Left Behind

I'm not sure why I am posting this but I figure that I would anyway. This thought in particular has been weighing on me for awhile. Over the past couple of months I have heard that many people are pregnant. Most of them are family members and there are a few friends but because of this, thoughts are starting to come. I guess that you can say I want to have a baby but no, it's won't happen for awhile. I made a promise to Josh and I'm going to keep it... no matter how much I want to start my family. Anyway, here is my thought...
I'm more scared that when Josh and I are ready to have kids I'll be the last one. Everyone knows that I'm the youngest in the family and Wendi has five kids (I would say that she's pretty much done but we won't know for awhile), Karen is on her third, and Paula I'm still wondering if she'll even have any. (Sorry Paula but it is true.) Yeah when I have kids I'll have a babysitter built in because of my nieces and nephews but I also want someone to raise my kids with, I want them to have cousins that are their own age. I know that I still have cousins that are newly married and young that are not having kids yet but at the same time, but we don't see them that often. I don't know, does anyone ever feel that way, that they are being left behind and not just because they are not having kids right away? I'm sure that there are other things that make people feel that way, but am I the only one?

Tuesday Truths

1. The truth is... this is my 100th post.

2. The truth is... Josh cleaned the bathroom for me today. That is a first.

3. The truth is... Billy got a job. Therefore he is still here.

4. The truth is... I love hanging out with my friends and planning things but I don't like it when they never reply back and they cancel last minute or show up 15-30 minutes late.

5. The truth is... I was wanting to do something for Saturday with my friends but I canceled because I didn't want crap to happen like it normally does.

Summer Improvements

I was going to title this post crafty creations but I decided against it because everything that I am going to post really isn't a craft. I do count all of it to be an improvement to our house though... which makes this post so exciting. We are very slowly improving our amazing house. Josh has been a big help over the last few weeks since I started working. He said that we now have switched places and that it is his turn to take care of the house as I work full time. We'll see how well that really works out since he starts school full time on Monday. Anyway... here are some of the great things that we were able to do over the summer. First, I'll show all my projects so far.

I actually made this picture over a year ago. My mom got it framed for my 21st birthday. However, I just had to show it off because I am so proud of it. It is a cross-stitch and I love it to death. It is probably my favorite one that I have ever done.

I actually made these curtains from a sheet. The sheet was only $4.00 at Walmart. I cut it in half, sewed the edge so the fabric wouldn't fray (and to make it look nice) and then I used the casing at the top to make a decorative edge and a place for the curtain rod. It took about 30 minutes total and was a ton of fun! The curtains are in our family room and when closed, they can keep out a lot of light.

These pillows were made to match the curtains in the family room. I made these out of pillowcases. I took the original stitching out and then cut them to the size I wanted, sewed them, stuffed them, and then stitched up the stuffing whole. These were really easy too! I like to use them for naps but most of the time the end up on the floor. I don't know why.

I made these pillows to match the curtains in our bedroom. I figure we needed something in our window seat so I took the curtains that Karen gave me and took out the stitching. These were just as easy as the other ones and they add some cute decoration to the window seat. I love to read in this area when I want to be by myself. Oh! I also hemmed the curtains.

This is actually a coaster. I made these one day when my friends and I were hanging out and making crafts. Underneath the little mirror squares is a 4x4 piece of cork board. I think that they are really cute and were very easy to make! (Along with everything else I did.)

I've made a TON of cards. SHHH! They are for Christmas presents... but I'm not saying who exactly they are for. These are my four favorites so far. I am still working on others. I have about 10 of each and many different baby, wedding, and birthday cards. I hope the people that I am giving them to will like them.

This is a pencil jar. It isn't very elaborate but I still really like it. I actually made two, one for the kitchen and the other for next to the computer. The can was a former green bean can and then I stuck it in the dishwasher and decorated it very cute. I'm proud of my creation.

This really wasn't a craft. However, I had to show it off. Josh cleaned up the living room and since I got a job I was able to buy a curtain rod and put up the curtains that I bought several months ago. I love the living room because of this area. By the way, the chair was free, my dad got it from a friend. The table was repainted black thanks to Josh and a can of spray paint. I will admit that I am almost not ashamed of the living room. I still want my piano but that may have to wait awhile longer. (Go figure.)

Oh yeah, we also put in a couple of other chairs. When Josh got fired back in May he was able to take these front office chairs and table. They have come in very handy. However, now that we have moved things this wall is very blank and it is starting to bother me. I haven't decided what to do with it yet. Hopefully I will decide soon!

Here is a picture of our shelves that are now in our garage. The shelves aren't in them yet but they are still useful. My dad got them from free. He's always finding cool things like this and giving them to his daughters. You have to love my dad because he is always thinking of us when he can get something for free and is still usable.

The last two pictures that you just saw was our garage. Josh cleaned it out. It looks a lot better than it used to although it is still pretty messy. If things are maneuvered around a little I will be able to park my car inside. Well, after moving things around and getting the garage door fixed I will be able to park the car inside.

I just don't get it!

I guess before I actually write anything I should mention that I'm not complaining... I really just don't get it!

