This last week.....

I won my Pick 6 Challenge Contest last week.  I was happy.  Yesterday I started a new Pick 6 Challenge.  I am aiming for 1st place again!!!

The last week at work seemed to exhaust me mentally and physically.  I feel completely overwhelmed and I  don't feel like I am learning everything quick enough.  I know I really am learning, but there is SO MUCH to learn and understand that it is daunting.  I had a pity party  this weekend and felt like I should quit, (there were a lot of factors I don't want to get into here)  but after going today I am feeling better. I am just so hard on myself and I want to learn everything NOW.  I really didn't believe my brother or my boss when I was told that it would take me up to a year to learn everything, but I am realizing they are right.  I believe if I think with that kind of mentality, that I might actually learn things quicker.


Meli's mom sent us more pictures of her and her family.  It is so amazing to feel like you are getting to  know someone who lives so far away.  Kara has been talking to her on the Internet too and has been delighted with Meli's cute personality.

 Coby is graduating from BYU in a little more than two weeks.  We are so proud of him.  He is a very kind soul who I learn from with every encounter.  We hardly have any time to spend with him before he leaves to go to live in Turkey on May 9th as he is swamped with papers and finals until then.   He is planning a trip to Seattle and a trip with friends so I am hoping we can have at least one family day, with everyone before he leaves.  It seems way too complicated to do with everyone's work schedule.

I am trying to plan a family picture and I haven't found one day available, but I am determined to not give up.

My aunt got home from the rehab last week.  And I have been so grateful to my sister in laws, Annette and Suzanne (pictures below) for going to Oregon to go and help her.  It is a sacrifice for them to do it, but I am so grateful.  I feel bad that I haven't been able to take a shift, since I started my job. She has been doing remarkable well. And my Aunt Traci has been so helpful driving everyone around and going and visiting my Grandma each day at the Care Center.

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Matt's dad also had a scare with his health in the last week.  I don't know too much, as they are still doing tests, but we are hoping that they will find some answers and help so he can prevent any more problems.

Colton has been dating a cute girl frequently and they go on the most creative dates.  I am impressed with the things he come up with.

Spencer didn't end up singing with the choir during the Priesthood session.  They had too many young adults and not enough music so he kindly stepped aside, much to Kara and I's sadness.   Spencer, I have learned he a very good chef.  Since I started working I have given each of the kids a night to cook and Spencer has impressed me every single night he has cooked.

Kara got another 4.0 this last quarter.  She finished her driver's ed class and is just waiting on her driver's ed instructor to give her the driver's test and then she will be an official driver.  I am excited and completely scared for her all at the same time!

Kara also got into Theater 3 at school, which is very hard to get into.  She had to memorize a LONG dialogue, and then present it in front of a panel with a lot of expression of course.  WOW.

And Matt has all of his bosses in town for the next two days for a huge dealer presentation.  I hope it  is going well for him (it is going on right now). He has been working so hard and is such an excellent boss and employee for their company!!!!

General Conference was wonderful.  I must admit I didn't have the best attitude, but I did enjoy. My favorite talks were both in the Sunday morning session and were by President Uchtdorf and Elder Holland.    I am going to have to listen to all the CD's  as soon as they arrive in the mail!!!

Birthday Party!!!!

I had a fun birthday on Sunday, July 15th.  I enjoyed having my whole family together and some of my sons friends.   It was nice to be able to go to church on Sunday too.  I love my ward; there are wonderful people in it. 

 My family spoiled me.  They made me a special breakfast, lunch and dinner. I was truly spoiled!   I had fun phone calls,  fun birthday wishes at church, Facebook birthday messages and presents delivered and  a fun party with my family.  Birthday's can still be so much fun even when you are older. 

 Thank you to everyone for making  my birthday special.  I am grateful for my life and my parents for making it possible.  I am so grateful for my family and for all they do for me.  Thank you, thank you!!!!!

End of the school year.....

 Thursday, May  17th was my last day of working with the children at the school I teach for the 2011-2012 school year.  It was an emotional day.  I have grown to love all of my students and it is so sad to know that next year I won't be working with all of them.  Most of my kids wrote me some cute little notes thanking me.   Here are just a few of them for me to treasure. 

Above are some of the teachers and staff I have the pleasure to associate with. Our Principal is leaving this year.  I am truly going to miss his calm demeanor, kind spirit, and smile he gives all.  I truly admire him and how he goes about his life.  Two year ago he got in a horrific car accident that left him in a coma for months.  There was a HUGE concern that he might not ever wake up from his coma or that he would have brain damage.  He rose above all odds and 6 months after the accident he came back to school a better man.    It was truly a miracle. 

I thought it was so cute that this student gave me a game to work on.

A very bad picture of some of the kids I work with, but the best I have to remember them since I can't take personal pictures of the students.

I am going to miss each student and I hope I get to work with some of them again next year.  We are a Title One school so there is a chance we might lose our funding.  Working with the students is such a rewarding job that has blessed my life.  I also work with some amazing ladies.  It is amazing how close we have come and how many of them feel like a sweet sister to me!!!!!! 

25th Anniversary Weekend get away

For our anniversary Matt planned everything.   He reserved a cabin at the Alaskan Inn.  We have stayed there before for a get away and  loved it.  We weren't disappointed this time at all. It is up Ogden Canyon and it is so breathtaking up there!

Pictures of the quaint cabins.

 

We drove to Odgen in the morning.  Matt's dad called to wish us a Happy Anniversary.  Darrel said that Kathleen told him to call.  Thanks to my mom in law too!!!

Our first stop was lunch at the Junction.  This is where the new Larry H. Miller theater is. Matt wanted to take me to see  the new Nicolas Sparks movie, "The Lucky One."    I of course enjoyed it.  I love Nicolas Sparks.  I don't think Matt enjoyed it as much as I but he is always such a good sport and will take me to any movie I want to see,; chick flick or not. After the movie we went to check out our beautiful room.

Later that evening we had dinner at the Timbermine restaurant.  It was delicious!!!!!!!   

I got the crab legs and steak.  It was very reasonable priced too!

Matt had the Prime Rib.

On Saturday morning they bring you breakfast in bed.  They also leave cookies in your room and sparkling cider.  Yummy!!!!!    They bring you breakfast in bed and it is yummy!!

After leaving the Alaskan Inn Matt took me to see the Tulip Festival.  It was absolutely beautiful!!!!!  He knew I would love and I couldn't be any happier!!!  I love color!!!!!!  I am so grateful we live in a colorful world.  

Below are pictures of our adventure there!!!

This one is my favorite!!

They had some entertainment.  FUN!!!! 

Forget-me-not!!!!  I can't look at these and not think of President Uctdorf's talk about them!!!!! One of my favorite talks by the way!!!! :)

After looking at the Tulip Festival we went to The Harvest Restaurant!!  This had the best food!!!!  After being inspired by all the beautiful flowers we went and bought some of our own.  Matt also took me shopping for a couple new outfits.  He is so sweet.   Then we went home and planted them and spent time with our kidlets!!!!  

On Sunday, which was our actual wedding anniversary Coby came over and all of the kids made us a wonderful meal.  Thank you very much!!!!  I am so grateful for the life Matt and I have together.  I love my man, my family and I grateful beyond measure how much the Lord has blessed me.