Dots and Clovers

Life as we know it....

2011-07-03T15:32:00.000-07:00

I know... six months is a long time not to update my blog. First off, not much has happened in our lives since January. Toto did have a little knee surgery but all is well. We continue working on paperwork for our adoption and are getting close to being approved. Then we will just have to find our baby. I have just continued to work hard at GBCC and Jonathan continues to work hard at BITS. Jonathan is writing an app for smart phones that will help to run a small business. That's what he does for play. I either read, or work on sewing. I'm trying to get better and have a couple of projects going on right now. I have some fabric to make an awesome Nursery Rhyme quilt, hopefully for my baby. I have really learned a lot about quilting through just practicing. I finally got a few materials of my own to use, rather than just mom's stuff, and now I just need my own sewing machine so I don't have to use mom's. Lucky for me, My mommy loves me and lives close enough to let me use hers. Now I wish I had taken that sewing class that Jonathan suggested back at BYU.... oh BYU, I miss you and your vast knowledge. I really do miss taking classes and learning. I also miss having a little variety to my life from one class to another and from one semester to another. Working full time all year at the same job can get hard when you are not used to that. But I have been at GBCC for almost a year now. I just got my substitute teaching licence though and I don't know if I will stay with GBCC or move back into the Subbing world, which I loved so much.

Sorry guys

2011-01-20T12:43:00.000-08:00

You have probably noticed I never get on here, but since I started working, I don't even get on the internet anymore. You should see my inbox, or maybe not. Anyway. We are all moved in, mostly unpacked, but still have probably a whole night of unpacking to go. We love our new house and so does Toto. Although, Toto still loves grandma's house and runs up there every chance he gets. You should have seen him running around mom's living room last night when I took him over with me. He loves it over there. He has also started training classes, ok so we started training classes. Hopefully we can get him to actually follow the commands we give him. Well it's back to work for me.

We bought a house

2010-12-06T18:47:00.001-08:00

Well, we made an offer and they accepted it. We will be moving into the house right behind Mom's house in Jan. We are super excited. More to come... we will eventually take pics and post them.

Life keeps going

2010-12-02T21:51:00.001-08:00

Well life just keeps going. I can't believe it has already been 6 months since we moved to Tricities!! In that time we finally have gotten a baby!! Although not the kind we have been hoping for. We got a little Shorkie puppy. He is part Shi Tzu, part Yorkie. He is just adorable and a really good little puppy. Even my mom, who does not like dogs, really likes him. I still cant believe she let me bring a puppy into her home. His name is Toto. Isn't he Cute! This is the first time we met him, when we picked him out of 10 puppies. The next one was a couple weeks ago, when it was still some what warm out side. He loves to have his tummy/chest scratched.
He has really gotten big since we first brought him home. He is now about 4 lbs, about 4 months old, and almost completely vaccinated (next Friday)!!

We also bought a new car. It is a used 2010 Toyota Corolla. It's awesome!!
We went to Dinseyland, which was... magical! It was so fun to be with family and I'm glad Cyntha and her family was able to come with us.
Work is going well and I have really adjusted to the center. BGCC is a good little company and I hope to stay with them for a long while!
We are also starting the process to buy a home. We will see how things turn out but I think we will be staying really close to mom.
Update on the adoption, we finally sent in our FBI background check this week and have almost finished collecting/filling out all the hard copy paper work needed in the initial application. We are also starting to fill out the profile online. It will still be at least 3 months before we are approved, but the process is moving forward again. Although may be put on the back burner yet again while we buy a house. We will see.
Life is good. I have a great husband and a wonderful little puppy!!

New job

2010-09-06T15:19:00.001-07:00

I finally found a job. I will be the Program Supervisor at a little daycare center in Kennewick. The center is mostly for lower income families. There are two locations, one for infants and toddlers and one for the older children 2 1/2 to about 5. There are only a few school aged children. I will have a different title, which has not been decided yet, but the job I will do is Program supervisor. I'm very excited to have a job. It will be a good experience for me to learn and grow as well as give me something to do and be passionate about. I really think I can help them do some good things are we will be working on getting off of probation for licensing issues. I start on Weds.

Grandma's blackberry jam

2010-09-05T11:15:00.000-07:00

We had the wonderful opportunity to go spend some time with grandma Mitchell last week. The blackberries were on so we went to go make grandma's world-famous Wild Oregon Blackberry Jam. Ok, so probably not world-famous, but at least it's famous in our family! I decided to document the process so everyone can enjoy.

Step 1: Pick wild Oregon blackberries with Grandma. (I suppose tame blackberries and blackberries picked from other states and with other people will do, but then it wouldn't be grandma's Wild Oregon Blackberry Jam, would it?) You need 6 cups of blackberries to make 1 batch (approx. 5 pints).

Step 2: Gather ingredients and materials. You'll need:

Ingredients (per batch)

6 cups of blackberries
1 box pectin (or buy it in bulk like Grandma does)
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
8 cups of sugar
1 spoonful of crisco

Equipment

A big pot
A blackberry masher (shown below)
A wooden flat-edged spoon for stirring
A shallow pan (for sterilizing jars and lids)
A funnel with a jar-sized mouth (also pictured below)
5 pint jars, lids, and bands (per batch)

Some of the utensils you'll need:

Step 3: Put a pan of shallow water on a back burner on high for 7+ minutes to sterilize the jars and lids:

Step 4: Put the blackberries in a big pot on another burner (on high) and mash them:

Step 5: Add 1/3 cup of Pectin (1 box):

Step 6: Add 2 Tablespoons lemon juice:

Step 7: Mash and stir until it comes to a boil:

Step 8: Get 8 cups of sugar (Grandma uses this very accurate 2 quart pan as approx 4 cups)

And add the sugar to the boiling jam:

Step 9: Also add a spoon of crisco to cut down on the foam on top:

Step 10: Keep at a rolling boil for 4 minutes. Maybe turn the temp down to 9 to keep it from boiling over. Use a flat-edged wooden stirring stick to scrape the bottom and sides to keep it from burning.

You can check if the jam is done by its consistency and how it runs off of the wooden spoon. Here's a video of how it looks when it's not done:

And this is what it looks like when it is done:

Step 11: Pour the jam into the jars using the jam-sized funnel:

Step 12: Clean off the lips with a wet paper towel so they'll seal better:

Step 13: Put the lids on the jars:

Step 14: Put the bands on the jars and screw them on tight:

Voila! 5 beautiful pints of Grandma's Wild Oregon Blackberry Jam. As the hot jam cools the lids on the jars will self-seal.

It sure was fun making blackberry jam with grandma! I hope we can continue to do it every August when the blackberries are on. We love you grandma!

I have been changed for the better

2010-08-05T21:13:00.000-07:00

Today I was listening to the "Wicked" soundtrack and heard a wonderful song. The song is near the end and talks about how Elphaba and Glinda have changed each other's lives for the better. That really got me thinking about the people in my life that have changed me for the better just because I knew you! There are so many people that have influenced the person I am and changed my life. There are the obvious and most important ones: Mom, Cassy, Cyntha, Garth, Dad (as much as I wish he wasn't on the list, he is) and Jonathan. Then my nieces and nephews, especially James. Then there are the surrogate dads: Grandpa, Byron, Bro. Davidson, Bishop Walker, Roger. My friends:Missy, Sam, April, Mike (Tonks and Larsen), Janae, Jillian, Alicia. These are only a few of the people that have been important in my life, but the most prevalent. To those who I did not name please do not be offended, this is just a quick list of people. I love you all!
Please read through the Lyrics. Think about those in your life who have changed you. I have put in bold the words that really hit me today.

ELPHABA:
"I'm limited
just look at me i'm limited
and just look at you you can do all I couldn't do
glinda,
so now its up to you
for both of us
now it's up to you

GLINDA:
I've heard it said
that people come into our lives
for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
and we are lead to those
who help us most to grow
if we let them and we help them in return
Well i dont know if i believe that's true
But i know i'm who i am today
because i knew you.

Like a comet pulled from orbit as it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
halfway through the wood.
Who can say if i've been changed for the better
but, because i knew you
I have been changed for good.

ELPHABA:
It well may be
that we will never meet again in this lifetime
so let me say before we part
so much of me is made from what i learned from you
You'll be with me
like a hand print on my heart
Now whatever way our stories end
I know you have rewritten mine
by being my friend

Like a ship blown from it's mooring
by a wind off the sea
like a seed dropped by a sky bird
in a distant wood
Who can say if i've been changed for the better?
But because i knew you

GLINDA:
because i knew you

BOTH:
I have been changed for good

ELPHABA:
And just to clear the air i ask forgiveness
for the things i've done you blame me for

GLINDA:
But then i guess we know there's blame to share

BOTH:
And none of it seems to matter any more

GLINDA:
Like a comet pulled from orbit
(like a ship blown from its mooring)
As it passes a sun
(By a wind off the sea)
Like a stream that meets a boulder
(Like a seed dropped by a bird)
Halfway through the wood
(in a wood)

BOTH:
Who can say if i've been changed for the better?
I do believe i have been changed for the better

GLINDA:
And because i knew you

ELPHABA:
because i knew you

BOTH:
because i knew you,
I have been changed...
for... good"

Thanks for taking the time to change me life for good. I love each one of you for your own ways of changing me.

Job Hunting

2010-07-27T18:29:00.000-07:00

Well, not a lot of new stuff over here in Washington. I have been applying for jobs as much as I can. I've applied for 3 jobs in Kennewick, 1 in Richland, and a couple in Pasco. We will see what happens. We are starting to look for a 3 bedroom apartment or house to rent. There is talk of getting a puppy or kitten, but not until we move out of mom's house. First, mom won't let us have a pet, and then Grandpa won't let us have a pet... so the answer is no for now. We want a small dog, but I'm thinking we will get a kitten first. We will see. Jonathan is working away as always. He is till happy with his job, so all is well.

Best of all, tomorrow is our Three Year Anniversary. We are going to Red Lobster because BITS sent us a gift card for them! Thanks BITS!

Utah Fun!

2010-07-02T10:39:00.000-07:00

We are having a blast down in Provo this week! I have a few pics but since I'm using Ben and April's computer, I don't know if I can put them up now. I'll do it later.

First thing when I got here April and I went to the Eclipse premiere party with Graciousrain.com! It was fun and we both got some prizes.

Ben and April got a new Black Wii and we have played lots of mario on it! I love the old school type games. The New Super Mario Brothers game is awesome!!

We went to build a bear and I made an April Leopard. It's pretty darn cute!

Just a lot of Hanging out.

We also got to go and see Grandma and Grandpa Smith, who we haven't seen for 18 months because they were on a mission in Hong Kong.

