The Christmas break was fantastic! We started off our trip with an adventure- we hit a huge storm outside Scipio and I woke up to our car sideways and sliding on the freeway. We ended up in the median, down a hill, with no phone service in the car. We were both unharmed and our car was perfectly fine, we did have to stand outside in 18-degree weather for 2 hours getting a tow truck. What can you do? We were very blessed to be unharmed and many people stopped to make sure we were okay.
We finally made it to Salt Lake and were able to enjoy a few days before Christmas. Santa was very good to us this year! We really enjoyed our time in with my parents, sister Mandi, brother-in-law Ryan, and newphews Alex and Darek. We had a great time relaxing, shopping, and playing games together (especially the Nerf War!). The weather was horrendous until the day after Christmas, so we missed taking a trip up to see my grandparents in Idaho (sometime soon grandma and grandpa!!)
We came back on Saturday the 3rd and welcomed our new little Sunbeams on Sunday to our class. It's going to be an interesting year of teaching our cute little 3-year-olds!
We were both a nervous about going back to school today, since we had such a fantastic break. However we both had great days back at school! My classes went really well and the students were quite pleasant. Chad had a similar experience. We both really enjoy our jobs and love the schools where we teach this year! We are very happy and very blessed to be in the place where we are! We hope that 2009 will bring us as much fortune and as many blessings as we were given in 2008.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Digital Scrapbook Fun!
I have created an album of our wedding using my new digital scrapbooking program! It's the first one and is kinda lame since I'm just discovering the software, but people have requested on facebook that I post wedding pics, so I'm doing it here. And P.S. Digital Scrapbooking is the way to go...I'm just getting into it, but holy crap, I should have asked Santa for one of these a long time ago! I HIGHLY recommend it!
The Christmas Update
I decided to do an update online this year instead of killing even more trees...so here goes:
Jan. 2008: We began the 2nd half of our first year teaching. We were living in St. George in an adorable 3 bedroom apartment. Life was good!
Feb. 2008: Teaching got a bit stressful for Beth with a crazy parent and with the changes happening at her school. Beth also turned 24. We welcomed a nephew, Kevin, on the 20th.
Mar. 2008: We celebrated our 2 year Anniversary with a Trip to Park City for a few days during spring break. It was beautiful! Beth finds out she will NOT be asked back to PVMS, so we start searching for jobs throughout the state of Utah.
Apr. 2008: Um...Easter? We headed to Las Vegas for Haven's 1st Birthday party! We did lots of job interviewing all over the state, but are both offered jobs in Hurricane, UT. YEA! We still have jobs!
May 2008: Our first year of teaching FINALLY ends. Actually it seemed much faster than we thought it would! Chad finishes up with a piano recital and Beth with End of Level testing. Beth is relieved to begin at a new school next year and Chad is excited to start teaching Band!
June 2008: Chad begins playing percussion for Les Miserables at Tuacahn. He is excited to get into the music scene in St. George (its a small world that you must work your way into). Beth is enjoying the time off of school and is busy finding a place for us to move. We traveled to Las Vegas for our nephew Judd's wedding! It was beautiful! We welcomed a nephew, Brayden, on the 3rd.
July 2008: Hell on earth. Really that's all I want to say...just kidding. Beth has a scare with a job transfer, but gets to keep her SpEd job at Hurricane Middle School. We visit Zion National Park and both get scooters! We find a cute 4 bedroom house to rent (only .7 miles from Beth's school). We are scheduled to move on July 31st. 4 days before we move, Beth's trusty Escort passes away on the side of the freeway (just in time for her before contract-days meetings begin) and we are a few days behind schedule in the "packing to move" department. Chad is assigned the overwhelming job to finish packing, find a fridge, reserve a U-Haul, and research new cars while Beth is at meetings. He did a fantastic job and Beth chilled a little! The move was smooth and were lucky enough to have help from Beths family and some friends! We traded in our two dead cars for a living one the day we moved into the house!
Aug. 2008: We go back to work on the 4th and school begins the 12th. We both already love the environments of our new schools and really enjoy teaching in Hurricane. Beth's whole family came to town the 15th-ish; we had family pictures taken, a birthday party, and the first of many NERF wars to come. We welcom twin nephews, Ian and Darek, on the 22nd (born July 3rd). We are back to "normalcy" in our lives! Oh, and Chad is still working Les Miserables...
