2012 in review

January

I started my last semester at BYU taking 9 classes. What was I thinking?

February

Ryan's brother came home from his Mission so we went home to California to celebrate.

Our friends Britany and Dave Jarman  got married.

March

Ryan bought me a snowboard and we had an adventure snowboarding.

We went and saw Hunger games!

April 

We decided to move. We took the leap and moved from our tiny, adorable loft to an apartment in Pleasant Grove, Utah.

May

Spent the month watching hockey and rooting for all our favorite teams.

June


we hiked Squaw Peak. 6 miles of sheer up and sheer down.

My family came to visit Utah and we spend a week hanging out at the cabin, on the lake and around Salt lake.


July 

Family was still here. Had tons of fun!

Started Teaching 2nd grade!!!!

 Ryan and I went on another hike up to the timp caves. So pretty!

We went to the Llama festival. You heard right, the Llama festival. It was hilarious.







August 
We enjoyed the summer weather by going to a drive in movie with a bunch of our friends.

Ryan went to Tanzania and hiked Mount Kilimanjaro with his brother 
Joe and his dad.


We spent our first anniversary in Vegas soaking up the sun and enjoying a relaxing weekend. We went and saw Blue man Group. It was a great anniversary.

       

September 

I spent this month trying to maintain a classroom of 22 kids. 

We had fun adventures with our friends, like hiking to natural slides made of rock! 


October 
We went down to Zion National park and spent two days hiking through the Narrows. 16 miles. It was a great adventure and although I will probably never do it again, it is fun to say that I have at least done it once. =)

Ry and I spent Halloween with our best friends doing our annual dress- up party with appetizers, pizza and a scary movie.

November 

The month of my birth. We celebrated my 22nd birthday and I got my beautiful Canon Rebel. Still need to learn to use it. lol





Ry's family came for the weekend and we celebrated Melissa's birthday.




We went to California for Thanksgiving and spent the weekend enjoying family time. Ryan got his fix of surfing and I got my fix of girl time and shopping. My little brother Cole had his eagle project while we were home too! 

December

I was able to go home again for a short visit right before the holidays. I had a great time just enjoying hanging with my family.

Ryan's month of birth. We spent it going to his favorite restaurant Buffalo Wild wings.

Christmas! We had christmas up at the cabin. it was so much fun to have a white christmas. We went on a sleigh ride, read the christmas story, went sledding and saw les miserables.  Anne Hathaway was a genius.

Christmas tradition of making stockings =) 

 

Overall this year has been a good one. 2013 has a lot to live up to. 

i am a teacher

It is so scary to be a teacher, teaching in a school knowing that psychos with guns might charge into my classroom and begin killing these precious innocent children. I cannot wrap my head around the terror, the confusion and the damage it would cause. What is wrong with the world? 

Not even elementary students are safe.

 Students who are innocent and so young have to fear death. They have to be afraid that someone will just come into their place of learning, a place that we as teacher facilitate as a safe place, and take away everything. 

How does one shoot a child? 

This shooting in connecticut has shaken me. As I look at my students, I cannot imagine why someone would ever even think about taking away their future. 

What gives them the right to play God like that? 

This world is turning into such a scary place. I fear for my students, for my future children. 

How could someone have so much evil in their heart? 

Christmas party.

Last night we went to a christmas party hosted by the Jarman's. It was a night filled with white elephant gifts, appetizers and Murder. It was so fun to get together with friends and celebrate the holiday. We had fun laughing and testing out our lying skills in Murder. 

The boys and their wonderful holiday sweaters 

The turtleneck bandits 

The girls 

xoxo, A 

I didn't plan it.

I didnt plan on falling in love. Yet, falling in love with him was the best experience I have had so far in my life and I do not regret a single thing. It is the kind of love I always dreamed about. He is my dream come true. 

I kind of like...

I kind of like 

1. popcorn. 

2. Fall weather

3. A good book. Any suggestions?? 

4. Being off track

5. The christmas holiday

6. Date nights with my main squeeze

7. sleeping in

8. having all my christmas shopping done... 

so close to being done! 

9. Visiting family in exactly one week! 

10. Vampire diaries. Why cant they just let Damon and Elena be together?

11. This incredible partner in crime 

Butt-kicked.

Today I got my butt kicked. I have been trying to get back in shape and lose some weight. So naturally, I headed over to Gold's gym and Ryan came with me.  A class was about to start and Ryan's boss was taking the class so we decided to join. 

It was a hard class. 

One hour of suicides, jump ropes, lunges and pushups. I felt my breakfast almost come up on more than one occasion. (sorry for that mental picture) 

I am already sore. 

