1 down 4 to go!

I decided since I was working part time this school year, that I should finish getting my masters. I am not really motivated, I have definitely reached my limit or had more than my fair share of schooling. Between Danny and I we have been in school about 10 of the 13 years we've been married. So, it is more than time to be done!!! I finished my endorsement a couple years ago, and so with only 5 classes to get a masters, it would be dumb not to finish. That is my only motivation!

Well, today marks the official end of the first class down of the last five! Hallelujah!

1st Day of School 2010

Well it's official! I have a 5th grader, a second grader, and a baby at home. It sure feels weird this morning to be at home with the baby, while my big kids are at school. I've never really experienced this before. I was really feeling left out over the weekend as I tried to accept this new reality. In the past, Danny takes the kids to school on the first day, because I have my "teacher hat" on, and can't do it. But today, for the first time, I took my kids to school like all the other parents in the world. I couldn't believe that even getting there early, how busy it was. We had to park @ 2 blocks away and walk. The walk was nice, but it was sure funny to be walking to school with the kids in my class and their parents. Even some of my fellow colleagues, commented "You're just like everyone else" as I passed through the crosswalk. It probably doesn't seem strange to you all, but it was a first for me.Both kids were exceptionally more independent than in the past, a reminder of how fast they grow up. Isaac walked a block ahead of us, and did not wait for us before he joined his old friends in line. Marina still wanted me to walk her to her class line up, but insisted on carrying that obnoxiously heavy backpack on her own. She was quiet and apprehensive, but I think surprised herself at how at ease she was on the back playground when she saw familiar friends and teacher faces. I kissed her good-bye from outside and told her I'd see her after school. She was ready to go. I was fine then, but I am almost teary as I write this. I remember how scared and how much she cried the first weeks of school in kindergarten. They really do grow up.To ease some of my anxiety I stopped in to my classroom, and introduced myself to my new kiddos. Many of them I know, due to them being in Isaac's grade, especially Isaac's good friend. It feels a little strange to have them in my room this year, but I am kind of excited about teaching them, and building a new/different relationship with them. There are new faces too, and that's always fun to get to know the new ones. They seem so young and innocent. I always forget how much they change this 5th grade year. Oh but I do love this age. They are sweeties in the beginning, and turn out to be such stinkers by the end, but I actually enjoy that. I know that's kind of weird, but that's why it's such as great fit for me. I love watching them struggle to become their own person. I love that they can laugh at my jokes, and tell me stories that make me laugh and cry. They are real little people. They come with all the good and the bad. It just doesn't get much better than that. I even spotted the "major stinker" already. Those often end up being my favorites. I am ready to be there Wednesday.In the meantime, I am going to enjoy the life of a stay at home parent with my new baby. He will have to adjust to the kids being gone too. They tend to be his entertainment. What an amazing blessing it is to have this time with Esaias. I know that the Lord made this completely possible for me, and even though the unknown is scary..."this too shall pass." I will be in the routine sooner than I can imagine.

Here's to being a "real parent" and my first day of school! :)

Count Down or Count Up?

Are we counting down or up?

The Count Down for the end of school left me wanting to do a couple of things before the 2 big kids would be home. Taking my niece Erica to the zoo, was on the list. She is way into animals and the Animal Planet channel and being 3 years old all this makes her a good companion for the zoo. I happen to love the zoo, and will still take my kids this summer, but I thought it would be fun to capitalize on not having all the kids and take her, and Esaias, and I invited my sister and my nephew Lafai to come too. It was kind of reminiscent of when my sister and I only had Isaac and Lilli. It was a great hot and busy day to go. Aside from the mile walk to and from the front entrance (not exaggerating-it was the farthest away I have ever had to park) we had a blast. Actually, they even handled the walking like troopers. Esaias seemed to enjoy his first trip to the zoo also, but it sure was awfully hot.


Count Up for Esaias he just keeps getting older. At six eeks old, he had his blessing on Sunday, June 6, 2010. We were hoping for a big turn out from family and friends, but it quickly dwindle in numbers when Danny's sister couldn't make it from Utah, his old missionary companion was called out of town on business, and Melissa went into labor on Friday and had her baby. I guess we could say count them out. But then we quickly added back in Tiffany and Mable who were here visiting from Texas. So, all in all it worked out nicely. Danny gave the blessing while Marcus and Grandpa Mortensen were there to stand in with him. It spoke a lot about serving others, and having faith, hope and charity. And after all, we did have a good turn out for hamburgers and hot dogs after church. Thanks Luke and kids, Chris, Joe & Ben, Cory, Tiffany & Mabel, Jeannie, Marisa, Marcus & Kids, and Grandma & Grandpa Mortensen for coming. We appreciate your love and support.

Count Down to the end of the school year included going back to work informally, to pack up my classroom and helping my students get ready for and doing their 5th grade Continuation. It was a little stressful, but it all went off without a hitch. It was nice to see them and say goodbye. My 5th graders

Whether it be up or down, it has been busy.
We're glad to have summer here!

The 3 B's

1) BRONCO training camp was a highlight for Danny and the kids. Danny played hooky from work to take the kids to see the Broncos practice. He wouldn't tell them where they were going, but when he picked out the Bronco attire the evening before...they made some pretty good guesses. Isaac was in heaven and Marina thought they were somewhere in the opposite to heaven based upon the heat! She was begging to go home. While Isaac was begging to go back again! Next time Danny will probably make it a "guys" thing. But it did free me up to get some work done without kids.
2) BIRTHDAY 36: Officially had another year pass me by. Not so crazy about it, but I am crazy about my new gray hat. That I sported on Friday for the school's meet and greet. I should've taken a picture. It's super cute. Thanks to Danny and my kids they made sure that my day didn't go by without a cake...chocolate. Yum!

3) BACK TO SCHOOL: Here are my beautiful kids... Growing up way too fast!!! Marina did her first day in first grade without any tears. That's quite an improvement from last year. And lots of smiles. Isaac is as usual very excited even though he's a little apprehensive about having a "tough" teacher "like his mom." But he was so excited that he was up and dressed by about 6:02 am this morning... before Danny and I managed to pull ourselves out of bed. So, I think he will be just fine!