Well, it has been almost a year since I last updated this blog. In the past year there have been many exciting things going on in our home. Justin and I went on the trip of a lifetime (can't wait to go again! haha!) on a Mediterranean cruise. If you'd like to check out the pictures and follow our trip go to our family blog:
www.eggliadventures.blogspot.com
We also got a cute little puppy named Marleau (pronounced Marlo, but it's French, so it is spelled a little differently. He's named after one of the San Jose Sharks--our favorite NHL team--players). He is a yellow lab and is growing rapidly. He graduated puppy school, but some days you would never have guessed he even went to puppy school, let alone graduated. He keeps us on our toes. I haven't posted pictures of him yet on the other blog yet, but I will get on that one day.
Justin was hired as a full-time Chevron employee (he works in the same department, but he's now an actual employee instead of a contractor). I am extremely proud of him for all the hard work he puts in there. Best part is, he really likes what he does.
Justin is still playing hockey and will try soccer again with me this season. He just had a hockey tournament in Park City last weekend (Pictures to come). THEY WON!!!! Champions of the Muddy Park Tourney 2014! I've been playing indoor soccer and will be finishing up my first outdoor soccer session next week. It has been lots of fun. I have signed up for the Yellowstone half which is next months...YIKES!!! and for the Morgan half in July. I need to get better at my training. Any motivational or training tips would be appreciated!
The reason for this update is mostly because I have made it a goal this year to not repeat a recipe at dinner. I have gone four months so far. Take into account that Justin and I have really busy schedules, so we do eat out a lot, but I have done well so far in not repeating (which is something I do often...I get in ruts and we wind up eating the same thing over and over). I have had requests for the recipes that I have used up to this point, and I have decided to do better at updating the recipe portion of this blog in order to accommodate those requests. I'm only going to post the ones that we would eat again, we have come across several that are not what we would consider "keepers." If you try any of them, or another version of these that you like better, please comment any changes that you would recommend. If you have other recipes you'd like to share with everyone, post a comment or email it to me and I will post it to the blog. Have fun and enjoy eating!
*Disclaimer: Justin has clarified my goal for me. He said that I can't repeat a recipe unless he, as my husband, specifically requests a certain recipe to be made again, or he makes it himself.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Crock-Pot Mishap...again...and other Wednesday disasters
Worst Wednesday ever. Ok, so maybe not EVER, but it was pretty crappy all the same. It started out fine. Work was work. I even had placed dinner in the crockpot before I left with happy expectations of a yummy meal when I got home. However, that dream was crushed when I walked into my house and smelled the smoky scent of burned chicken...again. My dinner had been ruined by my crockpot for the fourth time. I have about had it with this stupid thing. I shouldn't have to stand guard over it non-stop...the whole purpose of a crockpot is to leave the food in it and WALK AWAY, come back and have a delicious meal in front of you. Not with my dumb crockpot. It has decided that it wants to burn EVERYTHING! I don't know what's wrong. It didn't use to burn things, but now every time I cook something unattended for more than a few hours, it's black and crispy when I return. Does anyone that reads this know how to solve this vexing problem?! I cook everything on low, but apparently "LOW" on my crockpot is code for hellacious heat! I'm tired of ruining dinners and wasting money and time like that. It has happened twice this month...so no more crockpot meals for this gal!
After Justin and I went to get dinner (since obviously burned chicken is not approved for consumption) I had two soccer games to play at. The wind picked up and it was ridiculously cold. We all froze. Luckily I had left ear warmers in my bag and was able to keep my little ears warm. However, our team lost 3-2. Bummer deal, seriously. I was subbing for a friend on another team (which just happens to be my brother's second team as well). I went to that field, in a different city entirely, and found that she had gotten three people to sub for her, so I wasn't needed. I was irritated that I had driven out there and waited in the cold to find out that I wasn't going to be playing. I left early, but in my hurry to get out of the cold wind (it seriously felt like December again!) I left my brand spankin' new water bottle (that was a sweet gift from my awesome hubby) at the field! Scott didn't see it, or he would have grabbed it for me. I am really ticked about that, because it was a nice water bottle and it was perfect for my long runs and soccer games. But it is no more. Sigh.
On top of all that, my ankle and foot were in disarray because of a girl on the other team that didn't know how to play soccer right and thought it was a slide - tackle - into - Tina and kick - Tina's - ankle - until - she -can - no - longer - walk game, not soccer. Oh well, comes with the territory I guess. I iced it and put it up when I got home. It is still sore today, but at least I can walk.
The best part of everything, is that tomorrow is a new day. Despite having a crappy day, I at least have things to be thankful for--one of which is that today is Thursday, not Wednesday (so one day closer to Saturday!), it's not windy, and even though I'm exhausted, I can still read my book at work and get paid to do so! haha!
San Jose plays tonight. Fingers crossed!! I have futsol and a four mile run I gotta do tonight. Justin has an activity with the young men. Should be a good night!
On a side note--I still feel weird about being graduated. I feel like I should be doing homework or registering or buying books or reading textbooks or SOMETHING! It's all very surreal. But, it's a good kind of feeling to know that I am a full-time employee again. YEAH!!!! Some days drag on, but they did that when I was in school too, but I have a feeling things are going to be getting kinda crazy around these parts soon enough!
