Random

I have nothing exciting to blog...not that I ever have anything exciting to blog!

I sprained my ankle (again) last Tuesday night in my soccer game and have had physical therapy everyday (except Sunday) and will have it everyday this week as well. I don't think my ankle is getting any better, but they tell me it looks better each day. They tape my ankle each day, even if I don't have soccer...I think its because they know I'll probably do things whether I am hurt or not and won't care of whether or not the thing is taped. Though it is a minor injury, it is always frustrating to be less than 100%. Saturday I played in my outdoor game and I came out on a breakaway and the girl pushed the ball in front of her and slid into me cleats up as I went down hitting me straight in the same ankle I sprained...nice. Then I was an idiot and played kickball at a YSA activity Saturday night...without it taped, so the thing swelled like crazy! Hopefully it will get better soon!!

I've been deep cleaning my room this past week! Now, anyone who knows me REALLY well knows what a feat this is because my room can be a mess 99% of the time! With my fall schedule, I thought I better get organized and deep clean it NOW, otherwise it would just be worse with no time to clean it. I bought a new bookcase at IKEA to put all my scrapbooks and journals in so they are no longer in boxes in the closet...and the bookcase didn't fit in my car. Have you ever watched someone trying to pack something in their car that doesn't fit and they run from one side of the car to the other trying to get the thing in? That was me for an hour in the IKEA parking lot last week! I finally rolled down one of my windows so a little part of the box was sticking out. It took me longer to put the thing in my car than it did to buy it....then it took me twice as long to put it together! Did you know that there are no written directions?! Only pictures!!! I need written instructions along with the pictures....I am not a sole visual learner!!!! And then I didn't even get enough peg things to put it together, so I had to improvise! If I ever move, I feel sorry for the poor suckers that have to move that thing! I also bought those shoe hanger thingies that you hang in your closet and there are little shoe compartments....I recommend that to anyone who has lots of shoes! Its so easy to find my shoes and the floor of my closet is now open for more storage space!!! Woo hoo! I love it!

That's all for now. I'm going camping and river rafting this weekend, so I should have something exciting to post next week! Happy Summer!!!!

Tribute to Dad

Its hard to express in words how much I miss my dad...and anyone who has tried to talk to me about it knows that I really don't say much about it. But I think this video sums it up. Thanks to my dad for teaching me to have integrity in all situations, to have and keep high standards and expectations for myself, to develop and maintain my talents so I can share them with others, and to follow the example of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Dad, through your love and example, I have no doubt that I am a daughter of a loving Heavenly Father who sees limitless potential in me as long as I stay on the right path, and follow and rely on Him. I love you, Dad, and I will see you again someday!

(To view the video, you may need to scroll down and pause the music in the playlist at the bottom of the page)

Cali Trip Part I

So I know EVERYONE has tons of time to read this extra long blogpost (please read that first part in a sarcastic tone), but since I disappeared for awhile, I thought I owed you a good one! ;) The last week of school was crazy. I was trying to get papers graded, tests written, classroom cleaned, etc. Then I was also working and running soccer tryouts just about every night. The week after school got out, I was working the high school soccer camp in the morning til 1pm, then I was helping with or running tryouts in the evenings....I had about 7-8 hrs of soccer per day....it was tons of fun, but very exhausting at the same time--and as you will see from one of the pictures below, I have a beautiful farmer's tan to show for it!!

This is my only week off from soccer for the summer, so I flew home early Saturday morning. My mom and I went to the cemetery to pay our respects to Dad since I will not be here on Father’s Day. Then I went to see my brother, Scott, his wife Melissa and my little nephew, Kaleb Robert. That little guy has grown so much and he is now walking!!!! If anyone didn’t know, my mom bought a brand new extra long Escalade…aka “The Nana Mobile,” of course it's for the grandkids!!! It’s a beast! I finally convinced her to let me drive it...what a nice ride!! I have had the privilege of driving it all weekend! Will I still love my camry when I get back home?….only time will tell!!!

