tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27257304519977672402024-03-05T04:05:52.524-08:00Livin' The DreamAprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02380323046227849466noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725730451997767240.post-5439471356497613742011-04-01T07:14:00.000-07:002011-04-30T20:21:53.549-07:00"I don't know how the story ends, but I'll be alright cause you wrote it."Alright Kids, I actually wrote this post a little while ago and it was too painful to post. I feel a little childish and dramatic posting this, but I guess that is how I roll. Everything written below is so absolutely true. I continue to be incredibly blessed by my past and present. You live, you learn, you move (or you try really hard to.) I really do enjoy blogging, so I am starting fresh on a brand spanking new one. If you are crazy enough to still follow my world the new blog is called <a href="http://justchuggin.blogspot.com/">justchuggin.blogspot.com</a> This is mostly for my wonderful grandma who i think is the sole reader. The End...but not really.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvVwzUy0-QLWgfDxOnyKVd3tPBqhmlyNQFFwinxUgAEVgG7GJ1lzz5Y7w_SwqntkWRMrLG2vY67AIlSpx_G-nLGHlmYrbewpU2D7RtHM2INTGIRUWcdNY7GLKObyzRZzvfKINajE8jvA/s1600/my_child_11x14.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 157px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591367688756799074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvVwzUy0-QLWgfDxOnyKVd3tPBqhmlyNQFFwinxUgAEVgG7GJ1lzz5Y7w_SwqntkWRMrLG2vY67AIlSpx_G-nLGHlmYrbewpU2D7RtHM2INTGIRUWcdNY7GLKObyzRZzvfKINajE8jvA/s200/my_child_11x14.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><u>Each Life That Touches Ours for Good (Hymn #293)</u></div><br /><div><u></u></div><br /><div>Each life that touches our for good</div><br /><div>Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;</div><br /><div>Thou <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">sendest</span> blessings from above <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Thru</span> words and deeds of those who love.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>What greater gift dost thou bestow,</div><br /><div>What great goodness can we know</div><br /><div>Than Christlike friends, whose gentle ways</div><br /><div>Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>When such a friend from us departs,</div><br /><div>We hold forever in our hearts</div><br /><div>A sweet and hallowed memory,</div><br /><div>Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>For worthy friends whose lives <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">proclaim</span> </div><br /><div><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Devotion</span> to the Savior's name,</div><br /><div>Who bless our days with peace and love,</div><br /><div>We praise thy goodness, Lord, above.<br /><br /></div><br /><div>I am so grateful for those people who have, and will be such a great influence in my life. I have been very blessed to be in the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">presence</span> of, what I believe to be, The Lords elite. I know that these people have helped me to become closer to the person My Heavenly Father needs me to be. No one else could have taught me what they have taught me. They are one of the biggest blessings in my life and I have felt My Saviors love through their care. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>I know that I am one of the most <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">stubborn</span> and faithless servants of Him, but I know that he is constantly and carefully guiding my path (even when that path is the most painful.) I don't know how my story ends, but I am <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">grateful</span> to have lived, and continue to live, the way He wrote it. (well... let's be honest. I am just trying my best to do so, and needing to be put back on my path all the time.) </div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">D&C 122:7 "... all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good."</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="left">P.s. The picture is called "My Child" by David Bowman (my favorite ever!) and the title comes from a song by a christian artist that who I cant remember the name of. Sorry!</div>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02380323046227849466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725730451997767240.post-59243898004653358532011-02-02T16:16:00.000-08:002011-02-02T17:08:25.175-08:00Ordinary Miracles<iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/al2DFQEZl4M" allowfullscreen="" width="320" frameborder="0" height="266"></iframe><br />The other day I was driving to work and the song "Hello World" by Lady Antebellum came on the radio. If you haven't really listened to this song you are really missing out (watching the dramatic music video is even better!) Sitting there in my neon green zebra striped car I bawled at how The Lord had once again tried to tell me how I need to re-evaluate my perspective.<br />Lately due to all the major opportunities that are staring me in the face and how terrifying yet incredible they are, I have buried something that is so important, perspective.<br />My perspective has been so introverted lately that I have missed the amazing miracles that are happening all around me. The moments and scenes in my world that are gentle hints that I am loved and am being constantly cared for. I have been carefully reminded of this important key to happiness and want to slow down and simplify like and "find reason for rejoicing" like <a href="http://lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/of-things-that-matter-most?lang=eng">Pres. Uchtdorf</a> suggests.<br />Here are a few miracle moments that I have had the past few days:<br /><ul><li>An amazing child opened her eyes wide and smiled when I called her name.</li><li>Only the tips of pink mountains peeking through the clouds.</li><li>My BFF sister and friend wanting to talk to me.</li><li>Giving someone advice on how to hold a s hand.</li><li>Cute deer footprints in my front yard.</li><li> Sending my best friend out on the adventure of a lifetime, having the opportunity to pray for her. </li><li>Whistling at wal-mart and receiving a sweet smile from a stranger.</li><li>A determined seagull flying into the wind.<br /></li><li>Having my best friend in the entire world be so excited to see me he can't stop giggling and staring at me.</li></ul>It is incredible how much out there bares testimony of divine love and care, if you are looking for it. There are so many people around me who have such clear perspectives I am inspired to be more like them. I am blown away by how blessed I am and how much true joy is in my world, sometime I just have to remind myself to look. P.s. The title of this post comes from another very inspiring song called "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Urv7tyeJ7qE">Ordinary Miracle</a>" by Sara McLachlanAprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02380323046227849466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725730451997767240.post-90251023966720703942011-01-05T11:25:00.000-08:002011-01-05T11:48:14.304-08:00The Perks!Honestly I couldn't really think of a title of this post cause "I better write something before I loose all interst in this blog or get so far behind i dont want to write" wouldn't fit in the allotted space. so I titled it "The Perks" because of two perks that have been in my world. Perk one: Spending all your time with an elementary school teacher means that at least one of you will be sick all the time. Perk Two: If you work in a medically fragile classroom your moral conscious tells you not to go to work if you cant stop coughing, but feel a ton better! well kids a I am currently benefiting from both of those wonderful facts! So because i am a useless lump at the moment lets give you a quick catch up on our world.<br /><br />Christmas break was a much needed deep breath. Brandon was sick most of the break and i was sick on and off, but we did make some time to just be us. This was SOOOO needed and we made the most of it. It is so crazy how chugging through the mundane can make you take for granted the most incredible blessing that is right in front of you. We have been so focused on helping 30 podunkers meet ayp (ha ha i love to use jargan...this means adequate yearly progresss.) and getting the needed 6 hours of sleep each night that we haven't really had time to just be with each other and let all the realization of admiration catch up with us. it definatly did this break. AH! (Ok, I will attempt to stop being so sappy.)<br /><br />It was also a great time to be with my family. I love them so much. My little brother just got his mission call so we decided to take a short family trip before he leaves. Yes, we know he doesn't leave until April, but anyone with a family like mine know that it is almost impossible to get everyone together. So this past week we went up to midway and stayed at a cute resort. It was great to go on a couple adventures together and just laugh with eachother. I also realized that the wisdom of my years has not helped my ability to ice skate. I am still as terrible as I was in junior high.<br /><br />Now here is the most important part of this post. here is the story. Once upon a time my dear sweet father brought home this plastic light up nativity scene. I told him that i thought is was really tacky and he didn't believe me. For the next couple years he put it up teasing me all the time how now the house was tacky...white trash...etc. He kept it up asking everyone he knew if they thought it was tacky and most people told him that it was (yay for honest people.) finally he stopped putting it up cause he says that i shamed him into it. realistically we all know that he is embarrassed cause other people don't like it as much as i don't. This year i told him to embrace his inner tacky and put it up. I got this....