and I say, God bless it

I was still lying in bed when my dad called this morning.  While I was talking to him, I got up and walked around my room.  I couldn't help but look out the window, and to my happiness I found SNOW!  It's late this year in Rexburg, but it has finally arrived, and with it, some real Christmas cheer.  Now it feels like Christmas time.  I think it's a way of helping me through this hard week.  

But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round-- apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that-- as good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time: the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.  And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!  -From Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol

Merry Christmas, everyone.

I held so many people in my suitcase heart

 Finals week has already taken on an entire new meaning this semester; it is a little more final than 

usual.  Final devotional.  Final days at the RC.  Final relief society lesson.  Final day in third grade.  Final weeks with laurakayciamyandeveryoneelseintheworld.  

It is such a contradiction: hurry quick! do this and this and this and this.  fast!  before it is all over!  but slow down!  slow. slow. slow.  don't end yet.

I'll miss these people, this place, this life. this part of life. 

 I don't know if it's the right 

time to be nostalgic, but I am anyway.  

Isn't it funny how there are always so many "lasts" before there are innumerable "firsts"?

 I'm student teaching!  In January.  In sixth grade.  I'm going to Africa!  In 

May.  First time.  I'm living at home!  With Bay.  First time (in a while).  Lots of new things.  new ward, new school, new people.  

It is really thrilling! 

But still, I'm just blue right now. 

thanks to you

Happy Thanksgiving to all!  

I know that I've said this before, but I feel lucky to have such wonderful people in my life--you are my greatest blessings.  

We are off to Arizona today!  It has been excellent to be home for a few days, but I am excited for this little vacation.  I hope everyone has a fantastic holiday full of turkey, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, family, naps, pie, and shopping.  

we'll put on the day and we'll wear it till the night comes

This week in life: 

Finished my 13 Colonies unit.  Gave a post-assessment today.  My students learned!  I'm not sure why I am surprised, because that was the whole point of teaching and becoming a teacher and the basis of my philosophy of education-- right?  But it was rewarding to see them be enthused and do well on the summative assessment.  I'm a teacher (almost)!  

I get to go home not tomorrow but the next day.  I'm thrilled to see my niece, watch Bay swim, solve the world's problems over dinner with Bryttin, hang out and discuss life with my parents, and not do homework for a few days.  And then we are going to Arizona for the holiday, so I'll get to see Bret and Erica, bake pie, party with the grandparents/aunts/uncles/cousins, and enjoy some desert sunshine.

Homework is taking over my life.  Yes oh yes.  I have many things due very soon.  Plus, I have to quickly teach myself to play the recorder so I can take a performance final on Friday morning.  I need to do lots of reading.  And writing.  I need to post my resume.  I need to start/finish writing my Teacher Work Sample.  I need to get ahead (if that is even possible?!).  

I'll be graduating soon.  Need to make the announcements and send them.  

Tomorrow is my Grandpa's birthday!  He is the greatest. grandpa. ever.  

Wish I had more time to play the guitar.  By the way, come to my holiday benefit concert!  See here for details.  

Lots of things and people to be thankful for.  Need to seriously write some thank you notes.  

Today, I am grateful for: apple juice, third graders, cars, my computer, my parents, prayer, blankets, sunshine, socks, phone calls.  

I'm bushed.

Just took my second praxis test: "Principles of Learning and Teaching."  

Now I feel like this: 

hey check it out hey hey

I have an additional blog. (It's about AFRICA).  

a twist on November's Love List

In light of the Thanksgiving season, it's a gratitude list:

I'm thankful for

• school: college and third grade.  my students, and being a student.
• my family: they are the best.  BRFB (and J).
• my roommates: laura, kayci, and amy.  we have a good feeling in our house all the time.  also, we laugh often.
• broccoli: makes me feel healthy when I eat it.  plus, it's tasty.
• friends: so worthwhile.
• sleep: I know how to burn the candle at both ends, but I love it when I don't have to.
• the gospel: tender mercies, feeling magnified in my calling, learning from others.  seeing Christ in my life.
• warm coats: Rexburg got cold all of a sudden.
• chapstick: I don't think I could live without it.
• Saturdays: getting stuff done.
• music: guitars, singing, listening.
• books: there are many on my "to read" list.
• my cell phone: (weird, I know). but seriously, I am so grateful to have a way to communicate.
• holidays: make people happy. 
• my niece: requires no explanation.
• nice people