-17T15:43:00.002-05:00

So I called the DA's office and HEB this morning to find out what really happened. HEB got everything from my Wells Fargo account straightened out. So dodged a bullet there. Little did I know that the theivers had used checks from an account at Guaranty that I had closed way back in August. HEB sent the notices but I never received them. Because I never received them and couldn't send fraud reports about them HEB sent everything to the DA. So, it's not HEB's fault (good thing, because I would have stopped shopping there and I can't turn my back on HEB. I love them too much) but instead the United States Postal Service. Yes, that's right, I am blaming the government (it's always their fault anyway)! I don't know why the post office did not forward my stuff, but I am going to have a little talk with them about it. Next on my hit list, snail mail. No more snail mail for me thank you very much! Everything will be electronic or fax or phone call. So there USPS, you get nothing from me! =0)

Jail Time?

2010-05-17T07:43:00.003-05:00

So I might either be arrested or I might have to pay over $600 in charges because HEB messed up somewhere. Remember when my car was stolen? Well, the theivers used a few of my checks and a few days after that I started receiving the letters from HEB that I owed them a ton of money. We called HEB and told them that all the checks that had been written were fraudulently done. They sent the paperwork and I sent it all back with everything they asked for. Friday night I received a letter from the DA that I have ten days to pay or I will be arrested. What the heck happened? I know I sent in all the proper paperwork because I spent an hour at FedEx Office (Kinko's for those of you who didn't know the new name) making copies, checking all paperwork and making sure the proper forms went to the proper addresses. I know I sent it out and got it there before the deadline, unless the mail was moving slow. Which, by the way, I think the mail is moving really, really slow in my part of town because it's taking four days to get mail that is sent locally from within San Antonio to another San Antonio address. I don't get it. Just when I thought everything had been worked out and I was free of this mess a new situation pops up that I have to fight against. What can be learned from this experience? I don't know yet, maybe it's so I become this great victim's rights activist and change the way victims of crimes are treated. Hmmmmmm? Nah, but there is something to this whole mess, I just hope I can figure it out before it's too late. It may be time to practice my mug shots ;) I should really smile and make them tell me straight face then give them "I'm mad" or "I don't wanna" attitude and smile anyway.

Character

2010-05-12T07:45:00.005-05:00

What ever happened to trying to build character and teach about responsibility and consequences? Last night at my kiddos soccer game I only played eight players at the beginning of the game because of kids who had missed practice or had some behavioral issues during the school day that day. We were down 2-0 and a parent comes up to me during the game (and btw what makes parents think they can interrupt a coach during a game?) telling me that I was three players short on the field. I told him I knew we were and there was a reason and went on to explain that we had some behavior issues at school and kids who missed practice so they were not starting the game. My kiddos are reminded everyday that if I catch them or my assistant coach catches them doing anything that they know they should not be doing they will suffer the consequences which include but are not limited to sitting out of a game until I decide they can go in. Another rule is that you show up to practices in order to play. You can't play until you know what is going on. So, I explain this to the parent and told him it was explained to the kids and they understood and accepted it. He then tries to say that I am teaching them to lose if that is what I am doing. "Shouldn't you want them to win?" Of course I want my kiddos to win, but in a first year program in which over 3/4 of the team had never touched a soccer ball in their lives until they were at try-outs in March the goal is not to win but to focus on the improvement of the players and give them the opportunity to improve. I also explained that the student-athletes are the examples in the school and if they go without consequences then the rest of the team and the rest of the students in the school would think it's okay for them to do the same things. This parent just didn't get it. The parent in this situation also allowed his son to miss four weeks of the season without a reason and thought his kid would automatically start. I really don't care about the amount of "W"'s we have. I care about the personal growth and development of my athletes. A lot of my kids come from poverty and don't get the support or character building opportunities that being in a sport can offer. Kids today also think that they can do whatever they want and there are no consequences for their actions since their parents are more into being a friend than being a parent or they just aren't around and leave the kids to their own defenses. I feel it is my responsibility to teach these kids more than just win, win, win. I can guarantee those players that did not play because of behavior reasons will give a second thought to their actions, or just wait until they think I am not looking ;) Seriously, parents or future parents that read this, please teach your kids about taking responsibility and accepting whatever consequences come, and support your kiddos teachers/coaches/mentors (if they are teaching correct principles). It's a hard battle that is fought everyday within the walls of a school and the playing field. A little character goes a long way.

