Read to the End to see the surprise!

I finished my first year of teaching...holy crazy! It went by WAY too fast.

I was also named Teacher of Distinction. And my name was on the radio and in the paper. Here is the little blurp about me...

Thatcher Elementary School—Katie Elliott: “Our nominee is Katie Elliott. Elliott is completing her first year of teaching and has demonstrated the willingness to go above and beyond what is expected of our teachers. She gladly volunteered to supervise an after-school drama club the students asked that we offer. With her assistance, the students have performed two quality plays and are practicing a third play. Miss Elliott has also volunteered to assist in coaching the Thatcher Middle School track team this spring. She arrives very early in the morning and, on many occasions, stays late in order to accomplish all that she does.

I also turned 23...big gulps! Why am I getting so old so fast?! My amazing friends in Gilbert threw me a little birthday party, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It was such a good weekend. I went to the valley with Kyle and Kyia. And I stayed with Erin. We swam, watched a movie, shopped, I ate lunch with Allen. Then Kyle and Kyia and I went to dinner at my mom's in Queen Creek where my grandma made a scrumptious meal of Swedish meatballs and mashed potatoes. YUM! It was a great day with some of the best people.

Minette came to visit! She is so pregnant and such a great friend! I have loved being able to spend time with her.

I started my Master's classes for the summer and I can barely keep my head above water in that class! It is so much busy work, which is cool, but there is so much! I can do it though. I have 2 days that I won't be there next week so I'm trying to get everything done for those days as well.

I also started teaching College for Kids with Jordan. It has been really enjoyable and the kids are so much fun. We are in the process of preparing a play for Friday...such little time with so much to do! But it is a really really cute play and we have these little boys that make it even more cute and so funny!

Thursday little miss Brittany Lundin with become Mrs. Hatch! I can't believe she is getting married! I think that we are all just growing up way too fast! But I like who she is marrying...and I like to take credit for them getting together. After all, they did meet because of me...and he lost out on getting together with another girl thanks to my ear drum (long, painful story). So CONGRATS Mr. and Mrs. Hatch!

And in a week I am going to...dun dun dun....Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and Guatemala! I am so EXCITED!!!! I can't believe it is that close!

And last, but most certainly not least (but probably the most entertaining part of this boring post that is going on and on and on and on and on....you get the point).

Meet LOLA! My little bear. Oh my heck I love her! She is a Miniature Australian Shepherd and a total pain in the butt, but she has me wrapped around that fuzzy little paw of hers. And those eyes....they get me every time. *sigh*

Negative!

The tests came back negative!
No chemo for my mom!!!

Miracles happen...like me finally updating my blog. We both knew this day would come, we just didn't know when. But now this day is here...finally!
To begin, I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who has had my mom and I in their prayers. It has been a trying past month, but things are looking much better. Let's start with my mom.
MOM UPDATE:
My mom had surgery to remove the tumor in her breast. They did some tests on her and found out that none of the cancer had gotten into her lymph nodes yet, which made it so much better. A little less than a week after her surgery she started radiation twice a day for five days. So things sound like they are really good. However, she has a doctor's appointment next week. The doctor has been running tests on the tumor for different things and if some of these things come back with high levels then she will have to start chemo. We are really crossing our fingers and praying that won't have to happen. Thanks again to everyone who has kept her in your thoughts and prayers.
ME UPDATE:
Remember that pink slip I got? Well, one day when I was off of work, I got a couple visitors at my house...while I was in my pajamas! Those visitors happened to be my school superintendent and principal. Go figure. They had heard that I was starting to apply to other school districts. They told me that they were doing all they could to keep my job for me, that I should really consider not applying to other places. And then the next week they pushed a revised salary schedule through the school board...so now I have a job for next year! And last week I was presented, in front of the whole school, the Teacher of Distinction award. Let me tell you, I was not expecting that. I was sitting there minding my own business trying to guess which teacher they were talking about...and then they said my name. Haha, my kids said I looked shocked and turned red. You would turn red too if you had to go in front of the whole school while a person from a radio station talked about you and the superintendent took your picture.
Let's see...the track season ended last week, so I don't have track to coach anymore this year. We have the sports awards this week, but other than that it is over. But that doesn't mean I've been any less busy. Since track has ended, I have been practicing with my Drama kids everyday after school for a little over an hour. Their last play is on Thursday and is called "Mere Mirror" and is going to be so cute! Anyone who can make it should come. It is in the Keith Claridge building on Thursday at 1:40 pm.
This summer I am teaching a College for Kids class with my good friend Jordan Boltinghouse. We are teaching Theatre Production. And it is going to be so fun. I have to say we are going to be the coolest teachers! I will also be taking a couple Master's classes. AND....I am going to Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala for 3 weeks! I'm going to go deliver books to remote schools to start libraries and I will be visiting some of the ruins. I am going with my good friend Allen Beach! I am so excited!
So there you go. I think that should sum things up. Sorry I've been a slacker.

