Summer

This summer has been jammed packed with fun things to see and do.  I wish I would have kept a log of the miles I have gone.  I started the summer by getting a job at a Daycare.  It was the hardest job I have done to date, not counting the three days of school I have been in.  I worked with infants to children who were 12.  I worked 10 hour days of  6 hour days.  I loved eating rice pudding and the other great food at the center.  I cried for my cute kids who were left for 10 hours a day or more.  I was frustrated with some of their behaviors and rejoiced with them when their behaviors were great!  All in all I loved the kids and loved my coworkers and boss!
Michele, John, and Anna were here for the summer.  I spent ever weekend with them and was so thankful that I did.  One day Anna spent a few hours with me.  We went swimming, feed the ducks, and played in my apartment.  It was so fun! Her laughter is priceless.  With all of us, we went to Wyoming three times, ate Leatherby's ice-cream, went to Wheeler Farm, went to a wedding, ate good food, spent time with John's family, went shopping, and laughed!  Oh, what fun it was to have them here for the summer.
I taught at MAT camp again this summer.  It was probably my favorite year.  I only took one picture and the video that was taken of my talent got erased:(  I danced in my Little Red Riding Hood costume with a friend who is 5 years old.  He was dressed as a wolf.  The Blackham Family Band sang "Little Red Riding Hood.  The wolf tried to eat me, I pulled his tail, and then we had a picnic.  I loved the staff this year and made a lot of new friends.  I spent the week with Michele and cherished every moment.  I love camp and was so glad I got to go!
I also spent time with Ryan, Sam, Marley and Nolan.  They sure bring a lot of love to my life.  And I also spent time with my Kirstee, Makadee, and my cousin Brian's family.  Brian's wife Eloise and I took the kids to Lagoon on the 24th of July for Broox' birthday!  I don't say it's the end of the summer until after Labor Day, so here is to another week a summer! And of course, the few pictures I took this summer:

Nolan

Anna dressed as though it is Winter.  It is really hot in Cambodia so
she was cold in Wyoming.

Me and My Wolf

Anna eating snacks on my floor!

Anna feeding the ducks

I'm A BIg Kid Now

The night before graduation, I received a call for an interview for a Kindergarten position at Elk Meadows Elementary.  I couldn't even remember applying for this job.  The next Monday I meet with the principal and the two Kindergarten teachers at the school.  And two and a half weeks after that I received another call to tell me the job was mine.  For every teacher job there is, there are about 250 applicants.  So just to get a call is awesome but to get the job is miraculous.  As soon as I got off the phone with my new principal I called my mom.  I told her that I needed her help because I wanted to learn how to be the greatest Kindergarten teacher in the world (not to surpass her though).  She couldn't understand me because I was crying.  She thought I didn't get the job because of all the tears.  But she started crying to when she could understand.
So there you have it folks!  I am the newest teacher at Elk Meadows Elementary in South Jordan.  To describe my feelings I would say; EXCITED, happy, nervous, anxious, overwhelmed, supported, BLESSED, and loved.  I started last Wednesday.  Tomorrow I start testing all 50 of my students and on September 4th, I start to teach.  Every morning I wink at myself in the mirror and say "Those students of mine are so lucky!"  Soon to come are pictures of my room (if I ever get it looking like I want to) and pictures of me on the First Day, well actually second day since I have already been to Kindergarten, of school!

Family

This last week Todd and Deedra were in town.  It was fun to have them here and being able to hang out with them.  Last Sunday, we all had dinner at Mom and Dad's.  Deedra then taught a beautiful lesson on Keeping the Commandments for Family Home Evening.  Afterwards we enjoyed each others company.  We did get a few pictures of all the grandkids as we haven't gotten one yet with little Nolan.  

Secret Garden

Of course there must be lots of Magic in the world, but people don't know what it is like or how to make it.  Perhaps the beginning is just to say nice things are going to happen until you make them happen.

