Life Happens...

So today I took my students down to the computer lab to take a test called "Acuity." It was essential my students take it today because the window of time to take it is closing soon. We get down to the lab and there was another teacher in the lab w/ her students... grr... it was our computer lab time, but then I just said "Life Happens," and I took my students back to class and we figured out another time that would work.

And so...this is how the title of my blog came about today...I think this one might actually stick, we shall see:). It's funny because I called up a someone the other day and that was dealing with some extensive car costs due to no fault of their own and they said "sh#* happens." It made me laugh because this person hardly ever swears! So there you have it, a new blog title! Perhaps this might be a monumental day for my blog! Time will only tell! I wanted to use the word "real" in my title but I couldn't think of anything clever... I like the word real, I like to keep it REAL! No phony Bologna!

Christmas Newsletter.

Dear Friends & Family,

It's Christmas! WOW! My mom was right, time does speed up when you get older! I decided to write this letter despite the fact that anyone who would read this probably already knows everything because they probably read my blog, but non-the-less, I started this tradition last year so here goes :)...

I spent the beginning of last year not eating sugar, but that came to a halt one day in April. It seems that sugar isn't everything and didn't affect my diet too much. I also spent A LOT of time at home and at school working on my capstone project for my masters. I'm glad to announce that I finished that project with flying colors and I am now a proud graduate of SUU, weird!


In May I ventured off, as I sometimes do, to a new land, NEW YORK CITY! Boy was that an adventure! It was so much fun to be with good friends and see some pretty amazing sites! I absolutely loved going to Ellis Island, I could have spent a few days there! I was also pretty impressed by the Empire State Building. WICKED, the musical, was fantastic too!

Then in July after my friend Molly and I finished up with our masters classes, we went on a 2 week road trip from Utah to Wisconsin! It was BLAST! We stopped to see friends and family along the way! After I got home, I turned around and got on another plane, this time headed to Disneyland...I know what you're thinking, this girls needs to stop playing and start working! Don't worry, I do feel guilty, but I also have ants in my pants and can't stop, I figure I should follow the advice of nearly every married friend that I have, which is, "live it up now before you have kids!"

In August, I unpacked all my teaching stuff at Taylorsville Elementary, where I now reside as a third grade teacher in Room 16. I am really liking it! Change is always hard but I think the pro's outway the con's with this one. I love having my very own classroom, none of that rotating business of a year around school. Learning the third grade cirriculumn has kept me busy and on my toes. Third grade feels like my nitch, I hope not to change grades anytime soon. I work with a great staff and wonderful students, the parents are the only disappointing factor...

For my fall break, I went with my mom and sister down to Sacramento and San Francisco. We had a great time! Laughing, gettting lost, yelling at the GPS, and meeting up with friends and family was awesome! We're thinking that we should go on yearly roadtrips from now on!

A couple of weeks ago I went to Chicago and hung out with Molly! We went to all the fancy stores, had the famous Chicago Pizza, and went to the top of the SEARS tower...I think I've been to most of the tallest buildings in the world now...I'll have to think about that one.

I took a balloon art making class this year, my students are quite fond of this new skill;)! My piano lessons have been kind of touch and go lately...between the masters and transitioning to a new school they got a little neglected. I learned a little more about myself this year, that's been good and bad, but mostly good, lol. I've learned that I love the temple and I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. I'm excited to celebrate Christ's birth. I love this time year, where I can reflect on the Saviors life and make an extra effort to become more like him. I wish you all the Most Merry Christmas of them all! Thanks for being great influences in my life!

Love,

Tiffany

SuPer SaTuRDaY!

I had a busy day yesterday! I signed up with the ward to go to the homeless shelter in the morning. When we arrived they were overloaded with volunteers, so we decided to go to the food bank and they had too many volunteers too! Then we decided to go to Highland Cove Assisted Living and visit the elderly people. It was so much fun! Those old people crack me up and love visitors!

Next, I came home and took a little nap...I sure needed one! I had a hard time sleeping Friday night and all week for that matter...just restless that's all, there's been so much to think about this month!

Then my sister Leslee and I went to go pick up Natalie and Kate our "adopted" nieces for a date night! The girls really wanted to go to the mall to shop, so we did! They even got to use their money! We went to Hello Kitty first, their favorite store!

Next, we went to the Festival of Trees. The girls loved the trees! I did too! I love that all of the proceeds to Primary Children's Hospital.