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzrevWGNR3iRdDsJAX3RWYnz5x6CJ9d7CoXP2KOATY_HzOjdo4xRD5b-EomRx0wqJov438f5tlI8IkVnnB-vsjWr0SGlJnPH6jb-OyoEXTlxA6FQhw_qL7KoiHTO4544UG5pv52OrNgk/s1600/IMG_0361.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzrevWGNR3iRdDsJAX3RWYnz5x6CJ9d7CoXP2KOATY_HzOjdo4xRD5b-EomRx0wqJov438f5tlI8IkVnnB-vsjWr0SGlJnPH6jb-OyoEXTlxA6FQhw_qL7KoiHTO4544UG5pv52OrNgk/s200/IMG_0361.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558790248649457298" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBKzHYjLL8IGmZSg-UNrgsxBppHnbr4ManHOs093TX9t8FL-TYXuviaoQm7L3GL_rbRRD5bZzCCYu947SAXCdQUmvNHdNt5mvNFas0DdqLnXLPFyp2LMVh6ZXotHFLs1SdhCHHYKw12fc/s1600/IMG_0362.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBKzHYjLL8IGmZSg-UNrgsxBppHnbr4ManHOs093TX9t8FL-TYXuviaoQm7L3GL_rbRRD5bZzCCYu947SAXCdQUmvNHdNt5mvNFas0DdqLnXLPFyp2LMVh6ZXotHFLs1SdhCHHYKw12fc/s200/IMG_0362.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558790712370457266" border="0" /></a><br />The next day I turned on my car and found this (dont worry, he rigged it to light up when i turned on my car.)Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02380323046227849466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725730451997767240.post-82551518784967985492010-11-21T21:01:00.000-08:002010-11-29T14:44:12.822-08:00My RooI know that anyone who is crazy enough to read this blog is getting sick of me saying it, but I believe myself to be the most blessed one! One of the most incredible people I have ever met comes home from full time service in a week and I am caught reminiscing how amazing she is! For those of you who are fortunate enough to know this elite person you know exactly what I am talking about. I have had the privilege of knowing and learning from Roo for the past 12 years and I am so grateful for what she has taught me<br /><br />She has an incredible zeal for life that is contagious! Even when she is having a hard time she never looses her positive outlook and still inspires those around her to find the beauty and joy that is constantly around them. She honestly brightens up every <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNdWRZflnj7ZZKhLBc1mHX_lQNW7bXgMAGhTC4xicNjwBk2BAPjITN0wXP2j0Efoy6E0nhCkffu0KIrZs_UU6dNFqF6NpLjjzvLCbdbfcDsLiVORI_wqzThtDVUEOkxwezLF7PQbs27I/s1600/Picture+047.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 116px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNdWRZflnj7ZZKhLBc1mHX_lQNW7bXgMAGhTC4xicNjwBk2BAPjITN0wXP2j0Efoy6E0nhCkffu0KIrZs_UU6dNFqF6NpLjjzvLCbdbfcDsLiVORI_wqzThtDVUEOkxwezLF7PQbs27I/s200/Picture+047.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545106152835798226" border="0" /></a>environment or situation she is placed in. Along with this, she has a gift to make everyone she is around feel accepted and loved. I have sat back and observed her many times change someone who is apparently shy and self confidence into someone who is bursting with the knowledge that they are accepted and appreciated within minutes. I have had the pleasure of benefiting from this gift many many times in my life and believe that i am in part the person i am today because I had people like Roo supporting and encouraging me.<br /><br />Roo also is the definition of "pliable in His hands" I have been amazed by the way she has allowed The Lord to mold and direct her. As sad as I was when she told me she was going on a mission I knew that she had received the revelation necessary and that she had people to influence and things to learn in Missouri. This great faith has been something that Roo has lived the entire time I have known her (and I believe her entire life.) I have learned so much from her stalwart example of faith and diligence.<br /><br />She lives and loves the way The Savior intended and I hope to continue to learn and grow from the fantastic example that this angel has set in my life. I love my Roo. I believe that The Lord has blessed me to be in the presence of some of his most elite spirits. Many I have known for years, like Roo, and they have inspired me and influeced me to become who I am today. Others are recent additions to my world and have also taught me so much that I could not have discovered on my own. I am so grateful for the strength I gain from them and the love I feel for them. Thank You all!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ukN-8QMSS0va7xVxAroYOh2MNisWrUvg0qlmXpdgUCwCPA53u6QJGuEbPp8KCSy4LaZ2qFfk3fdiqb44iF98qQqOb9eYA5Z3r9FPwQ4i8pPqglqzuLUCkFCEQidmEhbj6iZmeMIWy-I/s1600/DSCN1313.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ukN-8QMSS0va7xVxAroYOh2MNisWrUvg0qlmXpdgUCwCPA53u6QJGuEbPp8KCSy4LaZ2qFfk3fdiqb44iF98qQqOb9eYA5Z3r9FPwQ4i8pPqglqzuLUCkFCEQidmEhbj6iZmeMIWy-I/s200/DSCN1313.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545105663120760258" border="0" /></a>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02380323046227849466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725730451997767240.post-65861662656244357862010-10-31T15:58:00.000-07:002010-10-31T16:40:57.085-07:00Fall Break and Halloween!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABVKgkizMkq_65TiWiqoQRQkdU8Cy3o5_5uMTRya0r-jBKrhYQKHlnZlDuWa3r4_hQfVQ0Vf2GpC-BzOhC90OkYWtmz0WvrpsKWoFj5lk_g5TyZ8_-P2ht5K_bSP72sOGeNgjOLjz9K8/s1600/IMG_0281.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 119px; height: 89px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABVKgkizMkq_65TiWiqoQRQkdU8Cy3o5_5uMTRya0r-jBKrhYQKHlnZlDuWa3r4_hQfVQ0Vf2GpC-BzOhC90OkYWtmz0WvrpsKWoFj5lk_g5TyZ8_-P2ht5K_bSP72sOGeNgjOLjz9K8/s200/IMG_0281.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534355169983600994" border="0" /></a><br />Do you ever feel like even though there is nothing really going on, you are super busy? welp, that has been life lately. I am convinced that the school districts invented fall break so teachers don't go crazy! Our fall break we pretty planned out, and a blast! Thursday we went to Midway with Brandon's family. I ted at football (ha ha), we visited the crater and ate the best hot dog I have ever had in my life! It was a lot of fun just to play with Brandon's family.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvDeXpp4of8gkJGPNtSRfIHVrrZhag3qE9Ji2WrJQO4piBRcv4INhxxzbC6As9kewGB1YeXRy-GT-lI5XxKp4htOfZL0Z9bF0ZXCejCIhkg_F1xZxNHiu_YO1yU3ipbZvCd5cnDCzAVs/s1600/IMG_0303.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 115px; height: 154px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvDeXpp4of8gkJGPNtSRfIHVrrZhag3qE9Ji2WrJQO4piBRcv4INhxxzbC6As9kewGB1YeXRy-GT-lI5XxKp4htOfZL0Z9bF0ZXCejCIhkg_F1xZxNHiu_YO1yU3ipbZvCd5cnDCzAVs/s200/IMG_0303.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534357667683224258" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfoDubLwzqaJcdLUdHhVj_xxw2_SgLLyOaLN-fCUw4G97NpmVMP8mIDNpeZx0Jm10HQJkd6XpV7bKL00nV_q2DXVTFrOvYopWVMG2UCIC1x_NUkehkQiUkO4PgwU87sdKyOYu2QLZhb0/s1600/IMG_0353.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 105px; height: 139px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfoDubLwzqaJcdLUdHhVj_xxw2_SgLLyOaLN-fCUw4G97NpmVMP8mIDNpeZx0Jm10HQJkd6XpV7bKL00nV_q2DXVTFrOvYopWVMG2UCIC1x_NUkehkQiUkO4PgwU87sdKyOYu2QLZhb0/s200/IMG_0353.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534357846703561122" border="0" /></a><br />Holidays are so much more fun with family. This year we played with my family the week before Halloween and spent the day with Brandon's family. My family puts on a annual party complete with all the traditional games. I think the best part was watching Brandon's competitive side come out and almost take down my uncle or get clobbered by a powdered doughnut. With Brandon's f<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOuAb5qpZ-uDFmleCzWQNQMzrNLWyeIK_OF_4GcRgJ2ZcOtsrAmr6MwArDI3Ir48cCC-1LmgSYKGFNRAZxOFBCA8Cy-_X4MUNRDUlurqQ4sdopgK8f4LyW8NDW_rD4mrLuaCdR_zKpF0/s1600/IMG_0288.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 147px; height: 110px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOuAb5qpZ-uDFmleCzWQNQMzrNLWyeIK_OF_4GcRgJ2ZcOtsrAmr6MwArDI3Ir48cCC-1LmgSYKGFNRAZxOFBCA8Cy-_X4MUNRDUlurqQ4sdopgK8f4LyW8NDW_rD4mrLuaCdR_zKpF0/s200/IMG_0288.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534355409204577202" border="0" /></a>amily we carved pumpkins and played some really fun games. Again, Brandon's competitive side is a blast to observe. He ted at musical pumpkins, creamed <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkemTsEekxTrx2NlL7z-Nc5iZw9xz_mU0gReDKS3TSiZXwcwXdUPRvnQy6WmWbOLIeUacnAKp-jl60V5tmkNx-j9445RIvn2Lg7HS5sSNjqnsvYRdv26MpnNDLFSjwVZafJkg7yQWjFA/s1600/IMG_0289.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 155px; height: 116px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkemTsEekxTrx2NlL7z-Nc5iZw9xz_mU0gReDKS3TSiZXwcwXdUPRvnQy6WmWbOLIeUacnAKp-jl60V5tmkNx-j9445RIvn2Lg7HS5sSNjqnsvYRdv26MpnNDLFSjwVZafJkg7yQWjFA/s200/IMG_0289.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534355723937531634" border="0" /></a>everyone at the toilet paper mummy game and randomly wrestled with this brother (pretty intense.) I love just hanging out and laughing with Brandon's family and my own. We are super blessed.<br />P.S. I haven't figured out how to cutely post pictures with captions and all that. In the pictures to the right grandma is showing off her "stroke pumpkin" and Brandon is just starting his masterpiece with sarah (Who calls herself the runner-up friend) in the background. To the left Grandpa is adding an extra challenge to Brandon's doughnut capture and we are showing off our Siamese twins, attached at the hip, tumor costume. oh, and the very top picture is of us in the crater. <br />Another amazing part about this holiday weekend was getting together with some of my favorite people. Thanks to Kaylee all the s got together for breakfast on Halloween. It was a fun to get together and quickly catch up. I love those s!Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02380323046227849466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725730451997767240.post-916665186395280312010-10-07T21:43:00.000-07:002010-10-07T22:27:24.614-07:00"Spending time alone with The Lord"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukQ0PhiGHDUyn9SRW9qIJmuAdOamtDwr78fuGU2tp7WA-rNuiJw6Ea85m4QB08V40h_aPd5gC6WF20G1j09RHCXhU37msWid8i7iGbd-9g12MlVqCNL6ayVPblbg860ie_W_IhOfNCXs/s1600/IMG_0526.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukQ0PhiGHDUyn9SRW9qIJmuAdOamtDwr78fuGU2tp7WA-rNuiJw6Ea85m4QB08V40h_aPd5gC6WF20G1j09RHCXhU37msWid8i7iGbd-9g12MlVqCNL6ayVPblbg860ie_W_IhOfNCXs/s200/IMG_0526.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525541657647986866" border="0" /></a>So conference was AMAZING! One of the apostles who spoke suggested we "spend some time alone with The Lord" because of this I decided to take a trip up to "my enchanted place" (please read the book Stargirl. It is by favorite!) My waterfall has become my own personal sacred place. My waterfall (yes, I call it mine even though I know it is just as special to many other people.) holds a lot of memories with some of my favorite people. It has been amazing to build friendships, laugh, cry, heal and vent on top of the falls . I am so grateful for the amazing people I have been blessed to encounter in my life and whenever I hike to my waterfall I reminisce about the amazing experiences that I have had with these people there. Though, most importantly are the incredible moments I have had with My Savior while meditating on top of the falls. I have been so amazingly blessed to have a place I can go to just be with him. This last time I went I was blessed with a special treat, a light rain... beautiful!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZd3V5ro9NEaztc_duq0lBNvCK-uf7GNfgwY4Hv2nbUossHBu8ewSAB67t9Xd10huCV42MTm9czkiFMDi_nNKPHb9HZmZPOCK-6pXeCC0Xx3BLPI28_R6YfdFTto-UuPGNreglXNBlmXk/s1600/Picture+008.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZd3V5ro9NEaztc_duq0lBNvCK-uf7GNfgwY4Hv2nbUossHBu8ewSAB67t9Xd10huCV42MTm9czkiFMDi_nNKPHb9HZmZPOCK-6pXeCC0Xx3BLPI28_R6YfdFTto-UuPGNreglXNBlmXk/s200/Picture+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525538340542011106" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7qkz3k5JbXoZJqADROZXoC72jqDzAt0wMdnvDGbpP-nAZQzQHsdqVn-Kp-jjKfdmqw3WwD4f0oaL6j9hgYhRa1KyQIlH7JchMkr56kfOdVTrwL_y9t0XeyjP2V-VZhB8OlTl5tLyL8g/s1600/IMG_0385.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7qkz3k5JbXoZJqADROZXoC72jqDzAt0wMdnvDGbpP-nAZQzQHsdqVn-Kp-jjKfdmqw3WwD4f0oaL6j9hgYhRa1KyQIlH7JchMkr56kfOdVTrwL_y9t0XeyjP2V-VZhB8OlTl5tLyL8g/s200/IMG_0385.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525539063472165250" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLUvO1ArwuIf8O0Kh_UOneJlM_HbZF2n-qTdBvUL_JVuI2Qf33YwGYcdnGDqAPoYg3EksktqTVgBv0UNoorMFgTbf-OjR9P7oaxsusXC2q2Udd6RmwEb7oO7t77S1iQ3vo385mRvIbaY/s1600/IMG_0539.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLUvO1ArwuIf8O0Kh_UOneJlM_HbZF2n-qTdBvUL_JVuI2Qf33YwGYcdnGDqAPoYg3EksktqTVgBv0UNoorMFgTbf-OjR9P7oaxsusXC2q2Udd6RmwEb7oO7t77S1iQ3vo385mRvIbaY/s200/IMG_0539.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525538789289924066" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkwphtjAvhNgZbIxO5S8liJXJU6ZgouY62qNwjkADxjzcnMOtEXm8LAfcgGlC5Pwh0Dctt83z-BOafA6AgjuuMcANato-uNYcMkJ_a1nivTvaEStUbW5GohMyrzl7hlu3aN4dmEjoT9U/s1600/IMG_0141.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkwphtjAvhNgZbIxO5S8liJXJU6ZgouY62qNwjkADxjzcnMOtEXm8LAfcgGlC5Pwh0Dctt83z-BOafA6AgjuuMcANato-uNYcMkJ_a1nivTvaEStUbW5GohMyrzl7hlu3aN4dmEjoT9U/s200/IMG_0141.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525538075231048738" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFU1Nj-rLblu5afIe2AouY7tlFT5iLmNWf0IvVhSk7JzGnsk38m9q15wO9WkGQiUpwg2uxg-yhbQv0z782L8mo9vak0eIsgJDuoOhmHLX_lc8Z_DQG8mrTNNNZ0-WJLvK2KYzvpr7Ibs/s1600/IMG_1411.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFU1Nj-rLblu5afIe2AouY7tlFT5iLmNWf0IvVhSk7JzGnsk38m9q15wO9WkGQiUpwg2uxg-yhbQv0z782L8mo9vak0eIsgJDuoOhmHLX_lc8Z_DQG8mrTNNNZ0-WJLvK2KYzvpr7Ibs/s200/IMG_1411.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525539702396203714" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Of course another place that triumphs over my waterfall is the temple which I was also able to visit this week. I love the temple! This time I was inspired by the cutest temple worker. Another temple worker told me he was 80 yrs old and had been working in the font for the last two hours. Though it was apparent that he was starting to get sore he was still incredibly sparkly and loving every minute of his work. To me this was a small example of enduring to the end and finding joy in every minute. He will never know how he touched me, but he did. A-mazing!<br /><br />In other less important news April finally fulfilled a goal she had planned to accomplish when she turned 18. I won something on the radio! Now those of you who know me know that I am not really a grown-up i just pretend sometimes, so this goal totally fits me! When I turned 18 I told myself that now i fit the "must be 18 years or older" description so I just had to utilize my new found power! I tried really hard to win something that year and have tried on and off ever since. Today my dreams came true! I called and....WON! I am now the proud winner of Lady Antebellum tickets! Who knows if we will go seeing how it is on a weekday and will require who knows how much walking, but Brandon is insisting that we will. He won a thermos last week which he decided that we will be taking to the concert to show off our wins! We must be the luckiest couple alive!Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02380323046227849466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725730451997767240.post-59215092352687099682010-09-26T19:01:00.000-07:002010-09-26T20:33:50.493-07:00It's myyyyy car, and IIIII like it!To all you readers out there I am no longer a bus riding invalid! This weekend through the help of my favorite mechanics (Padre and Brandon), my support team (mom and bekah) and my amazing grandma who takes great care of me, I purchased the sweetest grandma car you have ever met! As my grandma keeps telling me "She only drove it to Elwood<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgju_nbnEcwVes0YKO_FfuqGIISHyHySvxpCFysFERQ6Yd5-Pn0kwNqQGz5KqLJwmPc-XjHcLSG_KXjMSRbDAALHChzHIGew7xxFTjGmI9occ0WKdIJbM0l-iYpMqcbqicBK8gCFBSnJUU/s1600/IMG_0259.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgju_nbnEcwVes0YKO_FfuqGIISHyHySvxpCFysFERQ6Yd5-Pn0kwNqQGz5KqLJwmPc-XjHcLSG_KXjMSRbDAALHChzHIGew7xxFTjGmI9occ0WKdIJbM0l-iYpMqcbqicBK8gCFBSnJUU/s200/IMG_0259.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521431106189781986" border="0" /></a>, Kents and to mass every week." That explains why it is a 15 year old car with only 65000 miles on it (I know, I am pretty excited.) The only thing not stereotypical is the color. My Grandpa put it well when he said "Don't try robbing a bank with that car, they will catch you for sure!" I like the hippy-ish color and Brandon says it fits me so.... IIIII like it! The amazing lady that I bought it from is a long time family friend who totally rocked the intense color, so I plan to do that same! The pictures don't to the intensity justice at all! Also, I was pretty excited that the color of my new car matched my toenails and if you know me you know that I just had to tak<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSbyNmvXmR0A7zCj2uYacTU6-sJ-K0qliE_ijx-Ay44vIJWWHW0JmyFL6shSJ65AXuk5fT1mXPYl_yES-TfHnM8POWLKygfDDgfgDCUPTDJVMhPsGrlYoAaxuc48Ps54RcMkMgzq-ruY/s1600/IMG_0267.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 146px; height: 109px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSbyNmvXmR0A7zCj2uYacTU6-sJ-K0qliE_ijx-Ay44vIJWWHW0JmyFL6shSJ65AXuk5fT1mXPYl_yES-TfHnM8POWLKygfDDgfgDCUPTDJVMhPsGrlYoAaxuc48Ps54RcMkMgzq-ruY/s200/IMG_0267.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521431317981465554" border="0" /></a>e a picture. Sarah suggested I get a bumper sticker that says "Don't judge, I got a good deal and I like it, so BACK OFF!" Actually, finding this car was a real blessing. WOW! (P.S. If you don't understand the title you must read the book "Stephanie's Ponytail" by Robert Munsch)<br /><br />The other highlight of this weekend was meeting Brandon's new little nephew. He is the cutest lil guy you have ever seen! I was very grateful that his amazing Mommy and Daddy let me hog him for most of the visit. Though Uncle Brandon did get his turn holding the lil guy. He made sure the seal his spot as favorite uncle by helping the lil' tike use his voice and muscles. Brandon is so funny with babies! It is amazing to feel the sweet tender spirit of a newborn and I didn't want to leave. Thanks for sharing your sweet little one Matt and Kimee!Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02380323046227849466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725730451997767240.post-34757785266870453992010-09-12T20:45:00.000-07:002010-09-12T21:10:52.561-07:00Road Kill, Family,and Cows<div><div>Well kids (oh...roo!) you may have thought I was having one of my blogging looser moments, well i am back! Since you last tuned in not much has happened. We barely got the classroom together in time, thoug<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8AcpwtlYb0vnwPZJHs2KWkmAbb7JgH-nEcS0RgII5p5gEBNJQHYz3EtBTGS5QUiK_itLxv2Vrdz7liQ9oljX-NNlB5waddNGc6q3dB2YeimZowLzqcgmtPOTF3wSc9Mf9Vmq59R7DW4/s1600/IMG_0240.