I am loving my job. I mean really, really loving it. Some days are crazy and classes are tough but at the end of the day I always leave with a smile on my face because my kids are just the cutest. (No matter how difficult they make teaching a great lesson.) I've heard and said some pretty funny things so I thought I'd give you a glimpse of my day to day by sharing quotes from my students and I. Enjoy!
Kids:
"I can't run because my ____ hurts."
"My tooth is wiggly!"
"Hi Coach!!"
"Can you tie my shoe?"
"_____ pinched my bum."
"_____ butt me in line."
"This is a great exercise!"
"This is so fun!"
"I'm bored."
"Please tell me we aren't running today!"
Me:
"Oh your ____ hurts? Get a drink of water then get back in!"
"Do the best that you can."
"Keep your hands to yourself."
"Put your shirt on."
"Put a bubble in your mouth!"
"Stop burping."
"Stop making farting noises."
"Of course we are running! This is PE!"
"We don't run into the wall we just run to the wall."
Welp it’s been another long time between blogs. This has been a long break. I’ll just say that I’ve been having too fun of a summer to pause for a blog. But I now am forced to pause since I’m stuck on a plane. Let’s recap our summer shall we?
Moving in to our new place, camping, energy drink pong tournament, my Grandma turning 80, best neighbors, finishing Harry Potter, driving cross country, boating, getting a job, summer camp together, Lake Powell, graduation, family reunion, super quick trip home, new family members (fish and recently born baby fish!), best friends getting married, and so so much fun.
We realized that this is probably our last summer of not having to be real adults with real jobs so we decided to take a fun summer job instead of a big money maker. :) It just so happened that we got to work together which was ever greater than imagined! We got a job working at a Summer Camp where we basically played with kids all day. Naturally Josh was the instant favorite counselor. I got to be the manager and plan all the activities which proved slightly harder than I first thought. Overall it was a great experience and we loved it! Tomorrow we both start school! Josh starts his last semester at BYU and I start my first day at my new teaching job at Provo Peaks Elementary. Josh has a job as a Teacher's Assistant and is excited about that. I am very excited and also very nervous for my first day but am ready to meet all my students! I already met one student who said that PE was his favorite so I'm hopeful! Goodbye Summer! You'll be greatly missed!
Well hello bloggers. I realized that since our city life experience is half over I'm way overdue for a blog update.
We love DC. We love using public transportation, walking, getting our groceries delivered (thanks safeway.com), downsizing to a studio apartment, and getting a taste of life after BYU.
I'm finishing up my experience at Mann Elementary School and will be starting at Wilson High this week. It's definitely a bittersweet feeling leaving Mann. I've had such a great experience there with a great Mentor and kids. I have improved and learned a lot. I was so convinced that Elementary was the level I wanted to teach but after getting a better taste of teaching at this level I'm not too convinced. I loved it but it was not without it's tough days. The amount of management and patience that is needed is ridiculous. For that reason I am feeling ready to start at Wilson. I'm sure it will be a whole different experience which makes me both nervous and excited. I hope that the learning curve doesn't hit me too hard. I'll be coaching lacrosse too which I am very excited about. Finally getting back into lax! But that also means that my days will be longer and more planning. Yay! It will all be worth it I'm sure.
Josh is enjoying his internship and is learning a lot. He comes home and informs me about the new projects he is working on along with the acronyms he is learning. I just love that I get to see him in a suit everyday. That boy can sure clean up nice! He is also busy with his class that is part of the program. He has papers and lots of reading to complete each week. He handles it all pretty well and somehow we still make time to eat out as much as we do.
And we do eat out far too much. But it's so hard when we are surrounded by so many awesome places that we feel obligated to try! We keep saying that our lives have started to revolve around food and it really isn't that bad of a way to live, except for our depleting bank account... We are also serving in the nursery at our church which is an adventure. There are no more than 5 kids every week so it's really not all bad. I am just missing my time with adults. But I get snack at church so who am I to complain?
Recently our plans have changed for the summer after Josh found out the classes he needs aren't offered in the summer so he will have to take classes in the fall. I'll still graduate in August but Josh will finish in December. He has started applying to internships in Utah and I've started job searching as well. We are also apartment hunting which is terribly frustrating and difficult to do thousands of miles away. But, not to worry, things work out.
I flew out to California to surprise my bestest friend Makenzie and it was the perfect weekend. We enjoyed beautiful California weather, catching up on social media, recapping on life events, and best of all, reminiscing of the "good ol' days" of being roommates.
Kenzie and I were roommates our freshmen year and then sophomore year until she followed her heart and served a mission and I followed mine and got married. You can bet we had lots to catch up on. We laughed until we cried remembering all our craziness, oh and watching this ridiculous video-
People say the friends you make in college will be the greatest friends you ever have.
One more week until Josh and I make the move to DC! We are pushing through finals and then we are on our way! Everyday we get more and more excited for this adventure. How great is it that I get to go to the greatest city in the world and do what I love with the person I love most! I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for this opportunity.
For some reason I have been thinking a lot about my experience in Africa. I keep being reminded of the biggest lesson that I learned while being there, and I've finally figured out why it's been on my mind.
