Kamryn is 6 months old today!!
I can't believe it! It seems like just a month ago I was anxiously waiting and wanting her to come!
Our little baby is so big already!
We love you, Kamryn!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
I want to blog!
So...ever since I started student teaching (3 weeks ago...) I have been behind on checking and posting! :( BUT then I found some time to check blogs...and then I started feeling sad that mine doesn't look so cute, and doesn't have fun news on it! I don't have time to post about the big girl Kamryn is being and about everything she does now... :(
But thank you for keeping all of your blogs up and I will get to them and read them all in time! :) I promise!
And just to help myself feel better---here's some fun, recent, cute pictures from our lives right now. (with NOTHING about Student teaching in this post!) :) yay! :)
My parents still have their Christmas tree up---Kamryn loves the lights! :)
Kamryn's favorite toys these days are Daddy's toys! The Wii remote, the computer and the VERY favorite is the computer mouse!
Kamryn's first cracker! She loved it!
Eating lots more solid foods now! (And making messes all of the time!!) :)
Kamryn loves her daddy! :)
Aunt Kelsey bought Kamryn a flower headband! We love it! :)
And Uncle Eric left on his mission this last week. It was a bittersweet day...but he is now serving the Lord in Brazil and we are all very proud of him!
I love this picture! :)
And the last exciting thing happening in our lives lately was Ryan and I spent a wonderful night at the Anniversary Inn in Salt Lake. We've had a gift certificate since not this last Christmas but the one BEFORE THAT that we haven't used! So we scheduled to stay last Friday (the 16th). It was wonderful. My family watched Kamryn and we got to have a night to ourselves. We stayed in the Romeo and Juliet suite. It was very elegant and had a wonderful BIG bathtub! :) And the Big Flat Screen TV with surround sound...it was so relaxing and wonderful! :)
The bed was big and LOTS of pillows! :) yay! (not the comfiest thing ever though!) :) oh well!
We've now stayed in two more elegant rooms at the Anniversary Inn...next time we're planning on staying in a more "adventurous" room! :) We'll see! :)
But thank you for keeping all of your blogs up and I will get to them and read them all in time! :) I promise!
And just to help myself feel better---here's some fun, recent, cute pictures from our lives right now. (with NOTHING about Student teaching in this post!) :) yay! :)
My parents still have their Christmas tree up---Kamryn loves the lights! :)
Kamryn's favorite toys these days are Daddy's toys! The Wii remote, the computer and the VERY favorite is the computer mouse!
Kamryn's first cracker! She loved it!
Eating lots more solid foods now! (And making messes all of the time!!) :)
Kamryn loves her daddy! :)
Aunt Kelsey bought Kamryn a flower headband! We love it! :)
And Uncle Eric left on his mission this last week. It was a bittersweet day...but he is now serving the Lord in Brazil and we are all very proud of him!
I love this picture! :)
And the last exciting thing happening in our lives lately was Ryan and I spent a wonderful night at the Anniversary Inn in Salt Lake. We've had a gift certificate since not this last Christmas but the one BEFORE THAT that we haven't used! So we scheduled to stay last Friday (the 16th). It was wonderful. My family watched Kamryn and we got to have a night to ourselves. We stayed in the Romeo and Juliet suite. It was very elegant and had a wonderful BIG bathtub! :) And the Big Flat Screen TV with surround sound...it was so relaxing and wonderful! :)
The bed was big and LOTS of pillows! :) yay! (not the comfiest thing ever though!) :) oh well!
We've now stayed in two more elegant rooms at the Anniversary Inn...next time we're planning on staying in a more "adventurous" room! :) We'll see! :)
Monday, January 19, 2009
Week 2 (upon request)!