In other life events school is finally winding down, but getting busier. The past two weeks have been full of soccer games and practices, middle school dance, play-offs, international and multicultural fair, fundraiser, sixth grade field trip, and an end-of-the-year soccer party. I have also had to try to get my teaching folder finished. I don't understand why I need to do a teaching folder every year. I don't teach a different subject every year like some of the other teachers. Why can't I just add a supplemental portion with the changes from year to year? I think all the folders should be on a departmental level and just add to it every year. Why does every teacher need to make a new one every year? If you ask the admin about it they never give an answer. While on that note, why is it that admins never give you a straight answer but expect you to give them a detailed answer when they ask you a question? Even better, we are evaluated on our promptness and timeliness of answering admin e-mails. I will have points deducted from my evaluation if I do not answer an e-mail right away (then get a memo about answering e-mails during class time) but the admin can wait two weeks after an answer is needed to reply and not get anything deducted from their evaluations because they don't get evaluated. The admin does not take feedback from the teachers or parents and if either group does suggest something that could better the school or make things easier, then they either fall on deaf ears or get the eye-roll, or the suggestion is taken in but since it wasn't their idea they won't bother with it until it is their idea. And where is the credit when credit is due? On the admin. Grrrrrr! Can you tell I am a little passionate about this right now? I know I will be grilled about what I added to the school environment and then told I didn't do enough or I didn't have any new ideas. If I hear that I think I might have a nervous breakdown right there in the meeting. Ahhhhh! Sorry, tangent. But I guess this does have to deal with character. The true colors come flying through the air when we are in tense situations. In a couple of weeks we shall see what my true character is. Will I come through with vibrant full colors or will I dull and blend in with the back ground, hmmmmm?

Summer and Some Stuff

2010-05-05T07:48:00.002-05:00

It's almost here! The end of the school year is so close right now. Three weeks and it's time for some real vacation. I think it's been about a year since I had a real vacation and I can't wait for this one! I will finally catch up on sleep, have time to hit the gym again (and lose the 15lbs I've gained since last August), and keep up with all the cleaning in the apartment. This summer is going to be the busiest summer since 2007 when I took 15hrs of grad school. In June Leland and I will be heading off to Florida to go to Disneyworld, land (whichever is in Florida) and to visit my great aunt and uncle. Then in July I have girl's camp and then we are hitting up Utah so I can meet the rest of his family and experience a real Pioneer Day celebration. I have never been to Utah and I always told myself I would never go, but it looks like I have to since my in-laws live up there. Wait, so do I need a passport or anything to go to Utah? I may have to research that one (haha!). Then when August rolls back around school starts up again. I am so excited for this summer and what a break it will really be for me. Ahhh, summer.

On the weekend news, I ran the Race for the Cure on Saturday. About mile two I started to die, but pushed my way to the finish line. I found it a little odd that out of everyone in the group I finished first. I have not really run and worked out since December (because of the whole mono thing and not feeling safe at the gym anymore since my car was stolen) and the rest of my compadres had been working out and eating healthy and all that jazz. I really don't understand how I could have out-run them. It was funny listening to them talk. One person like to run this thing with me because I am her pacer. She loves to sprint about a quarter of a mile then take it easy to recover and when I finally catch up to her she takes off again. Another person told herself that as long as she could stay with me for the first mile she would be happy. She would also follow me through the throngs of people everywhere since I was so good at cutting through them all. She was so happy that she was able to keep up with me for a mile and half, until she stopped for a few seconds to listen to a mariachi band and when she finally looked back up, I was nowhere to be found. I really thought that everyone would catch up and eventually pass me since I was so out of shape, but no one did. I know I still have a long way to go, but I also have all summer to do it.

Oh, finally have my pictures taken off my camera from the past few events, but they are one Leland's computer so I can't really get to them right now. AS soon as I can, they will be posted here. Keep a lookout, they are coming =0)

Weekend Bliss

2010-04-26T09:22:00.004-05:00

This past weekend was the last three-day weekend of the school year and it was just what the doctor ordered (besides a Dr. Pepper). I have had no, absolutely zero, motivation these past two weeks since Easter weekend. Going to work was such a chore and a bore. This weekend was relaxing, motivating and quite productive.

