Tall Tales & Mikael

New Blog

2011-08-14T18:17:00.000-07:00

Alright People, it has finally been done. The NEW BLOG.

Why So Serious?

2011-06-20T20:22:00.001-07:00

With the last few days of "singleness" ticking away, the

thought of "This is a big deal" keep popping up in my head and sending test fires down my nerves. Before each big decision in my life, I go through this thought pattern. At first, all i can see are the glittery things and all the possibilities for stories. With college, It was thoughts of dance parties, meeting boys, and pulling pranks. Then as it got closer to college I kept thinking of all the what ifs. What if I can't hack it? What if I get an apartment of girly girls and I don't even speak girl? I suddenly see no possibility for fun and seriousness at the same time.
I remember right before I went to BYU Hawaii, I confided in my dad that I was nervous about how far I was going to be away from home. I was worried that I couldn't just hop into my truck and drive home if life became too much. My dad taught me a great lesson that day:
"If you need to Mikael, I will fly you home."
You were probably hoping for something a little more profound than that....
but that's when I realized I could always count on my family to help me out even, when I didn't know how to help myself. (I know pretty simple solution, but my thoughts were getting in my own way, a common occurance).
My other Mother, Kathy Kempton was always a great example to me of always having fun in the seriousness of it all. She would wake Emma and me up in the morning with a flying squirl dive ontop of us. She somehow would always turn giggles into talk about our hopes, dreams, and the gospel, and then back into giggles.
I am excited to start my new adventure with Ronnie and that we have the support of both of our families to help us along the way.
Stay tuned for some Serious Fun, because life shouldn't be anything less!

I Love to see the Temple...

2011-06-03T09:18:00.000-07:00

...I'm going there someday (as in tomorrow). To feel the Holy Spirit, to listen and get away...

Not the exact words of the primary song, but what I am thinking at the moment. I have quickly gained a testimony of how important the temple is, simply from the opposition I am feeling in my life right now. I swear to you, the moment I got that temple recommend in my hands, the ground beneath my feet has crumbled with each step I take to even get to the temple doors.
Isn't it funny? Usually if one bad event after another was happening, a sane person would think, "Wow, I'll take a hint, I shouldn't be doing this." For a very good reason, I am thinking the opposite.
Doesn't it seem like right before something great is supposed to happen, there are lots of hiccups, bumps, and even dynamite blasts in the road? Well, I have been driving through a mine field and am ready to get myself to the "no fire zone" of the temple.
There have been times in my life when I haven't been making a wrong choice, but I also wasn't about to make THE right choice and so life just sailed along smoothly. If there was ever any question as to if I am doing the right thing, all I have to think about is all the trouble Satan is stirring up, realize why, and move forward.
So here is to hopefully having a good pair of all terrain tires to help me along the bumpy, road I am calling The Right Way.

30

2011-05-24T17:49:00.000-07:00

Thirty days = One Month = time until I get married. Hip Hip Hooray! It is coming quick (but still not quick enough for me). As it gets closer I am suddenly much more motivated to do wedding stuff. I think it is the procrastinator in me. Does much better under pressure. And I am just excited to be getting so close to "I Do" day.
I feel like I have so much to talk to you about but am afraid my thoughts aren't going to make it all into this post.
Speaking of thoughts....and feelings....and emotions....and hormones: Mine have been adjusting. I thought I felt insane before, but birth control has proven me wrong. For some reason I want to cry all day long on Sundays. I become ultra paranoid/jumpy at night. Some of that I can blame on living alone, but it has gotten worse since I started popping pills. And then there is the anger. I apologize if you have been apart of my angry days.
New subject. The new blog. I have chosen a name. Thank you Brittani and Steph for your suggestions. Stay tuned for the new blog's grand opening. And no, I am not going to tell you the name just quite yet. And just to make it a little more interesting, I will force Ronnie to do a post every once in a while. He is a natural with words. And humor. And making things interesting. And if he were typing this, he would have to add muscles. (he just said "it is kind of true I guess")
I recently started my own eBay account. Oh boy. I now see why Ronnie is such an avid eBay-er. I have been obsessing over vintage swimsuits. Yes, actual swimsuits form the 40's, 50's, and 60's. They are oh so cute and oh so perfect for the honeymoon in Hawaii!
My girls at work recently spoiled me with a little get away to Park City for a day and a night out in the country. Dream come true? Yes. It was SO nice to have a little get away. They are so sweet (and some of the only girl friends I have here in Utah).
You know who is my best friend though? R himself. We like to go on dates together and do fun things. We recently went to a car show. It was a blast! We got a little crisp in the sun and I found my dream truck. A '59 Chevy Apache. It is beautiful. Ronnie said I am allowed to buy one someday. I will.
You know what else I will do soon...as in June 4th? Go through the temple for the first time. I just found out that it takes about 3 hours your first time. Please tell me they serve snacks somewhere in that 3 hour span. Is there like a Relief Society portion with home baked goods? Will they let me take a tour of the kitchen half way through? All of this unknown is kind of killing me. I am a control freak when it comes to change, so I am sure God is having a good laugh at this one. Oh, and don't worry. The temple I was looking forward to going though because I have had siblings get married there, and it is beautiful (Mt. Timpanogos)is closed until June 7th! Is it bad that I don't want to go to the Provo temple because it is hideous? *que lightening bolt*
Well there is my ramble of thoughts. Let the count down continue!

Thoughts on Love...capital L

2011-05-06T18:10:00.001-07:00

I never thought of myself as a girl who likes to get flowers. I always said I would rather have some chocolate or sour patch watermelons over flowers. I was wrong.
R: "You used to not like flowers much did you?"
M: "Not until you came along. Now I love getting them."
R: "I guess it's not the flowers, but who brings them."

Wise man, that Ronnie. And he is right. He could bring me roses spray painted turquoise and I'd love them (ok, he did. And I did love them, after I giggled for a minute).

Speaking of spray painting...I have been busy sprucing up old picture frames I bought at estate sales and painting a plain old white cabinet sea foam green/blue with the help of my brothers sander and my sister in law's great taste in paint. I want mine and Ronnies first place to be US. That mean antique-ifying and unique-ifying. It is coming along nicely. The only thing missing is Ronnie (to be added in June) and visitors. Please come!

Now about Love. The Beatles were right. It is all you need. I never realized how different my future would look once I nabbed me some Love. I was perfectly happy with the future I had in mind PreRonnie. Now I am realizing how many more possibilities I have. Like, I don't know, having kids! (Don't take that as a baby hunger pains. I will be taking my little pill faithfully for quite some time). But, really, I am having fun thinking forward.

Now for your input. I have been racking my brain for a new blog title once the plunge has happened. All I have come up with is...eh hmmm...ready?

The Squire and I

I need more ideas! I will be scoring all ideas on a very complex grading system so I cant exactly explain it, even to myself. But titles using "cane" or references to Ronnies overall sauveness get double points.

The Gimp and his Pimp would get rhyming points, but demerits for overall tackiness. Get the idea? Can't wait to hear them!

Alabama

2011-04-30T06:33:00.000-07:00

One of my good friends moved to Alabama and I have loved looking at her blog and keeping up on that Southern State I used to call home. Her little apartment was recently hit by a tornado and she and her husband miraculously survived. Rachael has one of the funnest, most free spirited personalities, which instantly drew me to her when we were in Jerusalem together. Watch this clip of her on CNN. She is amazing.

Give Away!

2011-04-23T06:48:00.000-07:00

Go check out my friend Aubrey's craft blog. There is a special Earth Day give away. She carries these little cuties around the office, and believe me, they are cute!

Pressing onward

2011-04-14T10:50:00.001-07:00

My view these past few days...

Driving from place to place with my mom and Ronnie's mom. The wedding plans are well on their way. Let me be the first to say, it is going to be amazingly beautiful.

I don't know if you knew...

2011-04-10T12:17:00.000-07:00

I am marrying my best friend. He is a pretty amazing man and when I am not with him, I miss like crazy. Our friend Karly recently did a story about him on BYUtv. Want to see?
http://www.byutv.org/watch/173-542
Fast forward to 18 minutes.

p.s.

Just look how cute our babies will be (and isn't his mom a babe!)

And I had to add my favorite picture of him.

Meet Cole

2011-03-17T13:44:00.000-07:00

Isn't he adorable? When I "inherited" him onto my caseload after I started working at Kids On The Move, I couldn't have been happier. I have always been a sucker for brown eyes...and look at those big brown eyes! Don't you just want to melt!
Cole was a typically developing baby until 10 months old. He started having seizures and he became a different little boy. After many failed attempts with seizure medications and special diets, Cole's parents got him into the Cleveland Clinic where the Dr.s discovered his brain is malformed. They may have to do surgery and remove parts of his brain and hope that since he is young, it will rewire and his seizures will be gone.
I know with my job that I could probably lead you to hundreds of families with tender stories, but I couldn't resist sharing a link to this brown eyed boy's blog. Hop over and take a peek!

My Last Minute

2011-03-03T07:53:00.000-08:00

It looks as if in a short 113 days, I will finally have a middle name. I will add Squire to the end of the name my parents gave me 24+ years ago. Mr. Ronald Gary Squire Jr. (or Handsome, as I like to call him) slipped a ring on my finger on February 26th and asked me to be his.

