February 2013

Well obviously I haven't been blogging forever!  A few things have happened in our family:

Darren, now 19 is currently serving an LDS mission in Guad East Mexico.  He went into the MTC after his 19th birthday, last October.  He is loving it there and has been working hard.

Kathryn, 17 (18 in April) has one more week of Cosmetology school left before she will be a licensed cosmo girl.  Last week she took her state boards and now she is finishing up her last 50 hours of 2000!  She has worked VERY hard and is excited to graduate.  She will graduate from high school in May and is leaning towards becoming a UTE.  I know it is hard to imagine, since Ryan and I both bleed blue we have Kathryn who is bleeding Red.  (Steph is planning on it too)

Jessica will be 16 in 20 something days.  Yes she could tell you exactly but I haven't kept track.  She is loving school, musical theater and choir.  She is a world class babysitter and someone who is kind of like the Pied Piper when children are around.  She has been helping me conduct my elementary school choir and that is fun also!

Stephanie is 14.  I think she is the only one that I have ever known not excited to become a Miamaid in our church young women's program.  She has been the president of the junior high dance company this year and has enjoyed working on the spring musical.  She also is a great babysitter and loves the babies!!

Rebecca is 12.  She is in 6th grade in the Gifted and Talented class.  She cracks us all up because she puts on a tom/sports boy act but is just as happy getting a manicure or her makeup done as the next teenage daughter.  Yeah I have a few of those.

Ryan continues to work for Fidelity and various hobbies.  He loves his calling as the Wolf leader partly because of the boys and partly because it is with his good friend Jon.
I am teaching 5th grade this year.  Last year I taught a split 5/6 class and that was a total run for my money.  So this year I have enjoyed less stress.  I get to do music in Relief Society and the ward choir as well as the choir for my school.
This is just little blurb of what is going on in our 3 ring circus home.... Love, Kerri

I know.. I know it is nearly March... YIKES!

My nephew came home from his mission and we gathered multiple times for family fun time:)



What a pretty Christmas table I set? !!

Darren opening presents Christmas morning... I think this shirt says a lot for a college freshman!
"Please pass me the ball".. "I know I'm a girl but I'm open and I can shoot!" This is Rebecca's montra each game. Except this last week they passed it to her and she made the shot so they passed it to her more! Yippee!

Can I just start by saying I love my family? Yesterday was President's Day and I accomplished very little but I did spend an enormous amount of time watching old episodes of "Say Yes to the Dress" with my girls. It is a funny show to watch about the UNREALISTIC life of girls that are getting ready to get married. It is funny to watch especially since I have four teenage daughters who scary as it may seem are probably closer to getting married than I even want to imagine. (When I think of Kathryn I think of Catey B who met her hubby while a junior in hs.!)

Okay let's back up a little... We have had random holidays and birthdays that I'll post about and we also have had lots of play time.

This school year is going VERY fast and Darren is coming home for spring break in less than 2 weeks. While home he is scheduled for his 'premission' physical, 'premission' dental and to have his wisdom teeth out. No Ft Lauderdale for his spring break! Hee hee.

Kathryn is in the full swing of cosmetology school and is learning things so fast. I wish I didn't teach everyday so I could go over and have her practice on me:)

Stephanie got cast in the musical Annie Jr. so she is busy rehearsing. Rebecca is doing great in school and loves being at Hidden Hollow. She is playing junior Jazz basketball and is doing AWESOME!

Jessica is busy with school, choir and young women's.

Sadie Hawkins 2011

Kathryn decided to ask Kenneth Stock to Sadie Hawkins this year. She dropped off a thing of "dibs" ice cream and called Dibs on him. He answered her with a really cute poem and a bouquet of balloons.
She had a little bit of a rough morning though... First she was gluing something and ended up super gluing her finger to the container. We did take pictures and laughed hard... Maybe not Kathryn laughing so hard... Then she was cleaning out the van and she slammed her finger in the door. Darn it. No pictures of that though:)

She and her girlfriends decided for their 'day' date to take the boys to "Aire Borne". It is a trampoline arena with different areas included dodgeball, a foam pit and tramps everywhere including 2/3s up the way on the walls. She said that it was really fun and all six of them had a great time. The dance was themed "Alice in Wonderland" So they had decided to theme theirs the queen of hearts. Since they knew they would get sweaty at the tramp place they painted hearts on pairs of white socks for all of them to wear.

After the day date they each went home to get ready for the 'casual' dance. The girls had painted red shirts for each of their dates. They came back here for a Japanese dinner date. Ryan had made them sushi, ginger beef, curry and all of the fixings. The boys were really cute and all of them laughed the whole time they were here. Then they were off to the dance. Kathryn said it was very fun and that the whole group danced and stayed all night:) Here are a few pictures from dinner. I'll get the rest from Cindi when we get them back... Her party consists of Sadie & Adam, and Stephanie & David.Kathryn, Stephanie, SadieKenneth, David, AdamKenneth contemplating the size of the futomaki roll, then hearing that Darren can put the whole thing in his mouth...