Tomorrow should be fun. 

On another note, Ryan got new glasses. He is one attractive person. and now it is time for date night, mexican food and a movie theater called the sticky shoes. 

I love our random adventures together. 

Love, A 

p.s. Here is an overly embarrassing picture of me and my siblings. While taking pictures, my mom asked us to run toward the camera, hoping to get a cool action shot... instead this is what we decided needed to be captured. It makes me laugh every time I look at it. Needless to say. My mom was not thrilled with the outcome. Enjoy your weekend. 

Teaching

Let me start off by saying that I love teaching but man, it is hard work. It is my first year so every week when lesson planning begins I have to turn on the creative juices to find some way to not only keep 22 seven year olds entertained for 7 hours, but also hope and pray that I actually teach them something. As if that was not challenging enough, add parent teacher conferences this next week and overwhelmed, exhausted and never-ending seem to be the only adjectives to describe school. Im just hoping that on Friday of this week I will be able to say that the impossible has been accomplished. 

In other news, IT WAS MY BIRTHDAY! I am 22. Moving up in the world, gaining wisdom and all that jazz. Ryan does not really have the excitement that I have for birthdays but he understands my love for these special days and has never failed to deliver. Ryan spent the entire day pampering me and showing me the love he has for me that made me fall so hard for him. He even came to my class with cupcakes so my students could sing for me. 

After a crazy day of work and meetings, Ryan took me to dinner with Joe and melissa (Ry's brother and sister) and I got to open my beautiful Canon Rebel that Ryan bought me. I have not taken too many pictures but I am already in love. Overall, between my husband, grandparents, parents and friends it was a great birthday. I look forward to what 22 holds for me. 

good old adulthood

I find myself asking, "When exactly did I actually become an adult?" My adulthood seems to be slapping me across the face on a daily basis. Most days I feel ready to put on my big girl pants and attack the day, but at the same time I kind of want to curl up in my bed and watch endless episodes of the Vampire Diaries. Elena and Damon anyone?

I continually have to remind myself that I am only 21. Life should be exciting and full of unknowns. Yet, it is those unknowns that have me laying awake at night, wondering how my little family is ever going to make it.

 I used to think that I was an adventurous person who loved the thrill. But as I am getting older and making life decisions, I am realizing that the adventure is what scares me most. I want to live life to the fullest and at the same time, I am scared of making the wrong choice and having my adventure turn into regret. Nothing I have done so far has given me any regret. I love my life. I love who I have chosen to spend this adventure with. Life would not be the same without him but my side. But my {our} life is just beginning and there are so many life altering decisions to be made. How do you know when timing is right?

I am 21 years old. Done with college classes. Interning as a full time teacher, in charge of the learning of 21 seven year olds. Still learning to be a good wife. Trying to be a righteous daughter of God. Trying not to lose myself in the chaos of real life. Life is a gift and I am excited for the future. I just wish I had the cheat sheet.

yep...

Teaching can be a roller coaster. It is so fun and I love everything that it has to offer.. and yet, it is stressful. These kids test every ounce of my being. 

Too bad I am a stress eater. So instead of becoming a supermodel, I am become more like a pillsbury doughboy. Not really, but you know what I mean. 

Welcome to the life of a teacher. 

i love when i remember

Sometime life gets crazy and hectic. 

Between being a teacher, a wife, a student and a normal girl i find it hard to remember the simple things; the things that make me the most happy.  

and then i take the time to remember...

Ryan and i are an eternal family . 

i will be with him forever and because of that, our (future) children will be bonded to us for all eternity.

 that fact is why i am here. that love is why i am who i am.

sometimes, i forget what life is all about.

i love when i remember. 

he and she became we

Exactly one year ago, Ry and I shed our "he" and "she" titles and became a "we."

 This past year has been the best year of my life. Through all the changes and craziness that has gone on, it has been such a blessing to have Ry by my side. 

When we got married, I  never thought I could love someone as much as I loved Ryan at that moment when we held hands and became husband and wife. And yet, here we are, one year later and I love him more than I ever thought imaginable. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for our little family. 

I love you, ry. 

awesome giveaway

Hey bloggers, look at this awesome give away! Some seriously cool things!

http://thoserootsandwings.blogspot.de/2012/06/gigantic-500-follower-giveaway-win-big.html

Mother

I have had the opportunity and privilege to be surrounded by incredible women and mothers. From my own grandmothers, my mother-in-law and my own mother, I have learned huge life lessons and what it takes to be a mother. Each one of these women have affected me and helped me to become who I am today.
I would like to think that I understand what it takes to be a mom but I know that there is so much left for me to learn and so many lessons that will come only when I become a mom myself. But throughout my life, there are have been incredible examples of mothers and they have taught me the value of a good mother. 


