If Only In My Dreams...

Merry Christmas Internet,

Hard to believe Christmas has come and gone. I survived. 

Christmas time is always a bit painful for me.

Partially because it's a reminder of how my life has taken a different path than I had planned. (Not a worse or better plan, only different.) I always imagined by this time in my life I would be married with children. My family would have our own little home to decorate and fill with traditions and I'd be finished with school.

Sometimes I get bitter and sad. 

I don't have the husband, the kids or the home. 

(I do have TONS of people who love me, an internship *that's 1/2 way done* that I love and 24 kids who I adore! I really can't complain about that)

And then I kick myself, stop doing that, and try to find a way that I can fill that hole in my life and help someone else.

So, I "visited Santa" to make sure that all of my friends under the age of 10 got custom letters from the Jolly man himself. *Kris Kringle and I have VERY similar writing styles. WEIRD!

A few of my local favorites!

I made Gifts for all 24 of my kids. 

Hair Clips for the girls

I stayed up til the wee hours of the morning to make my kids rainbow Jello.

I made bread for all my friends at school.

Homemade Cinnamon Chip and White bread!

The Finished presents wrapped and ready to go!

When we went Christmas Caroling, we stopped at one of my kids' houses. I think he waved at me about 20 times while we were singing.

And I come to understand better, as I serve others, how much my Savior loves me. 

I Can Almost Taste It!

Internet.

I wrote lesson plans for 10 hours on Saturday. 10 HOURS. Today I turned them in along with 2 other major assignments. Here's all that I have left to do. I can almost taste the end of the semester.

Never mind all the acronyms, I don't know what half of them mean myself. haha!

Still no plans for my life, but at least I'm not dropping out of college this week!

Well, Now What?

Well Internet,

I just applied for graduation. Crazy. I really never thought this day would come. And now it's here and I'm terrified. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to be finished, crossing something major off my list of life to dos. I won't graduate until May, and I still have a lot of homework to do before then. But then what? What do I do after graduation.

Still nothing feels right. Trying to have faith, but I kinda stink at that.

Someone want to make a life plan for me and just tell me what to do? I'd really be fine with that.

I'm Thankful For...

Hi Internet,

Happy November. Less than 3 weeks to Thanksgiving and only 8 university classes before the end of the semester! Holla! I decided I would decide to be thankful this month, because I really have a lot to be grateful for.

So, today, I am thankful for thoughtful people. People who find good in the world around them. One of my students made me this and I tried hard not to get choked up. She might be one of my favorites. It's easy to go to work when you get to be with kids like this.

Looks just like me no? The Dream houses in the background were from an art lesson I taught a few weeks ago that apparently this student loved. I also love the speech bubble of the students in the background.

Life is good.

What Next?

Hi Internet,

Can you believe October is almost OVER?! I can't! Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away and then Christmas, and before you know it... 2013.

So, I've been thinking and trying to figure out what next.

(This might be long, I feel a need to get somethings off my chest, apologies in advance.)

I went to my 10 year class reunion this summer. I was really dreading it, but a few good friends convinced me to go. I'm glad that I did. On graduation night we had a poster where we were supposed to write where we would be in the year 2012. It was painful to read what my naive 18 year old self wrote 10 years ago. I'm supposed to be married to a wealthy lawyer with 2 kids.

That has not happened.

It's been hard to mourn what I thought was going to happen. I still very much would love to be a wife and a mother. That goal is still first and foremost in mind. I have an overwhelming desire to be in the PTA and make Mickey Mouse Pancakes and go on dates with my husband to the Nutcracker.

But for whatever reason, that hasn't happened in my life.

For a long time I was angry and hurt that I haven't been blessed with those things in my life. I finally realized that I couldn't sit around and wait for those blessings to come to me, they may not come right away and waiting would be a waste.

So, I decided to go back to school. I found something that I love to do, that I'm great at, that consoles that hole in my heart that wants to have a family. I really love my job and my students.

