Another Graduation

Well it's over. I am glad and I can't believe it at the same time. I am glad it's over for two reasons.

Reason #1: because it's summer and who wants to work over summer. Ok, I do, but only because I have to, and I get bored doing nothing all day. But I do have enough vacation hours to only work part time and that makes it a good enough reason to have school over with.

Reason #2: I had some hard parents this year. Okay just two, really just one. She drove me crazy in every way a parent can drive me crazy. I won't go into details, because it will get me all riled up again.

What a great year it was. I don't want these little guys to ever leave my classroom. The hardest part about graduation, graduating 11 of 13 kids and not being able to teach the other 2 next year.

Graduation went like this:

Kids sang 5 songs - despite the sound not working, which I had set up about 45 min before the graduation started, and it taking me about 5 min to try and figure out why it wasn't working and then still not getting it to work so we had to use a regular CD player with a microphone, my kids sang FANTASTIC, they were so loud! I couldn't sing the last song because I was trying not cry.

Teachers present graduates - I couldn't even talk when it was my turn. I just sat and cried for a min. in front of everyone.

2 parents speak about how wonderful GIANT Steps is (I don't deny this fact and I am not humble about it. It is the BEST Preschool for kids with Autism). - I sit on Jamon's lap and shed a little tear because I don't want my kids to leave.

Introduction of staff - I dry my eyes

Slide show - Can't help it, the parents of one of my kids are sitting behind me and crying what am I supposed to do. Music on the slide show starts to cut in and out for about the first 5 min. (What the heck, I'm never being the sound person again).

Graduation is over, Parents and kids keep coming up to me crying and I don't want to make them feel silly for crying so I join them.

Eat Pizza - by this time I am still sad, but I think most of the tears are gone. All the kids say their finally goodbyes and I hug all the parents that I will really miss.

Disclaimer: I really don't cry that much. Crying while me kids sing at their songs at Graduation is a typical behavior for me, but not all the tears throughout. I just wanted to all to know how much I will miss these kids.

I have laughed so hard this year and enjoyed how independent my kids have become. I have been able to do things this year with my class that has never been able to do.

Here are a few of my favorite, funny things they have said.

B: When I grow up I'm going to be a fireman...or Jesus.

(R has hands down his pant)
Me: What are you doing?
R: fixing my pee pee
Me: What's wrong with it?
R: It's not shaking and rattling anymore

(outside waiting for mom and other kids are walking by)
B: What's up Yo, Freaka Freaka?

I LOVE these guys!!

Now on to Next year

The Haps

We have been super busy almost every weekend since Cancun. Here are some of the things we haven't blogged about yet.

We went Golfing with Mark and Kelly. I think it was the longest game of the guys life's!

Memorial Day we went up to Sundance with Jamon's Uncle Brian and his family.

We came home one Tuesday night and noticed that someone had put some brick into our flowerbed. Jamon and I talked about doing this the Saturday before. The only other people who knew about our plans were Jamon's parents. So who do you think did this while Jamon and I were out shopping with Mom?

Thanks Dad!!

Next on our list of fun things we've done is the ROUND-UP!

How HOT does this guy look

Just thought this was a cute calf, poor guy went through so much.

(want to know what he went through check out my post from last year)

View of the cows

It took 5 guys to tackle this calf down after he escaped the "jaws of death"

Jamon was on of the first to tackle that calf.
The calf returned his love by kicking his back several times.

View of the Ranch.

Another view.

The sunset from the deck of the house.

Weston and Carrie also blessed Jiles that weekend.

Next we went down to Enoch for the blessing of Wade and Bonnie's baby, Tray.

Tray

Jamon playing with Kimber and Maci. They both really like him.

Jamon's first Birthday with the Wilcock family.

It is tradition to have a family picture like this with the birthday cake.

Today is our first weekend home without company (which is actually a lie, because our friend Dave stayed with us last night so he could get up early and run a Marathon today. He left very early this morning though), so we decided to get some yard work done. Jamon pulled out the foxtails, and I weeded the flowerbeds, with some help from Jamon. So here are some fun pictures from around the house.

This little guy decided he'd had enough of the rain and wanted to come in the house.

We have no idea how he got in, but we'll let him stay, for now.

This picture does not do my flowers justice. They are quite amazing.
I love to just sit and look at them.

Here are a few close ups.

I have planted this Geranium several years in a row. I usually plant it in a pot, but this year I planted it in the ground. The blosom is bigger than I've ever seen. Love It!!

My FAVORITE flower - Osteospermum: The African Daisy
I have planted one of these ever year since I have started planting my own flowers.
They are growing so good this year!!

I think this is one of my favorite pots this year. The colors work so well together.

They just look SO FANTASTIC!!

Ok, so I won't take all the credit. These dark clouds have been around for a week and dropping rain everyday. The flowers love it. I actually have been loving the rain also.

Best part about all the rain: We don't have to water the lawn!!

These are the Cherry Tomatoe plants that my Mom gave to use. Yum!

Our Apple tree is going to fall over it has so many apples growing on it. Bring on the Apples!

Long post, I know!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Jamon finally turned 28 yesterday. Number wise he only loooks two years younger than me instead of three. We had a fantastic day, even though we both had to work.

Birthday Events:

Monday May 17: I couldn't help it. I gave Jamon his birthday present early. Tyson told me all about a cousin who builds bikes, so I emailed him. He was very excited to build one just for Jamon and at the price I wanted. So when he emailed me, the Sunday before, I just had to go pick it up. When he came home from work, there is was a shiny new bike. It was great!

June 2nd: Day of birth
It was hard to do anything special for Jamon in the morning since he usually likes to sleep in till the last possible moment and I was up and trying to get to work by 7. So the night before I made him one of his favorites, Muddy Buddy's. I thought I was going to be the cutest wife, by wrapping up a box, placing the Muddy Buddy's inside and then stick it in the truck so when he's off to work he would see it, open it up, and then take them to work and share with all his work friends. Well, before I left for work he said he didn't want to open any presents this morning he wanted to safe them all for night. So when he gets home I ask him how the treats went and he had no idea what I was talking about. He didn't want to open the present in the morning. Cute wife idea: botched.

Jamon's Party:
We met several friends who include: Dave McMullin, bro, and special friend, Anna White, Jed Brown, and Scotty West and Brother Tyson at Outback Steakhouse for a delicious meal. It was fun catching up with everyone. We decided that it is great to have mutual friends that are so great! After dinner everyone came back to our place for more chatting, cake and ice cream, and of course, Presents. A few friends left which was good, because Jamon couldn't wait to play Bang with everyone. Tyson, Jed, and Scotty stuck around. Jamon went out fast the first game thanks to Tyson, won the second and lost the third. We had a fun time!

Presents:
itunes gift cards
Emperor's New Grove
Best Buy Gift Card
Dinner Gift Card
Percy Jackson & The Olympians series (never heard of them, but were told they were good)
Real Soccer Ticket
snickers, sunflower seeds, and gummi worms.

Happy Birthday Jamon!
Love you!

(yes, Jamon I will always have the restaurant sing to you on your birthday, whether I'm your wife or not. Most likely I will be your wife!)