When Tragedy Strikes

Yes it is tragic.  I know it is pathetic.  But still, tragic....So I have class every Monday night this summer semester from 5-9pm.  WHICH means I have to miss this:

For THIS:

 Yup.  Thank goodness for TiVo. And sweet husbands who have it turned on for me as I arrive home, just in time to see the intense "coming up next week."  

This morning at work, questions twirl through my head: "What happened last night?"  "Is Tanner weirdo still there?"  "I am so glad Dave is gone, and I hope he doesn't come back with revenge or something."  "Will 'Jill' find true love?"  Aaahh the joys of dramatic, possibly scripted romance.  I love every minute of it.

oh SICK!

I just thought I should share this awesome experience:

Today I was helping a student tie his sweatshirt around his waist and what to my surprise...I feel something gooey on my finger.  Any guesses???

A big GREEN BOOGER! "oh sick oh sick oh sick" I said under my breath, as I hurried to the sink to scald my hands in hot water and soap.  Then I slathered on hand sanitizer.

Oh and did I mention I am sick again, for the 7th time this year?  I WONDER WHY.

The culprit is this oh so adorable one in the green shirt.  Ya the one that says "You Can't Spell Awesome Without ME."  I freaking love this kid to death, he seriously so amazing and so cute.  I will miss him!!

Two Years Ago...

Well, two years and almost a month ago, we sealed the deal!  I cannot believe we have been married over 2 years.  It honestly has gone by sooo fast.  I feel old!! But I am the happiest I have ever been, and I don't know how I got so lucky marrying Jake.  It all just kind of fell into place!  I have never matched so well with someone, we seriously get into our own world all the time.  I can't even put into words how JOYOUS it makes me feel to know I will spend ETERNITY with my best friend!

To celebrate, we have a tradition of re-creating our special day.  We go to the Salt Lake Temple to do sealings, then go eat at Macaroni Grill downtown (that's where we had our family dinner after getting married).

Here was our day:

We started off by seeing "Earth," a nature film by Disney.  Amazing footage, sad ending (hence my sad face).
Oh and did I mention it was raining that morning, like it was on our wedding day!?
Walking to the Temple.  I tried to make it look like I was balancing the angel Moroni on my finger...but we were in such a hurry we had one shot, and it didn't look so good! Oh well..

It was so nice doing sealings, I love remembering when we did it for ourselves, and remembering the promises Jake and I have made to each other, & the promises/blessings in store for us from the Lord.
At dinner, Jake drew a picture of "us" on the table cover, doing something to "2" candles for our "2" year anniversary...Maybe we are blowing them out??  It looks like we have spaghetti arms haha!
Sometimes our camera takes funky pictures when we turn the flash off. So weird.
A nice man took our picture standing outside the restaurant.  After dinner, we walked around downtown..
And we ran into my old work.  It is so weird to think I use to be a producer!  Fun job, but terribly ugly hours!  The interesting thing about the news industry is that the ones who make the most money (the anchors) once started in a position like mine, and put in all those terrible hours too (not to mention also moved around the country every 1-2 years).  But I still don't think their jobs are ideal.  They have to work weekends, holidays, and either super early or super late everyday.
We are looking through Channel 2's windows (behind the anchor desk)...I am pointing to my old desk.
My sister happened to be playing in a concert that night at the Gallivan Center, so we stopped by to say hello!

It was a great night, and to top it off we went to Yogurt Stop, which most of you know I am grossly obsessed with.  It's kind of gross how much I love that place.  Thank you for reading about our day....peace out suckas!

Jake's Crash

Well my worst fear (and probably Jake's!) happened this past Saturday. Jake flew head first over his handle bars on a bike ride. I was peacefully reading on our couch, and had actually drifted off, when my phone rang at about 4:30. I see that it's Jake, and knowing I wouldn't be expecting him home from his ride until 7-7:30, I was preparing myself for bad news...as I always do when he calls me while out riding. It was him, which was good (it's worse to get a call from one of his friends on the ride with him...because that means Jake can't talk). He just said "I freaking crashed." My heart stopped and my breath was taken...I just asked him if he was ok (he sounded fine, just really unhappy). He said yes he was fine, just had some road rash. The conversation went on, and it turns out he was ok, and was even able to walk his bike back to the car, and he would be home in a little bit.


