Month 11: February

Welcome to February: My favorite month of the year!

For years before Jeremy and I got married, we celebrated February 1st as our anniversary. Now that we have a different anniversary, we don't make as big a deal out of it, but it is still acknowledged. I saw this idea on Pinterest and I thought it was a perfect way to celebrate this day as well as the other day of love in February. It is basically a count down until Valentines day. 14 little gifts each with a cheesy saying to go along with them. Jeremy is the king of cheesy so I thought this was appropriate and the count down started on the first. I started with the sparkling cider with the note "You make my heart bubble over" to celebrate this special day. We even used plastic champagne glasses from the dollar store!! Each day after this, Jeremy would get these little gifts in random places and at random times. The last gift was on Valentine's Day and said, "Honey, comb your hair because we have a date tonight!" Guess which treat that went too! :)

My "Anniversary" flowers. Jeremy is really good about flowers. He gets it from his dad.

I had to stick this picture in here. I made this apron for Jeremy a long time ago. I thought I was pretty creative and funny. Now when Jeremy wears it I just laugh. 

My mama came to visit this month. She was here to take care of Jen, but we were able to steal her for a night. This was her first time visiting our new place so it was very fun for me.

Sunday Dinner

She is so proud of me :)

I also started my unit for student teaching this month. I decided to do it on expository writing because I thought they could really use some help on their writing.  I don't think I really thought about all the grading that doing a writing unit would entail. 45 kids each doing 4 essays turned out to be a lot! I actually really loved the things that they came up with so it was worth it.

I started this unit by doing a little activity so show the kids what expository text is and what kinds of writing they would be doing for this unit. I had a group of kids put on a little skit with a newscast and cooking show and commercials. They did a great job.

This is what a proud teacher looks like. :)

I have to say this is my favorite picture...priceless moment caught on film. Just look at our faces. This boy is one of those kids that is super smart and wants to outsmart everybody. He can be pretty in your face about it. This is me shutting him down. Gotta love it!

Performance success! 

Valentines Day

I was really nervous about what to bring my kids. Valentines can be so expensive so I made my own. I gave them pencils (I know...what lame teacher. One of my students told me that they were going to bring pencils but their mom was like 'nobody wants a pencil!' Good thing the mom was wrong...everybody loved them!) with little toppers I made on top. I also brought rice crispy treats and everybody was in love!

Being in an elementary school, you also have to think about what you are going to use to collect your valentines in. I came up with this gem all on my own. That's right...it's not from Pinterest! 

When I got home from school, Jeremy was ready with a homemade dinner. He even bought me Fresca! I was so happy! (We never drink soda...I think this might have been the first time soda has even been in our house. I was in heaven!)

I also got pink tulips for Valentine's Day. These are one of my favorite flowers! I'm pretty spoiled this month in the flower department!

Mrs. Burke (one of my coop teachers) told me about this valentines craft she did when she was in school. You use conversation hearts to write a creative story. I loved the idea so I did that with my classes. They were required to use five random hearts that I gave them. I seriously died laughing with some of he stuff I came up with. I let them all take them home, but I wish I had copies of some. One boy wrote this love note that was so cute while another wrote a horror story. So funny what sixth graders come up with when given gushy love conversation hearts. 

I thought Jeremy and I could do something fun with the left over hearts. I wanted to see how many hearts I could use in a letter to Jeremy (so I could brag to the kids in my class who said 5 was really hard) but Jeremy went a little more creative...as always!

I love his notes!

Random picture...I lost my pillow with my white pillowcase in California the last time we were there. So we had to use Pocahontas pillowcases for awhile. Then I remembered that a sweet sister in Jeremy's ward made us these. I thought they were too nice to use but now we use them everyday!

SNOW

Sometimes it helps us feel a little better about the snow invested town where we live when we try and embrace it. This is us doing just that. 

We attached bungee cords so we could pull each other.

Jeremy really misses surfing...this is as close as he gets out here.

SNOWBOOGIE!!!

