5 Year Old Reader

Something that happened today impressed me so much that I wanted to share it with everyone that decides to read my blog...which is not many!

Today during centers one of my students was eyeing my Dr. Seuss books and so I walked over and told him, "you can read those". I didn't think he really would, but lo and behold when I looked over he was sitting next to my blue chair reading a book. I didn't think much of it at the time because at this age (5-6) they usually just look through the pages finding words they recognize. So I went back to my assessments.

After about 3 students I looked over and my aid was standing by him listening to him and I got even more interested than before in what he was doing. I took a closer look and heard him reading sentences. I almost started crying (I don't know why, but I have been emotional since Sunday morning). It was the greatest thing I had seen in a long time...it was actually BEAUTIFUL!!!

When it was time to clean up I walked over to him and he had THE BIGGEST SMILE on his face! He couldn't wait to tell me what he had just done and I could not only see his excitment...I could definitely hear it in his sweet little voice! I couldn't hold in my excitement I had to announce to the class what he did. I had to work so hard not to just grab him and give him a huge hug...so I settled for a "High 10"! I was seriously shaking with excitement and happiness!

To sweeten the deal I (in my total excitement) told him he could take one of my precious Dr. Seuss books home with him to read to his family! He was now even more excited! What a great way to begin the ending of the day!

I am still in awe at what this student did, I mean he is only 5 years old and I know that at my school there are many students that are in 2nd grade or even 6th grade that can't read this book and he did it all on his own. I mean I read about 4 pages last week...but it has been about 5 days since I read it and picked it up and was reading it on his own. AHHHHHHHHHHHHH, I am so pleased with him, his reading, and his progress! He was reading should and would with NO help! When I opened the book to a random page he read those sentences with no help AT ALL! When he got stuck on the word would, he looked back at the previous page where he had seen it before and was doing a quick read to figure out what the word was. He used a skill I hadn't taught him...I am near tears just thinking about this! I am so ready to keep pushing him in the right direction so he will keep up the motivation and successes! WOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Honestly this story is why I teach...and continue to teach regardless of the things going on in my life (at home and at work). He proved to me that I am making a difference in my students lives and that I am a good teacher. I lose sight of that often and I am torn down constantly by so many....but it is the kids that totally change those negative things in my life! I also know that there are other powers out there rooting me on and to them I am eternally grateful! That includes my family! Love ya guys!

Happy reading!
AHHHHHHHHHHHH, I still am totally loving it!

There's Gonna Be a Wedding Soon...

Ha, Ha, Ha! Not mine but my BFF's (yes I still have those and I am as old as I am)! I was invited to go and take some pictures of her for her bridals. I learned so much...like how I am soooo not even a good photographer! Actually, some of them did turn out rather cute! For those of you that don't know her, she is a great gal that I was roommates with at Snow and SUU. We have been friends ever since and I rather fond of her! She has my back and I have hers! Now she has man that has her back and I .... am still.... Well, that's hole nother box of Cracker Jacks, we won't go there!
We were downtown and I was experimenting with my new Cannon Rebel. I love it, but I am not to sure about aperture, ISO, and all the other stuff that needs to be altered for awesome pictures! I will keep chugging along though and soon will be more comfortable with it!
So without further ado HERE'S LEAH!


This next picture was by the "Reflection Pond" and the sky was overcast...not condusive for good photo taking!


This picture is one of my favorite...well it is my favorite and was also a pain in the rumpus to edit! But look at how cute it is and how beautiful she is!


Leah was such a good sport, it was cold and windy but she looks amazing. I took this picture of her leaning over the railing at the Conference Center. I personally think she is adorable!


And last but not least, I got this picture of Leah holding her black flower. It's not for a funeral, it's one of her colors! I tried to get a good look at her ring, but pictures don't do it justice! I was there with her when she found it, I am glad she picked it...and not her nose! :)


Time has flown by and I am going to miss her. I am going to miss hanging out with her and our staying up late watching scary movies and chick flicks while sleeping over at each others places! She will be hitched on March 6th. I'm sooooo excited! I think I will bring........treats!
Happy February!

YOGA!

Well I am part of a weight loss club called the BLC. I absolutely LOVE it! Anway, the ladies on there were having a tough week and I was joking around trying to lift their spirits! Well I suggested that they go out in their front yards and do yoga in front of all their neighbors. They all laughed, well as far as laughing can go online! Anyway, one lady asked me/dared me to do it in the snow in capris at my house. I accepted the challenge and here are the pictures to prove that I did it.
Now I really did it in the snow and I froze! My hands were frozen and snow got in my shoes! I had to kneel in it and so my knees got cold too, but it was so fun!
So here ya go, here are the pictures of my doing "Snow Yoga"!


