The Weekend of Fun with the Family.

I had a blast with my second family, The Bills, this weekend. The gathering was prompted by the baptism of Jordynn, Sarah's daughter. (If you don't know the story of my two families, see the sidebar, which tells the story of "My Two Families")

We always have a blast when we get together because we are pretty much hilarious. The baptism was awesome. I was reminded of my own baptism that was almost 15 years ago. It is still interesting to me how much being Mormon is now normal, even though it was such a major life change for me. Honestly, it is the best decision I have EVER made in my life. I have been blessed so much in so many ways because I discovered truth and light. I think the knowledge of a Heavenly Father who loves me and guides me is pretty much the awesomest blessing. I love Him and know He lives. I am always worried I may come off as too preachy or something because I fear that people may not want to hear about my feelings of conviction but really those feelings are the core of my existence and I don't understand why sometimes I try to hide them! I guess Sunday is the best day to have a post with that included! :)

Have I ever mentioned that I LOVE kids? Well, I do. It was fun to have all the rug rats around this weekend. Although children often seem like little beavers that we let into the house and who make huge messes and often smell, they are awesome and each moment I get to have with the wee ones is precious. I always love to hold baby Oliver and get him to smile. He is so dang cute! I also love being a human jungle gym with all the other little rascals. They also have the funniest things to say. Here is an example from Henry as we were driving to the baptism yesterday:

Henry: Alice, do you have any kids?
Alice: Henry, have you met my kids?
Henry: No!
Alice: That is because I don't have any kids yet.
Henry: Why don't you have any kids?
Alice: Because I don't have a husband yet.
Henry: Why don't you have a husband?
Alice:(thinking to myself: hmmm...good question and too complicated for a 4 yr-old mind) I just haven't found a good enough guy to marry yet. Do you think you could help me find one?
Henry:(looking out the window as if to be searching) Yes, I will try.
Alice: You could also pray that I would find one. Remember he will be your uncle.
Henry: LONG PAUSE and then in a worried voice: I don't know where to find uncles.

I thought that was very funny. Henry is already Mr. Literal!

Well, I better get ready for church and go through my Relief Society lesson one last time. I am not nervous but that makes me nervous! :)

.....insert clever title here.

Happy almost Friday. I love short weeks. I am very glad it is almost the weekend. I am also excited for some time with The Bills Family. It will be a blast as always.

The highlight of the day was watching The Office. They did a flashback for most of the show and it was hilarious. I sure do love that show. I was also able to watch 24 with my friend Janette. I haven't been doing much hanging around with her and it was nice.

I think that is all I have today.

Apples to Apples is hilarious with nine-yr-olds

Happy Midweek to each and every one of you. This week has been going so much better than last week. We started a new semester at school, which means I have two classes of new students and a few other new students in my other classes. I have enjoyed my new Health classes so far and I have been impressed by a few of the students who have newly come to PE class. The classes are funny and the new PE students seem willing to take risks and participate, which any PE teacher would love.

I went on a great walk today with my good friend, Shule. We walked along the Provo River Trail and it was gorgeous today. The sun was shining, there were many ducks to look at and there was great conversation, which there always is with Shule. Being outside felt great.

I was also able to play Apples to Apples with my 7th hour. There are only two kids in the class right now and because it is the beginning of the term, they don't have much work to do during this "study hour." We played Apples to Apples today and Cassie, the tracker for that class, had her son there today. He was so funny to play with because he was very literal when he was judging our answers. He was also very truthful when he thought our ideas were silly. It made me laugh hard! IT was definitely a highlight.

I am looking forward to this weekend because many of the Bills family will be in Salt Lake City. It will be a party.

Well. I am off to bed a little earlier than usual. I think that will be good. Night!

Thank You Very Much, Dr. King!

Happy Civil Rights day. I don't know how many people actually have the day off and actually sit back and ponder on what the day is truly about. I know I am guilty of this. I am grateful for all the people who sacrificed so much to make equal rights a possibility. Truly, equality is a God given right. We are all children of God and should be treat with respect! I do feel a little guilty when I just love having the day off and don't really think much about why.

Last night was a blast. I went up to SLC and hung with The Bills. Have I mentioned that I am so lucky to have two families? I really am blessed to be loved by two families. I really am well taken care of! We had a veg in front of the TV night and it was fabulous. I enjoyed watching the season premiere of 24 with them. It was entertaining as well because Dad Bills would sing opera-style during the commercials for our listening pleasure. Love it! Thanks for it Utah Dad!

What else have I done this weekend? I have slept in three days in a row. YIPEE! I finished my grading for the term. YIPEE again! Saturday I went shopping and to lunch with my friend, MOO, and her mother and brother. That was fun. I have been addicted to the clearance at Old Navy. It is 50% off the clearance prices. I have a few new shirts. I have to remember that I must now go through my other clothes and get rid of stuff. I also have to realize that I shouldn't buy lots and lots of clothes because I may...wait...I WILL get a little smaller and these clothes may not look good in six months.

Well, I am off to go to a movie with friends. Be sure to check out the movie blog later. I should be writing about it there! Later.

Hell Week Continues...

So, you know....Monday pretty much was a sucky day at work. Making a kid cry isn't always the best professional choice, but you know.

Well, the saga of Alice not using her interpersonal skills continued again on Tuesday. I still was a little frustrated by the situation with the student of Monday drama and wasn't feeling it. Anyway...I was just chatting with my 4th hour kids because sometimes you just can't force them to do anything. I went to talk with a student in the back of the classroom and when I got back to the front of the classroom, one of the boys I was chatting with took over my chair. I was not okay with this and asked him to move. Apparently, he did not hear me and I then snapped my finger and said "Hey, Jessie...move it!" I think the snapping of the finger is what triggered some rage in this boy and he got up and said something under his breath and then called me a bitch. For those of you who may or may not know me, I HATE the word bitch. Luckily, I did not speak my mind(I guess I still have some self control this week) and instead said: "Thanks Jessie, that made me feel so good!"

On a good note, I am down 4.2 pounds from my weigh in last Tuesday. Go me. I am really liking this Weight Watchers stuff. The leaders are awesome and inspiring and the program is awesome because I really can eat "whatever the hell I want,' as I told a co-worker earlier this week when he tried to "save" me from the chocolate chip cookie that was in the teacher lounge.

Let's hope that today is better or at least these horrible experiences with crazy students only comes in three. I think I could take one more before the break happens!

Cheers!