What are YOU doing October 7th?!

We present Baby Braun



Here's a 3D image our doctor took! Pretty crazy, huh?!?!




What in the world does THAT mean?!?!?! We didn't know either but four tests later we finally got a positive. So much for 99% accurate.


Anyway, we are 15 weeks along! Crazy, crazy, cRaZy! We're pretty stoked.

Moving forward

Well, yesterday was my last day student teaching. It was quite an emotional day. I tried my hardest not to cry but I couldn't help myself. As students were leaving class and I was saying my typical, "Make good choices! Bye!" it hit me that this was it. The tears just came and I couldn't stop them. It was hard. Some of my students cried but most of them kept it together. I told them they were not allowed to cry (because I knew if they did I would be in trouble...turns out I was in for it anyway!).

The students made me farewell cards and brought treats to share with the class. My cooperating teacher bought cookies and handed them out. Overall it was a fantastic day. I wanted to end on a positive note, with the students happy, so I planned to play musical bingo. That went well. :) It was good I planned a "Chill day" because I was way too emotional to do anything else.

Anyway, I am now officially done with my student teaching. Part of me is so heart broken I can hardly stand to think about it. I have honestly come to love those students. I absolutely adore my cooperating teacher. The other faculty members, staff, and administration are phenomenal. I have HONESTLY never been to a middle school like the one I was assigned. The atmosphere is so different! I felt at home.

I am planning to go back and help every now and then, if my schedule will allow. But for sure I'll be at their next concert! So, the good news is I'll see them again.

Overall, I am incredibly grateful for my experience. I feel I was given the most opportunity to experience what being a teacher consists of, what the demands/needs are, and what I need to work on. I am walking away a better person. I hope, hope, hope those I worked with and those I taught feel the same.

Again, I am so blessed and I can't figure out why. But, I sure am grateful.

Tired and lacking motivation

Dear world,

I have two days left of student teaching and some SERIOUS projects to finish in the next few days and ya want to know what I've done every day after teaching?! I have sat on the couch, taken a nap, or just watched something stupid on TV. I have no motivation and I know it's going to throw me in a panic if I don't make changes fast. But I find myself nodding off when I finally make myself sit down and face the misery.

Ahhhh! I must finish, I MUST FINISH! I can't get this far only to mess it up.

Ugh. I welcome prayers, positive vibes, happy thoughts, etc.

Until next time,
Me

Changes are quickly approaching

I remember back in January as I was sitting and observing the classes I'd be teaching. I remember talking to my mom about how long and painful the observation period was going to be (3-ish weeks) and how I didn't know how I'd get through it. It was my idea to observe that long because I felt it would give me a solid foundation in regards to the environments/cultures of the classes my cooperating teacher was going to turn over to me. While the observing turned out to be well worth it, those days seemed to be quite long for me.

Now, here I am with one week left of teaching. That's it. It's absolutely crazy to me. I had a feeling it would go fast but I had no idea it was going to go that fast! I guess it's a good thing though, because as they say, "Time flies when you're having fun!". I'm thinking this is the case with me. I've had so much fun I haven't paid much attention to time - until recently.

So, after my student teaching I plan to take one more class (a piano class) and apply for graduation. I just hope the class I need to take is offered during the summer. If not, well, I guess I will be graduating a little later than August. But cross your fingers. I'd really like to successfully close my under-grad experience before the end of the year. I feel I've put in my time, the hard work, the sweat and tears. I'm ready to jump into other adventures!

Right now Trav and I are enjoying our Spring break. We don't go back to school until Tuesday and let me tell you, it's been fabulous thus far. I'm even fine with the inch of snow we woke up to this morning. Why? Because I don't have to drive in it unless I choose to! Yipee!!

Travis is wonderful, as always. Am I the only one who stops and looks at my husband, really stops and looks, only to realize how lucky I am?! I swear, I am reminded daily of his incredible character. He's so handsome. He's simply wonderful. One thing I really love is how much he loves Scarlet. He is always holding her, talking to her, watching her...just crazy about her. I like seeing this side of him. Here is a picture of him cuddling the little bug. :) Aren't they cute?!?!






And here's the only picture I can get a hold of at this point. I'll post more as soon as I'm able. I'm on the right. :) Proof I was actually in an opera! Ha!!


La traviata, Utah Lyric Opera, February 2012