My Christmas Tree!!!

I love Christmas!!! There definitely is a magic in the air at this time of year...and something special. And it just makes you happy!

I had to set up my tree early before I left for Thanksgiving because I wanted it to be ready for me when I got home! So--here's a picture of it!


I just love Christmas! And thanks to Grant who helped set it up and make it look as authentic as you can make a real tree look! He did a great job on the lights!

Night Owl or Something...

So--why am I posting at 2 AM...I am waiting for a video to load off my iMovie into a quick time format...and it has taken the last hour or so...

Why am I waiting for this movie to convert...I guess it's time I tell you about my secret life...

I am crazy! Just kidding...I'm just overambitious...

I have been working for the past several months (and I must admit I haven't been working as hard as I know I should be...) on a program called National Board Certification. What is National Board Certification you may be asking yourself...let me tell you...

National Board Certification is getting a teaching certificate on a national level. It opens doors of opportunity for mobility from state to state (most states recognize it), and it increases pay in many states (in the blessed state of Utah, I can get up to $1000 more a year...whoopee!). Also, in the state of Utah, it changes my level 2 license to a level 3--which can only be done by receiving a doctorate or national board certification. Plus--when I pass, I will be able to write NBPTS at the end of my name...amazing!

National boards is tough because it can be up to a 3 year process-you are only allowed three years to work on it. It can be done in one year, but typically 33% of people trying pass the first year.

It is based on several scores. There are four entries that are written (each about 20 pages long or so). Two of the entries require me to analyze 15 minute segments of a lesson that is recorded that is sent to them to watch as well (so two videos...). Each entry receives so many points. And then lastly--there is a test! Yippee!!! A written test that involves essays and writing about how I would do things.

All that work + $2,500=national board certification

Now--if I fail parts the first year, I can retake parts the second and third years as needed...for a small fee.

The big question...WHY AM I DOING THIS?
Some nights I lay awake and wonder...

But I'm doing it for a couple reasons...it felt right at the time, the money showed up to pay for it (thanks to scholarships from Jordan School District and the State Department of Education). My masters program follows a similar program--and doing this eliminates the final project for my masters...(I probably would have done this anyway someday--so the whole two birds with one stone idea). Plus I convinced my friend Denice from school to do it too...so I am not alone in my craziness...

So--in a nutshell--that is why I am whacky right now. I don't have time to do anything (or I guess I shouldn't have time to do anything). And I've been reflecting a ton.

So--that is that. I've finally confessed it all out....and I don't know that it made it any better! But, we're thinking positive...I can do it...

Fine Dining--Royal Express

November 15, 2008

Henry, Grant, Evelyn and I all went to dinner at the Royal Express in Logan tonight. We had the opportunity to eat authentic Chinese food. I had the Beef Noodle Soup and Kiwi Green Apple Bubble Tea (minus the tea). It was delicious...

Here's a pic...worth an hour and a half drive and a play time in Preston.

Henry's Trip to Idaho!

November 15, 2008

Today was Henry's first trip to Idaho--courtesy of Amy! And what better way to introduce him to Idaho then going to the town of Preston. Yes---the home of Napoleon Dynamite.


He enjoyed his trip to Preston, even seeing the DI where Napoleon bought his famous outfit.



He let me drive around Cache Valley, since I know the area so well--and we even went to visit my grandparents graves in Lewiston. While we went through Lewiston, we hit "thrill hill" at 80 mph...which sent Henry's bladder to his chest and almost took us airborne. It was fantastic.

Chutes and Ladders

Sunday, November 9, 2008

I just had to post these fun pictures from our drive back from Vegas...

On our way home, we stopped by the Vegas Temple--it is on my top ten list--and somehow, we just happened to get to watch the air show again...how lucky we were...it was my favorite part--the heritage flight! We had to watch cuz Henry and Chase were sucked in...and the view was really neat there because you could see the height the planes were getting...


Because the planes were flying--I got to drive so Chase could watch--so Linda and I ended up being in the front. Linda pulled out my kids meal game of Chutes and Ladders...we played for a while with her rolling, but it never ended...neither one of us won, which means we're both winners...

It was a fun drive, until we hit the storm, but even that was fun...

I'm glad Linda came along to keep me company!

Fine Dining--Le Village Buffet

November 8, 2008

On Saturday in Vegas, we ate at the Paris buffet. The buffet was delicious--I think my favorite part was the made to order crepes. All you had to do was go over to the lady and tell her what you wanted and she would make it for you. I had peaches and apples and whipped cream. This was what I didn't eat.



This picture is of Henry eating something from the buffet...I'm not sure what.





I think I was mostly excited about the crab legs and the shrimp!!! Yum! Plus, there was lots of pasta and different foods. It was fun!


I love to eat!

Check this link to find out more about the buffet: Le Village Buffet

Happy Birthday Chase!

November 10, 2008

Today is my friend Chase's birthday. He and I have been friends for probably about 4 years or so...and he's one of my best! To celebrate his birthday this year--and his last year in Utah, he organized a group to go down to Nellis Air Force Base. My roommate Linda, our friend Henry, and myself all went with him and some of his friends from Provo.

Did you know Nellis is the home of the Air Force Thunderbirds?

The Thunderbirds

The C-17 was awesome because it stops fast...and it's huge--it can fly at 90 mph...

Me with my favorite plane--the P-51 Mustang--I just love the way it purrs when it flies!


Chase with his favorite airplane--the F-22--he'll be flying one of these someday. I love to watch this one go fast--and it's vertical lift is amazing.


I don't know what kind of airplane this one is, but the pilot looked comfy sitting there on top watching the show--he probably had a good view.




Linda with the Jolly Green Giant--we aren't really sure why he was there...but he was...


The Thunderbirds in formation...they were fun to watch! Maybe someday Chase will be one of these pilots!


The Amazing F-22 footage recorded by me...

Me ready to go home after waiting in the hour long bus line--good thing it was right by the porta-potties...it was a long wait! I guess at least my tan got a touch up from sitting there all day!

In all--it was a spectacular air show. I love going to them--it reminds me of my heritage...my Grandpa Merritt used to build airplanes and was very smart when it came to these things. My favorite flight all together is the Heritage Flight with the P-51 Mustang, the F-15 Hornet, and the F-22 Falcon. I love watching the advances in technology and seeing how much things have changed with the times. I'm grateful I've been able to share these experiences with air shows with Chase. Good luck Chase as you chase this dream! I'm cheering for you! And Happy Birthday!

Christmas Music...

Can I just say I love Christmas music--it is one of my favorite genres I own! But...we only listen to it for about a month...I actually listen to it throughout the year, but not constantly--just when I am in that mood...it happens maybe 4 or 5 times other than November and December...

But, as I was driving home Saturday...I listened to two stations in Utah that were both already playing it...and if you live in Salt Lake, you know what they are. It was fun to hear it...but at the same time...I have mixed feelings about that...

What do you think...is it a little too early to be playing that stuff 24-7?

Halloween...

October 31, 2008

Those of you who are teachers know how much fun Halloween is--or maybe isn't. I decided this year that Halloween definitely is a holiday for children...

Originally--I was going to dress up like a first grader--Hannah Montana T-Shirt, pig tails, flower bows, high water jeans, lots of kiddy jewlery--but I didn't get the chance because I didn't want to be the party pooper on my team who didn't do like the rest of us...

This is my team--we dressed up as a baseball team--showing our unity at school...

Part of the Foothills First Grade Team...

It worked out ok--cuz I got those cute pink soccer socks that I can now wear to frisbee!!! Yippee!!!