We needed a little snack to tie us over:). Katie bug loved the diet coke!

Natalie and Kate by their favorite trees!

Leslee and I both knew people who put trees in the festival in remembrance of a loved one who passed away, these are their trees.

The girls legs got tired so what did we do? Carry them!

Then we headed to Burger King so we could wear a princess crown! It cost $22.94 for everyone to eat! Sheesh! I'll never go out to eat when I have kids...it's so expensive! But it was worth it. It was funny because I just started eating and Leslee said to me, "aren't you going to help Natalie get her food out of the bag?" I laughed because I had forgotten I was with small children! I like to think I'm good with kids, I guess I just forget sometimes what to do... :) (Plus no matter what grade I've taught, I've taught them to do things on their own:)). Then I had to help Kate in the bathroom...it was gross because I had to help her wipe and my hand touched the water that she just peed in, SICK! Overall, it was an AWESOME time! I love those kids soooo much!

I ended the night by going to see Twilight! It was NOT what I expected. Parts of it were AWESOME...some parts were not so awesome... I liked feeling like I was reading a book again:).

Oh and tonight, Sunday, my roommates and I decorated the tree! Doesn't it look great!

Oh #2, I'm collecting plastic bags for my classroom! Yay!!!! My ward has helped sooooo much! One day after I sent out a ward/H4 email, 700 bags were left at my door! Yay! Thank you friends!

Thankful, Thankful, Thankful

Click on the picture above and check out Beau's tounge! He's so funny! He loves table scraps!

My hottt sister! Guys watch out, she's available...but not this Friday, Saturday?!?!

My adorable brothers!!!!

And Ryan trying to put us in a head lock...

Thankful, Thankful, Thankful, Am I, Am I, Am I...I am currently reading Charlotte's Web and the goose always repeats itself 3 times, I guess I'm trying to be a goose, I am weird. This thanksgiving was so much fun. Everything just seemed to flow nicely:). The girls made the desserts the night before and then dad and I got up early to make the stuffing and sun tan the turkey with oil...tradition...or more like I want survive this lifetime and if I don't learn my dads amazing tricks in the kitchen I might not. Then the rest of us pitched in to get the rest of the fixin's made. It's still a little strange that Joey's on a mission, I can't wait until next year! We all went around the dinner table and expressed our gratitude...Aaron is grateful they had Turkey on the first thanksgiving and not donkey.

I am soooo grateful for my family, I love them so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am also grateful for many things in life...the gospel of Jesus Christ, good friends to hang out with and laugh with, incredible roommates, education, my students, my job, parent volunteers, books, airplanes, my little sister (the Liberian one and my real one), having the opportunity to be single, health, hope, prayers, love, laughs, teasing, sarcasm, warm blankets, an apartment, a paycheck, my friends at the gas station, my computer, my friends around the world, temples around the world, paper, scissors, paints, cutting boards, copy machines, ice cream, peanut butter, freedom, to be born in America, long walks, parks, mountains...I could go on...I am so thankful for the peace that comes when I sit down and realize how blessed I am...I am one lucky girl. Thanks to you know who, the Man who created it all:).

Don't bite off my head already Aaron!

PS I went shopping today! I loved it so much! I spent so much! But saved so much! And bought myself too much!

blogging break...

so we're on a break...my relationship with blogging just got too intense and I felt like it was getting serious, so we decided to take a break... when I decide if and when I want him back, maybe I'll tell him about a few things going on in my life...

For example:
--The day one of my students tried to sneak a dog into the classroom in his backpack and he didn't know how it got there...
--The day I used a public bathroom in San Francisco that was for both genders...
--The day I took a tour of the Jelly Bean Factory
--How I don't want to grow up, I want to be a Toys-R-Us kid!
--The day I had the best ice cream ever in Napa!
--I might tell him about how I went to California for 5 days but didn't tell him...
--The day I got offered a job at Lakeshore, a local teacher store...
--The night I actually slept on my back and how much better I felt...
--How I got a new calling:)!

finally...I cut my hair!

YOU'RE SO VAIN....I feel ultra vain right now, posting pics of only myself...non-the-less, here is the latest and greatest haircut...