Let me take you back a little bit in time. I remember the day in Seminary, towards the end of those wonderful high school days, when my teacher told me I would be the fist to get hitched when I went to college. I was thoroughly offended. Then I went to work down at the dealership and found out they were taking bets as to how long I would last at college before I got married. My dad gave me 3 semesters. "I hope he has money riding on that, and that he loses big time" was my thought pattern at the time.

Around the same time, back in our old house on Foutz Road, I picked up the phone and it was my mom's friend Kit Cook on the other line. I remember exactly where I was standing and what that old white phone looked like: with the caller I.D. faded from an overzealous Lysol spray from me and it's stretched out cord wrapped around my fingers. I remember so vividly because the advice Kit gave me hit me like a bolt of lightening. She asked how life was and what my plans were. I spoke of adventures, orphanages in far away lands, and college. She shared her mutual love for adventure and then said,"You go for it girl! Don't worry about love.
Fall in love at the last minute possible."

With trips around the world, a college education, and stories exaggerated enough to make my mom giggle, all tucked under my belt, it looks as if my last minute has come.

Ronnie and I met in late September of last year. From the night we met at a ward pizza party, he pursued me. On our first date, he slathered on the charm and made me laugh like no other boy ever had. 5 months later, Ronnie asked me to be his wife. Exactly 67 years after my grandparents were married, I became engaged.

Do I feel like my adventures are over? No way. I am adding an adventure buddy, a very handsome one if I might say so myself, and a new last name. So stay tuned for the tales of engagement and MARRAIGE!

The day of Love

2011-02-23T13:28:00.001-08:00

Oh glorious day. This valentines day was great. It was my first with Ronnie. I set a 10 dollar limit this year so se would have to get creative. I decorated Ronnies room and made a banner I made, hearts with messages, and streamers (thank you JD for helping me). We exchanged gifts before we went to dinner at Macaroni grill. I made Ronnie a book out of a deck of cards with 52 things I love about him. He also got a big bag of swedish fish- his favorite and a little something I had from Egypt. Ronnie gave me flowers and a beautiful and thoughtful gift he worked very hard on.
My roommate Ashlee is taking a letterpress class so she helped him take a page and drawing from our favorite book and turned it into a letterpress to display. Ronnie etched it and set the type himself and they spent many long hours figuring it out. I just loved how close Ashlee and him got and how much fun they had together.
I loved my gift and will keep it forever. We then had a blast together at dinner. My dad gave me a beautiful silver bracelet. He always pull through on that.
I hope your day was as fabulous as mine!

Childhood

2011-02-02T17:38:00.000-08:00

As I drove home from work today, I let my thoughts wander from place to place as I took the usual streets back to my apartment. I got done with work a little earlier than usual, so as I drove past the school just up the street from my place, I got to see all the elementary children just getting out of school. Just that quick drive past the school reminded my why I love children and childhood so much.
I saw one little girl with her backpack twisted every which way around her body but except on her back, singing a tune to herself and dancing along as she waited on the corner for her mom.
A little bunch of kids jumped at the chance to high-five the police officer working as a crossing guard as they crossed the street to the mini-van awaiting their arrival.
As I approached the four-way stop just before my turn, a scraggly, little blonde head in the car in front of me turned around and gave me a big toothless grin as she waved at me.
I hope I never have to venture far from childhood.

That Boy

2011-01-30T15:53:00.000-08:00

Yes, this boy.
He drives me nuts. In the best way possible.
He likes the same music I do. And if he doesn't he puts up with it. (He even agreed to go see Yanni with me!)
He always knows how to make me laugh. Even when I try and be grumpy and not laugh at his ridiculousness.
He accompanies me on my hair brained adventures. Including the one where we wasted a perfectly good Saturday in pursuit of Catholic relics at an estate sale of a closing convent. Turns out what was advertised as a convent was more of a nursing home...oops!
The purpose of this post almost got away from me! Last night Ronnie planned a surprise date for me. He held to his word and no matter how much I pestered for a clue, he didn't give in. When date time arrived he told me he was running late and asked if I could meet him at his place to save some time. I traveled the hop, skip, and jump between our apartments to find a beautiful surprise indeed! I found Ronnie waiting in his suit with a rose in hand and his kitchen lit up with tea candles. He had worked hard preparing a beautiful dinner for me. He made it all on his own! I could tell he had worked extra hard from the beads of sweat I spied on the corner of brow when I leaned in to give him a hug. I am sure juggling cooking, decorating, and switching his attention between preparing different dishes was a difficult task to maneuver around the kitchen, but he did it for me.
The Menu:
Herbed chicken over sticky rice with a lemon curd sauce
(don't forget the won-tons he fried up to crunch on top of the chicken)
Homemade cream cheese stuffed won-tons
Yummy salad with poppy seed dressing
and last but not least
Dr. Pepper

We shared a beautiful dinner with our favorite tunes in the background, just me and him. So what's the occasion? I couldn't figure it out but he reminded me. Our 4 month anniversary from our first date! Has it already/only been 4 months!

Jealous? You should be. But back off ladies (and the occasional gay man I have to fight off as well).
HE IS MINE.

No longer a Gemini

2011-01-16T10:06:00.000-08:00

I am sure you have heard the buzz. Our zodiac signs have changed. This came as very sad news to me as I just accomplished number 9 on my "25 Things To Do Before I Turn 25" list.
9. ~~Have my palm read~~
I am pretty sure my zodiac probably had something important to do with my palm reading, so now that it has changed, I probably need to go have it read again. That, along with the fact that my reading was quite disappointing. It was in China Town in San Francisco over New Years ( don't worry, this will receive its own post with pictures). We saw a palm reader and on a whim, my boys and me stopped in for a VERY quick palm reading.

Do you want to hear what she has to tell me? Let's see what I can remember:
I love to serve people and spend most of my time serving, but receive very little in return- Ok lady, that was pretty good. Yeah, I work in a helping profession, but I feel like I receive SO much more than I give
I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth and have never struggled to have the things I wanted- Was it my Guess coat or Ugg boots that gave that away?
I have a long life line and much love in my life- I truly hope every person in this world has that same fate
Here is where it gets interesting. I have stepped in a bad way and need to get out of it. It is a very dark way and is causing me a lot of trouble. I am not as happy as I once was and need to meditate to get back to my peace.......
Can being on my period on vacation be considered a "dark way"? I wished it would go away and I was back to "peace".
Don't worry, she offered to burn 90 candle and meditate for me at midnight for 3 months. All for the low cost of 300 dollars!
I passed. Instead, me and the boys pondered on her generous offer over the most delicious Chinese food I've ever had.

A few days with Ronnie

2010-12-24T09:53:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-17T13:14:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-13T10:28:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-05T10:22:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-14T08:25:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-11-11T13:15:00.000-08:00

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?

2010-10-31T10:16:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-27T13:40:00.001-07:00

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,

2010-10-21T17:04:00.001-07:00

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

2010-10-12T17:33:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-09T13:45:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-30T12:40:00.001-07:00

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

2010-09-25T22:48:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-15T14:00:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-24T12:03:00.000-07:00

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...

2010-08-09T21:58:00.000-07:00

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...

2010-07-16T11:54:00.000-07:00

"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

2010-07-08T21:54:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-21T21:43:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-20T09:24:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-06-08T10:14:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-07T21:06:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-30T00:40:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-26T22:35:00.000-07:00

“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.

2010-05-18T20:28:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-23T17:09:00.000-07:00

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)

2010-04-22T23:41:00.000-07:00

SO DANG CUTE!

Blogging award

2010-04-06T14:43:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-24T22:30:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-14T19:03:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-04T15:37:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-19T09:38:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-06T16:04:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-28T10:00:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-22T19:32:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-01-20T09:19:00.000-08:00

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...

2010-01-17T19:21:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-01-05T20:38:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-02T10:55:00.000-08:00

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!

Teenagers

2009-12-10T20:03:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for teenagers.
HOLD UP! Did I just say that? Yes, yes, I did. Maybe I should say it this way, I am thankful for the chance I have had to spend time with my sister Chanel's three teenagers while she is gone.
To be quite truthful, I have always wondered how I would manage when I have children and they become teenagers. I know that stage in life is so distant I can't even imagine it, but I have wondered about it. IT SCARES ME JUST THINKING ABOUT IT. Here's why:
1.Hand me a baby, toddler, small child-easy peasy (most of the time) I've read countless books on them, had nieces and nephews in this stage of life since, well, I was in that stage of life, and am entering a career that will give me some practice.

2.I hate to admit it but when I was a teenager I think I embodied everything adults can't stand about that stage in life. I believe there were many contributing factors to my "condition" ie: absolute sleep deprivation, maybe some anxiety issues, and dust from all those files I handled at the dealership. I swear they clouded my reasoning abilities ;)

ANYWAY
Once kids hit about ten, well, beats me what you do with them! So teenagers... I wasn't to sure about those strange creatures. Luckily, my sister Chanel has raised hers right and it has been a blast being here with them. There have been some teenage moments, but they made me realize we really don't change very much no matter what age we are. We are always going to test our limits! Whether it be seeing how many times our mom will pick our bottle up if we keep throwing it on the ground, how late we can get our parents to agree to let us stay out, or how little exercise we can do and how mush more we can eat without ballooning (still working on that formula) Life is all about boundaries, pushing them, learning, and finding independence.
So for the subject of teenagers...Piece of cake...as in you'll need one everyday to survive

Happy Birthday Nathan!

