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.

Our grapes were finally ripe

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

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!

Alayna and Tyler went to do some dog walking on Saturday

Alayna made chocolate covered strawberries

And all the guineas are happy and healthy

Another great busy week

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!

The babies are happy and flourishing!

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

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

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

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

Playing with the BB8

Reading Corner

 

Library Orientation Kahoot

Student painted for me

The staff recommendation display was clearly a success!

Sphero

My whirlwind of chaotic craziness!

I cannot even express how nutty life has been, yet all in a surprisingly good way!

Sunday night we had the wedding open house.  Not too many people came, but it turned out nice.  We are now drowning in ice  cream and toppings.  We also got some fun family pictures done!

On Monday, I had to work a full day but was able to leave for lunch to celebrate the birthdays at Osaka (Brandon had never been).  We had a birthday party that night with ice cream cake and Marisa also shared gifts that she brought for us from Mexico.

Happy 14th Birthday to Alayna and Happy 23rd to Brandon!

Also made a homemade Zookie one night

Alayna had her 1st day of high school!

Mia maids welcomed her to their class!

Because we have issues we just couldnt let Larry, Curly, and Mo Oreo, Peanut, and Coco go.  So, poor Tyler, Bob, and Alayna spent all yesterday building cage #3.  We now refer to it as the guinea farm.  All 3 babies are boys and have to be separated from all females, even their moms, by 2 weeks 5 days or they get them pregnant.  They are mad about being separated from their mamas so they have been squeaking up a storm and its like watching an episode of prison break!

The new bachelor pad!

Good luck to Marisa and she heads into fall classes tomorrow and Brandon and Kayla as they start in a couple weeks.  Can’t wait to see you guys at Christmas!  Maybe Ill be a little less stressed by then??

More babies and back to work

Penelope had her 2 beautiful babies Sunday evening.  They are so dang cute!  We just found out today all the babies are boys.

Baby #1

Baby #2

all 3

I had a very busy week back to school.  I had 2 full days of new teacher meetings.  Then all day Excelsior staff (where I had to present which was nerve racking but very successful) Thursday was more meetings ad work day.  Friday was the longest most boringest PD ever.   Everyone has been so positive and sweet.  I hardly know what to think!

Here is me with the new LinnMar mascot named King

We had to go through ALICE training with the Marion police on one of the days.  It is training us what to do during an active shooter incident.  It is absolutely terrifying but empowering.  They hit us with pellets and it hurts.  The bad guy is scary and when he is coming after you with that gun- such utter terror.  Thank goodness I had Sister Brough to go through it with me (shes an ed assistant at the same school.)  We made it through the 1st 2 scenarios but running out the door as soon as we heard the shots.  We didnt get hit but my heart almost went through my chest.  Each time they explain the scenario so we know what will happen.  In the 3rd scenario, they used one of us to be a volunteer to be a teacher who has a gun to see if that changes anything.  We were really listening when 2 shots rang out.  It honestly didnt register at all that the shooter was IN the room- the cop standing behind me!!!  Someone finally yelled that the shooter was there and I told Meredith to go! I was shot right after the teacher.  I ran into a chair and then tripped over the one Meredith kocked over.  Only to look up and see everyone was out of the room. I looked back to the shooter in time to see the science teacher take the shooter down.  The teacher took one point blank in the chest.  I realized I most likely would not have survived.  Its a major reality check but empowering.  Also, as I mentioned it hurt.  I have 2 huge bruises on my knee and leg but not in my ribs where I got shot. 

Brandon and Kayla arrived safely from Idaho this week. They came with Tyler and Alayna to help me set up the library.

Today the whole family is at adventureland for the day and picking up Marisa from the airport in Des Moines late tonight.  The wedding open house is tomorrow and we will be celebrating Brandon and Alayna’s birthday on Monday.  Its been a very busy week!!!

By morning my family will all be together again!