Who Would Have Thought....

I'm one of those people who has ALWAYS hated math. Mostly because it just doesn't make sense to me. My poor Dad use to have to sit with me for hours just so I wouldn't have a complete break down trying to figure out Calculus. Well things are changing...2nd grade math is FUN! I look forward to it daily because I love being able to help these kids NOT hate math.

We just started our measurement unit and yesterday was our experiment day! They had a blast. It was like a free for all in my room, but being the amazing kids that they are they cleaned up every piece and wiped up every spill. Makes me sure want to give them experiment time more often. Love these kids!

Inchworms...used to measure the length of the classroom.

Cups, Pints, Quarts, Half Gallons, and Gallons...they got to pour different amounts of water into the different containers to see how much it would take.

Scales and Balances...they used EVERYTHING in the room to try to balance and weigh.

(Rocky the Raccoon even helped out!)

I had been having a really bad day and somehow this hour made it all okay again. I can't believe that after all of these years I FINALLY love math!

Prayer

I feel like this has been me lately...

I'm not a perfect prayer. I don't always get on my knees. I don't always know exactly what I should say, but I do know that prayer is real. It's something that has gotten me through some very happy times and some of the worst times. Lately I feel like I NEED to pray. Like there is this constant prayer in my heart. It's for my family, for myself, for the people I care most about and for people I barely know....but I pray. I think I've been so focused on the praying aspect that I was forgetting to listen with an open heart and mind. I have felt so much peace as I've opened up my heart to hear my Heavenly Father's answers for me. I'm being blessed daily and I am so grateful. I'm lucky to have a Heavenly Father who loves me even when I'm not a perfect child. He recognizes that I'm doing my best and am always trying.

Doctrine and Covenants 103:36

All victory and glory is brought to pass unto you through your diligence, faithfulness, and prayers of faith.

FACT

Something random about me is that I have a love for small hole in the wall eating establishments. The smaller the better. The more history the better! It's a love I got from my Dad for sure. There is something about walking into a small diner and knowing that the people in the room are probably locals who have been eating there for years. Most of the people who work there probably grew up around the corner. I just love the stories that could probably be told.

My Dad at the Yellow Jacket! Oh man...this place was AWESOME (not according to my Mom)! One room. One lady. A long wait. Great food!

Recently I noticed a small little gem off of 7200 South. The Midvale Mining Company Cafe! DONE! It was added to my list of places I must eat! Thanks to my lovely roommates I got to eat there for breakfast this fine President's Day morning.

Sausage and Cheese Omelet with Hashbrowns and Sourdough Toast!

The cheese...not so amazing, but everything else was delicious. So glad it didn't disappoint. Now on to the next small diner!

The Perks of Being a Teacher

One of the best things about being a teacher is that come Valentine's Day I get to have 19 adorable Valentines! They shower me in gifts, give lots of hugs, and are super sweet and adorable all day. Most teachers hate having to celebrate it, but I truly love spending the day with these kids!

And my special Valentine for the day! He is the reason I'm loving work these days! He was so excited to bring me a GIANT KISS! Plus he made me the sweetest card that did include a picture of Alcatraz and said, "Dear Miss Hoppes, You have been very good to me this week." Love, Will

Not sure that my day can get any better! All smiles for me on this lovely Valentine's Day!

DUKE WINS!

Wish I could have been in NC last night!

I was truly worried at many times last night, but my boys pulled it off thanks to a lot of help from Zeller and even more help from Rivers!

GO DUKE!

Just another Thursday night...

Every Tuesday and Thursday I get to tutor a wonderful 16 year old. Maddy was actually one of my favorite students from my first year of teaching. I had her in 4th grade and now she is all grown up and in High School. It's very scary to me. I love her though even when she drives me absolutely crazy, which is EVERY Tuesday and Thursday!

Tonight the agenda was:

Biology Worksheets

Biology Project

Math Homework

For the Biology project we had to make a 3-D Animal Cell. I should have paid more attention in Biology class because I have forgotten everything. Thank goodness for GOOGLE! I would be lost without it.

We decided to bake a cake and decorate it with candy to represent the different parts.

Lauren was kind enough to actually bake the cake for us so we could try to get a few math problems done!

Maddy (left) with the finished project and Audrey (right) our little candy eater!

6 hours later and I finally made it home!

I would not do this if I didn't love that girl!

Happy Thursday

True Friends

You know you are true friends when you get an email that says this:

Saw this today and thought of you!

Moose Droppings!

Thanks Krystal! Glad poop makes you think of me!

Pretty sure it's just the fact that I love moose...hopefully!