Dogs days of Summer Coming to a Close

Hello All,

With only two weeks of summer left, the slow realization that summer is over is setting in. But, on the bright side I get to start back to work!! I am starting to get so excited about going back, I have plans to meet my teammate Jill Tuesday to hike Snow King in the morning, then go to the school and figure out how we would like to decorate our classrooms. I am thinking about painting a mural on one of the walls, and I have to come up with a cool theme for decorating. I was toying with the idea of "Survival" as a theme because we read so many books on survival-but I am not sure just yet.

I go to a day of training on Friday for the new computer system-two teachers from each building are chosen to become experts on this so we can go back and train other teachers. I feel very lucky.

Nick and I have been very low key the past two weeks-no mountain climbing, camping, or dirt-biking. We have been going to the movies and hanging out close to home-a lazy float down the Teton, I took my mentee, Meraldi, white water rafting on the Snake River, and went school clothes shopping for a pair of black school appropriate shoes. So like I said, very low key.

This weekend my best friend's Steph's is turning thirty!!!!!!

We are planning dinner at Teton Thai and then are going to the county fair in Driggs to watch the figure eight races. Our friend Julie's husband Paul is racing in it, so we are going to cheer him on. Should be a blast. Sat morning I am going over to Jackson to take my mentee, Meraldi, to the village to ride the Tram and go on a nature walk. The Teton Mentor Program brought in a naturalist to be our guide. I am really looking forward to it.

I guess the most exciting news happened last night at the Cowboy Steakhouse-it was my last shift of the summer! I picked up two nights a week throughout the summer and last night I officially retired! It was a happy drive home Ill tell you what. I have always dreamt of the day I would hang up my apron and break out my teacher duds. Waiting tables has treated me very well over the years, but that chapter of my life has closed and now I open a newer and better chapter of a professional career. I feel so blessed every waking moment.

Until next time...

We keep on going..and going..and going....

On Friday Nick was able to take a half day of work because he is working 4 nine hour days.
So, we took full advantage and loaded the boys up in search for a great swimming hole. Mission accomplished! We found a sweet spot totally secluded and in the most beautiful location. It was very relaxing and the dogs had such fun. Afterwards, we headed down to the Knotty Pine for a little dinner and sunshine.

Saturday morning

was my second 10K race, this time it was here locally in Driggs. The Tin Cup Challenge. Man what a blast, and super hot! I finished and never stopped running! Next on the horizon is the Mesa Falls half marathon. YIKES!

After the race Nick and I loaded up the gear and the dogs and heading into North Leigh canyon for an overnight camp. We staked out a spot earlier in the week, but when we got there the spot was taken by horse trailers and other campers. So we drove around and found a great spot near Tin Cup creek that was beautiful. After setting up camp, Julie and Reagan, Stephanie, Eric and Dex all joined us for BBQ and Smores. Good times had by all.

After a beautiful night sleeping under the stars Nick and I woke up for a hike into North Leigh canyon to Green Mountain Lakes. Elevation gain 2,040 feet in four miles! It was a challenging hike for me to say the least, but we made it a success! The dogs were happy to get to the lake and swim their little tail feathers off. I tried to get into the water, but it was freezing! I Should have known better! Nick and I took a lunch break while the dogs swam. Nick wanted to go further to Granite Basin Lakes but I talked him out of it. It was another 2 miles and 1,000 feet elevation and I wasn't sure I could hack it.

Luckily, he agreed. The walk was beautiful through fields and meadows of exploding wildflowers.

All in all the weekend was amazing, as every weekend in the summer should be. I am super sore and tired this fine Monday morning. I will have a few days rest and then Nick's parents arrive this Thursday. I am looking forward to it their visit, we always have fun when they are here. I guess that wraps up our weekend,

until next time..

Gone But Not Forgotten

Death is a real and crazy thing. My Dad passed away this past January and I am still in disbelief. He wasn't supposed to go this way. And every day at some point in the day I think of him, and the fact that he is gone, and the fact that I can never pick up a phone to call him on our ritualistic Sat calls. More than anything I get to thinking when I think of him, about my own mortality. The fact is we will all go at some point- and I hope and pray I will get to live a long and healthy life with my husband, but I can't help but wonder what does it all mean? Where do we go? Will we be reunited in the end? Now I know I am not the only one who feels this way-but really. What does it all mean? Today driving home from work I started thinking about my life path and literally got chills thinking about how grateful and blessed my life has become. My husband is my best friend, my dream job has arrived, my backyard is a paradise to play in year round, but I keep thinking about my Dad and how he got jipped and it pisses me off. I just know how special every waking moment is, how special every family and all the friends I have are, and how lucky I am to have chosen a life best suited for making me happy. I remember when I flew home to Dallas while dating Nick to go to a job fair and was hired on the spot. I remember thinking geez, Jackson Hole won't return my calls and Dallas hired me on the spot!? What is the deal? I knew I wanted to teach. I knew I wasn't found alive in the Smokey Mountains for just any ole reason- I had a purpose. But what was my purpose, my life path? When I came home to Teton Valley and I told Nick my plans for moving home home he said," I don't want to tell you what to do, but if you stayed here with me we could really give it a go." Then I was deciding what was more important: career or true love? That may sound cheesy, but the very first moment I laid eyes on Nick I truly knew he was the one. I told Kari, Steph, and Julie that same night. My choice was clear.
But still I drive home at night looking at the amazing sky filled with sparkling diamonds and wonder what is my Dad up to? Is he watching over me? Does he know I got the job he always told me I would get if I just hang in there? Will he see his grand kids? That part burns the most. My kids will never meet my Dad. It crushes me and it really pisses me off. Why? Why Dad? Why then? Grrr. I want answers but I know life will never answer those questions. I just have to believe that Dad watches over me and knows all that happens. I am sure he is flinching every time I get on my dirtbike and go raise some hell up a steep mountain trail. I just have to believe he knows I am happy to my very core.

