Monday, April 28, 2008

Fun With Family




So besides all the crazy things going on with Wyoming, we have had graduation craziness. My brother graduated from BYU last week and Jeff graduates this week so my family has been here since last Wednesday. It's been fun, but with working everyday it has been hard to get everything done that I need to. On Saturday we went up the Provo River Trail and played with my sister at the park. She was so funny. She wanted Jeff to carry her on his shoulders and run with her. Then she would tell Jeff to stop about 4 feet ahead of us and then she would want to hide in the bushes on the side. But she would get too excited to "scare" us so she would jump out WAY before we got close. It was funny. Then when she saw a walker go on the biker side or vice versa she would say, "They should know better huh?" really loud. She likes to make sure people follow the rules.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Welcome Back to 3rd Grade!

In my last post it was not official, but for those who have not talked to me to know, it is official now! On Thursday morning the principal from the school in Wyoming called to offer me the third grade job. They still had interviews but in her words, "we wanted to offer you the job because we are afraid if we didn't hurry, you would get snatched up from someone else." That made me feel good. Of course I didn't even apply anywhere else, but at least I don't have to wait until next week to find out. Hooray! I feel a lot less stressed now and what's even better is that I can drive Jeff's four wheeler to work--just kidding.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Happy Things!

So I have a couple of great things to post.

1. Today Jeff had a chemical engineering senior award banquet. He received the highest honor--chemical engineering outstanding senior. He totally deserved it. What's even better is that he got $250!!! Go Jeff!

2. I had an interview for a third grade in Wyoming yesterday. (I didn't post anything because I had no idea what was going to happen and didn't know what my chances were). After an intense 2 hour interview I headed home getting lost only a few times. They said they still had a bunch of interviews this week and would get back to me next week. I felt good about it, but unlike most of the other teachers in the district, I didn't know anyone and didn't grow up there. Anyway, to make a long story short I got a call from human resources today. This is the gist of the conversation:

She was calling to tell me the district would like me to hold out and not take any other jobs because I was the "front runner" for the third grade position. The only thing they needed was an approval from the board and that I was going to get the job.

I asked her how high I should be getting my hopes up for this. She said, "I would go out and celebrate." Whoo hoo!! So as long as the board approves me, which shouldn't be a problem since I already have my WY teaching license, I should be set. I still don't want to get too excited since it's not totally official, but I am pretty elated! I would be so excited to teach third grade again and the school is on the same road as the house we bought. No more commuting!

Sunday, April 20, 2008

The Last Weekend...






I can't believe spring break is already over! My stomach is swarming with butterflies again. In order to keep his scholarship, Jeff has had to take a bunch of random classes in order to be a full-time student. One of the classes he took was a map class. On Saturday he went to the top of a mountain on snowshoes and had to find his way back with a map and a compass. Of course this is totally his thing and he could not have been more excited! You should have seen him packing up the night before. It was so cute. I wish I could have gone with him. He came back sunburned, but happy.





On Sundays we have been ward hopping because we don't have an actual ward to go to because of many reasons, but anyway, today was funny. We accidentally went to the Polynesian ward!! I knew we didn't quite fit in. Actually, we walked out as soon as I realized it. So then we luckily found another ward that hadn't taken the sacrament but it was jammed to capacity and we couldn't hear a thing in the foyer so we ended up going for a very long walk up the Provo River Trail. It was so windy and cold so these are not the best pictures, but I loved spending time with Jeff. I can't wait to live right next door to a running trail.

Friday, April 18, 2008

Things to laugh about




If my post doesn't make you chuckle, I am hoping these really beautiful pictures will. I am thinking of getting them blown up to about a size 100x300 and hanging them in the front room of our new house. Kidding.

Anyway, so yesterday something really funny happened. On Wed. I went with Jonna and Lindsey to see Heidi B. and her cute new little boy, Lincoln. Well, the tire on my car has been a little shady and J-Diddy (Jefferson) didn't want me to go too far or go over 50mph. (He's a little protective of me I think--50 on the freeway?? Really??) Anyway, so I had the blessed experience of riding trax up to SLC with a bunch of thugs where Jonna picked me up. It was during this experience that I had a newfound appreciation for Jeffrey. Riding public transportation is pretty sketchy especially in the middle of the day. Jeff rides the bus everyday for two reasons although he thinks there is only one:

1. To save miles and gas and
2. His truck might break down (this is the one he does not know about because as we know, his truck is very, shall we say "special"? To him, it's the best truck on the road.