It actually was really fun to play in the snow for a change instead of just complaining about it. This winter has actually been really mild and we are thankful for that. This will be our last winter here in Rexburg so we are trying harder to enjoy it before we never see it again.

Pinterest doesn't just benefit me...Look what Jeremy made!

An egg fried inside a pepper!

HAPPY 22nd BIRTHDAY TO ME!

February 27th is my birthday and is my favorite way to end my favorite month of the year. This year I told Jeremy I didn't want a party for my birthday, but we had been wanting to have some friends over for dessert and games so we figured this weekend would be a good time.  

Of course Jeremy couldn't end the party without singing happy birthday to me, so he surprised me! 

I LOVE lemon cheesecake so I was very happy with the surprise!

The Group...it was a fun night with lots of yummy desserts and some side busting games! We really need to do it again sometime. 

Birthday Tradition: Breakfast in Bed

My birthday fell on a Monday this year, so I had to go to school, so I was glad Jeremy made something quick and easy for me to eat. My favorite cereal, Raisin Bran Crunch, and fruit!

I also made Oreo cookies from scratch to bring to my classes but I guess I didn't take pictures. I'll just say they were really good! I've totally my kids that I'm not a good cook so they were all saying, "You lied...these are so good. You are such a great cook!" Another great thing about teaching: great confidence booster!

Opening Presents

So many fun gifts! Thanks to everybody!

Jeremy also took me out to eat. We really don't go out to get much because we are so cheap. However, we recently found this old Applebee's gift card. Jeremy had been using it to scrap wax of his surfboard. We called to see if there was anything on it and sure enough there was several meals left on that thing! I told Jeremy the next time he needs to scrap his board I'll give him a couple 20 dollar bills instead. :)

Needless to say that whenever we go out to eat, we eat here. :)

Our new obsession: Onion Rings

Applebee's has DELICIOUS onion rings!

Jeremy's parents had this beautiful bouquet of flowers sent to my classroom. I went bright red in front of my whole class when y principal brought them in, but I was grateful for the gift. Thanks Mom and Dad! Like I  said this is where Jeremy gets it!

I have to also send a shout out to my parents. I can't believe that you have put up with me for 22 years now but I am thankful you have. Thank you for raising me, teaching me, and helping me get to where I am now. It seems crazy to think that your baby girl is now married and almost a college graduate. You're old! But I love you, wrinkles and gray hairs and all. And I'll always be your little girl. :)

So from our 5 year Anniversary, to Valentine's Day, to celebrating my birth, it was a pretty good February!

Month 10: January

For those who know me know that I love traditions! I remember one year my parents suggested that maybe our family was getting old enough to just skip the idea of "Santa" gifts and I about died. Yes I believe in Santa hardcore, so doing away with him would be like doing away with my grandpa but it is also just the tradition of Santa that is so magical. I believe that traditions bring families together. Too cheesy? Probably.

So now that Jeremy and I have started our little family, we have been discussing our families traditions and also new ones that we would like to start now. One holiday that could use some more traditions is New Years. It is such a special day but very left out. So I came up with this one. Celebrate like a birthday! We kept it simple by just having cupcakes with candles that we all got to blow out (when does that ever happen?!) and singing happy birthday to the new year. My poor family thinks I'm crazy but they put up with me and at least pretend to think it's a good idea. :) I love it!

Funfetti cupcakes with special candles thanks to Mama Rudd!

When it comes down to it, I just wanted an excuse to eat cupcakes!

This picture was difficult to take...this is as good as it gets...my lovely family.

Jeremy and I were spoiled to be the only children at home. We are so loved!

After the holidays, it was back to Rexburg for yet another semester. Except this semester was different for me....it was my last! I though it would never come. 

I did a first day of school picture because I would be spending this entire semester in a sixth grade classroom. Can you tell I'm nervous?