Sept. 2008: More normalcy...school is going great for both of us. We travel to Salt Lake to meet one of our two new nephews.
Oct. 2008: We celebrated Chad's 29th birthday! Unfortunately, tragedy hit the next day when our little nephew, Ian, passed away. We spent 5 days in Salt Lake with family and for the funeral of little Ian. We took a planned trip to Disneyland with Beth's sister Mandi, nephews, and parents over fall break. Chad's time with Les Miserables is FINALLY over just as we leave for the funeral. We enjoyed dressing as a pirate and Darth Maul for Halloween!
Nov. 2008: Lots of time working this month. Beth went to a New Kids on the Block concert with her cousin and sister Mandi. We also took a VERY impromptu trip to New York over the Thanksgiving Holiday. It was a very relaxing and enjoyable month. We welcomed a new nephew, Jax, to the family on the 24th!
Dec. 2008: We hotsed a Christmas party for Chad's family on the 12th and we really enjoyed having everyone at our home. We also enjoyed having family at Chad's first ever band concert as a conductor! Beth was VERY proud! We headed up to Salt Lake for Christmas Break on the 19th (and had an adventure getting there!) and have really enjoyed our time with family! We are still awaiting the arrival of the last nephew of the year...we'll see when he comes! Santa was very good to us this year and are grateful for all that we have!
We love our little home in Hurricane, our ward (we teach the 3 year olds), our schools, the people we work with, and the relationships we are building! Life is fantastic!
I have been working on getting NYC pics into a slideshow to post here, but have been a bit busy. I got a digital scrapbook program for Christmas and am currently working on getting ALL my pictures from the past three years on to my new computer. I'm really excited to get going on it!
Jan. 2008: We began the 2nd half of our first year teaching. We were living in St. George in an adorable 3 bedroom apartment. Life was good!
Feb. 2008: Teaching got a bit stressful for Beth with a crazy parent and with the changes happening at her school. Beth also turned 24. We welcomed a nephew, Kevin, on the 20th.
Mar. 2008: We celebrated our 2 year Anniversary with a Trip to Park City for a few days during spring break. It was beautiful! Beth finds out she will NOT be asked back to PVMS, so we start searching for jobs throughout the state of Utah.
Apr. 2008: Um...Easter? We headed to Las Vegas for Haven's 1st Birthday party! We did lots of job interviewing all over the state, but are both offered jobs in Hurricane, UT. YEA! We still have jobs!
May 2008: Our first year of teaching FINALLY ends. Actually it seemed much faster than we thought it would! Chad finishes up with a piano recital and Beth with End of Level testing. Beth is relieved to begin at a new school next year and Chad is excited to start teaching Band!
June 2008: Chad begins playing percussion for Les Miserables at Tuacahn. He is excited to get into the music scene in St. George (its a small world that you must work your way into). Beth is enjoying the time off of school and is busy finding a place for us to move. We traveled to Las Vegas for our nephew Judd's wedding! It was beautiful! We welcomed a nephew, Brayden, on the 3rd.
July 2008: Hell on earth. Really that's all I want to say...just kidding. Beth has a scare with a job transfer, but gets to keep her SpEd job at Hurricane Middle School. We visit Zion National Park and both get scooters! We find a cute 4 bedroom house to rent (only .7 miles from Beth's school). We are scheduled to move on July 31st. 4 days before we move, Beth's trusty Escort passes away on the side of the freeway (just in time for her before contract-days meetings begin) and we are a few days behind schedule in the "packing to move" department. Chad is assigned the overwhelming job to finish packing, find a fridge, reserve a U-Haul, and research new cars while Beth is at meetings. He did a fantastic job and Beth chilled a little! The move was smooth and were lucky enough to have help from Beths family and some friends! We traded in our two dead cars for a living one the day we moved into the house!
Aug. 2008: We go back to work on the 4th and school begins the 12th. We both already love the environments of our new schools and really enjoy teaching in Hurricane. Beth's whole family came to town the 15th-ish; we had family pictures taken, a birthday party, and the first of many NERF wars to come. We welcom twin nephews, Ian and Darek, on the 22nd (born July 3rd). We are back to "normalcy" in our lives! Oh, and Chad is still working Les Miserables...
