Capturing Kids Hearts Conference

Last Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, I went on a conference with three other coworkers. We stayed down in Scottsdale and enjoyed each other's company. We left school Monday afternoon and came back home Thursday early evening. That conference was my first one, to actually be away for professional development. We were learning about connecting with kids, coworkers, family/friends...you name it...but definitely how to implement strategies at schools. You capture a kid's heart, you get their mind. Our facilitator was Joe, from Michigan, and he was awesome! Kept our group pumped the whole three days.  Jennifer, Kayla and Pam were my buds. We got to stay in a two bedroom "villa." Jennifer and I were bedmates in a king size bed; Pam had one of the two bedrooms herself, and Kayla slept on the pullout couch. This place was very nice and roomy. We went out to lunch and dinner each day, so I probably gained 30 lbs just in food. I came back feeling re energized and re charged. In case you're like....what happened to the kids and Jeff? Jeff had to also be in Phoenix, that Tuesday, and he was working the other days...so the kids had to stay with Mr. Hearn (one of my other coworker friends), on Monday night, then they stayed with Dad and Mom Stafford for two nights. It takes a village. 

Birthday Weekend

I had a nice birthday celebration. Friday night I went out with my friend Kayla. She spoiled me rotten, and I had such a blast! Saturday Jeff and I dropped off the kids at Dad and Mom Stafford's house for the night...then Jeff took me to the canyon, for a beautiful fall day and a very delicious steak dinner. He knows what I like. That man has my heart. Sunday we went to church, Freddy's after...did the grocery shopping and all that jazz! 

"Run For Your Life," Halloween, Sedona!

Last Friday was pretty fun. We dressed up at school. Seven of us dressed up for "shark week." Pretty hilarious. Mel made all the awesome shark beanies! She's amazing! The kids dressed up as a ninja and sleeping beauty. Friday evening, I had a run to do, at Fort Tuthill. Run Flagstaff sponsored it, and it was called "Run for your Life." It was so much fun! I ran 2.6 miles, in the forest, at night, with a whole lot of other runners! People dressed up, and my favorite one, was a guy that dressed up as Richard Simmons! That dude had me busting up laughing in the forest! He was prancing around like a deer, and so full of energy. After the run, they gave away free Dunkin Donuts. Yep. Free. After that accomplishment, I stuffed my mouth with a sugary donut! Yum! Saturday, on Halloween, Jeff and I took the kids trick or treating, in Bellemont. Always a great place to do that. Sunday, was Mom Stafford's birthday, so after we all went to church, we headed down to Sedona for a birthday lunch (for her and I). Oaxaca of course! It was the most beautiful fall day! Good family time! Love love love Sedona!