BID #4 Yankee Stadium

I love the Yankees, mostly in a historical sense, but I would love to make it to Yankee Stadium sometime inmylife!

Pho sho!

"She's a Pho Pro!"
~ Cousin Jo (that's me, not sure why though)

A. Rogers July 2011

Ok, so I have heard of Pho befo' but I have never had the chance to try it. Pho is a Vietnamese soup with really super long noodles and then different kinds of meat or shrimp, etc. So, Chantelle and Brooklynn love pho, so they had to take me to their favorite pho place, The Bamboo Cafe. Pretty good stuff.

Zuma Beach

SMILE! You're at Zuma!

On Saturday, I started my California vacation off perfectly! My cousin Chantelle and her daughter, Brooklynn (6), along with Chantelle's friend, Cindy, and her little girl, Katie (4), all went out for pedicures early in the morning. Cindy treated us all to mochas and smoothies from Dr. Conkey's coffee and candy. She brought me a super yummy strawberry banana smoothie! Chanti got her toes painted bright pink with little flowers for her anniversary cruise, Brookie and Katie went for a bright gold, Cindy got sparkly blue, and I chose a bright purple with sparkles. There's nothing quite as wonderful to start a summer vacation to the beaches and sunshine, as a perfect pedi!


Shortly after arriving at the beach, we noticed a large, dead jellyfish lying next to the water! I have never seen one before in real life. We made sure to stay back from it, because they can sting you even after they are dead. Some kid decided to go tell a lifeguard and guess what the lifeguard's response was... he said, "So." Seriously? What kind of lifeguard says, "So." Anyways, the jellyfish was quickly washed back to sea where he was given a proper burial closer to his home.

Haha! Look how scared Brooklynn looks!

I was sooooooo excited to see dolphins jumping all over the place not too far out. In fact I could probably have swam out and actually touched them! They were just out a little past where the waves were breaking. I love that I caught this picture of such a great memory.


Brooklynn is such a cutie! She didn't want to get to close to the water at first. She wanted to sit way back from the water and she kept trying, in vain of course, to keep the sand off of her feet, her lounge chair, and her towel.

Brooklynn getting sunscreened. haha. I love her face all scrunched up!

She loves the camera!

I love, love, love the happiness on her face right here.

Such a supermodel!



We also enjoyed flying kites . . .

and building sand castles!

I look forward to going back again sometime soon.

Independence Day- Lake Powell style

On Monday, July 4 and Tuesday, July 5, Mom, Kelly, and I went camping at Wahweap at Lake Powell. I have not been back to Page since I left 6 years ago! I can't believe it. It was very strange to be going back.
When we got there we all worked in the heat to get the tent up. Mom and I both had snazzy cots and Kelly used Mom's awesomely huge air bed. All three of our lovely camp beds fit in the tent nicely and I was glad to have cots, because actually, it provided more room than other times we've camped because we were able to store our bags below the cots. After getting everything set up, we took a trip into Page and went to RD's and enjoyed some amazing hamburgers, corn dogs, and ice cream! A local tradition that is unmatched.
I got a terrible heat headache and when I get these, they are hard to get rid of. We went down to the lake, and it was terribly crowded with locals. We stayed a short time, then went to the resort and went swimming. After that, I was hoping to be rid of my headache, but I wasn't so I slept through dinner. Later, I ate so melon, but that was all. We decided not to go into town to watch the fireworks. It was such a warm night (although very windy) that none of us even needed to use any blankets, but we did get a small sprinkling of rain in the early morning. It felt good with our tent windows open and small drops occasionally slipping through.
On Tuesday, we tried to head out to Antelope Canyon to go on a tour of the slot canyons, but were disappointed to see that we had to pay $6 EACH for parking, even though we were all in the same car (explain that one to me, please) + $25 each (cash only) for the tour! We were very bummed, but went back to the lake and enjoyed the much less crowded beach almost to ourselves.
Wednesday morning, we woke up, tore down camp, and headed back to St. George. It was a short, but wonderful break and fun to get away from town without having to drive too far. I was a bit disappointed to not have the time to see people who I had not seen in a while, but I intend to make another visit sometime in the fall if I can swing it.

More notes!

Well, today was the last day of school so, of course, I got plenty of notes. Thought I would share a good one.

