Be Still My Soul....

Ok, so in all the hullaballoo that is life... it has finally hit me that I need to slow down and remember who is in charge of it all. It is definitely not me! The school year started with a bang... one teacher short already due to budget issues, and four weeks into the year the other one in my department resigned to leave teaching for more money in private business. So with a gargantuan case load and feeling like I'm the only constant these struggling kids have, I've been taking on a lot of extra worry. --Not so good for my own kiddos that deserve to have a not-so-crazy mom.

I got to go to a Time Out for Women conference... and have decided that I should have put myself in "time out" long before now. It was wonderful to spend the weekend with some of the ladies in my life who I love and who constantly inspire me to do better. (Thanks girls!!!)

Anyway... between that and a break down in the park watching soccer practice, I think the Lord has finally shaken some sense into me. And I appreciate His love and mercy in my life. Here are a few more things I'm thankful for...

• I'm glad that SUV stopped three feet before hitting Carter today.... That was bawl-my-eyes out scary!!!


• I'm thankful for the smell of rain.


• For kids who can pretty much wipe their own cute bums!


• For the scriptures and the guidance of the spirit. (I hope I don't slip back into neglect)...


• For a mom who doesn't mind if I call her 17 times a day... ha ha


• For a husband who does laundry, dishes, toilets & tubs, buys dozens of roses, and who (mistakenly) thinks I'm the bomb.


• For three little kids who constantly remind me what is really important.


• And lots more.....

I realize that no one may read this, but even so it is still good to express my gratitude. :)

ONE WEEK LEFT!!!

Holy Cow!!! I only have one week left in my graduate degree! I'm so excited that I don't quite know how to contain myself! There have been some trying times, but I know that both my family and I have been hugely blessed!

I have been thrilled with my program from Grand Canyon University, and would encourage anyone who is working or home with kiddos and wants to further their education to look into on-line programs. It was so nice to be able to work from home after the kids went to sleep, and I never had to travel to a class. It also forced me to do my own research and study a little harder rather than just listen to the professors and regurgitate what they want to hear.

I hope that the schooling will pay off in the long run and that the end result will outweigh the costs it took to get there. But for now, I'm just happy to be basking in the light at the end of the tunnel. Hallelujiah!!!!!

It has been... a long time!

Well, a lot has happened over the past two years since my last blog. My kids have grown like weeds, my little brother has served a quarter of an LDS mission, my hair has changed in various shades and lengths, my husband has spent significant amounts of time doing laundry and other household chores....

The good news is that at the end of July I will be done with my master's degree, and hopefully I can take a deep breath and enjoy my kids growing! I decided to persue a masters in educational administration because I think that will open up several different options for me, allow me a good pay raise while still teaching, and hopefully pave the way for John and I to serve a humanitarian mission at one of the Church's Pacific Island schools someday.

I've already instructed John that if I ever mention the term advanced degree or doctorate degree to shoot me on the spot. My kids are excited to have me "unglued" from the computer, and I'm excited to use what I've learned. Anyway, HAPPY SUMMER!!!!!!!!