Shaved Head and Evan's Dad

Ray came today with his hair shaved off. He was embarrassed about it and didn't want to take off his coat and hood. When asked why he would not take his coat off, I told the kids he got a short hair cut and is a little nervous about it. One kid said, "It's because he is bald." Evan interjected, from his think-time exile:

"My Dad is bald and my step-mom still likes him. The whole family likes him."

So, to all of you bald people out there, don't worry, your family will still like you.

Christmas Program Full of First Graders

Just a few pictures from our Christmas Program. The kids got all spiffed up, it was a very cute affair.

This is Adrian, I love him so much. He has a huge scratch on his face because he got in a fight with a kid in his neighborhood. I made him promise me 5 times he would never get in a fight again. He is such a sweet kid, hard family life though.

And now, a Christmas chain by Evan:

Thanksgiving Turkey, Black Friday Fun

Thanksgiving

I have never been a fan of Thanksgiving. First of all, most researchers are skeptical of there ever being a 'Feast' bringing the Pilgrims and Native Americans together. It is true that Squanto helped teach the Pilgrims cultivating techniques that saved their colony, yet was there ever a joining of Native American and Pilgrim Mom's and Dad's, youngsters, and babies? Secondly, the white man later took (in unfair trades) the Natives land and spread (not purposefully, generally believed) diseases which decimated 90% of the Indian peoples. Sounds like a fantastic reason to overeat and watch football.

I can hear the critics. "It is a tradition of togetherness and giving thanks." I am in support of both of these things. Yet, dedicating the third Thursday to cooking, eating, and napping does not, for me, signify togetherness or thanksgiving.

Growing up, it was a time for family get-togethers, enjoyable till the age of 12. At this age, I realized my family resented one another and there were reasons tears were shed on the drive home, which did not include thankfulness.

One thing I enjoy to this day, Thanksgiving Parade. I didn't watch but a mere minute of it this Thanksgiving, but for some reason I love the broadcast. Would I ever attend a Thanksgiving Parade? No. Absolutely no. Do I enjoy watching it on TV? Of course.

Although I have gone on with this tirade full of anti-thanksgiving resentment. To which Seth will, after reading this post, say to me, "Why did you write all that?" With a shake of the head he will show his disapproval. I did have an enjoyable break. I made 4, count them, 4 homemade pies. Two pumpkin, one apple, and in memory of my passed Grandma Jean a mincemeat pie. I have to tell you, I love the pie, but do not like the obvious and inevitable question, "Is there meat in it?" If you don't know, google it and you will find out.


Black Friday

Growing up, my Mom (and she will admit this) told me that only crazy people, I mean, really crazy people, shopped on Black Friday. If I wanted to get punched, yelled at, or run through the aisles I should venture out to the stores on the God forsaken day. This is a mental paradigm I have had to analyze and overcome throughout my adulthood.

Shopping = fun
Saving big on name brands = joyous
Black Friday should amount to = Nothing short of a gift from the Heavens

My first experience with the day which my mother shudders, was last year. Seth and I traveled long and far, about 15 minutes, to Target at 7:00 am. I was prepared for the worst. I nearly wore boxing gloves, ear plugs, and jogging shoes. Ok, I did wear my jogging shoes, the paradigms ran deep.

The experience was enjoyable. No one punched me. No one raised their voice to me. And I didn't have to run at all. Everyone I came in contact with seemed very sane. Not to mention, we bought about five thousand DVD's all under $10, most under $5. Five thousand.

After last years emotional and physical break through, I was ready for this years adventure.

I didn't wear running shoes.

We hit Target at 7:00. Purchased games, a wallet, and Simpsons Season 11 for $13.95 (normally $39.95) (sorry to price drop, annoying as it is, I had to list the deal) (I also apologize for the amount of parenthesis in a row, it is distracting to the dialogue of the post) (I'm sorry). Not to mention we waited in no line. No line at all.

JCPennys was next on the list. There we purchased Seth a shirt and straight-legged jeans for an amazing deal (I refrain from stating the actual prices).

Third, Wal-mart. Movies for $2, ah-hem, movies for $2.

Lastly, Payless. Who needs to pay more for a shoe that is comfortable, cute, and cheap?

So, a good experience, two years in a row. I would like to declare something here. This is a big step...Black Friday Shopping is for everyone and anyone....not solely limited to crazies.

Thank you and Happy Holidays.

Why ARE you in think time?

Here is Evan, and his think time paper.

