good things

we have had a few crappy things come around our house (bronchitis, pneumonia, nasty hives, finals, incorrigible school children, and snow--to name a selection), but we have also had a bunch of very happy things come around as well.   the following is a selection of the good things: 

samuel graduated!  even though it was a big weekend for our family (surgery for samuel's dad, crazy school stuff, and a wonderful baptism day for our niece and nephew), we dropped everything and drove up to rexburg a couple of weeks ago for a quick overnight and to attend convocation and commencement.  it was very exciting, as well as a little bittersweet.  we have a lot of great memories of that place, we met a lot of incredible people, we learned a lot.  everything on campus is new and shiny.  it felt different, like we didn't quite belong there anymore.  still, seeing Dr. Moore and hearing President Clark gave it a familiarity that reminded me why I love BYU-I, and that graduation is a very good thing.

because of wonderful spring break, I got to go to AZ for a few days with my amazing sister-in-laws.  it was so cool for me to get to know the Grover family from a different perspective, and to learn a little about samuel's family history and namesake, Charles Byron Lewis.  I gained a deeper understanding that samuel's grandmother, his mother, and all of her children are truly some of the most giving, capable, hard-working, compassionate, and charitable people alive.  I feel lucky to be a part of the Grover Clan, and especially a part of the Grover Girls.  

not only that, but I was able to meet the famous Aunt Debbie, bask in the sunshine, and eat my weight in delicious food.  a very worthwhile trip; a very good thing.  

over the easter weekend we ventured to Green River-- a favorite "Bowthorpian" camping spot.  we explored the San Rafel Swell, roasted marshmallows, took a hike, went rappelling (1st time!), and had some laughs with the fam.  we also celebrated Easter and my mom's birthday!  good times, good times.

also over spring break: 

seriously cleaned out my closet and dresser

started thinking about gardening

didn't grade any papers

ate strawberries

yes.

also, I survived the week back from spring break, which takes some doing.  so many good things.

04.14.10

A year ago, we got married.  I love Samuel.

April (fools)

So, I told my students we were taking a big test and to be sure they came to school today because if they didn't pass, they would have to stay in third grade.  Bad idea.  I had students in tears, parents emailing me and calling the school, and students who went home and tried to study everything we have learned so far late into the night.  Then, this morning when I told them it was an April Fool, I had more students in tears and students angry that they "wasted" all of their time studying.  I probably have a few perturbed parents too, though I've tried to stay on the down-low as far as that is concerned.

Moral of the story: I felt like a horrible person.  A fool.  And I will never play tricks like that on my students ever again, mostly because it gave me too much anxiety.

In other news:
Tonight Samuel and I decided to walk across the street and try out the new "Sunset Boulevard Cafe."  We walked in and waited by the maitre d's little desk area.  No one came, but we waited.  Then we grabbed a menu and checked out the food and prices.  We waited.  We waited for 10 minutes (maybe not that long, but it felt long), and no one even walked by.  There was not an employee in sight.  Finally, we decided just to go to Jimmy Johns instead.  We love to buy local, but sometimes you have to seat your customers.  Perhaps we'll give them another chance, someday.

I have viral bronchitis.  Many people in my family have had this sickness plague.  My mom has been sick for like 25 days.  I'm ready for everyone I know to be well.  Samuel has been a champ-- buying me strawberries, cough syrup, and vick's vapo-rub, sleeping with a humidifier, calming me down when I cough so hard I cry.  He rocks.

Speaking of ROCKS... Samuel graduates this month!  It's a huge deal!

Bailey has been in Dubai for the past few days and is due back to Ceadar anytime.  I am so excited to talk to her and see her pictures and hear about her adventures.  I mean seriously-- the United Arab Emirates?  Who goes there?  Bailey does.  


Conference is tomorrow and Sunday.  I love conference weekend, and I'm looking forward to seeing my nieces, planning with my sister in-laws, eating at nana's, and enjoying the "good vibes of the gospel."


Here's to spring.