Commencement Benediction

20 years ago I graduated from high school. There were some rough moments that almost kept that moment from happening. But I was fortunate enough to have a terribly mean and ugly English teacher that forced me to stay at school to finish my missing assignments the week that all my friends were out on Senior Ditch Week (I had already had my ditch week...or month...or year). While that week was miserable, it was worth it, my high school diploma was an important step to achieving all that I have accomplished today.
I was so excited the year I graduated from Mesa State with my Bachelor's Degree in Education. I couldn't wait to walk across that stage. I literally felt like a young child with so much enthusiasm and anticipation for that awaited day. Many family members were there to celebrate with me. I have the pictures to prove it! I still smile today thinking about how proud and happy I felt. One of my best memories. So, I have to share with you in contrast my feelings today.
Today, I am pleased to say that this chapter of education has finally come to an end. I don't feel the giddiness that I felt eight years ago; when I vowed to get my masters. I feel a sense of relief and peace. I feel gratitude to my Father in Heaven for carrying me this far. I know I couldn't have done any of it without Him. That's the only reason I can come up with for why I was asked to give the benediction at my commencement.

I did not want to walk or participate in the commencement ceremony this time. I was happy to celebrate this end quietly and privately (which if you know me, is much more my style). That decision changed when I received a phone call from a professor asking if she, "could change my mind about attending commencement, they would like to invite me to represent the program and give the benediction." I actually did not respond with a yes right away. I told her I needed to think about it. Danny kept telling me what a great honor it was. I knew he was right, but I really didn't want the honor. After I prayed about it and talked more with Danny, I agreed to do it.

The road to commencement wasn't easy. I wanted to back out of it a hundred times. It felt like it was just adding to my already hectic life and time of year. But, my sense of responsibility did not allow me to back out.So, as you can see, I did it! Yes, I gave the benediction at my commencement from Regis Universtiy on Dec. 17, 2011 with a Masters in Arts in Education with an emphasis in teaching the Linguistically Diverse Learner.

I can't lie, much of my relief is just because it's over. And I may never know why I was asked to participate in today's ceremony. I have thought a lot about it, and I hope it was for my childrens, friends', or family's benefit. I hope it was to show that I was willing to stand as a witness of God at all times and in all places. I had to stand up for what I believe to be true about how we pray. Heavenly Father blessed me to be able to do it the way that I know honors Him best. I stood in front of many, as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and offered a prayer in our behalf and thanked Him publicly for His hand in my life, for helping me reach this goal. For that I am thankful, because I truly feel that this degree should be the Lord's. I couldn't have done it alone. So, I am grateful for the opportunity I had to share that with many.

Our future graduates await!

Baby Esaias

As most of you know we had a new addition to our family earlier today. Esaias Paul Sandoval was born at 1:35 pm on 4-24-10. He was 8 pounds and 20 inches. He is the biggest baby we have had and seems to be in good spirits thus far. Vycci is also doing well and I am here with her at the hospital tonight as I share these first pictures of our new blessing from heaven.

We started this adventure 2 1/2 years ago when we felt that another spirit was waiting to come to our family. After two unsuccessful pregnancies we were a bit apprehensive to try again but the Lord spoke to us through scripture and the spirit and told us that Esaias was still waiting to come to earth. We can't express our gratitude to everyone who helped with the spiritual, temporal, and emotional support that we have benefited from through this oft ever winding gauntlet.

We love you all who keep tabs on us through this blog and pray that you will feel the appreciation and gratitude you all deserve.

Grandma Chris and Papa Joe w/ grand baby Esaias

All 5 Sandoval's (Vycci, Isaac, Esaias, Danny, Marina)

Big brother Isaac w/ Esaias

First Bath

Danny and new baby Esaias

Esaias Close Up

Auntie Risa and Esaias

Esaias being weighed

Celebrate Diversity!