But I've almost finished school, and now I have to figure out what next. I honestly never thought I would be in the position that I'm in, having to make the choices that I do. Remember, at graduation, I thought this would all be behind me in 2012. :) 

I wish I could say that I know exactly what to do. Have a plan. I always need to have a plan!

I'm fortunate in that I have limitless opportunities. I could pursue graduate degrees, I could teach in rural Alaska, I could teach in Fairbanks, I could teach anywhere else. (Except Georgia and Utah, cause they don't accept my teaching certificate.)

But none of those options feel 100% right.

And maybe that is because it's not time to make any decisions. I really hope that's the case, because I graduate in May and I'm going to need to make SOME decision. haha

So, right now I have to have patience and exercise a little faith.

I'm so bad at that.

I'm an instant gratification kinda gal. I like instant streaming on Netflix and instant pudding.

So, I've been trying to wrap my head around what having faith looks like. How do I put it into practice in my life. 

So, I'm gonna keep moving, and trust that the Lord has a plan for me.

Because I Love Those of You Who Don't Live Across The Pond

Hi Internet,

My nose is healing well. I think I'm gonna make it out without any major scarring. WHEW!

I've been meaning to post this, but I keep forgetting/run out of time.... So, here it is.

Remember how I LOVE Downton Abby? 

 And it's like my favorite show?

 And we've had to wait SOOOO long to see what happens to Mary and Matthew?!

Remember how you thought you'd have to wait til Janruary 2013 to find out? 

WRONG! 

It's playing right now in the UK! YES!! I've been watching with my friend HERE, and it's GOOD! 

You're Welcome!

You may send your thanks in the form of well wishes, prayers for me finding a husband and naming first-born children after me.

You May Call me Humpty Dumpty

Hi Internet,

Remember that one time that I posted yesterday, but had a little accident so I decided to post twice in one month. Yes, today is that day.

So, this morning, I slept in, as I usually do and my mom came to wake me up. (Because she's a good mom like that.) Well, as she was walking downstairs she slipped and screamed, so I lept out of bed, covers all over the floor to help her. I got to her, had her bend her leg to make sure nothing was broken, grabbed her hand to help her up. The next thing I remember, I was waking up with my head on the floor and my feet on the stairs asking my mom "am I asleep?"

Apparently, I got up too quickly, passed out, fell down a flight of stairs and broke my fall with my face. And in the process broke my nose. 

This would be me, shortly after the incident.

Lovely huh?

The irony of it all was JUST last week I was telling my friend how paranoid I am of breaking my nose (after he threw something at my face) I must have jinxed myself. 

On the plus side, I think the boys in my class might find my battle scars to be extra spooky/cool for Halloween, no?

Questions AND Answers

Hi Internet,

Here's your blog post for October. With the rate I'm blogging, I hope you savor it and make it last until November.

Life has been crazy. Being a teacher is hard work dude! Especially 1st grade. And while you are taking classes.

A few people have asked me what the difference between a student teacher and a student intern is, so I decided I would enlighten you all. (You are welcome in advance.)

In most teacher education programs your last year of university you spend half of your time learning methods of teaching. You learn methods of teaching math, social studies, etc. The second half of your year is spend student teaching.

Well, at the school I attend, they have combined those 2 semesters into a 1 year internship. It has its pros and cons.

Pros:

I get to be in the same class for an entire year.

I get to build relationships with my kiddos.

I get to see what the first days of school actually look like.
Some states require a year of student teaching to be certified. CHECK!

Cons:

I can't work.

I have to go to school AND be in the classroom and do homework AND lesson plans. UGH

I have to pay to work for free.

So, I am in university classes 2 days a week and with my kiddos 3 days. I really love those little guys. Even though I've had a cold for like a month straight and some days I'm too busy to go to the bathroom.

And since a post without a picture is boring... here's a gratuitous Grandma Krystal Picture of me and my grandkids at a wedding this summer.

And now, off to bed so I can try to recharge my immune system.

Recess Duty... Brrrr!