Friday was spent going to different banks trying to turn in fraud affidavits from the dee,dee,dees that stole my car and checks. Then it was off to Kinko's (sorry FEDEX OFFICE) to send out some other fraud claims. After that, it was lunch with the Hubs at Rome's Pizzeria and an afternoon of nothing else. I could have cleaned that afternoon, but I decided to wait until Saturday so I would have something to do. Then it was off to my indoor game, which we won 6-4. To me, that's exactly what a Friday should be. If it came down to the four day work week I would be a huge fan (yes, even if that means extending the school year). Actually. I am all for the year round school plan, but that's a different topic for a different day.

Saturday while Leland was out reffing football all day long, I stayed home and cleaned. I can now see the top of my dining room table and my kitchen sink is almost sparkling. It felt great to get all of that done in one day. Then it was Wii-laxation (relaxation playing the Wii, get it, get it?). That evening was the adult session of stake conference. I love the adult session. It is way more interesting and intriguing than the Sunday session, I must admit. The topic was all about Doctrine and Covenants 18:15-16, bringing and feeling joy. Most of us that know that scripture usually think about it in terms of missionary work. This time it was about converting yourself and your family and finding the joy in that. It was very refreshing. To be quite honest when I heard that was the theme I went into the whole teenage thing, "Do I really have to hear this stuff on missionary work again. I might just have to shut-down if I have to listen to another two hours of missionary work." In the end, it was very uplifting and really helped me focus on what I need to be doing to bring joy to not only my life but others as well.

Sunday was a great day! Stake Conference didn't start until 1pm so I was able to sleep-in and make breakfast, well, brunch really. I was so excited that I had the time that I made homemade waffles. No pre-packaged, boxed stuff for me. I was having fun getting all the ingredients together and pretending that I am a great cook. Plus, I was able to use my Kitchenaid. I really do love that thing, it's so pretty and most of all useful. After brunch it was off to the couch to read a little "Lectures on Faith" then get ready for the conference. After conference the night seemed to go by sooooo slowly, which is a good thing when it comes to Sunday nights. We watched the Spurs beat up on the Mavs (GO SPURS GO!). Okay, so we didn't watch because every time I watch a Spurs game they lose (I'm like their bad luck charm or something) so it was more of a "let's just check the score" kind of watching the game. The Spurs only need one more win and they will get it. It would have been nice for them to have swept the series and won at home, but winning in Dallas will have to do, ;)

That's my nice relaxing weekend in a nutshell. Oh, before I forget, my middle school soccer team won it's second game of the season 2-1. That's probably going to be the last win of the season, but it's great to ask the kids what they have learned after the game and hear their responses. That's what it's really all about, the learning and the fun they are having, even if they do get trounced every other game.

Great Day!

2010-04-22T09:16:00.003-05:00

Today is the 40th celebration of Earth Day, it is also my mom's birthday. I always tell my mom the whole US celebrates her birthday. If you are looking for ways to make you life a little greener now is the time to look it up while on the Internet. There are so many articles out there on what to do and how to make your carbon footprint a little smaller and you life a little greener. I am not a big "green" person, but I like to do my part. I use the re-usable totes when I go grocery shopping (when I remember them), I recycle things at work since there is no recycling program in the apartments, I turn off the lights and try not to use so much electricity, I even turn off the water when brushing my teeth. I am not an extremist in any way even though my brother and my dad call me the hippy of the family. They only do that because of my love of healthy foods and making foods healthier and my hybrid car. When I bought the car it was all selfish reasons, to save money. Even with a car payment I am saving money. Anyway, Happy Birthday to my mom and Happy Earth Day to everyone else!

15 Years Ago Today

2010-04-19T09:27:00.006-05:00

at 9:02am the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City was bombed. It's so weird how I can look back on that day and remember where I was and what I was doing, but I can't remember what happened ten minutes ago. 15 years ago doesn't seem all that long ago. I still remember going to see the site after a soccer tournament. It was heart-breaking and anger-filling at the same time. My heart broke for all those who were killed and all the innocent little children that were injured and killed. I was filled with anger thinking that two people, American citizens, could have done something like that because they were mad at the government. Everyone is mad at the government at some point in time, but not everyone scopes out a building, parks a giant U-Haul truck full of explosives in front of the building and walks away without caring about what happens next. Seriously? These little boys, and I won't even use their names or call them men and give them that respect, had no remorse, no feelings, just flat affects. I know they will receive their consequences, but I still am so angered by the thought of all those people just trying to do their jobs one minute and the next they are gone and their families are without their loved one(s).

This is what really makes me mad. On Friday I was watching the news and this story about Bill Clinton came on and some things he said. He basically said that all these people that are protesting the government are the ones that are going incite someone to do something like the OKC Bombing. Then he goes on say he is deeply grieved by those events. Here's the kicker - he said it at a remembrance for those victims of the OKC bombing! Can you believe that! Another reason to not like the Clintons. Grrrrrrr!

