I'm the luckiest crafting girl!

If you even wanted to see inside my scrappy "fortress", now's your chance. My newest article is now on Scrapjazz.com and it shows a lot of my room.

My Scraproom

Of course, I'm so lucky that my g-pa made me 2 more cabinets, so I can't wait to put those up and take new pics :)

Michelle

A few things I'm proud of

As I've mentioned before, I started freelance writing for Scrapjazz.com. I've finally gotten into the groove of things and I'm really enjoying using this outlet to write some feature articles.

I recently wrote about 2 really fun things:

1) Using your scrapbook supply to make accessories - including something I discovered one day when my nail polish looked a little too Smurf blue...use rubons on your nails!

2) What to do with your child while you're crafting - I like this article because I sometimes feel guilty about not being with Jenna when I have been gone at work all day.

Anyway, check them out...and while you're at it, check out some other articles by some great authors.

Michelle

OL meets IRL

2 years ago this summer I got to go on a "me" vacation. I left Jason home with Jenna and went off to Michigan to scrapbook. I heard, "what? you live in Utah, why would you go to Michigan to scrapbook?" and "can't you just scrapbook at home?"

These women are the reason why

I have gotten to know this amazing bunch of women over the last 4 years, mostly online, and they are all such wonderful women I decided to not take my own advice and jump on a plane to meet them all. My internet safety tells me I'm crazy as did my dad who was worried to death about me flying there to meet people I've never met before. My reasoning for it being ok, I know one of the girls here in Utah who has met many of the women in this group. Was it worth it?

Uh - YES!!!

So, why bring it up 2 years after the fact? I've been reminiscing as I've looked through pictures and talking about crops with my online friends. So, what does a group of women do when they get together with no children or husbands?

We goof off any way we can. We raced chairs down the hotel hall, ask complete strangers to take a picture of us all, go site seeing to a Great Lake, and of course, get some scrapbooking done.

Oddly, I was not the one who came the furthest, my good friend, Lily, came all the way from Costa Rica for this. Since then, Jason and I have gone to visit her in Costa Rica and I talk to her quite often. 

Well, this year, my friend, Lesle has decided to take one of our in-person crops and put it all on line. The last few years she's put together a Texas Scrapfest and people come from all around for it. This year, we get to all join in from wherever we are. We aren't an exclusive club, I'm pretty sure if it was I wouldn't have passed the initiation or the coolness test. Everyone is so supportive and give great ideas when you get stuck.

So, please come join us scrapbook and join me with my now IRL (in real life) friends and so many others. There are also great prizes...and it's all for an awesome cause. A few years ago, one of our own lost her baby girl and have created a non-profit organization. You don't have to buy anything to play along, but there's a fun store with some things you can buy.

So, what are you waiting for? Meet some of my OL/IRL friends and join us for some scrappy fun.

Oh, right, the link...

http://www.texasscrapfest.com/

Michelle

It's been a while

Summertime gets busy and I love it. I went to Bear Lake with my family and got to spend a lot of time with my little brother, Russell. I even got to drive the 2 hr drive back just with him. I loved that opportunity.

I've also been busy taking some classes at the university and I'm learning quite a lot of new things. For example, did you know that the APA has now changed the space between "." to 2 instead of 1? No fun for me since I'm used to typing with just 1 space. 

I also took the Praxis Content Knowledge test and it proved that I am as smart as I think I am (all who know me should now be laughing). I was actually pretty nervous that I would not remember what I knew and that everything would be too overwhelming. I'm not a fan of long tests, especially multiple choice ones. Well, I got my results back and I scored in the top 15% in the US! I even got a handy-dandy certificate. I think I should be like a dr who puts their cool certificates up on the wall in their office to show people how smart they are. (Says the woman who has both of her degrees in her cedar chest somewhere)

I also got to do this....

and I loved it! I would totally do it again if it didn't scare Jason half to death. 

Well, maybe I'll put up some more pics later, but for now - that's all I got.

Michelle

For the rest of the summer...

