Reflections of an Aspiring Teacher

               William Ward said, “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”  This statement sums up a lot of the reason I want to be a teacher. I want to inspire students to a higher way of thinking.  I want to inspire them to challenge themselves to do hard things.  I want to inspire self- confidence and courage to ask for help. 

                When growing up, it never occurred to me that I would one day aspire to be a teacher; a ballet dancer, singer, or actress on Broadway - maybe - but never a teacher.  Honestly, when I was in school I couldn’t wait to get out and never go back.  I didn’t have miserable experiences in school, but other my interests and hobbies were always first on my mind.

                My senior year of high school, I was accepted to the College of Eastern Utah with a full-ride scholarship in Theater.  The only expense I had were books and my living accommodations, so naturally I took the opportunity and spent my first two year of college taking generals and acting classes.  In the evenings I was always wrapped up in a play – stopping only to work weekends.  Upon graduation however, I took a hard look at my life and realized although I loved theater very much, I didn’t see myself going much further than community theater.

                It wasn’t until my daughter started preschool that I questioned if I was capable of doing what this teacher was.  I considered opening my own preschool over the next two years.  When my daughter matured to Kindergarten and we entered a public school setting, the spark was lit and I knew that I was meant go further and be an Elementary Educator.   It was at this time that I enrolled at University of Phoenix.

                What I didn’t realize is how well my years in theater had prepared me for teaching.  Teaching is much like being on stage every day.  Theater gave me the self confidence to conduct myself in front of a group.  It helped me learn to be expressive and aspire for understanding through my language.  It taught me valuable listening skills, ways to motivate, and most importantly HUMOR.  I also learned that to perform well, you need to prepare well.  Not to mention, how to captivate an audience. Everything combined, I feel confident in my choice to become an educator.

                I feel that one of the best ways for me to stay current in education is to stay on top of the new and developing technologies available to enhance my teaching.  As I use and become familiar with new technology, I can incorporate them within my teaching.  Another way to stay current is to get to know other teachers; discover techniques that are working for them, exchange ideas, and continually find new ways to improve my teaching.  This can also be done with seminars, education groups, or assemblies just for teachers.   Teachers are life-long learners. 

The best way for me to maintain my passion for teaching is to have a genuine interest in the progression of each student.  As I become involved with the students and get to know them on a personal level, I can successfully help each student rise to their potential.  Another idea is to become engaged with teachers who share my passion for teaching.  Together we can motivate, educate, share success stories, and build each other up when we are feeling discouraged.

                I hope to walk in the classroom every day with a smile, sense of humor, and open mind that anything can happen.  I want to provide a fun and safe learning environment that encourages higher levels of learning and challenges students to face difficulties and find opportunities for deeper understanding. I will encourage my students to be independent thinkers who feel safe asking questions and having discussions.  I will strive for each student to feel valued and important to the class, recognizing their strengths and weaknesses are not the same and this is wonderful!  I will be healthy role model for my students and conduct myself with high moral values. I will constantly be looking for ways to improve my teaching and become a life-long learner.  Most of all, I want each student to know that I am invested in their success and believe in them on a personal level.  This is my philosophy.

No Shave November

"No-Shave-November" where guys and girls alike unite in the height of laziness agreeing to not shave their beards or legs (respectively) for the entire month of November.

(Noshember.com)

I have been wondering all month why my husband has been choosing to look like a homeless man.  I couldn't tell if he was preparing to be Santa Claus or if he was just trying to be lazy.  That's when he let me in that it was "NO SHAVE NOVEMBER."  Have you ever heard of this???  I certainly hadn't. 

Here is some information from the die-hard NO SHAVE NOVEMBER groups: 

Nov 1:

 Razors are stowed, indifference ignited. Noshember begins.

Nov 1-7:

 The week of scratching that itch. Push yourself, control the desire to shave and relieve the itchiness.

First Wednesday:

 Itch hump day.

Nov 7:

 Day of Gnashing of Teeth.

Nov 14:

 Finally the men don't look ridiculous (boys may look ridiculous).

Nov 14:

 Finally the women do look ridiculous.

Thanksgiving:

 Quoth Flan: "Moms and grandmothers just don't understand."