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 186px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 121px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516243875463341074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8AcpwtlYb0vnwPZJHs2KWkmAbb7JgH-nEcS0RgII5p5gEBNJQHYz3EtBTGS5QUiK_itLxv2Vrdz7liQ9oljX-NNlB5waddNGc6q3dB2YeimZowLzqcgmtPOTF3wSc9Mf9Vmq59R7DW4/s200/IMG_0240.JPG" /></a>h there is still little projects that need to be finished. Dear Mr. Parks is enjoying his little "po-dunckers" as I like to call them. He is rocking the 3rd grade, though he is exhausted more than can be ima<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3Ad0TnZoNVd__LejXwFLVP8ViKxioxdNZ31OS8r4Cp344uM8ouawF59PB_x6xD4sOeg4oDyTKbCZQtrJ105s4tJbMEwRNh-UE4-aG27CARhjks4mUQS8qJZC0nC4ybdGNrdnH-Do9m4/s1600/IMG_0242.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516244697012242114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3Ad0TnZoNVd__LejXwFLVP8ViKxioxdNZ31OS8r4Cp344uM8ouawF59PB_x6xD4sOeg4oDyTKbCZQtrJ105s4tJbMEwRNh-UE4-aG27CARhjks4mUQS8qJZC0nC4ybdGNrdnH-Do9m4/s200/IMG_0242.JPG" /></a>gined 98% of the time. Living the glamorous life of a 1st year teacher. We try to see eachother as much as possible, but that has turned out to about once a week (not enough to fill my necessary brandon quota.) I have offectionaly deamed saratoga springs "road kill city" due to the un-imaginable amounts of road kill i see on the road driving out to his place. Honestly, CRAZY! </div></div><div> </div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7EKUzE1dwLUdlw3Xio724oFg7Rsp-Fmbg68HuzdzmlAduoI6aIDgtr4FC9F0VDuW4quSuXpfZM9bdBFlXvRuBwV3Wx1StuoZ8GX1nivgsdbzXR6-E0zdH4oLvQQf7bL3WyHB-otS9bw/s1600/IMG_0241.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516244312184258018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7EKUzE1dwLUdlw3Xio724oFg7Rsp-Fmbg68HuzdzmlAduoI6aIDgtr4FC9F0VDuW4quSuXpfZM9bdBFlXvRuBwV3Wx1StuoZ8GX1nivgsdbzXR6-E0zdH4oLvQQf7bL3WyHB-otS9bw/s200/IMG_0241.JPG" /></a> We have also had a couple fun family reunions and get togethers since i last posted. It has been a blast to get to know Brandon's family better and grow closer to my own. Labor day weekend was my family reunion and I gained a better apreciation for how much my family means to me. My cousins and I have never been super close (you know as in, lets hang out on the weekends and get together), but I realized how much they influence me. I am blessed with an amazing family who are amazing examples to me. I honestly love them! I continue to be amazed by the incredible people that The Lord has blessed me with. Tonight we went to Brandon's parents house for his birthday. I haven't seen his family since Brandon got his job and it was crazy to realize how much I missed them. AH! I think i am the most blessed one. sorry, I win!<br /><br /><br /></div><div>In other news the "cows" part of the title refers to a letter wrote me where he refe<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDlHUS2g76thLDedMR6j5SiTtBwGSZSKw__Zwo22VPHXLknFJEbXQI2GONCn_A03jb-X-zZbznPFB27jG-pLXFNSiXhUoJmsd6paWRlDzrggeYpIW27RxJELhJ3jy0vdf-rhQ1IjYkt-c/s1600/IMG_0245.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516245110122403762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDlHUS2g76thLDedMR6j5SiTtBwGSZSKw__Zwo22VPHXLknFJEbXQI2GONCn_A03jb-X-zZbznPFB27jG-pLXFNSiXhUoJmsd6paWRlDzrggeYpIW27RxJELhJ3jy0vdf-rhQ1IjYkt-c/s200/IMG_0245.JPG" /></a>red to "being domestic" to "being a cow." Well this past little while I attempted to be a cow. I decided that i would sew a quilt for brandon. P.S. That was a HUGE undertaking. much bigger than i expected. So after 3 hours picking out fabric and many trips returning and buying more fabric i was on my way. It was so far from perfect, but it turned out ok. Thanks for everyone who helped and listened to be vent about the possible burning of the massive thing! P.s. I am not a very good cow!</div></div>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02380323046227849466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725730451997767240.post-79834624334974517592010-08-16T10:13:00.000-07:002010-08-17T21:46:11.457-07:00Melon bust, sidekick and, 15 miles<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnC_Hli6jHer8gOsx0mo1WPgaBP82-rZY_mfTYjcP_J3ea8b8OeVHVKKNdCfPLEyJ-yrZb2Qcj9aNbKrm-v0PqdUYL9vq5uvsaeMSFQkxE_qZKasGBSZQo5G9_26-DKF6ACMt1cWB9nKk/s1600/IMG_0141.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 198px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnC_Hli6jHer8gOsx0mo1WPgaBP82-rZY_mfTYjcP_J3ea8b8OeVHVKKNdCfPLEyJ-yrZb2Qcj9aNbKrm-v0PqdUYL9vq5uvsaeMSFQkxE_qZKasGBSZQo5G9_26-DKF6ACMt1cWB9nKk/s320/IMG_0141.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506604417251550130" border="0" /></a><br />Alright sports fanz, I am feeling pretty good about being a blogger. This is kinda fun! Ever since the last post things have gotten pretty crazy for the duo in questions. Between shopping sprees as the D.I. and Walmart (where we stressed out multiple cashiers because of our crazy price matching) things are starting to come together for the fresh new batch of soon to be Mr.Park's 3rd graders. Ready or not they are coming in a week. I think that I have been more stressed than our dear sweet Mr. Parks. Because of this fact (and because I am quite fond of the guy) I have made myself the full-time sidekick. For those of you who don't know what a full-time sidekick entails it is basically doing whatever the boss asks you to do and thinking of and completing all the tasks that the boss wouldn't think of until 28 3rd graders walk through the door because he didn't have the brain capacity. Though I don't do much, I am grateful that I have the time to help. It has been absolutely incredible how much support Brandon has had from everyone around us! It means so much to me to have such amazing people willing to help and I know it means even more to Brandon. Thank you! (Honorable mention goes to two adorable little boys who were excellent door holders!)<br /><br />Being a full-time sidekick has another perk; helping me forget that Brandon is moving to be closer to his school. Sometimes it feels like he is moving to the other side of the planet, not just to the other side of the lake! I know that i am being dramatic but I have become so used to seeing him everyday and now I will one, for sure not see him everyday and two, he will be absolutely worn out at the end of the day and i will be forever away! The adorable that he is left me a voice mail the other day informing me that is is exactly 15miles from my door to his and that it took him about 20mins to get there. GREAT! now we can calibrate the teleporter... I wish! Joke, it was a very sweet message.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8F4A3MwjMrWXiew61atb3dlSbuu4qD7AnuLmI7a0gFqrxwFm9fmNnTU8WK_3pIEyq3e1mHqz_DgSwoiqZOSLj-numfjeAN3GhzvmS4YjdGwUPDHDX6tzBcW2aQBmC1zHwGrOQo9DZHFo/s1600/IMG_0134.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 171px; height: 128px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8F4A3MwjMrWXiew61atb3dlSbuu4qD7AnuLmI7a0gFqrxwFm9fmNnTU8WK_3pIEyq3e1mHqz_DgSwoiqZOSLj-numfjeAN3GhzvmS4YjdGwUPDHDX6tzBcW2aQBmC1zHwGrOQo9DZHFo/s200/IMG_0134.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506606314311929218" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSEE3JbGvWl7r9O78C-HvA6BYmxdOPogGi7Vl6dMznWhmR6HFuSHMaQOlkyZmPIK33i3M721eBjzckMhDUxn115XFqnMyOn-cXDCL0eAfd-CrUbjUikHe8XQDZmqng1pnzCmGgs8ewfDw/s1600/IMG_0134.JPG"><br /></a>In other news lat Sunday when the dramatic girl who lives inside me and doesn;t know how to control her emotions was leaking out in full force the affectionate Brandon decided to start a watermelon fight. Well I guess it all started when my so cute mother decided to have a true blue watermel<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3-Akq_yCF0TqLnsC04T9RtnXKyF-CJlSRm6gCj-eA0pxUkE8GCTWKHc86SXaKmrOlcmep8_nfTbV2q_w2WpPFXcKJ-SWjOpcZZKSK7slPwJsl4sTP0abznvWeL11DR5zwPBctF5hq68/s1600/IMG_0160.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3-Akq_yCF0TqLnsC04T9RtnXKyF-CJlSRm6gCj-eA0pxUkE8GCTWKHc86SXaKmrOlcmep8_nfTbV2q_w2WpPFXcKJ-SWjOpcZZKSK7slPwJsl4sTP0abznvWeL11DR5zwPBctF5hq68/s200/IMG_0160.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506606578518852194" border="0" /></a>on bust for her 45th birthday. This included us spreading a plastic table cloth on the cement, mom climbing to the top of a ladder and throwing a watermelon onto the plastic shouting "45 and still alive!" yes, I love her to pieces. Brandon and I were handed a huge chunk on watermelon and that is when it all started. It was so fun, and just what I needed. I am constantly amazed at how thoughtful he is (sorry sap haters!)<br /><br />Honestly, I (and we) have been so incredible blessed. It is amazing to me how things seem to fall into place in a way that, though unexpected and a little sca<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvyrjvopPwUAM_TY1aq5IY39fi-RxBTX1V2Nchs9VlCIMhTXfkZsLjpzN_1q5MUyOBMQh8KWCGRObCVylxE2hRRnElcuY66Fdgkj4ZvihyhXHigtm76F4eZRRoERQuJ44NGGbLEyQWYGs/s1600/IMG_0134.JPG"><br /></a>ry, are just what would be most meaningful and beneficial. It has been amazing to feel the hands of The Lord comforting me and gently guiding me to the paths that He would have me take. I know that we are both where we need to be at this time and I know that He will continue to guide us in the future, whatever that may be. WOW! I am so blessed.<br /><br />p.s. sorry this is so long and disjointed. Firefox is partially to blame because it crashed after the first time I finished this post! I am getting chrome!Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02380323046227849466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725730451997767240.post-33150052716618954612010-08-01T08:45:00.001-07:002010-08-01T08:47:50.587-07:00Mr. Parks, 3rd grade teacher!AHH!!!! Brandon got a job! He will be teaching 3rd grade at a brand new school in Eagle Mountain! We are so excited! It will be a crazy rest of the summer (and probably rest of the year) but we know it is where he is supposed to be. We have been very blessed! It is incredible how well The Lord takes care of us and rewards our diligence. I am so excited for a fresh new batch of 3rd graders who will have an incredible teacher.