I did it!

Well the school year has ended. This is my first official day of summer. This school year was awesome. I had the best students a teacher could ask for! They took such good care of me they had great empathy for me and they made sure that I was OK throughout the school day. I am so thankful that Heavenly Father blessed me with strength to to teach each day. I was only able to teach this year because he was watching over me. There were times during the school year when I didn't think I could make it, but Heavenly Father gave me strength to push through the day. I am grateful for for the wonderful people I work with . They helped me so much each day, whether it was making me copies or running little errands around the school for me. They always asked how I was doing and encouraged me to keep going. Thanks guys!

I'm grateful for my wonderful husband whom with out I wouldn't be where I am today. He  gives me so much much love and encouragement. He picks me up when ever I think I can't keep going. I love you so much Carl!

I'm grateful for my wonderful friends who have encouraged me and been there for me and Carl. There have been countless meals and cards brought in, and l could never say thank you enough! I love you guys!

I want to also thank my wonderful family for their never ending support. My family has all dropped what they were doing to help me whenever I need it. Dave and Em, thanks  for being willing to take me to school each morning and for coming over whenever we needed you. I'm so grateful to have you guys here. We love being able to spend time with you. Mom and Mist thanks for coming down and helping out around here. You have been a godsend! Dad thanks for letting mom come down whenever I need her and for keeping me in your Prayers. Randy , thanks for coming down to visit us and for letting Misty come down when I've needed her. Ty and Meg thanks for the phone calls. They have helped keep my spirits up. I'm so thankful for each of you and all you do for me. Thanks for your love and support.

This school year wasn't easy, but I'm so glad that I was given the strength to teach. I learned so much this school year and am grateful that I can teach.

Love you all!

One Step at a Time

Yesterday was a big and exciting day for me. It was a great day for me because I was able to drive myself to the grocery store, go to a baby shower (which I drove myself to), went out to dinner, than watched a movie on our couch! Now I know to most of you that sounds like a normal day. However, for me this was the biggest day I've had since the car accident we had in October 2011. Most of you know that I broke my back in the accident and have been trying to recover ever since. It has been a long road to recovery and everything I'm able to do again is a very big deal. Sitting up is very painful for me, so usually I'm either laying down or reclining in my anti-gravity chair, but yesterday at the baby shower and at the restaurant I sat straight up. It was the longest time I've been able to sit.
  So anyways, I was thinking about all of the tiny steps I've been able to take towards getting back to where I'd like to be. I'm so grateful to Heavenly Father for helping me heal and giving me the strength to get stronger. Sometimes I forget that the little things I'm able to do is a very big deal and that I need to be thankful for the little steps I can take. Yesterday I was able to see and realize again that I'm grateful for the progress I'm making...One step at a time.

Happy Thanksgiving

I know it has been a long time since I last wrote. So much has happened in the past year that I should have been on here almost everyday. However, I just didn't have the energy, but I'm really going to do better...starting now.

I have so much to be thankful for, just like I always do, but this year I'm  even more so. Here is my list (and I know I've missed some)

• Carl, my wonderful husband, whom without, I wouldn't be able to make it through this trial. Thank you for loving me and showing me what true charity means. You are my hero! 
• being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints 
• The Atonement
• The trials in my life that have taught me
• The Priesthood and a worthy husband who can use it
• our families
• My testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel 
• being an aunt
• The Temple
• The Book of Mormon
• the Prophet Joseph Smith
• Living in this country
• The freedoms I enjoy
• Those who have fought and died to protect our freedoms
• The pioneers
• not being paralyzed
• modern medicine
• acupuncture
• chiropractor
• medication
• Being able to teach this year
• my amazingly, sweet, I think they were sent from Heaven, 3rd grade class
• Julie Stapley a wonderful college who does my copying and  checks on me everyday.
• technology that allows me to stay in touch with those I love
• My Kindle
• our cars
• Our nice home
• Having Dave and Emily live so close
• wonderful friends
• my new kitchen aid
• music
• food
• My body that is slowly, but everyday, improving and getting stronger
• being able to move without pain
• being able to dance

We are truly blessed with an abundance and I am so thankful for all we have. I hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving day!

The Wonder of Kindle

For Mother's Day or as we call it at our house, (Jen is Awesome Day) Carl bought me a Kindle. I was really skeptical at first about getting one because I love having a book in my hand, and I thought an electronic device would take a away from the feel of reading. It doesn't! I absolutely love having a Kindle. This summer I have been able to read a lot more than I allow myself to read during the school year. Having the Kindle has opened up a lot more reading material for me as well. It is also fun to have so many books right at my finger tips. It is amazing to me what technology can do these days. If you are thinking of getting a Kindle, do, you wont be disappointed! However, I will warn you, you might get addicted to buying books!

New Nephew

  The first baby on my side of the family was welcomed into the world on May 23rd. Congratulations Ty and Megg!

Carl and I were able to come up on Friday, as soon as school got out, for the summer (hip, hip hooray!!!) so that we could meet him. He is one of the cutest babies i have ever met! I love being able to hold him. Carl was absolutely adorable with him. He was so gentle and careful. We love you Shad, and are so happy to be your aunt and uncle!                                                                                                                                

New Start

I don't know where to start. The past couple of years have been very trying and because of that  I have not been the best at staying in touch with the people I care about. When Carl and I were home for Christmas, Misty convinced me I needed to get back on the wagon and start a new blog (since I hadn't been on my old blog in over a year and I couldn't remember the password; and the email that was tied to the old blog was inactive and I couldn't retrieve the password : O ) So I am starting over and hoping to use this blog to keep in touch with my dear friends and family that I don't get to see very often. I miss you guys and apologize for disappearing! So with this post I vow to journal more about what is happening in my family and to keep in touch with my extended family and friends. I hope you haven't given up on me : )

My New Blog!

I forgot how to get into my last blog so I started a new one! I will be updating more often I promise. Stay posted!