I'm a fixer...

Just a little epiphany I had today (I guess that's the teacher in me).

I'm a fixer, always have been and always will be. If something is broken I feel the need to fix it. It's like this innate urge that I have a hard time suppressing. I guess it's a good thing to like to fix things but it can also cause a lot of frustration. Ever since I was little I felt like it was my job to make things all better. When Briana died, I felt like I had to fix it so that my family wasn't sad anymore. When my companions and I were struggling with the work in Spain, I felt the need to fix it and make it all better. When my mom died, I felt like I needed to fix the pain and grief that my family was going through again. Still today, when I get frustrated because I can't fix everything, I feel the need to fix myself ( if that makes any sense). This habit, I guess you could call it that, has been a friend and a foe to me over the years.
But over the last month things happened to change how I feel about "fixing" things and it has helped me find a happy medium. A little over a year ago I had a friendship "broken" and I tried for over a year to "fix" it, with no luck. It remained broken and I got even more frustrated because I couldn't fix it. Yet, through that experience I learned that you can't fix everything, no matter how hard you try or what you do. I'm grateful for the experience because it has helped me to let go of the things I can't fix and not focus on them so much:) I know that in the future I will still find things that I "need" to fix but I now feel more confident to let the unimportant "fixings" go because some things in life are going to remain broken and that is okay. The things I can't fix have been covered by the Savior. I love the Christmas season because it helps remind me that my Savior is the master fixer and that I really need to leave more things at his feet rather than hold on to them just because I'm determined to do it by myself. I know that he is there for the big and little things. He is my Lord, Savior and Redeemer and I'm grateful to celebrate his birth. Merry Christmas and here's to a wonderful new year!

We are white trash.... here's the proof.

These decorations were just taken down a week before Thanksgiving. We are white trash but at least our door doesn't face the street!

Ughhh

The almost unsurmountable pile of laundry that keeps coming back to my house. Seriously, I'm offering a reward for whoever finds the person that keeps doing laundry and not folding it:)

What I come home to....

I look forward to seeing these three little faces everyday after work and when we come back from vacation! And this is what we see every time (except Chancey is usually waiting right by the gate rather than up on the porch.

I'm sure that some people look at us with our three dogs and think that we are poster children for Elder Oaks talk about having dogs instead of kids, but we love them and are excited to introduce our kids to them. They have been a nice trial run at parenting before we have kids. :) And for those who are worried... we will have kids sooner than later.

The newest additions

#1

Who was I kidding? When we got Puma I said, "Oh we'll have her for a while and then we'll find her a good home." That didn't happen and we decided to keep her. She is such a good pup and I can't imagine not having her as a dog. We sure do love this little puppy and look forward to having her for many years to come.

#2
We traded in the Honda and got a new 2009 Ford F150. Some eye candy for you truck lovers.

The Prince

Here are some pictures of the Bunker's broken leg that I had posted about earlier. He sure felt like a prince for the five days that he got to be inside and a little pampered.
Bunker the day that he broke his leg. Sitting like a prince inside the warm house with two pillows.

Bunker now that his splint is off.

Up close picture of Bunker's leg. He has a steel pin inside of it.

Remembering and Celebrating

November and December are always a little somber and reflective with the holidays, my mom and Briana's birthdays and my mom's passing. I guess I should be grateful that it is all rolled up into a couple of months rather than spaced out. Yet, even though there is reason to be gloomy I still find reason to celebrate. I celebrate the life they both lived and how intimately connected I am to both of them. They may not be right here in front of my face but they are always there. My family was and still is one of the greatest blessings in my life. I celebrate the times we had together, the memories and lessons learned. Now my "family" is different but that doesn't take away from what I knew and loved for 23 years. I wish that my Adam could have met my mom and Briana but I feel so grateful when I get the chance to tell him a funny story or cry about something I remember. It is a time of sweet tenderness, with some tears, when I get the chance to tell someone about my mom and sister. How grateful I am for the gospel that has taught me to take a time of sadness and turn it into something sweet. Love you Mom and Bri.
Mom's grave
Sunflowers

Briana's Grave with Sunflowers

I heart this face!

Love you babe!

