A Few Family Photos

I can't help myself, I love them so. I can't post them all, but here are most of them. (I have to keep my favorites for Christmas Cards and all that stuff!)

If you need pictures, go to Whitney. I love her, she's amazing. Crown Star Photography

Halloween Shenanigans

 

So, Halloween is BIG in Utah. John's school put on a Halloween Program, and it was SO DARN CUTE! The kids worked so hard a I loved every second even though I could really care less about Halloween.

Norwex- A Better Home, A Better Future

So I am pretty excited about this. I have decided to join an amazing company, yes in Direct Sales, but it is a company I can truly get behind 100%. The more I read about these products, the more excited I get. I have some (not a lot) personal experience in the Products of Norwex. I have family and friends that have used it and loved it. But their philosophy of a greener way of life is something I have been pursuing and investigating for quite some time. A dear friend introduced me to the Norwex name a couple years ago and since then have fallen in love with everything about it.

Anyways, I have decided to join. This is to hopefully help out my family a bit, but it is also because I believe in it and I think it is a concept and a company that is great for our future. I wanted to use this place to explain a little bit about what Norwex is and what it offers for those who have never heard of it. I will also be notifying friends and family of upcoming opportunities to experience the products firsthand. I may also be contacting a few to take a larger part in this experience. My goal is not to bother or pester anyone, but to educate and get people as excited as I am.

First of all, Norwex is simply a green way to clean and live. A way to rid our homes of chemicals. Their cleaning cloths not only grab all the dirt and debris off of the surfaces we are cleaning (doesn't spread it around) they have antibacterial properties built in to the cloths that don't go away. So not only are we cleaning, we are sanitizing and getting rid of germs and bugs and all that nasty stuff. And all this is done with: water. Yup that's it. Water. There are products through Norwex that you can get that aid in some of the tougher jobs, but they are still chemical free. This includes kitchens, bathrooms, dusting, windows, mirrors, laundry, and more. They even have a line of body products that help keep our skin clear and clean. I have one. I love it. I have also been using their dusting mitt for quite a while and it works amazing. And it is so easy, my kids can dust my house! I love that factor. Not only do these products provide a clean, chemical-free way to clean, it's easy! And fast! All it takes is the cloth and a bit of water. Bing, Bang, Boom. Done. I don't know about you, but sometimes finding time to clean is hard. I don't always find a lot of it, so if there is a way to clean that is better and faster, I am all for it.

I am including a few links that I have found super helpful so if you are reading this you can get more info as well. Once I join, I hope you will come and discover. And if it grabs you, let me know and we will jump in together! Thanks!

First of all, Pinterest! There are a ton of things on Pinterest, so use it. Read up on it so you can be educated too:
             www.pinterest.com
Second of all, the actual Norwex website. Explore it and let me know what you think!
            https://norwex.biz/

I could add more and maybe I will, but at this point I am just getting my feet wet. If you have any feedback, I would love to hear it.

Join me! WooHoo!

Teaching, Family, and Then....

I have to be quite honest: I NEVER thought I would be a teacher. In fact, I vowed to never become a teacher. Anything but that!!!!

And here I am. And I am so blessed. I love teaching. I love children. I love being able to play a part in their growth, discovery, and education as they become independent, contributing members of our society. And I won't lie, I will hope and pray that I am helping produce a better future.

So, Teaching. I was the lucky individual that got to experience a lot of firsts my "first" year of teaching: first year of marriage, first year of teaching, and (surprise!) first pregnancy. I got to experience what it is like to be a working mother right off the bat. Juggling family and work is HARD, but definitely worth it. One thing I love about teaching is that in my opinion, it is one of the most family friendly careers to have. I have been blessed to work for very supportive schools and so that has made it all the easier. Ways teaching is family friendly?