We were supposed to go home today, but we are having too much fun, so we stayed. I don't know when we will head home; maybe tomorrow, or maybe Monday. We'll see. We are going to go swimming and to the park to play Frisbee this afternoon, because April will be home this afternoon. It's wonderful to be back in Union Square, even if only for a few days. Although, there are a lot of new people and most of the old ones that we have known for a while are gone or leaving. No one wants to stay now that the Mitchell's are gone!

We finally did it!

2010-06-23T10:14:00.000-07:00

We got our preliminary adoption application in! Now we wait until we get that approval and then pay the "down payment" and get started on the process! We are excited and can hardly wait until we get approved so that we can bring home a baby and finally become parents. It may still be a long time, we may have a year or more of waiting, but we are doing something about it and hopefully it won't be soo Long!

Washington life

2010-06-16T17:30:00.000-07:00

Life is WA is fun. We had the first Mann family reunion and that was fun, but crazy with lots of people around. Jonathan just got his new desk and it's very nice. So, as of today, he is all set up. Somewhere in the move we have lost his scriptures and checkbook, but we think they got put into a box by accident, we just can't find the right one. Working from home has been pretty good for him so far, we will see how things continue.
We got a membership to Garth's gym so we can help him and mom work out more. As well as to help me loose some weight. I tried zumba today and had a lot of fun! I like dancing! I also am working on getting a job, although before I can apply I have to get a WA license, which is harder than I expected. Then I am also working on the adopting application! I'm so excited to finally start working on that. It's been 2 years and 2 months since we started trying to have a baby, and I feel like we are finally really getting started.
I have started hanging out with my oldest friend, and I don't mean age, and we have fun talking. She is also a teacher and even is going to have a kindergarten class next year. Jonathan hasn't really made friend's yet, since all he does it work and play with Garth, but he has enjoyed time with Todd, our brother-in-law. We are planning a trip down to Utah at the end of June and hope to have some fun with some of our friends, especially the Willfords.

more update pics.

2010-06-01T16:25:00.000-07:00

We did it! We finally graduated. Jonathan in Information Technology and me in Early Childhood Education. Here's a pic of Jonathan's Graduating class... We walked with him. This is all we've got of graduation pics... Cassy has more.

Can you tell reading with kids is what I do? These are my great nieces and nephew who all wanted to see the pics of the Fancy Nancy book I was reading. Those books are a big hit in my family!

We had to say goodbye to all our friends in Provo... and I can't believe we got away without ANY pics of us with our Best friends the Willford's. We will have to go back to Provo to get some I guess! Since we got to WA I have cried so much because I miss my friends... especially April! I love you!!

I couldn't have finished packing and cleaning if it weren't for my wonderful friend Jo!! I was so totally done with packing and cleaning, but I still had a lot to do. She came over and brought Megan to help us finish up. Not a great pic after a long hard day of packing and cleaning, but she is so wonderful!! Thanks girl!

Hair Cut

2010-06-01T16:22:00.000-07:00

I recently got a hair cut, and I also added high lights. It looks really good and it's super easy to do!

cakes

2010-06-01T16:01:00.001-07:00

As promised, here are some cakes I have made and decorated! They taste as good as they look too. I have had fun playing with different fillings and As you can see, colors too. I'm getting pretty good at them.

Sorry guys

2010-05-01T21:15:00.000-07:00

Ok so I have been promising to update my blog for like 2 months... Sorry! I just haven't done it. So a quick up date. Recently I have gotten into cake decorating and I really love it. Jonathan doesn't mind the cake part too much, but the kitchen kinda explodes every time I make a cake. I'm really pretty good. I will post my pictures. I have a goal to post them this week.
Also I graduated!! Yay, oh, and so did Jonathan! We are all done and got to celebrate with his mom and sister Kate, and boyfriend Forest, and my whole family except Garth (and the brother-in-laws). It was so great seeing everyone!
Another fun thing that I just decided to pick up is crocheting. I made a little purse today, well I started last night. Today's was just a practice to kinda figure out what I want to do, but I'm going to make a really fun purse for me!
Today I got my first massage! It was so fun, but a little weird for me. I had to keep my eyes closed and pretend that the man touching me wasn't really there and hoping he couldn't see anything. But it felt great! Jonathan really needs to take some classes so that he can give me some really good massage! That would be great because it wouldn't be so weird with Jonathan rather than a strange man.
Well like I said, I have a goal to post pictures this week.... so be expecting them!

Las Vegas anyone?

2010-02-20T11:08:00.000-08:00

Hey, I'm planning a quick trip to Las Vegas to see my sister and good friend. If anyone wants to go please let me know, I would rather not drive alone. I'm planning Weds- Sat this week!! SO like the 24-27. Let me know.

The greatest Valentine ever!!

2010-02-15T09:52:00.001-08:00

Yesterday, Sunday, was an amazing day. We went to church and I got the best Valentine's Present ever. I got to feel God's love for someone. I had a thought to share something with a good friend of mine, and as I wrote that down so I would remember, I was overwhelmed with love for her. I know that it came from God. I have always thought that I had a huge capacity to love. But I have never, ever, felt that much love for a person before. I sat there in Relief Society and balled. God has so much love for his daughters. He really does. Even though he sends us trials, some of which we think we can never get through, he loves us and wants us to be happy. He sends us trials so that we can grow into better people and he wants us to turn to him and let him help us through it! He gave us his son, his only begotten, that we could have an advocate, a friend, someone who truly understands our pain and suffering, and can take it away if we will give it to him. He gave us the greatest gift that could ever be given, because he loves us. He would do it again for each and every one of us. I can hardly believe the feeling of love that came over me. It was too much for my mere human body and so it just exploded into tears, because that's the only way my body could handle it. WOW, HE LOVES US. EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US! I have always known that God loves me and that I am his daughter, but now I know on a new level just how much love he truly has for us. I also love this friend of mine on a whole new level. She is truly an amazing girl and even though she may not know it, she is strong, and a light in my life. She knows who she is, and I won't say who she is for her sake, but I love you my dear friend, and you can get through this with God on your side. And I can get through it too... but only with God on my side.

What a weekend

2010-02-15T09:33:00.000-08:00

Well, first off, Friday was fun and exhausting!! I got to celebrate Valentine's day elementary school style for the first time in like... 11 or so years! It was great fun. We wrote about valentine's day, we did valentine's math, we read about valentine's day, and then we passed out valentines and had a party!! It was so much fun. I even got some roses from one of the little boys in my class!! Then when I got home I realized how exhausted I was. I went to bed and slept for like 3 hours!! Poor Jonathan, he worked on Friday night. Then I got up and could not get back to sleep so I was up until 1 am reading, and then I tossed and turned all night.
Saturday was also a fun day. I went running, well power walking, and then we went shopping and then came home. I got ready for our "hot date" and Jonathan went back out to get me flowers. So he brought home a dozen pink roses, valentine's Dot's, and a pink bear that says "hug me." Then we went to Thai Ruby for dinner. Mine was way too spicy so it made my tummy hurt, as well as my mouth. SO we came home and watch Kiss and Make Up, a Cary Grant movie. That was fun. Then we went to the Stake Dance. That was so much fun. I have way more fun at these now then I did in high school. Now I actually dance and have fun. I took my cousin's baby, Garret, for a little bit so that they could dance and learn the Waltz. He is so cute.
Yesterday I had a amazing experience which I will explain in the next post. I got the best gift of love ever!! Then after church I came home and cleaned the living room and kitchen, well more picked it up, so that when Jonathan got home from counting tithing, he had a small gift. His love language is service. So I tried to speak in his language. I cleaned up, and then I went on a walk with him, which he loves, and I made him dinner. Then we had Stake choir practice. When we got home from that we sat in bed and read together. He read his book and I read mine, but he held me while we read. It was nice. We had a fun Valentine's day!!
Today we are going to see Avatar, courtesy of mom and dad Mitchell. I'm excited. Ben and April are coming with us and we are gonna see it in 3D at the Thanksgiving Point theater.

Decisions decisions

2010-02-08T10:25:00.001-08:00

There are so many decisions to make as we come up on Graduation. Jonathan has been offered a full time position with BITS. He is excited to stay with them and continue working with them and programming findacode. We have also made the decision to adopt. It looks like we will not be applying for adoption until June, but we will work hard to get approved quickly. We found out that it will not take as long to get approved as we thought, and if we work hard enough, it can go through in 2-3 months. We also need to make a decision on where to live. Jonathan can work from anywhere. We have been trying to decide between staying in Ut or moving to WA, where we want to end up anyway. We have fasted and prayed and gone to the temple trying to get the guidance we need. It seems like either choice is good. I hate it when the answer is "it's your choice." But right now we are leaning toward moving home to WA. We will probably leave at the end of May. My brother Graduates High school at the beginning of June, and Jonathan's brother is getting married in July. Both are happening in Washington, so we want to go before those trips. We reserve the right to change our minds if we feel prompted to do so, but as of right now, we are moving to Washington. Now just a few weeks ago, we had decided to stay in Utah, so who knows. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. But here we go. We are growing up and entering the real word. Scary!

Oh, the roller coaster

2010-02-08T10:07:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was not an easy day for me. I knew that it wouldn't be easy, but it was harder than I thought to say goodbye. Yesterday, Bishop Brown was released. He has been our bishop since we got married. He has helped us to serve others, to learn, to get through some of our struggles with infertility. He has loved us, even invited us to father's day dinner with his family. I love Mark Brown. He has been like a father to me. I have had so many "fathers" in my life. Each time I have to say goodbye it isn't easy. I think I went through 6 Kleenexes during sacrament meeting. I cried almost the whole time. I'm sure that Bishop Bushman will be great, but he is not Bishop Brown. I still remember my first week in this ward. Bishop got up and did the announcements and I was looking at him like, "man, this guy has no personality, he is gonna be boring." Oh, I was so wrong!! Bishop is one of the most fun people I know! He was exactly what I needed coming into this ward, as well as on my way out of this ward. I know that this is not really good bye, but I won't see him each week, and he won't be at all our ward activities.
There have been many fathers in my life, and I know they don't really ever go away. There has been Bro. Christian, Bro. Davidson, Bishop Walker, Rick Jansons, Bishop Brown, and my new dad, Roger! I know Roger will never leave. He is stuck with me because I am sealed to his son who is sealed to him!! Ha, he can't get away. But the others, they are all still friends of mine, even though I only talk to them once a year or so. They are, and always will be in my heart. Bishop Brown is the newest in that place. I hadn't even realized how much I love him until he was released. He has changed my life and made me better because I knew him.
I love you Bishop Brown! Thank you for being you!!

It's about love.

