Christmas Time

It is almost Christmas and I can hardly wait! I have finished my final for my masters class, so now I just need to count down the school days. The students get really hyper this time of year and us teachers don't have a lot of patience so it is not the best combination:) I have most of my Christmas shopping done so I am excited about that. I went and saw the lights last night with friends, and I am going to Kurt Bestor's Christmas concert on Saturday. I am really excited! Some things I am looking forward to over the break.....

1. Not having to wake up at 5:30 a.m!
2. Having work off
3. Being with family
4. Being in Ephraim (out of the city)
5. Reading for pleasure
6. Watching everyone open presents
7. Eating my mama's great cookin!
8. Watching fun T.V. shows (we always watch White Christmas)
9. Listening and playing holiday music
10. Having time to think about all the things I have to be grateful for in my life.

I wish you all a very merry Christmas! May your new year be happy and bright all the year through. I know there will be great things in store for you all!

What I am Grateful for........

SO I HAVE COME TO REALIZE,EVERYBODY AND THEIR DOG HAS PROBLEMS OF ALL SORTS RIGHT. AND YET, WE ALSO ALL HAVE THINGS TO BE GRATEFUL FOR. SOMETIMES IT IS EASIEST TO OVERLOOK WHAT WE HAVE, AND FOCUS IN ON WHAT WE DON'T HAVE. THUS, I HAVE DECIDED MY KNEW GOAL IN LIFE IS TO FOCUS ON WHAT I HAVE TO BE GRATEFUL FOR, BECAUSE LIFE IS SHORT AND I FIGURE IT IS BEST TO KEEP IT POSITIVE RIGHT!
WELL I LOVE MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS FIRST AND FOREMOST. WHAT WOULD I DO WITHOUT THEM, PERIOD! I HAVE BEEN SO BLESSED IN THE FAMILY/FRIENDS AREA AND I AM SO GRATEFUL!

ALSO, I AM SO GLAD TO HAVE THE GOSPEL IN MY LIFE........DON'T KNOW WHERE OR WHO I WOULD BE WITHOUT IT, AND I AM GLAD AND BLESSED TO HAVE THE TRUTH IN MY LIFE.

MY JOB.......YES I MAY COMPLAIN AT TIMES BUT I REALLY DO LOVE MY JOB AND I LOVE WORKING WITH TEENAGERS........YES TEENAGERS I SAID IT. THEY REALLY HAVE SUCH A LOVE FOR LIFE AND IT MAKES MY JOB AND LIFE IN GENERAL MORE EXCITING. PLUS, I HAVE THE GREATEST FACULTY AND ADMINISTRATION TO WORK WITH.

I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR MUSIC. SOME MAY CALL ME AN ADDICT, I DON'T REMEMBER THE LAST TIME I WENT A DAY WITHOUT LISTENING TO MUSIC. I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT MUSIC,IT IS THERAPEAUTIC AND PEACEFUL TO ME.

HOBBIES.....I LIKE TO GO ON WALKS, MAKE JEWELRY, DO CRAFTS, WATCH SPORTS (ESPECIALLY FOOTBALL) WATCH MOVIES, ETC. BASICALLY, I AM GLAD THAT I AM IN A POSITION WHERE I HAVE LITTLE PROJECT TO WORK ON FOR FUN, I REALIZE NOT EVERYONE HAS THAT AND I FEEL BLESSED.

I AM GRATEFUL FOR MY HEALTH. YES I HAVE CELIACS DISEASE AND FLOUR AND WHEAT ARE MY ENEMIES IN LIFE. BUT IT COULD BE WORSE, MUCH, MUCH WORSE! I AM GRATEFUL THERE ARE SO MANY GLUTEN FREE RESOURCES TO TURN TO OUT THERE, IT MAKES LIFE GREAT!

WELL, MY LIST CAN GO ON AND ON I REALIZE THIS IS A GOOD NEW OUTLOOK FOR ME. I HOPE TO CONTINUE LOOKING AT THE GLASS HALF FULL, NOT JUST DURING THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER WHEN WE CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING...........BUT ALWAYS.

"DON'T FORGET TO OPEN YOUR EYES AND REALIZE........LIFE IS GREAT, AND IT'S READY FOR YOU TO MAKE IT GREATER!"