Every morning he faithfully drives his rickety white chevy to the bus stop and catches the fast track bus. Once in Salt Lake, he hops on Trax and heads to the U. This will only be happening 2 more times because on May 2, JEFF GRADUATES!! He can't wait to be done with P.T. (public transportation)

Anywho, so since Jeff was at school and I was up north, we decided that we would meet up once I got back down to SLC so we could run some errands. Well we ran our errands and came home. On Thurs. Jeff didn't have school and I was pretty excited. (There are only so many times you can clean the house). We have had a lot to do getting ready for our big move so we had a bunch of errands to run again. We were in and out of our apt. about 3 times. The fourth time back we pull in the back where our garage is and Jeff goes, "Where's my truck?" My heart started pounding. Well, it only took J-dids about 5 seconds to realize WE NEVER PICKED THE TRUCK UP FROM THE BUS STOP ON WEDNESDAY!! Now, the funniest part of the whole story to me is not so much that we both completely spaced about the truck but that we DROVE PAST THE SPOT AT LEAST 7 TIMES BEFORE NOTICING IT WAS GONE! We are just lucky it was still safe at the bus stop with no ticket and no boot. Oh my. I think we have a little too much on our minds.

This whole situation actually reminds me of another funny story with Jeff's famous truck. One morning when we lived in West Jordan I headed off to work and Jeff had the day off for some reason. He usually parked the truck in front of our house. Well, I noticed it wasn't there. (At least I noticed right away this time). So I panic. Then from the corner of my left eye I see this rusty, old white pickup IN OUR NEIGHBOR'S YARD!!! I didn't know what to do other than laugh. So I called Jeff and said, "Why is your truck in the neighbor's yard?" He of course freaks and all I hear is "What? What?" Then I see Jeff sprinting out of the garage side door in his G's to get his truck. This story is probably funnier if heard in person, but it was probably one of the funniest days of my whole entire life. When I think about it and seeing Jeff sprinting for dear life out of the garage, I still get tears in my eyes laughing so hard. We still have no idea how the truck got in the yard or how it didn't hit anything. It dodged quite a few obstacles including a lightpole and a mailbox. I wish I had taken a picture of it sitting in their yard. I still wonder if the neighbors even knew it had been there. Whenever there is a lull in our conversation, it is not uncommon for me to say, "Hey J--remember when your truck was in the Springstead's yard?" It always brings a laugh.

One more funny story. My family is coming next week for my little brother's graduation from BYU and Jeff's graduation the following week. I am so excited! I can't wait to see my little 4 year old sister. I was talking to her last night and I said, "So are you going to come to school with me and meet my kids?" She then replies, "I reckon." I started laughing. I said, "What does 'I reckon' mean?" She said, "You know, like I suppose or I guess." How does a 4 year old know this???? She is quite the ham. Hopefully some of you will get to meet her.

Oh yeah, and I promise to try to make my next post a lot shorter.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Spring Break So Far...



So I love spring break, but it always takes me awhile to adjust to not having a regular schedule. I always get nervous the night before (don't ask me why). Jeff must get so tired of hearing me say, "Jeff, I have a pit in my stomach. " Then I get nervous the night before going back. Spring break so far has had some ups and downs already.

On Saturday Jeff and I bought a piano!! Yay! After searching through ads on KSL, ebay, and Craigs list for over 6 months and finding absolutely NOTHING worthwhile, we decided to go into the Piano gallery to price them. They had this killer deal on Yamahas and we ended up deciding to go with it and just have a nice piano that would last us hopefully forever. The best part also is that we don't have to pick it up until the day the movers come. That is much better than storing it in the garage, which we all know is not good for pianos! We have so many things to buy for the house that I am stressing out, but I know it will all work out.

This morning I had good intentions to get up and run early. But after Jeff left at 4:30 I fell back asleep until 7:30. I had a hair appointment at 9 so I decided to just go after. Well, it took the girl 3 1/2 hours to do my hair! I felt like I was going to pass out. Anyway, I can tell a difference because she cut 3 inches off finally, but I'm sure no one else would really notice. I'm betting on Jeff not noticing! :)

I had gone in my workout clothes intending on running after (thinking it would only take an hour or two). So by the time she was done I was starving and lightheaded...but, I had on my workout clothes so I was determined to go! I went to the Provo river trail. I knew it would be warm today but I had left in the morning when it was still chilly. I was wearing capri pants and a long sleeved shirt. I thought if I rolled my sleeves up I would be okay. Wrong! It was soo hot! I was wishing I had on shorts and tank top! Maybe tomorrow. I only made it 2.5 miles. UGH.

