Last post for a while

Hey guys, This will probably be my last post for a while. Chad says the blog has too many words and not enough pictures (which he could DEFINITELY add to if he wanted to join in!) so I'm posting a couple pictures of us from the Bluegrass festival we went to this weekend.

Look how excited Chad is about being at the Bluegrass festival.

This picture could be from anywhere...

...so this picture proves we were there.

We leave for Lubbock tomorrow and will be at Blue Haven by late Saturday night. I have heard an ugly rumor that there is now wireless internet at Blue Haven, so I might be able to post while I'm up there, but I've always liked the fact that you are pretty much cut off from the outside world while you're up there, so even if the wireless thing is true I don't know if I'll use it. We'll have to see. Anyway, that's it for now. We'll be back in civilization around July 14th, so check back then. Keep us in your prayers as we drive quite a bit in the next few weeks.

Now's the time!

Well, it's almost time for us to leave for Blue Haven. This reminds me of the days when I was a camper and I used to solicit mail from everyone I knew about a week in advance so I would get mail up there. As many of you know, the mail service is very slow. For those of you who are interested in sending Chad and me mail while we are at Blue Haven, the address is:

Chad & Lesley Montandon
c/o Camp Blue Haven
HC 81, Box 304
Las Vegas, NM 87701

I used to get letters at the end of the first week I was there from my mom saying stuff like, "I don't really know what to write about since you're still at home and you know everything that is going on. Cricket says hi and misses you." Which wasn't really true because our cat, Cricket, really couldn't care less about me since I used to pull her tail and chase her when she was a kitten. But it was the thought that counted.

Our trip will begin next Tuesday when we drive (allllll day long) to Lubbock, spend a couple days with family and friends there, and then make our way Friday to Amarillo for Matt's wedding. Chad is a groomsman so I'll have to occupy myself somehow while they are doing male bonding stuff which includes picking up tuxes, playing golf, the married guys giving Matt the straight dope about what being married is like, etc. Then Saturday night after the wedding we'll be driving to Blue Haven late into the night and will be there for the next two weeks. It should be a good time. So, you won't see any more blog posts on here after Monday but I should have some more pictures to post in a few weeks, including some of our lot in the Blue Canyon that we intend to build a cabin on someday!

Back in Arizona

After my trip to Texas Dad, Ginny & Mackenzie came to visit me in Arizona. The picture of dad and me is in Sedona at a place called Chapel of the Holy Cross and the picture of just me is at the Grand Canyon.

Pictures

I'm attaching some pictures from my trip...here they are.

I pulled out the camera and Kellen automatically said "Cheese!" Think he's been trained?

The other pictures are Kellen's first trip to the movies, me holding Bonnie at Bonnie's first trip to the movies, Kellen's first try at Vietnamese food (he liked it), and my dear friend Emily with her 6 month old son, Tobin.

I'm back...again

Hey everyone, my adventures with seeing my family are over and I am now back in Prescott. I have some pictures but I am up at school and don't have time right now to upload them, so look for them later. I've had a very busy few weeks seeing my mom, grandparents, Erin, Josh, Kellen, Bonnie, Sara, Emily & Tobin, and Dad, Ginny & Mackenzie. This past week was spent in Sedona with dad and we made little day trips to places like the Grand Canyon, Wupatki ruins, Sunset Crater, Montezuma Castle & Well, etc. After being in Texas for a couple weeks I forgot how much stronger the Arizona sun is and got a little bit of a burn after being at the pool for only about 30 minutes...oops. Yesterday everyone else got to go see some really cool petroglyphs while I was holed up in the hotel with a stomach bug--not a very fun way to end the vacation. Anyway, it was a lot of fun to see everyone on my side of the family and some friends too. Chad comes back home today and got to see most of his family as well. Our next trip will be in about a week and a half, for 2 1/2 weeks to Lubbock, Amarillo, and Blue Haven. I'll post pictures soon.