Dear: Miss Rogers I'm going to miss you. I learnd things that I didn't now. You are a great techer. You are so so so nice becuse you let us have fun things and lerning things to do. I didn't now how to multiply before but now I now how I'm going to tell you the answer of 8x7=56 and 8x8=64. I'm going to miss you.
Your BFF Best Friend Forever
From Miriam

(Followed by a beautiful sketch of Miriam and Miss Rogers. We sort of look like twins.)

Happy summer, everyone!

Another year has come and gone,

Like a downhill train without its brakes.

So now we are writing a fancy song,

About our year, the good times and the aches.

Wearing shiny, new uniforms, in August we trudged

On to Dixie Sun eager to learn a lot of stuff

And every day, that ‘form we wore – and though begrudged

To tuck in our shirts, we did with a huff.

Miss Rogers, our teacher, worked us to the bone.

She laughed when we cried, “Are you serious?!?! AND IN CURSIVE, TOO!”

She chuckled when we would whine and groan.

But, we knew she loved us when she said, “Here, let me give you a little
c l u e….

And, “Yes, you can. Yes, EVEN YOU!!!”

Treasures was a BLAST!

And did you know that I just used onomatopoeia.

Well, I did. And if you asked

“What is that?” I would smile and say it’s used in poetree-a.

Another totally awesome writing tool is “PER-SON-I-FI-CATION.”

A really long word, for a trick we dig, especially in “Nacho and Lolita,”

Our favorite story, where Nacho is in love and uses SONG-I-FI-CATION

To make Lolita fall in love with him and come to his casita.

Science was the best- we all had so much fun!

Bill Nye rocks and made us laugh about so many strange things,

Gravity, Ecosystems, the Moon and the Sun,

Our hearts, brains, skeletons, and Saturn’s rings.

We got our creative juices flowing with writing and art,

Using different styles and genres made us kinda scared

“What if mine is ugly?” “It’ll be great, just get a start!”

We all are creative, smart, and brave- BECAUSE WE DARED!!!

So, now it’s time we wave good bye,

To José, Mr. P, Miss Rogers, and all our pals at Dixie Sun

True, it’s sort of sad, and some might cry,

But come August, we will be back for another year of fun!

Another awesome "love note"

Haha! That is what I call notes that my students give me. This is the one I got today.
"To: Miss Rogers From: Sam
open ---->
Dear Ms. Rogers
Thank you for teaching me it was really fun we made crafts watched movies learnd about native americans and it was fun. I am happy that the ether kids get to have the same amount of stuff the we got to do. and I am going to miss you alot and I hope we get to see each other agin. And I hope 4th grade is as fun as you.
from:
Sam"

I think this is the best part of being a teacher!

My favorite picture

E.Watts 2011

This is my new favorite picture of me and my sweet little niece. She was talking to me, which is something she is just learning how to do. She sticks out her tongue as she tries to pull the babbles and coos from deep in her tummy. It is so sweet to feel the words work their way almost from her toes up to her little lips. I don't think I have felt anything so amazing inmylife, as the genuine love I have for these babes and they have for me.

Dress up

Last night, my sister wanted to play dress up with little Lolo and take some pictures with my camera. After we got Bubs to bed we had fun dressing her up in a tutu and pearls, but she was not completely cooperative and it was a bit difficult to get some good pix at first. These are some of the fun ones that we got. Erin took most of them, but I love them! So they are going on here!!! P.S. My new goal is to post to this blog once a week and update you on what is happening inmylife. I am focusing mostly on my daily blog which you can check out by clicking here if you haven't yet.

E. Watts 2011Haha, with her little cap on, she looks like a Puritan baby!
Erin and I happen to have the same quilt. We must be sisters.

E.Watts 2011Grandma's pearls look so beautiful on her!

E. Watts 2011And look at that tutu!

A.Rogers 2011All snuggly in her swing.

A.Rogers 2011Nakie girl... :)


E.Watts 2011Grandma lovin' up the babe!

E.Watts 2011

Happy MLK, Jr. Day!

As you celebrate your day off today, take some time to think about the freedoms and rights that you enjoy. After all, Dr. King didn't just fight for the rights of his people, he fought for the rights of all people who were not treated fairly. That includes you, me, and our neighbors of all races, colors, and religions.

Playing at the river

On Friday afternoon, I took my nephew, Jude, now almost 17 months old, to the river. It is a short walk from their house and the minute we turned out of the driveway and crossed the street, he knew exactly where we were headed. He started chanting excitedly, "Bafta, bafta, bafta!" (bathtime). I reminded him of the sign for water and he started to use it.... as we were leaving to go back home. The whole time we were there, it was "bafta" this and "bafta" that, "bafta" over here and "bafta" over there. I love this little boy and I am so thankful to have him inmylife every single day.

