Thanksgiving Break

Jared and I had a great Thanksgiving break. It was much needed and came just at the perfect time. We enjoyed time with both families and time to ourselves. Our break started out with the "blizzard of 2010" it wasn't much, but it got me out of work early so I won't complain. Jared and I enjoyed a afternoon and night in. It was so nice know we didn't have to be anywhere. I took pictures to "document" the blizzard.

We ate some delicious sweet chili.

Played our new red Wii that goes great with our decor :)

The wall of snow beginning to build up at our door. The next morning there was probably twice as much snow.

So much for cover parking right? Our cars had some pretty cool drifts.

Although this storm wasn't what everyone was saying it was going to be (which is good) it was nice to use it as an excuse to stay home and just relax.

The next morning we woke up and got started on painting our room. I have been wanting to paint for a really long time, but life just got crazy and we really never had time to begin a project like painting. So I decided that over Thanksgiving break we would paint it. (Jared was thrilled) I was a little nervous when we started because I had bought the paint way back in July and I couldn't remember exactly what it looked like. I am so happy how it turned out. Thanks for your help Nikki! It made the process go a lot faster! I LOVE my green bedroom!

After we used up all the paint we had (yes we had to go back Friday and get more paint to finish) Nikki helped me put up my Christmas tree. I know it was the DAY before Thanksgiving, but I was just so excited. I love having my own place to decorate! I am quite pleased how it turned out.

Its not the best picture, but it gives you an idea of what it looks like.

Wednesday night we went to an Aggies play the Utes in basketball. As always we really enjoyed ourselves. Our friend Brittney joined us with her little boy Chace. It was nice to have Britt sitting by us again considering last season we sat by each other at every game. Chace and I both had blue and gray stripes on so of course we had to get a picture! Isn't baby Chace just adorable! I am so glad Britt and Chace were able to join us at the basketball game!

Thanksgiving Day was spent at Jared's parents house. We at some delicious deep fried turkey and other great food. We was a great day spent just enjoying everyones company. I think this is the best way to spend the holidays. Friday Jared and I came back over to Logan and just spend the day finishing up projects around the house. It was so nice that Jared didn't have to work black Friday this year. Thank goodness there is no more retail jobs for us! (hopefully) Saturday we stopped by the Hudman Christmas party and then headed down Morgan to spend time with my family. I love the holidays because it gives you an excuse to spend time with family. I'm amazed at how much my nieces and nephews are growing and becoming their own person. I am so grateful for all of my family and everything that they have done for me.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season!

Change

You're just a fool

Just a fool

To believe you can change the world

Don't listen to them when they say

You're just a fool

Just a fool

To believe you can change the world

Oh the smallest thing can make all the difference

Love is alive

Don't you listen to them when they say

You're just a fool

Just a fool

To believe you can change the world

Lately these lyrics have been in my mind. I have noticed that a lot of the teachers at the school I teach at are there for themselves and only themselves. They worry whether or not they get their full 30 minutes of lunch, their prep time, and other little things that really shouldn't matter if you are there for the students education. Not to build myself up, but I am at the school every morning by 6:50 and don't leave until 3:30 or 4:00 on any given day. I do not have a prep and force myself to take a lunch because I still have students in my class room when it is my lunch. Now there are a few teachers in the school who are there for the students. Two teachers come to mind. One is the a science teacher and the other is the 7th grade resource teacher. These two individuals are there to make a difference in there student's lives. They are constantly finding ways to help their students who are struggling. If all teachers were like these two teachers I can only imagine what the education system would be like. I hope that I can become the kind of teacher they are.

Many teachers look at my job like it is a baby sitting job. They look at my students like something is wrong with them. I think it is sad that there are a teachers that won't even allow my students in their classroom. Something is wrong with that. I want to CHANGE that. I want to sow these teachers how important education is especially to those students who have a disability. My students may not look like everyone else or act like everyone else but they are still kids and want to have fun and learn. When the other teachers look at me and make comments on certain students behavior it hurts inside. If they only understood what my students went through each day and that some of them can't control themselves then maybe they would understand better.

I am very thankful for the support I do have in the school. For the teachers that let my students into their classrooms to learn and make learning fun. I have a great principal and vice principal that support me and understand that somedays are going to be absolutely crazy.

I do want to CHANGE how those select teachers view my students and the regular ed students education. When I entered the education field I thought everyone was in the field for the students and to give them the best education possible, but the few months I have been teaching I have found that I was wrong.

Some people may think I am a fool for what I do, but I honestly wouldn't choose a different career. I am excited when my students get off the bus because I don't know what today is going to bring. Something exciting ALWAYS happens.

I hope once I leave Spring Creek Middle School I will leave some kind of mark on that school. Whether it is my students can go to any general ed class they want or just more acceptance from the faculty there will be some sort of change.

Days like today...

All I can say is I am glad each school day is a new start. If I had to repeat today, I don't know how willing I would be to return to school. I really hope that days like today happen few and far between. I don't know if it was because it was a Monday or the weather is changing, but whatever it is I hope it stops! Lets hope the rest of the week is better! Thank goodness I had a diet coke and Community to come home to today! It definitely made my day that much better!

Never a dull moment!

