The Gift of Adoption

Did you read this? You should. It is good.

February 16th

Today is my mom's birthday. I didn't even think about it until Shawn and I were having breakfast with my sisters and my niece (who is named after my mom) this morning. My sister reminded us that it was a special day and we looked around and decided our mom would be happy with us and wish she could have stuffed french toast and an omelette along side of us. She probably digs that fact that her granddaughter was decked out in purple, that her girls enjoy being with one another, and that her son-in-law is dashing and kind. I know that she is proud of her sons and their families. (I bet she was a guardian angel for her oldest granddaughter who went on her first date on Saturday!) I know she is proud of her beautiful grandchildren who are so smart, sweet, kind, and sociable. She is proud of her other son-in-law ( I would've mentioned him earlier but he wasn't at the party this morning!) She is around and aware of our lives. I just wish sometimes that I could call her on the phone.

I'm a Reader. I Read. Ahoy!

I have had this wild hair (do you think that it is actually supposed to be hare-as in the rabbit?) the last month or so and I have read a few classics. I used to not read classics during the school year because I was so busy reading them as part of my classes. (Used to?!? I have only been teaching for three years. Whatever) This year I received a lovely copy of Persuasion for Christmas and decided to read it. I love that book. I love it because it isn't silly and surface but its main character is good and true and she makes an honest mistake with devastating consequences. I can connect with her being easily influenced by other people and she eventually realizes that she needs to be true to herself. What a hard lesson to learn! Gratefully, she can recover from the mistake she made and it turns out better for her anyway. Love it!

I also decided to read Jane Eyre. It is appealing to me because Jane chooses to do what is right when her heart wants her to do something else. She is strong and good and her marriage is all the better for it. Love it, too!

I couldn't stop at Jane Eyre, so I read Rebecca as well. They have a similar story line with a little more mystery in Rebecca. I didn't enjoy it so much this time around. I don't like that the main male character doesn't have integrity. It is over for me and that book.
Next on the list, The Watsons Go to Birmingham. I've heard it's fabulous. I need some more books to read with my 8th graders.

Can I just tell you that I love my job? My 8th graders are reading The Outsiders which they totally love. (I love it when my students enjoy to read!) I just finished Fahrenheit 451 with my 10th graders. There wasn't as much love flowing for that book but there was enough that several students thought it was a pretty good book after they thought about it for a day or two. I also just finished Lord of the Flies with my seniors and that was interesting. It was my first go around with that book and I am not sure what I think about it. The students seemed okay with it but I don't know if it is going to become a permanent part of my curriculum. My 9th graders are just beginning Romeo and Juliet and I know it will be thrilling with them! They may not think it rocks-but at least they will begin to respect the big W.S. That is all we can ask for, right? My 11th graders are studying the authors of the years between 1914 and 1946. We have been talking about F. Scott Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Steinbeck, E.E. Cummings, etc. I love it. I can't get enough of it. Up next...Robert Frost. I could just kiss my books!

Sorry this post is so random!

Guess What We Own...

So, today we ran into Best Buy to pick up some DVD-RWs for the handycam for the basketball team. I was patiently standing in line (trying to choose between Swedish Fish and M&Ms) when I noticed, in the cart ahead of me, a Wii Fit. I audibly gasped and interrupted the woman's conversation to ask if there were more. She replied that there was only one and forced her 10-year-old to run back and grab it for me. (I wasn't sure that we were ready to purchase... but the kid was so willing to help...)

We bought it.

I feel good about our future together.

P.S. Do you watch Chuck? Today was my first time in a Best Buy since immersing ourselves in Seasons 1 and 2 and I had to check myself from calling it the Buy More and from referring to the Geek Squad as the Nerd Herd. Watch it! You'll laugh out loud!

Come one, come all...

The high school girls basketball team that I coach is traveling quite a ways to play in Panguitch, UT on Tuesday at 3pm. Since we live forever and a day away, not many of our fans can afford to come watch us play. If you are around/close we would love to have some fans come out and support us at Panguitch and wear maroon/red. Unfortunately, Sara won't be able to make it, but it would be cool for our girls to have some "fans" cheering them on. And, it would be cool to see some friends again. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

A Magical Vacation

Where was I on my birthday?

Umm. Here! The happiest place on earth!

See that snazzy machine my dad is on? It pretty much kept us at the front of the lines all day long! We had an AMAZING time! We rode almost everything 2-3 times.

Is that a tiara on my head? Why, yes. It was my birthday hat. See those buttons? They told everyone in the park that it was our birthday! I can't tell you how embarrassingly enjoyable it was to have EVERYONE wish us a "Happy Birthday"!

Three days of Disney magic were therapeutic to my soul. It was so fun to be with my sisters and dad. Lest you think I didn't miss Shawn-I did-but I was having a blast!

The dawn of a new day...

Well, I survived the night. I woke up this morning trying to figure out what to do with my day off. I decided that a short drive to the metropolis of Tooele was in order. As I was gassing up and entering our modest convenient store, I was greeted by some friends that also wanted to go the big city in about an hour. So, I agreed to go with them. I went in to get some hot chocolate, and ended up getting a couple of movies (Eli Stone season 1 and The Bucket List) for a really cheap price. I then went home, bought a ticket to a BYU basketball game, and looked at some romantic places for Valentine's day (for when, hopefully, Sara and I will be together). I did get to T-Town, bought Sara's B-day present and then picked up dinner on the way home. Before Sara left yesterday, she gave me the green light to buy/do some things just for me. So, I did. Now, I am just chillin and dreading going back to work tomorrow. Sara is, by all accounts, enjoying her time in Cali and so is her family. For those that were wondering, I am doing better today. Tomorrow will be challenging getting up, but hopefully I can have an enjoyable time teaching.