I believe.

I know you're sick of hearing about this, but seriously, we are on overload around here.  There has been lots of subbing, track practice, track meets, the start of the baseball season, a 5K, Les Mis with Emma and Leah, a ward activity, a family birthday dinner, 6+ hour long school board meetings (ok, I was only there for 3 of it), and oh yeah, some siding that blew off the side of the house in this absolutely ridiculous weather we've been having (more on that later).

Today on my way to my eighth school day in a row of working (a record!), I was having a mild panic attack.  There was another filled-to-the-brim afternoon ahead of me, and I just wasn't sure I could pull it off this time.  In comparison to the miraculous complex maneuvering my sisters and I pulled off this weekend to make sure everyone got to where they were supposed to go, today was nothing--still, for some reason I wasn't sure I was up for today's challenge.

I drove home from work, ready to meet Andrew head on with his book report and three staff appreciation cards that are due tomorrow, prepared to change into jeans, boots, and my winter coat for helping at the track meet, and still not sure how we were going to get Brooke to Activity Days, Emma and Leah to mutual (would the meet even be over yet???), and Andrew home from baseball all at 7:00. 

And then the blessings started rolling in.

First email:  Track meet postponed until next week.  Strong(er) possibility that winter coat will not be needed.

Next email:  Baseball practice canceled due to muddy fields and that lovely freezing cold rain. 

Now while Andrew has been avoiding his homework like the plague, I can tackle this from home.  In sweats.  And all I have to do is go out and have Glenn pick up Brooke from her activity tonight.

Some one up there loves me.

What's your definition of Spring Break?

a) Taking a break from the daily grind of school to enjoy a week of spring-like weather?

b) Taking a break from the daily grind of school for a week during what is technically considered to be spring according to the calendar while experiencing wintry-like conditions?

If you were in our school district a couple weeks ago, your answer, unfortunately, was b).

Yes, our "Spring Break" really had nothing at all to do with spring.  We had some of this:

...and then more of this:

What was predicted to be a "dusting" turned into 3 to 4 inches.  Spring, my foot.

But we made do.  And I have to say that if it weren't for my parents (who came here from Sunny California), I would have been going craaaazy with these kids cooped up in the house all week.  They took the kids to see the new Wimpy Kid movie, organized a "Minute-To-Win-It" competition,

and took us all downtown to the science center.

We also managed to fit in staying up to watch American Idol and voting for our favorites, a baptism, and a couple games of bowling.

And, of course, we got to watch General Conference. And Conference weekend is never complete without pizza and wings.

So we did get a good--no, a GREAT--break with Grandma and Grandpa Brooks.  And I think, a week and a half later, may finally have gotten the spring.

Andrew's shining moment.

I was upstairs, in my room, with the door closed, when I hear a loud whoop downstairs.  It could only be one thing...

Andrew, shouting for joy.

Because he picked the NCAA basketball champion this year.

At 7:00 this morning, Andrew was sound asleep.  Glenn went in to wake him up and share the news that UConn was victorious late last night, and that if Andrew got up and got dressed, he could watch "One Shining Moment."

At 7:01 Andrew was at our door, dressed and ready to go.  He has never gotten dressed so fast in his life.

This year most everyone in our bracket lost their final four teams and their champions (thanks a lot Ohio State) in the third round.  There we all were, basically done for the rest of the tournament, and there was Andrew, convinced that UConn would be the last team standing.  Each round that followed, I braced myself for the reaction we would get from our ever-so-slightly-intense young son once UConn was knocked out.

But it never happened.  Instead, we got a cheer, a huge smile, and a declaration that he knew it all along.

So despite a disappointing tournament (BYU falling short, losing our number one picks, a lame final game), there was some good.  I am always happy for my boy when he has something in sports to be happy about.

Oh, and "One Shining Moment" went back to the Luther Vandross version!  Jennifer Hudson sang it last year, and while I love me some J-Hud in all her Weight Watchers glory, there is nothing like the original as the crowning tribute to college basketball.

Now Andrew is convinced the Cavs will be getting Kemba Walker in the draft.  How long will his streak of correct predictions last? Let's hope at least through June.

(And can Cleveland please get Jimmer, too?)

March madness.

No, I'm not talking about the college basketball tournament.

(Although how crazy is it that I have no teams left on my bracket??? That has never happened once in the 16 years I have been making picks--sheer madness!)

For some reason, this month has just been insane.  Weather.  Activities.  Work.  Church.  We've just been hit hard all the way around.

Yes.  This was taken on March 11.

Andrew's Pinewood Derby was in March as well.  Andrew wanted a BYU car in honor of Jimmer.  He and Glenn and Uncle Daryl spent a long time doing whatever it is they do to that block of wood.  All the effort paid off, as Andrew's car ended up being the fastest!

Two of the several scouts caught up in the BYU craze.

Ready to race!

A very happy boy...last year his car did not win a single heat.

Last scout standing!

