we may wait...

After experimenting with this Paul and I may just wait a while to have kids...



After a few attempts a more normal version of a human being appeared...

hopefully our genes combine a little better than these photo's predict:)

so this is what teachers do on their breaks...

Hello again!

We hope all is well with all of our loyal blog followers and that you all had a wonderful Christmas:) Paul and I are enjoying some time off of school... I've completely forgotten that I am a school teacher for the time being and am enjoying some extra sleep. Paul finished the semester really well and is going to be a TA for anatomy this coming semester! He's really excited, and I am excited for him! I am looking forward to seeing all of my darling 5th graders again... next week that is! Here is a few pictures...


The first ever Mt. Mahogany Chorus concert!
My darling students writing tehir spelling words in the snow!

Paul and I watching our friend Noelle at a Skeleton race in Park City... it was cold.

Not to shock you...

I know- two months without a post and then 2 in one day? I saw this on Emily's blog and I started thinking about it- it was nice to not think of school things for once! I decided to do it in school teacher fashion as best I could though...


I am - A 5th grade teacher.

I think - reverse psychology is a God send.

I want -to score well on my evaluation Thursday.

I have - 25 students.

I wish - I could keep my bookshelves organized Or anything organized for that matter.

I hate - after school meetings.

I miss - being able to see the sunshine.

I fear - that I won't get grades entered on time.

I feel - overwhelmed 95% of the time.

I hear - someone's watch going off. I've told them multiple times that it must go, but by the end of the day what 5th grader remembers to turn their watch alarm off so it doesn't drive their teacher crazy?.

I smell - the lingering scent of 25 5th graders who are hit and miss with deodorant.

I search - for information on plotting graphs for tomorrow's math lesson.

I wonder -If teaching will ever be easy:)

I regret - that I didn't talk to each one of my kids today.

I love - that I get to interact with 25 wonderful, kind, beautiful children everyday, and that some of them leave me little notes all over my stuff.

I care - so much about my loved ones, it's hurts sometimes. I can't change this of Emily's. Its so true.

I always - lose my whiteboard markers. And then find them in my pockets at night.

I am not - a good multi-tasker.

I believe - in not asking stupid questions.

I dance - for my kids when they sing for the traveling show. They are the only people on this entire planet that truly believe that I can moonwalk. I think I tore my ACL last time I tried.

I sing - to myself in the car. On the way home from school.

I don't always -hold my tongue. Sometimes I have to apologize to 10 year olds. I hate that.

I write - on the whiteboard the daily schedule so I don't get, "Mrs. McAllister, what are we doing today?"

I win -#1 teacher award. The post it note from Table 2 on my computer says so.

I lose - Everything that enters my hands.

I never - finish my work day before 5.

I listen - to what my kids are saying to their peers. This is a scary world we live in.

I can usually be found - sitting at my desk from 8-6 every day :)

I'm scared -that my kids won't score well on the end of year testing. Stupid NCLB.

I read - my kids papers so I can decode who's handwriting is whose, because once again, they didn't put their name on their paper.

I'm happy about - going on a run while its still light out.

One Year

I realize its been forever since I have actually sat down to compose something for all of our "faithful" blog followers. (Ha ha) but I frequently think about it! Paul and I are both doing well. We are living in Salt Lake and have a whole house to ourselves. We are about to celebrate our first anniversary this weekend! I can't believe how fast time flies. I don't know about all of you married people, but I feel like we're just getting started :) I'm still teaching 5th grade and I love it. Paul is working so hard in school. Put those two things together and our "together" time pretty much consists of sitting in the same room while he does homework and I do lesson planning. Some of the things we've done lately:

-gone to numerous swim meets to watch BOTH sides of the family (My mom coaches and my brother and sisters as well as Paul's younger brother all swim on the high school team. Its nice to be able to support multiple people at once:)

-had an uneventful but fun Halloween (from a schoolteacher's standpoint, Halloween should ALWAYS be on a Friday!!)

-Helped start the school's first ever choir:)

-Missed Michael (He's been gone more than 6 months already!!!)

- Had the hard drive on my computer crash and lose everything (That was not a highlight so much as an event of epic proportion.)
I have no other pictures- so here's a blast from the past (a whole year ago Saturday!)


Till next month:)

my class...

OK- so I know its been months since I've written. Mostly out of self-preservation. I'll admit also that we haven't done much that is worth posting about! I just thought I would post something quick about my class. I love them to pieces... but I am so ready for UEA. 

