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.

Those were the days...

   I remember my first year of college. I really cared how I looked and dressed. I would wake up, and curl my hair and get all ready to sit in class. Between class you can bet I stopped in every mirror to see how my hair looked.

     After 5 loooooong hours of student teaching today, I walked in the bathroom to wash my hands, and I noticed a girl applying her makeup and getting all ready in the mirror. I couldn't help but think of what a loser I looked like with hair going everywhere. Stains from paint all on my arms, and my hat that some how was diagonal with a sticker on it. I couldn't even begin to explain, so I smiled and left the bathroom, with a 2 second look of shame at the mirror.

In the summer, I took some lovely summer school classes. And when I say "classes", I mean 20 ish credits (craziest stuff). Anyway, I would go to the pool, tan, work, go running, and go to school in shorts/t-shirt/ and a baseball cap everyday. I looked awful. But some days, I did my hair or even put some mascara on. I told my self that in the fall I would not be like that. I would get ready, and maybe even wear some make up. 

Ohhh Boyyy was I wrong.

I have never looked so ugly going to school.

It is so bad.

And the best part of it all is I embrace it more and more every day.

 (Ignore the clothes on my floor, I need to do laundry pronto. And ignore the pant sticker on the mirror;))

Spring Semester last year, I would have never gone to school with no make up on, but now I can barely blow dry my hair before school. It is THAT bad.

This has been the busiest semester of my life. I can not wait for next semester. Maybe next semester I will actually wear something other then sweats a t-shirt to school..;)

There is no place like home.

Here was my crazy schedule this last week:

Monday/Thursday/Friday: Work:6am-12:30.

                Student Teaching: 1:00-5:00

                Work: 6-10:00 (except Friday I don't work at night--YES!)

                 Run Errands/Social Life/homework:10:30-all night.

Tuesday/Wednesday: Work:6am-6pm 

I seriously am never home anymore, and I miss it.

I am such a baby-I know. But, my family is seriously so AMAZING.

I swear deep down I must be the biggest home body ever.

Especially when the weather is cold. There is nothing that sounds more enticing then sitting on the couch, with the fireplace on, wrapped up in blankets, wearing sweats, and talking with my family.

In 5 weeks my schedule will get a little easier, and I CAN NOT WAIT TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH THESE CRAZIES.

 In honor of the cold weather and snow falling outside, I will be reminiscing about how warm Mexico was.

Closure comes from within.

****

Has it really been 3 months since my last post?

This post will probably be some rambling. Honest rambling.

Watch out:) 

****

C.L.O.S.U.R.E.

(A 7 letter word that took me months to figure out)

The last little while (several months) have been hard. Life has been crazy. I have put on a smile, and just kept pushing foward. However deep down I KNEW I was caught up in the past, as embarrassing as it was to admit..and there was no way, I could push away my pride and ADMIT IT. 

 I couldn't admit it because...

 "shouldn't I be over it?" 

That thought flaunted through my head ALL THE TIME. 

But deep down, as much as I "pretended" I was. I clearly wasn't.

It wasn't that I was depressed, I was just unsure/confused/lost/ and lonely, all mixed into one huge ball and thrown into my 20 year old heart.

It was insane. I did not want the "past" back. I DID know that.

I wanted some form of closure though.I wanted it SO bad. As much as I felt like I tried , I never could get closure. I knew if I got the closure, If I asked the "why questions", if I got the answers..then I would have a "sense of closure", and therefore my past would become unattached and slowly drift away. 

Not getting the closure and not being able to talk about issues that bothered me, and caused bitterness.

...

Summer months flew by, and I began to learn more and more about myself.I like to think of this time as my "Rediscovering period of life". I  learned more about myself more in the months of July through September, than I ever thought possible. Summer was the busiest summer I have ever had. I was constantly on the go. 

Vacation after Vacation. Class every day. I litteratly never relaxed. 

I believe because of my busy summer, I never had a chance to "take a break" and reflect/think/ and honestly just come to accept the craziness that I was going through. I pushed it all to the back of my mind.

On September 1st, I decided A TON of things. You know those days where you just sit down and think,"What the heck is going on with my life" moments? That was September 1st. I made changes, wrote goals,prayed, and came to acceptance with everything. It is unbelievable to me how much power the human brain has on your attitude.

Most of all I realized something really important to me:

Closure is not a two way street in my case. I clearly was not going to get closure the way I (originally) thought I needed wanted. I would get closure, if I came to the agreement within myself that closure is sometimes not getting closure. Closure is choosing to accept things within myself.

On September 1st, that is exactly what I did.

This last month has been unbelievably great.

Why you ask?

I am happy. 

I am content.

I am much more than content.

I am confident.

I have come to accept and actually become thankful for situations I NEVER thought I would.

 

--------------------

So many new things are happening so let me fill you in on just 5 little items.

1.)-I currently go to WSU still but I am deciding about transferring to UVU. (holy cow)

2.)-I am 99.9% sure I am changing my major. (insane-I know)

3.)-I work 2 new jobs. 

4.)-I am a student teacher.

5.)-Every single friend except 3 have moved away.I have made so many new friends. (seriously a miracle.)

-------------------

Besides being confused and searching for "Closure" which was needed to be found within, I had a simply AMAZING summer. Some summer recapping will be done in the following blog post.

 

 

Pencil Skirts are not made for parks.

I was talking to my friend Rachel..she is truly the most adventurous person in the world. She is out in some part of Africa studying animals and sea land? Or something like that. Anyway, she is seriously the smartest girl ever. She keeps this amazing blog full of pictures and then writes all about her experience. She has been blogging for years, and is a total beast as it! She told me that she just copies and pastes her blogs into her journal! How cool is that? I seriously, was so shocked I never thought of that. 

Tomorrow is Monday. I think it is hilarious how much we all love our weekends. Every Sunday, I hear numerous times.."Ugh tomorrow is Monday.." Including me! I probably complain about Monday coming for at least half of my Sunday;)

I love Sundays! When I was younger Sunday was always dreaded. Sitting through 3 hours of church just seemed dreadful. Even though, I was pretty close to falling asleep today at church, it wasn't near as dreadful as when I was younger.

Churching it up with Claire is awkward/hilarious/and unforgettable all combined in one! I met this girl my Junior year in high school, and I adore her to death. It amazes me how she is single, yet alone not married. That girl is one heck of a catch! Boys' get' at' her'! So there is this guy I met not to long ago.. He wanted to go on a date but I have been so busy... he was leaving tonight, and Claire and I had a couple hours to kill after church. So I talked to him and we thought we would have a nice little date at the park? We doubled and it was lovely...besides the fact Claire and I booked it right after church to the park. Not mentioning it was burning outside, and we were wearing church clothes..Claire and I probably have doubled only about 5 times together. Seriously, 4 out of the 5 times have been activities at the park. We were troopers though, and pulled our hair up (hideous) and acted like our tight skits weren't as tight and as hot as they looked. 
PS: High waisted Pencil Skirts are NOT meant for parks.

 

Cheers to Picnics in Pencil Skirts Parking it up. 

After this burning up park date, I had a baptism to go to! Nothing like watching an adorable 8 year old boy you nannied for get baptized. I love that kid.

Happy Sunday! :)