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.

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…

BUSY BUSY BUSY...and no internet...

So I know that it has been over a month! But with graduating came moving and that resulted in being without internet. We have waited to get any because right now we are living in my grandmother's basement until we move in late July to a more permanent place! This has been one crazy month-Josh is now a specialist in the Millworks department at Lowe's and is enjoying his time there as much as he can (it is still a job :)) I have been substituting and job hunting...which finally came to an end on Wednesday! I am going to be teaching in a special education classroom that will have 12 students that are in the 3rd or 4th grade. Elementary wasn't my first choice but I have fallen in love with this school and know that this is where I am supposed to be-so off we go into the adventure.
We are excited for the warmer weather and have even helped my grandma plant a small flower and tomato garden that we are excited to see growing. But one of the most exciting things for us that is coming up is our trip to Oregon! We can hardly wait! One of our best friends is getting married and Josh is the best man. We are so excited for you Clint and can't wait to have Michelle officially inducted in the group! This will also be the opportunity for us to have our first road trip as a married couple that is more than to Idaho. Nothing else too exciting has been happening...we are just feeling super blessed to be doing and having all the things we do.

CRAZY!!!!

Wow! It has been an insane month here at the Gee house. I finished up my student teaching the last part of April and turned in my portfolio. I got the official news today that I had officially passed student teaching and would be graduating tomorrow! It is hard to believe that all my work these last five years have led to this-me graduating with 2 bachelor degrees. I am not sure that it has really sunk in fully yet. I have been interviewing in the Salt Lake valley and I have some promising prospects-but I better let them remain nameless until things are finalized. I am so grateful for all the love and support I have had these last few years. My family has been so wonderful. My new family (Josh's side) has also been great. It has been a long road but one that has been well worth it. I am so blessed! Josh and I have been very blessed these last few months. It is hard to believe that just over a year ago we got engaged. I am amazed at how supportive and loving he has been to me. I also want to brag a little about him...he took care of so many things this year so that I could focus on school-dishes, laundry, cleaning, cooking, etc. On top of all of that he worked full-time so that I wouldn't have to work at all. He was the best thing that I could ask for. He even got a great transfer and promotion at his work down in Salt Lake.
We are excited for our new adventures that await us down in Salt Lake and one thing we can't wait for is to be closer to our families. I have missed seeing my nephews growing up and our siblings. I have also missed my best friend-my mom. This next year is going to be a busy one but one full of great things! We are stoked to go to Oregon in June for our best friend from childhood's wedding-we love you Clint!

So to all those who have been involved in our lives so far-THANK YOU! It's been fun! To those friends I have made in Logan-you have helped shape my life. To my SPED family-where would I be without you? You guys are awesome and I can't wait to see where all of our lives take us. And to "M" thanks for being my rock and the one I knew I could turn to. I have loved seeing you and your family grow and you may be one of the only things that could ever make me even begin to think of living in Logan. I had better see you tons and hear from you even more. Thanks for pulling me through and being there when I needed you most. True friends never part!

HAPPY GRADUATION Utah State University-Class of 2009!!!!!!

And the winner is.....

Ok so just to preface this I want to say that I never win drawings EVER...but I think that it has all been leading up to this...Utah State had their grad fair the last two days where you needed to buy your cap and gown and they tried to sell you other stuff. Well if you went to the few booths and had then punch out their block you could turn your card in for a drawing. The grand prize being an iPod touch. Well even though I never win I decided to try any way and thought that I might win one of the small prizes (a USU cup with candy). To my surprise I got a call today to come in and pick up my prize at the bookstore. And this is what she handed me...



