recap: the last few weeks of my crazy life

Pretty much, a ton has happened since my bull riding days.

School is going crazy. I am going even crazier! And work just cannot decided whether it's going to be a constant crazy, or my constant relief. I think it will probably stay a little of both. The weather has also gone through some changes. We had snow last weekend. Can you believe it?! Then this weekend was beautiful, today was probably the most beautiful day we have ever had. I love when it is actually fall...not summer right to winter. The colors have changed and gone up in the canyon, but that will mean colors will be changing down here in Provo really soon. Aubrey and I actually went up to the canyon for pictures - but really hardly took anything. She is just actually a model and I sit there and look goofy. It works our really well. I even slid running to join her for a picture (after ever so carefully balancing my camera on my car with the timer) and accidentally grabbed a barbed wire fence for support!! Ouch. It just looks like an overly large paper cut, but I for sure thought I was going to die :)

But before we even did that we went to General Conference, we went off roading, we celebrated BYU homecoming and even hiked the Y, enjoyed a roommate reunion when lovely Alix came to visit, watched multiple football games...becoming sadder and sadder as they come, taken the romantic full moon ski rides up at sundance (yes, just me and Aubrey), explored the canyon, and watched Real Salt Lake take F C Dallas down, 3 to 1.

That is solely the social aspect of my life for the past while.

Thoughts on Prop 8

You all knew this was coming...

California is my home. It always has been, and besides this break here in the land of snow and mountains, I hope it always will be. As most of you know, I am studying to become a Special Educator and one day I would love to return and teach in Southern California.

Prop 8 has recently consumed my thoughts. I think about it all day and it keeps me from sleeping at night. I have never felt so threatened by anything so political, in fact, I hate even getting into politics. I also do not want anyone thinking that I am intolerant or not accepting. I am concerned for the future of my family. This will only be the beginning. Marriage is ordained of God, it is a part of Heavenly Father's great and eternal plan. The Family: A Proclamation to the World explains why my feelings towards families and marriage are so strong.

Back to Prop 8: If it does not pass - my future is completely changed. Most don't realize that this is more than just acknowledging same sex marriages, it is accepting them as normal and they must receive the same liberties heterosexual marriages do. This means that curriculum in public schools must be changed. Everyone remember when you were a child taking sex ed. The most uncomfortable class we all had to sit through - if Prop 8 is not passed, homosexual relationships must be discussed as well. My children will not be learning about that as if it is something we need to accept. Neither will I teach or support that being taught at my school. A teacher in San Francisco recently took her class on field trip - to watch her be married to her female partner. Some how this was a "teachable moment."

Think that is scary? If Prop 8 isn't passed, the only way a church can continue to be tax exempt is if they recognize same sex marriages like they do traditional marriages. I don't even want to think about how this dramatically conflicts with the beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the many other religions who have similar views on traditional marriage.

Please take the time and visit protectmarriage.org

ward party AND mechanical bull riding!

We had our first ward activity last night! Oh my. We went up into the canyon - beautiful by this time of the year. The colors we are changing and it got cold real fast. We played wiffle ball, football, frisbee, volleyball....so we obviously had it all going. Then we watched Emperors New Groove on a projector! My toes were frozen about a half hour in and we had to head home.

So we got home by 9 and remembered it was ROBI's birthday party! He had a mechanical bull and everything. I rolled off the front both times I went. First time Aubrey jumped the bull with me. We were the first girls to go together and you know the boys got a kick out of it :) haha The second time I went though I really hurt myself. I landed right on my head! And I had a headband on with it's poky teeth - I think those made it horrible. BUT we got to see ALL of our favorite boys from our ward last year. It was a ton of fun :)

BYU FOOTBALL!