This is the life

Sorry it's been a few days. I know for some of you, whether or not I post on my blog is really the deciding factor on whether or not you have a good day. So, in case you're one of those people, I thought I'd let y'all know what I've been up to the past few days. Friday was my last day at work, and I didn't waste any time getting to Texas to see my family. I flew in Saturday and Chad picked me up at the airport and I've been visiting my mom and grandparents since then. Sunday we took a quick trip to Tulsa to see some long lost relatives I'd never met before (my grandmother's brother J.R. and others) and I got to see my good friend Sara. She is teaching math at a junior high in Tulsa and also doing yearbook. We laughed a lot sharing stories about our students and our adventures as first-year yearbook advisers. Sara is a lot braver than I am though--she's actually doing yearbook a second year. Good job Sara. Anyway, on our way back we were close to Shawn and Emma so we dropped by their place for a quick visit. Elle served tea in tiny little cups and I read her a few books, then we were on our way. Since then it's pretty much been shopping and eating at good restaurants. Today we went to two art museums and that was pretty fun. Sorry for the lack of pictures lately. By the way, both of my sisters-in-law succumbed to the pressure of blogging and the links to both their blogs appear to the right. I probably won't be posting as many pictures of the kids now that they have their own blogs to post. I'll be visiting Erin, Josh, Kellen and Bonnie next week, and also my friends Emily and Matt and their son Tobin, so look for pictures of all of them soon.

By the way, I have been sleeping until 10 every morning. I'm liking this summers off thing.

Sigh of relief

Well, it's over. My first year of teaching has officially passed. It's funny--I get mistaken for a student every once in a while, but today I got mistaken for a high school student twice at places off campus. I know that someday on the last day of school when I have a lot more years of teaching behind me I will think back to the day I finished my first year and the waitress at Chili's asked me if I was graduating from high school that day.

It seems a little anti-climactic to me--how quickly everyone, students and teachers alike, goes their separate ways. I have been counting down to this day for so long--one of my senior yearbook editors teased me all year that she was supposed to be the one counting down, not me. Now that it's over, it's a little weird. I'm not sad though--I know I'll see most of my old students around campus next year, and it will be good to see 150 new faces in the fall. The best thing about teaching, I have decided, is that there is always a new beginning, and there is always an end. I get to reflect back on what worked this year and what didn't, both with my teaching and my classroom management, and start over fresh in the fall. Until then, I get to enjoy eight weeks off seeing family and friends, going to Blue Haven and relaxing. I've decided it doesn't get much better than that.

The mischievous one

Every couple weeks Emily sends a picture of Riley getting into some kind of trouble, usually involving Josey. Here is a picture of her latest antics. That's lip gloss that Grammie gave Riley for Christmas that Riley is putting on Josey.

The countdown is on!

Okay, it is officially the last week of school. This Saturday I will be in Weatherford...I'm counting down the days! Here is a little breakdown of Chad's and my summer plans in case anyone wants to know when we will be where.

Wednesday 5/24-Saturday 6/17: Chad will be in Texas and Arkansas for his independent study paddling trip with Tyler Junior College
Saturday 5/27-Saturday 6/10: I will be in Texas visiting my mom, grandparents, Erin & family, and some friends
Saturday 6/10-6/17: Dad, Ginny & Mackenzie in Arizona
6/27-6/30: Lubbock
6/30-7/1: Amarillo for Matt Green's wedding
7/1-7/14: Camp Blue Haven
7/24-7/27: AP Summer Institute in Phoenix
8/2: Back to work
Sometime in late August: Chad goes back to school

So as you can see we have a fun-filled, busy summer and we are excited about getting to see so many family and friends and getting to go to Blue Haven. If you see any open dates there and want to come see us in Arizona, feel free! We love to get visitors.

3 more days of school...

Elle, Kellen and Bonnie

Here are some recent pictures of Elle, Bonnie and Kellen. Kellen got a taste of his first popsicle...Erin cleverly gave it to him while he was in the bathtub.