Hi Internet,

Greetings from a frazzled first grade teacher! I'm loving first grade but it's a LOT of work! We have been in school 14 days and have been busy, busy, busy!

Here's a picture of me and 2 other interns at my school on our 1st day! Awww!

Today my mentor teacher went home sick, so I got to sub for the afternoon!! (Exclamation points are because I got to fly solo, not because my mentor was sick. I hope she's better by tomorrow cause I have no clue what we're doing tomorrow morning! Don't worry I have a copy of the lesson plan... JUST in case!) I really love my job! 

I love going out to recess... But today was a bit chilly AND I found out I received a grant.... SO, I think I want a new coat.

Votes/ Opinions appreciated!

Well, I'm off to bed, who knows, I might be flying solo again!

Back to School! (Because I Promised Spraz)

Why Hello Internet!

I'm sad to report, summer is over.

BUT! 

You know what that means?! 

Today was my first day as a student teacher Intern!

I've been so giddy with excitement, buying school supplies, reading books, visiting UT* and finishing my BLASTED English class!*

But today I got a taste of what it feels like to go to work and do something you love. 

We crawled around organizing materials, lugging textbooks, rearranging desks and hanging bulletin boards. 

I just feel happy!

Here are some pics from the day!

Enjoy!

*Posts about my vacay to come. Have no fear.

My Desk. Must Decorate. ASAP!

The Room. My teacher has a LOT of stuff!

My First Bulletin Board of the year!

My Poor, Neglected Blog!

Hi Internet.

Where has summer gone?! And when is it going to get hot in the 907? It's been a miserably rainy summer! But. On the bright side!!!

Guess who has some FANTASTIC news!!?!?!?!?!?!?

I DO!

I got my Student Teaching Internship Assignment!

I got........

1^st Grade

When I got the E-mail I was frantically searching to see what grade I would be in and then, I saw it.

 I got a little teary. 

I really love the little guys.

In my interview I requested 1st grade and I was told there was no was I was going to get 1st cause I had worked in Kindergarten previously.

But apparently, that was false!

 After working in Kindergarten and taking some Special Education classes I came to realize that I really like early grades for a few reasons:

1. Kids LOVE coming to school

2. I know how to do the math!

3. Great Books! Amelia Bedelia, Nate the Great, Junie B. Jones, GOOD STUFF!

4. As a teacher you can train and guide parents on how to be involved in their child's education and help establish routines and behaviors that will benefit kids though high school

5. Early intervention for learning disabilities. I feel like I have a pretty good eye for finding students who may need help, and I think if caught early, it's often more easily corrected and less traumatic.

So, Bring it Class of 2024!

(Ewwww! That sounds like the year the Jetsons lived!)

And Now.... Some gratuitous Auntie Pictures. :)

Sleepy Baby

Never too early for Aunt Aubrey to start styling your hair!

 

Han LOVES to be the Helper

Baby girl LOVES the swing!

No Excuses, Just Happiness

Hi Internet.

The only excuse I have for not blogging is that I have been so busy crossing things off my 29 before 29 List! Holla!

Check me out!

5.      Make the Chancellor’s List

 BOO-YA!

2.      Get Associates Degree Diploma

 Sorry, I just got out of the shower, BUT, if you had worked for 10 years for a diploma, you wouldn't care either!

11.      Go on a vacation outside of Alaska

Brace yourself for lots of pics from the family Vacay to So. Cal

First Stop. San Diego to visit Aunt Bev and Uncle Jack, complete with a visit to the Mormon Battalion site, Old Town, the BEST food at Fred's, San Diego Temple and the USS Midway

I'll be honest. When I heard we were going to the Midway, I wasn't excited. But, I was really surprised how cool it was! Not only did I learn so much (Like did you know the Midway Laundry did over 4,000lbs of laundry an HOUR??) But it was also the location of the American Idol Auditions where they found runner-up Jessica Sanches! Cool Huh?

Oh, and look who is my TWIN! Same gift shop!


