Throwback Thursday: When I knew what I was doing.

I can teach.  I never worry about working with my students.  We (mostly) get along.  I might go to work stressed, but once my students walk into my room, my heart is happy.

The rest of being a special education teacher (AKA due process/paper work)...wow.

Sure, I can write PLAAFPs and Goals.  In fact, I think I am pretty good at those things.  In Utah, I could whip up a great IEP in just a few days.

BUT, did you know that IEP "rules" change depending on where you are?  Sure, I know that everyone has their own formatting, but things are so different here in Minnesota that I feel like I am a first year teacher all over again.  It's pretty much the worst.

I went to a meeting after school today and so much of what they said went over my head.  There are new words, even more dates that I have to make sure are met, and a PLAAFP for every single goal.  The hardest part - I have IEP's coming up for kids that I have only known for a month and don't even see everyday.

So, today, I miss teaching in Utah.

I miss having a relationship with each of my students and their families.  I even got to know students before they were in my class and that made the start of every new year so much easier.  I miss going to birthday parties.  I miss the days when I could invite my students and their families to my wedding and to my brother's fundraiser.  I miss not being worried that parents would abuse having my cell number.  As much as I miss those things though, I know that those kids and their families will always be a part of my life.  And for that I am so grateful.

In Utah, I got to teach with my best friend - we tackled so many situations together and gained a lot of respect within the district.  We were power teachers.

Most of all - I miss knowing what I was doing in an IEP!  I led those meetings with confidence.  I felt so productive!  After four years of teaching, I had it figured out.

I know I will figure it out, get the hang of the silly way things are laid out here (it is seriously so hard to decipher the IEP's).  I will learn why we have a meeting date AND a start date.  I will get used to going into an IEP meeting without an actual IEP in hand.

Good thing I still love being a teacher!

Sweet Baby Millie

Tuesday night, I got a phone call from my mom.  Kelsey was starting to have pretty serious contractions and Scott was taking her to the hospital.  20 minutes later mom called again saying that baby girl was on her way and they were heading to the hospital!

All I can say is thank heavens for FaceTime.  I was able to chat with my baby sister before she had a baby of her own.

1990                                             September 23, 2013

At 2:40 AM (central time) on September 24th, I got a picture of the most beautiful baby I have ever seen and it was love instantly.  Trying to sleep after knowing she was here was nearly impossible!

I am one proud aunt.  I can't stop looking at pictures of this sweet baby girl!

Dad took the sweetest video.  Eyes wide open, no crying, just a perfect baby girl.

Welcome to the family my little Miss Millie Kay.  I am thrilled to be your aunt!  I have spent most of my day distracted, looking at the 6 pictures I have of you.  I have also shown you off to each of my classes.  Everyone is commenting on your darling dimple and that you are already smiling.

I miss Utah from time to time, but I have never wished I was there as much as I do right now.  I have approximately 87 days until I get to hold her!

To all family members who will be with us during the Christmas break - I just want to make sure you know now - I get first dibs on Millie the whole time I am there.  That's just how it is going to be.  And I am not at all sorry about it.

Childhood Cancer Awareness

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month.

April 29, 2012 - a few weeks after he was diagnosed.  Just a few chemo's in.  His hair was just starting to fall out.

I haven't said much about cancer for awhile, but it is still something I think about very often.

For those of you who don't know, my brother was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer last year - Ewings Sarcoma.  April 6, 2012 was a day we will never forget.  Even now, as I think about that Friday, it is hard for me not to cry.  But, as terrible, as hard, as horrible, as scary as that experience was, my brother has officially been in remission for about 9 months now and we are so blessed for that.  That year took so much from us, especially from Porter, but it also gave us so much perspective, blessings, and time together.

 I loved the night's Porter would let me stay with him at the hospital.  We would order pizza from The Pie and play Call of Duty (I was terrible - he would fall asleep mid game and I still couldn't win)

Syd's high school graduation.  Porter and the sisters.  Lots and lots of love.

Porter still doesn't like talking about it and has given me a few stern talkings to, because I talk about it more than he likes, but I think that is pretty typical of a teenage boy.  Someday, I will be really interested to see what he has to say about that experience.

 Pre-amputation

Getting used to life with a prosthetic.

More on childhood cancer:

There is so much in the world of childhood cancer that I didn't realize until Porter had to fight it.

Did you know that the American Cancer Society donates less than a penny for ever dollar donated to childhood cancer research?  That number is far too low and makes my heart hurt.  I was blown away with how many kids we met in 2012 who were undergoing treatment for cancer.

The finger prick is always the worst part, but totally worth it.  Saving lives.

I found this site with a list of childhood cancer facts.  What an eye opener.

Anyway, there are lots ways to give.  Today, Ashton and I donated blood.  I used to think people were always donating blood and I didn't really need to.  Then there were days when Porter had to go get blood transfusions and I realized how much it was needed.  We went to Chili's after we donated blood.  Chili's has an awesome fundraiser happening THIS Monday.  100% of their profits will be going to St. Jude and the fight against childhood cancer.  So, eat at Chili's on Monday.  You can attend fundraisers for these children.  Porter's was put together by Anything For a Friend.  They do fundraisers for cancer patients of all ages.  You can always start there.

My brother - the most amazing kid I know who has become an inspiration to so many.  xoxo

Throwback Thursday: When my dad wrote me a wedding song

My sweet dad wrote a song for our wedding.  I know that I have seen a video of it, but I can't remember where so for now, here is the recording he made of it.

He performed it at the reception and it was one of my favorite things from the whole day.  This song is a treasure I will listen to forever and ever.

And since I don't have a video of him singing, enjoy this video of him dancing, because it is amazing.

Or you can just love the pictures of him learning the wobble.

So much goodness.  And these are just a few of the many reason I love my dad.

social media

Social media is changing the world.  It's everywhere.  We are constantly on it.  People make friends through it.  It connects your life.  You see what friends you have in common and suddenly the world is smaller.  It blows my mind and I know that I rely on it.

The last few weeks though, I have been amazed at how it makes me feel like I am friends with people I haven't talked to in years.

I remember hanging out with a group of girls in elementary school.  Back then we were all friends.  As we went through middle school and high school, we started going out separate ways.  We made new friends and started discovering our talents, our likes, our interests.  By the end of high school, we still smiled at each other, but we really didn't know one another like we did in elementary school.  We were now acquaintances.

Fast forward 5 years.

Now everyone is on facebook.  And then there is my favorite, instagram.

Guess what, I am "friends" with / "follow" many of these girls who were my friends in elementary school.  AND NOW - I feel like we are friends again.  Some of them are married now.  Others even have kids or are pregnant.  Some are going to school.  Some are still in San Marcos, others are in Northern California, Texas, or New York.  For so long, we fell into those stereotypical high school rolls.  Those no longer exist.

Someone who graduated with me created a Mission Hills Alumni Young Business Professionals so that we could take advantage of the many skills that our friends now have.  What a neat concept.  Of course, I live thousands of miles from them, but maybe someday it will come in handy.

At first, it seemed funny.

A few weeks ago, I tried to explain to my mom how Maddy is now my go to for help with our new T-25 work outs.  "Mom, remember Maddy?  She was great at soccer?  We were in the same class in 5th grade (I think).  Well, ya, we are friends and she...."

But really, I think it is pretty amazing that I can be friends with them again.  It makes my heart happy to see that so many of them have found success, love, and happiness.

And now, I feel like my dad. :)

My dreamer

Last Sunday, Ashton woke up and told me about his dream...

He was on the phone with Ray Lewis prepping for the Sunday School lesson they were teaching together.  Ray didn't like any of the lesson topics Ashton was suggesting.

What?  I couldn't stop laughing.

He has crazy dreams (and actually remembers) them all of the time.

While he has these dreams, I am taking pictures.  The way he sleeps just makes me happy.

Throwback Thursday: Family Photo Shoot

These were taken sometime in 1997.

It is crazy how I remember taking these.  Dad always liked our hair parted to the side and one part behind the ear.  I also remember how much I loved that polkadot dress.  We took the shots of the whole family together with dads tripod and self timer.  It was pretty fancy stuff back then.  We had been in San Diego for about a year and the house was still really empty.  All the walls were big and white.  We used to have so much fun in the front room.  Cartwheels, dancing, running, rolling...the best room for a bunch of girls.

Anyway,  I love these pictures!  Especially Porter's rolls.

victory!

In church today, our first counselor got up to conduct sacrament meeting.  He started by saying something like, "I don't know what it is, but something about today feels exciting."

I leaned over to Ashton and told him that it was because of BYU's win last night.

Last night, BYU beat 15th ranked Texas, 40 to 21!  The cougars played an amazing game.  It was so much fun to watch.  Taysom Hill has no fear when it comes to running - which is a little scary, but makes for some edge-of-your-seat plays.

Texas has already fired their defensive coordinator.  He was the scapegoat for their poor performance last night and we will see how the Texas defense holds up the rest of the season.

I am hoping that we will find that last night's performance from BYU wasn't a fluke, that our offense really has the "go-fast, go-hard" in them!  We have one of the toughest schedules that BYU has seen this season so this won't be easy.

Love my cougars.
And while I am no longer there, sitting on the front few rows, with my cougar dedicated friends, part of my heart will always be there.

Ra ra ra ra ra....gooooooo COUGARS!

50 years of love looks like...

...this.

Happy 50th Anniversary to my sweet sweet grandparents.  They are such an example to me and I am blessed to call them mi abuelo y abuela.  I wish Ashton and I were in Utah to celebrate this big day with all the family.