Saying my mom is the biggest role model in my life seems like an understatement. Words can describe how influential she has been for me in my life.  She has taught me everything I know, helped me to become the person I am today. She is my best friend and the person who has always been there for me. I love her and cannot imagine my life without her. My mom has taught me the value of sacrifice. She has given her entire life to raising me and my siblings. I may not have always been a perfect child but she seems to have always known what to do and say. I hope that I can be half of the woman my mom is. She is not only a mother, but a friend, a counselor, and role model. Thank you mom. 

I have so many other women in my life that have affected me and taught me valuable lessons. 

My grammie- she has taught me the value of a helping hand, of unconditional love and of overwhelming support. I cannot think of any event in my life that my grammie was not there to support me. She has always been apart of my life and has taught me that a grandmother can be a very big influence in a grandchild' s life. 

My grandma CC- She has taught me the value of the written word as we wrote letters back and forth, when we were unable to see each other because of distance. She taught me of the love that can be communicated through being there on those special events and keeping in contact. 

Momma Ford- She has taught me the value of enjoying life. Thank you for welcoming me into your family so fully. Thank you for raising such an incredible son and helping him to become the man he is today. I love spending time with your family and feel so lucky to have such an incredible mother-in-law. 

This mother's day, I want all the women who have influenced my life to know just how much I love and appreciate them. Thank you for being such great examples. 

I see the light

its funny how the spring semester contrasts with the fall/winter semesters. There is a sense of beauty and realization about spring. the nice weather and the knowledge that these 3 hour classes only last for 7 weeks.

 But this semester is different for me as well because it is my last. Sure, my internship is still part of my schooling, but after this short spring semester, my chapter at BYU will be over. 

I will not have any reason to come back, no more classes to take. And for that reason, this semester has taken on special meaning. Especially since I am right back where I started 3 1/2 years ago.. doing G.E classes.

 For the past year and a half, I have focused on my major/minor. These classes were tough and challenged me. But they were very direct in what they were teaching.

 They were all about elementary education and teaching English learners. There was absolutely no diversity. 

Now I am back in general classes where the main theme is 

"you get out of this class what you put into it".

 For me, generals helped me to discover who I was as a freshman and sophomore. They caused me to reflect on myself and the type of person I was.

 I had forgotten about this until now.

 As I sit in these classes, I find myself re-evaluating who I have become, what I believe and more importantly, why I believe. Granted, my classes aren't actually asking me these questions.

 In fact, they are focusing on the topic at hand, in this case, western humanities and religion. Both very thought provoking topics. Both require a lot of self reflection and inner debate.They challenge me and cause me to rethink what I know. 

For example, my humanities teacher asked us to define beauty. 

Not the websters definition but our own. 

Is beauty an action? or is it simply an object?

 How can we give something a grade/ number determining its beauty?

It is these kind of questions that drive and irritate me, all at the same time. I have become accustom to the facts/lecture type of teaching. 

Tell me what I need to know for the test.  

Instead, these classes are pushing me to truly reflect and evaluate what it is that I believe and care about. 

 I have a feeling that I am going to enjoy this last semester at BYU.  

Pleasant Grove

We have been looking at apartments for a few weeks. We knew we wanted to move but honestly, I was not thinking it would happen very soon. Maybe move in may or june. 

Then on Saturday, Ry suggested we just go look at apartments. 

Sure, why not. =) 

How naive I was.... 

We went apartment shopping for about 4 hours, driving around through Orem and Pleasant grove. As we looked, we saw Green Grove.

 We went to look at one of the places and fell in love with the 2 bedroom 2 bath apartment. Next thing I know, we are signing a contract and we are moving in this saturday. 

So on top of last week of classes, 36 hours of work, and finals next week we decided to pack up our little apartment and move north =). 

So Pleasant Grove, watch out, 

here comes the Ford's. 

back to the grind

I am having senioritis. Technically I am a senior. I have two more days of classes then spring semester. That's it. With this being known, going to class has become a difficult thing. Today I have 6 hours of class. So far I am 4 hours into class and.... I have learned nothing productive. It frustrates me because these classes have given me soooooooo much homework and then wastes my time during class. Does anyone else have this problem? 

I am forcing myself to at least look like I am paying attention. That way I can do this said homework and multi-task. BOSS. I hope all you fellow final takers bode well. 

