What a LOVEly experience

Today I had the wonderful opportunity to volunteer at the Utah Special Olympics! I have been wanting to do this for a while now, but always seem to miss the date...So I was super excited!!!!

It was such an amazing experience!!!!! I LOVED every minute of it!!!!!!!

There is something special about seeing these great authletes put all their heart and effort into the sports. I got to cheer on the softball teams :) First it made me reminisce my softball days :) and Second it was such joy to see them play! they were funny, talented, happy, and team players. One of my favorite moments was when the teams were shaking hands, the opposing team gave hugs to the player that got injured during the game :) so sweet and such great sportsmanship!

I couldn't stop smiling today :) :) :)

ps...I wish I took some pictures today for you to see! but then again, they wouldn't be able to capture the spirit of the day...

I cant wait till next year's olympics!

driving in cars....

sometimes this is how I feel....

nothing like driving with the windows down, hair blowing in the wind, warmth of the sun and chill of the breeze

Nothing like Snow......on May 24th!

Holy Snow!!!!!!!!!

There was a down pour here in Provo and Orem!

It was a snow globe most of the morning.....at least 3-4 inches on top of my car!

Winter Wonderland in May???? more like a Springy Snow Spectacular!

What lovely Memorial Day Weather :)

Volunteering.....

All the years that I attended BYU I would drive by the track and see the Special Olympics going on in the spring....then I would get disappointed because I never knew they were happening and I wanted to be a part of them :(

But, this year I signed up to Volunteer!!!!!!!

I'm so excited I know when they will be happening this year! and can't wait to see all those happy faces!

DO-er

"What you DO speaks so loud, I can't hear what you say" -Ralph Waldo Emerson

I saw Will-I-Am on Oprah, pay for two families houses (who were about to lose them). With his own money, straight from his pocket. He said he was driving one day and figured "I want to make a difference. why not? just do it!" I think what he DID was wonderful. He got me thinking about some LDS General Conference (April 2010) talks I read recently [http://lds.org/library/display/0,4945,2043-1-5176-1,00.html]...which lead to some scripture study and quote finding.....

James 1:22 "be ye doers of the word and not hearers only..."

I think it is sometimes easier to say we will do something, or to feel a certain way, or want to make a difference. But how often do we DO what we say or feel? I know that especially after a great church lesson, or after giving service, or whatever it may be, you feel energized and ready to make a difference in your own life or the lives of others. But I know that life and human nature can get in the way....unfortunately...and we don't always act on our thoughts.

I know that what we DO shows where our hearts lay. Are we willing to be 'do-ers of the word' and serve the Lord? or are we 'hear-ers only'?

I know that if we Do what the Lord asks and follow His commandments, we will be blessed.

Joseph Smith once said "I made this my rule: when the Lord commands, DO it"

I hope I can be a better DO-er :)

Thanks Will-I-Am for getting my thoughts rolling :)

DEcisiONs dEcIsiOnS DeCisIoNs

oh dear!!!!!!

I HATE DECISION MAKING!!!!!!

No, Really! I hate having to make decisions!

I am one of the most IN-decisive people you will meet!

like today....I couldn't make the final choice of where to eat with my friend...most would consider that a fairly easy decision...but she had to make the final decision bc I didn't want to have to choose :)

and then....When it comes to IMPORTANT decisions, I am even WORSE!!!!!!

like....what am I doing next year? Where am I going to be???

I don't really know :)

BUT--I have to know by TOMORROW!

wow....I just don't really know!!!

why must I be indecisive?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

My brain is jumbled...like the letters in my title!

wish me luck :) hahaha

what would we do????

What would we do without EMAIL??!?!?!?!???!?!?!??????

Really!!!!

Today I have sent AT LEAST 12 emails! (on top of numerous phone calls or talking to in person)---this is how many issues I have had to figure out so far today!

Thank you email....for making life so much more convenient!!!!!

