My One and Only

I know that a lot has happened since I have really updated my blog.  And when I say a lot…I mean A LOT! 

I like to think that God has a sense of humor, like He lets me go and plan my life just for fun.  So if you think that it is sacrilegious to blame God for my year…then you might not want to read on. 

Just when I thought I had my life figured out, resigned from my job, made concrete plans to move and stay in Mesa, found roommates, applied for jobs, had my full time school schedule planned out until the end of my Graduate program, etc…just when I had it all planned out…God laughed.  And my plans…they were altered. 

So just when my “concrete” plans were working out and I was feeling good about the change in my life, to finally walk out of Thatcher for good…I can’t.  I swear to you, the Gila Valley wants me to stay in it, or this is where I am supposed to be because every time I try to leave, something is thrown in my path to bring me back or make me stay.  This road bump that God put in my path this time was none other than Ryan.

Now, to be open and fair, I have had my fair share of “bumps” or stalls in my road when it comes to the male gender the past couple years.  Ryan is by no mean a “bump” or obstacle in my road (thank goodness.  One more not so decent choices in relationships would have sent me fleeing Thatcher for Antarctica and away from my bad judgment in guys as fast as I could).  He was just an unexpected extra…and a handsome one at that I might add. 

So here begins our “Once Upon A Time”…

Let’s just say that I have known who Ryan is for a few years, just because some of my friends have dated him and I have seen him around.  However, just because I knew who he was doesn’t mean I knew him…or had ever talked to him.  And in the tradition of a true man, he doesn’t remember me at all until we “formally” met.  I think we were definitely supposed to meet though because there are too many factors in our lives to bring us to together to just be coincidence.

One day in our single’s ward I saw Ryan sitting by himself on the back row.  I kept thinking that I should introduce myself and invite him to sit with my roommate and I.  I mentioned this to my roommate, who knew who Ryan was so she started telling me about him.  Before I knew it church started and I never got the chance to talk to Ryan.

Luckily, just a few days following this almost encounter, I happened to be at Doug’s house.  Now I had been friends with Doug’s extended family for years, but had only just begun a close friendship with Doug’s immediate family.  Doug teaches at EAC, where he taught Ryan and used to work with Ryan during the summers doing construction.  Coincidence…probably not.  Anyway, I was at Doug’s house and he mentions a guy named Ryan who he thinks I should be friends with.  He tells me that Ryan’s friends are all married and that Ryan needs some single friends to start hanging out with.  At this point I had no idea that Doug was talking about the same Ryan I had seen at church just a few days before.

Doug continues telling me about Ryan and finally he tells me that Ryan wants me to have his number so that we could hang out.  Doug then gives Ryan the story that there is a girl in Ryan’s singles ward that wanted to hang out.  Then he said that I wanted Ryan to have my number.  Tricky Tricky Doug!

One of us (neither of us can agree on who) made initial contact through texting just to get to know each other a bit.  Ryan asked me out to lunch on one of the only sick days I took the entire year.  Of course I had to decline since I was sick.  So in true Ryan generosity, he asked if he could bring me lunch, such as soup.  Well, since it was lunch time and I had yet to shower or even brush my hair by that time, I declined again.  I think I scared him off because I didn’t hear from Ryan for a month even when I would text him to invite him to do things.  At this point I hadn’t even really met him yet so it didn’t bother me, no big loss.

During that month I resigned from my job and prepared to move to Mesa to attend Graduate school.  I had just returned from visiting Rex and Amber in Utah when Ryan all of a sudden made an appearance again.  He texted me so I invited him to come hang out with some friends of mine.  We all went to play racquetball…Ryan left really fast after our game.

I told Erin that I thought he was nice but that I doubted I would ever hear from again because he left so fast!  However, Ryan apparently had other plans.  Randomly over the next few weeks he would show up and he texted me constantly.

The week he finally asked me out, I had a date with someone else.  I was actually really excited for my other date.  However, when it was all said and done, on the night of the date I couldn’t wait for the date to be over so I could talk to Ryan.  Poor guy didn’t stand a chance.  In fact, (and this might be really bad to admit) Ryan came over after the date with the other guy and that night is the first night we kissed.  Oops.

I told Ryan we could only date until May because I was moving.  Well…by the time I moved we knew things weren’t even close to being over for us.  I still moved.  In June we got engaged.  I did major Grad. school courses until the middle of October, then I moved back to Pima.  I was lucky to make my schedule at school work to where I only had to go to classes on the weekend in Phoenix and online.

Ryan and I were married on November 5, 2010 (I had so much help in preparing for my wedding! 

I can’t even express how grateful I am for my family’s help, Erin, Kayla, Kasi, and Cassie’s help…or my photographers Katie and Dalene…there aren’t words) in the Gila Valley Temple.

I love him so much and he has been the BEST thing in my life. 

Anyway, that is the short synopsis of us. 

Oh, and I finished Graduate school only 3 weeks ago!  Life could not be better.

Well…it could be.  I need a job.  Then it will be complete…for now.