So this week was just as crazy but good. I'm loving the kids more and more and I'm remembering all the things I learned in my special education coursework more and more as well! :) I've been testing a little girl this week to see if she qualifies for Special Education, and it was a little tough at first because I couldn't remember how to DO the test, but over a couple of days, it got progressively better! :)
I had my first supervisor observation this week as well and it went well. She left saying "You did well, you need more responsibility!" This was a great comment....but at the same time...I don't know if I WANT more responsibility yet! :) I'm going to be planning and teaching EVERYTHING in February...so right now I'd like to just ease into the classroom and enjoy the kids and get ideas for February! Not be all the way in charge yet! :) My cooperating/head teacher understood that I have other things to do right now and that I am going to be in charge completely for a whole month, so she just added a LITTLE onto my plate. The day after my observation she had to get progress reports ready for parent/teacher conferences, so she had me take over the timing and schedule in the classroom and watching my aides and telling them where I needed them. It wasn't too bad because we have awesome techs (aides) in our classroom!
I also got a GREAT start on my planning for my weeks in February. I'm in charge of 4 weeks:
Cars, Boats, Trains and Planes
Valentine's
Dentist/teeth
Dinosaurs
It is going to be VERY fun! I'm especially excited for Valentine's day! :)
If anyone has any fun ideas for preschool math or language or art activities for any of those themes, I'm all for ideas! :)
Student teaching is fun--love the kids--love being able to plan and do fun activities--and I'm glad my teacher is understanding and letting me go at a slower but good pace as I take over the classroom! :)
I had my first supervisor observation this week as well and it went well. She left saying "You did well, you need more responsibility!" This was a great comment....but at the same time...I don't know if I WANT more responsibility yet! :) I'm going to be planning and teaching EVERYTHING in February...so right now I'd like to just ease into the classroom and enjoy the kids and get ideas for February! Not be all the way in charge yet! :) My cooperating/head teacher understood that I have other things to do right now and that I am going to be in charge completely for a whole month, so she just added a LITTLE onto my plate. The day after my observation she had to get progress reports ready for parent/teacher conferences, so she had me take over the timing and schedule in the classroom and watching my aides and telling them where I needed them. It wasn't too bad because we have awesome techs (aides) in our classroom!
I also got a GREAT start on my planning for my weeks in February. I'm in charge of 4 weeks:
Cars, Boats, Trains and Planes
Valentine's
Dentist/teeth
Dinosaurs
It is going to be VERY fun! I'm especially excited for Valentine's day! :)
If anyone has any fun ideas for preschool math or language or art activities for any of those themes, I'm all for ideas! :)
Student teaching is fun--love the kids--love being able to plan and do fun activities--and I'm glad my teacher is understanding and letting me go at a slower but good pace as I take over the classroom! :)
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Student Teaching week 1
This week has been absolutely crazy...but we made it!
I'm teaching in a Special Education Preschool for the next 7 weeks. The kids are all very cute and we don't have very many kids with severe disabilities, so it really isn't too hard. It is fun! I am loving the kids already, after only 4 days! How could anyone not?!
My cooperating teacher is great as well. She graduated from USU 4 years ago, so she went through EVERYTHING I get to do this semester. When I heard that, I felt a little more relaxed! :) I get along well with her, so I'm happy.
There are a couple of things that are difficult with student teaching:
1. I miss being with Kamryn like crazy! It isn't TOO bad...but I'm just realizing more and more how much I loved being home this last semester!
2. I'm also realizing more and more that I don't know if I ever really want to teach in a special ed. classroom. I have always thought "It'll be fun to have a classroom when I do'nt have a family to worry about" but this week, for the first time, I had the thought "I don't know if I really am cut out for this...". I think I had that realization because of the adults, not the kids. Paperwork, district stuff, and all the legal issues that come about...it's all so much! The kids are wonderful...but I don't know about all the other stuff.
BUT there is one other thing that I have always had in the back of my head that I would like to do one day and that is working in/running a school for children with Autism. I have worked one on one with kids with Autism in the past 3 years and I LOVED it! I understand and love behaviorism and I have seen it change lives! SO---I think that is the direction I need to go with my education. I think I want to use my degree with Special Education and find ways to get certification and emphasis with children with Autism and Behaviorism. We'll see what happens but I was happy to make that realization this week.
