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!