Amanda and Shaye

Life Is Like A Box Of Chocolates...

Lately I've been reflecting about how life almost always seems to surprise me. Either I misinterpret my destiny, or God has a great sense of humor. (I think it's more of the second thing. :)) Here is a list of things that have surprised me:

- I married my husband. The man who took me on my first date. The man who gave me my first kiss. The man who left me for two years, and in the meanwhile I poured my heart out into letters. Even more surprising was that even after I gave him the shaft after his mission, he chased me. He never gave up. He loved me even when I was lost and confused. What a lucky girl I am.
- I have become an English teacher. From the little girl memorizing Alcott's "Little Women" and having lofty literary dreams, to a real-live teacher. (Trust me, it's not as glamorous as it may sound.) Even more amazing is that I have been able to earn a BA, and almost an MA (in December.) I was never that smart or dedicated in high school.

-Some of my best friends from the second grade are still my best friends now. Friends like Angie, Caitlin, Nikki, Jillian, and Nichole have been a comfort to me ever since I can remember. Some old friends never fade, that's for sure.

-I always thought I would get married young, and have babies young. And while the first happened, the latter has been complicated. I've always put so much emphasis on my worth as a maternal figure, that I never considered that God would want me to do other things with my life first. Like go to school, develop and career etc. Of course, I would give it all up if I could just become a Mom. It's just funny how God knows each of us and directs our paths, even in ways we would not have taken ourselves. But he knows best, and all works out in time.

- Though I have heard the saying "the older you get the smartest your parents become," I know now that it's true. What surprises me even more, is that...yes...I am turning into my mother. Like mother like daughter, apparently. (I can't think of a better lady to emulate.) :)

For all of life's surprises...at least we know who's in charge. :)

Some of my Favorite...and Unfavorite Things

My Favorite Things (in no particular order)

1. The sound of a baby's laughter.
2. Chocolate, especially dark chocolate. mmmm
3. Autumn strolls.
4. A good recipe.
5. The smell of homemade bread.
6. Jane Austen novels.
7. Crossing off the last item on my to-do list.
8. Grocery shopping.
9. Quilting.
10. Christmastime.

11. Girl talk.
12. Cuddling with Shaye.
13. Getting A's.
14. Sarah Palin
15. Raspberry Herbal Tea
16. Cafe Rio
17. Seeing an old friend.
18. Holding a baby.
19. Babies in general.
20. Laughing my guts out.

21. Feeling the spirit.
22. Connecting to someone in a different culture.
23. Cooking.
24. The Twilight Saga.
25. Adele's music
26. The Beatles, any song
27. Rainstorms.
28. Being with my family.
29. Getting Bubble Teas with Angie.
30. Watching my siblings grow up.

31. American Idol
32. Crying (I know that's weird)
33. Realizing that I learned a new lesson.
34. Being a listening ear.
35. Being with Shaye.
36. Giving gifts.
37. Relief society.
38. Pep talks from my mom.
39. The feeling of warm sunshine on my back.

40. Lazy days.
41. Writing music.
42. When Shaye gets home from work.
43. Meeting new people.
44. Italy!
45. My iphone
46. Going to the temple
47. Feeling like I am where I belong.

Just to balance it out, here are a few of my most unfavorite things:
1. Endometriosis
2. Roger (those who know me well understand what this refers to.)
3. Bad hair days...or fat days.
4. Frustation and/or disappointment.
5. Obnoxious television.
6. Being misunderstood.
7. Waiting... and waiting....and waiting.

But( to keep it positive) if I've learned anything lately, its that I, and all of us, have to focus on the positive things to evade the negative. As Shaye always says, there is a good wolf and a bad wolf--the one that thrives is the one that you feed the most. I try to feed the good wolf, and hope that my problems will eventually be solved.

MAY YOUR DAYS ALWAYS HAVE SUNSHINE AND HALF FULL GLASSES. :)

My New Job!

As many of you know, I just started my new job teaching beginning writing (ENG 1010) at Dixie State College. Needless to say, this has been a huge undertaking for me--first, trying to prove to myself that I am ready to be a teacher, and second, trying to convince myself that I'm not still a freshman in college. :) It's also been stressful because I'm in my last semester for my MA degree with Northern Arizona University, and I was worried that I would not have enough time to get everything done.
But despite my fears, I am happy to report that my job is going splendidly. I LOVE TEACHING! What a relief after going through 6 years of college for this profession, that I actually do love what I went to school for. My students are bright, intuitive, and good people. I'm so exciting to continue teaching. Maybe one day I'll get my PhD so I can hang out with the cool kids (the higher up professors), and not only teacher ENG 1010. But for now, I LOVE IT!

My parents' dogs are PRICELESS

So, you know that saying that people look like their pets. I really hope it's not true. Sure, I love my parent's dogs...but do I want a flat nose and curly tail... no! My sister bought this gross hair piece at the dollar store. It looked ridiculous on her... and even more ridiculous on the pugs! Here are some priceless pictures of Maggie and Millie. Seriously, 2 Qt 2 B 4gotten!

Millie

Maggie

Breaking Dawn Release Party

So, I know... I'm a dork. It's true. But I LOVE the Twilight Saga!!! My Mom and I went to the Breaking Dawn release party at Barnes and Noble last Friday night and had such a great time. Don't get me wrong, there were definitely crazies there, but nothing too scary. In fact, half my parents' neighborhood was there.

At midnight they made us all line up outside and they called us in in groups of 25. My Mom went and got in line for a wristband at 8 am, so we were one of the firsts to get the book!! YEY! We ran into the store and bought the book and walked past no joke, 1500 or more people waiting and for the book! It was such a rush.

SO... I read the book on Saturday, and I LOVED IT! (Don't worry, I won't spoil it for any of you.) The book has had mixed reviews, but seriously, when can you make everyone happy? Anyways, I loved it!

Jeff's Mission Call

Just wanted to let you all know that my brother Jeff just opened his mission call on Friday! He will be serving in the Alabama Burmingham mission and is super excited! He leaves Oct 22. I can't believe that I have a brother old enough to go on a mission, it seems like yesterday that Shaye left on his mission. We all tease Jeff that he's going to come back with a drawl and weigh 300 lbs. :) Aside from his uncanny association with Forest Gump, he's REALLY EXCITED! YEY FOR JEFF!

Our Trip to Beautiful Washington!

We just got back from the most fun, exciting trip to Washington State. It was especially fun for me to be able to experience all of the things that Shaye enjoyed during his childhood in the Bellingham area where we stayed is his family's favorite vaca spot. The trip was amazingly fun because everything we did was centered around the outdoors. Every day we went on cool hikes, and saw the most beautiful places. I can't believe how pretty it is up there! It's good to be home, but I sure do miss those gorgeous, lush mountains!