But the city has rebuilt after that terrible tragedy and built and amazing memorial that my friend, Chrissy, has blogged about. I was never able to see the memorial after it was finished since I moved to Texas a couple years later and have not been back since. Even though I no longer live in Oklahoma, I was still affected by that day and will always remember those men, women, and children whose lives changed forever on that day.

78-0

2010-04-08T08:21:00.004-05:00

The UCONN women's basketball team is the NCAA national champion. This team has not lost a game in the past 78 games. The team amazes me. They are one of the most disciplined teams I have ever seen play the game of basketball. They execute beautifully, they all work hard on and off the ball, they help each other and motivate and encourage. When one player falls another sprints to help her up. Every time there is a dead ball situation they huddle together, undoubtedly giving words of encouragement and support. It is refreshing to see a team that does that and is about the team rather than themselves. Congratulations Huskies on a remarkable championship and many successes!

The game in Tuesday night was great. Leland and I actually went to try to sell our tickets, but nobody was looking for any tickets so we decided to watch the game instead. We are walking up to the Alamodome when we notice that just about the whole entire crowd is standing outside the dome. The only thing we could think was that there was some sort of threat on the building and everyone had to be evacuated and they were checking things out. The real reason, Joe Biden (the Vice President of the good ole U.S. of A) had decided to attend. I have to tell you that we thought something strange was going on when we were driving from 410 to 281 to get to the dome when we saw police all over the roads at every intersection around 281. Leland thought it would be cool if it were some type of "24" thing and the police were setting up an ambush of some sort (we are big fans of "24"). As we walk up and see the crowds we overhear someone say that Biden was there. Ah-ha! Now we know why everyone was going to miss the tip-off. Homeland Security, more seasoned police, and Secret Service were crawling all over the place and we had to enter through metal detectors and all that jazz. I don't understand why we would have to do that if no one knew he was coming. Who, in their right mind, would think that the Vice President would be there and plan something. I mean, c'mon, that's crazy. My whole thing is if the everyday public has to wait and stand in line so does the VIP. If we miss the tip so do you. Anyway, I digress. The last team UCONN lost to was Stanford who just so happened to be the opponent. UCONN was up by five for about a quarter of the game. Then Stanford went on a role and UCONN went ice cold. At halftime the score was something like 15-27 Stanford leading. It was a very low scoring game. But, man, once the second half started it was UCONN all the way. They overcame the deficit and won. Stanford, a worthy foe, did have a couple of good opportunities to turn the game around, but UCONN was just too much for them and won 52-47.

The coolest part about the whole evening was seeing some military folks from one of the local bases/posts walk into the dome and the cheers and clapping were louder for these brave men and women than the teams playing. That's one of the great things about living in SA, the patriotism in many of the people. SA has something like two Army posts and two Air Force bases. You can't be anything but patriotic to live here or you run the chance of getting your butt kicked. And yes, Biden paid all the men and women a visit at halftime. As much as I do not agree with his politics, I do respect the office he holds and still have a feeling of awe when the veep enters the room of any event I am at. Leland and I both took some pictures, but you can't even tell it's him, except the pic I took of the big screen. But, unfortunately for you, I still have not found my cord so no pics yet.

Easter, General Conference, Final Four - What More Could a Girl Ask For?

