Well the time has come for me to move blogs....please come visit....
http://justplainalli.blogspot.com/
10 months ago
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Missing you
One year ago today my life changed forever. I received a call telling me that my brother had passed away-I was alone working in my classroom-I remember screaming and calling Josh to come pick me up-I don't remember much after that- I packed up my belongings and left my classroom a mess-I started walking down the hall and my principal came and helped me. I still can't believe it. There have been too many times this year that I have picked up my phone to call Riley and tell him something or send him a message. This has been a rollercoaster year and I've wanted to share things with him. I am so grateful for an eternal plan-I know I will get to see him again someday. Families CAN and WILL be together forever.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM0-ZU8njdo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM0-ZU8njdo
Saturday, May 15, 2010
2 years ago I was playing around with Riley in Washington D.C.-being dorks and taking silly pictures at some of the most historic places of our nation. The picture below is on our tour bus.
1 year ago my family came to see me graduate from Utah State. Riley decided that he too wanted to "graduate" so we took some pictures of him with my diploma. I told him that I would help him get there himself and that in a few short years he would be graduating from college too. Now my diploma is his too.
This last picture is from New Years day. We continued a fun tradition of going out to an early dinner on New Years-just the parents and their kids. We talked about the fun things from the past year and our goals for this year. 18 short days later I lost my brother. And now 5 months later I continue to struggle with the feelings stirred up with his death. We have had several "firsts" without him already. And while the holidays are hard I am finding that the small everyday things are harder. Recently I helped to conduct the choir at the elementary where I work-he couldn't come. When I changed my hair I didn't have him to tease me about it and then tell me that it looked great. When my class had Sports Day-he wasn't there to help with my students. Today as we do some yard work at Grandma's with everyone he will be missed-the last time we did was when he came and helped with leaves-laughing and singing and helping without complaint. When Chelsi graduates from high school in a few weeks he won't be there to yell for her or to eat a big steak at Outback (a graduating tradition for our family). When I move my classroom and start at a junior high he won't be there to tell me that I will do fine and to not be afraid. When Josh and I start a family I won't have my little brother there to hold his neice/nephew. I'm sorry this is so down but I needed to get some things out. I miss my brother.
1 year ago my family came to see me graduate from Utah State. Riley decided that he too wanted to "graduate" so we took some pictures of him with my diploma. I told him that I would help him get there himself and that in a few short years he would be graduating from college too. Now my diploma is his too.
This last picture is from New Years day. We continued a fun tradition of going out to an early dinner on New Years-just the parents and their kids. We talked about the fun things from the past year and our goals for this year. 18 short days later I lost my brother. And now 5 months later I continue to struggle with the feelings stirred up with his death. We have had several "firsts" without him already. And while the holidays are hard I am finding that the small everyday things are harder. Recently I helped to conduct the choir at the elementary where I work-he couldn't come. When I changed my hair I didn't have him to tease me about it and then tell me that it looked great. When my class had Sports Day-he wasn't there to help with my students. Today as we do some yard work at Grandma's with everyone he will be missed-the last time we did was when he came and helped with leaves-laughing and singing and helping without complaint. When Chelsi graduates from high school in a few weeks he won't be there to yell for her or to eat a big steak at Outback (a graduating tradition for our family). When I move my classroom and start at a junior high he won't be there to tell me that I will do fine and to not be afraid. When Josh and I start a family I won't have my little brother there to hold his neice/nephew. I'm sorry this is so down but I needed to get some things out. I miss my brother.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Blast from the Past....
Wow tonight brought a blast from the past. My nephew is doing a report on Carbon County-which happens to be the home of CEU! He asked me to look through my pictures to see if I had some he could use. So I decided to go through my picture box...I was amazed at all the pictures that I had and all the memories that came rushing back with each one. Each snapshot brought memories flooding into my mind. I couldn't believe some of the things that I had forgotten about or pushed to the back of my mind. Some were tender and sweet memories while others brought memories of regret and disappointment. And yet I am proud of what my life has become.
To my friends from CEU-thank you for accepting me for who I was at the time and the journey to becoming on the path to who I wanted to really be-even if that meant stupid choices. Thank you for the memories of my first years of college that can never be taken away. Thank you for crazy adventures at midnight and later(ok mostly later) I won't really mention them for reasoning of incrimination of myself and others :) You got me through more than you even know. And especially to my AJ Girls-what would I have done without you? Then or now? You guys have stuck with me through thick and thin. I CANNOT wait until we open our time capsule in a few weeks!
To my friends from USU...ahh where I grew into myself. To my SPED family-what would I have done without you? I doubt I could have gotten through school without all of you. Graduation was something that became possible through all your love and support. To my roommates-my family away from Magna...ahh what can I even say? Our adventures could not be matched. My last year of CobbleCreek was wonderful! God could not have given me better roommates that complimented my every need in roommates.
And to my family-wow pictures from years ago brought wonderful memories and sadness at the same time-pictures with Riley brought bittersweet things. And to my Joshy...ahh the pictures-from middle school to high school to college to now-it was so fun to see our wonderful timeline of life together-I can't wait to share many more years with you.
