The End

Yesterday was one of the saddest, most heart-breaking days of the year.

I seriously thought I was totally ready to be done with school, done with the worries, done with the tiredness, done with the crazy kids, done with the consumingness of it all, done with having so much to do all the time, done with that part of my life and ready to move on.

Boy was I seriously wrong.

The morning went extremely fast. The kids were all hyped up on sugar or something, or maybe just summer excitement. Suddenly before I knew it it was 10:15. I let them go.

"can you please come to my house and see my puppy?"

"can you please call me and come to my birthday?"

"can you come over to my house?"

"can you come swimming at my pool?"

"i love you!"

"i'll miss you!"

Then the buses were full and the front yard was full of teachers standing and watching. A chorus of honking, screaming, laughing, waving and "bye!!!" was heard.

I had no idea how hard it would be to watch those buses drive away honking as our precious students hung out the window and waved. It suddenly occurred to me that they weren't coming back. That I wasn't coming back. Tears. Lots and lots of tears.

It occurred to me that those 20 children who I have spent countless hours with for the past 5 months were leaving me and I would probably never see them again. My heart broke.

I don't know what their future holds, I don't know what impact I had on their life, I only know how significantly they changed me.

What an incredible life changing year it has been. I will miss those kids more than they have any idea. Especially the ones I had the hardest time with.

My no recipe creation

I hate to post on top of the "blessings" post, but oh well. Go down and read it. It's worth it.

My latest no recipe creation....

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

sauce:
1 can cream of celery soup (cream of chicken)
1 can of chicken broth (fill the cream of celery can, not the whole chicken broth can) (milk)
1/4 cup of sour cream
a sprinkle of parsley, oregano, pepper

Chicken:
2 chicken breast cut in 1 inch cubes
3/4-1 cup crushed croutons
2 TBL flour
1 egg

Filling:
20 thin slices of ham cut in 1/3 botoh ways
4 thick slices of swiss cut in 1/4 both ways

Combine sauce on stovetop to heat and merge goopyness. Dip chicken pieces in flour, egg, then breadcrumbs. Saute quickly on med-high heat to brown the outside. Layer in a greased 9x13 pan 1-chicken, 2-ham pieces, 3-cheese pieces, 4-sauce mixture. Cover and cook in a 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes.

Changes are in paranthesis. I also think it would be yummy to add corn, peas and sliced mushrooms. I also think it would be fun to try NOT dipping the chicken in anything and putting the crushed croutons/breadcrumbs on top of the sauce to give it a crunch.

Yum!

blessings

As I sit here and reflect on the past few months, I'm realizing how incredibly blessed Scott and I have been. I am in complete awe about how everything has just fallen into place.

It all started around November-ish last year. Scott was getting close to graduation and still way unsure about his plans for the future. I was feeling really unsettled too. What was I going to do for work after December? It seemed like our life was totally dark with no light to lead the way and no inspiration as what to do.

It makes me think of a quote we talked about in Sunday School: Sometimes you need to take a couple steps in the darkness before the light appears to show the way. (or something like that)

Then, we realized we were asking and praying for the wrong things. We thought we were supposed to be praying to know what to do and where to go. When really, we needed to be praying for the strength and decision of when to start a family. We both felt very strongly that we needed to stop controlling and start trying. So we nonchalantly did. And decided when it's time and happens, it's right.

After we made that decision, everything started falling into place. No joke. That decision was made right before Thanksgiving. We went to Kansas for the holiday and spent some time with our cousins in Branson. Funny thing is, Scott has always had this inkling in the back of his head to be a chiropractor. During that vacation, my dad went to see the chiropractor and Scott went with him. The next day we were with our cousins whose father (my uncle) happened to be a chiropractor for many years. They talked quite a bit.

By the time we got home, Scott had decided he wanted to be a chiropractor. When he mentioned it I felt instant comfort, excitement and relief. It felt so right. So he deferred graduation and started his pre-requisites.

Well, things in my life changed too. Literally 2 days after I finished student teaching I interviewed with a school and was hired on as a full time kindergarten teacher. That doesn't happen people.

Now as there are only a couple days left of school, I've been wondering what to do this summer to keep me busy and make some money. The answer came today. I will be doing Mary Kay as well, but I was offered a job teaching summer school for 2 weeks in June.

I also found out a couple days ago that I will be receiving a substantial bonus check for my kid's reading test scores. That will also come in June.

Those 2 combined checks will be very close to the right amount to move us out to St. Louis.

It's like everything I've been worrying about and wondering is starting to fall into place. I have never felt so incredibly blessed. Ever. I just can't believe how much the Lord loves me and loves Scott and how much He is taking care of us.

It almost makes me want to cry. I seriously could not have asked for a better husband and a better life with that man. I don't know what I ever did to deserve such incredible blessings. But I do know I have been through my fair share of trials. And I can say I am so grateful for that too because I have learned so much. I have learned much about children, co-workers, and mostly myself.