Growing up, first days of school were THE WORST! My poor mother had to deal with stomach aches for weeks beforehand every time it was mentioned and then the day of was a nightmare. This trend continued up until the first day of my senior year of high school and then carried on into college (we had to pull over a couple times driving to Rexburg for my first semester for me to try and throw up on the side of the road) for every first day of every semester. And in college you have two first days of school at least twice a year. Terrible! This is one trait I don't wish to pass on to my posterity.

 So going back to an elementary school brought back these feelings 10 fold. I had nightmares about my sixth grade classroom for weeks beforehand. The main idea of these dreams was me walking into the school and gravitating toward the sweet smiling faces of the second graders only to be redirected to the sixth graders who were twice my size and all wearing scary faces and pounding their fists against their hands ready to beat me up. It was altogether awful! It didn't help that when I got there and everybody found out what class I was teaching in, their response was, "Oh, I'm so sorry. Good luck with that." Not a good sign. Come to find out that these kids have had a horrible reputation since kindergarten. Just my luck!

The good news is that it wasn't that bad and I actually had a lot of great experiences. More on all that later. 

Jeremy too was back in school. What a trooper to come back to with on his offtrack. We decided that it would be best for him to finish as quickly as possible so right off his mission he applied for fast grad so he could attend school all year round. This was his first Winter semester and I don't think he was too excited about it. 

But was just bundled up and enjoyed the ride!

My sweet Logie Bear had his birthday this month and we got to spend it with him and the rest of the Lucas gang. Aren't they the cutest?

Jeremy made Logan's cake this year. What a good uncle!

Aside from the Lucas/Howell clan, Bob and Amy, Jeremy and I, and Cathy were all here to celebrate with Logan. Bobby and Amy stayed with us and we loved having them. Aside from a gross close up that Bob took of himself, I didn't take any pictures of their short visit, but we loved having them. 

I thought I would end with this little gem. This month my sister Jen got in a terrible car accident. Her boyfriend Marc called me in the middle of the night and left a message explaining what had happened. When I woke up early the next morning and heard what had happened all I could think about was getting there as soon as possible to see her. I was getting ready so fast that landed on my open straightener heated to 375 degrees. Not a smart plan. I was so distracted that I didn't really notice until I slowed down enough in the car to realize that my arm was burning like crazy. I looked at it to find two huge lines on either side of my forearm. When I got to the hospital I asked for some aloe but they didn't have any...what kind of a hospital is this?! Jen was in pretty rough shape but they let me see her in ICU just long enough for her to tell me I was beautiful (and for her nurse to say I looked like Snow White...compliment or just a suggestion to get a tan?) and for me to say how much I loved her. Later we were able to compare scars...hers are better but this is a little reminder of the day I almost lost her. Honestly when I look at them I do remember that day and count my blessings that Heavenly Father was watching over her. He knew she was still needed too much on Earth and I am grateful for that. I don't know what I would do without my big sister. I do also think about all the funny things she said and did while on the pain meds..."Does Cathy have blue hair?" Again, what would I do without her? She does make me laugh. :)

Oh the picture...this was my attempt to keep out the hot water. It was blistering pretty bad. One of my students did bring me a part of his aloe plant. So sweet. I think it was for his own benefit. Anytime I would pull up my sleeve all my students stared at it with a look of absolute disgust. After that I tried to keep it covered. I can't blame them. I always had the the hardest time with the teachers who had weird things on their bodies or face or even wouldn't wipe the board all the way. I would just stare. Ok enough of the tangent! Happy New Year!

Month 9: December

December is one of my favorite months! It brings the end of a semester which is always crazy but when you get through it you get to go home and enjoy the best holiday...CHRISTMAS!

