The Best 2nd Grade Christmas Present.

For Christmas this year in our 2nd grade class, my students wanted to do something different. So I was researching what we could do, and found this website from another teacher that gave me a great idea. We made these "Holiday Hope Chests" for boys and girls who will be spending Christmas at Primary Childrens. My students were SO excited about this. I was nervous, because the students had to donate some unopened toys and empty shoe boxes-and I hate asking parents for donations. Well, I was surprised by the amount of toys and boxes that were donated. The parents got involved and helped where they could. We wrapped the shoe boxes and the kids decorated them. My students then wrote individual letters to the kids in the hospital and placed them in their holiday boxes. I was overwhelmed by the amount of help and support I recieved for this service project. My students were thrilled to do this and I was so happy to see that they were so willing to help others during this Christmas season.

Mexico.

I had such an amazing experience in Tijuana this year. We went again to build homes with Builders without Borders. I was so hesitant to go to Mexico because people tend to dwell on the negative and all I was hearing were things that would make a person nervous. I got a blessing from Logan because I needed some comfort. It was great. I love the priesthood.

We started our trip and stopped in Vegas. The next morning, we got up early and headed to TJ. We got to the border around 2 and sat for an hour or so. We had to get all the trailers through. After Logan did a lot of chatting with the border patrol in spanish, we got through. As soon as we got into TJ, I forgot how much I love the people there. They are so sweet and simple. We got the stake center and unpacked all the donations and got settled.

Sunday was an incredible day. We were able to attend 3 sacrament meetings- one of which was a primary program. It was so sweet to hear all the songs that I was working on as Primary Chorister in my ward all in spanish. It was great. That night, we did a fireside. I had the chance to speak on education. We did a musical number, and people seemed to enjoy it. The spirit was so strong.

Monday we made it to the job site. The first impression I got from the site was one of fear. The home next to the job site was a drug house. Automatically, my thoughts went to those negative things people were telling me back home. I dismissed them as soon as I met the wonderful family we were able to build a house for. They made the whole trip worth it.

The Soel family were the sweetest, kindest people I've ever met. Even though there was a language barrier, it didn't matter. You could tell they really were so grateful and gracious. I became friends with their little ninos. It was so cool. I had so many great experiences.

Towards the end of the trip, the whole thing became worth it when the family were able to move their stuff in (when I say stuff, I mean... the clothes on their back, plus a few blankets, and a mattress.) We were able to furnish the house somewhat with bunkbeds, a couch, fridge, stove, oven, microwave, and some other small things. The spirit that was in that home was incredible. There wasn't a dry eye in the place. I love serving. I love forgetting myself. I love the Soel family. They taught me so much about love and that worldly items are not needed to be happy. It's a choice. I was so grateful for them. Here we come TJ 2011!

P90X

So Logan and our friend Justin just started P90 X. I'm debating in starting it myself... what are the pros and cons??? Should I or shouldn't I? Log can't walk too well because he's so blasted sore. I've heard that it's KILLER. What do you think?

warren miller.

I love ski movies. Especially this one. I'm so excited to go see this with Logan tonight!!!! I feel like kind of a poser because I'm not the greatest skier ever. Oh well. A girl can dream right?

Happy Anniversary!

10/10/10

I'm 2 days late, but that's okay. I just wanted to write about my husband. He is my soul-mate through and through. I have been so blessed to meet him and be married to him. Here's some things that we've been through together for this year we've been married:

October 10- We were able to be sealed in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple by my Grandpa Jack. It was such a sweet day. The emotions were running high. We went on a cruise for our honeymoon to Mexico. It was amazing.

November- Logan and I got to take a trip to Mexico again to do service. It was such a great experience.

December- Christmas was such a fun time for us. Being married for the holidays is the greatest. We were able to share Christmas with each other and our families.

January- We both had to get back to "reality". We were both busy working and going to school.

February- I tore my ACL and Logan was a sweetheart to help me out through this.

March- I had knee surgery, and Logan was still going to school and working. Oh yeah, and my sis got married so we went to her gorgeous wedding too.

April- Still mending from the surgery. Logan was so patient and kind and took such great care of me. I was so lucky he was there to help me out!

May- School was out for both of us, and we were able to focus a little bit more on eachother. It was so nice. We got to go on a great trip to St. George.

June- We went to Moab and got to do some hiking and jeeping.

July- Logan was still working at the hospital and we both got to do a lot of boating and outdoors-y stuff!

August- For my birthday, Logan got me a beach cruiser and took me to the Homestead for a nice week! He was so thoughtful!

September- We were back into school again. For Logan's birthday, we went to the Cliff Lodge at Snowbird and went to Oktoberfest. It was so great spending so much time together.

October 10, 2010- It's our 1 year anniversary! It's been the best year of my life. I have a husband that puts up with all my flaws and seems to love me anyway! He's my best friend and I'm so excited to spend eternity with him. I love you baby!!!

Today's Five...

Five good things that happened this week:

1. My class was GREAT! I love my new students.

2. Logan and I helped out with a Ward 5k. It was way fun.

3. My family got to put a new roof on my grandpa's house.

4. I'm getting a new classroom and I got to see it on Friday!

5. I got to see some great friends that I went to Tijuana with last year. I'm so excited to go again this year!!!

Good week.

Thankful

I'm thankful for a bunch of stuff. Here are some things...

- My husband
- My dog PJ
-My family
- Church
- Heavenly Father
- The Atonement
- Work
- Sleep
- Swimming
- Friends
- Toilets
- Beds
- Sunglasses
- Warm weather
- Shoes
- Music
- Bikes
- Doctors
- Prayer
- Lotion
- Animals
- Mountains
- Lakes
- Oceans

Try it yourself. You'll realize how many more things your grateful for when you start thinking about it.