I wrote: "Why am I in think time?" He wrote, out of order:
"Stay here now Evan"
"But why?"
"Becose I said to."
"Not fair"
"You no wot life is not fair."
"You are going to think time."
I think it is important to state, in my defense, I never have told him life is not fair. Also, make sure you notice my angry eyes. Very nice drawing Evan.

Another Let Down

She's not coming.

Something's wrong with her throat.

Can't sing for a month.

Rescheduled for Feb. 22, Sunday.

Don't think I should go to a concert on Sunday.

Nothing more to say.

Maybe just this, :(

An Awfully Wonderful Day

Basically, I had the worst and the best day yesterday. I don't want to get into why it was the worst, one word sums it up: Evaluation. Yet, another word sums up why it was the best: Celine.

My Father-in-Law called me last night (after I had been crying for hours) and tells me that Christmas is 45 days away. Then he says, "Well for you Christmas is 11 days away, because I pulled your name for Christmas and I thought you would like to go to the Celine Dion concert next week." After sad crying for hours, what's another hour for happy crying? I can't believe my in-laws. They are terrific.

Celine, here I come!

Some students

I took these a long time ago. Aren't they so cute?

Apartment Pictures

Sorry the pictures are dark, my flash is broken and it will cost $130 to fix it. Stupid.

"Mrs. Atkisson......"

All three girls in Evan's row were absent yesterday, leaving him in a row alone. He proclaimed to the class, "I'm an odd number!"

Portia told me I should be a car wash for Halloween.

Jacob told me he had to shave his hair because he had bugs in it.

"Bye Atkisson."
"Sara, did you just call me Atkisson?"
"Ah, sorry, Bye Aa...Mrs. Atkisson."

"Ok class, what number comes one after 60?"
(Blank stares)

Kendel, on her first day of school yesterday said "I like you Mrs. Atkisson."

"But teacher, I ain't got one."
"Ray, you don't have one."
"Yeah, I know, I ain't got one."

"When I got home from school yesterday I did ninja flips. I really did." - Jacob

"Boys and girls, your voices should be turned off."
"YEAH, EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE QUIET!"
"Evan, that means you too."

"Mrs. Atkisson, do you know Chris Brown?"
"I know his music."
"He's cute."

We write our lunch choices everyday in our 180 Days book along with the date and such. Yesterday sloppy joe was on the menu. Evan, always wanting to shorten his assignments asked:
"Mrs. Atkisson, can I just write joe?"

"Can I go to the bathroom?" x 50

Thought I would share a little snippet of what my days are like. I received a card today from a student that moved last week. It said:

"I am doing good. I enjoyed your class."

Then he drew a big red heart. I sobbed when I read it. I am really starting to love these kids, scratch that, I do love these kids.

I think I can make it

Teaching is getting better. The last couple days were pretty good. Let's pray it stays that way.

Nothing new to report, just teaching and sleeping. Seth hasn't started working yet, but should start with R&R in a couple weeks. 

BLAH

So, I hate teaching. It is really hard. I am afraid I will develop a tumor from all the stress. 

Teaching

Well, Thursday was my first day teaching. It was a rough day. A very rough day. I had four naughty kids who led the rest of the class in being naughty. Evan spoke to his baby sister on his fingers cell phone all day, Jayden choked another boy on recess and was sent to the principal's office by the teacher on duty. Then later, he wouldn't come out of the bathroom and was sent to the principal's office for that as well, both times by other teachers so I had no idea. Lizzie was busy all day telling Adrian that she loved him, writing him sneaky love notes, which I confiscated all day long. Basically, I was overwhelmed and exhausted when they were dismissed.

But kicking and screaming, I went back on Friday and things went a lot more smoothly. I had a counselor come up with a Behavior Mapping plan for Jayden, so he pulled him out and set that up with him, then brought Jayden back and had him explain it to me. The rest of the day I only had manageble issues with him. I have to just pick my battles with him. I told the kids in the morning, "We will be having game time later today (playing with Math manipulatives) and anyone who has to pull a red or purple card (my discipline chart) will not be able to play with us." I only had ONE student pull a red card, Lizzie, who rolled her eyes at me when I asked her to work with her letters like the rest of the class, continued to turn around in her chair to flirt with Adrian, and pass notes. She had to have 'Think Time' in another classroom while the rest of the class played. I brought her back in when the kid had 5 more minutes of center time. I had a little chat with her about being a part of our class, and wanting her to participate. Then had her sit down while the rest of the class finished center time.

All in all, it was a FABULOUS day and I know it is because I sobbed in prayer on Thursday asking the Lord to help me.