Ciao for now!
After Justin and I went to get dinner (since obviously burned chicken is not approved for consumption) I had two soccer games to play at. The wind picked up and it was ridiculously cold. We all froze. Luckily I had left ear warmers in my bag and was able to keep my little ears warm. However, our team lost 3-2. Bummer deal, seriously. I was subbing for a friend on another team (which just happens to be my brother's second team as well). I went to that field, in a different city entirely, and found that she had gotten three people to sub for her, so I wasn't needed. I was irritated that I had driven out there and waited in the cold to find out that I wasn't going to be playing. I left early, but in my hurry to get out of the cold wind (it seriously felt like December again!) I left my brand spankin' new water bottle (that was a sweet gift from my awesome hubby) at the field! Scott didn't see it, or he would have grabbed it for me. I am really ticked about that, because it was a nice water bottle and it was perfect for my long runs and soccer games. But it is no more. Sigh.
On top of all that, my ankle and foot were in disarray because of a girl on the other team that didn't know how to play soccer right and thought it was a slide - tackle - into - Tina and kick - Tina's - ankle - until - she -can - no - longer - walk game, not soccer. Oh well, comes with the territory I guess. I iced it and put it up when I got home. It is still sore today, but at least I can walk.
The best part of everything, is that tomorrow is a new day. Despite having a crappy day, I at least have things to be thankful for--one of which is that today is Thursday, not Wednesday (so one day closer to Saturday!), it's not windy, and even though I'm exhausted, I can still read my book at work and get paid to do so! haha!
San Jose plays tonight. Fingers crossed!! I have futsol and a four mile run I gotta do tonight. Justin has an activity with the young men. Should be a good night!
On a side note--I still feel weird about being graduated. I feel like I should be doing homework or registering or buying books or reading textbooks or SOMETHING! It's all very surreal. But, it's a good kind of feeling to know that I am a full-time employee again. YEAH!!!! Some days drag on, but they did that when I was in school too, but I have a feeling things are going to be getting kinda crazy around these parts soon enough!
Ciao for now!
Friday, May 17, 2013
Weber State University Graduate!
My goodness!!!!! It has been a crazy 5 months! I honestly do not know where they have gone. OK, so I DO know. They have been torturous, stressful, and exciting all at once. Let's recap, shall we?
January--I started my student teaching. I worked at Viewmont High School in Bountiful. It was a great school. The students were fun. I taught one psychology class (mixed sophomores, juniors, and seniors) and five English 10 honors classes. It was quite the adventure. I learned a lot. About teaching, about students, and about myself. I do not ever want to have to repeat that ever again in my life. Ever. I was a basket case for four months straight and my poor husband got the raw end of that deal. I would cry, I would complain, I had many breakdowns, but also a lot of breakthroughs. I learned that I can do a lot of things, even if I don't want to.
I was still working at Watson's 2-3 days a week and tutoring 2 days a week during this time. It was absolutely insane. I survived though! And I came out with a Bachelor of Arts in English Teaching and Psychology Teaching, with a minor in ESL, and a teaching license! Boo ya! Not that I have either the degree or the license in my hand yet. The degree with eventually come in the mail and the license will eventually be e-mailed to me to print.
In other news, our home was burglarized in January (right before I started teaching, so it was good in the sense that I didn't have to write sub plans while I was dealing with the police/insurance). The burglars came mid-day. We are never home, and they must have been staking out the place for awhile, because they knew we were never home, when the neighbors weren't home and that the house next door is a rental home and was currently vacant. They used the house next door as a base camp, broke our bedroom window to get inside and then just used the back door, hopping the fence to take the stuff into the other house until they were ready to load up their truck and head out with all our stuff. The took anything of value that could fit into a bag (using our bags--Justin's hockey bag, my swim bag, etc.--to haul everything out in...at least that's our speculation). Which means they took every piece of school work I have done for the past four years along with my laptop and jump drive. Pictures with the external drive. A pretty much everything my husband owned. I felt naked without my kindle (the one day I left it home to charge). They had plenty of time, because they went through every drawer, every closet, every nook and cranny. Things were moved, things were disheveled, our lives had been violated. Our home had been ransacked and we were now paranoid. Justin had been the one to walk in on the mess. He just called me when I was on my way home to let me know that the cops were there, so I didn't freak out as bad when I got home. We have since had to replace our birth certificates, social security cards, passports, marriage license, and laptops to survive. Now we are in the insurance battle for reimbursement. We'll see what happens with that.
I graduated! April 26. I got to choose which college I walked with because I double majored in two different college. I chose to walk with the Social and Behavioral Science class instead of Arts and Humanities college because it was earlier in the day. I did miss walking with my friends though.