Just to give you an idea of how awesome we are... out of the entire 5th grade WE ran the most laps combined in our PE fitness challenge. 743 to be exact. Thats 165 miles total. This is us after our 2nd day of doing it and demolished the competition.

 

Hooray for UEA!!!

We're alive.

excused absence

yes, I realize we have taken a bit of a hiatus from blogging in the past few weeks/months. Let me assure you that we have been using our time wisely. To recap:

July 31- I found out that instead of teaching Computers as my contract stated I would be teaching 5th grade

August 1- Paul and I moved from our darling apartment in Orem to live with some friends in Salt Lake until they leave on their mission.

August 1-August 15- I don't see the sun. I am getting my classroom ready.

So there you have it. That's what we've been up to.

If that wasn't enough, here is the picture summary.

Our "Summer Vacation" up to the Alpine Slide

Hiking up to Silver Lake

Canyon trip with Larissa & Ryan

Brian Regan with Melody & Jonny

Saying goodbye to our primary class and moving to Salt Lake

Other fun things we've done this summer:

• I coached the summer rec swim team again and also taught swimming lessons

• Paul played numerous tennis matches and even convinced me to play with him!

• We took a trip to Kamas (or thereabouts) with Jill & Scott & Melody & Jonny and had a blast together

• Ran multiple 5k's
  
• Went to too many swim meets to count...

We had a great summer (however short it might have felt) and are now getting back into the swim of things for a brand new school year.

What have I (or you) done???

What to do: Copy this list on your blog and bold the things you've done.
1. Touched an iceberg
2. Slept under the stars
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby’s diaper (about a HUNDRED)
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Swam with wild dolphins
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a tarantula
10. Said “I love you” and meant it
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea (does Lake Powell count?)
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping (Lindsey White should know about this)
27. Taken an ice cold bath (track and soccer injuries)
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Ridden a roller coaster (hate them all)
31. Hit a home run (YEAH!!!!)
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
33. Adopted an accent for fun
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment
36. Loved your job 90% of the time
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Watched wild whales
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach
41. Gone sky diving
42. Visited Ireland
43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India
45. Bench-pressed your own weight (I'm most excited about this one... I benched MORE than I weigh this year... 155!)
46. Milked a cow
47. Alphabetized your personal files (it didn't stay that way for long)
48. Ever worn a superhero costume
49. Sung karaoke ("Lucky" by Britney Spears. Not sure what possessed me.)
50. Lounged around in bed all day
51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Done something you should regret, but don’t
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Been in a movie ("Charly"- the sappy mormon movie. I'm on the escalator in the airport.)
60. Gone without food for 3 days
61. Made cookies from scratch
62. Won first prize in a costume contest
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Been in a combat zone
65. Spoken more than one language fluently
66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone
67. Bounced a check
68. Read - and understood - your credit report
69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy
70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did
71. Called or written your Congress person
72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
74. Helped an animal give birth
75. Been fired or laid off from a job
76. Won money
77. Broken a bone -my nose. it wasn't pretty.
78. Ridden a motorcycle
79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon- i haven't actually done this. my family took a vacation there and my dad was so scared we'd fall over the edge- he never let us out of the car.
81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing
82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper - Miss AF!
85. Read The Bible cover to cover
86. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
87. Gotten someone fired for their actions
90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands
91. Eaten fried green tomatoes
92. Read The Iliad
94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Gone back to school
89. Changed your name- I got married, does that count?
93. Taught yourself an art from scratch
95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
97. Been elected to public office
98. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
101. Had a booth at a street fair
102. Dyed your hair
103. Been a DJ
104. Rocked a baby to sleep
105. Dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all fours
106. Raked your carpet
107. Brought out the best in people
108. Brought out the worst in people
109. Worn a mood ring
110. Ridden a horse
111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe
113. Buried a child
114. Gone to a Broadway (or equivalent to your country) play
115. Been inside the pyramids
116. Shot a basketball into a basket
117. Danced at a disco
118. Played in a band
119. Shot a bird
120. Gone to an arboretum
121. Tutored someone
122. Ridden a train
123. Brought an old fad back into style
124. Eaten caviar
125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need
126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant
127. Published a book
128. Pieced a quilt- Sorry Melody. It's still a work in progress
129. Lived in a historic place
130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage- I was Scrooge in a Christmas Carol
131. Asked for a raise
132. Made a hole-in-one (if minature golf counts)
133. Gone deep sea fishing
134. Gone roller skating
135. Run a marathon
136. Learned to surf
137. Invented something
138. Flown first class
139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite
140. Flown in a helicopter
141. Visited Africa
142. Sang a solo
143. Gone spelunking
144. Learned how to take a compliment
145. Written a love-story
146. Seen Michelangelo’s David
147. Had your portrait painted
148. Written a fan letter
149. Spent the night in something haunted- not quite the night, but a significant amount of time
150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane
151. Ran away
152. Learned to juggle
153. Been a boss - I'm very bossy
154. Sat on a jury
155. Lied about your weight
156. Gone on a diet
157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
158. Written a poem
159. Carried your lunch in a lunchbox
160. Gotten food poisoning
161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission
162. Hiked the Grand Canyon (see #80)
163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks
164. Gone to the opera
165. Gotten a letter from someone famous
166. Worn knickers
167. Ridden in a limousine
168. Attended the Olympics
169. Can hula or waltz
170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books
171. Been stuck in an elevator
172. Had a revelatory dream
173. Thought you might crash in an airplane
174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
175. Saved someone’s life
176. Eaten raw whale
177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint
178. Laughed till your side hurt
179. Straddled the equator
180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing (well, I think so)
181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival
182. Sent a message in a bottle
183. Spent the night in a hostel
184. Been a cashier
185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
186. Joined a union
187. Donated blood or plasma
188. Built a campfire
189. Kept a blog
190. Had hives- every summer at the cornstand.
191. Worn custom made shoes or boots
192. Made a PowerPoint presentation- at least a hundred thanks to the Elementary Ed. program
193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course
194. Served at a soup kitchen
195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube
196. Know CPR
197. Ridden in or owned a convertible
198. Found a long lost friend
199. Helped solve a crime
200. Responded to a NJP newsletter


