Shining Stars

Wednesday night, the 21st, I went to Layton to go to Kaydence's Shining Star recital. It was so fun and entertaining. She's quite the performer and is a good singer. She was the very best one in the whole program!! We went to Arby's afterwards, then I came home. It was such a nice evening with Aaron and his darling family. Thanks Kaydence!

A special story

This is a story written by Tristie, one of the little girls in my class, dedicated to me for Christmas. It's a little long, but I think definitely worth the reading. :) (I'm going to write it just like she did)

The Hicker Charly and Moutain Everst

Once opan a time ther was a hicker. His name was charly and he was trying to climd mountain Evereast. He got about half way up when the moutain started talking to it's wife Queen Evereast. When the mouatain started talking to it's wife he almost fained but fell shaking in fear. he started climbing agin but the moutain said stay off!!! So Charly went to get his wife. She would know how to deal with this. So he went to get Sue. They went back to the moutain. Sue talked to the moutain. She found out why the moutain was talking. sue told Charly why the moutain was talking. Sue told Charly that the moutains were having a party and he ate to much fruit cake. and he felt like he was going to puke. so he was telling his wife. that he was going to puke right now and said to run while you can. but but they didn't so they were soon coverd in puke. Sue starded to scream. Charly was so desgusted then he puked to. Sue ran and ran and ran finely she stoped to. Everyone was laughing at Sue. She was running in circles. Finley they told her why they were laughing. Soon Sue was lauging to. Sue told charly they should go home and chang cloths so they said they would be back in 15 minitus so they changed there cloths and came back the mountain gave them preastents. They had a party They played games and had treats and cakes. When it was time for the moutain and it's wife to go to sleep Sue read them good night moon, Amedila bedilea, Mrs. PiggleWiggle's Magic, Skippy Jone Jons, Pipie Jone Jons, By My Brothers Side, Bridge to Terabithia. So the next day when a hicker came to hike moatain Everest I think thats another story. I wounder what happens? The end

It Couldn't Have Been Better!

It came and went fast, just like usual, and now Christmas 2008 is in the past. I don't remember ever having a better time with my family than we had. We played lots and lots of games, laughed, ate, prayed for safe travel in the snow, had a talent show, took pictures of us all making ugly faces, (and yes it was hilarious), talked, went bowling (where after making 3 gutter balls, Anneke got a strike on a red pin and won a free game, and we watched Kate's ball roll very slowly down the lane for about 3 minutes while she was off playing) watched football, watched movies, ate some more, cut hair, hugged and kissed little girls, shoveled snow, shot clay pigeons, laughed at Sam diving in the snow in his shorts and flip flops and then running fast into a hot shower (silly Arizona boy) and thoroughly enjoyed each other's company. And did I mention how much we laughed??? We think we're a pretty funny bunch. It was a beautiful, snowy, cozy Christmas too. I'm just so thankful for this wonderful time of the year, for my precious family, and for the birth and life of our Savior.

Knee Report

On Friday, the 21st, I had some surgery on my right knee to fix the miniscus. It was just an outpatient surgery, so counting time to pick up a prescription on the way home, we were gone about 5 hours. Anneke was my nurse and went with me and took care of me that day and night and then on Saturday, she went to Smithfield to pick up her girls for the entertainment for the day. They are definately entertaining and are so sweet and fun. The Lindhardts went home that afternoon. Andrea came in the early afternoon and she stayed until Monday morning. I appreciated Anneke and Andrea so much for their help and their company. My knee is doing great and physical therapy went fine and hopefully by the end of the week I'll be back to normal. The school sent me some flowers and so did Amy and Sam and Andrea and Brad. Anneke and Tom bought some groceries and the girls made sure that I had some meals in the fridge and freezer and they took great care of me.

Merry Christmas to me!

My sweet family already gave me my Christmas gift! It is a new 4 inch thick memory foam mattress topper and a luxurious mattress pad. I sink away into oblivion. I reminds me of a slow moving water bed. I love it and I love my kids for giving it to me. Thanks so much, guys!!!!

Readers' Theater

Today my class did a Readers' Theater about the Thanksgiving Story. They were so cute and so excited to do it and they got really good at it as we practiced. I invited the school psycologist, the principal, the refocus teacher, and two teachers who have student teachers in their classes and could get away, to come be the audience. It was one of those moments when I really love teaching. Third graders are so much fun. They read their parts with such enthusiasm and nice and loud. My favorite line was when Tyler said that the name of the Indian who befriended the Pilgrims was Squinto instead of Squanto. So cute.

All Prepared

Next Wed. there's only half a day of school, so in the morning my class is going to have a read-a-thon. I reminded the class that they'd need lots of books to read for 1 1/2 hours and that it might be a good idea to bring some books from home to read too. So this morning, the same little boy who I've blogged about writing me a song, came to school all excited because he had brought 2 books from home. Now you have to understand that this little guy reads at about a kindergarten level. He also has probably never been to church in his life. So it struck me so funny that the books he brought were The Christmas Box and the Priesthood and Relief Society manual of the teachings of Wilford Woodruff. He's all pumped up about reading them next Wednesday.