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

I AM POSTING RANDOM PICTURE OF THINGS THAT MAKE MY LIFE GREAT.......

Why I love Fall

So I will have to post pictures of this event later, but I had to mention in a little blurb how much I LOVE Fall. So here are my reasons.....
#1: Football season!!! Football is my favorite sport and I LOVE watching it! My little nephew (he's actually not so little anymore) had a Freshman football game against Juab yesterday and he was awesome! It is so fun to watch football with the family.

#2: Fall has the most breaks (UEA, Thanksgving, Christmas, etc.)

#3: The leaves are beautiful!

#4: The weather is great! Not too hot not too cold!

#5: Lots of fun holidays to decorate for!

#6: My students are still quiet and scared so they are easier to teach!

#7: Candy corn....just ask anyone who knows me I LOVE this stuff but I only eat it in the fall.

#8: Garden food from my parents garden.

#9: Family get-togethers. It is wierd but about 75% of my family (no joke) is born in the fall so we have a lot of family get togethers. In November alone we have 6 b-days from my immediate family.

#10: It's relaxing. I don't know what it is but there is something about fall that is relaxing and low-key to me. Maybe it's all the breaks we get, but I love how relaxing it seems!

YAY FOR FALL!

Investing in a punching bag......

So because I don't drink I decided to invest in a punching bag. It has been one of those teaching days and my patience was gone. I have had some difficult students in the past three years, but none compare to the student I have this year! Bottom line is he talks back to us teachers, has no respect, and his consequences, even if it's the principal doesn't seem to phase him. Because of him I need a punching bag to take out my frustrations.....thank goodness I have some really awesome kids because I couldn't handle the teaching career with out my awesome kids. So here was my venting session. All I can say is to you parents out there, please discipline your child so that they don't get to 7th grade and think they can rule the world! I am pretty sure I am preaching to the choir, this is already stuff you would know I am sure. Looking back I have to say I am thankful that my parents set big consequences when I messed up because I learned my lesson. Thanks mom and dad, maybe you can teach a class, I have some parents that I will sign up:). Nonetheless, I have yet ANOTHER name to add to the list of " there is no way in heck I will ever name a child this!". And I used to like that name up to this year:)

Halle is just like her Auntie!

So my cute little niece Halle had her own drink. But her mom's drink was better so when she THOUGHT her mom was putting the groceries away, she snuck a few sips of mom's. So cute! I love that she is 18 months but she knows how to sneak pop already! She is just like her auntie! I love this little girl!

Names?!?!...

So teaching has really helped me figure how I am going to be as a parent. I could go off on the things I have learned regarding this, but the big thing I have learned is how to, or how NOT to name my kids. For example, if your child is going to go by his middle name, I am going to call him by his first name for a while because that is how it comes up on the role! Also, some people are killing me with the spelling. Also, pronouncing names can be a mess. For example, see what you think.........Nainoa, Brieocea, Misikei,etc.........Oh, and I can always guess the popular name for the year they were born. In 1997 and 1998 it was: Tanner, Colten, McKenzie, Kayden, Taylor, etc. And what about those names that you think should be a male name but they are actually a female or vice-versa. For example I have a girl named Tylar (tyler), a girl named Bryce! And last but not least.....the unique names. I teach a Saphirre this year, I teach a Barak, I teach a girl named Wanchanputri, a girl named Winter White and a Makessa. But the one that takes the cake for unique names is my girl who is named Mississippi Jackson! No joke that is her name! Her parents obviously love this state (maybe a little too much). Never have I taught a person with the same name as a state, and state capitol but there is always a first for everything right! Well I should add that there are some names that I really like this year. My cute name list is: Camden, Maya, Savannah, Ryker, Treyson, and Kylee. Ask me at the end of the year and I will tell you if I still like those names, it is subject to change!

