Happy, Happy, Happy!

Well, it is officially summer, what do you think of that? Summer is a fantastic time. I am pretty sure most people feel pretty dang happy when this time of year comes around.

Being a school teacher, makes summer extra special for this gal and I have been very much enjoying my time so far. The funny thing about it is sometimes I am already thinking: "How can I be bored already?" and "Man, this summer is going to go fast!" Two of the scary thoughts that you have during summer.

Lately, I have been keeping busy by daily walks, lots of fishing with Reuben, laying on the couch and lots of reading.

Here are some pictorial highlights of the past few weeks because really, a picture is worth a thousand words and I really don't have the energy for a whole lots of words these days. Especially today because I was up at 4:30. What the heck...it's summer, the season to sleep?




I created my dream patio. Well, it is close to the patio of my dreams, at least. It is a happy place.






Reno has made friends with the horses and cows along the river trail, even though they make him a bit nervous at first.







Walking with friend, Kari everyday is a highlight. She's a good egg!



Yea for anniversary flowers! We made it past the hardest part, right? I really have chosen my husband wisely. Reuben takes care of me(he even tied my shoes in public down in Manti this weekend because I can't reach), is a great cook, is hilarious and even loves me in a t-shirt, jeans, hat and no make-up. What a catch! We spent our anniversary at the family cabin down in Fairview. It is a gorgeous place!












We also went fishing before meeting up with friends and then going to The Manti Miracle Pageant. It was a great anniversary!!!












And today, the new air conditioning is getting installed. It was an ordeal but really, this pregnant girl living in hot summer Utah needs it!






Well...here is to a happy, happy, happy summer and to another wonderful year of marital bliss!

Cheers!

Wisconsin Recap and Introducing Writing Wednesday

Here is a recap of my Wisconsin adventures:
Friday, May 31st: Seester picks me up at airport in Madison, WI. She then treats me to a fabulous burger at Red Robin. I chat her ears off.
Saturday, June 1st: My parents arrive in Madison, while Seester and Brother-in-Law have taken me out for an amazing Corned Beef Omelet. The parents join us then we hang out all day(after an adventure to the closing of a hardware store and cruising around the capitol and city)and then eat amazing burgers made by my Seester and Brother-In-Law. My Dad, Brother-In-Law and I sit around the fire in their backyard for hours. I eat two s'mores.












Sunday, June 2nd: More hanging out, then we go to Elijah's graduation party. The highlight is drinking Sprecher Rootbeer from the keg. Amazing.
Monday, June 3rd: Just traveling to Rhinelander with the parents and then chilling at home. It's always great to be home!
Tuesday, June 4th: It rains all day(and most of the week!) and I worry that my team's softball game will be cancelled. Luckily, it isn't. We(mom, dad, and I)freeze but enjoy their win followed by ballpark food. I convince Mom and Dad that even though it is cold and rainy we should eat Briq's because it is delicious!








Wednesday, June 5th: Mom and I go shopping in town and then enjoy tacos at Pat's Tavern. Usually, we would eat these on the patio, but it is rainy and cold. That night we keep Scrabble traditions alive. Mom wins as usual.








Thursday, June 6th: Mom and I head to Green Bay after a morning meeting she had to attend because she is in charge of said meeting. (It's a cool non-profit called "Let's Go Fishing." They have a pontoon boat and take senior citizens out on boat rides and fishing trips. Cool stuff!) We visit with Grandma Rita who gives the wee baby a crocheted blanket. We then meet family for dinner at Kroll's right across from Lambeau Field. I eat cheese curds and a butter burger and am in heaven! It is always fun to connect with the family too!




















Friday, June 7th: We drive back to Rhinelander with a quick stop for dinner and a baby shower with Wausau friends. They spoil the soon to be baby lots which causes me to buy a new duffle bag to get all the goodies to Utah! Well worth it and Italian Fries at The Wausau Mine Company are always a favorite.








Saturday, June 8th: More hanging out. Art show at Rhinelander Courthouse. I bought a lot of bars of homemade soaps from a dear family friend. Andi gets a million yard decorations that are way cool. It makes me wish I had a yard! Andi and I also get matching rings. Dad then feeds us an amazing dinner. I convince everybody that we must eat Briq's Ice Cream again before I leave town!
Sunday, June 9th: We go and visit the soap making goddess and her family at their cabin on Lake Tomahawk for brunch. Then we come back for graduation. Then, a tearful goodbye with Mom and the Madison peeps and I head back down there. Some people still have to be at school or work. Suckers.








