Summer Summer Summer Time...

  As June comes to an end I feel like I should maybe put a little update on here so you all can see how much fun I am having this summer.  I keep getting this question from my friends, coworkers, strangers who find out I'm a teacher... they always ask me "so what big things do you have planned this summer?"  Typically during the summer I have one big trip planned- a cruise, a vacation of some sorts, but this summer I didn't (still don't) have any big trips planned. I blame the economy- :) the fact that I just don't make enough with my new expenses to justify a big trip, but as this summer began I was excited to have a low key summer- trips to the pool, local concerts, baseball games, nieces and nephew time and time to just hang out with my friends and family.  And that is exactly what I have done, and its been great so far! A concert a week, a new niece, and lots of time to read, play, and relax.  Here's some pictures to document my adventures so far.. (in no particular order)

The ladies and I hit up the Honor Society concert- it was amazing! We had such a fun night. They totally loved us!  We're really good at making friends in the music industry! :)

My picture with the boys of HS...

We went to Strawberry Days Rodeo on Pleasant Grove- had some delicious strawberries and cream and got to watch some rodeo action. You'd think being from Montana I'd have gone to a lot of Rodeos there, but I'm pretty sure I've gone to more since living in Utah.. Yee Haw!

Before going to the Andy Grammer concert we stopped at Iggy's to watch the Draft and see where our boy Jimmer ended up.  Lets just say that the Sacramento Kings has some new fans! 

And this is the man of the night. Andy Grammer- if you haven't heard of him, look him up! He has an amazing voice and kind of the same groove as Jason Mraz. He was amazing live, and really nice to meet afterwards. 

Yeah- he changed his clothes after his set to match me... 

So Andy Grammer was a Thursday night, and Friday night we went to see a band called Ocean Grove- now we've met their bassist before so naturally we were friend right away, haha. We totally hung out with them for like 2 hours after their set, and they were really fun guys. 

They personalized my Cd cover for me, and it was just an added highlight to the fun week!

On June 6th my little adorable niece Madelyn was born! I was able to spend the week helping Lindsey out with the older kiddos and have big plans to hold this little one anytime my sister needs it! She's precious! 

All in all a pretty successful June- Looking forward to July which includes- Stadium of Fire, Kenny Chesney, Tuacahn, Vegas, and whatever other shenanagans we get ourselves into! What can I say- I'm living the dream!

A Bonus in Life....

So I was given this letter by a student last week, and I realized that this is one of the little bonuses that I get in my job.  I work hard all year, and hope that they learn something from me, and in turn apply it to their lives. I'm not just talking about academically, but I hope that I influence them in their decision making, in their ability to become high functioning individuals in our society.  I want them to be able to think for themselves, to work hard and realize that they can do anything.  Now this little letter from a student was just a letter expressing his appreciation for me, but it's a little glimpse into the influence that I have over my students, and how proud I am of the things that they are doing and learning... Aww.. 4th grade is the best- they still love you, and can think for themselves! :)

JORDAN!!!

My friend Megan took her brother to the MTC today.  Having taken my brother there just a couple weeks ago I could feel her sadness, excitement, and a mixture of emotions.  So today at school I was thinking about her when I received a phone call from her, and this picture! What are the chances that he would be the "host" waiting in the stop behind where her family was. She told a really cute story about how she didn't even notice until she got back into her car, and then quickly jumped out and ran over to him calling him "Jordan, Jordan!" She said she explained to him that he probably didn't know who she was, but he told her he did know who she was.  She said he looked well, and was super happy and all she wanted to do was give him a hug! They posed for this lovely picture which almost put me back into tears like when we dropped him off.  He looks great, and from his letters he seems to be doing well at the MTC! Love you Jor!

Jimmered...

It's no secret I am a big fan of BYU athletics, even with a not so stellar year of football, I found myself at many games.  Basketball was an amazing season and because of it I wasn't able to attend many games in person watching most on TV, but I still bled blue.  Yesterday I had a parent teacher conference with a parent who's husband is a professor at BYU.  They have 3 daughters and no sons, and his wife as she was walking out of my classroom turns to me and says, "My husband did want me to tell you something, he is sorry he couldn't make it to the conference, but he wanted to thank you for getting our daughter Jimmered."  I wasn't sure how to react so I kind of laughed it off and she continued,  "We have been trying for years to get her interested in BYU sports because my husband loves them so much and then she comes home from school one day knowing the schedule of the games, how many points Jimmer had scored, and all of the sudden totally interested in BYU basketball.  She is in love with Jimmer."  I expressed that I love BYU sports and may talk of it too much in my classroom, but she explained that it was a great thing for her husband and her daughter to spend nights watching the games together, and they loved it.  She ended by saying, "There were many times my husband would come down the hall and say, 'That Miss Harper, she's awesome.'"

A fun story, but it made me feel good!

How do I leave...

when my niece and nephew do this to my car so I won't/can't leave?  Aw I love them!

Tangled...

    
       So I saw Tangled for the third time tonight... and each time I see it I love it more and more.  I am pretty sure I was supposed to be a Disney Princess.  Lately I haven't been that impressed with the animated movies out. The Princess and the Frog was a huge disappointment to me, then there were movies like UP and Toy Story 3 that I loved, but where's the good princess movie?  What happened to the Belle's, Ariel's, Cinderella's, and Aurora's? Well, in my opinion, Tangled has brought back the fairytale, princess story and makes me feel like a little girl again! If you haven't seen it, you need too!  Now I just need to find myself a Flynn Rider!  :)

Bubble Baths..

When is the last time you took a bubble bath? I can't recall. Perhaps it was when I was a child, and all us siblings would squeeze into our miniature bathtub for an evening soak. Who knows, but I decided today, while at school, that I was going to fill my gigantic (no really I have a huge tub) with steaming hot water and bubbles. Light some candles, put the Ipod on slow song shuffle, and relax. This week has been busy- New teacher mentoring, standard report cards going home, inside recesses, late nights choreographing, late nights doing nothing simply because I can't fall asleep, and late nights where I choose to have a life outside of my job and it catches up to me sometimes! However, the point of this blog post is that I decided to set some time out for myself today. To think, to ponder, to reflect on the week, and on life. My conclusion- I have a great life- I love the gospel, I love my job, I love my family, I love my friends, and although I sometimes feel like the little things are going to kill me, I can see the big picture and its good! So take some time for yourself this upcoming week, and perhaps throw in a bubble bath or two (I suggest bath and body works Warm Vanilla Sugar bubble bath) you won't regret it!