A few days with Ronnie

Ronnie came home to New Mexico with me for a few days before Christmas. It was so much fun to have him here and for him to get time to know some of my sibling a little more. I think I kicked him out in time to secure my spot as favorite with the grand kids still. He was starting to monopolize and I wasn't liking it. We had fun doing, uh, nothing much really! I snapped a few pictures of him with some of the kids, "teaching" them to play guitar.
We had so much fun going to a different sibling's house every night to watch movies, play guitar hero (I have been informed I play the drums like The Animal from the muppets), or catch up on some sports center.
After taking him to the airport in Albuquerque yesterday, My little brother Johnathon and I ran some errands and picked up A LOT of Sees candy for my Papa. The Sees lady loaded us up with a bunch of samples and sent us on our way. I feel like a blimp as I have way overindulged this Christmas break. I plan on having a repeat overindulge session on tonight's Christmas Eve dinner. Merry Christmas everyone! Now check out the pictures of my hott boy and admire his bulging biceps.

Person First Language

Here in the special needs world, we have something we call "person first language". I try to abide by it because I think it really does say a lot. Instead of saying I know a Down Syndrome boy, I would say, "I know a boy with Down Syndrome". He is a person first, and then, by the way, he has Down Syndrome. Make sense? Here is what I am trying to get at. Lately I have been having a shift in what I call my coworkers.
They are my friends at work, not my work friends.
There. I said it. I LOVE my job. I love the families I work with and I love the other people who work at Kids On The Move. I love that we swap recipes, text each other when funny things happen, know about each others work and personal lives, and even go to Zumba together after work (me being the worst at attendance to that function). Today is the last day until the Christmas break and I am stuck alone at the office, listening to the silence as I wait for my last appointment. I miss my friends at work. They listen to my dumb stories and make me feel entertaining. They always have great insights when I am struggling with ideas of what to do with a kid, or need a good brownie recipe. I love going to conferences with them and sharing my embarrassing stories with them in the hot tub. It is great to have friends to look forward to seeing at work... now I just wish work would end already so I could go home and pack...

Dog 4 Deeds

I was given permission from the mom of a little boy I teach in playgroup to share this link with all of you on my blog. JD "Deeds" attends the structured playgroup I help teach and stole my heart right away, along with all the other little ones in the class. JD has had a rough year: autism diagnosis, the beginning of seizures and another diagnosis of Periventricular Leukomalatia and mild Cerebral Palsy. His parents are trying to get him a specially trained service dog but it costs A LOT. feel free to hop on over and take a look at the blog his mom set up for him and even donate a few dollars if you can.

http://dog4deeds.wordpress.com/about_deeds/
I have been impressed with how well children with Autism respond to animals. I recently attended a panel of adults that are on the Autism spectrum. A member of the audience asked them their thoughts and feeling on animals. Each member of the panel beamed as they explained why they love animals and what is about animals that helps them. Autism is a neurological disorder that effects social and emotional development, especially the interpretation nonverbal communication that we rely on so heavily when communicating. One person who was on the panel explained it so well why she loved animals when she said,"If a dog doesn't like you he will bark and growl at you. People are different. I have a hard time telling if they really mean what they say. A dog doesn't expect anything from me, he just lets me love him."
Since then I have become a believer of service dogs and animal therapy. What a great way to learn affection and expression of emotions than with an animals known as "mans best friend". Hop on over to JD's blog and take a look!

Update

I realize I have not blogged in a while and I am going to play a little catch up today.
The question is where do I start? Life has been a whirlwind the past few months and I haven't really documented any of it on my blog so I will just hit some highlights.
** At the beginning of November I took Ronnie, Ashlee, and Ty home with me for a weekend so I could go see my grandmother (Nanny) in the hospital. I felt so much better after being able to see Nanny, give her kisses, and tell her how much I loved her. Even though she wasn't at full physical or speaking capacity, it was great to see her personality shine through. My friends and Ronnie had a blast in Farmington and spending some quality time with the Webb fam. I wish I had some pictures to share but I didn't take a single one.
**At work I was asked to get trained to teach a children's group for an agency called Grandfamilies. It is a support group/workshop for grandparents, aunts, uncles, or relatives that are fostering a relitive's child/children. The "parents" attend their group and I will help run the children's group where the children learn about personal boundaries, drug and alcohol awareness, safety, and ect. Although it may be tough to see some of these kids coming from hard situations, I am so excited to be able to be involved with this program as it is starting up in Utah County, and even more excited to step back into my love for teaching and brush up on my teaching skills.
**Thanksgiving. I spent four days in Temecula, CA with Ronnie at his house for Thanksgiving. I had met his family briefly at a wedding reception and was excited to go to their house and spend a few days in sunny California. Although I was still struggling to get rid of a nasty cold I had been fighting for 3+ weeks, I had a blast! I got to see family videos, play the most hilarious/painfully slow game of catch phrase, do a little antique shopping (which by the way- I found some turquoise rings from the 1920's for $15...those Californians could have cared less about all the turquoise treasures they had) sleep in every morning, and laugh until it hurt all week long. Our drive back to Utah took a little longer than expected because of snow, but I was in the company of friends and a handsome man so I didn't mind. Below are some picture from a little trip Ronnie and I took down to San Diego with his sisters. They made sure I got to see the temple:



These next few weeks are going to be crazy but I am looking forward to getting home and spending some time with my siblings and having Johnathon home from Israel. I can't wait to look through all of his pictures and pester him with a million questions.

