First graders say amazing things.

Today I was briefly reminding my students that throughout the school day there are several appropriate times to go to the bathroom: before school, at morning recess, at lunch recess, and after school.  I instructed them that they should take advantage of these times so they don't have to miss out on important classroom time.

Now these are worry-prone six year-olds.... so I gave them the caveat that if it is an emergency they should certainly ask if they can go to the bathroom during classtime.  I'll let them.  Well, somehow this discussion brought up the latest first grade gossip....that so-and-so had had a wetting accident in the class next door.  My classroom erupted as all the students seemed to have the urgent need to share their own accident anecdotes with one another.

Says one, "My sister had an accident last week, too!"
Says another, "When I was in preschool I had an accident." (blushes)
Says yet another, "A long time ago I had an accident in bed."
Says super loud boy in the front, "My mom still has accidents!"

There are things I learn from them that I really shouldn't know, but gosh I love my first graders.

Politically-passionate people give me hives.  Nevertheless, there is one politicalish thing that I do each year without fail.  I don't entirely know why I do it, other than the fact that Bethanys LOVE continuity and so of course it needs to always be done.   What is it I do?  I always, always, always watch the State of the Union address.

Now it isn't that I'm crazy politically-involved.  I like to vote and I like America and I like when we have political leaders that are nice and good (it does happen sometimes!).  I think I like it for another reason, too. Somehow it is unifying, despite how markedly we can see party differences and prejudices during the address.  It is unifying in that we watch it because we all hang onto our hope of improving the country and the lives of the citizens.  And so that is why I find myself watching tv by myself this evening (James is responding to his own political call of duty....yes, that call of duty).

And hey, no matter the president or the year or the issues, they always throw in a good word for teachers!  And we kind of like that a lot!

awesome picture by Melanie

cookies and cocoa

One of the things that caused me a considerable amount of stress during our engagement was the planning of our wedding reception.  I stressed about the number of cookies we would need, how my crazy cake idea would turn out, whether or not James would die standing in the line.....

But 'twas all in vain, due the many wonderful wonderful people who stepped up to help me....and James, for being a good sport.  I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful reception.  It certainly exceeded my expectations.  Thank you, everyone!

On December 22, 2011, James and I were married in the Mount Timpanogos temple.  This friendship.....courtship.......eternal relationship (do you remember that talk?) has been a long time in the making and we are both very happy to have arrived here.   And yet, it is as much an arrival at it is a departure.  We are embarking on new and exciting chapters and moments of our lives, discovering new things and refining ourselves, and we are happy to be together.

I've posted far too many pictures (my apologies!) showing the happy day.  The day went off perfectly without a hitch (well, except our own), and we couldn't feel more blessed.  I couldn't feel more grateful for Heavenly Father blessing me with tremendous and miraculous peace on this day. I also couldn't be more grateful to the many family members and friends who did (and still do) so much to help us along our way.  Thank you, all!

 

(please allow your imagination to add great amounts of snow to this picture....sheesh, looks like August!)

twelve whole days

Now that James and I are all married and grown up (what?) I think this blog may become a little bit more valuable to me.  And to my mother....hi, mom!

I should like to post a bit more often about our goings-on and the fun/crazy/weird adventures that we have out here trying to be big cool adults.  I'm rather a bit a lot self-conscious about my blog and my posts and my writing style (hi, Katie!), but I confess that I still really like to share despite all of that nonsense.

So here we go.... posts are forthcoming.

And speaking of adulthood, are there any other 22 year-olds out there who feel like they might just be 12?  Any at all?  Well, maybe that is my lot in life....perpetual childishness and an utter refusal to grow up.  This may make me seem a little self-centered, kind of haughty, and a bit infantile....but I'm okay with that.... (well, sort of), because Bethany is just doing her best.

And at least James likes that. 

p.s. we've been married for twelve whole days!

want some happy news?

well here you go...we're engaged!

and he's the best.

Today I am thankful for field trips, James, and my lovely sister Susan.

Happy November!