What's been happening??

So I haven't been blogging for a while and now that I finally sit down to do some, blogger has changed it's whole format! So frustrating. I don't understand why they have to keep changing things right when I get used to them, but whatever, I'll try.

So, what has been happening with the Harkers you ask? First, I got a new job teaching next year at Bennion Elementary. I didn't even apply for the job! The principal called me on a Friday afternoon and explained that he had a .5 FTE (basically a half time contract) and wanted to know if I was interested? Heck yes! This is what I've been hoping to get for a few years now. I went over and interviewed with him and some of the teachers. The next week, Human Resourses called and said to come on in and sign my contract with the district because I got the job!

Here I am with my official contract! So happy to have an "official" title again. For the past 6 years I have been a "certified hourly teacher" which means I get paid my teacher salary by the hour, but I don't have a contract and no benefits. I had to fill out a time card and so my hours were always changing depending if there was a day off of school or something. Now, I will get the same amount each month and benefits too! Yippee! I will be teaching 5th and 6th grade reading.

Mitchel turned 11 on the 30th. He outgrew his bike a long time ago and so it was a perfect time to upgrade to a man sized bike! Hard to believe he is only a year away from getting the Priesthood. Time flies!

The traditional candles in the breakfast before school.

We had to throw his party the day before his birthday because his real day was just too crammed with sports and such. We had a family party at Tracy's house where we had taco salad and played "Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader." No one was and Mitchel beat them all!

Max was involved in a little class play, "The Princess and the Frog." He got to play the frog in one performance...

And the King in another. He did really well. He made sure to speak up, talk slow, and really use his body, voice, and facial expressions to tell the story.

In other good news, both Mitchel and Max had been tested earlier this year for the "gifted" program. They had to take a math and reading test that was two years above their current grade level. The scores were finally mailed to us a few weeks ago and both of them scored in the 99th percentile in both reading and math. Ummm, that is really high! So because of that, both of them were invited to go to the gifted magnet program in the district! This was a VERY hard decision for both Mike and I and the boys. Here I was, finally coming back to my kids' school to teach, and now they had the opportunity to leave that school to be placed with other really smart kids. It was a dilemma. After a lot of prayer and thinking about what would be best, and what felt the best, all of us decided that Mitchel would stay at Bennion for his finally year in Elementary, and Max would go to the magnet program. Pretty crazy, but that was the answer that came and I've felt good about it ever since. That way, Mitchel and Mason (who will be in 1st grade) will come to school with me in the morning, and Mike will take Max and Miles to where they need to go. Somehow it will all work out. So there is a little bit of what has been happening lately. I have more stuff to post, but that will have to wait until later.