Shout out to The HOUSE

Some of you may be wondering who or what the House is. I will tell you. The one and only House is Officer Jordan Boltinghouse (unless you are Christy Dobbs, in which case it is Householder).

Jordan has been my friend since I student taught in the Thatcher Middle School Library, where he often though, "Who is this odd person who is in charge of Mrs. Simmons's classes and who is ruling my library?" Well, it didn't take him long to find out who Ms. Elliott really is. And it didn't take me long to find out that this ridiculously mature librarian was really a couple years younger than I am.

Well, as you can see, the library became our playground of sorts. It is where we really got to talk and know each other. We also had a little bit of fun.

However, the fun didn't stop in the library. Jordan was also a security officer at Eastern Arizona College, where we often met for walks at night or just visited while locking up campus. Sometimes my friends and I would make him do a scavenger hunt just to keep things entertaining. And a couple times Jordan even helped me prepare pranks on our friends. Such as, setting up a set of "beer" and "drugs" and getting arrested. Or having my friends do delinquent activities to see how fellow security officer trainee would handle the situation. In every situation we had a good time.

And then there was the time I made the tragic mistake of telling Jordan and Justin that there was a really creepy abandoned house that I wanted to explore. Why was this a mistake? They proceeded to tell this BULLCRAP story about how there was a murder there called the "Fishstring Murder". Not only did they tell me this story, but when they knew I wasn't buying it, they called Jordan's dad! Jordan's dad is also an officer, so of course I kind of believed him. But not all the way. And a few days later when they knew I was starting to even doubt that, they brought me a file...with a police report...and pictures! Well, I still checked out the house...and the story ended up being complete and utter CRUD! Stupid prank, but they did a great job at trying to convince me. (And to be fair...I did believe them for a bit).

And one of the best and most entertaining things we did was the Haunted Hallway, where we transformed the middle school into a haunted house for people to walk through. It was gory and took so much work...and we were EXHAUSTED by the end. But have you ever seen such a good looking group of psychos?

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And then there were a couple nights of random picture taking around town. Or the time we kidnapped Jordan (which I can't find pictures of). The only complaint he made the whole time we had him cuffed and blindfolded was that we were about to drive away without putting his seatbelt on him. Of course he would complain about that!

.

This is when we went to Relay for Life together and some of my old students paid to have me jailed...which cost 4x as much to get out. What did Jordan do? He laughed and left me! What a jerk!

Jordan is also one of many talents. He was not only a librarian by day and security guard by night, but he also dabbles in the art of plumbing. Our toilet was leaking and flooding our bathroom, so he quickly researched possible solutions and showed up at our door looking like this...ready for a flood.

And without me, Jordan would have never known the meaning of green M&Ms. That New Year's Eve was entertaining...and lasted far too early into the morning.

And we can't forget about the times we had while coaching Middle School Track and Field. Or the summer where Jordan and I taught a Drama class for College for Kids...where we did such a fun play! Or when I kicked his trash during racquetball. Or that I called him Papicasa and he thought he could pimp out Erin and I after that. Or that this blog would not be updated without Jordan reminding me that I am a slacker when it comes to blogging.

Now Jordan has graduated from the Police Academy and has signed on with Sierra Vista Police Department and we don't see each other...ever. However, if ever I get pulled over in that area I can only hope that Officer Boltinghouse is the one to do it. Perhaps I should take a trip to Sierra Vista and drive as fast as I can around town. Just warning you, it might happen.

So Jordan...don't cry because it is over, but smile because it happened.

…and I’m back!

Yes, yes, I know you haven’t heard from me in a million years, but I am alive and well.  Instead of trying to catch you up on my life I’ll just start with the basics.  First, I put in my resignation for my job last week.  After this school year I will be moving to the Phoenix area to get my Master’s degree in School Education (which I already began taking online courses for).

Teaching is going good, been busy.  It is definitely a high maintenance group of kids.  I am also in charge of the after school Drama program still, but instead of just involving the 5th grade, it involves the 5th and 6th grade….over 80 students!!!  We are working on 4 plays right now to perform on the stage for the primary and elementary schools and a night performance for families.  It has been busy!  I am also volunteering with the middle school Track and Field team again, which started a couple weeks ago.

Right now I am on Spring Break and I have been in Utah the past couple days.  It has been WONDERFUL!  I am staying with my dear friend and old roommate, Amber (affectionately called Hamburguesa).  My wonderful (and one of the best) friend, Rex, picked me up from the airport on Saturday morning.  We have been having such a good time.  We’ve gone to breakfast (which is becoming a tradition for Rex and I), gone thrift store shopping for crazy green outfits, gone to concerts, gone to crazy Wicked parties, gone hiking, had wonderful conversations, many adventures, and countless laughs.  I am going to be so so so sad to leave these friends tomorrow.  I also got to visit with Kiara for a bit.  I sure do love that girl.  The weather has been nuts!  Saturday it rained and snowed a lot!  Then today it was too warm to even wear a jacket!  Sigh…it’s been  the best trip.

