Guess What!?! :)

I have some big news. The last 2 weeks have been quite eventful! I'm excited to write about it all!
First off,

Having a Wedding Anniversary Is Pretty Cool...

I've never had a wedding anniversary, and I decided I like them. We celebrated it this weekend because we had to cancel the colorado trip once again (you'll find out why in a bit.) So I made this picture while I was reminiscing about all of our time together. Going through all our pictures I've had about 9 different hair styles lol a lot has changed, but a lot has stayed the same too. It really doesn't feel like it's been that long. And I feel lucky because, there's no one else I'd rather spend my life with.

OH MY GOSH! 

Now on to my big news. This song is how I feel right about now!

I got my dream job!!

I can't believe it, but I'M A TEACHER!!! 

WOO HOO!!  I am now a 7th and 8th grade teacher at Summit Academy in Bluffdale! I actually got 2 jobs and got to choose the school I liked better. I never thought this would happen. I thought I wouldn't be able to get a teaching job because my subjects were so limited, but then I got the first job and Summit offered me the job right at the interview!! (That's never happened to me before!)

It's so fulfilling for me that I cried driving home and called everyone I knew to tell every ridiculous detail. 

Holy Crap... lots of hats are coming. 

I am so excited but so overwhelmed at the same time. I'm going to be teaching 4 subjects (which is a ton!) Health, PE, Dance, and Yearbook. I'll also be coaching cross country and track. I'm going to be getting ready like crazy because I have so much to do. (And I don't even know how to do it all!)

At first, the job was just health, dance, and PE, which is crazy enough. Then just 2 days ago the principle offered me the yearbook class as well. She remembered that I was a journalism major first and that I was on newspaper and wrote articles for voxxy. So that was cool. I think it'll be right up my alley because I obviously love taking pictures and documenting what happens in life. The only problem is, I have no idea how to teach a yearbook class...lol I think this school year is going to be a trial by fire kindof year. I guess I'll have to just figure it out as I go!

A little journaling

Moving from job to job is not enjoyable, and each time convincing myself I liked it was not effective. Since graduation in December, I've found the job-hunting experience to be quite hard on me because jobs for what I wanted were so limited. I was so excited to graduate only to be slapped in the face by life when I found out getting a job was nearly impossible. I had almost convinced myself that I didn't want to teach simply because I was so afraid of failing. I didn't want to even apply for jobs because the chances of me getting one was so small, and I thought it would be so embarrassing. I didn't want to seem less capable, so I basically didn't even try applying until a couple weeks ago. I finally got fed up with feeling no purpose in my job, and decided life's too short to feel so little fulfillment in what you do 40+ hours a week. So a manned-up and tried. I was scared going to the first interview, but afterwards I felt so proud of myself. I practiced interviewing, wrote up samples, tried on 20 outfits, etc. During the interview, she told me how many others she was interviewing and applied, so when I got the job it was that nudge I needed for my self esteem that I didn't have before. It's so stupid now that I think about it, but your self esteem can really be tied with your career. No matter what I did, (I thought about going into HR, getting a masters, etc.) I know I wouldn't have been happy until I proved to myself that I was good enough at what I studied in school. And no matter how much I tried to convince myself otherwise, I want to be a teacher. Plus, it was a dance teaching position that she offered me (always something I was insecure about in college because I didn't grow up dancing so I worried about getting a dance teaching position.) Boom! Anyway, After I got the job at the first school (Eastmont) I had to go interview with the district. When I went in to interview, it was my high school principal that interviewed me! She remembered me from the school news and said she was proud that a Bingham student is teaching now. It was such a cool experience. When I went to Summit to interview, I got lost and my gps wasn't working, so I called my dad. He remembered where it was, and I was so lucky because I ended up not being late. He and my mom and Dallin all helped me prepared too and quized me. I could not have done it without them. At the interview, it was amazing because as we talked it was clear that my philosophy matches up with theirs perfectly. They offered me the job at the end, and it's funny but the thing I was most excited about was coaching cross country. I felt like my life had come full circle because I was interviewed by my old principal, and I ran cross country back in the day. It's so cool to think about because if you would have told me back then that I would one day be coaching and teaching I wouldn't have believed you. I was never what I wanted until 2011ish, but now that I have it I finally feel happy. I've learned my lesson- money doesn't matter if you're not happy. Dallin comes home from work smiling, he's made so many friends at his work, and he's going far with it. I wanted the same thing, but I had no idea how I was going to get it. Now I know that what I'm doing is definitely going to be a challenge, but I'm going to love every minute of it, and that's what's important. 