He took the bike to the shop, and finally got home where I was able to clean him up a bit...(and take some pictures). I felt weird taking pictures but I figured he would want to remember this in a while.


Apparently, he had only gone .4 miles (huge disappointment)! He was riding along, up by the U, and had one hand off the handle bars. His head was turned, as he talked to Lucas. Suddenly, his handle bars tweeked (he probably ran over something small...have you seen road bike tires? They are soooo skinny!)....so his handle bars tweeked to one side, making them perpendicular to the bike...therefore sending Jake over the handle bars, crashing head first onto pure asphalt. He did the infamous tuck-and-roll-to-one-side move which he had done quite often during his skateboarding years. Upon retelling the account later that night at dinner, Brad said Jake didn't even really slide too much. He just flew threw the air and landed pretty hard on the road. BUT WAIT, it's not over! The next thing that happened is personally my favorite part: Immediately after Jake lands on the asphalt, Lucas proceeds to RUN HIM OVER!! haha my poor husband! Despite the gash Lucas' bike left on my husband's back, I would have paid money to see this whole incident, the climax undoubtedly being the "run over." Who gets ran over by a road bike!?


Needless to say, Jake turned out ok. He has become one of those stories of "my helmet saved my life" and I am truly truly truly grateful he wears his helmet, and that it did its job that day. Otherwise, I would not be sitting here typing this post and my dear husband would not be having a normal day at work. He is super sore (still) and his road rash is gross, big, and there is an unusual shade of yellow puss seeping from it day and night. I think if I were him I would rather shoot myself than take a shower! Or wear a shirt!! Haha I would be walking around shirtless and really greasy...that's a nice image.


Anyways, a repaired bike+new helmet+resolve to keep both hands on handle bar= back in the saddle this weekend, or asap! "Any one up for Big Cottonwood?" I can hear him saying it now.


We are guessing Lucas' quick release did the trick on Jake's back.
Nevermind his biker's tan, but the road rash goes all down his arm, hip, and to the knee.
All in all, I think the low severity of his wounds make up for what could have happened to his head!
The 2nd Love of His Life. He was SICK to tell his dad about the crash...considering his dad spent 3-grand on this bike some TEN years ago...

A Trip Down Memory Lane!!

So I was looking through Jake's pics on our computer, and I stumbled upon these! These are all pictures of us when we were first dating, some even before we were an "official" couple.  WOW does time fly.  That was way back in 2005....HOLY COW.
This picture brings back so many memories.  I was still living with my mom and sister in a condo in Holladay (that is our her couch).  My hair was black, blond, and red all at once.  I was taking the DISCUSSIONS.  So many fun things!
This and snowboarding was what Jake use to spend much of his time doing.  Before his mission he LIVED on the slopes, and I think a little after the mish too.  I am not kidding, you should see what he can do.  It is frightening for me to watch, but it's pretty fun.  A good snow boarder makes for a good wakeboarder.
Some of Jake's friends after a nice day out on the lake.  Good guys!!  
Haha these next pics are so funny.  Let me set up the scenerio:

Back in the August of 2005, I had just finished up my internship at Channel 2 News. I was exhausted and sick of working and interning for no money.  I NEEDED to get out.  My EX-boyfriend, whom I had just recently broken up with (in July) and his friends were going to California for 10 days for a Volleyball tournament.  I invited myself. hmm.  I know, weird huh.  I had known these guys and hung out with them everyday for 4 years, so they were all like big brothers.  

So they said 'yes' and there I was, going on a trip to Cali with my ex and his friends?????  Yeah this is where absent-minded, naive, oblivious, classic KIM comes into play for sure.  So I tell Jake what I am doing (we had been hanging out all summer, more towards July/August).  Turns out, the DAY I told him about my 10-day trip to California with my ex and his friends, he had been making a mix CD just for ME.  AND I totally broke his heart.  (OH and PS: I did not know this little fact until..umm about 6 months ago, now that we are married).  Wow what a brat.  But I promise, it was all innocent.