UEA trip... forgot to take pictures

My new friend....... The bronze moose pirate
We went to Colorado over UEA break to visit Chad and Candace and help out at their new house. I had fun spending time with Candace, Kenzie and Braden while Adam put up base board and almost finished the deck with Chad. We wish we could have spent more time but UEA break is only a couple of days. Thanks Chad and Candace and we look forward to seeing you at Christmas!

The random bronze moose that we saw in a little town in Colorado. It was dressed like a pirate. We also found out that there are only $6 Subway footlongs in this town. (Weird)

Grading

That is all I have been doing for a couple of days since grades are due this Friday. Blah..... my eyes are tired of looking at the same papers over again. Yet it comes with the territory and I should have kept up on it daily or weekly so that I didn't have TWO huge piles of assignments to be graded at the end of the term:). I will almost be MIA until after Friday, for those who contact me regularly. (HA)

Things I'm excited for!!!

With the holidays creeping up on us here are some of the things that I have been waiting all year for!

- Christmas Music!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm a little obsessed.

-Thanksgiving Break (3 days to just chill)

-Black Friday!!!!!!!!

-Day After Thanksgiving Turkey Sandwiches- Turkey never tasted so good:)

-Christmas crafts with my class

-Decorating my house for Christmas

-Giving people presents

-Sleeping in with Adam

-Getting paid over Christmas Break

-Seeing family

-Not getting stuck in the snow:) Crossing my fingers for that one

-Ice Skating

-Snowball fight in the backyard!

-Sweaters, cardigans and scarfs!

-Christmas candle scents!

-New movies in the theatre

-Dutch Christmas!!!!!

I love, love, love/heart Christmas time. I've already got my music ready to go!

Here is my post

We just spent too much money on a movie. We saw "Michael Jackson: This is it" on a whim. All I can say is that I saw it. It was alright, the best part was seeing MJ dance. It's back to the dollar theatre for us:)

I can hardly believe it

It has been three years since I last heard my mother's voice. I can still remember and hear her voice vividly in my mind. You just never realize how endearing your mother's voice is until you can't hear it anymore. All I have are the memories of things she has said to me and I do my best to think about how she would say things when I need her advice. In honor of her I'm going to list some of the sayings that were "hers" that come to me when I need them. :)

-Tough Titty said the kitty when the milk went dry. (I never realized the literal meaning of that until last year and can't believe my mom said that to us:)

-Skiwompus (I still say this to my students when things are crooked)

-Time to get up (She would sing this in the morning.... how I hated it back then and how long to hear it now)

- It'll all work out in the end (someday right?.... )

- You're being silly Jamie (I remember that one a lot)

- Did you finish your homework? ( .......... I think you can figure out that she said that daily)

- Jamie put your dishes/shoes away! (I'm getting better. I don't leave them for days anymore)

- Have you found a job yet? (Every summer and semester that I procrastinated finding one)

- You'll find someone someday. (I did!!!!!)

- Guckies (said for anything you shouldn't put in your mouth)

- I love you Jamie D. (My favorite)

The years continue to pass by but my memories remain with me.

I'm already one day behind.....

My sister-in-law Paula has reminded me that it is National Blogging Month.... and I'm already one day behind but I'm going to attempt it and upload pictures later. :) ( This is all for you Paula.... consider it a part of your birthday present:) We have lots to report on so here is a brief list.

Friday, October 30: I made it through the craziness of Halloween at school. Two Halloween Parades, a party later and I'm still alive. So tired.

Saturday, October 31: Woke up late, did a little laundry, took the dogs to the park to play fetch and then.....................headed to the vet because Bunker BROKE his leg! Snapped the radius and ulna in his left front leg. $440 later we find out that they are wrapping his leg, giving us some pain meds, x-rays, and telling us that he needs to have a $1,200 surgery. WHAT?! Kids definitely seem cheaper than dogs at this point. We decided to just take him home and talk to OUR vet on Monday.

Sunday, November 1: Didn't sleep well because Bunker was whimpering most of the night and having to be carried outside to do his business. Made it through church and then remembered it was my Mom's birthday. Still happy but miss her lots. Went to dinner at my sisters, visited the cemetery with everybody, got free school stuff and then spent time with Adam.