India

I have been obsessing over India. For those of you who know me best, you know I get a travel itch and there isn't much to do about scratching it except picking up and going. I have been wanting to go to India for a few years now but have not been doing much but wanting. Lately it seems that India is calling my name and telling me to quit waiting for a way to get there to fall in my lap (like most of my other expeditions) and to start working towards it. I have a few friends who have also expressed interest in going and so the plans are beginning. And to make sure I don't forget, the fates remind me each day that I am supposed to end up in India one way or another. I am starting a daily reminder journal to show how India comes up EVERYDAY, one way or another, without me seeking it out. It can be something as simple as seeing a "made in India" tag on my shirt, to getting a family from India on my caseload. not huge things, but daily reminders that someday, I will see this with my own eyes:

GIVEAWAY!

Who doesn't love a free stuff? Especially when it is these super cute headbands created by the one and only Chelsey Davis (more widely known as Mikael's sister...JK) Hop onto her Blog or Facebook page and enter yourself into the giveaway for your chance at winning a creation from ScrayCute

Pretzels or Peanuts?

This year I was SO excited to Halloween. For the past 10 or so years I am usually either A. Out of the country or leaving the next day to fly out of the country (hey, I am NOT complaining) B. At home with no real college scene to make Halloween fun or C. Too lazy. This year I stole an amazing costume idea from my co-worker Aubrey. My flight crew and I had a blast at the parties we went to. Ashlee and I really handed out "airline treats" and people either loved it or were wierded out. I also am posting some pictures of some of our friends. Happy Halloween!

"Enjoy your flight!"

Phil and Ashlee

Ronnie and me

"Treat for your flight?"

Kelee and Harold- How can you not just LOVE these two?

Trent and Katie

Mike and Adam

Noche de Espanol

Well friends, it looks like my 3 years combined of middle school and high school Spanish got me no where. I joined a little group of coworkers last night for a dinner where Spanish was the language of choice. Some coworkers put it together to help those of us that want some practice, experience, and an opportunity to practice with friends who can help and give us more experience using and hearing Spanish. I took Ronnie (a post about him to come soon...let's just say he is my newest accessory) with me so he could use his Spanish and meet a few of my work friends.
Much to every ones relief, I was mostly silent and just trying to soak in the Spanish goodness. I tried out a few words and phrases Ronnie helped me practice on the way over...They didn't get me far and I have forgotten all of them except for "Estamos Saliendo" (We are dating) Haha!
The food was delicious and I had fun making myself a little uncomfortable trying something new. I was surprised at how good Ronnies Spanish was for only being in Mexico 6 months. I think that I will continue to go out of my comfort zone and maybe make this something to scratch off "try/learn something that scares me" from my list. I have also been contemplating Scuba... What do you think?

Dear Utah Drivers,

Really, you do not deserve a post, but somehow I keep coming back to you every few months. Maybe it is because I drive so much for work,but there is no way that I could coincidentally see some of the most absurd driving manuevers EACH AND EVERY DAY! To reaffirm my suspisions, when I turned on the news tonight, four stories in a row were about people dying/being hit by drivers. Really? Why do you Utah drivers suck SO BAD? I understand that the roads here are like gauntlets of construction that never end. I too wonder why Utah can 't just choose one road or project to do at a time, but I do not show that frustration by driving like I have a death wish so I would appreciate it if you did not try and drive like you did either.
Much love and distain,
Mikael

Scattered thoughts

I could spend hours on Etsy, just wishing I were artistic enough to become a part of the talented many who contribute to it. Right now I am eyeing this beautiful journal.

I have always wanted a beautiful leather journal to write down beautiful thoughts in, but I am sure that if I got it, it would remain as blank as the day it arrived in the mail.
If you are a Pandora Radio listener, (and you really should be if you aren't) you have really got to listen to the Ray LaMontagne station. It is so soothing. Lately I have been thinking in songs and it is reminding me how much I always have and always will love music. As a little girl I made up dances to Yanni, sang along with Andrew Lloyd Webber songs, and jammed out to the Beatles, Simon and Garfunkle, and Queen's greatest hits. Notice: NO Spice Girls.
While my brain is jumping around, let's talk about my 25 things list. I HAVE accomplished a couple! I will post about them soon. I want them to be fun posts for you to read so I will make sure I do it right.
Last but not least: I am in love with my life :) I hope you can say the same.

Bloggin

I am sitting here listening to Ray LaMontagne on Pandora and eating a bowl of Chanel's cleaninsing Turkey Chili. It is fall outside , and just to prove it I am burning my Autumn candle. I am obssessing about the day I can pull out my heavier jackets and wear them. I have always had a thing for coats and I found myself trying a bunch on at TJMaxx the other day. I love the structure, fit, and comfort of wrapping a beautiful coat around myself and synching the belt tight before heading outside. My perfect outfit would definitely involve a gorgeous military influences wool coat with a frill or two... wow! I am getting carried away!
I just wanted to pop on here and say Happy Autumn!