Nov 27:

 Finally the boys or follicularly-challenged do look ridiculous.

Nov 30:

 Photograph day. Take your best hair exhibiting celebration photos. You have truly completed something great.

Dec 1:

 Great festival of many razors, shaving commences.

http://www.noshember.com/pages/rules.php

So - I guess if you ever wanted an excuse to not shave - now is that time.  I have already broken no shave November rules on many occasions, so I already lost (and this is GOOD, cuz, EW).  Shayne lost out this afternoon when I insisted he at least clean it up but he is still growing strong, or trying to. 

Enjoy your month men.  

A Moment of Gratitude

I hoped I would be posting something like this soon!

Kaitlyn is now DOCTOR FREE!!

Last month, Kaitlyn's food therapy appointment went so well, they didn't think that they needed to see her again.  I was beside myself at how far we had come in such a short amount of time.  Kaitlyn basically went from being afraid of food, considering it to be "un-safe" and living on Carnation Instant Breakfast and juice to eating like a normal two year old  - all in less than six months.  It's AMAZING.

Then yesterday, we had a doctor visit with her specialist Dr. Sutton.  I worried he would push the next surgery which would have been more invasive and removed her from food completely, feeding her through a tube for a month as she healed.  Luckily, after our conversation, he gave her a clean bill of health and told us to only return if the symptoms came back.

I know that many of our friends and family have been praying and thinking of Kaitlyn during her difficult time.   Shayne and Dad gave Kaitlyn a healing blessing, and some family participated through fast and prayer.  Others sent positive thoughts, kind words, or thoughtful gestures our way.  We couldn't have made it through the past year without the love and support of such dear friends and family.

Thank you everyone for believing that Kaitlyn could teach herself to eat despite her difficulties swallowing past the diverticulum (pocket) left in her throat.  And to Kaitlyn; we are so proud of you for enduring these hardships with strength and bravery.  You really are braver than you believe and stronger than you think.  We love you.

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"Every year we buy a Christmas ornament to represent our year; one for the family, and one for each child. This year we bought the Willow Tree "Angel's Embrace Ornament" for our young two year old, Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn has had a rough year including many doctor visits and two surgeries. This ornament represented how we felt as parents during all this, and how we would have rather embraced and protected her than have our young child endure such hardships.

It also represents the angels watching over her that we believe held her close and were with her when we could not. Kaitlyn is a very strong, brave two year old and through many prayers and great doctors, yesterday she was given a full bill of health. Thank you, Willow Tree, for making such a beautiful ornament to represent this emotional year. Seeing the ornament brought us to tears as we knew it was just what we were looking for."

The Holidays Make Me Crazy Happy

I have been particularly in the Christmas spirit this year.  I 'blame' this mostly on the fact that I have been slowly shopping a teeny piece at a time since the end of August.  I decided this would be smart because it seems no matter how hard I try, every Christmas we run into bumps in the road.  This year is proving to be no different.  Lucky me though - my Christmas is already halfway done.  I have even wrapped them (to deter snooping children).

It's for this reason, I guess it's only natural that I am excited to get my Christmas tree up.  THAT and of course all the wonderful snow coming this past weekend.  We have already been turning on our Christmas lights outside, and playing Christmas music inside.  When I talk to Shayne about putting the tree up early he says, "you know I won't let you put up the tree early!"  Considering I can't lift the tree upstairs myself and I will need a lot of help this year to get it done - I think he is right.

I am very excited for Thanksgiving too.  Our holidays got a little mixed up, but it looks like we are keeping our Thanksgiving dinners on the same schedule.  This year we will we will the Burrows/ LaTurner bunch.  I am hoping to make some "ugly pies" for the dinner.

As for the rest of our plans; Thanksgiving weekend, Kristl and her husband Brad will be staying with us during their visit. December 2nd, my newest niece will be blessed.  She will be such a beautiful baby in white! December 14, we planned a Munn Family Christmas dinner at Momma J's house.  I can't wait to celebrate the season with them.  December 20, David come's to Utah for the holidays.  It will be fun seeing so many people again! I LOVE the holidays and always get a little down when the season is over.

