For all of you who think I'm cool enough to "blog stalk"

I'm starting to realize I will never be a good blogger! I'm going to take that a good talent! Some of you spend so much time on here... part of me is a little jealous! I'm lucky if I look at peoples blogs once a month!

Now, what do you want to know?! haha

I don't have anything amazing to write about! Here I go... rewind...

I just looked at Julie and Adams blog about Second Graders voting! I have to go off of that. For the past week or two, my kids have been learning about voting, presidents, etc. It has been hysterical to see how the kids react to each others political views... more like to each other parents views. All of my students were very opinionated about should be elected. Tuesday and Wednesday, I had a few tearful students and several little arguments broke out on the playground related to the results. Kids were cheering candidates names and making comments like these:
"McCain is a christian"
"Obama will take away taxes"
I tried to stay away from the sensitivity of the election. I had to laugh at the materials I was given to teach the 2008 election. It was very much geared towards republicans. One of the pages for the kids was all the information on McCain and the Obama information had to be researched.

I have never felt so sick regrading an election! It was a nerve racking day waiting to see if 102 passed and who our president would be.


11/4 : On Tuesday, I went with Randa to her ward's enrichment activity. It was so awesome to be a family ward setting!!! They provided food and awesome thoughts of gratitude! I'm so glad I got to go. It helped me get into the "thankful" mode for November!

11/2 : WALK NOW for Autism! The family clan joined Braden on a walk at Tempe Town Lake to support Autism! It is our 3rd year participating. It is always a fun event. It is the only time I ever remember my family exercising together! This year they had the normal 3 mile walk and a 1 mile walk. When we got the spot to decide to take a short or normal route- tension arose! Needless to say, the healthy people won we walked 3 miles.
That night, I got my mom is ride her bike for the first time! I asked her to go with me thinking she would say no and guess what she said sure! We started down the street and I told her to turn so we could leave our neighborhood... she flipped! That's when the interesting things starting flying out of her mouth! I don't know how but I convinced her to go with me to Kyle and Valerie's. We went there and they were gone! She was very unhappy- she was hoping for a ride home in the truck! We rode back completing our 3 mile ride. She was sore as can be... I don't know if I will be able to get her back on that bike again!


10/31: HALLOWEEN or FALL CELEBRATION ;)
At school, my kiddos dressed up for a costume parade. It was fun to let the kids wear their costumes and get the holiday started! Kindergarten through 3 grade walked around the soccer fields while the older kids cheered us on. I had several parents come in to watch and parade and to help with our class festivities! My MOM even came! I was so excited! It was the first time she had met my students. She helped the kids make flubber while other parents assisted with different centers. The kids had a blast, maybe too much fun because my classroom is still a mess!!!

For Dinner, the fam came over for our traditional Chili and Tricker Treating! I have the best nephews and nieces ever!!! It is always so much fun to see them!





I'm out of time! I've gotta go back to work for our Falcon Festival! I will update more this weekend!

September 4th!

I bought a new car yesterday! I decided after years of driving my white beater, I needed to upgrade! I feel a lot safer now! Jason took me to test drive some cars because I didn’t want to do with car salesmen! Jason use to sell cars and this was his classic saying, “I’m a car salesman, I can’t lie!” Anyway, he helped me find a car I liked and a great deal too! We worked with another friend of ours Dave and he hooked me up with a sweet ride! Shout out to LeSueur Car Company www.usedvwaudi.com!

I got a VW Passat! It is very nice and super fun to drive!
It even has a sun roof! High rollin’!

I can drive more than a few miles and not worry about my car overheating! EVEN better, I can drive down the freeway without holding my window up! My old car the drivers window, liked to slide into the door as I drove! You didn’t even need keys to get in! Just your hand to get the window open!