On The Job Training

This is a clip from one of my favorite talks of all time. I hope it helps get you geared up for General Conference :)

A little prayer

Sometimes all it takes is a little prayer to put things back into perspective. I was feeling a little down and sorry for myself tonight and just wanted to get in bed and sleep it off. I reached for my scriptures to read a few verses hoping a diving verse or two might have been added saying something to the effect of, "Mikael you can't see it right now, but life is about to be the best its ever been. Just wait a little longer."
Well I couldn't find that verse so I flipped to my Patriarchal Blessing. Within the first few lines I read, "Your Heavenly Father loves you very much for you are His daughter."
Cue the tears. Well why was I looking in the scriptures for a special verse anyway! I scrunched in a ball and started saying my prayers so I could ask for just a little more help during this tough time...
... Well I tried to ask for help. But as I was about to ask for it, the thought popped into my head, "Right at this moment, someone else is probably praying for a way to find food tomorrow." Well what am I moping about!
So I said a little prayer for everyone else going through a much tougher time than me and thanking the Lord for all of the things that I love about my life:
Little cheeks to kiss
Sisters who call to check up on me
Friendship
10 blankets stacked on my bed to keep me tight and warm
...and the list goes on and on. So no more moping for me. At least for tonight.

It's finally done

I finally finished my list. Some are still up for changing and revision throughout the year. I plan on documenting each event with some photos...we'll see about #1... You ready?
25 things before I turn twenty five
1. Go a whole week without wearing a bra
2. Take my vitamins everyday for 3 months
3. Do something that scares me
4. Be Healthy
5. Visit a new state
6. Write 25 poems (this one will most likely be changes since I have never really written poetry)
7. Be a better penny pincher
8. Make a new friend
9. Have my palm read
10. Visit my Grandma and Grandpas graves
11. Watch Gone With the Wind
12. Call into a radio station and win something...or at least try
13. Participate and/or create a treasure hunt
14. Empower someone with new knowledge
15. Grow Something
16. Bake a beautiful cake
17. Throw a party-just because- and hand deliver invitations
18. Be in the audience of a TV show
19. Find something I believe in and volunteer
20. Give someone a complete and wonderful surprise
21. Take a gamble
22. Get started on creating my autism website
23. Be painfully honest for a day
24. Visit the spot of a childhood memory
25. Learn how to drive stick

What do you think?

Happy Hour

Dear Mr. Sonic Who brings me my Dr. Pepper,
Each day at 2 pm I look forward to the sweet hour at which I can buy a half priced Dr. Pepper with vanilla. Although I think your rollerblades are dorky, I loved the sound of them coming my way with a cold beverage to be delivered right to my car door. Today you took that joy away. I realize I visit Sonic way too much, but it is oh so close to the office and on the way to the interstate. I hoped you wouldn't remember me but today you said ,"how are you? I served you last time you were here." Ummm, last time was 24 hours ago Mister. I also realize the yellow monstrosity I drive is not exactly as stealthy as I wish, but I like to think I am a big yellow bumble bee stopping by my favorite flower for some sweet nector. I get the impression you think I am stopping by for you. No matter how many times you roll by and ask how I am doing or if I am sure I don't need something else, this bee just isn't interested.
So please Mr. Sonic, deliver my drinks and pretend you have never seen me before.
Until tomorrow at 2,
Your Most Faithful Customer

Making a list, and checking it twice...

So I have been trying to think of a list of 25 things to do before I turn 25. I've already lost a couple of months of work time since my birthday was in June so I need to get cracking if I am really going to do this. Here is the problem...I've only got 10 things on my list. Do you have any great ideas or things you have done that you think I should try? If you are reading this it is mandatory that you give one suggestion! Would you like to hear what I have so far? I apologize in advance for any...er...silly ones but it is all in the pursuit of feeling alive...right? With that said:
1. Go a whole week without wearing a bra (don't say I didn't warn you)
2. Take my vitamins everyday for 3 months
3. Learn/do something that scares me
4. Be healthy
5. Visit a new state
6. Be a better penny pincher
7. Make a new friend
8. Have my palm read
9. Write 25 poems
10. Visit my Grandpa and Grandmas graves

Disease...

"I've got a fever and the only medication in more COW BELL!"

I wish more cow bell would cure what I've got. My head is pounding, nose is runny/stuffy, and my throat is not happy. I'm thinking sinus infection. Do I need medication for that? I don't even have a Dr. and don't know how to fix that. Sleep will be my Dr. as soon a I finish my last appointment for the day.
I know, I know. I shouldn't be at work exposing others to what I've got. But what do you do when you have a deadline to meet and hours to earn?
Work on, work on.
Nothing a Route 44 Dr. Pepper can't carry you through. I'm waiting out the downtime between appointments in the dark double wide trailer we hold classes in. Loving the silence, loving the dark.
I can't wait to take my Tylenol PM and sleep until bedtime, take some more, and fall asleep again.