Monday, November 2: Found out that OUR vet is able to fix Bunker for $300 and felt so relieved! Went to dinner with my Dad and sister to celebrate my mom's birthday and really enjoyed it:) Came home to an empty house and had some time to ponder. Good times and happy days. My mom is awesome and I'm so blessed to be known as her daughter! Just gotta keep looking for those blessings and being cheery.

Here pig, pig, pig, pig.....

That's right. I'm quarantined to my house until Wednesday. I have the H1N1 flu but it actually wasn't that bad for me. I mean I feel really congested and achy but my fever stayed under control and I never had to throw up (sorry if that was too much info for some of you:). Not to say that I want to have the Swine flu ever again, but I really hate feeling nauseated, so I'll take the body aches and congestion. The one downer is that I can't teach until Wednesday because I might still be contagious. I feel well enough to teach but the doctor told me that I have to use my sick days. I really, really, really didn't want to but Adam keeps reminding me that I can't be selfish and put other people at risk. I made up my sub plans, took my mask with me and headed to my school. It only took me about an hour to get all of my copies done and the classroom ready for my subs. On a positive note, I will have lots of time on Monday and Tuesday to catch up on grading and get some other units ready to go.
On a funny and slightly ironic note, I was checking my email and found an email from my Grandpa Tate about how to prevent the H1N1 flu, on the day that my symptoms really started to show. Funny... and if you received the same email make sure that you follow those instructions:) I had three students out with the swine flu a couple of weeks ago, so I either got it there or some random place. Who knows. Wash your hands and drink plenty of fluids people.

Happy Anniversary:)

So you know how Adam and I are hopeless romantics so here is a recap of what we did for our anniversary and other romantic holidays. (for your viewing pleasure)

1st Anniversary (2008)- Shooting at the range and a night at Little America
Valentine's Day (2009)- Shooting at the range
2nd Anniversary (2009)- Haunted Forest and dinner at the Melting Pot

We had a great time going to the Melting Pot and running through the forest from scary people. Now that we've done the not so usual anniversary date, I think this might turn into a tradition. Who knows? My gift from Adam was very sweet. He brought home a "husband and wife" Willow Tree figurine and The Christmas Edition of the Worldwide Ward Cookbook! I've been coveting this cookbook every time that I walk into Deseret Book and Adam knew it so he surprised me with a very thoughtful gift! Love you honey and thank you for helping me learn how to be the best that I can be over the past two years! I can't wait for the rest of eternity!

Jamie

I love my job!!!

Well, that pretty much describes how I feel about teaching. I literally forget that I'm getting paid most of the time until pay day comes and I remember..."Oh yeah. They pay me to do this!" Now I don't want you to think that there haven't been stressful days but 95% of the time it is a good day. My kids are great and quick to learn. It takes a lot and my hours don't end at 4:00 PM because there is still so much to do but I feel accomplished at the end of the day, like I've made a difference. I've been working closely with one of our small group autism teachers and we have two boys coming to our class a couple of times a day. They are great and I'm so glad to have them be a part of my class and to see my kids learn to love and appreciate them. Special Education is so near and dear to my heart because of my little sister Briana and I'm excited for the day when I can go back and get my special ed degree. I'm also glad that we have decided to have kids next year after I finish my first year of teaching. I don't know how I could be a first year teacher and be pregnant or a have kid.... that would be really hard. At least I have this year to get my feet on the ground and stock up my files:)
I had a sub for a half day this last week while I attended some training about our reading program. I would much rather teach while being sick then make a substitute plan..... it is so much more work because I can't just fill in the blanks when I get there. I do appreciate subs though because they have to interpret what I'm trying to write down:) Anywho, I feel so blessed to have my job and grateful for the talents that Heavenly Father has blessed me with!

All the controversy...

