You are always on my mind......

If you were to ask me, "What are you thinking about right now?" 9 times out of 10 I would respond with something about my classroom, for my students or basically anything that deals with teaching. This is further illustrated through this experience. While Adam and I were driving, about a month ago, he turned to me and asked what my hobbies were. My first thoughts were all related to something about teaching. It took me a minute to think of something that didn't directly relate to my classroom or my students. While I realize that i should have other hobbies (which I'm now working on) I can't help but love to learn and teach others!
This summer has been my summer of classes. I have been in class since the week after school got out. I'll have a two week break in July and then I'll have one more class at the beginning of August. Some people think I'm crazy and that I should use my summer break for relaxation, but I can't help it: I don't have kids and I love LEARNING! My favorite so far has been BYU's Science Plus program and so here's a little about what I did for a week!

The class consisted of going down to Southern Utah in the Colorado Plateau region and learning all about the geology and biology of the area. We would start at 7:30 in the morning, eat lunch in the vans, have dinner at 5, present our findings from our assignments and then head to bed at about 9. If we weren't sleeping we were wandering all around learning about rocks, plants, habitats, geologic time and more! It was one of the most tiring things I've done in a long time (reminded me of my mission minus the religious part:) but I learned so much and I'm so excited to change how I teach science and use the inquiry method that I learned while I was there! It amazes me that we never cease to learn new things and I have a lot of years to keep learning! Therefore, if you have a hard time getting a hold of me it's probably because I'm in class:)

We're not moving!!!!!!!!!

We got a letter from the UVU Nursing Program today and found out that Adam was accepted!! So glad that we do not have to move somewhere else in January and that we get to stay around here for 3 more years:) I'm feeling very blessed and I'm grateful to see so many blessings lately. We are one step closer to our next phase of life.

Things not meant to be

Six weeks ago I took a pregnancy test and it was positive. Adam and I were so excited and hopeful for a new addition to our family (not in the form of a dog:). We made our appointment for June to have my 10 week ultrasound and listen to the heart beat. Everything seemed to be going well. We went to our appointment today and found out that the baby stopped growing around 6 weeks and that there was no heart beat. They were hard words to take in, but that is what happened. I realize that there was nothing I could have done to change things and it's just something I need to learn to deal with. I'm doing okay. It's hard to let go of the dreams and aspirations we had but it was not meant to be right now. Thank you to my wonderful friends and family for support, hugs and love:) Adam is such a sweet heart to me as well. I'm so grateful to have such a wonderful companion! I know that most people wouldn't blog about this kind of thing but it's kind of a therapeutic:) The Lord loves us and I know it'll happen when its meant to.

Mother's Day

Bitter Sweet day for me but enjoyed telling Adam all about my mom in the car ride up to Evanston! I'm noticing more and more each day all of the little things I do that my mother did all the time:0) They are such sweet reminders of her and her love! I'm planning on posting about them sometime this week. A big thank you to all my "mothers" who fill her role for me each day! I couldn't do it without you. Love you always and forever Mom! Jamie D.

Happy Birthday to Me!

I'm


27


and


loving


life!

Please feel free to send all celebration gifts via check or money order:)
Adam has planned a surprise for me tonight but I don't know what it is, so I'll post more later after it happens!

I'm a nut

So instead of taking a relaxing summer, and being a stay at home wife again, I'm going to be a tutor at Sylvan Learning Center in Orem. I'm actually really excited! Working with my students one-on-one is something I wish I had more time to do, so I get to practice a lot at Sylvan! The hours and pay are good and I'll only be working about 20 hours a week, so I still get somewhat of a break but also get to pad our savings account:). Maybe next summer I'll take a break and galavant to all of the places I've been dreaming about!

Dear....

Just some little notes for you viewing pleasure!

Dear Spring Break- How did you pass by so quickly? Couldn't you stay a few days longer so that I can be lazy and sleep in until 8? If you would take my suggestion into consideration and let me know before Monday morning at 5:45 AM when my alarm goes off, that would be fabulous!

Dear yard- If you could take care of yourself that would help a lot. I'm more than willing to pick up after you every once in a while but we really need to teach you responsibility. It'll be good for you in the long run. The shovel, lawn mower and anything else you need are conveniently located in the shed.

Dear Skyward Grading System- I have a brilliant idea that could make you lots of money! We should create a scanner that recognizes the name, subject and score of an assignment so that all I have to do is put the paper under the scanner and you magically enter my grades! What do you think? It would create a lot more free time and reduce the cramping in my wrist:)

Dear dogs- Please remember that we put up a fence around the garden for a reason. I know the birds that land there are very tempting but remember that running in the garden is not a way to get a treat from us.

Dear laundry next to the dryer- We seem to have a disfunctional relationship because the only time you receive my attention is when I can't stand the sight of you anymore. We should work on that. Maybe I could talk to the fairies from Sleeping Beauty and they could take care of you once a week.

Dear Dad- I know that galavanting to Hawaii is wonderful but really... did you have to go over my spring break when I actually had time to see you during the day? And I could have fit in your suitcase had I been given enough notice:)

Dear extra padding- I know you like me but I don't like you and never will. I know that Mr. Gym and I have been estranged but I guess I need to revive our relationship in order to get you out of my life for good.

Dear new dishwasher- Leaking is never a good option.

Dear Adam- thanks for being patient with your "psychotic it's 1 in the morning" wife when she goes from laughing, to crying, to joking, to angry in the space of 5 minutes. Your continued support and love is much appreciated.

Dear limeade- You are my sunshine. Enough said. Thanks to Kevin for introducing me to what I've been missing all these years!

Dear X-Box- If you could just take a short vacation and let us be with our husbands more than one weekend night that would be fabulous. I wouldn't mind writing a note to each of them if that would help you:0) I'm sure that Candace, Paula, Tress and Brooke would pitch in and help as well.

Dear Heavenly Father- thanks for giving me strength when I feel overwhelmed and for helping me realize the blessings that are all around me. Life is uncertain but I know that even though I can't see the way, you have already prepared it. I've learned that my faith still needs some growing pains.

Dear Highway Patrol Man- Thank you for pulling me over and just giving me a warning. I needed it that day and you were very nice. I will never go more than 25 on that road again.