We had a discussion about Kindness and then I had the kids draw pictures of being Kind and Unkind. Here is Rays:

The left is him being unkind and running someone over in a car. You can see the stick fingure on the far left being run over. Running someone over in a car is very unkind. The right is him being kind and helping someone up who fell, notice the large smile at his kind act.

This is Portia's:

I thought it was a very good visual of being kind and unkind. The kind side, all three girls are blue. The Unkind side, one is being left out, the yellow girl. I was impressed.

Another girl, on her unkind picture, drew someone picking another person's flowers. Our class had some very creative kind/unkind ideas.

Best Thing I Have Heard in a Long Time

Seth was telling me about this Utah story. Please read this girl's blog, especially if you live in Provo.

http://cartoonbrickwall.blogspot.com/2008/08/my-run-in-with-majority-leader-in-utah.html

Anyone who has worked in the service industry knows just how bad it feels to be mistreated by customers. This is a must read!

Nah, Naah, Nah, Goodbye

Today is my last day with Fat Cats, Costa Vida, and Pizza Factory! I no longer have to manage accounts payable!! Sooo Goodbye:

And Hello:

That's right, I am going to be a first grade teacher at Heartland Elementary School! I start on Monday, but won't have students until Thursday. I am getting my teaching license through the ARL program Utah has. It is going to be tough, but I am SO excited.

So from here on out, please address me as Mrs. Atkisson. Thank you, come again.

Secure Blog

I need to make my blog secure, so anyone who enjoys reading about Seth and I's life, please email me and I will invite you: [email protected]

Thanks!

There is No Place Like Home....Finally!

I have been delaying posting about Seth and I's new apartment because I have no pictures of it with all of our stuff in it, but I cannot wait any longer. We have an apartment!!! It is gorgeous and perfect location and perfect for us and just makes my heart so happy! We have a place to call home. I would like to thank all of our friends and family for taking us in over the months of homelessness, what we would have done without you I shudder to think. :)

Seth has not found a job yet, but we are thinking it will be pretty soon. Hopefully! We just keep on praying and applying!

Here are some pictures before we painted the living room and moved our stuff in:

Living Room

Bedroom

Bedroom Closet

Dining Room/Bar

Kitchen

Bathroom

Tub/Shower

Backyard Patio

Backyard

Soon I will post pictures of it with all our stuff in it. I LOVE LOVE LOVE our apartment.

The Best Female Artists

I am here at work and listening to Shania Twain and Celine Dion and I started thinking about my favorite female artists. I got so happy thinking about them I decided to make a post about it, in honor of their greatness. These are in order of my favorite (read like a book), starting with Celine, of course.

Just as a side note, it was very hard to find modest pictures of Janet and Madonna...these are two scandalous ladies.

I might change the order up or add to this photo list as I remember more artists, so don't hold me to this list. Although, Celine will never be dethroned.

Apartment, Couches, and Bears Oh My!

Ok, well not bears.

Tomorrow Seth and I are going apartment shopping and furniture browsing. Our last apartment was furnished so we need a couch. I am VERY excited to purchase some sort of furniture piece, like a real adult. Here is a picture of a style we like:

Anywaysss, had to blog something.

Mission Call!

My Grandma and Grandpa got their mission call to Anchorage Alaska! They leave September 1st. I am very excited for them, but I little nervous they will never leave Alaska even after they are done. Good luck Grandma and Grandpa!!

Fourth of July!

Seth's Aunt Michelle and Uncle DJ came out for a visit over the July 4th weekend. They brought their three boys: Dalton 9, Mason 6, and Caden 3. At least, I think those are their ages. We had a way fun time while they were here. Here is a list of all the things we did:

1. Went for a walk up in Bridal Veil Falls

2. Tried to stop the boys from following Seth to the top of the waterfall

3. Acclimated Michelle and the boys to 'So You Think You Can Dance'

4. Watched Lion King - Just a side note: I hate Scar

5. Laughed about funny family things

6. Went to Stadium of FIRE

7. Screamed "MILEY, I LOOOOOVEEEEE YOU"

8. Threw our hands in the air, like we just didn't care
9. Watched Seth dance to "See you again"

10. Watched an awesome firework show that later rained down trash on our heads

11. Went to the dinosaur kingdom

12. Watched a cool underwater film, yeah, it was 3D

13. Ate hamburgers

14. Went to Sundance and rode the ski lift

15. Once at the top of the ski lift, hiked up a rather steep mountain

16. Fell down the mountain

17. Said good-bye :(

So, a rather fun weekend I assure you. I was sad to see them leave. The boys were cracking me up the whole weekend. Of course I can't remember any of their funny antics now, but they were lots of fun.

