Merry Christmas

Well just so everyone knows I did make it to the U.P. without any problems. The weather was kind of bad when I flew in. It was blowing really hard and snowing a bit too. From Appleton to Green Bay there were 23 cars that I counted in the ditch. I could not believe it. But we made it home in one piece. I should have taken pictures. So far vacation has been good. There have been some low parts, but I can fill you all in later.

Christmas went really well. My brother had his girlfriend here and we all opened presents and the night before we had Santa at my grandma Karen's house. It was a lot of fun. I got everything that I asked for this year. My I-pod is so cute. My mom had it personalized on the back. I will take a picture and post it, but since I am here without my discs to load on their new computer, I won't be posting any pictures until after January 4th.

I hope everyon had a wonderful Christmas and next comes New Years. See you all soon.

My Wonderful Weekend

So I have to say that right now I feel really blessed. I have loads of great people in my life and as I get to know more people, I just feel even more blessed. If you all remember this summer I was dating my friend Carolyn's nephew, Dan. We dated for awhile and then we broke up, well you know how girls can be. We are now back together and it has been back and forth ever since he moved back to Colorado in September. Once he moved away I just found that I need to tell him certain things and ever since I have told him my feelings, we have been back and forth. Of course we are back and forth with being together because of the distance.

Anyways about two weeks ago we got back together and we said this time was it. We were not going to do the whole rollercoaster thing anymore. I told him it was just to much for me to do with the whole emotions and all that. So we have been doing really well and as soon as he said we could try the long distance again, he said "I am coming to see you this weekend." This is how the whole things happened. He decided to come and see me, but then it snowed between here and there so he couldn't come that first weekend. But he bought a plane ticket and was here the next weekend, which brings me to my wonderful weekend.

Dan flew out here on Friday of this past weekend and was here until last night. We hung out in Vegas and spent the rest of the weekend at his Aunt's house. We had a lot of fun together and I really got to see that he really has feelings for me and I think he saw that I mean business. I kept on him all weekend about our plans and what is next. But I will remember this for sure,"If it is meant to be, it will happen." This is what Dan told me on sunday night during our long talk. I just had to have some closure or some idea of what is in store for us. He is going to start school in January and I am so excited. This has been part of our rollercoaster. He just has not been to sure about things, but now he is good to go.

I had a wonderful weekend and I enjoyed spending time with him and getting away from my normal routine. I am pretty sure this relationship will be good to go for awhile. But I really miss him right now and I am totally greatful to him and his aunt.

Here is a picture of us from this summer.

15 Days Until I Go Home

So in 15 days I will get to see my parents and family and friends! I can't wait, but I have quite the list of things to do before that.

* Wrap Presents for Sub for Santa
* Finish teaching
* Do Lesson Plans for after break
* Clean the house really well
* Spend time with my grandpa
* Spend a weekend with a good friend
* Finishing Shopping for Grandpa's gift
* Do Christmas with him
* Bake Some Cookies for Christmas here

I am sure once I get home, my mom will have a long list for me there. I know she is hoping to have the tree up, presents wrapped, and all decorating down. All that would be left is baking and I love that part. I can't wait to go though! It will be fun!

Thankful Tuesday

So I have loads of things and people to be thankful for and I was thinking today about all of the wonderful people I have in my life. So this is going out to all of them. I don't know if I have picture of every person, so I am going to try.

First and formost would be my parents. Without them, I would not be in this world. My mother has been there for me through everything. She has been with me and helped me learn some hard lessons. My father made me a strong girl. He always calls me his baby girl and tells me I always will be. We are real close and love each other so much. Every time I talk to them we always say I love you, before we say good bye.

Next, are my grandparents. I don't have a good picture of my grandma Karen, but I love this lady. She is always there for me and has always told me to follow my dreams and keep it all up. She also has led a life raising 6 kids and taking care of her husband as he died from cancer. I love you! This picture is of my grandpa and grandma that live out here in Arizona. They are part of the reason I moved out here. I came to visit them while I was in college and then along came a job for me. I think that God sent me here for a reason. I moved out here in July and my grandma past away in October. It was tough, but I think God wanted me to be here with her during her last days and get a chance to really see how much they both love me. I hope one day I can lead the life they have done. Both of them have traveled and had so much fun doing it. My grandpa has so much knowledge and I hope I can have it. Without them, I think life would be different. I love you guys.