I am looking forward to...

Bear Lake with the family

4th of July parade (held on the 3rd here in Utah this year)

More camping

And best of the summer...seeing this skinny guy for a couple weeks!

RUSSELL WILL BE HOME SOON ON R&R!

Then of course, we'll be participating in the Rubber Ducky Derby for Make-A-Wish again this year. No account set up yet, but I know Alia is planning on selling ducks again. I'll keep you updated to when her website is up and running. I bet her goal this year is to sell more duckies than she did last year. There hopefully will be another Rubber Ducky Derby party. Stay tuned for more details about that. I can attest that the wishes they grant are beyond any wishmaker can ever dream! I do know the ducks will continue to be sponsored for $5. 

Michelle

Alice Cooper lies

Since the last day of school, the song, "School's Out For Summer" has been playing in my head. Just the 2 lines I know. Thank you dad for getting that song stuck in my head and only ever singing those 2 lines.

School's Out For Summer
School's Out Forever

This is the part where Alice Cooper lies.

1 - School is NOT out for summer.
In fact, I'm back to school tomorrow - 2 days a week. I printed off the syllabus and both classes look like they are going to be a ton of work. Then again with names like, "Foundations in Special Education" and Fundamentals of Graduate Study", you know you're in for a load of work.

2 - School is never out Forever. 
This I have found out because I think I'll never be done with school - either I'm sitting being taught to, or I'm standing teaching my students.

I got a total of 2 weeks off between when I finished up with my class to when I start college. So here's to changing from teacher to student. Hopefully I'm half a good of student this semester as my students were to me this last year.

Michelle

Summertime Guys

Jenna had so much fun this year in dance. I have to say her costume this year is the cutest E-V-E-R! She also had an awesome teacher who she absolutely adores.

She's in the curls in the video, I tried to keep her centered.



Michelle

would you give a child the world if you could?

Pepsi is doing a great project to donate money to charities that we vote for. There is a charity that has done more for my family and created so much happiness. I didn't add many pics from Alia's Make-A-Wish to here, but I want to share some of the happiness that happened inside of Give Kids the World and show you why you should vote for them to receive the funding EVERY SINGLE DAY UNTIL JUNE 30TH (You can actually usually get in to vote more than once throughout the day)

Here are some of the reasons I am voting as often as I possibly can.

It's a place where you can dance with Shamu

Get tucked in by Mayor Clayton's wife
as you can see, she tucks you in tight

Where Santa Claus visits and brings presents all year round

And Mickey and Minnie visit you instead of you having to visit them

Where else can you climb a cookie tower?

Did I mention the machine that makes wish pillows 
while bubbles come out?

And the wishing well where when the coin drops, you can hear a cow moo'ing.

Then there's the horse-back riding

And at the end of the day, be crowned a princess with your own fairy ball!

Don't you wish you lived in a place like this? Many of us have gotten the opportunity to experience the true meaning of Give Kids the World. We all agreed that even though going to Disney and SeaWorld were fun...the place we'd choose would be Give Kids the World.

Please go vote for pepsi to grant the $ to Give Kids the World and tell your friends too. Link to my blog and the pictures I share - this is a place of true magic where all children got to be just that...children. Not children with life-threatening illnesses, just children. What is a better gift that that?

Vote by Clicking Here

You can sign in through facebook or create an account, I've been voting and haven't received any mail from that.

Michelle

Weekend goals

I've decided to just make one major goal a weekend on what I'm going to get done. I did this last weekend and I actually got it done! All week long I thought about how I actually accomplished something on the weekend. I usually have cleaning ADD and go from place to place and by the end, nothing is completely done.

Last weekend, I cleaned my scrapbook room - I even cleaned the carpet! I had to clean the carpet because my dog had found 2 favorite spots to mark and I don't want that to happen anymore. I really did the cleaning because I'm working on an article for scrapbook.com featuring my room, so I needed to get it in some order to take pictures.