2010-04-05T09:38:00.002-05:00

This weekend was great. It all started on Friday when my good friend Ash came into town and we had lunch at Alamo Cafe (I love that place) and she invited Leland and me to her family's that afternoon for a BBQ and family Easter Egg Hunt. It was a blast! I loved watching all the little ones run around trying to find eggs. And the bluebonnets on their property are gorgeous. We even picked a couple and I made little bookmarks out of them. Hopefully they stay that beautiful blue color. While at the BBQ I ran into some people I haven't seen in ten years. They lived in Waco when I lived in Killeen and the brother dated my best friend at the time. Neither of them remember me and I didn't remember them until I made the connection with the names. Little did I know that two of the girls in the family were in my singles ward. I never knew the family had that many kids when I was in high school. Anyway, this girl comes up to Leland and says hi to him. I look at her and think I should know her for some reason. He introduced her to me as his wife (it was a little funny to watch her deflate a little and have that "oh, you're married now" look on her face) and it didn't dawn on me until a few minutes later who she was. I then started asking some questions about an older brother she had and where she was from and all that. Turns out the guy that came with them is her brother, they grew up in Waco, their dad was the stake president of my stake, and they are cousins to my friend Ash. She really doesn't know them all that much, but she thinks they are a little weird and what I know of them, they are. When I tried to say something to them they just ignored me, but oh, well.
Saturday was the beginning of General Conference. I don't think I stress how much I love General Conference and learning from the leaders of the church. I loved that everything was focused around the family. It was a hard-hitting conference as well. Everyone that got up really had the Spirit with them. There were so many things related specifically to the women (mothers) and fathers of the church. The family is being attacked wherever we go these days. The family isn't important to the world and we are seeing that so clearly. Co-habitation, children born into single-parent homes, grandparents as the main caretaker and provider for grandchildren, fathers and mothers working more than teaching their children, parents not teaching their children, and so forth. It really was an inspiring conference. Everyone that spoke hit the nail on the head with what they had to say. I am grateful for them and what they had to say. Now, if only the rest of the world could watch and actually listen to what is being said and place into practice then we wouldn't have the problems we are having today. I already know, that if I am able, when Leland and I have kids I want to stay home and raise them. I just hope I am able to do that.
We also went to the Women's Final Four here in SA this year. It was a fun experience. Things like that don't come around all that often so we took the opportunity to do so. We were a little perturbed though when we had to change seats. We had great seats up high behind the basket (a perfect spot to me) and they ended up closing our section. The group we ordered the tickets from were suppose to send us new tickets and they never did. We had to go exchange them and thought if we got better seats then it would be worth it. The lady at the ticket counter told us the seat we were getting more expensive seats, up high, on the sideline and they were better. She obviously didn't know what she was talking about and has never been in any of those seats, because they were craptastic (yes, I said craptastic) the whole time I had to be turned sideways in my chair. I could even relax to watch the game. The games were fun to watch. OU vs. Stanford was a little disappointing because OU lost. Had OU actually played they way they know how to play they would have won the game. They played the entire time like they were scared and nervous. Then the last two minutes they start playing real basketball. Now why could they not do that the whole game? Then it was UCONN vs. Baylor. UCONN has not lost in the past 76 games, now 77. I can see why. They are very disciplined in their execution and running the plays. They work hard on and off the ball and play like a team. You can tell by the chemistry they have on the court they are like a family off the court. There is not one player ever that walks on or off the court and they bust their butts for one another. Baylor really only had the one player, Brittney Griner, that was really working. This kid is going to be really good if she gets some good coaching. She is 6'8, a freshman, and can dunk. She is a good player that needs some work. She will be a star in the next couple of years if she stays in school and gets the coaching she needs. UCONN won the game so it is now UCONN vs Stanford for the final. We have tickets, but if we can sell them off we will. Any takers? On the men's side, it's Butler vs Duke for the championship. Butler? Really? Who are they? Cinderella teams always make the games to watch. Good luck to all the athletes!
It was a busy weekend, but it was a ton of fun! Pictures will be posted when I can find the cord to my camera. I don't remember what I did with it. I promise, as soon as I find it, I will post pics.

Dawson Has Been Found!

2010-03-30T07:52:00.003-05:00

Dawson has been found!!!! Can you tell how excited I am? Last night I got home around 8pm started cooking dinner and saw the message light flashing on the home phone. I listened to the message and it was a guy from Austin saying he had my car. Thinking it could be the crooks who somehow got my number I was a little leary when I left a message with the guy. He called back and talked to Leland and said that they had my car at his dealership in Austin. Apparently the crooks took my car to his dealership and wanted to test drive this tricked out Toyota Scion. The keys were in the Scion and one of dealers was not with the vehicle at the time and the dude who stole my car just drove off in the Scion. After that they started looking for information on my car and found me. The best part is, Dawson is okay. There is no damage, just that the idiots were smoking in the car and now the car wreaks to high heaven of smoke. The dealer is beyond ticked about the whole situation and has sent his own, yes his own, bounty hunters after the thieves. Dawson is still in Austin at the APD impound. I am just waiting to hear about when I can pick her up. Such a relief! All I have to worry about is getting the car detailed and getting that nasty smell out. Soon, Dawson will be safe and sound at home. I can't wait!