Ryan and Kamryn did well this week too! Ryan was caught a cold at the beginning of this week and has been fighting it all week...but it is getting better. Kamryn caught it, unfortunately, and has been kinda fussy for the past couple of days, but I don't think she's getting it as bad as Ryan got it.
Ryan likes being home and having more time for him and Kamryn. I think it's been quite the change in perspective on what it's like to be home more than away! But he has a great attitude about it and I know he does a good job with Kamryn. Having him home more makes me more comfortable while I'm gone.
I'm teaching in a Special Education Preschool for the next 7 weeks. The kids are all very cute and we don't have very many kids with severe disabilities, so it really isn't too hard. It is fun! I am loving the kids already, after only 4 days! How could anyone not?!
My cooperating teacher is great as well. She graduated from USU 4 years ago, so she went through EVERYTHING I get to do this semester. When I heard that, I felt a little more relaxed! :) I get along well with her, so I'm happy.
There are a couple of things that are difficult with student teaching:
1. I miss being with Kamryn like crazy! It isn't TOO bad...but I'm just realizing more and more how much I loved being home this last semester!
2. I'm also realizing more and more that I don't know if I ever really want to teach in a special ed. classroom. I have always thought "It'll be fun to have a classroom when I do'nt have a family to worry about" but this week, for the first time, I had the thought "I don't know if I really am cut out for this...". I think I had that realization because of the adults, not the kids. Paperwork, district stuff, and all the legal issues that come about...it's all so much! The kids are wonderful...but I don't know about all the other stuff.
BUT there is one other thing that I have always had in the back of my head that I would like to do one day and that is working in/running a school for children with Autism. I have worked one on one with kids with Autism in the past 3 years and I LOVED it! I understand and love behaviorism and I have seen it change lives! SO---I think that is the direction I need to go with my education. I think I want to use my degree with Special Education and find ways to get certification and emphasis with children with Autism and Behaviorism. We'll see what happens but I was happy to make that realization this week.
Ryan and Kamryn did well this week too! Ryan was caught a cold at the beginning of this week and has been fighting it all week...but it is getting better. Kamryn caught it, unfortunately, and has been kinda fussy for the past couple of days, but I don't think she's getting it as bad as Ryan got it.
Ryan likes being home and having more time for him and Kamryn. I think it's been quite the change in perspective on what it's like to be home more than away! But he has a great attitude about it and I know he does a good job with Kamryn. Having him home more makes me more comfortable while I'm gone.
Firepit!
I just realized that I forgot a VERY important post that I have been meaning to put up for a while now! So...here goes!
Ryan's parents have been working on their backyard plan for a while now--and after a lot of time and work--Ryan's dad has finished the firepit and it is FABULOUS! :) It is beautiful!
Here we are, roasting marshmallows on December 1st! (Before all the snow came!) :)
It'll be fun to see the rest of it come together this year! :)
Ryan's parents have been working on their backyard plan for a while now--and after a lot of time and work--Ryan's dad has finished the firepit and it is FABULOUS! :) It is beautiful!
Here we are, roasting marshmallows on December 1st! (Before all the snow came!) :)
It'll be fun to see the rest of it come together this year! :)
Monday, January 5, 2009
When I grow up...I'm moving away from all the snow!
So, I went to Logan today for a Student teaching seminar and even coming home early from the seminar, it took me 5.5 hours to get home tonight!! 2:00-7:30! Stop and go, bumper to bumper traffic...all the way from Logan to Provo!
