Imperfect but Perfectly Blessed

I have to admit that I am one of those girls who looks at the lives of others and think that mine stinks in comparison. Most of the time I only see the good things in their lives and only the bad in mine. So, I get really jealous and feel completely inferior to those that I am comparing my life to. I know that most other people are like this but it seems as though I am the main one comparing myself to others. I feel as though I am a complete loser compared to most and that I'm not good enough and nothing good ever happens to me. Because of this, I am far from being perfect. These past few weeks, most of my imperfect thoghts have changed.
Over the past couple of weeks I have been slowly counting my many blessings. I don't consciously think about it but every once in awhile I just think "wow, I'm pretty lucky". First, I have the most amazing husband. I know that I do a lot of work around the house and I do get annoyed with him playing his computer games but I do remember that he'll do anything for me. The other day, after breakfast he just cleaned up the dishes without me asking. Stupid, I know, but that was one less thing that I had to do. He also allows me to continue my coupon and grocery shopping addiction and when I call him about spending a lot of money on food that we will eat, he calms me down. Yes, I feel bad about spending money sometimes because I don't' work at the moment and he is making all the money (I know, I'll have to get used to it).
I have an amazing house that is plenty big for the two of us and our future kids. Josh wants to move again but it all depends on how our life ends up. For now, it is perfect. I hate to clean it, but I would much rather clean something that I own rather than rent. We are still trying to make it our own house but that will take a few years as we become more financially stable.
Right now I am able to have the best experience of my life as I student teach. I have been placed with an amazing teacher who is has me do what I am comfortable doing. He teaches honors because that material is harder. If I wanted to he would allow me to teach them. I'm about six weeks away from graduating with my bachelors degree, which brings on a lot of excitement in my life. I don't' have a job yet but I am sure that something will come along because I am incredibly blessed by my Heavenly Father.
I know that most people have already heard, but my mom doesn't have cancer. I do consider that a huge blessing in my life because I love her too much. I don't know if I could watch her go through that hardship again, especially if all of her girls are out of the house. Honestly, I don't know what I would ever do without my mom (as well as my dad) in my life.
I know that I sometimes complain about this last one but I thought that I would mention it anyway. I am the primary pianist in my ward. It is difficult because I don't know a lot of people in my ward. I'm "trapped" in the Primary room each week playing the piano as well as the same songs over again. However, I am slowly starting to love my calling because of the testimony that the kids share each week (mostly as they sing). Sometimes I cannot help but cry as they (and myself) sing through the songs that we are learning for the program in October. The spirit is really strong in the room and I love it. I used to wish that I could be a Sunday School teacher or a Young Women leader. I would have been okay with being a Primary teacher because then I could teach a lesson and still go to sharing time. Now have realized that I have the best calling ever because of the spirit I have felt each week in the primary room. If anyone doesn't know what I'm talking about, I suggest that you go take a visit there for one week. You'll see what I mean.
I know that this post is long, but I thought that I would share with you some of my blessings that I have come to realize over the past week. I am reminded of a Primary song titled "My Heavenly Father Loves me". I know that is true, especially with the amount of blessings that he gives me everyday of my life here upon this Earth.

Confession of a Student Teacher: Part 11

I probably shouldn't be mentioning this because it will make me sound like a nerd but I am going to say it anyway. After a week off of school, I was ready to go back. I missed my students, it is always fun to talk to them and I was sick of being at home. Don't get me wrong, I loved my break and I really enjoyed it but it was ready to get back to a routine. If I would have known that this week was going to be really boring, I wouldn't have been excited to go back to school. Here is a breakdown of my week.

Monday: I actually took Monday off. I had a screening interview with Chandler School District. Just so you know, my interview (I felt) went really well. I think that it may be possible to get a job but we will have to see. There were a lot of people interviewing for teaching jobs. Hopefully I'll find something out over the next few months.

Tuesday: AIMS Review.

Wednesday: AIMS Review.

Thursday: AIMS Review.

Friday: AIMS Review quiz.

Yeah, my week was awesome. I taught about half of each class and it still was slow. Maybe because it was the same thing everyday and it was a review. Learning something new it a lot more fun because the students are not bored and dull. They actually have to pay attention. As you guessed it, AIMS testing is next week. I can't wait! I am just kidding. It is going to be a lot worse than this week. I was told to bring a book and a lot of things to do because while the students are testing, I can't help them or really do anything, so I'll get a lot of reading done which is awesome. Trust me, next week's post won't be as exciting as this one (which really isn't).

Coming Soon to a Blog Near You

Our room has been painted. I've been working on it all spring break. I have a few more things to finish and then I will post some pictures. It may be a few days, I'm trying to figure out how to put up some shelves. It looks great! It feels like my room and it feels like an adults room too. It is awesome!

Zoo Trip

I am actually really excited because I am able to post something that I did with my family, or my sisters. Since it is spring break Wendi wanted to take her kids to the zoo. She asked me if I wanted to come along. Since I got in for free, I couldn't pass it up. The day was completely insane because Wendi's best friend Tabitha and her kids came as well. There were three adults and eleven children. Yes, we were overpowered. All the kids were under ten. I have a huge headache, I guess that I'm not used to the sun. We did have a lot of fun although Bryant would have a fit every 30 minutes. It seemed like a lot more, but it probably wasn't. It was definitely an adventure. Next time I go I want to ride the train depending on the amount of money I have and who I am with. Oh! Look at the cute giraffes off to the side! They are my favorite and Sara had a personal request to see them. Anyway, enjoy the very few pictures that we took.

