Thankful List 2012- Day 30

Last one of the year!

I've really liked having a reason to blog every day this month. It's really made me think of what's important in my life, and things that I'm thankful for. I know some of my opinions aren't always of the "popular one", especially when it comes to my moral beliefs. But that's the beauty of a blog. It's mine!

Today, I'm so so so thankful that Brandon doesn't work weekends anymore. He will probably have to work a little bit next semester when I'm student teaching (ahhh!!), but this semester has been great to have him with me on the weekends.
Currently he's on his way down to Utah for a friend's wedding. As my big Portfolio Presentation is December 5, I told Brandon the day we heard the wedding date I wouldn't be able to go. Unfortunately, Taylor wasn't able to go since he has the finals of his basketball team this weekend. Brandon's been so busy and tired this week that I didn't want him to drive by himself. For a while, it was a lose lose situation for us. Luckily, Jake (Murphy) stepped up and agreed to go down with him so that he could go. Right now they're on their way and going to have pizza and an ESPN marathon.

I hate being home alone though. I'm so grateful that I don't have to do that anymore on a regular basis.

And in 5 days, I will either make it or break it with my Portfolio! Don't expect a lot of blogging between now and then... time to get busy!

Thankful List 2012- Day 29

Today, I'm thankful for my major.

It's stressful, as I am 6 days away from my big Portfolio Presentation and all I can keep wondering is "Am I doing enough?" It's scary. But, I love the girls I've had the privilege of becoming friends with. We come from different places and walks of life, but we are bonded by one thing- we love working with children. We are there to make their lives better, and it's my passion. These girls are so sweet.

We're working together to pass our Portfolio. Hopefully it works!

Thankful List 2012- Day 28

Today, in keeping up with the birthdays, I'm thankful for Tommy.

When Alyse told me she had a boyfriend, I knew he must be pretty great. She would only be in a relationship with the best. (unlike me). He's the perfect match for her, and I could never imagine it any other way.

Alyse and Tommy got married two years before us, on the same weekend of the year. It was crazy to have a brother-in-law at the time, but I feel like Tommy's always been in our family.

Tommy also helped set a standard for the kind of guy I could marry. I thought it was impossible to find someone as nice as Tommy, until Brandon. But it's pretty darn hard.

It also helps that he's the dad of the cutest baby boy ever. But I'm biased.

Austin's farewell, the last time the 8 of us would be together for a long time.

So happy birthday Tommy! Make sure Dane's super nice to you, and that Alyse spoils you today.

Thankful List 2012- Day 27

Today, I'm thankful for my kindergarteners.

They're so hilarious, and keep me on my toes at all times.

Some classics from this past week or so are:

(while talking about foods we eat at Thanksgiving)

Me: Ok, so draw a picture of the food you like to eat!

Boy: Snake!

Me: Umm, do you really eat snake?

 (This boy doesn't speak very clearly, so this is what I got out of it) Boy: Umm, Dad BAM BAM BAM! (while making a gun shape), eat!

Me: OK! Well, this is how you write "snake"...

One day, I wore my white headband into class. A boy walked in, and with a very sincere voice said, "Why do you have a cast on your head?"

(while helping the kids read words ending in -at)
Me: Ok, sound this word out.
Boy: B-A-T.
Me: Great! Now put the sounds together. What does it say?
Boy: DANCE!
Me: Wait, what? No! Did you even read the word?
Boy: Nope.
Me: Ok, let's try this again. What's the first sound?
Boy: B
Me: Second sound?
Boy: A
Me: Third sound?
Boy: NCE, Dance!
Me: Ok, try it one more time.


Also, a boy who keeps calling me Mrs. Hannigan. No idea why, but I feel like I'm in the cast of Annie.

I love my class so much. They're great!

Thankful List 2012- Day 26

Today, I'm thankful for my body.

I've grown up in a religion that teaches me to respect my body. That's why we have the rules like the Word of Wisdom, where we learn the best ways to eat and drink, or what not to eat and drink. That's why I'm still 22+ years sober, and not going to change that anytime soon. I feel for those people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol, but I'm grateful that my upbringing has helped me to not have to make that choice. 

In addition, we have learned about not getting tattoos or excessive piercings. It's something that I'm glad I will not get judged on, because people don't go to most job interviews to be told "Oh, you have too few tattoos, sorry." I know a lot of my friends who have tattoos, and I still love them and know that their tattoos usually have a lot of significance. It's just a decision I decided a long time ago to not have to make. They teach us to dress modestly, to give our body the sanctity that it deserves. Anything to do with health, our religion covers. And it makes sense.

Sometimes my body doesn't treat me very well... like the fact that I'm currently on a regimen to lose the 15 or so pounds a certain medication gave me. (stay posted for pictures of before and after). However, as I work with children who have less mental and physical mobility than I do, I appreciate what I have been given and know can be taken away at any minute.

Brandon doesn't like to get woken up.

So when Brandon sleeps, I usually bug him to see how far I can go before he wakes up. It's pretty funny, and he loves it. OBVIOUSLY.

So the other day, he was asleep on the couch at Grandma and Grandpa's house. I got up close to his face, and started creeping closer to him. When I got close enough, our noses touched. Brandon opened his eyes, started back, and hit me smack in the nose with the heel of his hand. It hit somewhere between my nose and eyeball. Of course I deserved that, but the funniest part of that whole incident was my mom's reaction... She had been watching the whole thing, and the first words out of her mouth were "Don't you apologize Brandon! She deserved it!"


Lesson learned. Brandon's subconscious is Jason Bourne.

Thankful List 2012- Day 25

Today, I'm thankful for power.

The power's been out in our apartment all morning. We came up to campus to do homework... so naturally I started blogging.

Here are some pictures from our trip that haven't already been put on the blog. It was so nice! I"m trying to not be too sad that it's over, and focus on homework instead.

First, we stopped in Grace, Idaho, where my Great-Grandpa Potter was born. I think we doubled the population by going there.

We stopped for lunch here, the only place to eat in Grace.

We got to go to a BYU basketball game, and see Tyler Haas (sp?) in action. He's pretty good, as the student section cheered "Automatic!" every time he scored.

Taylor in a wig and with face slippers on his feet.

Thanksgiving day, we made the pies and got to see so many cousins! Here's Julia, who's going on her mission to Fresno in February. So excited for her!

Aunt Amy with her baby Ruby, and Cole. Yes, he's as tall as me.

Clean up took a while... luckily Dallin was there to take pictures.

Friday, we got to see Klane, Llilli and most of the cousins for breakfast. I finally got a picture with Brinley, as the last time we took one was probably when we were 2 years old.

We also went to temple square, which is where all those pictures from before came from.

Bethany can now lift me off the ground... she's also 5 inches taller than me. I'm so sad.

There's gotta be more, but I will post them as they come. It was such a nice break from school!

In 10 days, I will be done with my portfolio and hopefully passed it. I'm also thankful for that.

Thankful List 2012- Day 24

Today, I'm thankful for my friends.

I don't get to see the friends I grew up with very often, but I try very hard to stay in contact with them. It's hard to visit, because the times I"m in Utah are mainly spent with my grandparents. I don't think that's really an issue, because that's where we prefer to stay. But sometimes I just want to be with my friends too.

Yesterday, we got to see two of my best friends in the whole world. 

I've seen them both once in about the last two years. They both went on missions, and I'm so proud of how hard they worked on their missions! It was great to read their letters and see how much the Gospel has affected their lives. Bekah joined the Church about 3 years ago, and has completely bested me in how much she knows and loves about the Gospel. Jamie has always been a ready born missionary, and also is so much more mature in the Gospel. I love being with them, and I love how much my parents love them too.

We went to Temple Square together, and then to hot chocolate and Cafe Rio. I hope I get to see them sometime in the next 2 years!

Thankful List 2012- Day 23

I know this is a little late... I've had some problems uploading pictures. But here we go!
Today, I'm thankful for temples.

My family went to the movie "Lincoln", and Brandon and I went to the Provo temple (#11 for us). Once again, it was a great time.

We also got to see the former Provo Tabernacle, or what will soon be the Provo City Center temple. It was so pretty, I can't wait to see how it turns out!

Later, we went to temple square to see the lights lit up. They're really stunning. We loved every minute of it.

 It's a great experience to go there with my mom and dad, because that's where they got married. They had 4 of their 6 kids there, and we took a picture in the same doorway that they took pictures in (if I had a copy of their wedding pictures, I'd put it here. They're pretty classic.)

We had a temple filled day, and it was beautiful. Whenever I go to see a temple, I'm reminded of the best parts of this religion. We believe that families can be together forever, as long as they stay close to the temple. I try my best to do that.

Thankful List 2012- Day 22

Today, I'm thankful for my cousins.

I love my cousins! I've been so blessed to have so many of them, and from such nice families. I have such nice cousins in the family that I married into as well.

We got to go to dinner with a lot of Myres cousins, and it's just so great to catch up and feel like I have family again. I wish I could be there with all of my cousins from all sides of our family, but that would have been a little much.

I will post pictures soon! We're just not on our computers right now. 

Happy Thanksgiving!