I constantly have people coming in and out of my classroom. Everyday last week (as I previously mentioned) I had people come in and out of my room. We are already on Thursday and I've had someone in my room twice... my mentor and the math coach.

What I don't get is that everyone thinks that I am an amazing teacher! What!?!?! I'm a first year and I've had no complaints! What I want to know is what I am doing to be such a great teacher? I saw my principal in the restroom today and we started talking to a counselor. Well, my principal was telling the counselor how amazed she is at my teaching.

I don't get it! What am I doing that is making me so amazing?
Sorry, I'm just trying to figure it out.

Now I get to go write a test... I'll post on a later date.

Tuesday Truths

1. The truth is... my feet hurt all day from walking around my classroom so much.

2. The truth is... I walked about 3 miles yesterday at work. Yes, the majority of it was in my classroom.

3. The truth is... on nights that Josh closes at work we only see each other for a total of one hour each day.

4. The truth is... Friday is Josh's last day of work. We are both really counting down.

5. The truth is... I'm counting down the days until it has been a month since Billy moved in with us. We gave him a month to find a job and he still has not found one. That means he might not be here much longer. (Only 5 days to go!)

My First Week

Before I mention anything about my first week of teaching, I have to ask a question. Do you remember when my phone decided to take a swim in the toilet? I do, it was a really bad day. Anyway, about three weeks later we finally get things situated and get a replacement phone for me. I can't wait to use it. It's on the charger right now. I will admit, coming home to my new phone totally made my day just a little bit better.


Now on to the good stuff. My first week. What can I say other than the fact that I love teaching! I don't think that I knew how much I loved it until I actually had my own classroom. I love my students like crazy and I can't get enough of them. I am ready to go home by the end of the day but when I get home I am so excited to go back. When I wake up in the morning I don't want to go but I am excited to be there when I get to school. Before I actually tell you a lot about my week, let me explain in detail about my awesome job.
I should mention that Connolly Middle School is a title one school. That really doesn't bother me. It does make life really interesting though. I teach three periods. I know, it's heavenly. The (sometimes) bad part is that they are 90 minutes long. Yeah! That is one long math class. However, it means I have more time for fun in my classroom not to mention time to review homework as well as review the lesson from the day before. I have two prep periods, first hour and last hour (each are 45 minutes long). First hour's prep is with my team where we discuss students and any upcoming events as well as test scores. Last hour is just for me to get things ready for the next day or lesson plan. I LOVE IT! My day is divided up into two halves. I have prep, teach for an 2 hours and 15 minutes, have lunch, teach for an 2 hours and 15 minutes, and then have prep again. I cannot complain. I teach for only 4 1/2 hours a day and I get a lot of support from my fellow teachers and faculty members. Did I ever mention that I'm the only first year teacher in my school? When I first found out it freaked me out even more, but I am over it now.
My first day of school was really good. I felt really disorganized and a little scatterbrained but everything went well. I was actually really nervous but when class started my teacher instinct must have taken over because I just knew what to do and I think that I did great! One student only speaks Spanish which makes it really difficult but I am hoping to get used to it. She is actually pretty good at math. The communication stinks though. I do have an aid in that class to help me and the student that sits next to her is really helpful. The mornings seem to fly by and the afternoons drag on FOREVER!
Over the last four days I've had the principal walk into my room three days and the school math coach in a different day. My principal actually said that from what she saw I did really good and it was good that I went on with my lesson when she walked in. I guess that is a good thing.
I will admit that I'm sick of people asking me how my first week went. Teachers and faculty are asking me all the time. I always say that "I survived" which is true but who knows what could happen.
Oh! One quick story. I got mad at my second block today because there were a lot of students that didn't bring their homework. Well, those students now have homework for the weekend. They also ran to lunch. They're going to be staying after on Monday (the whole class) because running is not allowed and really rude. Let's just say that my second block is the hardest for me because I have a TON of ELL students and it is my largest class.
I did take pictures on my first day of school (with the camera we borrowed from Josh's mom) but she took it before we can get the picture off. I guess that you are going to have to live with pictures of my classroom for now.
Here is the board that is all about me/ college corner board. It is still a work in progress but it will eventually get there. I also have two mac computers in my room along with a projector. Technology is very dominant at our school. It is awesome!



Here is a picture of desks. It's not a very good, or exciting picture but it is a huge part of my classroom. It is actually entertaining because the students try to pull their chair away from their desks but they end up dragging their desk back too. Needless to say, I have to rearrange often.

This is my homework board and creed. We say try to say the creed everyday at the end of class. It doesn't always work out. I put the days homework in the folders so when students are absent they know to go there to pick up work they missed. At least I hope they know to go there to pick up missed work. We'll see over the coming weeks.
My very messy desk. I go crazy over how messy it is and how disorganized I am. I'm still trying to figure out a system for doing things. I guess that I am not the only one... there are other teachers whose desks are worse than mine.

The bookshelf behind my desk. This holds too much stuff. I don't even know what is all there. I do have to point out the blocks that Wendi made me for my graduation... I had to put them in my room.

