Sister Karen Turns 53

Today is my big sister Karen's birthday. This is truly a day for celerbration

As you have read in my neice's blogs Karen had a stroke a couple of months ago. Her progress has been wonderful and it has reminded us all how short and special our lives are.

I thought I would share with you some of my favorite pictures of Karen!


Karen and Eric in the back yard of our house on 32nd street. Mom always had us stand in front of the flowers.










Karen as a little tyke. It does not seem that the strollers back then were made for the comfort of the baby. Where did mom put all the shopping bags? I also love the lamp. So fifties.









Sitting in Dad's chair in the living room of the 32nd street house. Karen was always a sharp dresser. Very 70's sweater and scarf!









Karen in her curly look. I liked it so much I had to get the same look for myself.











The early Stephens family. Michelle with no hair, and Karen and Casey with similar looks.

Karen and Mom stopping in the parking garage for a quick picture. We were on our way to Chad's graduation.



Karen thank you for all the love that you show and give me. My life is special becaue you are my big sister!

Who would think to put their foot behind their head?

To start with I do not think I have ever tried to put my foot behind my head. In looking through some old photos I came across this picture of Michelle.
Now I noticed in Michelle's blog that there was not a picture of her trying the foot behind the head task. So I offer this as proof that at one time she did try but failed. Maybe it is a family trait that my nephew Chris has. In all the famiy pictures that I have come across I do not have any other of my neices or nephews trying this amazing task. Or is that our family never really thought about trying!


Congrts Chris your are truly amazing in many ways! Love ya all

Summers Past

Well I just read Michelle's blog about Jo and her pool which brought tears to my eyes of summers gone by. Because there was a good size back yard at Granny's we enjoyed having the kids over during the summer. It is true that I woud warm up the water but as the kids grew older I grew smarter and I would hook the hose to the sink in the laundray room and fill the pool with warm water. It surprises me that this is something that Michelle remembers.

I went through some old pictures and picked out some of my favorites.

I think this was one of the best pools we had. The pink octupus gave Michell an instant friend. I think that it also lasted more than one season! Michelle liked to run and jump on the octupus.

Jack also loved the pool. He would laugh and splash! He usually wanted any toy he had in the pool. We had to watch the rag dolls. What a joy for both Granny and I to watch.

By the time Ashley came along the two older

kids could get a little out of hand in the pool. My time was spent making sure they did not smash her or something.

The summers of past were "good" times. The Sthepens kids brought a lot of joy to me and Granny. Watching them in the pool was a time to relax and forgot the stress of the day.

Love to you all!!

The End of Another School

One day until the end of the school year. I am not sure if the teachers are more excited than the students. For me this is not just another year it is the end of my 25th year in Jordan Valley.


When I came here so many years ago I am not sure that I planned to stay this long. As the years continued I realized how a small school district provides a wonderful place for a teacher to flourish. You have a large amount of freedom. The state standards need to be addressed but how you as a teacher elect to teach them is up to you. We have up to date technology and usually if I plan we can find money to keep it up to date.


Not only am I a queen in my classroom but having a small amount of students allows me to listen and learn about their lives. Some of the things I am told are sad but most of the things are exciting. One of favorite parts of the day is when students gather in my room before school starts. Some students are rusingh to complete their homework that is due in 15 minutes but others are there to chat. Maybe about their parents or something that happen in class the day before. All kinds of things. The students in Jordan Valley are a strong breed. Many of them work with their parents on their ranches. They start driving at the age of 3 ot 4 when ever they are old enough to steer the truck. (Usually someting heavy is on the gas petal and they hope they do not have to use the brakes) They would do just about anything for me. All I need to do is ask.



I am usually asked if I miss the students when they graduate. The answer I give is always no. For most of the seniors this is a surprised but as I tell them they will always be in my heart. I am proud that they were in my life but I am also excited of what the rest of their life will be like. There is so much of life to live after graduation. Last Saturday I said "goodbye" to the 25th class that graduated since I have been here. They like of the the classes before them are full of dreams of the future. I can't wait to see if their dreams come true.