So, this weekend, I am taking on my pile of laundry. It's bad, I mean, really bad. As in, there are shoes hidden under the overflowing baskets of laundry. When I walk into my closet, I become a foot taller. It also means I need to put away the laundry once it's cleaned instead of leaving it in a basket.

I've already taken out 4 loads of laundry from here and there are at least 2 in Jenna's room...then there's the pile of towels in the bathroom. 

I'm also going to try to solve the case of the missing sock matches...

If I end up MIA - check under the stack of laundry.

What's your weekend goal?

Michelle

A little piece of heaven

It doesn't look like it yet, but hopefully within the next month, this will be a little piece of heaven in my backyard.

We had a wood deck, we didn't take good care of the wood deck. After 10 years, the deck was pretty much rotten. On top of that, underneath the deck was dirt and where there's dirt, there's weeds. It was not a nice place. Oh, and when it rained really hard, the door leaked. We took care of most of that problem, but knew the fix would probably not last forever. So, the door had to go too.

Here's where we're at now:

The deck was about 10x10 feet. Now, it has all been torn down except for a landing. 

Here's the new door. It's not only a French door, but a real French door. Both sides open! Notice a slight problem for the time being? Look at the doorknob compared to our make-shift landing. Ummmm yeah, opposite sides. Oops.

There's a little bit of a walking place - maybe 2" wide to get over to the landing. So, I'm getting to use the double doors quite a bit right now. Jenna loves walking the "tightrope".

Then there's this - looking to the East. That used to be a sandbox, can you tell it's not much of a sandbox? I cannot wait to have this part as a patio.

Jason has big plans for this patio and I cannot wait to see it all happen. 

We had someone come out and start a bid to do a couple different things - pricing to see what would be the best choice (aka cheapest).

Oh, did I mention where I was while Jason put in the new - really heavy - door?

Lagoon with Jenna

Had a blast - she woke up this morning and said, "Mom, I think I had a dream I went to Lagoon, was it a dream?"

Oh, she cracks me up.

13 days=11 years

On Sept 26, 1998 I wrote this:

My perfect man:

-holds the priesthood & keeps it honored

-temple

-tries to be kind to parents

-controls anger

-has eternal perspective in mind

-good work ethic

-wants kids & adopted kids

-gets along with my family

-I get along with his

-helps when I don't even ask

-wipes my tears

-gives bear hugs

-full tithe payer

-return missionary

-will brush my hair

-lets me play with his 

-has to have "light in eyes"

-safe driver

-loves me 2nd to the Lord

-not afraid to show feelings

-a bit of spontenaiety

-loves nature & appreciates it

-likes me without makeup

-read scriptures & pray together

-likes to watch sports

-gets along with children

On Jan 1, 1999 I went on a date with guy who I only knew was in my single's ward. We went to the Hard Rock Cafe and then out to do some miniature golfing at a place that is no longer there :(. This was my first time going to a Hard Rock cafe.

I remember he brought me flowers for our first date. Not roses, but wildflowers. How did he know I loved wildflowers?

For the next 13 days we talked on the phone everyday and talked a lot through email (this was a pretty new way to communicate then, there was no Skype or IM). We found common interests. I always loved dolphins and he collected them. When we were young, we lived in the same neighborhood and my dad was his parent's home teacher (that's an LDS thing where 2 men are called to visit families in the neighborhood to see how they are, everyone has home teachers). His jr high and high school best friend was the son of my parent's really good friend. The commonalities just kept going.

He met every criteria on my list.

Within a week, we were talking about marriage. I told him to wait to propose at least until my parents went on their cruise in Feb. He didn't.

On January 13, 1999, 13 days after our first date, Jason proposed to me at WSU looking out over the valley. We didn't know at that time how much time both of us would be spending at WSU for education and his job. Of course I said yes.

