I GOT IT!!!

Man my phone keeps ringing! I GOT THE ONE I WANTED!!!
Third grade, traditional schedule, GREAT team of teachers to work with, stable community (meaning they don't have kids moving in and out a lot) a great academic reputation, AND it's just a hop, skip and a jump away, MIGHT be a whole mile :) I am SO SO HAPPY! I am going to celebrate by going to Ikea to get a decoration thingy I have been eyeing for my classroom for like a year! YEAH!!! I am so so happy!!!!
Meet Mrs. Lance, the newest thrid grade teacher at Bennion Elementary School! I don't know why but in these pictures my legs look tiny and my bosoms look HUGE...it's some kind of crazy optical illusion and I know it is because my legs are not that little...anyway, this is what I wore to every interview, and I got compliments on it from 2 of the ladies who interviewed me :)

So this is the 'leaf' I want, but I want to get one and use it as a pattern and figure out how to make more...any suggestions my crafty friends??? Let me know what you think! Anyone know where to get that nylon material they use for sleeping bags and kids toy things such as this?

Need a job

So I had thought for a long time that finding a teaching job would be EASY and that I would have no problem finding a job...well then the economy "got down" and then I started to freak out because everyone is saying how it's a really bad year to be trying to get hired for teachers, because people are either having hiring freezes, or they're downsizing, or transferring etc etc etc, and all these ladies in my ward are telling me what to do and who to talk to, where to look, blah blah blah. For 2 weeks straight, daily I would call schools and districts to see what their policies are etc about hiring in whatever positions I was interested in...SO I was totally depressed because no one was hiring the grades I wanted and I didn't know if I would even get a job.

Well this week I followed up on a bunch of the calls and had a slew of interviews...eight to be exact, which is a lot. So They all went really really well, I can be quite the charmer apparently, I totally had these ladies cracking up the whole time, with the exception of one interview, it didn't go so well...I just didn't click with the ladies, they were kind of stiff...older...really nice, just no click...so anyway, I finished my last interview of the week this morning, another home run!

so... now I have two job offers, but neither of them are the ones I really wanted...so we'll see. I will tell you though it is flattering to have people call and tell me how 'delighted they were to interview with me' and that 'we all thought you were so adorable' a girl needs to hear that sometimes from people...

Anyway, keep your fingers crossed for me...


oh!!! I just got another one! Make that three offers, but I haven't committed to any because none of them are my first choice....

Lonesome Beaver

I LOVE this picture, we LOVE camping, plus we are just so cute...yes?

We have been wanting to go to Capitol Reef National Park for awhile, and the last trip we were on in San Diego, we played a tournament of games if you will...card games...and we decided that whoever wins gets to choose where we go next. I won. I wanted to go to the Grand Tetons, but it's still freezing there, so I chose Capitol Reef, it's in Southern Utah, and we had heard some amazing reviews about it.

Friday I had an interview for a third grade teaching job, plus we got a slow start, plus it was rainy, plus the camp site we really wanted was a first come first served deal and we called and they were full and we were getting hungry and grumpy, and traffic was horrid, so we decided to stay the nigth with Nate and Amy. It was so fun staying up late and chatting, poor Amy had ankle surgery last week, so she needed some extra TLC, plus Jeanne was visiting, double bonus.

Friday morning after we had some of Nate's AMAZING pancakes (yes I ate a gluten free variety) we took off. Still rainy, but very pretty, lets be honest I dozed a lot of the drive, (sorry angel nugget beef cake!) ANYWAY we drove through the park, stopped at the visitors center to get some pointers about where we could camp, and to purchase my standard souvenir...a deck of playing cards and a patch for my backpack. We ate lunch and then headed through the rest of the park. John really wanted to find a campsite called "lonesome beaver" but it was out in the middle of NO WHERE, and it said on our guide that it was gravel then dirt roads. It had been rainy for like four days straight, against my better judgment we headed for the Lonesome Beaver. Have you ever driven in slushy snow like in a paring lot and on purpose spun around a bit, just to feel the thrill. John LOVES doing this, and the mud was about six-eight inches deep, so we were sliding around like crazy. Honestly we should still be stuck out there, but John maneuvered his way through it, until we got too close to getting stuck and the mud got deeper, then we decided to turn back. It was hilarious to watch the GRIN on John's face while we slipped around, I might have been more terrified but it was just so funny, and I trust John's sweet driving skills. :)

So happy/ So...terrified?????

