Monday, October 31, 2011

Just Dance 3!

Today I started my first day of practicum at Birch Creek Elementary in Smithfield.  I was really sick last night and it lasted through the night so this morning when I woke up at 6:30 I got ready as fast as I could so that I could lie down for a bit before meeting Katie at 8:00 to carpool over.  I was so nervous, but as soon as I met Mrs. El-Bakri and the little, adorable Kindergarteners I was reminded all over again why I am majoring in Early Childhood and Elementary Education!  The day was a little hectic with all of the children and teachers in Halloween costumes, but oh so much fun!  I am really looking forward to tomorrow!  By the end of the school day I was pooped and we didn't actually get home until 4:45.  I made dinner...french dip sandwiches, steak fries and fry sauce, and a green salad...and we all enjoyed it together.  Then it was time for the Halloween party preparations!  Okay, can I just mention that I feel like Halloween has lasted a month this year!  I was lame and actually took off my costume for the party.  After wearing the whole day at school I was ready for some normal clothes.  We set up a projector outside, made some hot chocolate and muddy buddies, and waited for others to show up.  There were some amazing costumes and we had a great time!  Just Dance 3 is phenomenal...so much that we are getting up at 6:00 tomorrow morning to play a bit more!  The party is still going but I am done for the day (yeah, it is only 9:52).  Happy Halloween!












Saturday, October 29, 2011

Events of the Super (relaxed) Saturday

Events of the Super (relaxed) Saturday:
  • Enjoyed a pancake breakfast that Katie made for us
  • Went to the Farmer's Market
  • Ran some errands with Tish, including stopping at the Distribution Center, Deseret Book, Seagull Book and Hobby Lobby.  Two of the stops resulted in purchases: new Hilary Weeks CD and paint supplies

  • Watched "Enchanted"
  • Talked to Brooke on the phone
  • Did some homework and organizing and cleaning
  • Watched "The Rescuers" while eating some chili (yes, don't judge Tish and I for watching 2 movies in 1 day....it was much needed!)
  • Made some Oreo truffles with Tish

  • Broke a knife with my strength (I wish:)...it was actually on some chocolate for the truffles)

  • Painted fingernails

  • Went grocery shopping
  • Attended the Saturday evening session of Stake Conference
  • Talked with my mom on the phone
  • Had dinner and a great conversation with Tish, Wendi, and Katie
After a day like that, I am ready to have a wonderful Sunday and start a new week!  I hope that you had a great day too!

Friday, October 28, 2011

Little Bear Bottoms

Our ward one the stake competition to see how many members enrolled in institute for the semester!  WAHOO!  Because we won, the stake threw a party for us tonight!  We went to Little Bear Bottoms Corn Maze.  Do you remember a couple of posts back when I mentioned that I would not go to a haunted house/forest/maze?  Well, tonight I did.  There was also a Haunted River Walk and I was coaxed into going.  I was so scared but Brett was there to provide some protection!  I think I just about squeezed his arm right off!  Even though I screamed and jumped a lot, I have to say that it was WAY fun, especially to be there with so many friends!  Eric, Brett, and Justin, this post is for you!  Second post of the week that you are in!  I loved your costumes.  Thanks for convincing me to wear mine.  It was worth it!  Goodnight!



Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Too great to wait!

I just got back from Salt Lake and it is one of those nights that I don’t want to take off my make-up or brush my teeth or wash my face or hang my clothes up because I am so tired, but I do it anyway because I know it will be worse in the morning if I don’t.  And you would think that if I was that tired, I wouldn’t be blogging right now, but this post really can’t wait!  My little brother Corbin received his mission call today!  He will be serving in the Thailand Bangkok Mission speaking the Thai language.  He will report to the MTC on March 7, 2012.  I am so excited for him!  Since pictures say a million words, I am going to let them do the talking while I get a little shut-eye!  It was a wonderful night with friends and family!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

How do you feel about that?

Today, as I was talking to a dear friend, she asked the question, "How do you feel about that?" after I had shared something with her.  It caught me off guard for a minute because I realized that she waited for my reply and really had interest in what I was going to say.  It caused me to stop and think about how I really was feeling.  It meant so much to me that she really cared to listen because she sincerely and genuinely cared about me!  It made my day!  It made me think about the many times that I so casually ask others, "How are you?" and then carry on without really taking the time to show that I care and that I want to listen.  It made me realize how much I want to change and be a better friend to those around me.  It motivated me to work to be the kind of person that is trustworthy and kind so that others feel comfortable around me.  It made me focus on my life right now, how I am really feeling, and some goals I want to set to progress.  Here are my feelings about a few things in my life right now:

Family:  LOVE them!  I am so excited to go home tomorrow for a few short hours!  Corbin should be receiving his mission call tomorrow and the whole family is getting together at 6:30 when he opens it!  I can't tell you how much I love this kid!  He is trustworthy, patient, kind, and talented.  It was so wonderful to be home on Saturday evening when he received the Melchizedek Priesthood and was ordained to the office of an elder.  What an amazing spiritual experience!  Corb, I am so proud of you!  I am sad that Brooke and Derek won't be there tomorrow because they are on a little vacation in Vegas.  I hope they have fun!  I am worried about my Grandpa.  He went to the hospital today because his oxygen levels were extremely low.  He is one of my best friends and so I really worry about him.  I hope that I will be able to see him for a second tomorrow.  I wish I could help my mom right now.  She has so much on her plate...I wish I could take a little bit of the burden away by cleaning the house for tomorrow or making dinner.  And, my cousin Becca is coming home from her mission December 17th!  I can't wait!

