I'm so excited...and I just can't hide it!

I am so excited!!!! I found out that I get to go to Washington D.C. next month!!! I have been taking this math class and our teacher, who is also the assistant superintendent of our district, told us last class she had extra money for four people to go the NCTM math conference. There are about 35 people in our math class and when we asked where it was and she said D.C. I thought everyone would want to go. She told us to send an email to her and tell her why we wanted to go if we were interested. Well, two of my friends and I decided to try for it thinking that we probably wouldn't get picked since we are some of the younger teachers. As it turns out, we ALL got picked so I guess no one put in for it. I am sooo happy because it will be so fun to go on a trip to DC that I don't have to pay for! The best part is that I get to go with some friends. We will be going to math conferences and are required to help the district map the math curriculum with what we learn, but I think it is such a great opportunity!!! I am hoping to learn a lot and can't wait for a chance to go back east. We leave around April 21 and get back around the 24th I think. The details aren't set in stone, but hopefully I will have much more interesting things to post about in the next month!!

It's Always Best to be Polite

We switch our kids for reading groups and Friday I had an interesting conversation with a little boy who can't sit still to save his life. It was so funny to me, I thought I would share.

We were reading this little passage about two boys named Ben and Jeff. Jeff dropped his hat into a fast moving stream that was very deep. Jeff decided to solve the problem by jumping in the stream and retrieving the hat for his buddy.

We have been working on problem and solution. The kids were asked if Jeff's solution to the problem was a good one and why or why not based on the details in the paragraph.

This little guy writes,

No, because HE/SHE may get hurt in the water because it is a fast moving, deep stream.

I then reply with,

That is a great answer, but I think you can just put "he" since we know from the paragraph that it's a boy since his name is Ben.

He then says,

Well, it's always better to be polite.

How can you argue with that?

When Jeff gets home, I wonder if HE/SHE will make dinner. Just trying to be polite.

Haircut, what??

Okay, so I went to get a haircut Saturday and I asked for it to be just below my shoulders. This is what I walked out with....what?

Not quite what I asked for, but I am getting used to it. Luckily my students didn't say anything too harsh!! I think this is the shortest I have had it in a really long time. Hey, at least it takes less time to get ready!

Happy Birthday J-Diddy!

Friday was Jefferson's 27th birthday!! Happy birthday Jeff!! I like it better when his birthday is on the weekend because I feel like I have more time to spoil him, but hopefully he still had a good day. I am so lucky I married such a sweet, caring, funny man. He is so patient with me. I really don't deserve someone so wonderful. Jeff, if you ever read this, which I don't think you do, I promise I will get your cheesecake made someday....hopefully this week (see what a horrible wife I am???!)

I feel like I never post because there isn't much new going on, but also I am just so incredibly busy! I have something almost every night after school and the weekends are always swamped with house stuff. Today I was released from activity days (which I am really sad about because it was a great calling and the girls were wonderful) and now I am the young women secretary. I am really nervous about it because I have never done the young women thing. I'm not always sure how to relate with teenagers and Jeff has already starting making fun of me because of girls camp and the youth trek--we all know what a great camper I am. Now I am kind of having regrets for signing up for another math class because I know I will have a lot more on my plate and I will not be home very often. Here is part of my excuse for not posting. A look into the coming week:

Monday: Wake up at 5:45, run 5 miles.
Go to work from 7:45-4:00
4:00: Hurry and leave school to get to the church to set up for my last activity days (I am teaching the girls how to sew warming bags--aren't you proud of me Jonna???)
5:45: Get home and make dinner
6:45: Clean up dinner and start laundry
7:30-9:00: Read for my math class and fold laundry
9:30: Go to bed

Tuesday:Wake up at 5:45, run 5 miles.
Go to work from 7:45-4:00
4:00: Make sub plans for a meeting Thursday
5:45: Get home and make dinner
6:45: Go to a district board meeting
9:00: Read for my math class
9:30: Go to bed


Wednesday: Same thing except an early morning faculty meeting and young womens that night. It's a program so I need to be there at 5:30 and I assume it will end at 8:30-9:00.


Thursday: Same thing except an early morning intervention meeting. Visiting teaching 6-8:30.


Friday: Same thing except that after school I actually get to come home except I will have to start preparing for the young women lesson I will be teaching Sunday.


All I have to say is: It's a good thing there is no school Monday! I could use a break!

Time to Post

I know, I know, I have been a total slacker. The truth is, I really don't have much to post about. January has been more of the same old, daily grind. I have been yearning for a vacation and I miss my family like crazy! Jeff and I decided to take a vacation this summer when school is finally out and visit my brother in Kentucky. I can't wait. I have a new little nephew that I am dying to hold.

Since I don't have much to post about, I will post a few funny conversations that happened this month.