Sunrises

"I believe in Christianity as I believe the sun has risen. Not because I see it, but because by it, I can see everything else."

~ C.S. Lewis

Have you ever....

.... stopped when you saw a veteran or an active soldier and said, "Thank You!" They truly deserve it! Please try it. It makes you feel so wonderful. I talked to a great WWII vet and his daughter in McDonald's a few weeks ago. He was an angel! Sometimes you feel weird striking up a conversation with a complete stranger, but all you really have to say is, "Thank you!" and your heart will say the rest. They will understand. You might even get a hug!!!!

Books= brain candy!

I love books. I love everything about them. New books with crispy pages, old books with yellow, dog eared pages and a deep, stuffy library smell. Big books, small books, children's books, adult books. Classics, biographies, fiction, non fiction, picture books- I love them all. Here are a few quotes about books and reading that I like.

"No skill is more crucial to the future of a child, or to a democratic and prosperous society, than literacy."

~ LA Times, "A Child Literacy Initiative for the Greater Los Angeles Area

"We read to know we are not alone."

~ C.S. Lewis

"The more you read,
the more things you will know.
The more that you learn,
the more places you'll go."

~ Dr. Seuss

A Thankful Heart

"In life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy."

-Brother David Steindl-Rast @ www.gratefulness.org

'Tis the season to measure that which I am grateful for. This is a wonderful blessing that I have (and you too!)... to count each blessing inmylife; which is usually "small and simple" (Alma 37:6), but occasionally very great, and soon I start to see just how much I have been blessed with every day.If we can cultivate an attitude of gratitude in our hearts, we will have the power to overcome all of life's challenges and those debilitating feelings of inadequacy that come from the adversary in an effort to keep us from reaching for that power that we have within us to do something amazing and become someone beautifully divine. Each day during the month of November, I am going to add to this list something that I am thankful for, no matter how small or insignificant it may be. In order to discover the power of gratitude to unleash unlimited abundance and happiness in YOUR life, click here.

November 1: I am thankful for my warm, comfy bed.

November 2: I am thankful for the opportunity I have to vote.

November 3: I am thankful for my students who know how to make me smile.

November 4: I am thankful for my family.

November 5: I am thankful for soldiers, firefighters, police officers, and all others who protect and fight for our life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

November 6: I am so thankful to have been raised knowing that Jesus Christ is my Savior and that God loves me enough to provide a way to overcome sin, weakness, and all types of pain. What greater love is there than that?

I am thankful for my beautiful nephew and his sweet spirit. He truly loves unconditionally!

November 7: I am thankful for good music and the power it has to lift your spirits and bring you closer to God.

November 8: I am thankful for rain.


November 9: I am thankful for prayer, especially at 2:00 in the morning when everything seems so hopeless.


November 10: I am thankful for warm clothes and the heat in my car on a frosty morning. I am also thankful for the heat in my home on a cold afternoon and evening.



November 11: I am thankful for my grandfather, William Allen Myers, Jr and his service to America in the US Coast Guard. I miss you, Bucky! Thank you for being my hero and my guardian angel. I am also thankful for another grandfather, Garn, and his service to America (Air Force) as well!

November 12 I am thankful for the weekend and to have report cards all finished and ready for conferences next week.

November 13 I am grateful for friends. Today I am remembering a really good friend and missing her lots on her birthday. I also was able to spend some time with some good friends from Page that I haven't seen in 2-3 years. Yay for friends.

November 14 I am grateful for Sundays and the spiritual nourishment and refreshment that I get.

November 15 I am grateful for small breaks in between parent teacher conferences. Enough to take a swig from the Dr. Pepper and run to the bathroom.

November 16 I am grateful for my job. Even though the little "turkeys" are loud, sometimes naughty, don't listen too well, and sometimes are energy draining, it sure is rewarding to get a hug from so many of them as I walk across the playground. You would think I was Hannah Montana or something, the way they run up to me yelling my ...name with their arms stretched out for a hug. :D

November 17 I am thankful to have so much to be thankful for.

November 18 I am thankful to be done with parent teacher conferences, and that only 2 people stood us up.

