Lybbert Family

Time

2012-01-13T19:04:00.001-08:00

Time flies so fast. Just looked at my sad little blog and saw that the last post was May!!! What? Nothing big and different has happened since then. I'm into my fourth year of teaching and still here in Rexburg. What can I say? I had tons of fun for Christmas. Ken and I had fun seeing family. It is always such a blessing. I miss them a lot and wish family was a little nearer. I guess something new is that I have taken a liking to Pinterest! Who would have thought? So if you are on Pinterest follow me and we can share lots of fun pins! I will post again soon!

~School is Out~

2011-05-31T09:23:00.000-07:00

That last day of school I was so thrilled to be done for the year. I got a cute letter from a student that made my day though. I had a tough year this year and didn't think I made much of a difference, even after all the effort. But, I'll share this letter with you, except I'll take out names.

Dear Mrs. Lybbert,

You are the best teacher that I have ever had! I wish I could be in your class again. If you were going to be a third grade teacher I would want to be in your class.

You are better than ......1st grade teacher, ........Kindergarten teacher. It is fun to do projects with you. I hope you still teach next year.

You were the best teacher I will ever have in my life. Even if I meet more great teachers later on some time.

I hope you will have a great LIFE.

Your Student,
.......

Can you see how that made my day? :) It also was written in paragraphs!!!
Thank you dear student of mine for making my day. :) We make a difference even if we don't think we do.

Questions

2011-02-12T15:46:00.000-08:00

Things You Don't Know About ME

1. Maybe you already know some of these things, but....I am okay being all by myself. No problems. :) I love to think and reflect A LOT! I could set on my bed and stare at the ceiling for hours. But knowing that is not always healthy to do all day, I don't :)

2. I LOVE milk! I could drink that stuff all day with all meals!!! The more fat the better!

3. I am a teacher, but was not the job I would have thought I would end up with! I was a science/math geek who probably thought she would be a doctor or pharmacist. I became a teacher though because something hit me like a ton of bricks one day. I needed to become a teacher. So I did!

4. I have no thyroid. Great for the metabolism, not!!! I had thyroid cancer when I was 17, that required me to get it removed. Not something I usually talk about, but something most don't know.

5. I have a sweet tooth! Too bad I'm hypoglycemic and probably shouldn't have such a habit, but I DO! I love anything sugar! SUGAR!SUGAR!SUGAR!

6. I don't feel a meal is a meal unless there is meat and some sort of side dish. I feel jipped!

7. I sleep with a Belle/Jasmin pillow that is pink! ha ha!

8. This may sound bad, but I hate putting makeup, showering, dressing, blah blah blah! It seems like a waste of time, so monotonous.

9. If I could travel anywhere I would love to go to Italy! The food, the atmosphere, the buildings. AH!

10. Lastly, I smell everything I eat. If it smells funny, I don't eat. Example: pesto smells like pine needles and thus tastes like it too! Fish smell like their habitat, algae! Thus, tastes like algae.

There you have it. A little about me.

God Works in Mysterious Ways

2011-01-27T20:25:00.000-08:00

God's will is not an itinerary, but an attitude. ~Andrew Dhuse

All that I have seen teaches me to trust God for all I have not seen.-unknown

Caramels

2010-11-24T13:10:00.001-08:00

It's so bad how I love sugar! I taste it and feel like I need more. I had tasted caramels at a friends house and felt like I needed to make some all for Ken and I to eat. I think I made a little much. Oh, but they are so creamy, and buttery, and chewy all at once! What can I say?!!

Winter Wonderland

2010-11-08T15:47:00.000-08:00

It has snowed all day!! I love winter but can I just say I hate driving in the stuff!

Carving

2010-10-28T18:49:00.001-07:00

Ken and I carved Jack for FHE. We had lots of fun. Ken deserves most of the carving glory:) I was busy sippin' my pumpkin spice hot cocoa . By the way thanks Paloma for this wonderful candle that makes my house smell so yummy!

Sunday

2010-10-24T20:08:00.000-07:00

This Sunday I've had lots to think about. Today we had Stake Conference, it was uplifting. It's like the answers you need at the time get answered, or just reconfirmed. Lately I've felt like I've had my "Friday's", as Elder Wirthlin's talk best describes it. I think I let things people say get to me easily and I dwell on it, or let my failures bring guilt to my heart, or just feel inadequate for tasks set before me. But not today! Today was wonderful, today I felt his love for me. I knew he was aware of my frustrations, my joys, my needs, my wants. I knew he was there to left me to my full potential. I am glad for the Savior and for the atonement. Not just for my sins, but for all the frustrations, the pains, the failures, and the inadequate feelings that cross my mind and heart. That I may always know that no matter how dark my Friday, Sunday will come!

I feel my Savior’s love
Its gentleness enfolds me
And when I kneel to pray
My heart is filled with peace
He knows I will follow Him,
Give all my life to Him
I feel my saviors love
The love He freely gives me.

