Are you tough enough to wear pink?

I love living in Utah - there are so many fun things to do and we love going to the Pioneer Days Rodeo. Every year they have a tough enough to wear pink night. We try to make it to that night because some of the $ raised goes to breast cancer patients in Utah. It's also fun to see all the tough cowboys dressed in pink shirts and the clown all decked out in pink.

Jenna looked so cute in her cowgirl hat and loved watching all the cowboys and cowgirls doing their thing. Here's some pics from the night we went.

My new home

I got a text on Thursday from my friend/co-worker saying that my new "home" had arrived. I don't think I've ever thought I would be so excited to see a portable in my life, but here I am. For those of you who don't know - I will be teaching 5th grade next year and I volunteered to be out in the portable...problem is, the portable hadn't arrived yet. Yes, the work order had been put in quite a long time ago, but as with all things school related - it takes forever for anything to be done. So, I summoned my online friends to do a chant for me saying that my portable would arrive before August...and darn they're good - that day I found out it arrived! So thank you friends who have the gift of chanting!

So now to catch you up on where I've been...

I have been working at my favorite clothing store, New York and Company and have been keeping very busy with that and other summer odds and ends. On June 30 I hurt my arm doing some stuff in the backroom. I tried to work for the next week, but it hurt so bad that I was put on leave. I found out I have loose ligaments that are causing my rotator cuff to be strained. So, back on the strong anti-inflammatories and back to my favorite physical therapist, Sheldon. (Great guy, I've known him for 6 years now - I see him about once a year). I went back to work yesterday and needless to say, I was ready for the percocet when I got home. I'm still recovering from it today.

I love the people I work with there and the store manager and I are pretty good friends, she and I are very much alike. We're both shopaholics that really shouldn't be working at a clothing store...but alas, there we are. At least I'm getting some awesome clothes, meeting great people, and getting some adult conversation. I'm still planning on fitting in working at NY&Co at least once a month or so and then working more during breaks.

I am also in the midst of applying for my masters. Insane...yup, pretty much, but I love education. I found out that my local University, where I got my bachelor's, is offering the masters in education program and I can earn my teaching license while I do it. (In Ut we have a teaching shortage and after a long grueling process I was authorized to teach while earning my license.) I have about 2 1/2 years of college ahead of me, but I'll finish with my masters, teaching license, and a good raise. I've always wanted to get my masters so this is a great opportunity for me. I'll also be getting home pretty early as my classes start at 4 and end by 7. So, I'll still get my Jenna and Jason time in.

So, that's what's been going on lately

What? I have a blog?

Sorry...life has been pretty boring lately.
I hurt my arm at work on June 30th and have been off work since July 7th trying to get it figured out so while I spend time doing nothing, piddling around on the internet, I haven't done much interesting.
I'm in the process of trying to get accepted in to the Masters of Education Program so that's been fun and stressful. And I'm starting to get nervous about teaching an actual classroom of kids and being responsible for their fifth grade experience. I also heard that the girls this year are complete drama queens...so I'm a little scared of that.

Anyway, here's a fun tag I stole from Misty

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you have of me. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

Jenna bowling

this is the one of Jenna bowling

Bowling

We went bowling today, well technically my dad and I didn't bowl, but we were the moral support of the bowlers. Jenna really loves to go bowling and we have gone twice now this summer. Hopefully we'll go a few more times before the summer is over. We met g-ma Mary and papa at the bowling alley and then Suzanne, Landon, and Alia came. Now, of course, you have to have funny bowling names and you'll never guess what my Dancing Queen chose as her name.... ABBA - no joking.
Alia was Prince Phillip (she's in love with him)
Landon was Donkey
My mom was Granny
and Suzanne was Mom Is Crazy

Anyway, here are some videos from my new camera. The first one is Alia. She's such a strong girl she had to hold the bowling ball herself. This first video at the end she is signing "aw shucks" because she didn't do very well.

I think the playdoh has it right

Jenna decided to get out her playdoh today and create a family. In this family there is a mom, brother, and sister. Jenna said that only the mom had ears so I asked her why. Her answer..."because the brother and sister don't want to have to hear their loud mom's singing, but it's not you mom."

Boy I love this girl - she cracks me up on a daily basis. In my opinion, true comedy comes from the most innocent of places.

tagged by Misty

so she says she doesn't think I'll do this...little does she know I'm at home with Jenna and I'm not in the mood to do the dishes.

Two names you go by:
Michelle
Shell (only my family can call me that though)

Two things I'm wearing right now:
PJ bottoms
a big t-shirt

2 longest car rides:
probably to Disneyland and Mexico

2 of my favorite things to do:
sleep
play with Jenna

2 things you want to do badly right now:
sleep
get rid of my headache

2 animals you have or have had
Fez - our Shihtzu
Bo - my family's Shihtzu who died last year

2 people who will fill this out:
dunno - Evonne and Kerstin

2 things you ate today:
Fruit loops
dark chocolate chex mix

2 people you last talked to:
my mom
Jenna

2 things you are doing tomorrow:
working
playing with Jenna

2 favorite holidays:
Christmas
4th of July

2 favorite beverages:
water
hot chocolate from Starbucks

now I tag: Evonne, Kerstin, Julie S, Mindurs

My amazing friend Misty

Many of you know my friend Misty, or at least know of her. She is awesome! She always cheers me up and makes me laugh. I consider her one of my best friends.