2009-11-17T17:22:00.001-08:00

Can you believe it? It was one year ago we were flitting around Israel, pretending we were just BFF's. In fact, exactly one year ago I was faced with the same dilemma. A crazy day with every last minute scheduled, and no good way to celebrate you. In a desperate attempt to make you feel special, I asked everyone to find random things through out our tours and give them to you. I believe you got sea shells, bones, a rock that we told you fell off a roman statue (sorry, but it really didn't) and from me, a half empty bottle of vodka. Oh the things you can find on a tour of holy sites! I remember sneaking off with only one other person(a sin when you are supposed to be in 3's), to try and find you a gift in Nazareth. All I could find were postcards of Mary. Oh! and that little bakery where we convinced the men to make us jelly filled donuts. I may have started with intentions of getting you one but I don't believe it ever made it out of my field of vision until it entered my mouth. Now that I think back on it, your birthday was one of my favorite days in Israel (and not just because of that jelly filled donut).
I wish I could say we were somewhere fabulous this year and I could do something spontaneous and thoughtful for you,but this post and your super practical gift this weekend will have to do for now.
So Happy Birthday Nathan. To the only boy that can say that I chose over an adventure (oh the stories living in Vegas could have made). I wish I could be with you on this celebration of your birth. I really want to crack a joke about you being adopted but I save it for a day that isn't your birthday. XOXOxxoOxo

Thank you for putting up with me. Even letting me put Victorias Secret lip plumping Lip gloss on you

And letting me obsess over strange things like your ears and chin. (Don't worry, he didn't pose for this picture. I snapped it and set it as the wallpaper on my computer)

And being just a little bit less ornery than me.
(I hate peeling oranges because then my hands smell like oranges so I would always make him peel mine. Some days he decided he would only sort of peel it)

Sick Day

2009-11-16T11:50:00.000-08:00

I am taking my first sick day. Last week of school and I am taking a sick day for a job I don't even get paid for so I don't feel one bit bad. I spent the weekend in Rexburg taking the last of my test to become a full blown, certified teacher. I couch surfed at Emma's place this weekend. It turned out quite perfectly. She had a date Friday night, and I had a date with my text book. I studied for a couple of hours, took a break to grab a hot cocoa at my favorite place in Rexburg...The Cocoa Bean, and then hit the books again. I read a 70 page chapter from an old text book that I heard was helpful for the Special Ed. portion of my testing. Best thing I could have done! It helped me SO much. At the end of the night my friend Craig came over to visit. Sitting and chatting with him reminded me why I loved going to school in Rexburg. The people. Sure, there isn't much to do in the little town, but doing not much of anything is better than doing a whole lot of something if you are in good company.
I took my tests the next morning (7:30 am-1:30 pm) and then headed back to Emma's place to decompress from all the stress and anxiety standardized tests give me. The rest of the day was filled with friends, Craigos pizza, playing sardines at the school, and games at a new found friends place. I can't think of a batter way to end my time in Rexburg than by having a very typical night in Rexburg. That town sure was good to me. I am not going to say that I never questioned my existence there, but if I had to do it over again, I wouldn't change a thing.

Three thing are amazing about this photo: 1. No snow 2. I took it from the hood of my car. Timer button, run, smile, check the photo. 3. I Actually took this on my way home from Idaho. Thank you emergengy turn arounds
Last night I stayed up most of the night with the Three Musketeers playing sword fight in my stomach. About the time my alarm was going off this morning is when I decided I wouldn't be a very good teacher today anyway, so i might as well call in sick. Boy am I glad I did! I have had time to sit in silence and just be happy. I am excited to get home and gear up for the holidays and Christmas with the whole fam damily! I can't wait to kiss of chubby toddler cheeks and torment the nieces and nephews that are now teenagers. I discovered (much later than just about every other blogger) the Pioneer Woman's blog. I am in love. I have almost read her entire love story of how she met her husband. She was an adventurous city girl, on her way to do big things when a cowboys swept her off her feet and carried her out to the country in a diesel truck. Can you hear my heart pitter pattering? Sorry Nathan, but when wranglers and a diesel truck are involved I get a little carried away. So let's have three cheers for cowboys, two cheers for Ramen Noodles, and one half hearted cheer for sick days.

I did it!

2009-11-12T20:36:00.000-08:00

Well, I did it. I passed my work sample review (which turned out to be a breeze). I recieved my third and final letter of recommendation from my student teaching experience. I have almost finished teaching a full week all by my lonesome. Yep, this is coming to a close and the wind of change are blowing my way. Hopefully for the richer.
Now I am on my way to Rexburg to take my Praxis and say my farewells. Wish me luck!
Now, you have to check out my sisters FABULOUS gifts on etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/scarycute
Too Cute!

The things that keep me going...

2009-11-04T17:12:00.000-08:00

I am tired. Yes, very tired. But I love what I do. And days where I think I am screwing it all up I get a cute surprise from one of my students

I complimented him on a little turkey he drew in his planner the other day, so he showed up to school with this for me. It reminds me that the things I say to my students really do matter and they take it pretty seriously. It makes me love them even more!
And what about this cutey! I could kiss him until his cheeks fell off! Is he not the cutest!

You know what else keeps me going? The wonderment of kids. I know I shouldn't have been teaching them to poke that sick mouse. But look how interested they are!

And of course, delicious food. There is a woman who works at our school who is from India. I invited myself over with some of the other teachers to learn how to cook Indian food. It turned out to be more like standing around and talking while Neela cooked for us and let us eat. It was SO yummy!

SO, to sum it up, hand me a baby or a bowl full of food. These are the things that keep me fat and happy

In case you didn't know...

2009-11-02T18:39:00.000-08:00

Teaching is hard. Yes, and as I type those words I keep thinking how I really should be typing lesson plans instead, but those will still be there in five minutes and these profound (ha ha) thoughts may not. I finished up my "time" in Resource and now am in third grade. Everyday in resource I would think "Just a little while longer and I will get a break in third grade." Ha! Was I wrong or what! Resource was difficult, as in your brain gets so overloaded with multitasking and walking on legal egg shells. I love resources and I could really tell if I was making a difference or not, if I was doing a good job, and if the children were learning. Enter the world of regular education. It is a whole new kind of multitasking and egg shells. Now I have to keep tight control of 24 little kiddos at the same time as teaching them, and thinking about what I will be doing in five minutes. And egg shells- mostly dealing, I mean, cooperating constructively with other teachers...and bulletin boards. The person who decided to put those up in school surely is burning in hell. Just one more way for Artistic people to be better than me.
So what makes teaching worth it? Kids say the darnedest things. Like my student who I swear is a shrunken down version of Reese Witherspoon. Today as we walked to class she told me, "Miss Webb, I know why you wear brown everyday, because your hair is brown." I look down at myself and see a brown sweater paired with brown pants. I realize she is very right and am suddenly angry with myself because I vowed to myself months ago I would wear less brown. So I turn back to her and tell her "Shhh. We are silent in the hall." Now that it is many hours later and I am in my PJ's and can't help but laugh at just how right she is.
And then there is one little boy in my class who is so thoughtful and such a hard worker. Things might take him a little longer but he works very hard and gets it done right. He reminds me a lot of my nephew Noah. As I walked the kids out to the door when school ended, I gave them high fives and some of the girls always give hugs. I turned the corner to walk back to the classroom and he came flying around. I put my hand out to give him a high five but he ignored it and gave me a big hug. I love those hugs!
So even when i doubt that I am doing a good job or feel like I am jipping the students from their real teacher, I remember this is a learning process for me to and they seem to like me anyway.
Now, if only I could get paid to do this...

Help For JJ

2009-10-29T14:44:00.000-07:00

Tug ont the heart strings- These a relatives of some close family friends of mine. Please pass this along
I just wanted to pass on an opportunity to help for anyone that is interested. JJ was born with the liver out of his body in like a bubble or sac. They were unable to fix it until this summer, when he was able to go to Seattle and have it put back inside. He has recently turned three, and you can imagine how hard it has been for them to keep him from falling on or hurting his tummy for the last 3 years. Amy has had to stay home with him, and has been unable to work because he needs constant care. He can not go to a sitter or day care because his immune system is horrible and an cold or flu usually puts him into the hospital, not to mention the typical wrestling of a child could kill him because of the placement of his liver. They really struggled to get enough money to do the 1st surgery, but thanks to many friends and family they were able to raise the funds to go and have the procedure done. Unfortunately they found out that they would still need another surgery. JJ's has hernias that were not able to be fixed then, but need to be now. The hernias mean that he has a hole in the abdominal wall that causes his intestines to fall out into his scrotum, making it about the size of a small grapefruit.. as you can imagine, this is very painful for him. Since the surgery his liver is still protruding alot in his belly since they couldnt close the muscle wall all the way around it.. every day he has constant tummy aches and has not been able to gain ANY weight since the surgery, but now they need to check things out and decide if maybe he needs a permanent feeding tube surgically placed. They are supposed to go up to Seattle in November for the surgery, however they are having a hard time raising the funds to get there and get it done. They were at first denied Medicaid, but after an appeal Medicaid agreed to pay part of it. As you can imagine, this kind of surgery is an expensive ordeal. Poor Amy has said that she is so humiliated to have to beg for help, but that for the sake of her child she will do whatever it takes to make him well. I can not imagine how hard it must be. She must come up with the rest of the money by the end of the month (yes- the end of this week) or the hospital will postpone it until next spring when the flu season is over. As a family we like to try to find someone in need at Christmas and help them out. If they do not get enough $ to do the surgery now, they will be that much further ahead in the spring. I thought I would pass along the information in case anyone else is looking for someone to help and has not found that someone yet. If you want to read some more about JJ or look at the pictures (found at the bottom of his blog) his blog is http://teamhelpjj.blogspot.com . Amy was thinking about starting a business before he was born, and had invested in some materials to make bows and watch bands. She is so tired of just asking for help that she would like encourage people to donate and she will send them one of the items, or you can buy some from her ( I think her bows are really cute). If you are interested take a look.