2010-01-30T18:18:00.000-08:00

So, most of you probably already know about this, but I thought I should post it on here anyway. Jonathan and I have decided to adopt. We want to adopt a white infant so that we can raise it completely and it won't be as obvious that we adopted it. We are really excited!! We are going to an orientation meeting this week and then will have more information. We know that in order to apply, we need $1,000, so we are working on saving that up. Once we have that we will apply and start the process. The first 6 months will be paperwork and training and interviews and so forth, and then we will be "on the market" so to speak, for a baby. We are looking through LDS Family Services. The way it works is that we make up a profile about ourselves and then birth mothers will look through the profiles and choose the parents she wants for her baby. We will just have to wait and see what happens. The only thing I know of to speed up the process of waiting, is to network. People need to know I am looking to adopt and I need to know if someone is looking to put their baby up for adoption.
Adopting gets a bad rep because a lot of people really don't understand. The mothers who are giving up their babies are doing it not because they don't love them, but because they love them enough to give that baby a better life than she can give. They know that they can not take care of the baby right and want someone else to give that baby the love and stable home that she can't. That's what adoption is "All about love." That's the motto for LDS Family Services.
I can't wait to give a beautiful little baby a better life and to love that baby. It will be a wonderful thing to give that gift to both the baby and the birth mother. And what a wonderful gift it will be for us!

Family pictures

2009-12-26T16:13:00.000-08:00

In Houston, we decided to get family pictures because the whole Mitchell family was finally together. The last of them came in on Christmas eve, and the first to leave left today, the 26th. So today we got pictures. The whole family ones turned out OK, but me and Jonathan's turned out great.

This one is going to my mom, his mom and his grandma.

This one is going on our wall... a big one of it! Aren't we beautiful

Here is the original of the "Love look"

And here is everyone. It was fun to try and get one without a screaming child. And of course, dad's eyes are closed.

Less than two weeks left

2009-12-01T19:10:00.000-08:00

I only have two weeks left until I am done with my program. I don't actually graduate until April, and I am planning on taking one class next semester... if we can pay for it... But I could be graduating in like 2 weeks if I didn't put it off!! 3 and a half years since I graduated high school and I am done (could be graduated) with my Bachelors degree! And with no debt to speak of! I feel very accomplished. I only changed my major once, and it didn't effect any of the classes I had already taken. I went from Elementary Ed. to Early Childhood ed. I love teaching and I feel like I am a good teacher. I am now lead teaching in kindergarten and I love it! This really was the best field to go into. I know I won't ever be paid what I am worth, but I don't care because I will give those children everything that they are worth! I just love all 58 of my students (I am getting another one this week supposedly, so soon it will be 59). 3 months ago I was afraid that I didn't know what I had gotten myself into. I was scared, and sure that I was going to mess up these kids lives because I could never teach. I was wrong. Ya, it has taken some practice and I have learned a ton about how to be a good teacher, but I can do it and I had it in me all along. A very wise person told me once that if the desire is there, the how will come. He was right. I am a good teacher. I have kids that love me, even though none of them are really mine. I have 59 kids that I love and think about. I am trying to reach each of them and touch their lives, especially the "difficult" ones! Those are the kids that make teaching interesting. I am ready to go out and have my own classroom. I CAN DO IT!! I just need my license first. I feel a great sense of accomplishment, even though I am not graduating yet, I have learned and come so far in such a short time. If you knew be before college, and you know me now... I'm sure you can see the differences that I have made. I know I can.

Kindergarten

2009-11-07T08:56:00.000-08:00

I have been in Kindergarten for 2 weeks now... sorry it's taken so long to tell you about it.
The first week was CRAZY!! It was the week before Halloween, and the kids were having a hard time behaving well and it was just bad. I was thinking, why did I ever want to teach kindergarten. I now have 57 students to learn the names of and to figure out how to get through to them and find a way to manage. Well, this week was better. By the end of my second week I was more used to 5-year-olds and getting the hang of things. Second grade to kindergarten is quite a jump down. Now I know most of the students' names, and I know how to handle most of them. I have figured out how to get their attention and how to teach them, to some extent. Now I remember why I wanted to teach kindergarten. I am enjoying it! I have a wonderful Mentor teacher, who loves to talk. I go in an hour and a half before school starts for kindergarten because that's when Shelly has to go in and I want to carpool because it's a half hour away. During the hour and a half we get a lot done and also talk A LOT!! It's great and I am learning a lot from her. There are down falls to talking so much, like I don't spend enough time planning with her as I want to and so I will have to do better when I start lead teaching. I am already doing a lot in the classroom and I really enjoy it. I'm grateful that I don't have to spend all weekend working on report cards like Sheila is. 57 report cards take a long time to fill out. Of course the 57 kids are in two classes, 30 in the morning and 27 in the afternoon. I'm glad that I chose Early Childhood Education and I am excited to be a teacher and have my own class some day. Forget this stay home thing... I want to teach! Although, teaching really takes all the energy I have, and I am exhausted when I get home, but it's worth it!!

Last day

2009-10-22T16:20:00.001-07:00

Sorry I haven't been so good at updates.... students teaching is crazy. But today was my last day of Second grade. It was wonderful. I gave my kids each a book mark with a special note from me. I also gave the class a couple of new books. Today during recess the kids wanted to do something nice for me. So they all made me notes. Some gave me one of their cool pencils (used) and I even had someone give me their crayons. A couple gave me candy from their lunch. Then, Joe told me to give them a couple of mins after recess and they all hid behind a big sign and when I walked in the door, they all yelled "Thank You Mrs. Mitchell". Then they gave me their notes and the book they all signed, and gave me a group hug. I almost got knocked over 2 or 3 times during that hug. It was the most wonderful hug of my life. Almost everyone had a chance to say something nice. I had a lot say that I was the best teacher ever, and thank me for teaching. Some of my favorites...
Thanks for putting more brains in our heads
When I grow up I'm going to sing a song for you. (he also wrote that he wanted to kiss me in the book.)
Please come back before Halloween.
I wish you could teach me forever.
I just love all 26 of those students. Even those that were always pushing my buttons. The one little boy I struggled with most gave me the crayons, a pencil and wrote me a few notes that say he loves me. Teaching is so rewarding. I just touched 26 little lives, and 26 little lives just touched me. I wish that I could stay with them for the rest of the year... but alas, next week I start teaching kindergarten at Meadow Elementary in Lehi.
Good Bye Mr. Backman's 2nd Grade Class!! I love you!

Not to be redundant.... best giveaway ever!!!

2009-09-30T18:00:00.000-07:00

Ok so you seriously have to check out Graciousrain.com!!! This is the greatest blog on the planet!! And she has some awesome giveaways this week. She has a hand bag that is the coolest thing ever! I want one of her amazing hand bags. So check it out... maybe you can enter to win... but if you don't, all the more chances for me to win... ;)
She also has a giveaway for New Moon tickets. Anyway, check out this great blog!!!

Giveaway time again

2009-09-25T21:08:00.000-07:00

Check out this great blog.
SHe is going a giveaway every day this week!!! Today's is a candy dish.

Just so that I am not totally lame and only post about a giveaway....

Student teaching is going well. I start basically lead teaching on Monday. Joe will still teach math for another week, but other than that I am doing everything. I am totally exhausted at the end of each day and I just don't want to do anything when I get home. It's a love/hate thing. The weekends are not nearly long enough and neither are the days or nights for that matter. But life is good. I am constantly singing silly songs that we use to ge tthe kids to the carpet in a timely manner. It's great fun. I started my TWS unit today and we are learning about plants. I hope the kids learn.

First day of school

2009-08-31T16:20:00.000-07:00

Today was my first day of Student teaching. The morning started out with a 3 hour meeting with my BYU professors and CFA (supervisor basically). This was good so that I kinda knew what was required of me during student teaching and other such details like the terrible, dreaded TWS (my senior project). Then after lunch we went out to our schools and got to meet our classes. I really like my cooperating teacher, Joe, and I didn't really get to know the kids today because I had so little time with them. I got there just after 1 and they left at 1:15 and 2:30. We have a funny schedule. Half the class comes from 8-2:30, and the other half comes from 9:15-3:30. Monday is an early out day for collaboration meetings between the teachers. So I'm at school a lot now. Anyway, I will know more as the week goes on, but so far I am excited, and still a little nervous. Although, knowing how nice my teacher is (joe), I feel a little better about how my first experience in Student teaching will go.

Lots of posts...

2009-08-26T11:56:00.000-07:00

Ok so I haven't been able to blog for a while, b/c I was at Grandma's, so make sure that you check out all the new posts. They go all the way back to the cake with kate post (but that happened before I left). I had a lot of fun and there are lots of pictures to show it.

Good Bye to grandma's

2009-08-26T11:47:00.000-07:00

I loved hanging out with Grandma. I learned so much from her and had a lot of fun. This is the morning that I left. I love Grandma, and I miss her, but I am so glad to be home with my husband.

While I was at Grandma's house, my cousin Josie, or Jo came to live with grandma for the next year of school. I got to go clothing shopping with her and we stayed up late talking. Isn't Jo so cute!! I just love her and can't wait until my next chance to visit her!!

Picking Blackberies

2009-08-26T11:31:00.001-07:00

Grandma, Nate, and I picked wild Oregon Blackberries. We picked 5 buckets in about an hour.

Grandma was funny, she put a glove on her cast, and picked. She out picked both me an Nate even though she is only one handed.

Look at the size of those thorns. They scratched my hands up pretty good.

Then I made 3 batches of Jonathan's favorite, Wild Oregon Blackberry Jam. So I have a few jars of jam, and a few more are labeled for us at grandma's house.

Making Jam is not as hard as I thought it would be. And there is a LOT of sugar in it, but it tastes good.

Going to the beach with Nate

2009-08-26T11:24:00.000-07:00

Nate and I went to the beach while uncle Ron fished. Nate is my cousin.

We found this weird seaweed thing. That looks like a balloon, but it's part of the seaweed.

This is my sandcastle. It even has a moat.

And here is Nate's castle. His moat is bigger and wetter than mine.

And this is a big rock, I forget what it's called, but it looks really close (like a mile or so), but it is really like 5 miles out.

Quilting at grandma's

2009-08-26T11:00:00.000-07:00

I wanted to learn how to quilt, and Grandma Mitchell is an amazing quilter. So I picked out some fabric and started from scratch. First I had to cut out my squares (3").

Then I learned how to sew the squares together.

Here is my first complete 9 Block.

Then I had to cut out the sashing and stepping stones. Then I sewed the sashing between each block in each column.

Then I sewed the stepping stones to the sashing that goes between each column.

Then I sewed the whole thing together.

Then I had to pick out the backing. I chose blue (it's more gender neutral).

I don't have a picture of the last step, I am still working on doing the binding, it is the same as the yellow sashing. I am working on finishing the hand stitching on the binding. I'll post another picture when I finish it.