I decided to get a hair cut and highlights forever ago but I was waiting until I got paid...then I wanted my cousin Vanessa to do it and we had a hard time scheduling... Vanessa came over this weekend and got to work. I told her to only cut off a half an inch...3 or so inches later...I replied "uh, yeah, I like it..." I just had to adjust. I think having the layers shorter and a little bit of bangs scared me. I didn't realize I am a freak about my hair. Hair is an essential component to every day style and not that style is super important, I just understand that it can make or break your appearance and we can't have students, parents, or guys looking at me and thinking "uh, okay, no wonder why she's not married!" Ha! Oh and you can see in the post before what my hair looked liked...I'm thinking that it was at least 3 inches...oh well, time for a CHANGE, that's what Vanessa said anyway:)!

PS still no camera...I figured out today that my computer has a web cam, fancy that!

Jodi's Baby Shower

Jodi opening the gift Leslee gave her. Leslee made that blanket, she's a rockstar like that!

Leslee holding baby Isaiah!

Jodi is a family friend from way back! Leslee and Jodi have stayed in touch and have been friends since they were just little tikes! It's weird that Jodi has a baby now! I have one friend with 4 kids and now Leslee's friends are having kids...we are all growing up too fast, let's put an end to the madness!

terrible horrible no good very bad day!

Lost my keys.
Late to staff meeting.
Bus duty.
Afternoon recess duty.
Student has out of school suspension tomorrow.
Iowa testing.
Feeling sick.
Tomorrow can only get better:).

Really, it wasn't all that bad, but I have had better days:). It's funny when one event turns out crumby it's a like a contagious germ and effects the rest of the day...

THE Good News...TODAY WAS PAYDAY! Still no insurance, but I got paid! I'm pretty sure that this rough patch of no money has taught me one thing...NEVER CHANGE FROM YEAR-ROUND TO TRADITIONAL AND NEVER CHANGE SCHOOL DISTRICTS:).

Ladies Night...Relief Society Conference Tickets...

So I had 5 tickets to RS conference last night!
We were so excited to go!
Mom, Sister, Niki, Tasha, me!
We drove there early.
Not early enough.
Couldn't park anywere!
Drove to a chapel nearby.
Loved the talks!
I have a desire to fill my life with more service and to learn more and more!
We went to Chuck-A-Rama!
Ate Yummy Food!
Had lots of fun!
The End!

Introducing Roxy & Rocky!

On Saturday at the Fair on 9th & 9th, I bought my first pets! My very own...this is a big step for me...I am now responsible for two African Dwarf Frogs! They are adorable! I've always wanted a pet frog and I've always wanted to name a pet Roxy, so there you have it! They are going to be class pets too. They met the class yesterday and of course they love them! I named Roxy and then I let the students make suggestions and the majority voted that Rocky would be the other name. Roxy and Rocky will always be smaller than a quarter and live underwater. They eat brine shrimp that sinks to the bottom of the tank. Pray for these frogs...I can't let them die!

Lose for Good!

So Weight Watchers is doing a campaign called "Lose for Good!" Hints the title of this post! So for every pound you loose they will dontate a pound of food! The food will go to "Share our Strength No Kid Hungry" and "Action against HUNGER."

The campain goes for six weeks 9/07/08 to 10/18/08. I've decided to take this as a challenge to try really hard to lose as much as I can for six weeks...the healthy way of course, eating all my points, fruits, veggies, dairy, water, etc! For every pound I lose, I've decided to match what WW will donate and I will donate my food somewhere local. So WW will take care of the hungry kids in Africa and I will take care of the hungry kids in Utah, hopefully everyone but me will gain something out this, hehe! I will be stacking cans in my living room.

Anyway. I will be updating you on my weightloss for the next six weeks, as a way of motivating myself even more...not as a way to show off or anything because we all know I've lost and gained a lot of weight over the years...but with my new attitude towards weight loss, I will "LOSE FOR GOOD!" Just like the campaign says!

Maybe if you too are trying to loose weight you could do this challenge? I don't know, just an idea:). Or if you want to match my weight loss with cans of food, that could be fun:).

Week 1 of "Loose for Good" campaign: 2.8!

ONE MANS JUNK IS ANOTHER MANS TREASURE!

This weekend was packed full of fun firsts for me! I went garage sale shopping with my mom and for the first time, I thoroughly enjoyed myself! I really think it's going to turn into a hobby. So for $8.50, I bought all these treasures...

• A huge stack of Kids National Geographic!


• A huge stack of Puzzlemania books!


• A huge stack of children's books.


• Science magnet kit.