Skype-aholic

2009-10-21T17:59:00.000-07:00

It is true, I have joined the ranks of the proud who love the web cam. I never thought I would say it, but I love a good web cam conversation.
My history with web cams has been one of disgust and confusion. I was first introduced into the world of video chatting my freshman year of college. On of my roommates had a dangerous love with her computer and taking pictures of herself with her web cam. My thoughts were, "Whoopty freakin doo! A picture of you sitting in your room!" (I guess I can't really rant too much because the picture above is from my web cam of my roommates and me in the library) I preferred getting out and interacting with people I could actually see, feel, touch, smell, and if I was lucky, taste. Just kidding! I never quite understood what the big deal was about web cams.
Fast forward to this year. My big brother Andrew flew off to the Middle East to supply out war heroes with tanks and airplane rides. And his good looks of course. I was at his house when he Skyped his wife. It was so much fun to hear AND see him and for him to be able to see his kids. My heart began to soften.
Last week I downloaded Skype and am now able to video chat with Nathan instead of our nightly phone calls. It is SO much more fun to talk to him when I can see his mannerisms and what he is really doing when I talk to him. Yep, I'm a Skype-Junkie!

Did you know I love surprises?

2009-10-14T22:22:00.001-07:00

What a busy/long week it has been already and it is only Wednesday. This is my transition week into teaching 3rd grade so knowing my schedule has been hard. Nathan had his first big test in Econ with a professor that is infamous for failing half of BYU. With our lives a bit crazy and a crazy weekend coming up, it didn't look like we were going to see each other for over a week, which seems silly since we only live 30 miles apart. I wasn't too happy about the idea but decided to try and be positive anyway.
After school I ran to the store and then went home to make dinner. I heard banging on the front door and my roommate yelled "Come in!" A deep voice then yelled back, "Special delivery for a Michael Webb!" My first thought was "Ooo! Surprise package! I knew my mom loved me." and then I thought, "Ok, why can't anyone say my name right." So I stomped to the door and opened it up and there was Nathan smiling. What a wonderful surprise! I guess he was trying to do a Sean Connery voice and it worked...I had no idea it was him. That is why I put the photo of him above. I think it expresses him pretty well. Plus I love the story behind the picture. We had been walking through the old city and Nathan was sharing much of his... random knowledge... with me about the island of Vanuatu and how it is disappearing into the ocean. I could have cared less thinking that nobody cared about it but the people on the island and him. Then he found this pen in the old city. Why it was in Jerusalem who knows! Probably just to prove to me that Nathan's information isn't always useless. Oh you know I am kidding Nathan.

Day one in Grade three

2009-10-12T18:22:00.000-07:00

Yep, today was my first day in Third Grade. Don't get too excited. I mostly sat in my little makeshift desk in the corner and tried to memorize names and take notes on how my cooperating teacher runs her clasroom and manages behavior. It will be quite the switch over from Resource. My biggest group for resource was four children, so 24 is going to seem like a ton. I am also used to being very in control of how each child is behaving, but with six times the number of students I am going to have to let a lot of things slip. The big unit I will be planning and teaching is on Native Americans. My cooperating teacher gave me the things she uses adn she let me look over them to see if I might want to use them. I think I will pass. Here is what the first sheet says..."Once there were many tribes of native Americans living in our country. A tribe is a group of people living together like a large family. The people all had black hair and red-brown skins." WOW! Where do I start with how horrible that is? So I will start from scratch and make it not quite so offensive of a unit. I just wish I were going home sometime soon so I could grab everything off my parents walls so show the class that Native Americans didn't just once live in our country but still do and have a beautiful culture! I am excited to teach this unit. It is jsut a shame that I will only get to teach it when math and reading don't take up ther rest of our day. I hate that science, social studies, and art are things you add to the day if time permits.
Okay, enough of my ranting, how about a story or two? My teacher introduced me to the class about 2/3 through the day and allowed them to ask me questions. One student asked me how long I had been student teaching. I told her 7 weeks. The next student asked "Do you do this often?" I had to smile as I told her I will only have to student teach once and then hopefully get a classroom of my own." At recess I went outside to watch the kids play. I made the mistake of wearing a skirt on a windy day. Not only was I feeling a little self conscience about how white my legs were in the natural light and that truth about how long it had been since I last shaved was glaringly noticable, but a big gust a wind came and blew my skirt right up. Hello Kids! Meet Miss Webb!

My Cousin Cameron

2009-10-09T23:48:00.000-07:00

Cameron passed away yesterday and I just wanted to write down some of the things down that I loved about him. Cameron and my oldest brother Perry were the same age and were up to who knows what together as teenagers. I was always jealous of Cameron's beautiful bright blue eyes and perfect smile. Even the times he has a scruffy beard on his face, his smile peeked its way through and shone brighter than any other smile in the room. If I hadn't seen Cameron in a while and wasn't quite sure what to talk to him about, I couldn't help but start up any conversation with him just so I could try and make him smile. With Cameron's passing, I have become more determined to become much more than acquaintances with my cousins. I love the Rogers/Smith family and hope that they know of all the love many have for them in this difficult time.

Old Age

2009-10-07T17:51:00.000-07:00

Is it just me, or am I getting old? I have to pee at least 20 times more than I used to. Nothing sounds better than going to bed early. Getting to bed by midnight used to be early not too long ago. While I still stop by the shoe section each time I go in a store, I usually find myself in the bath section imagining a nice long bath instead of a super cute outfit out on the town. I just want a huge tub with hot, hot water and a million bath things...soaps, salts, scrubs, oils, bubbles, you name it I want it. Since Johnathon has gotten home from his mission I feel so much more complete. I have someone to boss around and he allows me to pretend to be the mother hen again.
This week I am observing classes again before I move to teaching 3rd grade. To get a better idea of what I want to do I have been peeking in on some of the classrooms around school. I sat in on a Diagnostic Kindergarten (all the students have special needs) and I absolutely fell in love. I can't get my mind off of how much I want to teach that class. I told my cooperating teacher and she just about died when I told her I would probably have dreams about it because I loved it so much. She told me I was sick. Then she told me she would talk to the lady over Special Ed. for the district and ask if there are any positions opening up in any of the other diagnostic kindergartens. I sure hope so!
Am I not the most exciting person you ever met?
P.s. I must apologize to any one who has had to cross paths with me in the past two weeks. My periods have never really effected me much and i never knew what the big deal was about PMS because I had never really experienced it. Well it caught up with me this month. I believe I cried everyday for no good reason, yelled at or shot death looks to every person I love, and felt so tired and loopy that I acted like i was on drugs. So to all that had to endure my presence, I am sorry.

Fall has arrived

2009-10-06T15:46:00.001-07:00

I used to hate fall. It meant winter was coming. I still hate winter, but I am learning to love fall. I LOVE fall fashion. Not that I am great at wearing it, but I do have a think for coats and jackets. Dark colors and earth tones start to appear everywhere. I love the slight chill in the air and adding another blanket to my bed. And SOUP! Glorious soup! Mmmm. Yay for fall.

Miss Webb

2009-09-28T22:54:00.000-07:00

I love being called Miss Webb. I love seeing students get excited... or embarassed, depends on the students, when I yell out thier name and wave at them in the hall. Sometimes I will even make a face. I love hearing from parents that thier son or daughter talks about me at home and how much they love coming to my class. Especially when that particular student asks when they get to go back to their other class the whole time they are with me. I struggled with loving resource at first but now that I am completely immersed in it I love it! The progress is slow, but it is worked for. Now I am right in the middle of my last week teaching in resource before switching to 3rd grade and wondering where the time went! I am not ready to leave my munchkins that test my patience each and every day. Right as I am getting a hang of things I have to let go and move on. WIsh me luck as I get ready for a whole new baptism by fire...3rd grade.

Sick

2009-09-27T12:06:00.001-07:00

I've tried to be careful now that I am at school everyday with sick children to make sure I sanitize my hands often, wipe the tables down after school, and take vitamins everyday, but I still got sick. Towards the end of last week I started feeling like I was getting allergies, but soon realized it was much more than that. I tried pretending all week at school, that even though I sounded awful and needed kleenex by my side, that I felt just fine. My teaching probably didn't hide it well. When this weekend finally came I was excited to get some real sleep and quit pretending I wasn't sick. I started feeling better so I got up and going and didn't really take it too easy. Now it is Sunday and I am wishing I had taken it a little easier yesterday. The cold that just won't go away made sure I knew it is still here, so I am filling the day with naps and soup so that my last week teaching Special Ed. is a good one and I can give it all I've got. Besides, I don't want to be remembered as Miss Webb, the teacher with a gross booger nose.