The snow was just awful in how cold it has been this week--so all the small snowflakes automatically turned to ice. There were people sliding everywhere...and then there was me in my little little car, just praying for my life! :)
I made it home and all is well...I really really don't want to go out again tomorrow. Luckily I don't have to drive AS far...but I do have to drive a little bit (to Payson for my first day of student teaching!!! AAHHHH!!!) :)
The snow was just awful in how cold it has been this week--so all the small snowflakes automatically turned to ice. There were people sliding everywhere...and then there was me in my little little car, just praying for my life! :)
I made it home and all is well...I really really don't want to go out again tomorrow. Luckily I don't have to drive AS far...but I do have to drive a little bit (to Payson for my first day of student teaching!!! AAHHHH!!!) :)
Just had to share my big SCARY adventure tonight! I don't know if we'll really ever live away from snow...but I was convinced tonight that that might actually be a good idea! :)
Sunday, January 4, 2009
My Princess Trina
I've never posted on our blog (a few weeks ago when it said I did, it was just a mistake - Trina was using my profile), so I figured it would be a good time to surprise Trina with a post. I'm so glad that she keeps this up not just as a way for friends and family to know what's going on, but as a memoir for our family as well.
I love Katrina. Just to summarize the crazy last month we had (not to say that it wasn't great, but just lots going on):
- 11/21 We drove down to California overnight to catch a flight to Hawaii with Katrina's family
- 11/30 We drove back to Utah
- 12/1-12/8 I finished all of my homework, projects, and everything else that was due by the end of the semester, as well as worked at all 3 of my jobs to meet deadlines
- 12/9 We drove down to California with my family to go to Disneyland
- 12/9-12/13 We went to Disneyland every day and had a blast
- 12/14 We drove back from California
- 12/15-12/18 I studied for and took all of my finals and Katrina worked at the Branbury to help us get enough hours in the little time we were home to pay off our rent (and we celebrated my Birthday)
- 12/19 We packed up in the morning and drove to St George to stay with family for a night (we were planning on going Saturday, but a huge storm was coming)
- 12/20 We drove the rest of the way to California
- 12/22-12/23 We hit Disneyland hard for 2 days (and again, had a blast)
- 12/24 We drove back from California to have Christmas Eve dinner with my family
- 12/25 Great Christmas Day with my family and my aunt Darla - I found out that we're going to Ohio the next day
- 12/26 We drove to Las Vegas to catch the 1:00 am flight to Ohio
- 12/27-12/31 We had a wonderful time seeing my relatives in Ohio and giving them a chance to meet Kamryn
- 12/31-1/1 We caught a flight out of Ohio at 7:00 pm, get to Vegas at midnight (pacific time), and drove back to Utah, arriving around 8:30 am
- 1/2 We drove up to Ogden to let my Great-Grandma meet Kamryn, took a 5 generation picture, and then we drove back to provo and worked 13 and a half hours at the Branbury between the 2 of us
- 1/3 Trina works at the Branbury in the morning, and in the afternoon we move to a different apartment in our complex (we owe a HUGE thank you to our families and Tyler (Kelsey's friend) for helping
I am so grateful that Katrina, especially through this whole month, is always so supportive, helpful, patient, and giving. A trip out to Ohio was a complete surprise to me, but one of the most meaningful gifts I've ever gotten. Through all of my work and school, Katrina is always right there, ready to do whatever I need and take care of our house. She is an amazing mother as well. She always sacrifices for Kamryn.
I love her because she is so on top of everything, so ready to do the next thing, and so excited for all of it. She supports me in my crazy ideas for what I want to do with our lives in the future. She never says, "you can't do that," but is a voice of reason when it is needed.
She's been my sweetheart since we were 14, and I'm more in love and more in like with her today than ever. She really does help to balance my faults and I can't imagine being with anyone else. I'm the luckiest guy on earth.
Even this morning, as I'm writing this sick in bed, she got up, got Kamryn ready, and headed to church, even though she didn't feel that hot either. Because of her, I have a chance to truly make something of my life, and make sure that any success that comes is for the right reasons and in the right direction.
"Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own."
--Robert Heinlein
Katrina, I love you.
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