This picture does NOT do it justice, it looks like there is just some mud on our car, it was THICK MUD, all over, even on the roof!

We thought, maybe we should just stay in a hotel...funny idea. Every clerk we talked to at the hotels laughed and said we wouldn't be able to find a room OR a campsite on memorial day weekend without reservations...BUT a funny old lady at a travel office showed us where we could find a camp spot...in her words: "It's just forrest land, you kin camp anywhare you see fit, it's just a big ole field!" Thank you ma'am. So we were either going to check it out or drive home, we really wanted to stay and hike the next day though, the "big field" was more like wide op[en space with trees and huge majestic rock formations, it was heavenly. We found a spot, set up camp, and went exploring. We roasted wieners and had dutch oven apple blackberry cobbler. it was SO good.

This stream was right by our campsite, it was SO beautiful, everything, and the thunderclouds created this mysterious slash beautiful fog around the tops of the mountain/rock/formations

Coolest waterfall, it reminded me of something out of Willy Wonka...mmmm...chocolate!

Next morning we went for a three hour exploring expedition, we saw a BADGER and some lizards and made some walking sticks, and talked and enjoyed the sunshine and scenery. It really does my body and soul good to be out there. Oh so wonderful! We drove through the park again and took a scenic route, and then headed for home, stopping of course for a milkshake, mine was caramel and butterfinger, delish.







So Monday was BUSY! We worked in the yard, pulling weeds, I went for a run, mowed the lawn, played tennis, went for a pretty bike ride with John and Jana, had a waterfight with John while washing the cars, and had a barbecue with James' clan. It was a wonderful memorial day weekend, and for family night John gave a lesson about the meaning of Memorial Day, it was a really great day.

TOO MUCH INFO...

If you don't want to read about diahrea and poo...STOP reading now. I am seriouse, I warned you. And stephanie, I know you will read this more that once you'll like it so much.
Today I went to the GI to get a checkup on some symptoms related to Celiacs disease, the usual, runs, squirts, pain, blood...delightful. Also gas. A lot of gas. I am giving you the readers digest version. by the way. The doc talks to me for a half hour about my symtoms, one of my personal favorite subjects to share with strangers...I suppose it's different if you're talking to a doctor...anyway, I go to the lab where the blood is drawn, but I also have to do a stool sample...for some reason it didn't register while I was in the doctors office...how on EARTH do I collect a sample of stool....EWE. So The people at the lab give me this ginormous paper bag filled with supplies...I look inside. A white plastic cowboy-ish shaped hat, gloves, a tongue depressor, a cup with a lid and a plastic baggie. Huh? So I ask, um...I've never done this before, mind you there are other people in the waiting room, and there was no counter type desk, just an office-type desk, and the waiting room is totally open. To make matters more interesting James (John's brother) is in the waiting room as well, I know small world, he and I happened to be in the same lab at the same time, small small world. So the man at the desk tells me how to "use the tools for collecting a specimen" that are found in the paper bag. he says I have to bring the "sample" into the lab within 2 hours of collecting it. Well with my current situation I can pretty much "go" at any time, so I ask if I can just "collect" it here and not have to come back. He looked at me really funny and said I wasn't aloud to "collect that kind of a sample" in the lab bathroom, but that I could use the public potty on the same floor and just bring back my "specimen". Lovely. So after I get my blood drawn, I cheerfully take my giant paper bag into the Loo to "collect my specimen". Here's how the thing works, the white hat isn't actually a hat at all, but it's like a special poo catcher that you set on top of the toilet seat to assist in the process. And they tell me I can't let any urine in the sample or they will reject it. So not wanting to have my "sample" rejected for fear of having to repeat this lovely process I am very careful. I go. Any ideas what the tongue depressor is for? Yep...scoop it into the cup, seal it up, label it and voila...done. But what do I do with the soiled hat? It was yucky. No fun, I put it in the restroom trash can...gross. So then I am carrying this warm cup of yuck I had just passed, and everyone in the office knew I was going through this, I come parading back into the lab with my collected sample, people are trying not to snicker, myself included. I hope I never have to do that again. How would you like to be the one to recieve and analyze such "samples". who in their right mind? Anyway, I also have to have a colonoscopy and endoscopy on the same day in a few weeks. joy. wish me luck. Sorry if that was tmi...