Technology is ruling our society :) just a little side note...First graders are typing stories on a computer! really?!?! and totally know how to use the internet and what not! I dont think I even really knew how to work a computer until middle school....maybe later :) AND I just saw a little 1st or 2nd grader with a cell phone yesterday! what?!?!?! or a little 4 year old sitting in a shopping cart listening/playing with the iphone! haha! I feel so lame! and maybe old :) hahaha BUT life sure is amazing with most of this spectacular technology! thanks you smart people!

Manic Monday!!!!!!!!

Oh My Goodness!!!

I just had to come on here and express my frustrations with today!

Today was definitely at CRAZY day...and I have a feeling that most of my days to come will be just as crazy!

one would think/hope that as the school year comes to end, it would get a little less hectic....but that one would think wrong! Special ed just gets crazy-ER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thats my rantings for today :)

rain

As much as I have been LOVING the warm, sunny, blue weather.....today I am also ENJOYING the rain!

Rain is just wonderful! there is something about it that is fresh, cleansing, and romantic :)

I love the dark clouds, with rays of sunshine peeking through

I love the brisk chill as you walk out the door

I love the smell!!!!!

I love the sound

I love the sparkling dew that remains after the storm

I love rain

But I wont be too sad when the sunshine and blue reappears :) because I also love spring weather!

back to the "real world"

Well....My spring break in California was AMAZING!!!! I already miss my family, sunshine (yes-its raining in Provo today), relaxation, going to bed late, sleeping in late, and just hanging out and laughing with my besties (aka my sisters, mom, dad, b.i.l. and niece :])!!!!!

So last night I was dreading going back to work/school..........let the madness begin again!!!!

But a dear friend reminded me that there are only 7 weeks left until summer

But then I am reminded that I have no idea what I want or need to do next year :) oh joy!

*CALIFORNIA*

Tomorrow I am heading to California!!!!!!

Well....Im making a pit stop in Las Vegas, but the important part is--I am bouncing outta Provo!!!!! ---For a whole week!!!

YAY for Spring Break! It couldn't have come at a better time!

I think my brain has been on hold for many days (maybe weeks) now :D

I can't wait for some sun, FAMILY, relaxation, FUN, and down time!!!!!

a little side note....I think I may go to school now to be a braille teacher????? I dont know for sure, but since I have been teaching my little girl at home (who has a brain tumor and is now blind) I have been thinking about it....and then her mom asked me today if I thought about being a braille teacher....hhhmmmmm....actually yes, but not seriously. She mentioned how her daughter loved me and that she hoped I would be able to teach her daughter in the future and that she thought I would be great at it. It made me feel good and made me think.....hmmmm....all the different choices out there.....

the Price of Beauty

There is this new show on VH1, hosted by Jessica Simpson, called the Price of Beauty.

So far, I have really enjoyed it! It is great because it shows how "BEAUTY" is different in every culture. It emphasizes how beauty is within and you can find it anywhere, in different ways.

Jessica is pretty cute and funny :) and I really like her friend Ken...but her friend Cacee irritates me....but I just think what a great message the show is trying to portray.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder....there is lots of beauty to be held out there!

ps....I just started watching Kirsti Alley's show too :) [Kirsti's Big Life]

HELLO SPRING

I am sooooo excited you are here!!!!! You are such a happy time! so Beautiful and exciting!

things I look forward to doing with you around....

*SPRING BREAK!

*visit California

*have picnics and walks

*soak up the sun rays :)

*Baseball and Rugby games

*smelling flowers

*taking scenic drives

*[not have to] scrape ice off my windshield

*bright nail polish :)

*wear flip flops

*count down the days til summer :)

I'm excited you're here...I hope we will have many fun adventures during your stay :D

Sweet Decisions

So....lately I have been thinking about all the choices and possibilities that are available to me at this stage in my life.

I really am thinking I will not teach next year :) So far teaching has been such a stressful, depressing, chaotic experience. There is a sense of pride that is making me second guess my thoughts, but then I realize that my happiness and joy is most important! I want to love what I do. And as much as I LOVE my students, I am not completely loving the experience of being a special ed teacher.

soooo....I have options! LOTS of them!