Some Good News

2010-03-29T07:18:00.002-05:00

A few good things that made me smile this weekend:

On Friday the Leon Valley PD caught someone tying to use my stolen ID and checks to cash a check with my cancelled bank account. Throw the book at 'em Dan-O! I really hope this breaks the case about Dawson wide open. Now if I could just get the po-po to listen to me and Leland, all this could be over with in a short while. Yes, Dawson is still missing and I don't think the cops are doing enough to find my poor baby. I feel like this week is the week though. We shall see.

One thing that made me smile this weekend was a pedicure. My good friend Ashley was in town this weekend and we both needed some girl time. Me to relieve stress from the week that I just couldn't get rid of and she needed some good down time. I love getting together with Ash. She is always so much fun. Her stories are always great too. The best part of the day, she treated me to the pedi as a belated birthday gift. Thanks Ashley! My toes and feet feel wonderful!

In other news, I have been married now for three months. Geez, three months already! We were commenting the other day that we have only really been together for about nine months, but it has felt more like a lifetime, in a good way. Everything we have moved into and done has been so comfortable. I think of the progression when we first started dating to when we got married and there was not any time in which I doubted or something just didn't feel right. There was no forcing anything. Some things have taken me longer to get into and get use to, but I am not having to force myself to do anything. The natural progression of things is nice. Can't wait to see what's in store for the next three months!

Anything made you smile this week?

Dawson is Missing :(

2010-03-24T12:27:00.004-05:00

I am so happy Monday was such a good day because Tuesday totally hoovered. First, I didn't even want to wake up. Then work was really stressful with having to get FitnessGRAM stuff done and finding out that the results from last semester for the high school kids went missing (luckily I found two classes results but the other class I have to re-test everything) and having to get everything done with the soccer team stuff, Wednesday Folder announcements, etc. Here is what made the day totally hoover. I was at the gym working out. I arrived at about 7:15, 7:20pm. I was actually having a great workout and feeling really good. At about 8:30 I finished and went to get my stuff from the locker and leave. My locker looked a little funny and the strap to my bag was hanging out. I opened the locker and all the stuff inside my bag was missing. My purse, wallet, car keys, cell phone, and Oakley's, all gone! I ran to the front desk told them what happened, looked outside, and my car was gone! Dawson, was gone! I felt so stupid! I never take in all my stuff to the gym. I had gone to Hobby Lobby to get some things for my soccer kid's uniforms to get numbers and everything placed on them and had just thrown all my stuff into my backpack and walked into the gym. As I was talking to the manager she told me that three other people had been ripped off as well. The others had their car keys stolen, but their cars were still in the parking lot. My car, on the hand, was gone. She also said that she went into the locker room at about 7:50 and saw that all the lockers on one side of the locker room were open. So the entire thing happened within a 30 minute window. I am so ticked at myself for being so stupid with my things. I have filed a police report, cancelled my bank account and any credit cards, contacted insurance, had my locks changed and replaced and am waiting for more phone calls. The start of 2010 has been tough. First the mono and my cell phone being stolen and now all this. Like what Elder Bednar said, "Happiness is not the lack of trials in our lives, it is the trials that make us happy." I guess the bigger the trials the more joy there can be. If you are in the SA area and happen to see poor Dawson, please let me know. I sure miss him.

Fun and Games

2010-03-22T10:31:00.005-05:00

This past week was Spring Break, and it was awesome! This has got to be the best spring break I have had in a long time. I have had fun spring breaks and breaks helping out family and stuff, but this break was more relaxing than anything else. Everything started Saturday night when Leland and I headed downtown for a night of Luminaria. I had never been but had heard so many great things about it and really wanted to go. It was a great experience. I just wish I had had my camera with me so I could take more blurry pictures of the lights and stuff. The whole thing took place downtown around the La Villita, Hemisfair Park area. There were lasers projecting things onto walls, live music, jazz poetry readings (reminded me of So I Married and Axe Murderer), glass blowing demonstrations, artists on the streets doing their whole art thing and exhibits all over the place. The best part about it, it was free and the fountains were flowing at Hemisfair! It was a very relaxed evening. After we finished with Luminaria we went to eat at Mi Tierra. I love that place. To be honest, I was a little scared walking through downtown so late at night, but because of Luminaria the streets were crazy crowded. The rest of the week was fabulous.
As of Monday, March 15, I am no longer Katie Gilmore, but Katie Page. Yep it's finally official, the name has changed. We got U-Verse so tv viewing is way more interesting, especially in HD. We also went out to Gruene and the outlets at San Marcos. I was proud of myself, I didn't buy a thing. That is so rare for me, but I restrained myself. It also helped that the Nike outlet was closed for remodeling. We really did a lot of stuff this past week. Even though we were busy and out and about this whole week it was really relaxing. It was just what I needed to get away from the pressures at work and prepare for the last nine weeks of school. I also learned that there is one sport, so far, that Leland can beat me at. . . bowling. So far, every game we have played, I have won. It was fun losing. I never say that, but finally, I lost and I am not bitter about it either. Probably because I know how horrible I am at bowling. Sometimes I wish spring break could last longer, but I am happy to be back at work stress and all, even if I do have to work on my birthday (which hasn't happened since I was in seventh grade).