I just read President Obama's speech for students that he will give tomorrow and I am impressed. I understand people's fears of it being politically directed but I'm am impressed that the White House released it a day early so that everyone had a chance to read it and make their own decision. My school isn't watching it because we didn't really have enough time to get word out to the parents so that they could have the option to keep their kids home or send them to school, but I'm sure that if we would have had a bit more time we might have been able to show it to whoever wanted to watch it. (I am disappointed that the White House couldn't have let educators know about this a couple of weeks ago so that we could have done more to prepare.... that seems a little fishy to me but not a deal breaker. I really related to his remarks towards inner city students because of my experience at Dixon Middle School and the experience I continue to gain. I'm trying to figure out if there is a way that I can have my students read or see it but I'll have to talk to my principal.
I really believe that students, especially inner city school students, will benefit from this speech and I wish that they could have made this announcement a week earlier in order to give schools more time to prepare since we can't just "show" anything, whether it's from the President or not without parental permission. I'm also pretty sure that if they had given more time, more schools would be watching it tomorrow, even the ones that are staunch republican. (seriously)

I have great friends!

So for awhile I felt like I really didn't have "good" friends. You know, the ones that you can always count on. It started about a year ago but I really feel like I'm in a good place now and realize how many great friends I do have! Here is a little tribute to some of them. (P.S. Adam is my BEST friend, but that is a given.)

Brooke- My sister and best friend. She is always there to listen to my silly antics. I talk to her almost daily (it used to be daily before school started) and she knows pretty much everything going on in my life. She lets me spoil her kids a little and always feeds me:) Thank you for being there and tolerating my ranting and raving at times:)

Bekah- (not that she'll ever see this:) Even though she lives in SLC and is going to Italy for a month, we still talk and make time for each other. She was one of my favorite roommates and I consider her a friend for life! We are a lot alike but she is the better version! Love you Bek and will miss you when you leave for Italy!

Carrie- Again, long distances don't keep us from each other. She lives in Norway but we get to talk by google, blog, email and facebook:) She and I have been friends since our freshman year of college and she is also a friend for life! I miss being able to call her....daily. I sent her a package the other day and totally picked up my phone to call her before I realized that I couldn't.... I was a little disappointed LOL. Care, you are so great and know me so well. I'm excited to talk to you at Christmas, whether that's in person or by phone.

McKenna- We have only been friends for a couple of months but she is my kindred spirit! Again, she and her hubby are moving to Texas in a couple of weeks but we see them almost daily! She is one of the kindest and most thoughtful people I've met in my life and I'm grateful to call her my friend! Adam and I will be so lonely and bored after you leave but are already planning a trip to TX! SK you are our besties! So many memories yet to be made!

Cami and Rachel- We've been separated because of internships for the summer but I'm so excited to have them back in town! We met in our first married ward and miss being able to see them each Sunday. So glad to have you closer now and can't wait to hang out.... and carve pumpkins in October! (minus the finger bleeding:)

Lacey- My life would not be the same without her! She is teaching just over the hill at Eagle Valley Elementary and she is a friend for life as well! We have so much fun together and laugh up a storm together! I know that I can call her and tell her about my crazy day and she'll have something to make me laugh! Hopefully we can teach at the same school one day! Lace, you are the best!

Heidi- Hello Lady! She was my trainer in the mission and although we don't see each other daily, we always pick up where we left off! She is so good to check up on me when she hasn't heard from me in awhile. We had many laughs on the mission and still keep it up! She's a life friend and one of the best dance buddies I've had! Too bad that Adam won't come with us... we danced up a storm when I was still single:) Thanks for helping me get "back into life" after I came home!

My grandma's and aunts- Losing my mom was and still is hard but I have so many women in my family that are always checking up on me and doing little things that my mom would do if she were here:) They are my angels here on earth!

Tress, Paula, Candace and Brooke- My sweet mother-in-law and sisters-in-law are so good to entertain me when we're together. We have a great time together and they are so good to find out what is going on in my life. I feel very blessed to have them as my family and know that they are always there for me! I really do consider them to be more like a mom and sisters and look forward to seeing them!

Kathy, Kim, Heather, Jill, Melanie and Michelle- My step mom and sisters were put into a hard situation when we blended families but they always make an effort to be involved in my life and develop a closer relationship. Blending families can be difficult but they are doing a pretty good job and have lots of patience. Love you guys.

So I do have great friends and sometimes I just need to focus on what I do have rather than what I have lost:) Thanks to all who are a positive influence on my life!

ONE Week and 27 faces:)

Maybe if I put a spoon on my nose the first day they'll think I'm a decoration in the room.........


