Happy Independence Day!!!

This is my favorite holiday. We celebrate with family at a barbecue, nothing too big. It is summer, we can play in the water or park or sit around drinking cold sodas, you know, doing summer things with family. It helps that I really like my family. My parents are great, my brothers and sisters and I finally get along (My mom is VERY grateful. And it gives me hope with my own kids.) I have good in-laws that I look forward to talking with and it is just a time to hang out.

This year was particularly fun because I saw almost everyone. Just one brother didn't come. We talked wedding plans because my other brother is getting married in August. Something to look forward to. . . I am anxious because it is planned on my first day of work. Grr... I'll have to make some arrangements with a brand new employer - not a great first impression.

Aside from the family fun, I have always been patriotic. I love to see the American flag waving high against a blue sky. I think of George Washington, Thomas Paine, Ben Franklin, and all the others that are not as well know. I am grateful to the generations of soldiers that have kept us free from tyranny and harm. I'm grateful I have the choice to do things and I'm not forced to do things. I believe our country was founded by men helped by God.

Today was thoroughly enjoyable and I hope all of you had a great day. I'd also like to thank the current soldiers who worked through the holiday to keep us free.

Last Day of School

No more Teacher's dirty looks!

It's the last day of school tomorrow and boy am I excited! And I'm the TEACHER! This is my last day working in West Jordan and I'll start in Alpine in August. I have a whole month off in the summer. Unheard of in a year round school so I'm gonna put my feet up and . . . run around taking care of the kids!

I've had many great experiences so far I wish I could write about them all. But here are a few.

Mrs. Grundy and I had a blind student one year. She was so funny. She would always rub my forearm or hold my hand. Which I had to get used to because I'm not used to students being that close. One time she was getting on the bus and the principal was in talking to the driver. She bumped into the principal and said, "Sorry, I didn't see you there." Another time she brought her tandem bike to show to the kids and I ended up riding around with each child in the class which was okay except when they weren't peddling with me - the little stinkers.

One time I was talking to my husband after work on the office phone and well, we were newlyweds. So I'm talking to my sweetie poochie coo or something equally disgusting and embarrasing and another teacher runs down the hall and yelling, "Turn off the intercom!" Yep, I had declared my love thoroughout the entire school.

The thing I was most afraid of when I started teaching happened my first year and I was able to handle it. Yes, the dreaded kid throwing up in the classroom. I can't say what I'm most afraid of now, after teaching 7 years because the thing I love about teaching is that each day is an adventure no matter how much you have planned.

In a nut shell,I'm goona miss the copy room rush before and after school, the smelly and squeeky laminator, the terrific office staff, and my friends. I won't miss grades, parent teacher conferences, and the long commute. I'm looking foward to short work days, being at the same school as my kids, and meeting new friends.

I'm turning a new page in my life book and looking foward with anticipation and back with sweet memories. What I have discovered is that the heartbeat of the school is determined by the secretary. I love the secretary at the new school so bring it on!

Pictures

I just wanted to update with some photos.

Sum, Sum, Summer Time

I work every other day and every day I go in redder and redder! We just can't get enough of outside time. My kids love bikes and swimming in our dinky little pools and walks and... well, anything to do outside! They have become a lot more independent as well. Except for when the baby bull snake decided to come to our house for a little visit. They pretty much freaked out but that's okay because so did I. I had to get a neighbor to come over and take it to the field.

I've been spending alot of time with my folks lately. My dad bought my kids a fishing pole each on the Saturday before Father's Day. We bought them at Smith and Edwards on the way up to Logan. There is a kids only pond close to my brother's house and my dad, my brother, my nephew and my kids and I all went fishing. It was so cute. My dad has so much more patience with my kids than I do sometimes. It was really cute they way they tried so hard. The worms grossed them out and I can't blame them, they grossed me out too. (See snake story above!)

Anyway, my dad was really tired when we got back to Salt Lake but he took my kids out back and tied a plastic thing to their lines and taught them how to practice casting. I just wanted to hug him! It was so fun to see someone devote so much time to me children.

Daniel is really good at it. He kept getting in the trees and out at our place he can really get 'er to fly. Lillian's just sort of drops from her pole then she swings. Maybe she should fish off bridges for now!

I really don't know what I'd do if they caught anything, I only like lake fish smoked and I don't have a smoker. We'd have to eat 'em cuz they'd be really proud. Or maybe uncle Tim could teach them how to catch and release.

well, it's been a really long day. We played hard and it's back to work for me tomorrow. I feel sorry for my babysitter. I can't even keep up with my kids.

Finally Riding

Daddy finally taught Little D how to ride a bike and boy is he proud. He actually could have done it a year ago but we had bike troubles that Dad fixed. Thank goodness. The kid needed a boost and summer officially starts tomorrow for my kids.

Daydreaming

I was just reading blogs and thought - Gee, mine is kind of depressing. so I was dreaming up ways to make it better - anyway, I'm not at home right now but I'm looking at cute ideas.

One thing I have to share. Our primary is doing a scripture treasure hunt and the first clue for 1st Nephi was sacrifice. So we've been talking about what it means to sacrifice. The other day my son came running in the house with his cousin chasing him because they both wanted to same gun to play with. In the end, the fightings stopped and Danny came in the living room and told Grandma, "I let Cooper play with the gun. I sacrificed." He was so pleased with himself for remembering to sacrifice. Both kids were happy and went back outside to play. Funny how sometimes your kids just surprise you when you don't think they are listening.

I'm learning to let my kids do for themselves and solve their own problems (with guidance). My friends all say their kids are independent because they are lazy but I say it's good parenting!

Anxiety

Just so you know what I've been doing to manage my anxiety. Maybe it will help someone you know or maybe you know of something else that works.

* I've been taking Buspar, an anti-anxiety drug. It helps my anxiety but it also makes me feel tired and hungry - a great combination for gaining weight.
* Exercise. Although I keep thinking of excuses not to do this because I'm always tired.
* Taking 4 grams of Omega 3 fatty acid daily. This seemed to help within a few days.
*Reading Byron Katie's book, "Loving What is." Analyzing my anxiety ridden thoughts that I can't change and getting rid of them.
*Journal writing. Both getting out and "rid of" what is bothering me and also writing down what God has given me - discovering an attitude of gratitude.

You'd think doing all these things I would be better but EVERY time someone mentions high gas prices or rising food prices I freak out all over again.

I work at it little by little and it is getting better. Thank goodness! Anxiety is so frightening that I hate it when I get attacks. But I have to say this GOD does bless me in my trials. He has given me so much and for that I am grateful.