Mom's Tour de Susie a la DC

The Thanksgiving break was a wonderful time! (I know, this post is super late). Mama Baer came to see me and experience Susie's life in DC; hence "Mom's Tour de Susie." We saw some sites but didn't stress ourselves out being the ultimate tourists either. It was a great combination of play and relaxation!

Mom came to school with me and met some of my students. Here we are in front of the mascot of my school...didn't get a pic with the students at all.

She came to Institute and we reconnected with the Carpenters, a CES missionary couple who taught Institute. They happen to be from the Bay Area and Elder Carpenter knows my Dad and his family. Such a small world! I love them!

In front of the DC Temple...

We got to chill with Cousin Jeff and his awesome family!

Eastern Market pancake breakfasts are the best in town! Always a go-to place before Conference...

We ventured to Mount Vernon, one of my favorite sites!

In front of the Washington Monument...while visiting the Jefferson

We went to the Air Force Memorial and this is one of my all-time favorites of mom. Somehow I convinced her to put her arms up. Priceless!

Did a bird just poop on my head?? Also priceless...

Me trying to be artsy...

Thanks for visiting Mom! Now you know-more than ever-why I love DC so much!

I can be grateful in December too...

Here's what I am grateful for this season:
(yah, Thanksgiving came out of no where and now it's over!)

1. The ability to do hard things. I am grateful to do hard things and for the power the atonement gives me to accomplish such feats! This year it has been losing weight, going to Guatemala and roughing it, teaching, overcoming a broken heart, making decisions that don't make sense, running a successful half marathon, and there are countless other things that I have accomplished that I am probably forgetting to mention.

2. New Experiences. This year has been a year of a lot of "firsts." These first time experiences have taught me so much about myself, the Lord, and others. I am grateful to be constantly confronted with new opportunities as they allow me to grow.

3. "Team Baer." This translates to the 2 student teachers I have had this year, my practicum student, my TA, and friends who have helped me grade. I have been blessed to have people come to my rescue this year. Teaching is such an overwhelming job that I couldn't have done it without so many helpers giving me ideas, support, and encouragement.

4. People who have confidence and trust me. I have been overwhelmed this year by friends/family members who have shown me a lot of support in my decisions and trust in my judgement. Also, people who have supported me and prayed for me as I have made specific goals. Thank you for believing in me and thinking that I'm somebody special even when I feel inadequate.

5. Peace of mind. Lately I have been blessed with knowing and feeling that things will just work out. In my single years, I will admit that I have often felt so worried about the marriage situation. But in the last 6 months or so, I have felt a huge surge of peace from God. I know it will work out. I know it. I am grateful for the outpouring of the spirit that reassures me that the Lord loves me, is aware of me, trusts me, desires me to be happy, that things will just happen on his time table, and it's OK...it's ok to be where I'm at.

By the way, I am also VERY grateful for these things too...in case any of you were feeling left out of the "Top 5." I hope you enjoy my artistic creation!

Sometimes I like to revert back to my childhood...

I was crazy enough to do it again!

For the second time, I did it again! "It" = half marathon.

This one went so much better too! I ran the entire time without stopping at a 10 minute mile pace. My overall time was 2:14 which definitely surpassed my expectations.

I enjoyed running the half marathon in beautiful Annapolis, MD with my beautiful friends: Kathryn, Michele, and Morgan. We basked in the serenity of historic Annapolis and I loved my thinking time. Besides my body aching for a few days, I actually felt really good.

1 year ago I ran my first half which did not go well and as I reflect on the past year, I realize how many things have changed for the better. Yes, weighing 30 pounds less definitely helps!

We rock this half, especially in spandex!

Me, Kathryn, Morgan, Michele after the race.

Giving myself a thumbs up...

Too bad we couldn't find older men in uniform. Oh well...

Beautiful Annapolis!

Who knows, I may be crazy enough do a 3rd!

Mormon.org and Me

So I finally got around to creating my "I'm a Mormon" profile on mormon.org. This is where I share my thoughts and testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as taught in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Click here to view...