Now I am down to a week before school starts... where did the time go? I seriously feel like it was just yesterday that I accepted the position, but that was 3 months ago. I finally got my keys last week and moved my stuff in today. We've also had new teacher training for the past three days but now we are apparently "prepared". (Whatever that means:) I feel confident that it'll be a great year and that I'll love my kids but it's overwhelming to try and digest all of the things that I am supposed to know about the school and the curriculum by next Thursday. Being in the portable is another story. There are some limitations out there that frustrate me but things will work out and we'll have fun.
My classroom is chaos right now but I'm going out there again tomorrow and Saturday to make it come together! I'll post pictures of course. I can't believe that I'm a real teacher... it's scary at times but exhilarating at the same time. We got our class list and I'm sending out post cards tomorrow so wish me luck and no writer's cramp:)

To my dearest Carrie Anne...

Today is Carrie Anne's birthday. We have known each other for 8 years and she is one of my best friends for life. Although she lives in Norway and we don't get to see each other, we pick up where we left off whenever we talk. She is someone who knows me inside and out and I love her dearly! She is 26 today and I wanted to list 26 things I love about her and memories of us.
1. We were in the same Book of Mormon class our first semester at college and lived at the same dorm but we didn't become the best of friends until the next semester:)
2. She is my ever faithful dance partner!
3. I can tell her anything and she'll always listen!
4. She wrote me on a regular basis while I was on my mission.
5. I remember one of the nights in Rexburg when we slid about 4 feet down the snowy sidewalk and then took a picture!
6. She is very crafty and creative.
7. She loves salsa music as much as I do.
8. I love and miss hearing her laugh!
9. She comments on my blog!
10. We had an "unplanned" meeting at the temple while she was in the MTC.
11. She gave me the hug that I needed after my mom's cancer spread.
12. She makes freaking awesome pumpkin cookies or muffins!
13. She served a mission in Norway and worked miracles there.
14. Our missions almost overlapped but I got home in time to take her to the MTC.
15. We will always be friends no matter where we live!
16. We took a geology class together and wrote notes back and forth to each other every class period! (You were the only reason I didn't fall asleep:)
17. She tackles challenges head on and succeeds.
18. She shows a genuine interest in other peoples' lives.
19. She exhibits Christ-like love.
20. She's not afraid to tell me like it is, and I appreciate that.
21. She knows how to make my day:)
22. She is an excellent cook.
23. She has been through a lot in her life but she always keeps a smile on her face.
24. She makes time for people.
25. We felt an earthquake late one night in Rexburg while we were up talking.
26. I know that the Lord sent her into my life because she is the friend I need!

Love you Carrie and hope that you have a wonderful birthday! Your package will arrive soon with a surprise!

Sunday Will Come

8 years ago today...

My little sister Briana left us and went to live with our Heavenly Father. It was one of the saddest days of my life but I rejoice in the knowledge and testimony that I have of the plan of salvation. Jesus Christ has made it possible through the atonement for us to be together again and live forever. My life was forever changed but for the good. In memory of my sister, we are going to the temple tonight to do her work. Here are a few pictures of her. You'll notice in a couple of the pictures that Briana has her arms around Brooke and I. To me it symbolizes more than just a hug but a sweet reminder that she is keeping us all together. Even though our lives were stressful at the time, Briana was the one keeping us all together. I truly miss experiencing the pure love of Christ on a daily basis because that is what Briana gave us everyday.

The three girls together
Our little family!

Camping

I love you Bri. Hope you and Mom are having a great day and we'll see you later tonight!

100 Things about me for my 100th post!

Here are my 100 things, so be prepared to stay awhile.

