Manti Pagent 2010

On Saturday, June, 26th I went to the Manti Miracle Pagent with 2 of my bestest friends and 3 boys! Leah and her hubby Presley came, Bariann and her 2 handsome boys David and Jacob, and of course...how could I forget Mindles (Mindy). It was a severe blast!
Friday night I spent the night at Leah's house...on the couch. Oh of course we had to watch a scary movie in the dark (Drag me to Hell). I won't be watching that EVER again soon! Then we sort of collapsed into bed (me on the couch...silly)!
Saturday Leah and I had to go shopping for a skirt for me so I could go to a very special baby blessing for Cher! Her adorable little girl was being blessed on Sunday! I was so excited she invited me to come! She and her family hold a very dear place in my heart. OHHHHH, there I go again getting off subject. So Leah and I went to the mall and I had the hardest time deciding if I should get a skirt that Leah told me I looked adorable in. I hated the way I looked in it and she said I looked way cute! I wasn't so sure. I hate my legs and normally refuse to wear anything higher than mid calf in length! So in the end I caved and bought the skirt (it has a green top that is WAAAAAY too big)! I got some compliments but I was totally self concious! UGHHHH!
As soon as Presley got home from work we got Leah's sister and were on our way! We went to Bariann's house where we changed (some of us) and I had to show off my recent purchase (that was a total embarrassment). Then we all headed off to Manti for the funnest night I've had all month! I'm not kidding!
We saved our seats, parked the cars at B's brother's house and then walked to the church for the bestest dinner I've had in months! We had green beans, mashed potatoes (from potato pearls), gravy, salad, a brownie or carrot cake, and the star of the plate was......MORONI TURKEY! It was so delicious I savored every single bite!
After dinner we walked around and ended up getting shaved ice and upon eating it started freezing! It was so fun! Then B's sister in law came with 2 of her boys and they finished off B's ice and another one that wasn't finished by one of her sons! Yeehaw!
Then the Pagent started! It was amazing! It was such a spiritual experience! The stories told in the Pagent strengthened my testimony and brought the spirit more wholly into my heart. I stirred some emotions and feelings within me that only can happen in or on Sacred ground! I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints is TRUE! I know that the Book of Mormon is TRUE and I know that FaMiLiEs can be together FoReVeR!
Those who were in the Pagent I give a round of applause! They were amazing! GoOd WoRk!

Here are a few pictures of us in our grandest moments! Yeehaw! I do reccommend going if you haven't ever or if you haven't been in a while!






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I found a great website that has some really GrEaT gift ideas and the best part is you can have them individualized by monograming them with cute things!
They have a weekly give-a-way and this week they are doing sterling silver bracelets and rings. They are so stinking AdOrAbLe! Check them out at: http://blog.swaggergifts.com/2010/06/new-sterling-silver-plated-jewelry.html
Let me know what you think!

The Countdown Begins....well....

As of today, I have 19 days of school, not including the week I have to do assessments on all 27 students! This year has been a wild roller coaster and I have learned so much about my profession and myself (both personally and as a teacher). Lets just hope I can make it to the end!
Thanks to you all for being there to offer support and guidance!
Happy Mothers Day, Memorial Day, and Happy Birthday to my Mom!

Biggest Loser

I am sitting here in my workout clothes watching The Biggest Loser. I am having some mixed feelings as I watch it. I don't know about you but I am really connecting with these people.
I am especially connecting with Victoria and Andrea. I don't feel like I am worth it to lose weight, to be happy, to be successful, or to have friends. I feel like my family deserves a better person, a more beautiful person than me.
As the contestants were mentioning these things they really hit me....straight in the heart. I have tried to hide those feelings and mask them...hence why I am where I am. It sucks and I am still working on figuring out how to deal with these feelings and where to vent my frustrations, stresses, and all my emotions. Instead of eating them away or just holding them in I need to find a more constructive way to get them out so I don't implode.
I guess you could take this as a cry for help or just complaining. I thought I would share my feelings about what was said on the BL.
I want to be proud of myself and I want my family to be proud of me. I want to have friends!
There are alot of things I need to work through and I think these things are the weights holding me back from being happy, healthy, and allowing the thin me to shine.

Be the best you can be!
(I guess I should take my own advice!)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

On the eve of St. Patrick's Day I want to wish you luck on NOT getting pinched...unless you want to be pinched! I don't know why you would want to!
Also I want to share the Luck O' the Irish!

GO GREEN!

Love ya'll!

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!