10 Good Things

I feel like I have been overly negative, or maybe justifiably negative, about my boys this summer. I don't know if it's the age, if it's because they're both boys, or what, but all they do is fight and it is driving me crazy. So, to change my frame of mind regarding my boys I am going to list ten positive things about each of them.

My Tanner


1. Is a love-bug. Loves to cuddle and be a Mommy's boy.
2. Gives whatever he is doing 100%.
3. Is the first to help out in the yard or house when asked.
4. Will still tell me he loves me in front of his friends.
5. Is a good student.
6. Has the biggest heart. His teacher gave him award for that. He is a friend to everyone.
7. Is making huge strides in overcoming his anxiety disorder.
8. Is an amazing athlete....any sport, but particularly baseball.
9. Loves to dance even though he cannot, and possibly shouldn't!
10. An amazing personality when he lets it shine through. Quick witted and sarcastic!


My Landon


1. Is such a goofball. The life of any party.
2. Loves all creatures (some to my great disliking!).
3. Loves to read and is such a sponge when it comes to soaking up information.
4. Can spell anything! Left 2nd grade reading and spelling on a 6th grade level.
5. Makes friends anywhere and everywhere.
6. Is a devoted brother....will travel in good spirits to numerous sporting events for Tanner.
7. Gives the sweetest kisses and hugs and knows just when to say "I love you, Mom".
8. Started a club at school to pick up trash to keep his school clean. Tried to sell seashells from a stand in the front yard. Has such an entrepreneurial spirit!
9. Lives in la-la land but will gladly invite you to visit. He says it's pretty.
10. Is not ashamed or embarrassed to be himself, which is a goofball with an amazing, funny, crazy personality who at one time claimed Barbie and Pretty Ponies as his favorite toys!

Instead of harping on the negative all the time, I am hoping to be able to find the good in any situation regarding my children. Like when they're throwing coasters at one another I can focus on the amazing arms and aim that both my children possess instead of the fact that they are trying to beat one another!! Not sure if I can be that positive, but I'm going to give it one heck of a shot!

Summer Time

Our summer has been busy, but fun...so far. There are days I wonder if the kids, or I, will make it out of this alive, but so far we're all still breathing. I don't know how stay-at-home moms do it. I always thought that that was what I wanted but now that I've been home all summer with my boys, I'm not so sure! Landon set up a stand to sell seashells one day and I got a picture of him and T out the window looking bored as business was non-existent. Guess there's not a big market for seashells! My little Landon is FINALLY growing taller and putting on a few pounds, while his brother has passed me in the tallness (or shortness) department. I now officially look up to my 11 year old.


Baseball has come to a conclusion for the year. Tanner had a great year despite some setbacks. He strained his MCL which required him to take some time off of baseball. Try telling an 11 year old boy that he needs to stay off his leg for 4-6 weeks. Didn't go over too well. He took a few weeks off and then went back to baseball as usual. He ended up the season with a .400 batting average, which is great considering this team kept stats like they do in the pros. He did an awesome job at first base with some great digs. Couldn't be prouder! He's been off for 5 days now and is already going stir crazy but he needs to give his leg some time to heal so no fall baseball for him this year. He played with some amazing kids and we met some amazing parents this season. All in all, it was a good experience for us.

Landon has quite the grasshopper collection living in our dearly departed frog's tank. He also has two fish...started out with three but we've already had to bury one! I was so proud because he had named the two fish Barack and Michelle. I am doing something right with that boy!! He continues to read and checks books out from the library on the most random stuff. Last week it was planets and geometry. I'm convinced he is some kind of genius in the making!




I was offered a job teaching this fall at a brand new charter school named Hawthorn Academy. I will be teaching 7th grade Utah History and 8th grade U.S. History. I am the only history teacher there so I'm going into a new job as a new teacher in a new school as the department chair. Scary!!! I'm also teaching art history which is frightening seeing as how I'm not so artsy myself. Art history is going to be completely new to me but I'm excited to learn right along with my students. The job market was looking bleak so I feel very blessed to have this job, especially since they had over 200 applicants for my position! Both boys will be able to be students at the school and next year I will have Tanner in class. That is something to look forward to!!




My aunt came to visit from Iowa and we took a trip to Moab with her, my sister and her family, and my parents. It was perfect weather and a good time. I got my butt kicked by the hike to Delicate Arch, but I made it! Looks just like the license plate! Don't know if I'll do it again, but I can say I did it once!

I was hoping to make a trip back to the midwest this summer but with school meetings and everything it's not looking too hopeful. I miss my home! Guess I will have to settle for a summer vacation to Moab this year. Speaking of home, our new house is great! The boys are finally making friends in the neighborhood and have had some friends over from the old neighborhood and the baseball team. I still get a kick out of yard work, because it's MY yard that I'm working in. I'm sure that feeling will fade faster than Steve would like!


Off to do some lesson plans. I'm quickly learning that teachers really don't have their summers off. It's all an illusion so that they can catch crap from their husbands for having a "part-time job"!