As we traveled around to different places and met new people I would want to help everyone in some way. I didn't always know how to help all of them. So I started to say quick specific prayers. When I saw someone I wanted to help but didn't know how I would pray and ask Heavenly Father to help, protect or give me some idea of how to help them. Those prayers usually went like this: "Heavenly Father, please help that little boy walking home alone from school that he can get home safely" or "bless that young girl who is taking care of her 2 younger siblings." Each time I would get an immediate, almost overwhelming, feeling of peace. I would have a thought come to mind that said, "I've got it" or "I'm on it." I was reassured that Heavenly Father knew everyone single one of His children and knew exactly what they needed. He had a plan for each one.
I realize now why this lesson has been on my mind so much recently. It's because when I'm teaching in DC I will want to help each one of my students but my reach is only so far into their lives. If I am in tune to the Spirit I can receive promptings as to how to help each child individually. And in those moments where I may not be able to help them Heavenly Father is well aware of their specific situation and has a plan. All He needs me to do is my part and the rest is taken care of, whether it be by another servant or by His hand directly.
I am so grateful for this Christmas season that reminds me of the love of my Savior and His ultimate sacrifice that makes it possible for me to do better everyday and not be defined by my mistakes. Without the greatest gift of Christ's life I wouldn't have the hope of the future, or His example to live by as a teacher and just as a human being.
While preparing for this adventure I've been fighting feelings of inadequacy but as I remember that I have a loving Father in Heaven that has given me tools improve my talents, I have gained a sense of peace. I know that as long as I use those tools in my life He will work in me to help me be a successful teacher and role model.
I love this gospel and all the blessings it brings me. I know we all have a loving Father in Heaven who knows us individually and intimately. He cares for us and send us aid when we need it most. We also have a loving Savior who made it possible to progress and make improvements on our life to be the best we can. And that is the greatest gift of the season- Christ's life and Atonement.
I figure it's time to officially blog about Josh and I's upcoming adventure! We have been so busy preparing that it's been tough to keep up with school, work, and everything else going on in our lives! (Not to mention blogging!) Well anyways, here is our next adventure-
These two lovebirds are flying off to live in DC for 4 months! We are so excited to go back to where we got engaged! (And I'm really excited to move close to home for a couple months!) So what is bringing us to DC you ask? Well, my extremely intelligent and handsome husband applied and got accepted to BYU's Washington Seminar Program where he will have the opportunity to learn about many different career options he has as an Economics major. He is currently still involved in the applying process for the possible internships but so far the prospects are looking good! With the program we got housing right in DC and we are so excited to try city life out. I will be doing my Student Teaching and a coaching internship. I'm still in the process of figuring out which school I'll be at, but somewhere in DC that's for sure! While I'm a little nervous about the prospect of teaching in such an urban school district I am continually gaining enthusiasm for the opportunity ahead.
After our DC adventure we will come back to Utah for me to finish up one class over the summer and Josh to finish his last semester in the fall. Then who knows where life will take us after that! It's both exciting and a little nerve-racking to have a future open to so many possibilities. But I think both of us have decided to go with exciting.
Also I'd just like to mention that Josh and I have almost been married a whole year. I can hardly believe how fast time has flown. It's been the best almost year of my life! (you can count on a mushy anniversary blog come Dec. 21)
Every year when October rolls around I go through an internal struggle. I debate whether or not to blog about my experience with Breast Cancer. When I was 13 my Mom was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer. My Mom has told me in the past that she has struggled with October meaning everything being pink for a month instead of it meaning the leaves changing color and Fall being in full swing. After she finished Chemo she had to get rid of all the things that reminded her of Chemo, for example her big, comfy blanket she had used in each Chemo visit. I struggle with October because I don't want to give one more reason for my Mom to think back about that incredibly difficult year for her and my family. But I've decided this year it's important for her to know what I think about when I see the color pink take over October.
I think about when my Dad told my sister and me the news. He had tears in his eyes with a look of extreme worry yet strong determination. He promised us that this experience would bring our family closer together. He proved to be absolutely correct. I remember that was one of the first times I remember getting a real glimpse at just how much my Dad loved my Mom. His love continued to manifest as he took her to all the doctors appointments, kept the house and family organized, remained a faithful Bishop, and even gave her daily shots as part of her treatment. He stood strong by her side teaching me how to be a strong and supportive spouse.
I think about the many friends that rallied together to help my family out in any way they could. When my Mom had to get a mastectomy her friends gave it a positive spin by throwing her a party complete with a Boob cake. They kept the love coming by sending little notes, prayers, and thoughts our way. They helped with dinners, rides, and anything else our family needed. I learned how important it is to be a good friend and to have good friends in return.
Most importantly I think of my Mom being a fighter. I think of my Mom being incredibly strong throughout the long, hard path. I think of how she has continued to fight for her health. I think of how she admits to her weaknesses but is brave enough to address them and carry on fighting. She taught me that when the going gets tough the tough get going.
So I'm ok with pink taking over October. While it reminds me of the ugliness that is Breast Cancer, it mostly reminds me of the good things that came because of it.
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