Last Day!!!!!

Today is the last day of school at Sunny Brae Middle School. Everyone knows how happy I am to be finished with this year. I feel like summer has begun because I have been now getting up early in the morning to watch episodes of "Lipstick Jungle." It is a new series that piloted this past spring and I didn't have a chance to watch it. I read the novel that it is based off of by Candace Bushnell and LOVED IT! If anyone has anytime it is definitely a show worth watching. Google Lipstick Jungle and it will take you to the shows NBC site. If you get there make sure to choose episodes not chapters. Chapters are within episodes. (Something I figured out:)

I have to attend my school's graduation tonight, and tomorrow is Rachelle's bridal shower. My mother is amazing. She is having the event decorated, catered, and the only we have to do is clean up! (She may have something planned for that, though:) Now that my life/career is finally able to begin I have been thinking a lot about what I want to accomplish in the next couple of years. I have been milling over writing somethings. I have two lesson plans that I want to try and get published. I also want to write a biography about my mom....sshhshshs. She would be modest and say why? But everyone who knows her can understand why! I know one thing, and that is anything is possible!

On the home front I have a list of things I want to accomplish this summer while I am only working part-time. Below is a prioritzed list of my summer to dos!

Family

Make my kids real pancakes, not microwavable.
Take them to the beach
Take them to the waterslides
Let them sleep in past 6:00am, because I don't have to have them at Preschool when it works for me. I will take them when it works for them!
Lastly, I don't want to keep going otherwise if I don't accomplish them all I'll be mad!hahaha

Personal

1. Finish putting Rock on my bender board project. Pics will come, I promise.
2. Read 3 Pedagogy (Teaching Theory) books, that I have been wanting to read. I am 1/2 way done with number one.
3. Create a community building file that I can have for my classroom. This is a file with hundreds of ideas on how to create a safe classroom community.
4. Clean out my attic, Have a yard sale? Probably, I'll just donate to goodwill.
5. Teach a College of the Redwoods course for Upward Bound!

I think making lists are important and having goals. Where are you going?

Hi Everyone!
I am currently in my last credential class!!!! It is Saturday and beautiful outside but I am here in a room, that will eventually end. Enough of that! The pictures below are from our Memorial Weekend. We branded and marked (cut off the balls) of our new calves. We had a lot of help from our family, and close friends. Thank you! Cole and Carly were both in the corral with about 20 calves and they were each trying to rope them. It was precious.

I know that I told everyone that I would be taking the year off next year but some things have changed. I have accepted a position teaching Upward Bound at College of the Redwoods this summer. It is only a four week program and the class is only one hour a day. I submitted a course proposal for a course titled "Hollywood and History." This course is where students learn how to analyze and view film critically. Why are films made, how violent films are, AND HOW WE ARE MANIPULATED as viewers. It is a great class! The films we're watching are Amistad, Kite Runner, and Charlie Wilson's War. If you can't tell I am on a Middle Eastern Kick. I won't tell you more....

Cole and Carly are doing well and today they are in the Azalea parade with Aunt Sis. Wish I could be there! Last day of school is Friday! Have a wonderful week, make sure to take time for yourself! I defiantly will thinking about it:)

More Pics

Cole's 4th Birthday

Yesterday was Cole's 4th birthday! He woke up to the "Happy Birthday" song and he tried fervently to not go to school. I told him he didn't have to take a nap but school was a priority. I had took the day off and I enjoyed it very much. Travis and I ran errands and then I came home to decorate. I had resolved to have low key parties for the kids this year so I just had grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Needless to say we were a packed house. I made Fettucini Alfredo and my sauce is getting better and easier each time. I absolutely detest Alfredo sauce from a jar. I also buy fresh pasta noodles from either Wildberries or the Co-op the fresh noodles that are in plastic wrap in your deli or cold section still aren't the freshest. Cole got a new Yamaha 90 four-wheeler in March from all of us, grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles but he still managed to scrap up a few more gifts. I will post some pics of his four-wheeler when I go to Salyer next. Carly and him have their four-wheelers up there so that they can haul yard clippings, weeds, and whatever else.

Are memorial plans are to help Uncle Dave brand his cows on Saturday in Redding. I will probably take the kids to the water-slides and meet up with some friends. Sunday we are racing home to Salyer to brand our cows and stay in Willow Creek until school on Tuesday. I hope everyone had a great May because it is almost over!

Pizza Picnic and more!

Saturday night the kids came home from Salyer with Vickie. They were dressed in Salyer clothes which is commonly known as whatever was left up there from the last time we were up there. Vickie said that Carly had had an issue with pooping in her pants which is strange but she went through matching clothes faster than ever. What I love about Salyer is the weather, the house I grew up in, gardening, and how infrequent the phone rings. What I do not like about Salyer is seeing people who I wish would disappear (they know who they are!) Back to point of this blog. Cole called me on his way home and requested pepperoni pizza for dinner. I had been planting flowers after my class and knew this would work. We picked up the pizza and proceed to have a pizza picnic in the living room. They even got to drink hansen sodas! After all this fun they took a bath, and we watch "The Secret Garden" in my bed. It was a great night! Have a great week.

p.s. Mother's day was nice. I got all my bender board put in but I am going to show pics when it is completely finished. It may take all summer!