Mantra

I went to Yoga today with my friend Carly. The instructor tells us to reconnect with our mantra as we breathe and meditate throughout class. I love how my back pops and my body seems to say Thank you after I go to Yoga, but I keep thinking that maybe I need a better mantra than "think skinny thoughts." So here is your chance blog readers:
Help me come up with a mantra!

twenty four years

I never posted about my twenty-fourth birthday. This birthday was MUCH better than last years. I don't even want to get into that though...
Now that my birthday is over and life is cruising along, I want to write down things I want and wish I could do in my 24th year of life. To get me motivated, I read the lyrics to one of my favorite Switchfoot songs "24"

And You're raising these twenty four voices
With twenty four hearts
With all of my symphonies
In twenty four parts
But I want to be One today
Centered and true

So in the spirit of being centered and true, here are the things I plan on and dream about doing

Plan:
Getting back in shape and eating healthier (I just bought Body for Life on Amazon to help me along the way)
Never stop learning- my job has shown me that I always have something more to learn
Start writing in my journal again
Drink more water and less Dr. Pepper
Find a hobby- I'm thinking about henna tatoos...
Belly laugh more often
Help make somebody else's life a little better

Dream:
Wear a sundress and cowgirl boots everyday
Have time to tan
Grow a garden
Buy an old tiffany blue truck and fix it up
Travel to India
Drink more Dr. Pepper and less water
Discover a turquoise mine

A Wild Weekend

I don't know what it is about summer, but that change in temperature makes me antsy for adventure. With the weather finally warming up this week, it has been SO hard to be at work when it is prime pool time outside.
On Friday Nathan and I went to Strawberry Days in Pleasant Grove. I was so excited to throw on my flower print skirt, cowgirl boots, and turquoise and enjoy a greasy corn dog at the fair. Nathan and I left the fair with some henna tattoos and ready for a day at the river with Johnathon on Saturday.
Saturday was the weekly deep cleaning and grocery shopping. We met up with Johnathon and his friends to float down the Provo River. Scratch that. We met up with Johnathon and friends to ride down the Rock Slide of Death. We should have just turned around and went home when we felt how cold the water was. Ten of us started with ten tubes (me being the only girl...that should have given me a clue as to how bad of an idea this was if I was the only girl willing to go). By the end of the wild ride, only four of us made it to the bottom with our tubes. Poor JD had to hold onto me most of the time while I FREAKED out at every turn and bump we came across. I don't even know how many rocks and trees we hit. Everyone else ended up losing their tubes in rapids and scrambled to the edge of the river. A few had to hitchhike to the bottom and some waited on the walking trail on the side of the river because the pavement was too hot to walk on. Nathan was the last person we found. Until he showed up via a mom in a minivan picking her kids up from a birthday party, I had convinced myself he was dead. When he saw my face, he thought I was pissed...until I started bawling in front of John-D and his friends. Let's just say I am very happy he made it out of the river ok and I have learned my lesson...If you are the only girl is a group of 21 year old boys, what ever you are doing, it probably isn't a good idea.
Today we'll take it easy with a BBQ and relaxing. We will let our wounds heal before trying out our next hair brained adventure.

Vote Team Vote!

In case you didn't know, it is pretty dang cool to work for a nonprofit organization. "But if it is nonprofit, how do you get paid and have an office, and all that other good stuff?"
Good Question.

State and Federal funding, and charitable donations. Don't worry, I'm not asking you to donate to Kids On The Move. Just Vote For Us! APX Alarm is giving away $100,000 dollars to the highest voted charity on Facebook. Get your little clicking finger ready and follow the link below. You have to "Like" APX and then you can vote once a day until the end of the week. We are in the mountain region, on the second page. GO GO GO! And don't forget to post in on your facebook so others can vote too.

www.facebook.com/apxalarm

A little late

I'm a little late on getting this up here and letting you all be a part of a fabulous give away BUT it doesn't mean you can't check out the amazong finds on Scary Cute! Follow the links and order away!
http://scarycutecreations.blogspot.com/
OR
http://scarycute.etsy.com

Enjoy!

Friendly Reunion

Have you ever gotten a headache from laughing too hard? Tonight I have one but I couldn't be happier to have it.
I hate to admit that such sad circumstances were what brought almost all of the old gang back together, but I appreciate the chance we had to laugh and tell stories together. There were cases and cases or Henry Winehard's Root beer (in honor of Seth- one of his favorites). Not a single hug, "I love you" or "It is so good to see you" was forgotten. We told story after story of our crazy younger years. I thought I knew all the stories but I was very wrong.
A reunion of high school friends wouldn't be complete without a game of Signs, and soon we were in my parents basement playing games until we were all losing our voices from laughing so hard. I wish every kid had as great of friends as I do. How many kids these days can go on for hours about the things they have done to create fun? Farmington, New Mexico may never have a star on a map, but it sure has character. I am grateful for this two Walmart town and the characters I grew up with- and plan on continuing to grow with- even if there may be a little more distance between us.

Friend

“Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by the friends we choose.”
What a rich life I have led, simply because of the friends I have chosen. Many of them I don't even feel like I have chosen them because they have always been a part of my life. We were too young to know it was a choice to become friends, and 20-or-so years later, here we are, still friends.
Today I found out the sad news that I lost a friend. Seth.
I am so grateful that the news was delivered by someone I consider to be much more than a friend, and more like a sister. Emma called me this morning to let me know of Seth's passing. I was on my way to work. She let me know which ones of our close group of friends she had called. I soon found myself on the phone with dear friends whose voices I hadn't heard in far too long. As I listened to each voice on the other end of the phone, I couldn't help but contemplate what it is exactly that made my bond with them so much stronger than many of the others I call friend. There is just something about a friend who has grow up with you, knows your family, your strengths, and each glaring flaw, but is by your side anyway. They ran down the same streets as you as a child, and helped you laugh through all those awkward self-discovery years as a teenager.
As I talked with each friend about Seth and how they were dealing with the grief, I didn't feel like I had to say or try and be anything other than what they knew me to be. We weren't worried about catching up on each other's lives or getting after each other for not talking more, but rather taking a moment to be a friend and remember a friend.
Seth will be missed. I smile as I think of his goofy laugh and contagious smile. I don't know how many "run-ins" with the Farmington Police Department I had while hanging out with Seth-and-Boys, but that is why I loved being with them: there was always fun to be had and trouble to make. Seth was always a good sport when I would get up on my high horse and reprimand the boys for being destructive, careless, or what ever else it may have been that I was chewing them out for. I never once remember him getting angry with me or my bossiness. The last time I saw him was at the movie theatres at Christmas. He was so handsome and happy. That is how I will always remember him. I just wish now that I would have hugged him a little tighter and told him one more time how much I loved him and all his shenanigans.
I found myself reminding many of my friends that I loved them and reminding myself to remember how much each one of them means to me. As we are coordinating our drive home for the funeral, I look forward to hugging each of the them and recommitting to caring less about the distracting things, and more about those who have helped me become Me.