An Enjoyable List

Today has kind of been a down day, so let's discuss the happy things about life. The following is a list of things I did today, that were enjoyable:

1. Brushed my teeth
2. Had a raspberry chicken salad for lunch
3. Ate lunch with Seth
4. Made $$$, well maybe just $
5. Finished a hard sudoku puzzle, seriously, it was a level 5
6. Can I include things yet to come? Yes, I sure can. So You Think You Can Dance is on later.
7. I wore my cute pink shoes today. Always enjoyable.
8. Paid some bills
9. I am really stretching for happy things here...
10. It is almost 5....
11. At 5 I can leave work....
12. It is 5, see ya.

New Baby

My cousin Colt and his wife Martha had a baby girl two days ago. Maddelynn Jane Taylor Modawell, a pretty long name for such a small baby. She was a little over 6 lbs and is super cute. She was asleep the whole time I held her so I couldn't see her eyes, even though I asked her very nicely to wake up. She sleeps with her mouth open like her Auntie Jackie!!!

This is their second child and I love both their kids very much. Sierra is almost 2 and super funny, "Wha dat? Wha dat?" Plus she always makes a kissy face when I say "Ok, I gotta go Sierra." So I always get my kiss goodbye.

pu-leeeze

Please get me out of here. I so need a vacation.

Life is Wonderful

Well, if you have been around Utah, you might have noticed that I, Jackie Atkisson, am still here, although I was scheduled to leave a few days ago. Also, amazingly enough...you might also notice Seth. Well....

SURPRISE!

We are staying in Utah for a little while! How long you ask? A well known and used gesture gives an adequate answer to your well proposed question: shrug.

So yeah, we are in Utah still, together again as husband and wife.

Update on Seth

For all of you who are concerned about Seth being out in the big city, here is an update.

He just moved hostels and is now in one that has a kitchen, so he can buy some groceries finally. It is a nicer place than the one he was in before, but he is really tired of moving around. He booked this place till Monday.

He has been searching out neighborhoods and walking around the entire city getting a feel for the different areas. He called me last night to tell me he found the perfect neighborhood for us. Anywhere around Prospect Park in Brooklyn, he loved it. He is searching diligently for a sublet for us to lease for a few months. He is looking at a place tonight that sounds perfect: good price, great neighborhood, and good timing. Hopefully he likes it a lot. :)

We are praying so hard for him to find a job. He is having many interviews in the next couple days, hopefully he can get something going pretty soon and the stress of finding a job will be over.

If anything else happens I will post about it, right now we are just playing the same waiting game, although 'game' indicates that it is fun, but it is not.

Seth Is Gone

Seth is gone. :( There is nothing more to say or to be happy about.

Good Friends and Yellowstone

Although, I did not see much yellow stone, more like normal looking stone. Friday we traveled up to Rexburg Idaho to visit Cat and Daniel who moved out of Provo in January. We have missed them a ton. Cat and I became really close and I have really missed just going over to her place and hanging out talking for hours. We decided to go up there and see them before we leave Utah and it was so fun! Rexburg is a cute little town and there is an LDS temple there that is absolutely beautiful!

Friday night we just stayed up late and talked and talked. Saturday we woke up and Cat cut my hair SOOOO cute. I absolutely love it! Then we headed over to Yellowstone. It was raining but not too bad. We drove around and saw how gorgeous that place was, and saw lots of animals. No bears and no moose though; that was quite a bummer. We watched Old Faithful blow and smelt the other geysers, yuck.

While we were walking around the geyser trails three of them started to go off. It was crazy, I almost tackled Cat out of fear! Seth ran into the steam of one of them and smelled like rotten eggs for awhile after that. It was such a fun weekend!

So You Think You Can Dance ... Dance ... Dance

Thursday was the beginning of another hit Idol like show called So You Think You Can Dance. Basically, the show is amazing. To celebrate the beginning of a new season, I instigated a So You Think You Can Dance Party and required dancer-like costumes. Seth wore some of my stretchy pants ("chancho, sometimes when you are a man, you wear stretchy pants, in your room, just for fun") which of course were very tight and therefore hilarious.





The season premiere was slightly disappointing but none the less still the best dancing show on TV. Check out this guy though, I don't think he is real.



This guy was from last season and probably my favorite dancer ever. You have to watch till the very end of the video, they are amazed by him.