My life is amazing. Thank you God for everything You have given me.

As for a family...well, sometimes it takes some people longer to get pregnant than others.... When it's right, it'll happen.

snow, in almost June?

I woke up this morning and looked out my window and saw....

SNOW!

It kept snowing for about 2 hours. Around 11:30 am we had about 1 1/2 inches of snow.

I seriously couldn't believe it. So I took some pictures. I'll post them when I get home.

Wow. June starts next week, right?

why I will miss kindergarten

One of my cute kindergarten boys keeps drawing me pictures of me and him, and giving me his phone number telling me to call him. It's pretty dang cute.

Anyway, yesterday, Scott came to my class about 30 minutes before school got out just to hang out. I told him about this boy and he chuckled then said the boy had a crush on me. I decided to confront the boy....

"So Mr. Dodds is starting to get jealous of all the pictures you make me and that you're giving me your phone number."

(cute sly grin) "Why?"

"Well, because he thinks you're coming in to like me."

"Well, I am coming in to like you." (huge big smile)

Oh my gosh. I died and went to heaven. It was so dang cute! I will miss that kid SO much. Funny how he is a pill and a troublemaker but he's also my favorite.

Medieval Joust!

I am so excited for today!!!! We have the Knights of Mayhem coming to our school today to do a real, authentic, Medieval Joust ON HORSES!!!!! It's going to be so dang cool! I'll post pictures later.

Afterwards we'll have a bunch of booths set up for a Medieval Fair. It will be another fantastic day! Yesterday was pretty awesome. No kids in the morning, and Science Day in the afternoon. So I got a ton of stuff done before kids came, and then parents were here to do all the experiments so I just had crowd control. It was great.

I still cannot believe how fast the year is ending!!! Today we have the joust in the morning and a program in the afternoon. Tomorrow is year book signing, dance practice, buddies, centers (maybe?). Monday is a school wide dance practice. Tuesday is the dance festival in the am and basketball game in pm. Wednesday is the Field Day. Thursday is the awards assembly. Friday is only an hour and a half of school! It blows my mind.

In other news, I really love playing soccer. I came into this season wanting to be better, faster, and enjoy it more. All of those things have happened. We've practiced a ton more this season, so that's awesome. I really like playing forward and taking shots on goal, however, I think I'm better at defense. And I like it more too. I seriously am not afraid to run right up to people and try to get the ball away. A couple games ago I actually ran in front of a guy to cut him off and he totally fell hardcore. They didn't call a foul. It was pretty sweet. I don't really mind falling either. I think it means I'm being aggressive (sometimes clumsy, but mostly aggressive). Hopefully we'll be able to find some friends in St. Louis who we can put together a team with. That'd be awesome!

Reflections

I cannot believe how time flies! I seriously feel like it was last week that I was hanging bulletin boards and re-arranging my classroom. Now yesterday were the faculty farewells, and we only have 9 days left of school! It blows my mind. As I reflect back on the year I think about how far I've come. I can't believe some of the obstacles and challenges I've had to face. Yet, I believe those things have made me stronger.

I truly love the kids in my class. I will miss all the "Miss Dotts! Look at my new shirt!" "Mrs. Dodds you're the best!" not to mention the mass amounts of hugs I receive all the time and the "you're the best teacher ever!" I will also miss walking down the halls and having older kids wave and say "Hi Mrs. Dodds!"

What a year it's been and I am a little excited to have a break soon. But this summer will be crazy! I don't really want to think about trying to figure out the cheapest way to move, how to get both cars across country, where the heck we're going to live, where I'm going to work, etc etc. There's alot to do! Plus packing, de-junking and cleaning the house. We've accumulated alot of stuff and it'll take awhile to figure out what to get rid of. All in all though, it's exciting and both Scott and I are ready for a big change in our lives.

I'm sure I will have more reflections to come as the year comes to a close.

results

I have never had such horrible luck with servers as I have had in the past two weeks.

Maybe it's the combination of me, Scott, my sister Shayla and her hubby Brian.

I think we have signs that flash "DON'T GIVE US GOOD SERVICE"

Which is stupid, because as you know, both Scott and I have been servers and if we have a great server we will tip them. I guess people aren't so into money these days...

3 times in a row we've been out to eat in the past 2 weeks. All 3 times it has literally taken 10 minutes or more to get anything we needed. Chips, water, etc. This time we didn't even get a single water refill. And we were there for an hour. Weird.

Anyway, the BBQ chicken lasagna was AMMMAZING! It is definitely a keeper to mix things up. So easy too! All you do is add about 1/2 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce into your bubbling red sauce and instead of 1 lb of hamburger, throw in 1 lb of shredded chicken. YUM!

