Just wanted to send thanks and love to all of you who have been there for us through everything (you know who you are.) These last couple days have been a testimony yet again to the amazing family and friends we have and the support we have behind us. Andrew and I are eternally grateful for your thoughtfulness, your prayers and your kindness. We felt every ounce of it and it pushed us through. We could never thank you enough.
With all our love,
Andrew and Haley

finally an update!

We're not dead! We're just really busy. With Andrew working 60+ hour weeks, me teaching school half day, going to school at night and working on the weekends we have a pretty busy schedule. But we're as happy as ever and are enjoying the warm weather and summer activities. Here's some pictures of the some of the fun stuff we've found time for.

Oh BO-- we went to Oregon for my Great Aunts funeral and we spent most the time laughing at BO. He has a firecracker personality and one of the many nieces and nephews we miss terribly!


A couple weeks ago we celebrated out one year anniversary. I can't believe it's been a year already! We celebrated at the Orem Summerfest parade, carnival, and firework show. Andrew scattered suprises (like my favorite candy chick-o-stick and a great chick flick) throughout the night and we just enjoyed being together. Andrew is the greatest husband, the best friend, and my better half. I can't wait to see where our journey together takes us. Where ever it is, I know I wouldn't want to share it with anyone but Andrew.
Last weekend Andrew and I actually went in opposite directions. He went to Santa Barbara with his buddies for one of their friends' weddings and I went to OrIegon to pick up and drive back a car. While I was there, I got to watch my nephew Cade's last baseball game of the season. To say he is the star of the team is a extreme understatement. From pitching to hitting, he's got it all-- he makes his father very very proud. Of course I had to take a picture with the star- i'll have him sign a copy just in case it's worth money someday!!

Poor Kids...

After months and months of learning strategies, techniques, and laws they are giving me real kids to mess up on!

They call this short 6-week summer school session is called practicuum...but it has been known to be called h-e-double hockey stick. I don't know the age of these kids I'll get until Monday but i know i'll have 4-5 students with with 3 other teachers teaching in the opposite corners of the room.

We only teach from 7:30-12:30 but they say to plan on 4-6 hours of prep time a DAY! oh did I mention we also have 2 hours of a special ed law class 2 times a week....so to this I say---

please help me get through it alive and not screw up any sweet children.

Heaven help me, and Andrew- hopefully he won't want to kill me by the end of it if! The odds are in my favor- 2/3 of people in the past passed practicuum. The other 1/3 didn't get approved to student teach and was left to wait another year to try again. I better pass cause that's not really gonna work with our plans. WISH ME LUCK and pray for the children! haha

SIDE NOTE: my mom came for Monday and I can't tell you how much fun it was having her here! She's the best and I didn't want her to leave at all-- Dad came for one night too and was a blast! They had a meeting at BYU today then they went home in time for rodeo weekend in sisters, oregon. BOOOOO but hopefully they will be back soon!! I LOVE YOU TWO! THANKS FOR EVERYTHING! YOU'RE THE BEST.

Happy Birthday Mandy and Ty!

I wanted to send a birthday shout out to my girl Mandy and my boy Ty! Before Ty was born, Mandy actually got to celebrate her birthday. But when her son was born on her birthday a few years back, she began spending her birthday celebrating her sons. So since Ty probably doesn't check my blog, I'm going to spotlight Mandy on this special day.

Mandy has been the most amazing sister. She is one of the most capable and loving people on this earth, not to mention she's way fun to make fun of! haha. I was trying to think of things about Mandy that not everyone would know. Here's a few things I thought of...

- Mandy use to model gymnastics "gear" when she was in high school. Although only one Silliman girl was blessed with a great body, she put it to work in front of the camera.

- Mandy is really good at singing. If you have to hear it to believe it, ask her to give you her rendition of the old Brooks and Dunn classic "My Maria." (I'm laughing out loud right now!)

- I'm sure it's even worse after 4 children, but Mandy use to pee her pants really easy when she would get to laughing. I'm not saying I'm any better, but this is about Mandy, not me.

- Mandy use to date an Ultimate Cage Fighter. He is frequently featured of WEC WrekCage.

All jokes aside, Mandy is so a fantastic mother, a righteous woman, and an amazing sister and friend. I thank Heavenly Father daily for such a wonderful sister who loves me, teaches me, who is a great example to me, and who makes it so easy to love her and her adorable family. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MANDS! I LOVE YOU!