Can I just start by saying that I LOVE MY TEAM!!!!
So my seats are pretty fabulous - no joke, I can smell the team when they come to the field. It is insane. I am pretty far north though so I can't see much of what happens in the south end zone. Also, being right next to the boys means not being able to see what happens on the east part of the field. They are big boys and not easy to see over.
I am sure most everyone has heard how we dominated UCLA on the 12th - a complete shut out! It was the Bruin's worst lost in something like 75 years. Then we shut Wyoming out yesterday. Do we realize how exciting this is!?! I finish every game so proud to be a cougar.
Yesterday they decided to do the haka at the middle of the field, rather than on the south side. I LOVE the haka. Nothing gets me more pumped for football.

The Party Begins

My roommate Alison's birthday is today so Aubrey last minute decides it is a good idea to do an open house/birthday party last night. We had so much fun!
I made my wonderful fliers and Tuesday night we distributed them throughout our ward. Aubrey spent Wednesday making cute cakes and even saved one for me to decorate! People started arriving at 9 and by 9:30 our apartment was full and our 4 cakes were gone. We went through tons of ice cream and 3 bags of candy!
Oh my goodness, Aubrey and I know how to make things fun. It was quick, easy and everyone had a good time. Alison loved it and couldn't stop thanking us. We even took our first roomie picture (as you can see in my heading).

THIS IS THE YEAR!

Oh - and the big BYU vs. UCLA game is on SATURDAY!!!!

She's BACK!

Last night I drove to the airport and got to pick up my roommate and best friend AUBREY! I have been living without her for more than a week and life was rough. It was a wonderful reunion and I think I can finally get into life in Provo. She is just the best roommate you could ask for - so willing to help and do anything and she gives the greatest advice. Plus we share a love for sports, dancing, all things crazy, and beautiful men :) haha As you can imagine, we are always having fun. yay for out third year together.

My schedule has changed a lot. Mondays and and Wednesdays are going to be KILLER. School to work to school. I don't know how I am going to do it but I hope to just jump into the schedule. Also my car is sounding broken...I think I will have to take it in this week. I am scared to drive it to work tomorrow so I will call the mechanic and see what he can tell me. I'll probably have to take it in.

I made it through a week in the new class and so the teacher I work with brought me and her other aid a rose. She is so sweet. She was so genuinely thankful to us. I think I am going to learn a lot working in this classroom. She uses my opinion so much and is really relying on me to help with some of the new techniques she wants to use in the classroom. I am looking forward to what I will learn.

Well - tomorrow is my tryout of this long day and I have a ton of surprise homework to do...lucky me

my first day back at work

I have been in touch on and off with the school I had been working at last winter. There is a new principal and I was basically rehired over the phone. I went in today and she didn't even "interview" me until school was out.

I am in a new classroom and it will talk a lot of adjustment to feel as comfortable in this classroom as I did in my last one. Last year I worked in the all wheelchair class - this year they all run around like wild. I went to visit Barb (the teacher I worked with last year) and 2 of my adorable students are gone. My favorite Adrian and the singing Kathryn have both been moved to their home schools because they, through Barb's help, have become too advanced for the all handicapped setting. I am so proud of them but I obviously miss them. I didn't think that when I said goodbye before the summer that I would be saying goodbye for good.

My new class - 6 kids. All of which have extreme behavioral issues. C who has the greatest smile and sincerest giggle can go to the bathroom on command. He plays with his feces when he is not receiving the attention he wants. He is also quite the sprinter and is the only kid who can get the door open. BUT he was so good today and thought I was pretty funny.  A is a doll and really does everything we ask. She is clean and neat and when you are with her it is almost like you are getting a little break. J is the cutest boy ever but he gets out of everything by going to the corner and napping. I have never seen a kid sleep so much and still be able to sleep more. L was sick this morning but came in after lunch. She thinks everyone is a baby and wants to cuddle them. MW was Aubrey's friend last year. He loved her and her little bunny foo foo song. MX is new to the school - he is the handful. Since MX is new to the class, MX took it upon himself to beat up MW. He has this death grip and MW's face was covered in scratches and raised skin. MW and I got really close - anytime he got hurt he ran to me and just cried and cried. I came home from work covered in his runny nose, slobber, and tears.

I am completely beat. But I am looking forward to getting to know these new kids and hope that I can see many great improvements and changes before long.