Back up...

I decided that I better give a better update than my post on Friday. It doesn't really explain anything that has been going on in my life since my last post, and boy let me tell you...a lot can happen in a month. Weird.

The rest of the 2010 school year was great! We finished our Holiday countdown, which the students looked forward to doing everyday. I think we all were really looking forward to that Holiday break. And on the last day of school, my students were so generous in the gifts that they brought me. There was chocolate galore, fruit, candy, homemade cards, gift cards, and so much more...I couldn't believe how generous some of the families were. I even received some amazing gifts to help me organize and enhance my classroom a little bit! I just really appreciate all that the students do, and especially their parents to help me in my first year of teaching. Love it!!!

For my Holiday break, I flew to Colorado to visit my momma!! I love love love that woman! She is incredible. Always busy, but still has an endless supply of time for her family! What a good example she is. She is such a hard worker, and I know that this year of school for her has been a little bit tricky, so I appreciate all she does to help me out, even if she is having a tricky year herself. But wow, what a fun break all of us had. We watched movies, played games, knitted scarves, went shopping, ate tons, cooked tons, baked tons, and laughed a whole bunch! It was so much fun. We took new family pictures, which turned out incredible if I do say so myself. I absolutely love my family, and I can't get enough of them. My nephew especially is hilarious. And there isn't a person out there who he wouldn't love immediately and there isn't a person out there that wouldn't fall absolutely head over heels for him. He does some of the most adorable things...for example...when looking for someone, instead of saying yoo-hoo, he will say "Hoo hoo," and it is the cutest darn thing you have ever heard. Also, I loved playing a really fun trick on him every time I saw him sitting in his highchair. I would sneak up behind him, and tickle his back, or blow in his ear, and then he would look back at me and I would say, "Wasn't me." He automatically started saying, "Was it Maa? (my little sister Emiliana)," or "Was it Maama? (what he calls my mom), or he even started asking if it was himself...haha! So hysterical. I love him with my whole entire heart!! What a bundle of energy though! Love it! And my poor mother cried when they dropped me off at the airport. I had to hold myself together so that I could actually leave, otherwise I would have just cancelled my flight and stayed there forever! It is a shame that I had to start school the next day though, or I might have just done that!

Good ol' Joe was there at the airport to collect me and my things as he promised he would do. It was really good to see him. We had some good times, and I am sad to say that it didn't end up working out after all. I mean really sad. But I am grateful for the experiences that I have, and I know that it wasn't pointless that I dated Joe. He is such a good person, I hope he finds what he is looking for, and I hope that he is happy. And while I wait for my prince charming to show up, I will continue being the always happy, optimistic, and amazing person that I always have been! (Come on, I can try to boost my self-esteem can't I?) :) Love it!

And as always, my roommates are incredible. Chelsea is so caring and is genuinely just an amazing friend and cousin. She never ceases to amaze me. Kellie is so hardworking, and with all she has to do, she still has time at the end of the day to ask me how my day was. What a sweetie pie. Sarah is full of energy, and brings a smile to all of our faces with the stories she has. And she is always willing to offer sound advice, because honestly, I think she has pretty much done everything. Rochelle has just become such a huge part of my life, I think I would die if she moved away. So she better not. I live with some pretty amazing girls, and I think I would even go as far to say that they have become my sisters. I love them so so much and hope they know that.

I can't forget to mention the other amazing friends that I have. Melissa is working hard on her student teaching in Idaho Falls, and is actually thinking about moving to Utah to live with us after Kellie moves out and gets hitched. That would be a miracle if I do say so myself. I love her with all my heart, and it would literally be a dream to be her roommate again. Melissa #2 is hard at work on her mission in Minnesota, and still has time to write me letters, sealed delicately in beautiful purple envelopes! She loves me and I can't wait for August to come! And my oldest friend, and yes I mean age-wise, Kimberly, had time to call me the other day to tell me that she and Mike (her awesome hubby) were in Utah for his mission reunion, but they failed to mention that little detail in advance. I feel privileged to have gotten a phone call, however, and it is always nice to talk to that girl. Love her to pieces.

One more thing. I got a personal trainer at Gold's Gym. I am soon going to be as fit as a fiddle. How fit is a fiddle you may ask? Well, I do believe that fiddles have buns of steel. So there you go. Watch out Jillian Michaels, because Megan Slaughterhouse is coming your way. Very slowly, because I can hardly move any of my muscles at this stage in the training. :) It's awesome though. Everyone should have the opportunity to have a personal trainer, just for some new knowledge to pack into their brains.

I think that is all for now. Just finished term 2 at school. 2 down, 2 to go. We shall see what the future brings. Good things I am sure. I have goals, that I will meet this year. With positivity, hilariosity, and commitiosity, I will be sure to meet those goals. And tomorrow, no school, thanks to Martin Luther King Jr. day. Until the next post....

For Now....

"Growth, character, and enjoyment of life come from our mistakes. A child that is not permitted to fall will never learn to walk, for walking is a succession of falls." -Dr. Frank Crane

I make a lot of mistakes, and this quote gives me hope. I really appreciate the fact that it will be alright if I mess up. Because it happens quite often. Find joy in the journey. Come what may and love it. If life throws you lemons, make lemonade. It will all work out. AND I WILL BE HAPPY!!