“Even though we've changed and we're all finding our own place in the world, we all know that when the tears fall or the smile spreads across our face, we'll come to each other because no matter where this crazy world takes us, nothing will ever change so much to the point where we're not all still friends.”

M.I.A.

I realize I have not blogged in a while. Here are my explinations.
A. My life really isn't interesting. I got to work. Come home. Choose from three other options: go to job #2, Go to the gym, or hang out with Nathan while he studies Arabic
B. My computer contracted a virus. Yes. A stupid stupid virus. This meant I had to go buy an external hard drive (which I should have done long ago and before the smallest one you could get was 500 Gb's) Transfer my pictures and music, and completely wipe out my computer. After ordering some stuff from HP to reformat it, we are back in business.
C. I would much rather look at your blogs than write on my own.

Need a little help

I recieved this letter from a close friend from college. Take time to read it and realize that my teaching certificate is in the same pickle. Let me explain a little bit. I majored in Early hildhood/Special Education and BYU-Idaho. Upon completing my upper level classes and several practicum experiences, I took TWO Praxis exams. These are standarized exams that are required by the state of Idaho, along with an institutional recommendation from the university I graduated from, and transcripts proving my completion of my degree,to recieve a teachinglicense in the state of Idaho. My two exams were for Special education preschool/early childhood and Education of young children. After completing all of this many graduates before and after me have been told that we were certified to teach Special Education and/or regular education up through 3rd grade. Idaho is not saying we have to get a THIRD credetial by taking and THIRD Praxis exam to teach above kinderg. Something they never imformed us about. Shouldn't our degrees and passing scores on the licensure exams count as highly qualified according to the regulations in palce at the time we took them count as highly qualified? Read Rebecca's letter below for an even better explination and a way to help.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

April 23, 2010

To whom it may concern:


I am a graduate of BYU-Idaho. I went to this school by choice and was very proud of the degree and the credentials I earned. I currently teach Kindergarten for District 91 at Longfellow school. It came to my attention a couple of months ago that there would be an opening 2nd grade position here at Longfellow. After discussing personal reasons to move classes with my husband, I decided that 2nd grade would give me a better opportunity to expand my teaching and grow as a professional. The teachers and community were notified just last Friday that I was to move to this position.

As it seems with every mountain we climb, there is always some kind of small trial to overcome. This is the reason I am writing to you. I was notified on Wednesday, April 21st that the State would be requiring me to take another Praxis so I could become “Highly Qualified” to teach in my second grade position.

This was very confusing to me and after talking to the State myself, I found that I would need to add a third certification to my degree. This was instituted without any written notification or warning. I believe in my degree and the Idaho Education Credential I have. I believed the University when I took the two Praxis exams (in my field of choice) that passing those would allow me to fully be qualified to teach K through 3rd grade.

I understand the need to be highly qualified. The objective of this letter is to express the concern I have that I was told “if I did not pass this summer- then I would not be able to teach Second grade.” This gives no regards to my field of degree or the two praxis assessments I have already taken and passed. I hold an Idaho endorsement that says I can teach K-3. If I had known to take a different certification for 1-3rd I would have done so. I received no notification by the State.

It is my intent to take this test and pass with flying colors. However, I feel that my Idaho Education Credentials are being taken as not. My certificate clearly states: Birth- Third Grade. I graduated just a year and a half ago and took two praxis assessments that certified me to teach K-3rd by the State of Idaho. If I had applied for 2nd grade last year, I don’t think I would have been told I couldn’t teach it- because of my certification. To make a comparison, if a Doctor receives his certification and new changes are instituted, they give him the opportunity to continue his schooling- but they don’t take away his certification. Or if my students all pass the IRI and then the assessment changes- they still get to move forward to the 1st grade.

My only desire is to receive some kind of “grace period” that still justifies my certification. The piece of paper that I worked hard to receive; a certification that gives me the opportunity to teach 2nd grade as I was promised. I understand the accountability of every teacher and I value this as a professional.

But I still have faith in the system that gave me an education for my credentials and for the kind of teacher I am. All I ask for is an appropriate kind of grace period ensured by state of Idaho. At least a year or until my Idaho credential expires in which I could continue my 2nd grade teaching position that my and earn yet another credential. This would validate my State Credential for which I have earned.