Couple Pictures

2010-10-17T18:36:00.000-07:00

My sister was nice enough to take our pictures, here's a few to show you. :)

Time

2010-09-28T16:32:00.001-07:00

How on earth does anyone find time to write a post? lol.
Sorry it's been forever. Between work, sleep, and eating, that's
pretty much all I have time to do. Anyways since July nothing awesome
has really happened. I mean I did visit my family, that is pretty awesome, but
no pictures. I'm really on top of things! I've finally got some energy back since
I decided to go to a specialist. Thanks to him my thyroid levels are back to normal
and I don't feel like just flopping on the couch after work and staying there until the next morning, just to repeat it all over again. Good times!
Saturday I hope to have some pictures taken of Ken and I, since we may have like 2 pictures that are not wedding pictures, which was 4 years ago! Don't you just get days like that where you sit back and think, and your life may seem like you've been running around like a chicken without a head.(nice thought, i know)It's really how I feel lately. Oh the excitement :)

Anniversary

2010-07-23T12:05:00.000-07:00

It was Ken and I's anniversary yesterday. Four years and many more to go :)
I love being married to my best friend.

4th of July

2010-07-03T12:18:00.000-07:00

You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism. ~Erma Bombeck

If our country is worth dying for in time of war let us resolve that it is truly worth living for in time of peace. ~Hamilton Fish

Temple

2010-05-19T18:07:00.000-07:00

It's been one year since Ken and I were released as temple ordinance workers. We worked in that calling for 2 years. We got to work in the Idaho Falls Temple and then the Rexburg Temple. I really miss that calling, but am very grateful I had the opportunity, especially at a younger age. That experience has helped us grow more than we thought possible, and still have a lot more growing to do. Hopefully any opportunity you get, you visit that wonderful holy haven!

Temple

2010-03-21T16:17:00.000-07:00

So it's pretty funny how I blog like NEVER!
Partially because I can't find the cord that connects my camera
to the computer. I do have a life, really I do.
Anyways, lots has happened since my last post. Of course I haven't
shared any of it. For example
we had Elder Cook at our Stake Conference on Valentine's Day, or how
Ken and I have set a goal to go more than once a month to the temple and how
that has blessed our lives. I mean the list goes on. I hope I can find that
confounded cord soon. Since I took pictures of the Rexburg Temple and can't post them. So you'll just have to live with this one. You'll hear from me again. Happy Spring!

Valentines

2010-02-13T19:59:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to post an " I love you" to Ken!
I'm glad we are a part of each others world.
Thanks for being my Ken :) You truly are my knight
in shining armor.

Fireside

2010-01-30T16:48:00.000-08:00

I thought I would post this poem I heard at a fireside with Elder Ballard today.
It really helps put things into perspective, enjoy!

A mighty wind blew night and day
It stole the oak tree's leaves away
Then snapped its boughs and pulled its bark
Until the oak was tired and stark

But still the oak tree held its ground
While other trees fell all around
The weary wind gave up and spoke.
How can you still be standing Oak?

The oak tree said, I know that you
Can break each branch of mine in two
Carry every leaf away
Shake my limbs, and make me sway

But I have roots stretched in the earth
Growing stronger since my birth
You'll never touch them, for you see
They are the deepest part of me

Until today, I wasn't sure
Of just how much I could endure
But now I've found, with thanks to you
I'm stronger than I ever knew

Blog

2010-01-03T19:47:00.000-08:00

Wow! Time is moving and moving. I had a fantastic Christmas and New Year. I got to see my family. Love you guys. Now back to work, boo :)

Yellowstone

2009-09-26T08:23:00.000-07:00

Yikes! It's been a while. I've been so busy with our trip to Washington this summer, moving right before and after, and teaching! Here's some pictures of our lovely Yellowstone trip. I've been in Idaho for about 6 years and barely went, goodness.

3 year Anniversary

2009-07-22T08:51:00.001-07:00

This is a little poem-scripture that Ken gave me on a mirror for our engagement. It's not the King James Version, but it's cute.

Love is,patient, Love is kind. It does not envy, It does not boast, It is not proud. It is not rude, It is not self-seeking, It is not easily angered, It keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves. Love never ends.

Thank you for that Ken. I've found this to be true more and more as our love grows.
Thank you for being my knight and shining armor with your white horse. Love can truly be a fairytale if we make it that way. :)

Oh My!

2009-07-13T09:15:00.001-07:00

What a crazy month! So we had one of our many big trees in our yard cut down. We had people walking by taking pictures next to it holding chain saws and the tree falling down, I guess our house was an event or something. I couldn't help but laugh, I guess it's not everyday people see a tree chopped down So goodbye tree.

Some more craziness: We get a letter in the mail that says we have 30 days to move because they need to do extensive repairs that will take about 2 months to do. So now we are needing to find housing. Great timing too because we are off to Washington in about 2 weeks.

