We've had another adventurous week, though luckily not in the scary way of last week.  And I have pictures to go with it all...well, most of it anyway....YAY!

We had the ward Halloween Carnival on Wednesday.  There was a lot of noise so Jamison was a little overwhelmed but he enjoyed winning a cupcake in the cake walk and getting a candy when he went "fishing".  And he got to see one of his friends!

Thursday we had our first snowfall of the season.  Our whole family was not impressed.  Tyler and I were on the verge of just packing up and moving.  We are not snow people.  And Jamison?  I'd show you the video but it won't load, so let me just describe it.  I opened the front door and Jamison looked out and then he cried and ran to me.  So I tried to calm him down and get him to look at/touch the snow and he cried some more.  These picture should help you understand:

Like I said, we just aren't snow people.

Luckily the rest of the week the weather warmed up.  We took Jamison to a pumpkin patch.  Tyler didn't really get "the point" of getting Jamison a pumpkin but I like having fun traditions and I knew that Jamison would love it.  Every time he sees a pumpkin he points at it and says, "It's a cook!"  It's darling.  And his response to all the "cooks" at the pumpkin patch?  Priceless.  He was laughing and kept exclaiming and pointing, "oh it's a cook!"  We picked one up and we told him he could take it home.  Every morning he likes to go outside and look at his "cook."  Love that kid!

 

We also went to the Pumpkin Parade hosted at a local strip mall thingy (I don't know what they classify themselves as but I would say it's a fancy strip mall).  I had heard there would be a lot of jack-o-lanterns that local people had done and I thought it would be fun for all of us.  There weren't actually that many jack-o-lanterns but it was fun for Jamison all the same.  He (of course) loved the pumpkins but there was also trick or treating, a petting zoo, and a hay ride.  And it was all free!

Jamison had his second Sunday of nursery today even though he doesn't hit 18 months until Friday.  Tyler and I were teaching Sunday School and so we took Jamison to nursery last week to get him used to the idea before we had to worry about our class.  He's doing alright.  Last week he was super happy to play with all the toys.  This week he sat on the leaders' laps the whole time but I think that may be because he is teething.  Hopefully he'll be happy again next week!  

So Tyler and I were supposed to teach Sunday School this Sunday but we didn't know where our classroom was located, we'd never met the kids, and we haven't even been set apart (a special blessing given when you get a new calling at church.  Like extra help from God).  I don't know about Tyler, but I was a little worried how the day would go.  And then we couldn't find our kids when we did find the classroom!  No one was there and no one could tell us where our class was.   We asked a member of our bishopric and then the Sunday School president but no one knew.  So we went to the adult Sunday School class.  After we'd been in there about 30 seconds the Sunday School president came and told us our class had been found, they'd gone to another kid's home to try and convince him to come to church.  I'm glad we got it sorted out.  Our lesson went well and though we'd been warned the kids could be a handful (12 kids that are 14 and 15 years old....) they were good (granted only 6 of them were there...).  

Oh yeah...I am not training for a triathlon anymore.  Just wanted to say that in case anyone was thinking I was cool and hardcore.  There are 3 reasons.  1-I don't have a bike.  2-I don't have a pool.  3-I have a stress fracture in my foot.  Pretty legit reasons, right?  Still, as much as I didn't want to train I WAS looking forward to being sexy and skinny.  Now thanks to my injury I can only do low-impact aerobics and pilates for the next 6-8 weeks.  I'm gonna be a fatty.  

I am looking forward to General Conference this weekend.  I could use the spiritual guidance that I know I can receive if I listen with an open heart.  I just hope Jamison will let me listen ;)

We've been trying to have fun and keep busy at our house.  While Tyler is at work, I find myself getting easily depressed and bored stuck at home.  So I have to find ways to shake it up!  Since Jamison loves going outside, I try to take him on walks as often as possible.  We have gorgeous views around our neighborhood too, so that helps a ton.

We also go browse the thrift stores at least once a week.  AND I found a fun craft we could do to help get ready for Halloween.  (We used the outline of Jamison's foot to make the ghost and Jamison added his own artistic touch by scribbling all over them.  Aren't they adorable?)

