One Day At A Time....

I realize I have not written much in a bit. Today will not really be a recounting of life events. I was asked recently to update my Amazon wish list with what I want for Christmas. This has proven to be a much more difficult task than I had anticipated. I don't know what I want.... or if I do, it's not something that can be purchased in a store or online. I suddenly feel as if I am an adult whose priorities have changed so much. Graduating college, getting a job and being a teacher changes you. I want to be able to come home to a clean house. I would love to come home and have dinner ready, or at least not have to think about what is for dinner. I'd love to feel like I know what I'm doing, in teaching, in life, in everything. I'd love to be able to have energy to do the things I want instead of always feeling busy playing catch-up.

While you were sleeping, I sat up and worried. I wrote down how you are doing in some report. While you were sleeping, I worried about if you had eaten dinner, gotten to bed on time, if you were warm and safe. While you were sleeping, I was still thinking of how to best help you overcome your own shortcomings while not ignoring the others in our class. While you were sleeping, I laid awake wondering and worrying if I did my best for you today. And I worried about that as I drifted off to sleep while you were sleeping. While you were sleeping, my alarm clock goes off and I am already awake, wondering how I am going to accomplish all that needs to be done today. While you were sleeping, I am groggily getting myself ready to be the best example I can be. While you were sleeping, I put treats and supplies in my grocery cart, always checking labels to make sure no one is allergic to the treats I want to reward your hard work with. While you were sleeping, I drove ...

Today I'm super grateful. After my late night at work yesterday, I was wondering if my admin team was mad that we were still working that late (I wasn't the only middle school IS that was there late). When I walked in this morning, I walked past the admin office and was told to come in. I admit I was slightly worried. Upon entering, I was presented with my favorite non-coffee drink from Starbucks, a piece of chocolate and a positive referral thanking me for my hard work. I'm again grateful to be working with great people who understand that I am still learning and find it hard to balance teaching and regular life activities.

It's been a while since I wrote a gratitude entry on here. Since starting my new job as an intervention specialist, I've had so many ups and downs. Moments of stress and successes. I've done more personal second guessing in the last 2 months than I can remember. Tonight was one of those combo days. I had a very very late night at school full of loads of paperwork to do before taking my fall roadtrip. Even through the stress of it all, I am grateful to be working with some fantastic people who really know their stuff and care about the success of our students.

Once you move in a direction the Lord approves of, all of these little things start falling into place. ~Vaughn Thacker

This November marks 12 years since this branch was formed. Hundreds of people have called this their branch while they were here. Dozens have found their eternal companion amongst the members of this branch. Over a thousand Sunday school, relief society and priesthood lessons and discussions about the scriptures have been given. As a branch, we’ve rejoiced and celebrated the good times, such as weddings, engagements, job opportunities, and baptisms. We’ve also mourned the loss of members, or family members who have passed away. We’ve served, celebrated, and said hello and goodbye more times than I care to calculate. During my time here, I’ve had 4 branch presidents, at least 9 different branch counselors. I’ve had and been part of the 8 Relief Society Presidents that we have had. And I can’t even remember how many Elders Quorum presidents we’ve gone through in this branch. As I prepare to leave this branch, I want you to know 10 things. 10 things I wish I’d known when I joined this br...

I know it's been a while since I wrote a gratitude related post. Believe me when I say, it is not because I do not have anything to be grateful for. On the contrary, I have so much to be grateful for. It's been an emotionally difficult few days. I am facing the last few days before I will transition myself back to a family ward after spending more than 11 years in what I think is the best singles branch ever. (Ok, I'm extremely biased, but what are you going to do about it?) But tonight, I am choosing to be grateful. Grateful for all my blessings. Grateful for a Heavenly Father who loves me and knows what I need. Today, after losing my phone, my head decided to react to the allergens in the air, which left me feeling kind of miserable. I was able to get some medicine (another thing I'm grateful for) and take a nap. I'm grateful that the Lord knows that some nights, a healthy meal is what is needed. I'm also grateful for those friends the Lord has blessed me...

Now hold on a jolly good minute here. What do you mean tomorrow is graduation? I know it's been a long 4.5 years, but really? Graduation is tomorrow? I've still got so much to do and learn. Well, Facebook will make it official in about 15 hours. And if it's on Facebook, it MUST be true.....  Graduation begins at 9:30 am tomorrow morning. The relieved face of a student teacher after turning in her last assignment.   This last Friday, I had to say goodbye to my student teaching class. I am extremely grateful to have been placed at this school in February. I learned so much by working with both the students and the staff at that school. I've grown as a teacher and an individual. I've done some toughening up and some loosening up as well during my time there.  As a wise branch president, President Thacker, would tell us frequently, "Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape." One of the biggest academic things I have le...

Today I was able to continue my monthly goal of attending the temple at least once a month this year. My friend Kasie (seated, far right) and I drove down early to participate in a session before our branch baptismal session. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to attend the temple two Saturday's in a row. I have definitely felt how much the Lord loves me individually and how much He loves His children.

There are many times when I wonder if I am doing this whole teaching thing right. A lesson may not go as planned, students are restless or bored, or the lesson completely flops in my eyes. Those days are hard to get over and make me wonder if I am meant for this whole teaching profession. I remember sharing my feelings about these kind of days with my friends a few weeks ago: After having a lesson bomb yesterday, I have awoken this morning and find myself having a major case of the “I don’t know if I can do this” this morning. I was given a great piece of advice from a friend that has helped me continue on my journey without being so hard on myself: One day is not the determination of your ability. If that’s how parenting worked I would be well past screwed. Let yesterday be yesterday and go from here. Because you can do it. And learn from the mistake. Also important. This dear friend is a single mother of 4 children, a widow and a divorcee. Of all people to make this sta...

I came across this quote on Facebook tonight and boy did I need it. After saying my prayers before bed, I started listening to 1 Nephi chapter 7 and came across owe a similar scripture with a similar message: 12 Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him.

Wow. This Christmas break has gone by too fast. Later on today I start a new chapter in my education: student teaching. Even though I'm calmly nervous about this big step, I'm grateful I have made it this far. I hope and pray that I can remember what I've learned and know how best to apply it. But tonight I am reminded of how blessed I am to have such good friends. Friends to laugh with. Friends to listen when I just need to talk, even if they've heard this story or problem fifty times already. Friends who talk to me about big things in their lives and help me know I'm not forgotten. Friends who insist I text them when I get home so they know I got home safely when it's late and the roads are snowy. Friends who will be experiencing similar things as I will this semester and will be able to commiserate with me. Friends who understand how I feel about a variety of topics and issues. I have been and continue to be blessed with some amazing people surrounding me a...

(Note: More Utah Trip posts will be comming soon.)      When I found out that my family would be going to Utah to spend Christmas and New Years with our family out west, I was excited. I really wanted to do an temple session with my grandmother. She and my grandfather served as temple workers in the Salt Lake City Utah temple for many years. I knew it may be too difficult for my grandpa to join us because of his health. When my mom would make her weekly Sunday evening phone call to grandma in the weeks before we left, I would remind her to ask grandma if she would want to do a session or if she had set it up yet.  After arriving in Utah, we talked about going to the temple. It was decided that it would probably be grandma, mom, and myself doing a session together on New Years Eve or the day before while my dad stayed home with grandpa to make sure he stayed out of trouble. (You never know what kind of trouble a spunky 89 year old grandpa will get himself into....