Even more craziness: We went camping with our ward to Kelly Canyon, lots of fun by the way, but decided after to go drive around Kelly Canyon like we usually like to do. Well the car decides to shut off and not turn back on in the middle of nowhere Kelly Canyon on some gravel road, pretty far into Targhee National Park.
Great right, so we meet a guy on a four wheeler who happens to know a mechanic that can come tell us what's wrong with the thing. So the guys goes to turn his 4 wheeler on, but it doesn't turn on. Are you kidding me?! After many attemps the darn thing finally turns on. So he goes and gets the mechanic. Turns out it's most likely the fuel pump and needs to be towed. Thank goodness we have towing insurance. Anyways this is where it gets crazy. We whip out our cell phones to call a tow truck, but the phones are out of range, of course, so we get into range and then the cell phones die too(low battery). Oh joy for us! So we go find a lady with a cell phone,by the way we had to get 4 wheelered up to a phone. We call the insurance company to get a tow truck to us, but they ask for the address where the car is, ummmmm..... no address...it's just at Kelly Canyon. There we are describing it and ...to make this long story short we finally get a tow truck to tow our vehicle (a man who has hauled 2 cars already from Kelly Canyon that week)to our house and the lovely total is only $13. Thank you insurance :) To bad I have to pay for a fuel pump though, sheez.

Anyways lets add something fun here. Ken and I went to a drive in! We got to eat mexican food and watch two movies back to back. They were Night of the Museum II and Ice Age III. Way fun it was. Also here is a picture of Ken enjoying his tortilla, ha ha.
Also we had a great 4th of July of watching the parade here in Rexburg, eating yummy food, and lighting sparklers at night.
So all in all like I said what craziness this month has brought!

What have you been up to?

2009-06-29T17:18:00.000-07:00

Well this seems to be the common question asked when in conversation with me. I usually have to pause and think, well I've been able to clean my house and what not, but nothing really. How lame for me!!! This is my summer break from hard work all year and I am doing nothing! So I decided to do something after this boring response for about 3 weeks. It's nice to do nothing sometimes, but not all summer. So Ken and I go Latin Dancing! We hadn't gone since forever and have started to go. It's way fun. No I didn't take pictures because I didn't bring my camera. What a surprise.

Also I have gotten tired of my flubbiness and decided to get off of the couch and do something. Actually it's not just flubbiness, when I gain weight it's not in my hips it's all in my stomach and a nasty double chin, and I look like I'm 8 months pregnant, not kidding, sadly I've been asked when I'm due, um.....embarrassing..akward...hello don't ask if you don't know me. I'm not pregnant is my response and the poor lady rushes away. Gosh! How ..I don't know... Thank goodness I haven't been asked recently, this was like 3 months ago. So no more of that! So far I have lost 10 pounds and 2 inches around my waist and most of that double chin. Yah for me, and I still am chugging along because I have lots more to lose. I've been doing Pilates which is lots of fun for me. Sometime in the past year I have seemed to just let myself go and one day it seemed as if it just showed up(of course that's not what happened), but it seems that way. No I'm not in shape yet, but I will get there slowly and eventually.
What else....O yes...I bought me a dress....I've wanted one of these forever,just didn't have the nerve because I had a belly and if you have a belly, don't ever wear one of these, anyways I finally bought it because I no longer have this belly that sticks out! Sorry the picture is bad, but Ken was at school so here's what you get I also painted my nails that color, how creative of me :) I also colored my hair because I got tired of it being 2 colors. I don't know, my hair has been a duotone for longer than I can remember. I kept taking pictures to show you the color, but it kept turning out darker than it was in the pictures and this is the closest I could get, yes I look bored, but I just got done exercising, I don't know about you but I'm beat afterwards, not very photogenic and no makeup. Sorry you can barely see my hair.
So that's been a few things I've been up to, I could go on, but that would be to lame I'm sure. As for Ken, he's doing good, he is just studying and planning constantly. I can't do that, so I decided to take him out to a creamery for some yummy ice cream. We went to a place here called G's Dairy Delights! It is amazing, best ice cream I've tasted and I'm not an ice cream person. Well anyways, we go in and Ken orders a waffle cone with 3 scoops! Holy Cow! He eats all of it! No I don't have a picture, I told you I am not a camera person. So the closest thing I could find was on google and it looked like this cone, but imagine 3 huge scoops, HUGE Yeah, I wish I had his metabolism, just looking at that made me gain back my 10 pounds sheesh! Anyways enough of my blubbering on. That's what we've been up to. All I have to say is I LOVE SUMMER BREAK! Now ask me what I've been up to :)

Father's Day

2009-06-22T21:10:00.000-07:00

This is to my dad who even though we did not have money growing up you always
gave us what we needed and more. I know of your sacrifices just as the man in this video. They were big, Thank you daddy and I love you!

Books

2009-06-08T09:36:00.000-07:00

Every summer break that I've had I always enter a new world through books.
I thought it would be neat to hear from you guys about this topic. What are the best books you've read so far and that you recommend for a good read. Just write the title and maybe a small description. I'm really wanting to dive into some books this summer, help me out :) Thanks guys!

