One hill conquered and a mountain to go..

One hill conquered and a mountain to go...I'm so ecstatic to be done with my NES tests. I'm grateful to have a job lined up. Those are hills on my journey. I have 43 teaching credits that I need to complete. That's like 3 semesters worth of college classes that I need to complete while I am working FULL time. Currently I am taking one online class. It's an 8 week course crammed full. I have to write a discussion essay, a cited paper and take a test, EACH week. Bleh! To say I am overwhelmed and discouraged would be accurate.

Recently Lindsey and I were talking about personal definitions of success. I think mine is progress. I feel successful when I'm moving forward and improving. This class is definitely making me move...I hope in a forward direction 😅

Victory for Lesley Jane!

The little girl inside of me who struggled with learning disabilities and attention issues got a huge victory on May 19th. I remember  sitting in school as a kid and hearing my teacher explain something and my inner voice would say "Lesley focus I think this is going to be important just try to listen to the end." Inevitably my thoughts would shift and I would hear Christopher Cross's song "Sailing" and I would be out to sea...I sailed many oceans especially in math class. I scrapped my way through school and college and earned a Communication degree. After 10 years of teaching preschool at my home I felt impressed to shift course slightly and teach in school. This required me to pass two subject tests. One test heavily concentrated in algebra and geometry. Covid required my preschool to close and allowed me time to hit the books. The Lord loves effort and he magnifies our efforts when we ask and try. Thankfully my kids are wicked smart and helpful and managed to tutor their mom with patience.

The night before the test I took a practice test. I finished 20 minutes over the time allotted and I got a D...I was so incredibly discouraged. Many tears were shed. I figured I didn't have the luxury to take my time on the test. I had less than 2 minutes on each question. So if it wasn't coming I just had to make an educated guess. I literally left for the test in tears.

During the test I didn't feel panicked, I worked on the problems and just went for it.  I finished 20 minutes early.  I thought now what?! Do I go over every answer? I went back to the first two questions reviewed and changed the answers. I was mentally drained. Then I prayed, "Lord is it enough?" And I felt the impression, yes it's enough. I felt like He was saying it's enough because you failed and no amount of reviewing will help. I was at peace with that answer and turned in my test.  Thankfully the results were almost immediate.I passed the test!!! I couldn't even make it to the elevator before I started to cry😭 I called Benjamin bawling.

The week before the test the Come Follow Me scripture study was on the two Nephite groups that had been delivered from  basically enslavement. I love those chapters. I had prayed for deliverance but was also praying that I would be ok if things didn't go my way. So grateful I was delivered. I can't remember a time I studied more. I haven't been in school for 20 years, when did I get old enough to say that?

  The Lord magnified my efforts and I passed both tests! The English /Social Studies test was the week earlier. I passed that with with minimal worries.

 I will now be a kindergarten teacher at a STEM school. Before I got hired I had interviewed with two other schools. Interviewing is so vulnerable. Grateful that search is over.

I love teaching because I love kids. I know that our greatest weaknesses are tied to our greatest strengths. My learning disabilities made me a hustler. Those early disabilities make me appreciate the kid who struggles to sit still but can organize an inclusive game at recess.

Mother's day 2020

It was a perfectly great mother's day! I woke up to breakfast in bed. Holman went to the store and got me my favorite "chocolate soup", sausage, scrambled eggs with bacon and pancakes with a dyed batter message.

Holman inlisted Parkin's help in bringing up the breakfast. It was so yummy!!

Benjamin and I went for our Sunday walk after breakfast. The weather was perfect 👌

Bella (and her roommate Hailie) made this beautiful card and got me Coke zero and peanut butter cups.

Adrianna made me this adorable card.

Parkin made me this coaster with my favorite desert bloom, creasote. 

Olivia slaved away and made a delicious meal. Chicken cheesey dish, rice, rolls, asparagus, apples and fruit dip. It was awesome!!

Benjamin got Eegee's the night before for dessert. He also got me flower bushes for the front yard. I love them!

We took gifts over to Barbara's and chatted with the Howe family for awhile. We all enjoyed the visit.

Later we had my parents over and gave mom gifts then. We also played a card game. 

I am so blessed to have such amazing family. It really was a golden day.

Parkin Joshua becomes a teenager!! May 3rd 🎈🎉🎂

This year I wanted to throw Parkin a big birthday party since he was becoming a teen. But with the quarantine orders to stay at home that was not in the cards. Adrianna and I woke up early and heart attacked his bedroom door with messages of love and admiration that we have for him. Since it was fast Sunday there wasn't a breakfast or lunch but Parkin got to pick our dinner. We made homemade bread bowls, roast beef, mashed potatoes and a caesar salad. Both sets of grandparents came and some uncles and aunts too it was great to celebrate one of the coolest teenagers you'll ever get a chance to meet. Parkin is so loving and caring he doesn't complain and he's happy to be around. A perfect example of Parkin's  awesomeness is how he saved Holman. The boys set up a pulley system in the living room and Holman was being hoisted up by his cousin Jared.  Jared kind of let go of the rope and Holman was flying down to the ground in Parkin immediately without thinking lunged for and grabbed the rope as fast as he could. Parkin was yanked up in the air and didn't worry about his own safety just wanted to make sure his brother was okay. Holman landed safely. This story describes Parkin to a T. We love you Parkin 💕 I'm so grateful you were born into our family. You are smart, funny, loving and cute to boot ♥️


Parkin comes up to me and says, " look at what Holman did"...son there is no way you were upset by this since the lines are straight 😂

Parkin got a Dollar bill oragami book from my parents. He promptly made a bow tie