The hard part came, I went home to tell my parents I was engaged to that guy they met once. You know, the one I met less than 2 weeks ago. Ummmmmm....yeah. For the next 4 months my parents kept asking me if I was sure, it was so quick. I kept telling them I knew. I hear my dad ran a background check on Jason. I would not doubt that, especially after having a little girl of my own.

our engagement pics - we went to a park

After we got engaged, Jason got a glimpse of his future life with me when I called him at 7am one morning to tell him I had been in the ER all night. I had woken up and thought I was dying from the worst cramps ever...nope, kidney stones. I don't know how many visits we've paid to the ER and how many more surgeries I've had since that one. We joke that he knew going in what he was up for since he went through my first kidney stone with me.

I love this bridal, I got to lay down and take my shoes off

We went to the Garr Ranch on Antelope Island...the deer wanted my flowers.

On May 13, 1999 - I became a Mrs.!!!

we were married for time and all eternity at the Bountiful Temple

Happy 11th Anniversary! 

I love you and am so thankful for you and all you do for me. 

Oh...and that list, I'd say we're still doing good on my perfect man list - except the hair, he's lost most of his.

Michelle

20 school days left

You would think I would be excited, but I'm not. I can't bear to leave my class. They are so adorable and loving and just so darn cute. I think this week has really made me think about how much they've grown. Have I mentioned how much I love them and love what I do?

I've been doing end-of-year assessments, like reading the "First 100 words" list...and I'm so amazed at how far they've come. So many of them are able to read them all! They are adding and subtracting! And best of all, I don't have to remind them to "listen for the click" when putting on glue stick lids or caps of markers.

As with all classes, I have had my share of students who struggle with behavior. One in particular, I have had battles with. I've always been able to tell he's such a sweet kid, but he's struggled. Lately he's been doing great and it's been amazing. Today he told me, "I don't really feel like going outside for recess. I feel like making you something. Can I stay in?"

Ummmmm....yeah you can. He then sat down and with the Bendaroos (aka Wikki Stix) made me a whale. I have all of my class understanding how much I love sea life. It was awesome. I put it up on my board.

This week is teacher appreciation week. Today, the PTA put on a Fiesta luncheon with food from Cafe Rio...mmmmmmmm. They even had chicken - so that was even better! (those of you who don't know, I have an aversion to pork and beef doesn't like me). Where were my kids during this luncheon? They were with an amazing mom making me this:

Yes, I have been known to cry over a good candy bar, but I was tearing up as they all got so excited to read me their letter. All of my kids just beaming as they showed off their letter, when I was focussed on how well they were reading it to me and how excited they were.

Not to be outdone by the candy-gram, they also did this:

They were so excited to show me where they signed and what they drew.

Today was also the Mother's Day program...I'll post more about that another day. I want to get some audio of them singing one of their songs.

Now...where did I put my tissues?

Michelle

Instilling the love

I made a realization today of how important what I do is. I've known teaching is important and I can look back to several teachers and the impressions they made on my life. I'm now realizing the impressions I am making upon my students.

About 3 weeks ago, I introduced my class to my most favorite poet of all time, Shel Silverstein. When I was young, my parents had a tape of him reciting his poems from "Where the Sidewalk Ends". I would fall asleep listening to his gravely voice reciting the most imaginative words I had ever heard. I wanted to share some of this with my students.

I picked 2 or 3 poems from the only Shel Silverstein book I had in my classroom, "Light in the Attic" and read them to my kids. They loved the art and the funny poetry. I didn't think much of it, but the next day my students were asking me to read some more of his poetry, so I picked out a couple more poems.

A few days later, we had library. I told my kids they should check out the other Shel Silverstein books. The first week, there were 2 or 3 kids that chose a Silverstein book. But, there were more requests to read some more of his poetry. Of course, at this point, I realized that "Light in the Attic" is not the most 1st grader friendly book - meaning, some of the humor was over their heads. I told my kids I was looking for a particular poem and it wasn't in my book, so I needed to find it.

The next week, when it was time for library, I'm pretty sure my class checked out every Shel Silverstein book there was. Of course each student wanted to have the book that contained my favorite poem, so they all had to show the book they got to me. As I opened up "Where the Sidewalk Ends", memories came flooding back of my childhood. I remembered the excitement and love of poetry Shel's voice portrayed as he recited his poetry. I'm pretty sure he one of the reasons I write now.