I'm really concerned that once it's too cold and snowy to take our daily walks, Jamison and I will both go a little crazy.  I'm looking for ideas of things we can do to keep life exciting (and I am definitely open to suggestions).

Jamison is, I think, going through a growth spurt.  His 12 month pants are getting too short.  I tried putting him in 18 month pants but they are still too long and when he trips (which is often) he gets pretty mad.  Plus they are huge around his waist.  So for now he just looks like I don't dress him well.  He's also got his molars coming in.  Worst teething experience ever.  Poor child.  He's also trying to state his independence so he throws things when I tell him not to, and he runs away if I try to get him dressed, change his diaper...well, basically he's obstinate all around.  I thought his temper tantrums were bad when he was 9 months?  I had no idea.  We now get shrieking and screaming, he throws things, and usually he throws himself on the floor to scream.  He's a crazy banshee (whom I dearly love: insert cute picture to remind everyone how adorable my baby is....)

He's going to make the cutest little dinosaur this Halloween!  I can't wait.  :)

I often look at my blog and realize I haven't posted much since we moved to Provo.  I think, "I should probably post something."  And then wonder what on earth I would post about.  My public blog covers most of what's happening with Jamison (that's most of my life, anyway).  So I've tossed around to figure out what I can write and I think it's just time to throw out some random updates.  Ready?

Tyler is still working for the Provo School District doing computer tech support.  He was hired part time but they love him and have worked him full time.  He's also applied for another position that would work him at one specific school.  It would come with a small pay raise.  We are still waiting to hear on that.  He's loving his job, though, and it's making him more confident in his schooling choices too.  He's getting more experience and learning what he likes and doesn't like.

I don't have a calling in the ward, or even a visiting teaching assignment.  That has been hugely frustrating to me.  I want to get involved in the ward!  Tyler got a calling this last week (3rd Sunday teacher in Elder's Quorum) and has a Home Teaching assignment.  I'm crossing my fingers that this means I will soon get a calling too.

Tyler's sister, Meagan, who is living in Tennessee came to visit a few weeks ago.  She and her son, Conner, who is Jamison's age.  I was not sure how Jamison would react to Conner.  He can be so weird around other kids...clingy, and scared.  He and Conner got along great, though.  They both love playing with balls.  Jamison loves throwing them and Conner was a good sport and chased them.  It worked out great.  It was nice to have Meagan visit and nice to see the boys together.  Hopefully we'll get to visit again before too long.

We traded our truck in for a more practical vehicle (though when I tell you what it is, maybe you won't find it practical?).  The gas price was astronomical and we didn't really need such a big vehicle anymore.  Not to mention it's getting old enough that we worried about what things would start falling apart before long.  Now we have a Jeep Grand Cherokee.  Tyler loves it.  And my brother is basically green with envy. 

Other than that...we've just been trying to act more like a real family.  Who knew it would be such an adjustment to actually have Tyler around on a regular basis?   Over Labor Day we went to Park City for their amazing book sale ($5 to stuff as bag as full of books as you possibly can), and we've spent time with family.  While Meagan was here we all went to a Scottish Festival in Jackson Hole.  I think we are so used to traveling that Tyler and I can't help but plan family activities that require lots of traveling.  My goal this fall/winter is to find fun things to do within 30 minutes of where we live.  There has to be lots (like this fun park up the canyon where we had a picnic lunch)!

We are busy.  That probably goes without saying.  Who isn't busy?  Especially when you've just moved?  Since moving in we've been trying to unpack and decorate and find furniture as well as work in the yard.  There is always something to be done.

Last weekend Tyler and I spent hours raking all the dead leaves and grass off the yard.  It looks so much better.  I should have taken before and after pictures.

 (Jamison is such a big helper ;) )

Oh, we also found out that we have a second apricot tree in the front yard and a grape vine by the garage.  And...we don't have blueberries.  We have Oregon something or other berries which look similar to blueberries.  Anyway...there's still lots to be done before I'm ready to debut any part of our house.  We're getting there though.  And we've hired my little brother to help us whip the yard into shape.  So hopefully by next weekend I'll have something to show off.

Last Friday was Tyler's birthday.  I asked him what he wanted to do and he said he wanted to do yard work.  So we worked in the yard while Jamison slept and even when he woke up.  You see...there's this swing that Jamison has fallen in love with...