From Glendale, mom and I drove down to Oceanside, making a stop by John Wayne airport on the way to pick up my friend Eric, who has never been to So.Cal or the beach! It was a lot of fun attempting to give him a crash course in beach life…it wasn’t much of a course, but I think he got the jist! It wasn’t the best of beach days….cloudy, a little cool, horrible surf conditions…but we made the best of it and had a blast! A few of our friends we played soccer with in Utah (Karen and Jon Wunderli, and Josh and Courtney Robbins) were in San Diego and drove up to Oceanside to spend a little bit of time with us at the beach. We made sandcastles and just hung out and talked. I haven’t made a sand castle forever!!! On Monday I attempted to teach Eric how to boogie board...the current was so stinking rough and….I’m not a very good teacher. I was trying to tell him how to stay on the board but I didn’t know how to explain it….can someone please tell me the exact technique? I’ve been doing it for so long, I just get on and do it!! He did catch a couple waves during his 2nd round, which I was very happy about. Eric cooked dinner for me and mom Saturday night and Sunday, and then lunch for us on Monday….I think we are going to starve now that he’s gone back to Utah! We had tinfoil dinners Saturday night (and convinced my mom it wasn't like camping), a roast with potatos and veggies on Sunday, and Chicken Ranch Fillet sandwiches on Monday for lunch. We also watched movies, played games, and explored downtown Oceanside. It was tons of fun to have him down here. My mom was really sad to see him leave…I think she likes him more than me….I don’t know how I feel about that! jk




Making sandcastles with the Wunderlis!!!


Jon Wunderli and his parents hanging out on the beach!





Enjoying our tinfoil dinners Saturday night!



Eric on the Oceanside Pier

After taking Eric to the airport, I came back to Oceanside and was greeted by my brother, Tyler, and his family! They decided to come down yesterday since our plans had to be switched around a few times! I am so glad I got to see them! We big kids took the little kids to the slides and swings down the way from the condo, then we ordered pizza, put the kids to bed and the big kids just talked. I’m sorry if I’m being biased, but my nieces and nephews are so stinking cute!!!! Stacy is expecting child #3! She is just starting to show, which is really exciting! They find out in two weeks if the baby is a boy or a girl!


Aunt Marla and Leah



On the swings with Benjamin and Leah



Benjamin enjoying his ride in the swing!



Tyler trying to convince Leah to let him push her.



Tyler swinging with Benjamin.

This morning I took the early train up to Anaheim to meet up with my good friend, Kass. We were teammates in college and she is getting married in September at Salt Creek in Laguna Beach! Her best friend and I are her bridesmaids, so we went dress shopping. The dresses are way cute as you can see from what’s pictured here, except my dress will have sleeves. Kass and I had a blast at David’s bridal looking at dresses…the ugliest, largest dresses we could find and we ended up playing a trick on her mom who has never met me before. Kass’ mom and friend are so much fun! It only took us 15 minutes to decide on which dress, then we tried some on to make sure the color looked good on us. We are very happy with the dresses. The dresses will be a honeydew green with clover green sashes and the little layer at the bottom…whatever it is called. They are actually really pretty. We will not be wearing shoes as it is a beach wedding! Woo hoo!!!

From David’s bridal we had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory…YUMMY!! Then Kass and I went shopping for a few things for the wedding, then went back to her place and I helped her and her fiancé choose their invitations, which are going to be way cute! But I decided, if I ever get married, I am going to elope (yeah right…my mom would NEVER let me do that!). Its been so nice to be home. I have been really homesick lately. I leave to go back to Utah Saturday, so I still have a few more days to veg! My mom and I will be at the condo til Thursday night, then we are heading back to L.A. to babysit my nephew on Friday….and maybe do a little shopping!!!!

P.S. I don't know if there will be a Part II to this post, it just sounded cool to put Part I in the title!

Part II!!---Taking care of Kaleb!!!

LAGOON!!

O.k. I went on this thing called the Sky Coaster! I went with one of my students and his girlfriend. The person we thought was going to video tape us wasn't able to, but my student had someone video us on his phone, so hopefully I can get that and post it so you can get the real effect!!! For now, here are some pics! But first, let me tell you about this...I am afraid of heights! This is true...I was very excited because I had wanted to do this since I was in high school, but I told my student when he asked me if I wanted to do it with them that I might pee my pants because I'd get so scared!!! So I made sure I went to the bathroom beforehand! What happens is this...
You are put into these cool little flight suits...






Then you are taken out to the platform where the fliers are secured together to a very strong steel cord. One person is designated to pull the cord when you get to the very top...um...I was the one designated to pull the cord!!!! From the platform you are raised up 300ft!!! As you get down to the third picture, see the little dot? That's us WAY up there!







So when you are taken to the top, you hear someone say, "Fliers, 3-2-1 Fly!" And I pulled the cord and we dropped going anywhere 60-80mph!!!! As soon as we started falling head first to what seemed to be my death, I had a death grip on my students' arm, and his girlfriend on the other side had a death grip on his other arm and we were screaming so dang loud!!!!! But it was so stinking fun!!! I'm not going to tell you what I said at the top....but I will never live it down...my students will all catch wind of it my school on Tuesday!