So then I got home (it took over 30 min. because traffic in Provo SUCKS!!--one reason to be grateful to move to a small town!) and took a shower, put the laundry in, and ate lunch. Then I decided to check the Wyoming jobs (I do this on a regular basis). They have had a K,1, 3, and 4 position open for awhile. I haven't heard anything and I have had my stuff in forever. Anyway, I was really hoping to get an interview for the 3rd grade spot. Well, when I looked today, they now only have a K,1, and 4! SO FRUSTRATING!!!! I have been so annoyed with the whole process because they seem to talk in circles and it seems that they prefer to hire Wy grads and people they know. So anyway, that puts me at a major disadvatage (obviously). I know it will work out however it's supposed to, but it is a really frustrating position to be in. I really want to teach again because I think I will go absolutely crazy staying home with Jeff gone all day and me not knowing anyone, not to mention I LOVE my job and having a regular schedule! They have been talking about opening one of the previously shut down schools so I am just hoping that is what happens because it would open more jobs. Maybe we'll get lucky and find a way to get a little one here and then I won't have to worry about it, but for the time being it really stresses me out! Maybe I'll be training for a marathon afterall! At least I'll have a piano to keep me busy too. We have been so blessed and I just need to remember that it will work out however it is supposed to work out.

Anyway, sorry for yet another lengthy post. Perhaps I should post smaller ones more often...I'm not sure that anyone can even make it to the end!!

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Two Posts in Two Days??

I know, don't fall over, but I am actually posting AGAIN!!! I have a two updates and one question. First the updates.

1. MYSTERY SOLVED!! Chuck and Sandy are divorced...according to Sandy. Jeff was out doing something to the yard and Sandy filled him in. He was pretty excited to tell me. I think so I could stop talking about it.

2. We put an offer on the house we like. I feel excited, but also really nervous. What if it's the wrong house?? AHHH!! We are waiting to hear back from the people so we can negotiate.

And now for the question.

We are in the market for some furniture and a piano. Anyone have any favorite places for furniture?

Monday, April 7, 2008

Busy!



So I know I haven't posted for awhile, but I have two excuses. First of all, I have been busy and second of all, my internet has been slow as can be. I'll just update as quick as can be because I have to go pick Jeff up.

*We had the 2nd grade fieldtrip to the Bean Museum at BYU! Whee!! So much fun. Glad it's over! I love fieldtrips because I love to see the kids so excited--it's so cute. But I also hate them because they are soo exhausting!

*We have been up and back and on the phone constantly to Wyoming to try to figure out housing, jobs, etc. I'm dreading the next phone bill. So if you call and I don't answer...you'll know why! So far no job for me, but apparently they haven't started interviewing. I may not hear from them, but if not, I guess I will work on my masters until we are blessed with children. As for a house, we found one that is decent that will work for a starter home. It's not even close to what you could get here for the same price, but I guess that's life! It's way expensive for what it is and most of you with your beautiful homes would die, but it is in good shape and I have some ideas to try to make it home.

*As for Sandy and Buck...No sign of Buck...still. What the? Sandy is home and grandkids keep coming and going. I really think something happened it him, although it is probably something less dramatic like they are separated. The RV is back. I heard Buck lived in the RV at one point and she lived in the apartment (this was a couple years ago). I am pretty positive he is not in the RV though. Maybe I can convince Jeff to go peek in the windows...yeah right!

*Spring break is next week (it's about time!) and my plans are to sleep in a little, get the house thing figured out, and get my hair cut.

*Jeff's truck wouldn't start his morning...yay! But Jeff does have an idea of what's wrong and thinks he can fix it. Time to start looking for something better. I hope we can find him something before we move. With all the house expenses it's going to be tricky to find some money, but he really needs something better (he won't admit this of course).

So that's a long post of our life this last little while. Hopefully all is well with everyone else. I haven't had much time to check blogs (mostly because of our internet) but I think of you often!!!!