Summer is finally upon us!

Alayna had her final choir concert and her Hart grandparents were even here to attend.  She did a wonderful job!

We were able to accomplish MANY household projects in just the past few days that Corey and Hal were here.  Everything looks amazing!!!

Look at the beautiful pea gravel throughout the garden boxes.  It was 4 tons!!!

New garage shelving…

New living room décor (it will look better when I get the wedding pics up:

Gparents took us out to celebrate Tyler’s graduation

Wonderful thank yous from AMS to say goodbye

Almost Done…

Tyler had his final band concert this week and senior recognition.  He did a great job and we are proud of him and his musical accomplishments.  He lettered in band as well.

Other News:

I got another call from John, the principal at my new school.  He offered me an additional position.  So, the middle schools have a Technology Integration Coach.  I was offered the position as the Assistant technologist. Basically doing everything I said I would but get paid more.  I accepted and felt honored that I was asked!  I am so excited for next year!

I finally announced to the kids at Anamosa middle that I was leaving.  There were many in tears.  My heart breaks to leave them, but I have to do what’s best for me.

Domestic Disasters:

Alayna decided to make cookies for the ward talent show and forgot about it until the day before.  So we ran to the store that day, got an already mix and burnt them.

Then I tried to make peanut butter cookies last night and forgot the peanut butter!  I noticed when I was putting them on the tray.  Good Grief.

Then, Alayna kept saying she thought there was something wrong with her braces.  She kept bugging me so we took her in- only to find out she had been wearing the rubber bands the wrong way- they didnt tell her to change them.  Oops.  So now she has a very sore mouth and a few months added on before she gets them off.

Maybe one of these days I will tell you about my cupcake thief story….

Happy 22nd Birthday to Marisa!  We love you and hope your day was amazing!!!

LMHS Production 'The Music Man' Receives State Recognition

The Linn-Mar High School production of the Meredith Willson musical “The Music Man” received several honors in the Iowa High School Musical Theatre Awards. The show was presented April 28th, 29^th and 30^th in the Linn-Mar High School auditorium. It received Production Awards for Outstanding Overall Performance and Outstanding Student Orchestra. The show earned two Student Awards for Outstanding Performance in a Principal role for Anna Moore as “Marian Paroo” and Brenna O’Hara as “Mrs. Paroo.” Four Special Recognition honors were presented. Two for Performance in a Principal Role to Connor Haskell as “Harold Hill” and Samantha Kragel as “Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn”. Other special Recognition Awards were given for the Ensemble Cast and for Participation of Community Youth.

Congratulations to Fine Arts Departments throughout the district for these well deserved awards!

Last Choir Concert

Tyler had his final choir concert and it was wonderful.  They sound amazing!  It was also senior recognition night.  He lettered all 3 years which is an awesome!! They called each senior by name and announced where they are going “Tyler will be serving a 2 year LDS mission after which he will attend BYU-Idaho and major in music.”  They each got a rose to bring down to their mom in the audience.  It was dark and I only had a camera phone.

Their musical won 9 awards (Tyler can explain more) so they have been asked to come this summer to do it in Des Moines.  Also, Tyler will be moving to Utah in June and plans to live with Jonathan and family while he works to raise money for his mission and get a Utah residency.

Alayna rocked the tennis season and is excited to do a tennis camp this summer.

Our summer reading program is off to an amazing start.  sometimes you just have to give the right incentive…

I love watching the students succeed.  It will be hard to leave these students that I love.  Especially knowing they are not being left in good hands.  But I am extremely excited for my new adventure at Excelsior!!!  I absolutely cant wait!!!

Marisa in Guanajuato, Mexico

Happy Week!

It has been a fun and busy week.  It was Star Wars Day on May 4th.  Awesome!  For Cinco De Mayo, Bob and I went on a date to Pancheros.  It was also a 2nd celebration for my new job because I was having serious doubts I had actually been offered the position.  Finally someone told me John announced it to his staff and I was flooded with relief that my brain hadn't made it up.  So, we partied again.  I have been overwhelmed by all the kind emails from Excelsior welcoming me and the staff from Anamosa about how much I will be missed.  I am truly excited for this new adventure!!! 

I had an awesome birthday yesterday!  We did exactly what I wanted: Osaka for lunch, watched 5th wave at home in my PJS and then they got me my sweet cream at coldstone!  It was perfect!  We also had our home chef Margaritas for dinner! Yummy!

I have also been adamant the past many years about never having a TV in the bedroom.  Now that are kids are almost all gone and my body is a mess, I thought it was time to change that rule.  Sometimes, pathetically enough, I am too exhausted to walk down the stairs to watch TV with the family.  So Bob got me this for my Anniversary/Birthday/Mothers Day gift and I love it!!!

Friday was the huge Battle of the Books at the middle school.  We had 34 teams compete over the year.  The final 5th/6th team went against the 5/6 teacher team in the finals and same with the 7th/8th.  It was a huge success and the battles were tight.  The student teams both won by 2 points.  We had an awesome party with never-ending cupcakes and pizza!

So wonderful to hear this week from Marisa and see that she is alive and having a great time in Mexico!

Brandon’s sister had her wedding yesterday.  We are looking forward to seeing pictures!

Also my lilacs bloomed

And look what I got from my students for teacher appreciation week:

Faith in the Lord requires Faith in His Timing!

It sure is interesting to look back on the past 10+ years and see the Lord’s hand in so  many decisions and events.  It is certainly something that builds testimony.  As most of you know by now, I was offered the Excelsior Middle School library position and I truly couldn't be more excited!!!   I am so grateful I prayed and followed promptings to finally be at this point.  I felt a HUGE, literal load come off my shoulders when the offer came.  I didn't realize how much the stress of my current job was weighing me down.  After Tyler’s show I freaked out a bit because I couldn't figure out if the call really came and I was offered the job or I just made it up in my head because I wanted it so bad.  That was so weird!!!  It is also way more pay, close to home, and now I’ll be close to Alayna.  Like I said, many prayers answered.  Sometimes when we pray, the answer doesn't come until years later.  I certainly feel an immense sense  of gratitude!

Bob and I finally got to go out yesterday to celebrate our anniversary.  We had a wonderful date and went to to Olive Garden for lunch. 

Tyler did an AMAZING job in “The Music man” this week.  We were very impressed by all his lines, his singing and his dancing!  Way to go, Tyler!

 

Marisa left for Mexico Saturday morning and has made it safely to Celaya!

 

No pics of Kayla and Brandon this week I think they have been super busy with a new semester.  We love and miss you guys!!!