Thanksgiving Festivities and Beyond

This Thanksgiving we spent time with family in Rupert! We had a blast sleeping in and

running a 5K.... What a shocker I know. Considering I do not enjoy running, it was even a surprise to me, but I enjoyed it. The first little while I jogged until my heart felt like it would fall out, and then I sped walked almost the rest of the way. :) I finished out jogging in 44 minutes... I was so proud of Devin, he ran the entire way and got a low time of 23 minutes... I was so amazed! I decided I would definitely do it again, if I trained for it.. Considering I only ran for 25 minutes one time about 3 days before Thanksgiving didn't help much! But it was a fun thing. :) By the way, if anyone has pictures from the exciting event, if you could email me the pictures. It would be fun to have!

We did go shopping in Twin Falls the next morning... we didn't leave as early as some, but got up early enough :) We spent most of the day shopping and got home about 3 in the afternoon. There were some pretty good deals so it was worth the trip.

Devin was able to go to the BYU vs. UTAH game with his brothers. He had a blast seeing it in person... luckily BYU won! YAY! We couldn't be happier. While he was sitting outside in the cold air, I was inside a movie theater watching Blind Side with Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw! Great movie, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys movies. It was a great one, and I wouldn't mind owning the movie for myself. :)

Needless to say, we had a great time with family this Thanksgiving and are looking forward to Christmas with more family. :)

Now that we are back in Rexburg, Devin has more school... and I have... to find a job. My goals for the next couple of weeks are as follows:

*Update my resume

*Apply for a couple of job openings

*Work out often

*Decorate for Christmas

*Organize and get rid of big paper piles

Until Next Time... Happy Holidays

The End of Student Teaching

I have finished student teaching and have started to wonder what I will do with myself until Christmas time. I had a blast doing my student teaching and I am amazed at how quickly it went by. I learned so much and I hope to take those experiences with me, so I can learn and grow in future teaching positions. Working in the resource room was very difficult, but it is very gratifying at the end, or when you see results. I realized it takes more patience than I thought would be needed, but it was worth it all. Here are some fun pictures of my experience.

There are some fun pictures of the third grade class I was with in here too. Because it was close to Thanksgiving, they made turkey leg hats... hahaha. I loved it.

Here is my awesome group of kids in the resource room!!!

I loved being at Groveland Elementary and learned so much. Even though the drive was long, it was worth every minute! :) I will miss everyone there, but plan to keep in touch!

The Wonderful Sky

So it has been a while since I have taken any pictures of the sky... yesterday on the way home from Blackfoot, the clouds looked so awesome!!! Last week I was teaching my students about the three different types of clouds: cirrus, stratus, and cumulous, so it was really fun to point out all of the clouds on the way home. I did take a couple of pictures on my phone, but it didn't do it justice. Sadly, I have no new pictures of the sky to post, but it definitely made me want to start taking more recent pictures of the sky... I have always wanted to take a couple of cool pictures of the sky and blow it up and put it in my apartment... Its a goal I am still working on. ;) But none the less, I felt like reminiscing a little bit about the amazing skies I have captured on camera. I am so thankful that Heavenly Father has given me something to look forward to each night or morning. Until next time :)

This is Devin and I, I guess I didn't take this picture, since I am in it, but I did take a couple of other ones that looked just like it without people in it ;)

This is a sunset in the beautiful Rexburg

Here is another picture of the sky in Rexburg. I love this picture because it was when the sun was setting, but it was also a little overcast! One of my favorites. :)

The Fun Surprise!

I am amazed at how quickly the time has flown! A lot has happened in the last couple of months, and it has been a blast. I am now finished with my students in the third grade and will be going to the resource room on Monday. I was really sad to leave yesterday, but excited at the same time.

Yesterday, since it was my last day I spent the morning observing other teachers. I was came in only a couple of times into my own classroom. In the afternoon we were watching a movie. I was called down to Mr. Brown's room (my next cooperating teacher) to see the schedule. Then not more than 10 minutes later, the secretary called me back down to my third grade classroom. I walked in to a dark classroom with students all under their desks. :)

They all jumped up and said surprise as the lights turned on. There was a nice computer chair in the front of a room with a crown and a sign that said we will miss you Mrs. Garner. The students had me go up and sit while each group gave me their individual cards!! They were so sweet, and it made me not want to go to another classroom on Monday. Anyway, the students were so sweet. I will put pictures up later of the goodies I got... the batteries for my camera are dead and I have no new ones... but it was such a fun way to end my time there.

I am grateful that I will still be at the school so I can keep an eye on my students. :)

Here are my students in the classroom. They are all there except one. They are so much fun!

This is a few of my kids in class, we did a lesson in science about shadows (eclipses) so I got a picture of them. :)
Also, here is a picture of my new haircut... still getting used to the bangs, but I am loving it.