• Puzzles.


• Construction Paper!


• A box of straight pins.


• A huge bag of silly putty and balls (for the treasure box at school!


• Dress up clothes that I can use for readers theater!


• A bag of Christmas ribbon (and it's cute ribbon!)


• A bag of birthday ribbon (also, very cute!)


• 2 make-up bags!


• And I'm sure I'm forgetting something...

So, thanks mom! I look forward for next weeks treasure hunt!

M. Ed. Master Educator...I am still pinching myself!

Molly, Justin, Me

The 3 Musketeers...we started together and finished together! Molly and Justin are phenomial teachers, I'm so glad that I was able to learn from them and be inspired to become better!

Molly and I became best friends in the midst of this program! Not only did I get a master's degree, I got a best friend out of it! Man what a blast! Sadly she moved to Wisconsin:(. PS, she doesn't love silly poses...I forced her into to this one:).

Molly and Me...the serious pose! Oh and if you look close you can see my shinny red nails...Molly took me to get my nails and toes done for my birthday, thanks Molly, you're awesome!

This is us on our last day working away...actually I'm pretending to work...hehehe! Fooled ya huh!

I keep pinching myself, I just can't believe it...the years just keep flying by. I've decided it's all about enduring and believing even when you think you can't do it anymore or that you're not good enough. Let me tell you, there were some dark nights staying up 'til 4 in the morning for a brief nap...I remember pleading with the Lord to just help me make it through it and to love myself no matter what grade I got:). I also remember thinking getting a Masters was a breeze (hard to believe, huh, even for myself). Those days were very few, they were the days when I had all my readings done, assignments in order and when I felt like I was becoming a master teacher and applying new things in the classroom.

My dad asked me when I was going to get my PhD and I said "NEVER!" I really don't think I will, really. Then I again, I also almost dropped out after my second year of college. My friend Kristy's mom called me and convinced me to stick with it and I'd be grateful, thanks Shirlene!

I believe in being a life-long learner (not necessarily college) but I want to keep taking professional development classes and being the best teacher I can, but also taking fun community classes like art and balloon making, maybe some Spanish classes.

Well there you have it!

"Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game!"

"Dreams DO come true, everyday!"

7-11 Guy...Friendly or Creepy?

If you've been following my blog you will know that I like 7-11 and I especially love Diet Dr. Pepper Fountain drinks! I've been trying to cut back so I haven't been going as regularly...however, I needed one TODAY! I went to the one where I'm a very welcomed customer. I feel slightly guilty that they recognize me and like to have small talk. The last time I went there, the old guy (mid fifties maybe...) who is always friendly said that my hair looked really nice with the colors I was wearing. It made me feel good and I appreciated the compliment, I thought nothing of it.
TODAY was a little different...as I was getting my drink he was stalking the cupboard near me. He looked at me as said "YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL." In a very sincere, heartfelt tone. I just smiled and said "you are too kind.." in a hesitant tone. No guy has ever, I mean ever said that to me, so I'm not gonna lie, it was sweet and I appreciated the compliment. But THEN, he gave me a hug and did the whole linger longer rub the back thing. I just sorta laughed it off, not knowing what to do. I couldn't decide if he was just being kind, trying to build my self-confidence, or trying to put the moves on me. I concluded that he was just being friendly, no need to over analyze the hug...but THEN... he said "if I was your student I'd go crazy," as he raised both hands in the air shaking them as to represent he wouldn't be able to concentrate in my class because of my "beauty." So that last part is what makes this all seem a little weird to me...he is always overly friendly, kind, excited to see me...but I just figured I was becoming a regular...hmmm what do you all think? Should I continue going to my favorite 7-11 or is it time to switch it up? Friendly or Creepy? I seriously want your opinion! What am I to do without my Diet Dr. Pepper?

Panic...duck and cover...

An immediate heart attack red covered my face when I realized...THAT MY SKIRT HAD FALLEN TO THE GROUND! Yesterday after Relief Society, I stood up, looked down and panicked at the devastating thoughts rushing through my mind when I realized that my skirt had fallen off! Apparently the string that I tie to keep my skirt attached wasn't pulled tight enough and had made it slip down! Luckily I was wearing a black slip and only one or two people seemed to notice. A friend in the ward sitting next to me kind of covered one side of me as I panicked and got down in a squatting position to readjust myself. I tell you, you're never too old for embarrassing moments...I'm beginning to wonder if this is just the beginning of them...

