Love these girls!

Grandma with Ella, Cambrie and Megan

While my brother was in town, we were able to get all 3 granddaughters to take a picture with my mom. It was fun having David, Amber, Jackson and Megan come and visit. Now we need to get all 14 grandchildren together! :)

I finished up the school year teaching 3rd grade for a teacher who was on maternity leave. It was fun being with younger students, but I love being with middle school students. I am busy applying for full-time teaching positions for the fall and working at the insurance office full time.

Spring Break?

This week is Spring Break for the school district that I work for as a substitute teacher. I haven't really been able to enjoy the "off" time too much since I am working at the insurance office during the day this week. I started volunteering through Smooth Transition, a non profit organization, a few months ago and was recently offered a part-time teaching position through them. I taught Monday in Lake Elsinore for a teacher who couldn't make it and then on Tuesday I taught my own class for the first time. It is a 10 week class and I think it will be a great experience and I love working with the youth. Last night I went to the class that I have been volunteering with. I thought it was pretty awesome the teenagers showed up even though it is their spring break. I attended Institute last night...I love attending, there is an awesome teacher...I really wish I would have gone when I was an undergrad.

Easter weekend was awesome since it was also General Conference. I put together some Easter treats for some friends. Hopefully it brightened their day. My brother's family came for dinner and I had some Easter eggs for each of them. We bought them boxes of cereal we knew they would love (such as Lucky Charms, Fruit Loops etc) and hid them around the house for them to find. A few weeks ago I took my niece, Cambrie to the store with me and she informed me that they were all out of Lucky Charms at her house so we bought some. I later found out that her mom really doesn't buy that kind of cereal, so I thought it would be a special treat for them and it is probably better for them than candy.

Volunteer Work

I have had a bit of extra time since I finished school in January. I am still working two jobs--subbing in the local district and working at the insurance office. One organization I am volunteering with is called Smooth Transition Basically, we teach a ten week course to at risk high school students. They learn how to make a budget, write a resume, and to determine what career path would be best for them etc. It's a wonderful program and I will begin teaching my own class in April.

The other organization I have been working with is Destination ImagiNation My nephew is involved with a team at his elementary school and will be going to the state tournament in April. I was an appraiser last Saturday at the regional level. I was judging a section that his group didn't participate in so there was no bias. :)

Sounds like Spring

I was in the kitchen of the office I work in the afternoons and heard a familiar sound that I associate with Spring. Now, I am not a sport fan at all, but the sound of metal bats hitting baseballs brought me back to my days of playing softball. There is a high school behind my office and the baseball team was taking advantage of the beautiful weather we have had this week.

It has been awhile....

I haven't blogged in a long time, so here are a few things that I have been doing since my last post in December.

~I completed all of my special education classes at Chapman University and student teaching a SDC (Special Day Class) at a local middle school. I really enjoy being with middle school students. I know have my special education credential and am hoping to get a job in that area soon.

~After finishing student teaching, I have started subbing again in the local district. I am currently working at a middle school on a three week assignment in a SDC class while a teacher has surgery. It is good experience and I really enjoy it. Some of the students have behavioral problems, which is challenging, but also rewarding.

~Since I no longer am taking classes, I have begun reading for pleasure. I found an author, Barabra Delinsky that I enjoy reading. Three books I recommend from her are "Not My Daughter", "While My Sister Sleeps", and "The Secret Between Us".

~I continue to teach Gospel Doctrine in the singles ward that I attend. I enjoy teaching, but truly love teaching the gospel. I also attend an Institute class on Wednesday nights that I really like.