So...I'm 22

It's that time of year again, folks! I turned 22 on Monday...*tears*. It wasn't so bad this year. I just pretended it was another day. The biggest plus was that the baby gave me a break from being sick for most of the day! So here's what I did:

I woke up and watched a little CMT then Gideon and I went to McDonald's to satisfy my sausage mcmuffin pregnancy craving for breakfast (Colin was working). I haven't had a mcmuffin for years then one day a few weeks back I saw it on a commercial and I just had to have one...LOL! Anywho, after breakfast we got ready for the movie. Gideon and I have tickets to this 10 week midday movie deal that a local theatre has specifically for kids. It was fun and Gideon enjoyed all the kiddie humor in the Chipmunks "Squeak"quel.

Then when Colin came home we went out for Chinese...ugh pregnancy!

That was about it...but like I said-WAAAAAY better because it was just like any other day!

Hope you're all doing well!

Vegas, baby!

We had so much fun in Vegas. We did a lot of fun things like seenig the flamingos at the Flamingo (heehee), watching them feed the lions at the MGM, going to comedian Rita Rudner, hanging out in the hotel, walking the strip, Benihana's, and the list goes on and on...

I think Gideon's favorite part of the trip was when we went to the MGM and watched them feed the lions. It was really cool because it's not like a zoo enclosure so the lions are right there. Gideon loved watching the lions eat two feet away from him! After that, he had a blast at the Rainforest Cafe! He wouldn't sit still!!! There was way too much for him to see! It was absolutely adorable! Colin used to do that with his family all the time and he says he still enjoys it as a 25 year-old! LOL!

I'm not sure what Colin's favorite part was...probably the Rainforest Cafe! Haha!

My favorite part was going to the Phantom of the Opera at the Venetian with my mom!!! It was absolutely beautiful! I loved the acting and the sets...it was just incredible!

Guess what? We didn't take a single picture or video! I know some of you are just staring at your screens with jaws dropped in amazement, but I actually enjoyed it! Like my dad says, "Only mental memories!"

We're Expecting!

I tried to be all sly about the new pregnancy by just putting a lillypie counter on my sidebar and not saying anything else but people are way too observant! LOL! Anywho, we are expecting our second child! We are very excited. It took us a long time to decide we wanted another one...ok, ok it took Colin a year and a half to CONVINCE me to have another one. But that's what marriage is: compromise. But, like I said, we are super excited. Gideon seems to understand because he can't stop blowing raspberries on the "beebee". He's going to be the BEST big brother ever!
Now for the cold hard facts everyone wants to know: I am 9 weeks along today, which is why I've been pretty quiet about it... I'm due December 28 (my Mom is convinced the baby will come Christmas day...I hope not). I have developed allergies thanks to this little lentil, but that's ok. I have been pretty sleepy because of the allergies and I've been a lot sicker with this one than I was with Gideon but that's ok too!

Hope you're all doing very well!

TAMALES!

So, I was craving tamales and wanted something I could store away in the freezer easily so I decided to try my hand at making Mexican tamales...not Guatemalan ones, my mother would kill me if I didn't make them with her! LOL! Anywho, I did a stupendous job! Not to toot my own horn or anything, but they are absolutely delish! I made the traditional pork in red sauce and I also made some Chicken Chile Verde ones!!! SOOOO, good!

They were super easy to make and my family has really been enjoying them!

Oh yeah:
Dear people who promise payment for watching your kids,
It is extremely rude to have someone watch your kid for five days and on the last day show up late so all you have time to do is drop off your kid and have them walk up to your house. I'm not stupid, I know you were trying to get out of paying for it. How very rude of you to do so. Especially since I really looked up to you as an honest person. I hope someone pays it forward.
Sincerely,
Don't ever ask for my help again!


Everyone else, have a very wonderful day! LOL!

Gettin' Ready for Summer Fun!

I'm way excited because next week I get to go to Nephi on Wednesday and watch my little brother, Patrick, graduate from high school! I think he's worked hard, especially for a kid who wasn't as interested in the academic part of school as much as the athletic part. I know it was a challenge for him, so I'm even more proud of him!

Anyway, getting back to what I was talking about... On Sunday my family is headed to Las Vegas for a week. I think it will be a blast and it will be nice to get away from this crazy Utah weather for a little while. After that, I guess I'll come home and then get ready for Girl's Camp, then California, then Youth Conference. Whew! It's going to be a whirlwind summer! But it will be a fun one so I couldn't be happier!!!!

Hope you are all doing well!

FREE AT LAST!

So all this week I've been worrying about lesson plans, activities to do with the class...then I remember I don't have to go to school! I just can't believe it. It feels really, really weird. But, I am enjoying being at home TREMENDOUSLY!!!! I actually ran errands the other day! LOL!

Thank you all so much for your nice comments. You are all so sweet! If there is anything you ever need help with or support in, let me know! Love you!

DONE DONE DONE!!!!

So, if you didn't get the message...I'm DONE! School is over and I graduate Saturday!!!! Tons of hugs and kisses to everyone who has sent me notes, cards, gifts, and done any type of service for me! You all rock!

It was actually kind of hard to leave my 5th grade classroom. They were just so loving and caring and made me feel like a million bucks!

You wanna know the reason I want to be an educator? Here it is:

So, about two weeks ago I gave my 5th graders a survey on my performance in their classroom. They all rated me really well and gave me great feedback. One of the questions was: What do you like most about your student teacher? My most cherished answer and the reason I can do this for the rest of my life was: "She made me feel like I wasn't invisible."

What a tribute. There is no greater career than this. A career that allows you to make a difference even when you don't know it.