Coming Clean

WELCOME WELCOME EASTER MORNING...
I am sitting on my porch this beautiful morning. The sun hasn't broken through the clouds yet, the breeze is refreshing, and the rain from yesterday makes the whole earth smell inviting and fresh and cool. The sounds of birds welcomes in this morning with a peaceful hello. And for once I am not wishing I was back in bed.
It is amazing that God would give us such a morning like this on Easter, where the Earth here has been made clean from the rain, giving us hope that there is more to come. Just like the Atonement where Christ paid for our sins, that if we repent we can be made clean and fresh.
And sitting here makes me reflect on how much I love Thatcher, AZ. How blessed I have been to have the roommates and friends and family that I have. That even though there have been hard times in my life, it is mornings like these that I live for, mornings like these that remind me that there is more to life than my job, my health, or the drama that surrounds me. And I couldn't imagine wanting or needing anything more or different. Oh what a beautiful morning!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpFhS0dAduc

Pink--Not my Favorite Color

Pink Slip--Not something you wear underneath a dress. Not something you want to get from your boss. Exactly what I will be getting next week. Yep, as of news I received on Tuesday, I am getting laid off. Of course they are trying everything they can to keep me, but I am still getting a pink slip by April 15th. That sucks!
And then Wednesday, we found out that my mom has breast cancer. We won't know more about it until she sees the surgeon on Monday. I am glad that she is coming to visit me this weekend.
And I have a sinus infection. And I just got an ear infection...while I have been taking antibiotics. How does that happen?!
But I love my life and I'm sure things will work out as they should.
I've become a huge believer in faith this week. I just have to have faith.

Moment of Truth

One's friends are that part of the human race with which one can be human. ~George Santayana

When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares. ~Henri Nouwen

Friends is such a sweet word, but often one that has to be worked for and thought of. Sometimes people have a hard time making friends. Some people don't make good friends. And then there are the times where no matter what, there are those who will touch your heart and engrave themselves into your lives.
During the summer I got into an argument with a friend of mine. To spare people's names I am going to call her Jane and the other participants in my story will be John, Joe, and Billy.
As a forethought, John and I had been friends for years. He has always had a special part in my heart. He has been the one who I would tease and he would tease back, he was sweet and helpful, I consider him almost as a little brother. And therefore, I get a little more than defensive over him.
Joe was my next door neighbor a few years ago. He can be loud and sometimes has no shame, but he is someone who is there to have fun, to cheer you up. He has always been a good friend, a good neighbor, and always has a place I can rest my head.
Billy and I have been friends since my first year of college. He is the type of person that you can talk to about anything, even when it seems trivial. He is someone who is nice to chill with and travel with. And he has a good heart and is compassionate. And he always offers his bed when I need a place to stay.
And all three of these guys have something recently in common...they are all gay.
Anyway, back to my story. Jane and I had plans to hang out and go to dinner. John had come to town that day too, so it ended up being Jane, Joe, and I eating dinner and then we picked up John. Now Joe had been his loud and shameless self, but we were all having a good time. We ended up going to a comedy show and hanging out before Jane had to leave. And then Joe left and I took John back to where he was staying. And it went well...or so I thought.
Not long after Jane left she started texting me and asking why I would hang out with "people like that". She said she just didn't understand why I would want to be friends with people who chose that lifestyle.
I tried to explain to her that these "people" as she called them, were good and caring human beings. And it hurt that I would be looked down on for associating with some of the most kind, caring, fun, and compassionate people I know.
I got mad. And for awhile it took some time to forgive Jane for the mean things she said about them. Ever since then I have been defensive when anybody says a rude remark about gay people because they don't understand how important each of those boys are to me. Sometimes I don't understand why they have this temptation in life and I wish I could talk it from them. And sure, sometimes I don't agree with the things they do or say, but in each one of them is something wonderful. And I KNOW that is true because I have been blessed to have each one of them in my life to teach me, to bless me, to help me.
There aren't many things that I become passionate about, but the swell of emotion I feel when I defend these friends convinces me that at that moment I know the truth. And the truth is that they are important people to me, that no matter their race, their gender, or their way of life they matter to me because of the people they are and the qualities they possess. And no one other than them can make me believe otherwise.

To Do Today

Teach until the kids leave at 2:15.

