Day #11- ICU

Ah...greetings to day 11 from Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo, Utah. It would be easy to be negative and think of all the bad things that we have gone through here. (I know, because I do it pretty often). However, every time that I walk into my wife's room, and see her open those beautiful blue eyes and look at the love she has for me in them...I realize that in reality, all that matters is that she is made well. So...here is to a speedy and healthy recovery.

Today was also a victory because I was able to complete my application for financial assistance from the hospital. The case worker wasn't very optimistic about us qualifying for help, but I did all that I could do.

Allisha had lots of visitors today. My 6th grade teacher came up and visited. We went to lunch and it was really nice to sit and visit with her. Ashley (my wife's sister-in-law) came with her kids to visit as well. Afterwards we went out for a late lunch. It was very tasty and I appreciated seeing and visiting with them. Thanks Ashley for thinking of me.

Then I had a blast with two good friends from Springville...no need to name names, they know who they are. They picked me up at the guest house and we went to the California Pizza Kitchen. Now, THAT place was good eats. Then we came back to the hospital and visited with my wife for a while. We laughed and teased. My wife was even writing notes, giving thumbs up, and giving me "the look".

After everyone left (and my wife had her nightly bath) we put my laptop on the rolling table and my wife Skyped her sister in PA. We talked for over an hour. It was nice to visit and my wife even tried to type her a note. It didn't work out so well, but it was sure fun for her to try.

Next, we watched the two episodes of "The Voice" on my laptop. That was nice to sit and hold her hand. Made me fell like we were back at home sitting on the couch and watching TV. After both episodes, I packed up by stuff and headed back here to the guest house. It is now 2:30am and I am pooped.

We learned that her surgery is tomorrow (now today) afternoon. We don't know the exact time.
We have not heard the official results of her CT scan.
We saw improvement in her spirit and alertness today.
Tomorrow (today) is her birthday (don't forget Mission: Allisha's Birthday).

It really should be a great day. Oh, and I am not J-walking anymore. My dad told me he had a horrible dream that did not end well for me. So now I am walking the block down to the intersection and the block back up the other side. I needed the exercise, so it is all good.

Well, I best get to sleep so I can be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for the day!

Later...

It Really Is A Small World

This past weekend flew by and with it all the plans I had to blog and catch up (not to mention school work, etc.) but that didn't happen either. Friday after school (which I need to blog about as well- 6th grade did Fancy Day with 1st grade. It was really fun to be all dressed up and have a fancy lunch together with our reading buddies). Anyways, Friday after school our little family went to Price for our babies 18 month check up. It was an okay trip and everything is great with our little one.

Today was an okay day at school. The kids were better than usual. My focus for today was RESPECT. I defined it more my class as "Kind, Helpful, and Participating". I reemphasized it through out the day as well. I think that it is starting to get through to many of the students. I do have a couple that seem resistant to everything that I do and try. I want somedays to look at them and tell them what little snots they are being. But, come on, they are just 11-12 year-olds. My goal this week is to really focus on not giving negative attention and to those seeking it.

Tonight was wonderful. I had the chance to actually talk to a new friend found from blogging. What a small world we live in. What a great 60 minutes of conversation we had as well. I really enjoyed hearing about new ideas and suggestions that have worked for this educator that I hadn't thought of or tried before. I hope to work to incorporate many of those ideas- or take them and make them my own soon. How awesome it is though that I can have a "team" to collaborate with that is outside of my school. Thanks my new friend, for your time, concern, and support. I hope that I can return that to you as well when you need it!

I have more to share, but not the time to do it. Hopefully soon-

Later...

P.S. Only three more weeks until I get my results back. Keep your fingers, toes, and everything else that crosses- CROSSED!

And We Are Off...

Tonight marks a wonderful time.

The beginning of the end. I started my last semester of classes tonight, and thankfully, they are going to be very manageable. What a relief. I am not really all the excited to return to classes, but I am grateful to be moving ever closer towards the finish line. Wahoo!

Today at school was wonderful as well. While my class was far from perfect, they were much more perfect than they have since Christmas break and I truly enjoyed my day. It is like a new friend I have found blogging- this friend keeps reminding me that life isn't as bad as I keep thinking it is- and that tomorrow is a new day. What a blessing to have a ever growing network of colleagues that can help, support, and buoy each other up. Thanks to all of you for that!