I truthfully assured Jake I was only going because I needed a MUCH DESERVED vacay.  And NOTHING was going to happen between Neil and I...we were most definitely OVER.  But HEL-LO of course it still ripped him apart.  Gosh I am so sorry Jake!! I still feel terrible...

But anyway, the GREATEST part of this story was that it just so happened that Jake, Bill, Jandie, and Tyson were all going to CALIFORNIA for a friend's wedding!! And they would be showing up after I had been there for like 6 days.  So Jandie and Jake (or maybe just Jandie) said: "Hey you should just meet up with us and drive home with us!"   WOW what a wonderful idea, and I was ALL for it, without question.

Hahaha so I tell Neil that I am NOT going home with him and that Jake, Jandie, Bill and Tyson were going to pick me up and that I would be going home with THEM instead.  Neil told me if he had known that was going to happen he wouldn't have let me go with him to Cali in the first place!! He was pretty pissed but still a good sport about the matter. Oh dear, it's just such a funny situation.  

So mid-way through my Cali trip with my ex and his friends...eh hem MY friends too...I beg any one of them (there were like 10) to PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE drive me to the airport (our meeting spot) so Jandie and Jake could come get me.  Well Dustin Watts, my hero, had mercy and said he would take me (thank you Dusty Baker!).  Needless to say we journeyed way out to the airport, and he left me on a random sidewalk at the airport for the "trade-off."  Just me and my bags.  And I sat there for a little while, awaiting my new ride and new group of friends (and little did I know, future husband!)  I sat and sat in the hot sun...waiting.  Then, just around the corner I see my white chariot, aka Tyson's car, arriving, full of excited boys and one excited girl (they had been driving all day from Salt Lake).  And off I went, for the 2nd portion of my Cali trip...

Anyway it was a funny situation, and I still laugh about it to this day.  I traveled to Cali with one group and went home with another.  San Diego was a BLAST with Jake and, well, I must say that was the first time we cuddled.. haha..  But we DID NOT kiss.  Man I think I was just really nervous, and he had just had surgery on his mouth so it might not have worked anyway.  But yeah...we even walked on the beach at night...and no kiss....hahahha cracks me up to this day.

Trying to catch some shut eye on the long ride home.

We enjoyed Tyson's attire on that trip.  He also slept in a nightgown.  Yes a full-length night gown.
Haha I think the sun was getting to us!
Me and Jand.  I miss our trips to the beach Jandie!

Teacher Appreciation Week is My NEW favorite holiday!

Ok not really, I still love Christmas.  But seriously, I can't believe how big of a deal Teacher Appreciation Week is!  Above is just the FOOD portion that I received today.  Unfortunately I had already organized and put away all the other items I got, so you can't see those fun things.

Jake is always in awe on any holiday, because I bring home so much swag. But if you notice, my loot consists of mostly one thing: CANDY.  Well, let me explain myself: 

 This year for Teacher Appreciation, the PTA sent around a flier asking us to list supplies and treats we love/need.  Being a first year teacher, I made the mistake of listing only a few things. I mean honestly, I couldn't really think of more than that.  So I listed Peanut Butter Cups, gummy bears, water bottle, and white out.  Well, my short list + 41 kids who adore their teacher=tons of wonderful things!

So there are some predictions I am going to make:

1.  Jake and I start gaining about 3 pounds a day 

2. I am going to eat a peanut butter cup milkshake everyday for breakfast

3. I will make a necklace out of the 6 pounds of gummy bears

4. Jake will get his first cavity and I will get my 4th, 5th, and 6th

Just kidding, those things will NOT happen.  Well, a Resees shake DOES sound pretty good....  But next year, I decided to list my grocery items on the PTA list, that way I won't have to go grocery shopping that week! Haha can you imagine what the parents would think if they had to buy milk, cereal, eggs, granola...  Yeah too bad I can't do that :-)

Anyway, we have had lots of fun activities before and after school for the teachers to enjoy, and tomorrow they are making us breakfast and then BBQing for lunch.  I am tellin' ya, I am shocked at how much they do for you.  It's so much.  