Tutor students until the late bus at 2:45.

Go home and change.

Track practice from 3-4:45.

Shopping

• Mascara
• Shampoo/Conditioner
• Eggs
• Apples
• Apple Dip

Get some money for Heather for the fantastic Love Sac in our living room.

Check the mail.

Shower.

Get hair cut at 6.

Laundry.

Boy's All-Star Basketball game at 7:30.

Fill out application for BL.

Eat?

Sleep?

Ladies and the Trampoline

I was wondering during the week why I didn't have many friends here or know too many people and I was feeling sorry for myself. And then I realized how stupid I have been. I am so lucky and blessed to have amazing friends, even if they don't live here. Just this semester I've been visited by Cassie, Erin, Kayla, Brittany and Dave, Andy, Melissa, Marquette (who even had her cousin deliver flowers to me for Valentine's Day), and Minette and Orin. Plus just during the last holidays I was able to be with Allen, Amber, Rex, Holli, etc. How foolish I have been and how eternal lucky I am to have these people in my life still.

Well I was so happy to be able to spend time with Marquette. Last Friday Marquette came to town and we decided to sleep on the Palmer's trampoline...for old time's sake. So here we are at 10:30 at night sneeking onto the trampoline in the Palmer's back yard. We must have looked ridiculous with all our layers and a million blankets. I had thermals on, then my flannel pajamas, then a sweatshirt, and 2 pairs of socks. We then proceded to lay out 2 blankets on the trampoline, got into a sleeping bag each, covered up with a big blanket over both of us, then an individual blanket each, then a down comforter, then another individual blanket. Let's just say we were pretty toasty. Then Bishop Palmer comes home...after we had fallen asleep and he sees big lumps on the trampoline. So funny! The next morning he asks his wife who was on the trampoline and she has no idea. (Just so you know, I had told Sister Palmer on Thursday that I might use her trampoline in the near future...she must not have been paying attention to me). Anyway, we slept until 10:30! Who would have thought. We woke up to Bishop Palmer coming to the back yard to talk to us. Haha. It was great! And definitely something we will probably do again in the future...just because we can. We also went to the Astronomy labs on Saturday night...and I felt all special as a test proctor. Oh gosh, I'm a dork!

And then Minette and Orin came on Saturday and it was AMAZING to see them again. I miss them so much. And she is all cute and pregnant. We had a really good time going to lunch, putting up flyers for their 5th wheel (if you need one then they have one for sale!), shopping, and going to Adrianna's reception. Orin bought these fake hillbilly teeth at the store so we all wore them into the reception...good times.

I am so blessed to have these people in my life. They are the best and it is more than I could ever ask for to be considered their friends.

SNOW!

Ladies and Gentlemen hold on to your hats as you hear the latest news...IT SNOWED IN THATCHER! Ok, so not the biggest news around, but it was pretty neat. And of course it didn't last very long (melted by lunchtime) and we didn't get very much, but it was nice to wake up to a white blanket over everything. Walking to work was beautiful! It is amazing how a blanket of white can make everything seem all right.

I have been tagged by the wonderful Whitney...so here it goes.

The Rules:

1. Go to your documents/pictures.

2. Go to your 6th file.

3. Go to your 6th picture.

4. Blog about it.

5. Tag 6 people to do the same.

This picture was taken in a little restaurant in Nogales, Mexico. We went as a trip for our Spanish class during my second year of college. There were 2 tables of us eating at this place. It is me, Marquette, Esteve, Juanathan, Natalie, and Tavo. I don't know where Anders is in this picture...probably behind the camera. We had such a good time on this trip. We had visited a school just before this and the children had put on a presentation for us and danced with us. Honestly, an amazing experience! We spent the rest of the day shopping and having a really good time. Esteve and Marquette wrote a story about it afterwards too...the story involved a burro, a Mexican, and a lot of Bacardi. Haha!

Now I tag: Nicole Lunt, Heather Lee, MaryAnn Haws, Allen Beach, Esteve, and Ambizzle

I've been told that my blog is depressing...and I just want you to know that I AM NOT DEPRESSED! Just busy.

Defensive

I feel very defensive today about my social status and that I have to defend it. So let me tell you how my week went.
School was crazy.