After going on the Skycoaster, I went on the new ride Wicked...twice...this was right after lunch. I was feeling all "ride" out. But then three of my former students asked me to go on a couple rides with them, so we went on the old wood rollercoaster, then we took the skylift across the park! Most of the day I spent going on rides with the other teachers who chaperoned the day. It was so much fun and a much needed break!!!

Not Soon Enough

WHEN THE HECK WILL SCHOOL BE OVER?! IT FEELS LIKE FOREVER!!! Technically, I have one more day of classes before finals because....I'm chaperoning Senior Day at Lagoon tomorrow!! Woo hoo!!!! I am so stinking stoked....even though it will be cold and rainy. But hey, I get a day off!!! Just what I need! I am tired of grading papers, tired of groveling students trying to raise their grades at the last minute, tired of students telling me that I am giving them busywork when I tell them they need to re-do their research papers because they plagiarized or didn't include any type of citation (I could've just given them a zero-sheesh!)...and MY CLASSROOM IS A COMPLETE MESS! I know when all is said and done, I will miss school this summer...if I even have time to think about it!

Plans for this summer..SOCCER, home for a week, SOCCER, sleeping in, SOCCER, cleaning out my classroom, SOCCER, cleaning out my bedroom, SOCCER, and um...MORE SOCCER! I will be coaching all summer for both the high school (two camps), and the two club teams I am taking over--practices and tournaments, plus I will be taking a coaching license course that I need to coach here in Utah (it is 6 nights and two Saturdays!). It should be fun. This will be the first summer in five years when I haven't traveled out of the country...so basically, it will be my first Utah summer!

Things I have Learned from My Mother

Dear Mom:
As we celebrate Mother’s Day, I decided to post a tribute to you since I cannot be with you today. I have entitled it, “Things I Have Learned from My Mother” because over the past few years as I have been on my own, I realize how much you (and dad) have taught me and how much those things have helped me become the woman I am today. Though many of the things I mention below were taught by both you and dad, not only did you teach them to me together as my parents, but also through your individual examples as a mother and father.

Mom, you are a great example of service to others. My entire life I remember you doing things for the ward, our neighbors, friends, and family. But you didn’t just do what was expected, you always went above and beyond. I remember you taking us kids to do the “12 Days of Christmas” for a struggling family or our friends and teachers, or taking banana bread to people in the ward who needed something to brighten their day. I remember taking the mail to the mailbox, and many times the letters being sent were cards to others. Visits, dinners, phone calls, responsibilities as a team mom, participation in the PTA, giving rides in the Nelson bus, offering to take care of kids on our sports teams so they could make it to our games, planning activities and lessons for church callings…Mom, I want to have a life full of service because of your example. How you gave your time and talents to others while raising four kids and supporting a husband who worked over the “full time” hours is beyond me. I am forever amazed.


Through your service to others, you have also taught me how to be a devoted wife and mother when the opportunity arises, and until then, how to be a loyal and dependable friend. Growing up, I don’t recall a time when you complained about dad being gone for work or church callings. You supported him 100% in all that he did, even when our finances may not have been ideal for a family of six, you made the best of the situation. I loved watching you and dad together, as you spent time together. I remember when dad would come home from work, you two would figure out a way to have some one-on-one time together as a couple. As I watched you love dad, and show that love for each other in so many different ways, it has taught me how important it is that my family knows how much I love them, because as we know very well, you never know when that loved one will be taken from this earth. Dad was #1 in your life next to your children. Even when you both argued, you always worked things out and made up in the end…divorce was never an option in your relationship, which has taught me how important the covenant and sealing power of marriage is, and how important it is to endure and work things out in relationships. You gave 100% to us kids, helping us with school projects, attending all of our activities, driving us where ever we needed to be…I only remember you missing a handful of soccer games, most likely because the boys had another event at the same time. You have taught me the importance of family. “Family comes first” is what you use to say when it was a decision between hanging out with my friends or being at a family activity. You and dad created traditions in our family that pulled us closer together, you taught us to support each other in all aspects of our lives. Our family mission statement holds as true today as it did the day we composed it as a family.


