Lots To Say...

But the CENSOR committee has reviewed my blog content and has cautioned me to not post it. So, instead I will post about my family.

It has been a great week with my kids. My oldest three are playing Jr. Jazz. I am very grateful for the ladies here in town that continue to organize and volunteer their time. I wish I had more time to be involved. However, at the same time I don't think I can be involved more than I am at school with the kids. I love them all dearly, but I do need time away as well.

I have really enjoyed watching the kids play. My oldest (5th grade) is really getting the hang of basketball. I love seeing how much his skills have improved. My daughter is really having a good time as well. She is so cute. I think she enjoys playing with her friends more than anything. That leaves my middle child. He is such a sweetheart. He such a tender little thing. He sure does a great job with dribbling and passing. He sure enjoys playing.

After the games tonight, I treated the family to Burger King.It was fun to go and enjoy spending time together. We laughed, and ate, and left the mess (not really) for someone else to clean up! That is the best part.

I am glad to be at the end of Thursday. It has been a long, hard week. I...(this post has been censored)

Later...

I'm Back On The Scene...

at least for a minute or two. It has been a crazy time since my last post. I can't believe how fast time flies when you are stressed out to the max! What with masters class presentations that I have spent almost 24 hours on (not straight of course) and teaching and correcting papers, planning, and trying to be a good dad and husband, this poor little blog gets no time. I don't feel too bad about that in all honesty! However, I do love to blog hence the reason I am sitting here at midnight writing rather than getting the sleep my body is craving. I have to be to school early AGAIN for faculty meeting. I shouldn't whine too much, it was partly my idea to have them every week- lol. With Melon Days this weekend, it won't be restful, that is for sure. My wife has been MIA working on her awesome wood sets she makes. She has like 39 sets to sell this year. I hope she does well, she works so hard to get them done. Last year was a total flop! She said this is the last year to do the wood sets. She wants to focus on other things to sell next year- more scrapbooking kits, etc. My thoughts are whatever. lol. But, if you have wanted a word set she makes, NOW IS THE TIME!!!! Come check out our booth- it is going to be awesome. You won't be able to miss it- our sign will be painted on a door! Look for it my the tennis courts!

Well, I guess I best get to bed. I really need to sleep. I hope to chat again before another 10 days slip away!
I need to tell you about my SLLA Masters Test, my presentation I did in class, the one I have to do next week, the other assignment I need to complete (which is really two assignments in one) and fill you in on other family happenings. Later...however...later...

Later...

"Just Keep Swimming...Just Keep Swimming"- Dory, from Finding Nemo

I think that is one of my favorite movies. I love that line (along with many others such as "He touched the butt (boat)", and "Es-ca-pe"). Today has been a strange and off day for me. I am not sure why, but meeting with my advisor from the U of U last Thursday and discussing everything that has to happen between now and May so I can graduate has me feeling so overwhelmed that I feel like I am going to drown in my stress.

I know that it is spread out over a huge amount of time, and that everything will be okay- but it just seems SO crazy right now. Silly me, I am stressed over my Praxis test in January- the what if's are eating me up. I hate that the perfectionist side of me wins out so often and leaves me feeling deflated and angry at the world. But, I guess if I didn't have some vice to keep me on the Earth I might be translated- Ha Ha!

Anyways, if you see me around and I look angry, don't take it personally- it is just stress! :)

I have enjoyed the past couple of days, however, visiting with my sister. she came yesterday and is staying until tomorrow.

This week is scheduled out to be super busy. Monday and Tuesday working at the school (Tuesday Melinda and I are copying and binding all the newly revised handbooks for the school- over 125 copies to be printed and bound- Yea...BLAH), Wednesday I am attending a Math meeting on the other side of the district (1.5 hours each way), Thursday we load up the herd and head to my wife's family reunion in the mountains somewhere at the aunts cabin- we are tenting it with five kids (should be interesting) until Saturday and then back home again- I am looking forward to that the most! Thankfully that will be the last major road-trip of the summer. If only my Masters Classes didn't start the same day as school, what a much more pleasant week it would be. Thankfully, I will NEVER have to worry about that again. College just isn't for me- especially with my HUGE need to get straight A's. Much too stressful, and honestly, and I can't say as it really is worth the time investment. I think that today's college teachers are more out of touch with what is going on and the needs of the education system that I find it to be tedious, busy work, and time consuming hoop jumping. I know I am supposed to be in this program, but I really want to quit it. If I wasn't bound by a contract to the district, I really probably would drop out. Guess it is a good thing there is a contract.

Well, I have whined and moaned enough in this posting. A little on the depressing side actually, but I am feeling quite down lately. I can't even really put my finger on why. I am sure that tomorrow will be a much better day- back to my classroom I go- :)

Later...

Steady As She Goes...

It's true.



In fact, I never really thought about just how true it is!



More on that later...maybe!


Today has been a great day. I was worried that having faculty meeting would be a challenge because we end up in our classrooms after the bell rings, but it wasn't bad. The students have been doing routines so much that they were doing what they have been asked with out a problem when I came into the room.

