Tashena's Bridal Shower

Yesterday afternoon my sister Marilyn and I hosted a bridal shower for our niece Tashena.  The theme was Around the Clock and every guest was assigned a specific time of day in order to bring a gift that could be used at that time.  The invitations featured gold and silver clocks and so our decorations were gold and silver and we has cute clocks as cupcake toppers.  This theme was really fun because the gifts were so unique, such as the ingredients to make brunch, cooking items (a cock pot, an instant pot, and a wok) to make dinner, games to play in the afternoon, etc.  We served chicken salad sandwiches on croissants, fruit cups, punch, and chocolate cupcakes.  We only played one game (it is called bride babble), but it got everyone laughing out loud, and then Tashena opened her presents.  It was really great to see so many of Tashena's family members and friends come and support her!  Marilyn and I weren't sure if we could pull this off (huge thanks to Trent, Kristine, and Sean, especially during the balloon arch incident) but Tashena was happy and everyone seemed to have a good time so we are calling it a success!

Next up is the wedding in Washington state in May.

Bountiful High School Class of 2023

Yesterday Sean graduated from Bountiful High School and we were all able to watch him receive his diploma at the Dee Events Center.  We are so proud of him because it wasn't easy but he did it!

He will be going to Neumont College in the fall for a Bachelor's Degree in Cyber Security and we are really excited for him!

New Car

I got a new car over the weekend!  I actually bought it, sight unseen, two weeks ago but I had to wait for it to be delivered and inspected because inventory is so low right now.  I knew that I wanted another Kia Sportage because it has been the best car that I have ever owned.

My 2011 Kia Sportage (above on the day that I bought it) went on multiple road trips to Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Los Angleles as well as several trips to Mount Rushmore, Zion, Bryce Canyon, the Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone.  I drove it almost 200,000 miles without any major problems (I only had to replace the tires every few years and perform routine maintenance) but this summer the air conditioning stopped working and my mechanic started noticing other smaller issues.  He warned me that if I started having problems with the transmission or the engine I should get a new car rather than repair it because it wouldn't be worth it with so many miles on the odometer.  Even though I really loved this car, I decided that it would be better to trade it now rather than later.

My 2023 Sportage has a lot more bells and whistles than my old one so it has been really fun to drive.  I especially love the rear camera, the lane assist, Apple CarPlay, and the heated seats.  I named my 2011 Sportage Edward because of its color (Twilight Blue) so, since my new Sportage is Steel Grey, I decided to name it Remington (after the old TV show Remington Steele).  I'm so happy to have this car and I already have a road trip planned!

Remembering My Mom

My Mom passed away very peacefully in the early morning hours of May 6 after a long and hard-fought battle with dementia.  This loss is especially difficult for me and my sisters because it comes so soon after losing our Dad but it is actually a blessing because she is now free from the disease that destroyed her mind.

Last night we held a visitation for family and friends and it was such a lovely evening.  My Mom's wish was to be cremated and we were able to find the perfect mother of pearl urn for her.  The flower arrangement we picked out for the display was also really beautiful.

It was nice to see so many family and friends pay tribute to my Mom and support me and my sisters (once again I wish I had taken more pictures).  The consensus was that my Mom was a gentle soul who touched the lives of everyone with whom she came in contact and these kind words were such a comfort to us!

Remembering My Dad

My Dad passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family last Wednesday after a courageous battle with multiple medical issues.  It is really difficult to lose your Dad but it is comforting to know that he is free from pain.  We held a visitation for family and friends last night and hearing so many lovely things about my Dad was also very comforting.

It was my Dad's wish to be cremated and we had a dear family friend make his urn.  We asked for the flowers to be red and white to honor his Canadian roots.

We had a display of pictures of when he was young (and very handsome) as well as pictures of him playing Santa Claus.  We also displayed all of his hockey jerseys.

We were so worried about how my Mom would handle seeing so many people, which can be overwhelming for her, but she did really well.  She was able to visit with most of her siblings as well as her cousin (pictured above) and she was able to recognize many neighbors and friends.

I was very touched by how many people came and I wish that I had been able to get more pictures.  The only time I lost my composure was when friends would talk about their memories of watching hockey with my Dad!