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02380323046227849466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725730451997767240.post-72260995895598508212010-07-27T19:32:00.000-07:002010-08-01T08:44:59.185-07:00Camping with the most incredible Parks family!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinewagW5vAE8TzB1r9u4X6ccRMSRbmitUAR8DQFNgegmoXTr_UzBghUiHyvNTVzxFXCPsaNEjDkHV6sPy73_33Vx0gX7jKY5y2_G-ihPHrDW5OJ4R15Im-xtHM2ukYk6GIXroLqOubNgI/s1600/IMG_0123.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinewagW5vAE8TzB1r9u4X6ccRMSRbmitUAR8DQFNgegmoXTr_UzBghUiHyvNTVzxFXCPsaNEjDkHV6sPy73_33Vx0gX7jKY5y2_G-ihPHrDW5OJ4R15Im-xtHM2ukYk6GIXroLqOubNgI/s320/IMG_0123.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500467677280073186" border="0" /></a><br />This weekend was such a blast! Brandon's family invited us to go on a little camping trip. When we got up there Brandons brothers were excited to play so all the guys went to the parking lot while us girls sat around and painted our nails (typical right.) Brandon's little sister is can paint toe nails better than anyone I have ever seen. Who needs a pedicure when she is around! I also showed off my fantastic skills by painting my nails florescent pink. The color which Brandon refered to as "It kinda looks like you have power bait on your finger nails." Hey maybe that's how we will finally catch some fish!<br /><br />We spent the evening playing some fun family games and eating yummy treats. Brandon was sweet enough to cook me a tasty dough boy (if you are completely confused right now you don't know what you are missing!)<br /><br />The next morning us girls...and spencer, played phase ten, when everyone else went biking down the canyon. I surprised myself by, one sitting through the entire game, and two WINNING! My strategy of never keeping track of when it was by turn worked. Ha ha and everyone just thought I was being spacey! When the bikers got back we hiked up the river a little bit. It was very treacherous due to the amount of spiders and mostly their webs. I am happy to report there were no casualties.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2xQtSe1-YsPsv7c-jGFiY6ToCl-1vodHB0FOAl6EFiX62SucvMoGickFjtILdYQEqU-mDMbAVjoJhfPfhFJOGMCZDxX3P9jWMLwptpeXH1rulpU7wXWA0kuMP0lQ9ruBgGrXPDmiECY/s1600/IMG_0124.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2xQtSe1-YsPsv7c-jGFiY6ToCl-1vodHB0FOAl6EFiX62SucvMoGickFjtILdYQEqU-mDMbAVjoJhfPfhFJOGMCZDxX3P9jWMLwptpeXH1rulpU7wXWA0kuMP0lQ9ruBgGrXPDmiECY/s320/IMG_0124.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500467839843638434" border="0" /></a><br />We fisnished off the trip with a good ol' game of wiffel ball. It was a blast! believe it or not I didn't stink as much as I usually do. Probably due to the fact that I have been watching more cardnial's baseball as of late. I actually hit every time i was up and got a couple outs. This brought me great joy due to the fact that as patient as the parks family is, they are much more competitive then i am.<br /><br />What a great trip! It was so fun to just be away for a while and soak in the incredible blessing of nature that The Lord has given us.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02380323046227849466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725730451997767240.post-13851166406420125612010-07-27T19:06:00.000-07:002010-07-27T19:32:30.931-07:00Watch out Sir Topum Hat!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NqP3f2_JYxxawQFbhtHG1ThMi_sxn2rzFH5q78BjzwpG2WLJPLbN5Vqio1caOXPWMlOkoYYrzmovMzTETvRpY1qAvU5TdhOgl5ZhQGG86KBHxzJACa48_VJivEDZhPpr3Dbv74UoUnI/s1600/IMG_0113.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NqP3f2_JYxxawQFbhtHG1ThMi_sxn2rzFH5q78BjzwpG2WLJPLbN5Vqio1caOXPWMlOkoYYrzmovMzTETvRpY1qAvU5TdhOgl5ZhQGG86KBHxzJACa48_VJivEDZhPpr3Dbv74UoUnI/s320/IMG_0113.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498779105470419458" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1KljB2gP5Qkhl8neMrmnIQRHbAGFFsp6_zSaysWUMPo9Hs0qdn3d9zLbfDTZG_Y7SR2EDelqQGxKsINJxVZtGee2Z5gYCPmUcPDh7feqqP-Ak_-6pBtzByTbS7DdDJZubMnYOBh0Me1Q/s1600/IMG_0113.JPG"><br /></a><br />A couple weeks ago due to the generosity of my amazing father we were able to take a trip on the Heber Creeper. SO MUCH FUN!<br /><br />We chose to go on the sunset bbq train ride, which was exactly as romantic as it sounds. (p.s. if you have a light stomach for sickly sap please turn back now.) We took some fun pictures and boarded the 1940's locomotive for our trip. The train took us around the back side of Deer Creek Reservoir, then stopp<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kGBSNk-Gk7r3YT4iGhuoOsGFRFAIK0d41WtpVA_qBL4nLqoG7lT9pCeL5Tr8ED38IqVjGEv_4xi4JXxb8h1QtXSyC9FSU4qEUrg-uti-G7zqPi5XxEKGbpfFHDJCgehoLcKEnVeRruE/s1600/IMG_0112.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 236px; height: 177px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kGBSNk-Gk7r3YT4iGhuoOsGFRFAIK0d41WtpVA_qBL4nLqoG7lT9pCeL5Tr8ED38IqVjGEv_4xi4JXxb8h1QtXSyC9FSU4qEUrg-uti-G7zqPi5XxEKGbpfFHDJCgehoLcKEnVeRruE/s320/IMG_0112.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498778461885907426" border="0" /></a>ed at a little platform where a fun country band and delicious dutch oven dinner were waiting for us. AMAZING! The only down side to this part of the trip was that as much as we loved the reservoir the mosquito love it more. There were defiantly there for the party. Though multiple people freely offered bug repellent, being the stupid stubborn that i am refused to let my dear sweet Brandon get me any. Though he begged and pleaded. Don't you fret, I got what I deserved, 19 bites on one foot alone. Yup, my ankles disappeared for a few days. Stupid, stupid !<br /><br />The ride back to the station was probably my favorite part. Brandon and I found a little nook between the cars were we could stand and watch the beautiful scenery pass. It was incredible to view the gorgeous creations The Lord has blessed me with while in the arms of another one of the largest blessings that has ever entered my life. WOW, I am so amazingly blessed!Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02380323046227849466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725730451997767240.post-29255890756806547902010-07-27T19:02:00.000-07:002010-07-27T19:06:29.145-07:00Round TwoAlright, so you may or may not be correct if you are thinking that April gets these random impluses to be a blogger when she is trying to avoid doing what she should be doing. Tonight that could be true, and it could also be true that I am not used to be being by myself all day after work (Brandon is being responsible...what a bum!) I fully realize that most people could care less about my adventures, but I also realize that I LOVE the blogs of my people. So though my life is not as exciting as theirs, and that I am not married (which seems to often be a blogger qualification) I will continue with my random blogging episodes. Thanks for letting me rant. Yours truely,<br />The impulsive wannabe bloggerAprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02380323046227849466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725730451997767240.post-65684260294851640572009-12-13T22:03:00.000-08:002009-12-13T22:16:26.807-08:00Trial run on being a bloggerLast night i was inspired to become a blogger. Thanks to my amazing blog stalking friend... you know who you are and the other amazing people who rock the blogs I have decided to try it out. My last posts were for my class, so they are pretty cheezy. Feel free to read them if you want a full reflection on "differentiation in the elementary school classroom"...I know boring! (well i kinda like it. good thing since it is becoming my life!). Ok I better stop rambling and get to blogging. Who knows how long this will last. This may be my first and last post.<br /><br />For those of you who are still tuning in a little fyi i am not married, but i am dating this amazing guy, so most of my adventures are with him. This past weekend we went to park city with his family. It was a blast! I adore his family so much and it was great being stuck in a gigantic lodge with them for a weekend. I feel like I got to know all of them even better! I have also decided that if you put two extremely childish grown-ups in a huge lodge then crazy things happen. We had a blast jumping on mattresses, practicing cartwheels and figuring out how many different ways you can slide around on a tile floor (p.s. having someone grab your legs and pull your around is the funnest!) We also discovered that close encounters with trees are bad when sledding and that the further you sled the longer you have to hike back up. We also learned that we are old and out of shape. <br /><br />I also got to see some of my most favorite people in the entire world this weekend! Once a year my favorite girls get together and we just chat and remember how much we love eachother. Though this year there was definitely a void seeing as how two members of the posse were not able to come (one who has run away to Zion...rude!) but it was so good just being together. Each year when we get together I am reminded how amazing they all are! I am so grateful for the huge influence they have had and continue to have in my life. WOW! I am so blessed!<br /><br />Well thank you for tuning in on April's first real blog post ever! Who knows if this will ever happen again. p.s. It is too late for proof reading. The end!Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02380323046227849466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725730451997767240.post-24216116928267725082009-10-24T11:27:00.000-07:002009-10-24T11:31:09.562-07:00Oct. 29One thing that I am kinda bugged about is that when I was in elementary school I did not witness a lot of differentiation. Sometimes I fear that because strait direct instruction or drill and kill was what I am most familiar with, those methods will be what I fall back on. I recognize the huge importance of differentiation and i will strive to make a conscious effort to do it. I just wish that i could have seen more examples of this amazing teaching practice in my own elementary school experience.