Sad, Yet Comforting

2010-03-10T07:41:00.003-06:00

Yesterday morning I get to work, open up my emails and see the subject line of one that just read "GRANDMA" I had one of those earlier in the weekend and it was about Great Grandma Aurea and her being placed into hospice care. No big deal. As I was checking the boxes for deletions I accidentally checked that "GRANDMA" message. A little later I was looking at my e-mails and thought I remembered seeing something that was about great-grandma so I checked the trash box and opened the message. The message stated that Great Grandma Aurea had died at 1:30am in her sleep. That is not the message I wanted to receive five minutes before the busiest day of the week started. Good thing I was so busy because I didn't have time for a breakdown, until later in the night. I purposefully kept myself busy all day so I wouldn't have to think about it. What do you do when you can't think of anything else to keep you busy? You play Wii Fit Plus of course. That didn't do much good because I was getting mad at the game and yelling at it. Yes, me, I was yelling at a stupid game. Sometimes, you just gotta let it out. It wasn't until Leland got home from football practice and he asked me how my day was that I totally broke down. The tears came gushing. Then it was a little better. I am grateful to have a husband that can remind me of the wonderfulness of the gospel (yes I just made up "wonderfulness"). Knowing that I will be with her again and get to know what she was like when she was younger and what she had always wanted for her family really comforted me. I know she is being embraced by a loving Heavenly Father, and probably giving him a hard time about some things ;) I know she is happy and someday, we will be an eternal family. Now to get the rest of the family in on this whole eternal family thing, hmmmmm. The comfort given to me lat night has made thins better today. I love my Great-Grandma Aurea and she has taught me many things, but that's for another post at another time.

Small Victories

2010-03-08T09:20:00.004-06:00

The best deals ever some when you are not even looking for them. This weekend I decided that I needed to do a little shopping for the bedroom. We needed a couple more sheet sets so that when one set is being washed another set can be placed back on the bed. I decided that I would go to Anna's Linens. Can we say sheer awesomeness at the sale that was going on when I got there? I found two queen sheet sets for only twenty bucks each! The best part, they were the exact colors I was looking for and they were the last of the bunch. Triumph? I think yes. I also got two more much needed pillows for the bed as well. The whole cost of everything? Fifty smackers! Can you believe that? Where else can you get two six-piece bedding sets and two pillows for only fifty bucks? I was ecstatic at the deal. I am so happy with how everything looks as well. Victory!

I also knew that Ross was doing their big dress event. I decided that I would go and check things out. I love Ross, but I can never, and I mean never, find anything that works for me or looks good on me at Ross so I decided I would just go and look at things. I found something like eleven dresses that were absolutely adorable and that I actually liked. So I found eleven, but only four actually looked good on me. By time I hit the counter I had three. One of the dresses I have to make a slight alteration to the neck line then it will be perfect. I was so excited that I actually found something at Ross that fit and looked good. On top of that I went down a dress size! Another victory? Of course! Three dresses for thirty-six bucks! I love sales!

All in all, a successful shopping experience and weekend. The apartment was cleaned to my liking, laundry done, shopping success, and relaxation. What more can I ask for? Oh yeah, Spring Break. Four more days and a week of ahhhhhhhh. Have a wonderful week!

Texas Towns

2010-03-04T07:41:00.004-06:00

This past weekend I had an opportunity to go to Uvalde and help out a friend. My friend and her husband just bought a house there and she has been doing some major renovations. All the work was suppose to be done by Friday so that Saturday we could clean things, get rooms set-up and boxes unpacked. It turned out to be a big play day since the contractors never finished what they started. Actually, the first contractor was lazy and never did the work and over charged for what was done and the others, well, they were slow movers. So the day turned into running errands and doing little things like lining shelves and unpacking the pantry. It was a great day and to be able to help my friend and spending time with her was the best.

