Today was the last day of school for my students. I can't believe I've already been teaching for two years... crazy. The last few weeks I've been so anxious to be done for the year. However, by 2:20 today, the kids were gone and I was in my classroom cleaning up the mayhem from our day-long yearbook/summer birthday/senior spotlight party and I felt sad. I'm definitely ready for the break, but the end of year means the close of a chapter in my life and the lives of my students. It means they are growing up, becoming adults and in a few years I won't be responsible for them anymore. Most of the kids I'll see soon enough, but a few are moving on. It was really bitter-sweet to say goodbye to our "senior" students. This next transition is so important and necessary for their development BUT it's really hard to say good-bye. Heather (the most amazing teacher I work super closely with) and I talk a lot about how invested we are with our students. I would venture to say that next to parents, we know our students better than anyone else. So, whether they are tough or challenging or just plain stubborn... when it's time for them to move on... it's HARD. If this is what it's like to be a parent, I'm going to be an emotional one. But... I understand how necessary change is for all of us. I have new students coming in that will need me and challenge me and I'm so excited to get to know them. I just want to thank my students for being so wonderful, working so hard and teaching me more than I ever teach them. I absolutely love what I do... even though I'm still trying to figure it all out. I feel so blessed and honored to be doing what I do. I love these kids... and I love the people I work with... you are all my heroes.
So if it's not apparent, I'm feeling a little emotional tonight. I do, however have an exciting summer ahead of me. Grad school, teaching summer school in July, maybe a trip to Los Cabos and to kick it all off- a daddy-daughters weekend in Vegas. My dad rocks, he's treating my sisters and I to an all expenses paid weekend... Beatles Love show, swimming, sunning, shopping and great food. The timing could not be better!
Happy Summer!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
For Matt...
Happy 29th birthday to my big brother Matty! You truly are the world's sweetest brother. You always have been such a sweet, special part of our family. Our family would not be what it is without you. You have blessed our lives and the lives of so many, more than you will ever know. You truly inspire me... Much of what I have worked so hard to achieve is because of your influence in my life. I could not treasure a person more than I treasure you. I will always be here for you. I will always take care of you. You will always be my hero. Enjoy your special day buddy, you deserve it.
Love your sissy,
Tash
Love your sissy,
Tash
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
For Nick...
I Just wanted to wish my honey a happy 31st birthday. I'm sorry that I didn't get to see much of you today... we did have a fun weekend though!
I just want you to know how much I love you. I'm so proud of your drive and determination. I admire how hard you work to be successful and pursue your goals. You are a kind and tender-hearted person and I treasure that about you. I appreciate how well you treat me and the fact that you help balance me out a bit. I can be intense and you definitely help weather the storm! Thank you for being such a great support to me over the last few years as I finished my undergrad, started my career and now as I pursue more education. I appreciate that you know how important what I do is to me and you encourage my efforts. It really means the world.
Enjoy the rest of your day...
Love,
Tash
***a few cheesy bday pics for your viewing pleasure... don't judge his hat I MADE him wear it***
I just want you to know how much I love you. I'm so proud of your drive and determination. I admire how hard you work to be successful and pursue your goals. You are a kind and tender-hearted person and I treasure that about you. I appreciate how well you treat me and the fact that you help balance me out a bit. I can be intense and you definitely help weather the storm! Thank you for being such a great support to me over the last few years as I finished my undergrad, started my career and now as I pursue more education. I appreciate that you know how important what I do is to me and you encourage my efforts. It really means the world.
Enjoy the rest of your day...
Love,
Tash
***a few cheesy bday pics for your viewing pleasure... don't judge his hat I MADE him wear it***
Monday, May 11, 2009
sucky mondays...
So I was talking to one of my dear friends, Kels today and she brought up a good point. Why do we blog... and why don't we post that often? I don't post that often because I don't feel like I have anything exciting enough for someone else to read.
But really... who is the blog for? All the peeps that read it... well yes it's a good way for people to keep in touch with my life.... but really it's for me. It's my record of how my life is each day. My blog shouldn't be about only the great days and exciting news I have to share. It should be about life... REAL life... that's not picture perfect. Now don't get me wrong, I have a great life and so much to be thankful for. I'm very fulfilled with the things I'm involved with but some days just kind of suck... like today sucky monday, I'm calling it.
It started at 5:15 with too little sleep, skipped breakfast, and lunch (not on purpose), lots of crazy end-of-year stuff at work, a super-hard workout-- on an empty stomach-- not sure what I was thinking-- , I missed my tanning appointment (i know call it one of my weaknesses), add in a little stress of grad school starting tomorrow and you my friends have a sucky monday.
But I'm sure tomorrow will be a terrific tuesday... at least I hope it will. Wishful thinking, I guess. Don't you just love days like today?
But really... who is the blog for? All the peeps that read it... well yes it's a good way for people to keep in touch with my life.... but really it's for me. It's my record of how my life is each day. My blog shouldn't be about only the great days and exciting news I have to share. It should be about life... REAL life... that's not picture perfect. Now don't get me wrong, I have a great life and so much to be thankful for. I'm very fulfilled with the things I'm involved with but some days just kind of suck... like today sucky monday, I'm calling it.
