New Year's Resolutions

When I asked my second graders what a resolution is, I got lots of different comments, including the following:

"A resolution is like a promise."

"It's something you make at the end of the year."

"It's when you try to lose weight."

"We make resolutions as a family."

"We don't make resolutions because they are hard to keep."

"Resolutions are things you want to do but don't do."

It always amazes me how observant 7 and 8 year olds are. I suppose I shouldn't be suprised. I don't usually set New Year's Resolutions for myself because I know that if I don't keep up with them I will end up disappointing myself. Sad, right? And apparently that's what my students have learned resolutions are, too.

So we talked about what reslotions should be. We talked about making them realistic and attainable. I told them that they should pick something that they can definitely reach. Not something easy, but something that they will be able to reach and feel good about.

Then, the studetns got to write about what their resolution for the new year would be. I told them that it could be something about school or home, they just had to pick one thing that they could work on for the next year. Most of them picked things like sharing their toys with their siblings, using better handwriting or being better readers, or being nice to other people. It was really awesome. But of course I couldn't just give them a challenge. They turned it on me and asked me what my New Year's Resolution was going to be.

So I thought about what I wanted for myself and for our family for the new year and came up with some different ideas. A lot of the ideas have to do with physical health and improvement, but some were spiritual and others emotional. So. To help myself be more accountable and to help me remember what resolutions I have even set, I'm going to list them here. I decided to focus on three things that I can work on all year.

1. (physical) Exercise regularly & develop better eating habits.

2. (spiritual) Read the scriptures with Daniel every day.

3. (other) Be the best teacher I can be and get a job in the fall.

Yup. That's it. Pretty simple, but things that I think that I can really do. Which is important. What are your resolutions for the new year? Do you set resolutions?

P.S. I'm working on a post about 2012 - memories / best of / etc. Hopefully it will be up soon.

Happy New Year! May 2013 bring you much joy and happiness.

Merry Christmas

To all those who read our blog:

We wish you the very best this and every year. We hope that you have felt the influence of the Spirit of our Lord as much this year as we have. We want you all to know that we have testimonies of the Savior, Jesus Christ and that He lives and loves each of us individually and perfectly. We have been so blessed this year and we are so grateful for the continuous prayers and support that we have received from family and friends alike. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for us.

We love you all very much.

Merry Christmas.

Love,

Nashelle & Daniel

This Week (and last)

This week the Husband and I are visiting his family in Texas. So far we have seen all the nieces and nephews (except 3 in Idaho), sung in the church choir, gone Christmas caroling, eaten lots of good food, and Husband has been in cleaning-mode and has done lots of good work. I've been super impressed.

Last weekend we spent in Vernal with my family to visit them for the holiday. It was great fun and very relaxing. During the week we saw my grandparents and some old friends then spent the rest of the time getting ready for this trip. So far we have loved it and we are excited for the rest of the week.

I will do a more detailed post later with pictures and stuff, but right now I've got to get my cookies out of the oven. :)

2 stories, 1 post

So, I posted about a week ago about how I wanted internet at my house so I could share about all the happenings of our lives. Then, we got internet, but when I typed up the following two stories, they really weren't enough to merit their own post. But they are a little more than just one post, so... I just decided to stick with my decision to put them both together. They are kind of related so I guess it's ok anyway.

Story 1: How we had a marathon bake-a-thon and then delivered 30 plates of Christmas goodies.

Once upon a time, we decided that we wanted to make treat plates for our neighbors/co-workers/friends/ward-members/other people. And because I am ambitious, I decided to make treat plates like my mom makes. Now, my mom, she is incredible, and she bakes almost non-stop for all of December. But I thought to myself that it wouldn't take me as long as it takes her because we weren't taking as many plates around as she always does. So I reasoned that we could do it all in one Sunday. Especially with an extra pair of hands and if we didn't plan to do anything else.
Well. We started with fudge (which turned out amazing for which I was extremely grateful seeing as when I last tried to make fudge [about 4 years ago], I failed miserably). Then we did Black bottom cupcakes, chocolate chip cookies, and christmas tree cookies (the dough to refridgerate overnight and the frosting to be ready). Plus we made dinner. It was crazy and insane and lots and lots of baking. Then Monday night we had to finish and so baked the Christmas tree cookies as well as some Viriginia Caramels. It was crazy. But I got lots of compliments, so... I guess it was worth it. Next time, though, we are definitely spreading it out some.

Story 2: How our car died and there was much stress but now it's fixed so it's ok.

Our new car that was supposed to be taking us to Texas died in the middle of the week. It was insanely stressful because it had been working fine all day and then suddenly - nothing. Not even a hum or purr or anything at all. So we freaked out wondering if we would be able to actually make it to Texas and I freaked out because I wanted to be able to surprise Daniel with my surprise I got him for Christmas, but... I was so stressed and over-whelmed that I ended up just telling him the surprise (we're going to Disneyland!) because I was about to cancel it. Thankfully, because he understood my stress, he was able to calm me down and help me realize it would all be ok.
We ended up replacing the battery and we are now in Texas having a joyous time. :)

The end.

