I'm Here

It's such a joke to pretend like I could catch up after the last six months in just one blog post, so I'll pretend like everyone who would be reading this already knows what's been going on in my life. I won't lie and say I'm embarrassed that I haven't written in so long, because I've been busy enough to justify myself.

Of course, I've been doing my school blog, which also made me feel fulfilled in the blogging world.

Anyways, nostalgia has been creeping into my life for no real reason. Maybe it's because I feel like things are slowing down now that my Teacher Work Sample is over. I hope it's not because I feel that my life is getting boring. It definitely is not boring. I'm doing the things that I love with the people I love.

My friend is throwing a surprise 3/4 birthday party for her husband on Saturday. That rocks!

Corbin and I went mattress shopping for a bit today, and I'm having a hard time making the decision to commit. My back just does not agree with this firm mattress, but what if we spend hundreds of dollars on another mattress that I think I like, but ends up hurting me after a while? I never had back problems with any of my single housing mattresses... how ironic. I wish a mattress would magically appear that didn't hurt me, and I wouldn't have to make a decision. Oh well.

Corbin's dad gave us a Costco card as a gift, and I can't wait to use it. His dad is so generous. I like him. I think the first thing I want to get from that place is the stuffed pasta Mom got me when we went a few weeks ago. I just can't stop thinking about those tasty things.

I am tired of my house looking like we moved in a week ago, meaning that I think I'm going to go on a decorating spree (or at least begin the process with the funds that I have). Here are my first plans:

- curtains for the windows. I don't want them to block any actual light, seeing as out basement gets very dark very easily. I just need a splash of color.

- picture frames for our pictures and posters. They're cute, they just need to look presentable.

- pictures to put in frames. We have some cool frames, but no pictures cool enough that will fit. (and another thing I'm excited about Costco for: printing pictures)

- fix up our dresser. I'm going to paint it, and get new handles for it. My sock drawer is missing a handle. Those handle-less days must end.

- new floor lamp that isn't missing a lamp shade and looks tacky. The one we have has been through a lot with me, and been through 7 different apartments. It's done me good, but it's time to retire.

-couch cover, if I can figure out how to craft one. There is no way I could find one that is 9 feet long and three feet tall.

If I could have my dream, I would paint these bland white walls, but I'd hate to have to paint it back a year later. I've got to find the balance between being happy with my surroundings, and realizing that we won't be here for long, in the grand scheme of things.

PS: if anyone feels like a good decorator (like knowing how to position pictures on the wall to look good, or organizing furniture in an aesthetically pleasing way), come and experiment on my house. I know we've got potential here, I just am not very good at this sort of thing. Man. What will it be like when I have a real house?

Also, I am really excited to get fit. I've got lots going for me that will hopefully motivate me. I started Even Stronger Than Yesterday, because competition is good for this sort of thing, and it worked really well for me last time (I also was about to get married, so the motivation might be a little different this time around). The Rex Lee run is coming up soon, which I am super excited for. Does anyone know if we can sign up yet? And Nebo District does the Hershey Track Meet every year, and we're going to start training on Monday (if weather permits). Even though I don't compete, I still want to be a good example to my kids. Plus I just like to run.

The Pictures of the Room

It looks better in real life, but I think these pictures are still pretty fun. The first week was an adventure, in both a good and a bad way. But there is definitely one thing- I am learning how to be a real teacher.

My Class

As you already know, the first day of school was yesterday, and the past two days have been a whirlwind. I am loving my kids, and I hate to say it, but I think I'm a sucker for the girls. They are all so cute and sweet. But don't worry, I love my boys to, they are crazy and fun. I've got a few kids that I know I will get hilarious stories out of all year long. Tomorrow (when I actually remember to do it) I will take pictures of my finished classroom, that is actually lived in now. Here are some pictures of the bare bones that I found on arrival.

Here is a little taste of what we've been up to. For more info, go to my class blog at millergrade3.blogspot.com

Old photos

I'm not sure if these photos are up somewhere already, but I thought I'd add them anyways. They're still cute. =)

Random Thoughts

Not too many very exciting things have happened to me lately, but I am loving this summer. The pace, the activities, the company... And I am feeling more grown up than I expected to. We had another couple in our ward come over, and we played games. We had a married person night with other married people. Maybe the novelty will wear off someday, but for now it's fun.