As a few of you know, I make a bucket list of things I want to do during the holiday season so here it is;

Festival of Lights - Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve
Traditional tree setting up night
Make a gingerbread house with girls
Decorate Christmas cookies
Drive around drinking cocoa and looking at neighbor hood lights / Salem Pond
Visit Santa in the mall with girls
Finish advent calender
(Polar Express?)
Salt Lake City Temple Lights
Munn Family Christmas Party
Burrows Family Christmas Party
Deliver neighbor goodies
Christmas craft with the seniors at Hearthstone Manor
Piano Recital

There are probably a few more goals, and we NEVER usually get everything done on the list, but I like the embrace the season and enjoy all the aspects of the season. With every holiday, I miss the friends and family who are so far away this time of year.  I hope that one year we can all be together like "olden days."

Ugly Pies Taste Better

Just a random blog... I have been craving pumpkin pie all weekend.  Last year, I posted a wonderful recipe for pumpkin pie with only a few main ingredients.  I had most of the ingredients, but no pie crust so today I made my own.  It was very ugly.  I might have to google how to make a pretty pie crust but even still - - - THIS PIE WAS DELICIOUS.  The crust was thin and crispy and came out of the pie dish perfectly.  I was so proud of my ugly pie!  I wish I took a picture. 

Halloween

 Halloween is huge in my house and we really get into the "spirits" of things.  ~Dee Snider

Our family really got in the "spirits" of things for this Halloween.  We started our Halloween time with our traditional trip to Jaker's pumpkin patch.  It was extremely windy, but we had a great time picking out our pumpkins, going on the wagon ride, and playing in the corn pit. We normally go out in the pumpkin patch and find the perfect pumpkin, but trying to beat Shayne needing to go to work, we settled on the display pumpkins.

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It was also around this time that I showed Kaitlyn her Halloween costume.   I knew she would "die" when she saw it, but I didn't expect what happened next.  Kaitlyn is quite the Care Bear fan, so picking the right costume was EASY.  I found a pink Cheer Bear costume on Amazon and knew she had to have it.  When I showed her the costume, she was instantly overjoyed with the sight.  She put it on and wore it happily through the evening.  When it came to bedtime, she wouldn't part with it though.  Tired and impatient, I let her sleep in the costume as her pajama's.  The next day, she insisted on keeping wearing it. 

I was starting to worry I created a monster.  Kaitlyn was constantly looking at herself in the mirror in admiration, and having total meltdown's when the two parted.  My fears calmed when Kaitlyn seemed ok parting with the "Lala" (nickname for the bear) allowing it to 'nap' or other things.  Now she wears the suit only to bed, which  I don't mind since it is as warm as  her blanket sleepers.  

Fingers crossed she will part with it when the temperatures raise again. 

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Sunday October 21, Mom, Shayne, Ellie, Kaitlyn, and I headed up North for a very small family Halloween dinner.  I remembered a "Meal in a Pumpkin" dinner that my Grandma Tubbs used to make us every Halloween when we were kids and I thought this would be a perfect meal and new tradition for our family.  We also brought our pumpkins for carving and the kids wore their costumes.  I have to admit we were excited to see Elodie again as well since she was only a couple weeks old.  Kaitlyn made things interesting as usual, but we had a great time being together.  It was fun to get to do this together since we decided not to do an official Halloween Party this year.

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Pumpkin's and their seeds.  Although we went to the Halloween gathering expecting to carve pumpkins, we ran out of time and finished on October 22, at home.  Ellie had fun making her pumpkin look like a dragon while Shayne and I worked on a bat flying over a graveyard.  Kaitlyn was so proud of her "Mrs. Potato Head Princess" pumpkin also. 

My family was in agreement that while carving the pumpkins was fun, we all looked forward to making pumpkin seeds.  Shayne makes them so tasty and addicting.  We baked them the next day and enjoyed them over the next week.  Sadly, this baby didn't like pumpkin seeds so whenever I ate more than a small amount I would get sick.  It spoiled some of the fun, haha.

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Halloween night! 

