Sunday, October 16, 2016

October 16

It was a long week and, as always, I am shocked at how busy it is!

Poor Lily has had a growth on her side for several months.  We brought her in and the dr was pretty sure she had been nicked at some point and an infection had been building. She said guinea pig infections are thick so she would need surgery.  So we dropped her off Wednesday morning.  Apparently the mass was HUGE and they were able to remove it all because it was encapsulated.  When she cut into it she found that it wasn’t an infection, but actually a tumor.  They asked if they should send it in to be checked for cancer.  We said no and are just happy she is running around her cage again and eating.

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These are the stitches all along her side

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That same day, I was working on the books at school.  Almost every barcode and spine need to be redone.  Anyway, I have to use goo gone on most of it and I have label scrapers to help.  One of them is a razor on 3 sides.  At one point, I pushed just a little to hard on one of the labels and the razor slipped on the goo gone and slashed right into my finger.  The side of my finger was sliced wide open.  I ran to the nurse and by the time I got there, my hand had a pool of blood in it.  She helped me wash and wrap it.  I debated going in for stitches but really didn't have the time.  I ran to walmart and got a liquid bandage, butterfly stitches, and heavy duty antibiotic and now it is doing much better. No infection!

I had a formal observation this week along with a pre and post observation meeting with the principal.  As you all know, that is something I dread and it makes me physically ill.  Those meetings this week were literally the best meetings I have ever had.  He was extremely complimentary, said I am excellent teacher , and went on and on about what a huge difference I am making to all  the students and staff.  Again, it brought me to tears.  How wonderful to be a part of such a positive environment, where I get up excited to go to work every single day, where I love everyone I work with and I have solid support.  It’s incredible and heart warming! Now if I could just find some doctor to cure fibromyalgia and the nightmare of my CFS, I could rule the world!

The book fair arrived this week and its been even more insane than normal.  Day 1 I sold 128 books.  Day 2 (not a conf night) I sold 30!  Everyone has been so excited and it has been so awesome to see.  I run it this week too.  But the most amazing thing was that through the ENTIRE parent conference night I was bombarded by parents telling me what a huge difference I am making in their childs life.  I heard several times “So, you are Mrs. hart? My kid talks about you all the time!”.  It was heart warming and awesome and has made the hell I went through in Anamosa all worth it just to have been able to make it here.

Tyler came to  help me so I had an extra set of eyes. 

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He has also become our own Home Chef.  MAN I love that place and hope they never go out of business!

Stromboli Tyler made from scratch

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Alayna and I worked most of yesterday on her history project.

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She also had her 1st barn dance last night and had a great time especially because there were kittens every where to hold.

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I was also able to arrange to get therapy dogs to visit the library.  We have many special ed students who have been terrified of the library from past bad experiences.  I arranged for them to come in, meet the dogs, read books to the dogs, etc.  It was a HUGE success. I was almost in tears.  The kids were so happy, come in all the time now, and I am working with the asst principal to get a permanent one for our library!!!

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I assume Kayla is alive? I did hear from Brandon yesterday who was on a fun fishing trip!

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Apparently Marisa got to spend some time with my parents!  So fun!  Wish I could have been there!

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I havent mentioned lately how amazing Bob is- he made this amazing grape jelly out of all of our grapes, has been a huge support for me, and I thank heavenly father ever day for helping me find him!

Sunday, October 02, 2016

October 2

Well, I think this picture of Alayna sums up how we have felt the past few weeks.  How grateful I am for a conference weekend to relax and focus on the things that are the most important!

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I stayed home from school on Friday.  My body finally gave out.  I am trying to find ways to get that balance that I need, but this week will be crazy.  I have therapy dogs coming in, I am being observed, getting ready for the book fair, OCM olympics, Alayna should get her braces off, etc.  Here are some of the things I did this weekend:

Ironed on 18 shirts for our OCM Olympics

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Made the Harry Potter invites for the club I got roped in to and now we have almost 40 kids signed up for

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Made Literary Pumpkins.  The jellyfish is for my new favorite book.

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Alayna started her pumpkins- I am anxious to see how they end up…

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We watched “The shallows” and I loved it!!! And I snuggled with babies

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Here is a picture of one of Marisa’s mission reunions this week.  We got to skype with her yesterday and hope to skype with Kayla and Brandon today.

Here are some pic of Alayna at the bonfire.

AND we found that we have a ladybug infestation and they ruined ALL of our honeycrisp apples!  Jerks!

Sunday, September 25, 2016

Kayla made for class

September 25

Finally got a picture of Marisa! She had a cute one on instagram but despite being a technology team leader, I cant for the life of me figure out how to copy it.

Kayla did an awesome job updating her blog with tons of awesome pictures- so make sure you check it out!

You can check out my work blog for updates on all the happenings there. 

Alayna went to her 1st stake activity/dance last weekend and really had a great time.  She also went to a friends bonfire with lots of youth from the stake

If you are following the news, you can see the we are under another flood warning- almost as big as the one we had in 2008. We aren’t directly affected since, thank goodness, we dont live in the flood zone.

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Our grapes were finally ripe

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And once again we had to change the cages.  It is really a guinea zoo down there

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Sunday, September 11, 2016

Blog Suckage

 

I am really sucking at our home blog.  I am still feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, like I am drowning, yet I love this job.  So I feel conflicted and tired. 

 

Bob won his office Olympics! Go Bob!

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Alayna and Tyler went to do some dog walking on Saturday

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Alayna made chocolate covered strawberries

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And all the guineas are happy and healthy

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Monday, September 05, 2016

Another great busy week

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This is a picture of my OCM group.  Great 6th graders and I love working with them!

Some students helped me finish the book drop.  For more school stuff- check out my work blog!

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The babies are happy and flourishing!

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Marisa started school. I have no pictures of her or Kayla and Brandon this week Sad smile

I spent the weekend ill. I know I overdid it badly.  This job is running me into the ground. But I love it.  I am currently searching for balance.

Tyler and Alayna took their cat socializing/dog walking training and can now go do it any time they want.

We watched “Miracles from Heaven” as a family this weekend.  I HIGHLY recommend it!  Also, for those who don't know, I have a new calling as Mia Maid advisor Smile

Alayna is looking into the bowling team and backstage help for the plays.  She is really enjoying high school and seminary!

Sunday, August 28, 2016

My whirlwind of chaotic craziness- Part 2

I am not sure I have ever been so exhausted and overwhelmed yet so happy and excited at the same time.  How is that possible? 

I will say that I had an idea of what this job would be , but never did I imagine the magnitude of what it would require.

On both Wednesday and Thursday, I spent the 1st 2 hours of the day teaching the PBIS standards in 20 minute sessions to 500 students. I have had to start wearing a micorphone.  Every period except 1 was full this week of me doing library orientation and chekcouts.  One day we checked out almost 800 books! 

I shovel my lunch in 10 minutes.  I literally never sit.  I have a list of about 5,000 things to do.

The kids have been so excited that on Friday I actually had 100 students in the library before school to play in all the makerspace stations.

Was offered money by the district curriculum coordinator so I spent the weekend writing a grant.

I have had so much positivity, compliments, and support- I hardly know what to think.

 

New LEGO station

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Playing with the BB8

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Reading Corner

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Library Orientation Kahoot

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Student painted for me

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The staff recommendation display was clearly a success!

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Sphero

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Utah- Part 4