Leaving Prodigy

I felt so stupid telling them I was quitting after I had only been there a month and half, but I guess I had to go through it in order to finally make my mind up. I felt bad because the girl before me only lasted a month too. I have a problem of carrying guilt for ridiculous reasons, so this week have had some anxiety over it. But at the end of the day, I'm leaving to do something I love, not just something that pays the bills. 

I posted on facebook to help replace myself, and I'm so glad Sagan got the job! I knew her from school and also her husband works with Dallin. It's been really fun to train her and spend time with her rather than someone I don't know. I think she's going to do well and I'm leaving prodigy in good hands. She's excited as well, so it's a good situation all around because all parties are getting what they want. I agreed to stay with Prodigy a little longer than I wanted to, and they're doing a little goodbye party for me. So at least it's not a bad goodbye. 

And of course, I got roped into one last photo shoot before I left. I don't know why the pics from them always end up blurry but here it is. 

Slow Progress on the Table

I have learned something from this experience- DIY sucks! It is so hard, and it's taking forever! I'm sure it'll turn out great, but all my dreams for painting other furniture are becoming a lot less dreamy. Anyway, Dal and I stripped the sealant off the top of the table together, and it was actually really cool. Kindof like peeling the sticker off of a new tv or phone.  

 Then afterward we put the primer on and painted it black. I still have to do the same to the legs of the table and the leaf. I still have to put another coat of sealant on the chairs too.

Miss Emma Saves the Day!

What would I do without Emma? She helped me cover the chairs with fabric and we watched the Longest Ride. (Such a cute movie!) I was afraid of the staple gun at first, and it was really hard work! So I reeeeeeally appreciated her help because she worked those cushions over like a maniac!

She was so excited for me when I told her about my teaching job. It's so nice to have such caring friends and family, because everyone has been really supportive and happy for me. 

 

A Family Affair

My grandma was in town for my cousin Skyler's wedding and so we had dinner with her, Chris, crystal, jim, my aunt darlene, Bentley, my aunt kim, uncle ray, cousin miki, and my mom and tom. This is us and the kids after dinner. It was so great seeing everyone, and the pasta carbonara was divine!

It was kindof weird seeing my mom's new renter go downstairs to where we used to live. I wanted to see what it looks like down there now. I've also wanted to go back to the townhouse in Provo I used to live in to see what that looks like now too. It's sortof like it being your territory and those feelings don't really leave immediately. She's a girl who my mom knows from the neighborhood and she's so cute. I'm excited for her because it's just like how we were. She's getting married soon and they're going to live down there. 

The kids were really tired on the way home from playing with Bentley. 

 It's a great day for a wedding!

Well, our crazy days are officially over. Skyler's hitched! We went to his luncheon and reception and it was all beautiful! I'm really happy for him. She seems really sweet and they went to the Bahamas on their honeymoon! It was also nice to see family members for the wedding that we don't get to see very often. 

Herky's 2!!!!

Can you believe how much he looks like Trenden!? He's a freaking clone. I like him, he's a pretty cool little dude. He probably doesn't even really know me, but I remember when we went down to AZ and he was like 2 weeks old.

This was the first time I held him. Crazy how time flies and he's all huge and 2 now!

 Last weekend.

After the wedding we went to a late movie with jon and sophie mccutchan. I thought ant man was going to be stupid, but I actually really liked it! The concept is ridiculous but they make it work! (And of course we had to see it in the recliner seats lol) 

Jon and Sophie are so cool & funny, I hope to hang out with them more. They just got  a new car and showed it to us, and it gave Dallin the gimme's lol

Josie: The Un-luckiest Puppy.

Poor Jojo can't seem to catch a break. She was coming up the stairs on the back porch and her toenail got stuck in a crack in the stair. When she went up to the next stair it RIPPED COMPLETELY OUT! She screamed and was crying and bleeding everywhere, and Dallin started caring for her immediately and I was worried about getting the blood out of my comforter lol (not a proud mom moment.) 

I went outside to try and figure out what happened and saw her full toenail sticking out of the concrete steps! She just had a gaping hole in her hand where her nail used to be, so Dallin wrapped it, and we iced it to numb it up a little. I cannot imagine the pain. That would be awful. Josie has the pain tolerance of a champ though since everything happens to her. She was really cuddley for a few days while it healed, but now it's fine. She's so used to being hurt she doesn't even try to take the wrap off or lick it because she already knows the drill. If you look at it now you can tell it's healing. (And we got the blood out of my bedspread.) 