Well I guess you can say that there is never a dull moment in the Fulgham home! We are staying busy with school. Jared is enjoying most of his classes and is staying busy with work at the Space Weather Center. School for me is certainly a new adventure everyday. I have yet to have a day be the same. I never know what to expect, but I guess you can say that is what I love about my job. I have been told if I make it through this year I can make it through anything. We will certainly see if that is true! I love the people I work with and I have learned so much about myself this past month then I ever thought I would!

Last Friday we went to the Brad Paisley concert with Josh and Nichole. I hadn't been to a concert for almost 4 years. It was a great concert and I really enjoyed watching all of the drunk people, especially the one next to us who broke the chair she was sitting in.

On Saturday I went to Tremonton and watched the Women's conference with Tina. It was nice to focus on the gospel for a few hours. I love President Monson and think it is such a great man. I can not wait for conference this weekend!

Last night we went to our nephew Isaac's soccer game. I love watching little kids play soccer, it is always entertaining. I sure miss seeing our nephews on a regular basis.

Isaac doing his "pose". I love how he has his hands behind his back during the soccer game.

Zachary in his soccer ensemble. This is why we love our Zachary. How many kids go to soccer games with their jersey on and cowboy boots.

And our baby Wyatt. He sure loves his Uncle Jared! We certainly love going to see this little guy!

And I can not wait to go and see this this weekend. I sure miss my dad's ranch and really enjoy going home. Whenever I go home I just can't believe I grew up in such a beautiful place! I love going home just to get away from real life every once in a while.

Busy Saturday

Today was a crazy day. It started out with our niece Sammy's baptism. I can't believe she is already 8! All of my nieces and nephews are growing up and it is making me feel so old! He was a great morning. My entire family was together and it was so nice to spend time with everyone. After the baptism we came back home and got ready to go over to Ben's house to watch the USU vs OU football game. It was quite the party! We had great food and a great game! USU was so close to winning! We only lost by one touchdown which made my night. I am looking forward to the rest of the season! I am so glad it is a three day weekend so I can have an extra day to rest before it is back to school on Tuesday. I am so thankful for families!

By the way....I really miss this place....

And I really want to go back soon.

End of Summer Means Back to School

Well summer came to rapid end. We certainly didn't have a dull moment this summer. From moving into our new home in May, going to Texas in June, Yellowstone trip in July, our trip to Idaho Falls, many trips to Tremonton and Morgan, and a couple of days spent at county fairs in August I have to say that we certainly lived this summer to the fullest! I don't think a week went by that we didn't have some project or trip happening. During this crazy summer we put in engineered hardwood(pictures to come) in our kitchen and dining room and painted. We still have more painting to do, but I am all painted out at this moment in time.

This is our red wall that is now checkerboard! Jared and I got the idea from a picture we saw on the internet. I don't know if I will ever do a project like this again, but it was defiantly worth it. It only took us three hours, I was expecting us to take a lot longer to do everything. I think it helped a lot that the wall was already red and we only had to add to other colors.

Summer came to an abrupt end when school started. I officially made it through my first week of school. This was probably one of the hardest weeks of my life with many ups and downs. There were points during the day I would feel great and think I had control of my classroom, and then there were moments that I didn't think I would be able to keep going. This school year is going to be a huge learning experience. I am thankful everyday when the day is over that I don't have to redo days. It is nice know that every day is a new day and I can start fresh each day. As hard as this year is going to be I am so grateful I have this opportunity to work with these amazing kids. I really think I am going to learn more from them this year then they will learn from me. I have a great team at the middle school who have been a great support to me.

Jared also started his second to last semester of his under grad. (did I mention he is graduating in May instead of December 2011!) He is really excited about his classes. He is loving his job at the Space Weather Center on campus and is getting a lot of experience in his field.

Thanks Travis and Brittney for such a great summer! If it was watching Top Shot, getting snow cones, playing games, trip to Yellowstone, or just hanging out, you certainly made our summer that much better! (I can't wait to meet baby Chace!)

Oh yes, one last thing, tomorrow is the first Aggie football game of the season and I can not wait for the next home game that is next Saturday. With football starting it gets me that much closer to basketball! GO AGGIES!

Yellowstone

Clear back in July we took a fun little trip to Yellowstone with our friends Trav and Britt. It was nice to get a way for a few days and see the beautiful landscape of Yellowstone. I forgot how breathe taking it is there. We saw a lot of bison (people can be so stupid around those animals) and elk. We also saw a mama Grizzly with her two cubs and wolves (through a scope). We were able to stay at Canyon campground. We know the camp hosts so we were able to set up a tent in there camping spot. It was great. We didn't have to make any reservations or pay anything to stay there (even better)! Here are a few pictures from our trip.

One of the beautiful waterfalls in the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

One of our few pictures together taken at Mammoth.

This friendly bison decided to disrupt our bear and wolf watching. Apparently we were sitting right where his trail was. No worries we watched him walk by in the comfort of our car...unlike other people.

If you look really close you can see 3 brown spots. Those are the Mama Grizzly and her cubs...I promise those are bears!

Did I mention it was freezing! We weren't very prepared for the cold, but luckily we had jackets we could wear during the day. This is were we spent most of our second evening watching for bears and wolves. Even though we saw them at a distance, it was still really cool to be able to see them.