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02380323046227849466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725730451997767240.post-47360585725668863042009-10-21T20:08:00.000-07:002009-10-21T21:04:33.277-07:00Oct. 22I am so excited to have all the resources found in the "toolbox" of this book! I was especially impressed with the large variety of resources. I feel that it is extremely important to constantly be changing the style of teaching and assessment in order to reach all types of learners. Looking through these resources I realized how important they are to plan differentiated lessons. Many of the resources are directly related to assessing students readiness, learning profile or interest and some indirectly assess, through they all tell you as the teacher something about the individual student. I am learning more and more that differentiation does not always have to be based on strict assessments or anecdotal notes, but can be based on any type of student response that is provided to the teacher. Our students are telling us what they need all the time, we as teachers need to be open and aware to receive and implement that information!Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02380323046227849466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725730451997767240.post-62971289901633573952009-10-07T22:07:00.000-07:002009-10-07T22:12:19.734-07:00I wish that I would remember to read this chapter each month for the rest of my teaching career. I felt that it was so realistic and empowering! I loved how it simply summed up the main method that we have been learning in the bullets at the beginning. I hope that I can remember to be aware of the points on that list because I know that is what my students deserve. I also really enjoyed how the rest of the chapter basically told it like it is. Teaching is going to be hard and there are going to be students that you have a hard time with. Integrating differentiation perfectly all the time may not be feasible, but it is worth the effort it takes to try. We, as teachers have the opportunity to and an obligation to give each student what they need, though this may not always be completely possible, it remains our obligation and quest!Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02380323046227849466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725730451997767240.post-73691577202182528152009-09-30T21:28:00.000-07:002009-09-30T21:43:41.033-07:00Oct. 1It was oddly surprising to me to hear on of our professors say "you wont be able to teach the entire core". I guess that was something that I should have realized before, but it had never occurred to me. Chapter five solidified and clarified the statement made by my professor. There is no way to teach the entire core, but it is essential to teach what the students need to know. Looking at the core and understanding the amount of standardized testing that my students will be subjected to makes me a little stressed. I sometimes fear that I will be so focused on filling my students with all this information that others tell me they need to know that I will loose sight of their learning. I will become some one who "teaches" a concept, not someone who helps my student "learn" a concept. I am empowered to realize that as a teacher I have the power (whithin reason) to teach what I feel my students need to know in a way that is meaningful to them. Shoving my students full of information will benefit them nothing and will waste their time. <br /><br />I really enjoyed reading the second chapter and reviewing some of the basic principles of differentiation. I love hearing about teachers who make this style of teaching apart of their method and make it work! I especially liked reading about the teacher who incorporated a community building sharing activity into a science lesson. Building a community in your classroom is so fundamental, but it can become overlooked. I think it would be a great idea to incorporate that community building across the curriculum. As teachers we need to realize that we are not just teaching a bunch of kids all at the same level, but that we are teaching a group of individuals who are all on different levels. We need to accommodate and create the best learning environment for all students. This is what differentiation is all about. That does not mean allowing not insisting on progression. It was good to remember that differentiation not only means getting to know your students needs, but that it is also requiring students to push themselves to new levels.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02380323046227849466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725730451997767240.post-55585336785443336682009-09-23T13:45:00.000-07:002009-09-23T13:56:22.622-07:00Sept. 24This section of reading has opened my eyes even wider to what my attitude needs to be in order to have a differentiated classroom. In the last chapters it seems that the focus has been to really understand what the student is thinking and feeling. In these chapters I really enjoyed how it focused on what the teacher should be thinking and feeling in order to best provide the needs of the students. As teachers our attitudes and encouragement effects students greatly. It is important that we realize how essential it is for us to be aware of the many points that are mentioned in the first chapter. Validating students and encouraging them in the ways listed needs to become a habitual part of our instruction. <br /><br />I also really liked more specifically in the second chapter how in depth the study of how the environment affects the student. We have studied the effects of environment a lot, but it is always good to review them. It was also beneficial for me to read about how many teachers are making their classroom environments the most beneficial for their students.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02380323046227849466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725730451997767240.post-46233463529151131512009-09-16T23:30:00.000-07:002009-09-17T09:52:49.412-07:00Sept. 17th* I originally posted this last night, but I wanted to add a couple things. Please let me know if you would rather I didn't do this so that you can get an adequate understanding if the posting assignment was done on time. Sorry, I really didn't think about it when I opened the window, but realized there was no turning back because the update time would have already changed on this post. <br /><br />I believe inventories and pre-assessments to be a key part of understanding what your students know and how they feel. Because there are so many different types of assessments I believe that every teacher can find on that will fit their personal style and purpose of teaching. <br /><br />I really liked the idea of having pictures included in the inventories instead of having a rating scale. I feel that children at any age would benefit from having a scale that includes pictures instead of only numbers because pictures are easier to understand. I feel it's easier to understand and interpret numbered rating scales for people of all ages. We can relate better to pictures. <br /><br />I also found it useful to have a set characteristics and have the students sort them into whether they are like them or not. I fell this would help students really evaluate themselves on the level decided by the teacher. This may also help students learn as much about themselves as the teacher does because they may not have thought about these traits before. <br /><br />Many of the specific subject pre-assessments were focused of investigation, which I believe to be very important. When you ask students to define or explain a topic to the best of their knowledge it provides a pure understanding of what they know and how they understand it. This gives teachers an understanding of the students knowledge as well as the student's learning profile. A couple of these types of pre-assessments also had a section where the student could draw the concept. This is an important part of the assessments because it allows the students an additional means of expression giving the teacher clearer data. <br /><br />I would love to conduct some type of inventory like this with my student teaching class. Because I haven't been in the classroom with them these last few months it will be important for me to know and understand them as individuals so I can focus my instruction. I would like to do an inventory that would have a section where they can tell me what they want me to know about them. I feel this will help us catch up a little for the time I have not been with my students in their classroom. I feel that allowing them to express themselves openly will also make them feel more comfortable when I ask them more specific questions about their learning. <br /><br />It is crucial that we understand our students so we know how to teach them. I believe that assessments and inventories play only a very small part in gathering this information. The most important thing that we can do to accomplish this goal of knowing our students is to observe and get to know them. We must establish an environment where students can be themselves and receive the instruction they need to succeed.