August 21

Chris bought himself a YuDu, which is an at-home silk-screen printing kit. It will be really cool now that Chris and I have figured out all the ways NOT to work it. I did some research and found some ways to save money. Because if you do it the way Provo Craft wants you to, it would cost too much money for this to be worth it.

Chris was a bit frustrated with it while doing it because it was working the way it should. But we'll get it right and then show you the finished product.

August 20

We went over to Chris's house tonight to play Catch Phrase. Of course I didn't take a picture until afterwards, but Glenda and Mitchell were a part of this. Chris is begin a good husband and pretending to be involved in the game.

Catch Phrase is always hilarious. If you have never played it, get it. You will not be able to start laughing. Especially when you play it with someone not in your generation.

August 19

Christopher got himself in a pickle today by almost being in an accident that could have easily been horrible.

I was working on my classroom when he called me to tell me that he had been in an accident. He has done this before where he was just joking (don't cry wolf, Christopher) so I didn't believe him at first. But he sounded pretty shaken up so it didn't take me long to realize that he wasn't.

I know how much that I love Chris and I don't need something like this to happen to remind me of that. But after we got off the phone I might have sat at my desk and cried a little bit before I had to go to a meeting.

What is interesting is the prayer I had said just the night before. I always pray that everyone in my family will be safe. I think the thing that scares me the most is that something will happen to someone. But I prayed for that again, and then I basically said "I am not just saying this. I really mean it. Everybody has to stay safe." And if to show me that he heard me, Heavenly Father kept Chris safe.

Like I said, it could have been horrible. (It did involve an 18-wheeler.) Chris and the car he was driving were 100% fine physically. Maybe not Chris mentally. But I am grateful to Heavenly Father for watching over us.

August 18

This is my classroom all ready for Meet the Teacher night tomorrow. I had my bulletin boards as done as they could be before school. The teachers around me let me borrow most of the posters which helped make the space look full. I want most of the boards to be full of the student's work, which I don't have yet. So this is what it is for now.

Also, I did the Look Whooo's Here board all by myself.

August 17

I am officially part of a faculty family with the gift of this shirt. I am so excited about it and I get to wear it once a week if I want. What I like the most about this is not having to think about what to wear.

August 16

Do these pillows look any different to you? No they don't. But they are apparently different. I cannot tell at all, but Chris can. And almost every night I grab the wrong pillow and he always says "You have my pillow, but you can keep it." And I say, "You can have your pillow" and then we switch.

It definitely happens more often than not.

August 15

• The Spirit of God ceases to strive with the man who excuses himself for his wrongdoing. Spencer W. Kimball
• In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me their lay an invincible summer. Albert Camsu
• It is in the quest of the abundant life that we find our destiny. Joseph B Wirthlin
• What will thou have me to do? Is the most important question we can ask in this life. Ezra Taft Benson
• Reverence is not a temporary behavior adopted on Sunday but an ongoing attitude of devotion to God. Spencer W. Kimball
• Are our meetings the powerful missionary tools they can be, where the Spirit of the Lord reigns and penetrates hearts? Or to sense the spirit must we first block out many needless distractions. Spencer W Kimball
• If we are to reach for something we've never had before, we must do something we've never don't before.
• Most of humanity will not see the need for redemption and will live under the burden of sin.
• There is never a day in a man's life when he doesn't need repentance.
• There is no privileged path to forgiveness.
• Each of us will have our own Friday, but Sunday will come in the darkest of our sorrows.
• A religion that does no require sacrifice of all things never has the power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation. Joseph Smith
• Let us read the Book of Mormon to be convinced that Jesus is the Christ. Ezra Taft Benson
• Christ has pointed, marked out, and lighted the way. Ezra Taft Benson
• Are there areas in our thoughts and actions and attitudes which we would like to hide from those we respect most? Spencer W. Kimball

August 14

Chris and I went to Outback Steakhouse today after he came up to my classroom to help me make it more pretty. And here he is showing how to properly slice the bread. Don't dare do it wrong in his presence.

August 13

It is my first bulletin board ever. It isn't the best, but everyone has complimented it. I don't know how long I'll keep it there. The plan is maybe a month, but my guess is that I will be so busy that I'll forget about it until Charleah gets home and she can decorate it.

I know it is off centered, but 5th grade kids aren't tall enough to even know it!

August 12

Who is going to hate this picture? Too bad. This was in May 2005, only 5 years ago. We all kind of look the same, except for Sammie. She is so tiny. And Adison has super long hair. That is so not a missionary haircut.

August 11

One of the things I am most excited about for teaching. Having a box! It is like checking the mail, except there won't be any bills. Maybe just people trying to hit me up for money. I know it might be a little weird, but I will look forward to going to my box everyday.

Also, Mrs. Short (who's box is right above mine) is my partner and my mentor. We have the same kids; she teaches Language Arts and Reading and I teach Math and Science.

August 10

The day had finally arrived. Today was my first day of the job. It was just inservice, but still. This is a picture of the school I will be working at. In the morning was had all the standard first day of work stuff, and then in the afternoon we had some time to go to our schools. I started cleaning my classroom which was so dusty. There were also tons of stuff in the cabinets that I had to go through and organize. Lots of science stuff and things that I am not sure of. I am a little lost on how to decorate it at the beginning, but I'm sure I'll figure it out.