Then there are these two children. They are cousins of mine and I have loads of cousins. I am so thankful for all of my cousins, aunts, and uncles. They are great. We have so much fun together and they all have given me so much to look forward too. My cousin Danielle, in the picture, is one that I love a lot. I have taken care of her since she was little. The same with LeRoy in the picture too. All of my cousins have been a very lively part in my life. They have made me learn so much and helped me to be so mature. I love you all.

Lastly, these two women. Wow is all I can say. Stephanie is like the big sister I never go to have. She helps me so much and makes life seem so much better. She is always there for me and she cares so much for me. She makes my life so much brighter everyday that I see her. I am also thankful for Stephanie's husband Steve. He is my principal and he is so good. I love working with him and he is so helpful to me and makes things seem so much clearer to me. Thanks Stever for all you do for me. And then there is Carolyn. She is another wow. We go shopping together and people call her my mom. I love it. She is great and we share so much with each other. She is someone that I can go to with anything and she sees where I am coming from. She is kind of like an aunt or something to me. I know she wants me in her family, but there is this boy that is making that impossible. I love these girls so much.

Well I am sure, I missed some, but basically all of my friends are also people I am thankful for. I am totally thankful for all of my friends and colleagues at Beaver Dam Elementary. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Slide Show from My Mom's Visit and Halloween

My Mom Was Here

So my mom was here over the weekend of Halloween. I know it has been weeks since Halloween and it is almost Thanksgiving, but I thought it was about time to get the pictures up. I have been super busy and unable to get to things, so finally here are the pictures and what we did.





Day 1: Picking my mom and Jane up at the airport and eating dinner on the way home. They found it quite irriating to drive in rush hour traffic, but I did just fine on my own.





Day 2: They came in and helped with my Halloween party and did a few things for the PTO Carnival. We also lost power at the school, so we were without air condition for part of the day. My mom said I am a good teacher, but that I was mean because of my rules. That night we all helped at the carnival and came home and passed out candy.





Day 3: We went up to St. George. Our friend, Jane had never been to Utah, so I took her up there and we drove to Zion. We had fun sightseeing and shopping. Then that night we did dinner and went to a casino in Mesquite. They had fun that is for sure.





Day 4: Time change!!! So we got up early so they would not be late missing their flight. So I dropped them off and back to Michigan they went.





I had fun with them here and I hope next time it can be longer and not so rushed. But I know they both want to come out here soon.

Top Five of A Crazy Week

Having Halloween Be Over
I know some people love Halloween and I do too, but this year I was glad to see it go. I loved doing the carnival and having my mom here for the weekend, but I was happy it was over. I loved being able to go to school on Monday and take it all down. The only sign of it that is still up are some of my pumpkins in the hallway. I have been way to busy to actually take it all down.

Having a New Group for Tutoring
Last quarters kids were good, but these guys are so much better. They are willing to talk and tell you what they are missing or what they don't understand. I love it! I actually feel like they are learning and I have the whole quarter planned out. I do at times wish I could call in because of the crazy day I had at school, but they make it easier. And one of the teachers has their kids so trained to behave well, that I don't have a lot to do to keep them in order.

Getting Out My Invites
I am having a Leia Sophia Party and I am so excited for it. I just want to be able to have everyone come to my house for once. I can't wait to have everyone here and have a chance to show off and just have friends around. In case you did not get an invite, Lynsdy and Jenny you have one coming, the party is November 20th at 4:3o at my house. I hope to see you all there and you don't have to buy if you don't want too. I just want people to come.

Having My Mom Here
I am going to do a seperate post on this with pictures too, but I figured I would add it. My mom was here over Halloween. It was so great to have her here and my friend Jane. We laughed a lot and got to spend time together. It was nice to have someone else here to talk to and have to help me out with things. I think she realized how hard my job can be at times for me and what I go through too. There will be a seperate post and pictures later.

Riding My Bike
I know it sounds dumb, but I love it. I love eating dinner, waiting a while, and then going for a ride of my bike. I love knowing that I am doing something good for myself. I have not done it in a few days because I came home real sick the other night, but doing better now. My kids at school laugh at me because they say teachers don't ride bikes, but when you look like me and you want to look better, you have to take it into your own hands.

I have today off! I love this new week already. So here is to a good week and fun things to come.