Teaching

2009-06-05T13:57:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd share this because these are the words I've meant to describe on how teaching is, but I'm not very eloquent. I had a name in my head from my own classroom,for every student this video described, it made me want to cry. Here's for all the teachers out there that inspired me to teach(even when I planned on being a pharmacist), and all those days of feeling unappreciated and then getting that sweet note at the end of the year from that challenging student that made it all worth it :)This is mostly to my students who just needed somebody to believe in them!

Flower Power

2009-06-03T11:04:00.001-07:00

There's just something about flowers that brighten my soul and summer!
I have these sitting by my living room window because I haven't planted them
yet:) They are so lovely though. One I got for Mother's Day at church, the other
two I got from my students on the last day of school. Speaking of that, let me just say how amazing it is to be on summer vacation. I've been able to cook recipes I've wanted to do, clean my house, and about to start a sewing project. Oh Heaven! Especially since those last weeks of school are probably the most chaotic in the whole year! Kids get antsy and wanting to move constantly and the teacher is basically there to entertain them while they pack everything up to go home for the summer. AHHHH! ha ha! I survived though and I got through my first year of teaching HURRAY!!! What a blessing it was. It's hard to describe the feeling you get when you see growth in your students. Students who came in and couldn't read more than 7 words a minute and leave with about 30 words a minute or others who leave with 145 words per minute and they actually comprehend it too!! I will miss them very much. It was like having a baby in a sense ha ha, bare with me :). 9 months of very hard work and patience waiting and wondering and then finally, it's a beautiful creation. It's my masterpiece to hold in my heart, that maybe I made a difference in one soul's life. I can't help but think of my future children during teaching because children teach you so much and you learn what really is important to teach them and what they really need. They don't need all those toys, they don't only need food and a bed at night, or a television to entertain them. They need somebody to be there and to hear them, somebody to hang out with and just play, somebody to tell them what is right and wrong and there are consequences to every action, good or bad. Somebody to tell them it will be okay when trials come their way, and to just put a bandage on that silly ittle paper cut. They are such precious little things, no wonder Heavenly Father loves them so much!
Anyways, I thought I'd share those thoughts and these lovely flowers that brighten my summer days!

Lost Shoe

2009-05-25T10:54:00.000-07:00

I found this shoe on my front steps this week. If any child out there is missing
their shoe I have it. :)

Geocaching

2009-05-03T13:16:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Ken and I decided to go rent a GPS at Tech Time, a student gave me a gift card for Christmas and I finally could use it!!
So with our trusty GPS we could go anywhere, so we decided to go Geocaching. We've never done it before so we tried it.
Wrong day to do this, it was pouring tons of rain and I got all wet and muddy. Ha Ha.

Anyways so our GPS was taking us who knows where to find a cache, but as we were driving the view just got prettier and prettier that I thought I was no longer in Idaho anymore.

We actually were, not to far from I.F. actually. Here are some pictues to share. By the way, no we didn't find a cache, better luck next time perhaps :) We actually gave up because we saw fresh moose print and thought it smart to just leave. So....

....We went to grab a bite to eat. Actually it was much more than a bite. Yum! We brought plenty hamburger home!

Miss California

2009-05-02T09:18:00.000-07:00

I usually don't care to watch Miss USA Pageants or really talk about them, but this years has brought a lot of stir. Especially about Miss California, Carrie P.
She was asked a question on gay marriage. No her answer may have not been the most eloquent to the judges or even the right answer, according to them. I'd just like to say that I am glad that she stuck to her belief. We need more people to do that. I admired that even though she was in front of thousands of people and on television, she tried her best to give her answer, with honesty. So I just say thank you for that.

School

2009-04-18T12:50:00.000-07:00

Here is my Spring Personality picture that they take at school.
I laughed because it brought me back to taking pictures in
elementary and the kiddy backgrounds. It's very elementary.
It wasn't as easy taking this as it was a child. I almost
fell trying to balance on that board ha ha! I've really enjoyed
being a bit of a kid. I love my job and am thankful for the opportunity
I've had to work with children.

Twilight

2009-04-04T17:15:00.000-07:00

So I watched Twilight the other day because everyone kept
telling me to watch it, so I thought whatever and watched it.
It wasn't that bad actually. I don't think I was affected at all what do you think?
ha ha. j/k just playing with photoshop. Anyways, I did like the whole little romantic story of the two, but I do admit it was a bit strange, if that's even the right word to describe it. We'll just have to see about the other movies.

Raise It Up

2009-03-31T19:54:00.000-07:00

I added a new song to my music called "Raise It Up." You might have heard it
on August Rush. I put this song on because I am always thinking about 2 specific
students in my classroom who cannot be by their fathers because the father is a danger to them. They struggle to be not "bad" or "give up" as they say. Don't give up. I pray for those little ones and all the little ones out there who struggle through things I can't even imagine. So this song is for you two and all the others. You are wonderful kids and my heroes!

Spring cont.

2009-03-25T15:25:00.001-07:00

I take it back. Snow, hail, what in the world.
Spring was at my door and it left! Ahhh!