Since I made this purchase, the parents think I should pay all kinds of bills haha! YAY right! I’m saving my pennies! Dad thinks now that I bought a car, I have more money. Doesn’t work that way! Mom found out about Dad wanting money from me for my cell phone (I grateful I’m spoiled :)) and thinks she needs it more and that I should pay rent haha... the perks of living at home! They are not going to see my $$$ anytime soon. :)

This past weekend, was super eventful! I was suppose to go with my family to our cabin in Payson instead I stayed in Gilbert and i'm glad I did!


I went to the ASU football game on Saturday night! GO DEVILS! We creamed the Lumberjacks!



For you married girls and anyone else who cares- there is a new hunk...! Another long distance situation! But he is Tall, Dark, and Handsome!
Call me for details... I’m not sure where it’s going to go!

Visits from friends: I’m so excited for when Katie and Erich move back in December!!! This weekend, Katie and Erich came for a visit! It was super fun hanging out at Katie’s parents with some of the crew! We thought about going to the lake on Labor Day and decided not to go when the boat owner, Walter, realized that it was a holiday! It would have been packed! We will have to go in April, May, June ish!

Crafty:
Two weeks ago, I got together with some fun girlies for Super Saturday Crafts! I love Sister Bryson’s craft days! Haha Go Julie! Here is a picture of the awesome frame, Julie taught us to make! Many of you will see these as your Christmas present :)!!!


-PICTURE TO COME-, I left my camera at work!

All of the girls who come to the craft days are usually married. “My husband ...”, “I have to go I told my hubby I wouldn’t be gone long...”, and “I husbands going to die when he sees one more craft in these colors!...”
I love spending time with the married girls! I’m sure they crack up listening to my random dating stories and the joys of singles ward! Yippee!!!

On the Farm: My class is doing great! Everything is how I expected so far. I’m really having fun! I enjoy all 26 of kiddos! I have 15 boys and 11 girls! The boys have all discovered how to make farting noises with their arms! I don’t know how my mom raised 4 boys! All of the students love to talk! They are getting the hang of when it’s okay to talk and when it’s not. I had a formal walk through evaluation on Wednesday. My principal came in and watched me teach a lesson for about 20 minutes. I didn’t know he was coming. It worked out fine. We were reading an awesome book “How I Became a Pirate”. If you have kids, read it to them! After we read the book, each student created a treasure map! We have been talking about geography: mapping. On Thursday, they wrote pirate stories! The stories and maps turned out awesome! I will post pictures some day.

This weekend, I have the luck of staying at school! Friday night from 4-8 and Saturday 8-4. I have classes at my school for the extra money. :) Every little bit counts. We have a goal of increasing writing, we have to do workshops of 15 hours and do extra writing activities in our classrooms. Then, I earn a tiny bit extra in December and May. YAHOO!


In memory of my incredible Uncle Tony:

Last week, I went to a funeral of one of my dear uncles. As soon as I found out of his death, I called his daughter to see how she was doing. I keep my emotions in until I hung up the phone with her. I lost it! I can’t imagine what life must be like for her and her family without their father, papa, and my aunts husband. I had the opportunity to work at my cousin’s house all summer watching her kids. While I was there about once or twice a week, my Uncle Tony and Aunt Jae Dee would drop by to spoil their grandkids. I got so use to seeing them so often I took for granted the time we spent together. Growing up, big holidays were usually when I saw aunts and uncles. We always do the typical big hug... no cheek squeezing :). Since I saw my uncle Tony so much this summer, I didn’t always get or give those big hugs! I just want one more big Uncle Tony hug!!! I can hear his voice in my head and I’m so grateful for the knowledge I have of knowing I can see him again someday! It was one of the hardest funerals I have ever attended. Tony is my Dad’s first sibling to pass. I have never seen my Dad or his siblings so down and broken. The day was long but filled with great tributes and time together as a family.
Thank you for all who listened and supported me last week!

I love my family so much! I have an amazing extended family. I am so lucky to have great parents and loving brothers! My brothers crack me up, all 4 of them constantly try to protect me. I don’t know what I would do without my close knit family!