As soon as I saw the poems in the book, I knew immediately this book had my favorite poem. I still repeat parts of this poem in my head on the days I just don't want to get out of bed. It helps me remember that I'm ok and I will have a good day.

SICK

"I cannot go to school today,"
Said little Peggy Ann McKay,
"I have the measles and the mumps,
A gash, a rash, and purple bumps.
My mouth is wet, my throat is dry,
I'm going blind in my right eye.
My tonsils are as big as rocks,
I've counted sixteen chicken pox
And there's one more--that's seventeen,
And don't you think my face looks green?
My leg is cut, my eyes are blue--
It might be instamatic flu.
I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke,
I'm sure that my left leg is broke--
My hip hurts when I move my chin,
My belly button's caving in,
My back is wrenched, my ankle's sprained,
My 'pendix pains each time it rains.
My nose is cold, my toes are numb,
I have a sliver in my thumb.
My neck is stiff, my voice is weak,
I hardly whisper when I speak.
My tongue is filling up my mouth,
I think my hair is falling out.
My elbow's bent, my spine ain't straight,
My temperature is one-o-eight.
My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear,
There is a hole inside my ear.
I have a hangnail, and my heart is--what?
What's that? What's that you say?
You say today is---Saturday?
G'bye, I'm going out to play!"

~Shel Silverstein~ 


How could you not smile and go on with your day after that?

OK, back to my "epiphany" - I was talking to a parent of one of my students today and she mentioned how her son came home from school so excited about this new poet he heard about, he told his mom about the funny poems a man named Shel Silverstein wrote and he asked her if she knew of Shel. Of course she did and like many people my age, she had a copy of a couple of his books. He was so excited to show her all the poems he had heard. The next day he brought the 2 books to school for me to borrow to read to the class.

Another student brought me in the book her mom had of "The Giving Tree" and asked me to read it to the class.

As I looked around my room during reading time, I realized something...I had 3 or 4 kids sitting around 1 book of poetry laughing and trying to read with feeling so they could make the poem sound even more interesting. As one student finished with what they wanted to read, another would grab the book up quickly. My students don't want to turn in their Shel Silverstein library books because they like to read the poems over and over again.

The love I have for Shel Silverstein is in my class and it is amazing to see.

This is why I love my job...I am part of making these children who they will become.

Tomorrow on the agenda? I downloaded "Where the Sidewalk Ends" audio with the gravely, exciting Shel Silverstein voice...I can't wait for my kids to hear Shel recite his own poems.

My little worker

Jenna is quite the worker. When she saw Jason outside tearing down the deck, she wanted to help. She donned her apron and safety goggles she got from a Lowe's kids workshop and got to work.

It was quite fun to see her try to figure out how to use her little bit of leverage to pull the nails out of the deck boards. Jason was great at being patient with her. When she was done with that project (after about 6 nails), she started to hammer out some other nails from a board already removed.

At one point, she looked up at me and said, "mom, don't you dare put these on the computer." I told her that her uncle Russell likes to see what she's up to, so she said it was ok under one condition. "Mom, you aren't allowed to put lol on the picture."

I agreed to not put "lol" - and I got the ok to post them.

I'm so glad I have such a hard little worker to help out. I'm paying for my part of taking down the deck, but I think it'll be worth it when it's all taken care of.

Michelle

A shout out

My friend and her husband came up with this design for a gel pen holder for the Cricut (for my non-crafty friends, that's an electronic die cutter). You take out the blade housing and put in their housing with a mini gel pen in it and it draws! Cool, right?

Well, I don't own a Cricut, I have a Silhouette (which in my opinion is much better because you can do so much more with it, but you do need your computer). I was bummed that I couldn't get my grubby hands on one of these holders, then they went and made one for the Silhouette. I was telling her I couldn't buy one because she didn't have them in pink - even though she had the ones for the Cricut in pink. She said the manufacturer accidentally sent her 1 pink one and I could get it! S-C-O-R-E! 

