Decade day...

It was spirit week at Madison #1 (where I work). We had such a great time. Kennedy is in 5th grade so she dressed in the fifties and I am a 7th grade teacher, so of course I got to dress 70's. It was awesome. We had such a good time, it was a lot of fun. We also had a great time shopping for our costumes at the spirit store. The other picture is my friend Tiffany, she is the other 7th grade teacher. She is a great girl and I couldn't ask for a better "other half". She gets to teach 8th grade too, so she dressed in the 80's. It was so much fun and the students really got into it. Did I mention that I love my job!

One year ago....

It was one year ago at this time we were enjoying ourselves in the most wonderful place on earth, Disneyland. In case you were wondering, I love Disneyland! I would choose to go there over any exotic island anyday! Nothing brings greater joy than when the gates open and you smell the churros, hear the laughter, see all the children with smiles on their face, and feel the excitement all the way to your bones. It is like Christmas morning the whole time you are there. We usually go every year at this time. The Holt's love Halloween. I think the older I get the more I love the fall. We are not there this year, but I know we will be visiting Disneyland soon. As I glance over at Marley's bedroom door, her Mickey Mouse ears hanging patiently until they can once again be used, I reflect on our life right now. I feel sort of like the Mickey Mouse ears hanging and waiting. Not too sure what the future brings, but in the meantime trying to work, raise a family, finish graduate school, and help my husband complete the police academy. I normally handle stress pretty well, but I will be the first one to admit that didn't know what I was getting myself into when Colby got accepted to the police academy. The only thing that has been keeping me going are my kids and pictures of those days when things were simple. I have caught myself getting lost in old scrapbooks, looking through old photo albums, and thinking about how simple my life was and now is so complex. In the midst of all the hecticness (if that is a word?) I am patiently waiting for the arrival of my nephew, Ryder. Another one of God's greatest miracles! I will post a picture as soon and the little man arrives.
I am grateful for my trials and the blessings that I receive each day. I know that the Lord has a plan for me and my family. I am so grateful to be married to my best friend. Even though this year I am not in Disneyland, I am preparing for greater things. A good friend of mine once told me, "If you are comfortable, you are NOT progressing." Everytime I feel uncomfortable or overwhelmed I think about the progress we are making as a family. Thanks Rejili.

Tough week...

Well, wow, it has been a little stressful this week. I have learned a lot about myself though... I am a control freak! If it is not in my control, I want nothing to do with it! I can tell you that I absolutely hate not being in control of my life! It is not a good feeling. Colby told me that I have to start living in the present, the past makes us depressed, and the future gives us anxiety. So true. But, I also know that we can only control 5% of our emotions, so there. Anyway, I hope everyone doesn't feel as though I am ignoring them. I am just really busy. I decided that I am not going to graduate this semester. I will finish all of my classes, but I am not going to take the test. I just have too much stress and I can't add to it. I will just pay an extra $400 to ASU to keep me an active student and I will take the test in the spring, easy enough and no stress! If I owned an "easy button" I would push it!

My Tay

I just had to share this with the rest of the world. My daughter,Taylor, is my ray of sunshine. She makes me laugh so much. If you haven't had the chance to get to know Taylor, you better because I know one day she is going to be famous. She resembles my Grandmother, Janice, which I am so thankful for. Once in awhile, she will give me this look, and I am taken back by how much she looks like my Grandma. I know that it is a blessing to have Taylor in our lives. She is such an amazing young lady! She is the only kid I have that would bust out with moves in the middle of Target. She just cracks me up. So anyway, check out this video of her in Target... too funny.

The day the world stopped turning...

9/11 is still so fresh in my mind. I can remember where I was, not physically, but emotionally. I had just found out that I was pregnant with Marley. I was only 23 years old and getting ready to have baby number four. Colby was doing construction and the economy was suffering. I remember being so afraid of the unknown. The security I felt growing up dissappeared in about 102 minutes.