This is a classic picture of what this semester was like for me. Sister Kay's practicum kicked my butt! She is one of the only professors on campus that makes you plan and execute an entire unit in your classroom and also compile a teacher work sample to accompany it. This is something that you are required to do for student teaching and you have to present your work sample at the end to pass on to graduation so Sister Kay feels that this is good to practice before you are on your own in student teaching and I agree with her, but it wasn't an enjoyable experience. I worked on it the whole semester, but still I had to stay up in this position all night only getting a couple hours of sleep just to finish. The funny thing was that when I walked into class that next day to turn it in every one looked just as tired as me. After I turned mine into the box (the sample is that open black two inch binder that was overflowing by the time I was done) a friend, not knowing that one was mine, says, "Wow, it's overachievers like that that make me look bad." I had to tell her it was mine and I just bust up laughing!

Mrs. Larson and My Fourth Grade Class

I love these kids so much! We had some ups and downs this semester but I learned so much and I will miss them all like crazy! One of my favorite parts of this last day was the poem that they wrote and performed for me. So sweet! They are so talented. I received lots of sweet notes, gifts, and of course hugs. One of my boys who I thought hated me all semester gave me three huge hugs before he left. Made all the headaches worth it! 

One of the things I love most about kids is how honest they are. They always make me laugh with how real they keep things. Story...one of my students brought in a Christmas themed stuffed animal for me. I could tell it was a little used and I was flattered that she wanted to give me one of her toys. I noticed her going over to it several times during the day to play with it. I finally took her aside and told her how much I loved it and how thoughtful it was but it was too nice and that she could really keep it. I just cared that she thought of me. Her response: "Oh it's ok. My sister doesn't want it anymore anyway." Awesome!

CHRISTMAS

This year was a little crazy for us. This was our first year spending Christmas as a married couple which meant that we had a little going back and forth. We decided to spend Christmas Eve and morning with the Evans and the rest of Christmas with the Rudds. Next year we will switch and just see how it goes. I love having all my family close but it does make things a little tricky. 

One of my favorite traditions at Christmas...GINGERBREAD HOUSES. The Evans make them out of graham crackers and lots of candy! I have to say this is the most BOMB gingerbread house ever! I totally won even though there was no competition...to me there was. 

If you look closely at the counter next to me you can see the remnants of sugar cookie making, another one of my favorite Christmas traditions. I actually didn't take pictures....again a really stink!

Jeremy and his dad decided to go more for the modern art type creation. We support them...

This was my first year getting to open a present on Christmas Eve (an Evans tradition) of PJs. I was really excited about it! We went old school on our jammies...matching top and bottoms. Jeremy totally looked way mature!

Christmas Eve we decided to doorbell ditch some friends...long story and I think it was only funny late on Christmas Eve while we were all high on Christmas spirit. 

Let me explain this picture. In the Rudd family the tradition is that everybody opens one present at a time and we all watch them open it. Over the years this has kind of slacked but that was always one of my favorite things. I was also always in charge of passing out the presents so I was a lot more invested in what was in everyone's presents. This year at the Evans on Christmas morning I had prime seating in the center and I was still given the passer outer job. So I was in heaven just watching all the excitement....and clapping apparently...sometimes I just get lost in the world of Christmas morning. Also though...when you watch everybody else you are the one that is left with a whole lot of presents at the end to open while everybody watches you...it works out well. :)

"I'm an author!" (What movie?)

This is one of my favorite presents that I gave this year. There are only four copies of my book in existence. I own one, my professor requested a copy, and the two other people that I think would actually appreciate the book own one...my dad and Jeremy's dad. I was pretty selective in who I gave them to. :)

Another exciting thing for me was doing Jeremy's stocking this year and Santa presents. So new! I think I did a pretty good job. :) 

Jeremy and I Christmas morning

I love Christmas on Sunday because spending this holiday at church is such a good reminder of what it's really about. I love this holiday because it makes everybody happy. Thinking of our Saviors birth helps bring us together and remember what really matters in this life. In my family the first present under the tree is always the one wrapped in red paper with the picture of Christ on it. Jeremy's family meets together Christmas morning and write down the gifts that they are giving Christ this year. Each are such wonderful traditions that help us remember the true purpose for Christmas and will definitely be carried on to our family.

CHRISTMAS CARD PICTURES

Love, The Evans