I got it in the mail within a couple days and ran to Staples to get the mini gel pens. Score #2 - they were one sale over 50% off! 

I had no problems at all with the pen holder and cannot wait to get my hands on the mini sharpie holder...I love me some good smelly Sharpies. Anyway, here's a video of me using the pen with my Silhouette.

You can check out her stuff and her blog with some great ideas at http://amychomas.blogspot.com/

I have been waiting for this night for 4 months...

It's back!!!

Michelle

The best artist in the world!

If you have heard sawing into the wee hours of the morning at my house, at least you can see the final project.

I know I tease Jason a lot (ok, more than a lot) about his art projects, but he is really good at what he does. He never ceases to amaze me with his creations. Even some of the strange things he makes are made with such care and hard work, I just have to say WOW!

Here's Jason's latest sculpture for his class. Each of those green squares is 24"x24" and the angle changes each time by a certain degree. Yup, he even figured that out.

Michelle

Day 1 of Spring Break

There are many reasons I love being a teacher, one of them is getting some time off at the same time Jenna has time off. During the school year, Jenna sees my family more than she sees me. Thankfully, I have an awesome family who takes care of her.

Today is the official first day of our Spring Break and I feel that I actually accomplished some things! I slept in 1 1/2 hrs (but thanks to me running out of some meds, I didn't get to sleep until almost 4am). Jenna had spent the night at Charlotte's house so I had a little time to myself. This is a good thing, as Jason describes it, Jenna and I do not get along in the morning. Neither of us are morning people and when we have to interact, it doesn't turn out well. I'll have to write more about our morning routine another time.

Anyway, my driver's license had expired on my birthday, but I hadn't had time to get in to get it renewed, so that was first on my list of things to do. Thankfully, I had an appointment so I didn't have to wait forever in line. My appointment was at 10:15 and I was out of there by 10:40!

My family had planned to go to Fat Cats, a cool arcade and bowling alley today. I didn't think I would make it, but I am so glad I was able to. I didn't bowl, but I loved to watch Jenna try to bowl. She is definitely my child when it comes to strength. Here's an example of her awesome bowling skills.




At Fat Cats, they started playing Miley Cyrus and we were all jamming out and dancing to the music. It was funny, even Tai, my 10 month old nephew, was getting into it and was kicking his legs. Of course, Landon was trying to be cool and stay out of it. Did I mention how lucky I am to have an awesome family? We help each other out and we really do have fun together. Both of my sisters, my sister-in-law, brother-in-law and 2 nephews and niece were all there and it was just so much fun.

I didn't really want to leave, but I had an appointment for physical therapy at the best place ever! I love that everyone there is so laid back and are fun to joke with. Sure, I'm in pain and I push myself to keep getting my arm better, but I still look forward to going. If you ever need physical therapy and live by me, support the only PT place in the city - you will not be disappointed. They're talking about starting a women's exercise class and I know it'd be a ton of fun.


When I was done with therapy, I came back home and actually did what I said I was going to do! Proud moment for me there. I did the dishes and then I worked on my homework. My goal is to have all my homework done for my ESL endorsement by Weds so that I can have Thursday and Friday with Jenna. I have 5 sections to do and I am now completely done with 2 of them and only have about 7 more assignments left (the portfolio folder is a 3" 3-ring binder - so yeah, it's been a long process). 


Goal for tomorrow: finish dishes (we had 2 loads to do), complete at least 2 more sections of homework, laundry, and get Jenna to clean her room. I would also like to work on my next article, which means I'd need to scrapbook too - darn it :)

Michelle

I am officially a published freelance writer!