After sweating in the yard all afternoon, we went to my sister's play in Springville (don't worry, we took showers and changed clothes first!).  She played Amy in Little Women and did an amazing job.  Everyone did an amazing job.  I laughed and cried throughout the entire play.  I'm so glad we got to go!

Then Saturday we had a BBQ for Tyler's special birthday dinner.  It was delicious.  Tyler always does an amazing job.  And it is so nice to have a backyard where we can do things like this!

Church on Sunday was a new experience.  We've gone from a ward that is all young married couples/families to a ward that is probably 50% above the age of 60.  I'm not even exaggerating.  I think it will be a nice ward though.  Just a bit of an adjustment.  I made a comment about it on Facebook and apparently people thought I was complaining.

Side note:  How are so many of my statuses considered so offensive?  Do people really not know me well?  I do not use Facebook to start fights, insult people, or generally be rude.  So why does everyone take the things I say as an attack?!  They are meant to be informative and/or funny.  Anyway...sorry for that tangent, it's just been really frustrating to be misunderstood so much....

Then we had Independence Day on Wednesday.  The Cope family had their reunion, so we went to that.  I have always enjoyed going to what we refer to as "the ranch" which is owned by my aunt's family.  It was Jamison's first time going "swimming."  He's stood in the ocean before and he takes baths, but I have yet to take him to play in a body of water.  So this was a fun new experience for him and once he warmed up to the temperature of the water...

he loved it!  He was a little upset when I took him out but the child was shivering.  

Now it's back to trying to keep the house (and yard) in order.  I'm very grateful that we had rain yesterday.  There have been a lot of fires in Utah, so the rain was a definite blessing.  And on a more personal level, some of the sprinklers in our yard haven't been working properly, so our grass and trees were also very grateful for the moisture!

Today I gave the lesson in Relief Society.  It was amazing.  I don't think I can even put into words how wonderful it was.  I have been preparing for three weeks; reading and re-reading the lesson, making notes, coming up with questions, reading scriptures.  I prayed that I would be lead by the Spirit to say what needed to be said to the sisters in our ward.  I prayed that I would be open to inspiration, and also that the sisters would be open to the Spirit and be able to teach and uplift each other through their participation.  The Lord answered my prayers.  I felt the Spirit so strongly as I stood at the front of the class and guided their discussion on the prophet Joseph Smith.  It was such a beautiful experience for me.  And it was made even more beautiful because my darling son was an angel.  I was so worried that he would be fussy while someone else was watching him.  He's usually fussy during the last hour of church anyway.  He was amazing though.  He just sat and played and talked to himself.  I was so very grateful.

We found out tonight that Tyler will be going to Germany in April.  We don't know many details.  Tyler probably knows more than I know.  I'm not even sure where in Germany he will be.  He called me right before he went to bed to tell me he'd been called and told he'd be going to Germany in April for a few weeks.  I look forward to learning more details.  Since he first got this job, Tyler has been hoping he'd get sent to Germany.  I'm glad he gets the opportunity.  I must admit, though, that I am a little jealous!!!

P.S. Jamison is growing up way too fast.  Can we please just freeze him at this age?  I love his little personality, and I love that he's getting so smart and learning so much about the world around him.  At the same time...I love having him be small enough that he still relies on me and wants me to hold and snuggle him.  I want that to last forever.

Service Volunteers

I am having a baby in like...twelve hours. I'm SO scared.

Today in church they announced that the First Presidency was asking for volunteers to help with the tornado victims in Tennessee and Alabama. My heart swelled and I was both overwhelmed and humbled to see how many men looked at their wives, nodded their heads, and volunteered to spend Mother's Day weekend helping others in another state. Our church is the best. Seriously. And I'm so proud of my husband and all the other men who will be helping out.

The Funny Things Kids Say

You have to love how open kids are. They are so straightforward and tell you exactly what it is they think. In the past two days, I've had some very interesting conversations with kids about being pregnant.

