One Nation and Our Dreams

Rosa sat so that
Martin could walk so that

Obama could run so that

Our children could fly

Today is a day that my students will be able to remember forever. As they sat in the school auditorium with their peers, kids from all racial, ethnic and economic backgrounds, witnessed the first African American person being sworn into office. Some students bowed their heads in prayer while the pastors came to the podium, others cried out of joy that they too can one day become president if they wanted, some smiled when their new president took the stand, some stared at the TV in confusion about what was happening, most clapped, some were just plain bored. The beauty of the moment was seeing 80 7 and 8 year olds watching history being made together in one room, kids of all colors, languages, sizes and beliefs. No matter who you voted for in the election the fact that the crowd that I saw on the TV spread from the Capital Building clear across to the Washington Memorial should be enough to send chills through your body. We are now one nation under God, indivisible.

After the Inauguration festivities my class gave a Martin Luther King Jr. presentation to the whole school. The principal had asked us on Friday to lead the morning assembly. Without my consent the class agreed to it (surprisingly enough it doesn't matter what 2nd graders say they are just too cute to say no to). 10 of my students stood bravely in front of the school and delivered a beautiful exert about MLK. They also passed the mic along and told the school what dreams they had for the future. Some of their dreams read, I have a dream that the poor will have money, I have a dream to stop global warming, I have a dream that there was no violence, I have a dream that everyone will love one another. How can 7 and 8 year old children be so selfless? It is so inspiring to me that these young children are our future.

I'll leave you with a final note which is from one of my students speeches today.

Our class talked about our dreams for the future of America just like Martin Luther King Jr. did. Do you think that you are up to the challenge of making dreams come true?

We Are 6 Years Old

It seems like a milestone to be celebrated. I'm not sure what 6 years means to you but to me it means a roller coaster of fun. I know that since we've been married (almost 9 months) we are supposed to start over when counting how many years we've been together. I just can't ignore the fact that Tucker and I have had the opportunity to experience life together for 6 whole years. We celebrated our 6 years together with a nice dinner at PF Chang's (I love their gluten-free menu) while we talked about all the places we've been and the exciting experiences we've had. As Tucker put it, here is to 6 times 20 more years.

Here are some oldies, I have so many pictures I wouldn't want to bore you with too many of them.

Being 22

For me being 22 means school. I think for my brother, Brendan, being 22 will be a lot more invigorating. Today he turns 22 years old. With having a brother 3 and half years younger than me I can remember our early years being full of fighting, yelling, kicking, and throwing things at one another. It was completely the opposite of what you call love and I wouldn't even go to say that it was just siblings doing what they do best. Times have turned in the most positive of directions. I am thrilled to say that we now talk on the phone, hang out together, and love each other like siblings should with the occasional disagreement. I couldn't imagine life without my little brother who everyone thinks is my older brother (his size and beard throw people off). He is handsome, sweet, caring, smart, friendly and all the other things that come with being a good brother.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY B! WE LOVE YOU!


What am I going to do with them?


Throwing up the 22. Tuck can't even remember being 22!

Wake in the New Year

Once again I have no New Years resolution. Although I can see how it is beneficial for some people to set goals and make commitments it just doesn't work for me. Everyday when I get out of bed I tell myself that today I am going to be a better wife, friend, teacher, person than I was yesterday. I guess in some way I am doing a daily resolution to better myself. With all of our little families recent activities time has flown by. In the last 3 weeks of my Winter Break I have had sad tears, happy tears, laughter, family fun, reconnected with an old friend, said goodbye to an old friend, and gotten closer to my husband. In 2009 I don't want to miss a beat, I want my eyes to be wide open to life and the beauty of it. I have been blessed beyond what I deserve and I want to experience all of it to the fullest.


To celebrate New Years this year we headed to Mammoth. I hadn't been to Mammoth in 9 years and I forgot how beautiful the town was. We rented a condo close to the lifts with 8 other people. We had 5 days of snowboarding, partying, playing, tubing and driving.

Happy New Year everyone! May your 2009 be happy, healthy and full of life.

Me getting pscyhed up to dominate some punk

6-8 yr old local 'tubers' down the slope

"Ye Auld Dubliner!"

White Christmas

We asked for a white Christmas and we got one. For Christmas this year we headed to Salt Lake City Utah. We drove for this trip and took the FJ Cruiser in hopes that the 4 wheel drive would help us with snow, ice and/or rain. The drive is never as bad as Tucker makes it seem. We were determined to make it to SLC for a visit with Grandma Slagle and family adventures with the Cannons.

As part of the family festivities we first headed to Daniel's Summit about 20 miles past Park City. What mom failed to tell us was that we would be driving there in a snow storm. Anyone who knows me knows that my anxiety doesn't handle snow storms (particularly in Utah) very well. Tucker is my hero, as always, and drove like a SLC native getting us to the lodge safe and sound. Daniel's Summit Lodge was beautiful. We went snowmobiling, had nice family dinners, played an interesting rendition of White Elephant and had messages.

For Christmas we were back at Grandma Slagle's house where we woke to snow everywhere. We all opened presents, grandma especially liked the aroma therapy heated slippers and pillow we got for her. Then, we were lucky enough to catch some of the Cannon family at Grandpa Cannon and Grandma Wanda's house. To my excitement I got to meet some of Tucker's cousins that I have not had the opportunity to meet. They are all so wonderful, I am so blessed to have had them welcome me into their family. Last, we headed over to Aunt Shauna's and Uncle Mike's for a great buffet dinner. Which we had to leave prematurely because, yep, another snow storm. Christmas this year was a busy, eventful day.

Amongst all the activities we managed to go snowboarding with Erin, Griffin, Hadyn, and Chad (our cousin), have snowball fights, take scenic drives, take a Christmas Eve stroll through Temple Square, and make frequent stops at Salty Peaks.

Although we had such a fun time with our SLC family we did miss our home and having our own traditions. We also missed having the Snows with us for yet another Christmas. Maybe next year.....

Cashman Family Photo

I know we are behind on all of our holiday postings and all the details are coming soon.

For now here is a picture of our family's holiday photo. No professional was needed for the event:)