teacher appre-shoe-ation

So glad I could relearn to spell appreciation using one fifth grader's pronunciation of the word.

This week we had teacher appreciation week and I can't believe how great all the kids and parents were to me. I feel like I need to send out a a bunch of thank you cards; but that'd be like sending thank you cards for thank you cards and what is the etiquette on that? One mom made this basket for me, can you imagine gluing all those crayons on? You rock moms.


I have twix bars to the moon; I guess next time I do that PTA survey I'll write more than one candy bar as my favorite LOL They also made this cute book: read on to see some of the funny and cute responses. Also stay tuned and scroll down for the king of all salt and pepper shakers I got as a gifty from one kid! You're gonna love it.



I like being in Diary of a Wimpy Kid form; I look skinny.


A lot of kids wrote I would be super running woman or super math woman? But I liked this picture, probably because it accurately portrays my huge biceps/shoulders.
This girl kinda thinks she is an adult and is pleased with herself to know my first name haha PS I do not let her call me by it.

I have a dog themed classroom, maybe I'll do pictures another day, a lot of kids wrote things about me loving dogs.

Most kids wrote the best thing I taught them was math, but she was the funniest.




Other Gifts:

Biff is just checking this purse for bombs.

Have a pomegranate smelling day? Did not make sense to me when I first read it; but it came with scented lotion... guess what flavor?

This kid was so proud to give me this gift!

a post for the sake of a post

as of late, I have nothing to write; that thing between my ears is empty.
maybe not empty, but certainly not interesting.

This is what my brain looks like lately:

secretlovechild?noarnoldno vistingteachingistimeconsuming! teacherappreciationweekhappy
ihavenotcookeddinnersincesunday:( 5thgradehoedown/squaredancingwithlee=goofyandfun
readingsportscenterclosedcaptioningonthetreadmilltooccupyyourbrainisreallyboring ihatespiders weirddreamaboutmyneighborslastnight saturdaycomesoonplease ineedmoresleep
augustamainebostonmassachusettsmontpeliervermontetc

end scene

the master

On Saturday, Lee Middle Name Last Name graduated with his Master's Degree. I am so stupidly proud of him that I am going to christen him with a new nickname. It is currently a tie between 'master' and 'the master'; leaning more toward 'the master.' To the master's embarrassment I have informed him that I will be calling him this name in public to enjoy the reactions of bystanders.

I present to you the master.
Not to be confused with any reference to slavery which was sad.
(although some people think marriage is the last legal form of slavery
bringing me to the interesting topic of how awesome it will be when I refer to
the master by his new name at places like the grocery store).
Also not to be confused with any mockery of the hard work he has done.
Just the pure enjoyment I had when reading on the graduation program that the master's name was listed under "Master of Science and Counseling."

I think the master is cute.

Here's the master's family
minus Kim who was taking the photo and Mandi who was playing with the niece
He says, "it wasn't that hard" and the secret to success is, "showing up."
So get out there and show up to the things you want to accomplish.
So proud of you babe!

bird day card

age of obsession

We've all been there, obsessed with something. Sometimes it's normal and sometimes it's a little weird and sometimes it's really weird.

Obsessions By Age

Age 7-10: barbies, pretended to be interested in beanie babies, but really wasn't, dogs
Age 11: Hanson, classic skating, marrying Zac Hanson
Age 12-14: cheerleading, boys
Age 14-18: drill team/dancing, boys, going to college for free, the holocaust?
Age 18- Infinity: Lee <3
Age 18: the electoral college?
Age 21: Disappearance of Stacy Peterson/Drew Peterson's guilt {okay, seriously, you buy a big blue barrel, someone helps you put the barrel in your SUV, the barrel's gone, your wife is gone and your previous wife mysteriously died HELLO guilty}
yoga { seriously, 5 times a week for a year}
Age 22: running, yesssss
Age 23: Warren Jeffs+Polygamy=the root of all evil {Escape by Carolyn Jessop, read it, unless you're faint of heart; you will be seriously angry and creeped out, hence my obsession}

What is the weirdest thing you've ever been obsessed with?

do whatever it takes to get the moustaches

Last night, it was Lee who said, "Let's just do whatever it takes to get the moustaches."

Best Birthday Celebration Ever

My birthday is on Friday, but we decided to celebrate on Monday. All I told Lee was that I wanted to go on a date. He drove me to Provo in search of a restaurant called, "Tango House." When we got to the address the place no longer existed. Nice. So we drove to Cafe Rio to discover our wallets no longer existed {actually we left them at home}. So we drove home, got our money and went back to Rio. Awesome so far right?

No really, it was awesome.

Pork Salad for me.
Pork burrito for Lee.
Micheal Jackson on the speakers.

More car time
Lots of Kesha on the radio

Then: Nickel Arcades. ---- Guys, I haven't been there since I was 12.
Surprising? Yes.
Disappointing? No.

the thing about one o clock church

and a pointless picture just to prove to myself how green and not blue my eyes really are

As I sit on the couch watching biff, who is watching the window for any more intruders {he is on high alert since those fearsome fast collectors dropped by} I am lost in contemplation. Thoughts such as:

When will I finally escape the one o'clock church time slot? Due to moving and boundary changes we have had this time slot for at least 2 of our 4 married years, but I am thinking it's more like 3. I even had this time slot for my full two years of singles wards and you know what? I am over one o' clock church. I was over it 6 years ago.

or

When is enough finally enough as far as me enduring three years of Lee working on Sundays and going to church alone? Blah, I can't wait for Lee to get a new job.

or

I am so jealous of those people I saw out running on this beautiful day. The best part about Monday is going back to the gym.

Sundays are long. Sometimes I like it. Sometimes I don't.

and

What I am going to make for dinner?

Often times I am late to church. I have no kids to get ready and I drive the block from my house to my church. What is that? Even now I am sitting here procrastinating. I guess it's just daunting to think about sitting through 3 hours of church meetings without Lee to play hangman with or write notes to or give back tickles to or get back tickles from. This used to be so hard for me, but it's been a long dreary road of getting mistaken for a young woman or a single sister and I'm over it, but it still brings me a sense of melancholy. Especially when I entertain the idea that I might just feel a closer connection to God by hiking up the mountain and practicing some yoga and meditation rather than listening to people give talks or bear testimonies that I have a hard time relating to.
I do have a thing about obedience though.

So as much I am complaining I will go take a shower and wear a skirt. I'd love to top it off with flip flops, but you know how people are about that--that and jean skirts. Sheesh! Give it a rest, at least they are trying people!

So what is it that makes you sit on the couch and pretend you aren't going to church writing long blog posts when all along you know you will?

PS:) Reason No. 327 why I am so glad Lee married me: I can count on him to notice I changed my hair when not a single soul has; mostly because he knew I had an appointment, but who cares? I'm still giving him credit for it.