Taylor's Final Christmas Gift: "Beauty and the Beast" at the Hale Center Theater

 “You don’t lose hope, love. If you do, you lose everything.” Mrs Potts

Taylor’s final Christmas present, gifted tonight. It was the most magical experience- #halecentertheater #beautyandthebeast #mytheaterbuddy 

 

January Selfies, Projects, and Alyssa' Photography

 

Utah Seal of Biliteracy Youtube Video (Jody)

 I was so excited to be asked to be in Alpine's Eye on Excellence video featuring the work of World Languages. After viewing the video, I told Dave I need to work on my posture, buy a bra that fits, and get a neck job. hahaha. I am so very proud of our collective work and the results students are experiencing. 

2025 LPHS Preference for Alyssa

Alyssa and her cute friends had a good time at LPHS's Preference dance. They ended up hanging out at our home twice: after pictures and before dinner/dance and post-dance. Alyssa was stunning with one of the most beautiful dresses that she was complimented on all night (she never disclosed it was a $40 Amazon find.....hahah! I love finding a steal of a deal!). 

 

Shopping with my Beautiful Daughters

 We had the greatest time grabbing some major post-Christmas sales at Macys. Taylor caught my excitement and snapped a picture for the family group chat!

Our World Takes My BREATH AWAY

No filters tonight.

The clouds were pure perfection. Even Dave said he has never seen a more beautiful sunset since living in Utah.

 

2025 Word of the Year: "Rescript"

Each one of our children have been born with beautiful character, talents, and gifts. Dave and I intentionally invested in supporting them as they developed their passions and interests. 

Austin and Alyssa were both born with so much athletic natural talent and drive. With all of Austin's concussions---and some crappy friends who made fun of him playing soccer----we left the soccer world when he was at the end of his sophomore year. Alyssa was thriving as an athlete at that time. She made the top team (2009 Celtic) for her age group in Utah and then, several years later, when there was a change in head coaches, he was invited to play on the new #1 team (2009 Wasatch) for her age group in Utah. She has always talked about playing college ball and then pro. Moreover, she is athletic enough to reach those goals. 

Then a 2022-23 season of playing with a hip abductor strain followed by dislocation of her patella which took her out for the following 2023-2024 season. As we inched toward the 2024-25 season, I noticed less excitement for soccer, more fighting with Dave and me when we asked her to do anything at home, more excuses for not wanting to go to practice. 

On Monday, November 4, after a lot of thought and purposeful thinking for the future, Alyssa called Coach Pat and told him she was going to leave soccer indefinitely. She told him she was tired of fighting through pain and wanted to experience adulthood without daily pain from her soccer injuries. I was shocked yet relieved, joyful yet devastated; heartbroken yet at peace. 

The next day, on November 5th, the patrons of the west and central parts of the district voted to terminate Alpine School District in June 2027. 

Within 24 hours, two HUGE parts of my world that I have lived for and sacrificed for for the past 24-30 years blew up in my face. My grief was deep and real. 23 years of running kids to events, building their talents, time in the car, dreams of watching Alyssa play at the college level was over. Professionally, I would be forced into retirement. I have loved this phase of my career as the World Languages Specialist. Although I am 31 years into my career, I have always thought I would go out on my own terms. But thanks to corrupt legislators who want to see ASD fall and a community who sees us as glorified YW/YM leaders instead of professionals and experts in pedagogy, I will now be forced to retire by 2026 or 2027. Devastated. 

The following day, Alyssa said to me, "Mom, this is the chapter where we both need to reinvent ourselves."

I needed time to grieve before thinking of the reinvention part of my life, so I focused on my family and work for November and December. My anger and hurt was so real...and still is! But I am moving into a place of acceptance (doesn't mean I like it, but I have to accept it). 

So as I searched for a word for 2025, I contemplated the years of compounded layers that have built me as a 54 year old woman in deeply meaningful roles: wife, mother, educator, educational leader, advocate, servant. I finally landed on a word that is perfect for my 2025 year: 

"Rescript" 

Rescript evokes the act of rewriting or revising my own narrative. It's about revising, changing the storyline that was predictable....and joyfully anticipated, welcomed! New joy, new paths, new highs must be created in this new story moving forward for me in my role as Jody at the close of very meaningful and sculpturing chapters.

The rescripting of my story begins now. This year.