It's a BANANA MIRACLE!

Okay so I have been allergic to banana's since I was a kid, I would get canker sores and tingly tongue if I ever ate them, so I never NEVER eat them, I won't even eat Banana bread (not that I can anymore) but I love the smell of bananas, I think they smell good, and since I can't eat banana's I love banana flavored things, laffy taffy, popsicles etc.

Well, when we were in Hawaii John fell in LOVE with the fresh banana's, they're called "apple banana's" and he says they are super creamy and taste better than any other bananas because banana's that we get in the states are basically one variety, and they aren't the nest variety, they just ship really well...SO one day John says, oooh I wish I had some hawaiian bananas, and I say yeah too bad I can't eat them, and he says, you were allergic when you were a kid, maybe you're not anymore, and i say, thats true that happens sometimes, but I am not in the mood to try it and have my tongue and mouth swell up with sores and be miserable for days, and he says, go get tested by an allergist, and I say why? It's not like I'm really missing out on something huge right? And he says, no way! Okay I promise if you go get tested and if you're not allergic to banana'z anymore, I will TAKE YOU BACK TO HAWAII so you can have apple banana's. I say okay, not thinking anything of it. A feww weeks pass by and John says, I am surprised you don't have an appointment with an allergist yet, and I say why? And he says, you must not want to go to Hawaii, and I say, What? Were you serious? And he says, totally! So I say, how could we afford that? And he says, I don't know we could make something work, I made a promise. I called to make an appointment that day.

My appointment was yesterday. I got poked and tested for a number of things among which were banana, and I tested negative. The doc cautioned me though because some reactions, like what I have walnus and pecans are chemical reactions, and they are different, SO he gave me a pokey thingy, and said to poke a banana with it, adn then scratch my arm with it to see if I react to it......I DIDN'T!!! So I ate three bites of a banana (just a little at first to make sure)!!! I waited for John to come home to watch me eat my first banana in over 20 years....CRAZY! I can eat banana's now!!! AND I GET TO GO TO HAWAII!!!! I'm not quite sure when exactly it will happen, but I KNOW it will. Happy day, what a miracle.

Have you ever not been able to eat something and then discover you can eat it? My dad used to be bothered by root beer and spearamint gum, he can have root beer now but I don't know about the gum.

YUMMY BANANA'S!!!

ROTOTILLER

I am a rototiller master. I rototilled our garden a few weeks ago with manure and once more today and I'm going to plant tomorrow! I am SO excited for this garden!





People have made fun of me because I wear skirts when I work, hike, travel etc... I am telling you if you haven't tried it, YOU SHOULD!!! It was quite hot today and a skirt is so much more comfortable to work in than shorts, since i have been to the temple (if you catch my drift...if you don't, don't worry about it ;) I remember thinking my mom was silly to wear a dress when we went on road trips, but now I know how comfy and essential they can be, so before you knock it, try it :) John thought it was silly, extra silly with my boots...whatev :)

So embarassed!