From graduation to the present life

Well I honestly can not believe it but I start my new school year tomorrow and it is my 3rd year! What?!? Time flies! I assume people think I really know what I am doing now............but there is always a lot to learn so really I don't. The good thing is I know what to expect and anticipate.........for the most part. It is going to be wierd because the students I taugh my first year are now the oldest in the school....graders. Also, I was looking at my roster and I have a lot of former students' siblings in my class so I can say "Oh, I taught your brother" which is wierd because that kind of makes me feel old! Anyway, I am sad the summer is ending, and yet new beginnings can always be kind of fun! I will keep you posted on good student stories.........they are always saying something to crack me up. Here's to a new school year!!!

Tomorrow morning I have a school meeting for school at eight! I don't technically start until next week so I really need to enjoy my final week. It is almost over! So what do I plan to do with myself? I have friend coming up, lay by the pool, sleep in, and just kick up my feet because life is going to get busy again! If you need me to, I will relax for you!

Books to read.........

So I haven't enjoyed reading for a while. College burned me out, and now that I am in my masters I have been reading textbooks. So.........this summer I finally read for enjoyment again and I really did ENJOY it! I think I lucked out on the books I read because I can be pretty picky. For example, some of you may hate me for this but I don't like Harry Potter and can't read it. So it has been nice to find some fun books and I thought I should pass them along to you.................
Book #1: "THE WEDDING" BY NICHOLAS SPARKS. IT IS A REALLY SWEET LOVE STORY AND UNLIKE MOST SPARKS BOOKS, NO ONE DIES! IT IS SOMEWHAT OF A SEQUEL TO THE NOTEBOOK.

BOOK#2: THE LAST LECTURE: BY RANDY PAUSCH. VERY INSPIRING TRUE STORY THAT REALLY MAKES YOU PUT LIFE INTO PERSPECTIVE.

BOOK #3: LOOK AGAIN: BY LISA SCOTTALINE. THIS BOOK IS REALLY INTERESTING. IT IS SOMEWHAT IN THE "MYSTERY" CATEGORY. IT IS A PAGE TURNER BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

BOOK #4: WORLD'S MOST INSPIRING QUOTES: BY A LOT OF AUTHORS. I LOVE READING QUOTES SO YOU CAN'T GO WRONG.

Anyway, I have done a lot of fun relaxing, reading this summer. We have a pool and it is so relaxing to just go chill in the sun with a good book. Too bad it's going to be over soon.....less then two weeks and I am back to business!

Plans for this week.........

>Today and tomorrow and I chillin' at my brother Brady's house to be here while they get new tile and carpet. It's nice because I just need to be here in case they need anything so it's pretty relaxing. I will tell you this though, if you ever plan on re-tiling, think again! My brother and his wife have gone through hell and back getting up all the tile so through them I have learned I will Never re-tile unless I am super rich and I pay someone to take it all up (which being a teacher prob. isn't happening). Just thought I could save you guys a huge headache by telling you this.
Wednesday---My parents are going on an Alaskan cruise and I get to take them to the airport while being green with envy! I am excited for them though. With my dad being a rancher they are just finally started to travel a bit and they deserve an Alaskan cruise, I will just miss talking to them on the phone since I talk to my momma everyday!
Thursday----Haircut! Finally, my hair is in desperate need of getting thinned, I am slowly bringing back the 80's poof right now! It is not a pretty sight!
Friday------Tim McGraw and Lady Antebellum concert with friends......YAY!
Sat.---Go down to E-town and water mom and dad's lawn (since dad's main concern about leaving is getting dry spots on the lawn, we will see what we can do...)
All in all, I realize I need to enjoy my last week of July! It is going by so, so fast!

Kids say the funniest things....

So this happened back in the fall but I kept forgetting to post it and every time I see my little niece who said this I think of it. So last fall my niece Karli was looking at one of my bling bling fake rings. She asked me if it was my wedding ring and I quizzed her who am I married to? And then she proceeded to say "well Why don't you get married?" just like it was no big deal. Then, my four year old niece gave me dating advice "well, Christy all you have to do is find a boy that likes you, then you can get married and have babies!". I responded, because I knew that my bro and sister in law were listening "why didn't I think of that!". That s all, I just need to find a boy that likes me, who cares If he is a homeless man on the street as long as he likes me right!!! Anyway, I love kids perspective on dating, maybe in twelve years when it is her turn to date I will throw here that line.......