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02380323046227849466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725730451997767240.post-77385858222181877692009-09-10T10:05:00.000-07:002009-09-10T10:17:09.545-07:00Sept. 9 ReadingI miss read the sylabus and didn't realize that I needed to post about yesterdays reading. I know understand that every reading needs to be posted about, so it wont happen again. I also realize that I will probably recieve no points for this post, but because I really enjoyed the reading I would like to reflect on it anyway. <br /><br />What stood out to me the most in these two chapters was how the students perspective was so plainly explained. I feel that so many times I get overwhelmed with what is expected of me and what I am feeling that I don't take the time to think about what the students are feeling. I had a real "ah ha" moment when it said that to the studnets the teacher is asking them to "come play. come learn what I have designated as important" and that we expect the students so comply willingly with out any hesitation. I love how when we differetiate we try to understand students and learn from them. Just like in the little prince metaphore we are there working together to learn. It was interesting to me that the fox kind of teaches the prince how to tame him. The fox is not just some dumb animal with no understanding of its world. It is the fox's idea to be tamed and he defines how he needs to be tamed. This is the same with our studnets. They may come in with an attitude that is completely complyiant or they may not. We as teacjers need to work with them to ensure that everyone knows why certian things are being taught and that teachers are learning from the students how they can be best "tamed". <br /><br />I also really liked the table on page 16 that explains the seperate aspects of the cog metephore through simple statements. I feel that to really understand and practive differentiation a teacher should look at this model offten through out the year. I belivce that reviewing this(and similar models that are found later in the book)offten, differentiation can become integrated into how I teach each student.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02380323046227849466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725730451997767240.post-84806040923312516042009-09-01T16:04:00.000-07:002009-09-02T15:48:17.701-07:00Differentiation: Morning meeting readingsWhen reading the morning meeting information packet several things appealed to me. Since first learning about morning meetings I have always had a desire to use them in my future classroom and these reading reaffirmed that desire. I especially enjoyed reading the student responses about morning meetings. It was inspiring to read about students who are so excited about a certain aspect of school. It was apparent in their responses how much value they saw in morning meetings. the students were empowered. This student empowerment is something that is very important to me. I can see how having a morning meeting fostered this student empowerment. The students in this article were able to express themselves and their views in a safe and friendly environment. They had an opportunity to find and express themselves. I want this atmosphere and growth in my future classroom that is fueled by a good morning meeting routine. <br /><br />I also found the article found in the packet about eliminating back-biting and other problems to foster a good classroom community very appealing. I think what appealed to me most about this article was the teacher centered approach that was taken to address this issue. The attitude of the classroom really starts with the attitude of the teacher. We as teachers need to constantly evaluate ourselves to make sure we are the type of person we expect our students to be. I also am a big fan of lists. I can definitely see myself creating a list of negative behaviors in my classroom that I can help change. By creating a list I feel I will be able to focus on what is important and be more aware of students who are not participating in that behavior.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02380323046227849466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725730451997767240.post-58182354760535166562008-12-13T07:52:00.000-08:002008-12-13T07:59:00.322-08:00Tech Rich Lesson RelectionApril Keyes and JoAnne Cole <br />Tech rich lesson plan reflection<br /><br />The article that we chose to write this review on was a journal article researching the changing beliefs of two elementary school teachers who engaged their students in project-based learning in a technology-rich environment. Researchers visited the classroom daily collecting many different types of data: videotape, notes, surveys, interviews, ect, to get as much information as they could. Three core beliefs were evident in the data collected: (a) Strategic knowledge of how to find and organize information is important; (b) construction of projects leads to constructing and organizing knowledge; and (c) knowledge of student learning is evident from group. <br />A quote from the journal sums up in clear words the main ideas of the article, “While technology can be valuable in supporting students and teachers in projects requiring higher level thinking it is not the kind of technology that matters most, but rather how it is used.” We were able to use technology in one of our lesson plans and agree with this statement. In part of the lesson we had a PowerPoint presentation and the students watched while Mrs. Cole talked. In the other part of the lesson plan, the students were able to use the computers and independently do the assignment that was given to them. We noticed that when the students were engaged in the learning themselves they were more excited and willing to learn, but during the PowerPoint they weren’t as attentive.<br /><br />The article goes on to report that teachers who are using more technology in the classrooms are lecturing less and coaching more; and, rather than expecting students to learn all the same information, they expect individual differences. Not one person in this world is exactly alike, so how can we expect our students to do the exact same things or learn in the same ways? We can’t expect that and this is one of the reasons why technology is getting to be so important in education. We as college students are being told that technology is going to be more prevalent in education by the time we are teachers and students will be spending more time using technology than ever before. Why is technology becoming such an important resource to use as teachers today? The article answers this question by talking about three key reasons why technology in the classrooms is so important. 1. People learn from new experiences based on prior knowledge and beliefs, 2. New knowledge is always situated in a context; and 3. Learning is socially mediated and acquired within learning communities.<br /><br />This article supports the technology we used in the classroom because we got to see the difference a lesson can be by using technology, and what it is like without it. We decided that there a many pros and cons to using technology in the classroom. Some of the cons are: we are completely dependent upon technology so if the power goes out or some other unexpected event, we are out of luck with our lesson plan. Another con would be that students aren’t learning the social skills acquired by doing group work. Some pros are: Students learn independently, students can be on different levels of learning, higher level thinking is brought out, and there are not as many behavior problems because the students are enjoying what they are learning. <br /> <br /> We believe that our lesson plan strated proper use of technology in the classroom because we were able to engage the students in the lesson and they enjoyed it at the same time. We believe that this is the key to any great teacher, being able to teach in a way that the students want to learn. We also know that from this experience we still have a lot to learn and will continue to practice and enhance our technological skills so that when we are teachers we will be able to use technology and get our students to enjoy learning. <br /><br /> For our technology rich lesson we integrated a couple different forms of technology in order to get the students attention and inspire them to engage with the material presented. As the students came into the computer lab their screens were locked so that all of their focus could be on the introduction and first part of our lesson. This caused a little confusion because they really didn’t like their screens to be locked, many of them expressed their complaints. Once everyone was settled down, we explained what we were going to be talking about that day and briefly introduced the assignment they would be completing later. Mrs. Cole then explained and presented pictures that she had taken while on a trip to Washington DC in the national archives. The student s really enjoyed not only seeing actual pictures of the documents we had been talking about and where they were written but also seeing Mrs. Cole in some of the pictures. <br /><br />During the presentation each student wrote down one question they had about the three documents that we had been discussing (The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, or The Bill of Rights). After the presentation we explained, each student would be received five index cards to record the data they would be collecting from the actual national archives site. The students had to put specific information on each card; card one and card two were used for answering the assigned questions, card three was used to record the answers to the question they came up with on their own, and on cards four and five they recorded fun facts that they had found while exploring the site. <br /><br /> This lesson was by far the most stressful one that we taught because the programs we were using were incompatible. The PowerPoint that we had made was working fine when we were in the UVU computer lab, but would not load on the Mac computers at the elementary school. We ended up remaking the entire show an hour before we were supposed to present it. We could still not get it to load correctly until about five minutes before the students came into the lab. Because of this confusion the last slide containing the assignment directions was no longer in the power point show. Leaving us trying to explain and give all the direction orally. This was very confusing for the students and there were a lot of questions about what was supposed to be on each card. Once we had the questions on a temporary slide and had reviewed the instructions many times they were able to complete the assignment with no problems.