August 9

So while we were sitting in the heat on Saturday, Chris and I had this conversation.

Me: You know what we should do on Monday, but we really shouldn't do?
Chris: What
Me: Go to Schlitterbahn

Chris ran with it. He texted Megan who got her shift covered in record time. While I tried to back out, I was informed that they were going, with or without me. So I decided to just go. It was going to be my last day of freedom for a while.

Chris, Megan, Mitchell and I went to Schiltterbahn. It was really crowded. We got there before the park opened and claimed a picnic table. Then we took the tram to the other part of the park to ride the Master Blaster, America's favorite water ride (pictured above). We figured that the line would be short that way. No such luck.

We ended up going back later and stood in line for 90 minutes. I didn't think it was that amazing. I didn't getting any thrills. What stinks is that the people right behind us in line got stuck and the ride was shut down for like 20 minutes. I am so glad we missed that.

Mitchell was pretty funny towards the end of the day. He was getting really tired and started clinging to everyone.

On the drive home, I tried to sleep as much as I could, since I was starting work the next day. Megan kept Chris awake in the front seat. It was a fun day and I am 100% sure we will be going back next summer.

August 8

Sorry for the overload. 


I rediscovered Get Fuzzy today. At BYU, I would mostly get a Daily Universe to read Get Fuzzy and do Sudoku. These are hilarious and I agree with Bucky on his opinion of Soccer.

August 7

I stepped out of my box today. It was so hard and I almost backed out at the last minutes. Literally, we got there and I told Chris we should just leave.

This was one of my 25 before 25 goals. It was hot and I sell as much stuff as I wanted to, but I still sold some.

I don't think this was the best place to sell. Montgomery advertises it as a Farmer's Market so that is what people come to get. In reality, it is a craft and farmer's market. And only one person there had any food and the was eggs.

We were told of some other times in Montgomery to try and sell in December. If I have time with my new teaching job, maybe I can make some more stuff and go try again.

August 6

So, this is one of Chris's quirks. Can you spot it? Whenever he changes the first two knobs to get more air, he also moves the temperature up. Kind of opposite of what he is trying to achieve. Everytime. It is kind of really weird. I don't get it, but it is just a habit for him. Don't ask me how he developed it.

August 5

We went to see Megan at Willie's tonight. Chris didn't like any of the food Willie's made for him. (He sent his food back twice.) Afterwards we all went and saw a late showing of Salt and got unlimited icees! That is the one good thing about paying more at Silverado.

August 4

Ewww. Early morning face and hair.  For dinner last night, we had french bread. Afterwards, I had the brilliant idea that I would cut up this french bread and make french toast, which is my favorite meal. It was so good, although it we were out of syrup. I guess Chris can't eat french toast without syrup, so I am sorry you weren't here because there was extra!

August 3

Do you know how many times Chris has taken a picture of me sleeping? Tons. And I beat him to publishing on the internet. HaHa. At least when I sleep in the car, I try to make it look like I'm not sleeping (no matter how unsuccessful I am.) Chris just leans back in the seat and takes a nap.

August 2

It has been hot, hot, hot. One not so good thing about being in Houston during the Summer. I am pretty sure it is one of the worst places to be during the summer. I will not complain about it because I will be so grateful this winter when I can run outside and not be in the snow.

August 1

I can take pictures too, Charleah! But mine was more sophisticated with a screen shot.

Expect this didn't turn out too good because their camera is weird.

Also, I love Skype. One of the best inventions ever.

July 31

I stomped the ceiling today. Or in other words, I texturized it. All by myself. I was a complete mess afterwards with dried drywall all over me. My neck and arms hurt so bad while I was doing it.

Also, I think I look skinny in this photo. And that makes me happy.

July 30

So I found this picture in my pictures. It is actually one that Adison took over a year ago. Pretty good, right? I didn't edit it at all.


Here are some more quotes:

• The message of the resorted gospel is that we can and must expect to become better for as long as we live. Henry B Eyring
• The family is the ideal setting to learn to love as the Savior loves. Henry B Eyring
• I am with my family now and even though I don't have any earthly possessions, I fell like a millionaire. 
• Even in the golden age of civilization, someone undoubtedly grumbled that everything looked to yellow. Jeffery R Holland
• No misfortune is so bad that whining about it won't make make it worse. Jeffery R Holland
• We need not pray for tasks that match our abilities, but abilities that match our tasks. Thomas S Monson
• Heavenly Father sees us in terms of forever.
• Believe in your capacity to do some good in this world. Gordan B Hinckley
• Why does God ask us to love Him with all our might mind and strength? Because we can always be sure that He will love us with all His might, mind and strength. 
• If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we should see suffering enough to disarm all hostility.
• Because our mothers love us, we learn, or more accurately remember, that God also loves us. M. Russell Ballard
• All the happiness that is worthy of the name, comes from living in accordance with the commandments of God.
• Let's get that cankering, selfish attitude out of our lives and stand a little taller and reach a little higher in the service of others. 
• Each of us will have our own Friday, but Sunday will come in the darkest of our sorrows.