Now, I bet you are wondering if I have found a teaching position yet. The answer is no, nor am I looking. I was torn between staying at Watson's (for reasons I am not at liberty to discuss at this time) and finding a teaching position. I have had nothing but bad experiences with teaching. It stresses me out. I think it is a wonderful profession for those that are ready for it. But I am just not ready for it at this point in my life. I have decided to stay at Watson's for the time being. I did not make this decision lightly. I even went to interviews at schools to be sure I wasn't just trying to talk myself out of teaching. I had a terrible feeling when I went and knew that I wasn't supposed to teach at this time in my life. People have given me a lot of crap for this decision. Some have said I have just wasted a lot of time and money. I don't see it that way. I see it as I have accomplished something in my life. I have a degree. Two degrees, technically. That is more than a lot of people can say. I wanted to get a degree, and I did. Just because I have chosen to stay here for now, doesn't mean I won't maintain my license and have it to fall back on. It doesn't mean I won't ever use it. I have gained a lot of knowledge. I have gained a deeper appreciation for education. And to those that disagree with me, I say you are entitled to your opinion, but I know what I have chosen to do is what I am supposed to do at this point in my life. Thanks for sharing, but it's my life, not yours :)
I have toyed with the idea of going back to grad school. But Justin and I have discussed it and have vetoed it for the time being. Which is fine. Maybe a little break will be good for me.
SO! Now that I have graduated, my next big dream is going to be coming true soon too. I am finally going to Europe! I am FINALLY going to see that beautiful country I have dreamed of seeing my WHOLE ENTIRE LIFE! ITALY, HERE I COME!!!! Maybe if I figure out how to post pictures, I'll get some up here when I get back.
Ciao for now!
January--I started my student teaching. I worked at Viewmont High School in Bountiful. It was a great school. The students were fun. I taught one psychology class (mixed sophomores, juniors, and seniors) and five English 10 honors classes. It was quite the adventure. I learned a lot. About teaching, about students, and about myself. I do not ever want to have to repeat that ever again in my life. Ever. I was a basket case for four months straight and my poor husband got the raw end of that deal. I would cry, I would complain, I had many breakdowns, but also a lot of breakthroughs. I learned that I can do a lot of things, even if I don't want to.
I was still working at Watson's 2-3 days a week and tutoring 2 days a week during this time. It was absolutely insane. I survived though! And I came out with a Bachelor of Arts in English Teaching and Psychology Teaching, with a minor in ESL, and a teaching license! Boo ya! Not that I have either the degree or the license in my hand yet. The degree with eventually come in the mail and the license will eventually be e-mailed to me to print.
In other news, our home was burglarized in January (right before I started teaching, so it was good in the sense that I didn't have to write sub plans while I was dealing with the police/insurance). The burglars came mid-day. We are never home, and they must have been staking out the place for awhile, because they knew we were never home, when the neighbors weren't home and that the house next door is a rental home and was currently vacant. They used the house next door as a base camp, broke our bedroom window to get inside and then just used the back door, hopping the fence to take the stuff into the other house until they were ready to load up their truck and head out with all our stuff. The took anything of value that could fit into a bag (using our bags--Justin's hockey bag, my swim bag, etc.--to haul everything out in...at least that's our speculation). Which means they took every piece of school work I have done for the past four years along with my laptop and jump drive. Pictures with the external drive. A pretty much everything my husband owned. I felt naked without my kindle (the one day I left it home to charge). They had plenty of time, because they went through every drawer, every closet, every nook and cranny. Things were moved, things were disheveled, our lives had been violated. Our home had been ransacked and we were now paranoid. Justin had been the one to walk in on the mess. He just called me when I was on my way home to let me know that the cops were there, so I didn't freak out as bad when I got home. We have since had to replace our birth certificates, social security cards, passports, marriage license, and laptops to survive. Now we are in the insurance battle for reimbursement. We'll see what happens with that.
I graduated! April 26. I got to choose which college I walked with because I double majored in two different college. I chose to walk with the Social and Behavioral Science class instead of Arts and Humanities college because it was earlier in the day. I did miss walking with my friends though.
Now, I bet you are wondering if I have found a teaching position yet. The answer is no, nor am I looking. I was torn between staying at Watson's (for reasons I am not at liberty to discuss at this time) and finding a teaching position. I have had nothing but bad experiences with teaching. It stresses me out. I think it is a wonderful profession for those that are ready for it. But I am just not ready for it at this point in my life. I have decided to stay at Watson's for the time being. I did not make this decision lightly. I even went to interviews at schools to be sure I wasn't just trying to talk myself out of teaching. I had a terrible feeling when I went and knew that I wasn't supposed to teach at this time in my life. People have given me a lot of crap for this decision. Some have said I have just wasted a lot of time and money. I don't see it that way. I see it as I have accomplished something in my life. I have a degree. Two degrees, technically. That is more than a lot of people can say. I wanted to get a degree, and I did. Just because I have chosen to stay here for now, doesn't mean I won't maintain my license and have it to fall back on. It doesn't mean I won't ever use it. I have gained a lot of knowledge. I have gained a deeper appreciation for education. And to those that disagree with me, I say you are entitled to your opinion, but I know what I have chosen to do is what I am supposed to do at this point in my life. Thanks for sharing, but it's my life, not yours :)
I have toyed with the idea of going back to grad school. But Justin and I have discussed it and have vetoed it for the time being. Which is fine. Maybe a little break will be good for me.
SO! Now that I have graduated, my next big dream is going to be coming true soon too. I am finally going to Europe! I am FINALLY going to see that beautiful country I have dreamed of seeing my WHOLE ENTIRE LIFE! ITALY, HERE I COME!!!! Maybe if I figure out how to post pictures, I'll get some up here when I get back.
