I figure it fitting to add to my blog today a little tiny bit about why my mom is the best out there. Here are 10 reasons why I love my mom.
1) She laughs at everything. And her laugh is loud. And funny. Which I love.
2) She has ALWAYS supported me. No matter my decisions. Gymnastics, other sports, events, callings, missions, boys, moving to the other side of the country, etc.
3) She gets me. She gives the best advice cause she knows me.
4) I can tell her anything. Which some people think is weird. But I like to keep her updated on my life.
5) She serves all the time. She taught by example how to visit teach, she's taught seminary, worked in young women's, baked and cooked for ward members/neighbors, served and helped with my gymnastics (in addition to helping with my brother's sports/extracurriculars too!)
6) She's fun! Oh the stories. Many a girl can tell stories of pranks of hers from girl's camps.
7) She's a go getter. She sets goals. She makes lists. Something I like to hope I have learned from her.
8) She pushes me to be better. My mom wants the absolute best for me and she's always got advice as to what I can do to be better. I still remember the week long road trip with her before my mission where we talked about my life goals and she helped me to understand a lot about life.
9) She put our family as number one. Dinners worked around our schedules so we could all have dinner together, family prayer/scripture study alarms so we would all break what we were doing to come together, playing games together, family vacations together, etc. I loved that our home was a place that our family wanted to hang out together. And we all felt comfortable bringing friends over all the time. My mom made our home a home.
10) She loves me unconditionally. Even through my life when I have made mistakes. Or when I live across the country. I still know she loves me.
Happy Mother's Day.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Stickers.
Little kids love stickers. And stamps. And as part of our ending ritual for classes at gymnastics, we give stamps. one on each foot and one on each hand. The kids LOVE them. Even more beloved than the stamps, are the stickers. And those are for special occasions, when the kids are good listeners, or when it's a special theme week or something of the like.
So my work schedule is changing a bit, and I'm now going to be coaching more of a variety of classes, rather than all preschool all day every day. But along with that, I am losing some of my preschool classes, including my all-time favorite Thursday 4:30 Tumble Tots class. Ever since my first week here, this class has been my favorite (I know I know, you're not supposed to have favorites, but I do and I'm not going to pretend like I don't).
Anyways, so this class has seven 4-5 year olds who are extremely gifted and they know it. I get to push them every week and it's a blast and a half. And as I said before, my schedule is changing so today was my last class with them :(
Now for the cute story of the day: I told them at the end of the class as I was handing out stickers for their being so awesome that I wasn't going to be their coach anymore. I got huge hugs from them. And I might have started to tear up cause it was just so dang cute! And then one of the girls, takes her coveted sticker from off her shirt and she sticks it on mine and goes thanks coach annie! this is for you for being the best coach!
Kids are grand. My job is the best. Love it. Love life :)
So my work schedule is changing a bit, and I'm now going to be coaching more of a variety of classes, rather than all preschool all day every day. But along with that, I am losing some of my preschool classes, including my all-time favorite Thursday 4:30 Tumble Tots class. Ever since my first week here, this class has been my favorite (I know I know, you're not supposed to have favorites, but I do and I'm not going to pretend like I don't).
Anyways, so this class has seven 4-5 year olds who are extremely gifted and they know it. I get to push them every week and it's a blast and a half. And as I said before, my schedule is changing so today was my last class with them :(
Now for the cute story of the day: I told them at the end of the class as I was handing out stickers for their being so awesome that I wasn't going to be their coach anymore. I got huge hugs from them. And I might have started to tear up cause it was just so dang cute! And then one of the girls, takes her coveted sticker from off her shirt and she sticks it on mine and goes thanks coach annie! this is for you for being the best coach!
Kids are grand. My job is the best. Love it. Love life :)
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Let's give them something to talk about....
