The Miracle of Mayley

I have recently been thinking a lot about my friend, Deanna, who had a baby earlier this month. I was set on seeing her in December, but due to a snow storm, had to turn back (she's in Logan) and have felt especially disappointed about not seeing her - it's been about 5 years! Last night, I decided to check my old yahoo account (the one I give out to businesses so my personal gmail acct doesn't get inundated with junk mail). I found, interspersed with all the junk, several emails from Deanna and her husband dating back over a week. As I opened the first one, it revealed that her little Mayley contracted RSV and was ambulanced down to Primary Childrens' Hospital in Salt Lake and was on a ventilator and not doing very well. I immediately lost my breath and looked over to pictures I have hanging in my home office of my nephew, Ryan, as a newborn in the hospital all hooked up to a bunch of machines. My heart ached for Deanna, remembering the ache of my younger sister. As I opened each email from different days, progress and regress were described. I was so saddened to be sooooo far away and felt like there was nothing I could do. All I wanted to do was go and hug her for a long, long time. As I sat in church today, several thoughts ran through my mind, and I felt as though I needed to go home, schedule a flight, and go see her in the hospital in SLC. As soon as the closing prayer was said, I went home with that intent, and decided to sit down and call her to feel out the situation. It felt so good to hear her upbeat voice on the other end. They had brought Mayley home and she was starting to perk up. I was soooooo relieved at that news. I enjoyed a long coversation with Deanna and know that she is being well taken care of. Now I know why she had been on my mind for the past few weeks - I should have called. I'm just so grateful that that little girl is home with her family and I promise not to let so much time pass between calls/emails etc.

Gum

Gum. Chewy - flavorful - bubble-poppy - smackin' - sticky. Sticky - there's a concept that some people in the world have not related to the thought, "Where shall I stick my gum now that I'm finished chewing it?" A trash may be within arms' reach, a napkin may be at the next table. But alas, the perfect place to stick it is at the bottom of a chair leg, so that others may partake of the yummy treat you leave them! As I woke this morning, I thought to myself, "My pants leg, sock, and shoe are desiring some yummy stickiness...wherever can I find some?" Oh, thank you to that charitable high school student who provided it for me! All I can say back is "Gross, you idiot!"

So, my question of the day is...how does one get GUM off your jeans and shoes (not the sole, the side of them)? I parted ways with the socks (one of my favorite pair, of course). I am looking for all kinds of suggestions because I love those jeans!

Show Me the Money!

I may be crazy, but when I'm offered the chance to make extra money, I seem to jump on it. I was contacted in November by Nevada State College (in Henderson) to see if I would teach one of their TESL graduate classes this spring. I think to myself, hey - it's only 1 night a week (Tuesdays) for 10 weeks and it's travel money. So I say yes. I got together with a dear colleague friend of mine who's teaching the same course several times over the Christmas break to create our syllabus and class outlines - that was sooooo helpful! During that 2 week period of rest, I was contacted to see if I'd pick up a 2nd course (Thursdays) as well. Me, hearing "cha-ching" in the near distance, and feeling rested because of being on break, said YES. Now being back at work, seminary, and gymming, I think I'm a wee-bit crazy. But I've always teetered that direction! I already started teaching the Methods class - and come to find out, it's 12 elementary teachers and 12 high school teachers. HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS! I've never taught them and stereotypically, they hate professional development! I panicked for a bit, but after meeting them and getting them up and participating, they don't scare me anymore! I get to meet my 2nd class this Thursday.

The part I fail to mention is that the college is 30 miles away from where I live and work - that's 60 miles roundtrip, and the class ends at 9:30pm! I get home about 10:15, and by the time I climb into bed, it's 11:00pm...the alarm enjoys going off at 4:30am for seminary and it isn't until AFTER I shower that I feel like I can probably make it through another day! Why do I do this to myself? Sometimes I think it's just to prove that I can. What a stupid thought!!!!!!!!!! ;o) But I do enjoy teaching professional development. And I've been blessed greatly for teaching seminary. It will all work out just fine - I am not worried. Akuna-ma-ta-ta, right!?!


With such a long, busy, hard semester ahead, it's important to have milestones to reach. So in the middle of it all, Carolyn and I are spending most of Spring Break in Hawaii for her 40th birthday. None of the other "40s club" gals can make it (I guess New York wore them out last summer!) We're going to spend 4 days in Maui and 4 days in Oahu (thanks to Costco Travel!) That will be a welcome break from the physical and mental stress of the semester. After we get back, it will only be one more month of mega stress.
(Side note, I also am going to teach a 3rd course on assessment on the weekends of April. I will be so footloose and fancy free when May comes!!!!)

I was also given the opportunity to work with the YCLs again this year for camp, as an assistant this time. I'm so excited to work with Sueann and Mindy and am sooooo glad to NOT be the one in charge - my mind couldn't handle all that, plus teaching nights, plus teaching early morning seminary. I'm so glad they'll work around my schedule when possible and let me do the little I can to support it. I look forward to laughing and playing with them - that is important! I really enjoyed working with the YCLs last year and know that this will be a unique experience (ward camps instead of stake camps this year).

More Pics....

Cayden (8 1/2) and Ryan (5 1/2)

The two smartest, funniest, and cutest nephews around!

December 27, 1985

Kristi and Gary

25 Years and 3 Daughters, 1 Son-in-Law Later

Still lookin' good, I say!

Happy Anniversary