I almost slipped and did the splits when doing this move and the next move. They look smililar but are different...as my feet are in different positions! That is so I don't fall over!


HA HA, I almost fell over sideways when doing this one!


This is me greeting the sun. The sky was partly cloudy but I was finally able to see the blue sky. I was so happy! We have had about 2 weeks of really gross air because of the lack of storms. I hate inversions! This pose got my knees cold and wet and my hands hurt after putting them in the crusty and cold snow! But it was fun, my abs really got a good workout!


This is the last pose. I don't know the name of it and I know I am not doing it the right way, but hey, I tried! I get points for that! Lisa my sister was taking the pictures and she said I look like a ballerina. I agree, I look like a fruit cake! But hey, it gave kicks to my friends that were having a rough week and that was the point! Lisa was laughing at me and so I know that was worth it! In fact I bet that there were others like my grandparents (that have passed away) were shaking their heads and getting a kick out of my dorkiness! Oh well, that is how I work!

Dreams...

Well lately I have been having some pretty weird dreams! No, nothing about what sex my baby is going to be. I'm not even pregnant, there are things that have to happen before that can come to pass...if ya know what I mean!;)
My dreams aren't about me falling from a cliff, being chased by a crazed fan or something weird, getting a house, a new car, traveling, or anything like that. My dreams have been about being kidnapped and falling in love with the FBI agent that did the alleged "kidnapping". WHAT THE....
Why do my dreams need to tourture me so? It's not like the guy is ugly in my dreams. In fact he is tall, dark, mysterious, HOT, caring, supportive, sensitive, funny, strong, HOT, tall, smart, and HANDSOME! I mean these dreams keep popping into my head all day long. It's not like I don't have other things to keep my mind occupied throughout the day, but the happenings of the dreams keep shoveing their way to the forefront of my thoughts.
I have found that my dreams don't mean much in the way of them happening in reality but this one could be a good one to live through! I might even have the rest of the dream tonight...now that would be nice. I would love to know if this "falling in love" becomes anything more than that. It would be great if he takes it a step further and makes us get married because of the situation and because of the "falling in love" mess.
Do you believe in the dreams you have? Have you had any weird, cool, or other wise mentionable dreams lately? Let's share!
Sweet Dreams!

Wow What a Year!

As I sit here contemplating the goings on here in my life I shed a few tears of sorrow, joy, laughter, and of love. This year has brought many emotions to the surface. I have gained so much and lost alot this year.

I lost one of THE greatest men in my life...lets just say he is one of the MOST INCREDIBLE men I will ever meet. My Grandfather passed from this mortal life into the next to be with my Grandmother who preceded him in death. That happened in January and it made for a very hard month. I really wanted to have him at my wedding to see me in my wedding dress and meet the man of my dreams. I wanted to get a hug from him and have him give the man I marry a few words of wisdom and such. But with this loss, I have gained so much. He has left behind a love greater than anything in this world. His example and love have touched my heart and soul to the very core. He gave and gave his entire life and I my life has been changed because of him. I am forever grateful for all he taught and for all the love and joy he has brought into my life and my family.

I found out that my cousin Mindy is having a baby...and it's going to be a boy! I found out an old colleague from work is pregnant with a girl. My hilarious blog reader, old roommate, and festive friend Marisa is pregnant as well. And my cousin's wife Lisa is pregnant as well! I am very excited for them and wish them the best of health as they carry these little angels! I have some very cute gift ideas for them...hint, hint!;)

I made it through another year of teaching Kindergarten! Whew, glad that is over! I had a huge class, but they were so very fun! Each year is a challenge and I learn so much from them! I learn how much patience I have...my patience monitor is reading a bit low...I have used alot of it! But then summer comes along and it get re-filled and I have a bunch more for the next set of 27-30 kids that come into my classroom!

In September I started another year of school and I am enjoying my class. They are proving to be hard workers and highly hilarious! I am pushing them hard to learn so they can be successful and they are pushing me hard to test my boundaries! I have had alot of them out sick with some sort of illness this year, wether it is H1N1, the "regular kind of FLU", a cold, asthma, sore throats, etc. They are very giving little tykes...I got the flu from them and had to spend one weekend in bed away from family and all the excitement in my house. I was bored sick...well I did find a scary movie to watch that I highly recomend! If you can handle suspense!
Anway, most of my students are on track to begin blending and segmenting words and making word families in class. It is going to be fun learning all these new things and writing those words will be a joyful adventure as well! In math they will be doing addition, subtraction, growing patterns, story problems (I hate those), and a whole heap of other exciting things. We will be going on a field trip to the farm at Thanksgiving Point in April and the ZOO in May. Both of those are going to be a blast and I hope we can make it through! I get so worn out with field trips! I might need some helpers for those too! Anyone?!