Ice Storm in Kentucky
My brother, sister in law, and three nephews are in a national state of disaster in Kentucky. They had a power line land on their driveway and were told it would be 4-6 weeks before they have power again. FEMA is currently there trying to get the area cleaned up, but my brother said it looks like a torado hit their street. Thankfully they are all well. My nephew Tommy (5) and my other nephew Jack (3) were overheard having this conversation:

Jack: Tommy we don't have electricty.
Tommy: I know.
Jack: Maybe we can borrow a flashlight from Jeff and Beth.

He was 1 1/2 when they moved from Utah and only talks to us on the phone, so where he got that is beyond me, but at least he thought of us saving them in their time of need! So cute. I miss those boys!

Does Exercise Make you Gain weight?

This conversation is between a little girl in my class and myself.

Shaylee: Does exercise make you gain weight?

Me: No, it helps you lose weight.

Shaylee: It does? Because I think I heard my mom and dad saying it makes you gain weight.

Me: Well, when you eat you are putting calories in your body. When you exercise you burn the calories off so you lose weight. Why?

Shaylee: Because I want to be 80 pounds.

Me: Why?

Shaylee: Because my mom is going to make me sit in a carseat.

Me: Laughing hysterically--real sensitive I know

When they passed that law in Utah I thought it was so stupid because I'm sorry, but I cannot picture 8 year olds that are almost as big as me in carseats. But, boy is it good that we didn't pass that law that parents can't smoke in their car with children present. Let's strap them in real tight and then light up so they can't away from the toxic fumes. There's our politicians...really thinking for the good of everyone, right?

Inaugeration Day

This conversation happened after the inaugeration when I talked to my sister on the phone.

Me: Did you have a good day at school today?

Melissa: I had to watch Obama.

Me: You did? Did you like it?

Melissa: I plugged my ears and I closed my eyes.

Me: Why?

Melissa: Because I didn't want to watch it. My mom doesn't like that man.

Priceless.

Happy 2009!

Well, here is our New Year's Day picture for 2009. I cannot believe it is 2009 already--high school reunion year...has it really been that long??

I hope everyone has had an enjoyable holiday season. I sure have been enjoying the "break" although I have definitely been keeping myself busy. Since Jeff is no longer in school, he did not get a long enough break, but I have enjoyed having him the few days I got him--and I have definitely kept him busy!

Here is a glimpse at our Christmas break. It began with cutting down a Christmas tree. Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture of it decorated. We went with our friends Annie and Shane and their little boy Garren. It was a much better experience than our first Christmas cutting down a tree....this year there was no snow so it was much easier. The only downer is that there really weren't any full, good looking trees. This was the best we could get, but it looked pretty cute all decorated.





We spent most of the time renovating our upstairs. What a project! All three bedrooms upstairs has popcorn ceiling and white walls. That is all changed now. There is no more popcorn ceiling and the walls are all painted. I forgot to take an after picture. It was loads of work, lots of trips to Ace and Home Depot, but definitely worth it! We have made so many changes to the house already and I seem to find a new project everyday...much to Jeff's dismay!


I managed, with Jeff's help, to make my first Christmas dinner. We made ham, mashed potatoes, rolls (aren't they funny shaped??!), salad, and sparkling cider. I even made fudge all by myself. We missed being with family and felt a little lonely on our own, but it was a nice break from all our renovating and with the weather being unpredictable, it was the best choice for us. Maybe next year....





This is a gross picture, but it is the only one I could find to show how much running I have been doing! My toenail is probably not going to last much longer. Either way, the weather here is terrific for winter running. We are colder than Utah, but we have less snow which is great. I was able to run outside 4 of the days which was a nice needed treadmill break! I have loved being able to go out when it is light since I didn't have to be at work. I have really been enjoying being away from school more so this year than previous years. Having a house has given me plenty of things to work on and keep busy. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year. Best wishes for 2009!

Finally a post!!

Okay, I know, it has been a really long time since I have posted. I don't always have access to the internet so that is part of the problem. The other problem is that I seriously have no internet time. It's so strange, because we moved here I thought I would have a lot more time but that has turned out to be very far from the truth. I have been taking some classes and with a million other little things going on, I have very little time.

So now it's time to catch up. The week before Thanksgiving Jeff had a conference in Utah and I decided to go with him to get some shopping done and because I was dying to go visit Pony and all my good friends! Visiting the Pony definitely did not disappoint. I had a blast visiting so many people that have made me a better person. I miss all of you Ponyites so much! I feel so lucky that I was able to teach at such a wonderful place with so many wonderful people. My very best friends definitely come from my experiences there. That night a few us went to Chilis and then to J-Hart's house for some great times. Thank you everyone for helping me have such a special day!

The next weekend we came back to Utah for Thanksgiving at Jeff's parent's house. We had a great time with DELICIOUS food! Thanks Peggy! I love Thanksgiving.

Now that we have been back, we have been in the routine of everything....school, work, getting ready for Christmas, math classes, mentoring classes, church callings, and day to day life--you know cleaning toilets, laundry...the good stuff.

I had high hopes of putting together Christmas cards this year but it doesn't look like it is going to happen. Over the break I am going to make my cards for next year so I will be prepared! I hope everyone is doing well and having a great holiday season so far!