“It’s a high price to pay for freedom, but it’s worth the fight”

What an incredible experience we had this week.  I worked all summer with Mike Ritland to set up an assembly for our students as a reward for doubling our summer reading goal (which in itself was huge).

Mike is absolutely amazing.  Here is a quick snippet about him:

Mike Ritland joined the Navy at age 17 in 1996, after being inspired by his grandfathers—both of whom had served in World War II. He graduated with BUD/S class 215 and became a member of SEAL Team 3.

In April 2003, Ritland’s 16-member SEAL Team was deployed to Iraq along with the First Marine Division, and they were tasked with taking the city of Tikrit. During one clearing operation, he observed a group of Marines approaching a cave-like structure in a rural area outside the city. After searching thousands of buildings and similar structures without issue, they were tempted to assume that all was clear, but the platoon was alerted to danger by an explosive-detector dog. Ritland learned later that a grenade booby trap had been set in the doorway and would certainly have killed the first marines to enter. He knew instantly that he wanted to work with dogs such as the one he’d seen, and learn to harness their remarkable abilities to defeat the tools of modern warfare.

After 12 years of active duty as a U.S. Navy SEAL, Ritland became a BUD/S instructor and started his own company, Trikos International, to train dogs for the SEAL teams. Today he continues to supply working and protection dogs to a host of clients, including to the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs, Border Patrol, TSA and the Department of Defense. He has trained hundreds of working dogs, and has over 15 years of experience in importing, breeding, raising, and training multiple breeds of working dogs. He also started the Warrior Dog Foundation to help retired Special Operations dogs live long and happy lives after their service.

He GRACIOUSLY agreed to come speak to the kids about being a SEAL, being an author, and all about his dogs.  Not only that, but he came for free!  Most authors cost anywhere from $500-$2000, which we could never afford as all library funding was cut.  I was nervous sick about the whole thing but it was a huge success!  The school has never had anyone like this come visit!  We had kids lining up the walkway with their books to just catch a glimpse of him arriving.

After the assembly, he came to the library and signed autographs for over 2 hours! Almost every kid wanted an autograph (so he signed about 500-600!)  he signed books (we sold out of the 50 we got for the assembly), hats, papers, planners, hands, and even foreheads. 

This guy served in Iraq at the same time Mike was there, so he got his books signed and had mike take a pic with his family.  It was really cool.

He didn’t just sign books, he asked the kids what they wanted to be when they grew up and wrote personal messages to every kid!!!

His dog, Tigo, was beautiful!  He let every kid pet him and even take selfies with him. 

The kids were in heaven.  The COOLEST thing was that Tigo autographed hard cover books!!  If a kid had a hard cover, then Mike would stand up, Tigo would jump up and grab onto the book with his teeth, they would wrestle, then Mike would give the command to let go and the kid would get the book back with slobber and bite marks and they became the envy of the school!!

After hours of signing, he and I were talking before he left (he was heading to Purdue for 2 speaking engagements there).  A 7th grade student came into the library, his eyes were all teary.  He said, “Sir, it would be an honor for me to shake your hand. My family donated $40 to your Warrior Dog Foundation and I just wanted to thank you for your service and let you know you are my hero”.  He left in tears and I started to cry.  Clearly, Mike affected the kids in a deep manner.

His theme and most important thought he left them with was “I have seen things I hope you will NEVER have to see.  But if you remember anything from this presentation, remember this…Freedom is a high price to pay, but it’s worth the fight.”  It was an incredibly  powerful message. (I did tape the presentation and Ill try to post)

We made the paper (although I was super ticked at the article, long story)

THANK YOU MIKE RITLAND!!!

Feeling jealous, but so blessed!

There are times when I can really count on my brothers  (AKA superbrothers) and Comic-Con is one of them.  Anyone who knows me knows I am a Superfan of Arrow (and the new Flash, hint hint).  Jonathan painted an amazing painting for me to hang in my library, but wanted to show it at the SLC Comic Con.  Then, we found out Stephen Amell, who plays Arrow, would be at the Comic-Con!  I had a a dream.  A dream that he would actually sign my painting.  I assigned my brothers the task knowing that if anyone could do this impossible task, it would be them.  I never dreamed in a million years it would actually happen and guess what??….

Now I just have to pray Jonathan wont want to keep it (fingers crossed)

Jonathan showed up to Comic-Con as Batman and I have to share this picture because of its adorableness…

THEN, super brother Joe got in line to meet Brandon Sanderson- one of our favorite authors of ALL time and even got him to sign a book for me.  Oh the happiness!!!

I must go next year.  I just must!!!

We had a super busy week again.  Alayna is in volleyball on Team A.  Her games start this week.  Kayla is ready to get out of here!  She can’t wait to get to college, get to Idaho and get settled. 

Tyler was in the swamp fox parade and also had his 1st game this week.

Tyler is right behind the directors head

Bob, still rocking it, installed a beautiful new fan over the kitchen table- we got rid f the hanging chandelier that everyone bangs their heads on!  And it makes it so much cooler to sit there.  He also finished the mantle downstairs and started on the bathroom.  It is all looking so gorgeous!'

