November Happenings.

The last time I blogged was Halloween?

I flat out suck at blogging. 

So lets play catch up on the month of November.

Every year November seems to fly by so fast. Since I have a sick obsession to document my life through pictures, I will just post those. 

In November I...

*Put away this lovely hat for the winter. It always just feels like a summer hat...and I love it so much, I wore it all the way into November. We will reunite again shortly. (5 months). Also I had a fun shopping and dinner date with my momma!

*Spent time nannying this "kissy face boy".

...And we ended our walks before the freezing weather came.

 *Took this lovely picture...hahaha makes me laugh every time I see it. 

*Had some movie nights with these cute grandparents of mine. 

 

 *Went on a little family outing at Buffalo Wild wings, and tried some of the spiciest chicken. I about had a coughing death at that booth because of it.

*Went to several jazz games this month...But this is the first game the jazz finally one. Oh.My.Gosh. They were doing really really bad for a while..

Celebrated the victory at the Cheesecake factory with Richard Jefferson who I saw there.

 *Spent some time with this funny girl, whose missionary just got home. But that didn't happen until December, so forget I said it on here...;)

*Fed my addiction way to often.

Addiction=Diet Cherry Mtn Dew at 7/11.

*Ate at Kneaders, like daily. hahaha.

 *Crafted my little heart out and made a bazzillion Thanksgiving presents for people. And the bags that you are looking at above,they are turkeys. Not owl's. I made like 120 of everything. It.was.a.bad.idea.

*Ventured to Olive Garden and ate a million breadsticks this month. This time we went with my grandma's friends. This was also the day of a huge windstorm.

*Had Thanksgiving with my fam bam at Texas Roadhouse the day before.haha.

*Black Friday Shopped my brains out with my adorable grandma. We hit so many amazing deals and had a blast. Funny Story: I got a good 10 hours of sleep the days leading up to Black Friday, due to so so so much homework. At 4am on Black Friday I was DEAD tired, and I wanted to take a nap for 10 minutes in my car and resume. My grandma totally vetoed it and said we had to hurry for more and more deals. Needless to say we were out for like 2 days straight. I. Kid. You. Not.

 ...After this whole incident I mentioned above^, I sat on the floor and fell asleep. My grandma (who knows nothing about technology), whipped out her phone (which is ancient) and figured out how to take a picture. Then woke me up. I was SO impressed. First off. Way to go grandma! Second off. I can not believe no one stole all my bags. Thaaaank Heavens. 

*We got back Black Friday shopping the next night, and I went to dinner with my bro and Scarlet.

*The next night I went to bed at like 1am. Super early for me this month. At 2am I get a call from Ryan asking me to go to the grocery store with him because he has to make something for school or something? First off, what junior in college needs to make food for their communication major? I still don't get what it was for, so I probably just butchered the story he said. Anyway, I climbed out of bed and went to Smiths with him. I was exhausted and obviously looked adorable as well. I get home, and get a text,"Ash I can't believe you went to Smiths with me with different boots on, you are a trooper. Sleep great." Uhh...Okay. I had no idea I had different boots on. And I loved how he actually thought I would care if I did. I personally think I am rocking my gym shorts and UGGS. Hahah So ugly.

The next day or something I headed down to Idaho so early in the morning. This was my first time ever going to Idaho. There was nothing there. It was an odd place. But, it was pretty on the drive. Here is a picture of me doccumenting my first time in Idaho with an ever so classy gas station picture.So cheers to that.

As I was driving back at like 5 I was so tired. I received a text from my mom wanting to know if I wanted to go to the Jazz game which started in like 2 hours. I said yes, and went so fast and made it to the game only like 15 minutes late. Also, I changed clothes and did my hair in the most ghetto bathroom ever in SLC. Guys, it was so bad. And gross. And scary. And I had at least 3 heart attacks in there, thinking I was for sure going to get raped. I never realized how tired I looked in the picture above. I was a total zombie at the game.

