Ellie and Me

5 Weeks ago... I decided I needed a companion. I have wanted a dog FOREVER! A big dog, who will come to practice with me, run with me, cuddle with me, and love me for all my many faults! I looked at the pound, and I, along with my landlord, weren't pleased with the dogs there. My landlord, Amanda, gave me a website http://www.gemdoodle.com/ The breeder, Susan, breeds "goldendoodles" which are a cross between golden retriever and poodle. I went to her house and met my new best friend... Ellie! Although puppies are hard like babies, and expensive (goldendoodles are considered designer dogs), I fell in love and bought her! Ellie has been with her new "mom" for three weeks now. We are loving going for morning walks, playing tug-o-war, chase, and cuddling! I have had some negative remarks from people regarding my break-up with Joe and then buying a dog, but Ellie is the best thing that has happened to me in the last 5 weeks!

Tug -O-War

Ellie <3 href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UyaqrD6wrFk/SwDBrURgrFI/AAAAAAAAAfM/Y6291v0q6Xw/s1600/PA312806.JPG"> Sleeping on mommy

Ellie asleep after her first bath

Such a pretty lady

Me and my girl!

I love seeing this every morning!

Ellie's puppy picture from Susan

ps-- any good advice on puppy/raising MUCH WELCOMED!

Happy "Burtday" Avery

Someone very special to me is turning two today... Miss Avery Jeanne Newgard. This little sweetheart lights up my world every time I see her or get to talk to her on the phone. It is amazing to see the development she has gone through since I posted about her first birthday last year. I constantly smile when I loo at pictures of Avery (and Jax too) and always call my sister to talk to her when I am down, or sad, or just need a smile.

This picture was taking on the day of Jax's dedication. She was eating ranch and carrots.

I am one lucky aunt to have such a beautiful, funny, crazy/sassy little two year old niece!

Happy Birthday Avery Jeanne, I LOVE YOU!!!

Somebody has a case of the "Monday's"...

Bottom line, I had a bad Monday. Putting on a smiley face everyday for 10 plus hours is hard. I came home, and just needed some alone time. I called my mom to hear Avery and she said "Hi Jamie". It sounded more like "Hiiieee Shamy". Nonetheless, hearing that angle voice opened the flood gates and a good cry was produced. Sometimes that is just what a "tough girl" needs.

I keep a picture of my family (the most recent of just the five of us), and the first time that I held Jackson and Avery together by my computer. These people in my life make me feel so much better even when they are 500 miles away... damn here come the flood gates again.

I just can't wait to come home this upcoming weekend. I miss you family! <3

Praxis Results

The results are in....I PASSED!

So remember that test I took in July that I was stressed out about... well I just check my results last night and I passed both the Health and PE Praxis!!

Just makes me one step closer to finishing my Master's!

Thanks for ALL the prayers, encouragment, and support, it paid off!

Calling all Exercisers! I NEED YOUR HELP!

So I teach two Aerobics classes at Nampa High. This is my first year teaching, let alone aerobics! Last Friday, I started introducing them to Step Aerobics and did some of the basic "steps". I am going to start incorporating arm movements next week.

Here is where I need you... I need MUSIC ideas! It can be "eighties butt rock" rock, rap, pop, classical (as long as it has a good beat)!

So anything that you work out to that keeps you motivated, sweating, moving, and having fun, I WANT TO KNOW... help me out to get these kids moving!

ps-- now that I am teaching this class, I totally find myself dancing to EVERYTHING. I am not going to lie, I just had a mini-dance in my shower, trying out new moves!

Labor Day spent laboring away!

Well the World's Worst Blogger is back! Maybe I will change my blog name to that. Here is how summer ended for me. Joe and I really got into fishing and went to the Snake River a lot to try and catch some bass. I am not the biggest fan of river fishing because I snagged constantly. I like to let my bait sit in the water and soak. The river (since it moves... duh) doesn't let me do that.

We took a trip up to cascade where we saw an awesome lightening storm, a forest fire, caught some more fish, and rode the 4-Wheelers around. Soccer pre-season started up full swing after that.

Soccer is going really well. My team is 2-3 overall, and 1-3 in league play. Last year they didn't win ANY games, this year we have won two. One of those being a league game which they haven't won in over three years. Last year they scored only 2 goals, we have surpassed that by scoring 11 so far. I am really proud of my girls. Here is a link to the Idaho Press Tribune that the sports reporter wrote: http://www.idahopress.com/?2009-09-02-Girls-Soccer-Five-Storylines-to-watch-this-season

Mom came and visited me for 6 days. We had a BLAST! We went and saw Harry Potter 6 in 3D at the IMAX. We also saw Julie and Julia. We shopped, drank coffee and caught up, and put together my new desk. Thanks so much for coming Mom! I miss you!

School (for my MAT) has started up again. So on top of teaching full time, coaching full time, I am now a full time grad student. Thus, I am about to spend my Labor Day off, laboring away on work samples, homework, and lesson planning. Oh well... God has TRULY blessed me in placing me at Nampa High.

Pop Corn with LOTS of butter, cherry coke, and very fashionable 3d glasses!

First fish of the season, a teeny, tiny bass
ps-- for all you animal lovers, he was released back into the Snake River after we kissed!

Goofing around with mom <3

Loved having you here mom!

Joe and I celebrated our one year anniversary of dating. We went to Barbacoa (an AMAZING restaurant) and watched a lightening storm at Lucky Peak Lake. He gave me chocolates from Sees Candy, and really pretty silver hoop earrings.

Soccer and Teaching

Whoever knew that being a head coach and a first year teacher would be so hard?! This has been a crazy hectic week and will only get crazier the next couple. We have been doing two-a-days since Monday in the 95+ degree heat. Those girls are working hard! I love it! I love everything about coaching my own program, seeing girls succeed, and seeing them KNOW they have potential.

Last year they were 0-13 with no motivation, intensity, or coaching. This year, with me taking over, has drastically changed!

Mom flies in tomorrow to spend some time with me. I have a new teacher's lunch, and start my first day at Nampa High School August 20. I am really excited to what this year has to offer me.

God is GOOD! He has opened up doors for me and there are times I feel so undeserving. We have a good, loving, futuristic God!

Go Bulldogs!