Another crazy one ahead.  Our big assembly with Mike Ritland is on Tuesday.  Im so nervous I havent been sleeping.  Its probably a good thing I didn’t become an event planner.  Kayla is coming as my photographer and it is being covered by the newspaper.  Wish us all luck!

Happy 12th Birthday to Alayna!!!!!

Alayna had a good but busy birthday this week!  On her actual birthday she got to go to Young Women for the 1st time and loves it!  She is excited that she will be able to attend the next temple trip in October and we are planning a family temple trip when Marisa gets back!

We went to Olive Garden for her special dinner and going to Orange Leaf tomorrow for her requested dessert.

She started volleyball this week and is enjoying it.  Bob helped her set up a net in the backyard to practice and Kayla has been practicing with her.

We went out one morning as a storm was brewing and the sky was absolutely one of the most beautiful things Alayna and I had ever seen!  I tried to get some pictures but it definitely didn’t capture the majesty of the moment!

Bob, AKA Captain Awesome, made grape jelly from the grapes we grew this year and it was so very yummy!

The kids at the HS LOVE the new set up, the maker spaces, everything!!  We were told we have the best room in the school!

Tyler has been sick.  Anyone shocked? Kayla saved my butt at work by knocking off several projects.  Alayna and I bonded yesterday watching Jaws 3 and the Jurassic park: the lost world while I sewed a gazilliion things.  We need Marisa back to help with the mending…lol

Warning: Long story you don’t have to read…

God doesn’t always answer our prayers the way we think he will or the way we think he should.  Although this is a life lesson, it was very evident to me this week.

A little background 1st:  Last year, I was told since I was a new teacher, I would have to be evaluated.  I was assigned the high school.  The other teacher who goes to both schools was assigned the middle school.  I was jealous.  Why did I get the awful principal and she got the nice one? As most of you know, it was a tough year but I passed the evaluations. 

This week:  I got an email from the new HS principal saying she needed to see me in her office to discuss “past evaluations”.  I started out the day in tears and angry just knowing she was going to say how much the old principal says I suck.  I get to the middle school for our big meeting as a staff on individual professional development only to find there were no papers for me.  I asked the middle school principal where mine were and she said since I was assigned the HS last year, then I will stay there.  Again, I was mad.  Why do I have to do my professional development at the HS when I teach at the MS?  I had to book it over to the HS to catch the staff meeting there. 

At the end of the meeting, she had a list of all teachers to be formally evaluated and I was on it!  What the heck!  I just did that!  So I went up to talk to her and she said, oh yeah, you were evaluated last year so you are good.  Next day I get an email saying to come see her in her office because since I am a new teacher to the district I will have to be formally evaluated for 2 years (let the barfing and stress ensue…).  So I went to go see her and she pulled out the master contract to show me.  There is a clause in the master contract that says if you have previously taught in Iowa for 3 years, then  you only have to do 1 year of evaluations so I don’t have to do them this year!!!!  I almost cried there too.

Then, here is the clincher: all the new teachers at the middle school, regardless of whether they have taught in Iowa or not, are being formally evaluated for a 2nd year and HAVE to create a new portfolio with 45 artifacts proving that they meet all 24 Iowa Teaching Standards!!!  I am so eternally grateful for a father in heaven who knows what's best for me.  What if I had pushed and begged for the middle school?  Eeek!

The school year begins!

1st ever 1st day of school picture with dense fog in the background…
Bob, amazing as always, got the beautiful stain on our mantle downstairs.  Don’t you love it??  We will be doing the kitchen and upstairs with that as well
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This week Alayna watched “Gforce” with the guinea pigs…lol.  They loved it.  Here's a pic of their favorite activity- running free in the living room.  They never go off the carpet but they love to hide under the couches.

School started for me as well.  It was  a tough week and I am not sure I am ready to talk about it.  I think that there are experiences in life that can make you or break you, make you closer to Christ or move you farther, you can take it as a learning experience to grow or it can tear you down.  Life is about our perspective on things that are out of our hands.  My thinking this week brought me to the importance of family, the support of loved ones, and what really matters on that eternal perspective, because that is what guides our future decisions that we do have control of.  So, this week, I will focus on the good things from work, few though they may be…
My para did an awesome job decorating our door at the HS

I got a box personally from Brandon Sanderson donating 6 hard cover books worth 150 bucks!!!