As a professional I believe in the educational system. I believe in constant nourishment of knowledge. Even though I have no desire to teach up to 8th grade- I understand the worth it brings as an educator. I value the opportunity to succeed as I am currently taking the Math Initiative Class. I am also perusing my Masters and have high hopes of receiving a Doctorate as well. I celebrate the need for better equipped and responsible teachers. But I also am an advocate for the training and certification I have already received and from a University that I have great respect for.

I have entrusted in you my schooling and certificates and would request your help with this following matter.

I ask you to please help assist me in seeing that my profession and the time spent at BYUI is not disregarded. Please help me find validation with the State and providing an ethical decision for the teachers of my field.


You may call:

Christina Linder
Director of Certification/
Professional Standards
(208) 332-6886

And

Katie Rhodenbaugh
Professional Standards Coordinator
(208) 332-6885

Or D91 (208) 525-7500



Sincerely,

Rebecca Robison

An Early Childhood Educator

robirebe@d91.k12.id.us

I'm Yours(ukulele)

SO DANG CUTE!

Blogging award

My sister nominated me with the Beautiful Blogger Award, and then stole all the people I would nominate by recieving this award. But, none the less, I'll give it a try.

Brittani is my beautiful sister that nominated me for the award. Brittani was born second in my family of eight children, and I was born seventh. While I was only eight when she left for college, a mission, and eventually marriage, I have never felt like she was a stranger. Brittani has more patience and kindness in her little fingernail than I can ever hope to possess. I remember when I was going through a heart break with a silly boy, Brittani realized how much I needed a friend and would call me each day to check up on me and be a listening ear. When you have Brittani by your side, you don't need much else. I am lucky to have such a great cheerleader, confidant, and friend as my sister.

The next part of the award consists of me sharing seven interesting facts about myself and then nominate seven other beautiful bloggers.

1. I like graveyards. It all started when mom and dad took us to an old cemetary in Alabama with gorgeous spanish moss and magnolia trees. In high school my friends and I would frequent cemetaries when we had nothing better to do. Just today Nathan and I drove through the cemetary near my apartment and looked at different style headstones. A litte wierd I know, but a peaceful place.

2. I miss/love teaching. I didn't realize this until I stopped teaching. When I watch others teach I crave to be up front doing what they are doing. I don't feel like I am particularly good at it, but I love teaching.

3. I am grateful I was born with confidence. I did not realize this was something I had until my college years. I am who I am and that is that. I still have my moments of insecurity, but I have never really struggled with not having confidence in myself. It really is a hard trait to gain, and I somehow was born with it.

4. I'm a sucker for love songs. Yep. I can't get enough of a good love song. I am also a sucker for a good heart break song. I guess that is why I like country.

5. One of my biggest regrets in life is giving up dancing. I was obsessed with it. Life just didn't have it in my deck of cards for it to last longer than a few years. I often wonder how different life might have been if I continued with dance. I'd probably be rich and famous. Ok, probably not, but at least I'd probably be skinny.

6. I am addicted to sunlight. Somehow I find myself living in frozen wastelands. Hmmm... This sucks. Time for a tanning package!

7. I love love love movie theatre popcorn. I know everything about it fake and it will probably give me cancer. It is jsut so delicious! Especially the day after...

Now I am supposed to nominate 7 people but I will save that for later. Beware!!!

Hosers

Guess where I'm going. I'll give you a clue (other than the title of this post). While deciding how to name this place, they pulled letters out of a hat. After each letter was pulled it sounded like this, "C..ay, N..ay, D..ay." CANADA! With this socialized health care stuff, I thought I should go check it out with our friends up in the attic.
Ok, that's not why I'm going there. I am am going to a conference on biomedical treatments for autism. I'll be gone Thursday-Monday. I am excited although I think it is completely RIDICULOUS that Delta charges to check baggage. Isn't that kind of like charging for tap water at a restaurant? Gay.

Home Sweet Home

I am finally posting pictures of the place I rest my head at night.

Let's start with the kitchen. The basket-thing on the wall was given so graciously by mom. It not has some fake pomegranites and pine cones in it.



And the living room. Bookshelf/TV stand-IKEA. Drapes- Brittani's, then Talon's, now mine. Couch- the previous tennant left it for me along with the TV. I happen to enjoy both very much




My teeny tiny bathroom. I love my shower curtain (Uraban Outfitters clearance). And peek in the mirror and see if you can spot the picture hanging on the wall. I got that in Egypt and absolutely love look at it each time I have a "moment to sit".



And last but not least, my beautiful bedroom furniture. I can't think of a more perfect graduation present. I LOVE my bed. It is so comfy. The bedding will hopefully change one of these days, but I hate thinking of how dang much it costs!





So there you have it! It ain't much but it's what I got. I love having a place to call my own. If you drive by an LDS church building and notice the "Visitors Welcome" sign missing, come looking for it at my place.