1. I sing at the top of my lungs in the car constantly!
2. I have two dogs and no kids…. Maybe I should get on the ball.
3. I have a fetish with lace.
4. I spend way too much money on food at the grocery store.
5. I don’t like to play Xbox unless it’s Scene It.
6. I say “your mom” quite often.
7. I had a lazy eye when I was little and my eyeliner always creeps up into the crease of my eyelid because of it.
8. I have had surgery on both of my knees.
9. I tend to speak only in Spanish when I’m under anesthetics… ask Brooke.
10. I crank up Spanish music or tv channel when Adam is not home.
11. I don’t take my allergy pill everyday like I should.
12. I check facebook and my blog daily.
13. I talk to my sister on a daily basis.
14. If I can’t get a hold of people in my family I get a gut wrenching feeling that they’ve either been abducted or in an accident.
15. I watch Lost and the Office on a regular basis.
16. I would love to write a column in the newspaper someday.
17. When I get really mad I speak in Spanish.
18. I get road rage when I’m driving by myself and I call everyone “Chancho”.
19. I think about writing thank you notes and then never get around to it.
20. I sent my wedding thank you notes a year later.
21. I love going to see my in-laws.
22. I struggle at times with putting my dishes away.
23. I have fallen asleep in a temple session.
24. I miss my mom daily and cry at least three times a week about it.
25. I’m not a bad person for missing my mom or crying because I keep going on with life.
26. I love Cheeto’s Puffs.
27. If ice cream is on sale I will buy it 99% of the time.
28. I love to have people over for dinner!
29. I am perfectly fine letting Adam mow the lawn.
30. I have the most patient husband in the world.
31. I love him more each day.
32. I have the bad habit of biting my nails.
33. I have yet to break that habit.
34. I sucked my thumb until I was in 4th grade…. Old… I know.
35. I will fall asleep in the car if we are in it for more than an hour.
36. I get really shy when I meet new people.
37. I would love to live on the East Coast and hope that we either go to Maryland or Washington State for Adam’s Masters Degree.
38. I am obsessed with Pike Street and would go there everyday if I could.
39. I still have yet to go to Argentina but I plan to do it someday.
40. My car is my room on wheels.
41. I have a hard time sleeping when Adam isn’t in the bed.
42. I’m an expert procrastinator.
43. I have done the Big Judd Challenge ( BYU-I): Eating a 1 lb. burger, fries, soda and ice cream in one sitting, and I have eaten the 1 lb burger at Fuddruckers.
44. I look at everyone’s wedding photos on facebook.
45. I love going furniture shopping.
46. I hate going car shopping.
47. I totally thought I was old enough to get married at 18 and now I’m very glad I didn’t.
48. Serving a mission made me a better wife.
49. I would like to buy a 22 rifle.
50. I have swum with dolphins and sting rays.
51. My fourth grade class made our student teacher cry.
52. For a couple of years I pretty much copied everything my cousin Lauren did.
53. I miss being able to talk to my friend Carrie Anne on a regular basis.
54. I wish we had a home phone so she could call me.
55. I HATE applying for jobs.
56. My first job was at the McDonald’s in Spanish Fork.
57. I had my first kiss when I was 21.
58. I have a fetish for cookbooks.
59. My family will tell you not to wake me up from a nap… ever.
60. My favorite color changes on a daily, sometimes hourly, basis.
61. Don’t ask me to pick my favorite food… just ask me what I’m in the mood for.
62. I practiced signing the last name of the boys I liked in middle school.
63. I don’t make my bed regularly (sorry Grandpa Tate)
64. I LOVE getting together with my family!!
65. Girls weekends are one of the highlights of my year!
66. I want to go to Elko to eat at the Basque steak house and see Kim, Kiley and Gabbie.
67. I play Bunko once or twice a month.
68. I love to plan parties!
69. I am not good at shooting things on the Xbox.
70. I was not a perfect missionary.
71. I used to go dancing twice a week (Salsa and Country).
72. I prefer pico de gallo to blended salsa.
73. I am in love with the tres leches from Café Rio.
74. I was a horrible ward missionary after I returned from my mission.
75. I do this weird thing with my tongue if I’m trying or thinking really hard (I get it from my mom).
76. I have given a 40 minute talk before…. My mom had to signal me to stop.
77. I used to lie to my parents on a regular basis as a teenager.
78. I have called in sick to work when I really wasn’t sick.
79. I have taken one pregnancy test… it was negative.
80. I have horrible teeth.
81. I’ve had two root canals.
82. I get really tired and want to go to bed at around 9:45.
83. I have many books that I have never read.
84. I love peaches and cottage cheese or pears and cheese.
85. I love to hear gossip, but I’m working on it.
86. I frequently find moldy food in my fridge because I’ve forgotten about it.
87. In video games I move the controller in the direction I want to go before I push the button… as if it really makes a difference.
88. I pick my zits.
89. I usually don’t fold the laundry I do for a day or two, or it usually just ends up in a pile on the floor in front of the closet
90. I salsa dance in the house at least once a week.
91. I had a mini crush on one of my first zone leaders…. Hna. Hill you know what I’m talking about.
92. I swear that bugs are mainly attracted to my face… they dive bomb me all the time.
93. Courtney and I don’t talk about our first three weeks together as companions but she was one of my favorite companions that taught me the most!
94. I freaking love to sing when we play Guitar Hero or Rock Band.
95. I really want to watch all of the seasons of Desperate House Wives even though I vowed never to watch it.
96. Did I mention that I HATE looking for jobs?
97. The nick name of my first kiss was “C-Bass”
98. Adam says that I cackle when I laugh or that I breathe in while laughing.
99. I have a hard time keeping little secrets.
100. I want to write children’s books or some type of book before I die.