The last month in the back of my mind I am realizing that theese are my last days being a student teacher. Or teaching children in a classroom. It breaks my heart knowing that, but I know I am suposde to be going down some other unfamiliar path,which honestly scares the pee out of me. Every single day since Fall Semester started, I have been around children. I posted this picture on Instagram and Facebook with this caption
 
"I was going to post pics of all my friends and family that I was thankful for this Thanksgiving but I had way to many people to fit in this little square. Today I am so thankful for all the children in my life. This semester I was given so many crazily exciting opportunities to be with children. I nanny the sweetest most loving children in the world. I student teach the most loving,stubborn, and precious children that tries my patience daily. I teach a primary class at church who are crazy monkeys that never want to listen. Recently, I have been volunteering in a special ed elementary school, where I fell completely In love with those full hearted angels. Between all of the children,crafts,lesson plans, sweet letters, and sleepless nights, I have realized how thankful I am for ALL of it.So today I am thankful for all the many children that I have fell in love with over the last couple months. Even though there are days that I do not want to be mauled to death...I am forever greatful for all the hugs,kisses,and love these children show to me constantly. Between the boogers that get handed to me, or the amount of sleep I loose, or the crying fits that last way to long, or the stubbornness that occurs all the time, or the sneezes that take place 2 inches away from my face,I am forever greatful for all these little bodies I have been lucky enough to love. All these children have taught me more than they will ever know. My patience has increased,my tollerence for germs has died down a littleand my heart is fuller. So very thankful for all the many children in my life. You all have taught me what life is all about"

My heart is overwhelmed for all the children I come in contact with daily. The innocence and pure joy for life these children show me every day is what I have learned to be thankful for this last Thanksgiving. There is no doubt in my mind God knew what he was doing when I decided to have the busiest schedule of my life, committing to all these activities, involving children. These precious children have taught me so much, and I am so very thankful for them.

 

I am also thankful for:

My family.

My religion. 

My 3 precioud dogs.

Great Health.

Diet Cherry Mtn. Dew.

Education.

Fingernail polish.

Helping others. 

and 

Shopping Trips.

Just to name a few...;)

 

 

H.A.L.L.O.W.E.E.N.

Halloween.
I love holidays so much.
This haloween was probably my all time favorite.Probably because for 2 weeks straight it was full of all sorts of Haloween festives. 

Being a nanny has some perks believe it or not. One of those perks in my opinion is that I can incorporate Halloween festives during my "work". The little girl I watch wanted to bring a couple of her friends with her. I agreed because I wanted them to have fun. 5 girls and a baby at the pumpkin patch was surprisingly much better then I thought. We went to a little pumpkin patch. When we  were standing in line to purchase pumpkins, the girls decided they wanted to watch Halloween movies instead of "painting" and "carving" their pumpkins. So we carried our pumpkins all the way back to the patch, and ditched the patch. 

On the way home we had a suprise visit to the $1 store. Where we picked out 4 fun things. While I was there, i saw THE CUTEST FOAM PUMPKINS. They also had little faces that you could stick in the pumpkin?! I never saw this before. The next day I was going on a date to "carve pumpkins" and the winner would get $100. Well I suck at carving pumpkins and so did the guy that I was going on a date with (we may or may not have practiced;)) So I bought the foam pumpkin and little faces to stick in the pumpkin. I texted him right away and we were stoked. 
Here is our pumpkin that won us a $25 Olive Garden gift card for being the most "creative". hahahah. WOHOO!

 I could not believe it! I will never get rid of this pumpkin, or forget the story behind it...hahaha;)

My brother went to his SENOR HALLOWEEN DANCE. First off how is he about to graduate. That blows my mind. I was so sick...and looked so stinken bad, but I had to document him going! That is what crazy photo-loving big sisters do right?!

Here is a picture from Frightmares. I hate people that look scary on Haloween. I literately want to cry thinking about it. Nightmares for days. I tried to keep "cool" as these scary creatures popped in the picture one by one.