BUD

2009-09-21T19:03:00.001-07:00

I just wrote an amazing post about how excited I am for Johnathon to get home from his mission next week and it didn't save or post. Let me sum it up for you...I'm pretty dang excited. Here are some pictures of me and my bud not too long before he left.

Teaching = sexy

2009-09-16T19:51:00.001-07:00

It is true. Teaching has made me sexier. How you ask? No, it is not the added rolls on my body. Bigger is better though right? It is not my sweet name tag. It is really sweet though. Magnetic. White. It says Ms. Webb...Student Teacher in really big letters.
My voice is what has gotten sexier. I come home everyday with a little rasp in my voice. Sexy, right? Talking all day long should not be anything new for me but man my voice is tired by the end of the day. Today I caught myself yelling. I quickly turned my volume down when I realized what I was doing. No wonder the students looked scared. Ok, they didn't. They all secretly think I am the best in the world. There just isn't any evidence of those little thoughts yet. Someday, someday.

Small Victory

2009-09-14T20:54:00.000-07:00

I know this is totally stupid and childish but I totally cheated the system and love it. I sent off my last utilities check to provo a few weeks ago and realized after I slipped it into the little slot that I forgot to put a stamp on the envelope. I have been waiting for it to come back so I can slap a stamp on it and move on with life. I checked my bank account and apparently the letter made it to Provo because the check was cashed! I know, I know, I owe the USPS 40-some-odd cents to be a completely honest christian, but I am sure I will place too many stamps on a package someday and repay them. I guess I can quit checking my mail.

Why I am dating Nathan Paskett again

2009-09-13T09:48:00.000-07:00

The boy is persistant. I would have given up on my a LONG time ago. In fact, it hasn't taken many in the past too long to give up either. ie:
Isaac W.- came to visit me at work one day, left mid sentence and I found out he was engaged one month later
Donald W.- I think it is safe to say my family scared him away. Good thing to. He later told me he wanted a woman who would be quiet and listen to him and be waiting for him when he got home. I told him to get a dog.
Josh J.- The day he kissed me we decided to take things slow and see how it went. Then next day he came over to tell me he already had a girlfriend. It probably wouldn't be a good idea to have two
Don't think I am sharing these stories to get pitty, because I think they are pretty funny myself. And with experiences like those, I thought breaking ujp with a boy, trying to ignore him, continually tell him what a good friend he was, and the countless other thing I did that I never even had to try to get a boy to run from me before, didn't work. So we have stayed friends and conitued to hang out, and he would ask me out on dates, and keep telling me when I was ready he would be ready to start dating again. I guess I am ready. We have been having a lot of fun together lately and he has been there to help me out countless times, even when he could have easily said, your not mine to worry about any more. So it looks like persistance has paid off in his favor, although, he may regret it soon.... ;)

Blessings?

2009-09-03T18:14:00.000-07:00

(ok, let me explain the photo. It has nothing to do with my post but I thought it was funny. I was looking for an image of blessing on google and this on came up. It was an ad for blankets. Doesn't the person under the blanket look dead? Maybe it was a blessing for the woman. Who knows)
Yes. Blessings with a question mark. Let me explain.
I have tried a variety of ways to make myself feel better when I am stressed. Icecream, french fries, calling someone I love, working out, music...the list goes on. While those do help, (especially ice cream) I feel like most of the time it is just a cover up. I still am stressed, I just am stressed with a fat belly, a good conversation, or some sweet tunes (obviously I have tried the working out one the least). Well, these past couple of weeks have been stressful in ways I haven't minded but am getting worn down. Student teaching is hard to find where your place is, especially when it is left to figure out at the last minute. Figuring out how to juggle that with work has been fun. Getting used to new roommates. The pile of laundry that just doesn't seem to do itself in the one hour I am home a day. You know, the stresses of life.
Get to the point Mikael.
What I have found to be helpful with all this crap is thinking about my blessing. So to keep me positive, comment on my blog every once in a while and say "But what about your blessings Mikael?" And I will write a list. Here is the list that has been piling up in my brain
I get to drive home from work right at sunset. The sunset looks amazing when the whole sky is purple and gold and all you can see of the mountains are dark shadows jutting up into the sky.
Driving with my window down. I do this mostly for gas saving purposes but it has become something I love.
Walking around looking like a hillbilly and not caring one bit. I have on some nasty shorts I bought at Walmart because I forgot my swimsuit when we went to Washington, a much-to-short bathingsiut top from the beginning of high school, and a white tank top that is pretending to hide my gut hanging out. I love that I really don't care what people think about how I look. I am happy with me and that makes me so much better (at least in my opinion)
Sticking my feet in the pool. I love water
Celebrating one year since I left for Jerusalme with 60 out of the 80 of us that went and 2 of 4 professors who were there from the US. That party deserves a post all it's own.
Finding beauty in ugly things..only because I know it will make the best white elephant gift this christmas...that's right, I just bought mine and it cost a whopping 30 cents. Get ready Webb family
Well, now I am going to change out of this rediculous outfit becasue I don't want everyone wanting my bod when I go walk down to Artic circle to get some ice cream...just in case thinking about my blessings doesn't work

Survivor

2009-08-28T22:11:00.000-07:00

Well I did it. I survived week one of student teaching... and I haven't event had any students in the classroom yet. I am in resource right now so we have just been doing placement testing and holding meetings all week. My brains want to fall out of my head. The ear wax I haven't had time to clean out of my ears is keeping them in. My experience this week with scheduling everything, and watching my cooperating teacher and the one million things she has to keep straight has convinced me I NEVER want to teach resource again after this. I talked to mom today and told her I better not end up in Utah after this. She said maybe that is where the Lord want me to be and I need to do what he says. I said I can do that, but it doesn't mean I have to be happy about it. I really am enjoying the experience though. He is the latest trial in my life though. Finding a tote. What is it with bags? Carrying a million things in and out of school everyday has not been fun and a tote would make my life a million times easier so I logged onto etsy (thank you Rebecca!) to find the perfect one. I found 597 perfect ones. JK. But I did find one lady who makes all sorts of things in Arabic and I just had to email her and tell her how much I love her. You have to check her things out. Maybe I will be the only one who appreciates them. I am coveting the whale bag. it isn't as big as I want my tote to be, but I might just have to get it anyway. What do you think?
http://www.robbinsmarye.com/shop.html

Oh how opposite I was today

2009-08-23T21:38:00.000-07:00

Today was a temple dedication here in Utah, so church was canceled for the entire state so the dedication could be broadcast. This meant that I had no church becasue I just moved into a new ward and can;t get a ticket. I just looked at my calender and realized that yesterday was the start of Ramadan. It is a holiday that Muslim celebrate Muhammad recieving the Koran. It is a time of great didcation and worship as they fast during the daylight hours and feast at sundown. Muslim read the whole Koran throughout the month and say extra prayers. This goes on for a month. It is also the time one year ago I arrived in The Holy Land. I miss the 12 million calls to prayer throughout the day and night. The partying going on at night. The green lights all over the Muslim parts of the city. I know I say this WAY too much, but, can I go back yet?
(The picture is of the Old City decorated with lights to celebrate Ramadan)

Keep your fingers crossed

2009-08-20T11:38:00.000-07:00

Well, we might have gotten it all sorted out. I went to the faculty meeting on Tuesday and spent the day getting to know the kindergarten teacher and falling in love with the idea of teaching kindergarten because I couldn't get a hold of BYU-I to tell me differently. I finally got a hold of them in the afternoon and the secretary said she would try and work it out for me to stay in the kindergarten class. Not too much longer she called me back and said NEVERMIND! Apparently to be certified to teach up to 3rd grade I actually have to have some experience with children above K. Makes sense, but I was still disappointed. So I havd to break the news to the kindergarten teacher and feel like a total idiot for the mix up I didn't make. So, up until I went to school for an IEP meeting today, I have had no idea what I am doing. I went to the meeting and was able to talk to the Principal afterwards and he said he would start talking to the other teachers to see if anyone would take me. I apologized for the mix up and hoped it wouldn't reflect badly on me. So now I am teaching Spec. Ed. in a resource room for children K-6 for 7 weeks and then 3rd grade for 6 weeks. I am a little worried about the 3rd grade thing but I guess I will survive!

Why I am SO over BYU-Idaho

2009-08-17T21:42:00.000-07:00

Yes. I am over it. I am tired of them making me feel like a failure that I am disorganized and then they can't even get their act together. So several of the other student teachers that live in my apartment complex told me they got Kindergarter too and we were so excited. Then I found out today that BYU-Idaho found out they got that placement and were told that we are not allowed to student teach kindergarten so they are getting their placements changed. Apparently some states don't accept kindergarten as true elementary teaching experience (kind of like it is preschool) so we have to teach 1-3 in order to be able to get our degree. I, however, have heard NOTHING from BYU-Idaho and have decided I better call them tomorrow and figure what the heck I am supposed to be doing because I am just ready to be done now. I am SO SAD! My cooperating teacher called me today and she sound so fun and sweet and she sounded so sad when I told her there would be a good chance I wouldn't get to be with her. So, BOO to BYU-Idaho and your inability to do something very important right.