Yesterday a little boy walked past me, stopped, and said, "Are you pregnant, or what?" When I confirmed that I was pregnant he began rubbing my belly, explaining to me that is what pregnant moms do. He asked me where my baby's head was, where my baby's bum was, how my baby was sitting, and where the umbilical cord was. He told me he had watched a dad on t.v. cut an umbilical cord, and pulled up his shirt and asked me to show him how long the umbilical cord is when they cut it. Then he asked me what my baby ate, and if he was hungry. It was really funny. I was a little concerned that with all the smart questions he was asking, I would soon hear him ask how the baby would be getting out of my belly. Luckily we didn't go there.

Then today in my primary class we were talking about the Word of Wisdom, which is all about what foods we should eat and what foods we should avoid in order to keep our bodies healthy. As we discussed why it was important and what blessings came from eating healthy, one girl came up with an example of someone being large and unable to exercise because they ate too many potato chips. Her story began like this:

"If you were really fat..." And then she paused. She looked at me and said, "I'm not talking about you. Because I know that you aren't fat, you are pregnant. And being pregnant is a blessing." Then she went on with her story.

So there you have it...I'm not fat, but pregnant. It's a blessing. And because I'm a pregnant mom, I should be rubbing my belly all the time. :)

Let me leave you with a picture of a form I got at the hospital last week. I find it entertaining:

"Accident information: LAST MENSTRUAL. Accident Date/Time: 07/31/10" Ooops...she's pregnant!

A New Resolve

I have been incredibly humbled today. Wow.

Last night I went to bed cranky and angry at someone for something fairly minor, but it made me feel like people have lost all sense of social responsibility. I had a horrible dream last night that left me angry with people for what happened in the dream. This morning I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing. It was the ward executive secretary, asking if I could come in for an interview in 45 minutes.

I called my husband, upset. We didn't talk for long, I just told him about my dream and the fact that I was positive I wasn't going to like what happened in my interview. Between the dream, the idea of a calling, and the fact that I had 45 minutes before I had to be to my interview...I'm not sure which thing it was that had me upset to the point of tears, but I cried through my shower.

As I was headed to the church, I had an idea of what was going on. I knew I was getting a calling, and I was pretty positive I knew what the calling was going to be. But I could still cross my fingers and hope it was really just the bishopric wanting to have a chat and see how I was doing with my husband gone. Yeah right.

I came out of the interview with a calling, feeling overwhelmed. I walked into the mother's lounge and cried. Yes, I'm ridiculously emotional lately. No, I'm not pregnant. After a few minutes I pulled myself together and went to Relief Society.

Relief Society was a growing experience for me today. It was sweet and humbling and I left feeling more spiritually edified than I have felt at church in a long time. The spirit touched me and chastened me at the same time.

Two things that really struck me were comments people made during the lesson. One girl shared a story about her best friend dying in high school and her dad telling her that the experience could either ruin her life or build her testimony. It was up to her.

The other comment was that there will always be things we can choose to be upset by, always negative things happening. But if we look at things in a positive light, we will find that there are always things we are being blessed with too.

Please let me share my feelings, for my own benefit, on how I felt after hearing those two comments. I pondered them throughout the rest of church. I recognized that in my life, especially lately, I have had plenty of things that overwhelm me. There are so many challenges and trials and it is so easy for me to get caught up in how miserable they can make my life.

I had a goal at the beginning of the year to become more positive and look on the bright side more. But it's hard and I've slipped a lot lately. I've been hating my job, miserable with my husband gone, scared of the future, stressed by family problems...and I've been so depressed. But after listening to the spirit and the comments today, I realized that I don't have to be depressed by the challenges in my life. I know that it's normal to feel depressed sometimes. And also normal to feel angry, bitter, resentful...but only sometimes. And really what matters is how we respond to those feelings. Lately I've been letting them take over.

I also realized that when I am handed trials, I allow myself to fall apart. I give myself a pity party and instead of growing from the trial right away, I spend time feeling miserable and sad and then eventually realizing the trial won't go away...I work through it and become stronger. But how much better would my life and my attitude be if I would just buckle down and go to work on the trial right away, instead of throwing a pity party first?

There is a friend of mine who is a huge example to me. She has been from the moment I met her. I should probably tell her more often what a good example she has been to me. Recently she had a huge trial pop up in her life. She told me that she had cried a lot. And then she gave me a list of 8 or 9 blessings she could find from the trial. How amazing that was to me. When I am faced with a challenge, I don't sit down and list the good in my life. I sit down and cry and ask "why me?" Once again, my friend has taught me through her example what I should be striving to be like in thought and action.