 It was now Halloween day.  I woke up that morning with the determination of making the day memorable from start to finish.  I prepared some pumpkin pancake mix the night before, and made my family pumpkin pancakes for breakfast.   With very little break, I got ready to go to Ellie's school to help out with a pumpkin lantern craft at her school party.   Everything was going great and to make the day better, I had my 20 week visit with Dr. Crouch.  Baby was doing awesome!  

I started to get panicky when I saw that Shayne hadn't even started our yearly "spook alley" outside.  Time was running short and with only a few hours to go until Trick or Treaters came around, I doubted everything would get done.  When Jason asked if we were doing a spook alley, we took the opportunity to ask him to help; so with Jason's help, Shayne, myself, and my mother in law during Kaitlyn's short nap we managed to pull together a nice spook alley. 

5:00.  Trick or Treaters were starting to come and my nieces were over to start Trick or Treating with Ellie and Kaitlyn.  Kaitlyn made it a couple streets when it was obvious it was time for her to come home.  Poor thing chased behind them yelling, "wait!" the whole time.  I was having trouble keeping up with the three as well. 

6:00.  Kaitlyn and I went to Mom's work for more candy and to say hi to the senior residents at Hearthstone Manor in Spanish Fork.  Kaitlyn got a bag full of candy in one small room and the seniors loved seeing the little Care Bear running around.  Kaitlyn even gave an old man a hug.  I wondered if he reminded her of Grandpa Underwood. 

7:00.  We headed back to the house to pass out candy and visit for the rest of the night.  I had turned on  "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" and the kids took a short break before playing the rest of the night in Ellie's room.  

Finally, it was 8:30 and the Munn's were "closing" our spook alley.  With a lot of help, we put everything in the garage and came in for the night.  

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The Wiggy Wash Pumpkin Contest. 

Sensing that Ellie was feeling a little down that week, I entered Ellie into the Wiggy Wash Pumpkin Contest.  I KNEW that her pumpkin had a chance of winning.  We made it much earlier that month for a school contest.  We first drew the design on paper, then transferred it to the pumpkin, then painted, outlined, glittered, and put on glow in the dark stars as a last touch.  It was dazzling, only at the school everyone won and she only got "Most Sparkliest."

I was excited for the voting to begin!  Sure enough, Ellie and one other pumpkin were in the lead.  After very little time, we realized the other pumpkin was very competitive and they were eager for the prize.   We shared the pumpkin picture to all our friends, and when that wasn't enough they shared it with their friends.  By the end Ellie had 188 votes, and the other kid had 205 - NOT including in store votes.   I knew that no matter what happened  188  votes is amazing and we were happy and proud of her for working so hard on her pumpkin.  We were grateful for so many friends and family to show their love and support for Ellie during this time. 

Shayne and I held our breaths to find out who won the contest.  It was a wonderful moment on November 1st when they announced the children were only five votes apart and they decided to split the prize, each getting a $50 gift-card to Toys R Us.  We went out that night and Ellie picked out her very own Figit friend to play with. It was a great time and a much needed boost of self esteem for our daughter.  

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Overall it was a great Halloween season.  I felt happy that we could spend time with both sides of the family and embrace the fullness of the season.  I look forward to more memories with the holidays upcoming. 

Baby #3 Update

I am 21 weeks and a few days today.  November 9, Mom and I got to see our new addition on the big screen.  Thumper (his/her nickname) is growing perfectly.  Every part is right where it should be... with the exception of having a teeny little head :).  I am not surprised this baby has a small head size; Kaitlyn did too, measuring almost a week behind the rest of his/her long body.  Luckily all the organs are measuring right where they need to be so there is little to no fear of downs with this baby.

In comparison to my other babies, Thumper is more quiet than the girls were.  I had suspicions that this was thanks to the placenta being on top of my stomach, and the ultrasound proved that I was RIGHT.  I am sure that I will feel the baby more the bigger I get, but as for now, I enjoy the small movements here and there and subtle reassurements that Baby #3 is ok.

Baby #3 has been a different pregnancy from the start.  When I discovered the pregnancy, I was neck deep in Kaitlyn's esophagus problems.  I felt instantly guilty for not giving this baby the same joy and excitement that I gave the girls when I found out I was pregnant with them.  Also, of course, that being partly thanks to miscarrying the time before.