That's right I won the grandprize! I almost wanted to hug her right there. I couldn't really believe it and even checked to make sure it really was my entry card taped to the box! So I am now the proud owner of an iPod touch! And just think-Josh and I almost went and bought some iPods a few weeks ago... :)

Something to think about

Today I had the opportunity to have some thinking time while my students were out at their mentor classes (they get to go to spanish, p.e., music, art, etc.). I worked on some lesson plans and was searching some things online and came across a qoute by Cat Stevens-"I always knew looking back on my tears would bring me laughter, but I never knew that looking back on my laughter would make me cry." I look back at my life and find this quote so incredibly applicable. Especially right now. So many things in my life have changed in the last few months and will continue to change. Especially as I get ready to graduate-looking back on the last 5 years of my college life. I have been so lucky in so many areas and then unlucky in others. But all in all I am proud of what I am doing and what I have done. I am more than willing to admit that I did not make the wisest of choices as some points. However I know see that those choices have helped shape me into who I am today. So to those that have helped me in my journey to where I am today and for giving me things to "cry" about now.

A New Chapter

So I feel I need to play catch up again. I finished up my student teaching block at the middle school. My last day we went bowling and for pizza. It was so fun seeing the kids get excited for each other and themselves for hitting even just one pin. What a great experience-these kids have taught me so many things in the last two months. My cooperating teacher was such a great example. She helped me to grow and become confident. I have only been gone a week but I already miss them.

As for the new chapter...well I began my new block in my 5th grade classroom. My new cooperating teacher is also amazing! She is letting me take the reins as much as I'm comfortable with until a week from now and then the class is all mine! A little scary I won't lie but I know it is such a great opportunity-one that many student teachers don't get. So I will move forward...getting ready for Geometry and Inherent Traits...this is going to be an interesting 2 months.

As for the other aspects of life...Josh is wonderful and is really helping me out with anything I ask. Work is going really well for him and he is enjoying his job. I am still plugging along on my portfolio-it seems like it will never end or be finished-ugh! But we're getting there and are grateful for the opportunities we have been given.

My Turn!!!

Well I figured I had better post something if this is the Busy "GEES" blog spot, and to take some time to brag about Alli!! I have been as happy as I hoped it would be and more being married to an amazing woman such as Alli. It's the smartest and wisest decision I made to ask her to marry me. Luckly for me she said yes. It's amazing how many little things she does just for me to make me happy. One of my most favorite things she does for me is that she will share her last pieces of candy with me though I had already eaten all of mine. If you know Alli you know she likes her candy and making it last. If she wouldn't share it with me I am sure it would last longer. You know that someone loves very much when they know how you are feeling, what you are thinking or what you are gonna say. There has been many times she has guessed right how I was feeling, what I was thinking,and going to do or say. You don't want to ask her what it means when my ears go red, believe me! Alli you are a strong woman. You are ambitous. You are pasionate in all things that are important to you. You are loving. What I love even more is that you are tender hearted and very sweet at the same time. But what I love most is you and that you are my wife. I love you very much. XOXO x infinity!!

Pay it Forward...

This sounds like a fun adventure...

The first five people to comment on this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It'll be done this year (hopefully sooner than later.)
4. You will have no clue what it is going to be.
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.
The catch? Oh the catch is that you must re-post this on your blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me you did will win a marvelous homemade gift by me!

Let the games begin!!

One Day At A Time...

That is my newest motto...I have to remember that as I try to accomplish things. Remembering that it is ok to not finish everything on your "to-do" list. On another note I amazed at how fast the last 2 months have gone by. This next will be my last in the classroom that I am in. I am excited for the new adventure that I will be going into but I will miss my class that I am in SOOO much. It has been one of the hardest and most rewarding experiences of my schooling career. What I really can't believe is that May is so close and that I will be graduating. But it is looking like I will not finish my schooling there...I am really looking into grad school and my options. Anywho life is good and is going great. Being married to Josh has been the best thing ever! Thanks to those who have kept in contact and have kept my spirit afloat when I felt I was sinking...you know who you are!

6 months of togetherness!

