Done and Done

My father always told me, "Find a job you love and you'll never have to work a day in your life."  ~Jim Fox

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Miracles happen.
I've been spending this last week preparing myself for the job hunt.
Thursday there was a job fair.
The night before I got myself prepared.  I printed off my resume, and did research on all the school's that were listed to be at the fair.  I figured out all the schools that I would like to work for, and made a list of questions I had for each of them.
So, off I went.  I talked to all the school's I was interested in and had one tentative offer.  Then I came back later to talk to another school district about an opening they had in preschool.  They said that they needed a permanent substitute for the rest of this year, with the hopes that this substitute would be able to continue on as the teacher in the next school year.
It sounded perfect! I got an interview for Friday.
I went and interviewed on Friday and I got the job!
Stephen and I have been so blessed.  We both have local jobs that should last for the rest of the time that we are here in Rexburg!


Following this wonderful news, I graduated on Saturday.


I woke up super early and got ready, and had Stephen take a few pictures before we left.

Then Stephen dropped me off to wait in the giant line for commencement.  I found my friend Kellie, and she helped me feel more comfortable.  Then Stephen and my dad and brothers walked to the BYU-I center to meet my mom and Grandma.

Commencement was good.  Stephen didn't see me walk in, but I got to walk out right past them, and that was exciting :).

Afterwards it was a zoo, so we gathered together and went to the Hart where we were going to have convocation.  We took some pictures and then I went in.  I got to sit next to friends, and Brother Thurgood (a sealer who works at the Rexburg temple when Stephen and I got there) conducted the meeting.  Brother Cloward and Sister Anderson were there as well (faculty I worked with during my degree).  It was really great. I was excited that I knew so many people.

Family!

Waiting in the Hart

Aw! My husband is so cute!

Brothers

Grandma :)

My mom and dad gave me a gift :)

Sitting :)

 

Receiving my Diploma

Brother Thurgood and I

Brother Eaton giving me my diploma

Sister Anderson, Brother Cloward, and I

So that was my day!  It was super fun!  Afterwards we got to spend some time together.  We went out to lunch, fed the ducks, played games, and went swimming!




P.S.
My mom got a cake for Zak and I because we are having a joint graduation/birthday party.
This is what we got.  Feel free to laugh.
:)

Well, here we go....

Your families are extremely proud of you.  You can't imagine the sense of relief they are experiencing.  This would be a most opportune time to ask for money.  ~Gary Bolding

Commencement speeches were invented largely in the belief that outgoing college students should never be released into the world until they have been properly sedated.  ~Garry Trudeau

It is indeed ironic that we spend our school days yearning to graduate and our remaining days waxing nostalgic about our school days.  ~Isabel Waxman

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Well, it's official.  I am graduating from college.  I finished my coursework, I have my cap and gown.  Weird.  Graduation is next Saturday.


It's been a great experience.  I've had many sleepless nights, but I feel like I really have learned a lot.  I've LOVED student teaching.  I'm excited for what the future holds.


Now it is time to begin "real" life.  For those of you who don't know, I am graduating with a degree in Early Childhood Special Education.  This means that, as soon as I apply for certification, I am qualified to teach children from 3rd grade and younger, with and without disabilities.


It's my passion.  I believe that you can learn a lot about life from children.  I especially believe that children with disabilities have a lot to teach us.  They help us learn patience, hope, and how to be happy despite struggles.


I watched a show on BYUtv today about a family that adopted 21 children from horrible backgrounds, and about another man that developed technology that enabled people to operate a computer with their eyes.  He used this to assist people with cerebral palsy.
Here's the Link:
http://www.byutv.org/watch/2164-101


It's inspiring to me to see how children change the lives of those around them.  I think that's what I've learned most over the years.  The teacher always ends up learning from their students.


So, that's where I am.  Ready to step out into the world, I guess.
It's going to be good.