Happy Mother's Day

Okay, so today is mother's day! I think it is a great day but I honestly question way everyday is parent, and spouse day. I wish I could treat my husband like it was father's day everyday and vice versa, oh well. Anyway, I had school yesterday from 9-3 and when I got home I mowed the lawn, picked up things that had blown around from the wind, watered, and laid out where I am going to put bender board this morning. My project for the day is to clean the garage, put a new tarp/custom neoprene roof on our dog kennel, and put in 200 ft of bender board. I know the kids will be cooperate because they love playing outside. Travis should be home any minute and he has some projects he needs to finish. I will have to post some pictures of the bender board when I am finished. Happy Mother's day to all of you who have dedicated your lives to raising extraordinary children!

More Pics of Carly's birthday

Slowly but surely

Here is a picture of Vickie and Carly. Vickie made Carly's cowgirl cake. I will upload more when I get a chance.

This Weeks Menu

I have been on a new kick lately. I am trying to cook different things than I normally cook. I am trying to make two New things each week. This is not always possible because getting home at 5:00 doesn't inspire me to cook a new recipe. Below is a list of what we are doing for dinner this week. Post a comment if you really want a recipe. I am not going to post them for eye candy.

Sunday-Mushroom and Fontina Quesadillas, these were delic., quick, and my family loved them! They are defiantely a full meal. I served it with a light salad.

Monday-Creamy Fettucine Alfredo with Pancetta-This is the first time I have made this with sauce from scratch. We'll see. I bought homemade noodles so they should make a big difference.

Tuesday-Beef Enchiladas-I won't be home till 7:30 so I am going to make these in the morning and have them ready in the fridge!

Wednesday- Pork Chops with cream of mushroom soup and white rice baked in the oven.

Thurs. Fri. Sat.- I will be on my own as Travis is going to Ft. Bragg for Abalone, I have school all day Saturday, and the kids are with my mom and Vickie in Salyer.

I hope this inspired some of you to change up your menu!
p.s. There are so many food blogs. That is what motivated me.

Bedroom

Hey Everyone,
I am even impressing myself with all these posts! Carly had a wonderful birthday. It was so nice to spend the day as a family and wish my little girl a "happy birthday" every couple of minutes. She did terrific and we had a fabulous time in sunny Salyer. I will post pictures once everyone sends me there copy. I forgot my camera. I wanted to post some pictures of my bedroom because I think it looks really cute right now. Nothing in it is recent but after Christmas I made changes. Also, I put some fresh tulips by the side of my bed and they instantly brightened my day.

Comments

WOW! I know some blogs get multiple comments on each post but I just got "4." If that isn't incentive to keep blogging I don't know what is. Thanks guys

Week Recap:
Carly start school and some of the comments that people told me were Day One "She had kids lined up outside directing the games that they were going to play."-The kids were in awe that the new girl was so bossy, that's my thought!ha "She did very well, she listened and is getting the hang of our routine"-This is a polite way to say that a student is non conforming but we are having a little power struggle and I am going to win! Go Gaye (That's the kids' teachers name)

Cole talked his Grandma Vickie into bringing their new baby chicks to Preschool for show and tell. He went swimming with Grandma Dena at Healthsport and then on to Bon Boniere! I am glad he stayed at Mom's house because who knows what he was like the next day for school....

Travis worked all week in Salyer and is planning on reloading rifle bullets this weekend. We are going to Salyer to celebrate Carly's third birthday. We are also bringing our travel trailer! My parent's are remodeling their bedroom, and bathroom in Salyer so we thought it would work to bring our own showering device.

I am finishing up teaching a unit on Rise of Industry during the 1900s. I began doing a "Read-Aloud" with the students on a historical coming of age novel, "Lyddie." My academically challenged class is doing well because they loved to be read to and they are listening intently. My mainstream class is excelling because they can listen and be analytical. I don't know if any of you have seen the documentary "Made in L.A." it is about three illegal immigrants in L.A. who fight to get companies like Forever 21 to pay for the work they did. I could rant but I would advise everyone to see it! My last note is that The horrible working conditions of the 1900s continue today! No, companies don't just exploit workers in countries outside the U.S. it also happens in The U.S.!!!!
Till next time!

I'm Alive!

I am back to trying to blog. Carly started Preschool today and I am feeling nostalgic! She is turning "3" on Saturday and I often think she skipped right to being "13." She is going to the same school as Cole and he loves that his best friend, his sister, gets to share the excitement of the day. Cole and Carly go to Preschool Tues, Wed, and Thurs from 7:30-12:30. Vickie is finally getting to enjoy her retirement. I hope she is able to sleep in and schedule some appointments. Don't get me wrong, she never lets the kids slow her down. She takes them to all the places I usually don't...hair cuts, nail appts, weight watchers, the fair, and thats just a few!

