Finding Krissi

I just read a blog post from a writer who has posted almost every day for 8 years. That is amazing. I find that my blog often goes without a post as my days blur together. I loose track of what day it is and what is going on in the rush of every day. I have been reading her blog for a couple of years now. She lost her sister and I grieved with her as did her other readers. I was thinking about how many wonderful, sad, happy, moments she has recorded. It is the small things that we look back on and she has it all documented. Even the sad things that define us more than we like to admit. I'm a little jealous. It is the last day of 2011 and my energy is lagging. The hubby had to work tonight so we did the midnight thing last night. Now I get to do it with the kiddos tonight. I hope I make it. I feeling a little sad today. Not enough sleep and feeling a little blue that the Christmas tree and lights are gone. Back to reality without the twinkling lights of the holiday. ...

Below is my advent tour post. For links to other great Christmas post please follow the link in my sidebar. Merry Christmas. I can't believe that there is only six more days until Christmas. This holiday season has been so busy and full of the Christmas Spirit. I love this time of year with all of the hustle and bustle. Although a little less hustle might be nice. I even love all the holiday cheer found on the web. Reading everyone's holiday posts is one of my favorite holiday activities. The stockings are hung, the lights are sparkling, and the Christmas tree is decorated. Each year our Christmas tree is decorated with memories. Below is our 2011 ornaments. Each one holds a little story about our 2011 adventures. Al and I giggled with glee when we found this Jolly old fellow. Brent continues to love baking and preparing yummy meals. This year he ventured into pie making. Our house was full of yummy smells a hobby we all  are happy to support. My ...

Yesterday I received an email with my student placement. When I opened my email and saw, “Student Placement,” my heart began to pound. Then as quick as quick I opened it up to find out where my final weeks of school would be. I was very excited to learn that I was going to be in a sixth grade classroom. I have to admit I love those sixth graders. I received the email (have to love my Iphone) while at Lowes with the hubby. Usually, while I am at Lowes my expression is one of extreme boredom and can we go yet! However, after reading the email I was dancing in the middle of the store. I could hardly contain my excitement. Then suddenly I was scared to death. A whole classroom of sixth graders not the eight I’m use to. A whole entire classroom of sixth graders! Common core… oh no sixth grade math changed this year they are doing the common core math… Oh and ancient Greek… do I know anything about ancient Romans and Greece? My brain began to race thinking about all the things I ...

Yesterday, December blew right in... I  mean it... It literally blew right in. I came home from work yesterday to find our neighbors trampoline in our backyard Unfortunately, the trampoline was destroyed. Fortunately besides a few broken branches, loose fence boards, and a broken bird house we weathered the wind. Others were not as fortunate. The damage to Davis county was severe enough that the kids are enjoying an unexpected day off of school.  Many schools suffered damage and power outages. Not to mention damage to homes and business. Mother Nature can be kind of crazy. Now that the wind is passed and things are calmed down; I feel that no matter what my family says and does I am officially allowed to be Jolly. With a house full of growing children the magic of Santa has diminished. Finding the Spirit of the holidays is proving a little more difficult. However, I have my ways of making my children cooperate. Now that I have them where I want I'm thinkin...

I think by now we all know that these thanks giving posts did not go quite as I expected. I just want you to know that it isn't because I don't have a lot to be thankful for. Because I have ALOT to be thankful for. It has more to do with time management and the inability to make a day longer than 24 hours.  Im sure there are a lot of moms out there who know exactly what I mean. That being said here in all their glory are the last 10 thanks givings. November 14: I am thankful that my 11 year old has a cell phone. I have to be honest and let you know that I fought Brent on this one. I didn't think she needed a phone yet. I thought a year or two more would be soon enough. However, he won the fight and she got a phone. To tell you the truth she is the only one out of the three that makes me glad they have a phone. She is the queen of sending me totally random text that make me laugh. She shares random moments and I can count on her for a giggle every thursday night ...

It is the 28th! Do I give you the whole spill about not being behind? NO! Because we all know I'm behind. I'm not even going to ask where the heck this month went. I'm not giving up there will be 23 Thanks on this blog by Wednesday night! before I post one Christmas post. Here we go.... November 8th I am thankful to have this opportunity to be in school. I love learning and I LOVE the feeling of accomplishment as I near the end. I'm a little older than I thought I would be when I graduated from college but I wouldn't change a thing. November 9th I don't know if I have ever mentioned how grateful I am to have a handy husband. He spent an entire day off of work, with no kids, no plans, PAINTING! Yes, my front room is now a beautiful shade of green that I LOVE, due to a very handy not to mention handsome hubby. November 10th Laughter! Not to long ago I posted about not remembering the last time I laughed so hard I cried. Well just the other nig...