Ciao for now!
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Bah! I'm so tired, so sick, so stressed it's ridiculous. Can't it be April already? Geez! All week I've been excited for school to start on Monday because that means I'll finally figure what is expected of me and what I need to be doing. Today, however, I found out that all the time that I thought I wouldn't be at school or work is SUPPOSED to be spent in my classrooms at Viewmont. Good to know, but not what I needed to hear right now. I was hoping to get my life and house put back in order over the next two weeks as well as get my lesson plans started, but now? I have EXTREMELY limited time to do all of the above! I'm not very happy about this. In fact, I think it just took 10 years off my life. I've been doing really good about not stressing over this too much, but now the stress has officially begun. Kristin van Brunt (my cooperatring Language Arts teacher) is really cooperative so far and I am hoping she can be helpful along the way for this whole thing. She's the head of the L.A. department at Viewmont, so I know I can learn a lot from her if I just pay attention. I'll be meeting Jill Jones (psychology cooperating teacher) soon so that's good; it will be nice to finally meet her. I'm still debating about teaching creative writing. I think it would be so much fun, but it would be extra work that I'm not sure I should put on my plate. Anyway, that is my rant for the day.
I got to play soccer last night! It kicked my butt because I'm way super sick and I couldn't breathe pretty much AT ALL. We lost--their first lost of the session. Bummer! And today I woke up with no voice, but it came back in the form of a terrible man cold, but it was worth playing again for a minute. I am going to the Grizzlies hockey game tonight with all of Justin's family. I shouldn't, but it's too fun to pass up. I need a little fun in my life right now before the stress and worry consume me.
I need to finish this book I'm reading so that I can start reading the book I am going to be teaching. It's important to get that started so I don't look like a complete idiot up there in front of all those high school students.
Well, Ciao for now!
I got to play soccer last night! It kicked my butt because I'm way super sick and I couldn't breathe pretty much AT ALL. We lost--their first lost of the session. Bummer! And today I woke up with no voice, but it came back in the form of a terrible man cold, but it was worth playing again for a minute. I am going to the Grizzlies hockey game tonight with all of Justin's family. I shouldn't, but it's too fun to pass up. I need a little fun in my life right now before the stress and worry consume me.
I need to finish this book I'm reading so that I can start reading the book I am going to be teaching. It's important to get that started so I don't look like a complete idiot up there in front of all those high school students.
Well, Ciao for now!
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Happy New Year!
My goodness! 2012 has come and gone already?! Where did the time go? Today marks the beginning of 2013--a year full of change and adventure in my life! To start off with I'd like to give you a few highlights from 2012 (no specific order of importance or timeline).
1. Justin and I bought our very first home! We love it!!!! We love our little community and our neighbors are amazing. We have been extremely blessed. This home was purchased by a realtor who flips houses so it had been completely remodeled (still in the process the week we signed papers!). It's gorgeous. I love my kitchen. Enough said! haha! A little bit about it--it's a three bedroom, one bathroom home. The kitchen is open, the living room and dining room are attached. The hardwood floors are original, just refinished and they're gorgeous! There is also a sun room attached to the third bedroom. It's a small home (approximately 1,200 square feet) but it's the perfect starter home for us and we just love it! Even though it has been remodeled, there are still improvements we can and plan to make on it to increase it's value and improve our quality of living.
2. I completed my second half marathon (which I plan to run again this coming July). It kicked my butt, but I actually enjoyed myself this time around. I ran it with my brother, Steven, so it was fun to have the constant reminder to train and be successful.
3. I made it through both the education block and the English core block of my degree (plus a few summer courses to finish the English portion of my degree) all with 4.0's! That's what I'm talking about! Justin managed to make it through the hardest semester he has ever taken as well. He really does amaze me with his abilities to stay on top of things. He works full-time and goes to school full-time, but his work doesn't allow him to do homework there like mine does, so his is all done at home. Plus his drive time between Salt Lake and Ogden back to home everyday is time-consuming. Not sure how he maintains sanity, because I want to shoot everyone on the road in my mere 15 minute drive!
4. I chopped my hair!!!! AHHH!!! I know, right? I have ALWAYS, my whole life, had long hair. I decided I wanted to donate it, and so I cut it into a bob. I love it most days. It's a lot easier to maintain, but it doesn't really allow for lazy days, which I often need :)
5. Justin changed positions at work. He is now in the drafting department (which coincides with his degree perfectly!).
6. I registered for my very last semester at Weber State University! I will be student teaching next semester (which starts next week....AHHHHHH!) at Viewmont High School in Bountiful.
7. I started tutoring and love it! I tutor two 3rd grade twins. They are hilarious! A handful, yes, but I just love those girls to pieces! I have enjoyed watching their progress over the past couple months.
8. My family survived the scare of my nephew Skyler being diagnosed with cancer, then coming to find out it was some rare form that is benign. He's doing great!
9. Justin's family has been undergoing the remodeling of their own home since Carrie retired in April from Chevron Refinery (lucky woman!). Their house is coming along great!
Those are just a few highlights for us.