Spring

2009-03-20T16:05:00.001-07:00

YAh the first day of Spring! I am so excited to see 60 degrees on the thermometer. I got to throw my coat off and feel the sun on my face!!!!
Can you hear my excitement? :) I love the smells and colors of Spring. I love it!

Life

2009-03-14T09:05:00.000-07:00

Life is difficult.
This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult--once we truly understand and accept it--then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.

This quote has become very real to me lately. Especially when times are not as
easy. I'll just say being a teacher has it's ups and downs. Sometimes you wonder if
you really make much of a differerence in a child's life when everything is going wrong for them. It's easy to wonder and hope things turn out. Sometimes you think you're going to lose your sanity with, "Teacher he hit me!", "Teacher , Teacher!", "He's screaming at me", "Teacher I'm hungry, " "When is lunch?", "She took my jump rope,". These remarks take me back to the movie "Hook". When he is explaining why they go to bed early. His well know line "He took my toy! She hit my bear! I want a potty! I want a cookie! I want to stay up! I want, I want, I want, me, me, me, me, mine, mine, mine, mine, now, now, now!" This has been my life since August. I come home sit on the couch and stare at the wall for no reason, but to get my compsure back. Just wondering what differences I make. This Friday was one of those days and
I came across this scripture that helped me, especially being a teacher. A teacher needs a teacher sometimes.

For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: He will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.
And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers;
And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. Isaiah 30:19-21

This scripture has helped me to be a more positive person. I am not alone, and even though things around me are uncalm, I don't need to be. I do make a difference in those little peoples lives. The days when they draw me pictures and tell me I'm the best are well worth those tiring days. We don't need to listen to the pessimists, they see things through one lense. Yes some are truths but so are the things the optimists say. I have learned that life is hard. Through accepting that, I am able to move on and see the beautiful wonders of it too. I hope we all stay positive in these times. It's what will get us through. We are trying our bests and that's what counts.

Fireproof

2009-03-03T20:11:00.000-08:00

We just watched this amazing movie on fireproofing your marriage.
It's about this firefighter and his wife whose marriage is on the verge of divorce, but through the help of God and acts of service it is saved. I really enjoyed
this movie. Ken thought it might be a wierd movie when I showed it to him since it was about a couple on the verge of divorce, sounded depressing ha ha, but
he was kind enough to watching it and actually agrees that it is a wonderful and uplifting movie, unlike he thought, and partially me too :)!
Watch it, seriously. There is a book if you'd prefer to read it and it also is based on another book called "The Love Dare"
I recommend this movie, it's a tear jerker :) Not because it's cheezy, but some parts make you think. It just brought to mind the many reasons I love my spouse and how it all started and the way God's hand plays in our lives. He really does want the best for us and is aware of our lives. Great movie!

Love

2009-02-14T08:42:00.001-08:00

the little proper girl from Othello

+

the little ranbunctious boy from Walla Walla

=

Eternal Love and Comapanions :)

Happy Valentine's Day to all!

Coraline

2009-02-09T16:49:00.000-08:00

I was able to watch a movie called "Coraline" with Ken. It was a different movie, but I did enjoy the message and I liked the movie. You can tell the similarities to Corpse Bride and The Nightmare Before Christmas. I would go see it, it is very different.

I've been very busy today since I am recovering from a cold that had me miss work for 2 days, and now I'm playing catchup and grading lots and lots of papers. I am glad that I am feeling much better though. The wonders of DayQuil and chamomile and honey. Wish me luck with my pile :)

Cell

2009-01-30T17:28:00.001-08:00

My new cell phone, yipee! I think it's pretty snazy. It slides up and I have grown fond of it. He He!

Hair

2009-01-16T13:41:00.000-08:00

I've decided to finally cut my hair. It's been really
a hastle lately. So shoulder length it will go. I love
my hair right now, but it's just too long. So here is
a picture of how it turned out. I also got new shoes
by the way yah!

Snow

2008-12-18T16:20:00.001-08:00

What a winter wonderland may I say. Not fun to drive in going to work :P, but
I love watching it from my home. We are to have another storm tonight or tomorrow night so we'll see how that goes. Washington here we come, soon.

Tree

2008-12-05T17:10:00.000-08:00

So Ken and I put up our tree and decorated it. Way fun, except for the whole fluffing of the branches. Thanksgiving was great, I spend time with family and got a lovely vacation. I'm looking forward to Christmas. What a great time of the year!!! I also read a neat book called "Manny's Christmas" by Kyle Crane. A book I recommend reading. It helps us realize what the true meaning of Christmas is about. I hope we stop
many times this season and ponder the true meaning of Christmas.

Pictures

2008-11-19T15:49:00.001-08:00

Here are my school pictures he he. We haven't had classroom pictures yet.

Halloween

2008-11-01T09:38:00.000-07:00

Halloween was so busy, yet a blast! My students enjoyed their party, but I didn't get to take pictures because I was busy trying to host it :)
I came home and went and helped with another party. Ken and I were in charge
of the fishing booth. Way fun! Ken was dressed as Nephi in Laban's clothes and I was a black cat :) We carved pumpkins and I like how mine looks. It's not perfect, but hey it's different!