I tell yah. People spend too much time gossiping. I mean, I'll admit, I do my own fair share of matchmaking gossip, who is dating who, who likes who, who I think would look cute together. But when it comes to, did you hear what stupid thing they did, or about how so and so are fighting. My work seems to breed gossip sometimes. And it's just stupid things. Like, who cares if so and so coaches this way? It works for them. Kids like it. Parents like it. Take a chill pill.
People get too stressed about little things. And rumors and gossip spreads, and it all get's blown outta proportion. Take a deep breath. Think about the things that matter. And go on with life! People make good decisions. And bad decisions. I think I figured out why it bugs me so much at work, and why this gossip bugs me more than who likes who or whatever. I think gossip turns bad, when you're talking and judging those decisions, when those decisions have NOTHING to do with you! It doesn't affect your classes, or your students, or your parents, or the company as a whole. Then, why do you feel the need to groan and complain about it?
That's my two cent rant for the day. Life is wonderful. Why complain about it?
People get too stressed about little things. And rumors and gossip spreads, and it all get's blown outta proportion. Take a deep breath. Think about the things that matter. And go on with life! People make good decisions. And bad decisions. I think I figured out why it bugs me so much at work, and why this gossip bugs me more than who likes who or whatever. I think gossip turns bad, when you're talking and judging those decisions, when those decisions have NOTHING to do with you! It doesn't affect your classes, or your students, or your parents, or the company as a whole. Then, why do you feel the need to groan and complain about it?
That's my two cent rant for the day. Life is wonderful. Why complain about it?
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Sometimes people write the perfect things to express with words what you can't.
Which is just what happened on a girl from my mission's blog. She's a hoot and a half, and i find her sentiments fit mine quiet similarly.
Also, bright notes for the day:
1) I don't have poison oak.
2) I have three different opportunities for growth in my job which include increased pay/hours, which I will have to decide about in the next two months. I'll keep you posted.
3) Dear Sister Clark from my mission sent me the sweetest text that made my day.
4) Reason #623 why I love my job: I have a split shift so I actually get to enjoy the california sunshine during the sunshiny part of the day :)
Which is just what happened on a girl from my mission's blog. She's a hoot and a half, and i find her sentiments fit mine quiet similarly.
Also, bright notes for the day:
1) I don't have poison oak.
2) I have three different opportunities for growth in my job which include increased pay/hours, which I will have to decide about in the next two months. I'll keep you posted.
3) Dear Sister Clark from my mission sent me the sweetest text that made my day.
4) Reason #623 why I love my job: I have a split shift so I actually get to enjoy the california sunshine during the sunshiny part of the day :)
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Sometimes.
Sometimes, in class, I gather my kids together for the ending time and stamps, and cute little kids cry cause they know that stamps mean that it's the end of class.
Sometimes, my roommates do the dishes when I'm real real tired.
Sometimes, I get pottermore and love love love it.
Sometimes, guys call me beautiful and it makes me feel real good.
Sometimes, dating stresses me out.
Sometimes, I miss home (MA and ID) real bad.
Sometimes, my boss buys me hot chocolate cause she knows I don't drink coffee.
Sometimes, I avoid the phone.
Sometimes, I feel like this:
Sometimes, my roommates do the dishes when I'm real real tired.
Sometimes, I get pottermore and love love love it.
Sometimes, guys call me beautiful and it makes me feel real good.
Sometimes, dating stresses me out.
Sometimes, I miss home (MA and ID) real bad.
Sometimes, my boss buys me hot chocolate cause she knows I don't drink coffee.
Sometimes, I avoid the phone.
Sometimes, I feel like this:
And all the time, I remind myself that life is wonderful. It's grand. And I couldn't ask for a better one :)
Monday, April 9, 2012
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Work
I love conference. I love my family. I love my roommates, new though they might be. And then I absolutely love love love my job. I was listening to conference and I think it was one of the talks yesterday that talked about how sometimes if you're not yet married you get the opportunity to have different kind of families and other kids that you get to teach. Which I do. Every day. All day.