You have taught me how to have fun. How important it is to be able to laugh at myself, how to “roll with the punches,” how I shouldn’t take crap from anyone but not to burn bridges as I stand up for myself and for what I think is right. You taught me to be responsible, and how important it is that when you do something, you do it right. You taught me about the importance of commitments and keeping those commitments. You taught me how to take care of a house….and believe me, until I lived with roommates who didn’t like to take out the trash, clean the bathroom or do the dishes, I was never more grateful to you for making me re-do a cleaning job because it wasn’t done right (and I appreciate more those roommates who know how to do those things the right way!) You taught me proper manners which I have learned is so important to use in our world today.

From you I have learned to be well-rounded and have a love of learning. Though soccer has been my main focus throughout my life, you encouraged me to be open and love other things as well. A love of nature and the world around me as we traveled to Yosemite, our weekly family trips to the mountains, and even our travels around the world together as we have learned about the history of different cultures. A love of music as you encouraged me to learn two musical instruments, sing in choir, attend symphonies and theatrical performances. A love of people who are different from me….you taught me to be a friend to everyone regardless of their appearance, interests, socioeconomic status, social status, race, etc. You have helped me to enjoy doing activities that help me use my creativity such as art, sewing and cooking…I know you are laughing, but every once in awhile, I pull those things out of the woodwork and make some little creation…all from watching you and learning from you. I may not be the best at them and I still have a lot to learn, but because of your enjoyment in doing these activities and from when you had us do these things with you, I have to enjoyed using them in my personal life.

Last but not least, you have taught me and reminded me constantly the importance of living the Gospel, following the example of our Savior, and standing firm to the doctrines and principles taught through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Thank you Mom for being the wonderful woman you are. The example you have shown by word and deed has influenced me in becoming who I am today. Though we haven’t (and still don’t) always see eye to eye on things, know that I love you, admire and respect you. I thank Heavenly Father for you, not just today, but everyday. I love you Mommy!!!!! Happy Mothers Day!

Teacher Appreciation

Teachers don't receive much recognition, nor do we expect it. Though when we are recognized, it is always very rejuvenating and reminds us of why we do what we do. Last night, I attended a dinner where graduating seniors and a teacher who influenced each of their lives were recognized. A student I had last year chose me as a teacher who influenced his life. He wasn't one of those students I was really close to. He was a great kid who simply came to class, was respectful, participated and did what was asked. I went to the dinner not knowing who had selected me, and was pleasantly surprised when I saw who it was. Below the picture is a copy of the paragraph he wrote about why he chose me. This paragraph was typed up, and he read it and presented to me last night.



"Throughout my educational experience, I've never had a teacher who fully taught me in a comfortable environment until my junior year of high school. The knowledge, delivery, organization and tools Miss Nelson used in her classroom truly gave me a positive experience. Her dynamic teaching has influenced me in pursuing a higher education and set a positive example in everything I do. Miss Nelson has taught me that no matter what I am doing or who I am with, the example I set, whether good or bad, never is unnoticed. Thank you Miss Nelson. Your example also has not gone unnoticed."

Attempt to "Coolify"

On Monday I received a text message from one of my players that said, "would you be upset if we "coolified" your car?" I asked her to define coolify...her definition was pretty vague. So I told her as long as they don't get anything on the paint-WINDOWS ONLY!!!

So tonight we had a game, and as we were waiting for all the girls to get there, I look over and I see half my team writing on my car windows with those window markers! Most of it was smeared or flaking off by the end of the game except for the back window!!! Apparently, I was "just married" and then I wasn't since they crossed out married!!!! I didn't know that they had crossed out "married" and I thought I was driving around, by myself with "just married" written on my back window!!!! According to the girls, this was only the warm up...so there might be more...we'll have to see!!!! They are a great group of girls who work their tails off for me. Its been so fun!

I Just Don't Know

Right now I am trying to decide whether or not I should go to grad school at SDSU. Three times I received an email telling me that I would be earning my degree in elementary education, not K-12 or secondary education. Then someone else would clarify that the degree is K-12. After receiving the 3rd email, I emailed all the people in the office who had emailed me and ask for clarification. The head lady wrote back and said that their main focus is in elementary education, but I could tailor my assignments to secondary school (high school). So is it even worth it to do that when everything we talk about will be geared towards teaching elementary school age kids? Is it even worth it to spend the out of state tuition to give it a whirl and see if its a program that will suit me and fit my needs? This summer I have committed to coaching a soccer team and working three soccer camps. There are a couple other factors playing into this....I honestly don't know what to do.
P.S. Why do all of my posts have ratings....DID I MISS SOMETHING?!?! How do I get rid of that?!