Blizzard (And not the good kind from Dairy Queen ;)

Having grown up in Nevada, I have a certain expectation to how my seasons should unfold. To my utter amazement, THIS is what greeted me at the front door yesterday! WHAT?! It's only October!!! With several sighs and many groans, I headed out into the whiteness to earn a couple of dollars.
Speaking of work, I had quite the adventure today. We had barely lined up for morning greeting in the gym, when the other 3rd grade teacher ran up to me and told me one of my students was having a seizure. Talk about adrenaline rush! I tore across the room and saw that my amazing aide had her on her side already to make sure she wouldn't choke on her tongue. So, I took off across the school to have the office call her mom and get her back as soon as possible. The other 3rd grade teacher was amazing and took my class, so I could focus on this sweet, little girl. We then moved her into the office and kept her awake by chatting to her about her Halloween costume. I had to go back to class, but I was relieved when I heard her mom had showed up within a couple of minutes. Whew! What a way to start the day ;) Needless to say, it was a crazy start, but I was really grateful that everyone was okay. It's really great to work with such amazing people too. Another full day of hitting the curve balls that are thrown to you as a teacher ;)

Halloween Happiness

Probably my new FAVORITE cook book out there is a book I found while wandering the wonderful rows of Borders. I stumbled across this little gem and I have been LOVING the recipes! I seriously get excited just thinking about WHEN I can make them ;) So the big decision now is if I should make spiders, swamp fingers, or peanut butter, chocolate dipped eyeballs for our class party......

Jet Skis on Hyrum Lake

Adam helped a friend/classmate of his a TON last semester, so his buddy said we could take his Jet Ski out anytime this summer. Well, this summer flew past and we finally got the chance to take them out this past weekend.

Wow! I had a TON of fun! I had never spent the day on Jet Skis before, and I couldn't stop laughing! It was the best feeling in the world to just lay on the accelerator and literally fly across the water. Adam was pretty helpful, but at one point he was teaching me how to do donuts and I went into it a little fast. The next thing I saw were his legs as he flew off the Jet Ski! (Did I mention it was a ton of fun ;) It was a great Saturday and we decided this was a NEEDED expense when we got older. (Disclaimer: This is a picture I stole from the Internet ;)

Running......

For years I've been sad about the fact that I don't have an exercise buddy near by that could help me stay motivated. Well it hit me all of a sudden that I did. And he even slept in the same bed! ;) So, I thought I was really clever and that this would be the most perfect solution to getting rid of those unwanted pounds.....

Did I ever mention that I HATE running? I absolutely LOVE sports, but the idea of putting my body through pain and then gasping for breath when there is no goal or point scored, is such a let down. ;) So, when that alarm clock goes off in the morning and my sweet husband bounds out of bed ready to go, I kind of want to throw pillows at him (Did I ever mention I'm not really a morning person either? I love staying up late, but it takes forever for my brain to wake up!). Good thing Adam is really patient and laughs off my groggy threats. He helps me get going and out the door a couple of times a week. Maybe he missed his calling in life and should have been a personal trainer...

School days = Sick days.....

Well, we are right back in the thick of things! Adam is constantly busy with his school schedule and his practicum... matter of fact, where is that husband of mine? He has been in trainings until 9:00pm almost every night the past 2 weeks. Bless his heart! He is doing well though and really enjoying his practicum work. He loves the agency and the help it gives to various families.

I am in my 3rd week of school and didn't waste ANY time in getting sick ;) I have NEVER gotten sick so much in my life, until I became a teacher.... those little germ carriers ;) So I am now battling a vicious, vicious cold.

My class is great though and I am enjoying the school year so far. I really do love teaching 3rd grade! They still love their teacher, but I don't have to wipe any noses ;) A great new thing this year is that my students last year get to come back and visit. I have LOVED this!! Last year, I moved schools, so I knew I would never get to see them again (my heart broke). But this year I get to see them every day. They have been stopping in the classroom and keeping me updated on their lives and experiences in 4th grade. I do miss those kids and honestly you can't beat their thoughtfulness. The future is bright with this next generation.

A little late, but still sincere

This blog is quite late, but I did want to recognize my sweetheart's birthday. He turned the big 28 a little while ago and did it with a lot less emotion then I did ;) I admit that I struggled with the concept of being so close to 30, but he didn't even give it a second thought! Maybe it's just 'cause men don't care about these things ;)

On his birthday we were down in Nevada for a family reunion, and the only thing he requested was lunch at Red Robin. He started this tradition when he was about 12 and unconsciously (until this year ;) we had kept up that tradition. We had fallen in love with Red Robin when it became our date-place in Provo, so off to 'Vegas we went with my cousins Amie and Kelly. It was a really great day and super chill. We hadn't been able to hang out with them and chat for quite some time, so it just added to the whole 'fun factor' of the day ;)

He told me he felt "spoiled" from all the gifts and attention from everyone, but I just think he deserved it. He is truly the best guy EVER and I love him to death. I don't know why I was able to find this guy, but the stars aligned in June 2005. He is so selfless and I appreciate his continual help with my callings and classroom. He is my knight ;)

Portland

So last week, Adam was talking with his mom and she mentioned that there would be a family reunion the next week up in Portland...... Yup, you guessed it. We loaded up the car a couple of days later and headed out for a fantastic adventure! ;)

We ADORE the North-West and really anything about it. (Well, the huge amount of rain might not be totally cool;) We drove straight to Eugene,OR and had the opportunity to have fabulous friends that took in a couple of vagabonds for a couple of days. We stayed with our good friends Teressa and Dave, and had SUCH a good time! We went to the beach, snuck in a good 'ole game of dominoes (Dave you're going to be humbled next time! ;), and caught up on all the good stuff in life. Thanks you guys!

The BEST restaurant on the planet!!! I LOVE this place!!! Food straight from their backyard ;) (Adam doesn't like seafood, so he was a champ to let Teressa and I have a treat)






The view from our table















It was pretty windy at the beach, so Adam found another way to entertain himself ;) Didn't I say in a previous post that he will find random ways to entertain himself? Photo proof is now available!







Unfortunately I totally forgot to get pics with Teressa, Dave and their ADORABLE little girl, but I guess that just gives us an excuse to see them again soon ;)


So, on Friday we headed to pick up my Mother-in-law from the airport and start the busy family weekend! We had such a good time touring around Portland and seeing all of the old hangout spots she had (Bev grew up in Portland, so we were able to see some really cool stuff)


At the Rose Gardens once again! I love this place! Dang gorgeous




















Visiting my future house once again ;)
















After the Pittock mansion I got to go to my little heaven on earth... Powell's bookstore! Could life get any better? An ENTIRE city block with 5 stories of wonderful books.... Ahhhhh..... DEFINITELY heaven ;)








Then on Saturday we headed downtown to the Portland Market. I really enjoyed being able to just wander the booths and see all of the handcrafted items. There are some seriously talented people out there!






Adam enjoying the trip














Then we headed over to the reunion and had a grand 'ole time chatting with everybody. It was good to meet some of the cousins I had never met and it was good for Adam to see some of them for the first time in 10 years. Gotta love family get togethers!



Unfortunately all good things must come to an end, so we had to head back home on Sunday. On our way home, Adam wanted to show me this random little spot on the Oregon/Washington border. There was this random guy that had seen Stonehenge in England when he was there for WWII and he decided to build another one in the state of Washington. It's in memory of those soldiers and is COMPLETELY random ;) Adam told me I could scratch this off of my Bucket List and I said it didn't quite count ;)