Fun at J.R. Smith!!!!

So the nice thing about being in a small town, (Sorry Hoho but it is tiny compared to Salt Lake) is that everyone is connected at the school giving the work environment a great place of support and fun! The Heber Valley has four elementary schools which feed into one intermediate school, which feeds into one junior high, which then feeds into one high school. So when homecoming week was upon us the whole high school did a parade and have a tradition of passing by J.R. Smith at the end of the parade route before heading back to the school.
  Being from Salt Lake I'd never seen their homecoming parade. We lined all the kids up on the sidewalk and the cheered as the whole high school marched by. It was fun to see the pride in not only the other kids but the little ones as well. (elementary here in Wasatch county is Pre-k through fourth grade) as it ended we corralled the kiddos back in the school. All my kindergartners could talk about during their phonemic awareness lesson was the parade.

Family Pics

It's been a tough year, Not just for me and my family but my adopted family. We've had deaths, illnesses and numerous other losses. The one who really keeps me going is Sissy. Sissy (my bff from high school) has been part of my family in my eyes since 2008. She's had to overcome numerous hurdles the last year and Heidi and I try to help her as much as we can.
 Last Summer shortly after baby bee was born and put in PICU at Primary Children's for RSV Sissy's world fell apart. Her then husband arrested and placed in jail and then prison leaving sissy with four kids under the age of six. This once stay at home mom now had to find a job and a way to provide for her young family.
 With her husband out of the picture she began to see how bad their relation ship had truly been. So she decided it was time to change. I look at sissy and see a full 180 turn around. She is a strong, amazing mother, woman and friend. She knows the importance of family and instilling values in them.
  Most of all She's stepped up to the plate in raising her children as a single mother. This includes her seven year old daughter H who biologically isn't hers. She's been in H's life for over six years and been her only mother figure for the last five. Now She must start the biggest fight of her life as she tries to divorce her ex husband and gain sole custody of H. For the last year every moment with H has been treasured because we never know when we might loose her. So being the sentimental person I am I decided to give sissy something priceless. Family photos as our newer stronger family unit. Sissy I love you and Heidi and I are by you every step of the way!

Hermione Marie
7 yrs

Aiden Jay
5 yrs

Abbygail Jean
3yrs

Charlotte Shannon
17 mo.

Sissy you can do this and I know it won't be easy but you are strong and you have an amazing support group to lift you when you fall or feel like you can't hang on anymore. We love you and we'll always be there for you, Hermione, Aiden, Abby, and Charlie!

Sissy, Baby Bee, Bean, Bo and Bug

Bug is Five!!!!!!!

Bug at hours old

little man

I can't believe how much you've grown and that it's been five years! Happy birthday Bug, Auntie loves you!

one of many trips to the ER

Batman!

four

three

Five!!!!

From a two pound little man to Auntie's five year old ham! I'm so proud of everything you've accomplished and achieved. Hope this year has lots of great memories and learning moments too. I love my special little dude!

Ouch!!!!

Most people who know me know that I'm definitely not graceful. So Last weekend when Heidi and I had loads to do to get my bed put together it would only make sense that my body would be put out of commission. We had already locked the house keys in the van and while Daddy David was assisting Heidi with that issue I went to the front yard to spray down the boards for my new bed. 

 Heidi has three concrete stairs that lead up to her front porch. this is also where the hose hook up is... I came up the stairs to turn on the hose only to realize it wasn't even attached so I turned around to go back down. Only my foot caught the third stair and I proceeded to fall down the other two on to the cement sidewalk gasping for air. Guess who is now sitting on a pillow and out of commission for a few weeks? Nothing like a bruised tailbone to start off your weekend... 

 Week later and I still have deep tissue bruises. After telling my old roommate about my little accident she stated, that I needed to be put in a bubble. She quickly followed that response with, "no, you would find a way to hurt yourself in there too!" Here's to hoping my bottom gets feeling better.

Holy Moly H is Seven!

Baby H

H at 4

four in a half

fifth birthday

first day of pre-k

four

six

Bo is seven!

Oh my I can't believe how big you've gotten Miss Bo! I love you so much and can't wait to see what the next year brings. Happy Birthday my beautiful  niece auntie loves you so much!

Title One

So I've known for a few weeks that there was a possibility of me getting moved from ELL to Title 1. They needed someone with a certain amount of collage credit. It was nice to know that my BA in English actually is the reason I got the job placement.
 So now my hours have changed up a little bit and I work 4 days instead of 5 and work 8:10 - 3:20. I love helping and teaching the kids, and enjoy the change from ELL. Now I work with K through 4th and plan my own lesson plans. My small groups range in size from 3 to 6 kids.

Swiss Days

So Labor Day weekend is upon us and that means the annual Swiss Days! A few years I go I started helping Heidi with the booth. Mama Mayleen (as we all call her at Sunny Day, the daycare my sister Heidi owns) ward is in charge of the drink booth. So we get in our Swiss Day garb and serve a busy square beverages and ice cream.
The money all goes to support the LDS Church missionary fund. So Heidi and I save our money and spend generously while there. The most memorable thing was getting to meet President Octdorf and his sweet wife. All in all it was a wonderful weekend!