Now you know what that means...it means your car goes on to the district race.  I scowled at Uncle Daryl over that one.  All I wanted was for Andrew to win a couple of heats, not the entire thing!  I removed myself from that situation faster than you can say "Teach me how to Jimmer," and boys were on their own.  The district race was yesterday, and let's just say we are not moving on to the next level.  Fine with me.  I am happy though, that Andrew did have a small taste of success.

We also got to listen to Emma's first Jazz Band performance.  What a talented group.  This was a middle school jazz concert, so there were about 5 other schools there.  Our school was the only group with more than one flute, clarinets, and even a cello!  I was sad that Emma and the flutes were in the back, so we couldn't see her...

When they started playing "In The Mood," I got a little choked up, since that song reminds me of my grandmother.  I know she would have loved hearing Emma play it.  What I love about the video is that you can really hear the flutes...Glenn was standing up in the back and it really sounds great.



Now while I know that the craziness is never really over, I think a little break is in order.  The kids are out of school, so I won't be working, my parents are coming in tomorrow, and it is time for a little R&R.  I had a two hour nap yesterday and a {ahem} slightly longer one today, and I am starting to feel a little more normal.

It's time to put March behind us.  This month came in like a lion, and this week, it better be leaving like a lamb.

I got this one in the bag.

First, a little background.

You all know that I have been subbing as for teachers and special education aides in our school district.  It's been going great.

Several teachers have asked me if I was on the certified sub list -- for the classroom teachers.  And although all our district requires is a bachelor's degree and $25, I was too scared to do it.  I don't have much of an education background, and didn't think I could do it.

Until the one day I walked into Andrew's classroom as a parent volunteer and got a load of the yahoo who was subbing for his teacher.  I have no idea where they found this guy.  Somewhere at the bottom of the barrel, I'm sure.  Basically I took over reading groups.  I got everyone settled, told the sub what he should be doing, and made sure the groups ran smoothly.  And I walked out of that room 45 minutes later thinking, I could totally do this.

So I filled out the form, tracked down my college transcripts, and dropped off my check at the board office.  A couple weeks later I got a call that I was approved and could start looking for jobs on the website.

Ok, I am sure nothing will come up, I thought.  I had just been talking to a classroom sub who said she had been having trouble finding jobs.  My expectations were very low.

But lo and behold--the very first night a job popped up.  The only thing was that is was at the junior high.  For the Spanish teacher.  What?  Nah, I could never.  Or could I?  My Spanish is probably at a 7th or 8th grade level...maybe I could...

After a careful consultation with my own two junior high-ers, I decided to accept the job.  I got lots of pointers from Leah about what not to do as a sub.  Basically don't talk to the students or try to be their friend.  Or speak in the foreign language in a high-pitched voice.  Ok, I can do this.  Especially with the approval of and encouragement from the kids.

I was nervous, but not as much as I thought I would be.  Maybe because I had no idea what to expect.  Would the kids be out of control?  Would I have to call for back up?  Would I have to give out demerits?  Would I get hit in the back of the head with a spit ball?

Well guess what?  Nothing happened.  There isn't even an exciting story to tell.  I was with 3 and a half periods, and not one kid acted up.  Everyone took their test and did their assignment quietly and then if they finished read a book or quietly chatted amongst themselves.  One kid did tell me that there was a camera behind the eyes of the life-sized poster of Edward in the back of the classroom that makes sure the subs do what they're supposed to, but other than that, the kids were well-behaved and very polite. One girl even told me she liked my bag as we walked out of the classroom.  What is this, the Twilight Zone?

So I'm sorry I don't have a dramatic tale of the chaos that you might expect a sub in a junior high to encounter.  But I'm no longer afraid to stand in for the classroom teacher.

And you better believe I'll have that bag with me.

Muchas gracias, estudiantes.

Spring Concerts Part 1

The Michael Jordan of cellists

Leah is as thrilled as ever

And she thought she wouldn't make it...

More musical goodness to come in on Monday with Emma's first Jazz Band concert and in May for Music a la Mode...

We've been "Jimmered."

With no NBA team to speak of, our attention and support has turned to college hoops. And as the loyal BYU fans we are, we are rising and shouting because the Cougars are indeed out. Leading the way is one Jimmer Fredette, a cute little Mormon boy who can sink a mean jump shot from just about anywhere on the court. He and the rest of the Cougs are awesome to watch, especially when they are on national TV and handily beat San Diego State both at home and on the road.  We decided to make a family party out of yesterday's game, and while some attention turned to iPods and some to indexing, there were at least three of us who were set to spring.  Our cheers definitely rang out -- something that hasn't been happening much around here lately.  It felt so good.

Sorry, Aztecs, but your thousands of students dressed in white shirts and ties with bike helmets on don't scare us--it just looks like they've let the MTC take a field trip.

This guy--

--is taking advantage of his one shining moment.  Go, Cougs!

Hey Deb--this year, you can pick BYU and Ohio State for your final two teams and it will actually make sense!