Today I left church with a new resolve. I have not taken the necessary steps I should be to make my life the best it can be. I have not been my best spiritual self, I have not been my best mental self, I have not been my best emotional self, I have not even been my best physical self. So I have a lot of improving to do. But it starts now.

I will always have trials, I will always struggle with some things, and yes, sometimes I will feel incredibly overwhelmed. But a pity party won't help. Looking at the negative side won't make me feel better. All I can do is roll my sleeves up, say a prayer, and get to work.

Oh, and for anyone who is wondering...my new calling is 2nd counselor in Relief Society.

There's Something About Church...

...That does this to my husband:

(He calls this one 'The Majestic Unicorn')

And as a result does this to me:

"Jesus built it for us"

I just have to share this funny story from primary! The sharing time lesson was on faith, and the lady who was teaching was trying to explain faith to the kids. Keep in mind, these kids are ages 3-8. Faith can be an interesting subject to talk about, even with adults.

The teacher did a good job though. She asked the kids if they had ever been to Disneyworld. One kid raised his hand, but his mom (who was subbing one of the classes) was quick to let us all know that he hadn't really been.

So, the teacher asked, if you've never been to Disneyworld, how do you know it exists?

A little boy threw his hand into the air and promptly replied, "Because Jesus built it for us."

It was just too cute not to share!

Details!

Sometimes I tell myself that my life is too boring for people to be interested in. Which is probably why I don't update my blog as much as other people do. However, I decided that I'm going to update you on the boring details of my boring life. Afterall, that's why I have a blog, isn't it???

Last weekend I went up to Idaho to spend some time with Tyler. I rushed to get out of work by noon so that I could get to Rexburg before 5, and therefore we could go get our marriage license. In Idaho, they don't expire for a year! And I thought...hey, I have to go up any way, why not get it done?! So I successfully made it to Rexburg before 5, and Tyler and I hurried down to the clerk's office. We open the door and a lady says..."oh no, are you here to get a marriage license?" Yes...as a matter of fact....Unfortunately for us, all the girls that have access to the computers decided to leave early for a baseball game. So...now I will need to make another trip up to Idaho on a weekday before 5 so that we can get our marriage license. Curses!

We did our engagement pictures while I was up in Rexburg over the weekend. That was the original reason I was going up. We found a student who does engagements and wedding pictures for a really good price. And I'm all for saving money. She suggested doing some pictures during the sunset in front of the temple. Cute, right? They were. Minus that we took the pictures across the street from the temple so that we could get the whole temple in and...ha ha. Usually that field has grain but right now it's just plowed dirt. So there will be lots of pictures of us sitting in the dirt. Wahoo! I think it will be okay though.



The next morning we met at the photographer's house to take some more formal pictures with a black backdrop. Then we headed out to take some pictures at a cute old building she'd found online. It was an old "seed house"...whatever that means. It was cute and old with slightly peeling paint and...just perfect. So we started taking pictures, and then a guy drives up in a tractor and asks us if we had permission from the owner to take pictures there. Basically...we got kicked off the property. lol. But not before getting some pictures...hopefully they turn out! Of course, we wanted to make sure we had some good ones. Especially because Tyler decided he doesn't want to use the temple ones.

So we decided to head to the gardens on campus. I'd been a little hesitant to do them there because I find it cliche (everyone takes pictures there) but...oh well. We get to the gardens and...surprise!...they are under construction. Don't worry, not ALL of the gardens. We can just take some by the waterfalls. Then we discovered that the waterfalls were turned off. Instead we just took some pictures in front of some rocks. So the photo shoot was a little disappointing...but I'm hopeful, overall. She posted a few of the pictures on her blog (and I posted them here!!!) and so far, so good.

Then Saturday night Tyler and I went to look at an apartment we were interested in. It's super perfect! Spacious, in our budget (barely, but still in the budget). It's got a lot of perks too. Washer and dryer, cable and internet, 2 bedrooms...and a club house that includes a hot tub, theater room, and exercise room. I don't have pictures of it, but Tyler will be signing the papers soon and we'll be able to start moving our stuff in by mid-June. Yay, we'll have an apartment!!!