MONDAY: Duty Day
broke up a fight
Budget Cut meeting
girls found a body
worked out
gave FHE lesson
did homework

TUESDAY:
had to deal with emotional girls at school
had to deal with all 5th graders in explaining the importance of not bringing up bad memories
parent meeting
work out
homework

WEDNESDAY:
Staff meeting after school
Have to figure out how to make sure my class is prepared for AIMS...they better pass!
Homework
Group meeting with group from class
Class 5-10

THURSDAY:
IEP Meeting
Plan field trip
Modify plans for next day
Class 5-8
Homework

FRIDAY:
Short day schedule
Walk kids to and from the institute for a field trip
Prepare class pet to go home with a student
Organize for the next week
Work out

And by the time Friday evening comes I am so tired physically and emotionally that I don't even want to think about plans. I did go out to dinner with Levi and went to Kyle's to watch a movie. And Kayla was in town and I got to visit with her a lot. And today I went to lunch and walked around down town. I just don't have the energy or the time to hang out anymore. I cherish the sleep I get, which means going to bed earlier than the college students. Don't get me wrong, I wish that I knew people. I miss not knowing people, it can be so lonely. So, yes, I'll admit to being anti-social, but do you blame me?

We Aren't in Kansas Anymore

With the economy in the pitfalls, it makes you have to wonder what is going to happen today, tomorrow, or any time in the near future. Our school district, as well as every other school district in the state is looking at HUGE budget cuts. Our district is trying really hard to do all they can to not cut jobs. This is good news and I know had I been in the city this year, I would be one of the first teachers to go when they cut people since I am so new. I know now that this is why I was supposed to take the job in Thatcher. Of course my job could still be in jeapordy, but I'm pretty confident it will still be there for me during the next school year. So don't be upset with me if I don't end up in the city this next year, but I'll apply where I can.
But with all this economic crisis, even safe little Thatcher isn't going to be able to escape the change. Yesterday a couple of my girls were walking home from school and found a dead body in the canal. We have had to try and help these girls cope with what they had to see. What a horrible thing to see for 5th graders! And we are hoping that homicide was not an issue, but we won't know until the autopsy report comes out. It sure has shaken up our community and made me realize that nowhere can escape the change, not even Thatcher.

Working the Corner

So I've been really contemplative lately with things going on and was walking home from working out when who should I run into on the corner by my house? My friend, Heather! I feel like I don't see her enough even though she just lives around the corner and I walk by her house at least once a day. Anyway, she was out walking the dog she isn't supposed to have (sorry, the secret is out). So we stood on the corner and talked for awhile and I realized how much I miss her! I need to talk to her more...and go play with her little son more. Sometimes I get so caught up in the stupid little things in life that I forget about great blessings I have, like having Heather as a friend. Anyway, new goal, no matter how busy my week is, I am going to visit Heather during each week. Do you hear that Heather? This is your warning.
Anyway, other than that my days consist of teaching and working out. And if you are lucky enough to try and get ahold of me on a Wednesday or Thursday then good for you because those are my busiest days. My schedule on those days consists of Work 7-3:30, Work out 3:45-4:15 (short work out days), Master's class 5-10. And on nights I don't have class I either chill at home or visit girls in my ward with the other Relief Society Presidency members, or FHE, or homework...pretty much not very social stuff. But such is life.
So I guess there is a fairly new family in my dad's ward in Lake Havasu who has a son on a mission. So my dad's wife and this guy's mom have decided that it would be a fantastic idea (sarcasm intended) for me to write this kid. I haven't decided if I will yet. Kind of pathetic that I'm being set up with missionaries...ugh. Anyway, welcome to my life.

Resolutions

I set so many goals at the beginning of every year, and yet I hardly meet any of them by the end. So I have limited myself to 3 resolutions this year. That's it. And here they are.

1. To do things that I know have to be done and that are right, even if it is opposite from what I really want.

2. Get in shape. (yes, round is a shape, but it is one I am tired of) :)

3. Pursue excellence...always!

Goodbye to 2008

I have decided to do a quick update even though my pictures aren't ready for this post. Christmas was good. I got to spend it in Lake Havasu with my whole family. My good friend, Kyle, and his wife decided to let me use their car for the break, which I was extremely grateful for. It was good to see my niece again...she is growing up way too fast. It was also good to visit with some old friends. But even though it was good to be with the people I love and grew up with, it was nice to get away.
The next week I was back in Thatcher. My old roommate, Erin, came from Mesa with me and spent 5 days in Thatcher. It was wonderful to have her back, but having her leave again was hard.
For New Year's Eve our good friend Jordan House and Justin barbequed for us and we talked and watched a movie and visited the Grahams...and talked some more. We finally kicked Jordan out of the house at 4 am. Haha! I bet his poor mother had thought he had died or something because he never goes home that late. I am so glad I have those guys as my friends.
So now here I am, sick and preparing to start teaching for one more semester. And I am not prepared! Ok, I'm fairly prepared, I just wish this break could be a few days longer.