81 days later

81 days because there have been 81 school days so far. I'm not 'counting' really, but as part of our calendar everyday in class we write the number representing how many days we have been in school. So I know.

A lot of people have asked if I have liked doing an internship. They have also asked if I have enjoyed being in a contract for a year or if I wish that I had 'finished' in December. I am one of three girls in my program who decided to do an internship for the year instead of doing student teaching for a semester. Some of the girls in the program have been asking as well as family and other friends. So this is my answer.

I love teaching. I cannot say in words how much I have loved this year. It has been the most amazing and incredible experience. One of the greatest parts is knowing that these students will always remember me (for good or bad) as their second grade teacher. I will be the one they talk about in their future when remembering things that we did in second grade. I will have shaped their lives in some small way by being their teacher. That feeling gives me a lot of joy, but also a lot of pressure to make sure that I do a good job and hope that they will remember second grade as a really good year.

There have been hard things about this year, though. And lots of them. One of the main things is that everyone on my team is new this year (except one who is now out on maternity leave for three months, but her sub is new). It's nice in some ways because we are all in the same boat so to speak. It forces us to work together and share ideas and try new things. It's also hard though because we have no idea if what we're doing is right. We hope it is, but we can only do the best we can and hope that the kids do their best, too.

It's been hard to have sole responsibility for these students. There are times when I get so frustrated with myself because I can't come up with the solution for a student who has ADD/ADHD or for the student who is going through an emotional time at home and so starts acting out at school. I hate feeling helpless as I watch these precious children and I have no idea what I'm supposed to do to help them.

It has been hard to know that even though I'm doing my best and dedicating 9 months of my life to this job that it doesn't guarantee me a job next year. And that is something that I can't influence no matter how creative my lessons are or how many extra hours I put in during the week.

Teaching has been exhausting - emotionally and physically.

But I love it more than anything. I know that, aside from being a mother, there is nothing else that I'd rather be doing. Working with these students and helping them see their potential, working with them one-on-one for endless time trying to keep them on a level with the rest of the class, doing art projects, planning lessons every day of every week, making plans and having those plans change, crying at home because I'm frustrated and tired, then finally watching the light come on in their eyes... all of these things, the good and the bad ones, make me so glad that I decided to do this internship.

It really is hard to explain how fulfilled I feel at school. I don't feel like I am postponing having a family. That will happen in God's time. I don't feel like I'm "graduating later" than the girls that chose to do student teaching or that I'm doing "more work". I chose to be a second grade teacher and I have loved it more than I  ever thought that I could. I love my students so much. I love their quirks and eccentricities, I love what they laugh at, and I love that we can have a talking circle and they are so serious and silent. My students are incredible.

I wish that every person could experience the joy of being a teacher and be able to see what I see every day. I think that it would change a lot of hearts and a lot of minds.

I have no regrets. I would change nothing. I love where I am and what I'm doing even, and maybe especially, when it is hard.

"I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it." And teaching is so worth it.

the first day back

Honestly, I was terrified for today. I was so worried that I would have 5 students in my class. I was nervous that my girls would all be sobbing and not want to leave mom at the door. I was expecting no end to management problems and general acting-out from the students as they found ways to manifest their nervousness from being in school.

I saw none of it.

It was crazy. My students came, I said hi specifically to each one, and then they were fine. The routine this morning went just as normal. One student commented on the fact that the flag was at half-mast (because we discussed the flag a lot on September 11th when the flag was lowered), but no one said "It's because of what happened on Friday" and no one asked about men coming in with guns, and no one freaked out or asked to go home. It was a normal day.

Yes, all the kids did seem a little on-edge, and I had one or two acting out a little more than normal. But overall, it was almost as though they had no idea what had happened in Connecticut on Friday.

I have mixed feelings about that.

I think there is no reason to unnecessarily worry children. Especially small children who won't understand and who can't think logically about the situation. At the same time, I am not sure if I would not tell them what happened. I don't know. I go back and forth. The fact that some of them that I expected to know didn't say anything to me kind of makes me wonder if they don't know anything at all. But... How could they not know? You know?

I just pray that the students still in school will remember that their teachers are there to keep them safe. That is one of the biggest responsibilities that we have. And I hope they know that this is not a common occurance. The odds of them having a shooter in their own school is in actuality very small. I hope that parents are wise in telling their children, or not telling them. And I hope that everyone can find some peace with God in the midst of this tragedy.

We are praying for the families in Connecticut. And for children everywhere.