Anyway, now you know what I have been up to…kind of. 

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.

Ouch, that one is going to hurt

Every time I say that I am going to be better at blogging I do worse. But now that I am on Christmas break, I have no excuse. A lot has happened in the past couple of months. So I am going to break this into 3 parts....Personal, Travel, and School.

PERSONAL

I still live by the rule of early to bed, early to rise. My body has just become too used to this schedule. However, on days I need to get up, I don't want to, and on days I can sleep in I am wide awake by 6 am. Go figure. Let's see...oh yes. With the end of the semester comes the retiring of another roommate. So before she left we did more roommate pictures and had a Pantyhose Pact meeting one last time. Erin moved to Gilbert to attend ASU. Erin has been my best friend this semester so it has been really hard to see her go. She is the one I would stay up late just talking with, or get up early with just to talk about not wanting to get out of bed. She and I have had a lot of different adventures and it is going to be so hard without her. She hasn't even been gone a week! I wish that I could keep all the people that mean so much to me here in Thatcher with me. Anyway, I will admit that I am a brat and have gotten so tired of new roommates that I refused to have a new person move into my room...so my roommate Sarah moved into my room with me. Not only did Erin leave, but now my good friend Kasi is leaving too! She is another member of the Pantyhose Pact. Now only Kyle and I are left. She is going to London to nanny and leaves before the new year. Ay yi yi, growing up and moving on is hard when all the people you care about are learning to live their lives without you.

TRAVEL

I had the wonderful opportunity to go to Utah for Thanksgiving. The break started out with me being sick and my mom freaking out and my friend Allen taking care of me. Haha. Ok, I'll start at the beginning. My good friend Allen and I were talking one day and we both mentioned wanting to travel for Thanksgiving so we talked about it and in about 10 minutes we had decided to go to Utah and spend Thanksgiving with his grandma in Mt. Pleasant. Of course both our moms freaked about the idea at first, but eventually they got used to the idea. However, that week I came down with a bad cold and the night before we were to leave I had a fever. So mom freaked out and called Allen and Allen got to play nurse that night since I was sleeping at his house. Haha, what a good little nurse he was...Starbucks included and everything! And by 4 the next morning we were on our way to Utah, Allen's uncle included.

From Mesa to about Panguich, UT it was either raining or snowing. But we made it and I have never seen a more excited grandma in my life! I felt like I was part of the family, even her dog liked me. We got ready for dinner and had a delicious ham dinner that Grandma Priest had been preparing for us for days. Have I told you yet how much I love her! We had the best time visiting that evening. However, I was ready for bed and was about to fall asleep on the couch before 9 pm! I told you that I have a terrible time staying up late, right?

The next day, after sleeping in (I think I got a good 11 hours of sleep that night), we got up and all made a delicious breakfast together. It was so much fun to all be in our PJs cooking and talking and laughing together. After breakfast and getting ready for the day Allen and I headed to Provo where he dropped me off with my most amazing, wonderful, and talented old roommate Amber. We had so much fun just catching up, attempting to make homemade cinnamon rolls, and shopping. Then that night my dear friend Rex met up with us and we all went out for Sushi and ice cream. After ice cream we went to Rex's place and visited with his roommates a bit before heading out to take pictures all over the place. I hadn't had such a great night in a long time. Being with those two again made the world seem like it had stopped and nothing mattered for the time being. I can't tell you how blessed I am to have them as friends.

The next day Amber and I slept in until 11:30 before getting up to get ready! I guess that is what happens when you go to bed at 3 am. We were able to go to lunch together and take a little photo shoot before Allen picked me up again. When we got back to Grandma Priest's we helped prepare dinner, which were the best little steaks ever, and then we visited some more before heading to bed. Our drive home began at 5 am and we decided to go a different way, through Moab and the Indian Reservations in northern Arizona. Let's just say I was never happier to see home at 5:30 that night. It was very kind of Allen to go that way so that I could be dropped off in Thatcher.

I am so glad I went on that trip. I not only was able to see old friends, but I was able to make new ones and gain another Grandma. You can never have too many of those!

SCHOOL

I never realized how the seasons affect the attitude of kids. Man, the past few weeks they have been squirrly! I got put in charge of the Christmas program at school, which was so cute, but took a lot of time! And right after the play was a Holiday parade around the track where the band played and the kids decorated bikes and wagons and did a whole performance around the track for parents and the Primary School. It was a really good time. Have I told you how cute my kids are? Well they are, and noone can debate that with me because I'm pretty sure I'll win that argument. Anyway, for a week all we did was practice for our play after school and during school and before school and....you get the point. I was exhausted by the end, but it was totally worth it.

I can't believe that I have already taught for 19 weeks! Where does the time go? I don't want a new group of kids next August, I love the ones I have now.

So there you go...a quick but lengthy synopsis of my life. Sorry if I bored you with it...I'll try and do better with littler ones. And now I am off to Havasu for Christmas, with a couple stops along the way. I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas! And as my kids said at the end of their play, "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"