I Know That My Redeemer Lives

Written by: Samuel Medley

I know that my redeemer lives.
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives who once was dead.
He lives, my ever-living Head.

He lives, to bless me with his love.
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my hungry soul to feed.
He lives to bless in time of need.

He lives to grant me rich supply.
He lives to guide me with his eye.
He lives to comfort me when faint.
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.

He lives to silence all my fears.
He lives to wipe away my tears.
He lives to calm my troubled heart.
He lives all blessings to impart.

This week has brought so many emotions; feelings I never knew existed...I've taken time to ponder and explore the inner workings of my head and my heart. I've written a billion words this week, trying to portray how I feel inside. I even started writing poems and lyrics echoing the whispers of my soul.

Today at church the words of I Know That My Redeemer Lives brought calmness and assurity to my soul as the tears rolled off my cheeks one by one.

I ache. I have more to learn. I want to be free of my mind.
Each moment that passes, I'm given strength and understanding.
I know that my Redeemer lives! I know that time mends our hearts.

"The Lord loves you today, tomorrow, next week, next month, and next year." --Speaker in Church today:)

Ummmm...this is Smith's...

vs.

Yesterday I went to Smith's grocery store. I remembered that my debit card had expired so I whipped out my checkbook and wrote a check for the balance. I handed the check to the cashier and he looked at me like I was a little crazy and said, "Ummm...this is Smith's..." I had written the check out to Safeway! Safeway is a chain grocery store in Colorado. I don't think the cashier had a clue what Safeway was. I told him that I had moved here from Colorado and that Safeway was a grocery store there (I didn't tell him that I've lived in Utah for almost 3 years now!) I don't know why but this story still has me chuckling...most of my non-Colorado friends don't find this very funny, however, I know for sure my family, and the rest of my CO friends will appreciate this little excursion!

Dessert CAN make you happy!

I've never met a dessert that I didn't like...I love desserts and I KNOW WITH ALL MY HEART AND SOUL that that they CAN make me happy, but come on, this is a ridiculous fortune cookie message! Remember how I am not eating sugar for six months? Well, the other day I went to dinner and this is what my fortune was! The irony of it all!

"Bringing" down the house...(I mean BURNING down the house!)

Have you ever had a roommate that you just can't stand?!?!??!?! Unfortunately, I think I have turned into one of "those" kind of roommates...about six months ago my roommates lovingly pointed out one of my flaws.... I have a tendency to leave the oven and my curling iron on... It's a huge problem and I take full responsibility and feel quite horrible about it, but how do I get a grip on this?

Now the reason the curling iron gets left on is because while getting ready, I always need to go back and do a few touch ups before I leave. But the oven, come on! Why can't I just turn it off when I'm done?!?!

I've scared my roommates into getting renters insurance, that's just how bad this is! It's ridiculous!

The new plan. I've placed a note on the front door so that every day when I leave I can see it and remember to check those two things. Also, I've decided that my hair doesn't need touch ups, I just need to do it really nice the first time:).

Any other ideas to help me stop? I don't think they have LTOA (Leaving Things On Association). Man, I just feel terrible about this! I laugh, but I really do feel bad!

Believe it or not....

I caved in... I am now "in the loop!" For months, my sister Leslee and I have been contemplating whether or not to change our text plan... We started out with a plan of 50 and that was quite manageable. After a year or so we decided to upgrade because everyone and their dog was texting us and we were paying fees anyway. Now we've come to yet another dilemma, should we upgrade again? For the same price we could have 1,500 text or both get unlimited...we went for UNLIMITED! I can't believe that we've gone from 50 to millions of text! My brother Aaron who is 16 used a whopping 10,000 text in February (shhh...he doesn't know I'm telling the whole world). He hasn't stopped texting me since he found out I joined the ranks of the "really cool people."

Just a little history on my cell phone usage...I didn't have a cell phone until I was 21! I was just about done with college...I never wanted my phone to rule my life. One time I said to Niki "I don't like people to control me, I like to control people" I said that in reference to me silencing my phone so I didn't have to answer it. I really like the convienence of a phone, but sometimes I just need silence and this is coming from a girl who talks WAY TOO MUCH! I won't tell you how many minutes I can use in a month! So who else has unlimited text??? Or has a big texting plan? Or am I the only "cool kid" according to Aaron.