Mrs. Shinn

Holy Cow! Jessica amazed us last night in Music Man. She was fantastic. We cracked up everytime she was on stage. Numerous people told us that she is their favorite character. I am so proud of her. Come see her Saturday night. Vista Heights Middle School. 7:00 pm $3-student, $5 general, and $15 a family of 5.

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Choir Tour

Over twenty years ago I was introduced to Choir/Theater tours. My first adventure was flying from LAX to Washington D.C. for a week. It was really fun and a trip I will never forget. We had very 80's tour outfits and we performed with John Jacobson America Sings...
The next year we made trips to Disneyland, Palm Springs, Sacramento and San Francisco. They were fun trips as well but made on charter buses.
Well this year it was Darren's turn. He left on a bus for Seattle on Wednesday afternoon and just arrived home at 1:30am. That is a lot of bus driving. It was fun that we could text his cell phone and check up on him and visit while they were driving so we had a good idea of when he'd be home. Now I'm off to bed I'll have to visit with him more after we have both done some sleeping.

The Cake Boss

It is spring break. I have spent a couple of days working, we have had doctor visits, Darren has done lots of homework and today we discovered ....

The Cake Boss on Netflix

Decisions are the worst...

Since my blog is our family journaling I wanted to post this story if for nobody but myself.

As I had posted earlier this week I have been hired by B Beckstrand to teach 5th grade at the new school in Saratoga Riverview Elem. I am really excited about this opportunity plus on Tuesday of this week I had the chance to sit with the woman Debbie that I will be teaching with. I fell in love with her immediately and have just been excited all week.

On Thursday, my current principal Glenn found out the 2 other people from our 5th grade team had accepted offers to other schools leaving 3 out of 6 of us there at Saratoga. Glenn knew that I really wanted to continue working with these 3 so at 10:30am he called me from the district office to ask me whether I would consider staying at Saratoga, plus I'd have a classroom in the building and I could stay in 5th grade for sure. I did ask him for some time to think about it, and that I would talk to him later that afternoon.

After his phone call I had prep so I went and talked to a couple of my teammates, called Ryan and my friend Shannon. I had pros and cons for both schools. The challenge of opening a new school compared to the 'known' and working with people I love. I decided to stay at Saratoga and I prayed about my decision to do such. Then I went to lunch and pretty much everyone knew that I had this decision and offered me their input. By the time lunch period was over I was just sick to my stomach. I felt awful and I'm sure my demeanor was such. I went back into my classroom and was getting the materials ready to go teach science in one of the other rooms when I looked up from my desk to see one of the second grade teachers sitting at one of my student's desks. She was raising her hand waiting for me to notice her. I laughed and asked her why she was in my classroom. She came up to me and gave me a hug and told me that she could tell I was in turmoil. I talked to her for a second while I explained that I love the people that I work with, and her reply was but you know what you have to do for yourself, huh?

Yes I did know. While I was teaching Katie's class I knew that I had to turn down Glenn's offer and go to the new school. I tried to sneak into the bathroom and out of the office so I wouldn't have to talk to Glenn until the end of the day but as I came out the assistant principal came towards me from one end while Glenn came at me towards another to talk to me.
As they brought me into Glenn's office Jason (assistant principal) looked at me and said "What are you thinking? Are you okay?" and I just told them both that I was supposed to go. I said I don't really know why, but I'm not supposed to stay here at this school. I did feel really bad because I really do love to work with my team and I love Saratoga but that isn't where I'm supposed to be. Immediately I felt better and even when I went back to class one of my students even made the comment that I looked excited about something. Yes, I am excited first of all because, for some reason I made the right decision and for another I have a new job that I'm very excited for.
In our lives we must practice what we teach. My whole life I've been taught and I've taught others that we must make decisions and then pray about them with a decision made. With that then the Holy Ghost will either confirm that decision or help us know that it isn't right. I can tell you I was physically sick. I could have thrown up at any minute with the decision that I had gone with. Neither of them were bad decisions and I may never know why it was the right one to go to the new school but I am. And I'm so grateful for the Holy Ghost in my life to help me receive personal inspiration. This had been a totally draining day.