I am so excited. I got to go and interview Julie Comstock, the owner of Cosmo Cricket - what an awesome woman! Not to mention Cosmo Cricket has amazing scrapbooking product!

http://scrapjazz.com/topics/Miscellaneous/Interviews/2672.php

Michelle

7 years ago

7 years ago I was having a funny feeling in my womb. I had been to the doctor earlier in the day and the non-stress test didn't show any signs of contractions. Not to mention I wasn't due until April 19th. I had been begging my midwife since week 30 that I wanted her to be born, but alas, when there wasn't enough fluid at week 34 for an amniocentesis, I was told I was stuck with her until at least week 38. 

Those of you who knew me during my pregnancy with this beautiful little girl, know how rough it was on me. I was in physical therapy before I was showing because my sciatic nerve was being pinched. I couldn't eat and was having to take an anti-nausea pill that they prescribe to chemo patients. I was miserable. 

Earlier that week, 7 years ago, I had an ultrasound. To add to everything else, she was breech. We knew from probably the first trimester that she would be a C-Section baby and I was just fine with that. I watched my sister go through a miserable labor, only to end up with a c-section and a blood transfusion. I was not going to go that route. I also had the luxury of short term disability insurance to help pay for me while I was out of work.

On March 27, 2003 at about 9 pm, I called my midwife because something wasn't quite right. Since I had been in her office earlier in the day, she told me to call her in the morning and she would get me right in.

At about 10:30, my water broke. At least, that's what I found out it was. There wasn't much there, so instead of waking up Jason, I called my mom and asked her if I had just peed my pants. She said no and that I needed to wake up Jason...it was time. Did I mention I hadn't packed my hospital bag yet? 

Quickest delivery ever. We made it to the hospital around 11:30. The nurse checked me, said yup, my water had broke. Called the midwife and she said she would come on in that night and she called the dr on duty to perform the c-section. By the time our parents had arrived, I was being prepped for surgery. I don't remember much about the c-section...3 things stick out in my mind:

1 - the anesthesiologist telling me in 5 seconds I wouldn't be able to feel my feet, then my legs, etc. Then he thought he was funny when he told me to put my feet up on the table (I had been sitting up for the spinal block)

2 - Hearing the dr or nurse say, "where's her feet? I can't see her feet." Followed by me thinking for a moment, "I know I saw her feet on the ultrasound." Come to find out, not only was she breech, she had pulled her legs up over and behind her head. (Her legs stayed up like that for quite a long time).

3 - Hearing, "it's a girl!" Followed by Jason looking up over the surgery drape to see Jenna...which led to him having to go outside of the room for a minute to lay down so he didn't pass out. He was brave and waiting until they get a quick pic with the 3 of us in the OR. 

 At about 1:10 am on March 28, my baby girl was brought into this world. 6 lbs, 6 ozs.

Now, 7 years later, my life has been completely changed. Every day she keeps us laughing. She is, after all, a teenager in a 7-year-old's body. From her "stalker" on her pretend Princess cell phone to her telling us about her rough day, she is the best thing we could ever ask for and I am so proud she is mine.

Michelle

With a little bit of magic...

I stole this off of one of my former co-workers, but for this purpose, I am totally taking credit for it! I cannot wait to see my student's faces when they see what happened to their leprechaun traps they made.

I gave each student a plain styrofoam cup and had them decorate them to be leprechaun traps. I told them when the cup is sitting up normally, the leprechauns will get curious and will want to get a closer look. Sadly, leprechauns can't get out of these types of cups so then they are stuck. Before they left school, they made sure they all left their chairs down to make sure the leprechauns could make it up to their desk. Smart kids. Anyway, here's the cool thing...




Sorry the video quality isn't the best, I was shooting through an oven door after all. I put the cups in the oven for about 1 minute and then pulled them out to fix any shape problem that may happen as they fall. The oven was on 350 degrees. My friend said she did hers on 250 degrees for 6-12 minutes. You put them in for the smaller you want them to be. I'm wondering if the shape would have turned out better doing them for the longer time at a lower temp. Guess I'll experiment more next year :)

The poem that goes along with it says:

If you be lookin' for us leprechauns,

We never will be found.

We turned your traps into hats,

And then we danced around.

Here's a pic of the hats after:

I'll take some pictures tomorrow of the setup...it includes a Keebler elf cookie! Can't wait.