Things to be looking forward to this coming year:
1. GRADUATING FROM WSU!!!!!! This long, awaited day cannot come soon enough!
2. Student teaching at Viewmont...I'm terrified. Absolutely terrified, but I have good cooperating teachers, so hopefully it will be a good experience.
3. Wait for it...wait for it...my dream of traveling is coming true!!!!! Justin and I are going on a Mediterranean Cruise with his family this summer! We will be going to Spain, France, Italy, Turkey, and Greece. It's a 14 day cruise, plus a two day flight there and back. Pretty much the vacation of a lifetime!!! So super excited! It seems surreal right now, but so does everything else! haha!
4. Decisions of career changes. I will probably be posting all my thoughts of staying at Watson's or moving on to different things all the time. Best of luck to any readers! I tend to change my mind several times a day and all for various reasons! haha! But it's a huge decision and one that I don't intend to take lightly.
5. Teaching a new curriculum in church. Justin and I are team teachers for the 14-18 year olds in our ward. We will be learning a new way to teach and practicing it this year, so lots of adventures there as well!
I have several goals this coming year. The most important is to smile and laugh more often and worry less. I know, easier said than done, but I really am going to work on it! My main goal is to smile and laugh every single day. Try to be more optimistic. I tend to worry about the small things, when I really shouldn't. So maybe if I focus on smiling and laughing more, the small things will take care of themselves. I also want to get into a routine. This past year has been extremely hectic and the next four months won't be any different, but I think if I have a better routine in place I will be able to keep my first goal more readily. I would really like to figure out some kind of recipe system and menu planning system. That, I think, will help with keeping a routine, because eating out every night is not good for our bodies or our wallets! I plan to make a better system for paying bills too. I found that pinterest is my dear buddy in getting organized, and that is something I WILL do dang it! I love being organized, and my house is a disaster zone right now...AND WE JUST MOVED HERE! So I want to work on getting organized, one step at a time. I don't want to start too many projects at once and never finish any of them (which I'm very well known for!). Exercise is always on my list. I also want to add read and write daily. Nothing in specific, just do it!
There are always more things I want to accomplish, but the most important is to be happier and bless my home with joy instead of stress and worry.
On a side note: Justin surprised me with a gift he made last night. He compiled a play list of songs and played certain lines from each song to create a paragraph of what our relationship means to him. It made me cry, of course. He's just so good to me.
Here are the lines he "stole" from the songs:
"Bring on your sweet love; pour it all over me,
Cause its days like these that you want to make them last.
I just thought we could go get lost, down some old back road, in a song on the radio, in your deep [brown] eyes, what do you say girl, me and you go get a little lost?
Cause I like it, I love it, I want some more of it, and I can't get enough of it!
No one gets me like you do when you kiss me! I've never found anything that makes me feel like I do about you!
You've got it all! My heart, my soul, everything that means anything at all.
I'd do anything to see you smile!
I can take it from there,
Cause I just got a lot of lovin' you on my mind."
I'll have to get the playlist from him too (he just sang them all to me from his iPhone).
Oh! I almost forgot! I have been very blessed! I got a phone call yesterday telling me that I have been selected to receive two scholarships for next semester. Both totally the full cost of my tuition and fees! I couldn't believe it! What a huge blessing! Especially since Weber State informed me that the government was denying me of any financial aid for next semester because I have too many credit hours. I sent in my appeal, but I won't hear back before tuition is due. I can't work full-time during student teaching, so money was kind of an issue. But now it's not! Yeah!
Well, I'd better go wake up Justin and get ready for the New Year's Day party at my parents!
Ciao for now!
PS When I figure out how to fix my iTunes and update my phone I'll work on figuring out how to post pictures on here! haha! (That's where all my pictures are of my hair cut and my house, etc.)
1. Justin and I bought our very first home! We love it!!!! We love our little community and our neighbors are amazing. We have been extremely blessed. This home was purchased by a realtor who flips houses so it had been completely remodeled (still in the process the week we signed papers!). It's gorgeous. I love my kitchen. Enough said! haha! A little bit about it--it's a three bedroom, one bathroom home. The kitchen is open, the living room and dining room are attached. The hardwood floors are original, just refinished and they're gorgeous! There is also a sun room attached to the third bedroom. It's a small home (approximately 1,200 square feet) but it's the perfect starter home for us and we just love it! Even though it has been remodeled, there are still improvements we can and plan to make on it to increase it's value and improve our quality of living.
2. I completed my second half marathon (which I plan to run again this coming July). It kicked my butt, but I actually enjoyed myself this time around. I ran it with my brother, Steven, so it was fun to have the constant reminder to train and be successful.
3. I made it through both the education block and the English core block of my degree (plus a few summer courses to finish the English portion of my degree) all with 4.0's! That's what I'm talking about! Justin managed to make it through the hardest semester he has ever taken as well. He really does amaze me with his abilities to stay on top of things. He works full-time and goes to school full-time, but his work doesn't allow him to do homework there like mine does, so his is all done at home. Plus his drive time between Salt Lake and Ogden back to home everyday is time-consuming. Not sure how he maintains sanity, because I want to shoot everyone on the road in my mere 15 minute drive!