July 29

Horrible picture, I know. But I didn't have my camera or a flash.

We went to see Inception with Megan today. I think I could say it is one of my favorite movies. I thought  it was so good and I love the story. I wish I could find a new book that has such a good story.

There is this new thing in movies called the d-box, where the seat you sit in moves with the movie. Since we saw it in the afternoon, the movies theater was empty and the d-box rows. We thought that maybe we got a steal and were going to see the movie in a d-box seat at no extra charge.

But no. I guess the theater is smarter than that and knows who actually paid for the ticket. (These rows are assigned seats.) I am not about to pay $17.50 per person to watch a movie.

But at least I got unlimited Icee.

July 28

So one day I was playing with a tennis ball and I accidently dropped it behind the couch. I had to have it right away so I tried to get it. And I got stuck.

My sweet husband had to take pictures before he would help me out.

July 27

Adison has been gone 6 months today. It has gone by so fast, but it seems like he has been gone forever. I miss him mucho, but he absolutely loves it. He is so different, but still the same Adison, if that makes any sense. Only 18 months to go!

July 26

This is my new favorite food right now. A chopped beef baked potato from Hickory Hollow. It is so big and so good. I had it twice this week.

In high school, I applied to Hickory Hollow. I didn't get the job because I wouldn't work on Sundays. Than Chris went it and got a job because he would work on Sundays.

Which I guess is good. Because it was there that someone told him the reason why she was investigating the LDS Church was because she felt close to Christ. He called me the same day to tell me he wanted to start taking discussions.

Look, a bake potato led to that post.

July 25

This is a picture of me from Kindergarten. And we have another addition of facts about me.

1. I can eat a lot. And I mean a lot. Test me one day. (I actually try not to anymore because of the losing weight thing, but it happens sometimes.)
2. I hate listening to DVD menus over and over again. It is the worst thing.
3. If I follow a recipe, I am a good cook. It is sometimes hard to mess those up.
4. I make the world's best brownies.
5. I make a complete stop at stop signs. No California stops here.
6. I usually cut myself shaving. For the past 12 years that I have been doing it.
7. I have a hard time getting through non-fiction books. It has to be very well written, no matter how interested I am in the subject.
8. One day, I will dress my kids in brightly colored, crazy clothes.
9. I could never be a spy or psychic detective. You have to break too many rules and laws to be successful. (According to TV anyways.)
10. I hate only singing one verse of a song in church. Sing it all!
11. I can look and study road maps all day long. 
12. Then I like to actually take a new road and see where it goes.
13. I prefer to take cold showers.
14. I always wear my seatbelt, no matter how far we drive. 
15. I can't nap where I normally sleep. Or really, I can't sleep where I nap. I am an awesome napper, but I have a hard time getting to sleep at night. Sometimes that only means sleeping on the opposite side of the bed or switching my head and feet. 
16. I don't read introductions in books. If it was important enough, why not put it as a real chapter?
17. I don't make my bed. I think it is pointless.
18. I can't wear socks to bed. I feel too hot.
19. I hate loud annoying noises like the vacuum or blender or tools.
20. I love school supplies and am so excited to need to get some for school!

July 24

I found this picture I had taken on Chris's phone. I love taking pictures of the sky lately. It just never looks the same and always changing and just beautiful. 


In my scriptures I keep paper where I can write little quotes that I hear. Here are some of my favorite:

• One of Satan's greatest lies is the someone else needs to change in order for us to be happy.
• Peace becomes elusive when we focus so much on things we have or things we wish we have. James E Faust
• Faith intensifies and magnifies our gifts and abilities. James E Faust
• Don't let the things that matter most be at the mercy of the things that matter least.
• God does notice us and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs. Spencer W. Kimball
• If we seek true happiness, we must expend our energies for purposes larger than our own self-interests. Spencer W. Kimball
• Pride causes a loudness in us where we cannot hear the spirit
• Our hearts cannot be drawn to a God we do not know.
• We become a little bit more like the Savior when we sincerely serve and we understand a bit more why he preformed the atonement. 
• If you come to church and don't get anything out of it, you have failed. No one can worship for you.
• It was not raining when Noah built the ark.
• Meetings do not need to be endless to be eternal. James E Faust
• I have come to see that if we complain about life, it is because we are only thinking of ourselves. Gordan B Hinckley
• The Lord has not given us the gospel that we may go around mourning all the days of our lives. Lorenzo Snow
• There's nothing wrong for doing an act of kindness too soon.
• Remember that you are the one also.
• When you find out who you are, you'll be sorry you didn't try harder. Henry B Eyring

July 23

We went to see WICKED tonight. I think I liked the one in San Francisco better, but it was still good. I really want it to be made into a movie so I can watch it over and over again.

We almost didn't make it there in time. At dinner I split dressing all over my skirt. I tired to get it all out but there was a huge stain on it. We went across the street to Marshall's to buy me another skirt. So we got there at 7:55 and it started at 8.

I looked for an actual Wicked poster, but I didn't see one like they had in San Francisco. That is disappointing.