There has been so many theens happening in my life, and I am just now getting around to posting them. First of all, Stephanie. Got. Married. Most wonderful/beautiful/lovely/spiritual/pretty/magical/awesome/FUN/great/nice day EVER (besides my own blessed wedding day, just more meaningful to me). Stephanie could have been a bridal model, and Jarom was so handsome and sweet and cute and they were so glowy and happy! What more could a sistee wish for her most beloved adorable little sis, and to think, I got to hand pick my very own brother in law! Go me! So, here's the thing...I still don't have any pics to post so I'm stealing some from my fellow blog buddies, but the other things is, the folks who follow my blog are the same ones who follow my friends' blogs who have already posted this blessed event, so let me just say, two weeks ago was the happiest day, and I love my sistee so much! And my new BIL! Yeah! Also, it was SO fun to see the Lance clan, and the show afterward, well if you were there you were lucky I'll just say that! :0).

First of all, the whole families and friends gathered togteher = SO MUCH FUN!!! And this isn't even everyone!

They are SO cute and HAPPY!!!I love everyone's face in this picture! They all tell a story! Oliver thought Sadie's flower looksed pretty tasty, and I LOVE stephanie's face, she looks so happy and beautiful!

The reception was so fun! We had TONS of food and friends and music and everything!All the Lance bridesmaids :)

Also, I got to send of my baby brother to the MTC!!! I picked him up at the airport and we got to chat and went to breakfast with Nate and Ben and their respective clans, and it was great. Now I had heard that they weren't doing the whole family come in to say goodbye, cry a lot, and watch the inspirational video. I was wrong. So Becca (Elder's GF) came with me and John to "drop him off' only to find out we got to go inside for the same presentation they gave when we took Ben to the MTC like 16 years ago, so we went in! We cried we laughed, but mostly cried sweet tears of JOY and Proudness and happiness and it was so great. Andrew...I mean Elder Mitchell just kept saying "I can't believe it! I am a missionary! I'm a missionary!" Tender. The unfortunate thing was that since we missed the farewell cry-a-thon memmo we were NOT dressed accordingly...ugh. I hate being inappropriately dressed at church functions! (That sounded funny, it's not like I was dressed like a hooker or something, I was cute in my jeans and top, but not dressed up ":)) The mission 2nd counselor was looking at us funny, I just know he was thinking, those must be some less actives or that missionaries family must not be members. ANYWAY, I am so proud of scooter, (Elder Scooter?) He says he learning fast and working hard, atta kid!

Also, we have started to make preparations for a garden! and I handled the roto-tiller! YEAH! SO tough, and I have like 15 different types of seedlings starting to grow in the house waiting for all signs of frost to leave before we put them outside. I LOVE gardening, I never knew how much I loved it until I moved away from home. Now I have been waiting and waiting to live in a house to have a garden! YEAH!

Also, John's Dad Lane and John's sister Jenni came for a visit and Jeffrey John's brother who is home from Iraq and on his leave from TX was home! It was SO fun! I had a great time teasing Lane ( I might be the only person who does), and playing with Amelia and having fmaily gatherings with the whole lance crew, I married into a great family! We missed Debbie and Jared and Jeremy though, they always keep things exciting :)

Also, I have been doing some crafting, nothing too exciting but enough to keep me happy :)

Also I have been reading everyone else's blogs! Sorry if I don't post every time, I'm trying to get better at that! I love reaidng all the updates, seeing all the CUTE pics (Brenley, Emily, Jill, LIZZIE, Jenni, Jessica, everybody else) and being inspired by your creativity (JESSICA C and Jessica Durf, and Erica) and reading about your kids and your adventures and thoughts, and your entertaining stories and insights (AMY) and I just love you all! I'm so happy I can have friends adn updates etc, so conveniently on my laptop at any time I wish. You are all better bloggers than I am...sorry for not posting more!!

Okay ALSO I am in the (Hopefully) final stretch of my masters program...UGH!!! I talked with my capstone mentor today(Capstone is like THESIS/PROJECT, and yes I have to give an Oral defense...yuck) and I basically have a very LOW chance of completing my capstone within 4 months on top of two other complete courses to finish. I am depressed about that because i do NOT want to spend another 3,000 for one more semester. SO I am planning to work my TAIL OFF! I have all these goals to obtain, and I'm hoping you all can be my cyber-coach-motivators! I need you s'bad. Okay, so prayers and words of encouragement...thanks!