Enjoy!

NYC by iPhone

Here's my first attempt to blog via the iPhone and I have no idea what my post will look like once I'm done with it...

The pictures are all in random order but here are the highlights:

1. Making cupcakes with the kids on Veteran's Day. Josh's idea "Saluting 11-11-11"

2. Playing hide-and-seek with the kids for almost an hour. The best spot: squatting on the kitchen counter behind the refrigerator. I must have been there for almost 15 mins!

3. Running 6 miles in Eastchester. Loved the fall foliage!

4. Sister's date with Kath...lunch, shopping, and Footloose. Typical sisters outing...

5. Spending time with my good friend, Ian. We met at Rockefeller Square, ate dinner and walked across the Brooklyn Bridge.

6. Spending time with the Newmans. Having a good talk with Mark, many talks with Kathryn, reading books to Thomas, and having our umpteenth dance party with all of the kiddos.

I am so blessed with amazing family. Thanks for the memories! Now back to reality...

Random Realizations

I've had so many thoughts floating around in my mind recently but have been so busy with life that I haven't had a chance to write them down. So, in no particular order, here are some of my thoughts/realizations.

1. Professionally, I have learned a great deal about parenting as a teacher. I don't want to come off like I'm an expert because I definitely am not...especially since I have absolutely no experience. However, one lesson that I am taking away from teaching is to not be an "enabler." I hear this from the Deans and Administrators at school. There are some students' parents that would let their kid get away with murder if it was legal. Ultimately they enable, or allow, their child to be irresponsible and disrespectful. They claim they are involved in their child's life and they say they're on the teacher's side but in reality they hear enough whining from their kid that they hold their child to no standards or expectations. It's ridiculous. Especially when everything now becomes "my fault" as the teacher. I know parenting will be very challenging, but I want to teach my children how to work, to be responsible, to be kind and honest individuals.

2. Spiritually, I have learned that my spiritual gifts are more Moses-like than Aaron-like. I am not much of an orator when it comes to teaching or explaining doctrines of the Gospel. I want to be more that way and I am trying my best to understand the scriptures better. I do have a lot of faith though, which I believe was Moses's strength. Though I have parted no Red Sea or led the children of Israel in the wilderness, I have definitely seen the fruits of my faith recently. I trust that the Lord knows me and knows what experiences I need to be more like Him. I trust that His plan is perfect. And I am thriving on that faith. Life is still hard and it will always be hard, but if I continue in the faith, everything will fall in its proper place. That I know.

3. Socially, I have learned that I am super vulnerable. People affect me. I love deeply and care so deeply that when my expectations aren't fulfilled, I get easily disappointed. I am trying to work on this and to give people a benefit of a doubt. Although my vulnerability allows for many tears at times, it also allows me to love, which I think is one of my greatest gifts. It also helps me to rely on the Lord more fully and trust in Him. And if you think about it, Christ was vulnerable to the fullest; feeling and experiencing all of the temptations, trials, sins, and sorrows of billions and billions of people. It makes me realize that I need to rely on Him and turn my problems over to Him when I am feeling a certain way. I am so grateful for the Savior and His atonement in my life. If some vulnerability allows me to walk a few more steps in the Savior's shoes, then so be it.

Anyway, I just bore my soul to all of you. I hope you enjoyed. Or laughed. Or cried.

ps. And yes, I am listening to Christmas music right now. I am loving it!

For good times sake...

I met up with my old roommates after Stake Conference this Sunday (missed you MDG) and we enjoyed catching up, laughing at memories of 3078, teasing KA's "spooky" Halloween dinner, and making fun of Clint, as always.


It reminded me how good life is out here; regardless of whatever living situation I am in. I am blessed to be surrounded by so many good people and friends who edify, strengthen, and influence me for the better.

Though being married now would be the "preferred" stage of life, I have felt incredibly compensated with the blessing of good women and good men in my singles' ward and in the work environment. It seems as if the Lord has another mission for me as I wait upon His timetable. And this mission ain't a bad one...