Oak Creek...not for the timid

Here are some pictures of our backpacking trip in Oak Creek Canyon. Like I said before, this hike was a little different than what we expected--for example, visualize wading or swimming through freshly melted snow, and that is what the water crossings were. I was timid at first (not quite wanting to get wet and cold...and look at that nasty green stuff we had to cross through!), but after a while, we just jumped right in. I tried to pick just a few pictures that show the landscape and also show a fairly close view of us. It was hard to decide which ones to put in here--we had a lot of really good shots.

I'm baaaaaaaaaack

Sorry for the little hiatus...things have been just a little crazy here lately. Last week was yearbook distribution at both campuses, and now that that's over, my life has settled down. You know I'm pretty busy when I don't have time to blog. Friday I took the day off, and Chad and I, along with Alan, Alan's friend Laura, and Caleb Montandon (Chad's 2nd cousin) went on a little backpacking trip along the west fork of Oak Creek Canyon near Sedona. It was beautiful and the weather was great. The hike was only 14 miles over two days, which seemed fairly mild at the time we were planning for it. But with all the boulder-hopping and crossing water that was sometimes over my head, I was extremely worn out and sore by the time we rolled back into Prescott Saturday night. We took lots of pictures which I will post soon.

The number of days left in school is down to single digits. Finals start next Tuesday (which reminds me that I need to finish writing my final exam), and then teacher check-out is next Friday. The very next day I leave for Texas to visit my family, which I'm really looking forward to. Chad will be in Tyler and then Arkansas for an independent study with Tyler Junior College. Okay, I'll write again when I have those pictures to post.

Cute kids...

In response to Erin's comment in my last entry, Kellen now calls me "Sey." You know, like Lesley, but without those pesky L's. This was especially exciting because yesterday I was talking to Erin and she asked Kellen if he wanted to talk to Aunt Lesley and he said, "Sey?" I got so excited. Then I talked to him and said, "Kellen, it's Aunt Lesley," and he said "Sey" again, and then I said hi and he said hi back. A few days ago he pointed to a picture of me and said Sey also, so I'm pretty pumped that my little nephew now knows who I am. That's probably the part that makes me the most sad about living far away, is that all our babies are growing up and they might not know who we are. But I have to say to our siblings, y'all are doing a great job of pointing to our pictures and telling those kids about their Uncle Chad and Aunt Lesley!

Another cute story...and Emily, correct me if I get this wrong, but a few weeks ago, right after spring break when we had seen all our nieces and nephew, Emily was driving around in the car and Riley saw a dark-headed, slender guy walking along the street and pointed at him and said, "Uncle Chad!" I thought that was so cute.

By the way, in another response to Erin's comment...I don't need to watch American Idol to be happy (although I do love American Idol). Who needs American Idol when you have a channel that shows two episodes of Dr. Phil and two epsodes of Oprah every single day? And let's not forget Deal or No Deal...(yuck.)

I guess that's enough typing for now, back to grading quizzes. Chad comes home tonight! Yay!

The yearbooks are coming! The yearbooks are coming!

Just got a call today from my publisher's rep that our yearbooks are on their way. Now, I know this is probably not very exciting for most of you, but it's my blog so nanny nanny boo boo. Our scheduled ship date was this next Monday, but they ended up going out today. Since my yearbook kids were so good about sending in all their deadlines early or on time this year (with me, of course, on their tail every minute) it means we get the books early. This is just one more sign that the year is almost over, and I have almost completed the milestone of finishing my first year of teaching--which of course, "they" say, is always the hardest.

This year will also close the chapter in my life of being the yearbook adviser at Bradshaw Mountain High School. Although this was a positive experience for me where I learned a lot, it was also very stressful and at times took over my life--even when I should have been focusing on the other 4 classes that I teach. So, I am taking at least a year off from advising a yearbook to get some more teaching under my belt, and then when I feel really comfortable with that I might consider advising another publication. Deciding to give up yearbook has made me realize how great the students are that I have worked with this year, and I will miss them. But I am looking forward to being able to come home and spend time with Chad, focus on my English classes, and best of all, not wake up in the middle of the night because of a bad dream about yearbook. Yes, that has happened many times this year (the latest one: we got all our yearbooks and the publishing company had put a big fat X over each student's school picture).