<br /> <br />Another thing that went wrong in our lesson plan was the need to take out a short video clip that wouldn’t load. We took it out right before the students came into the computer lab and gave our students more time to search the archives website instead which actually worked out great because they enjoyed doing the research. The students are very accustomed to coming into the computer lab to play games so when they came in and saw their computers locked, they were very disappointed. They seemed annoyed at first that we were giving them an assignment and that they actually had to do more than just play games. <br /><br />Overall we would count this lesson as a triumph, because the students were able to engage with the information we presented and be excited about their learning. Many students were excited to share the fun facts they found with us and we learned a lot this way as well. They were able to work in an environment that they could control and that they were comfortable with but they still understood and comprehended what we wanted them to do and understand by the end of the lesson. <br /> As teachers our lesson fits with the NETS standard stating that technology should facilitate student learning and creativity. The student’s were able to expand their learning by exploring and interacting with a place that most of the students had never been. This lesson also furthered the student’s development through the NETS standard three for students stating “Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.” Through the use of the internet the students were able to explore the national archives and collect data. By looking at pictures and reading information about what we had been learning about the students had an individual opportunity to gain a personal appreciation for the information we had been presenting. They were able to have this opportunity through the use of the technology used in our lesson. <br /><br /> Through presenting this lesson we have gained a greater appreciation and understanding of the vital role that technology plays in the classroom. The students were so excited to have the opportunity to use the computers; it was almost like they didn’t realize that they were learning new material. They were also more motivated to finish the assignment because they were able to find the information in a place that is fun and exciting for them, the internet. Through the use of a PowerPoint presentation and the computers, the student’s were excited to learn because it was presented in a way that was out of the ordinary. Before presenting this lesson we believed the information about student responses to technology but it was exciting to see it actually happen in our own class. We also learned how much more effort it takes to create a technology rich lesson compared to a regular lecture lesson. Tech rich lessons seem to take more time to prepare but also reap much greater student results. Our understanding of how important technology is in the classroom has greatly increased and we hope to integrate it in any way possible in our future classrooms.<br /> <br />Source:<br />LUNDEBERG, M. A. (1997).We Think They're Learning: Beliefs, Practices, and Reflections of Two Teachers Using Project-Based Learning. Journal of Computing in Childhood Education. 8, 59-81.<br /><br />Lesson Plan: http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dg4n69sd_24cptsrzfzAprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02380323046227849466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725730451997767240.post-91777615799929756012008-11-13T14:46:00.000-08:002008-11-29T10:12:59.854-08:00Tech interview reflection<span style="font-weight:bold;">What did you learn form this interview?</span><br />From this experience I have learned that the teachers are do not intuitively think of technology as part of their planning. My coordinator teacher is tied to a very tight schedule and it seems never has time to use technology as apart of her lessons. Talking to her she was is aware of the things that are available for her to use, but it seems that she is so busy she often doesn’t think to use. She told us about the times that she has used technology in the past and she is aware of how well the students respond. Through my observations of her I completely understand. Integrating technology takes an extra effort and extra time. It is much easier to do the same things everyday and at times it seems more efficient. I also learned how little the teacher assigned to the computer class knows about the technology available in the school. She knew a lot about her classroom lab and was very willing to accommodate us in her room. It is apparent that if there are other resources available in the school other than those we discussed in our interviews it seems not many people know about them. <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />How will this experience affect you as a teacher?</span> <br />In class learning about how technology can be used and having its importance pressed on me I feel that I will try to use it in my future teaching career as much as possible. Through interviewing these individuals and observing their teaching I have realized how much extra effort a teacher must have to make to integrate technology into their curriculum. It seems so much easier and at times more efficient to lecture with simple in class assignments. But what is most desirable for teachers is to engage students in a way that they can best retain the information. I believe that, at times, the use of technology is the best way to do this.<br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">How did this experience change your thinking about the use of technology?</span><br />Conducting these interviews has changed my thinking about the use of technology because the application of technology seems so simple when we are studying it in the classroom. The actual application is at times much harder. The teachers I spoke with had never thought to use a web quest because they cannot find an already existing one that fits and they have no time to make their own. I know understand how difficult it is for teachers, especially ones that have been teaching for a while, to think in terms of how they can integrate technology.<br /><br />Tech interview: http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dg4n69sd_21gwm4fwdbAprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02380323046227849466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725730451997767240.post-54665490624541096562008-10-28T21:54:00.000-07:002008-10-28T22:11:43.925-07:00Webquest Reflection<span style="font-weight: bold;">What?<br /></span>Together as a group we created a webquest for fourth grade students about lightning. The part that I specifically created was the day dealing with learning the difference between a rainstorm and a thunderstorm. The point was to help students understand that sometimes if it is raining that does not mean that the dangerous elements are present. The webquest as a whole taught students what when lightning is present, what it is and how to be safe around it. <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span>So What?<br /></span>I thought that the creation of our webquest went very well. It was frusterating that only one member of the group could be working on it at a time. At times I had time that I wanted to work on my part of the project but was unable to because I knew another member was editing. <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span>I believe that it is important to know about webquests and how to create them because I now am more aware of how I could use them in my class. Now that I have exposure to how they are set up and what they contain I am much more likly to consider implimenting them. Also I am now able to adapt webquests created by others to my specific class needs. <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Now What?<br /></span>I would love to use a webquest in my future class. I think my using this resource would really be dependant on the avaliabilty of computers for my entire class. I think that webquests would be a great tool to use even if only parts of the webquest was used in class and the students had the option to explore more at home. Also this would be a great resource for those students who have to miss a lot of class because it can be accessed at home. The use of webquest would also really depend on the dynamics of my class. If there were students who had a more difficult time with independant learning a long webquest may be more difficult. <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><br />This experience has taught me how little i know about the large quantity of resources that area avaliable on the internet. There are so many other webquests on many subjects and so many other great sites that are very useful. I also understand how I need to become more comfortable with integrating the internet and technology into my teaching. I become stuck on the traditiional teaching methods because that is what I experienced in elementary school. I need to further understand and impliment how important it is to use technology for my future students. <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02380323046227849466noreply@blogger.com0