Sept. 2008: More normalcy...school is going great for both of us. We travel to Salt Lake to meet one of our two new nephews.
Oct. 2008: We celebrated Chad's 29th birthday! Unfortunately, tragedy hit the next day when our little nephew, Ian, passed away. We spent 5 days in Salt Lake with family and for the funeral of little Ian. We took a planned trip to Disneyland with Beth's sister Mandi, nephews, and parents over fall break. Chad's time with Les Miserables is FINALLY over just as we leave for the funeral. We enjoyed dressing as a pirate and Darth Maul for Halloween!
Nov. 2008: Lots of time working this month. Beth went to a New Kids on the Block concert with her cousin and sister Mandi. We also took a VERY impromptu trip to New York over the Thanksgiving Holiday. It was a very relaxing and enjoyable month. We welcomed a new nephew, Jax, to the family on the 24th!
Dec. 2008: We hotsed a Christmas party for Chad's family on the 12th and we really enjoyed having everyone at our home. We also enjoyed having family at Chad's first ever band concert as a conductor! Beth was VERY proud! We headed up to Salt Lake for Christmas Break on the 19th (and had an adventure getting there!) and have really enjoyed our time with family! We are still awaiting the arrival of the last nephew of the year...we'll see when he comes! Santa was very good to us this year and are grateful for all that we have!
We love our little home in Hurricane, our ward (we teach the 3 year olds), our schools, the people we work with, and the relationships we are building! Life is fantastic!
I have been working on getting NYC pics into a slideshow to post here, but have been a bit busy. I got a digital scrapbook program for Christmas and am currently working on getting ALL my pictures from the past three years on to my new computer. I'm really excited to get going on it!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Pictures
I have spent the better part of three hours uploading picures on to my computer. Not because my computer is slow, but because we took 454 pictures in New York and still didn't get everything. I am also upload pictures from my old computer on to my "new" computer. I put new in quotation marks because I've had the thing for a year and a half, I just haven't taken the time to put all my old pictures on it. So, expect some serious updates with pictures within a few days- hopefully Saturday won't be crazy, so I can do it then!
P.S. New York was AWESOME! If you can handle big crowds, crazy drivers, and no dirt, I HIGHLY reccommend a visit! Especially during the holidays! Everywhere is better during the holidays!
P.S. New York was AWESOME! If you can handle big crowds, crazy drivers, and no dirt, I HIGHLY reccommend a visit! Especially during the holidays! Everywhere is better during the holidays!
Friday, November 21, 2008
Tag...I'm it...
Both of my sisters tagged me on this one... so here goes (an P.S. I'm not tagging anyone else, If you want it, you got it!)
Here are the rules: you need to type 7 things about yourself that you don’t think anyone knows and then choose 7 people to tag at the end and leave their link.
I am pretty vocal about my life, but here goes-
1: When I am REALLY angry, I throw stuff. Keys, balls, pillows, a can, whatever is closest. I have yet to throw anything breakable. However I have done some damage, and am working on changing this!
2: I really dislike when people say "It takes a special kind of person to do that." when I tell them I teach Special Education. Freak, it takes a special kind of person to be a full time Wal-Mart checker, what the heck?
3: I actually used to eat red meat and pork at one point in my life. Thank goodness for that change...
4: I can be crafty and outdoorsy. I am currently in the process of making a tree-skirt for my christmas tree. Its going to be AWESOME- I'll post pics when I'm done! I have always enjoyed hiking, but since I married Chad, I enjoy camping more. However, I do still have my unfounded, ridiculous fear of ANY bug (except the praying mantis for some reason) which doesn't go over well living in Southern Utah.
5: I have impeccable spelling and grammar skills. It works out well for me since I teach middle school Language Arts, but is sometimes annoying because everyone misuses things- biggest peeve: 's and -s (totally different: -s is plural, 's shows ownership).
6: I go INSANE without anything to do. On the flip side of that I also go INSANE when I have too much to do (i.e. when I'm stressed). On both sides, I end up sleaning like mad- ask my parents, their house was immaculate the first time I had finals in college. I guess that's why I'm so clean and organized all the time- I'm INSANE all the time!