4. I chopped my hair!!!! AHHH!!! I know, right? I have ALWAYS, my whole life, had long hair. I decided I wanted to donate it, and so I cut it into a bob. I love it most days. It's a lot easier to maintain, but it doesn't really allow for lazy days, which I often need :)
5. Justin changed positions at work. He is now in the drafting department (which coincides with his degree perfectly!).
6. I registered for my very last semester at Weber State University! I will be student teaching next semester (which starts next week....AHHHHHH!) at Viewmont High School in Bountiful.
7. I started tutoring and love it! I tutor two 3rd grade twins. They are hilarious! A handful, yes, but I just love those girls to pieces! I have enjoyed watching their progress over the past couple months.
8. My family survived the scare of my nephew Skyler being diagnosed with cancer, then coming to find out it was some rare form that is benign. He's doing great!
9. Justin's family has been undergoing the remodeling of their own home since Carrie retired in April from Chevron Refinery (lucky woman!). Their house is coming along great!
Those are just a few highlights for us.
Things to be looking forward to this coming year:
1. GRADUATING FROM WSU!!!!!! This long, awaited day cannot come soon enough!
2. Student teaching at Viewmont...I'm terrified. Absolutely terrified, but I have good cooperating teachers, so hopefully it will be a good experience.
3. Wait for it...wait for it...my dream of traveling is coming true!!!!! Justin and I are going on a Mediterranean Cruise with his family this summer! We will be going to Spain, France, Italy, Turkey, and Greece. It's a 14 day cruise, plus a two day flight there and back. Pretty much the vacation of a lifetime!!! So super excited! It seems surreal right now, but so does everything else! haha!
4. Decisions of career changes. I will probably be posting all my thoughts of staying at Watson's or moving on to different things all the time. Best of luck to any readers! I tend to change my mind several times a day and all for various reasons! haha! But it's a huge decision and one that I don't intend to take lightly.
5. Teaching a new curriculum in church. Justin and I are team teachers for the 14-18 year olds in our ward. We will be learning a new way to teach and practicing it this year, so lots of adventures there as well!
I have several goals this coming year. The most important is to smile and laugh more often and worry less. I know, easier said than done, but I really am going to work on it! My main goal is to smile and laugh every single day. Try to be more optimistic. I tend to worry about the small things, when I really shouldn't. So maybe if I focus on smiling and laughing more, the small things will take care of themselves. I also want to get into a routine. This past year has been extremely hectic and the next four months won't be any different, but I think if I have a better routine in place I will be able to keep my first goal more readily. I would really like to figure out some kind of recipe system and menu planning system. That, I think, will help with keeping a routine, because eating out every night is not good for our bodies or our wallets! I plan to make a better system for paying bills too. I found that pinterest is my dear buddy in getting organized, and that is something I WILL do dang it! I love being organized, and my house is a disaster zone right now...AND WE JUST MOVED HERE! So I want to work on getting organized, one step at a time. I don't want to start too many projects at once and never finish any of them (which I'm very well known for!). Exercise is always on my list. I also want to add read and write daily. Nothing in specific, just do it!
There are always more things I want to accomplish, but the most important is to be happier and bless my home with joy instead of stress and worry.
On a side note: Justin surprised me with a gift he made last night. He compiled a play list of songs and played certain lines from each song to create a paragraph of what our relationship means to him. It made me cry, of course. He's just so good to me.
Here are the lines he "stole" from the songs:
"Bring on your sweet love; pour it all over me,
Cause its days like these that you want to make them last.
I just thought we could go get lost, down some old back road, in a song on the radio, in your deep [brown] eyes, what do you say girl, me and you go get a little lost?
Cause I like it, I love it, I want some more of it, and I can't get enough of it!
No one gets me like you do when you kiss me! I've never found anything that makes me feel like I do about you!
You've got it all! My heart, my soul, everything that means anything at all.
I'd do anything to see you smile!
I can take it from there,
Cause I just got a lot of lovin' you on my mind."
I'll have to get the playlist from him too (he just sang them all to me from his iPhone).
Oh! I almost forgot! I have been very blessed! I got a phone call yesterday telling me that I have been selected to receive two scholarships for next semester. Both totally the full cost of my tuition and fees! I couldn't believe it! What a huge blessing! Especially since Weber State informed me that the government was denying me of any financial aid for next semester because I have too many credit hours. I sent in my appeal, but I won't hear back before tuition is due. I can't work full-time during student teaching, so money was kind of an issue. But now it's not! Yeah!
Well, I'd better go wake up Justin and get ready for the New Year's Day party at my parents!
Ciao for now!
PS When I figure out how to fix my iTunes and update my phone I'll work on figuring out how to post pictures on here! haha! (That's where all my pictures are of my hair cut and my house, etc.)
Friday, November 9, 2012
Missing Motivation
I cannot even begin to express how insanely busy and hectic and full of adventures my life has been for the past for few months.
We did get into our home, and we love it so much! Justin has absolutely LOVED having a yard to mow and maintain. I have loved having a home to call my own. I love my kitchen. That's really all that matters :) Hopefully I'll learn how to post pictures on this thing one day and we can get some of our cute little house. I love everything about our home. I have, however, had to learn how to clean and maintain new things such as hardwood floors, granite countertops, and tile. We love our ward and the neighbors couldn't be nicer and more generous. We have been very blessed. Sunset is such a beautiful, tiny little town. I could run the entire outer edge in less than an hour.