Manicure

2008-10-25T11:45:00.000-07:00

We'll I got my birthday manicure done finally :)
Ken bought me a gift certificate on my birthday and
I never had time until today. I was way happy with
my french tips and I was also able to get an eyebrow wax
while I was there, so I feel beautified ha ha. I'm off
to decorate my class for Halloween and go shopping at the mall.
I need some new pants or something so. Yay for me.
As for school it's going good. I will be having a Halloween party
for the kiddies. I probably will be getting observed this week(ah), and
I have faculty pictures on Wednesday. Busy week I say!!!

Tagged

2008-10-22T16:46:00.000-07:00

Tagged by Calley

On this one, you have to give five answers to each of the questions and pass it on. To pass it on, you name them on your blog and you leave a comment notifying them on their blog.

5 things I was doing 10 years ago:

1. I was in Jr. High I believe
2. I was trying to get used to more than one class.
3. I was trying to get a 4.0, but got a 3.9
4. Sang my first solo to Mariah Carey's "Hero" at a concert
5. Sharing a room with my sisters! Yeah 3 girls in 1 room!

5 things on my to-do list today:

1. Shopping
2. Plan what I want to teach tomorrow exactly
3. Take time off to do nothing :)
4. Figure out visiting teaching
5. Get some sleep!!!!

5 snacks I enjoy:

1. chocolate (fudge to be exact)
2. 3 musketeers
3. salad (serious, especially caesar salads)
4. protein drinks, he he
5. pretty much chocolate!!!!

5 things I would do if I were a millionaire:

1. Pay off school loans
2. Go to Italy
3. Savings account
4. Get my family stuff
5. Get a house

5 places I have lived:

1. Texas
2. Washington
3. Idaho
4. Heaven
5. In my classroom ha ha

5 jobs I have had:

1. Cherry sorting
2. Substitute teacher
3. Babysitiing
4. Babysitting, yeah I know ha ha
5. Teacher

5 people I tag:

1. Paloma
2. Andee
3. Pamela
4. Katy
5. Angie

Fun

2008-10-15T16:22:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I put pictures up. I finally got my camera back up
and running. I have pictures of friends and us at Kelly Canyon, me at my classroom
and my clasroom, and I think that's it. I'm not sure what the boys are doing in the
picture. he he. Anyways, my classroom looks different again so these aren't the most
recent pictures, but they're something :) enjoy.

Fall

2008-10-04T18:08:00.000-07:00

We'll I still haven't reconnected my camera to the computer.
I get really busy, but I have pictures of my classroom and
camping. As soon as I can I'll post them.
Anyways, I am way excited about fall and seeing the
trees turn colors and the air smell good. I had some eggnog
the other day and got me excited for Halloween and all the wonderful
holidays and seasons. I'm not excited to drive in the snow though, nope.
School is going good, I have parent-teacher conference this week so wish
me luck :)!

Teacher

2008-09-17T20:01:00.000-07:00

So I haven't blogged in how long? .....
That is so the life of a teacher, can you feel it? :)
I will be posting pictures soon. Well when I get the
time to take the pictures off the camera. :)
For now school is great! I can't believe I've been teaching
for about a month now. Maybe a little over. I have
fun kids, a bit chatty at times, but hey they're 7.
Some other things that have happened are Ken and I celebrated
our birthdays. I am now 23 and Ken is 25. Ken thinks he's old, whatever.
We also have been going up to Kelly Canyon to get some fresh air and
keep sane with our busy schedule. But hey, I'm not complaining, I get
paid this week, that's exciting for me. lol. Anyways, I'll try to add
some more posts, most likely this weekend. We might camp who knows.
We will just have to see what exciting adventures we go through.

Anniversary

2008-07-22T09:46:00.000-07:00

Today is my 2 year anniversary! It seems like it was just yesterday that I got married. Time goes so fast. I'm posting some pictures of my wonderful day that keeps getting better. I'm grateful to be married to a wonderful person who helps me grow and I help him grow. Being married to your best friend

is impossible to describe! Those married understand.
This is also a special day because this is the day I was sealed to my parents and siblings, about 14 years ago in the Dallas Texas Temple . :) From that day I wanted to be sealed in the temple when I grew up and I did!! :) The beautiful Columbia River Temple.

How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count The Ways

How do I love thee?

Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of everyday's

Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

I love thee freely, as men strive for Right:

I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

I love thee with the passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints,--I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life! --and if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)

Funny

2008-07-16T20:17:00.001-07:00

HA HA! I took a quiz and got this. That's so weird. I'm a little old fashion, but hopefully not grandma, no offense.

As a 1930s wife, I am
Superior

Take the test!

Recipe

2008-07-16T17:56:00.000-07:00

I've been doing a lot of cooking and trying new ideas and recipes since I've been out of school. I'm excited I had the time to try new recipes and cook! I've also been able to clean the house and plant things too! Since I've had so much fun cooking I decided to list some of my favorite recipes for you to try :)!
Hope you like them as much as I do~!