"We are told in the scriptures that Satan will tempt us in the last days before the Savior comes again. For this reason, our children need to know that God and Jesus Christ will always love them and answer their prayers. This knowledge will bring them abiding strength.”

Teaching by Faith Robert D. Hales

I know that Heavenly Father answers prayers and that he is aware of our lives menial as they me seem.

Chocolate Praline Layer Cake

1/2 cup butter (I guess you could use marg. but I never would)
1/4 cup whipping cream
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
3/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans

1 pkg Pillsbury Plus Devil's Food Cake Mix ( I use better crocker most of the time)
1 1/4 cups water
1/3 cup oil
3 eggs

Topping
1 3/4 cups whipping cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla

Whole pecans and slivers of chocolate curls if wanted

Heat oven to 325*. In small heavy sauce pan combine butter, cream, and brown sugar. Cook just till butter is melted stirring occasionally. Pour into 2 round cake pans ( I usually spray Pam) sprinkle evenly with pecans.
In large bowl, combine cake mix, water, eggs, and oil at low speed for 2 minutes, spoon over carmel mixture. Bake at 325* for 35-45 minutes or until cake springs back when touched lightly in center. Cool in pans for 5 minutes... Remove from pans and cool completely.

In another bowl beat whipping cream until ready then add powdered sugar and touch of vanilla. Beat until stiff peaks form.
To assemble place 1 layer on serving plate praline side up. Then top with whipping cream.
Then lay other cake on top praline side up. Top with cream. Decorate with whole pecans or chocolate shavings. Or whatever you want. Store in the Fridge.

Note: I always use more cream than asked for. I just mix cream like normal and layer.

So now I've shared my recipe. See what you get when you read my blog:) Happy baking.

Sixteen Candles

Well the day is almost here and Kathryn keeps sending me random texts that she is almost 16! Ryan has the day off so he is taking her to the DMV so that she can get her license and I don't know what else she has planned. I am not sure of her final decision of whether or not to attend school. For those of you who know her since she is a straight A student it is hard to 'MAKE' her go to school if she doesn't really want too but I like her to go.
I can't believe how fast she has grown up. She is so excited to go to Cosmotology. School in January and is anxious to earn some money so she can pay for it. She is funny, smart and very sarcastic. She has more adult friends in this ward than I do. And I love her for helping me with school choir and in my classroom. The choir kids at Saratoga LOVE Kathryn they laugh and listen to everything she tells them and she loves it. She is really hoping to get a job at summer Clear Creek this summer and I know she will love it.
Anyway I figured I'd better post this so I don't forget and so Kathryn doesn't think I forgot her birthday. I'm going to set her alarm on her phone to go off every hour all day tomorrow:) Gotta love being a MOM!
We are so grateful for you in our family and the influence that you bring into our home...
(And no she hasn't seen this movie, though I remember loving it when I was her age)

A new JOB!

And the final answer is Riverview Elementary...5th grade.

This morning I accepted a job at Riverview Elementary teaching 5th grade. I interviewed last week with the 2 new principals that are opening up the new schools here in Saratoga. I have a regular contract but since we have 6 5th grade teachers and next year there are only going to be 4 spots I knew that I might be out of luck for teaching 5th grade.

I received an email from the principal yesterday but I really thought it was "thanks for interviewing, I can tell your a good teacher but I'm not going to hire you" email. But to my surprise he called at 10 am this morning and offered me a job. I'm such a dork I didn't even do our plan of telling him that I needed a day to think about it. I just said "OKAY!" I'm really excited. I'm am sad because I love some of the people I work with. And one thing about Saratoga is that I know what to expect. But opening a new school is exciting! The principal told me that when he met me he knew that I would be a great match for the other lady that he hired to teach there also. I'm very excited. Can you tell...
I also feel very grateful that I at least know where I'm going. As Ryan says I am a control freak and I can't stand not knowing what is going on.
Just thought you might like to know:))

Calamity Jane

So I grew up on musicals. I'm sure that doesn't come as a shock to anyone but truly one of my favorite actresses is Doris Day. I love her in nearly everything but one of my faves is Calamity Jane. I just got home with some of the girls and Kathryn is decked out on the couch watching Calamity on Netflix. There is nothing like the sound of Doris' swooning voice. And don't forget Howard Keel. They just don't write movies/musicals like they used too.