The classroom is coming along nicely. I've got my cricket letters (thanks Holly!), my vel crow tape, and my empty soup cans- the perfect combo for an elementary school classroom. It's hard to think that a month from Pioneer day I will have a room full of 3rd graders.

I would also like to put in my thoughts on the temple. I always knew I would love it, but it's even more incredible than I imagined. And yet, so familiar. And yet, I still have so much to learn, and I can feel it every time I go. For a person who's been endowed less than three months, I think I've been to a wide variety of temples: Redlands, San Diego, Columbia River, Provo, Mt. Timp, Boise, and in a couple days, Draper. Each one is different, each one is beautiful, and each one has the Spirit. And I'm glad I get to share it all with my wonderful husband.

In less than a month, I will be gone from SAS custodial forever. It's been good to me, but I believe its time has passed.

I want to say that I am so glad I didn't have texting as a student. I think it is so rude when people do it in class, but I know I would have. Thanks Mom and Dad from saving me from myself. But just for the record, I really really love texting.

Hello World

I looked back on the past six months of my blogging life, and realized I'm not as faithful as I used to be about writing. The thing is, I don't feel like I have many interesting things to say, or interesting ways of saying them. So I'll use something that is tried and true: a list of my current favorite things. And here it is!

• this crazy half cross-eyed face Corbin makes
• playing with Holly and Jack
• seeing Shelley and Jett on video chat
• reading 3rd grade level books
• getting my classroom ready
• doing my bellydance DVD
• having facebook inform me that friends are engaged
• my new calling of Literacy Committee member
• going to the temple (that place is cool cool)
• lovely spring weather
• hanging out with Leesa and Amanda
• thinking about fun times past, and daydreaming about future ones
• being with my wonderful husband
• lotion
• sleeping in
• homemaking (is that odd?)
• To Do lists
• when stuff on my To Do list gets To Done.
• listening to books on CD
• Brittany Bird's hilarity!

Don't worry, if I think of other things, I'll keep them to myself. =)

It has been quite a while since I've posted, and I wish that my camera would work with my computer, because then I'd have wonderful pictures of the last month to share.
All in all, being married is pretty dang awesome. I love it even more than I imagined. Corbin is an even better husband than he was fiance, and he was a terrific fiance.
Having my own home to make is a beautiful thing. Not having to write my name on my food is also blessed. I get to organize the furniture like I want (with Corbin's brawn to help me of course). Making grown-up decisions is kind of bizarre, because I'm not a grown up yet. But I guess I'm drawing nearer and nearer to becoming one. I've got a husband, a job, and a whole lot to do this summer. Even though it's going to be filled with work, it will also be filled with lots of partying. Don't forget, all you Provo-ites: I've got access to a pool, a waffle maker, and the desire for creating good times!

Life Thusfar

I know it has been a while, and plenty has happened since last I wrote. For heaven's sake, my last practicum happened! And for those who don't know, it went amazingly. I think I was converted to the upper grades, but that may only be because I fell in love with my mentor teacher. I cannot say enough about how magical she made my practicum. The kids were great and wonderful and hilarious, but Stephanie was the icing on the cake. That may all seem creepy, but I will really miss working with her.
I had my internship interview last Monday, and got a job! I'll be teaching 3rd grade for Larsen Elementary in Spanish Fork. I cannot believe how excited I am to have my own classroom and my own students and everything. It's amazingly overwhelming, but it will be a great experience.
Because I know my next year of life is secured, it has squelched the last embers of desire to do well in my classes. The common mentality in my cohort is that we already have jobs, and it doesn't matter how we do these last few weeks as long as we scrape by. Yes, I am one of the masses. I am trying to at least stumble across the finish line, but no promises for anything better than that. It's all very surreal, actually, knowing that these are my last days as a BYU campus goer. I feel like I should be drinking it all in, but at the same time, I just want to get away.
And the pinnacle of all reasons that I want this semester to end: getting married to the love of my life. No, not pink milk, not ping pong, not even MASH. That's right, the great Corbini, Corb-star, Corbina. Corbin has made this past school year such a wonderful experience, and I hope I've made it the same for him. We've only got less than a month to go, and we are so excited. There are still things to be done, but the business in that aspect will help the time to go faster, I think.
In less exciting news, I had oral surgery on Friday, and I am healing up nicely. Corbin and I have also been sick all weekend, but it feels like things are looking up and we're on the mend.
I hope some of this distractedness will settle down at least until school ends, then I will allow myself to lose my mind. So please, however comes in contact with me, don't judge if I'm a little mean or crazy. Just blame it on all the stuff I have going on. Also blame the hormones. =)

Practicum Love!

