Birthday Birthday

I turned 22 years old yesterday. I was born to my sweet parents on January, 30th 22 years ago. It's funny to me how when birthdays arrive it doesn't really seem to feel any different and yet another year has flown by. When you look back over the past year it seems as though so much has changed. What baffles me is that isn't a year such a little amount of time? Isn't it so short in comparison to the large scheme of things? And yet, in the past year I was able to finish my last three semesters of college, watch my brother leave on a mission, fall in love, break my heart, learn to mend it again, see those I love through hard times, and begin my career as an educator. All of this and so much more in a year. A simple, tiny year. The ability that humans have to accomplish things is incredible. I am grateful for the past year and looking forward to the new one to come. Although I know this year will bring so much sadness, challenge, excitement, and joy--I look forward to it all. It makes me stronger each year. Here is to being 22! Young, beautiful, and more and more in touch with who I am becoming. 

Lessons and Lessons

I have been student teaching for almost a month now. The time has flown by and I now have a spare moment to update my blog, and update myself even, as I reflect on this past month. I never expected to be so busy. I never expected to literally lie in my bed at 8 pm and have no regrets about possibly falling asleep due to pure exhaustion. I never expected to have so many emotions when I walked into school each morning. The feelings of love for the sweet children that enter my doors. The feelings of anxiety as I am thrown into a lesson or situation that takes me completely outside of my comfort zone. The feeling of complete despair when I hear the tragic homes these children come from. The feeling to just give up and at the same time the feeling of total obligation and responsibility to these children who rely on me every day to be happy and ready to teach. 
Being a teacher is a great gift and an immense responsibility. Those children trust you and admire you more than words could possibly describe. It is felt in their smiles, their eyes that constantly follow you, their tears, their hugs, their gifts, and so much more. 
I know my gift is with teaching and in working with children. I have already seen the difference I can make in their lives. It is a gift that I will always cherish. 
The first day of student teaching in my 1st grade classroom I told myself that I wouldn't say no to opportunities to teach, even if it scared me to death. Well, I can gladly say that I haven't. I have said "Yes" and jumped into teaching. As a result I nearly took over the entire class after two weeks of student teaching, which is unusual. Now I am a month in and already feeling sad that I only have a month left with these little ones before I switch to my special education placement. 

Student teaching doesn't leave much time to look pretty, but some days I get a chance to wake up and actually take the time to get ready. While most days I just rush out the door. I usually tell my roommates "Well, it's a pony tail day" or "Well, it's a bun day for me". I have great roomies. 

I participated in crazy hair day-naturally. :)

I also infested our home with sickness. This is right after I found out I had strep throat. Thank goodness I have supportive roommates.

Although there is so much to learn still, I have feel so prepared. I feel so blessed to have gone to a wonderful university with professors that forever impacted my life. I cannot wait to begin my career as a teacher. I realize more and more each day the important things in this life. Family. Education. Love. The Gospel. Close Friends. Relationships. Those are my treasures.