Anyway, I went on a short trip to Michigan and I went to a lot of scrapbook stores. I walked into a really cool store and was met by this...



this line was designed by Misty for BoBunny! She has amazing talent and I am so proud of her for doing so well and doing what she really loves. I went and grabbed a bunch of my scrapbooking friends and pointed out that my very own friend designed the line - they all think the line rocks too.

Knowing an awesome designer is just the icing on the cake for knowing such a great person.

picture tag

so, I thought I would take the challenge- since I've never done this before and I'm trying to keep myself occupied

my first job...

my favorite place...

my favorite food...

my favorite color...

nickname of mine...

a place I will visit...

what age I will be on my next b-day...

It's summer time!

Jenna is loving the warm temperatures and wakes up everyday and asks if it's going to be warm outside. She has been playing a lot with her cousin, Landon, and they are definitely a goofy duo. The two of them together can annoy any person with their never-ending silliness and jibberish. But, ah, what it would be like to be young and to enjoy summer like that again.

I also can't believe that in a few short months Jenna will be a kindergartener and I will be an actual teacher! Wow! Life really changes fast doesn't it? I have found out that I can take classes through WSU and get my masters in education at the same time I am getting my license! So, I'm pretty excited. Yes, I'll be crazy busy, but it'll be so worth it. Especially since Jason's work will pay for 6 credit hours each semester for my education and 50% after that. All of the classes are at night and I won't have to drive to Salt Lake 3 or 4 times a week for classes.

Today is also an anniversary of sorts - I have been at New York and Company for 2 months. What does that mean, you may ask? Well, I get my better discount starting today! And yes, I have some stuff on hold to buy - bad, I know - but when there's a 60% off sale and I get my discount on top of that...can't pass it up, right?

And, Misty - sorry, no pics of anything - I know how annoying a blog without pics can be, but, well...I haven't taken any. ;) - maybe I should take some of the hat we made.

One of my all-time favorite movies

I finally bought this movie. I remember watching it when I was younger and loving it. It has all the classic concepts: 80s clothes, cheesy ending song, a mad scientist who changes his heart, and of course a young Tom Hanks.

If you haven't seen it - go rent it, if you have - go rent it again!

A little information: Disney created Touchstone studios because of this movie - they didn't want to be putting a PG film on the Disney studio name - oh how things have changed.

my baby's got lungs

I'll miss you Greg

Greg A. Wynn
(December 22, 1964 - June 2, 2008)

Send Private Condolences

Morgan- Greg A. Wynn, age 43, passed away after a short and courageous battle with cancer surrounded by his loving family on June 2, 2008.
He was born on December 22, 1964 to Bob and Sue Wynn. He was raised in Morgan and graduated from Morgan High School.

Greg married Stacy Sessions on June 8, 1984 in Morgan. Greg had a very tender heart. He cared and loved his family and friends, and he is loved and cherished by them all. Greg did many things; he retired from Hill Air Force Base where he worked as a sheet metal mechanic. He then attended Salt Lake Community College and graduated from the Police Academy. He became a police officer for Morgan County where he was instrumental in starting the K-9 program. At the time of his death he was employed with Rhodes Excavation.

Greg enjoyed camping and riding ATV's with his family, watching NASCAR, Dallas Cowboys and the Utah Jazz.

Greg is survived by his wife, Stacy; three children: Trista (T.J. O'Leary), Kiley and Trevor of Morgan; Sisters: Doreen Wynn, Salt Lake City; and Noreen Wynn, Ogden. Brother: Robert (Kathy) Wynn, Honeyville. Mother-in-law, Pat Ericksen, West Point; Father-in-law, Gary Sessions, Peterson; Brother-in-laws: Kelly (Chris) Sessions and Dustin Sessions, Clearfield; Sister-in-Law: Sacha (Greg) Despain, Salt Lake City. He is also survived by many family and friends.

We would like to acknowledge Greg’s special friends, Kim Green and Brett Ertmann.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and mother-in-law Karen Sessions. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the Enterprise Ward, Dr. Carl Gray and his staff, Dr. Robert Harris and the staff at Ogden Regional Cancer Treatment Center; and the staff at Ogden Regional Medical Center for their kindness and loving care.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 6, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at the Enterprise Ward, 2755 W. Old Highway Road, Morgan, Utah. Friends may call on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Walker Mortuary in Morgan and Friday from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the church.

Interment, Peterson Cemetery.

Send condolences to the family at www.walker-mortuary.com

In lieu of flowers please make donations to Bank of Utah in Greg Wynn’s name.