Good luck

welcome finals

As if having finals looming over me was not enough, it is a snow storm today. gross.. I have assignments piling up and finals getting closer and closer. Saying that I am looking forward to the end of the this semester would be an understatement. 2 more weeks I can do this. 

But on a side note, last night as we were going to sleep, Ryan looks over at me and suggests we go on a date this weekend. He suggests two movies. Titanic and Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. Ryan has been dying to see Salmon Fishing in the Yemen and yet, he is so cute and suggests Titanic because he knows I wanted to see it. Of course, I chose Salmon Fishing. I have wanted to see that movie too. 

But Ryan made me smile with his thoughtfulness.

 I knew I had a keeper. 

xoxo

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow is my last day in the school! I am sad because I feel like I have definitely developed and grown as a teacher. It has been such a challenge to be in the 5th grade and I feel as if I am finally getting the hang of it. 

And now it is over. 

This practicum has taught me a lot about myself and how I will react to different situations. It has been such an awesome experience and I will be sad to leave Riverside.. especially since it means I now must begin all the assignments that I have forgotten been procrastinating on.Woohoo. 

Now, off to the homework. 

Let me tell you, FUN STUFF! 

Well it is official.

I am a teacher. I was hired by Riverton Elementary to be an intern in the 2nd grade! 

I am ecstatic about the opportunity I have to finally have my own classroom and to inspire these little 2nd graders to learn and grow. My journey officially begins July 25th when the students have their first day of school! I am at a year round school which is exciting for me. This means I am on a 45/15 track. Go to school for 9 weeks and have 3 weeks off.

 I am completely blown away by this opportunity and cannot wait to start this new chapter. I have loved teaching in the 5th grade during this practicum but I have realized that I am definitely a lower grade teacher. I love story time and rug time. I like singing songs and learning brand new things with my students. My only prayer is that I do not let this little souls down. I hope that I can relate to these students and help them to love to learn. 
2nd grade, here I come! 

it is out of my hands

So it is done. My interview is over. Now I sit and wait until the Principals have decided whether or not I am good enough to be apart of their school. I hope I made a good impression but I just don't know what each school was looking for. I will know what will be happening for the next year and a half of my life by 8 pm tonight. Needless to say, 8pm could not come fast enough. 

I want an internship and I hope that all my preparation has made me worthy of the honor. Check into tomorrow to know if I got the coveted internship or not.  =) 

I think about blogging more often than I actually blog

I have read other blogs and been entertained by what is going on in their lives. I just do not think anyone cares enough for me to share those inconsequential things that happen in my life throughout the week. and yet... that is exactly what I am going to do today. Tell you of those events that have filled my life that have been significant to me but may be inconsequential to you.

1. I slept in a tent last night. I made it almost all the way through the night on the hard ground of our living room. This is a big deal for me! I was quite proud. Ryan needed to test out his tent and we thought " what better way to test out a tent's durability than to put it up in the living room?"

2. I taught an entire civil war unit in my 5th grade classroom and actually saw learning happening! It was inspiring to see students, who usually barely write 3 sentences when asked to write an essay, write four pages on the civil war!

3. Marc is a child with mental disabilities who I am teaching how to swim. His simple happiness and joy of life makes me look forward to that half hour I get to spend with him. He lifts my spirit and reminds me of the simple joys in life.

4. Hunger games! I do not care what anyone else says. That movie was good. Sure, there were quite a few things that were different/ not expounded on. But just another reason why I love reading. Books are always better than movies. I loved the Hunger games series and this movie did not disappoint me. I look forward to  the sequel.

5. Sleep. I truly love sleep. It is something that I look forward to every day. Waking up before the sun on a daily basis makes me sad. I miss the sun licking my face to wake me up. Instead I am led down our latter by the light of my phone. gross.

6. Hannah got a free dog yesterday. An adorable black/ golden lab mix named Daisy and then tried to persuade us to take her. Not fair! she was adorable and small and cute and oh so very tempting. But we had to say no. Our apartment does not allow dogs. poo. So Hannah returned the dog.

7. Ryan and I are looking to move. We have loved our place and it was the perfect start to our marriage. But it is time to move to a more conventional home. (doggy friendly please!) Any one know of any place in Orem area? =)

Life is a blessing. My life is crazy and busy and yet, I am loving life and loving the opportunities that allow me to learn and grow. I am not perfect, but I have never pretended to be. I only hope to lay my head on my pillow each night with the comfort of knowing that I am one day closer to being the kind of person who kneels at the Lord's feet and has him say "well done, my child"

the weekend i needed.

