July

This time of year always makes me feel a little frantic. It seems like the summer just began, and yet the beginning of school is just around the corner! Regardless, we are very happy to be on this side of the month of July. The past three weeks have been a long hard stretch for Ryan and I. He completed a very intense 3 credit class for his Masters Program...gone every night of the week for 4 hours. I had an all weekend BSU inservice one weekend, and have done a study relay getting ready to take the NCLB K-12 Music Praxis Exam, which I completed yesterday. We are very relieved to be able to put all that behind us, and focus on some fun summer activities with the kids for the next couple of weeks.

We're looking forward to a visit from my side of the family this upcoming week. My nephew Alex, is being baptized on Saturday. Most everyone will be in town to support him in that big decision. The boys always enjoy getting together with their cousins. Despite the craze of it all, Ryan and I enjoy being with family too. We also hope to give the kids a lot of swim time in the Browne's pool this week. They've been more than patient with the rigorous schedules we've been keeping to accomplish all our adult school work. We also hope to catch up on some much needed yard mowing, weeding, garden picking, and probably a little canning (yuk!). Anyone know how to change a water pump in a 1998 Buick Skylark? That's another ugly task on the never ending to-do list around here.

Happy news is that Taylor cut his first top tooth 2 days ago, and is on the rise to being able to sit up all by himself. He will be much happier when he can move himself into the position he desires to be in ... aside from the pain that comes from cutting teeth! He's cute and we love having a baby in the house.

Despite the trials and challenges that face our little family right now, our hope is bright, and our faith is strong. We are confident that the Lord will recognize our efforts to improve our job situation and help the right employment circumstances come into place in due time.

Summer's Here

What a busy month June has been. It seems to have flown by in an instant. Ryan's completed two summer classes for his Masters at NNU, acted as assistant coach to Jonathan's baseball team, organized two Fathers & Sons activities, helped move his brother out of his home in Nampa, started mowing his Mom's lawn every week, maintained our own lawn and field mowing chores, and started a time wasting Facebook account. I've completed two wedding video projects, put together my professional teaching portfolio - in hopes of getting a job interview for a teaching position - begain studying for the Music Praxis (test date; July 25), completed 5 chapters for my online Music Theory class, taught piano lessons 3 days a week, babysat 2 days a week, kept up with the yard and garden, and started a time wasting Facebook account, just to name a few things for June.

It's fun to have all the kids home from school. Even though Ryan is currently unemployed, and home much of the day - most days, there just doesn't seem to be enough time in a day to complete all that should be possible. Never the less, we press forward taking it one day at a time.

Jonathan's 1st Baseball Game

Jonathan played his first baseball game of the season today. His team is called the "Mets". What a great job he did! He got up to bat three times and made a base hit everytime. He also played Short Stop, Left Field, and Catcher. He's got a great knack for the game and we are having fun watching his abilities grow! (click below to see one of his base hits)

Hyrum's Last Day of Preschool

Hyrum graduated preschool today. What a funny thing to say, but it's true. He's very ready for Kindergarten. Hyrum is a bright little boy with a lot of confidence and spunk. He loves to play X-Box (thanks Nate & Lisa), and play games on PBSkids.org. He can turn on the computer, log onto the internet, find the PBS website, load his own game and play as long as we let him (which is never as long as he thinks he needs). He's learning self discipline with his chore chart. He recently learned how to ride a two wheeler bike, and loves it when the Mechams come by and take he and Jonathan on a bike ride. Hyrum loves Brother Mecham. He is also excited that we planted sweet pickle cucumbers, and corn on the cob in the garden this year. He stood at the end of the garden with me the night I saw that the cucumbers and corn were finally sprouting and shouted "I love sweet pickles and corn on the cob!" We love him! (the video clip was taken Easter Sunday after a late afternoon bike ride with the Mechams. Jonathan & Hyrum chose to shoot Brother Mecham with their new water guns---oops!)

I Passed the Praxis II for Elementary Teachers!

Finally....I just got my score report for the second part of the Praxis II Elementary Education Exam. I passed both parts! This is a Federal mandated test now required by the No Child Left Behind Act for all teachers in all states. Starting this upcoming school year, Federal funding for schools will be based on the number of teachers who are what they call "Highly Qualified". Since I'm not currently employed by a school district, the only way for me to reach that status was to complete this exam process. It is now required for college graduates to pass in order to become certified. Since I'm already certified, they can't require teachers to go back and take it, but since I hope to be hired as a teacher again this Fall, it's evident that Principals are going to be looking for candidates who have this credential.

The first part of the test was all comprehensive knowledge over Language Arts, Social Studies, Math, and Science. 120 multiple choice with only 2 hours to complete. It was tough! But I finished and passed with a score of 176 (143 required to pass). The second part of the test is called the PLT (Practices and Learning Techniques). This was made up of 35 muliple choice and 12 essays written off of case studies provided by the exam. Again, 2 hours to complete. I didn't quite finish the last essay question, but did manage to earn a decent score of 180 (161 required to pass). This completes the necessary requirements to let me be called "Highly Qualified" in all Elementary Areas. Hopefully, it pays off now that we're coming into hiring season for next year! Keep your fingers crossed!!

Jonathan's 1st Pack Meeting

Along with turning 8 and getting baptized, Jonathan has also reached the age of joining the Cub Scouts. He attended his first pack meeting April 23rd, and was awarded his first official rank in Cub Scout troop 173. He's a Bobcat! That Pack Meeting was also the annual Pinewood Derby for our troop. He made a fast black car with an orange flame job across the hood. Grandma helped him with that part. His paint job won the award for "Most Detail". Dad pretty much constructed the rest of the car. But Jonathan got to do the racing. After a full week of learning how to, 3 tire sets, and finally a tire polishing kit, their car came in 1st on a number of the race heats, and 3rd overall! Pretty good for first timers...Click play below to see video of his Bobcat Coronation, and one of the race heat that he won.

Taylor is 7 Months

Taylor turned 7 months on May 20th! How the time is flying. It's hard to believe he's been here so long, and yet such a short amount of time too. Strangley, it seems as though he's always been part of our family. We love him so much. He's so sweet and cuddley. He smiles at everyone, and loves to laugh with his brothers. He loves to be held by his Daddy, and especially loves his Mommy.

He got a little sunburn while we were out planting the garden the on the 16th. I feel so bad about that!