Monday, June 10th: I write a million thank you cards while my nephew-puppy, Divot, watches and get them to the post office. I also go shoe shopping and buy none. Andi comes home and takes me to dinner at a pub that looks out to the Capitol(which is hard to see in the pic) and then to the airport. Another goodbye, or even better a "see ya later" and I am off to Reuben and Utah.








Back in Utah: Now, we are onto summer break and keeping busy. The days are filled with reading and walks. Wednesdays have now been dubbed "Writing Wednesdays" which will be dedicated to blogposts on my writing blog, poetry experiments, and editing on of my many unedited novels. Feel free to check out my writing from today HERE
Cheers!

And here's summer...

Well, I made it. The week went fast and I am glad. Overall, it was fun. I am way tired though and in a time warp. When I got home from work tonight, I had to take an hour nap to be able to go to dinner with Reuben.

Graduation came and went quickly!!!


Three faves. All were in PE this term.


Three more faves. The two on the right were favorite weight lifters this semester.


These three spoke and were all my connections kids the past three years!!!


The speakers. These kids are resilient and amazing. Most of them mentioned me in their speeches. That was an honor and tear jerker.

I loved graduation. It really is the icing on the cake for the year!! I am so proud of these guys and their accomplishments. They truly rose above their issues. This truly is the best day of the school year!!!

Not a whole lot else. Gotta pack in the morning for the trek to Wisconsin. It will be a fun time. I think Reuben will miss me a lot and I am glad he lets me do these things. He is a great man!!!

Here is the Reuben quote of the week:
Alice: "I got an isle seat because I will have to walk around as well as pee every 30 minutes."
Reuben: "Yeah, I am pretty regular with that too. I pee almost everyday!!!"

Cheers!

Howdy.

Well, last time I posted, I was hoping for Friday to come. Well, we have made it past that silly friday. We only have three crazy days left at school. They are actually activity days, so we are going to survive. Tuesday is graduation and I am very excited for it. Really, it is the day I wait all year to come. It is the day that is the cherry on top of my Sundae because, in reality, this is why I get up everyday. I get up to inspire kids to succeed and get their acts together in order to meet the expectations of my classes so they can get the credit to one day walk across that stage. It really is a great day.

Three of my Seniors from my Connections class are speaking at graduation. I just know that my name will be mentioned in at least one of these speeches(a fellow teacher proof read said talk). I will be balling during that speech and I am so proud of this young lady and the things she has endured and conquered to get to where she is today. I cannoot wait for Tuesday evening.

This wonderful three day weekend has been relaxing. Yesterday, I didn't do a whole lot. I did get a walk in with the dog and Reuben and I had dinner out and went fishing on the Provo River.

Reuben says I am just lucky for catching this Brown Trout:



I say it was pure skill. He caught a Rainbow Trout last week, so I was due!

It was really nice to be out on the river and listening to the birds and enjoying the pre-dusk light.






I am not as sentimental about the end of the year as I usually am. I think being pregnant makes me be much more self-involved and really just more done with the whole deal. The kids have been pretty rambunctious and I have no patience. The last week of class was good though and I probably, at one point, will miss some of those buggers.

Tomorrow we will head up to Ogden to bask in the Cajun fun of the Ficklin Family gathering(Jambalaya included). Happy Memorial Day to you all. Remember the purpose isn't just the BBQ. There are so many who have sacrificed so much for our freedoms in this country. It is their day. Remember those who have paved the way before!

Cheers.

Goodness...is it next Friday yet?

Hi all. Not only am I squirrelly, but my students are crazy squirrelly! The end of classwork isn't until next Friday, so the next week will be an adventure. Then we have three days after Memorial Day. Why they want to torture us with those days(we haven't gone past Memorial Day in the 11 years I have been teaching), is beyond me.

Oh well. I am sure it will all be over in a blink of an eye anyway!




We bought a new grill this week. And Reuben even made me steak last night. Delicious!



I planted some plants this week. It is a part of the Patio Renovation Project that I have in my head. We will have a rockin' patio in the next few weeks. Stay tuned for more!



Reuben gave me the one on the left for Mother's Day. He is a sweet, sweet man. I am one lucky girl. I am falling more and more in love with him as we go to our birthing classes. We have some of the same ideas about all that.



He's going to be an excellent dad. We cooked for my friend's kids this week and they had a blast with him playing tennis and joking around.



The waffles were a true favorite!



There was an afterschool party for our after hours program today. These moments I love with these kiddos.



Just decide that every day will be great, and guess what? It is. I am keeping that attitude as we get though the next week, and onto my favorite day, Graduation!!!!

Well, I am off to plant the lonely two impatients that didn't get planted the other night. My wonderful husband brought home a pot for me to put them in. He is great, isn't he?



Cheers!