Summer 2010

So for those that didn't know, I am teaching summer school for 3 weeks at Valley High. Valley High is an alternative school, and it has been interesting to say the least! A lot of my students have come from pretty rough backgrounds, from gangs, to foster homes, abusive homes, you name it! I am teaching Health which is a new topic for me and these students have surprisingly down quite well. For me it is amazing that anyone could fail Health and wind up in summer school, but I have around 110 students so it does happen. Overall, I have learned a lot from these kids. They have taught me that I am truly blessed to have grown up in a safe, and loving home. I have also learned, you really can't judge a book by it's cover. One of the nicest, most respectful boys in my classes came across as the biggest punk rockin' jerk. I am thankful for this experience, I have enjoyed it MUCH more than I ever thought I would!

So I went to NYC in April and I had a blast!!! I was only there for 4 days but we hit all the big landmarks and had a blast! It really is a concrete jungle and sooooooooo different from what I am used to. If you haven't been to NYC you need to go!

Happy Mother's Day:

Where do I even start with my mom! All I know is God was really watching out for me to give me my wonderful, beautiful mom! She is amazing in every way possible. I wish I was more like her. She is patient, kind, compassionate, intelligent, and most of all full of love. She has always known what's best for me, even if I didn't know it myself. She is the first person I turn to with problems as well as success. She is not only my best friend, but also my idol. I have not been the easiest child for her. She had me when she thought she was done with having children at the age of 41, and I came out her biggest baby..........breaking her tailbone from long hours of labor. Mom, thanks for putting up wih me and for being the most amazing lady, that I thankfully get to call MOM. Love you!

For Easter I went home to Ephraim to see my parents. My brother and his wife Jane and their baby girl Halle came, it was really fun. We spent a lot of time outside looking at new baby lambs because my niece loved them. Honestly, there is nothing cuter than baby lambs they are so sweet. Anyway, it was fun to get outside and around nature for a change. Easter was wonderful this year and I really am thankful to have such a wonderful family to go home to! Hope you all had a nice Easter as well!

I am ready for Spring!

Top 10 things I love about Spring:

10. Warmer weather!
9. Easter
8. My niece's Halle & Ashley's birthdays
7. Spring Break!
6. I teach my favorite subjects...the Great Depression & WWII
5. Tax Returns!
4. Vacations planned with friends
3. More sun!
2. Walks outside instead of in the gym
#1.----Spring Flowers!!! I love them, especially walking around temple square it is sooooo beautiful!

I love SPRING!

Happy President's Day!

Don't ask students why they are late!!! Note to self!

So I just learned a very valuable lesson today don't EVER ask students why they are late for class. I had a student walk in about ten minutes late which rarely happens in 7th grade so I asked him quite sternly why he was late. He then proceeded to tell me that he had an upset stomach and major diarrhea that he had to take care of! GROSS! I did not want to hear that and not only that he didn't care that the entire class heard! Do I laugh or try to think nothing of it? I just turned away and tried to control myself because I couldn't believe that this kid was willing to be so honest! Too honest! Anyway, I will not make that same mistake twice! Maybe he should learn when to tell his teacher a little white lie for sake of having more self pride! 7th graders.....they never cease to amaze me!

If you haven't seen this show you need to go see it! I loved it........especially watching Channing Tatum the entire time!:) It will make you cry but it's great! I love cute movies.........I know I am such a girl!

So I love old pictures and for Christmas my mom gave this to us kids of my dad running track in college. He is at the top, this is after either the 400 or 800 race I need to ask again because he r
an both. Anyway, I have bragging rights I figure because....well, I love the guy and it's fun to show off a little family history! If any of you know my brother Brady you can tell he looks just like my dad!

So I was thinking I have a pix of my baby niece Halle up here but none of the rest of my nieces and nephews. This is from almost 2 years ago but it's the only one I have of the 7 of them. So now I have a total of 8 all together. 6 nieces and 2 nephews. My oldest is 14, and the youngest is 10 months. I seriously love them all! They are so cute in so many different ways! This is a pix of them at my condo in SLC. They all live in tiny towns (Mona, and Fool Creek) so they LOVE coming to the big city! I remember feeling that way too when I was young. Anyway, they made the holidays great and they are wonderful. Being an aunt is awesome!!!