On Thursday, I woke up earlier than normal and turned on the television to watch the news. This is something I never get to do now that I work. It was 4 o'clock in the morning and the big story was the anniversary of 9/11. I reflected on where I was when the world stopped turning, 7 years ago. I realized that the students I had now were in Kindergarten. I got out one of my old scrapbooks and took out the layout that I did shortly following 9/11. The twins just turned two and Kennedy was 4. Wow, time has passed by so quickly. I talked to my kids all the way to school and we talked about what happened that day. Colby was so full of questions. I told him that we still don't understand WHY, but it happened and we must learn from history. I also talked to my students that morning and shared with them the layout I did. I let them make comments or ask questions. They were all very respectful and understood the magnitude of the devastation that took place that day. I am so grateful for the country that I live in. I am grateful that I was chosen to live in the promise land and enjoy being free. I pray for those families who suffered losses.

Bitter Sweet...

Well who knew that shining boots would be such a big deal? After several hours, two types of shoe polish, and 1 google search... we are finished! Woo! Okay, so both of us are learning a lot, codes, 10s and polishing shoes, who knew? Everything is going okay. I started my first day of school last Wednesday (that will be the last time I "start" a semester, woo hoo!) It went smoothly. Colby got his first taste of what the academy was going to be like today, he said a was a bit like what he imagines hell is like. But, he survived. He officially starts the academy on Monday, please keep us in your prayers and thoughts as we try to conquer our next trial. It seems as though Colby and I have always had something extra on our plate besides LIFE. But I guess the Lord doesn't give us too much more than we can handle. We spent a little bit of quality time together this weekend. We visited with Jonathon and Tiffany while they were here for their sealing. We had a family gathering on Saturday for Britt and Kenny's baby shower. It was so nice to visit with everyone. Jeni and Robbie came over and we TRIED to go to Hobby Lobby but it was closed, bummer, but I can say that I saved a bundle of money. I got to go to Chipolte, which is extremely important. Jeni and I visited a lot and talked about music, which everyone knows how much I can talk about music. I love spending time with her. I feel like I got a part of me back when I am with her, you know, the old part of me. I am really proud of her taking that step and enrolling in college. It takes a lot of courage to enter the world of the unknown. It is inspiring to watch a person's life change. It has a been a great weekend and a wonderful start of another week. Teaching is going fantastic, enjoying it like always. I can't imagine spending my life doing anything else...

Getting ready...

So Colby starts work in a week... can't believe it. He is so excited and nervous all at the same time. We are working really hard to get him ready. We will be going next week to get his uniforms (basically work out clothes) and boots. He got his hair cut and a new pair of running shoes (run forest run). Of course, Nikes. We have been practicing essays and doing spelling test. I start college next week (I'll never say those words again, my last semester, woo hoo) so I have some butterflies too. This week has been very calm, and I have been saying that to everyone. A teacher looked at me and said, "You know what they say, 'calm before the storm'." I hope that is not true but I know things are going to start getting a little more stressful. I know and believe that you can do anything if you believe in yourself. I believe in Colby and he believes in himself, so I know he will be successful. I was driving in my car the other day and heard an old song, The River, by Garth Brooks. I started to cry. I have heard that song so many times but right now in our lives it's lyrics have never been so true. Here at the lyrics for you incase it has been a while since you heard the song:

You know a dream is like a river

Ever changin' as it flows

And a dreamer's just a vessel

That must follow where it goes

Trying to learn from what's behind you

And never knowing what's in store

Makes each day a constant battle

Just to stay between the shores...

andI will sail my vessel

'Til the river runs dry

Like a bird upon the wind

These waters are my sky

I'll never reach my destination

If I never try

So I will sail my vessel

'Til the river runs dry

Too many times we stand aside

And let the waters slip away

'Til what we put off 'til tomorrow

Has now become today

So don't you sit upon the shoreline

And say you're satisfied

Choose to chance the rapids

And dare to dance the tide...

yesI will sail my vessel

'Til the river runs dry

Like a bird upon the wind

These waters are my sky

I'll never reach my destination

If I never try

So I will sail my vessel

'Til the river runs dry

There's bound to be rough waters

And I know I'll take some falls

But with the good Lord as my captain

I can make it through them all...

yesI will sail my vessel

'Til the river runs dry

Like a bird upon the wind

These waters are my sky

I'll never reach my destination

If I never try

So I will sail my vessel

'Til the river runs dry

Yes, I will sail my vessel

'Til the river runs dry

'Til the river runs dry