Speaking of running. I completed my second half marathon and ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!!!! Steven (my oldest brother) and I ran the Morgan half. It was sooooooo hard, but it was beautiful. It was the complete opposite of my first half. This one was mostly uphill. It killed my poor little calves, but I still managed to beat my time from the first one! I might run it again next year. It was fun. A very rough challeng, but a goodie!
School ended for the summer and I managed to pull off all A's...don't ask me how, but it happened. Then school started up again for the fall semester. I am in the English methods block for teaching. What an experience! I have loved my teachers and what I have been learning. We have had to read a lot of novels as well, which has been good for me. I've slacked a lot on trying new genres/books. For some reason I keep wanting to re-read all my favorites lately and that is just not building up my library for teaching. We also had the opportunity to teach in schools for five weeks. I was placed at Mt. Ogden Junior High. What an eye-opener for me. I have never had such wonderful breakthroughs and terrible flops in my life---in a matter of minutes. I learned a TON about myself, my teaching, and teaching in general. I often came out of the classroom thinking that I never want to go back in there. I decided after the first day that I didn't want to teach...ever. I often came home disheartened and frustrated. But thanks to my awesome co-teachers, I made it through and am still considering teaching as a good career :) I learned a lot from my co-teachers. We all have very different teaching styles and we all managed to connect to the students in different ways. I'm grateful to them both when they bouyed me up constantly, help me out when I was stumped, and encouraged me throughout the experience.
I have recently started tutoring third grade twin girls. They are stinking CUTE! I am learning a lot as a tutor as well. I love tutoring. I love to see the minute by minute progresses that they make. Sometimes it's leaps and bounds, whereas other times it's in baby steps. But they are always willing to try new things. A very different world from my experience in junior high schools. I hope to be able to report good things with these girls.
Justin starts hockey again tonight. First game of the season! It's only appropriate that it would be snowing like mad outside. I don't think winter will be short this year!
Justin's uncle, Craig, drew out for a buffalo this season. Guess what?! WE GOT TO GO!!!! We went to the Henrie Mountains in southern Utah. It was a long, bumpy ride and steep in our little cobalt, but she made it up! Craig also managed to shoot one. Can't believe it!
The big announcement for this post: I have finally...FINALLY...registered for my VERY LAST semester EVER at Weber State University! (Unless of course I decided to get my masters in education...then I would try there...otherwise, I'll stick with my masters in psychology and Weber doesn't have a program) I student teach next semester! It is crazy to think that I have finally come this far. Graduation is in April. It's still all surreal to me. I find out my student teaching placement...with any luck...by Thanksgiving. AHHHH!!! Fingers crossed that I get placed with a good teacher. I requested Davis County School District, but if I get placed in Ogden or Weber, that's fine as long as it is with a good teacher. That makes all the difference, I've heard.
Well, my shift at work is drawing to a close, and so must this post. I appologize for the long-windedness of it. Hopefully I can do better (I know I say this EVERY SINGLE TIME I post) at keeping updated.
Ciao!
We did get into our home, and we love it so much! Justin has absolutely LOVED having a yard to mow and maintain. I have loved having a home to call my own. I love my kitchen. That's really all that matters :) Hopefully I'll learn how to post pictures on this thing one day and we can get some of our cute little house. I love everything about our home. I have, however, had to learn how to clean and maintain new things such as hardwood floors, granite countertops, and tile. We love our ward and the neighbors couldn't be nicer and more generous. We have been very blessed. Sunset is such a beautiful, tiny little town. I could run the entire outer edge in less than an hour.
Speaking of running. I completed my second half marathon and ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!!!! Steven (my oldest brother) and I ran the Morgan half. It was sooooooo hard, but it was beautiful. It was the complete opposite of my first half. This one was mostly uphill. It killed my poor little calves, but I still managed to beat my time from the first one! I might run it again next year. It was fun. A very rough challeng, but a goodie!
School ended for the summer and I managed to pull off all A's...don't ask me how, but it happened. Then school started up again for the fall semester. I am in the English methods block for teaching. What an experience! I have loved my teachers and what I have been learning. We have had to read a lot of novels as well, which has been good for me. I've slacked a lot on trying new genres/books. For some reason I keep wanting to re-read all my favorites lately and that is just not building up my library for teaching. We also had the opportunity to teach in schools for five weeks. I was placed at Mt. Ogden Junior High. What an eye-opener for me. I have never had such wonderful breakthroughs and terrible flops in my life---in a matter of minutes. I learned a TON about myself, my teaching, and teaching in general. I often came out of the classroom thinking that I never want to go back in there. I decided after the first day that I didn't want to teach...ever. I often came home disheartened and frustrated. But thanks to my awesome co-teachers, I made it through and am still considering teaching as a good career :) I learned a lot from my co-teachers. We all have very different teaching styles and we all managed to connect to the students in different ways. I'm grateful to them both when they bouyed me up constantly, help me out when I was stumped, and encouraged me throughout the experience.