As you may know, I started my practical experience at Orchard Hills Elementary in Santaquin. It has been such a different experience in 5th grade than last semester in 2nd. It's a combination of things. Of course, the kids are older, can do more things, and are way way easier to manage. Another stark difference is my teacher is 25 instead of 50+. Stephanie teaches like we have been taught to, because she is a recent BYU graduate herself. She's so organized, and gives me all sorts of resources to use in lessons. She's way flexible with letting me do lessons at a good pace and style. She eats with the other teachers during lunch. She can actually hear me when I talk to her. =) My carpool of girls is way cool too. We have a great time driving and talking during lunch. Our CFA is way cute and nice and helpful. She gave us a tour of the school the first day, and made us way turned around, but that couldn't be helped. She scrapbooked some steno pads for us the first day, and they are so so cute. I love how the schoolday is planned out, organized, and pretty much step by step. It makes the day go way fast, and I love it. I have way more assignments than last semester, but I'm way more organized, and that gives me a lot of confidence. I think this practicum is going to be GREAT!

An Ode to Mom

Yesterday in Relief Society, we had a lesson on Elder Bednar's talk about the three things you can do to strengthen the home, the first of which was expressing love. All of a sudden, I couldn't get my mommy out of my head, and I knew I had to tell her I loved her. So Ma, this one's for you!

I have a lot of favorite things about my mommy, and a lot of examples I can site of how I know she loves me.

She would always get up with us for seminary. She wasn't always the most coherent, but hey, I wasn't either.

she loves a good party! Get out the food, get the music bumpin', you know you know.

I love those times when we're talking and being silly, and our conversation deteriorates into inaudible laughter. You know it's good when you don't know what anyone's saying anymore.

She knows... somehow Mom always knew what boy I liked, when something was wrong, when I needed to skip a day of school... I never figured out how she did it.

She made us lunch, not just in elementary school, but that stint in high school where we could go get our lunch from mom and actually eat something delicious and healthy, rather than a fruit roll up and some cookies I would have inevitably packed for myself. She didn't have to, but she did anyways.

My mom knows how to get in there and get things done. Hard work is definitely something I admire about her.

She's nice. Everyone at school knew Mrs. Chatfield, and how awesome she was. She made treats for the drama kids, could talk about issues going on at school, oh, and this...

She gives great advice. I didn't always take it, but that was always a bad idea. She would take the problem, and deal with it. No judgements, always an outpouring of love.

She's smokin' HOT!

She thinks Daddy is cute, to this very day. I am obligated as their child to say eeeew, but I think it's really sweet. I want to say that to my husband after 25 years of marriage.

She keeps a great journal, something I want to emulate.

Disney Land is always more magical when Mom is there, even if she doesn't go on all the rides.

She can appreciate a night of Mr. Darcy and brownie mix.

If you have any favorite qualities that I didn't put down (because there are plenty that I just didn't have space for) feel free to share.

Mom, I love you so much. I'm glad I got to have a great mom like you! Thanks for doing my wedding, thanks for encouraging me through school, thanks for being a wonderful example to me. I hope you can feel my hugs all the way from Utah!

I was working on a paper on goals for my special needs instruction class, and I came upon these scriptures. I think they look real nice together.

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

(New Testament | Matthew 5:48)

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

(New Testament | Mark 9:23)

It seems to give some hope, which is always nice.

Traditions

My classmate is writing a book about family traditions. She asked us to share some of ours, and I thought it was so fun that I'll share them with you. If you happen to think of any good traditions you'd like in a book, leave them in a comment and I'll send them to her. Yes, you too could be in a book! I love traditions!