1. Your "office" comes automatically equipped with toys and is, for the most part, baby-proofed (ok, maybe not high-school classrooms, but in general there are not many hazardous and breakable objects inside a classroom)

2. There are lots of other kids around!

3. Summers...... (usually)

4. Free or reduced tuition (especially in a private school setting) OR an automatic in to your awesome school. Their spots are reserved basically for life (or at least as long as you teach there and for a super good deal)

5. Your co-workers are in general good with kids and comfortable with you having your kid with you during after-hours

6. Lots more reasons

HOWEVER.....

Sometimes life gets to the point when you ask if there is another way. Don't get me wrong, my years in the "traditional" classroom setting are nowhere near done. And maybe, MAYBE someday that will include administration in some way, shape or form. But for now, I am asking "What else is there?"

I am no good at "sales" or "telemarketing" or any of the typical "work from home jobs". But there had to be something. Teachers should be able to have options! Right now, I want to be more flexible. I want to spend a little more time with my family. I want my daughter and son to be able to actually spend some time at home, not just to eat (sometimes) and sleep. I have been exploring this for quite some time. I wanted to be able to say that I have the option to work from home as well! So after much research, prayer, consideration, and quite a bit of fear, my family made the jump into "here we go!" At this point I am still exploring, getting my feet wet, and hoping and praying I know what I am doing. :)

Here's what I have discovered are my and others options for "flexible" teaching jobs:

1. Substituting: Yes, I mean it. Subbing can be a great way of teaching if you want a flexible schedule. And so far, I am loving it! My perspective it: I am using this to learn and grow for the future. Here is the perfect opportunity to see how other teachers do it. I get to see classrooms, decorations, lesson plans, discipline practices, and much more in many different classrooms. And I can do this as many or as few days a week that I want! I have been able to work it so far that I can drop off my son at school, only work the days that my husband has off (go shift work), and no daycare!!!!!! That's a plus in my books. However, as she gets closer to Kindergarten, we will have to think of SOMETHING to get her socialized and K-ready. But I still have about a year and a half before that happens.

2. Online Tutoring- I'm finding myself a little lost at this but who knows what the future holds... I tried to dive in head first and had to pull myself out fairly quickly because I just wasn't liking what I was seeing. I know there are some super companies out there. Unfortunately there are also some you should NOT waste your time with. VIPKID? Nope, don't do it. It looks super on the surface but that's where it ends, unless you would like to be told opposing information from the same company when it comes to your teaching methods and you would like to be a drone that conforms to one way of teaching without any flexibility for your own personality, teaching style, and kids you work with. Oh well, live and learn.

3. Babysitting for Bible Studies, Church Groups, or MOPS. I love this plan. I get to still work with little ones, I get to bring my kid(s) with me, and I get paid on top of it. If you can find a church in your area that offers child care during the week for those that attend MOPS, Bible Studies, or other things you can serve as childcare in that aspect. A couple hours (after school drop off time) = a paycheck

4. (I am not yet doing this one but it is on my list of what I want to do) Online Teaching at an Online School. You get to have your own class and your own "classroom" (not really but you know what I mean....hopefully) I have noticed that this seems to be a growing trend in the past few years and I would love to get a taste of what this is like. How awesome to be a full-fledged teacher from the comfort of your own home (in your jammies if you want!)

5. (Not doing this either, but it is an option) Watch a young child or hold a preschool in your home. Parents are always looking for a good, private, safe place for their little one to learn and grow, especially if you are trustworthy and have good creds.

I see all of this as helping my diversity and ability in teaching. When I enter the classroom again in the future, after having had the time to spend with my kids and my family, going on field trips, being a class parent and other cool things I may not normally have the time to do, I will be a more diverse, able teacher. I will have more experience with lots of different ages, abilities, teaching methods, and cultures. I am excited for that time. I am excited to grow my portfolio and resume. But for now I am excited for being here. At home, with my family. And I am still teaching. I am still earning and contributing. I love it

2 Peter 3:18

"But Grow in the Grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen."