Me and Boo Radley

2009-08-06T18:34:00.000-07:00

At the beginning of the summer, I promised I would share entertaining stories from work, and so far I haven't done such a great job at that. Let me indulge myself and share todays adventure. I work a lot in Salem with a family I absolutely adore and I love escaping to the little country town. The girl I work with loves to just stand on one spot in the kitchen so her mom always tried to leave some sort of project for me to do to help the time to go by. Lately it has been baking projects. At first it made me nervous because I have not baked much and everything she makes turns out to beautifully and delicious. Her recipes have turned out to be simple and so yummy! Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, zucchini bread, and chocolate zucchini cake have been this weeks entertainment. I am loving learning how to make all these things and am feeling confident that maybe one day I might be able to be somewhat domestic.
After working in Salem, my boss asked me to take a boy for a few hours because his usual staff had to go to some training. When I picked him up I was a little nervous because he is so much bigger and stronger than me. He has autism and is non verbal so that didn't make things any easier. At first he wouldn't get in my car because he was convinced we were getting in the wrong one (he had never been in my car and had no idea who I was) He just kept grabbing my hand and draggin me around the parking lot. I finally lured him to my car with a cookie. We headed to the park to try and pass the time and I figured I could keep a close eye on him because he also likes to dart (he is one fast skipper). His staff warned me that he loves bathrooms so as soon at I saw the huge bathroom sign on the building in the middle of the park I tried to distract him away from it and get interested in other things. No dice. Once he locked his sights on it there was no turning back. Before I knew it, I was half way hanging into the mens restroom hoping there was nobody else in there, trying to coax a huge teenage boy to pull his pants up and quit flushing all the toilets.
I finally got him out and we started walking around the pond at the park. You know the SNL skit where the cheerleader sticks her hands in her arm pits and then smells her hands when she gets nervous? Well imagine that except with a butt crack instead of arm pits. Yeah. My hand sanitizer was very well used today. Don't worry, the story has a happy ending.
The more time we spent together, the more I realized I didn't need to be nervous, I needed to figure out how to reach him. He liked to run because he liked to be chased. So I flipped the tables around. I started running. He laughed as he caught up to me but then stopped when he realized it wasn't much fun chasing someone. After a few times of this, he no longer tried to run. He started having more eye contact with me and interacting more. I had some bubbles in my purse from a wedding reception I went to. He loved to watch me spaz out and try and pop the bubbles and he blew them.
I call him Boo Radley because he reminded me of the character from To Kill A Mockingbird. I was scared at first and didn't understand a lot of what he was doing, but I just needed to explore his world a little bit before I could expect him to try and participate in ours. By the end I got him signing simple signs (something I don't think his usual staff even know hw can do. Yes, I am bragging about myslef) All in all, it made for an interesting 2 1/2 hours and one more story to add to the books.

Just Kidding!

2009-08-04T16:38:00.000-07:00

Well, I no longer feel guilty for all those times I procrastinated or got things mixed up while at college because I am realizing a lot of it comes from BYU-Idaho's lack of organization. I just got an email today from the lady over student teaching placements informing me they sent me the wrong packet. Yes. Two weeks til blast off and I am still a little clueless as to what is going to happen. I WILL NOT be teaching first grade, but rather KINDERGARTEN!I guess I will be doing 1/2 day kindergarten and 1/2 day speical ed. I cannot tell you how excited I am! I absolutley LOVED teaching kindergarten last semester and am so excited to do it again!
On another note...I am SO ready for a visit home. Mom informed me today that Connie Mack will be going while I am home. I have been missing New Mexico and I am so ready to get home, watch some baseball, eat some green chili, love on the little ones, and hang with the fam. Watch out New Mexico, here I come!

Forever in blue jeans

2009-07-30T15:38:00.000-07:00

"Money talks. But it don't sing and dance and it don't walk" Nobody says it like Niel Diamond. And if I keep not working the way I am I will forever be in blue jeans... Which I don't mind! I finally snagged some hours at work, but in the time I have had "0ff" let me fill you in on what I have been doing.
Snow Cones: My sister-in-law Annie and I went to get some snow cones and they were delish! And even better than teh snow cone...Elijah! He is getting so big and cuter everyday! I didn't think it was possible but he is proving me wrong.
Potato Salad: I got a wild hair last night and decided I wanted to try and make potato salad. For my first try, I would have to say I did pretty darn good. As soon as I finish this huge bowl of it, I can't wait to give it another try.
Intervention and Obssessed: I am addicted to Intervention and obssessed with ObssessedI don't know if you have ever seen the shows but if you haven't you should. On intervention, they follow addicts around telling them they are doing a documentary on addiction and then they have an intervention at the end and send them to treatment. Obssessed is a show about people with OCD and following them through Behavior Therapy for 12 weeks. Both are very interesting.
Last but not Least.... Found out my student teaching placement! I don't know much, just what the secretary told me on the phone. I am STILL waiting for the packet to come in the mail. I will be teaching 1st grade at Upland Terrace Elementary in Salt Lake City. I was SO hoping I would get either Kindergarten of 1st so I am very happy. I love love love teaching but hate hate hate lesson plan writing so this next semester will be very interesting.

Stolen Material

2009-07-26T20:50:00.000-07:00

So I found a friends blog and stole this from it. He would probably kill me if he knew, but I just love the way he says what he says. So J, if you find this, remember that imitation is the highest form of flattery...as well as copy and pasting

"i have been playing with new babys and watching children and seeing new niave life and i stop and wonder what happens to use that we lose that innocence? that we stop doing things that use to be so fun, that we become lazy and concerned with the people around us so much that we let us dictate our lives. why would any one want to become an adult!!?!!??!?! why? Screw growing into a robot life(which i have been thinking every one is lately but i have revised that to think that only children really know what it is to live!)! how can kids just live? amazing. i now strive to be more like a child more and more everyday! when faced with something daunting that you dont want to do, what did you do when some one ask you if you were scared as a kid? you said" no, im not scared!" and hiked up your breeches and tackled the biggest monsters the most frightening bullfrogs and jumped the biggest ditches. you put your dolls in ovens and you threw rocks at things that would get you in trouble!!!! and boy that was sure liven! dancing in front of strangers with out ever even seeing a dance move in your life, done. they laugh? You took it like a champ! nothing had an effect on you...you did what you wanted as best you could!"

Amen brotha, Amen

Signs I want to go back on vacation

2009-07-26T16:54:00.000-07:00

1. Eva's signing time sogns are still stuck in my head... "L,M,N,O"
2. I had dreams about holding babies last night. Probably because I didn't hear any crying during the night
3. Last night was the first time I was not happy with the 90 degree weather here.
4. I keep thinking there is Dr. Pepper in the fridge
5. When I drove past a Farmers Market sign I got excited
6. I keep seeing traces of Declan staying here and I refuse to pick them up hoping he will come back and stay with me (his water jug sitting on my counter, his poorly packed game that I need to repack and send to him, the blanket he slept with still on my couch)
7. I avoided seeing my roommate the 5 minutes she was home so I wouldn't have to tell her I was back
8. I have been looking for Carmen Electra's Strip Aerobics on DVD...Ok I lied about that one. But could you imagine the hours of fun?

For the love of the bag

2009-07-15T13:33:00.001-07:00

So I want a new purse but can't seem to find the perfect one in my price range. I do, how ever, find great ones outside of my price range. Like the one above. $85 on Ebags.com. Then there was the one that I found at TJMaxx for $90 that I can't stop thinking about. (I saw it 3 months ago) I am sure it is long one now. Some day, some day...

Just another day

2009-07-10T13:00:00.000-07:00

I wanted to quickly blog about a couple things before I hit the ol' grindstone again.
#1. At one of the homes I work at, they had the most glorious blankets that reminded me of Brittani so I had to share. They are made from that ultr-soft fabric that lots of baby blankets are made out of but they have all sorts of patterns. Check out Marla Roo's Minkys.
#2. I had the best day of summer the other day. After work, my friend Matt and I headed over to our friend's apartment complex so round up some ppl to swim. On our way we jammed out to Michael Jackson's PYT (pretty young thing). We got some people together and swam for several hours. I must brag, I beat 3 our of 4 boys in the biggest splash contest. I know that isn't exactly working on being girly (as mom likes to remind me) but it sure was fun. After swimming, we grilled up some chicken. While Layton was grilling, I convinced his roommate James, whom I had met that day, to take me for a ride on his motorcycle. Okay, so it didn't take much convincing, but I absolutley loved it! My friend Anglea who was my roommate in Jerusalem, came and swam annd hung out for a while. I really did have a ton of fun.
#3. I have been embracing the curl! I dont know what has changed this week, but I have come to the realization that I have no idea why I blow dry and style my hair everyday when I have curly hair. I now just hop out of the shower, wrap a towel around my head. Do my makeup, pull the towel off my hair, (here is the important part) Don't brush my hair, scrunch some mousse in there, and go. By not brushing all the curl out of my hair, it looks so much better when I just let is go. Yes, I am loving my nappy/curly head. Plus, I once heard that boys like loose curly hair becaue it makes a girl appear more free spirited. Who knows, it might be true!