I am so happy that my niece Tashena was able to come home from college to be with us and I can't believe how handsome my nephew Sean looked (he was wearing my Dad's watch).

I want to thank everyone who came to the visitation because it really was wonderful to see and talk to all of you about my Dad.

Retirement

I am retiring after teaching at both Kearns Jr. High and Hunter High School for 30 years!  I can hardly believe that 30 years have gone by since I nervously walked into my first classroom and was mistaken for a student.  Over the years I have taught Utah History (that was interesting because seventh graders are needy and they invaded my personal space quite a bit), U.S. History, World Geography, English 9, English 10, and College Prep English.  I have been the advisor to the Academic Team, the Peer Leadership Team, the Cheerleaders, and the Student Body Officers (at both schools!) as well as the AVID Coordinator.  I have taken three different groups of students to Europe, gone with students to leadership camps at Utah State University and Dixie State University, arranged countless field trips (my favorite was the Sundance Film Festival every year), and chaperoned various activities and dances (I am very good at holding random objects).  I have worked with some of the best colleagues and have taught some amazing students (many of whom I am now privileged to call friends).  Teaching can sometimes be a really difficult job but, on the whole, it has been such a rewarding career!

Covid-19 changed just about everything this year, including the usual fanfare attendant upon reaching the milestone of retirement, but yesterday Hunter High School had an incredibly meaningful graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020 and all of the retirees were honored.  It really meant so much to me to have a banner congratulating us and to get to lead the graduates in while the entire faculty cheered.  I will always remember it!

Note:  Lots of people have asked me what I am going to do now.  I am taking a gap year (that is what I am calling it because it sounds so much better than saying that I am taking a year off!).

Off to College

Today Tashena is leaving for college!  I don't know how this happened!  When did she get old enough to go to college?  She will be attending Big Bend Community College in Washington to play on the volleyball team.  We will really miss her but we are all excited for this opportunity for her.  Marilyn and I are already planning care packages!  Last night my family went out to dinner to celebrate and Marilyn gave her this awesome quilt that she made out of all of Tashena's sports shirts from high school and junior high.  Isn't it amazing?  Good luck at college Tashena!

Bountiful High School Class of 2019

Yesterday Tashena graduated from Bountiful High School.  We are all so incredibly proud of this girl (but we don't know how this happened because she was a five year old starting kindergarten yesterday!).

Congratulations Tashena!  I can't wait to see what you do next!

I Will Miss Them

This week my current student body officers have been conducting the election for the 2017-2018 officers.  The students who are running for office are absolutely stellar and this has been the easiest election I've ever done.  No drama!  I have to admit that there was a moment when I wondered if I should stay on as the advisor because I know this group will be fun to work with.  But I have thought long and hard about the decision to give up all of my extracurricular activities and I know it is the right one.  I need time for the people and things that are important to me because, at the end of the day, what I do, while rewarding, is just a job and it shouldn't consume all of my time and energy.  I am really proud of what my officers have accomplished this year (go here and here) and I will definitely miss them but I am really looking forward to a year with less stress.

Note:  One of the things I had to consider very carefully in making this decision is the fact that I would make less money.  I came to the determination that my happiness was ultimately more important.  However, there is currently a huge teacher shortage in the state of Utah and the school district that I work for has decided to significantly increase teacher salaries in the hopes of attracting more candidates to fill all of the openings next year.  Even after giving up all of my extracurricular activities, I will still make more money next year because of this raise!

Winter Ball 2016

Bountiful High School held its annual Winter Ball last night.  It was girl's choice and Tashena asked a boy on the basketball team but he didn't answer her for weeks so she arranged to go with a group of friends.  (He finally told her he would go with her but she told him she was over it).  Then, this week, all of her plans fell through.  She had the dress and the tickets so she decided to ask Colton, a family friend.  Isn't he adorable?  He was actually quite excited to be asked by Tashena (I think he has a crush on her).  During the day they went ice skating, had dinner at Panda Express, and then went to the dance at the University of Utah Alumni House.

Putting on the boutonniere!

Colton and Tashena.

The girls.

The boys.

The whole group.

Tashena looks like Cinderella!