School:  Excited and anxious at the same time!  This is my last official week of school before I start my practicum at Birch Creek Elementary in Smithfield.  I have all of my homework done for the week and I took a test today so I think that the next couple of days should be pretty easy.  I am WAY nervous about my practicum!  I don't know if I am ready and I don't know how I am going to do it but I am very hopeful! My practicum is in a Kindergarten class and I am very grateful for that...I would love to teach Kindergarten!  And, Katie will be doing her practicum at the same school in a 2nd grade class!  That is a blessing!  I also love institute.  LOVE it!  I went again tonight and it is the spiritual boost during the week.

Spirituality:  October has been a challenging month.  It has also been a fabulous month!  I think that one thing I learned on my mission is that sorrow hollows out a spot for more joy and I am still experiencing that!  I decided that I needed to boost my personal study because I have become a little lazy.  Today I had a study about safety.  It was fabulous!  I will have to share more with you another time!  I am also reading the "Daughters in My Kingdom" book.  Oh my goodness!  It is amazing!  If you haven't read it, I would highly recommend it!  I love going to the temple but I find that I am not able to go as much as I like.  Before my mission, I did not miss a week of going to the temple since I was 15.  I had such a testimony of temple blessings!  Since I have been back from my mission, I have only been able to go about every other week.  How do I feel about this?  Bleh.  I want to go more.  Time and priority aren't really factors but it is mostly fatigue or just not feeling well.  I still have to accept the fact that going every other week is okay.  It is the best I can do right now.  I also love my Temple Prep class!  It is so good to be in a teaching position again because I am learning so much and I am humbled every week that I teach.  I also love my ward!

Friends: I am surrounded by the most amazing people right now.  Roommates are wonderful!  I can't even express to you in words how much I love them!  Neighbors are great!  And all of the other friends that I have are awesome!  With friends and family I feel that I receive so much and give so little.  I hope to be able to do more for all of you!  Thanks so much for being there for me.  I have come to understand what a true friend is through all of you.

Dating: No, I am not dating anyone right now, but I am interested in a few.  I am very much more positive about the whole dating scene...I am actually excited about it!  That is all of the info I will give on my blog:)

Health: Better.  Last week was a little bit of a downer but this week is much better!  I am starting to accept the fact that if I am sick or if I am tired or if I don't feel well it is okay to slow down a bit.  Am I still hard on myself?  Yes.  Do I still have moments of complete frustration?  Yes.  Am I making improvements in dealing with this with more faith?  I hope so.  I am really working on it!  I go back to the doctor next Wednesday and I am anxious about that.  Until then, I'll just keep pushing along!  I have so many that are pushing with me!

Hobbies: I need some!  Ever since I returned from my mission I don't really know what to do in my spare time.  I need to start a craft, learn how to play the violin, or improve my skills in a sport.  Something!  If you have any good ideas, I am totally open.  My favorite thing to do is to serve others: to bake, clean, cook, organize, uplift...whatever!  No, I am not very good at it but I am trying to improve and to think more often of others and not just about myself.  I have gotten this itch lately to start a big service project.  I am still trying to figure out what I want to do because there are so many possibilities!  Once again, if you have any ideas, I am totally open!

That's it for tonight folks.  I think this post was more for me than anything.  Just good to see where I am at. Love you!

Best Buddies

Another tender mercy!  As I was walking to get some chalk and an eraser on Sunday before my class, I heard a voice that was familiar.  To my surprise, my best buddy from my Freshman year of college was sitting on the couch in the foyer!  Her name is Deanna and she is so special to me!  After being her best bud for a year I decided that I needed to do something else because her home situation was just not the best.  Although I haven't seen her for years, I still think about her and pray for her!  I was so blessed to see her again and know that she is doing okay.  I love her!

I was also reminded of how much my life was enriched by knowing her and doing an activity with her once a week during that school year.  This picture was taken on the day that I found out that a girl who went to my high school had committed suicide.  It was a rough day for me but being with Deanna just made everything better...she always put things into perspective for me!  Thanks Deanna for being a blessing in my life!

Monday, October 24, 2011

You're the Smooth in Smoothie

So the title doesn't really have anything to do with this post but I just had to use it!  It was definitely the quote of the day by Wendi.  Wendi, thanks for always making me smile!  Today was another fabulous Monday!  I actually got loads of homework done...all of my homework for the week...so I am feeling pretty good!  Since our ward didn't plan a FHE for tonight, we spread the word that we were going to have a spiritual thought at our apartment at 7 and then head over to the Pumpkin Walk afterwards (with every other student ward and family in the city of Logan :)).  We ended up with quite the group and had sooo much fun!  I love all of these people so much!  Thanks for making my fabulous Monday even better!
This is a picture of half of the group...most of them ended up going home after  a few minutes of waiting in the massive line because they had to do homework.  We sure missed them!
And this is the other half.  It was sure worth the wait!  We had a great time together!
Justin carried Erin on his shoulders so she could see the displays through the masses of people!
Erin as Snow White
Sara as Ariel
Me as Cinderella
Justin as Yoda
Eric as Winnie the Pooh