My two older sisters got married in the Redlands California temple, and that's where I'm getting married in May. I am also using the same veil they used.
Every Valentines day, my mom would get a box of chocolates for me and my four sisters. They would be waiting for us on the mantle when we woke up.
My family has a usual routine for the 4th of July. In the afternoon, we gather all our footballs and lawn toys, and go to the field at Moore Middle School (my dad taught there at one point). We would set up the lawn chairs and blankets, eat potato salad and chips, and play football and frisbee until it got too dark. At that point, we sit on the blankets and try to play Uno by flashlight. All the while, there is a large mixing bowl of cookie dough with tons of spoons in it, which we would use to eat cookie dough at will. When the fireworks actually start, we sit back, relax and enjoy the colors and lights. When they finish, we fight the traffic to get home. Once there, we console our dog by giving her hugs and treats (she gets a little freaked out by all the noise).
It's a rule in my family that you can't go to bed before we say family prayers. Whenever someone is tired enough to want to go to bed (usually Dad), we gather in the living room and kneel. Our family is really playful, so it usually takes a few minutes for us to settle down to a reverent enough state. We go through the family cycle of who offers the prayer.
Half birthdays are a big deal in my family. We always celebrate, but the celebration ranges from a telephone call to a party. My favorite half birthday consisted of a surprise visit from my fiance, a few telephone calls from family and friends, and a rousing game of ping pong.
For my whole college career, I went to my grandma's house for Sunday dinner every week. As many cousins, siblings, uncles and aunts as we could muster would come and enjoy Grandma's home cooked meals, usually consisting of a roast and potatoes. Sometimes we would be assigned something to bring (i.e. dessert, a side, a drink). My grandma would make these assignments, as well as organize carpools, by a mid-week email. For an 80 year old woman, she was very proficient at emailing. When dinner was over, the crowed would clean the dishes, take the extra leaves out of the table, put away the extra chairs, and things would usually deteriorate into a game of Uno.

Things that make me happy...

Being with Corbin
reading/ listening to books
playing with my babies
visiting the elementary schools
having dinner with my family posse
Having this winter not be too bitterly cold
Hearing about my best friend's first kiss
delicious food and being able to eat it
sleep
getting big checks in the mail
MASH
turning in applications
turning in big homework assignments
accomplishing things on my wedding to do list
A friendly smile at church, since I am the new girl
the idea of teaching next year
the Gospel
listening to my favorite music
my nice future family-in-law
my own family
reading my old journals

I have felt a little bedraggled lately, so it's nice to remember all the good things I got going for me. =)

I'll be home for Christmas...

And I am! The drive was so fun and went so fast. Lillie and I talked about boys for most of the time, and it was way fun. She is a laugh and a half! Harry Potter kept us company for a few minutes too. =)
Being here there are so many fun plans, but even with all these fun plans, I won't be distracted enough. I've been away from my fiance for just a day and a half, but I started missing him the minute I drove away from his house. There are lots of things to do and to play between now and the 28th, but I still want it to come asap!
It's so fun to see my mommy and daddy and Kellie! I got to help in the nursery today, and those kids are adorable. Tomorrow we're going to Knotts Berry Farm, and I am way excited! We get to see the Birds, and have Christmas, and I get to play with Scotty the Pirate! Wedding plans will ensue among all the other fun things.
I am so glad to be home, and it will be a nice change from all the insanity from the past two weeks. Christmas is a beautiful time of year!

It was the best of times...

It was the worst of times. This age-old adage is ever so true for me right now. I've got so many great wonderful things going on and going for me right now.
~I'm engaged to Corbin
~My nephews are turning 1 year old this month!
~I get to go home for Christmas break
~the craziest semester of my life is just about over
~I get to go dress shopping with my girlfriends
~wedding plans are coming along, slowly but surely
~I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

But there are so many crazy stressful things going on as well:
~I have not yet sold my Colony contract
~I'm moving this week
~and a bunch of other stuff that isn't really pertinent to this blogpost.

All I can say is, hopefully I'll live to see my wedding day, because next semester just might kill me. I know that everything will work out, and I'm doing my best to keep a positive eternal outlook on things. Just keep praying for me, and I'll pray for you, and we'll all make it in the end!

Lots of Love

Today, Corbin and I have been engaged one whole month! The time has gone by so quickly, but it has been wonderful. I become more and more thankful for that great guy every day, and his presence in my life is really a blessing. Starting wedding plans is super exciting, and I'm thinking the next semester is going to fly by, which will be nice.


I've been thinking a lot lately about my family, and how much I love them. I like the person that I am, and I know that a lot of it has to do with them and the guidance and love they have showed me over the past 21ish years. I hope I show how much I love them.

We're Engaged!