Loverly Fog & Clouds

Even though it is sometimes a hassle, I love waking up early for my drives down to Santaquin. The earth is so so beautiful and I love watching the sun come over the mountains and seeing all the clouds disappear. There truly is no doubt in my mind that there is a God and that He has created all the wonderful things we get to see and experience and be a part of everyday. I love it.

P.S. Clearly I have access to the internet right now. It is a huge blessing. Though I have to admit that this was written probably two days before it was posted. Thank you, blogger.

Frontrunner & Temple Square

Riding the new Provo Frontrunner train with the Jacksons:

long line anyone? we waited for about an hour and a half 

once on the train it was much warmer, but we were still all red and stuff

then we went to City Creek Center for dinner & to get warm again

and you can't do Salt Lake in the winter without doing Temple Square to see the lights 

then we walked past the Plaza building and noticed that on every floor there is a coke machine.

i died laughing - almost slipped on the ice - then took a picture

{speaking of, please forgive the fuzziness. my camera decided to focus on that black tree branch instead of the building.}

And so concludes our experience on the Frontrunner & in Temple Square. It was truly memorable. And freezing. And crowded. And I saw one of my students while eating dinner at City Creek. Weird. Now I know how that feels from the opposite end. Which is crazy. But anyway. The moral of the story is, the Frontrunner is really awesome and so is Temple Square, but don't do both on the first day that the frontrunner is running for free and when it's the coldest day in three weeks. Because it's fun, but you come home freezing and missing a couple toes and with the resolution that you'll wait a couple years to do it again. :)

Connected or Not?

Lately, that question has resounded in a big, fat, obnoxious NOPE.

It's a bummer. Especially because I feel as though I have so much I want to share with you.

Like our first-ever time on a train together. And our first-ever time going to Temple Square.

And how we delivered 30 plates of cookies in one day. And the marathon bake-a-thon that happened the day before.

*sigh*

Maybe the internet at my house will decide to work someday.

Or maybe I'll catch up over the weekend at my parent's house.

Either way, we are alive and well. Though our car is not. But that's yet another story. Bah.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

We hope to be back again soon.

Birthday Boy

Guess who's having a birthday today?? THIS GUY!

Happy Birthday, little brother. Can't wait til you come home to us so I can give you all the birthday spankings that you've missed. ;)

xoxoxoxoxo.
Your favorite older sister.

a lovely weekend

Yes. That is right. We had the loveliest of lovely weekends.

Saturday we stayed in bed until almost noon - which never happens - rushed off to do some grocery shopping and then drove down to Ephraim to see my sister. It was a beautiful drive and we had some very good car conversations. I love driving. It's the greatest. We went to see The Forgotten Carols that Snow College put on, and I must admit that it was very well done. I was pleased. I was a little disappointed that it was so good without any of my help, but really, I did help, because they used all my notes and cues and know-how that I left for them. So, really, I was there the whole time in spirit. Go me.

Sunday we stayed in bed until almost noon again. The most important reason for documenting this is so that someday I will remember that it actually happened. I probably won't believe it come tomorrow. We went to church with a lovely fast & testimony meeting, then went to my grandparents' house for a delicious dinner and to watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional which was a heart-warming event. As always.

We're starting to gear up for Christmas around here. No tree up yet, but hopefully tonight will be the night. I just have to face my fear of spiders crawling around in our storage room so I can go pull out the boxes of decorations. Or make Husband do it. ;) That's much more likely.

I hope your weekends were ever-lovely and I wish a happy Monday to come your way.

Signing out.
Me.

It's December!

And it is also currently 12:17 am because I went to bed at 6:45 pm with a migraine and have since woken up and can't sleep. Maybe it's the excitement of Christmas keeping me up? I don't know. What I do know is that since I am up, I think it is a good time to write this post about how excited I am that it is December.

I AM SO EXCITED THAT IT IS DECEMBER!

And there you have it. ;) I love December. The decorations, the music, the spirit, the snow (sometimes & hopefully), the hot cocoa, and the food! Oh my lanta, the food! And also, this year, I am excited for the end of the December because I get to make some New Year's Resolutions that I'm really excited about. I know what you're thinking - if I'm so excited for my New Year's Resolutions, why not just implement them now and be ahead of the game? And I say to you - then I wouldn't be having any fun on New Year's. So I shall procrastinate and enjoy my numbered days of self-indulgence & laziness.

I am also excited for Husband's Christmas present this year. Yes. It is true. I have been planning his present for about four months now (!!!) and I cannot wait to have him open it. Please remember that if you know what it is, it is a surprise and please do not say anything that would give it away. :)

X's and O's Forever! (because it makes you feel good - admit it)

Signing out. (and heading back to bed)
Me. (queen of parentheses tonight. :P )

((speaking of parentheses - have you ever noticed the word 'parent' in there? I'm wondering if there is any sort of reason for that. probably not. but I wonder.))