Cake with Kate

2009-08-26T10:53:00.000-07:00

While Kate visited with us during her week off she and I decided to make a cake. So, we made a treasure chest cake. Isn't it great!! It was so yummy too. We had a great time working together to make it great.

Grandma's house

2009-08-10T20:14:00.000-07:00

Last week Jonathan's Grandma Mitchell fell and hurt herself bad. As soon as we found out we booked me a flight to come out to Portand (McMinnville) to help her out. So this morning I flew out here to be with her, and today was great. I have been able to help her so she can rest, but also to comfort her as well. Her brother passed away just a couple of weeks ago and grandma has always been close to her family. She misses him lots, but it's great that I can be here to keep her from being too lonely. I brought the camera and will try to get some pictures. Grandma has a bad head wound, and a broken wrist. She needs a lot of rest and so I am doing a lot of the basic stuff like dishes, watering the plants, washing the sheets. Tomorrow I will clean the bath tubs and shower curtains.

Pictures from our Anniversary

2009-08-09T12:27:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pics from our anniversary last week.
Here is the beautiful rose Jonathan gave me.

Here is Jonathan holding the card game, pants and tie I gave him. (I didn't like the picture of me holding mt game, but Jonathan gave me a game too.)

I did my nails, and curled my hair, just for Jonathan.

I think this one is pretty self explanitory... we are still very much in love, even after 2 years of marriage.

Pictures from WA!!!

2009-08-09T12:16:00.001-07:00

I know, I'm lame... I promised pictures forever ago... but here you go.

There is me holding Kaylyn in her favorite position.

Here is Jonathan and his Brother Andrew from our short visit with him.

Here are Karla and Kylee hugging on our last day there.

Here is Todd whereing a basket on his head while playing Wii with Kylee.

Here is Garth with the Oreo Cake I made for his birthday.

Another giveaway

2009-08-09T12:06:00.000-07:00

SO there is a giveaway on another blog for a $50 gift card to Barnes and Nobles... and since you all know how much I love books... especially when they are bought with gift cards.... I am going to tell you about it so I can get another entry. I just love giveaways. This one I also found out about through gracious rain, (where the other giveaway was from)!! Anyway, check out this blog and see what cool stuff is there, it's great for book lovers!!
bookgiveaways.blogspot.com

Awesome giveaway

2009-08-08T16:53:00.000-07:00

Ok so Gracious rain is doing another giveaway... and because I want more entries, I am entering and posting about it. There is a bunch of cool school supplies, and anyone that knows me knows how much I adore school supplies... so I'm trying for it!! So check it out at graciousrain.com
But don't you go and try to win this giveaway...;) jk.... this is the coolest blog though. She makes a post everyday, and so I check it every day. It's great.

2 years

2009-07-28T08:20:00.000-07:00

Today is our 2 year anniversary. Can you believe it, 2 years!! A lots has happened in 2 years, and a lot hasn't happened.
Things that haven't changed:
1. we are still students at BYU (but not for long)
2. We are still just the two of us
3. We are still in love just as much as when we got married
4. We still live walking distance from campus in Provo (same apt since we got married)
5. We are still crazy and silly

Things that have changed
1. We love each other more than ever
2. Jonathan's family moved to Texas, so my family is not on the way to his family's house :(
3. We have more stuff... and not enough room for everything, but we manage
4. we have 4 new nieces and nephews.
5. we try to stick to a budget.

These are just a few things that came to mind. We are so blessed that we were able to find each other and I just know that there is no way a better match could be made. It's like we were made to be together. The past two years have not always been easy, and have not always been completely happy, but they have been Wonderful, because we are together. I am so glad that we are not married "till death do you part" because that is not nearly long enough for me, no we are married "for time and all eternity." That's the way it should be. We are blessed to have a wonderful temple sealing, and to know that no matter what comes our way, we can get through it together and we will be a family FOREVER!!!

I'm back in Provo

2009-07-28T08:03:00.000-07:00

So finally, I am back in Provo. I just got back on Sunday night. 3 long weeks of bliss with my family... and I think I may have Jonathan convinced that we need to move back there when we graduate (in like 9 months!!)! We had a lot of fun and I have some pictures, not very many, but some. I will do another post soon with those pictures. Some highlights:
1. We played lots of Boom Blocks with Garth on his Wii, it's an Awesome game!!
2. I learned a new craft that I loved, we made journals and decorated them with paper and Mod pog, or something like that).
3. I got to spend lots of time with Karla, who is very good at answering the questions "Whose your favorite aunt?" "Aunt Dot".
4. I got to spend lots of time with Kylee, who loves to play with Uncle Jonathan.
5. I got to spend lots of time with Kaylyn, who is still tiny and so cute, and I am REALLY good at settling her down, only mommy can do better, and that's because she can nurse.
6. We played Munchkin Fu with Cassy and Todd.
7. I got to spend lots of time cooking, cleaning, shopping, and working out with my Momma.
8. We got mom a new computer and hooked it up and transferred all her data for her.
9. We got to go see Andrew and meet his gf Mary. She is really cute and sweet, oh, and Andrew is fun too. ;)
10. I got to see lots of my friends including Sam and Missy, and a bunch of people that I gave facials to, (I sold almost $500 in a week)
11. We went to see Harry Potter 6, which is the best of all the movies I think (best as in most entertaining to watch, not closest to the books)!!! It was way fun.
12. We got a flat coming back home and had to buy a new tire, but it was sunday evening and everything was closed, but Walmart saved the day because even though the tire place was closed, the guy hadn't left yet and said he would stay late to fix our tire... then we found out we really needed 3 new tires, but 4 is what we got. (Long story short)
13. A sad but true highlight, We planned a trip to see Grandma Mitchell and Aunt Sharon, but Grandma's brother had a big stroke and so she went to see him, good thing because he passed away with her in the room this last Weds. We did not see Grandma, but at least she got to see him before he passed.
14. We found one of the last two pieces to our lego set, for only $8. One more to go.
15. We went out to dinner with Papa Stan and Joyce. This is the man that was my Home teacher for 6 years and treats us like his own family. I love them!!

So that's a quick highlight and I will add some pictures to follow soon. We are glad to be home again and see friends. I guess I was released from my calling two weeks ago... at least that's what my friend told me yesterday.

I'm coming home...

2009-06-30T15:05:00.000-07:00

Hey all,
I am going to be home in Tri-cities for 2 weeks in July and I need to do a lot of facials while I am there. The facials are free and if you invite 3 or more people to join you for the facial you even get a prize from me, or discount on Mary Kay products, whichever you want!! These facials are really fun and it would really help me out. Let me know if you are interested.

I know, It's been a while

2009-06-25T10:07:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, Sorry it has been so long since I posted. Not a lot has been going on here. I went home and surprised my mom for her birthday June 4-7 and got to see my new little niece. That was way fun but too short. Jonathan and I went to see the Beauty and the Beast play in the Scera outdoor theater, got rained out, and had to go again a couple days later. So we went and got my little sister Kate (Jonathan's sister) and brought her down (from SLC) to see it and hang out the next day. That was lots of fun. We went shopping and visited my aunt Kristy. Last weekend we went to the Manti temple with out ward and then to the pagent. It was a little corny, but not bad. It rained all day until about an hour before the pagent, and the cleared up. We were gald it wasn't raining but it was a really really cold night. We were all bundled un blackets and sweat shirts, but still cold.
For Father's day we were invited to go to dinner at the Bishop's house. It was us and all his kids and their family. It was an honor that he invited us as part of his family. Even though I don't have a dad worth mentioning, I have plenty of other men that love me and take care of me as if they were my dad. A few to mention: Dad (Rodger Mitchell), Mom (Julie Mann), Bishop Brown, Bishop Walker, Brother Davidson, Uncle Byron, and Rick Jansons. Then of course I have Jonathan, but he's not so much like a dad as just my Husband. ;) I love these men (and my mom) in my life so much and am so grateful that I was able to have all these men step it up for me so that I felt loved and had someone to look up to. Happy Father's Day. This is one of the few years that I didn't cry much.

Just as I had promised...

2009-06-01T10:43:00.001-07:00

Here are some pictures that I stole from Cassy's facebook album. Here are my nieces... All three of them. First we have Little Kaylyn. Then we have all the girls. Next is Karla holding her newest little sister. Kylee holding her little sister. And Dad, aka Tod, holind the baby (leaving the hospital finally after several days in the hospital.)

Welcome!!

2009-05-26T20:42:00.000-07:00

I know, Just one more today.
My sister Cassy had her baby girl this morning at 11:23 am. She weighs 5 lbs and 14 oz. Her name is Kaylyn Ruth Nef. Both mom and baby are doing well although mom has not had much time with the baby. She was in labor for a good 30 hrs or so. Her water broke about 2 hrs before Kaylyn came. Hopefully I will have pictures to steal and post of her soon. I can't wait to go and meet my newest niece.

PARAMORE!!!!!!

2009-05-26T12:00:00.000-07:00

Paramore was awesome. They played great songs and even sang some new ones that are going to be on their new album coming this fall. Hailey had lots of energy and was a good performer. It was fun to see her hair so red. I was going to buy a Paramore shirt at the concert, but they were lots more expensive there then they are online (like twice as expensive) so I'm going to buy one online. They are my new favorite band!! Here are some of the best shots I got, and one video that shows Hailey dancing around. The first one shows the back ground really well and you can see Hailey singing. The second one shows a great shot of her red hair. And another one that is not so bad.

No Doubt

2009-05-26T11:54:00.001-07:00

No Doubt was really fun to watch. Gwen told stories of other times they have come to Utah and made us jump, clap and sing... We even got to sing Happy Birthday to her son Kingston, who I think is turning 3 today!! He was so cute, and had hear phones on to keep the noise out. Here are the best pictures from the Concert. (all these were taken with my cell phone so they aren't great.)
When they came out they had a big sheet up and they had their shadows projected onto the sheet, it was so cool. Then during one song the trumpet and trombone were the main thing, no singing, and Gwen went and changed. The song was awesome and they were fun to watch play together. Then this is the best shot I got of Gwen.

Jonathan's first concert

2009-05-26T11:20:00.000-07:00

I told you a couple weeks ago that Jonathan got us tickets to the No Doubt Paramore concert. It was Awesome!!! The Sounds opened... they are a Swedish band that was alright, but not my favorite. Then Paramore came out for a while and that was AWESOME!! Hailey Williams (singer) was a great performer and she sounded great. Then No Doubt came on. They were even more amazing. They really know how to get the energy going in a crowd. It was so much fun!! This concert definatly tops any concert I have ever been to. Jonathan enjoyed it. He used ear plugs, the worst part is the screaming, not the music. I didn't use ear plugs and my ears were muffled for a good half hour after the concert, but now I'm hearing fine again. We were so close to the stage, probably like 50 feet away!! It was fun to see these huge stars right in front of us!!
Here is a picture of us infront of the E center (the location of the concert) and inside while we were waiting for one of the bands to come out.

