My new hobby

A few months ago I started couponing. I am still learning how to be really good at it, but I am amazed at how much money it can save. Today we had another successful shopping trip. We got:

A gallon of milk

3 Schick Hydro Shaving Gels

2 Cans of Tomato Sauce

Box of 12 taco shells

8 regular yoplait yogurts

8 greek yoplait yogurts (my favorite)

16 pounds of sugar

2 packages of roast beef

Sara Lee whole wheat bread

Bag of chocolate chips

Bundle of Romaine lettuce

1 lb of carrots

2.5 pounds of red grapes

....................all for $19!! Awesome.

3 Months Ago Today...

I went to the temple and married the best man I know. He is so kind and good to me. He is so patient and supportive. I feel so blessed.

It was such a happy day with family. That's all I really wanted, to have all my family there (we missed you Nate). My family worked so hard to make this special for me. I will never really be able to thank them enough.

My mom made all the food. And it was amazing. She even made my wedding cake. Rebecca was in charge all week of keeping us

on schedule and getting things done. She is an angel. Rachel made my bouquet and it was literally the most beautiful bouquet I have ever seen.

My parents drove me to the temple in the morning. My dad joked that I needed to roll down the window and wave to all my fans lined up. My mom told

me to pretend we were riding in a glass carriage.

I'm glad they understand my love of all things royal. It probably helped that the royal wedding had just happened....

Greg showed up just in time for the sealing after working into the morning so he could make it. I almost cried from happiness.

The reception was so much more than I could have dreamed of. Classic oldies played all night. My dad had dug a hole in the middle of our lawn and constructed the white light tent I have always wanted. He was outside the night before until late with my uncles and brothers and they were all making sure that it looked just right. The lights were beautiful and made everything look so romantic and festive.

I was able to dance with my dad to the song "The House That Built Me." I thought this was very appropriate because we were dancing on the lawn

of the house that has literally built me. He and my mom created a home t

hat has shaped each of us kids and holds all our memories. It was a very sweet and emotional moment for me. My dad is a giant of a man and Troy and I hope to be able to do for our kids what he and my mom have done for us.

We had a fun dance party with our families. The Jennings sure know

how to make things exciting! It was so fun to be out there with our siblings and friends.

When we left we walked through bubbles and my dad let us take his nice car. It was such a fun party that neither one of us really wanted to leave!

The day was unforgettable. There were so many sweet moments at the ceremony and the reception that neither one of us will forget and we will cherish forever. Thank you to all who worked so hard to make this so special for us. I love that we were surrounded by all our family all day. We wouldn't have had it any other way.

...23 years later...

Changes

I am sitting in room 169. The walls are bare. I took down all the decorations that I had so carefully and thoughtfully put up 10 months ago. My stuff is all boxed up and waiting by the door for Mr. Jennings to load (they are very heavy).

And I am real sad.

I feel like a big part of my chest is being yanked out when I think about my 30 little guys coming tomorrow and giving me one last hug goodbye. It may seem dramatic, but I never knew how much I would love these guys.

When I started teaching in August I was ready for a new adventure, a distraction, so I could focus on that for a while. I was excited about interacting with my 7 year olds. But I never knew how much they would change me. This has been a life changing experience. I am better because I saw them and talked with them every day. They are my best friends. They make me laugh. They make me cry. But mostly laugh.

So forgive me if it hurts my heart a little.

I told them yesterday that I won't be returning next year. One of my boy's little sisters ran up to me at lunch today and asked me if I could move in the middle of next year instead of before school starts because "she just wants a chance to have me as a teacher". This is the same girl that walked with me during the whole walkathon and told me that I am her favorite singer because she has heard me sing before and it is the best she has ever heard. I love these kids. It has been a year and a class I will never forget.

In August I thought that the first day of school was going to be the hardest, scariest day of my life. I didn't realize then that the last day would be so much worse.