I do wish that I had more whiteboard. I tend to use a lot while doing a math problem.

Tuesday Truths...

1. The truth is... people always tell me that I'm a natural teacher. I kind of believe them.

2. The truth is... the bell system at my school can be very confusing.

3. The truth is... I still think that I am going to wake up and I will be disappointed because I won't have my dream teaching job.

4. The truth is... I survived my first day of teaching.

5. The truth is... I survived, that's all you really need to know.

Actually... I'll post more about my first week when it is over. ONLY THREE MORE DAYS TO GO!

I Wonder...

In primary we are learning the song "When He Comes Again" for our program in October. I love this song and it has inspired me to write a post about things that I wonder because sometimes I wonder weird things. I thought that I would share some of my random thoughts. Maybe I won't be the only one that has such weird thoughts.

1. I wonder where other people are going as they drive down the freeway. I also wonder what their lives are like.

2. I wonder why type of teacher I am going to be. I've always had a support with me in the classroom. Starting Tuesday, I won't have someone with me to keep the students on track.

3. I will admit that I used to wonder if I was a first choice to teach math at Connolly Middle School. However, I don't anymore. I talked to my principal for a short period of time on Thursday and she said that I blew her away in the interview, especially for being a first year teacher. I was confident, I knew what I was talking about, and I did a lot better than most of the people with experience. I now have a little bit more confidence in my abilities. (But only a little.)

4. I wonder what other people's lives are really like. I read blogs often and I can talk to them and they say that everything is going great. Is that true? We are probably only seeing the good parts of their lives. I wonder if their lives aren't as "perfect" as they seem.

5. Sometimes I wonder what type of mom I'll be like and what Josh will be like as a dad. I hate to wait and find out but we are going to since Josh still has to go through school.

6. I wonder how people can be so reliant on their parents when they first get married. For me, it would be way too difficult and I wouldn't feel very independent.

7. I also wonder why people wait like three months to actually blog about their lives. Yeah I understand that you're busy but you can't constantly be going all the time. Take a break, blog (or journal) a little so that way others know that you are not dead. I don't know, maybe I just blog too much.

8. I wonder what my life would be like if I never met Josh. He's the only person that I know that can actually put up with my overreactions. (They happen a lot.) Would I have found someone else or would I still be single?

9. I wonder what it will be like when Christ comes again. For some reason I cannot comprehend what it would be like. I am completely excited, because I will be able to meet him once again but it is hard for me to wrap my brain around the thought the same time.

10. I also wonder if my Heavenly Father and elder brother Jesus Christ are proud of me. I'm sure they are but I know that I can become better. Becoming better is a bit of a struggle for me.

There are more things that I often wonder. These are just a few.

Tuesday Truths

1. The truth is... learning to wake up early is really hard to do. I'm trying to train myself to wake up at 6:00AM and I'm having issues.

2. The truth is... having one extra person live with you (that is not your husband or kids) is really hard.

3. I'm finally done with my training with Tempe Elementary School District. I do have more meetings (starting Thursday) but that includes everyone.

4. My first day of Training last week was not the easiest. I had to ask a perfect stranger for a ride and I have the least experience than anyone at my school. It scares me.

5. I love my classroom! It is not set up quite yet but it is improving. I'll try to take pictures of it before students come in and it gets crazy!

Baker Reunion

Some might say that the Baker reunion this year was uneventful. I would have to say different. I still had fun but it was somewhat of a mess. Here are some of the major events documented with pictures.

While anchoring down one of the big tarps that dad brought up dad had an accident. He cut his head open! It was really scary and we were afraid that he might get a concussion. So.. dad, mom and Curt went to the hospital in Showlow to get a checkup. They said that it wasn't that bad and super glued it back together. Yes, super glue.

Therefore we had to set up dad's tent. That was a real adventure because we didn't know what to do. It took a long time. I am thankful that we had a lot of men to help. If it was like last year only me, Wendi, and probably Rand would have been doing it. However, Josh and Doug came up with us. YES! Some time with Josh that wasn't at home!

It also rained a lot. Well, it rained for about 2 hours on Friday afternoon. Let me rephrase that... it hailed Friday afternoon. This picture shows the hail falling off of the tarp. Doug said that it was the size of QT ice. Does that help paint a picture of the size? I hope so.

Because of the rain we all walked around in the wet dirt and grass. Dad actually walked in a deep puddle so that way he could get the generator dry. At night we told him to take off his shoes and socks and to let them dry by the fire. He had zombie feet.

We were also attacked by flies. Darn you horse poop that attracts the flies! Doug went all out with the fly swatter!

I think that the kids' favorite part was the bubble wands that Paula and Evan bought for them. Everyone got one (except Sara and Raegan). They played with the bubble wands for a long time. The bubbles even stuck to the ground because it was wet! Raegan and Sara had fun stomping on the ones that hit the ground.

The rest is just a lot of really cute pictures. I don't think that they really need explaining because they are too adorable. Kids will be kids.

I actually like this picture of me and Josh. I normally don't like camping pictures but this one I actually look good in!

I hate to say it but I'm already counting down until next year.