 

So on Saturday night I went to a totally last minute Halloween party. I had 3 Haloween parties to go to later on in the week, and already planned those costumes. I didn't want to wear the same outfit twice..So here is my impromptu "Dorothy look." I also had red slipers which gave me blisters, and lasted a good 5 minutes.

Then 48 hours later I turned into a 1950's girl. This costume was so much fun. I felt like I was a 6 year old girl. Plus I haven't had my hair in high-curly-pony for years. Not to mention the bow in my hair, or the poodle on the skirt..;) This dance I learned to wear some comfy shoes. Thank you TOMS.

 

48 hours later I was a clown. This was THE TIGHTEST outfit ever. I barely could pull this bad boy up. Imagine the tightest spandex outfit ever. I really enjoyed this outfit. It was flat out F.U.N. And even though I was the most "covered up" girl in the whole land of salt lake city, and even though I was paranoid that my chest was going to rip through this tight spandex..I was okay with it. The covered up part. Not the popping out..hahaha. 

While I was Halloween shopping I found a matching clown outfit and tutu in the children's section. I ran to grab it and was so excited to get it for Allie (my doggy). I was a little concerned because it was spandex and was a body suit you had to put your feet in first. I didn't know how well she was going to like it, so I was a tad nervous. I kid you not, she loved it. I love her SO MUCH. Every day I love her more and more. Having her for years since she was a baby, loving the heck out of her daily, just really does something to my heart. I literately think she is like a child. Sue me.

 Here is my Allie-girl.

Last but not least I was some crazy rocker girl. This tutu weighed like 50 lbs. I was wearing 3 pairs of lashes, 6 inch heels, and poofed the goodness out of my hair. My friends and I went to a part with our Provo friends in Provo. It was the best party yet. It was so much fun, and it was a blast to be with so many friends I love. 

Here are some lovely pics from a Haunted House. Enjoy..:)

I have a million other "Haloween pictures"..but they won't upload, and I have to leave to go volunteer in 4 hours! I volunteer at a Elementary Special Education classroom. How did I ever go to school that early in Elementary? I am terribly excited, for my first day tomorrow. Wish me luck.

HOPE YOU ALL HAD A SPOOKTACULAR HALLOWEEN!

 

 

\\F.A.L.L. F.O.O.D\\

I am obsessed with this season.

Fall always has the prettiest weather.

The Most delicious Food.

The cutest clothes.

Halloween festivity.

Thanksgiving is around the corner.

Christmas is around the next. 

Leaves are colorful.

It just seems that FALL has it all.

Today's post is on the...

 "Fall Food." 

 Once upon a time, I had a spur of the moment trip planned to California during Fall Break. My best friend and I planned it 4 days before leaving.. Plans fell through 2 days before fall break. I was so bummed! I was so excited for a little get-away vacation. During Fall Break I learned hundreds of reasons why I wasn't mean to be in California at that time. God is SO great:)
Anyway..during those 2 days, I was on a crash eating healthy spree. Starbucks "spinach and egg white wrap" with a glass of water was my "healthy" meal..and boy was it surprisingly delicious.
When I realized I was not going on vacation, I threw the "Healthy thoughts" out of the window.. and enjoyed my "Fall-Food" Before the season is over, and the fun fall foods become less "Fall-y"

 

I am a huge fan of CARAMEL POPCORN. I went to the little Kaysville Theater and found some awhile ago. Since, I hate regular popcorn, I enjoy this little treat so much. Thank you Kaysville Theater, Thank you. 

 
 My friends are the cutest. A couple months ago I texted my friends just saying I was having a bad day. They then texted back.. "Bad Day Bagel Day?" Ever since then,  

"Bad Day Bagel Day"

was invented and we love it.

Bagels are even better in the Fall I tell ya.

Pumpkin anything kills me. It is all fabulous. 

Pumpkin Shakes are back. I may or may not have had a million of these this October. 

Best ever. 

For some reason this picture will not turn:(

Dinner Dates with my bro at Olive Garden are just great. Fall or not. 

Hot Coco.  So Good.