That's about it for now. We officially have 15 school days left, not including weekends. Not that I'm counting down or anything.

Random thoughts

Well, if there was ever a time to come visit Prescott, it's now. I had forgotten about how when we moved here a little over a year ago, we went a little over three months without having to use the heater or the air conditioner. The weather is wonderful! I walked to church this morning and now I am at the college (walked here too). That's one thing I'll miss about Prescott when we move--living close enough to things to walk to them, and decent enough weather to not be all nasty and sweaty after I walk somewhere.

Yesterday I had a very relaxing day and today I came home from church and cleaned, which is somewhat relaxing when you think about it--after I clean house I am very unstressed, and I can truly enjoy being lazy since I'm not looking around at my dirty house. So since it's almost the end of the school year and I don't have to do anymore planning, I have finally gotten around to reading for pleasure. At the moment I'm reading The Water is Wide by Pat Conroy. I'm about 100 pages into it and it's pretty good so far, if you are looking for a book to read. I hear that most of Conroy's books are pretty good: The Prince of Tides, The Great Santini, My Losing Season, etc. While some of my colleagues are taking summer school to work towards their master's degrees and some are teaching summer school, my only real responsibilities this summer are to re-read Fahrenheit 451 and A Separate Peace, both of which my honors kids will be reading next year. Not a bad summer assignment.

I have meetings after school every day this week, and Chad comes home late Thursday night. Friday night we are going to the "Adviser's Appreciation Night" given by Jostens in Phoenix--they are giving us dinner and we get to go to the Diamondbacks' game. So, I think this week will go fairly fast and then Chad will be home again. He informed me that he will not be blogging, so I guess you might be getting an email from him sometime soon telling you about his adventures on the San Juan River.

Have a good week. Feel free to leave comments! I love reading them!

Small victory (or rant alert, part two)

This story just goes to show that one person (or two) CAN make a difference. After I wrote the letter to Dillard's, my mom decided to write an email as well. The next day we heard from someone in personnel at the Dillard's store here in Prescott, asking me where in the store I had seen the shirt. So I told her, and she said the shirt offended her as well, and she was going to contact their buyer and ask her what in the world she was thinking. She called me back today and said that the buyer's response was that this was the first they had heard of anyone having a problem with the shirt, and that they had a ton more on order and couldn't cancel the order. BUT, the lady at the Prescott store told me that they have chosen not to stock the shirt anymore.

So, the moral of the story is, if you are truly offended by something, say so! We got pretty good results just from one letter and an email, and I am SURE we were not the only ones in the entire country who saw the shirt and were offended. We were just the only ones who took the time to voice our concerns--thus, the attitude that "we haven't heard any other complaints, so we're going to keep ordering and selling these." Anyway, I just wanted to share our small victory. Because like Erin says, you would NEVER see a shirt that says, "Too pretty to know how to read," but with math, it's okay to be dumb.

I got a message from Chad this morning that his back went out again, so he is doing a lot of stretching, but please keep him in your prayers. Luckily their trip is mostly paddling and not a lot of hiking with a heavy backpack, but this problem just seems to never go away with Chad.

I'm going to Scottsdale today on a field trip with some of my yearbook kids. Keep us in your prayers as well.

I guess that's about it for today.

Signed, Ugly enough to do math

Sugar, spice and everything nice

We just found out that Shawn and Emma will be having a little girl on our around September 18! Congratulations Emma and Shawn! Elle will be the big sister to Ava Kate Montandon (too bad about the name, I know Emily and Joey's vote was Shawna Paulina Montandon...). I will give more baby updates as the time gets closer and as I hear more news. From the sonogram they could tell she is a healthy baby and moves around a lot. Chad and I are so excited to get another niece. It's fun being an aunt and uncle!