The day flew by. This class is great. I truly think that with my new found positive attitude and the students willingness to learn, this year is going to be a great year. Now that we have turned out ship more towards academics, the students are starting to show their real personalities. I have some fun kids. We laugh every day. Do you know how nice it is to be able to laugh EVERY day? And it isn't where we are laughing AT someone, but simply at a funny joke or story or comment that I made.

On a truly exciting and unprecedented note (not to mention one that has been 5 years in the making) we made the final payment on our van. We should have the title within the next few weeks. YIPPEEEE!!!!! I keep thinking that I will walk out one morning and find it in a big pile in the drive way. But, hopefully she'll hold together for a few more years! Cross your fingers and pray like crazy!

While I am enjoying school, other parts of my life aren't going so smoothly. My calling is lagging WAY behind. I am the MC for the upcoming local queen pageant (crazy stuff there) and I am talking in church next Sunday. This Sunday we will have tons of family here (YEA!) as we are blessing our new little one.

To top all that off, I have a presentation in one of my classes AND a 5 page paper that have to be written in the next two weeks! But, I shall not freak out, I shall stop whining, and I shall CONQUER! :)

Well, I best get back to planning out tomorrow. My kids want to go home. Poor things have to stay after school with me everyday until I leave. Oh well. At least they can finish their homework.

Later...

Day 3 (Life Just Isn't Fair...Sometimes)

Well, our little boy has been here for three days now. What a sweetheart he is. Not a great sleeper yet, but improving rapidly. Today is the day that grandma returns home and we are left to fend for ourselves (my poor children, I hope they like macaroni). Okay, so it isn't that bad, but has sure been a blessing to have my wife's mother here. She has been such a great support. My mom and dad have sure helped out too! My wife is feeling good, just very tired. She is such a great mommy!

Our little 4 year old came down sick last night. The poor kid. He is being a brave little trooper. We broke out the portable DVD player we got for Christmas and had never opened. So he has his little empire setup with a a player, sippy cup, and fan. Oh that life were so kind to me!

Last night I received some news. I think someone up stairs likes to play games with me. What is the news you ask????

Only this:

"Hope your summer is going well. I just wanted to drop you a quick reminder about the upcoming fall semester, which starts August 24^th. I will be registering you all for classes again this semester starting next week, specifically the standard courses for your cohort, which are:

ELP 6310: Instructional Leadership I: Learning – Tuesday, 4:35pm-7:05pm

ELP 6010: Decision Making – Tuesday, 7:15pm-9:45pm"


Did you see that date? The 24th!!!! That is the first day of school! ARRRGGGHHHH!!!!! I can't believe this. I guess that means that I will REALLY need to be extra ready for the first couple of days. I can see how this will work out though. Spend the week teaching and every weekend reading and writing papers. I can hardly wait- NOT! I just hope that the assignments come a little less frequently and are a little more manageable.

I was planning to go to the school today and get some copying done and such, but realized that I have no clue where the books are that I need to copy from AND I don't have anywhere to store the copies I make. It is looking like the carpet will be coming early August, which is SO frustrating for me. I wish that for once they would START with our school instead of end with it every time something is done in this district! Ah, well. Such is the life of a complainer (that's me :)

I best get back to the daily routine of crazy kids and heat stroke (its been over 100 degrees everyday). Have a swell day! :)

Later...

A baby BOY or GIRL? That is the question

A question that I can't answer right now either. But we are excited to find out on the 10th (which is coming up REALLY soon!) I am very excited to find out. It better be a little girl! But, I guess I can find it in my heart to love another little boy too! :)

This week has been a great week, not that the kids or life was perfect- far from! But I have been working very HARD to just be positive and leave all the stress and garbage at school. My wife said she has even noticed a difference for quite a while. That made me all glowy and warm inside.

Another good note is that I will be done with tutoring tomorrow at 10am! I will be glad to be done, not because of the student (per say) but just to have one less direction to be running! That is ALWAYS a good thing. I am ready for a quiet weekend. We won't be doing any family trips to the geyser or anything, but a nice relaxing at home will sure be nice. (Although I do have to spend a few hours at the school getting everything in line for next week- especially with Pi day coming). Well, i have planning to work on, kids to love, and food to eat!

Happy Friday!

Later...

Thursdays Must Be The Days...

If you look at my track record, Thursday must be blogging day! A lot has happened in the past week. Lots of stressful things and some very enjoyable things. Let me explain!

Stressful:

-School- I feel that I have a much better week (thanks for notes of support- It helps to know people care)

-Church: My calling is a big one and very time consuming (and I don't feel that I am even putting in a tiny percent of what I SHOULD be doing there!) I am also trying to organize a fireside and am in charge of everything (or course I have delegated- thanks to those helpful souls!)