Potato Soup

2 tbs. olive oil
2 2/3 cups diced potatoes
1 onion, diced
1 cup of broccoli flowerets
4 1/2 oz. sharp cheddar cheese
4 1/2 cups vegetable or chicken bouillon
2/3 cup heavy cream or whole milk
pinch of paprika
salt and pepper

Heat oil in large pan and add potatoes and onion. Saute, stirring, for 5 minutes. Add broccoli, cheese and bouillon. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer gently for 25 minutes until potatoes are tender. Transfer soup to blender in batches and process until mixture is a smooth puree. Return the puree to a clean pan and stir in cream and paprika. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Tomato Basil Soup

2 tbs. olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cupp chopped onion
1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes
1 cup skim milk
1/2 cup vegatable broth or chicken
1/2 cup water
1/8 tsp. ground pepper
salt, if desired
10 fresh basil leaves, minced -*I used a few shakes of dried basil
4 Tbs. grated parmesan cheese

In a large sauce pan, heat olive oil over a medium heat. Add garlic and onion; cook for about 4 minutes or until onions are soft. Place crushed tomatoes in a blender or food processor and add onion mixture. Puree mixture and return to the pan. Add the remaining ingredients exept for the parmesan cheese and simmer over a low heat for 20 minutes. When ready to serve, ladle soup into bowls and top each serving with 1 tbs. of parmesan cheese.

Taco Soup

1/2 cup ground beef, drain fat
1 1/2 cups water
1 (16 oz) can kidney beans
1/2 envelope taco seasoning
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 (16 oz.) can stewed tomatoes
1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
1 small avacado peeled, seeded, chopped
shredded cheddar cheese
sour cream
corn chips

In a large pan cook ground beef and onion until meat is browned. Add water, undrained tomatoes, undrained kidney beans, tomato sauce, and taco seasoning mix. Simmer covered for 15 minutes. Add avacodo. Pass cheese, chips, and sour cream around to top.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup cooked canned pumkin
1/2 cup oil
2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda, dissolved in 1 tsp. milk

Combine pumkin, sugar, oil and egg. Stir together with flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Add dissolved soda, vanilla to mixture. Add chocolate chips. Grease cookie sheet. Drop by teaspoon. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

Barbeque Chicken and Garlic Roasted Potatoes
(I just played with spices and stuff and this turned out fantastic!)

6 Russett potatoes, quartered
6 drumsticks (frozen)
Kraft Spicy Honey barbeque sauce
minced dried garlic or garlic powder
salt and pepper
oil

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. On a cookie sheet place some foil paper for easy cleanup. Place the drumsticks in a row. Place quartered potatoes under in another row. Sprinkle potatoes with oil, then garlic, salt, and pepper. Pour barbeque sauce on top of drumsticks. The quanitity you desire. Cook in oven for 1 hour.

Tres Leches Cake Recipe

1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt (table salt works)
6 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
4 teaspoons Mexican vanilla extract (regular vanilla extract works)
1 - 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1 - 13 ounce can evaporated milk
3 cups heavy cream
2 tablespoons sugar
Fresh mangoes, strawberries, blackberries, or other fresh fruit, sliced
whipped topping

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9 by 3 inch springform pan with a vegetable spray like Pam.

Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium size bowl.
Mix the eggs and sugar in the mixer bowl and beat on high speed for about 5 minutes or until the volume has doubled. Reduce the speed to low and add the vanilla and water. Mix well.
Gently fold the flour ingredients into the egg mixture. You can use the mixer on the slowest setting or fold the flour in with a spatula.
Pour the batter into the springform pan and bake for 35 to 45 minutes. I placed the cake in the center of my oven and it took closer to 45 minutes.
You can tell when it's done when the center is firm and the cake starts to pull away from the sides of the pan.
Cool the cake on a rack for 15 minutes. Place a plate over the cake and turn upside down.
Release the springform pan. I found that the bottom stuck a bit so use a knife to cut along and release the cake.
Place your hand over what is now the bottom of the cake and turn the cake over onto your hand. Gently place the cake right side up onto your serving dish.
I tried a regular glass square pan, but it stuck to the bottom, that's why a springform is best to use, next time I'll use my springform. :)
Put whipped topping on top when done! Yum!!!

Parade

2008-07-05T13:37:00.000-07:00

Ken and I had a great time for the fourth of July. We saw a parade, had some yummy food, and watched and lit our own fireworks. I'm grateful for this country!

Template

2008-06-26T11:48:00.000-07:00

I'm excited because I learned to create my own background.

Fun times, anyways, Have fun Lulu and Mom in Tejas/Texas!

Movie

2008-06-18T10:07:00.000-07:00

Hey family and friends!! I am recommending a movie I watched with Ken

about a month ago. I especially recommend it to my family. It is playing

in Kennewick, WA , from July 18-24 at the Regal Columbia Mall. The address

is 1321 N. Columbia Center Blvd, Suite 701 by the way. Go see it that week!!!