V-Day

Yes, I am a month behind on blogging. Everyday I tell myself I will sit down and blog, and everyday I don't sit down and blog. Today is our lucky day. I am going to blog. Before the details fade, I thought I would blog about Valentines day/weekend. Nathan loves to plan spoiling me and holidays are just the occasions to do that. I have never really cared for or against Valentines because I always know a fabulous piece of Native American jewelry is coming my way from Dad. (Which by the way, THANK YOU Dad for my beautiful necklace!) I tried convincing Nathan we should cancel Valentines presents this year but he wouldn't have it. Starting the Friday before Valentines we kicked off the weekend of love by trying out a new restaurant. We love food (me obviously more than him and his bean pole-ness). We tried our luck at a new place in Provo called Communal. JACKPOT! It was to die for! It is a small storefront place on University Ave. and the claim to fame of this place is that they buy most of their food locally. The inside has a rustic/modern feel and the atmosphere is different than any place I have eaten before. Now for the food: If you could take a bite out of the corner of Heaven, it would probably taste like the flap steak, pot roast, mashed potatoes, and mushrooms Nathan and I ordered. Just thinking about it right now makes me want to run back with a ten gallon bucket and ask for ten gallons of mashed potatoes alone! It is a little pricey, but definitely worth every penny.
Now for Saturday. Nathan and I went to Salk Lake just to play. We didn't know what we would do or where we would go, but we just like Salt Lake better than...well...Provo. Let's face it, who doesn't. Right as we pulled into town we spotted an antique warehouse and decided to check it out. Do you hear the chorus of angels? I have always had a thing for antiques and this place was literally stuffed to the brim! And not with the crappy nic-nacky stuff. Purely furniture and books, and old window panes. A few hours after walking in the door, Nathan and I emerge back into the natural light with no purchases. Someday....
On the actual day of Valentines, we cooked dinner together and just relaxed. Below are pictures of the fudge, and book Nathan gave me. my other present is a Jazz game which will be posted when we go.

Weak of stomach

Is there anything worse than being sick? I HATE it. Yesterday I had some training up in Salt Lake (aka. class for 6 hours straight). A few of us at the class grabbed some Chinese food at a little hole in the wall during our lunch break. I am wondering if that is what did me in. I felt fine all day until bed time. I got home from babysitting my favorite nephew in Utah when it felt like a knife had been crammed into my stomach. Nathan more than happily finished my Oreo Mcflurry for me and I went to bed. So much for going to bed. I spent the night downing Emitrol, taking bathes, and watching chocolate covered cinnamon bears come out the wrong end. By 6 am I was ready to die. Poor Nathan got a call from me way too early in the morning. I cried about how tired and thirsty I was. He immediately popped out of bed, went to the store and grabbed coke, ginger ale, Gatorade, popsicles, and saltines for me. He came over and played mom by comforting me and getting me back to sleep with a little coke and some aspirin. He studied while I finally drifted back to sleep. What a man!

In the new place

Ahhhh.... It feels so good to have a place to call my own. I've felt a little displaced since the end of student teaching. Wow! That was over two months ago. I got my own teeny apartment and have been settling in. Mom and Dad go me bedroom furniture and it arrived this morning. My bed is gloriously comfortable and although my room is no master suit, the furniture fits in just right. Nathan and I went to IKEA today to find a bookshelf/TV stand. We got one and brought it back to my place, took it out, and realized I would have rather had the white one. It looks like we will be headed up north again soon! While I have most everything put away, I am still working on the last few things. As soon as everything is settled I will take pictures and post them. Until then, enjoy the worlds cutest salt and pepper shaker that Talon and Annie gave me as a house warming gift. LOVE them!

Lovin what I do

Have I told you I love my job yet? Well if I haven't let me tell you, it beat the pants off of your job. People bow in my presence. Of course I in turn get on bended knee in return. We then take part in a ritual called playing. Yes, I play for a living. Blocks, puzzles, balls, you name it. So far I have been doing a lot of orientation stuff and home visits meeting a few of the children I will be taking onto my case load. I was able to attend a special therapy offered using horses. I was in heaven.
I really like the other people that work at Kids On The Move and am already falling in love with the little ones I will be working with. I feel so lucky to have snagged this job.
Let me tell you a little bit about my "perks." My salary requires that I work a 40 hr. work week 230 days a year. That means I get lots of time off. A week off in June, SPRING BREAK (just making up for the ones I didn't get in college) and no worries about working holidays. While I should be working 40 hour work weeks, they hours are flexible. That means I can work a bunch of hours and save the hours I have gone over to not work some hours on different days without taking time off. I get money each year to go to a conference of my choice... there is one in Disneyland coming up...
I have to drive a lot to do the home visits but I get paid for my mileage. Right now I am watching videos on autism at Talon and Annie's. I'm in my PJ's. Yes, this counts as work. My obsession with autism has lead me to read and hear all the information in these videos, so I'm multitasking ;)
Oh! And I finally got an apartment. I move in Tuesday. It is a little one bedroom and one bathroom but it has a dishwasher, washer and dryer, disposal, free cable and internet. Most of all, it is clean.
A special on a documentary done by a boy with autism is one. Gotta go.

