Grandma Rich

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/saltlaketribune/obituary.aspx?pid=171101557

Yesterday we attended Grandma Rich's Funeral in AF Utah. She passed away May 16th at 99 years old- 5 months shy of 100. Her son had just joined her for lunch an hour prior, they had chatted pleasantly, she ate cheddar soup, potatoes and pistachio pudding. Then the nurse took her back to her room and had her sit in the comfy armchair she had there. A few minutes later another resident found her slumped over

I love this lady.

The first time I met Grandma Rich she greeted me by asking, "What's your name again?"

I answered, "Amy Tolson." (my maiden name)

"No it's not. It's Amy Rosenvall." - Grandma

"Ha!" I laughed, she got me, "What's your name?"

"To you, Grandma."

She was unhappy when she and her husband moved from New York state to Utah state, proclaiming: "They took away my driving license."

Full of wit.

She was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at age 89. After all her children planned their vacations and gave her the missionary lessons over the course of a year. She'd said once, "If I get baptized too soon they'll make me Relief Society President."

Andrew and I attended their sealing.

I thought I would be sad at her funeral. However, though I did shed a few tears, she lived a long full life. She was happy, only in a care center the last 4 months of life. Confined to a wheelchair- 2 days only.

We went to her graveside services in SLC with the family. Gave grandpa a hug.  Afterwards attended a luncheon at Ed and Morissa's house (Andrew's Uncle).

Grandma loved to travel. So, Andrew and I took the kids to the Zoo afterwards-- we got in just before they closed the gate no allowing anyone else in. It was a pleasant, sparsely attended day. The lions, tigers, snow leopards were out and walking around. The reptiles peeking their noses up out of their tanks. Bears rolling on their hills.

Then we took a drive through Guardsman's pass. Over the mountain down through Midway where we bought dinner for the kids and let them play at Two Tower's park in Heber.

We drove home through dusk.  As I tucked the kids into bed, I told them constellation stories and placed glow-in-the-dark stars on their walls. The boys have the constellations: Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Draco, Andromeda & Perseus. My daughter has Taurus and Orion.

A change of Pace

I really wish I owned a camera. Suggestions on good cameras to purchase? Hopefully not too expensive, but easy to use and transfer to a computer?

I never thought that I would teach. My plan was to go to college, earn a degree and be a stay at home mom. But, when I graduated without children that plan had to be tweaked, and then modified so on so on...

When my friend Kassi told me that she could see me teaching, I thought that idea was crazy. (sorry Kassi-you were right). Or when Sharon told me that I would never be away from teaching for long-again, she was right too. I didn't think that I actually had it in my personality.

On to what's happening this week...

Well, after landing myself in ER for respiratory problems, luckily no blood clots. It seems that I may have developed asthma. Dr. Lamoreaux checked my stitches, looks like they are healing well. They will be treating any subsequent pregnancies I may have as high risk-because I delivered pre term. Dr said if I ever wanted to be checked (while pregnant) that they will see me immediately.

I am cleared to go back to work April 25th. My students are extremely excited. I visited my classroom today-it is a complete wreck! Things are scattered everywhere, epp! But, that usually happens right before a Science Olympiad competition-so I'm not too worried. My long term sub apparently teaches just like I do. She is a theatre major with a minor in Science.

My kiddos will be watched by my friend Karena while I finish out the school year.

I've been receiving comments from parents such as: "My student will be horribly disappointed if you don't return next year." "My child is taking your class-so you better be teaching." "I'm signing Alex up for Science Olympiad-be here to teach it." (These are actual comments.)

Yikes. I am quitting.

Andrew found a job. He is working at Wencor Aerospace Engineering and so far is loving the work. He is a quality inspector engineer.

I've worked the last three years. The years that I didn't teach-when August hit and the schools started to get busy I cried and sobbed that I wasn't there. I'm planning on buying myself a box of freshly sharpened pencils in August. I received my level 2 license and intend to keep it up to date/renewed. I also will probably return to teaching when my youngest is in school. (Never thought I'd say that!)

I am going to be staying home with the kids. So far it's been fun and left me with the desire to home school my children. I haven't decided if I will yet, I'll see how the summer goes.

Welcome to our blog!

Well I am officially near the end of my last semester on campus for my bachelors degree! I have really enjoyed my final physics and chemistry classes. I'm currently studying Optics, my favorite section in physics, mainly because of the relation to telescopes! Electrolysis (batteries/metal plating) and titrations(mixtures) in chemistry.... not my favorite section but still enjoyable!

My next and last semester will be spent at American Fork Junior High School where I will be student teaching under Janet Bates! I met Mrs. Bates last Thursday and had a wonderful time talking to her! She has a full real skeleton in her classroom! :) I'll start teaching in January and will take over 2 classes of 9th grade Earth Systems and 4 classes of 7th grade Integrated Science. Luckily I get to teach the Astronomy Unit for 9th grade and the Matter/Density/Gravity units for 7th!

I currently work for two professors on campus. Dr. Bickmore is having me write quizzes for students to take in class on i-clickers.(PS110b) (i-clickers allow you to interact with powerpoint presentations while in class.) I have also been making short videos and helper packets for him to publish online. I am a TA for Dr. Ritter in his Invertebrate Paleontology Class (Geo 480), the students are currently working on Conodonts (worm teeth) and Trilobites!

Andrew is enjoying work at Progress Manufacturing as a manufacturing technician. He helps in researching equipment and institutionalizing the best practice for using machinery. (Um... he helps people use machines better... and finds better machines for the company.)

Andrew practices with his Frisbee Golf discs in the field behind our apartment and frequently plays Frisbee Golf with Jake (our home teacher), and Trevor (our upstairs neighbor). He also attends Go Club every Tuesday night. ("Go" is an Asian strategy game.) He is also reading also about economics, engineering and business. He likes to read newspapers and is constantly mentioning new articles.