Rookie Goalie

I put together an intramural soccer team this semester, but the problem is, we are always short girls. So I added the best athlete I know: Rachel. She wasn't very enthusiastic because she has never played soccer, but I bought her shin guards (sorry they ended up being kid size and don't fit over your shin) and she took the field, offering to be the goalie so all of our guys could be out playing. I play defense. The whole time I could hear her behind asking me, "Tanny, do I come out of the goal or do I just sit here?"

Playing with her was a dream come true. It should have been filmed. Here are the 2 highlights:

1. Ist Half
A guy on the other team broke loose and was heading to the goal, while a pass was booted right in front of him. Our team was screaming for Rach to come out and get the ball before he could, but she looks at me and screams "Tammy get it!" I was too far away so she stayed in the goal and he came with the ball one on one. He kicked it right at her, but right at that moment Rachel screamed loud enough I'm pretty sure they heard it in California. The amazing thing was that she blocked the kick! The ball just dropped and they both just stood there looking at it. I came and kicked it away but the ENTIRE field was laughing hysterically. I cried because I was laughing so hard.

2. 2nd Half
Again a guy was going to kick it one on one against her. She blocked it and the ball fell again. He kicked it again and she turned and blocked it with her booty and the ball went out of bounds. It really was amazing. She was so happy after wards that she stood up and raised both hands in the air and ran around and hugged everyone. It was like a flash back from when she had an amazing kill in volleyball.

She also had a diving stop. Literally. Welcome to the team rookie. You are a great addition. Can't wait for the next game!

Happy Valentine's Day

One of the best parts of teaching elementary school is that you get to relive your childhood. One thing I had forgotten was how fun and exciting Valentine's Day is. The boys draw just as many hearts on their valentines bags as the girls. Everyone is so excited. Especially when one boy hands out mustaches for everyone as a valentine. It makes for an instant party...

Antarctica Week

This week I have:

-Parent teacher conferences that I still need to fill all forms out for
-An observation by my principal
-A 23rd birthday
-A room to constantly clean and organize
-Too many papers and documents to file

BUT, the sun is out in Utah. It is a little warmer than it has been. And, this week I am taking in a penguin that is 70+years old and a polar bear skin to show my students. I think my Grandpa would be happy that they will be viewed by such appreciative recipients. I know they will love it, and I can't wait to show them. Here is question for those of you who know: Do you know of any good stories that Grandpa told that I can relate to my class? We are learning about the continent Antarctica and I would love to tell some of his experiences when he was there.

p.s. I know that polar bears are in the Arctic, not Antarctica.

Dear Mr. Jennings,

Thank you for being the most patient man on the planet. Really though, you are so patient (because I can sometimes be difficult...)

Thank you for always putting so many fruits and vegetables into my lunches that you make me everyday to take to work. Today one teacher told me that her husband packed her a lunch that day so that he wouldn't keep getting upstaged by other husbands.

Thank you for driving over to my house at 6:55 am every morning to give me those lunches that you make me. I know you get up a little earlier to do this every day so that I can sleep a little longer.

Thank you for being so tall. Not only can I wear heels, but you so often use your height to serve me. For example, you always stand in front of me to block the wind if I am cold, and you hang things in my classroom that would require any other person to stand on a chair or two.

Thank you for understanding that I am not a morning person and can sometimes be slightly grumpy. I think I snap out of it quickly when you are around...

Thank you for knowing that I love doing romantic things like going to the ballet and then looking at Christmas lights. My dream of seeing "The Nutcracker" will finally be realized!

You have such a better memory than me. Thanks for always remembering the things I tell you to remember so that you can remind me when I forget.

My class loves you.

You remind me a lot of my parents in that you are completely selfless. I'm trying to be a little more like you.

I love playing basketball with you.

I'm really, really, really lucky to have you.

Love always,
The future Mrs. Jennings

p.s. do you promise that we can come back to moonlight a lot?