Monday, December 29, 2014

Oh, Middle School...

I think it's a combination of teaching middle school AND the fact that I'm teaching in suburbia, Utah and not inner city DC, but teaching life out here is so different--have I mentioned that?! ;)

I've already named off some big reasons a few months ago, but here is another:

Student government at my school held a "deck the halls competition" where the 6, 7, and 8th grade hallways had themes and decorated their hearts out. Would this happen in DC? Oh, heck no. It's a whole new world

8th grade's theme was Gibgerbread Alley. Here's just a taste. 

Look at that mail box

Here's the entry way. It was so magical!

That fire looks warm to me. We have our Admin hanging above

Check out those hanging lights

Even Mickey got involved

They made me a George Washington gingerbread man in front of my door!

I honestly can't take much credit at all for the Decor. But, hey we won the competition so that was good news. This definitely ain't no DCPS for ya…I'm loving the innocence of Middle School!



Sunday, December 28, 2014

Alooooooo-Ha!

I went to Hawaii.  How can you successfully describe an absolutely beautiful island? It's not easy.

This was flying into Kauai. Wowza. 

Breathtaking!

What a light house!

This was the golf course right by our house.

We went kayaking to a bird haven. 

Lots of tough choices in Hawaii. 

Macadamia nut ice cream below with rainbow shaved ice. AMAZING!!


On the tram tour before the luau!

That there is a buried pig after they have successfully roasted it.

A picture of a picture with the whole crew!

Cute Emma, Michael and Isaac on the beach. 

A little beach selfie for you.

I just can't get enough of the scenery! Whoa!

We went on a hike. It was muddy. 

Who doesn't want to be a mermaid for 10 seconds?

Us girls went shopping.

Hanging out in the pool.

Thanksgiving morning we went zip lining. 

A picture of a picture. Megan and I racing each other on 1200 feet of rope. 

This is where we had Thanksgiving dinner

Here's my thanksgiving meal! Pretty fancy. I did miss the home made meal!

Hawaiian sunset

Then mom and I flew to Honolulu. Here is the USS Arizona in the background at Pearl Harbor

In front of one of the submarines.

Check out this view!

On the submarine

PCC selfie

The PCC--an amusement park of the culture of Hawaii. Pretty incredible!



The canoe show


More performers

I drank coconut juice from a coconut. Not that good.

The temple!

Got to see Quinn at the temple. So good to catch up with him!


What a trip! Hawaii truly is paradise!!


Sunday, December 21, 2014

Michele got married!

Michele and Joe tied the knot! I have seen their relationship develop since day 1, so their wedding was extra special. What made it even better was seeing all of my old DC peeps in Utah. I have missed my dear friends! So it was great to spend 2 days with them!

Kathryn, Allison, and I at the dinner the night before


Beautiful bride! Handsome groom with their lovely families.


The old Grove Street roommates. So much change has happened in the last year. Only Melissa remains at the Grove Street house.

Another girl I miss!

With the bride! I love Michele. She is such a dear, loyal, loving, and fun friend. I miss this girl.

And I miss Allison too. What a friend!

And here's my latest "friend." He was my hot date to the wedding. :)

Congrats to Joe and Michele! So glad I got to be at your wedding! Loves. 

Monday, November 10, 2014

Timing IS everything

When I was a sophomore at BYU my best bud, Diane, and I had a lot of discussions about boys and the lack thereof. We often quoted our wonderful mothers who often told us--when frustrated about our marriage prospects--that "it's just not your time." We eventually made that one of our inside jokes and admittedly, hearing that statement made me become more aggravated as the years passed by.

It's been about 10 years since I first heard that statement and I'm still single. But yet, in the last few months, with some exciting new experiences and opportunities, I recognize the wisdom in my mother's words: Timing IS everything.

I think back to my 20s and I recognize that all of the friends, work experiences, travel opportunities and heart ache was not for nothing. I grew as an individual and learned some very valuable nuggets of wisdom along the way. I wouldn't trade those experiences for anything, even though at 21, 24, and 27 I would have given an arm and a leg to be married.

Well, as things have turned out, this move to Utah has worked out very nicely…like, really nicely. So nice that I am in awe of how things have fallen into place and ultimately how timing has played a huge role in my experiences and my happiness now. Knowing what I know now, I see God's hand so clearly in my life and to be cheesy (if this post wasn't cheesy enough), that Rascal Flats song, "God Bless the Broken Road" has a whole new meaning to my current life situation.

I am grateful for God's timing. That's a hard one to spit out but it's true. God knows best. It's good to remember that again.

ps. If you can't figure out my cryptic message in all of this, the bottom line is I am dating someone and he makes me happy. TBC...

Back to Cali

I had a great weekend a few weeks back in California. It was quite simple actually. I visited old friends and had a grand time reminiscing, laughing, and playing catch up. Besides the lovely ladies pictured below, I also saw my 2 high school friends Kathleen and Ashleigh (not pictured) who are now first time mothers. I am grateful for all of the friendships that I have cultivated throughout the years.

My DC ladies--Kelly and MDG. So many laughs and silliness

Joanna and Katie. Friends since birth. They are now mothers of 3!

We even "ran" a race together on a beautiful California morning.

Got to attend a session in the Oakland temple. This place holds so many memories. 
It was short. It was sweet. I love my peeps. I love California. But I'm also glad to be where I'm at now.