Jumping on the bandwagon....

With everyone posting a daily reason for being thankful, I thought I would join in on the fun...but I am going to put EVERYTHING (well, all I can remember at this point) I am thankul. Fasten your seatbelts, folks, this may be a long ride!! Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

• I am thankful for my family. Each and every one of them. Without their support, kindness, and understanding I would not be the person I am today.


• I am thankful for my upbringing. Watching my parents make it through the tough times and the good times has made me appreciate the little things in life.


• I am thankful for the house I live in. Little things make me happy; each day when I get home from work I am thankful that the smell is still here to remind me of my grandparents...and I hope that never leaves. Makes my heart happy.


• I am thankful for my best friends. Without them, I would be a complete mess! They listen to my ups and downs, they listen when I am super excited or upset, but no matter what, they are always there for me.


• I am thankful for my pups. I know "some" have said I shouldn't have them, but I love each day with them. Especially days like today when I can cuddle with each one and spend lots of time loving them.


• I am thankful for those who made me smile and happy over the years.


• Memories. I love them. I am so thankful to have them.


• I am thankful for the hunting/camping times I have had. The little things, like remembering a fun time with family and all the times around the campfire make a bad day tolerable.


• I am truly thankful for my job. Even on the worst day, I know how hard I worked to get there and how hard I work each day to keep myself prepared.

All right...I think that's it. If I have forgotten anything, I will add it later :)

Thankful for....

After a long week of worry, anxiety, and the unknown, I am so happy for that to be over. Mom went in for surgery today, and what was thought to be a very scary and a-not-so-happy-ending turned out to be pretty good for us. No cancer (biopsy results will confirm this, the dr said he doesn't think it is cancer AT ALL).

It's these scary moments that make you realize how important your family and loved ones are. I hope to NEVER go through this again, and I pray that you don't either.

Love you Ma!!!

Dear Deer Hunt 2011

I had a great time. Even though it was cold, and too short of a trip. I thank you for the fun and the family memories!!! I want to remember from this trip:

1. The 7 hour drive to get to Williams (it's a 4 hour drive, but with our long trip in the car and silly outlook, we missed the exit....by 90+ miles).
2. GB's first camping trip. Although the dogs got in a fight, and she will NO LONGER be invited to go camping, I am glad she had a *little* time to explore the mountains.
3. Abby and Kayla's first hunting trip-Abby's excited voice wanting to go 'catch' a deer.
4. Family memories. There are never enough!

(for pictures, go to my Facebook page. I am too lazy to post them again on here)

Special Education madness

Take me back to 5th grade; the special education teacher was asking for one student from each class to help out in her room, a few times a week, to help integrate her students with peers their age (of course in 5th grade, I did not know that's what we were doing! I thought we just got to go do some fun crafts and lessons with them!!). I was scared, like most kids, going in. Didn't know what to do, how to act, what to say or not say. The teacher made me feel so welcome and that I was really needed in this room. I fell in love, almost instantly. I was fortunate to get to work in this classroom the following year, as well.

Fast forward to high school-what did I want to do with my life? I wasn't brainy, or athletic. I knew I wanted to be a teacher. So I started at the community college, and we all know how that goes...take a few classes, get sent to do some interning in classrooms. Yep, only fueled my desire to teach...and eventually work with students who need special help.

ASU time comes around, and the wait to get in to the Special Education department is 2 semesters. I was too impatient. So I went the general ed route; with every intention of going back some day to continue studying special education. In time, that happened, got my masters degree from NAU in Special Education. Think it's all done here? Nooooo...you can get a degree in an area, but not be certified until you take the AEPA (yes, I took and passed it to teach general ed already!). I finally buckled down this summer, studied off and on and took the plunge...and signed up for the test.

I took it last month, when I was very sick. BUT, the AEPA doesn't care if you are sick! I had paid too much and invested too much to reschedule. My nerves were a wreck, so I just went in and did it!

Found out yesterday that I passed! I was so relieved. You may ask, what am I going to do with this now? I tell you-absolutely nothing. It's for my future plan. Not right now, sometime later. But when that time comes, I am now certified and ready to go!

30 celebrations and memories

I forgot to post about my wonderful birthday! I was so lucky to spend it with 29 amazing kiddos who I adore (most of the time), friends who visited or sent well wishes, and dinner with the family. The weekend before my birthday I went geocaching with Amanda and family:



I was spoiled at school. Got some beautiful flowers from Tracy, and a cute poster from my class. PLUS my mom came by to see me, with treats for the kids and my annual classroom bday plant!








There's nothing like a birthday to feel so loved! In a few short weeks, I will be getting my 30 bday present, courtesy of family and friends pitching in to it and an old friend designing it. I will post a picture, along with the meaning, once it happens :)

Why, oh why...and where....and who...and, ya.

It's times like this that I remember one of the major perks about teaching. No, not the money-ha-or the amazing gifts, or the perks of being self employed or anything....the breaks and time off we get!! As we enter into Fall Break, I have some time to update the blog which also gives me a place to vent. So beware, from here, you may not want to read. It's more for my mental health than anything else. I am not offended if you click off of this here and now, and do not return for a bit. I promise! :)

• my mom has been having leg issues. After a leg doppler, ct angioplasty, and an upcoming ultra sound, the doctors are still unsure what is going on. At this point it's one of two things: 1- a blood clot. Ya, we know. We are scared too. 2-a spasm in her blood veins/arteries (remember: I am not a doctor, I am a teacher so some details are a little blurry). This second option MAY be fixed with meds.


• in the process of the ct angioplasty, the radiologist noticed a suspicious tumor on my mom's pancreas. Awesome, so not only is she stressed about her leg, my dad, life, work, family, she now adds this on.


• we should hear from the doctor's office tomorrow (fingers crossed!!) so she can schedule her ultra sound and hopefully a biopsy this week-thank goodness that we are off work (again, a perk that goes along with teaching).


• I took the AEPA test for special education about a month ago. Test results come in tomorrow. IF I passed (I highly doubt I did) I will dedicate an entire post as to why I decided to finally test. If I didn't pass, then we shall act like I never took the test. I won't retest-it was HARD and EXPENSIVE. I studied most of the summer (off and on) and again the weeks before the test. True to AEPA form, the test was nothing like the study guide.


• dad spent a few days here. It was actually very fun and I enjoyed the time with him. He was in great mental shape and we had fun going to the store. When I take him, I "let' him ride in the motorized carts. And he is a crappy driver!! He hit a few displays/store shelves at Walmart, but I don't think anyone else noticed. I got a great laugh out of it!


• in a few days I will see an allergist. Hopefully we can figure out, and get rid, of the sinus infections forever. May be asking too much, but I can hope!


• Oh, did I also mention my mom has her mammogram this week? She is 7 (I think??) years breast cancer free. Each time this test comes around we are all nervous. Add to the list of worries, right?


• Abby and Kayla are freaking adorable. Today Kayla ran to me....all excited to see me. Abby gave me lots of hugs and kisses. These two are great for taking the mind off of stressful situations!


• Lambea and GB are getting along, great! I am so happy they decided to be good sisters and love each other! I am also relieved that they didn't have to be permanently seperated from each other. Always a good thing! Don't want to break up a family...

Ok, think I am done for now...I think

So in love...

So other people brag about how adorable their kids are, the major milestones...well, here are my loves! GB and Lambeau are happily getting along these days-just like sister's and BFF's do! I took this picture the other day after catching Lambeau IN the tree well....and all covered in mud. I wasn't mad because the dog's had so much fun in the water :) And they're little pups, after all....