Here I am with Kaelynn. I love that baby and she falls asleep a lot when I hold her. I tend to have those magical powers. Notice her cute pink hat. It was so she had some shade since she didn't like the stroller unless she was sleeping.

Here is Sara eating some Doritos. About halfway through we took her out of the stroller to eat and then walk around. She didn't want to get back in.

Here is Bryant holding his lion webkin and his new rock friend. He found this rock at the beginning of our journey through the zoo and would not leave it. I think that we "accidentally" left it at the zoo near the monkeys.

Here I am holding up Alyssa so she could see the Baboons. They are her favorite because they have a pink bottom. That is what Wendi told me as we approached the cage. Who knows if it is true or not.

Blankets+ Cactus= Trouble

I admit it it. I have a blankie. Well, it is a blanket that I love a lot. I walked around with it the majority of the winter. It is the best blanket EVER! My cousins Billy and Hannah gave it to me and Josh for our wedding. Josh says that it is my security blanket. I say that it is just a very soft and amazing blanket. One day in January I was wearing my blanket out to go get the mail. What's the point of putting a jacket on when I had my blanket around me already. Anyway, it was really windy outside therefore the ends of my blanket were going everywhere. Well, we have a very evil cactus by the mailbox. Yes, you guessed it, my blanket became attracted to evil cactus. A piece got stuck in the blanket and it took awhile to get it out. I got hit in the process. From then on my blanket was never the same. I washed it but I still felt as though the cactus needles were still in there. Once I found out that I passed my AEPA tests Josh bought me a new blanket. Bye bye old blanket, you were trashed. Sorry Billy and Hannah, it was great while it lasted.

Here I am with my awesome old blanket.

This is Evil Cactus. Do I have to say more? Here is the good ol' retired blanket in the trash can. It will never be the same. Here is my cool new blanket. I don't like it as much as the old one but it will do. By the way, sorry the pictures are so bad. I haven't "cleaned" them up yet.

Confessions of a Student Teacher: Part 10

I can't believe it but ten weeks are up. I think that I say that every time. Today was a half day, so I'm home. I don't know if being home at 1:00 is a good thing or not. I guess that it is only an hour earlier than normal. Filling the time will be interesting. This week went by really slow. I thought that it would never end. Does that always happen before spring break? I don't remember. I guess it is because I am really looking forward to some time off to relax. I have no idea what I am going to do except sleep in a little and relax from teaching. Do you know how hard it is to teach the week before spring break? It is terrible. The students are constantly bouncing off of the wall. It is crazy! At least I got a taste of what teachers go through every week before a large break. Well, every Friday is bad but not as bad as the whole week has been. I taught sequences this week and then the students took a quiz. So, my week was okay, the students were just really hyper and really talkative. That is pretty much all I have to say except that IT IS FINALLY SPRING BREAK!!!

Frustration

I am so increadibly frustrated right now. I got information in the mail today about graduation. Of course, I have to buy my cap and gown. I didn't mind until I saw the price. It will cost me 40 dollars for my cap and gown. I told my mom and she said that she would pay for it (after not working for three months, our money supply is low). So I went ahead and started to order my cap and gown. I want to walk and I deserve to. It actually won't cost me 40 dollars for my cap and gown but with shipping and taxes it will be close to eighty. I am starting a fund. Let me know if you are interested in helping to pay for my big day. I'm only kidding. I have a month to decide what i want to do. Let's hope that I figure something out.

Two Months

I just thought that I would let everyone know that I am starting a countdown. As I started to concentrate on the date, I realized that I only have two months left. I'm sure that you are asking "two months until what?". Until graduation. It is hard for me to believe that in two months I will be dressing in my cap and gown and graduating with my bachelors. I know that I shouldn't be prideful but I am really proud of myself. I have worked really hard for this day and it is coming in two short months. During spring break (next week) I am going to start working on my announcements. Give me a shout out if you want one. I don't expect anyone to really come since it is in Flagstaff but if you want one, let me know soon and I will make one for you. AHHH! I cannot wait. My dreams of becoming a teacher are starting to come true. I have been waiting a VERY long time for this day.

On a short note, I am working up a post that doesn't have to do with student teaching or school for me. Keep looking out for that post.

Confessions of a Student Teacher: Part 9

After this week, nine parts down and 10 more to go. Thanks everyone for hanging in there. I've been having a lot of fun with my students. I've said this before and I will probably say this a lot over the next ten weeks but I could never have found a more perfect fit for me. My teacher is amazing and is very accommodating to what i am comfortable with. I love my students and the age group that I am with. The subject is of course awesome. I personally don't think that any subject could be better than math. I don't want my student teaching to end but I am ready for my own classroom. I want to be able to do some things the way that I would want to and I won't have to "share" students with someone. Although I am constantly bust since I teach all the time I still love what I do. I'm not going to give a breakdown of my week because not much has really happened. I'm trying to fit in a lot of information in before spring break comes because once we come back from spring break we have AIMS a week later.

I did have my supervisor come in today and she said that I did a great job. She mentioned that my classroom management is getting better (yea!) and that she really likes watching me teach. Every time she comes in the class seems to do awesome. It is as though they know that I am getting reviewed so they are awesome for me as I teach. I only have two more visits from my supervisor which is really weird to think about. Oh! One last thing before I go. I'm starting to interview for teaching jobs! Wish me luck!