After a visit to the mall and Balboa Park it was off to Anaheim! We rented a house less than a mile from the park. It was great! We were the first people to stay there after a complete renovation and it was a bummer that we didn't have more time to swim in the pool, play air hockey, ping pong and watch tv!

Because we had 3 amazing days at the Happiest Place on Earth!

A. Standing outside the Tower of Terror B. Us girls ready to ride the Winnie the Pooh Ride! C. Levi, pretending NOT to be excited. D. Tower of Terror, Aubrey and I were terrified! E. Magic Kingdom F. Captain EO... Movies have improved a TON in 30 years! G. Corn Dog, legendary H. Dad and Nate on Splash Mountain (Dad's arms are raised) I. Me and Jules before it's a Small World J. Jules and Aunt Aub K. Creepy Princess Aurora did NOT stop for pictures L. California Adventure at night.

Oh! And I went to church with this guy!

All in All, an incredible family vacation! Can't wait til the next one!

Cutest. Bunny. Ever

Internet,

It's the end of semester, so apologies for the lack of blogging. In my absence I leave you with the most adorable video of baby girl.

Sorry it's sideways, I keep forgetting to turn my phone when I take movies, so tilt your head, it's worth it.

Oh.

Hold on to your ovaries. It's THAT cute.

Hope you enjoyed!

It's All Coming Together Now....

Internet!

I figured it out. I know why I'm not married. I was probably supposed to marry someone who died tragically on the Titanic! That explains so much right??

I went and saw Titanic in 3-D! Wow! I would have to say better than the original! Like when the guy jumps off the boat and hits the propeller, you feel like YOU hit the propeller! And young Leonardo DiCaprio is just downright dreamy.

Ta Da! The 29 Before 29 list!

Well Internet,

Since I had so much fun doing my 28 things this past year, I've decided to wisely use the 730 days before I turn 30. (Gross, I know) SO, without further ado, I give you....

Krystal’s 29 before 29 List

1.        Donate Blood

2.      Get Associates Degree Diploma

3.      Beat my last year time in the Chena River Run

4.      Wear my Retainer 60 days in the year

5.      Make the Chancellor’s List

6.      Run the Midnight Sun Run, beat last year time

7.       Sew Rag Quilt

8.       Run in the Beat Beethoven Race

9.      100% Visiting Teaching

10.    Save more money for Europe

11.      Go on a vacation outside of Alaska

12.    Go camping (aka sleep in a tent)

13.    Read/listen to 20 books for pleasure

14.    Wear make-up more often

15.    Be on time

16.    Finish another Couch to 5k program

17.    Compliment 1 person each day

18.    Start my Internship year!

19.    Complete another online English Class

20.  Pay off my car

21.    Read scriptures for at least 5 minutes a day

22.  Learn how to make Cream Brulee

23.  Make my bed every morning

24.  Own a pair of designer jeans

25.  Read scriptures at least 5 minutes everyday

26.  Go on 1 date

27.  Go to church activities

28.  Buy a little black dress

29.  Participate in Santa’s Mailbag program

It's my party and I'll cry if you yell at me!

Happy Birthday Internet!

Well, first things first, my record temperature remains unscathed.

 

Secondly, my family party yesterday was AMAZING! I seriously have the best family EVER! My cousins and aunt went on my Pinterest boards and MADE me gifts from my pins! How cool is THAT?!

A K for Krystal made from buttons out of Grandma's button collection that she inherited from HER grandmother, many that were cut off of clothing from the depression! I wish Grandma were around to share the story behind every button!

Super cool, and apparently VERY time consuming/frustrating paper sculpture that is going to look INCREDIBLE in my room!

Hannah learned how to say my name! "Tistol"

 

 

 

 

 

 

And Jules was just happy to be there!

AND! My parents and Brother and S-I-L are making me a custom headboard! 

Take THAT IKEA!

Totally compensates for the mean lady at work, who is NOT my boss who yelled at me for something that wasn't my fault. If only she knew it was my birthday....

Thanks for fantastic day!