Catchup :)

No, I haven't dropped off the face of the planet. I've just been enjoying the super nice weather we've been having and spending every spare minute with my wonderful fiance. 

Jeff's Birthday

General Conference--we went to the Sunday Afternoon session

One of my mission trainers came up to Utah for Conference, and was sitting in the same section we were! It was fun to be able to see her again :)

I finished my student teaching and graduated from BYU-Idaho. 8 wonderful semesters on campus, and one student teaching. I was ready to be done. I felt very much like it was time. I'm ready for the next step. I started my new job at American Preparatory Academy, a charter school in West Valley, as a Teacher in Training. I was assigned to a 3rd grade homeroom, but also have a small group class of 2nd graders that my teacher teaches, and also a small group of 1st graders for math that I teach on my own. I totally love this job! Right now, it's basically an internship to see if I can catch onto the teaching method (they use Direct Instruction for anyone who knows what that is. For those who don't, it's basically scripted of what I have to  do and say.) When I interviewed for this job and they were explaining it to me, I didn't think I'd like it. It is way different from anything I've been used to doing on campus. But my first day in the classroom as I saw it working, I could see benefits. I started teaching lessons on my second day in the classroom, I it felt super natural. Plus, I don't have lesson plans to write, because everything is scripted. All I have to do is review the script and I'm ready to go for the lessons. I mean, as an actual teacher at the school, I'd have more to do in terms of preparation, but it is a nice break from what I was doing during student teaching. I'm a lot more relaxed and not stressed out at all. (Just ask my neck. The muscles haven't been this loose in months!) I find myself hoping and praying that it will work out and that they'll hire me on full-time for the fall. I really think they will, but I don't want to count my chickens before they hatch. I do know that I would be happy teaching at that school. And the commute isn't too bad, only about 20 minutes when there's traffic. And it will be less after I get into our apartment. 

Coloring Easter Eggs

We've also been taking advantage of the beautiful weather. This last Saturday it was over 80*, so we took a picnic to the park. Then we walked around the park. And went downtown and looked around the Capital, then barbecued hot dogs at Jeff's house before we curled up to watch a movie. We've been taking a lot of walks together, taking advantage of that time to continue to get to know each other better. He is truly the most amazing man I know and I am so grateful that I will be able to spend all Eternity with him. The longer I know him, the more I see that he will do everything in his power to take care of me and treat me like a Queen.

As for the wedding plans, because everyone is asking, we've got most of the big stuff taken care of. Dress purchased. Tux reserved. Temple reserved. Church reserved for the reception. Photographer booked. Engagements taken. Videographer booked. Decorator booked. Cake ordered. Flowers ordered. Refreshments figured out (I think.) We're counting down until the day when we will be able to start our eternal family. But until that time, we're working at preparing  for that time. And spending every possible minute together, even if he's working on homework and I'm sitting here doing such things as blogging, reading, or sleeping. Yes, I've done all 3. Poor guy. But his semester ends next week and he'll have a few days off before he jumps back into school for the summer semester. He's so great and working hard to get done. I'm proud of him :)

Basically, Life is great :D