A little bit of Heaven

Fall Break is a wonderful, wonderful concept. I thoroughly enjoyed it. We left town with Jenni and Gray. We finally got on the road and this is what it was like for an hour.

Not the best start.

But we were still excited to be going. We drove straight to St. George. Ate some In 'N Out and then headed to Tuacahn. We saw 'Aida' at their gorgious, outdoor theatre. Of course, we played with these cut outs before the show.

I LOVED it all. The music. The weather. The Company. The Stage. ALL of it!

The rest of the weekend we stayed at my grandparents wonderful cabin up Cedar Mountain. I really have so many memories from that cabin. It's always fun to make some more. We played golf. And when I say we, I mean the boys. The girls drove around in a golf cart.

The boys even did some fishing. (For golf balls)

We went hiking on some trails in Bryce Canyon. (It wasn't as long as the last hikes we took there!) But it is phenomenal. Being there really makes me wonder how anyone can doubt that there is a Creator and that He knows what He is doing! It's beautiful!

This is all of us on this intense switch back part.

We had great fires, great hikes, great scenery, great ATV rides, great eats, and a great time!

That's my sister!

Brag time! Check out this article:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705338081/Darts-reach-5A-finals.html

That's right! That's my sister that's quoted and has the awesome flip throw. Camille and Melanie are both on the Davis High Girls' Soccer Team this year. And they are headed to the State Finals this Friday at 7:00 PM in the new Rio Tinto Stadium. Go watch!

Camille's a senior. (So weird that she's that old.) And Mel Mel is in 9th grade and still made the High School team! They've got serious skill. I'm so excited for those Darts of mine!

Fear of Commitment

Don't worry, I am commited to the boy I married.  I'm talking about another kind of commitment that I feel is sort of like marriage- picking out a couch.  You have to see it everyday.  You have to like it for a very long time.  It has to make it through thick and thin.  It's there for you when you have a long day.  It will support you.  It will still be there even if there are all manner of spills on it.  It needs to like children and possibly pets.  It needs to be compatible with your personality and work with you through time and all eternity.  (Ok stretching it there.)

Yes, I know I am a little dramatic.  But,  this has been my recent struggle.  When we go browsing through furniture stores, it is usually a window shopping type experience.  He will like something and she dislikes it.  She will like something, he will despise it.  Occasionally, there are things that we both feel mildly positive about.  But on one certain occasion, we both liked this beauty... 

But now, all these questions start going through my mind like am I ready to buy a couch?  Is it the right couch for me?  What if I don't like the couch after a year?  Is it a quality couch?  Will it crumble if things get rough?  Is it just a phase? Do I LOVE it or just really like it? 

I then start making pro/con lists in my head like we don't really need it right now, but next summer we will.  And it is on sale for a REALLY great deal.  I don't want to miss out on that.  I think the jury is still out on this one.  What do you think? 

{the perks of being a teacher}

A couple of things that I really like about my job:

(In no particular order...really)

• Fall Break- Starting today! Nice! 
• Spring Break- A whole week this year!
• Christmas Break
• Summer Break- No work and still getting paid. Great idea!
• Thanksgiving Break- (There are a few more of these, but I think you get the picture) 
• No homework for me (unless you count grading while watching movies) 
• Something new everyday 
• Kids say the darndest things
  
• Actually seeing students grow and learn so much in one year
• Realizing that your attitude and smile really can make a difference to someone
• Getting to read a bunch of good books
• Celebrating every holiday known to mankind- Johnny Appleseed Day, Grandparents Day and Red Ribbon Week are a few of the lesser known ones that are recognized in Elementary.
• Having and decorating a classroom
• Watching my class play dodgeball- it looks like "The Matrix" out there sometimes
• The pay- HA!
• The benefits are actually a pretty sweet deal- now I just need to schedule all the Dr. Appts.
• Recess
• Being able to casually say, "Reese's are my favorite" and have students from this year and last year drop off Reese's for me. Yum!
• It's just fun, but I am excited for Fall Break!  Sleeping in and adventure, here we come!

Birthday Boy

Happy Birthday to the boy that treats me like this:


Boy, Am I lucky he was born!

What a wonderful weekend...

As previously mentioned, weekends are always great. However, two weekends of the year automatically have a special place-it is not the super bowl- it's Conference weekend!


I have grown up in Utah, so I have liked Conference weekend because it means you can watch the sessions at home in your pajamas with lots of yummy food. Now, I look forward to conference because it means the seasons are changing and it makes me want to be better. This past conference weekend was no exception to all of the above. What an amazing tradition!
Saturday Michael had to work in the morning, so I listened to morning session at our house. Yes, that is correct, I LISTENED, because our poor little old school house will not pick up any channels without the extra cost of satellite or cable. But my radio sure got great reception! It was actually great because as I was listening I was able to get all of the laundry done and put away. I also got the whole house picked up and grew spiritually. It was a great mix.
Saturday afternoon I went up to my house while Michael went to Priesthood. I LOVE girls night out during Priesthood. It's just fun. We stayed the night at my house. My dad's mission companion and his wife stayed with my family, as well, which means there was some seriously good eats provided by my mom. I should have taken pictures of it all, but there is no time for taking pictures when the food is hot and you're hungry.
After Sunday morning session (which was spent watching it in pajamas in front of the TV) we were able to go to the sunday session. Michael's mom got tickets for us and it's just amazing to be in that phenomenal building with a living Prophet right in front of you! I'm so glad we got to go. It's the weekend I needed. I feel like I am back on track with my goals back in focus. Love it!
Here's the whole group:
(Boo to having to wear winter clothes. What ucky weather!)

Momma said there'd be days like this. Boy, was she right. I will admit that I really do love my job. I love the school that I teach at. I love my team that I work with. I love teaching 5th grade. I love my class and I do love being busy. But...there is still the unbelievable relief that Friday brings. I feel like I have energy to spare but as soon as that bell rings and I drive home, I feel completely drained sometimes. Thank heavens for Fridays to regain my strength and organize my thoughts. Now that Friday is here, could the weather please be pleasantly Fall temperature again? That's all.