A Good Man

I like Jacob because...

He was the turkey at my turkey trot.

The kids were obsessed with him.

Owen and Drew fought over who got to cuddle with him.

Thank goodness they knew they couldn't mess with me.

He's great at the spray bottle game.

He teaches kids cool things.

He's cute.

And we're awkward.

 And because I like him.

Mission Accomplished

It's impossible to win these guys hearts over with hugs and kisses

Especially when they have such a cool uncle that plays video games 24/7

Til this beauty came along

 I've been in a Children's Literature class this semester and let's just say it's changed my life.

Somehow, I'm gonna be a Children's author and illustrator.

At least for my own children!

Anyway, I whipped out this old book from my childhood, remembering that it taught me absolutely nothing and it was straight up weird and hilarious.

Max and Briant are my closest in proximity nephews. But like I said, not so close at heart. Not their fault really, I should have known little boys don't want hugs and kisses from their aunts! That only works with the nieces.

I was getting closer to winning them over when I played speed in basketball with them. But they kept beating me so I knew that had to end.

They were over one night, and I started reading this to them.

They scoffed at all the silly situations, laughed at the ridiculous voices I used, and were sucked in to say the least.

We finished the book in two visits, despite my aching voice from reading so much. I kept trying to stop but they begged me to keep reading!

And that's when I felt that rush of joy teachers keep telling me about; to see kids grasping knowledge and loving it.

This book may not be a nonfiction documentary or whatever, but stories are wonderful. And how are kids supposed to learn to love reading unless they start with something they like?!

The cherry on top: I even got TWO hugs from Max that night! Sincere hugs without force on my part...


So moral of the story: read this to your children.
Unless you're one of my sisters, then wait for me to get to read it to them please!

A Few Pictures A Day...

Make up for zero posts in the last 9 months..

Married Friends

  Mrs. Sunderhaus

Mrs. Freeman

Mrs. Neilson

It's kind of a wonderful thing! I love to be cheesy and hear them talk about the blessings of marriage, and see the love between them and their husbands.
It doesn't feel as weird as I thought it would to have friends right and left getting engaged, and married.
Everything seems just right. :)

Life is Life and I Like It

Life is wonderful.

Just to name a few things..

I own a Jeep (officially paid off as of tonight :)).

Raddest wheels on the road.

I love my ward friends.

We have fun in California, Mexico, Flagstaff, and Mesa.

I love the prodigy artists in the classes I get to teach.

Seriously... a 6 year old drew this!

I love seeing my parents walk along the beach.

How am I so blessed to be raised by them?

Oh.. and this guy comes home exactly a week from today!!!

 Sometimes he writes haikus in his letters.

Here's my favorite from a couple of weeks ago.

Four short weeks we'll see

It won't be too long until

You and I are we!

So basically:

The Holidays are coming up, the weather is cooling down.

I'm rereading the Harry Potter books, I'm obsessed with my family.

Cole is learning the ukulele, two of my sisters are gonna have babies! (Candace & Tami <3>

This semester is winding down, and I get hugs from my recess kids everyday.

Institute inspires me more and more every week, with the words of our Living Prophets.

Scholarship money is such a blessing, and Jacob comes home.

I can't see how my future could look any brighter than it does right now :)

(And that's saying a lot because my present is already pretty bright).