A few picks from my favorite 30 minutes of this weekend

2009-07-05T22:13:00.000-07:00

Is it just me or is he getting way too big way too fast

My cutie pa-tootie Jamison

My porch buddies

Asher was loving all the flags. And the cupcakes of course

Yummy hot dogs the wonderful family I work with gave me. And I loved the cupcakes too!

Like a popsicle on the 4th of July

2009-07-05T21:51:00.000-07:00

For those of you not wanting to read this whole post, let me give you the short list of why I loved this weekend:
1. Nieces and Nephews (melt my heart every time)
2. Family- you really can't have too much family around
3. No work!
4. Idependence Day - I got a little more emotional about it than I I thought I would with my brother being in Kuwait
5. Food, so much food
I don't know about you but I loved this weekend. I can't even tell you how excited I was to see my family and spend some time with them. It was just as fun as I imagined it would be. I got to spend some time with just mom and dad on Saturday and seeing everyone Saturday night and Sunday was so much fun. I was even excited to see Annie's (my sister in law) parents. As much as I love my brothers and sisters, their kids make family get togethers one billion times more exciting. I used to hate having to sit at the kids table and never getting to go with the 'adults' when I was growing up. Now I realize that it is way more fun sitting on the front porch with the kids, letting them smash cupcakes into their face. (It also allows me to smash cupcakes into my face) I can't believe how big all the nieces and nephews are getting and that Perry and christi are going to be adding grandbaby # 15 this December! I can tell you one thing for sure, it will be cute!
Today Jamison and I were sitting on the front porch and she asked me when I am going to move back into my old house. I told her I asked Mammy (my mom) if I could just live in their basement forever but Mammy said no. I told her I was living in Utah for a while and soon it would be time for me to find a real job. Then she asked me if I could get one where I could see her. Oh tug on the heart strings! This weekend really got me thinking about what the heck I am going to be doing after student teaching and maybe even panicing a little bit. I have been doing some searching today and checked out the Early Intervention and emailed people about keeping me posted on job openings. I know Farmington New Mexico is no place for me to find a husband, but it seems like no place in this world is a place to find a husband. So I am even keeping my eyes open in New Mexico. I checked out Idaho, New Mexico, and Texas. Texas just started a special program for children with Autism that looks really interesting. I will really keep my eyes on that one.
Before I forget...Did I mention how dang cute my nephew Elijah is? I cannot wait to babysit him!

The smell of adventure in the air

2009-07-01T22:33:00.000-07:00

Yep, I got a great big whiff of adventure tonight. I visited Nathan tonight and we popped in our Jerusalem video...bad bad idea. A. I cried through most of it and laughed the rest of the time B. It reminded me of just how much I hate choosing to do what gets me to the next responsible step in life. Here is the deal, I am mostly looking forward to having a career so it can fund future adventures. Yes, I have done a little looking into jobs overseas but those are wishful thinking. I need some experience under my belt first. Blah, Blah, Blah, Utah is boring me to death, I need to go somewhere soon...

Love this

2009-06-28T10:38:00.000-07:00

My friend's little sister showed this to me and we watched it a few times it is so funny. I guess this is a prison/rehabilitation center in the Cebu. Enjoy!

W-O-M-A-N

2009-06-28T10:08:00.000-07:00

Yes, yes, I have officially become a woman. I changed the bag in the vacuum for my first time. Not a pleasant chore, but not as hard as it looks. I told my roommate who moved out I would vacuum her room for her and vacuuming her room got me vacuuming EVERYTHING! (for any family members reading this, yes, this is still Mikael) While my room may never be the cleanest place on earth, I have learned a few things about my cleaning habits that may come as a surprise to some. Dirty counters drive me nuts! I feel like I scrub the sink everytime I walk past it. I can't take clutter. There are only two of us living here right now but another roommate that just moved home left all of her stuff here and I am not kidding when I say there is no room for those of us who live here to put any of our stuff anywhere. The girl who is now home has so much stuff. I started piling it all in her room because it is driving me nuts.
Okay, I am done proving that maybe someday I will have a clean home of my own.

BEE HAPPY

2009-06-23T10:26:00.000-07:00

I switched my background because I am choosing to be happy. I think it if fair to say that my move to Utah hasn't been all that I had hoped and dreamed it to be. My job sucks...royally. I am 100% positive all Utah drivers have a death wish. Switch lanes as many times as possible going from point A to point B, and make sure you get as close to hitting as many cars as possible while at it. Utah drivers deserve a post of their own. I have fewer friends now than any other point in my life. I take that back. Alabama take the cake on that one. One more thing, gas prices make me want to vomit. Regardless of what sucks, I am now choosing to be happy. Sure gas will be $3 soon. But at least it isn't almost 5 like last year. Each morning I wake up to a beautiful photo of Jerusalem. Man I miss that place. I might only have a few friends, but they are good friends. Sarah Lacey. How can you not love that girl. Mitch and Matt have taken me in and made me a part of their Pleasant Grove possey. And even though Nathan and I are not dating, he is the first boy I have dated that I am able to keep as a friend after we broke up. I got my oil changes, tires rotated and balanced, and for some reason it makes me so happy. I went out to lunch with my cousin Shawn because he goes into the MTC tomorrow. I love that we have become good friends and not just cousins. (p.s. I totally used Dad's gas card to go see him. Kosher right?) Last but not least, my balnket is still holding up. It is getting a little shabby, but it is still together. Yep, I am happy. And I will be even more happy when my family comes up for the 4th and my nephew Declan come not too much longer after that.

I miss my old roommates

2009-06-18T16:04:00.001-07:00

Since moving to Utah I keep asking myself "Why can't I be more girly?" I can't say I have tried to hard but the question keeps coming up. As I was laying here trying to take a quick nap before my graveyard shift tonight, I realized that I probably keep thinking that because I am living with girls unlike any girls I have ever lived with before. I like them and get along with them easily, but I wouldn't really consider them friends. Here are a few dofferences between the old and the new:

New: To try and bond with them I painted their nails (which they loved)
Old: To bond I would moon them. A clear sign they are my friend

New: I have seen them eat a total of 5 times since moving in
Old: Late night trips to Horkleys (gas station) for Dr. Pepper and individual bags of chips were anything but uncommon

New: They own cookbooks
Old: "Hey! I'm cooking up some easy mac. Anyone else wast some?"

New: I believe my thumb could fit in the waist of their pants
Old: Oh, uh, I hope you don't mind but I have worn your clothes for a week straight now

New: Every boy they know they met in class or a study group
Old: We would leave eachother's numbers in strange boys pockets

New: They take ballroom and ballet
Old: Pussycat dolls and a chair. Clothing optional. (totally kidding! ok, not really)

Chain Gang

2009-06-16T11:17:00.000-07:00

Have I said how much my job sucks lately? I went and got tested for swine flu and I don't have it. I had to fight a little bit to get my work to pay for it but they are going to reimburse me and pay me for time I didn't get to work becasue I might have had the flu.
I just talked to my boss and she jsut gave me my hours for the rest of the week. You ready for this?
Tuesday: 5-6pm training
10 pm. -5 am. Salem

Wednesday:10am-4pm Lehi
6-9 pm First Aid Training

Thursday: 10am-4pm Lehi
6-9pm CRP training
10pm-5am Salem

Friday:10am-4pm Lehi

Saturday: 9am-5pm Orem

This is going to suck. I am going to be gross and tired, but I will have money in my pocket and no life to spend it. This is actually a blessing

My very terrible, not good at all, rotten day

2009-06-14T08:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday sucked. I am only blogging about it so I can laugh about it someday.
Yesterday was my birthday. I got a call from my supervisor the day before saying that an emergency came up with one of the families I have worked with and they would be needing me all day the next day. I could use the hours so I didn't mind taking them. So at 7 am I went down to Salem to work with this mystery of a girl. What happened ia she no longer feels the need to sleep and hasn't slept in about a week. She is very self abusive so she needs constant supervision. Her parents hadn't slept in a week either and were beginning to break down. They were forced to leave to go get sleep and people were working around the clock with her trying to get her to a point where she was managable again. Her doctor has been working with them to try and sedate her but all the medications are having an opposite effect- making her more violent. She truly is a medical mystery. My role for the day was to talk to the doctor periodically throughout the 10 1/2 hours I was there to monitor her progress with the new batch of meds. The girl refuses to sit, watch tv, or do much of anything but stand in one spot in the kitchen and have you stand right next to her. So that is what I did, stand, for 10 hours. After I got off at 5 I was supposed to go to another house and work from 6-9. Nathan and I were going to grab some dinner in that hour I had free. The girl taking over for me in Salem was 1/2 an hour late so I had to go straight from Salem to Orem. At this next house, the girl I work with is 15 and has autism. She has something we in the Special Ed. field call learned helplessness. Her mom had helped her learn how to be completely dependent and helpless. I was trying to be cheery even though I was tired from my previous 10 1/2 hours of work. I took her on a walk and then we came back to the house to do some chores and watch a movie. In that time she managed to poop her pants. I got her cleaned up and in the mean time I got a call from the parents of the litle boy I have been working all week with. They called to tell me he just tested positive for SWINE FLU. Yes, I just spent most of the week with him. I called mom to tell her and figure out what the heck I should do. Well, in those few minutes, the girl I was working with just so happened to have another poop bomb go off in her pants. So it was back to the bathroom and into the shower for her. By this point in the day I was hitting my limit. I cried several times (probably the reason the girl kept having accidents) and thinking to myself "How the heck am I going to work if I might have swine flu? and This is the worst birthday ever!" The mom came home late so when I finally got off for the day it was almost 9:30. I cried the whole way home except when I listened to Sarah Lacey's and Chanel's massages on my phone. But then I started to cry again because Chanel was the only sibling who called. Any other day and I could have cared less, but I was an emotional wreck and seemed to be looking for reasons to cry. I was supposed to hang out with some friends after work and celebrate my birthday, but apparently they didn't care much because they never responded when I texted them and told them I wouldn't be hanging out. I also called Shawn on my way home because I could no longer go to his farewell now that I might be a spreader of the swine flu. I was really looking forward to going and seeing the family and listening to Shawns talk. I got home and Nathan was there waiting with a cake and presents. This sent me into another cycle of tears. My roommates doing a double date had to have been wondering what the heck was going on. Especially since I didn't tell them it was my birthday. They all sang to me and we ate my coldstone cake. I probably would have died if it weren't for Nathan making sure I celebrated a little bit.
So, now I am here, kind of laughing about what a baby I was and how terrible yesterday really was. I am waiting for my boss to call me and tell how I can get my work to pay for me to go get tested for the swine flu. I feel healthy but with my luck, I probably have it. It is probably a good thing I didn't make those shirts with my "friends" that say "I survived the swine flu".