In September my family had a gift enter our lives! My niece Abigail was born. She has stolen our hearts and made our lives even more joyful! After losing my Grandpa it was a great blessing to have Abigail enter my life. I love to watch her grow and annoy her mother! I get to use my creative juices to make things for her and I have spent a bunch of mulaa at Lakeshore to get her things to play with and help her learn! I love her smile, her attempt to laugh, and her snuggling. I have mastered how to get her to sleep and found she loves music...especially the Beach Boys! Now if I can get her to like NSYNC...we will be best pals! ahahaha!

Another good thing happened this year...my BF Leah got engaged. I guess blessings do come from working with elderly people! She met her fiance at the care center in which they both work. She took a bold move and asked him to a party, he accepted and...this is the shocker! He called to confirm they were still going and what time they would be leaving. How cool is he!?!
I have had the opportunity to do some of their pictures to help them out and to help me improve my skills! Though the pictures I took won't be their announcement pictures, I am glad to have them be in their scrapbook! They will be married in March and I am so excited! Leah has found a great guy and he has found an incredible woman that will be by his side through thick and thin! I think its great that a guy that is taller than me is marrying a gril that is shorter than me...by about a foot or more! Now where is mine?!

I just have to say that I have learned so much this year about others, about the Church, about Christ, Heavenly Father, family, friends, and myself. I have learned that there are crazy people out there driving and they really scare me! I have gained confidence in myself...that someone tried to rip away from me. It didn't work but oh well! Like I mentioned in my other post I have lost some weight and I hope to lose alot more in time for my BF's wedding in March. I am going to need some help on that one. All this holiday food is finding places to store itself on me. UGH!

Thank you for reading my blog and I wish you and your family a very MeRRy ChRiStMas and a HaPPy NeW YeaR!

The GYM!

So many of you know I have a goal to lose weight! I have lost 50+ pounds so far and have lots more to go but the journey has been amazing! Hard, but trully mind bogling! I have learned so much about myself mentally, spiritually, and physically. Such as, I am a WUSS! I have been trying to condition my body to run for more than 1 minute on the treadmill. I give up really fast and go back to walking! It is pretty embarrassing when I look over and some old man is running like he is being chased by a girl! So as I compare myself to old men...I get frustrated and think I can't ever reach my goal of weight loss or running. There goes my dream of running 5K's and 10K's...RIGHT?!
Ha, no! I am part of an elite club that really has made a HUGE difference in my life! There are some REALLY great ladies that have listen to my ups and downs in life and don't judge me or make me feel like a moron who can't more faster or be thin! They share suggestions, laugh with me, and cry with me when I am donw and really feel low. It's a great deal all around because I am able to do the same for them! They have helped me get to where I am and are pushing me to keep having success and reach all my goals. I couldn't ask for better friends...from around the country!
So yes I attend the gym. I am a 24hr. Fitness Gal and I love going there. Though the trainers are snobs (they don't talk to anyone unless they pay them to work with them)! There is a wide variety of people there and I feel very comfortable going there to get healthy and lose some of this baby/tween/teen/early 20's fat! I love going there...except for the locker room. I hate going in there sometimes. There are times when I am frantic and have to go in there and other times I hate going in there. My biggest complaint is that some people are to comfortable in their own skin. EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW! Cover up! I guess I will just have to get to be friends with the tiles on the floor! But really FOR THE LOVE, be considerate of other peoples eyes! OH and whats more...how rude is it for people to talk on the phone in the bathroom! Some functions are not meant to be shared with family and friends, especially when the functions are from strangers! Ahaha! True story! No, I won't share!
So my journey to be healthy and thin is out in the open and I believe I am ready for others perspectives and help! I am ready to share this journey and if you are okay with it I hope you join me in this life long journey to be healthy, active, and strong! The choice stars NOW!

Abigail Suzanne Brown

Here is my niece! I am sorry for those who have been waiting to see her. I have been under A TON of STRESS and PRESSURE.
I was testing out my new SLR camera and putting my little lady in differnt poses. She was so patient and fun!

Abigail was born on September 12, 2009. She has long feet, long fingers, a bit of hair, and a sweet little smile! Yes, Aunt Sara has gotten her to smile. Even when she was a day old, I got her to smile. I love moving her mouth and saying things like she is talking! One thing that gets her is saying while she is sleeping "Abigail, come to earth."! It melts my heart!

I have had the opportunity to change many of her diapers and while doing so, she loves the sound of running water!! I have given her baths, that is so fun! She is like a fish and a frog! Her little legs are always doing the frog kick/jump! LOVE IT!

Enjoy the pictures!