Phew!!

Keeping eyes and ears open...

My good friend, Emily, and her husband, KC, have been trying to have children for a few years, without any luck. They are now interested in adopting and are looking for word of mouth referrals since that seems to be a successful way to go. Emily and KC are fantastic people that are more than prepared to give a lucky child a loving family. Check out their blog to learn more.

I might as well...

I've seen this post on a lot of people's blogs, and until I have my pictures uploaded for my next post, this can pass the time:

What do you remember about me?
1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory
that you and I had together. It doesn't matter
if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog
and see how many people leave a memory about you.
It's actually pretty funny to see the responses.
If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're
playing the game and I'll come to your blog and
leave one about you!

20 years ago I:

• Was 3 years old and had one sister and a brother on the way
• Rode a trike everywhere
  
• Got spanked for saying the word "busted"
• Had night terrors so bad that I had to be put in cold showers frequently
  

10 years ago I:

• Was 13 and had bangs
• I met Melody, Emily, and Jill in PE class
• Was the oldest of 7
• Started swim team
• Was incredibly awkward and, like Emily, way too in to having the "right" clothes and the "popular" friends
  

5 years ago I:

• Graduated High School- I was sad to leave too. I was super involved and had no idea what to do with myself afterwards
  
• Started school at USU. Had Emily and I been smart, we would have roomed together.
  
• Fought with my parents all the time.
• Gained the "freshman 15" thanks to the Junction.

3 years ago I:

• Was dating a lot
• Played soccer 4 times a week
• Was in debt!
• Decided what to do for my major
• Lived with my dearest friend, Larissa
• Loved track thanks to some good friends
• Oh yeah, did track for UVSC
  

So far this year I:

• Got married
• Saw my brother leave on a mission
• Saw my sister get married
• Bought a new car
• Bought a new camera
• Graduated college
• Recovered from 2 knee surgeries and a foot surgery
• Its been a big year!
  

Yesterday I:

• Slept in until 10
• Coached a swim meet
• Swam in a "coaches race"
• Got my Economic Stimulus check
  

Today I: (It said "today I will", but it's so late in the day I took out the "will".)

• Deposited my stimulus check
• Did paperwork
• Watched Wimbledon with Paul
  
• Drove to Park City with Paul
  
• Rode the Alpine Slide with Paul
  
• Bought 4 new running shirts, 2 pairs of running shorts, tennis shoes, and a hydration pack at the outlets with Paul
  
• Ate at Red Banjo Pizza with Paul
  
• Got a Granny's Shake with Paul
  
• Watched more Wimbledon with Paul
• I will run to test out my new gear later tonight. With Paul.
  
• Spent the whole day with Paul
  

Tomorrow I will:

• Run with Leesa at 7
• Go to swim meet prelims (siblings)
  
• Get an email from Michael (hopefully)
• Go to Costco for dishwashing detergent and body wash. (very interesting)
• Go to swim meet finals (siblings)
  

In the next year I will:

• Move to Salt Lake
• Start teaching school
• Transfer to Salt Lake branch of Alpine Home Care
  
• Enjoy being married (and maybe more???)
• Be more diligent in running!