On that note, a dear friend of mine announced today that she will be retiring after this school year. I am very sad for me, but excited for her. She has been a help and support for a majority of my 6 years here in the district. I will miss her humor, her ideas, and most of all her laughter at the many meetings we have sat through together!

However, life is great, and I am thankful to have new friends that I can turn to for help and support!

Later...

The RETURN...Day 3

The sound of a dying elephant stirred my dreams and I awoke. Nope...no dying elephant in my room, just my annoying alarm clock whining and asking for me to smack it upside the proverbial head. Which I promptly did. Normally I would have crawled back into my warm, comfortable bed for another 15 minutes.

But....(sigh)... not today. 

I had to get to school quick to get my lesson plans finalized before faculty meeting (that exciting before school adventure that is usually teeming with information- most of which, we as teachers never want to hear because it usually means more work!- lol). My wife awoke as well (I hate that she gets up when I do because she deserves to sleep in and get all the rest her little body and get!) and got the herd woke up, even though they were a bit on the growly side, made my lunch, switched out the laundry, and made sure all the hair was combed and clothes were on and presentable. I don't know how she does it- superwomen I guess.

We had our tasty breakfast of pop-tarts (the kids favorite breakfast) and orange juice and/or eggnog. A quick pause for morning family prayers and we were out the door into the extra crisp frosty morning (or at least it would BE morning with the sunrise and everything else shortly after we got to school). Since my heater/air conditioning unit stopped working in my classroom about 3 months ago (ok. It has been working less than more)  I have been opening my classroom door to find the air inside about as warm as the outside air (BRRRRRRRR!).  I flipped on the space heaters that the school has provided to warm my classroom. Surprisingly they do a pretty good job. If they weren't such a hazard to the kids, I would just use them. 

I got my lesson plans all finalized and made it through faculty meeting. (I was wondering if I would feel all awkward as I used to be one of the interns that used to run faculty meeting- and now I have no connection to running it at all- I didn't). 

School started with out much of a hitch and the day proceeded at a good pace. We missed a math lesson today because the students were dancing for the festival next week and needed the extra time. I figure that this week and next week will be a lost cause as the students work extra hard and use extra time to get ready for the festival. However, the dances are really coming along and I am excited for my kids to perform them.

The day went well... comparatively... I guess. I feel that I did better with being firm but not overly mean and the kids seem to be falling back into line in the behavior department. So maybe there IS hope!  Don't get me wrong...It was far from perfect and I had to get feisty with a couple of students...but over all it was a great day!

This evening has been nice as well. I started looking at all our Tax "stuff" and putting in basic numbers and information in to my tax software. It is looking good for us this year (yet another reason to be thankful I didn't get the principal job- we will still qualify for all the programs we are on). It is good to get some back though as we will be paying for the arrival of our little girl in April or May.

Well, back to Ghost Hunters and Ghost Hunters International...

Later...

Do you feel the same?

Have you ever noticed that when people get tired they do interesting things? Like take my 2 year-old. When he gets tired, he gets super frisky and wild. On the other hand,  my 4 year-old get whiny and cranky. I think that in the past I was cranky, like extra cranky when I was tired. This year, however, I find that I am extra happy. I don't know if it is because we paid off our van and are working on the rest of our debt. Or, if I have just chosen to take a better outlook on life. I hope that it is the later. I truly feel that I am doing better this year on being positive and happy. I

My wife took the new one (and the other two little ones- brave, brave lady) to his TWO MONTH appointment (still in shock over the fact that I just wrote 2 months back there) and low and behold out little porker has gained 3 pounds (now 13 lbs. 4 oz.) has grown another inch (currently 23.5 inches- though at his rate he will be 6 ft 4 in and 225 pounds by tomorrow morning!). So, obviously there is no danger of starvation there.

My oldest son has us doing kindness week this week. Each night we draw a name and then we find way to show extra kindness for the day. It has been great for our family. Unfortunately it seems that I use all my happiness for the day at school and my poor children seem to get left with the grumpy part. But, I am working on that too!

I guess I should go and get to work on my research for my presentation coming up in my Master's class.

Later...