Josh never ceases to amaze me with all the things he does for me and for us and how much he truly loves me. Last weekend we not only celebrated valentines day but we celebrated being married 6 months on Monday-he is my light and my strength. These last 6 months have been the best and I stoked to be able to continue the journey to eternity together. We had a great weekend together and I feel nothing but blessed to have Josh in my life. Saturday we went out to dinner and then went to play games and watch movies with Steve and Monika-we love hanging out with them and I feel so lucky to have a great friend like Monika. Josh was able to get Monday off as well and we spent the entire day just the two of us. We even dressed up and went to dinner at Copper Mill-YUM!!!

I just want Josh to know how much I love and appreciate all the things he does for me. I love how well we know each other and how we are able to read each other and help the other one out. Thank you for believing in me and inspiring me to be the best that I can be. You are my hero and the love of my life. I can not wait until we have children and I can tell them how incredible their father is.

Feeling it...

So we are into February...it is so hard to believe. I have definitely been feeling the pressures and responsibilities of student teaching. I am almost feeling a constant tiredness. But I am also feeling bouyed up by my husband, my family, my cooperating teacher, and some of my closest friends. It has definitely been a struggle to keep things going at points but I am happy with what I've been able to do. This last Friday I was able to have my class without my teacher(she took some vacation days) I even took them on a fieldtrip. I am so grateful for some wonderful people in the community here that are willing to give us support. We were able to go to Firehouse Pizzeria where my students got to make their own pizzas and then took a tour and even got to see their pizzas cooking. It was a great experience. The last two weeks in my practicum have been the hardest by far in my education. One student in particular has decided that they would like to challenge me as much as possible-and yet they have become one I look forward to seeing each day.
Now it's onto my portfolio and interviews...but unfortunately I am just feeling no inspiriation and just plain blah...we'll see how the next few weeks go :) Thanks again for all the support everyone!

Feeling Loved

I found out about this great new website that helps you make scrapbook pages...I am so excited...you can then make it into a movie of pages or print out your book. For those of us that are creatively challenged this is awesome!

Catch Up!

Wow...I have been a complete slacker in the blogging world. This last month has been an insane whirlwind! We have been really busy with life. I have been working my tail off and getting adjusted to my classroom. I have a really great opportunity. I have 10 students with some peer tutors mixed in. This classroom has some awesome aides and a teacher that has blown me away. I have been able to learn more than I ever thought. There have been lots of challenges and lots of success.
Josh has been working way hard so that I don't have to worry about anything but student teaching. He is so wonderful. I can't even express how much I appreciate all that he does. The biggest thing for me lately has been the little things that he does-even yesterday he left a note for me while he was on his lunch break-what a keeper.
We are both really looking forward to the end of the semester and moving! We can't wait to be closer to family as well as me being done! I am really looking forward to my own classroom. Thanks to all those who've supported us and have kept us in their lives.

Bringing in the New Year!

Josh and I had a great New Year celebration! We spent New Year's Eve with my sister TeKarri and her family at their house. And boy was it a full house. TeKarri is the best hostess. It was Josh and I, my little sister Chelsi and her friend, and Troy's friend from high school and his little family. We had a great time with so many fun people! Troy's friend Mike was a total crackup. We played Rock Band, the Wii, and a fun new A to Z game. We brought in the new year with fireworks and sparklers and of course the traditional toasts with sparkling cider. We all stayed the night there so we wouldn't be on the road with crazies. Troy even made us some awesome omlettes in the morning and pinchcake!
New Years day we went and spent some time with Josh's family for awhile until we went to my mom and dad's house. For Christmas my mom and dad wanted to take have all of us over for some games and then take us all to dinner. So we played some games and then headed to The Spaghetti Factory where we had lots of yummy food. We even told them it was my mom's birthday-her face was priceless. All in all we had great time with our families.
The next day Josh had the day off and we had a day with just the two of us here in Logan. What a great break! It will be awhile before we have a whole day with no real plans since school starts for me.
The pictures below are of New Year's Eve! Awesome night. Thanks Troy and TeKarri for letting us play and stay!