Wisdom tooth

2009-05-26T11:08:00.000-07:00

Jonathan has needed to get his wisdom teeth removed for some time. He finally called and made an appointment. After talking to the oral surgeon, we decided that the risks of removing all his teeth vs. the benefits were not worth it. So we had only one removed that was bothering him. He took a pain killer right after we were done, and one before bed. That was it. Then the next day he went to work. He was awesome!! Here is a before and after picture:

New fan

2009-05-26T10:56:00.000-07:00

I know it's been a while, but I will post a few different things today.

When we moved in our ceiling fan in our living room didn't work. It wouldn't even turn on. We complained and they looked at it and said they would call an electrician to come fix it. Well after about a year and a half we complained again. Then we waited for a few more months. Finally they came and replaced it. This fan is way better. We can dim the lights and change speeds. It's nice because it is getting hot.

Just an Update

2009-05-19T20:25:00.000-07:00

Well, I don't really have anything exciting to write about, but I wanted to post again. Jonathan is loving his job!! He can't decide what he wants to do this fall; go back to OIT or stay with BITS. He just loves both of them so much. When he is home he is reading Brisingr or playing Ever Quest, and sometimes Guitar hero world tour. I am having lots of fun in my cooking class and getting some good ideas of stuff to make. Recently I have been spending lots of time with my Aunt Kristy and her new baby girl. We have fun talking and doing whatever needs to be done around the house. I also have been reading the Fablehaven series, I'm on book 3, and the Books of Bayern series by Shannon Hale, I'm on book 2. I only read one book at a time but I have kinda been going back and forth between the series depending on which book I can get next. I am really enjoying both.
We are planning a camping and hiking trip with two couples in our ward. It should be fun but out of the 6 of us, I am the least in shape and like hiking/camping the least. It should still be lots of fun. This time I will have a pad to sleep on so that I can sleep. We are also excited about the concert next monday!! Yay Paramore and No Doubt!!! We are also looking forward to a family reunion here in Utah in August (maybe) and hopefully a trip home to Tri-cities to meet my new niece or nephew who will be here in a few weeks (due in 5 weeks) and see my mommy and bud Garth.
That's just a quick update on what we are up to this summer.

YAY!!! My new makeover is done!!

2009-05-15T08:29:00.001-07:00

April is amazing and made my blog exactly what I wanted. Now my background matches Jonathan and I. Isn't it amazing. If you want a cool blog background like mine check out sassyfruitstudios.com. She is great!!!

Thanks Sassy fruit/April, and Gracious Rain/Launi, for the great makeover!!!

Surprise!!

2009-05-13T15:25:00.000-07:00

Last night Jonathan surprised me with floor seat tickets to see No Doubt and Paramore in SLC on May 25!!! I'm way excited. We have recently become fans of Paramore because of Twilight and Guitar Hero. Some of their songs that you may notice are "Misery Buissness" "That's what you get" and "Decode". That's what you get has been on the radio recently. I have been checking out more of their music today and I haven't heard a song that I don't like yet!! They are amazing. Check them out at their website. You can listen to some of their music on there to see what they are like, there are also music videos. From what I have seen so far the videos are pretty clean. If anyone is going let me know because we would love to find some friends to go with. Waiting in line outside is always more fun with friends!!

I won something!!

2009-05-11T15:18:00.000-07:00

I entered the drawing that I talked about in my last post, and I won it!! So be watching for the new personalized background and header. I am very excited to see what it turns out to look like!!

Give away!!

2009-05-09T11:01:00.000-07:00

I have this friend that does front end web design, basically meaning that she makes the website look amazingly pretty. She just started a business and is now making websites, specifically blogs, look amazingly pretty. Because she is just getting going, she is offering a grand opening give away!!!!! Yay, who doesn't like free stuff. She will do a personalized background and header for a blog for one lucky person!! I hope it's me, but the drawing will be done Monday, May 11. This is a $65 value for free!!! YAY for a Give Away!!! This is her website http://www.sassyfruitstudios.com/blog/ Go Check it out and see what you like. Also, if you go to http://www.graciousrain.com/giveaway/ you can comment for another entry!! YAY!! This is one of the websites designed by April, or Sassy Fruit Studios!! There are also other examples of her work on her website at Sassy Fruit. Check it out and enter the drawing. She does some really cool stuff. It's worth it!

Just in case

2009-05-05T17:10:00.000-07:00

I had someone who had a problem viewing the video of Jon Schmidt so here is the address of the youtube video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v3d6SFcDys

I can see it but I don't know if anyone else can so check it out

A call for prayers

2009-05-04T20:06:00.000-07:00

Again I am asking everyone to pull together and pray for a friend. A baby in my ward has a condition called hydrocephalus, which is water on the brain. She is going in for surgery on Wednesday. This couple is struggling and would really appreciate all the prayer for their little Eliza who is 4 months old. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. Every little bit helps.

Jon Schmidt is amazing

2009-05-04T19:42:00.000-07:00

So on facebook one of my friends had this posted and since Jonathan and I love Cold Play Viva La Vida and Love Song and Jon Schmidt I had to post this on here. I know it's a long song but it is totally worth listening too. And it's not as long as the whole video, the last couple mins of it is just commentary by Jon Schmidt. Isn't he just a musical GENIUS!!! We love this musician and he is Jonathan's inspiration. He is also so much fun to watch perform. If you EVER get a chance to go see him live don't miss out on a wonderful performance with amazing music. If yo can't tell, we are BIG FANS!! Someday I want to come up with the money to buy Jonathan a private lesson with him. Yes, he does private lessons (just one lesson). That would be the ultimate present for him.

My last min trip to see Cyntha!!

2009-05-01T09:23:00.000-07:00

Last week I was feeling a little depressed and just needed a little pick-me-up from my big sister. So Jonathan said let's go see her. And we did. We had so much fun. It was a quick trip but it was so good to see Cyntha and talk (we stayed up till after midnight), and to see Ben and James again. I can't believe how big Ben has gotten, and how much his hair has lightened up. He is super cute and so close to walking. He was the happiest when I would hold his hands and help him walk around the house. He LOVED it!

James is so cute in Uncle Jonny's hat. Look at what Jonathan taught him. And then when his mom came in the room he did that and said "Yo mama"... it was so funny.

We got out Sean's guitar from Mexico and James loved playing with it.

Easter

2009-04-20T17:09:00.000-07:00

So, I know it's a little late, but I just saw some of my pictures and realized that I never put these up.
I had fun making some little Easter nest treats, (I got the idea form a wonderful lady that kinda reminds me of my mom, Launi, Jilly's mom). They are just so cute. Then I made a very nice diner of fish, rice, fruit, and salad. Jonathan's family always has fish for dinner on Easter because Christ ate fish just after his resurrection and he used it frequently in his teaching, it makes more sense than eating ham which is more traditional. This was our first Easter just the two of us because the last two Easters we have spent with his family at Grandma and Grandpa Smith's house. We missed them but it was a nice, quiet Easter.

Sunday Sweets

2009-04-19T18:55:00.000-07:00

For Easter I got a cake decorating book called Cakes for Kids. It is way cute and has some easy, medium and hard projects in it. So yesterday we decided to try out one of the easiest cakes. So I got home from church and started baking. I didn't finish cooking until about 5:30. I made cake, frosting, rolls, artichokes, chicken, and rice.

I decided to make the Rainbow cake with M&M's. Ya, it's the one on the cover.

The cake didn't turn out perfect, but it sure tasted good!! (Don't worry, we had lots of friends come over to eat with us: Derek, Brenda, Jon, Sommer, Ben, April, and Andy all came over to help us eat it.)

Then I made rolls, and of course I couldn't just make normal rolls, I was in a cooking mood. So I made rosettes. You just tie the dough in a knot and tuck the ends in. Didn't they turn out so pretty?!

It was so fun, and I made quite the mess. Lucky for me, I have a wonderful husband that cleaned up after I made the mess, and in between messes as well. He is so good to me, but he thinks I'm good to him because I made yummy food... so I guess we are even.

Our time with James

2009-04-16T20:54:00.000-07:00

I have missed my boys and my best friend Cyntha since they left for Burley. I had a really hard time saying good bye, but then I got back into school and it was so busy that I didn't even have time to think about them. Then last weekend I talked to Cyntha and she asked if I wanted to babysit James for a few days between classes and finals. I said YES!!

We had so much fun playing with James the last few days. Here are some pictures.
James loves glasses. He is always trying to take mine away from me. He found Uncle Jonny's glasses and put them on (Jonathan only likes being called Jonny when it is preceded by Uncle and is coming from one of his cute nieces or nephews). James was just so cute in them I had to take a picture.

I planned a play day for James with some old friends at the park for Wednesday morning, but then it was rainy and then snowy, so it was a no go on the park. Instead I took him to the mall that has an indoor playground. He had fun playing with the big ball that turns in the water and playing on the big Dino. The big kids were climbing on top of the head and James wanted to climb up too. He was a little too small. Then he kept running into random stores and hiding in the clothing racks. He is so cute.

Today we went to campus to turn in a time card and get Uncle Jonny after work. We had fun walking home. James likes to push the stroller. Then we stopped at the duck pond to see the ducks. He LOVES the ducks. He was so funny chasing the ducks around. I should have gotten a picture. Well it has been really wet here because of all the snow yesterday, and James slipped in the mud. He was pretty messy. It didn't bother him. He was more upset when we told him it was time to go home. He cried for the ducks. We went home and gave him a nice bubble bath to clean off all that mud. I love bubble baths. He is even completely covered by the bubbles. He loved the bath too. Isn't he cute!!

We were sad to say good bye again, but hopefully we will get to go see them soon. Besides, we still haven't seen Ben again (he stayed with granny franny). But as much as we love him and were sad to see him go, we are excited to go to bed and sleep through the night without a little boy waking up and crying and getting in bed with us around 3 in the morning, or a little boy waking up and wanting to play at 6:30 in the morning. He was fun, but we are exhausted. I decided that when we start having kids, I don't want to start with a 2 year old who doesn't take naps every day. Even though we are exhausted, we still can hardly wait until we can be proud parents of a cute little kid like James. Until then, we will enjoy our rest and our energy (and our time to be alone and just be husband and wife).