There are good points and there are bad points in living in a state like Utah. I personally feel that the majority of bad centers around one person. Mother Nature! It seems that she is always in a state of constant change here in Utah. One day we have awesome sunny weather. The next day we are in midst of buckets and buckets of snow. I kind of wish she would make up her mind. Although, I have to admit Mother Nature delivers some spectacular images. Today, I am thankful for falling leaves. I know that the leaves changing and falling means only one thing, winter is coming! I know that winter means only one thing, snow is coming! I'm learning that these are not  necessarily bad and evil things they are just the seasons making their presence known. I also learned last weekend that there is a reason and a order to everything. Snow coming before the leaves have fallen not necessarily a good thing. (This picture was taken November 5th. The picture above was taken Nov...

Thursday night was another ending to another class. It was a rather stressful week with a rather stressful ending. I would tell you the story if I thought the story was even a tiny bit interesting. When the grades posted last night I was relived and yes THANKFUL for this particular ending. There is nothing more enjoyable than the ending to a more than stressful situation. Next Thursday I begin my last class before student teaching. My life is changing yet again. Some days I can hardly wait for all that this next year will hold for me. Other times I'm not quite sure I'm ready for all the change that is coming. Although, I have to admit that life would get pretty boring if nothing ever changed. So today I am thankful for endings and beginnings. I wonder if that is why sunrises and sunsets are so beautiful? Sunsets are saying goodbye to all the day's blessings and challenges. Sunrises are saying hello to all the wonderful opportunities of a new day. ...

We both knew that there was no way I was going to post daily. Just like Thanksgiving day itself these post will come fast and binge style. :) I think a lot of women dream of a maid to come and clean their houses or a chef to come and cook their meals. I on the other hand dream of a master scheduler  who would create a schedule just for me. A schedule that allows me to get everything done that I want to get done. Unfortunately the only person who can create that schedule is me. Additionally, the only way I can get everything done that I want to get done is to give up sleep and turn a 24 hour day into 27. A master scheduler would probably tell me to prioritize or something in those regards. Oh dear considering this is a gratitude post I am not off to a good start. Thanksgiving thanks number three is "traditions." Our lives are full of traditions. Things that we always do to celebrate life. Traditions can be grand and traditions can be small. Traditions are what we l...

I suppose I should have mentioned that the likely hood I post daily is pretty low. Like you my schedule and routines have their good days and their bad days. There are days that I look like one of those bobbly head dolls. Other days I manage to hold my head on a little tighter. My goal is to post 24 blessings even if that means on Thanksgiving eve I am writing 23 posts. :) Last night was our youth activity night and the activity that was planned was a little out of my comfort zone. As I sat there and listened to the instructions for the activity my stomach began to turn. I really, really do not want to do this was the thought running thru my mind. However, the girls seemed pretty excited and I knew that I didn't want to be the wet blanket on a fun activity. So I put on my sense of humor hat and participated with a smile. I quickly discovered that life is handled better with a sense of humor. Everything does not have to be serious or within my comfort zone to be fun. In ...

Last year the month of November friends from everywhere were posting reasons they were thankful. Each day I logged on to Facebook or google reader and was filled with thanksgiving. It was very cool! I have no idea what this month has in store for me. One moment I have time to spare and the next I'm the energizer bunny and I just  keep going... keep going... keep going... Well you get the idea. However, I am hopeful that with only 24 days until Thanksgiving I can share a blessing a day. This time of year it is important for me to remember all that I have and not worry so much about what I don't have. Day One This is harder than it looks. There are all the obvious blessings family,home, jobs, ect.. But this month is not about the obvious. This month is about the little blessings that make every day better. I guess you would say the metaphorical roses. Today I took Al to the first practice of a competitive basketball team. I never thought Al would ever pl...

The Holiday season is officially upon us. The day of Trick or Treats is here. The pumpkins are carved and sitting on the doorstep. The costumes are ready and the kids are excited for the night to begin. If there is anything that makes me feel young it is the holidays. The holidays feel me with excitement, creativity, and hope. Basically, in my opinion there is nothing better than the holidays. Yes, in this particular post I am choosing to ignore the stress that often accompanies the holidays. What stress? Last week was a very busy week. Tuesday night was the pinewood derby.  H. was a little intense when it came to building and constructing his car. He spent weeks researching learning all the tricks and tips. He grew increasingly impatient whenever Brent tried to interfere during the construction phase. The night of the actual competition his mom could see the look of intensity and competition written all over his face. Even as he casually looked over the competiti...

I have no idea where to begin.  (A a picture of the changing seasons illustrates my life right now) Each time my life has changed I have always had an adjustment period. A period of time where everything settles down and a new routine develops.  However, lately the changes are coming at me so quickly I have yet to find that time to let life settle down.  Maybe life won't settle down.  Maybe all those times I complained about time moving quickly were nothing compared to how quickly life is going to change.  I don't know, but I do know life is good. So funny to say those words because as far as jobs and money goes things are still tight and a bit stressful. I want to give the economy a big kick in the butt, and while I'm at it let those people in Europe know it is time to figure it out! Maybe I might even decide to go and join those protesters at Wall Street. I don't know what the answer is but I sure wish things would get better. For real better!  ...