2011

I have been thinking a lot about this post. I don't really care for New Year's Resolutions because by my birthday I have not completed one resolution. Not even close. This year as I thought about goals I was reminded of a story about Benjamin Franklin. We know that Benjamin Franklin few a kite and was struck by lightning. Some of us might know that he was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Others might know that he was a goal keeper. Most of us are goal setters but we don't keep them. Well, Benjamin did. He wrote down thirteen values he wanted to have in his life and did what he needed to do to make them present in his everyday life. I read a story that he would write down a goal and keep it in his shirt pocket for 28 days because then it would become a habit. He didn't work on all of his goals at one. This might be the key.

So I have decided that I will come up with 13 things that I need to work on and work on them one at a time. Then after I master 1 in 28 days I can move on to the next and keep 13 by then end of 2011. Well now comes the hard part picking 13 things I need to work on. We all know I am like Mary Poppins, "Practically perfect in every way."

First: Faith. I need to go back to the basics and pray and study scriptures with my whole heart. I need to not have a causual relationship with our Father in Heaven I need to have a Father Daughter realationship. I need to not wait until I am in the life boat to really plead with him.

For my first and second 28 days it will be to get back on the horse. WORK OUT!!! I did this pretty successfully in 2010 but I need to master this first.

Third : Make time for momma. Ladies this is tough. Somedays spending 2 minutes in the bathroom going potty is a good thing. I am going to do what I love doing read! The best book I read in 2010 was The Help by Kathryn Stockett if you haven't read it I would get to the library ASAP. I need to show my children my passion for learning.

Fourth: Keep a journal. Once a week update my blog or FB because this is a modern day journal.

Fifth: Don't sweat the small stuff! IF things aren't as perfect as they should be things will still work out. I am a mom that works two jobs and Jason has three. There are going to be days that dishes are still in the sink. Don't get the scream machine out. (That is Jason's pet name for my voice)

Sixth: Love harder, do I share those feelings of love I have enough? To spell LOVE with kids it is TIME. I need to spend more one on one time with my kids expecially Tyler and Katie.

Seventh: Get organized, I am organized to a fault at school. What do I mean, don't touch my desk. Things are at a 90 degree angle and in the proper place. Don't move books on the selves or have desks not in a row because I can't function. At home this is the opposite my closest is a wreck. I need to spend one month doing some heavy cleaning and organizing. When we are organized we more effective people.

Eighth: Keep up with what needs to be done. The reason I hate ironing is that I wait until I have 30 shirts to do. If I spent an hour a week doing ironing it would be done and caught up. I don't like putting grades in the computer if it takes more than an hour. I hate separating papers after two weeks. Why because I am always playing catch up. I need to stop playing catch up and just get caught up.

Ninth: I guess I need to come up with four more goals. I guess if you are like Mary Poppins you really only need eight goals a year.

I hope that my family and friends have a wonderful new year!

Late Again

Well, I looked at the Calendar and it is Christmas Eve, eve. That means no cards again this year. We have had a very busy year. Here is a quick update before I burn dinner.

Tyler has had a busy year turning 16, driving, oh yeah and finding the spotlight on stage. Last January Tyler was in the school production of The Secret Garden playing the uncle and the doctor. Since that time he has been in 7 shows and is playing Prince Charming in Cinderella next month. He has also earned the rank of Eagle Scout. I am glad I only have one son to earn that rank because it is a very long process.

Katie turned 14 and entered into Mia Maids. She also got to go to camp for the first time this year. Katie enjoyed camp and she was a big trooper for the whole week. She too has enjoyed being back on stage. She played Mary in the Secret Garden, I think we counted 400 lines she had to learn. She has also continued taking dance and is turning into a beautiful dancer. She finished off the year with CATS as Georgia.

Noelle is going to turn 9 in a few days. She is doing well in school. Noelle or Steve as she is known at school is the Secretary of the Student Council. She is busy with dance and also theatre. (I wonder where they get it) She has been in Beauty and the Beast and Alice in Wonderland. She enjoys singing and bugging her big brother and sister.

Jason has been very busy this year. In March we learned that Mission Industries would be closing their doors. By the time I got home from work he had a new job. He is now working at the Refuge Golf and Country Club as the Club House Manager. He is also teaching two days a week at Telesis in the drama department. Oh, and last but not least he is teaching voice. This year he had the opportunity to star in Jekyll and Hyde. It was amazing! He is hoping to get back on the stage this year.

I have been busy with school. I love teaching! I am also working with a dear friend in the after school program. I have been busy keeping up with my theatre family and love watching them shine.

At this time of year I want my friends and family to know that I know Jesus is the Christ. That He suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane for my sins and through Him we can live with our Father in Heaven again. I am so grateful for the wonderful blessing we have received as a family and the ones I have had on my own. May you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! God Bless you!

I have to do better!

As I went to update my classroom blog I noticed it has been a year since I updated our family blog. I know it has to do with facebook. Well here is a quick update on our family.

Jason is busy with voice lessons. He started a new job at the Refuge and loves working there. He runs the restaurant and the club house. He will also start teaching with Grace Ann at Telesis in a few weeks.

Tyler has turned in his Eagle project paperwork. It will get sent up to Las Vegas this week and we should know if about three weeks if he is an Eagle Scout. The project was tough but the paperwork was a project within its self. He also has done two plays this summer Into the Woods and Alice in Wonderland Jr. He enjoyed both but Into the Woods was his favorite.

Katie has enjoyed being the Dodo bird in Alice in Wonderland Jr. She has also been busy babysitting. She is spending the next two weeks in Pahrump with Uncle Johnny and Aunt Angie. She is hoping to earn enough money to buy an I-pod touch.

Noelle enjoyed being a park kid and rock lobster in Alice in Wonderland. She has been busy reading and working on getting ready for third grade. She is looking forward to having Mrs. Carson next year in school.

I have been busy tutoring and kid sitting this summer. I was able to go to girls camp in Pine Valley Utah. I was very worried about being called as camp director but it was a wonderful time. It was Katie's first time at camp. I am looking forward to getting back to teaching. I love my job!

Well my goal is to at least post once a month. I hope I can do it!

End of Summer

Well summer is almost officially over. The kids have to go back to school a week from Monday. Teachers get to go back tomorrow. I thought I would post a little of what we did this summer.
1. Tyler and Katie were able to go on a pioneer trek from Williams to Flagstaff. They both had a good time and learned a little what our forefathers had to do for us.
2. Noelle logged in almost 40 hours of reading for the summer reading program at the library.
3. Jason officially opened the Fallis Vocal Studio and now has 5 students.
4. I enjoyed my kids, read some good books, and relaxed. All good things a teacher should do over the summer.
I am excited because I get to have my own classroom. In years past I have always taught in the library. I have my room decorated in red, white, and blue. I think we need to become as Americans more patriotic. That does not mean I agree with President Obama because that is the farthest thing from the truth. I think a little patriotism would go along way.

Here are some pictures of the kids earning their Honor Roll Certificates. Katie is behind Mr. Lawslo in Noelle's picture. Thank you Mr. Lawslo for getting in the way.

Tyler's Eagle Project Photos

Eagle Project

Well we have almost completed Tyler's project. It looks very nice and we have addded some pictures so you can see the progess we have made. The last thing to do is to add the numbers and lettering to the courts. I have to make an appointment to get into the school grounds so
Tyler can get this done. I would like to thank everyone that helped. I am so
happy that my dad could come down and help from Nevada.