Apartment Blues

I HATE apartment shopping. It stresses me out beyond belief. I especially hate apartment shopping in Utah. With BYU's two mile rule it drives prices up. You go outside the two miles around BYU and it gets even more complicated. Suddenly nothing is furnished and I think to myself "Wait, when between graduating college and getting a job was I supposed to suddenly have furniture?" I did find one apartment I fell in love with but housing apparently is so competitive, I have to fill out an application and hope to get picked! How do you make yourself stand out on a housing application? Do I write a cover letter? "My objective in applying for this apartment is to acquire a place to sleep at night and maybe cook some meals." So here I am, stressing about how much I am going to spend on rent, how suddenly insignificant my belongings have become, and wondering why washers and dryers don't grow on trees.
Now I am understanding other peoples attractions to "alternative lifestyles". Examples:
Carnival workers a.k.a. Carnies: Living out of the back of a U-haul and seeing the country one dinky town at a time is sounding pretty good right now. "My house ain't got heated floors but if you drive fast enough with the back hatch open you get a nice breeze coming through!" (not a quote from a movie, just a scene that played out in my head.
Hippies: Yeah, eating dried fruit, stringing beads on willow branches and selling them out of the back of a van sounds like a pretty sweet set up right now. Organic cactus juice anyone?
Strippers: Yes, strippers. I love to dance. I love high heels. Might as well make some money while I'm at it. Wouldn't it be nice to have money being stuffed into you instead of coming out your nose? I'm afraid I'd have to give up eating to get a job at any of these joints so I'll give up on this dream.
Well, the saga continues and life gets stickier. But don't be surprised if you receive a house warming party invitation in a month and I have forgotten all about my apartment blues.

What a Day!

Where do I begin? How about here...
I got a job. Doing what, you ask? Doing exactly what I have been not-so-secretly hoping to do since I found out this job existed.
Let's have a little Special Education 101.
You know the old phrase "The sooner the better." The same goes for implementing strategies to help individuals with special needs. So are there really things you can do for infants and toddlers with special needs or developmental delays? You betcha! That is why Special Educational Services (yes those same ones that always seemed to be located in the portable behind the school) were extended to families with infants and toddlers with special needs. It is called Early Intervention. They have figured out that if they spend money on doing more for children while they are young and more impressionable, they are able to exit many more children out of special education earlier in life...a.k.a. save money later on down the road. So Early Intervention Services were federally mandated and it is up to the state to figure out how they want to implement it.
Now more about me. I will be working in Orem in their branch of Early Intervention Services called Kids on the Move. I will be a developmental specialist. That means I go into the home and help the parent know how to teach new skills and work with their child to further their development. I will also teach a few classes where the parents and children come into the office and we do play groups. I am sure there are many more things about this job I have yet to discover but that it the jist of it. I am SO excited. I get to play with children for a living! I was offered the job yesterday and snatched it up. I will start on Monday so life will be a tornado for the next little bit. I am looking for a place to live, trying to figure out how to move all the junk, and trying not to buy every toy, puzzle, and book I come across. I will admit, Mom and I bought a few to celebrate my new job and get a jump start on the supplies I will be needing.
Yesterday after a celebratory lunch at my favorite restaurant Si Senor, my sister Chelsey and I went to my great Grandmothers house that she lived in when she was alive and found treasures of hers for us to keep and have a piece of her. I snagged some pretty china plates and tea cups, a cute owl oven mitt, some picture frames, and some amazing pyrex bowls. I can hardly wait to use them!
Today I plan on going through my stuff to weed out the things I no longer need now that college is over (hallelujah!) and practice making a key lime pie from a new recipe for when Elder Scott comes. Oh my! I have not mentioned that yet. Elder Scott is coming to do a conference here in good ol' F town and we get to "wine and dine" him at our house Friday night. Ok, so there won't be any wine, but probably some whining when we have to hand wash all of moms china. What an eventful week!

In case you didn't notice...

Half the fun of having a blog is CONSTANTLY changing it up. I feel like I change my background every five minutes. There are just so many cute ones out there. I just wish I were better at customizing it myself. Maybe I'll take a class on it someday...

And a Pink Tool Belt!

The last part of my Christmas gift from Nathan came in. A pink tool belt. As of right now all I have to put in are hair products and chopsticks. We will have to work on getting some tools to put in it. And don't you love the pic? Took it in my pj's on a timer in my bathroom. My brother-in-law Grant so graciously informed me that the tool holder things go in the back and the clip goes on the front. Looks like I have a lot of learning to do about tools and fixing things

Oh Holy Christmas

Christmas was wonderful! All 30 Webbs were home for the blessed holiday. There were rare moments where not a single child cried...or adult for that matter. The holiday treats have left my own body looking like figgy pudding. While I stopped wanting a white Christmas the second I stepped into winter in Rexburg 5 years ago, we had plenty of snow to make up for all the white Christmas' I wished for as a child. Yes, it was a Christmas to remember. And for memories sake, I am going to post pictures of the presents Nathan gave me. I was obsessed with calling him and asking for clues and talking to my sisters (blood and in in-laws) about figuring out what they were. So Steph, here they are, except for the one that hasn't come in the mail yet:

My ADORABLE kitchen timer from Anthropologie! I was drooling over it a Thanksgiving and so he hunted it down and got me the last one in Arizona. It goes perfect with my "Pioneer Woman Cooks" cookbook I got. I've already tried a recipe. That is probably why there is a crusty on the timer already


And to go with my kitchen timer, a gift card to my favorite store on Earth- Anthropologie! Is this not the cutest gift card holder?


Our favorite TV show came out with a Christmas special, so he got this for me....and him


What are these you ask? Spring loaded chopsticks. Huh? Let me explain. Nathan and I love sushi and Asian food. He is amazing at using chopsticks, I am not so good. But I refuse to give up and end up ruining my meal because I get so frustrated. As a joke Nathan went to the Asian market and picket up some chopsticks, tinkered around in his dad's garage with some springs, and made me these beauties!
Conclusion: I love Christmas. I love giving presents, and with not enough guilt to keep me from saying it, I love getting present even more!