It was so fun to look through the memories and think of the memories that are yet to be made. I know I didn't talk about everyone but the pictures that I looked through brought some wonderful memories. So to those that helped make those memories thank you...to those that will make more memories with me-thank you now!
To my friends from CEU-thank you for accepting me for who I was at the time and the journey to becoming on the path to who I wanted to really be-even if that meant stupid choices. Thank you for the memories of my first years of college that can never be taken away. Thank you for crazy adventures at midnight and later(ok mostly later) I won't really mention them for reasoning of incrimination of myself and others :) You got me through more than you even know. And especially to my AJ Girls-what would I have done without you? Then or now? You guys have stuck with me through thick and thin. I CANNOT wait until we open our time capsule in a few weeks!
To my friends from USU...ahh where I grew into myself. To my SPED family-what would I have done without you? I doubt I could have gotten through school without all of you. Graduation was something that became possible through all your love and support. To my roommates-my family away from Magna...ahh what can I even say? Our adventures could not be matched. My last year of CobbleCreek was wonderful! God could not have given me better roommates that complimented my every need in roommates.
And to my family-wow pictures from years ago brought wonderful memories and sadness at the same time-pictures with Riley brought bittersweet things. And to my Joshy...ahh the pictures-from middle school to high school to college to now-it was so fun to see our wonderful timeline of life together-I can't wait to share many more years with you.
It was so fun to look through the memories and think of the memories that are yet to be made. I know I didn't talk about everyone but the pictures that I looked through brought some wonderful memories. So to those that helped make those memories thank you...to those that will make more memories with me-thank you now!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Day by Day
Wow this last month has flown by and yet has been some of the longest days of my life. Some of you may or may not know the tragedy that my family has been going through. My little brother Riley passed away unexpectedly on January 19th. Words can't really express the emotions or feelings that accompany a death. There are so many things that I wish I could have or would have said. Wishing I had invited him over one more time to hang out or go and do something. I must say that I feel blessed to have had the time that I did with Riley. Josh and I were able to go to a movie on New Year's Day with Riley-just the 3 of us hanging out.
I thank my Heavenly Father for the amazing memories that I am able to have of Riley. As I think about the last few weeks I am so incredibly grateful for the knowledge that I have of eternal families. The knowledge that I KNOW I will see my brother again has brought much comfort. I am blessed to KNOW that we will be together as a family someday. That is why life can continue for me-that is why I will never forget him.
This picture is me and my beautiful sisters.
One last family picture with Riley's casket.
This last picture from that day is our family doing a group hug at the cemetery. It was a wonderful moment that we were able to share.
Here are some of my favorites...
Riley's high school graduation!
Here we are in DC...what a stud!
Chilling on the tour bus..we thought we were pretty cool!
Now compare the next 2 pictures...taken in the same place...he is "one tall drink of water" :)
And lastly from my wedding...love him!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
The Joys of Teaching...
When I started teaching I really wondered how many funny stories and positive things I would have...well I have quite a few! I love my job and I love my class. My little kiddos are wonderful (most days :)) and I am constantly amazed at their little minds...here are just a few stories...
• This story takes place over several weeks...one student gets bored very easily. He was at home and playing in the backyard...he decided to climb the wooden fence in the yard to go out in the neighborhood. Then after the parents discovered this they put another wooden fence up-so that it was straight fence slats. At this point the student decided to get his VERY large dog to help-by playing with a dog toy and then throwing it over the fence and telling the dog to dig...student then preceded to climb after dog. That took some serious problem solving-little stinker.
• Another student decided he didn't want to come to school one day-all of my students are picked up at their homes by a bus. This student had gotten into a little trouble the day before. So the student who was at this point home with just dad decided to take all of his shoes and dad's shoes and hide them throughout the house-no two same shoes put in the same place. So dad couldn't find any pairs. The student ended up staying home for the day-at lunch dad said to him "well I guess there is no point in going to school now" the student immediately went and got all of the shoes and put them back where they belonged.
• Every day I am greeted with a bright smile from a certain little student-when I ask how the student is doing it is always "fun"-even though the student means "fine" even after correcting the student we are yet to hear anything different :)
• Another student knows Disney and Star Wars movies better than anyone I know. If you show the student a picture of any character or actor/actress the student can tell you the movie and the name of the person/character you are asking about. I have to constantly remind the student that we only play Star Wars at home-otherwise we have constant "x-wing" and "destroyer" fights and flights :) sometimes even lightsaber fingers are in our classroom.
• One more student loves to look in mirrors and will work for holding a small mirror. Even without a mirror we are constantly hearing "(insert student's own name here) cute", "(insert student's own name here) pretty", or even "cute hair"(while the student plays with own hair.
Well this is just a sampling of the last few months in my room...at least the positive ones-these things help me get through the hard times.
