And so it begins

I finally started Grad School, everyone! This is a big deal for me. Let me tell you a story. About 7 years ago, while completing my last official semester at BYU (before student teaching in DC), I had an epiphany that I would be really good at teaching teachers. At that time, this concept was new to me as I had never known someone in that profession. But I later learned that instructional coaching was a thing. It has always stayed in my mind ever since. When I started teaching full time in DC, grad school was far from my mind as teaching took up so much of my energy. However as I got more years under my belt, the grad school idea gradually came back to me. About three years ago I started looking into programs. Two years ago I started thinking about applying and six months later I was officially accepted. It just took me a while to get residency in Utah. 

So here I am, attending the University of Utah, as one of the biggest BYU fans ever. It's hilarious. I will be getting my degree in Teacher Instruction and Educational Leadership. I go to school Tuesday nights and will have homework to get done throughout the week. Pray for me!

If there's anything that I have been reminded about in this long process is the same mantra that has carried me throughout the last decade of my life which is: I CAN DO HARD THINGS!

So it's not necessarily a dream come true to be at this point but it is a testimonial that God is directing my life. He kept bringing this thought to my mind time and again and I just couldn't avoid it any longer. I feel very directed in doing this program and know that for whatever reason, it will serve me well in my professional and personal future. So yes, I'm teaching and I'm in school full time. I can do this. I can do hard things. 

Here I am at one of my buildings that I go to class in at the U--of all places. 

70 years and counting...

Happy Birthday to my mom!! She is now 70 years old which is getting old :). I'm so grateful for my mom and all the support she has offered me over my last 30 years of life. Not only is she one of the nicest people I know, she is incredibly service oriented, faith filled, loving, understanding, patient, and good. Thanks mom for everything! Here's to the next 20 years! :)

With all the grandkids in Utah...

Some kids are happier than others.

My mom's laugh. This is classic

Her sweet smile too

Yep she did it, she blew out her own candles.

Happy Birthday mother! I'm so grateful for you!

Adam is married. Whoa.

My nephew Adam got married a few weeks ago to his sweet bride, MaKayla. It's hard to believe that he is a grown up AND he's married, but time does pass quickly. I am happy for both of them. 

Cute couple

He got married in the St. George LDS temple. It was a hot day. My guy came with me to support. 

Cute couple part deux

Good thing we have a selfie stick! :)

Not pictured: my sweat. Thankfully...

Outside the temple with my brother, John. I wore my coolest dress and I am still sweating. 

Love these men

Adam with all of his cousins on the Baer side that love and adore him. 

Cute nieces and nephews. What a fun day!

A mini reunion in Minnesoooota

I love this girl and it was so fun to hang out with her, even if it was just for a few days. I flew out to Minnesota (state #35!) to be with my beloved Sarah and to meet her cute baby. 

These pictures just about sum up our friendship:

We go on walks

We stick our tongues out

We pretend we mean business

We visit giant spoons

We have no idea what is going on 

And then said friend decided to create cute cross-eyed baby. 

Thanks for the memories, Sar. So fun to catch up, reminisce, talk about boys, and eat treats with you. Until next time...

A major #tbt (except it's not Thursday)

It's amazing what can happen in a year!

One year ago I had just moved to Utah after 5 years in DC and a very epic road trip across the country. Here is my instagram post from 1 year ago.

My welcome home committee!

And then 8 days after arriving, I met this guy down below. This is us about a week ago or so...

We are so cute

we love the temple

And this is us on our official 1 year anniversary of our first date. It's amazing what can happen in a year. It's equally amazing to think that someone you've known for only a year can quickly become your best friend and confidante!

on the golf course. I am a nice girlfriend. 

Have I mentioned how grateful I am that I moved back to Utah? What a blessing that move has been in my life! God bless change.

It's Always a Good Time!

Yes it is, with the Baers of course!!!

The epic Baer family reunion commenced a few weeks ago at Aspen Grove, a family camp in Provo Canyon. It was a beautiful week with all of my family, fun activities, and lots of laughter and shared memories. There are 43 of us with all the nieces, nephews, spouses, and my mom. It's pretty crazy, but so much fun to be with everyone, especially in such a gorgeous setting.

It all starts with some amazing scenery. 

No reunion is complete without some BYU creamery chocolate milk

WARNING: The selfie stick is making its next debut. It is slowly transforming the hearts of my family members. :)

Let the crazy selfies begin...

With the boys

And more cuties

Sophie was excited, of course. 

Weird!

How many can you fit with a selfie stick?

Girls gotta stick together

The sibs!

No selfie stick for this one

The whole kitten caboodle.

we played family games together

We played basketball together. Sadly I am super slow and out of shape!

Brad came to hang out with me! I love my cowboy.

We also played outdoor laser tag

And I taught everyone a dance. "It's always a good time!"

Cute nephews

This little dude is so adorable.

Hiking with the adults

Good thing for a selfie stick!

Love my niece.

Churro anyone?

Even cosmo came to visit

It was a fun week with everyone! I am so grateful for my family and for reunions that bring us together. Looking forward to Aspen Grove 2020! :)

A wave of gratitude

Since summer vacation started, I have had a lot of time to get projects done. It's been awesome! My main project so far has been working on organizing my childhood, high school, BYU, mission, and young adult years. It's been a lot of work. I have enjoyed reminiscing and reviewing past journal entries, letters, yearbooks, and other artifacts that were so near and dear to me at that time.                                                   The overwhelming feeling I have received while doing this has been so much gratitude! I am so grateful for the life I have led and the experiences I've had. I would never want it any differently. I know I have said this so many times, but I'm saying it again: I am glad that marriage and family was not in the cards for me in my early 20s as I had hoped. The trials, friendships, professional experiences and opportunities I have had has shaped me into the person I am today and I would never want to give those things up. 

So yes. God knows best. He knows I needed some extra time under my belt to be single and to grow in different ways. And I am so, so grateful. Thank you, Lord, for seeing the bigger picture.