Travis has begun working again 40 hrs a week. This is just the warm up for his 60-65 hr weeks during his busy season. His health is good and he needs to schedule a follow up cat scan but he is feeling "normal" 99.5% of the time. He is planning on going to Fort Bragg next weekend to go Abalone diving and the rest of the time just getting things ready for work. He is going to be working out of town this summer and I am hoping to spend at least two nights out of the week with him!!!

I am in my last haul of student teaching. This year has been HARD! I always thought that life couldn't get busier than when I had 20 units of undergrad but little did I know that Graduate school and an internship was pure insanity. I am not going to teach summer school this year so I am thrilled to have a break. I am going to continue to manage my parent's office and enjoy being a mother. Teaching jobs are very slim in Humboldt County and next year I am going to sub 2 or 3 days a week while working in my parents' office. Words can't express how happy I am to be downsizing. I could scrounge up part-time teaching jobs but I am exhausted and need the simpler routine of just doing two things instead of four! We'll see how long it lasts.

Life is going well and I thank God for our health and the family that I love.

The last month and a half in a nutshell.....

1. December 10-17th Travis and I went to Cabo San Lucas on vacation. It was really nice because Travis's parents were down there already and some really good friends of ours, Chuck and Mary. We spent a lot of time on the beach, snorkeled, went to a bull fight! and misc. other things. Travis and I did get sick quite a bit from either drinking something or eating whatever. It seems like forever ago.

2. We came home from Mexico to get ready for Christmas. It was hard to get into the routine because we had just been in wonderful weather. We spent the 23rd with the Carmesin clan at Aunt Rita's and that was peacefully pleasant. On the 24th we went up to my parents' for Christmas Eve. On Christmas, we opened gifts from Santa!! Then we went to John and Vickies. This Christmas began early but was very relaxing and not rushed. I love this time of year.

3. After Christmas I had to shift my energy into overdrive and finish the preparations for my parents 25th Wedding anniversary. Needless to say they were married on New Years Eve and that is when we planed the party. Thank heaven I had Vickie and my sisters help or I could not have done what I wanted to. It was a semi-formal event, hosted at the Samoa Women's club. We had prime rib, a green salad bar, mashed potatoes, brocolli jennifer, rolls, and smoky beans. We had a full bar, and the tables were beautiful with two different place settings of real china. It was a lot of work but the look of enjoyment on my parents faces were worth it.

4. Okay, so after New Years, Travis got sick. In 2000 he was diagnosed with a benign tumor/lesion on his kidney. It had gotten infected and that is how the doctors found out about it. Well about a week and a half ago he was in excruciating pain. We went to the emergency room and after doing a cat scan the dr. noticed that the tumor had gotten three times bigger. It is now pushing on his liver which is pushing on his diaphram. They think a blood vessel burst inside the lesion and it is hemorrhaging. There are two options. The urologist in Eureka thinks that he can surgurically remove the tumor but he isn't sure because it is so bloody. The second option is to go to U.C.S.F where they have better technology and they can hopefully see where the blood is coming from off of the kidney. Needless to say, he has an appt. for Wednesday at 2:00 at U.C.S.F. He is in pain right now but is managing with pain pills. He is very restless from being at home but we are surviving.

5. I was supposed to start my solo student teaching last Monday but No. I am going back to Sunny Brae today and I am very excited. I will keep every updated.

Finally, It has been a long time since I had a post due to being overwhelmed with taking care of my family. I hope everyone has had a good start to this new year. Love Danielle

Pictures from the last couple of weeks

4 Years......

November 15, 2003
Today is Travis and I's anniversary. I can't believe we are beginning our fifth year of marriage. The time is went quick and has been sped along by two births, a new house, new jobs, and school. I love my husband very much. He is someone who challenges me daily but also renews me when I need it the most. He is a great partner, sounding board, and friend. I am enoying this time of year a lot because he is home from work and is able to help out and parent a lot. Yesterday he mowed our lawn (which isn't easy or quick), cleaned out his shed (while building custom horse shoe hooks), took Cole to and from school, watched Carly, hung a picture in our room, cleaned our garage, put stuff into the attic, and made spaghetti for dinner. I was impressed and extremely thankful. My husband is very motivated and is not a big talker but a big doer! If he says he's going to do something he does it and he does it all quick. For all those who know me I don't like it when stuff is not finished and that is where Travis and I agree we finish tasks completely. My husband is not perfect and neither am I but we made a choice to be together, and we will and do make it work. Travis, I love you. (Who knows if he'll ever even see this post.) Danielle

Okay, so me and blogger don't always get along. That is why you will see plenty of separate picture posts below this one because I have to publish multiple times to get my pics to upload. Life is fine right now and will be even better when Thanksgiving break is upon us. I have four more weeks until our trip to Mexico and I am exstactic. I don't think that is spelled right. Halloween was okay being as I can't stand the rush of the day, dinner, and all the places we have to be. I personally think the day is overrated. "To each their own." Well, Cole was a pirate, and Carly a jester. Carly was a much better jester than a fairy and played the role brillantly. I am a little surprised that Cole wanted to be a pirate for as long as he did and loved being the captain. Overall, a great costume year. By far the best part of the evening was when we went to my in laws and they were a tourist and a pirate. Complete surprise and they were fantastic. I hope everyone is super and we'll see you all soon.