No more First Grade

2009-04-07T19:04:00.000-07:00

I am so sad. Today was my last day in the practicum, and I am no longer teaching first grade. The kids were cute and each wrote me a cute little card. I will miss them terribly. it's amazing how much you grow to love 21 kids in just 6 weeks. It was a wonderful experience and I learned so much. I just wish I didn't have to say good bye. Unfortunately, I forgot to take my camera today, so I didn't get to take a picture of the class. I am so sad that I forgot. Oh well. It's over now. Life will go on. I now want 21 magnets so that I can plaster my fridge with each of the cards I got today. It was fun to read the cards and see the writing of my struggling writers, they all wrote so well and I am so proud of my lowest student's letters. They were all so cute and so sweet. I will miss you Mrs. Reader's First Grade Class.

Good Bye my boys

2009-03-28T17:34:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago, I went with Cyntha and Sean to the Dinosaur Museum. I took a cute picture of the boys there on a little dinosaur that was ok to play with. James liked digging for bones.

Today while Cyntha and everyone was packing and moving stuff out of her apartment, I took care of the boys so they would be out of the way. I'm so glad I had a chance to spend more time with them. We went to the Bean museum of life at BYU. James loved it, Ben was tired and heavy. James saw some people taking pictures and wanted me to take some too. They aren't great but I was using my phone. Here is James in front of the Grizzly, the boys in front of the Moose, and James in front of the Rino. He loved it and said "I have fun with animals". He is
so adorable.

I am going to miss my cute boys. I love them so much and I can't believe that the day fianlly came that they had to move away from Aunt Dot. I Love them like my own, I hope Cyntha isn't too upset that I will always call them my boys, even though they are hers. There is nothing like loving those little boys. I can't imagine being capable of loving a child more. They say I will love my own children even more, but I don't believe that I possibly can. I already miss them and it's only been a few hours. I came home after saying good bye and cried myself to sleep. I know it's not goodbye forever. I can go visit them. For the next couple of months they are only a 3 hour drive away, and then they will only be about a 5 hour drive away (at least until I move back to Washington when it will become more like at 15 hour drive). I miss them anyway. They are no longer just a 5 minute drive away. I hope and pray that someday, we will live just 5 minutes away from them again.

Good Bye my boys, and Best friend Cyntha. (I know this was mostly about the boys, But I do love Cyntha more than she can know, and I will miss my best friend almost as much as I will miss my boys.)

More News

2009-03-26T21:34:00.001-07:00

We finally know what we are doing this summer. Jonathan was offered a position at a very small company that is similar to what he has decided he wants to do with his life. This job may have the potential to become more than just a summer job too. It's in Spanish Fork, just about 15 mins away which is way better than the hour commute to Salt Lake. SO now I am looking for work this summer because I don't want to just sit at home doing nothing. Well I do have Mary Kay, which I will be working much more than I am now, but I would like something more than just Mary Kay for the summer so that I don't just sit on my but eating bonbons all day, or something like that. If anyone knows of a good place that is hiring, I'm looking for almost anything. Perferably something with kids or good discounts on clothes or shoes :) but I will do almost anything.

News

2009-03-25T20:50:00.000-07:00

I'm not really sure if it's good or bad, but it's news. Jonathan's great grandmother just passed away. She was 101 years old. She has been in a nursing home for several years now and her son Jay, aka grandpa, has visited her often. Now grandpa is on a mission in Hong Kong and she was finally able to move on with her "life" and go back to be with her husband, who she was constantly confusing with her son (she wondered who this other woman in grandpa's life was, it was his wife.) She was a dear sweet lady, I only wish I could have known her better. We thought that she wouldn't make it to her 101 birthday which was in January. We almost lost her last fall, but she made it a little longer. Her funeral will probably be on April 6, the monday after general conference. Two of my aunts were able to be with her as she passed. A moment of silence in her behalf please.

Happy St. Patrick's day!!

2009-03-19T20:09:00.001-07:00

Mom couldn't stop her self again, and got her Leprechaun a new hat and bow tie. So he wore them to work as well as the night before while delivering St. Patrick's Day treats!! Isn't he so cute.

The economic crisis has even hit the leprechauns. This year he had to give out chocolate instead of gold. But there were green sprinkles. Jonathan wanted me to post a picture of me, or at least both of us. But I am having troubles with the formatting so once again, I am not posting a picture of me. (it wasn't a very good one of me anyway)

Getting ready for the big day!!!

2009-03-14T12:24:00.000-07:00

My mom got Jonathan this shirt last year, or maybe it was two years ago. This year she found these great lucky charms lounge pants, and for anyone who knows my mom, she obviously could not walk out of that store without them because they were perfect for her favorite son-in-law. So she got them, along with some Celtic music and a table cloth and some other fun stuff. We love St. Patrick's Day!! That was the day that Jonathan proposed to me two years ago, and yes, dressed as a leprechaun. I have got to get one of our pics of him all dressed up on here. Maybe he will dress up this year again and I can get a new picture.

This year I am going to make corned beef and cabbage for dinner, like every year. I am also going to try making a spinach dinner that will be kinda green (not on the same night). I also want to make some fun St. Patty's day mint oreo truffles with green sprinkles. I'll take pictures if they are cute. We don't really have plans for the day, I have a Mary Kay meeting that night and I need to go because this weekend am and going to SLC for career conference.

New little life

2009-03-04T20:07:00.001-08:00

On Friday, my aunt Kristy experienced a miracle. After 10 years of trying to have a baby, she gave birth to a beautiful 8lb 10 oz baby girl names Julianne Kendraleigha Hunter. I am not sure I spelled it correctly. I got to go and see them both on Sunday evening. They are both doing well and are very happy. She adopted an adorable little boy about a year and a half ago who is now about 6 years old. He seems to be happy with the new baby sister. They are such a cute, fun family. I love them and are so excited for them!!

life as a teacher

2009-03-04T20:00:00.000-08:00

This week my school is performing a patriotic music fest. The kids are so cute and the program is amazing. This made our week a little crazy with practices and performances (starting today). But it is fun and the parents love it.
I also got to teach my first lesson to the whole class. It went pretty well. I taught about Dr. Seuss and the lessons he teaches in his stories. I also taught a lesson on making inferences today. Yesterday I taught a guided reading lesson and was observed. It didn't go perfect and I forgot a few things, but Karen said that I did really well for my first time. It was really exciting.
I definitely have a little boy that likes me. Today he drew a picture for me during centers. It had him and me with a heart around us and the word love. Then during math, he kept asking me to help him, not because he needed it. I could tell that he was just "forgetting" the number or "didn't know" because he wanted attention. As soon as Mrs. Reader was done with her small group, I let her handle his questions. Funny how he didn't seem to have as many problems when she was the one answering. It's funny because this boy usually has a hard time with authority figures and parent helpers.
I love all the kids in my class. The ones that I thought would be difficult last week, I have found are not as bad as I had expected. I have a good class. We will see what next week brings.

My first week in first grade

2009-02-25T21:18:00.000-08:00

Friday we went shopping and I got a new shirt to wear on my first day of school. Saturday I re-dyed my hair, it's needed it for a while. And Monday I was ready for school, not nervous hardly at all. So I went to school and ended up getting lost and being like 5 mins late, even though I gave myself almost 20 mins to get there. Then we had two kids go home sick, several more think that they were sick, a fire drill, the intercom on the fritz, and I had one student tell me "No" and another tell me I was pretty and ask how old I was. It was an exciting day. I ended up being so exhausted that Monday night I rested and when I got up was so dizzy I could see the room spinning and I almost threw up. Lucky for me, after a good night's sleep I was ready for another day of school. Tuesday was not as bad. We had only one kid go home sick, and the same little boy again told me that I was pretty and want to know how old I was and if I spoke spanish. (the moment I saw this little boy I knew I loved him, I don't know why but I did before he even said a word to me. He is one of the strugglers in our class) Oh, and both Monday and Tuesday I had a small task more than lesson to do with the students that needed extra help on their phonics and spelling. Then Today I was ready for a new day. I went to school and ended up teaching another phonics "lesson" and a guided reading group (not my lesson plans). I got to help out at math time, and several other times throughout the day but I'm still mostly helping out and observing. I also had a little boy today (different than the one who thinks I'm pretty) ask for my number. I told him that I could not give him my number because it is against the rules. Then he wanted to know my "real name". I just told him that Mrs. Mitchell was my real name. Anyway, these kids are cute. Monday I get to teach a read-a-loud lesson on Dr. Seuss, it's his birthday, and Tuesday I have my first observation and I am teaching a guided reading lesson. I'm excited and nervous to start teaching but I know that I am not expected to be perfect and the kids love me and will forgive me for having a bad lesson. It's true, I had forgotten how much I love kids. We have so many cute kids, but there is the one, you know, the one in every bunch, the one I know will push buttons if he can. There is also a little girl who also is difficult but she likes me so that helps, but she is kind of a drama queen. We have 21 students and I know all of their names. I had almost all the names on the first day of school, but there were two absent and two boys that look a lot alike that I mixed up. I like first grade but it is really exhausting. I'm glad that I am starting out gradually and I only have three days a week to start with. The kids seemed a little upset that I was not coming back tomorrow. It made me smile.

My collection is complete!!

2009-02-16T21:05:00.000-08:00

Today I found the last two state quarters from 2008! Yes this means that I now have all 50 state quarters. My quarter folder is full and my collection is complete!!!
I even have pictures to prove it. I don't know why it insists on putting the picture on sideways, it isn't that way when I open the file, just when I download it into blogger. But here you go.

Connie Talbot

2009-02-08T11:56:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I spent all day with my sister Cyntha, and didn't get any homework done. She showed me a CD that Sean got her in Portland. It's Over the Rainbow by Connie Talbot. She was on Britian's Got Talent, which is kinda like American Idol. She has an amazing voice. She is 6. You should check her out. Click here.
She has a very mature voice for being 6.

New Hair cuts

2009-02-01T20:11:00.001-08:00

So yesterday Jonathan and I got our hair cut. We went to Paul Mitchell. I like my hair cut. Jonathan's is a bit shorter than usual and he is wearing it a little different than he usually does.
here are some pics.

Jon Schmidt made Jon's life!!

2009-01-31T21:07:00.000-08:00

So tonight Jonathan and I had tickets to the Jon Schmidt concert (he's the reason that Jonathan plays the piano). We were way far back in the line to get in but some how, I don't know how, we got seats on the very edge of the front row, on the side behind the piano so we could see him playing the whole time. It was VERY COOL!! Then at the end of the concert Jon walked off stage in our direction, walked straight up to Jonathan and shook his hand. Then he went back on stage and played Dumb Song, it's a really funny song. And the concert was over. Jon Schmidt, Jonathan's hero, shook his hand tonight. I don't know if he will ever wash his hand again. (Although I sure hope so, that would be pretty gross!!)