Before Christmas, Mom bought me an early present for my trip up to Seattle.  Of course it was a book.  I had never read one of my Mother's and Grandmother's favorite books, The Secret Garden.  At first I wasn't very into the book but soon it spread its magic over me.  I loved every minute of this book.  What a sweet and enduring story!  I want to share one of my favorite parts:
"...Thoughts- just mere thoughts- are as powerful as electric batteries-as good for one as sunlight is, or as bad for one as poison.  To let a sad thought or a bad one get into your mind is as dangerous as letting a scarlet fever germ get into you body.  If you let it stay there after it has got in, you may never get over it as long as you live."
Beautiful, eloquent, and inspiring.  I understand why my grandmother and mother love it so much.  I want to read it all over again and I just finished it.
P.S. After reading this book, I had the strange desire to go weed a garden.

Lava Lamps, Chocolate, and A Cute Baby

 This last weekend I took care of my cousin's children while they were away.  They have five children ranging from 12 to almost 1.  I was so excited to go as, well they are children and they are AWESOME!!!  We made lava lamps, ate pizza, did chocolate fondue, watched the Muppets, painted my fingernails, ate cereal, played on my computer, and just goofed around.  I haven't been around their baby a lot so we were a bit nervous about how she would respond.  Before my cousin and his wife left, she crawled over to me and sat in my lap.  She was so fun to be around and such a good baby.  The experience was wonderful and I can not wait to go back up to see them.  They make my life complete.  I love them and am so thankful that I got to be with them this weekend!

Cute Baby Brynlee

Me and the Baby

After breakfast!  Yes that is candy in his mouth at like 9 in the morning. He is sneeky.

The girls with their lava lamps

Hero

Who is your hero?  First we must know what a hero is to be able to answer this question.  I asked my cousin's little girl this weekend and she told me a hero is someone you look up to.  Someone who is a good influence on the world and someone you want to be like when you grow up.  I have never thought of myself as a hero, but have thought a lot about who my personal heros.  So has my cousin's children.  At school they were asked to write about their hero.  The older children of this family picked Henry Ford and Jim Henson, people who I would classify as a hero.  But this is what the oldest daughter wrote: My hero is my aunt Jody because she is so nice.  I lover her so much.  She takes time to do fun things with me.  Her mother said she tried to get her to choose her grandmother's or an aunt but she wouldn't have it because her favorite hero is me.  I was so touched.  Just when you feel insignificant, someone makes sure you know you are her hero!

For Experience!

No, I am not talking about for the experience of life lessons.  I am talking about Experience Folger, one of my relatives.  Yes her name was Experience and her sisters name was Bathsheba.  And yesterday these two sisters along with four other siblings were sealed to their parents.  I have been doing family history lately.  Yesterday I went to the temple with a friend and we completed my whole stack of names that needed to be sealed.  It was beautiful.  Some of these relatives have waited many, many years for their temple work to be finished.  And many more are still waiting.  So I will continue to find those that need it done.  And I will continue to be the Lord's servant by going to the temple to finish the work.
P.S. If anyone reads this and would like to help, I have names that need to be done!

My favorite Christmas Present

While I was student teaching this last year, I didn't have a job.  It was just too much for me to balance.  So I have been short on money lately.  Thanks to my amazing family I am still eating and living under a solid roof.  Gas is the hardest thing to pay.  I find I am always running on close to empty before I put a few more dollars in the tank.  On Christmas Eve I had many errands to run.  I had some money but I was headed to Idaho soon after the holiday's and needed to save every bit so that if something came up on the trip I would be okay.  I was forced to go to the gas station and knew that what would happen would happen.  As I pulled in their was a whole lot of people standing around.  It was snowing so I figured they were pumping gas so you didn't have to get out of your car.  Imagine my surprise when they asked if I wanted free gas.  I started crying and finally realized that they were pumping gas and my car was still on.  Soon I was given a donut and hot chocolate while I waited for my tank to be filled.  I cannot express my gratitude to those lovely people.  That is Christmas and it is Christ's way of life.  Thank you kind strangers.  Your gift to me was my favorite!

The 13th Day of Christmas

I just finished reading the sweetest Christmas book.  I know, I am a little behind. I was given the book by a dear friend and have been reading it slowly.  I finished on Friday with tears in my eyes.  I am not going to tell you all the story because I think everyone should read this book.  It has changed how I look at Christmas.  Next year will be so different!

Snow, Blows!