I also spoke in my very 1st assembly in front of 500 kids.  Talk about nerve-racking!!  I announced how well we are doing in the summer reading program (we are 202nd place out of over 7,000 schools!) and we have almost doubled our goal.  When I announced Mike Ritland was coming the kids went crazy!  I cant wait until he comes.  So, the kids loved it and I didn’t barf.  That’s what I call success.
Kayla has been a domestic goddess and I have decided to sabotage her admission to BYUI so she has to stay here…Every day I come home from work exhausted and the house is cleaned, dinner and dessert made, and she has the kids doing their chores.  She is the only reason I am functioning now,  She cant leave.  The other day we came home and she had made brownies from scratch with cookie dough topping.  Tyler said, “Mom REALLY isnt going to let you leave now!”  She and Bob are starting the downstairs bathroom this week.  WHile we have someone here that’s “bored”…Tyler also asked what we will do when Kayla leaves and I said eat ramen.  He started laughing so hard and said he was laughing because its so true….
Alayna starts volleyball tomorrow and has her birthday!  woot woot!  Tyler is swamped with marching band and show choir.  And all 3 kids have done the ice bucket challenge…ill try to post their videos.  Oh the busyness of it all…

And so it begins…

Finally got my signs up.  Bob cut them out, Kayla painted them, after school care kids cut out the letters and their teacher modge-podged. them.  How's that for amazing delegation??

Because only cool librarians can pull off this kind of display…

Got my board by the main entrance done

I was overwhelmed by these boxes sent by people donating and trying to help!  I got all teary-eyed!

We finally got a hold of Mike Ritland to come do an assembly for meeting our summer reading goals.  I am SUPER excited for it!!

I guess I am an official professional now?

To be honest, this week was a tough one.  I wont go into to much detail except to say that the ONLY reason I do this job is for the kids.  I am sick of people, red tape, posturing, and budget cuts.  My new projector was taken, and I was given a dinosaur.  My cataloging computer for the middle was taken and I am fighting to get it back.  The old principal made sure no supplies were ordered for me this year, out of spite.  I wanted to scream and cry.  My chair at the HS was stolen.  I went and got a new one and then my paras was stolen.  When does the madness end?  But, I helped run Back-to-school night and seeing all those smiling faces run up to me to say hi reminded me WHY I do this.  Especially when a boy came running up with his parents and gave me this huge packet of papers of all the hours he read this summer.  His parents said they have never seen him so determined and motivated before.  That’s why I do this, folks.  It’s a matter of ignoring and getting through the rest.  But the kids?  They are MY motivation!

Its always much more fun when Bob does the gardening…

Tyler made it through heck week. Plus, 2 days were 13 hours of marching band and show choir.  Truth be told, I'm a little shocked he survived!

Actual school starts tomorrow.  None of us are mentally ready, but its coming anyway.  Wish us luck!

Summer is over :(

Well, once again summer has flown by so quickly that we barely knew it was here.  Personally I could use another month.  To our credit though, we accomplished a TON!

We worked on building up our food storage because I keep reading apocalyptic books we have been asked to.  We are now prepared BUT we aren't telling anyone we have it.  Bwaahaahaa…

Our garden was pathetic this year.  We got a bowl and a half of gross, spotted, ugly tomatoes.  We hung our head as we had to go buy roadside tomatoes so we could make salsa this year.  So sad.  And so far no apples.  But somehow we have become a farm for 2 bunnies (one is the baby we saved!) and Vinnie the Varmint has returned.  They eat our weeds, carrots, and lettuce.

As a final goodbye to summer, I took the kids to see “Guardians of the Galaxy” and we just loved it!  I am in love with baby Groot!  Marisa we put this on your list as a must see when you get back.

Bob and I had a wonderful date day yesterday.  I went to massage therapy which is saving me!  Then we went to Panera's for lunch and went to see “Into the Storm” which is like Twister on steroids and we loved it!  It’s so realistic and terrifying all at the same time.  Makes me take sirens here a little more seriously!

We also enjoyed getting ready for shark week by watching Sharknado 2.  There are no other movies like this, people!  A special thanks to mom for the cool book and tshirt- my kids will love it!!

(The shark ate Tyler…)

We spent some time at the high school library this week.  There is so much to do but it is looking so much better!  I did a TON of work here at home while I watched a marathon of “The Killing”.  It has been nice to relax (kind of) and feel accomplished.

Also, I got the bad news that ALL of my funding for the middle school library was cut.  ALL OF IT!  I was devastated.  How could they do that after all my hard work?  My  extended family jumped in, got the word out on facebook, and people I don’t even know started sending in books and asked me to create a wish list on Amazon.  I just wanted to cry.  I was so grateful for their support and kindness.  Then, I made a grant proposal to the Anamosa foundation and they granted my proposal, which means now I have some funds to work with.  Then the head of the foundation asked me to come to come speak and present at their next meeting and request funds for the high school. Yikes!

For those of you who don’t know, I was also contacted by the president of the Eastern Iowa Reading Council and asked to be a presenter for their conference in October.  I am extremely nervous. 

Well, this week I start back to school and Tyler starts marching band.  He will be super busy with that and show choir that starts this week too!  He was “kidnapped” this week to be initiated into the top show choir.  I blew the surprise because I thought it was 4:30AM not PM.  Oh well.  Only 4 weeks until Kayla starts at BYU-I and Alayna will have her 12th birthday in 3 weeks and join the young women program.  Where has the time gone people??

I got my new shirt and new plaque so bring on the new year!!!