They are in love and it always shows.  A few years ago, Grandma and I spend a few hours chatting about their love story.  It is a sweet one that has created a wonderful family.  A family that I am lucky to call mine.

So far, I have only felt homesick a few times.  I have only started to tear up twice.  The first time was while facetiming my family for Kelsey's baby shower. The second time was when I called grandpa for his birthday just a few weeks ago.  I missed them a lot.  They are so very special to me.

Getting to my wedding meant they had to leave Argentina a few days early.  They arrived in Utah the night before.  I can't imagine how exhausted they must have been, but I am thrilled and grateful they were there.  The day would not have been the same without them.

I love you guys.  I can't wait for Christmas so that I can give you todos los besos y abrazos I have been holding onto.

Throwback Thursday: BYU football

In honor of football season, I want to talk about my love for this amazing sport.

I was born bleeding BYU blue.

I remember dad taking us to BYU vs. SDSU games while we were growing up.  I loved it then, but learned to love it 100 times more when I made it to BYU.

Freshman year I had rotating seats and, while I wanted to watch the game, the girls I sat with didn't even know what color our team was.  It was social time.  Not long after that, I met Aubrey and found my football watching best friend.  Since then I have spent 6 years on the front row of every home football game.  I tried to sit with the old folk after I graduated, but it didn't last long.  I couldn't stand not being with the students.  Standing, dancing, screaming, loving the game.  Once you've experienced front row, nothing else will ever come close.

After we graduated, Mel, Aubrey, and I, have traveled to one football game a year.

2011:  Texas.  It was amazing.  A close loss.  But we met Ty Detmer.

2012: Notre Dame.  I was in awe most of the trip.  Such football history!  Another shoulda, coulda win type game, but this time, I got to fly to Chicago next to Coach Edwards.  Unforgettable.

Sadly, the girls and I don't have our typical "boys trip" planned.  (Girls - let's get on that.  I have some time off the week of the Houston game.)

So here's to the colors changing, sweatshirts and scarves, cougar tails, and football!!!!  My favorite time of the year.  LaVell Edwards Stadium - I am going to miss you so hard this year!

Focus T25

Ashton and I are getting on that Shaun T train and we have super sore calves to show for it.

We started yesterday and we were like ya, 25 minute work out - NBD!  How wrong we were.  But we do love how easy we can fit it into our schedules and feeling like we can get a for real workout from home.

On top of working out, there were lots of food suggestions.  Ashton and I spent our Labor Day at Whole Foods buying lots of healthy, good for you foods.  It was exhausting, but we have some yummy fresh produce, quinoa, black rice, and chicken.  We even bought lentils!  This is for real.

Last night's dinner:  Black rice, lentils, bell pepper, pecans, and a citrus vinaigrette. Delicious.  In Ashton's words, "It's not that bad."

Tonight we had sirloin strips with avocado and a balsamic vinaigrette.  I love meat.  So much.

So here is to getting fit, being sore always, and making real healthy meals!

back to school

Happy first day of school from Minnesota.

It's amazing how their summers actually make it all the way to Labor Day and it's always that way!

This is the start of my fifth year teaching.  I can't believe it has already been five years.  It makes me feel old.  The last three years have been spent in the same class which is amazing!  I was able to build relationships with my students prior to them coming to my class because they were at my school.  Teaching 4th-6th grade was the greatest.  I loved having my students with my all day and being so involved in their lives.  Many of my students were in my class for multiple years.  I became a part of their families and they became a part of my heart.  I have raved about my job over and over again and I could rave about it 100 times more.

Today was the start of a very new teaching experience.  I guess that is one of the great things about being able to teach special education.  This year I am teaching at a middle school, something I never thought I would do.  Middle school just seemed like it would be tough.  On top of teaching middle school, I am also teaching in a resource setting.  I am more of a support for my students as they access the general education curriculum.

Well, today went pretty smooth!  My students, for the most part, are a hoot to chat with.  Some of them have already stolen my heart.  Lots of them are 6th graders and remind me of some of my sweet kids back in Utah.  The best part is my prep time!  Oh sweet prep time.  It is amazing to be productive at work and not feel like I am neglecting my students.  Love that prep time.

I think I am going to like it here.

date night

Ashton and I do everything together, but when he tells me he has made plans for us - my heart still skips a beat.  I love dates with my man.

While I was working in my classroom on Friday, Ashton asked if we had plans for that evening.  Nope. So he said, "I thought that we could go on a date night."  I couldn't wait to leave school.

 

We went to a Riverview Theater to see Monster's University.  Riverview Theater is darling!  It is very vintage, has a real 1950's feel.  It only has one theater so there is a lobby for guests to sit in as they wait for their movie.  I absolutely loved it.  Plus, the movie was pretty adorable too - though, Monster's Inc. is still my favorite.