It started at 5:15 with too little sleep, skipped breakfast, and lunch (not on purpose), lots of crazy end-of-year stuff at work, a super-hard workout-- on an empty stomach-- not sure what I was thinking-- , I missed my tanning appointment (i know call it one of my weaknesses), add in a little stress of grad school starting tomorrow and you my friends have a sucky monday.
But I'm sure tomorrow will be a terrific tuesday... at least I hope it will. Wishful thinking, I guess. Don't you just love days like today?
Friday, April 17, 2009
Here I go again...
Well it's official, I'm going to grad school. I got my acceptance letter today and I start taking classes this summer. I will be working towards a Master of Science in Special Education. I will be attending Utah State University, where I did my undergrad. I'm really looking forward to continuing my education. I will keep teaching while I pursue my degree. I will take a few classes during the school year and load up in the summer. The great thing about this program is that it is intended for teachers-- so most students enrolled will also be teaching. Life is about to get pretty hectic... bring on the crazy!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
I'm in heaven...
Long story short... Mom, Matt, Heather and I decided on a whim to take the short (ha ha) drive to Mesa to visit Cori and her family. We just could not let spring break go by with out getting a dose of warm weather. And we miss the Robinsons. Logan is hard for me to deal with this time of year-- I'm so sick of winter!
Cori and I were talking on Monday and she was telling me this and that about what she has discovered and what she likes about Arizona. Some how that conversation led to us being here 36 hours later.
Anyway... Cori and I ran outside this morning (it was so much more enjoyable than running in Utah... I have never acclimated to the altitude change). I felt like I could have run a marathon! We all went out to lunch, looked at potential houses for Cori and her fam, went shopping and had a little swim. The rest of this week will be devoted to sunning, swimming, shopping and savoring every minute with these adorable kidlets, my sis and my bro-in-law. I love my family... I'm so lucky...
And by the way, the sun is theraputic... TRUST ME!
Cori and I were talking on Monday and she was telling me this and that about what she has discovered and what she likes about Arizona. Some how that conversation led to us being here 36 hours later.
Anyway... Cori and I ran outside this morning (it was so much more enjoyable than running in Utah... I have never acclimated to the altitude change). I felt like I could have run a marathon! We all went out to lunch, looked at potential houses for Cori and her fam, went shopping and had a little swim. The rest of this week will be devoted to sunning, swimming, shopping and savoring every minute with these adorable kidlets, my sis and my bro-in-law. I love my family... I'm so lucky...
And by the way, the sun is theraputic... TRUST ME!
Friday, April 3, 2009
Innocence...
My Mom forwarded this story in an email to me... it is really sweet and reminded me a lot of Matty. It takes a minute to read but is well worth it!
GOD LIVES UNDER THE BED
I envy Kevin. My brother, Kevin, thinks God lives under his bed. At least that's what I heard him say one night.
He was praying out loud in his dark bedroom, and I stopped to listen, 'Are you there, God?' he said. 'Where are you? Oh, I see. Under the bed...'
I giggled softly and tiptoed off to my own room. Kevin's unique perspectives are often a source of amusement. But that night something else lingered long after the humor. I realized for the first time the very different world Kevin lives in.
He was born 30 years ago, mentally disabled as a result of difficulties during labor. Apart from his size (he's 6-foot-2), there are few ways in which he is an adult.
He reasons and communicates with the capabilities of a 7-year-old, and he always will. He will probably always believe that God lives under his bed, that Santa Claus is the one who fills the space under our tree every Christmas and that airplanes stay up in the sky because angels carry them.
I remember wondering if Kevin realizes he is different. Is he ever dissatisfied with his monotonous life?
Up before dawn each day, off to work at a workshop for the disabled, home to walk our cocker spaniel, return to eat his favorite macaroni-and-cheese for dinner, and later to bed.
The only variation in the entire scheme is laundry, when he hovers excitedly over the washing machine like a mother with her newborn child.
He does not seem dissatisfied.
He lopes out to the bus every morning at 7:05, eager for a day of simple work.
He wrings his hands excitedly while the water boils on the stove before dinner, and20he stays up late twice a week to gather our dirty laundry for his next day's laundry chores.
And Saturdays - oh, the bliss of Saturdays! That's the day my Dad takes Kevin to the airport to have a soft drink, watch the planes land, and speculate loudly on the destination of each passenger inside. 'That one's goin' to Chi-car-go! ' Kevin shouts as he claps his hands.
His anticipation is so great he can hardly sleep on Friday nights.
And so goes his world of daily rituals and weekend field trips.
He doesn't know what it means to be discontent.
His life is simple.
He will never know the entanglements of wealth of power, and he does not care what brand of clothing he wears or what kind of food he eats. His needs have always been met, and he never worries that one day they may not be.