October 2011

For the end of September we had the chance to go down to Snow and go to church with Darren and then we went over to the Manti temple and take some snap shots of our family. It was fun to meet his roommates and get to know them a little better. My girls are READY to go to college after going to a college ward and watching the boys:)
We had a great birthday party for Rebecca, Darren came home and Kathryn, Darren, Jessica and Stephanie entertained 8 eleven year olds the entire time. I sat on the couch reading a book. Who said it doesn't pay to have teenagers? This was also conference weekend and we had a nice time relaxing and enjoying the conference messages together.
Later we had a high school choir concert by Jessica, a daddy daughter date with Ryan and Rebecca, fall break in which we relaxed and went to a Halloween couples party and we just keep rolling forward.
We are almost done with our first quarter of school. I can't believe how fast this year is flying by. I have enjoyed my class of 33 5th and 6th graders. They are well behaved and right now are enjoying writing Halloween stories:)
Earlier this month I took a number of ladies to the Salt Lake library sale. We left at 6am and returned by 9:30 I only spent about $2 but Kathryn and Stephanie spent about $20 so it evened out.

The end of summer...

So there are always massive intentions when it comes to summer vacation... Well this summer we ran around like crazy but most of my intentions were not to come to pass...

Ryan is in young mens so he got to go to youth conference too. He also took the priests golfing, swimming, rock climbing and shot gun shooting. He has done some black smithing and got to go the Colonial Days on the 4th of July and sit and visit with the black smith there.

Darren has worked most of the summer and has been able to enjoy getting ready to move out and start school. He attended 2 youth conferences, family reunions, Lagoon, overnighters....

Kathryn has been busy working at 5 Guys. She has been a 'top' employee for them. She has been to youth conferences (ours and another wards), girls camp, family reunions and has played hard with some neighbor friends.

Jessica went to youth conference and girls camp and has done babysitting, dog sitting and various things. She began the summer by spranging her ankle so she was a little disabled.

Stephanie has been dogsitting for our friends since the end of May. She also went to girls camp, stayed with Sam and Treva for a week while I was in Boston.

Rebecca has spent time dogsitting, staying with her 'kindred cousins' in Riverton and hanging out.

I spent 2 weeks working at Clear Creek. Which was like an added vacation for my family. They went to the movies, bought treats and had the 'fun diet' while I was gone. Now I'm sitting in a messy house, around boxes that hopefully will get moved into my new classroom next Friday and boxes going with Darren next Wednesday. Did I accomplish anything this summer? Not nearly as much as I always intend but we have enjoyed each others company. One day my to do list will be shorter but I don't think it will happen till Rebecca moves out...

Class of 2011

What a beautiful night. We took Darren's friends Madison and Julie with us and we went to Olive Garden to dinner. Then we drove out to Orem and waited for the ceremony to begin. The speakers were motivational and then they announced the winners of some of the scholarships. Darren earned the Centennial Scholar $1000 money for graduating as a Jr. we have known all along that he would get this money but it was nice that they called him up and honored him as a junior graduating early. Afterwards we came back to the house and ate carrot cake from Costco. Ryan and I gave Darren a big laundry tub full of all kinds of kitchen things that he can use next year, from random spices, to a rice cooker, and cheese grater... Darren sat and cried as he realized that he really is leaving home. Darren wasn't the only one crying. He is such an awesome kid. I've never been disappointed with him. I'm sad to see him move out but I'm excited for his new adventure. He is going to love Snow College and being on his own. Yes as I have been telling people for the past few weeks I am old enough to have a son in college.

More Sr. pictures

Graduation 2011

So if you know us we have been wondering whether Darren would get the deed done and finish everything so that he can graduate this summer. Well he is about done. He has finished all of the required assignments and has to take 2 finals ( Quarter 1& 2 ) for Adult Roles. Tough class huh? Anyway last Monday we found out that if he finished everything that the high school is holding their graduation ceremony next Thursday night. So he has been working like a mad man to finish and get to walk with a cap & gown.
Last night my friend Cindi took his senior pictures for him. I'm going to post a few here for your enjoyment.

Boston 2011

I was very fortunate to participate in a Teaching American History Grant this last school year. We had various trainings and received LOTS of fun books, dvds and ideas for my classroom. To top it off we got to fly to Boston and stay at the Embassy Suites by the airport and have a whirlwind trip of the many historic sites (and a few none) of Boston...including Plimoth (as spelled by William Bradford) Lowell Cotton Mills, Paul Revere home, Concord/Lexington green, USS Constitution, Bunker Hill, Old North and Old South churches.
We also had the opportunity to do some geneology work in Salem (one of my direct ancestors was hung), do temple work in the LDS temple and a harbor bay cruise. I'll post some pictures but I made one of the guys on my team take pictures for me and he has over 2000 so when he gets them organized and burned then I will have some.

The month of May

Wow... It is almost over, the school year, Darren's high school career, my job at Saratoga, it seems like everything is coming to an end. Stephanie has 3 more days of elementary school then she will be in junior high, Jessica has 3 more days of jr. high and then she will be in high school.
I can't believe how fast this school year has flown by. I moved out of my classroom this weekend I will only be a shark for 4 more days.
I have loved the people that I work with. I will definitely miss the staff at this school. I am excited for my new adventure and had fun playing with the people on my new staff. I'm also excited to go to Boston next week. I am also excited for the 2 babies that will join our family in the next 5 weeks!

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.

Snow!

So I'm very sorry about the snowy day we are having today. I'm afraid I'm to blame for it. Darren is driving back down to Ephraim today to compete with the other finalist to become a Snow Ambassador. I'm very excited for him. But of course it does worry me to send him in my van by himself a couple of hours from home. Last time he had to drive down it snowed also. It just tends to be our luck.

Don't worry I hate snowy days. As I sit on my computer during inside recess while they wait to get to go to lunch. Spring I thought you were coming?