Everything else is going great in life. I am keeping busy with church and married life. Devin is enjoying school and keeping busy with his classes, church, work and sports. :) Last weekend we were able to go to Rupert for General Conference, and to celebrate Devin's mom's birthday. We all surprised her. All of her kids were there which was fun. I sadly did not take any pictures.. :( Maybe if someone else did, if I could get copies through email, that would be great. We spent a lot of time playing, eating and playing in the snow ;). Just kidding, no playing in the snow, but there was snow.

It is amazing how quickly the weather is changing. I was hoping to get a little more fall weather before it turns to winter... but today its about 43 degrees. We can still hope. :)

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you a story about my last two days in student teaching... :) Because we go to Blackfoot everyday, this was my week to drive. Here is how it went.

THURSDAY:

Two out of the other three girls were sleeping in the car and the other one; Carley was texting. Needless to say, everyone was in their own little world. I saw the exit sign about 4 or 5 miles before the Blackfoot exit, so I thought to myself, I need to watch and make sure I get in the right lane, so I don't miss it... The next thing I know, I am trying to get Carley's attention to ask her if I had missed the exit. After calling her name 4 times, I finally got her attention. :) She told me that she wasn't paying attention, and I realized quickly that I had gone too far. Oops... So I am driving and driving waiting for the next exit sign. Now, I did pass the Emergency Exits for Authorized Vehicles only, but I figured I shouldn't go on those, since I was not an authorized vehicle. ;) The next exit was for FORT HALL.... About 15 minutes past the Blackfoot exit... How silly of me. So we were about half an hour late that day. I got teased quite a bit that day.

FRIDAY:

I come into my classroom and there is a map on my desk... A Map of Idaho with some M&M's. I asked who got me the map. The teacher's aid, Tammie brought it for me :) Haha. But this was not just a regular map, It was 128% larger than a regular map. Once I opened it up, there were a few notes for me to look at. They were to help me get to Blackfoot without missing the exit and spending another extra 30 to 45 minutes in the car. :)

The first picture is of the map spread out on my floor:

Here is the noted section that tells me to turn at the first Blackfoot exit.

If I miss the first exit of Blackfoot, then I can take the second Blackfoot exit.

The last note has the Fort Hall exit outlined and says: STOP.
This is the front of the map... too funny.

So that is my exciting life for now. I will keep you updated a little better. Sorry to all of those who have stopped reading my blog because I haven't written.

Thoughts as of lately

Music:

I enjoy finding new music to listen to... some of my recent findings: A Fine Frenzy, India Arie... (Well she has a new c.d. out) Also Amos Lee has a new c.d. out and Ingrid Michaelson is coming with a new c.d. August 15! WAHOO! I am saving up my money so I can get some new music to listen to. So I guess I only found one new artist, but I found new music! :)

Food:

I am not fitting into my clothes as well as I used to... the problem; I like food too much. I need to start exercising, and eating better. I find myself online looking at cooking/baking blogs wanting to venture out. I am getting better at making things Ihave never made before. I have this dream of starting my own bakery... I still have plenty of years to put it together. So if you have any requests, let me know and maybe I can whip it up for you. Also, if anyone has a good white bread recipe.... That would be awesome.

Love:

I have the best family ever! My husbands family is so wonderful and I am lucky to be a part of their family. We just got back from a family reunion with the Garners! It was a blast. I am sad to say I did not take any pictures... so if anyone has any, if you could email me that would be great! :)

My family is great too! :) Even though they are far away, we still get to keep in contact and I learn from them so much!! I am so very blessed in my life! I was able to see Parker and my parents in July. It was great fun. I wish Ash, Bryon and Ains could have been there, but I will see them at Christmas, with their new little one! :) Can't wait to see what they name their little girl.

I have the greatest husband in the world! He is the coolest guy I know and I am so lucky to have him in my life. He does so much for me and I am forever grateful. He makes me laugh all of the time!!

I love my life right now. There is so much going on, but I am trying my best to enjoy it with happiness! Even the struggles that I am given I need to endure them with joy. :) Those are just a few thoughts lately.

It's Raining Cats and Dogs

So on my way home from the grocery store, it started to rain. Within two minutes, it started to pour... I had just parked the car, which meant I had to run to my apartment. Even though it has been raining a lot the past couple of weeks, today was probably the funnest, because I was out in the rain! It was wet, but oh so fun. I am excited for the sun to show its face though too. I love the weather!!! I need to study and practice the piano, so until next time. :)

Another Great Buy

Tonight at the store, while buying a couple of gallons of milk, we saw another great deal... sadly it was not e.l. fudges, but they were one of my favorite crackers!!!! 3 for 5 dollars.... Great deal... we saved about 5 dollars. :)

We also got some of mine and my sister's favorite cookies... Frosted Animal Cookies. :) YUM!!! I am going to have some with milk right now!

Also, on a later post... I got my assignment for Student Teaching... I am in Blackfoot, teaching 3rd Grade. It is a little far, but Devin and I will make it work. I will write next time about the school I am at.

Also to come a couple of thoughts from Mothers Weekend! IT was so much fun having my mom and aunt Marie here. Love you guys!