7: I don't want to be the parent of an infant. This may come as a shocker because I love my infant nieces and nephews, I just don't want to keep any for myself! Yes, I do want children, just not infants. I also don't want to stay at home with my kids (see #6), I like to work and have "Bethany time". I am a teacher and will be in school for only 1 hour more than my kids everyday and I will have all the same vacations as they will, so bring on the kiddos, just no babies please.
There you have it. There are plenty more that I could share, but they are a little too personal for a public blog!
Here are the rules: you need to type 7 things about yourself that you don’t think anyone knows and then choose 7 people to tag at the end and leave their link.
I am pretty vocal about my life, but here goes-
1: When I am REALLY angry, I throw stuff. Keys, balls, pillows, a can, whatever is closest. I have yet to throw anything breakable. However I have done some damage, and am working on changing this!
2: I really dislike when people say "It takes a special kind of person to do that." when I tell them I teach Special Education. Freak, it takes a special kind of person to be a full time Wal-Mart checker, what the heck?
3: I actually used to eat red meat and pork at one point in my life. Thank goodness for that change...
4: I can be crafty and outdoorsy. I am currently in the process of making a tree-skirt for my christmas tree. Its going to be AWESOME- I'll post pics when I'm done! I have always enjoyed hiking, but since I married Chad, I enjoy camping more. However, I do still have my unfounded, ridiculous fear of ANY bug (except the praying mantis for some reason) which doesn't go over well living in Southern Utah.
5: I have impeccable spelling and grammar skills. It works out well for me since I teach middle school Language Arts, but is sometimes annoying because everyone misuses things- biggest peeve: 's and -s (totally different: -s is plural, 's shows ownership).
6: I go INSANE without anything to do. On the flip side of that I also go INSANE when I have too much to do (i.e. when I'm stressed). On both sides, I end up sleaning like mad- ask my parents, their house was immaculate the first time I had finals in college. I guess that's why I'm so clean and organized all the time- I'm INSANE all the time!
7: I don't want to be the parent of an infant. This may come as a shocker because I love my infant nieces and nephews, I just don't want to keep any for myself! Yes, I do want children, just not infants. I also don't want to stay at home with my kids (see #6), I like to work and have "Bethany time". I am a teacher and will be in school for only 1 hour more than my kids everyday and I will have all the same vacations as they will, so bring on the kiddos, just no babies please.
There you have it. There are plenty more that I could share, but they are a little too personal for a public blog!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
2008 is...
The year of the Nephew, not the rat or donkey, it's nephew. The final toll is in and we will have 6 new nephews by the end of the year!
And they are (oldest to youngest):
Kevin David Titus (Feb. 20, 2008)
Brayden Alan Winslow (June 3, 2008)
Darek Ethan Wood (July 3, 2008)
Ian Jacob Wood (July 3, 2008)
Jax Layne Baker (due to come on Tuesday, Nov. 25)
Baby Boy Titus (gender confirmed today and I should've bet on this, I was the ONLY one who was sure it was a boy- due to come on Saturday, Dec. 20)
Thanks to all our married sibs (every married sibling on BOTH sides had a baby this year)- we appreciate y'all taking the pressure from us-anybody up for dibs next year? C'mon, you know you want it!
And they are (oldest to youngest):
Kevin David Titus (Feb. 20, 2008)
Brayden Alan Winslow (June 3, 2008)
Darek Ethan Wood (July 3, 2008)
Ian Jacob Wood (July 3, 2008)
Jax Layne Baker (due to come on Tuesday, Nov. 25)
Baby Boy Titus (gender confirmed today and I should've bet on this, I was the ONLY one who was sure it was a boy- due to come on Saturday, Dec. 20)
Thanks to all our married sibs (every married sibling on BOTH sides had a baby this year)- we appreciate y'all taking the pressure from us-anybody up for dibs next year? C'mon, you know you want it!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Wow!
Chad and I are doing this thing where we are home for a weekend, and then leave for a weekend, home, leave, home, leave...I'm looking forward to this weekend- its a home weekend! However, the last couple of times we have been gone for the weekend have been great!
