It's My Turn!

Thanks to Cammie I've been singing MY TURN ON EARTH for the past week! She's been anxiously awaiting the release of the digitally remastered DVD for days. As loyal readers of her blog, Nicole and I immediately packed our suitcases and headed for Memory Lane! We've been calling each other to share special messages like:

If you step on a cat and smash it flat, just turn it around, and what have you found?

If the cat were you and you were the cat, would you like that, to be smashed flat???

Flat as a mat?

By a great big cat?

THE GOLDEN RULE SAYS NO!

Oh, everybody ought to have a body,

A body is the only way to go!

Shout! Shout! We'll shout for joy!

I need to check with my mom to find out exactly how many times we listened to this RECORD when we were little disco babies! I was bored last night--and looking for any excuse to avoid grading papers--so I moseyed on over to itunes. GUESS WHAT THEY HAVE??? You guessed it! For $9.99, I am the proud owner of all 19 tracks! (A steal if you ask me. The CD is listed elsewhere for $16.98. Whatevvver! Plus, Nic's going to chip in five bucks if I'll burn her a CD! SHHH!) So now we are both shouting for joy! (Look what you started, Cammie.)

By the way, Nic and I screamed along to some of the songs last night and my kids wanted to know what kind of sin they had committed that sentenced them to such cruel and unusual punishment. All I know is I can't wait for Sunday. We'll be listening all day! (And I refuse to raise children that can not sing along!) Also I don't think my husband is anywhere near as excited as I am!?!) I wonder if they have Saturday's Warriors...

American Hero

Mom, I hope you don't mind that I posted this.

"The reason we celebrate Memorial Day." --D.R.

Tag--I'm It!

Wow, I have been blogging for six months now and have avoided being tagged...until now. I was tagged by my sister-in-law, Ramona. Anyways, it's a three-day-weekend so I thought I would play along. Here are the rules:

1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.

2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.

3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.

4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Enjoy!

1. I teach first grade at a Title I (at-risk) school. I love the community that I work in! (I don't always love how much I work, but I love being in a school where I feel like I might be making a difference.)

2. I took an adult tap class a few years ago and actually performed in the year-end recital! 3. I once spent a lovely New Year's Eve being held hostage on the roof of a building. (Ok, we were on the roof, the gunman was on the ground. It's a long story...just don't EVER throw bottles off the roof of a building at cars below and think it is a good idea?!?)4. I'm a closet 'NSync fan...still. My three sisters and I attended two concerts as grown women. (I looked for an hour and couldn't find the pictures. Sorry girls!) Are you in for the reunion tour? Oh wait, that's NKOTB!

5. I am a highly-sought lipsync choreographer. Some of my accollades include: Paula Abdul and M.C. Skat Cat, Treat Her Like a Lady, Quit Playing Games with my Heart, Barbie and the Rockers, Gaston, I Will Survive, and So Long Farewell.

Sorry, ladies, I just couldn't resist!

6. I have been in Primary FOREVER! I started teaching Sunbeams when I was 18 and have been in Primary in one capacity or another ever since. I only threw this one in because I just found this picture of me at 18 with my first class and the cute little blondie in the front (on my lap) is my cousin.

7. The best day of my life was when I was sealed to my family in the temple!

I tag:
Nicole (Best sister, the one who got me started with blogging, it's only fair.)
Jen (My cute cousin. Sorry, she's private, but I will enjoy it!)
Becky (A BFF! It's time for an update!)
Steve (My brother-in-law and avid blogger. Inquiring minds want to know!)
Cammie (My best borrowed friend and a funny blogger!)
Steph (Best sister)
Michelle (Best sister)
Don't try to wiggle out M & S just because you don't blog, you can e-mail your responses to me!!! Hey, I'll even post your work on my blog!

Annie Updates

Well, we are two weeks away from showtime! The girls and I have been crazy-busy with extra practices and costume tweaking! Here are a few pictures to get you in the mood!

Morgan posing on the stage with two little orphans.

Morgan getting in a Hannigan mood.

Ashley and a fellow orphan by the sound room.

Morgan rehearsing a scene with Mr. Warbucks (playing the part of Grace) and Annie!

Special thanks to Grandma Darlene for making this cute orphan costume!!!

Happy Memorial Day

In loving memory...

A Tisket a Tasket

A Carson in a basket!

I hijacked Nicole's baby when he was at Grandma's. No wonder you people with babies are camera-happy! How cute is he???