2 Peter 3:18

Teddy Bears and Memories

Yesterday was Teddy Bear Day at school as part of our National Lutheran Schools Week. Now, you would think that this day would be no big deal, even a little silly, and for the most part, it was. However, I managed to locate my one and only teddy bear I think I have ever had, and of course it brought along all sorts of emotions, reminiscings, and nostalgia. I have had this teddy bear nearly 30 years.......(gasp! I swear I don't feel that old!). This teddy bear was given to me by my dear godfather and uncle on my very first Christmas when I was only a few months old. Of course I didn't know them and neither did he how special this little bear would become. That same uncle passed away much too soon and that little bear has always been my strongest tie to him. I still have memories of running to greet him whenever we got the chance to visit, bouncing on his knee being silly, and candy leis that he would bring with him were always favorite gifts.

My own son has his name, the first boy born into our family since his passing, and it will always mean so much to me for my boy to carry this wonderful man's name. From all the stories I have heard  about his childhood I imagine my John is a little like him as well.

This little teddy bear sat on my desk all day yesterday and I would look at it and think of him. On my mind all day. I know I will see him again someday, but for now I still miss him. I will just have to squeeze my bear a little tighter for now.

Here's to a New Year!

2015 was so good to us. I think one of my favorite years. Always filled with stress, but this time it came with more hope, more confidence, and lots of joy. We entered this year and endured it with our heads more above water than we ever have been before. Our family is moving in positive, good directions.

I got the chance to be a stay at home mom, and while I may never feel like I got my fill of it, I am so very blessed to have gotten a taste of it. I have also been blessed with probably the very best full time job I could imagine at this point in my life. Both kids get to spend all day in the same building as me. I even get to teach one of them!!!! If you had asked me a couple months ago, it was the WORST decision ever. We struggled for a bit there and really butted heads. However, things really seem to have settled and I am grateful I get to see him every day, all day, because he is just growing too darn fast! My sweet boy is growing up faster than I care for him to. I also get to keep a close eye on my baby all day as well. There isn't a teacher in school that doesn't know that if someone is going to fall and hit their head, it's going to be her. She is so accident prone and so clumsy!

All in all this year we have solidified more and more as a family, and our two beautiful children have grown and flourished. It hasn't come without grief by any means. We have had allergy tests, ER visits, and a few bouts of sickness that have made our home look like scenes from a horror movie. We reached the end though, happy, mostly healthy, and going strong.My heart is truly full to bursting.

The hardest thing of this year has been living a full year away from all our family and friends that we left behind. We haven't made as many trips back home as we would have liked, and there have been many occasions that we have just wanted to jump in the car and drive home! But then we look at where we are and how far we have come because we followed our dreams. Our family is thriving here and for that we are grateful. It has, however, made everything soooooo much better having my sister and her family here. Two precious babies that we get to watch grow up. Those twins have definitely been a highlight of 2015 as well.

One highlight we were so dearly looking forward to was Christmas at home with ALL of our family there (even though going back and forth from family to family is crazy AND stressful). We were so looking forward to seeing everyone and really catching up for almost a week! Well, life had other things in mind for us this holiday season. As soon as we pulled into our hometown, both kids began showing signs of sickness! Ella quickly turned hers into croup while John kept a nice steady pace at a bad cold. Luckily, Daddy is a super awesome respiratory therapist and we took croup in stride and did what we needed to do. However, fevers worsened, sleepless nights continued, and troubles grew. Christmas morning dawned on a very tired family not at all in the Christmas spirit. We watched and waited while things just didn't improve, so about halfway through the day we headed to the ER and stayed there a good portion of the day. Ella ended up with croup, strep throat, and tonsillitis.....NO FUN!!!! We spent the remainder of the trip trying a enjoy a few moments here and there and attempting to recuperate a tiny bit.

Luckily the remainder of our Christmas break has been fairly quiet with a lot of rest. We rang in the New Year with a small group of people, a LOT of noise, and tons of fun! Happy New Year to everyone who reads this. We love you all.