Oh and P.S. we got hair cuts today. They are pretty good.

a call for prayers

2009-01-30T21:51:00.001-08:00

I just found out that my uncle has Cancer. He has been like a father to me. I love him as if he was my father. Things don't look real good right now. Please keep him and our family in your prayers. IF you fast please keep us in your thoughts as you fast. He is going to need some major surgery and chemo. Please pray for him.

greenWinkle

2009-01-30T19:37:00.000-08:00

I have seen the coolest bags ever!! My friend's mom does them and sells them. She hand makes these bags out of re purposed material. They are washable and dryable. Anyway they are just the coolest stuff ever. These bags are so cute and I really want one. Right now she is doing a giveaway from her website. Check it out here!!! It's Graciousrain.com. I am really excited about this stuff so check it out today!!

All teachers should see this video

2009-01-08T20:49:00.000-08:00

In one of my Cohort classes today we watched this video. I almost cried. It is a really powerful analogy and really teaches us a lot! So it's made for parents, but I think that anyone who wants to ever work with kids, or who already does should see this video. It teaches us all a good lesson. Now how can we take what we have learned from it and apply it. What good does a movie like this do if no one changes or if it does not impact the way they work with kids. If you struggle to see this one, there is a bigger version at http://www.pathways2college.com/images/animalschoolwmv.wmv
Please take the time to watch this!!

My PLE

2008-12-11T13:26:00.001-08:00

I Like that I have one place where all of the information that I learned about is compiled. It's nice to have something that doesn't include every note I ever took in the class but still has the most important information and a lot of the resources that I learned about. The PLE was a good way to basically make a portfolio without having to store it in my tiny apartment right now.
The thing that I liked least about the PLE is that there were a couple of weeks where I didn't really feel like I had any new information to add because we were still working on the same project, but I still had to make a post of the things that I learned. This didn't happen often but occasionally I just didn't know what to write.
I don't know if I will use a blog for my classroom in the future, but I do think I will use a blog for personal use. I love that my sister has one and I think I will use one so that I can keep m family up to date.

Internet safety sharing

2008-12-11T12:38:00.000-08:00

I learned so much that I wanted to share what I learned with everyone I loved. So I wrote up a paper with a lot of the information I learned with some resources for good kids websites and some places to look for more information and filters. I sent this paper to most of the people on my email account.
Then I went and taught me Aunt about internet safety. She recently adopted a 6 year old boy and has a baby girl on the way in February. She doesn't let her 6 year old use the internet yet, but he already gets to use it at school everyday, so she knows this won't last long. She really appreciated knowing what kinds of safety she needed to teach him about as well as getting some of the kid friendly resources I had to offer. Most of what I shared with her was from the paper I put together but I also had a discussion with her and answered questions. It was a great experience.
Here is the information that I included in the paper.

Internet Safety Information

Websites with podcasts or videos on internet safety

http://www.netsmartz.org/resources/reallife.htm

http://www.isafe.org

http://www.netsmartzkids.org/indexFL.htm (kid friendly)

http://ikeepsafe.org/iksc_kids/ (kid friendly)

Filter website:

http://www1.k9webprotection.com/ -- our stake has recommended this filtering program.

M. Russell Ballard, “Let Our Voices Be Heard,” Ensign, Nov. 2003, 16

see talk for more information, this is just his list at the end.

Besides making our voices heard, let me conclude with seven things that every parent can do to minimize the negative effect media can have on our families:

1. We need to hold family councils and decide what our media standards are going to be.

2. We need to spend enough quality time with our children that we are consistently the main influence in their lives, not the media or any peer group.

3. We need to make good media choices ourselves and set good examples for our children.

4. We need to limit the amount of time our children watch TV or play video games or use the Internet each day. Virtual reality must not become their reality.

5. We need to use Internet filters and TV programming locks to prevent our children from “chancing upon” things they should not see.

6. We need to have TVs and computers in a much-used common room in the home, not in a bedroom or a private place.

7. We need to take time to watch appropriate media with our children and discuss with them how to make choices that will uplift and build rather than degrade and destroy.

From Provident living.org

Pornography
Parents can do many things to safeguard their homes from the harmful influences found on the Internet. While there is no foolproof system, some simple steps can help reduce the risk of family members seeing pornographic materials on the Internet.

Place computers in high-traffic areas of the home. Kitchens, family rooms, and studies usually have the most traffic. Because these rooms usually don’t have doors, they are typically less secluded than bedrooms. Position computer monitors so the screen faces out for public view.
Install a filtering program, and learn its features and how to use it. Good filtering programs allow you to view a history of which sites (including chat rooms) have been visited and when, as well as a record of incoming and outgoing e-mails. Information on filtering programs can be found on Internet sites such as www.internetfilterreview.com.
Teach family members about the dangers of Internet pornography, including how to escape if an inappropriate site is accidentally accessed. This usually involves shutting down the entire system.
Teach family members to tell parents if they encounter any form of pornography while on the computer. This will help reduce the fear or shame of accidental exposure. It also serves to open discussion about the dangers of pornography.
Teach family members to use the Internet for a specific purpose only. Aimless surfing makes it easier to wander onto inappropriate sites.
Instant messaging is a cost-effective, easy way to communicate with family and close friends. However, teach family members to avoid public chat rooms, bulletin boards, or unfamiliar areas on the Internet. Such places present an unnecessary risk for children and adults.
Teach children not to share any personal information online without parental knowledge and permission. Many predators pose as children to gain access and information that may put children at risk.
Educate yourself about your computer and how the Internet works.
Be aware of what your children’s school and public library policies are regarding Internet use and accessibility.
Teach family members to never open e-mail from someone they don’t know.

The Internet is a wonderful tool and resource for families, but caution must be exercised in order to protect families and individuals from the potential dangers that are present online.

-More information and articles from lds.org under Gospel topics, Internet or media

Teach your child to be safe on the internet

Harassment: ignore it. Block their screen name. If they don’t stop, tell your parents. It may become cyber bullying or cyber stalking. Both lead to scary situations and possible depression and suicide.

Teach your kids that they need to be kind to people online just as much as they need to be kind to people in person. Words hurt. Teach them about the effects of cyber bullying so that they know how hurtful this can be. Often when kids are online they feel that they can say whatever they want and it won’t affect others. They don’t see the results of their hurtful words and so they don’t feel responsible. Teaching good online citizenship is just as important as teaching real world citizenship today.

Predators and Cyber Relationships: When talking with strangers online or someone you met online never give out your real name or the names of your family members, address phone number, school, or even the city/state you live in. Don’t give out your age either. Too much information will make it easy to find you. Never agree to meet with someone you met online without talking with your parents about it first. This can be very dangerous. When you do meet someone, make sure it is in a well lit public area and bring friends along. Never go by yourself or meet in a private place.

Pornography: Parents should talk with their children about pornography on the internet and teach them what to do if anything ever pops up. Some times pornographic sites will pop up and if you try to close it, more will pop up. Just turn off the screen and go get a parent to fix it. They will keep you safe. Don’t be embarrassed because you need help to get out. People try to trick kids into seeing pornography and it’s one of the easiest things to find online. It’s also important to remember that Porn sites often take common websites or Character’s names and misspell it in a common way that kids misspell or typos and use that as their URL’s to catch kids.

Good Kid Friendly websites for kids to play on and explore information on.

http://www.poetry4kids.com/

http://www.starfall.com/

http://www.kerpoof.com- really fun website

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/

http://www.uen.org/core/ If you go here and click on a grade level then within the standards there will be links to educational websites that have fun activities for kids on them.

http://www.kidsites.com/ this site can direct you to other good sites by choosing an interest such as kid games.

It’s always a good idea with young children to be with your child while they use the internet and to make a list of approved sites and to search for new sites with them, not just letting them surf the web. This will not work so well with older children but while they are young give them all the help they will take.

Internet Safety movies

2008-12-10T19:47:00.000-08:00

Internet safety is something that I am very worried about as a future parent. I know how much bad stuff happened from when I was a teenager (which wasn't that long ago) and I know it will only get worse by the time that I have teens. So I spent a lot of time watching movies on several different sites learning about internet safety. I also wanted to see a little bit of everything. I am teaching my Aunt about internet safety and she said that she really doesn't know much but she wants to learn about everything.
I probably spent about two hours watching internet safety materials. Out of that I think that the most important thing I learned was that we need to educate our children about what to do on the internet. This includes how to respond to harassment, not giving out personal information about yourself or where you live and phone number, never meeting someone you met online without talking to your parents and meeting in a public place with friends, and what to do if they come across an inappropriate site.
I don't think that I will use this material in my classroom other than for resources for myself. I will be teaching children that are young enough that I don't want to scare them with a lot of this information. More of what I think I will need to teach is to have kids talk to their parents when they want to use the internet and just teaching them the rules of safe internet use. I also think I will use some of this information when I am raising my children. I want to keep m kids safe and I think the easiest and most effective way to do that is through educating them about what is out there and how to protect themselves from it.
Knowing and seeing this has scared me, but I also know how good the internet is. I know how much good information there is on the internet and I know that we can not live in todays world without it. We just have to know how to protect ourselves and our family.

Internet Safety Articles

2008-12-06T21:01:00.000-08:00

1) I read a few different articles about internet safety. The first one I read was "Tangled in the web" then I read "I have a question" both on the internet subject. Both of these were very interesting. The first one surprised me because I didn't realize that someone could get addicted to talking to someone online. When I was in high school my junior and senior year I really got into IMing and would IM while doing homework, watching TV, anytime. I would leave the sound on so that even if I was in another room I would hear if someone messaged me. I only ever talked to the friends I already knew from school, but I don't think I was ever addicted, I just liked talking with my friends. When I got into college it went down a lot because I just didn't keep contact with most of the people I used to chat with. The second article was about how you can use the internet for good and how to protect your children from the bad.
2) I'm not sure I can say what the most important thing I learned was. I really appreciated the lists in several of the articles about ways protect your family from the harmful influences of both media and the internet. I like lists and I was able to stop and think about each item as I read. I like that there are specific things I can do such as where I put the computer and putting filters on the internet that will help me to protect and teach my children.
3)I plan to use several of these suggestions to help me protect my children. These articles helped me to know what kinds of things I need to teach my children about and what I need to talk to them about concerning internet use. I also plan to follow the suggestions of things I can do such as checking histories and putting filters on the internet so that I can help to protect my children and I will know what is going on in my home.
4)I will be able to help my family understand the importance of internet safety and how to make the computer a safer place to find information. I have never really had a problem with the internet or pop ups before but I know people who have. I know people who have struggled with fighting an addition to harmful internet materials, and I hope that I can be a better resource to them because I know a little better what kinds of things will help with protecting against those harmful sites.