Picture from my high school graduation

Parenthood

More marriages might survive if the partners realized that sometimes the better comes after the worse.  ~Doug Larson

One advantage of marriage is that, when you fall out of love with him or he falls out of love with you, it keeps you together until you fall in again.  ~Judith Viorst

You don't really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around - and why his parents will always wave back.  ~William D. Tammeus

Making the decision to have a child is momentous.  It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.  ~Elizabeth Stone

There comes a time when a woman needs to stop thinking about her looks and focus her energies on raising her children.  This time comes at the moment of conception.  A child needs a role model, not a supermodel.  ~Astrid Alauda, on the "hot mom" trend

It kills you to see them grow up.  But I guess it would kill you quicker if they didn't.  ~Barbara Kingsolver, Animal Dreams

Simply having children does not make mothers.  ~John A. Shedd

A parent's love is whole no matter how many times divided.  ~Robert Brault

The guys who fear becoming fathers don't understand that fathering is not something perfect men do, but something that perfects the man.  The end product of child raising is not the child but the parent.  ~Frank Pittman, Man Enough

Whenever I held my newborn baby in my arms, I used to think that what I said and did to him could have an influence not only on him but on all whom he met, not only for a day or a month or a year, but for all eternity - a very challenging and exciting thought for a mother.  ~Rose Kennedy

Instant availability without continuous presence is probably the best role a mother can play.  ~Lotte Bailyn

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So, that's a lot of quotes today, but I found them very meaningful.


I've been thinking a lot about parenthood today.  I'm not a parent yet, so I know there's a lot that I don't know or understand yet.


However, when you work with children all day, every day, it comes up.


It's also on my mind because I have been very alarmed by several news stories I have read lately.


I read one article about a mother who decided that she didn't want to be a mother anymore, so she gave her children to someone else and moved.  She claimed that she didn't want to be swallowed up in being a mom.  She claims that her relationship with her children improved after she left.  Sure, she may be a better friend to her children, but who said they needed a friend? 
(http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/parenting/the-opposite-of-a-tiger-mother-leaving-your-children-behind-2460982/;_ylt=ArD7EW38lqCbbE.36vJR4Nt8bqU5)


Afterwards, I read another article that claimed that only someone who was completely irrational would ever have children.  Because, obviously, anything that is hard to do, expensive, stressful, and tiring, should be avoided.  Why would anyone ever do anything to inconvenience themselves? 
This is the line that infuriated me the most: "Of course parents should be commended for one little thing they do: maintain the existence of humanity. I praise them for that, but I think they're both heroes and suckers."
(http://healthland.time.com/2011/03/04/why-having-kids-is-foolish/)


I feel like this is pointing out a major flaw in our society.  It's all about self.  Of course having (and raising) children is hard!  However, that does not mean it is something to be avoided or shirked.  This reminds me of the scripture in the Book of Mormon: "Wo unto them that call evil good, and good evil, that put darkness for light, and light for darkness, that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"
(2 Nephi 15:20)


Then, I noticed some other articles.  One study pointed out: "These research findings, of course, fly in the face of our cultural dogma that proclaims it impossible for people to achieve an emotionally fulfilling and healthy life unless they become parents. And that’s a problem, because the vast majority of American men and women eventually have children, yet conditions in our society make it nearly impossible for them to reap all the emotional benefits of doing so.” 
(http://media.news.wfu.edu/experts/robin-simon/)
Again, the phrasing of this article points to a problem in our society rather than a problem with having children.  I found that interesting.


One article had a quote that I loved: "But when it comes to happiness and parenting, I'd argue two things: First, the fact that we can focus so intensely on personal happiness means that we've got it better than most people in the world. And second, sure, when you look at the cost analysis, having kids isn't strictly rational—but then again, neither are many other things we do. Focusing on how much you hate parenthood isn't helpful when it's still one of the most important jobs we have."
(http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/parenting/parents-who-hate-parenting-the-latest-trend-2466533)
I actually really enjoyed this article.  I would recommend it.  This article recognizes that parenting is very difficult, however, that with sacrifice, it is something that can be done.


This life is not meant to be easy, contrary to popular belief, and happiness actually does not come from doing nothing.  Happiness comes from working hard at something worthwhile.  When we are doing the Lord's work we will find peace, satisfaction, and happiness.
That doesn't mean that there aren't hard and sad times.  We all have to overcome adversity.  I'm grateful parenting isn't any different.  It puts us outside of ourselves.  It forces us to be better, to work harder, and to love differently than we have loved before.