What I love about Uvalde is it's town square. I love little Texas towns because of the town squares. They are so great and so much fun to shop in. They have the best antique shops and some of the cutest merchandise around. The buildings are beautiful too. Every building has a story and some famous, or even infamous, person went through there or grew up there. It is nice to be able to go to Texas towns like that. It's nice to get out of the city and be able to get away from all the stresses. The only thing I didn't like was the drive out there. The bad thing about Texas towns is that you have to slow down for them. You are making great time and the drive seems so easy then all of a sudden you are slowing down to 45 or 35 mph. While the towns are cute and cozy and great they do take a little time to get through. And they are speed traps! Small Texas towns are the biggest speed traps. If you aren't paying attention you will get the biggest ticket of your life. That is why you always, and I mean ALWAYS, slow down to the speed limit or a little under when going through those towns.

Overall, I love Texas towns. The only other place that can compete with a Texas town is small town East Coast. But no one can compete with the friendliness of Texans =0)

Good Friday

2010-02-26T08:52:00.003-06:00

I have had no motivation today. that's part of the problem with half days and parent/teacher conference days. I woke up this morning and just didn't want to get out of bed. I knew I did not have a first or second period and my third and fourth periods are two of my honors classes that could do everything blinfolded, then the rest of the day I get to sit in my office waiting for parents to come see me. Since I do PE and Health, no one will come see me unless it is a parent that I have known for the past couple of years and those parents usually pick up their kid(s) and go back to work so I sit and do nothing. At least today I came prepared. I can spend the afternoon re-organizing my gym office and listening to continuing education stuffs. So at least my afternoon can be somewhat productive.
So scratch that afternoon plan. Parents were in and out of my office at intervals so going to the other office was a no go. On the bright side, I didn't have to clean my other office. I walked into the office for my class and the office was clean. I mean everything that I needed to do was already done. I don't know who did it, but I am very grateful for that person. Thank you whoever you are. Now, if only I could figure out who keeps taking kids jackets that are left in the gym after school that would be marvelous.

What's in Your Load?

2010-02-23T07:29:00.005-06:00

This past Sunday we had a special stake conference. It sure was a special one too. Elder Bednar came and spoke to the stake. It was great! Usually when an apostle speaks at General Conference he seems very serious and down to business, but when not in General Conference he is hilarious! Actually, the best part wasn't even Elder Bednar's talk. The best part came from a young man who was really nervous about being called out of the congregation to bear his testimony. He was really nervous and was telling a little story about a conference talk he remembered and how if you only bear your testimony at the pulpit you are a hypocrite. Then the boy remembered the person who spoke those words was sitting on the stand. I have never seen an apostle turn so red and laugh so hard!
Elder Bednar gave a great talk. He began by taking to those who are not members of the church and telling them why we have the name The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Then he said something that I wish every person who is investigating the church had heard. He said that those who are not members need to start asking members what they believe. It's hard to talk to people who are not members of your same church to get them to understand what you believe when they are asking people not or you same religion what your religion believes. That's how rumors get started, ugh. Anyway back to Elder Bednar's talk. He then starts telling this story about a friend who bought a truck that the family could not afford at the time and in order to justify why he bought the truck the dad went up to cut some wood for a wood burning stove to save some money because he had bought the truck anyway even though his wife had told him not to. While he was up out it started snowing and the truck became stuck. The man then decided that he could either sit there and die or go cut wood. So he cuts the wood and places the load in the bed of the truck and he becomes unstuck. The point of the story is that the load gave the truck enough traction so that he could get out of the snow. He likened it to us and what load are we carrying? What are we hauling around with us? The right kind of load will lead us back to our Heavenly Father. He also states that the absence of a load is not a blessing nor does it lead to happiness. What kind of load do you carry?
Elder Bednar also talked about not having time to do the important things in life like family prayer and scripture study. He says, "'I do not have time' is a deception [of Satan]. It is a fundamental falsehood. 'I do not have time' equals 'It's not important'". This really struck me because I often say that I don't have time for certain things. I may think those things are important, but if I am saying I don't have time to do them then they really must not be that important to me. No more excuses if "I don't have time".
Elder Bednar also issued a challenge. He said go out and get one of those little paper back copies of the Book of Mormon read through it looking for all the instances of "strengthened of the Lord" and "In the strength of the Lord". He promised that if we do that then we will have ears to hear and eyes to see. Will you take that challenge too?
I love listening to the leaders of the church. I am so grateful for the inspiration that they receive and the examples that they are to those around them. It truly was a special stake conference.