 

I'm pretty much a gourmet chef.

I laughed after I made Dallin lunch. I'm a health teacher who teaches about MyPlate and then give my husband a fruit by the foot for his side dish lol 

We Fancy.

Jakey is Growing up!

This lil' guy had a birthday! He's always loved staring out the window. He'll sit there for hours just staring, it's so funny.

 

I can't believe he's already 4! He was the cutest puppy I've ever seen, and we have been so so happy having him. He has such a unique little personality & I love him! I wish I could go back in time for that cute little puppy he used to be. My mom got him a huuuuuge lamb bone for his birthday and he loved it. I feel bad that I can't do as much as I used to for his and Josie's birthdays. He loved that first birthday party I gave him, and I want to do it again, but I just don't have time anymore. 

Our Anniversary Stay-cation

I have to start at the school soon so we won't be able to go to Colorado on our actual anniversary anymore. Dallin surprised me with a Stay-cation! It was actually really relaxing and fun. I think just as fun as regular vacations are. I used to think stay-cations were lame, but it was actually perfect because we didn't have much time to be able to leave but we still got the experience. 

We went a spa and did the oxygen bar and then a couples massage. Then we went to a hotel and checked in, went the pool, and then the restaurant at the hotel. It was soooo good!

On the second day we rented a jet ski and spent the day at the lake! It was so fun! It was so powerful that it could go 65 mph and pull a wakeboarder or tube! We got a tube with it and pulled eachother, rode around the lake, ate lunch, looked at the museum inside on the lake's history, and laid out. It was the perfect blend of excitement and relaxation. 

Then we took a nap (it's really tiring to be out all day on a jet ski) and put on aloe because we were both sunburnt. We went to Communal for dinner to try something new, and it was really, really good. We ate a disgusting amount of food and talked, then went back to the hotel restaurant for dessert. And edema-me. lol Dallin just wanted it for some reason. We stayed a really nice hotel, so it was a beautiful lounge-like atmosphere, and we just talked for hours. It was really fun. Then we watched Pitch Perfect 2 and went to breakfast the next morning. My mom babysat the dogs all weekend and I was grateful but it was funny how much we missed them. 

It was such a good weekend. I love how no matter how long it's been we always keep getting to know each other better. It wasn't like I thought it was going to be since we always said we'd go somewhere, but I wouldn't have it any other way. We had to change plans because I got my dream job, and we had the most amazing time. 

 Inside-out braid

It's like a brain fart trying to do it because you're so used to braiding normally, but once you figure it out they look pretty cool. 

 Graff/Black Swimming & Grub

We had a bbq with Matthew and Shanna and her family, and that was really fun because I hadn't really ever met them. (Besides Ciera of course because I work with her) We had brats and they were soo good! 

 The Perils of PG

This is not a joke- our lives are in danger. As you can see, there is a birds nest on the front porch. At first I thought it was cute and had this "Snow White" thought in my head like it was going to be pretty, peaceful and nice. Not the case. This bird is MEAN! It had babies, one fell out of the nest and was sitting there dead, Dallin threw it away, and ever since the bird is out to get us. We literally run to our cars because it sees us and makes crazy noises and swoops right at our heads. The bird has also recruited friends to help him in this war against us. It's like he told the entire bird community that we're murderers. One time at had 5 birds all fly at me while I was trying to run from the front door to my car. It's gotten to the point that I flinch when I see birds because I swear they all hate me.

It has obviously also pooped all over the pillar and the porch. I consider myself an animal person, but this thing has got to go. I have no idea what to do, but I know something has to be done because I end up ducking, covering my head and screaming every time I try to go home for lunch at work. I've also gone out the back door a bunch of times because I'm too scared to go out the front. We're going to have to get creative here. We can't show our weakness- it'll only make them stronger.

Kiminy Crash Course

Kim is so cool! She a real professional dancer and she's one of my besties! Anyway, she gave me a lot of advice the other night about dance because it's been like 3 years since I was a dance ed major. I'm sure it'll come back to me, but it was so comforting to know I could call her. She was so nice to help me out, I definitely owe her one. I wish I wasn't so busy so I could see them more. 

Life with the real Dallin Graff

He's always so funny!! I think he's going to get me this shirt lol 

He had an incentive at work where he was giving reps cash, and of course I found these pictures on his phone just posing with the money like a gangsta.

This is a really good song!

Word. 

I need to get to bed. Cya!

-Syd