Also, in case anyone is interested, I heard from Chad both last night and today. He is in Monticello, Utah, and they are getting resupplied before they go back our on the San Juan River. He's been gone for a week and he'll get back one week from tomorrow. The time's going by pretty fast.

Rant alert...

So yesterday I was walking through Dillard's looking for a shower gift for a friend when I ran across a shirt with the words "too pretty for math" on the front of it. Now maybe it is because I am a teacher or maybe it is because I am a woman, but I got so mad when I saw this. By the time kids are in the 10th grade, many girls already believe they just aren't cut out for subjects like math and science and teachers have to battle these beliefs every day. Even worse is when teachers themselves write off other subjects as not as important, namely math, because they just "can't do it." I got so annoyed at the fact that Dillard's was selling this shirt that I wrote them a letter. I mean, I can see it at a place like Hot Topic or Spencer's...but Dillard's? Come on, show a little class. Anyway, I'm sure they'll continue to stock the shirts...because moms will buy them for their sweet little teenagers...but at least now I feel better. I know what you're thinking: I'm overreacting. But spending every day trying to teach high schoolers that education IS important is enough of an uphill battle without having to deal with stores like these reinforcing a belief that outward beauty is what's important, and not intelligence and inner beauty. It's been a while since I wrote a letter and told everybody I knew not to go there, and hopefully I won't have to do it again for a while.

Internet Addict

Okay, you know it's bad enough when you are constantly checking other people's websites (babyjellybeans.com, for example, of new pictures of my niece and nephew), but when you start checking your own blog and momentarily get upset that it hasn't been updated before you realize that YOU are the one who has not updated it...you know your internet addiction has gone too far.

At the moment it is 5:30 p.m. AZ time and I am still in my classroom at school, taking a break from the many essays I have to grade. Chad left today, and I am just killing time until a Bible study in about an hour. The study is at a house in Prescott Valley and with the ridiculous gas prices I didn't want to drive all the way home and then back out to the house, so here I am. This school is like a ghost town this time of day. I have heard rumors that the school is haunted, namely my yearbook room, E-108, by a man. Supposedly we are located on an old Indian burial ground (I'm not kidding) and the ghost is nice, but still...I think I'll get out of here before it gets too dark.

I just want to show off some cute pictures of our 4 nieces and nephew. Kellen and Bonnie are Erin (my sister) and Josh's kids, Elle is Shawn (Chad's brother) and Emma's daughter, and Riley and Josey are Emily (Chad's sister) and Joey's daughters. I'm probably biased but I seriously think they are the cutest kids ever. Shawn and Emma are expecting another child in September, and they get to find out next week if it is a boy or a girl.

Okay, back to grading...

Of Mountains and Mohawks

Most of you already know that Chad is taking a class called Adventure Education at P.C. this semester that requires him to be gone a lot of the time on different excursions. When he got home from one of his trips, it was time to cut his hair. So, he went upstairs and got the clippers out and cut it into a mohawk. Temporarily, it was funny. But then Chad decided to keep the mohawk...for a while. Soon we were being seen in public places like church and I kept bothering him to cut it off, and he finally did. His hair is nice and short again. I've posted a couple of pictures of the wonderful coiffure that is no more (thank goodness). Prescott's elevation is a mile, so we got snow well into March. After spring break, we had two late starts at school due to snow. I've posted a couple pictures of the snow as well. One of Chad's recent trips was a summit attempt of Baboquivari Peak in southern Arizona close to Tucson. Here is a picture of him and his group at the top. I think it was 7 pitches long, and Chad led part of the climb. If you are a climber you know that 7 pitches is not a piece of cake. Chad leaves again tomorrow to paddle the San Juan River (close to the 4 corners) for two weeks. He'll be with his class group the whole time, and a high school hiking club from the Phoenix area will join them for a few days. This will be his last trip for the class, which needless to say I am excited about.