Death freaks me out. I am about to turn 33 and I figure with my grandmothers genes I probably have max 60 years left. 60 years and then what? I am not too sure I am ready to leave this life in 60 years. Will I remember my life after I am gone?
Have you ever been scared of Death or am I just a freak?

Anyway-here is to my Dad. I am thinking of you always and miss the CRAP out of you already. P.S. I got the JOB!!! (But I am sure you already knew that.)

Welcome to the Fast Lane

In the words of my teammate when I got my new job-"Welcome to the fast lane!" Boy oh boy was she correct on that one. Since I wrote last I have been busy busy! Judy's visit was a complete success, we went to Mesa falls, Yellowstone,Grand Targhee, Jackson, on hikes, shopping, and to great restaurants. We also cooked at home, went on walks around the house, and I even had to work one night so she was able to have a down day.

The day she left my old friend from high school came to town with his wife for the Widespread Panic show at the Drive-in movie theater down the street from my house. It was a great July 4Th. We filled every waking second with activities. Took them up to the wind caves, and then to the God Bless America festival on the 3rd. On the fourth we went up to Targhee and rode the chair lift, before the concert. The concert was a mega blast. WE all had such fun. The next week I made it in the newspaper! It was a riot.

Once Bart left on Monday Nick and I were so exhausted from the past two weeks, we ordered a pizza and a movie and never left the house. It was great and well needed day of rest. This past weekend we climbed up Taylor Mountain on Sat which was a steep hike that took about 6 hours round trip. Then Sunday we went on a killer dirt bike ride to packsaddle and everyone jumped off the rope swing. It was such a blast.

I am working at the Million Dollar Cowboy Steakhouse two nights a week for extra money during the summer. They called me back for the summer and I accepted. Pretty cool. I am still working on my classes for my Masters, they started back up July 1st. I am hoping to be done with all of the classes come December. Then I can just work on my Thesis. Life is great, it is flying by so quickly I can hardly believe it. I guess it is true about what they say-Time flies when you are having fun. I am sorry this post is such a broad summary, but I think you get the gist. Once again I will try to update more often!

Until next time...

Cloud Nine

Cloud nine, what a wonderful feeling. Such relief. So thrilled, I got the job!! Let me repeat, I got the job! I am now officially the Reading Intervention Specialist for Jackson Hole Middle School.WHOHOO!! Nick and I both were so excited we were doing cartwheels in the lawn. Widespread Panic is coming in two weeks to play at The Spud!! Kari's and I best friend from high school is driving in from Arizona with his wife to see the show. What a grand fourth of July this will be.

Judy is coming to town next Wednesday for a week and I am so excited. I have a super busy weekend all mapped out to keep us all busy. We rented a cabin in Yellowstone to stay the night. The cabin is on the Grand Canyon side of the park, not on Yellowstone Lake like when I took my wonderful grandparents. But it still will be beautiful. You can bet there will be many pictures to follow!

The pictures posted above are from Ski Lake, a new spot Nick and I found this morning. 6 miles round trip and a pretty mellow hike, but once you get to the top there is a hidden lake and the dogs had a field day. It was sunny and warm, but once we got home the storm stated blowing in. I had a horrible dream last night that Tuaca got attacked by a grizzly so today I got out the bear bells for the dogs collars and made Nick take TWO cans of bear spray with us. The hike was wonderful, I am so surprised I have never been there before. The valley blows me away every summer with it's simple beauty. And every summer I keep discovering new spots. I love this place. Paradise.

Until next time...

Humpday...

Ok, my interview for this afternoon was moved to Friday at 1:00. But, the interview yesterday was a hit! I felt really good about it and at the end the principal told me I was a top candidate! I really hope out of the two I am given an offer. Although I found out today there is only one other candidate, an English teacher I work with. So if I don't get offered the English position at the high school, than I have a 50/50 shot to get an offer from the middle school. So I am feeling good about the whole thing.

My first race is this Sat in Rexburg. First 10K! I am so excited, not to run super fast but to complete the race with my girlfriends. Plus, Nick is going down also for support and he is going to take tons of pictures. I will post them afterwards.

The weather has been super wet and raining here. I wish the sun would come out for more than 20 minutes. I would like to take the bikes out, go on a hike, go camping, and get a tan! Plus I don't like running in the rain nearly as much as a beautiful sunny day. Sun-come out come out where ever you are!!

Until next time,

Jenn

The pressure! Oh, the pressure!!

I know I know, it has been too long since I have last updated my blog. Well, my mind is fully occupied with work and my interviews. I have two interviews this week, one at the middle school and one at the high school tomorrow morning. Yikes! Also, I just found out that an English teacher here at the middle school is applying for the RtI position!! Arg! So my nerves are a little on edge due to the fact that she has worked here forever and will be my strongest competition. Jill, my partner, keeps telling me to go in there with confidence and own this job. I started the build-up with this program this year-it is my baby! I just have to get the job. I just have to. I saw this amazing rainbow driving home from work last week. I pulled over to take this picture because it was so striking. I looked out the window and my jaw dropped to the floor. I feel like it was a sign for good things to come. I have eaten my nails down to the bone and chewed off all the skin on my lips from anxiety. Yikes! Oh the stress, only 4 more days till summertime and no more classes. If I can only make it to then-and not fall over from stress. In four days all this waiting should be over...I'll now if I have a contract in four days. Four more days to hurry up and wait. Then in five days I can relieve all of the stress I have harbored and run my first 10 K foot race!!

Wish me luck-send me prayers-until next time,

Jenny