I wasn't really tagged... but I'm bored with tennis. I tag Jill. And Allison Bean. And Lezlie.

What we do in the summer time...

Ok- so I won't pretend that we have loyal blog readers, but on the off chance that we do, I'll apologize for the break in blogging. We have had a super busy summer already! They say pictures are worth a thousand words, so I'll post the pictures and leave out the thousand words.




Running 5k's

Flip Flop Tan Lines



Melynne's Wedding

This picture accurately describes our entire day.

(I had to include this since Paul and I did the cake table decorations)

Morgan and Maddie
"family pictures" (Thanks Brinn)



All of these pictures brought to you by the most exciting part of MY summer- New Camera. :)

Friday the 13th...

Friday the 13th happens to be one of my most favorite days. April 4th and March 13th are also among them. March 13th even happened on a Friday once. Anyways, THIS particular Friday the 13th did not disappoint. This morning as I was driving to my LAST home health visit of the summer, I was listening to 101.9 the end's morning show. They were giving away a pair of tickets, and I usually just try to call in if I'm just driving. Well, the stars lined up this morning and I just happened to win. Brian Reagan tickets that is. To his sold out show. I'm told he's really super funny; although I must admit I've never even heard him. But Melody and Jonny recommended going to his show if we wanted to fork out a bunch of money. Now we can go- and keep our 80$! Friday the 13th is the best!!!

Our Obsession...

So... As I maybe mentioned before, Paul got a Super Nintendo from his sister Stacey on his birthday. Ever since then we've been playing non-stop. It occupies our every spare moment. Ok, maybe not our EVERY spare moment- that makes us sound a little weird. But it occupies a lot of our time. Our latest accomplishment is that we beat the entire game of Super Mario Brothers. Three times. the first two were just trial runs... going through it as fast as we could. But the third time... Paul took great care to make sure that every level and every secret level was passed. To our dismay, the Japanese people that made the game only made it possible to finish 96% of the game. Annoying. But they give you a star beside the 96% at the opening credits. So... that's what we've been doing lately. Pretty dang exciting, eh?

Paul trying to look like a slob. :)

The last week or so...warning...many pictures follow...

This week we have had so much going on! We have hardly had a minute to spare. First of all, we celebrated Paul's 23rd birthday... complete with a sombrero, fried ice cream, homemade chicken roll-ups and spice cake.


Happy birthday Paul!!!

We also had the opportunity to spend some extra time with my family because my brother Michael left on his mission today. We had everyone over for a fun sleep-over and were treated by Paul's exceptional pancakes and waffle sticks in the morning.


Before Michael left we had the chance to go to the temple to do some family work. It was an amazing experience!

Then today we had the chance to see my brother Michael off at the MTC. It was an awesome experience. I'll be posting the pictures to Michael's blog that I'll be updating regularly, so you can just check them out there. eldermichaelking.blogspot.com
It was an awesome experience... and while I;m sad to see him go, I can't wait to hear all of his experiences!

And to finish it off... we met the Rehjolecs and Springers at the park and had dinner and a rousing game of Bocce. Ok, ok, Melody, you won. lightning round or not. I'm sure Meody will post the group picture. But here's one of Julia enjoying a pickle.

A huge investment...

So just now I have made a huge investment. It's something I've wanted as long as I can remember... but my stomach is still churning to think of how much money just went into it. Every time I've looked at it I've fantasized what I could do with it. And now it is a mere 7-9 business days away from being MINE. What is it you ask? Only the greatest thing to come to Digital SLR Cameras. The Canon 40D. I am rationalizing that it is our way to stimulate the economy... except our stimulus check STILL hasn't arrived.

Countdown to baby...

Ha ha I've been thinking of the name of this post all day. I thought it was clever:) Really it is in reference to the little visitor we had yesterday. Paul and I got to babysit Melody and Jonny's most darling child, Julia. We were literally so excited that I spent the whole day counting down for the baby to come.
And Julia did not disappoint. We were captivated with her every move; especially with her ability to play X-Box. She was a natural. We were also amazed with her animal taming skills.
She seemed to love everyone but the boys... I'm sure that will be nice in about 16 years.

I also know that she loved being kissed by me. She has just the most kissable cheeks:) Anyway, we loved babysitting and we hope that we passed the test. Thanks Melody and Jonny! (And Julia for being so well behaved!)
A few more picures...