When I say snow, blows I mean that it isn't very fun!  We have had a pretty substantial winter here in Utah.  For most of January there was not blue skies to be seen just yucky grey and lots of snow.  I have been fine with it though deciding to be happy that we were getting moisture.  But last Wednesday made me rethink this happy part.  I was driving to another sub job, this time at my mom's school.  I had been on the freeway for maybe a minute when I hit a patch of black ice and slush.  It was blizzarding so I was only going about 40 miles an hour.  Once I hit the ice I spun across several lanes on the freeway.  Blessed beyond words I didn't hit anything.  I came to a stop by the edge of the road and knew I needed to move fast.  But before I could even have the thought to move, a car hit my right passenger side door.  Blessed once again, the girl that hit me wasn't hurt and neither was her car.  I was rattled but not injured.  I don't have the words to express my gratitude to my Heavenly Father for protecting us both.  My car is in the hospital but I am not.  It was scary but I know that my Savior was with me the whole time.
So even though the snow blows, it will soon all go away and spring will come!  I can't wait!

The Year in Review 2012

Is it too late to do this?  It's my blog and I say it isn't!  So here we go, the year 2012 in review!

John, Michele, and Anna May

January:  My family has three birthday's in January.  Deedra is our first birthday and boy how I wish I could spend it with her.  It has been a few years since we were able to do that but I still love her all the same.  We went to Buca DiBeppo's for Marley and Sara's birthday and had a blast.  I was still living with Marie at the time and I am sure we ate lots at the Korean Place and watch movies.  I am pretty sure this was the month I got sat by myself at the single table at a family party.  This was also the month that I got to meet my favorite, Anna May.  All of Uncle Dean's family was in town and Ryan and Sam took their family pictures.  It was so fun to all be together!

Scott and Sara's Wedding

February: A month full of love and family.  Todd and Deedra came to town!  They sat in my drive way at 2 in the morning pondering on if they should wake me when they first pulled into town.  Hunter had arrived a few days before his parents and I got to babysit him for the weekend. We built a fort, played with Marley, and listened to Uncle Ryan's stories.  Hunter was my Valentine's date and the next guy has very big shoes to fill!  Marie and I had Korean with Todd and Deedra.  It was soooooo tasty.  They were here ultimately for Scott and Sara's wedding which was a beautiful day.  We all looked so lovely for the big day and we were thankful that all went as planned. I was also so happy to have family around at the wedding.  I went to two bridal showers this month including one that I was in charge of!

The family wishing U. Brent and A. Vicki well!

March: Happy Golden Birthday to Me!!!  This is what was shouted to me as I walked into my surprise birthday party.  Marie and Sam planned it all out and it was a lot of fun.  It was my golden birthday because I turned 25 on the 25th!  The party was decked in gold and so was some of the food.  This was also the year I pierced my ears.  And let me tell you, I thought it was the most painful thing I have yet to do.  Kirstee held my hand though and I love having them pierced now.  Uncle Brent and Aunt Vicki were in town this month because they left for their mission to Canada!  It was so fun to have a get together with everyone.

Matching Easter dresses

 April: The biggest thing I can think of that happened in April was visiting Michele and Anna.  We got to see each other quite a bit.  I bought Anna and Marley matching Easter dresses.  And now a picture of Anna in her dress sits on my desk.  I went to Wyoming to see Michele one last time before she left to go be with John again.

At the zoo with Hunter

May: I took a surprise trip out to see Todd and Deedra.  I don't know who was more excited as I think most of us were crying when we saw each other.  S'mores every night, hammock swinging, reading Harry Potter,  going to the zoo and to museums, and playing games with the family pretty much sums up my whole trip.  It was a dream.  Todd and Deedra also came to Utah for another wedding.  It was fun to celebrate Todd's birthday together.

My trip to Hoover Dam with my companions

June: I went to St. George to see some of my mission companions.  It was fun but I remembered why I don't like Vegas at night!  We went to Tuacahn and saw Hairspray!

Michele and I at MAT camp

July: MAT camp!!!  I love camp so much and each year I am more excited for it.  I did an awesome dance with Marley for the talent show, played with Anna, went on an accidental date, laughed with Michele, made ice cream, of course made a million crafts, had long talks with Marie, made new friends, and cried when it was all over.

Payson Lake 

August: Uncle John and Aunt Cindy came for a visit!  They came to MAT camp first and then traveled down to Utah.  They stayed for a week and it was so fun!  I loved every minute especially taking all the kids, having them clean up my lawn, and then taking them for snow cones.  We went to Payson Lake with them and to the movies.  I miss them a ton and hope we get to see them again soon, maybe in Kansas this time!

