I'm Back!

It seems like forever since I have been on here.  This past semester was fast and furious and  I didn't have any time to blog at all.  Plus, I was in the middle of a research project, so all my words went there!  So this summer, I will do my best to up date my blog with everything that happened, plus everything we are doing.  So hold on!

Who is still out there?  Comment with what you have been up to!

This is from the recital we were in!

5x7 Folded Card

Chalkboard Heart Dad Father's Day Card

Shutterfly custom cards for Valentines Day, Easter & Mother's Day.

View the entire collection of cards.

Happy Spring Semester!

It's amazing how school starts and again I get busy.  This should be an interesting semester - and it is only 4 days old!  I have Stats, Analysis and a directed research project this semester.  I am also teaching a section of sophomore Stats as well.

My directed research project is on financial literacy and how math can help teach it.  There is so much information and I don't have a lot of time to do it!  16 weeks may seem like a lot of of time, but where there are other things going on, it is not.  I really need to devote my 9 hours a week to do it to do my best job.  I am hoping to present my research at 2 different conferences with it, so it better be good!

Not much has changed to my schedule, but since my directed research is not a class, it seems like I have a lot more time.  It is still the getting up at 6 with the kids (probably not tomorrow as we are getting a lot of snow right now), then working out and then teaching and class.  Spring semester always seems crazier though with activities.  And since Patrick is old enough to do some activities, things will be even crazier.

So, how is your new year?  Are you in school?

Back to the office today

My w inter break is officially ending on Monday, but the problem of being a teacher is that you have to start a bit earlier then the students.  So, into the office I go today.

I have enjoyed my break.  I had two half weeks where I had no kids and I got a lot done.  But, also 6 hours is really short.  When you block off an hour every day, that eats up a lot of time.  But, I need to work out.  But, I also spend some time each morning doing the chores I would do in the evening.  So, I had a lot more energy and my house looks a lot better.  I also had more time at night.

It was nice to have two weeks with my kids.  We were very busy during that time, but it was nice not to worry about scouts, homework, and other activities during that time.  We were also able to clean out their rooms.  It is amazing how much stuff they can accumulate in their rooms.

So, I started thinking if I could be a full time stay at home mom while the kids are at school.  I could and I think I would keep myself very busy.  But, I am having the time of my life back at school and teaching others to appreciate math.  I don't think I could go back to being a stay at home mom since all of my kids are at school.

Not a day off.......

For the next week, the kids are in school while I don't start until next week.  I thought I would have a nice, relaxing week.............

                                                                  NOT!!!

Today was the first day of that week.  I thought I would have plenty of time to clean house, work out, relax   I have been working hard on two of my volunteer activities: High Country Mommies and Girl Scouts.  All day long, I have been working hard for these two organizations.  I did get to work out and get a shower.  I enjoyed the time off, but I wish I had a few more minutes today.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!  Some people would say that Christmas was a week and a half ago.  Not for us, as we celebrate 12 days of Christmas from Christmas Eve to Epiphany.  The four weeks before are Advent.  The Christmas Tree is not even up until the third Sunday of Advent.

Christmas is a season of church going for us.  The kids and I go to the Family Mass on Christmas Eve.  Matt sings 2 other masses.  Then, we go to church on the Sunday afterwards and then on New Years.  Then, there is the mass for Epiphany.  That's a lot of church.

But, it is also a fun season for us.  Of course, there is the gift giving.  This year, the kids made a donation to the local homeless shelter in my name.  We don't go big on Christmas presents here as the grandparents buy a lot of stuff for the kids.  They also get some money for Christmas, a lot of that goes in savings and we talk about what that is for.  We also see a lot of family too and spend a lot of time on the road.  We were able to see all of our brothers and sisters and parents and my goddaughter during Christmas. It was really nice to be home after all that traveling.

Christmas is also a season of birthdays for us. Of course, we celebrate Jesus' birthday.  But Ann's birthday is 2 days before and my birthday is 5 days afterwards.  That is a lot of sweets.

I hope your Christmas was as good as ours was.  From our house to yours, Merry Christmas!

Happy Birthday, Ann!

I admit, I am a little late with this.  Having a baby born at Christmas throws an interesting spin in the season.  But, we try to make her day extra special.

Ann's birthday is December 23rd.  What a day.  But, being a Christmas baby myself, I was prepared for this.  Normally, we celebrate her birthday the weekend before schools get out for winter break, but this year, she wanted to go to an ASU basketball game for her birthday, so we celebrated her birthday the day before on the 22nd.

We had lunch at our house,  and then with my family and some friends, we went to the ASU game.  We were surprised how well attended the game was for ASU being out.

My dad event got to meet Yosef.

Here are some pictures from Ann over the years: