Christmas in 211!

Well, today we decided to put the Christmas tree up...okay I decided I wanted to do it. I made it through with out completely knocking it over. I just tipped it a little. It now sits nicely in our living room. The BYU ornaments are ones that my roommate made and they happen to match perfectly with my already purchased tree decorations and they show off our BYU pride. I also put a picture of the sparkly balls that we have hanging on our tree. One of my old roommate's mom made them and
They are small and simple, but shiny and beautiful. They glisten in the light just a little. You just can't take your eyes off of them. Our heater kicks on and they swing a little and the tree lights make them sparkle. I wish that you were seeing and feeling what I am feeling right now. It is absolutely beautiful. I am sitting in solitude in my living room and just listening to the noises outside and thinking about Christmas and what it means. I am so grateful for my Savior and for the chance we have to celebrate His birth every year!

I have been tagged!

So Mal tagged me and I thought it would be fun so here it is!

What I was doing 10 years ago:
1. Experimenting with makeup
2. Thinking I was really grown up
3. Liking a different boy every day just about
4. Getting used to braces, head gear, and glasses!!
5. Listening to Hanson over and over again.

Things on my to do list:
1. Get my oil changed (I will do it dad, don't worry)
2. Make it through this month of teaching the 6th grade
3. Go to the gym
4. Write a million lesson plans and reflections about them
5. Go to the temple

Snacks I enjoy:
1. Wheat Thins
2. Cottage cheese and grapes
3. Peanut M&M's
4. Bread in any way, shape, and form
5. Zuppa's salad (I just discovered this and I can't get enough)

Things I would do if I were a millionaire:
1. Pay off my student loans
2. Pay off my car
3. Move into a studio apartment by myself
4. Help pay for my brother's mission
5. Get my mom some much needed new furniture

5 Places I've lived:
1. Provo, UT
2. Africa
3. Germany
4. Palm Desert, CA
5. Maryland

5 Jobs I've had:
1. Sonic Drive in
2. Medical Center Receptionist
3. Teacher's Aide at a day care
4. Working in the consulate office
5. Warehouse worker at BYU Vending

I tag:
1. Ann and Brendon
2. Dad
3. Anyone else who wants to do this

Frustrations of teaching!

So first of all, this is not a picture of my students. It is just some random picture that I found on the internet. Since this is somewhat like a journal...I wanted to take an opportunity to vent. Today was a bad day and every teacher has them. One of the girls started crying because she couldn't understand the math and she couldn't finish her homework. I wanted to badly to tell her that I had been doing the same thing the night before because I couldn't understand how to teach the math so that everyone would understand. I am in a 6th grade class and a lot of the students are on 2nd grade levels with stuff and so it can be frustrating.
I don't think that people realize how quickly you become invested in these kids. I already love every single one of them for different reasons. I want to take them home and make their lives better. I want them to all know of their worth and to never feel like they are not special or not loved. So when they cry because of frustration with themselves, it tears my heart into two pieces and I want to hug them and just make everything better.
I don't love anything more than teaching. It makes me happier than most things in my life. I can't wait to be a real teacher and have my own kids. I only hope that I will be able to change their lives in a fraction of the way that they have already changed mine!

1 year!

So as of today I have been home from my mission for 1 year! It feels like yesterday that I went into the MTC. Today has been a very nostalgic day thinking about all of the wonderful people I met and the wonderful experiences I had. I am so glad that I got that opportunity to go and teach what I know to be so true. I am pretty sure that my mission changed and touched me more than anyone else. I hope to be able to go on another one!