F is for FLOSS

Are you flossin'? I hope you said y-e-s! Sad circumstances brought my extended family together recently, but it was a nice opportunity to visit with relatives that we don't see nearly often enough. Anyways, the girls and I went to dinner one night with some of the "out-of-towners" (and a few "in-townters,"too.). We got a chance to learn some very important things about family members whom we thought we knew well. One of my closest cousins was shocked to learn that I am an OBSESSIVE FLOSSER! I pulled out my handy purse floss right after dinner and started to work. He was shocked! I don't know if it was the fact that I actually carry floss in my purse, or if it was the fact that I was flossing at the table. I was equally shocked to find out that he did not share my love of flossing. (What was it, 4-times-a-year???) I floss AT LEAST four times a DAY! I don't care when or where I am, it is always a good time to floss.

My favorite floss! I take it everywhere. I highly recommend it for people with lots of dental work! It glides in-and-out so smoothly!!!

Here are some of my favorite times/places to floss:

While driving

Immediately after eating

In the bathtub

At church

At the grocery store

In the movie theater (FYI: My sis witnessed this. She looked down the aisle and caught my mom flossing at the same time. It must be hereditary!)

During class

At Disneyland

First thing in the morning

Last thing at night

Now a word for those of you who think it is rude to floss at the table. It is much ruder to make us look at your teeth:

Remember, Shane, YOU DON'T HAVE TO FLOSS ALL YOUR TEETH, JUST THE ONES YOU WANT TO KEEP!!! LOL! (By the way, I always knew I liked your wife! I'm so glad she's a kindred flosser!)

This is why I'm hottt!

What did YOU wear to work today?

Another Story

This story was in today's paper:

http://www.lvrj.com/news/18841509.html

A Great Life

Here is a link to a story in the paper about my grandpa. He truly lived a great life!

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/may/09/las-vegas-ambassador-extraordinaire/#/comments

Families are Forever

April 29, 1922-May 8, 2008

I am truly grateful for the 33 years I had with my grandpa. I am so proud of him! I have never known anyone who could cram so much life into a mere 86 years. It's hard to imagine life without him. He always made every occassion or ordinary day special. I feel double-blessed that he became Grandpa to my husband and my children. They love him so much! I am so thankful that families are forever. I'm thankful for the good life he lived, and for the legacy he leaves behind. Our hearts are sad, but we are comforted to know that we'll be together again.

"In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally." --Family Proclamation

Proud

We want to say CONGRATULATIONS to Dave's dad, better known as "Poppy." Today he was given the Scott Matheson Award for his OUTSTANDING work in the law profession. (Sorry Dad, this is a very vague description?!? I guess we need more details!) Poppy served for many years as a juvenile court judge and he gave so much for the things he believed in. You are a great example, Dad, and we all love you!

This is a photo that was printed in the Deseret News about his retirement. Below is the article about his retirement in December of 2006.

Juvenile court judge hailed as he hangs up robes
By Sara IsraelsenDeseret Morning News
Published: December 16, 2006

PROVO — In his last speech from the bench, Judge Leslie D. Brown laughed and cried as he bid a fond farewell to the 4th District Juvenile Court System.
"I hope in some small way, the state and community that I love is a little bit better because I've been here," Brown said Friday afternoon.
Brown has served as a juvenile judge for 27 years, dealing with thousands of children in cases ranging from sexual abuse and drug use to happier subjects of adoptions.
In his retirement program at the Provo Juvenile Court at 2021 S. State in Provo, fellow juvenile-court judges and legal colleagues elaborated on Brown's contributions to the justice system as well as his humorous and good-natured additions to the courtroom.
"Well, I really have not looked forward to this day," said Judge L. Kent Bachman, who serves in the 2nd District Juvenile Court.
Bachman talked about their long history together, which began in the late '70s, when the juvenile court had only nine judges. Now there are 27.
"We had a good time," Bachman said. "We learned together and we ...learned from each other."
Speakers praised Brown's patience, institutional memory, fairness and respect.
Those who spoke also lovingly joked with their colleague and mentor, and some — including public defender and county commissioner-elect Gary Anderson — told embarrassing stories about their years of interaction.
Anderson recounted Brown's first appearance in a Vernal courtroom as a judge.
The bailiff entered to announce the Honorable Judge Brown, Brown took a few steps into the room, stepped on his judicial robes and fell flat on his face.
The audience laughed, and Brown nodded as he said, "It's true."
Others mentioned Brown's catch-phrases to attorneys, including, "This is a dead horse, when will you stop beating it?" and his memorable annual Christmas poems at the holiday party.
Colleagues presented Brown with scrapbooks containing notes and pictures, as well as an engraved watch. He also received a certificate of retirement with the promise of something additional on his next paycheck — a comment received with a hearty audience chuckle.
Utah Supreme Court Chief Justice Christine M. Durham lauded Brown for his work in the juvenile system.
The only two judges who have served on the bench longer than Brown are Durham and Bachman, said Judge Kay Lindsay, who also serves in 4th District Juvenile Court.
"A lot of people have come through this courtroom," Brown said. "I hope they felt they had been treated fairly, with dignity and with respect."