You can get tickets at Fandango if you want! It's exactly in one month so

mark those calendars!!!

You won't regret it, I even learned some things. :)

Classroom

2008-06-16T15:08:00.001-07:00

White Board!

my desk!!!

Here's the far left of my classroom.

We'll I got to see my classroom and I took pictures.
The rooms were being cleaned, the janitors hadn't got my room yet, they were working up to it so I'm glad I could see it before they were in there cleaning it. I am way stoked!!!
This picture here is right by the door, you can
see the tv with the dvd and vcr in one thing.
There's shelves with math stuff, I need to rearrange my room, anyways and if you see closely there's the water fountain for the kiddies, it's way short. lol.

Here is my little area with my computer, bookshelf, files, and in front is my desk!

Here's my closet to the left of my desk.

These are the student computers.

This is majority of my class. You can't see my space more to the right.
As you can see it's empty. lol.
So decorating will be necessary.

Play

2008-06-09T15:12:00.001-07:00

So I'm going to substitute for a friend in Savior of the World tonight. She

had to go out of town so I'm just going to her rehearsal tonight to be a one

day replacement. I love the play it's beautiful.

Today I took my teaching documents to the school district and should expect

my contract in the mail today or tomorrow. Exciting. Twoot Twoot.

Anyways, I hope you like my new template, I decided to make a small

change.

Miracle

2008-06-06T15:17:00.000-07:00

I have just been offered a 2nd grade teaching position and I have taken it.

I am excited and am grateful for my Heavenly Father because without

him this wouldn't have happened. I am grateful for my blessings.

Hope

2008-05-31T14:49:00.000-07:00

We'll I've been a bit frustrated and sad because I haven't been able to get a teaching job yet, but

as I've been thinking and contemplating, it's not what lifes exactly about. I have hope and I know

that the Savior knows the best for us regardless of what race we are or how much education we have. He loves us and I have hope in him. It's given me strength to endure and to keep living

life because it's short and we only have this time, and then it's gone.

Rudeness

2008-05-23T14:51:00.000-07:00

So nobody came and watched me teach, or they came when we were at P.E. or something.lol. No pressure after all lol. As Stephanie on Full House said, "How Rude!"

Pressure

2008-05-22T16:47:00.000-07:00

So I have an interview again on Tuesday and tomorrow they will watch me teach. Can we say Pressure!!! Yeah pray for me. lol. Anyways I also got to make my Amish Friendship Bread. It tastes way good by the way. It takes 10 days to create, yup. Anyways hope all is going good with everyone. All is good here. It's been raining so I got a little of Spring. Yay! Well later.

Life

2008-05-17T12:15:00.000-07:00

So lately I've been substituting at various schools. I was able to substitute a 2nd grade class for a friend of mine. They were quite the energy, but hey that's pretty normal for second graders, it was a blast though! I also got to substitute for a Resource-Title I Teacher. I helped special needs students cope and be able to stay focused in school. I really enjoyed that experience as well. Ken is working right now with a man who has animals and fields that need worked on. I am excited for an interview I have on Monday for a teaching position, we'll see how that goes!

Before I forget Happy Birthday to Andee!!

Last night Ken and I got to go to the movies, not something we do very often and we had a fabulous time!! I think we should do it again! :)

Also I have had a goal. I will lose some poundage that I've been carrying! So I have been exercising. So I hope I can get back into shape!!!

I started to read a book called Tuesdays with Morrie. I saw Ken reading it once for a class, and

it was not a book I was familiar with so I decided to read it. It's pretty good so far, it's an enjoyable pasttime!

Well thats all for now I'll keep posting as long as I get to stay at home longer than I have lately.

Mother

2008-05-10T17:35:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day mother dear!

A mother's love determines how
We love ourselves and others.
There is no sky we'll ever see
Not lit by that first love.
Stripped of love, the universe
Would drive us mad with pain;
But we are born into a world
That greets our cries with joy.
How much I owe you for the kiss
That told me who I was!
The greatest gift--a love of life--
Lay laughing in your eyes.
Because of you my world still has
The soft grace of your smile;
And every wind of fortune bears
The scent of your caress.

Spring

2008-05-02T13:42:00.000-07:00

So it's still snowing every now and then where we live, weird! Something fun this Spring is that Paloma and Nate were married April 19, 2008 in the temple. We were able to attend that beautiful wedding and we are very excited for them. The gospel is a beautiful gift and I am happy that they have created their very own eternal marriage! Congrats to the both of you!
As for now Monica is looking for a teaching position, while Ken continues his schooling.
We look forward to a great summer of warmth, hopefully, lol. This spring has been a blessing I am grateful for my siblings and it was great to spend time with the family. Here are a few of my best friends!

I hope to see them again later this summer! These are my sisters!

We shall see! We'll that's pretty much it for now, but we'll keep you posted with anything else that seems to occur! Love you all and have a wonderful week! We'll da da da dats all folks!