10 MORE DAYS LEFT OF SCHOOL!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!

Pigs, Mary Kay, Chicken BBQ lasagna

Today I took my class to the Thanksgiving Point farm with the whole kindergarten team.

We were debating not to go. Rain...no rain...? As we were loading up the bus it was pouring. Also while we were driving.

But once we arrived? No rain! For the entire time. It was great!

The kids LOVED seeing all the animals and feeding them and riding on the tractor. I must admit, there is something to be said about big and little animals in cages that allow you to pet them. Pretty cool.

Near the end I witnessed something I would've rather not witnessed.

2 pigs doing it.

Yeah, that's right. One was on it's hind legs behind the other, and well, you get the idea.

I'm just so glad my class is young enough to not understand and to have no idea what was going on. I thought it was pretty funny. Kinda gross. I kinda wish I would've taken a picture so I could show Scott. He thought it was hilarious.

Unfortunately for me, I had to still teach in the afternoon. I guess that's what I get for teaching the OEK (all day) class. I think they should pay me more... ;-) Naw, I'm just lucky to have an amazing job.

Also, I signed up to be a Mary Kay consultant. I decided I have nothing to lose and only things to gain. I've always thought being a MAC girl would be fun, so I guess this is another way to do it. Plus I think I'm pretty good socially, cosmetically and girly. Helps too that I've been in sales for a couple years... Maybe I'll make some money. Maybe not. I like the product alot so why not try and sell it?

Tonight for dinner? Lasagna with chicken and some BBQ sauce. I got the idea for BBQ from my awesome mentor LaurAnn. She's amazing. And I figured people eat chicken with pasta all the time, so why not lasagna? (I also don't have any hamburger...) Wish me luck, I'll report later!

Just an update

Wow, I think I've been neglecting this blog. Oh well. I guess I have other more important things going on.

This week has been pretty great. On Tuesday we went to Tepanyaki with Shay and Brian. Holy hilarious. Our server was pretty terrible. When he FINALLY took our order, he brought back bowls of soup a couple minutes later. We all opened our silverware rolls to get a spoon. No spoon. So we waited. And waited and waiter. Finally he came back and we asked for a spoon. "Actually, you just drink it right out of the bowl. That's how it's done here." No spoon? Seriously? We joked about it for the next 20 minutes. We even thought about running over to Sonic to get a spoon. Strange thing is, they serve ice cream, so I know they have them!

What kind of server denies their table a spoon when they ask? I don't care how Japanese you are, you just don't do that when serving.

We were pretty peeved and almost walked out a few times because it was taking so long...at 9:00pm. But we stayed. Our chef was pretty awesome so that mostly made up for it.

Other than that, I had our Kindergarten Program last night. It was great!! Only 12 of my 20 kids showed up, but they were awesome. It was really cute.

Oh, and it's Teacher Appreciation week. Maybe someday when I start and finish the year in the same class, or when I've been at school for awhile it'll be much better. I did get some really pretty flowers, chocolate, a Dr. Pepper, a head scratcher thing and a big box of paper (question mark?). So it hasn't been totally bad.

There are only 15 more days of school left! At least 7 of those I don't actually teach. Wow. I'm excited! I can't wait for summer....

....speaking of which...It's May. Isn't it time to turn off my heater at night? Apparently not here in Utah. I can't wait for warm.


Oh, and last week, I was on this salty buttery popcorn kick. I think I ate it everyday for a week. It's been 2 days since I had it. Maybe I need to make some again tonight :-)

Kitchen Disaster

This is the butter/shortening mix. Oops.

I've never had cookies look this bad...I must have really been asleep.

We got bored standing in line at graduation.

Well, today I had a kitchen disaster.

"Were you still asleep when you started cooking?" -Scott

That's pretty much what happened. I don't know what I was thinking but it wasn't good.

1. I realized I needed an onion to make Clam Chowder. We got one.

2. I started making cookies while Scott was fetching the onion. I used 2 cubes of butter...one of which needed to also go in the Clam Chowder (I didn't realize this til later...)

3. We had no chocolate chips but I was craving chocolate chip cookies, so I decided to make my own chips. I don't really suggest doing that...

4. The first batch of cookies were literally dripping off the pan as a result of using the homemade chocolate chips.

5. I realized I had used the butter I needed for the Clam Chowder in the cookies...I was short a 1/4 cup. So i called mom.

6. I decided to try using shortening instead of the missing 1/4 cup of butter.

7. Scott finished the cookies, without the homemade chips, and I finished the soup.

8. The soup actually turned out delicious!

Note to self:

-Before cooking two different things, make sure you have all the ingredients for both. Also, go grocery shopping.

The only problem with grocery shopping is that I'm starting HCG next week sometime and I won't be able to eat hardly anything so I don't want to buy stuff I won't be able to use.