November 19 I am grateful for nice strangers, Santa's Little Helpers! Today I was at Maverick getting at soda and the stranger, an older gentleman sneezed so naturally, I said, "bless you!" Well when I went to buy my drink, I found he had paid for it. That is the 2nd time in recent months that a stranger has paid for my stuff.

November 20 I am thankful that I was able to learn how to read. I am thankful for books, and for all the enjoyment and learning that I get from them.

November 21 I am grateful to have a place of my own. No one cares if it is messy, except me. I can sleep in since no one is making noise. I can do my laundry when I want and not have to worry whether the washer or dryer is available. Its all mine....but I do wish I had someone to help me clean it.

November 22 I am thankful for my weaknesses and the humility they have helped me to develop. I am thankful for my ADHD and the things that I have learned about how to learn. Even though I didn't really struggle in school (aside from math), there is so much in other areas of my life that I struggle to learn and it has helped me understand how to be patient with myself and others, and how it feels when you think everyone thinks you're stupid or slow.

BID #3

Something I have always wanted to learn how to do inmylife is learn how to play all kinds of musical instruments. Unfortunately, I quit piano as a kid. Maybe someday I will find the motivation to try again. I can still plink out the songs in my Christmas song book I have had since I was ten, as well as many songs in middle c. Beyond that, I am lost! I also had a short stint in the school band in 6th grade in the brass section...French horn. The most useful thing I learned was how to empty the spit valve. But one of the two instruments I have always wanted to learn is the violin (the other is the trumpet, ironically similar to the despis-ed French horn). Someday, I will do that! It is officially submitted to the BID list.

Happy Fall

Today Erin asked me if I could take some pictures of Bub (the rest are on Facebook) so that she could enter him into the Gap Casting Call competition. We drove out to Staheli Farms in Washington, but they weren't open and we had no idea if they would even be open. Note to Stahelis- a sign out front with your hours of operation, or answering your phone, would be helpful. So we drove out to Hurricane, LaVerkin, and Toquerville, hoping that somewhere out in the sticks there would be a farm of some sort where we could get some good pictures. Finally, I called Staheli's again and someone answered. Their hours? 3-6:00. So we drove back. By this time, Bub was not a happy boy, tired and cranky, so it was difficult to get him to cooperate, but we did get some really cute pics. Hard not to with a cute boy like him. I am so grateful to have this little punkin inmylife!!!!

Auntie Annie loves you Bubs!

That huge hole in the Earth

Since Kelly and I both had a four day weekend for UEA Weekend (better known down here as Utah Exodus to Anaheim), we decided to road trip up to the North Rim. Despite the fact that I have had several opportunities inmylife to visit the canyon while serving a mission in northern Arizona for 1 1/2 years, and while teaching school in Page for 2 years, I never have found the time. Unfortunately right now, it is in it's last few days before completely closing down. The lodge and Visitor's Center have already closed down, in fact. But it was a beautiful drive up through the Kaibab Forest. The aspen trees were the most amazing golden color. Especially, at about 4:00 or 5:00 when the sun was getting low. There was one patch of trees on our drive back that we noticed with lots of aspens clustered together and it looked like they were on fire because of the way the sun was hitting them. It was truly amazing. I have always thought that the aspen is one of my favorite trees. We had a picnic inside the park overlooking the canyon, then drove up to the lodge and walked out to Bright Angel Point. The story, Brighty of the Grand Canyon by Marguerite Henry is about a little donkey that lived in this area of the canyon for about 40 years and helped create a trail down the canyon. He got to meet Teddy Roosevelt and was the first one to cross the bridge after it was built. I read this story to my students last year and they loved it! I love the history of this area. After enjoying the view at Bright Angel Point, we drove up to Imperial Point, the highest point in the canyon and enjoyed the view from there. It was a nice opportunity to enjoy some of God's greatest wonders and have a look into the majesty of some of the creations of the earth. The weather was wonderful with rain off and on, cool, but not too cold. There were some great looking dark clouds that were hovering over the canyon, threatening an oncoming storm, but it never really showed up. I would like to go back sometime when I can take more time and enjoy some of the hikes. My knee was not putting up well with even the short walk at Bright Angel. I would also like to take another trip down the river sometime. That is always a great experience. Maybe I will have to post some pictures from that, even though it was several years ago, and maybe I will even share my near death experience story from my first river trip when I was thrown from the pontoon boat and pulled under, frightfully close to the props. Maybe...
Oh, and I will also be getting the rest of the pictures up on Facebook soon so watch for those. They are spectacular!