Just to kind of explain a bit of my job, I'll go through my saturday and kinda let you know what I teach and what goes down. So I get to work about 9am, and set up circuits for my kids to go on. These circuits have different mats and equipment that they kids will work different skills on, with arrows guiding them from one station to the next. Part of my job, is to create these circuits, and change them every two weeks to go along with our theme, which this week for my tumble and tiny tot classes is The Polar Caps.
So come 9am on a saturday, I set up the circuits that we've been using all week and make sure the gym is ready for the madness that is saturday morning. Our gym is fairly small, and on saturdays, we have about 5 classes of about 7 or so kids each with new kids every hour. So about 35 kids going around these circuits one hour, and then 35 more kids the next hour. But. That's not counting my classes the first two hours. Which are parent-tot classes. Which means, I have closer to 12 kids under the age of 3, with their parent/nanny, all in the tiny space that is my gym, while the other coaches have their classes going on at the same time.
One day, you should come see the madness. But it's organized madness. It flows, the kids learn, have fun, and in my case, the parents learn too. I'll go through the circuits with them, teach them how to help their child do the skills, and teach them why we do certain skills and what they lead up to. And all the while, i sing songs. :) Say say oh playmates, come out and play with me....it's a hoot and a half and i love it.
Sometimes I wonder what parents think cause I am ridiculous, but it's fun, and the kids keep their attention better that way and learn better when I am being crazy...so crazy I am. I sing songs, talk to the kids upside down, pretend to be penguins, polar bears, snowflakes, snowballs, snowmen, reindeer, snow leopards and whatever else my crazy kids come up with. Snow bunnies. and that's just this last week.
So on saturdays, I have two parent tot classes, and then one tumble tot class, which is the 4-5 year olds. And yesterday was particularly rewarding cause I have finally got to that point where the kids aren't testing my boundaries. At least not in that class. My tuesday 3:30 class...that's another story. But it's real rewarding to reach that point where you don't have to teach listening and paying attention...instead you can teach gymnastics.
Most of my mornings are pretty much the same, I have a parent tot class and then sometimes one other class and then something my gym does called open explore hour. It's an hour from 11-12 on mondays through fridays when you can come with your child (under age 6) and play for an hour for $5. Free play and it's real fun. :)
I realize this probably wasn't a super helpful explanation cause I kinda jumped all over the place. Maybe I'll explain a circuit next time. But come and visit. If you have a kid bring them to free play. And now friends, as I would ask my preschoolers, what is the last song that we sing of the day?? The goodbye song!! Bye bye coach Annie bye bye coach Annie....fare thee well and goodnight friends :)
Just to kind of explain a bit of my job, I'll go through my saturday and kinda let you know what I teach and what goes down. So I get to work about 9am, and set up circuits for my kids to go on. These circuits have different mats and equipment that they kids will work different skills on, with arrows guiding them from one station to the next. Part of my job, is to create these circuits, and change them every two weeks to go along with our theme, which this week for my tumble and tiny tot classes is The Polar Caps.
So come 9am on a saturday, I set up the circuits that we've been using all week and make sure the gym is ready for the madness that is saturday morning. Our gym is fairly small, and on saturdays, we have about 5 classes of about 7 or so kids each with new kids every hour. So about 35 kids going around these circuits one hour, and then 35 more kids the next hour. But. That's not counting my classes the first two hours. Which are parent-tot classes. Which means, I have closer to 12 kids under the age of 3, with their parent/nanny, all in the tiny space that is my gym, while the other coaches have their classes going on at the same time.
One day, you should come see the madness. But it's organized madness. It flows, the kids learn, have fun, and in my case, the parents learn too. I'll go through the circuits with them, teach them how to help their child do the skills, and teach them why we do certain skills and what they lead up to. And all the while, i sing songs. :) Say say oh playmates, come out and play with me....it's a hoot and a half and i love it.
