5 Years

On June 4th, I finished my fifth and FINAL school year with 

Renascence Academy at the group home. 

There was lots of tears.

LOTS. OF. TEARS.

The kids knew I was leaving for the last month and that last week, some of them were having a really hard time about it (which was crazy because those kids were graduating the program anyways).

I broke my rule of "No Touchie" and hugged a select few kids.

Each hug broke my heart more than I anticipated. 

The kids wrote some very touching cards that I will keep forever.

One even wrote me a song, I recorded it & wish I could post it, but since it shows his face I can't :(

Some memories we still talk about...

When the fire extinguisher exploded..

 When we found this random ladies shoe in an all male population...

 When a bird hung out in my classroom for the afternoon...

 When we realized we needed LOTS more work on spelling...

 When a student donated his old leg to grow flowers in...

When they teased me about the apple incident...

***

A parting gift from my wonderful co-workers. 

My dungeon, I mean classroom.. 

when I said it used to be a garage, I meant it.

 What you can't see in this photo, are all the funny memes I had up.

The kids loved them, I left a few keep some of the pictures. 

The 6 of us...

Bonnie Rogers, TJ Strain, Marty Strain

Me, Tara Ombach, Sherrie Quilter

Last field trip with most of my favorite kids.

 I will miss all the great staff that I got to work with, even the one with interesting choices of clothing (there goes all my snapchats).

I will NOT miss all the creepy valentines cards.

50.43%

Maybe I can convince Derek to host a murder mystery party...

Forever Odd (Odd Thomas #2) by Dean Koontz

Pgs. 364

Much more creepier than the first book in a sense that the crazy lady in the story had some messed up stories to share.  I like this series. Odd is a very likable character. 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16433.Forever_Odd

****

Brother Odd (Odd Thomas #3) by Dean Koontz
Pgs. 364

After the events of book 1 & 2, Odd decides to escape it all for a while at an abbey.  Well of course things happen and Odd saves the day.  This book wasn't really all that great, compared to the first two, but the way Odd responds to people is rather hilarious.

I would love a friend like Odd.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14996.Brother_Odd

***

Midnight Harvest (Seasons of Blood #1) by Elias Anderson

Pgs. 235

Another free e-book. 

Very bloody/gory. More than what I expected. Towards the end of the story there became more and more swearing, which I felt was unnecessary for the characters to have.  I wouldn't mind finishing the series if the other books drop in price, just to see how the detective catches the murder demon thing.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22612747-midnight-harvest

***

Possess (The Possess Saga #1) by J.A. Howell
Pg.s 238

This free book had so much potential.. and then the author threw it away by rushing through things.  And there wasn't any "possessing" just haunting.. well I guess if you count the ex boyfriend as being possessive but that's not enough to name the book after... The rest of the "saga" don't seem appealing either. 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17283434-possess?ac=1

***

The Legend of the Bloodstone (Time Walkers #1) by E.B. Brown

Pgs. 305

Another Freebie...

Story about a lady who time travels to the past, the year 1622, and falls into the hands of the Powhatan Indians right in the middle of their planning of the infamous Indian Massacre of 1622 (http://www.virtualjamestown.org/phatmass.html). I got excited for the historical fiction of it all but the author let me down with the rush to get the two mains to fall in love with each other.  I realize it's fiction and all but it would've been nice to have it more believable.  The story had so much potential... 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25453209-the-legend-of-the-bloodstone

**

13,623 + 1,506 = 15,129 Total Pages/30,000

37 + 5 = 42 Total Books

50.43% completed

Nah Nah... Nah Nah... Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah!

The Dino Half.

May 9, 2015

 Me, My Mom, and my brother Tyler

My mom blowing bubbles in her chocolate milk...

The welcome party at our hotel...

Took mom the the Utah Field House.

It was free (my state parks pass was still valid)

mmm... doughnuts....

"Bad Joke Rex"

Race Day!

About a mile in, I noticed how slow everyone was going and there was very few people actually running up ahead. Tyler said to take off, and take off I did. Spectators and law enforcement commented on my costume with appreciation.  Others were dressed up but more Flintstones style.

Ended up 1st in my age group, but since I placed 2nd female overall that's the medal they gave me.  I was actually surprised when I finished of how few people were ahead of me.  It's not that I was running fast or anything (by my standards mind you). It was a pleasant little run & one I would gladly do again. 

Post race Navajo Taco goodness!

Temple Stop

Red Fleet State Park

We were going to go hiking but the rain/hail kinda put a stop to that. 

What a fun little over-nighter :)

5 out of 12

Track Ended. No more trips to Cashe Valley!
Can I get a Hallelujah!

 5th year at the Chalk Festival...

TJ did this one.

Had some culture with friends since our Fripp was rained out.
My first try of Bosnian food.

Finally made it to the Temple. Hadn't been since March.

Madison graduated pre-school.

 And my Dad taught Jaxson how to play thumb wars assassin style.

Re-did my Patriot Wreath.

Ragnar keepin cute!

Shaunee's Oil
~Alma 36:3: 3)...for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day.

~ "Motherhood is not what was left over after our Father blessed His sons with priesthood ordination.  it was the most ennobling endowment He could give His daughters, a scared trust that gave women and unparalleled role in helping His children keep their second estate." Are We Not All Mothers, Sheri L. Dew, General Conference October 2001.

~ "The Lord is going to tutor us.  He is going to train us and he is going to prepare us. Elder Maxwell said, 'God, as a loving Father, will stretch our souls at times.  The soul is like a violin string: it makes music only when it is stretched. God will tutor us by trying us because He loves us, not because of indifference!'  We will know of God's love when we have that tutoring". Neal A. Maxwell, All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience pg. 28.  Strength in Adversity, Harold G. Hillam, 1996.

~Mosiah 24:14-15: 14)And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulder, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.  15)And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.