I love technology

2009-06-11T11:23:00.000-07:00

I heart my new iPod. I am currently sitting in primary childrens hospital giving the parents of the little boy I work with a break. He fell asleep so I pulled out my trusty iPod. I am able to cruise the Internet, play games and even blog from my iPod. Thanks mom and dad. This little thing is way better than the old one that got stolen. So I guess thank you to the byui iPod theif as well.

All My Single Ladies

2009-06-09T17:06:00.001-07:00

All my single ladies raise your hands up! (my hand is up) Yep, Nathan and I broke up. Don't worry, all is well. We decided we were ruining our friedship by continuing to date. Our personalities are so different that it was getting harder and harder to see it working...forever. So we decided to stop dating but are still good friends. First time I've ever accomplished that! I really might have been put on this earth to show the male population just how difficult dating can be so that the next person they date seems 100 times better. JK.
One more thing. I think I have an expiration date labeled on me somewhere and all those wierdos who would hate to let a girl go past her prime see it. There are some strange people in this town.

True Confession

2009-06-06T20:28:00.000-07:00

I am coming out with it. I absolutely adore my Dad. I am so glad that I got to see him and mom this weekend. They spoiled me and got me an iPod for my birthday, even though technically it is next week (and don't any of you forget it either! JK) This morning we were just hanging arounf Talon's house and Dad was getting restless, so he offered to take me to the mall to get a shield on my iPod. So Nathan and I loaded up with him and went. I know dad has been under a tremendous amount of stress lately, but he is taking it like a champ and you would never even know. Becasue he has had so much stress in his life, I can't help but laugh even harder when he acts silly. He didn't act very silly starting about...oh... the time we moved to Alabama, but he sure has found his funny side again lately. We were headed for the escalators at the mall when he said, "You stay on that one and I am going to try and run up this one and see if I can beat you." And off he went, running UP the DOWN escalator. I was cracking up as he almost biffed it two times and beat me to the top. Even if he does know how to get me fired up faster than anyone else I know, he also makes me laugh pretty hard too.

Just need to Blog

2009-06-03T20:04:00.000-07:00

For any of you bloggers out there, you know that feeling you get when you just need to blog? You are going through your daily routine and you think "I need to blog about that." Well I have had that thought a million times the past few days but can't seem to make all the random thoughts I've had flow into one good entry. So, I deceided I would do one crazy nonsense one because that is what my thoughts have been like.
Thought #1
Boys drive me nuts. Not any boy in particular. I just have been noticiing how wierd they are lately. No wonder there are so many Gay people. (Just Kidding)
Thought #2
Quit asking me about GM. I have no idea what is going on! If there is one thing to know about me, when I am scared or nervous about something, I avoid it.
Thought #3
Living with several only children has given me a testimony (can I call it that) of NEVER only having one child. I understand that sometimes one is all a couple can get. I have no problem with that. But make the child babysit or feed a dog, or SOMETHING! The thought of never having to care for someone else is completely forgien and sickening to me. I could go on about this for hours, but I will stop.
Thought/experience #4
I changed my first big person bum diaper the other day. Little bums are much cuter. Boy parts are wierd.
Thought #5
I miss Autism. I have been working with a variety of children with spaecial needs at work, and I don't care what anyone says, Autism is easier. I miss my little Ethan.
Thought #6
Are all these thoughts negative?

You know what is my most important thought lately? I LOVE Chanel! Today was her birthday and I couldn't help but remeber how she would write the kindest things about everyone else on her blog when it was their birthday. I don't even know if I could write how much I love and miss Nelly. People are always amazed to hear how close I am to my older siblings, even though Chanel left for college when I was six. I really think that the closeness of all of us siblings can be credited to Chanel and her love for us. I know she wasn't too excited when mom announces she was pregnant with me, but Chanel obviously got over it because some of my first memories are of Chanel taking me to her friends baseball games and having me walk the crown to the homecoming queen at the football game. Chanel should seroiusly write a book on parenting because she is one of the best moms in history and has set a high bar for the rest of us to reach. Not only would the book be amazing, but emtertaining too. I miss my sleepovers with Chanel when Rod would be on business trips. We would sit in the kitchen and laugh about absolutely nothing. We would then move to her bed where we would watch hours of CSI and Law and Order. I still can't watch an episode of either without thinking of Chanel.
I had to end my post on a happy note and I don't know of a happier one than Chanel. Happy Birthday Nelly!

Welcome to the world!

2009-05-30T09:09:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures from the game we were playing while waiting. I said a scenario, we would make our reaction and I would snap a picture with our phone. This is our Baby Elijah is here faces:

Possibly my favorite one- you just pooped your pants. Looks like Nathan quite enjoyed it

Big foot just came up the elevator (apparently NAthan knows he stinks)

We just saw spiderman

Okay, now that you have seen all those photos, let's get down to business...
I am so excited little Elijah Webb has finally arrived! I got a text from Annie yesterday saying she checked into the hospital and that they would have a baby that night. Then Talon texted me telling me the same thing. I was on my way to my roommates wedding reception (which was a blast) and I could hardly contain my excitement. I have only gotten to be around when Asher was born. Everyone else seems to wait until I leave for school and then decides to come. Anyone who knows me knows I love my nieces and nephews a little more than might be healthy, so being told I was getting to add another little person to my list of love was pretty darn exciting. Talon later called and said they needed batteries for his camera and to come when ever was convenient. So I danced to a few more songs and then headed to the store. After leaving the store I get another phone call, "Have you left the store? We need a couple more things" So back to the store and then straight to the hospital. Well, those batteries would just have to wait cuz Eli was coming. Nathan and I didn't know the passcode to get into the maternity ward so we waited for a call back Talon telling us the code, but got a call saying "She is fully dialated she's starting to push. Stick around and you will get to meet the baby." You don't have to ask me twice! So Nathan and I sat outside the doors in the elevator lobby, listening to 15 second clips or ringtone previews and taking pictures of ourselves because there wasn't a stitch or reading material in sight. (I thought Nathan was going to die.)I think we had it esy, we just had to sit there and as far as we know, the stork could have brought little Eli.
Not long after we recieved word that Elijah had arrived, Cheryl came up the elevator and we followed her to peek in on Annie. For having just delivered a baby, she looked GORGEOUS! Of course she would. That is just Annie. Then we snuck down to the nursery to have a peek at the baby. He had a proud Daddy sitting next to him and a nurse examinig every square inch, confirming he was perfect. And perfect he is. As far as I can tell, Eli has Talon's piggy nose and I even saw his thumb find his mouth. He was pink as pink can be and just wiggling and blinking. Lucky little guy is going to have a great dad! I am excited to go up and visit him again and begin telling him who his favorite aunt is...

A day in the life

2009-05-28T12:41:00.000-07:00

So now that I am starting up at my job, I just wanted to share a funny story or two. You know that there are rarely going to be dull moments when you work with anyone with special needs. One of the boys I will start working with is in high school and him and his best friend go bowling and then to a rehabilitation center (or a place for adults with special needs to learn life skills). I loved watching these two boys interact because in my experience, people with special needs don't care for attention from other people with special needs. These two are best friends! When we got to the center after bowling, they all eat a meal and then come into a commons room where they have a health lesson and then couch time. Couch time is when someone is picked to leave the room and everyone else in the room says what they like about them and write it on a poster for the person to take home. I was supposed at what great comments everyone had to say, but a few times I had to hide my face as I tried not to let them see me laugh. Here are a few of the funny comments-
"He has really developed an interest in the weather"
"He knows not to play with the gear shift on the bus" (that one came from his best friends)
"120" (what that has to do with anything I don't know)
"He is hansome" That was said about 23 times

I was nervous at first to be working with adults with disablities because I have mostly worked with young children. But as I keep working, I am learning how much fun it is and how much I love it. I will have to make sure I post good stories as they happen.