Sometimes I wonder what parents think cause I am ridiculous, but it's fun, and the kids keep their attention better that way and learn better when I am being crazy...so crazy I am. I sing songs, talk to the kids upside down, pretend to be penguins, polar bears, snowflakes, snowballs, snowmen, reindeer, snow leopards and whatever else my crazy kids come up with. Snow bunnies. and that's just this last week.
So on saturdays, I have two parent tot classes, and then one tumble tot class, which is the 4-5 year olds. And yesterday was particularly rewarding cause I have finally got to that point where the kids aren't testing my boundaries. At least not in that class. My tuesday 3:30 class...that's another story. But it's real rewarding to reach that point where you don't have to teach listening and paying attention...instead you can teach gymnastics.
Most of my mornings are pretty much the same, I have a parent tot class and then sometimes one other class and then something my gym does called open explore hour. It's an hour from 11-12 on mondays through fridays when you can come with your child (under age 6) and play for an hour for $5. Free play and it's real fun. :)
I realize this probably wasn't a super helpful explanation cause I kinda jumped all over the place. Maybe I'll explain a circuit next time. But come and visit. If you have a kid bring them to free play. And now friends, as I would ask my preschoolers, what is the last song that we sing of the day?? The goodbye song!! Bye bye coach Annie bye bye coach Annie....fare thee well and goodnight friends :)
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Anxiously Engaged
Let me just say, when you get busy, and involved with the right things, life is just better. Much busier, and at times a bit stressful, but it's grand. :)
My day today was awesome! I'm exhausted, but it's the good exhausted feeling. I taught seminary this morning to 18 freshman at 6am. Grand. But really. I loved it. Isaiah 29 and the restoration. The church is true my friends! And i get to teach tomorrow, and all next week too! Is it sad that I'm excited? Maybe.
And then I got to go to work and coach some of my favorite classes to teach. So coach from 9-12:15, then baby-sit for 2 girls that go to the gym i work at from 12:30-3, then coach from 3:30-7:30. Then work-out for a bit and fool around at the gym with my co-workers. And back to home to eat some grub and prepare my lesson for tomorrow.
Add to that some of my best friends from idaho are planning to come to CA, which is always exciting and fun, plus general conference is this weekend, plus our new roomie moves in on saturday, plus two of my favorite souls in the world, Courtney Bradshaw and Ashley Snyder went into the MTC today and I couldn't be more excited for them and to hear all about how they are all doing!
Life is grand. Grander when you're busy with the right things. Keep your priorities straight, and be efficient and life gets grander. Just saying. :)
My day today was awesome! I'm exhausted, but it's the good exhausted feeling. I taught seminary this morning to 18 freshman at 6am. Grand. But really. I loved it. Isaiah 29 and the restoration. The church is true my friends! And i get to teach tomorrow, and all next week too! Is it sad that I'm excited? Maybe.
And then I got to go to work and coach some of my favorite classes to teach. So coach from 9-12:15, then baby-sit for 2 girls that go to the gym i work at from 12:30-3, then coach from 3:30-7:30. Then work-out for a bit and fool around at the gym with my co-workers. And back to home to eat some grub and prepare my lesson for tomorrow.
Add to that some of my best friends from idaho are planning to come to CA, which is always exciting and fun, plus general conference is this weekend, plus our new roomie moves in on saturday, plus two of my favorite souls in the world, Courtney Bradshaw and Ashley Snyder went into the MTC today and I couldn't be more excited for them and to hear all about how they are all doing!
Life is grand. Grander when you're busy with the right things. Keep your priorities straight, and be efficient and life gets grander. Just saying. :)
Friday, March 23, 2012
Today marks 2 years home from the mission. To celebrate, I am watching the Hunger Games. Twice. In one day. Great plan? Eh. Not so much. But in reflection, I have accomplished quiet a bit in the past 2 years. Here is a list of a few things:
1) Graduated from BYU-Idaho.
