The Week of ME!

This sums up my last many (8ish) years. But it seems as if this week was when all the pieces started falling into place.

First, I graduated with Master’s Degree!!!! This was a tough month of 8 -10 hour days and so many projects, papers and reading. But, I did it and it is such a relief!!!

We went to celebrate at Biaggi’s.

Then, something else interesting happened. Anamosa contacted me and asked me if I was still interested in the job there. (I had applied and interviewed there in May, but I wasn’t chosen for the job.) Apparently, the person they hired chose not to take the position after all, so it was offered to me. So, I wasn’t 1^st choice but I am so excited to finally be a full-fledged librarian!! I am over Anamosa Middle School and High School and will be the Media Specialist and Technology Integration Specialist.

They said I would have to start there full time on July 8, which means I have no summer (which I needed). But, it’s a great opportunity to get my foot into the door and that is extremely valuable. I have started a blog for it. I am very excited!

This week my boss from Jefferson attended the ALA conference. She got Marie Lu (author of Legend and Prodigy) to autograph a new book just for me!! So exciting!!

As mentioned in a previous blog, my dryer died. For my graduation gift, we decided to finally replace our old washer and dryer and got a new beautiful amazing set that works like magic and sings to me when it’s done. Doing laundry has never been so fun! I remember dragging 4 kids, 8 loads, all the way across the apt. complex. Yuck! This is so much better!

We decided once I got a full time library job the 1^st thing we would do is replace our kitchen table. We bought it about 12 years ago. The chairs have been falling apart as evidenced by what happened when Tyler sat on one this week. So, we went to a furniture store yesterday to see what was out there. We found a beautiful granite/Marble square table with these comfy chairs and we were sold. I cant wait until its delivered!! (These are pictures from the store)'

(loving the massage bed)

(Alayna meditating)

Other news:

Tyler survived scout camp but was basically comatose once he got home. Bob went overnight and thank goodness this year wasn’t as awful heat wise as the last few years have been.

(yes the girls were putting stuff in his mouth!

Kayla is continuing to do an awesome job in the Chinese Dept at Hyvee. The family even went to visit her in action.

Another week flies by

We have had some crazy stormy weather and then it has been superhot and humid.  We have been hitting the track or tennis each morning before the heat hits.

Marisa has been house sitting for a family in our ward.  Kayla has been working a lot.  She was moved to the Chinese Food section at Hyvee (the youngest one there) and they love her.  She likes it better because she is busy and the time goes by faster.  She is a beast at making crab ragoons!  Tyler and Marisa will start pollinating soon.  I feel bad that they will be out in this heat!

I am kicking butt on my classes!!  7 days left and I will be free with a Masters Degree!!  This week was very tough.  I did 3 major projects over 10 pages each and tons of assignments and exams and am proud to say I still have A’s in all 4 classes.  I am exhausted and run down, but I can see the light and I am almost there!  The kids, in the meantime, entertain themselves…

Happy Father’s Day!

Happy Father’s Day to all the wonderful men on our lives!

Crazy week:

1.  I am half way through my classes!  My brain is mushy but I have all A’s!  It has been tough and takes all day all week, but I will feel amazing and so dang relieved when its done.

2.  We got to go see BYU’s Vocal Point who actually came to Cedar Rapids!  We were so excited!  One of the guys is in our stake.  Anyway, the concert was absolutely fabulous!!!!  We went to the matinee with the sister missionaries.  So much fun!

 

(The BEST beatboxer of all time!  Hands down!!)

3.  The Kids had youth conference.  They were up in Cedar Falls all day Friday, Nauvoo all day Saturday, and had dinner WITH Vocal Point and then attended their evening concert.  (Marisa is at the singles Vocal Point fireside tonight!)

4. Alayna got a new supercool haircut!

It’s Summer Time!

So, if you know us, you know we will always do some sort of schedule.  The kids have been great at each taking a night to  make dinner.  Marisa made an awesome Moroccan Meal!

We have been working out each day doing tennis, 5Ks on the track, and bicycling on some of the trails around here.  The weather has been nice and it is so great to be outside again!

Here is a sample of my class schedule.  I have added on even more since this. So, I have 1 week down, 3 to go.  I am doing around 8 hours a day for homework, assignments, and projects.  My brain feels like goo, but I am hanging in there.  So far, an A in all 4 classes!  Haven help me through the next few weeks.

We had a fun FHE by Bob having to do with paper, pennies, floating, and family unity. 

The older kids had a bonfire night over at the Jewels…

Other things to note:

Our dryer finally dies.  Kaput.  Had to dry clothes the old-fashioned way by hanging them. 

Jared leaves on his mission to Guatemala this week- we will miss you Jared!

We survived! It’s a Miracle!

We survived! It’s a Miracle!

We made it through the school year! This was a tough one. I feel that since we survived, we succeeded. The kids got out on Tuesday and my last day was Friday. We are all so tremendously happy to be done!!! We start our family fitness program tomorrow and hope to mix some relaxing in with getting some work done.

When it Rains

We have had quite a bit of rain and some crazy storms which knocked down full trees by my work. We need the rain though. Our garden and apple trees are flourishing. We planted our new blueberry bush. We planted new flowers and they are doing great as well.

On the Trail Again

We decided to do our first family bike ride yesterday. Two of the trails we wanted to go on were flooded from all the storms. So, we ended up going on the trail by the church. The weather was perfect, but the swarms of bugs attacking our faces wasn’t.

As we headed down the trail, we stopped for a second. I put my foot down but it was into a hidden hole, so I did this slow motion, old person fall right into the brush!! Oh the joys of family outings. At least it was good for a laugh and I didn’t damage anything but my pride.

I May Die…

So, I decided to go ahead and whip out my last 12 credits of grad school. I have 1 month to do it. I have been swimming in it already and I have a googly brain. I forgot a gift for Alayna’s teacher, forgot Tyler’s showchoir meeting, and forgot Tyler’s ortho apt. I NEVER forget stuff. It’s like I am literally losing my mind. But my hope and prayer is that I can focus the whole month and be done with it all. Wish me luck.

(Marisas galaxy jeans she made!)

(when you let your retainer sit in mouthwash all night)

Happy 19th Birthday to Marisa!

Happy 19^th Birthday to Marisa!

Today is Marisa’s golden birthday as she turn 19 on the 19^th. She bore a beautifully eloquent testimony in church today. It amazes me how quickly our children are growing up! Marisa we wish you the happiest birthday and are so glad you are actually here so we can celebrate with you!

More concerts

Alayna had a joint choir and orchestra concert. She did a wonderful job. She was even one of the teacher assistants that got to lead the 2^nd/3^rd grade choir in one piece they did.

Tyler had his final band concert as well. We really enjoyed it but I wasn’t able to get a good picture (due to some very rude guys in front of me). Oh well.

Projects

Hal and Corey came to visit for a few days after Nauvoo and we decided to take advantage of the extra help!

Corey helped Marisa to make her t-shirt quilt. Marisa has been working a ton in it and the top part looks so awesome!

Bob took 2 days off and he, Marisa, Corey and Hal did tons of yardwork including outing in the garden, replacing my dead roses, and planting new bushes in the front yard. It all looks so great!

More Prom Pics