I have recently started tutoring third grade twin girls. They are stinking CUTE! I am learning a lot as a tutor as well. I love tutoring. I love to see the minute by minute progresses that they make. Sometimes it's leaps and bounds, whereas other times it's in baby steps. But they are always willing to try new things. A very different world from my experience in junior high schools. I hope to be able to report good things with these girls.
Justin starts hockey again tonight. First game of the season! It's only appropriate that it would be snowing like mad outside. I don't think winter will be short this year!
Justin's uncle, Craig, drew out for a buffalo this season. Guess what?! WE GOT TO GO!!!! We went to the Henrie Mountains in southern Utah. It was a long, bumpy ride and steep in our little cobalt, but she made it up! Craig also managed to shoot one. Can't believe it!
The big announcement for this post: I have finally...FINALLY...registered for my VERY LAST semester EVER at Weber State University! (Unless of course I decided to get my masters in education...then I would try there...otherwise, I'll stick with my masters in psychology and Weber doesn't have a program) I student teach next semester! It is crazy to think that I have finally come this far. Graduation is in April. It's still all surreal to me. I find out my student teaching placement...with any luck...by Thanksgiving. AHHHH!!! Fingers crossed that I get placed with a good teacher. I requested Davis County School District, but if I get placed in Ogden or Weber, that's fine as long as it is with a good teacher. That makes all the difference, I've heard.
Well, my shift at work is drawing to a close, and so must this post. I appologize for the long-windedness of it. Hopefully I can do better (I know I say this EVERY SINGLE TIME I post) at keeping updated.
Ciao!
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Here We Go!
Well, now that school is out (kinda) and hockey is over (kinda) I am going to take a minute to update the good ole blog. I am currently taking two summer courses to finish up my English degree. I finish one class tomorrow (thank heavens!) and will begin the next one next week. After that I have a one week break and fall semester begins again...yippee!
Right now Justin and I are super busy (what else is new right?). I am playing soccer two nights a week and he is playing hockey one night a week (thus why hockey is only kinda over--NHL is over, but now Justin is playing again). I'm also training for another half marathon (I know, I know...I said I'd never do it again). I am actually loving my runs this time, I don't feel so overwhelmed by training. I might be singing a different tune once race day shows its sleepy head. However, training does take a lot of time, time that I just don't have with night school two nights a week, soccer two nights, and hockey, but maybe after this month it won't be so busy because night school will be over and soccer will be over.
However! Justin and I are embarking on a couple new adventures. We are going to be playing softball this summer (WHAT WAS I THINKING?!?!?) which should prove to be interesting since I have zero hand-eye coordination and absolutely no ability to throw a ball...be sure to await for posts of death :)
And we are currently in the process of...wait for it...BUYING A HOME!!!! Yep! That's right! We are purchasing a cute little home in Sunset, Utah. It is 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom. Smaller than we had originally planned on, but we fell in love and everything just fell into place perfectly. It has taken less than month from beginning to end (looking at it one day and making an offer to signing our life away on the mortgage). We officially sign on the 28th of this month, which gives us two days to move out of our apartment and clean it (since our lease is up on the 30th). Needless to say, in between all the sports, training, homework, school, work, and church we have been boxing up, packing, organizing our life, and taking all the necessary actions to get this process completed. It has been one adventure after the next, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Packing, as much as I hate it, has been good because I have been able to throw some things away. Most of these things I didn't even know I had and often times wondered why I kept it in the first place. It is almost theraputic.
And that's where things stand at this point. I'll do my best to update with more adventures throughout the summer. But I've said that before...
Ciao!
Right now Justin and I are super busy (what else is new right?). I am playing soccer two nights a week and he is playing hockey one night a week (thus why hockey is only kinda over--NHL is over, but now Justin is playing again). I'm also training for another half marathon (I know, I know...I said I'd never do it again). I am actually loving my runs this time, I don't feel so overwhelmed by training. I might be singing a different tune once race day shows its sleepy head. However, training does take a lot of time, time that I just don't have with night school two nights a week, soccer two nights, and hockey, but maybe after this month it won't be so busy because night school will be over and soccer will be over.
However! Justin and I are embarking on a couple new adventures. We are going to be playing softball this summer (WHAT WAS I THINKING?!?!?) which should prove to be interesting since I have zero hand-eye coordination and absolutely no ability to throw a ball...be sure to await for posts of death :)
And we are currently in the process of...wait for it...BUYING A HOME!!!! Yep! That's right! We are purchasing a cute little home in Sunset, Utah. It is 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom. Smaller than we had originally planned on, but we fell in love and everything just fell into place perfectly. It has taken less than month from beginning to end (looking at it one day and making an offer to signing our life away on the mortgage). We officially sign on the 28th of this month, which gives us two days to move out of our apartment and clean it (since our lease is up on the 30th). Needless to say, in between all the sports, training, homework, school, work, and church we have been boxing up, packing, organizing our life, and taking all the necessary actions to get this process completed. It has been one adventure after the next, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Packing, as much as I hate it, has been good because I have been able to throw some things away. Most of these things I didn't even know I had and often times wondered why I kept it in the first place. It is almost theraputic.
And that's where things stand at this point. I'll do my best to update with more adventures throughout the summer. But I've said that before...
Ciao!
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