Stay at home...... wife?

So this is the start of my second week without summer employment. I NEED A JOB!! I can only clean my house so many times during the day (although it is a lot cleaner now that I have nothing to do), before I start to go nuts. I've been applying and applying but apparently nobody wants to hire me. Any suggestions? Maybe I could start a babysitting business.... who knows? One thing is for sure, I do not like being a stay at home wife.... maybe I need kids? LOL

Gardens and Old Friends

We finished planting our garden this weekend, as well as hacking down all of the weeds. It was a lot of work but I'm so excited to have a garden. We planted squash, tomatoes(thanks Grandma and Grandpa Tate), beans, peppers, watermelon, cucumbers, cilantro, basil, onions, carrots, lettuce and cabbage. Here are some pictures of the garden boxes.

This is the fire pit that we built in the back yard. We've already done smores about 10 times with friends and we love it!

Bunker also keeps us laughing with his silly moments. Here he is flossing or scratching his mouth.... you decide:)



Bunker also has a new playmate! Chancey, our old family dog, has come to live with us permanently! These two have become fast friends and love going on walks to the park. They sleep in the kennel together and are doing great! Bunker is way more active but Chancey calms Bunker down as well.
Chancey: The old soul
Bunker and Chancita

Memorial Day

Here are some belated pictures from our fabulous Memorial Day! We went up to Evanston with Bunker and took the four wheelers out with the Bolinders and Kevin and Tress! Bunker came with us on the four wheelers and did really well. He kept up with us for a 1/2 mile at 35 mph! He is one fast dog and he probably ran about ten miles that day. After he ran that first half mile he got really tired so I had to hold him in between Adam and I on the four wheeler. Once he had a good rest he definitely let me know:) Tress and Kevin then fed us some delicious steaks and potatoes! Evanston has become my second home and I love it!
Holding Bunker on the 4-wheeler
Kevin and Tress

Lindsey (Adam's cousin), Robert and Emma came to visit for a couple of days as well! We had a good time and introduced them to the Kong Kone at Macy's!

Cute little Emma

Instructions on how to be a grown up:

A. Find a Job (check!)

I got a call from Mr. Tillman at Hidden Hollow Elementary and he offered me their 4th grade position! It's in Saratoga Springs and has only been open a year. I'm super excited and feel very grateful to have a job for next year. The Lord has blessed us so much...we are SO grateful! Anywho, just thought I'd drop a note to everyone. Thanks for your prayers on our behalf as well! We couldn't have done it without you!

First Pictures of a College Grad!

Can you find me?

Graduation Party with the "Coolest Cohort!"

We had a graduation party a couple of nights before we actually graduated! We went to Kirstin's house and had a great time with great food and even greater people! Her house was full of cool arcade games and it wouldn't be a party without Melodie and Katy getting into a food fight:) I absolutely love my cohort and will miss seeing them almost every night of the week but we still have BUNCO! Here are pictures for you viewing pleasure.
The Damage

Cleaning up the damage
Before the Dance Off
The Dance Off
Who won?
Melodie and Lacy with the lovely Angie
Katy and Ellie
The Beautiful Melodie
The fabulous Lacy