Soaked at Lagoon

September: I started my last full semester at BYU.  I started student teaching in a second grade classroom where I loved my students very much! I planned lessons everyday and this blog kind of landed on the back burner.  I went to Lagoon with Malory Holman, Marie, and Emily. It was fun but we were so exhausted by the end of the day, I am surprised we made it home in one piece.

Little Red Riding Hood

October: I moved to Ryan and Sam's, we had many a trip to the hospital thinking we were going to have a baby, I was Red Riding Hood for Halloween, I switched student teaching assignments and was put into Kindergarten!

Nolan Max

November: The baby finally came!!  Nolan Max Comte was born on the sixth of the month.  He was cute and little and we were all so excited.  Mom, Dad, and I went to Todd and Deedra's for Thanksgiving.  It was nice.  I got really sick and missed some student teaching.  But after my ear drum ruptured we were finally on the mend! Kirstee's birthday was also this month and I got to go to her birthday party.
December: It came and went so fast I don't know how much I can remember.  I finished up student teaching, which was all solo the last month of it. I went and saw Scott and Sara in Washington and then drove home with them.  I held Nolan a lot and played with Marley every second that I could.  I got and gave Christmas presents.  I went sledding with Marley, Scott, Sara, and Malory.  I did crafts, cleaned my room, did more crafts, and haven't quite cleaned up from the aftermath!
 All in all, 2012 was a great year.  I am so glad I lived it!

My BFF's Birthday!

I wanted to scan all the picture I have of Kirstee 

but can't figure out my scanner.  So this will have to do!

Yesterday as I drove my sweet little friends home from a big sleepover, Kirstee told me that she invited her best friend to her birthday party.  I said "You already told me about the girl across the street that has the same birthday as you."  She looked at me funny and said "You are my best friend Jody!"  I almost cried.  She is such a sweetheart.  As her friends arrived, they all knew me as Kirstee's best friend.
Kirstee is my cousins little girl.  Since she was little we have always been tight.  I remember her whispering secrets to me under the cover of her bed when she was 2 or 3 years old.  I remember her riding in my car since she was that little or even smaller.  I can still remember taking her out camping with all the Bowen family at the reunion.  And I can still see her smiling face at the bottom of the escalator when I got home from my mission.  I remember the tea parties at every photo shoot we went to.  I have pictures of her from a small baby to now. (By the way, your picture and Makadee's are the only pictures in my wallet right now!)  I remember donuts, cookies, cupcakes, and now junk food from her 10th birthday party.  I can't believe it's been 10 years because I swear that yesterday I remember holding her in my arms for the very first time. I am so glad that she calls me her best friend, because she is my best friend as well.  I love my Kirstee Mae more than words can say!  

A Visit to Seattle

The week before Christmas, I went to see Scott and Sara's.  I was their first visitor they have had since being married.  It was so nice to see their cute little house and do so many fun things with them.  They were so good to me while I was there.  Scott picked me up for the airport in his awesomely cool chef outfit because he had just gotten off of school.  Then he took me back to his school to get the full tour.  I felt like I was behind the scenes of Master Chef or something.  It was really cool.  We then drove to downton Seattle, which was beautiful, to pick up Sara.  Little did I know that Sara works in the mall:)

Sara in a parking garage.  Seattle has many of them.

Snowy Seattle

Space Needle at night

Shopping

All of us in front of some awesome globe light tree

Looking straight up at the Space Needle

All of us on the carousal

Scott and Sara riding a bear

Real gingerbread house.  My favorite part was the mailbox.

We made gingerbread houses, watched Christmas movies, ate artichokes with mayonaise, saw the Space Needle, feed the homeless, visited some of Scott and Sara's friends, rode the tram, finally got to ride a carousal, saw the zoo lights, learned that Santa's reindeer really are women, drove to Utah, and ate super good food at pretty much every meal.  It was so fun, every minute of it!  Scott and Sara know how to show you the high life.  Thanks for being such a gracious host and hostess.  Summer in Seattle, I think so!