Michelle

Why are there so many songs about rainbows?

'Tis the month of March and with the month of March comes talks of rainbows. Last week, my class wrote a poem using the colors of the rainbow, that was fun. But, that's nothing compared to the fun we had today. First, rookie moment, I didn't have my kids put on smocks when they did their water colors. It's washable and thankfully the one child who got paint on her shirt has an awesome mom who understands. Anyway, my 2 cohorts had their kids paint rainbows earlier this week, so I decided to follow suit.

Yesterday I planned to have my kids paint today, I set aside an hour for the activity and got everything I needed ready. I got home and got on my computer to do some blog stalking when I went to the Cosmo Cricket blog. Julie (and her crew) always have such great ideas and yesterday was no difference. She wrote about using salt on water color paintings to make a certain effect. I saw it and thought, "perfect, it looks like rain."

So, this morning I stopped by the store on my way to work to pick up some salt shakers and got ready to show my kids the magic powers of salt. I gave them the directions just like Julie did, "wetter is better" and told them to go at it. When they were done, they brought their painting to me and I showered their paintings with salt. They were so excited to see what would happen next...and were amazed I knew a magic trick.


Here are my student's masterpieces. (Notice the one original vertical page - love the creativity).

You can't really see the effect from far away, so I've also included a close up of one. Rainbows truly are more magical when you add a little rain to them.











Thanks Julie and Cosmo Cricket for letting me stalk you.

I also have discovered my talent for making up and telling stories to my class - today it was the story of Roy G Biv and his gift from the rainbow. Hopefully that'll be on here soon.

Michelle

Why one is a good number for us

Sometimes I feel bad that Jenna does not have any siblings. I wonder if she'll ever even know that she's missing out on sibling rivalry or the love of siblings covering up for each other. Looking further (way further) down the line, what happens every other Thanksgiving when she has to go to her spouse's family's house? Will Jason and I be lonely? My mom suggested we save up for a cruise on those years. I have a great mom :)

Anyway, this weekend, I got to get a glimpse as to why one isn't always the loneliest number (you're welcome for getting that song stuck in your head). Jason and I decided on starting Jenna on an allowance, and as an "only child" we don't have to even out what we give her with other children. Jenna has the opportunity to earn $5/week. Here's her chore list:

$1 - clean room
(this was her room before allowance started)

$1 - clean play room (because we don't need another bedroom)
$1 - clean bathroom (she gets her own bathroom)
$1 - cleaning out the dishwasher
$1 - not pretending to be sick and obeying us

She gives 10% to tithing and then 10% to savings, then she has the extra $4 to do with as she wishes.

It was so much fun to go to Walmart this weekend with her and have her ask us how many weeks it would take for her to buy something. And, yup, made me feel like a stellar parent. She also went out to eat at her choice of restaurant, Golden Corral. I'm not a big fan of anything there but their rolls and desert bar. Jenna tried steak! And she actually liked it! Proud mom moment - she's such a picky eater.

Jenna was concerned because she was going roller skating with my family on Saturday and she can't skate very well. She had used her friend's scooter the last time she went skating, but she didn't have her own. Jason and I talked and decided to take her to get one. We checked the DI first, but they didn't have any, so we decided to take her to Walmart to get her own. Jason and I were talking about how in our families each sibling would've had to of been compensated for 1 getting something...with Jenna, that's not a problem.

Sure, we're worried about "only-child syndrome" and if she'll be able to deal with sibling squabbles of her future spouse. We hope to help her become a well-rounded child who will be able to handle not being the "one and only". I still wonder when I'm teaching if the way my student's act is based on the number (or lack thereof) of siblings has something to do with it. Jason has 2 brothers, I have 2 brothers and 2 sisters, and Jenna has neither - yet we all seem to be coping.

We are blessed to have her and as we get ready to enter her birthday month, I am so lucky to be blessed with such a beautiful, smart, and giving daughter. She's more than any mom could ever ask for

Michelle