More Technology ideas and knowledge

2008-11-19T15:28:00.000-08:00

As we learned about digital cameras I learned a lot about file types. .gif are good because they don't take as much room but .jpg are good because they save lots of colors and better quality pictures. I learned a little about how to use Picaso photo editing. Kerpoof.com is a fun website to play with where they can make stories drawings and movies. It's really fun for kids and for adults. Then we did an activity with Language arts and technology in the classroom. Standard-Kindergarten standard 1 LA.
Technology is starfall-go to www.starfall.com.
Pedagogy-Get into the ABC part then Have the students click on the letter they are working on or go through all the letters. It will say the sound and then they need to listen to the sound and then say the sound. Then it says a word and have them say the sound and then the word. Here is a screen shot from one of the letters.

Math:
Standard-Kindergarten Standard 2 objective 2 (patterns)
Technology- from national Library of virtual manipulative's. go to Numbers and Operations for K-2 and go to color patterns.
Pedagogy-Have the students play with this cite creating their own patterns. Then check their patterns to be sure it really is a pattern.

Technology is good in ECE classrooms

2008-11-12T15:32:00.000-08:00

Ideas from research about technology in the ECE room.
Technology is a great tool to use specifically in Early Childhood classrooms. Young children are motivated by computers. They love them and will love working with them. Children should be able to explore technology because that is how they learn. Children should be actively using a variety of technologies. The programs they use should be interactive and they will actively learn from the technology. These technologies should be used regularly and the students will get used to using them. As they use these technologies they will also have improved self concepts and improved attitudes.

What would the classroom be like if every child had a laptop?
IF every child had their own laptop there would be so much more that we could do. With each child with a laptop, then the children could spend time "playing" and learning on the computer and they could share them with their family, hopefully enhancing their families life too. The children would be able to interact with their classmates during school when the laptops were out as well as after school. I would really have to learn more about what those laptops can do before I could really get into what I would do with them, but I know that it would be a really good resource. I think that with that kind of a resource I would also really want to push for going outside and being active so that the children didn't just play on the computer all day long. But other than that I think it would really make school better and the child's learning more effective and fun.

How can you use a digital camera in the classroom?
we talked about a lot of different ways to use digital cameras such as taking pictures on a nature walk, making story books, taking pictures of things that start with the letter we are studying, doing a digital word wall, and lots more ideas. My group did a project for Kindergarten Content standard 1 objective 3a, about expressing emotions. What we would do is demonstrate the different emotions for them and then have the student practice making the emotions. Then have each child take a picture of someone showing an emotion. Afterward they would have to write what emotions they thought the person in the picture was expressing and we could make a poster out of the classes emotions.
Here are some pictures we took for this assignment.

Technology in a K Classroom

2008-11-10T12:45:00.000-08:00

I am working with a teacher in Springville this week in a title 1 school and we spent some time talking about technology. Here is a list of the technologies that they use/have in her classroom: 3 Computers (not very new ones), CD/tape player, Two small tape recorders, VCR and DVD player and a TV, timer, Leap pads (4), leap frog letter magnet game, leap frog alphabet mat, leap desk, microphone (hangs around her neck), Digital Camera (for the grade), Flip video camera (her own, but she uses it at school), overhead projector, she can check out a laptop with projector from the school.There is a new online book making site called "Mighty Authors" that she doesn't know very much about yet, where they can make books online and print them out or parents can pay to get them "published" with a hard binding. They use most of their leap frog games, computers, timer, and the microphone almost daily. The others come out when needed. The teacher spends a lot of time on the computer and internet finding resources, lesson ideas and creating work sheets and other materials for class.
She doesn't really have anything she wishes that she had. They don't really do a lot with technology as students. They do have the option to use the several leap frog games for centers, daily, but as I have observed, they don't use them very often, and the computers are available for only 5 mins. at a time during centers. Sometimes the students get to use the microphone when they are speaking to the class. Other than that most of their learning activities do not involve technology.
I look forward to the classroom that I will eventually have. I also am excited to learn more about specific technologies that I may have a chance to use in my classroom. I already have learned a lot about the things that I can do to bring technology in to my room and curriculum as well as use it to enhance my teaching.

Google Earth rocks!!

2008-10-26T12:11:00.000-07:00

I viewed the Castle tour and it was really fun to get to see all the different castles. It was cool to also learn some facts about some of them and to see just how old they are. The second one I looked at was the renaissance tour. This tour was really cool because I got to know more about the different people from the renaissance and I got to see the birth places at the same time.
It was really fun learning about how to use Google Earth and creating a tour. This is a project that I think would be fun to actually use in my classroom someday.

Google Earth is cool!!

2008-10-15T16:29:00.000-07:00

Google earth is a fun tool that anyone can really use to learn a lot. Here (www.traveladventures.org/Traveladventures.kmz) is one of my favorite .hmz files I found while searching for art around the word. I want to do something with going to different cultures and posting a picture great cultural art, which helps meet the kindergarten content objective of "recognize traditions, music, dances, artwork, poems, rhymes, and stories that distinguish cultures."
Another one I like was this one about the seven wonders of the ancient world (bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/placemarks/650582-SevenWonders.kmz ). With this one the idea is to make a tour of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Then i can post pictures of those wonders. we can add some fun facts too. We can use this to meet standards about using maps and understanding that symbols on maps represent real things. with is Kindergarten standard 3 objective 3 in content.

What I leanred about photostory

2008-10-11T15:12:00.000-07:00

I watched Devin's video, The sound of silence. I liked how he used the 5th grade standard of interpreting lyrics and took pictures. Then I watched Nicole's movie, be glad your nose is on your face. It was really cute with the clay figures. I also liked the music in the background of her story. Last I watched Lexee's movie about Rapunzel. That was really fun how they did a rap and took pictures.

I think that this could be a fun tool to use in a class. I actually did my Fractured Nursery Rhymes as an idea that I could use in my own Kindergarten classroom. I had a couple ideas. During a unit on nursery rhymes I could either have my students dress up and act out different rhymes and take pictures of them or I could have them draw pictures to them like we did to the song. Then I can put them all together and make a movie out of it that I could show the class and send home to the parents. I could even have students be the narrators for the nursery rhymes.

I learned a lot this week. The first thing I was able to learn was how to use a scanner. This is a skill I have been meaning to learn for a while and I just haven't had an excuse to learn until this week. Then I learned just how easy it can be to make a movie on photostory. I have more ideas of things I hope to use photostory for and I think it will be a lot of fun not only in my classroom but also for me and my family to use.

Fractured Nursery Rhymes

2008-10-08T17:10:00.001-07:00

Here is my movie.

More than one way to tell a story

2008-10-04T12:51:00.000-07:00

I had never heard of digital storytelling before this class. I didn't know how easy it would be to put together pictures and sound to basically make a little movie or tell a story. This is a great tool that would be fun for kids and is also fun for adults. This tool also adds another dimension to story telling in class and having the class expand or fracture the story.

Story boards for Fractured Nursery Rhymes

2008-10-01T16:59:00.000-07:00

There is so much helpful technology

2008-09-27T18:34:00.000-07:00

I learned a lot this week about how technology can be used in science class. I honestly thought that unless you were dealing with microscopic things or space, then technology would just get in the way of real experimenting and hands on science. After thinking and discussing what to do I realized that maybe technology can be used for other things too. However, I found it harder to come up with a way to teach using technology than just old fashioned science experiments. Then I started reading about other peoples ideas and uses of technology. There are so many different ways to use technology than I had ever thought. You just have to get out there and try it out and see what there is. Technology can be a great tool in the classroom and may be able to help teachers reach students on a new level, and it's usually not quite as messy.

Tech Savvy Teacher

2008-09-24T17:13:00.000-07:00

Article by: Dorothy Mitchell, Erica Jarvis, Jennilyn Lowe

As Tech Savvy Teachers we have been looking for ways to implement technology in the classroom to enhance the learning of our students. For this specific article we looked at the Utah First grade core curriculum Standard 3 Objective 2a. Then we decided on an experiment we could do using the computer program Logger Pro 3 and a Temperature probe that connects to the computer through the USB port.

We set up the experiment by gathering 5 different paper cups with water at different temperature states including: ice, ice water, drinking fountain water, room temperature water, and boiling water. Then we made a prediction and put the cups in order from coldest to hottest. Then to test our hypothesis we used the Temperature Probe and Logger Pro 3 to collect temperature data. Then we saved the data in a graph to compare temperatures.

Predictions

Testing the Water Temperature

Using Logger Pro 3

We found that our prediction was correct. The order that cups should be in was: ice, ice water, fountain water, room temperature water, and then boiling water. The following images are the graphs taken from Logger Pro 3. They show the temperature differences between the hottest and coldest water states.

Temperature graph from ice test

Temperature graph from boiling water test

The Logger Pro 3 and the Temperature Probe can help enhance students learning of science in many ways. We just showed how it can help with learning about temperature and states of water. The graphs make it easy for students to see the progression of the temperature change. The graphs also visually illustrate the temperature differences. The Temperature Probe provides fun hands on experience for the students and may help improve their technology skills.

Fair Use and Bookmarking

2008-09-20T20:58:00.000-07:00

This week I learned a lot. Again I realized that there is so much available to use from the internet and other software resources. There are several websites and programs that are great resources for teachers to teach with and for students to learn from. You can find resources for any age of child and for any topic.
I also learned a lot about copyright and fair use. I didn't know that education had priority over copyright, to some degree. It is good to know that education is valued. I think fair use is an extremely fair system so that the manufactures or artists get the credit they deserve and teachers also get the benefit of using those materials to teach with. This can add variety to teaching and learning. And variety is the best way to teach.

There's more to the internet than I thought

2008-09-13T10:28:00.000-07:00

Before this week I had never even heard of RSS. It was exciting to learn about this tool that can make live easier when you just want to know the updates and don't want to have to check back every day to see what's new. RSS can make it easy to see what is new on your favorite websites and bogs without all the hassle of loading 3 or 4 pages. Another exciting thing about this is that when I told my husband about it he said that he had never even used an RSS, and he is an IT major!!! It was fun to have done something with computers that he had never done and I was able to teacher him about it.
This will be a good tool to teach the parents of my students to use when I have a website or blog for my class. This way the parents will be able to use it to find out when I have posted new information about the class. I can also use this for my own teacher resources with the websites that I like to use for class information or videos.

My First Blog

2008-09-04T21:06:00.000-07:00

So far on the WWW I have managed to figure out how to use Facebook, email, basic search engines, and kinda how to use myspace. I know I'm kinda lame when it comes to using the internet. However, I am way excited for this class I'm in (IP&T 287) because I am finally learning how to use this great tool. So I guess my first new experience in this class (starting with day 1) is my first blog!!