In fact, last weekend was AMAZING! I went up to SLC for the weekend, by myself, and had a great time. I took Mandi and my cousin Leslie to the New Kids on the Block concert and it was FANTASTIC!!! What a blast from the past. I remembered all th words from their old songs! Mandi and I were total nerds, but we had a great time. It was also Leslies first concert- lucky her! I am still a HUGE fan of Donnie- gotta love the bad boys. Since I was coming up, my mom and I threw a shower for Mandi as well, which had a great turn out, we were very happy for her!
Chad stayed home so that he could catch up on his "man" stuff. We have a difference of opinion on a lot of movies, so he likes to have weekends by himself where he can get his fill of violent movies and video games and eat red meat and fish. He really enjoyed himself as well!
The time previous to that, we headed out to Las Vegas. We spent Halloween night with Hayley and her kids (they were adorable by the way) and left on Saturday morning for a wedding in Las Vegas (P.S. Chad was Darth Maul and I was a pirate for Halloween). It was a beautiful wedding and we had a great time catching up with some of Chads friends from High School. We also spent some time with Colby and Stephanie- they set up the spare room for Jax! It was really exciting. We always love being with their family!
We ate at the Cheesecake Factory (Man I love good food) and wandered around the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace. We also hit the Bellagio (my fav). They always have a seasonal display (it's huge) made from flowers and plants. This one had a huge mill, giant pumpkins, a really cool fountain, metal trees that were also fountains, a giant ent (that's a talking tree for you non-Lord of the Rings readers), and tree nymphs. It was beautiful. We'll have to take a trip down to see the Christmas and winter ones!
Pictures of stuff will follow!
Our next weekend trip will be over Thanksgiving break. We decided on a whim to go to NYC for Thanksgiving to take part in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade (ah the beauty of being childless)!! We depart on Tuesday the 25th (we're taking a red-eye out of Vegas) and coming home on the 30th. We have a good friend who lives out there that has graciously offered to have us for Thanksgiving dinner with his family and we are SO excited. Chad has never been to NY, so it'll be wonderful! I'll post when we get back!!
In fact, last weekend was AMAZING! I went up to SLC for the weekend, by myself, and had a great time. I took Mandi and my cousin Leslie to the New Kids on the Block concert and it was FANTASTIC!!! What a blast from the past. I remembered all th words from their old songs! Mandi and I were total nerds, but we had a great time. It was also Leslies first concert- lucky her! I am still a HUGE fan of Donnie- gotta love the bad boys. Since I was coming up, my mom and I threw a shower for Mandi as well, which had a great turn out, we were very happy for her!
Chad stayed home so that he could catch up on his "man" stuff. We have a difference of opinion on a lot of movies, so he likes to have weekends by himself where he can get his fill of violent movies and video games and eat red meat and fish. He really enjoyed himself as well!
The time previous to that, we headed out to Las Vegas. We spent Halloween night with Hayley and her kids (they were adorable by the way) and left on Saturday morning for a wedding in Las Vegas (P.S. Chad was Darth Maul and I was a pirate for Halloween). It was a beautiful wedding and we had a great time catching up with some of Chads friends from High School. We also spent some time with Colby and Stephanie- they set up the spare room for Jax! It was really exciting. We always love being with their family!
We ate at the Cheesecake Factory (Man I love good food) and wandered around the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace. We also hit the Bellagio (my fav). They always have a seasonal display (it's huge) made from flowers and plants. This one had a huge mill, giant pumpkins, a really cool fountain, metal trees that were also fountains, a giant ent (that's a talking tree for you non-Lord of the Rings readers), and tree nymphs. It was beautiful. We'll have to take a trip down to see the Christmas and winter ones!
Pictures of stuff will follow!
Our next weekend trip will be over Thanksgiving break. We decided on a whim to go to NYC for Thanksgiving to take part in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade (ah the beauty of being childless)!! We depart on Tuesday the 25th (we're taking a red-eye out of Vegas) and coming home on the 30th. We have a good friend who lives out there that has graciously offered to have us for Thanksgiving dinner with his family and we are SO excited. Chad has never been to NY, so it'll be wonderful! I'll post when we get back!!
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