• This story takes place over several weeks...one student gets bored very easily. He was at home and playing in the backyard...he decided to climb the wooden fence in the yard to go out in the neighborhood. Then after the parents discovered this they put another wooden fence up-so that it was straight fence slats. At this point the student decided to get his VERY large dog to help-by playing with a dog toy and then throwing it over the fence and telling the dog to dig...student then preceded to climb after dog. That took some serious problem solving-little stinker.
• Another student decided he didn't want to come to school one day-all of my students are picked up at their homes by a bus. This student had gotten into a little trouble the day before. So the student who was at this point home with just dad decided to take all of his shoes and dad's shoes and hide them throughout the house-no two same shoes put in the same place. So dad couldn't find any pairs. The student ended up staying home for the day-at lunch dad said to him "well I guess there is no point in going to school now" the student immediately went and got all of the shoes and put them back where they belonged.
• Every day I am greeted with a bright smile from a certain little student-when I ask how the student is doing it is always "fun"-even though the student means "fine" even after correcting the student we are yet to hear anything different :)
• Another student knows Disney and Star Wars movies better than anyone I know. If you show the student a picture of any character or actor/actress the student can tell you the movie and the name of the person/character you are asking about. I have to constantly remind the student that we only play Star Wars at home-otherwise we have constant "x-wing" and "destroyer" fights and flights :) sometimes even lightsaber fingers are in our classroom.
• One more student loves to look in mirrors and will work for holding a small mirror. Even without a mirror we are constantly hearing "(insert student's own name here) cute", "(insert student's own name here) pretty", or even "cute hair"(while the student plays with own hair.
Well this is just a sampling of the last few months in my room...at least the positive ones-these things help me get through the hard times.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Don't know where the time has gone....
It is amazing to me how fast time flies. Life has been crazier than ever! Our lives have been a whirlwind. So instead of trying to do a million blogs I will just give you a list of a few of the things we've done since we last blogged…
• We took a road-trip up to Oregon for Clint and Michelle’s wedding (where Josh looked amazing in a tux ☺)
• We spent time in the ocean while in Oregon.
• We moved to a little house-I call it our cottage-in Sandy and are LOVING not having any neighbors through the walls or ceilings.
• We made our first BIG purchase as a married couple…a brand new Washer and Dryer-I LOVE them!
• We had our nephews sleep over a few times and spend some time with us-I love those three.
• We had a great time for our one-year anniversary in August by going to Park City and enjoying quality time alone.
• I set up my very first classroom-with lots of help from my mom, my sisters, and two of my nephews, and of course Josh. I could not have done it without them-I got into my classroom the Wednesday before school started...
• Josh started his first semester of college-He’s doing awesome! Way more on top of things than I was ☺
• We both celebrated our 24th birthdays…it is fun being only 3 weeks apart!
• We have both seen more leaves and pods than we care to think about ☺-for those of you that have seen our house you understand. Over 40 bags this year…
• We got to see “New Moon” before the official premiere because of a teacher at my school who had a whole theatre and a private showing.
• I am still enjoying teaching ☺-I will have to do a whole separate blog about the fun stories I have from being a teacher (not including names of course ☺)
• I got to enjoy my first "black friday" with my sister and her good friend-it was a BLAST and definitely worth doing! Can't wait until next year!
• Josh and I get to set up a "real" Christmas tree this year-no more 6 1/2 foot ceilings for us.
I know I am forgetting lots of things but these are the ones I can think of at this point. I am hoping to be more on top of this blogging thing but can’t promise anything…
• We took a road-trip up to Oregon for Clint and Michelle’s wedding (where Josh looked amazing in a tux ☺)
• We spent time in the ocean while in Oregon.
• We moved to a little house-I call it our cottage-in Sandy and are LOVING not having any neighbors through the walls or ceilings.
• We made our first BIG purchase as a married couple…a brand new Washer and Dryer-I LOVE them!
• We had our nephews sleep over a few times and spend some time with us-I love those three.
• We had a great time for our one-year anniversary in August by going to Park City and enjoying quality time alone.
• I set up my very first classroom-with lots of help from my mom, my sisters, and two of my nephews, and of course Josh. I could not have done it without them-I got into my classroom the Wednesday before school started...
• Josh started his first semester of college-He’s doing awesome! Way more on top of things than I was ☺
• We both celebrated our 24th birthdays…it is fun being only 3 weeks apart!
• We have both seen more leaves and pods than we care to think about ☺-for those of you that have seen our house you understand. Over 40 bags this year…
• We got to see “New Moon” before the official premiere because of a teacher at my school who had a whole theatre and a private showing.
• I am still enjoying teaching ☺-I will have to do a whole separate blog about the fun stories I have from being a teacher (not including names of course ☺)
• I got to enjoy my first "black friday" with my sister and her good friend-it was a BLAST and definitely worth doing! Can't wait until next year!
• Josh and I get to set up a "real" Christmas tree this year-no more 6 1/2 foot ceilings for us.
I know I am forgetting lots of things but these are the ones I can think of at this point. I am hoping to be more on top of this blogging thing but can’t promise anything…
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