I am so grateful for the kids, parents, district, and PTA.  They all do SO MUCH for us. I know the salaries are not great (especially in Utah) but I have never really felt like I have too much to complain about (salary wise).  I mean, really. I have had ALOT of jobs and I have never been treated like this.  The District even PAYS me to take their classes.  I got over $800 dollars to start my classroom.  I also got some other huge bonus for something (I can't remember).  AND I get 3 months off each year, plus holidays and winter break/Spring break.  PLUS I get off at 4pm everyday.  I guess maybe since I have had other jobs, I can compare them to teaching.  And teaching is definitely my best and most favorite one.  I fit here.

Basically, I am very grateful to be a teacher and it's seriously the best job I have ever had. ON THE FLIP SIDE: I still know teachers should get paid more, and we for sure deserve A TON more respect from the community and government.  I mean seriously guys-in-suits, give me a break.  Some of the expectations they have of us are absolutely ridiculous.  And why can't people realize that education affects how we will be living in the far off future!?  We really should be investing SO MUCH more into our schools.  I don't even care if teachers get more money.  THE KIDS need it (school supplies, smaller class sizes=more one on one attention, etc) BLAH now I am getting all worked up so I will stop.

Bottom line, although teachers still are getting dumped on by our government, I LOVE TEACHING.  And you know what beats all that wonderful treatment, and what is the REAL reason I love teaching?  (all that stuff is just swag!)

-Watching children learn to READ and WRITE.  

-Being a ROLE model for kids who just want to be safe and feel loved.

-Being a PARENT (for 8 hrs a day) to 41 amazing kids who each have their own uniqueness

-Crying and Laughing with someone 20 years younger than me

-LEARNING from someone 20 years younger than me

-Sharing funny stories with their parents

-That "a-ha" moment when they are actually getting it

-a thousand other things.

I wouldn't trade any of those things for the world....

Got Ghost Body?

So I had another interesting conversation with one of my kids the other day...

We were sitting at carpet and I noticed (I will call her "A") looking a bit worrisome and maybe about to cry.  I puller her aside and this is what we talked about:

Me: You look like you're really sad, are you ok?

A: Well...I am just not sure I am use to my Ghost Body yet.

(at this point I am realizing I just opened a can of worms...ghost body?)

Me: Your Ghost Body?  What is a Ghost Body?

A: It's just something you can be born with.  But Angie gave me mine.  And I am just not so sure I am use to it yet.

Me: How did Angie give you your Ghost Body?

A: We were just over in the playhouse center and she just snapped her fingers and then I got it.

Me: Well, do you believe in Ghost Bodies?  Do you really think you have one?

A: Well I don't believe in ghosts, but I don't know about Ghost Bodies.

Me: Ya I don't believe in ghosts either, so I don't think I believe in Ghost Bodies.

A: I know, but I really want to trust Angie.  She is my friend, and I really want to be able to trust her...because she is my friend, and friends are people you trust.  I just don't know how use to my Ghost Body I am.

Me: Well you are right, but sometimes our friends believe in different things than we do, and we can still be friends...believing in different things.

A: Yeah.  But I also really want to be in her club.  And she said I can't be in her club until I am use to my Ghost Body.

(wow)

Me: Well it sounds like you don't really believe in ghost bodies, and neither do I.  And it seems like it isn't making you happy, so it's your decision now...

A: Ok.

We talked about it for a bit longer but that was the main part of the convo.  Interesting, huh!  She is the smartest student in my class...and I could tell she was in the middle of a real life dilemma!   But honestly, what in the WORLD is a Ghost Body anyway!??  Seriously, these kids are so funny.  I will have to dig deeper and ask the girl who gave it to her what a Ghost Body is.  I will let you know what I find!!

Here are a couple pics from the old classroom..

Some of our rules....Pretty much don't act like a 5-year-old (as you can imagine it can be tough sometimes.

This one is hilarious.  At the beginning of the year, we give them these blank little person cut-outs and they decorate them to look exactly like them....Imagine if someone's mouth was really like this!!??  hahahaha