Here is a quick precurser to the engagement story, and I promise it relates. We started dating on my birthday, August 1. We'd been getting our flirt on for a while, and I decided to send him a message to show I was interested. So that night, we had driven my cousin home, and we parked behind my house, we got out of the car, started walking to the apartment, but behind the house I pushed him against the wall. Then I took his glasses off and said, "what if I kissed you right now," and he made some lame reference to Boy Meets World, then I kissed him, put his glasses back on, and said "Happy birthday to me!"

So earlier this week, Corbin asked me on a date for last Friday, and he told me we were going to go to Comedy Sportz and get a crepe, which is what we did on our first date. "Ah" I said to myself. "He's going the whole recreate-our-first-date route for proposing. But there was a slight snag. Friday he went to the doctor and found out he has swine flu and strep. So obviously we didn't go out that night. Little did I know he had picked up the ring that day.

Saturday rolled around, and we spent the day watching movies, him being sick, and me trying to nurse him back to health. At about 10 that night, he told me he was going to take me home, but before he did, he played me a song he had written. It was so sweet, and I absolutely swooned! Then we drove back to my apartment and parked behind my house. I pulled my backpack out of the car, and as I was putting it on, Corbin offered to be a gentleman and hold it for me. I thought this was a little silly, because he was sick and weak, and it was only my backpack. But as we got close to thE wall, he pushed me up against it (a little awkward when carrying a backpack). He looked me in the eye and asked, "what would you do if I asked you to marry me right now?" "I would say yes" thinking to myself, duh, we've been wanting to get married forever! But then he got down on his knee, and proposed! I was so shocked, but through the shock I said yes. He put the ring on my finger, and I was done for. I burst out in tears, and we hugged and hugged (no kissing allowed due to diseases of various sorts).

So that's the story, definitely unique, I would say. But most definitely us. =)

My Guided Reading

School's In!

This week in teaching has been totally crazy. It seems like a lot of worth while things work this way: the days are long but the weeks are short. When I'm in the classroom I feel like I've been there for 12 hours instead of two, but looking back and knowing I've been at Barnett for a whole week already... it's gone by in a flash. I love being in the schools and seeing the unique personalities and abilities of every student. But at the same time it's challenging trying to run the class the way Mrs. Hanson does, and think of good lessons that will actually be useful to the students. It's really an emotional roller coaster, but I like roller coasters. =)
Going to work after school seems so slow now that I have to deal with the pace of 2nd grade. I wonder how I can spice it up while still getting things done.
The other slivers of my day are crazy, trying to fit in homework and assignments and lesson plans and finding a professional outfit for the next day. Fortunately I still get to see Corbin every once in a while, and I think that's what keeps me sane.
I wonder how I will have changed by the end of the practicum?

Recent Life

My trip to Washington was a success. I got to get away for a few days, hang out with some super fun people, eat Delicious food, and see new sights. I'm so glad I've gotten to know the Miller clan, and I'm glad they've gotten to know me. Highlights:
-hanging out with Caitlin, Corbin's 2 1/2 year old niece. She is in that stage where she says the funniest things, but is still so so sweet. We kept each other company for most of the time, and found that we are pretty much kindred spirits.
- walking by the river, with the fall leaves and the chilly air and the pretty view. So lovely...
-nighttime games with the family: uno, guitar hero, Disney scene-it, etc
-girl time: pedicures with mom and sisters. Relaxing, with an end product of hot pink toenails!

In other news, I found out that I'll be teaching at Barnett Elementary in Payson for the next month-ish. I'm super scared and super excited. I pretty much don't know what to expect, but I hope that I'll be able to use what I know, plus a little teacher's instinct, and take care of business.

This Friday is Amanda's bridal shower, which I am co-throwing. It's going to be a small gathering, but really fun anyways. I'm not the best at parties, so I hope I can scope out the needs of the party-goers and make it bangin' for my friend Amanda.

I've finally got the ball rolling for a musical fireside we're doing for the ward next month. We've already had some bumps along the way, but I think the finished product will turn out nicely.

I'm moving next semester, and there are lots of good things about that. #1. I won't have any more friends here at the Colony, seeing as they're all moving away this semester because of graduating, getting married, or going on missions. #2 I'll be closer to Corbin and Carlie and campus. #3. I'll be moving somewhere cheaper. I put my contract up for sale, and I don't expect it will take long to sell since Dawn and Amanda's have already gone. I'm going to look around for some good places that are closer to campus, and I hope I find something that suits me. I've never looked for a place to live by myself, so this will be interesting.

Anywho, there are about a million other little things I have to take care of, but somehow I'll get it all under control.