2) Became a certified Social Studies Teacher for grades 6-12.
3) Got my own apartment!
4) Made three seperate trips back to my mission :)
5) Sent multiple best friends on/through missions and weddings.
6) Served as RS Pres, Gospel Doctrine teacher, RS 2nd counselor, and Assistant ward mission leader.
7) Coached some incredibly talented girls in Idaho who I miss a ton.
8) Moved to San Jose.
9) Bought a bed.
10) Got a big girl full-time job.
11) Went to 12 different temples.
12) Read all 7 Harry Potter books again.
13) Learned to cook decently (thank you pinterest for some great recipes)
14) Went on countless adventures with amazing souls.
And much much more. Life is awesome. Life is grand. And may the odds be ever in your favor :)
1) Graduated from BYU-Idaho.
2) Became a certified Social Studies Teacher for grades 6-12.
3) Got my own apartment!
4) Made three seperate trips back to my mission :)
5) Sent multiple best friends on/through missions and weddings.
6) Served as RS Pres, Gospel Doctrine teacher, RS 2nd counselor, and Assistant ward mission leader.
7) Coached some incredibly talented girls in Idaho who I miss a ton.
8) Moved to San Jose.
9) Bought a bed.
10) Got a big girl full-time job.
11) Went to 12 different temples.
12) Read all 7 Harry Potter books again.
13) Learned to cook decently (thank you pinterest for some great recipes)
14) Went on countless adventures with amazing souls.
And much much more. Life is awesome. Life is grand. And may the odds be ever in your favor :)
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Missions
So I am extremely blessed. I live about 5 hours driving distance away from my mission, and this last weekend I was able to stop by while I went down to dear Courtney Bradshaw's mission farewell. I also got to go to the LA temple visitor's center, which I am counting for now as going to that temple. So that makes 4 out of 7 CA temples visited this year so far.
I love love love love love my mission. And loved it. I love the people there. I love the families that I worked with and taught. I loved being able to see some of them at the ward that I was able to stop by on Sunday. I love seeing how they've grown in the gospel. And how I've grown since being a missionary there.
I love my friends. I have the greatest friends who always have the right thing to say at the right time, including extremely timely texts saying that they miss me. I love how in tune with the spirit they are. I love their examples to me. They are marvelous souls and I miss them.
I also love my new friends that I am making. Tis a process, but people are real nice, and I'm constantly trying to get outside my bubble to make new friends :)
And my family is the best ever ever ever. They have supported me 300 percent in my move out here and I could never thank them enough.
So while I might miss the mission, and some days like today I might want to just put in my papers again and leave again...I remember that that is not my plan in life right now. I chatted with my awesome new Bishop today and was reminded of the need for patience....something I am constantly working on. Heavenly Father knows me. And you. And He wants us to be happy. So here is my favorite video of the moment. Brought to you courtesy of my dear friend/home teacher for life, Austen Weeks.
I love love love love love my mission. And loved it. I love the people there. I love the families that I worked with and taught. I loved being able to see some of them at the ward that I was able to stop by on Sunday. I love seeing how they've grown in the gospel. And how I've grown since being a missionary there.
I love my friends. I have the greatest friends who always have the right thing to say at the right time, including extremely timely texts saying that they miss me. I love how in tune with the spirit they are. I love their examples to me. They are marvelous souls and I miss them.
I also love my new friends that I am making. Tis a process, but people are real nice, and I'm constantly trying to get outside my bubble to make new friends :)
And my family is the best ever ever ever. They have supported me 300 percent in my move out here and I could never thank them enough.
So while I might miss the mission, and some days like today I might want to just put in my papers again and leave again...I remember that that is not my plan in life right now. I chatted with my awesome new Bishop today and was reminded of the need for patience....something I am constantly working on. Heavenly Father knows me. And you. And He wants us to be happy. So here is my favorite video of the moment. Brought to you courtesy of my dear friend/home teacher for life, Austen Weeks.
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