"Work is always a spiritual necessity even if, for some, work is not an economic necessity." (“Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel” Neal A. Maxwell, April 1998 General Conference)

(That's my momma on her dad's lap)

To my sister in-laws

What's the good of news if you haven't a sister to share it?  ~Jenny DeVries

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I just got a super cute wedding announcement in the mail.


And I was just thinking how horrible I am at keeping in touch with people.


I have seven wonderful sister-in-laws that I haven't been very good at keeping in touch with.


But I just wanted to know that I watch your blogs, and facebooks.


Congratulations Kat on your wedding.  I'm so excited for it, and to see everyone.


Congratulations on your pregnancies Tiffany and Hollie.  It's so super exciting!  I love reading everything you post about them on your blogs.


Thank-you to all of you for welcoming me into the family.

(Missing Hollie and Katy :) )

Happy Birthday to me!

A diplomat is a man who always remembers a woman's birthday but never remembers her age.  ~Robert Frost

Birthdays are good for you.  Statistics show that the people who have the most live the longest.  ~Larry Lorenzoni

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No one in the world is as spoiled as I am.  That is a fact.


I had a wonderful birthday last week.


It actually started the week before when Stephen bought me some new black shoes to teach in, and a new blue coat.  (that I love!!!)

Then on my actual birthday Stephen woke up at four in the morning to make me a special birthday breakfast.  

It was frittata, and cinnamon rolls.  It was so yummy!  And, even though it was like six in the morning Zak came as well.  We read the story of my birth (from my Dad's point of view, which was really neat), and had a great time.

Then I went off to school.  It was a good day.  When I got off I went to meet Stephen at work.  We hung out and he had me convinced that we were going out for dinner.  We stopped by the house to pick up my inhaler that I had forgotten (or so I thought), and when I got in there was a suprise party waiting for me!  I had no idea!  I've never had a surprise party before.  We ate pizza, ice cream cake, cheese cake, and played Life.  It was super fun!

See? Completely spoiled, and I didn't even mention that Zak got me some tennis rackets and balls for my Birthday, and that Stephen's Mom got me some lavender soaps and things (I love Lavender!).  Oh, and Stephen got me Chocolate sunflower seeds (yum!).

But that's not even it!  So fast forward to this weekend.  Stephen tells me we have a surprise trip.  So we pack up in the car and drive down to Logan.  Stephen took me out to eat at this amazing little Indian restaurant.  It was funny because when we pulled up it was attached to a Gas Station.  However, don't let looks deceive you because it was FANTASTIC.  I haven't had Indian food since I was in England, and I'd really been wanting some, and this was as good as anything I'd had there (except Suresh's chicken curry of course!).

Then after dinner we went and explored in Border's Books and Petsmart.  I got three floor puzzles in Border's Books because the teacher in me couldn't resist ;).  We also ran into Quince, a friend from my home ward, so that was super fun!

Now, here's the most awesome part.  Then Stephen and I went to see...... Brian Reagan!  It was soooo funny, and I haven't laughed that hard in a long time.  Stephen did very well at keeping this secret, because, come to find out, he got the tickets before Christmas!  I was definitely surprised, and it was wonderful!

To top off our adventuresome weekend we started on our way home, but it started snowing so hard that we could hardly see the road in front of us.  So we pulled off in Malad, Idaho.  The hotel there had no vacancies, but we couldn't really go any further.  So we slept in the car for a few hours before trying to get on the road again.  It was slow going for a little while, but eventually the roads cleared up and we made it back to our home at 6:30 this morning.  Needless to say we were rather exhausted, but the snow made for a very pretty Rexburg to come home to :)

So, no one can argue with me now.  I am definitely the most spoiled person alive.

Happy

"Well," said Pooh, "what I like best," and then he had to stop and think.  Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn't know what it was called.  ~A.A. Milne

If you want to be happy, be.  ~Leo Tolstoy

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Just sitting here listening to Disney music (If I Didn't Have You- Monster's Inc, My Favorite Things- Sound of Music).


I have warm toes, and am watching my cute husband doing homework.


It's nice.

*hiccup*

So, I had the hiccups.
I don't like them.  They are obnoxious, and whenever I get them they are loud and shake my whole body.
They were driving me crazy so Stephen looked up ways to get rid of hiccups online.
We found a site and as we were reading some of the different ways, my hiccups went away.

So there you have it.  Reading about getting rid of hiccups gets rid of the hiccups.

:)