Well, I am glad to see that Danny got on and posted. Those pictures really are beautiful. We hope to get out to Grand Junction over Valentine's weekend. We wanted to go this weekend, being that we have Monday off. However, we just weren't quite ready to go, and our nephew Tristan was having his 4th birthday party this weekend. Our niece, Jade has her 5th birthday party scheduled for next weekend. So, President's Day it will have to be. We haven't been since late summer. Way too long!!!
If I had been on top of things (remembering my camera) I could be blogging all about our family birthday parties and our annual trip to the Stock Show. Or should I say the Mexican Extravaganza. We went last weekend. And of course enjoyed ourselves immensely. Each year as I stand for the singing of the Mexican and American National Anthems, I always feel a little emotional. I am proud that Danny and I bring our kids to see an event that brings together two cultures both extremely important in our lives. Many of you know I have a passion and love for cultural diversity. I love that we live in a country, that despite its many faults, is made up of many different types of people. This weekend as we enjoy our extra day off from school, I hope everyone will stop and remember how recent it is that our world has pushed to accept and grant equal rights to all people regardless of race and nationality. I love that I work at a school that represents many different races and nationalities. Many of us partaking in the benefits of the culture of power do not need to think about what life would be like without these changes. But when I think of my own children's lives and their mixed cultures, and look out at the diverse colors of faces I teach, I know that I am very grateful for the sacrifices that people like MLK, Rosa Parks, Jackie Robison, President Kennedy and many others made to bring our lives together.
This clip shows me this past December directing two of our fifth grade classes singing a song to celebrate our diversity! Aren't they awesome?!!!

SMARTBoard

Last year I applied for a grant at the end of the year with a group of teachers in my building. This was in conjunction with a movement in my building to improve our level of technology use. This grant was to get a SMARTBoard for our own individual classroom. Well needless to say, after a long process and waiting....we were awarded the grant! Out of several districts in the state and several schools within my own district we were awarded 8 of the 56 SMARTBoards. This was a pretty amazing feat. In this process we have agreed to get further training and do assignments, as they want us to become experts on using this tool for instruction. This week, my board was installed. It is an absolutely amazing tool. For those of you who don't know what a SMARTBoard is I will try to sum it up, but it won't do it justice. It is an interactive white board. Anything you can do on a computer you can do on the board. As well as write on it, highlight, create, draw, magnify, isolate.....WOW!! Once you have seen one, let alone see it used for instruction and learning, it is difficult to not believe that every classroom should have one. I am and continue to be on the team to push my school forward as we teach the new 21st century learners. Believe me when I tell you how the world has changed since we were in school. This has been an exciting time for me, my colleagues, and my students as we implement this new "TOY." If I can find some great way to share it with you...I will!!! Maybe you can come see it for yourselves sometime. I was showing Danny on Friday afternoon the highlights. YEAH!!!:)

Tagged Relectantly

Here's an ABC tag I was hit with...

A: Attached or Single? Attached for over 10 years:)

B: Best Friend? Danny of course.

C: Cake or Pie? chocolate cake or ice cream cake

D: Day of the week? Friday afternoon to Saturday afternoon-I could live in that 24 hours forever.

E: Essential Item? a warm sweatshirt

F: Favorite Color? Purple, lots of purple

G: Gummy Bears or Worms? bears-but only on occassion.

H: Hometown? Broomfield, although I hardly recognize it anymore.

I: Indulgence? Reading for luxury uninterrupted for hours, donuts, shopping.

J: January or July? July because it's closer to June. Summer is my favorite time of year. July is too close to school going back.

K: Kids? I have too many to count. Marina and Isaac by birthright, 5 nieces, 6 nephews, umpteen primary kids, and umpteen hundred students, and still counting.

L: Life isn't complete without? True Love

M: Marriage Date? February 6, 1998 eloped:)

N: Number of Brothers and Sisters? 3 brothers, 1 sister.

O: Oranges or Apples? Apples with peanut butter.

P: Phobias or Fears? Snakes, and phone calls in the middle of the night.

Q: Quote? "If someone is determined not to risk pain, then such a person must do without many things: having children, getting married, the ecstasy of sex, the hope of ambition, friendship-all that make life alive, meaningful, and significant. Move out or grow in any dimension and pain as well as joy will be your reward. A full life will be full of pain. But the only alternative is not to live fully or not to live at all." Scott M. Peck M.D.

R: Reasons to smile? Peace, my children.

S: Superman or Wonderwoman? Undoubtedly Wonderwoman (I dressed as Wonderwoman when I was about 1st grade-I started on my feminist path early.)

T: Tag five people: Marisa, Ginette, Mindy, Leisl, Brooke :)

U: Unknown fact about me? My great-grandmother(whom I was very close too) was Danny's mom's visiting teacher and helped reactivate her before Danny was even born. I didn't know Danny or his mom until after my grandmother had been passed away for many years. Do I think she was in on the planning? Oh you bet!!!

V: Vegetables? The ones I don't like? The list would be long. I do like broccoli.

W: Worst Habit? working too much, being critical of myself, always needing to be doing something productive.

X: X-ray or Ultrasound? I would've always said ultrasound, but this last year has made that a little harder to answer.

Y: Your favorite food? cinnamon rolls, donuts, My brother-in-laws terriaki chicken, and of course can't live without MEXICAN FOOD.

Z: Zodiac sign? Leo, the Lion-but I prefer Lioness:)