-House: While it may seem like a small thing to the Handy-Manny, our toilet guts need to be replaced. And since I am prone to worrying about water leaks (thanks to our house in Orem), I am stressed that when I replace the valve in the tank, that it will leak. Stupid, huh? Good thing my wife loves me! Anyways, that is another stress.

Enjoyable:

-A Visit: One of my sisters came to visit for a few days. While I didn't get to visit as much as I would have liked too, it was very, very comforting to see her.

-Family: Seeing my wife more this week due to cancellation after cancellation of meetings I was supposed to attend. YEA for cancelling meetings!

-Completing an Assignment for the MailBox Magazine. I love when I can sit back and say. "YES! This is a great activity that teachers across the USA will be using in their classrooms." That can truly bring a smile to your face.


Even though this a partial list of both categories, I feel better having typed it out. I can see that it really won't be as stressful as I might think.

Life is a gift. Use it wisely!

Later...

Greetings, Earthlings!

Howdy Folks!

It has been a whirlwind week. Yesterday our family met my sisters family and we all went to "Walking With Dinosaurs". THAT ROCKED! Worth every penny we paid. My daughter was a bit nervous because of how steep the stadium seats were. She cried for a few minutes until she realized that she would be okay.
When the show finally started the kids were glued to it. Even my 1 year old was totally mesmerized by it. It lasted about 90 minutes including a 20 minute intermission. I will try to get pictures, etc. on here soon.

It has been a great day off, even though it totally feels like a Saturday. I am okay with that. We watched "Prince Caspian" today. That was a good one. I enjoy these movies quite a bit. What shocked me was to see "The City of Ember" coming out on DVD and I never even saw it on a theatre billboard. I want to see that one because I like the book so much.

I guess this post will be shorter than I thought. I don't have much else to say. Tomorrow should be great. I am all planned and ready for the day. Tomorrow night we are doing a math night for the parents of 4th, 5th, and 6th grade parents. Should be great. I am looking forward to having parents come and ask questions and learn what their child is doing. It makes me feel good to see parents supporting their students. Wednesday I am tutoring (got a call after about 2 months to come and help- good!:) ) Thursday I teach voice lessons, and then I have a meeting for Dream Builders- Hope of Tomorrow. That could be interesting. It has been a while. Friday is a half-day during which time I will get ready for my ever exciting college class (only one more class after Saturday- YIPEE!). And then Sunday is church and Home Teaching. So that about sums up my week.

Thanks for tuning in,

Later...

I'm Really Alive, I Promise!

Greetings.
I have NOT been slacking. I promise. I have been drowning in LIFE! I really could go into all the details, but it isn't that interesting.

School has been quiet this past week. I had a student decide to home school. I miss having the student in my classroom. I like ALL my students a lot! I want them ALL to succeed, not just some of them. I hope everyday that my students know that I care about each one of them, and I want them to succeed!

Life at home has been good as well. The kids are all doing great in school. My two baby boys are growing and learning so quickly, and enjoying being at home with their mom.

I also found out about the master's program. I am going to be going to Price once a week during the school year and twice a week during the summer. They were able to work it out so that I will NEVER have to be on campus. I love THAT a lot! So I guess I am back on track for that.

During the time I last posted, I have also agreed to be the advisor for a community video/filming club. A student that I teach voice(singing) to wanted to start a club at the high school, but based on district guidelines it wouldn't be allowed. So we arranged to make it a "community" club and would allow the students to use my classroom for their meetings. I am looking forward to that.

Today has been good. I sang with my daughter in church, went with my father to speak in a near town in a singles branch, and in a couple hours I am teaching a Teacher Improvement class. So this day will be nice to have done. I still have assignments for my college class and other classes, not to mention I have 6 pages due to the Mailbox before December 1st.

I guess I better get to work on them!

Later...

Mission Accomplished!

Yea Readers, Give a loud Hooray!
I finished both of my freelance units for the MailBox. My sister is truly a life saver. She arrived and less than 4 hours later the assignments were sketched out in rough form and ready to be created in final version. If you wanting to see the finished pages, you can subscribe to the Teacher's Helper magazine. They will be out this fall.

The other news of the day is that I woke up this morning to the room spinning and feeling very queasy. I looked drunk as I made my way to the bathroom. And just so you know, I have never had a drink in my life! So it wasn't hangover or drunkeness. I have spent most of today trying not to really move. I am feeling a lot better however and hope that tomorrow is a MUCH beter day. I have alot to do at chruch.

I as also SO thankful that we are not going to have to head up North tomorrow. CORE doesn't start until Tuesday this week and I am thankful. I am also thankful that it is that last week. I don't know how much longer I would be able to last.

I know that these posts aren't earth shattering, they just are what the are: My life. Hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoy writing. I have tried to network through different sites and I am starting to realize that too many "bloggers" are into giving advice about blogs that they really have no authority to give, and trying to persuade people to visit their blog hoping for ad clicks and other such "dreams". I think that I am going to just be satisfied sharing my life with anyone who happens upon the site and my close friends and family!

Feel free to be apart of this growing blog by subscribing or not- you have the power!

Later...