Sunday there was a CES fireside being broadcast from right on campus. Elder Bednar was the speaker. We were hopeful that we could get tickets, but you can only get one ticket per student and I'm not a student. Stupid. We watched the fireside from the overflow location instead. And really, that's fine. It's the same fireside and the same spirit. And the seats are probably more comfortable anyway.

I came back to Utah bright and early Monday morning and made it to work before noon. Now it's back to work and long distance for Tyler and I. It's okay, we have less than three months to go before the wedding. We can handle this. Oh, and happy day! Tomorrow will be the one month anniversary of our engagement. Cute.

Love and Patience

I've been wanting to put a new blog entry in for a few days now, but I was struggling with what I have been thinking about this past week. I finally decided to go ahead and voice my thoughts.

Basically, I learn each and every day to have patience. And also, I continue to learn more and more about loving everyone.

I'll start by saying that as a primary teacher, I have been given a book that will help me to improve my teaching skills...and I can use all the help I can get! Every week I try to read at least a chapter in the book (which by the way is called "Teaching, No Greater Call"). As I've mentioned in past entries, I have been struggling with reverence in my class. The chapter I read last week said that if we show the children love, they will want to do what we ask them to do. I thought to myself, "Am I not doing that?!" But I decided to try even harder. An amazing thing happened. As I was sitting in Sharing Time, with the little girl next to me being anything but reverent, I looked at her and instead of being annoyed, I felt an outpouring of love. My class was not miraculously quiet the rest of the day, but I didn't get half as annoyed as I normally do, and I didn't leave quite as frustrated as I usually end up being. What an awesome experience that was for me! I can't tell you for sure what changed in me...maybe I just opened my heart more...but I am grateful for it!

There have been other things in my week that have added to the idea of having more love for those around me. I am far from perfect in that respect, and have been allowing myself to get very annoyed with people. It's something I still need to work on...a lot! Thank goodness I have experiences like the Primary one that remind me why I want to work on opening my heart and allowing love to enter in.

Patience...let me just tell you! That seems to be even harder for me than having love. By the end of this work week I was about ready to pull my hair out. I don't understand exactly why I get this way, but when Friday roles around I just can't wait to get away from work and the services I provide there. It's almost embarrassing that I get so annoyed with people who are just asking me to help them in ways that they are unable to help themselves anymore.

Without getting too preachy, can I just ask anyone who reads this to work on these qualities with me? Then again, maybe you are all masters of patience and love. But if you aren't...make a goal! It's hard...I am living proof of that...but it will bless your life!

The Crazy and the Restless (get it?)

What a crazy life I am suddenly leading! I think that God is trying to show me how many qualities I am deficient in. One of those is definitely patience.

Things were okay this week in primary because my biggest problem child didn't come. Isn't it awful that I was glad a kid didn't come to primary?! I know that I need to find a way to handle this situation or we will all walk away from church with a bad taste in our mouths. Not good! If anyone has ideas for dealing with a child who constantly demands attention (good or bad) please share!

Work has slow times and busy times. The slow times are really slow and the busy times are insanely busy. Today was a busy day, and there were a few times I thought I was going to scream! I had to deal with a huge scheduling conflict. A family had arranged a flight for one of the residents and then asked me to drive her to the airport...unfortunately I had another appointment at the same time. Having to tell the resident that was not the funnest thing I've ever done, but she was very gracious about it. Thank goodness! I can't tell you how nervous I was to break the news to her. Luckily there are other services that can take a person to the airport.

My grandpa is still hanging in there. It's a huge guessing game for us at this point. My dad says really he could go on like this for months. Every day we wonder if it will be his last. This has been difficult for me for some obvious reasons. (At least, I think they are obvious!) When I think about the so-called "worldly" aspects of having my grandfather pass away, the situation is very upsetting and tragic. However, when I look at it from the eternal perspective--because I DO believe in life after death and I firmly believe I will see my grandfather again--then it's not really so hard to let him go; especially because he is old and has lived a long life.