The Best of Starts

I wrote this in my journal a few days ago and wanted to write it down here.  The lessons I have learned in the last week are so important, I wanted this to be my first post of the new year.  Here is what I wrote:
Right now I am sitting next to a warm fireplace in Idaho Falls.  I was invited by a very dear friend to come visit her and her family.  This dear friend has been a blessing in my life for several years now.  I met her at BYU while I was working with the volleyball team.  After I had finished my first year of college, I moved in with Ashton.  I learned quite a bit about life and the way I wanted to live.  Ashton was creative, organized, and productive with her time.  She didn't waste a moment of her time because she was using it wisely to study both secular and spiritual things, giving, and improving herself.  I will never forget the spirit that encompassed Ashton.  And the first memory I have of her and her husband as a newly married couple is one that I have always dreamed would be my own.  I wasn't able to go to their reception and so delivered their gift late.  I had set up to drop the present off at their apartment.  I remember walking into the small space and feeling the spirit immediately.  After about a week of marriage, Ashton and her husband, Drew, had the spirit in their home.  It has been a few years and Ashton now has two beautiful children.  We talk every once in awhile.  She has a real natural ability to always come when I need her the most.  A month or so ago she called and asked if I would like to come visit her as she was visiting her family in Idaho.  I won't lie, I was nervous to go visit a family that I didn't really know.  But I knew if they were anything like Ashton I would be comfortable.  Once again I walked into a home filled with the spirit.  I have been watching throughout my visit and although it hasn't been a long visit I have noticed, once again, quite a bit about life and the way I want to live my life.  As I walked into the Hansen home, love and laughter enveloped me.  Many people were gathered at their house even though many had left before I even arrived.  Everyone was laughing and having the time of their lives.  With this atmosphere, peace and security were felt.  No one was loud or boisterous but all were softly concerned for one another.  I told Ashton that I just wanted to take notes on her family because they seemed like the heaven on earth that we are promised by the Savior himself.
I soon began asking myself the question of how has this family accomplished this feeling of love and heaven. I saw a mother who knew her calling as a mother was more than performing motherly duties but as an extension of the Savior's mission on earth.  I saw children that love the gospel and say personal prayers everyday. I saw siblings that truly enjoyed each other's company.  I saw a father who took his priesthoods duties farther than his Sunday worship.  I saw a house of love.  This family has striven to act as the Savior would in every situation.  I loved seeing the pictures of their family and friends that had been over to celebrate the holidays with them, on their cupboards.  I was inspired as every time we walked out the door we were told we were beautiful, smart, and that we could do anything we wanted to do.  After we would say prayers with the family every night we were reminded that we were loved.  This house was not all talk though, as almost every decoration in the home reminded me of our Heavenly Father and our divine purpose here on earth.
I was so deeply touched by my visit and felt so strengthened by the spirit.  I hope next time I will have more time with this amazing family.  Thanks to the Hansens for a great start to the new year!

Brooklyn (Ashton's little girl)

At the Idaho Falls Temple with Ashton and her brother

Poison

Alma 55:32

 32 And they were thus cautious that no poison should be administered among them; for if their wine would poison a Lamanite it would also poison a Nephite; and thus they did try all their liquors.

I remember a companion reading this to a family as a spiritual thought at the end of a dinner we had had.  I thought it was so very random, but decided to wait and hear what she had to say about the scripture.  After reading the scripture she explained that the Lamanites and Nephites were at war at this time.  Both sides had taken prisoners.  The Lamanites wanted to exchange prisoners but were unwilling to let them go after the Nephite ruler put forth some restrictions.  So they decided to go about getting the Nephite prisoners another way.  They decide to poison the Lamanite guards and get them drunk all at the same time.  Then they would sneak out their prisoners from the Lamanites.  They succeeded.  Soon the Lamanites thought they would try the same tactic on the Nephites.  But the Nephites were smart and didn't partake of the wine the Lamanites were trying to poison them with.  

After sharing an explanation of the story, my companion finished with these words.  She said that the Nephites knew the wine was bad for both sides of the war.  What are some things that are bad for all of us?  If we are ever caught saying, "Well, I would watch it but I would never let my children watch it," we probably shouldn't watch it ourselves.  If it is bad for our children, then isn't it bad for us as well.  

I thought this was so interesting and I hope to live more by this principle.  I want to do only what is good for all!