Tomorrow is a big day. It is my internship interview. I will find out whether or not a school likes me enough to allow me to teach the students. I AM PETRIFIED! I want an internship so bad and I have done everything in my power to prepare myself. Now I put my fate in the Lord's hands, because I know that He will never lead me astray. My interview is tomorrow at 10 am and I will know by tomorrow night the decision that will effect the next year and a half of our lives!

This weekend was/ is general conference. It is an  excuse to do absolutely nothing and just relax at home listening to the words of the Lord. I took full advantage of this. During the week, I dont see very much of my amazingly handsome husband so this weekend has been incredible as we watched conference together, made shakes, watched Cast Away, slept in a tent in the living room, plan on making enchiladas and just hang out together. I always seem to take for granted how much my man calms me and brings happiness to my soul. Every day I am reminded of the infinite blessings my heavenly father has brought into my life through Ryan. General conference has been amazing as well. The talks so far have answered questions that I did not know I needed answered and the music has been absolutely incredible. It is impossible not to feel of the Spirit while they are singing. 

Life has so many twists and challenges. It is nice to spend a weekend being reminded of the goals and blessings each one of us has.  

i can do hard things.

I have played soccer most of my life and I love it. The adrenaline, the drive and the pressure. Everything about this magnificent sport makes me push myself to be better and there is always something to improve. 

Last night, I played with my intramural soccer team. It is a coed team and we are playing in a single elimination tournament. It was the second round and it was an intense game. We played down a player for most of the game due to a red card ( it was unfortunate but we deserved it) We held them at 4-4 the whole game and ended up having to go to PKs. Now I have played soccer my whole life and have never enjoyed taking PKs. It's just you and the goalie. They line the ball up, goalie stands on the goalie line, they blow the whistle and you should the ball. Doesnt seem too hard right? Well I tend to wig myself out. It is a completely mental aspect of soccer. Sure it takes skill, but it is the mental ability to relinquish all nerves and just be calm.. I am never calm. So when my team said I had to shoot, i freaked and said put me last. what are the odds that we would go all the way to the 5th kicker right? we would win before then.. Turns out we went to the 5th player. it was 3-3 in PKs, I was the last shooter. I had to score to win. As I walked up to the  PK line, knees shaking. All my training from my mom and grandpa came into my head 

**remain calm**

 ** dont give away where you are going to shoot** 

** its about finesse not power** 

**breathe** 

I walked up thinking "you can do this". I bent my head; not even looking at the goalie. Years of soccer have taught me where the goal is. It doesnt move, I dont need to watch it. I concentrated on the ball. I took my steps to the ball, shot, and scored! 

The euphoria from my team was astounding. We created our celebratory circle, cheering and screaming. Then thanked the other team for a hard fought battle. 

I can do hard things. 

I can do the things that petrify me if I use the counsel of those who are wiser

If I realize it is about finesse instead of power and most importantly 

if I remember to remain calm and breathe. 

Life throughs us curve balls in all sorts of places and soccer has taught me that I can do hard things. 

where is the love?

Being in the elementary school, I am reminded of how mean we can be. Students are constantly belittling and hurting each other in any way they can. It amazes me that human beings this young have found the degration of another human being so enjoyable. Throughout the day it is a constant battle to stop the snide comments and sarcastic remarks that are meant to sting. 

Since when is being a red head a bad thing? 

Why does it matter if you have glasses?

Why pick on the student who is struggling to understand the English language?

What gives anyone the right to make fun of someone because of their background? 

Why doe is matter if you are short, tall, skinny or fat?

All these insecurities are carried throughout our life. We learn our worth while in school and it is hard to shake those comments that hurt you in places that cannot be seen. Wherever you are in life: elementary school, high school, college or real life, it seems like we are programed to separate ourselves from those who are different. We are meant to do those things that will make us the same. 

When will the world realize that uniqueness and originality are a good thing? When will we realize that every person has a story, a battle we are continuously fighting? What gives any one person the right to judge another human being? Where is the Love in this world? 

These are questions that I do not have the answer to. I do not know how to change the system this world has created and yet, I will do everything in my power as a teacher, to teach the next generation the power of originality and the strength in coming together and finding unity. 

Judging a person does not do anyone any good. Those snide comments may hurt the other person but it doesnt define them. It only affects them. But every time we make those mean comments and judge another, we define ourselves. We define what type of person we are. We choose how we treat others. Everyday we make the choice to uplift or belittle.

Knowing the affects we have on other people, how can we wake up and consciously choose to hurt?