With everything going on, you'd think I had no time to feel bored...and I don't really. A better word for how I am feeling is restless. I want to make a big change in my life. Now isn't really the right time for quitting my job or moving, so I'm trying to find a small change to satisfy my restlessness. I have been thinking it would be fun to change my hair somehow. I'm not into dying it (virgin hair and proud of it!) or getting highlights (especially because highlights require so much maintenance), so I want to change the style somehow. The problem is that I have short hair already...what can I do??? And please, don't even suggest shaving it off! But if you have any ideas, I am open to hearing them...in fact, I would welcome them!

Fun and Happiness!

Oh my gosh, I just finished up the best seven days yesterday! Tyler came to visit and it was soooo fantastic! We were talking about how often we actually get to see each other and it works out to about one week every year. Depressing. BUT he'll be in Idaho starting April so then hopefully I'll see him more often.

Tyler's plane arrived about 7:30 last Tuesday. I picked him up at the airport. And because I HATE driving at night/at all...I had two friends come along. We all went out to dinner afterwards, then Tyler and I went home to see the family. He didn't stay at my house, he stayed at his old bishop's house. It's a bishop he had when he lived in Idaho eight years ago, and how lucky for us his family now lives a few blocks from me!

Thursday night Tyler and I went to the open house of the new Draper Temple. There were A LOT of people there! My dad had told us the whole thing (not driving, just walking through the temple) would take about an hour. It took us close to two. But it was worth it. The temple looks absolutely gorgeous and there is such a feeling of peace within those walls! And it was definitely nice to walk into the sealing room where people are married and think...this could be us someday... :)

Friday was my birthday and guess what my family got me! A rat! He is super adorable. I know a lot of people think of rats and go...rodent, ew! I used to think that too. Until I took a class where we trained rats. I absolutely fell in love with the rat I trained and have been wanting one of my own ever since. The only down side is I'm allergic to his tail--it gives me hives. No biggie though, I just wear long sleeves when I hold him. Oh, his name is Selwyn. I know it's a weird name. My dad actually came up with it. Here's the story...My parents got my name from a New Zealand television program. The "Tenika" on the program was kind of the equivalent to Vanna White on Wheel of Fortune. The host of the show was named "Selwyn." So as Dad puts it, "Selwyn and Tenika are finally reunited."

Saturday was an eventful day as well. One of the primary kids I teach was baptized. I don't think I'd been to a baptism since my little brother was baptized...that was almost 5 years ago! So that was a neat experience. And I was pretty proud of myself because I made her a little pearl bracelet...all by myself! After the baptism, Tyler and I went to Ogden to see his mission president and his wife (super nice people!) and then to Tremonton to visit a few families from his mission. It was really nice to catch a glimpse of that part of his life. You could tell he'd really made a good impression on all of those people, and for some of them it was probably the highlight of their week to see him.

Tuesday I took Tyler to the airport. We left at 4:30am. Sick, I know. And sad that he had to go. He's starting a job in Georgia on Thursday, so really what choice did we have? I'm doing alright though, because this seperation is much shorter than the others. Two months isn't that far away! And thanks to modern technology we can talk on the phone and email all we want!

So there is an update on my life!

Life is Gooood!

I am such a slacker and haven't updated my blog since Christmas! Bad girl, slap on the hand...

Life is good right now, and I'm super happy. Where can I even begin?

My calling in the ward is official, so I can now share it with everyone. I have been called and set apart to teach primary. My age group are the kids turning eight this year. I felt a bit overwhelmed when I was first asked to accept this calling, but I'm in love with those kids! Already they have taken me into their hearts and made me feel like I belong. Last week was my first week teaching and their depth of understanding amazes me. It's going to be great!

Work is going really well. It keeps getting better and better. Just as I was beginning to get nervous that I wouldn't get enough hours, one of the boys in marketing quit and they invited me to train there! So now I get to assist the residents when they are here, as well as when they are considering moving in. It is keeping me busy, and I am feeling so blessed!

Even my personal life is pretty great right now. Tyler and I are now proclaiming ourselves an official couple (yay!) and he's coming out for my birthday at the end of the month! I am so excited to see him! Also, my dear dear friend Nessa will be leaving on her mission soon but before she does, she's coming to visit me. I can't wait for what this month will bring!

2009 is going to be a great year! :)