Cancer sucks

Late last night my cousin, Greg, lost his fight with lung cancer. It wasn't that long ago that he was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer - by the time they found it, it was too late. Greg was like an uncle to me because he was a lot older than me. In high school he let me borrow is Eddie Bower edition Expedition to drive. I remember how cool that was because he trusted me, a teenager, with his really cool car.
Greg was always giving and willing to help out. When I had major knee surgery, I borrowed his CD collection so that I wouldn't be so bored. He had a love of country music, just like me.
I'm going to miss seeing him at our family parties - but I know that I will see him again. I am thankful for that knowledge. Families Can Be Together Forever!

Our adventures under the sea

Jenna's dance recital was last night...and as an unbiased parent - she was the best of them all. And the cutest too. She danced to Under the Sea, Much More Friendly With Pooh (Winnie the Pooh), and then a finale with everyone called Girls on Minnie Street.

Here are a couple pics from the night. Jenna is the 4th from the right

Thoughts for Thursday

I've seen a couple shows about the new group of employees entering the work force for the first time. What bothers me is that they expect their bosses and others to let them come in late, wear what they want - they expect praise and rewards and you aren't allowed to tell them when they are doing something wrong. I don't get this - I'm not that much older than these people - by just a few years (5 or so years). I was trained to come in when your are assigned to come in, follow the rules, accept criticism and do what I need to do to correct any problems. Call me crazy - but isn't this how it is supposed to be?

Sure, I would love to be able to come into work in my pj's, listen to my ipod, and do what I want when I want - and expect to get paid not only monetarily, but also with prizes - like a new ipod or a wii.

They talked about the reason for this - every child, they say, expects a trophy and only words of encouragement. They say that adults are building this society...not this adult.

I don't expect Jenna's teachers to only say positive things to her, I want her to learn and grow - to become a responsible adult (not that I'm looking forward for her to grow up).

I have taken classes in communication techniques in the workplace - and yes, when I started working 10 years ago - things had changed from the time when my parents started working, but there has to be a stop or the American economy, in my opinion, will continue to fail.

What do you think? Are children being babied too much? Would you only want your child to be praised and rewards?

Thoughts for Thursday

I don't really have any deep thoughts today, but I do have a lot of friends who don't know the full extend of what is going on in my family's life right now - so I am going to talk about that instead.

Many of you know about my niece, Alia, and all of her medical problems. She was released from the hospital earlier this week, only to have to return again last night. She has a very fast moving "cousin" of tuberculosis growing inside what is left of her left lung. Today she is going to have surgery to have a port put in where they can directly administer antibiotics and draw blood. They are hoping this will help and will make it so that they will not have to remove the remainder of her left lung. The incision from the surgery over a month ago reopened and the doctors have called it "interesting" and "amazing" - coming from dr's who have people coming from across the US for their help, it's not quite what you want to hear.

Poor Landon, Alia's 8 year old brother, gets shuttled back and forth from grandma's, aunts, neighbors as Suzanne, my sister is living in a 1979 winnebago in the parking lot of the hospital. My brother-in-law tries to divide his time between Landon, the hospital, and work. Thankfully the hospital is only about a 40 min drive away.

Needless to say, it's been quite hard on our whole family.

Then, about the same time as Alia's major surgery (a little over a month ago) - my cousin was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. Unfortunately, the cancer has spread throughout his body and they are treating him as much as they can but of course, that's a lot of setbacks. His blood sugar went screwy and he was hospitalized for that. Now, my cousin is about 15 years older than me, and he's always been so good to me. He let me borrow his car when I was still in HS so that we could get up on base to go shopping. He's always a happy cheerful guy.

My dad is also going to be going in for neck surgery this summer because of an accident that happened over 20 years ago. He's had different surgeries to help as things come up, and this one is no exception. He keeps losing feeling because his nerves get pinched and other times he hurts so bad.

If I could only stay in a little bubble that only included Jason, Jenna and I - life would be great. But, I would miss out on all of my family. We are close knit and love each other so much. When one family member hurts, we all do. I am truly thankful for the family I have - with all the chaos that it brings and wouldn't change our relationships.

The question has been asked - how much can 1 family take - I guess the only answer comes from the scriptures where it says that our Heavenly Father will only give us as much as we can handle. Guess He has more faith in us than we do of ourselves.

Thank you for all your kind words and support - it means the world to me and to my family.

My preschool graduation

I can't believe Jenna is now a preschool graduate! I'm not one of those crying moms, but seriously, I was almost in tears. Here are some pictures from graduation. The one of her on the playground is of her and her boyfriend, Davis. She said that he would run away if she went by him. She cracks me up

Taking it from her daddy

now where do you suppose Jenna got this artistic side from?

yet another blog quiz

You Are Pocahantas!

Free-spirited and wise. You have a strong passionate spirit that touches and changes all who know you. The wisdom and common sense that you have is really what guides you through life. Even so, you also have a very playful side that loves adventure and excitement.

Which Disney Princess Are You?