As the pregnancy carries on, when I really think about it, it seems that this baby will be born without us being ready.  Everything seems to be moving SO FAST.  I can't believe we are already over the halfway mark and starting the countdown to when we get to meet this little person.  I feel comfortable with the idea of having three children and the idea of this possibly being the last is settling in.

For this reason, and many others, we have decided NOT to find out what we are having.  The way we see it is that we already have two spring baby girls and we want this pregnancy to be unique, even if it ends up that this is another girl.  We are already set for a girl; we don't need anything other than diapers, binki's, and a few other things.  Even our nursery is set up in gender neutral Winnie the Pooh.  As for a boy, we have decided to get some newborn boy clothes, and a few things to get us by until we can go shopping for the real stuff.  If it turns out we have a girl, these items will go to another person who needs them (preferably someone having a first baby or first boy who will need it).

We are getting excited to meet this little one in March. We have a lot still to do to prepare and need to pick some names, but I know everything will come together after the holidays. Everything is going smoothly now, and we hope for it to continue going as well towards the end of the pregnancy.

Introducing Elodie :)

 

I have only had the experience of being present for two births besides my own; these experiences are just as special and memorable to me as the births of my own children.

*According to my memory. I may have some of the details wrong...*

It was a late October 4th when I got the call from Danny that his wife, Uurtsaikh, was in the hospital in labor.   I half expected it to be that day due to some conversations I had been following up on with Uurtsaikh through the day. I was so thrilled, I called babysitters and my gracious father in law offered to come over and spend the night with the girls (since Shayne was working overnight) so I could meet up with them at the hospital.  I left my home around 9:30 p.m. for the hour and a half drive to Ogden where the baby was to be born.  

I hadn't been gone long when Danny called me to let me know that Uurtsaikh was now 9cm's.  I was actually kind of bummed because I was sure that I wouldn't make it on time.  I tried to stay hopeful that with pushing time, maybe I would make it just in time for the big finale. When I showed up to the hospital around 11:30 p.m. I was thrilled to find out I had made it on time!!  I guessed any minute Elodie would make her appearance.  

Around 12:00 a.m. the nurses "checked" Uurtsaikh.   No change.  I have to admit, I was surprised   They said they would check back in an hour.  I grabbed a soda, and we waited and talked over the next hour.  1:00 a.m, no change.  The nurses changed her position to let gravity help.  2:00 no change.  I have to admit, it was right about now that I started to worry for my dear sister in law.  I hoped the baby wasn't stuck, after all the baby was past due and who knew how big Elodie could be.  The nurses guessed the baby was face up also this also makes things hard.  Not to mention they gave her something to slow down labor and had to get pitocin to start things up again.

I think it was around 3 or 4:00 a.m. that the doctor helped manually dilate Uurtsaikh the rest of the way.  She was a 9 1/2 + anyway, so maybe they could help her out, and they did.  They were eager to push, so we gave it a try for a little less than an hour, then took a much needed break.  Around 7:00, Uurtsaikh was back up and trying to push again.  After a while, the doctor kindly let Uurtsaikh and Danny know that we needed to decide what to do.  Keep pushing, or try the vacuum - realizing that if they chose the vacuum they would only give it three tries before taking her back for c-section. Uurtsaikh mustered up all her strength and in only  a couple pushes - ELODIE was born.

It was a very tearful, beautiful, and joyful moment I will never forget.  Elodie is so pretty with her dark long hair and alert eyes.  She was born October 5, 2012, at 8:25 a.m., weighing 8 pounds 1 ounce. I followed her to the nursery to be bathed and examined.  Watching Danny at this moment was fun because you could tell he was smitten and as proud as could be for his new baby girl.  Uurtsaikh was the first to hold Elodie once out of the nursery; I could tell by the happy tears in her eyes that she was going to be an amazing mother and Danny an amazing father.  Together they will be wonderful parents. 

It took a long time for any of us to really hold Elodie, but when I got to hold her those first brief moments, it was one of the best feelings in the world.  I am so happy my father in law could babysit so I could be there for the birth.  Happy Birthday little Elodie. We are so happy you are here :)