Reflection

We have filled our 4 years in Rexburg with more memories than I can even remember at times. 

This is the place that I met the love of my life....

... sang beneath the stadium on Sunday evenings ...

 ... had the best roommates X 5...

... made the worlds greatest lip sync dance videos ...

... lived in the dorms and creaky first apartments ...

... went on dates with the cutest guy around ...

 ... went on many great adventures ...

... made lasting friendships (some of which are our married friends now)...

...  spent almost a full semester showing off my engagement ring...

 ... planned a wedding and moved into our first apartment ...

... enjoyed countless shakes and concerts at Sammy's ...

... kept score at basketball games ...

... learned how to play tennis ...

 ... cheered for flag football teams ...

... went shooting ...

 ... jumped off bridges into the Snake River ...

... enjoyed riding bikes on warm summer days ...

... and walking around town and fun places like the farmers market. We have enjoyed our years here and all the friends we have made. While I am sure we will miss this place, we are so excited for new adventures, friends, and memories.

p.s. Three weeks. 

Happy weekend everyone!

6th Grade

In my senior practicum I have been going to Idaho Falls twice a week to spend all day with a class of 6th graders. It has been a wonderful experience. I was originally placed in Kindergarten but when someone didn't show up to class I got to choose between her spot in 6th grade, or Kindergarten. I really wanted to work with older students although I knew the subject matter would be quite a bit more challenging to teach.

As I expected, it was hard. On the first day as students asked me for help on math problems I realized how much I didn't fully understand. I went home and started reading and creating math lessons. Through practice and help from other students I have been able to become a master of many aspects of mathematics. I can actually teach the sixth graders and ask them how to solve equations and actually know what I am looking for. So basically, I am proficient through a 6th grade math level. I definitely have room to grow.

I have had the opportunity to teach math, music, reading, writing, and P.E. I have been able to teach and interact with 60, 11-12 year olds. These kids are incredible. They teach me things about life, attitudes and subject matter daily. They give me hope for the future.

While Teaching music, I did a unit on music from Zimbabwe. We discussed Zimbabwe's location in Africa, languages, culture, climate and music. I taught them a song called "Mbombera".  It is a song that describes the music of the coal train. I had them create pictures that represented the sounds in the words. We practiced and practiced the song and holding up the pictures at the right time so we could perform it and teach it to a class of 3rd graders. On the backs of the posters were coal train cars so the students could move them to the beat to drive the point home that it is about a train. These were some of my favorite pictures that my 6th graders created.

Next Wednesday will be my last day and I am a bit surprised at how much I will miss these moody pre-teens. They have such fun personalities and love inside jokes and are usually so kind. It has truly been the best experience I could ever have hoped for and will never forget my little Idaho 6th graders or their active, on the ball, tiny, full of energy teacher.

Happy π day everyone!

Healthier

 Last Sunday Zach and I decided we were going to try and eat healthier after our weekend full of delicious treats. We had made brownies the past three or four weekends, I had made cookies and we had indulged in way to much sorbet and ice cream. So Monday rolled around and I headed to the store for produce.

We had had lots of salads and chicken and combinations of the two. Instead of reaching for a brownies I would snack on some mango's and cheese and pretzels.  In the mornings I had an egg or two and actually felt fuller longer than the days I had oatmeal for breakfast. When we did have oatmeal we added dried cranberries, apples and bananas instead of brown sugar.

My favorite discovery during this week was noticing what I did and didn't crave. I still craved chocolate but I am not dying for any bit of sugar I can get (and one square of 66% cocoa hit the spot). In fact I don't feel like I missed out on anything by not eating a few desserts. 

My main goal this week was to cut down on my sugar intake, way down. I also wanted to get more greens into my diet, no red meat and eat less carbs. While we did have rice and potatoes I did my best to stay away from the breads. While I slipped a few times during the week (dang fruit snacks and date night) I must say I did well and I am encouraged to keep up my healthy plan.

By the way my produce shopping trip has lasted me this whole week, and will continue into next week, only cost me 13 dollars. I would have been 10 if not for the mangos. I expected it to cost me almost twice as much. I feel like I can never use the excuse that it is more expensive to eat healthier, because its not. 

Homemade and healthier fried rice:   

1 cup brown rice (best if 1 day old) 

2 tablespoons olive oil 

½ cup cooked peas 

½ cup cooked chopped carrot 

1 cup broccoli floret 

¾ cup sliced mushrooms  

1 egg , beaten 

soy sauce , to taste  

(some diced onion) 

Heat 1 tbsp oil in pan and sauté mushrooms onions until browned clear.