Random Classroom Ramblings

Boy: Where'd you get that necklace, Mrs. Brown?

Me: Oh, do you like it?

Boy: Yeah.

Me: I got it at Claire's.

Boy: Oh. I've never been to Claire's.

Just thought it was a funny conversation with a seven-year-old boy. I'm glad someone else enjoyed my cute new necklace.

Steps in a Process

So in first grade, we've been working on "steps in a process" and sequence quite a little bit lately. It would appear I need to do more studying in this area. See, I get confused. Is it open the garage door and then reverse, or reverse and then open the garage??? I feel ill-equipped to teach this skill to children. HELP!

Ok, I realize in the grand scheme of things the damage is really NOT that bad. I'm still T.O.'ed at myself because this is the first new car I've had in a looooooooooong time and this was just pure idiocy. Dave was watching the whole thing. I wish I had a camera to take a picture of his face. He was beyond stupified. I guess I'm going to have to quit capping on his driving record after this--and the great McDonald's drive-thru--incident. I definitely have a problem driving BACKWARDS!!!

More Grandpa Barney

Check the post below...Steph and I got together and finished our list of the top 86 things we love about Grandpa!

How Much is That Fishy in the Window?

How much would you pay for a 12 cent fish? If your name is Morgan, the answer is $5.00! (I know we're suffering from inflation right now, but this is ridiculous!)

So tonight was the annual "Hoe Down" (carnival) at Ashley's school. The night was getting late and the principal was singing "So long, farewell" on the microphone. It was pretty much time to leave. I sent Morgan to go find Ashley, who was trying to play "one last game." The game, of course, being the one in which you leave with a 12 cent goldfish in a ziploc baggie. (My child figuring this is the only way she will ever get a pet!) To make a long story short, when Morgan reached the game, she was unable to convince Ashley it was time to go. Ashley desperately wanted a fish...but the line was LONG...and the game was HARD...and the principal was SINGING...and the patience was WANING...and that's when Morgan hatched a plan...

Maybe, if I bribe the teenage boy working the booth with a five-dollar-bill, he'll give me a fish so we can go home. (Keep in mind we already purchased two $15.00 wristbands for unlimited game play.) Anyways, back to the plan...BRILLIANCE! Go figure, the boy said yes, and both girls came running over,as happy as can be, with a new fish. They named him BYOOBERT--or BYOO--for short.

As you can well imagine, our next stop was Wal-Mart to purchase a new home for BYOO.

Morgan tells me how we "scored" our new pet on the way to Wal-Mart and I am, well, concerned, perplexed, and a bit indignant. Nevertheless, Morgan stands by her plan and continues to feel like she soooo beat the system!

Well, we were certainly not the only people with green hair and face paint carrying fishies in baggies around Wal-Mart looking for fish bowls. Apparantly everyone left the Hoe Down and hit the old Wal-Mart. On the fish bowl aisle we met the cutest little boy. He was, you guessed it, looking for a bowl. We recommended the Premium Fish Bowl complete set shown above. A bargain at just $7.97 if you ask me. (The joke was on the next group of people with baggies...there were only two of these bad boys, the rest of them would be stuck with $13.00 bowls!) I asked this fine young man of probably 7 or 8-years-old if he won his fish, or paid for it. He explains, "I give the boy $11.00 and he give me 2 fish." WOW! I thought we were the only suckers. I told him that Morgan had purchased her 12 cent fish for $5.00. His response? "Good job on the five dollars. You got a good deal." I pointed out to all the children that a wise 6-year-old once told me that 12 cent fish always die the next day.

Regardless of his certain fate, this is BYOO in his new (ghetto) home with the dynamic-duo checking up on him. (Look at his poor tree!?! Who loves you, baby?)

So here's the breakdown of the night:

2 Wristbands: $30.00

1 twelve-cent fish: $5.00

1 Premium Fish Bowl: $7.97

Gaining a new ridiculous memory to add to the family arsenal: Priceless!