Woot Woot!

I get to marry this kid in less than 7 weeks...
Life is getting pretty hectic with wedding planning, school, work, practicum, and the realization that 2 months from now I will have my first day of school with 11 boys and 1 girl who will be entrusted into my care for 9.5 months. I am overwhelmed, but constantly reminded of all the wonderful blessings in my life. Zach is always so helpful with making dinner and giving me time and motivation to do my homework. He has been put in charge of a few things and it takes a lot of stress off me knowing that he is helping out. My mom and my sisters are also doing so much to help me plan and get things in order for the wedding. I love you all and I can't believe that I was blessed to be in this family and be starting my own with my eternal companion. Family and the eternal nature of families has been on my mind a lot lately as I am preparing to go to the temple and also writing a talk on temple marriage that I will give in 2 weeks. I know that my Heavenly Father loves me and has put people in my life to help me make these transitions in my life and to learn and grow daily. More later...

Love of my Life

Zach and I are engaged! More details on how it went down later, but I am so excited to be marrying the love of my life in just over 3 months. He is so good to me and I know that being married to him will only make life sweeter. I love you, Zachary Lance.

I also got the teaching internship that I really wanted so come August I will be Mrs. Smith, Special Education Severe Cluster Unit teacher (1st-2nd grade) in Payson, Utah...birthplace of my father and my future husband.

the semester has ended and we are moving into reading days and finals. i realize that as much as i want each semester to be done i can never have that class back. i have learned a lot from my classes this year. how to manage behavior by assessing students and making a behavior plan, how to set up my classroom with positive supports, how to teach new behaviors, how to direct students through the transition process, how to teach student's with severe disabilities how to access reading, and so much more. i am scared to death of being a teacher, but my teachers are preparing me well. 2 more terms...so really just 1 semester. i have some more interviews next week so wish me luck. i'm also planning on visiting vegas and bakersfield next week. not a lot of time, but i will make it happen. i love you all and i appreciate all the encouragement that i get from you, my amazing family.

the conference was great and seattle was a pretty rocking place. very green and beautiful, but little sun. provo actually looks like seattle this week. nasty. unfortunately it rained on my birthday. great day by the way. lots of fun phone calls from you guys including quite a few from the zoo. went to dinner with some friends after the best buddies talent show.

and i have some really funny stories to tell about oscar and c, but those will have to wait...just to remind myself--crayons, pink limos, and more.

LOVE YOU!

fun pictures of seattle and seeing zach's family:




mc at donald's (as c calls it)never lets me down.

i'm a mess

I haven't signed with a district yet. One offer, but a weak one at that. They don't know what class I would have so I said I couldn't accept until I knew. And they don't have any high school openings so I doubt I will go there. I have applied at 2 others so I am just crossing my fingers. If all else fails, I student teach. Oh and I leave for Seattle tomorrow. I'm going to the CEC (Council for Exceptional Children) National Conference...basically for special educators. I'm pretty stoked to be going to a new place, learning amazing things, and hanging out with some cool kids from class.

Unforunately this summer is a joke and I really have 0 time to visit home or do anything fun, but I will try to work it out so I see the family often. It is going to be quite a shock to the system to not go home for the summer. About time I grew up I guess.

i'm like 5 years old.

Seriously, I don't understand how in 3 weeks I will be 21, in the fall I will be teaching, and in less than 4 hours I have my first interview for a teaching position. Not to mention other things that are blowing my mind and I can't believe are not far off, but really this is crazy.
I went to the Recruitment Fair on Friday and 2 districts told me they would set up interviews this week. I got a phone call this morning and my first appointment is at 2:00! My best friend in the program has an interview at the same school. We both want to work in the same setting (Secondary Life Skills classroom) so it was bound to happen that we would be looking at the same jobs, but we both really want each other to do well. I am extremely nervous, but also excited. The possibility of me getting this job isn't great, but it will be a great first experience!
Also blowing my mind, Kyle is going on a mission. Apologies to my other siblings, but I will probably miss him more than when you were out/away. I am so glad we took our trip to South America this summer to spend some quality time together and make some more memories. Kyle really is a great brother even if he drives me crazy sometimes--I just worry too much, but he has shown me that everyone figures things out in their own time and they are better for it. He is such a smart kid and I have confidence in his abilities as a missionary. I don't know if Peru is ready for him, but he will be ready for Peru. Don't ride any buses and don't drink the water. Love you.



PERU!

Life is grand.

No way.

I get to see him next week! 7 days!