Remove from heat.

Heat remaining oil in pan and add rice.

Add egg and mix until rice is thoroughly coated with egg.

Cook for 5-10 minutes on high, or until egg is lightly browned.

Combine rice mixture and vegetables in large bowl and stir until vegetables are well mixed.

Add soy sauce to taste and serve.

(I tried using half the oil and it worked out perfectly fine. also I added all of my vegetables sooner to help them cook a little and warm up)  

Hope you are all enjoying this wonderful and warm Sunday! 

(p.s. Its 52 degrees)

Sun? Yes Please.

It really has been an amazing winter. Seriously, I never remember it getting cold enough that I even had to put a scarf around my face.  And then today, beginning of March, it was a wonderfully sunny 48 degrees. We of course had to go on an enjoyable walk. we may or may not have picked up some movies and Jamba Juice on the way back. Needless to say my body is ready for some warm sunlight.

10 days until spring

30 days until graduation

31 days until we head to Utah

&

4 months until NY

Happy almost spring everyone!

What People Are Talking About

The movie is 30 min long but if you have a half hour to spare it explains everything, and what you can do about it. 

Watching this video reminded me of a book I read last semester called 'Escape From Slavery'. Francis tells his story about his escape from slavery. It is a page turner and although it brought tears to my eyes I was inspired. The thing that really got me was the time period. It took place during my life time. He is about 10 years older than I am and I could think of what I was doing at the time he was running for his life.

The Twisted Dog Remade

Remember us telling you how much we enjoyed We're Twisted and their twisted dog? Well, as Zach got creative in the kitchen this weekend, he made some pretzels which meant we also had to try making our own twisted dogs. 

Everything was delicious! It tasted almost exactly the same as the We're Twisted version. He even made is own cheese dipping sauce from scratch which I enjoyed way more than the restaurant kind. 
Buttery Soft Pretzel Recipe Here

After all of these hart stopping treats, this week we are trying to be healthier. We are only eating white meats, fruits, vegetables, and rice. No bread or red meat and we are working on no sugar. So far so good. 

What Inspires Me Now.

This is a quote Zach and I plan to live by and raise our children by.  I notice a significant difference when I dress well. I feel more attentive in class and more confident. I end up participating more and walking around with an overall better attitude. When I feel good about myself I am happier. I know that all I can take with me to the next life is knowledge and so I plan on acquiring all I can get formally and informally. You can tell what we care about. Clothes and school. HA!

I love maps. The whole idea of traveling and just knowing I have seen such a small part of the world is inspiring to me. I want to see it all. I know I wont but I want to take advantage of the beauty around me and see all I can. 

Zach and I like to look at what type of dogs we would get if we ever got one. Zach is pretty in love with the english bulldog.  I on the other hand love the vizslas.

Unfortunately for me I don't think we will ever live anyplace that will be good for a hunting dog. Even though we enjoy looking I am pretty sure kids are going to be enough for us. But who really knows right? 

Ombre is so popular right now. People are dying their hair various forms of ombre. Its popular in fashion, food and home decor/design. I am inspired by the varying tones of the same color. I love it.

As has already been pointed out, I am a little obsessed with the nautical themes and stripes. I also love mustard yellow and cream and dresses. So obviously this dress is one of my favorites at the moment. Now if only I owned it. But really, I need to start looking for other patterns because I can count at least 5 striped tops in my closet right now.

Peacocks. Growing up my favorite color combination was lime green and that vibrant teal blue. My favorite color combinations change from time to time but it still sits well with me. It is just beautiful to look at. I also love their feathers. They have been so popular for a while but I don't know if they will ever really be out of style.

This is one project I am anxious to tackle before summer rolls around. I have decided I will never wear flip flops again (unless its for showering or going to the beach). I think they look tacky and I want to be better than the flip flop. 

So I want to turn my leather soled flip slops into strapy sandals.  I love all of these strap styles and want to figure out how to make them look professionally done. If you have any ideas on how to do that, let me know!

As I know we will be living in two new places in the next five months I love this statement and feel its truer than ever. It dosen't matter if we are renters or owners, rich or poor, living in the ideal place or not. Wherever I am with my husband and my future children, that is where home will be.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. 

All inspiration can be found on my Pin Boards.