Last but not least this picture makes me still laugh. I was leaving work and found the note, Diet Coke and cake pops on my car. 1.) The note cracks me up. 2.) I love how my friends know me so well. 3.) I still have no idea who this "Secret Admirer" is..but I receive Cake Pops and Diet Coke on the regular from him..and I sadly am way to scared to ever take a sip or eat a cake pop:(

Thank you Fall for providing the most delicious foods in the world & allowing me to gaining weight...:)

But really. Thanks.

Faith is like a little seed. If planted, it will grow.

I have always flat out SUCKED at making decisions.

I can barely decide what I want to eat at dinner, yet alone what shoes to wear. 

So when I contemplated about changing my major, I was majorly stressed and full of anxiety.

Ever since I can remember I ALWAYS wanted to teach. I love helping people, but especially children. Especially, 6-9 year olds. That age melts my heart. So much. Hint why being a 2nd grade teacher has always been my dream job...:)

5 months ago I began to get crazy thoughts in my head about teaching. Doubting it almost. I ignored them for a couple months, because I just could not picture myself not being a teacher. I felt so invested into this major. I have taken TONS of education/child development classes. As crazy as it was, I pictured it all. I pictured my classroom. I pictured all the 2nd graders, I pictured the parent conferences, and everything in between. 

Months after ignoring these doubts I decided to finally started to acknowledge them. After months of praying, blessings, and time...I soooommmeeewhaaat have come to peace with these doubts. Starting next semester I will be taking my new major classes. 

I am doing my student teaching(The closest an Elementary major will get to becoming a "real" teacher, without landing a job) this semester. Every single little thing I do, the thought hits me to remember it. Inside, I know this could be my last lesson teaching, it could be my last time making a bullitan board, it could be my last time preparing lessons, and it could be my last time having the whole class tell me how much they love me daily. So every little teaching "thing" I take pictures of and truth be told, my heart breaks a little. 

---

All of this is teaching me to put all my faith in God. I love teaching children. I never openly admit that I am good at anything. However, I know my talent is teaching children.  I love the education teachers and professors at Weber. I think the program is outstanding. That is why I picked Weber. Not only the teachers and professors but the other students majoring in Elementary Education are seriously the best. I have made COUNTLESS friends throughout all my education classes. I will miss that without a doubt as well...I am also scared to death to start over, and take more classes. However, without a doubt I KNOW I am not suposde to be persuing this major right now for whatever reason.  I literately don't know how I am gong to be taking communication classes in the Spring, instead of learning more about children. I have no idea how I am going to be typing papers, instead of writing lessons plans. But what I do know is that at the end everything will work out how it should. I can not wait for the day I can look back and think "That is why". Until then my testimony of faith is growing daily.

--- 

So here is what I have been up to lately:

First off, Pinterest is the best place for teachers. There are so many cute and creative people out there. this week I was teaching about community jobs. After looking at Pinterest I found adorable "Firetruck Card Board Boxes" Well Boxes were $2.25 a box...and I didn't want to pay that times 12. So I found trifolds at the $1 STORE, and went to work..:)

Soo these are the only pics I have of painting, but I hated painting. It took such a long time. And it was literately like 2 am when I started.

 

 Okay! So here is the final projects..They don't look as good as when they are all set up right..But you get the idea:) My class were seriously the cutest driving around in them. I hate not being able to post pictures of them..but just imagine 12 adorable kids running around. My poor family literately live in just a chaotic craft house due to all my projects...Sorry family!

Okay, so I called up some local firefighters in Ogden to be our "Guest Visitors" The kids LOVED it. The firefighters were so stinken AMAZING with them. So we are making a "Thank you book". I took a picture with each child wearing this hat. The hat covered there whole face and they looked ADORABLE.

We also had "Medical Monday" I cut out these little "pretend children" and we put band-aids on them. The cut-outs were supposed to look like the children. Hahaha. I literally laughed as I made each child. When I gave the little cut out to each child and looked at the resemblance it was hilarious for some reason.

Here is my first "official" bullitan board. I went to go put it up at 9 at night and stayed longer then the janitors.  So cheers to that.