On the top of my list is PASTRY SCHOOL!!! how sweet would that be?!?! (pun Intended! haha)

and there are lots of other options....but it is kinda scary out there in the job search field....but I want to love life and love what I do. So I think I am ready to take the risk :)

Anywho....I will keep you all posted (all 3 of you!) hahaha

Correction....

it is NO LONGER blue skies or warm weather..........

It's SNOWING!!!!!!

how does that happen??????

but i did get a carmel 'apple pie' apple from work today :)

YUM!

B-E-A-UT-I-FUL

Today is a BEAUTIFUL day!!!

Blue Skies

Puffy white clouds

WARM weather

Tomorrow NO school!!!

It is a GORGEOUS day

hugs and loves everyone!

SMILE....God loves you :)

yesterday and today have been crazy, stressful, non-stop days!

This morning I woke up and just wanted to curl back into bed and sleep all my worries away...but the logical/responsible side of me made me get out of bed and get ready for the crazy day.

So I just wasn't very happy today....But many things happened that me feel happy and made me realized I am being watched over :) [as little or insignificant as they may seem]

1. I went in my car this morning and one of my favorite songs was playing! (one i was hoping to hear at some point during the day!)

2. one little boy had a hurt hand that he said felt numb and another little boy said "I know what happened...he shut his nervous system down." so matter of fact-ly--i could only laugh!

3. I was so annoyed and stressed----only to look up at the car in front of me that read "SMILE, GOD LOVES YOU" [I know he does]

4. As stressful as it can be....after school, I get to work with a little girl who has a brain tumor and is blind. She is sooo dang cute and sweet! I think everyday she tells me I'm beautiful :) and that she will miss me (with the biggest puppy frown face!)

So...I just have to remind myself to SMILE :) because I do know that I have many things in life to be grateful for!!!

I hope you all have a fabulous end of February :)

hugs and loves

AAAAGGGHHHHHHHHH

I just had to scream and let it out :)

thanks for listening!!!

I am trying to do progress reports at this very moment, BUT the program I have to us is currently being STUPID and not letting me do anything!!!!!

aaagggggghhhhhh uggggghhhhhhh aaagggghhhhhhhhhhhhh

Really sock makers?!?!?!?!

Do you really think that ONE size fits ALL????

I think you're a little brain dead!

ONE size does NOT fit all, you dummies!!!!

There is no way in 'H' that ONE size sock will fit little Mary's size 7 foot and my size 13 foot!

The dang thing falls off (all the time)...therefore no point in wearing the sock!

Please think about this a little more before you make all your next stock of socks :)

Valentines...

Oh to be young again!!!

Today Valentine's has been fun...Obviously not because of the romance in my life :) But at an Elementary school it's exciting! the kids love it! and it is celebrated--not for its romance, but for the love and joy! I got many Valentines gifts that showed me how much the kids care about me. And it was cute to see them all beaming from ear to ear as they talked about their parties, or Valentines cards, or why they died their hair pink :)

It has been fun to see the joy of the holiday through the youngsters eyes!

Hope you all have a fabulous Valentine's Day (with or without a 'Valentine')...a day filled with LOVE

Welcome Back, Welcome Back.....Weeeellll-come Back

Well....If you haven't heard...I am back in UTAH!

I am actually quite excited :)

I got a teaching position in the middle of January and moved out here a week later

I am a special ed teacher at 2 elementary schools

Its been pretty CRAZY, but it will be good

I am most excited to get to meet new people and have a new adventure!

so....Greetings from the Utah

All the Pretty Little Purses

Oh My.....words just cannot explain how drawn I am to purses!!! I walked in a Nordstrom Rack today and they had an amazing purse collection! It made me wish I made more than a teacher's salary :) I walked around the store with one particular purse (trying it out on my shoulder, looking in mirrors, you know)-- fully expecting to buy it, but then logic got the best of me and my heart :(

oh....then I almost walked out of the store with a new pair of shoes (my second love)...but again...my wallet and head said 'no' :(

I guess its a good thing my wallet is pretty small...otherwise my closet would only have pretty purses and shoes :)

thanks all for now :)