Week 3 into TEACHING!

Week 3 into TEACHING!



I have never been good about keeping this blog updated... that statement is going to become more apparent soon! I deeply apologize to family and friends who have tried to keep in touch. It's not that I'm ignoring you... I just can't think past work these days! I'm working on balance who knows if I will figure that out!

My class:

They are all just like me, THEY LOVE TO TALK!

On Meet the Teacher Night, I was ready for sweet shy students to walk through the doors... I got 2 shy kiddos and 24 party animals! I enjoyed meeting the parents and students.

The first few days of school were better than I could have asked for. The kids weren’t quite, reserved, or teacher pleasers. We had great discussions but I couldn’t wait for the next week.

The second week, we had more structure doing several subjects not just get to know you activities. We read and did activities related to Flat Stanley! It was a blast! The kids are so excited to send of their Flat Stanleys. We still had lots of talking so my table groups, changed a bit. I had 5 table groups and 4 islands for the extreme talkers and disrupters. Week 2 was great!

Week 3... I let my students move back into table groups, I destroyed the islands. Today the kiddos were super talkative. My principal dropped in... I was doing everything I needed to do but my classroom was a mess. I have piles of papers stacked around that need to be inputed into SnapGrades or graded. I am going to go extra early tomorrow so I can be better organized for the rest of the week. I have been doing pretty much everything on my own. I’m so grateful for my student teaching experience otherwise I would have no resources or ideas! My student teaching mentor is still so helpful to me!

On Wednesday, my students’ parents come in for Curriculum night. I’m not nervous but not really thrilled to have to speak to all of them either. I have all my curriculum information ready... I just hope it all makes sense to them. After Curriculum night, I will regain my 4 islands and keep my small table groups.
I have had some very interesting experiences at my school. My mentor has sent over several students to sit at my tables because they were disturbing her class or not doing work. Luckily, these students are angels in my classroom! I have yet to send any of my students to another classroom or to the office.


Check out this cool book rack I found in the class by the building managers office. It said "Take if needed". I love it!



Everything is going great!

I love my job! I really do!

I just need to work on a few things, preparation, energy, and organization!


The last two weekends, I have gone to my cabin in Payson. It is so relaxing to grade papers in the mountains laying out by the pool! I don't know what I'll do when its to cold to do that! :)

Hope everyone is doing well! Keep in touch! I will try better to respond to emails, voicemails, text messages, etc.

Guys and Gals! Check this out!

One of my super awesome friends who I met in College and we were inseparable for many semesters, is now doing hair! I go to her all the time! She is talented and does a GREAT job!!! Check out her hair blog... Don't hesitate to call her!

http://brittanyshaircare.blogspot.com/

First day back!

Today was my first day as a certified teacher! I went to training meetings with other teachers new to the Gilbert District! I'm excited for the next week or so to keep working in my classroom! I'm grateful for all of you who have offered to help! I wish I had more time to spend in there so you could help! I will keep everyone posted.

RFG girls... Still so sorry! As soon as I find time, you will get millions of emails and a DVD of our photos.

Flip Flop

Retreat for Girls!

HULA HOTTIES!!!!

YAY for RFG at USU! I LOVE YOU GIRLS!

WE LOVE KATIE and the rest of the SMITH FAMILY!

I'm so sorry! I know I told you all I would email you 2 weeks ago! ooops! Today, I will send out an email of everyone addresses and contact information. I hope you are all doing great! I miss each of your beautiful faces! Enjoy the rest of your summer!!! Keep in touch!


Love,

Flipper Flopper

July is almost over!

I start my FIRST EVER real professional job on Monday! I have a week of training and soon I'll be teaching Monday through Friday! I'M SO EXCITED! I worked on my classroom this week... Still plenty to do but go to my Miss Hendrickson blog to see pictures if your interested.