His hands are diligent. Kevin is never so happy as when he is working. When he unloads the dishwasher or vacuums the carpet, his heart is completely in it.
He does not shrink from a job when it is begun, and he does not leave a job until it is finished. But when his tasks are done, Kevin knows how to relax..
He is not obsessed with his work or the work of others. His heart is pure.
He still believes everyone tells the truth, promises must be kept, and when you are wrong, you apologize instead of argue.
Free from pride and unconcerned with appearances, Kevin is not afraid to cry when he is hurt, angry or sorry. He is always transparent, always sincere. And he trusts God.
Not confined by intellectual reasoning, when he comes to the Lord, h e comes as a child. Kevin seems to know God - to really be friends with Him in a way that is difficult for an 'educated' person to grasp. God seems like his closest companion.
In my moments of doubt and frustrations with my beliefs, I envy the security Kevin has in his simple faith.
It is then that I am most willing to admit that he has some divine knowledge that rises above my mortal questions.
It is then I realize that perhaps he is not the one with the handicap. I am. My obligations, my fear, my pride, my circumstances - they all become disabilities when I do not trust them to God's care.
Who knows if Kevin comprehends things I can never learn? After all, he has spent his whole life in that kind of innocence, praying after dark and soaking up the goodness and love of God.
And one day, when the mysteries of heaven are opened, and we are all amazed at how close God really is to our hearts, I'll realize that God heard the simple prayers of a boy who believed that God lived under his bed.
Kevin won't be surprised at all!
GOD LIVES UNDER THE BED
I envy Kevin. My brother, Kevin, thinks God lives under his bed. At least that's what I heard him say one night.
He was praying out loud in his dark bedroom, and I stopped to listen, 'Are you there, God?' he said. 'Where are you? Oh, I see. Under the bed...'
I giggled softly and tiptoed off to my own room. Kevin's unique perspectives are often a source of amusement. But that night something else lingered long after the humor. I realized for the first time the very different world Kevin lives in.
He was born 30 years ago, mentally disabled as a result of difficulties during labor. Apart from his size (he's 6-foot-2), there are few ways in which he is an adult.
He reasons and communicates with the capabilities of a 7-year-old, and he always will. He will probably always believe that God lives under his bed, that Santa Claus is the one who fills the space under our tree every Christmas and that airplanes stay up in the sky because angels carry them.
I remember wondering if Kevin realizes he is different. Is he ever dissatisfied with his monotonous life?
Up before dawn each day, off to work at a workshop for the disabled, home to walk our cocker spaniel, return to eat his favorite macaroni-and-cheese for dinner, and later to bed.
The only variation in the entire scheme is laundry, when he hovers excitedly over the washing machine like a mother with her newborn child.
He does not seem dissatisfied.
He lopes out to the bus every morning at 7:05, eager for a day of simple work.
He wrings his hands excitedly while the water boils on the stove before dinner, and20he stays up late twice a week to gather our dirty laundry for his next day's laundry chores.
And Saturdays - oh, the bliss of Saturdays! That's the day my Dad takes Kevin to the airport to have a soft drink, watch the planes land, and speculate loudly on the destination of each passenger inside. 'That one's goin' to Chi-car-go! ' Kevin shouts as he claps his hands.
His anticipation is so great he can hardly sleep on Friday nights.
And so goes his world of daily rituals and weekend field trips.
He doesn't know what it means to be discontent.
His life is simple.
He will never know the entanglements of wealth of power, and he does not care what brand of clothing he wears or what kind of food he eats. His needs have always been met, and he never worries that one day they may not be.
His hands are diligent. Kevin is never so happy as when he is working. When he unloads the dishwasher or vacuums the carpet, his heart is completely in it.
He does not shrink from a job when it is begun, and he does not leave a job until it is finished. But when his tasks are done, Kevin knows how to relax..
He is not obsessed with his work or the work of others. His heart is pure.
He still believes everyone tells the truth, promises must be kept, and when you are wrong, you apologize instead of argue.
Free from pride and unconcerned with appearances, Kevin is not afraid to cry when he is hurt, angry or sorry. He is always transparent, always sincere. And he trusts God.
Not confined by intellectual reasoning, when he comes to the Lord, h e comes as a child. Kevin seems to know God - to really be friends with Him in a way that is difficult for an 'educated' person to grasp. God seems like his closest companion.
In my moments of doubt and frustrations with my beliefs, I envy the security Kevin has in his simple faith.
It is then that I am most willing to admit that he has some divine knowledge that rises above my mortal questions.
It is then I realize that perhaps he is not the one with the handicap. I am. My obligations, my fear, my pride, my circumstances - they all become disabilities when I do not trust them to God's care.
Who knows if Kevin comprehends things I can never learn? After all, he has spent his whole life in that kind of innocence, praying after dark and soaking up the goodness and love of God.
And one day, when the mysteries of heaven are opened, and we are all amazed at how close God really is to our hearts, I'll realize that God heard the simple prayers of a boy who believed that God lived under his bed.
Kevin won't be surprised at all!
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