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

The Sunny Season Speeds By

Helllooooooo There!

It has been forever since I've written and the pics have been stacking up! I'm finally getting it done!

We just realized today that the summer is flying by so fast and it's almost over. That's good for dallin cuz that means his summer classes are almost over, but bad because the cold makes me irrationally unpleasant. We're definitely living it up while it lasts though. So far, we've accomplished most the goals we had for the summer. Only things left that we wanted to do was hike to timp cave, float provo river, go to the kelly clarkson concert, and go to slide the city. Woo hoo!

Bringin' Home the Bacon

This is my new official work desk. I've moved 3 times now, but this is my permanent spot. I've found a lot of stuff on pinterest on decorating your workspace, and I definitely want to because it's a little bland. (And I want to get a cute mousepad. I think I'm the only one at my office who uses a mouse still because they all use the track pads. Call me old fashioned, but those are annoying.)

Nothing but the best for our kids...

This is Jake's favorite toy. I put his food in a water bottle and screw on the lid, and he loves holding the lid with his mouth and spinning it open with his paws. Then he kicks it around eating the food. lol it's hilarious to watch. We clearly buy them top of the line toys. (Even when we have in the past, they like this and card board and peanut butter containers more.)

Pool Day Wit ma Main Man!!!

We had the pool all to ourselves! It was amazing and relaxing. I sported my USA bikini to celebrate July 4. (Only bad part was, we both got majorly burnt.)

New Hair Doo.

I went darker. Still wanted the highlights, but added more low lights. I like it a lot!
Dallin said he likes this better than what I had before, and of course I had to make him feel bad about saying that at first ;) He knows that it's always a trick question when I ask him if he likes something about my looks lol  poor guy puts up with my shenanigans so well. 

Our Fourth of July Festivities

On the 1st, we went to see the Utah Symphony at the Thanksgiving Point Gardens. It was sooooo fun! We love going to both, so having them combined was perfect. We brought our own pizza (tried a new place, too! Loved Pizza Studio!) and sat on a blanket in front of the huge waterfall. We walked around the gardens before it started, and it was beautiful. (Look at all of those fish in the pond!) The symphony did a jazz performance with two vocalists with an Independence day theme. The dude sand a song from Les Miserables and it was the most beautiful thing I've ever heard in person. The gardens even had wild rabbits, geese, and swans just walking around. I've never seen that before. (This was Jake and Josie on the 3rd of July.)

All of it was supurb except one thing. The dang bugs!! They ran out of bug spray at the booth where they were selling it becuase it was so bad. We covered ourselves with the blanket as much as we could, but as you can see my legs got eaten up! They even bit my face! There was no safety from them anywhere!

 

We're Equestrians!

This was our adventure during the day on the 4th. WE WENT HORSEBACK RIDING! But not only horse back riding, we did all sorts of games and tricks with them too. We're kindof experts. I think our instructor was impressed :)

It was a different experience, and we both really loved it! They are such kind, intuitive animals. It made us want to get horses someday. I had to do a fish-tail braid because for some reason I associate those with rodeo queens. lol

And Guess What!?!? We even both stood up on the horses like freaking equestrian vaulters! There's a pic of me and video of Dal. Crazy. I can't believe we did that. 

The Evening of Independence.

We barbecued with Dallin's bro Brian and it was really good. (When I say "we" I mean Dal and Brian made it and I ate it with them lol) They made corn and steak on the grill and mashed potatoes. Soo good. Every other year we've always gone somewhere to watch fire works, so this year to be different we bought our own. Kevin came over and watched with us. It was crazy how big they were! We got some big ones. Then, we just decided on a whim to go to a movie at the new theater in Lindon. It was amazing because we saw Terminator in Imax 3D in RECLINERS! They even had heated seats. I got Josie a shirt in the baby section at Walmart lol and of course my nails were decked out. We had huge sparklers too and it was fun to share with the little kids on the street. They were so excited. Poor Jakey was having a panic attack because of the fireworks, and all night he hid under the bed shaking and crying. All in all, it was an excellent holiday.

Pinterest Inspired.

I tried the 4 braid updo again, and this time it turned out much better. Trying out things I see on pinterest is one of those little pleasures in life that isn't a big deal but still adds up. (Even when it turns out an epic failure.)

We're Outdoorsy Folk

We braved the elements. Yes, believe it or not, we went camping! It was such a blast. We went to Utah lake and got a camp spot right by the lake. Then we went to the Lindon Marina and got a canoe and paddled around with the kids. We even got out and watched them swim around. It was so funny because it was really hard for Josie but Jake was just swimming around happily. He loooooves the water. Josie's weight problem inhibited her ability a little bit lol 

We made a fire, had smores and hot dogs, and talked and relaxed. It was perfect, and sooooo becautiful. We're so lucky to live in a place where all of this is just minutes from our house. 

The only trouble was the sleeping situation. We got really good sleeping pads, but the truth is, sleeping on the ground sucks. Jake and I didn't really sleep at all, but Dallin and Josie slept fine! We splurged for the kids' dinner and got them a wet meal from Beneful. They were in hog heaven.

All Good Things Must Come to an End

Well, it's all over. Our run with the Office and Gilmore girls was fun, but we finally finished the last episodes. Not gonna lie, we took it pretty hard. It was happy and sad; and emotional roller coaster. It's safe to say those shows changed our lives lol they will now go on the list with Friends and Prison Break and remind us of good times. If you're making fun of me in your head, that's fine. I was sort of making fun of myself in my own head too as I mourned the loss of completely fictitious characters, but what can you do. 

Oops He Did it Again

We spent some time in the Emergency Care for Dallin's shoulder. He couldn't raise his arm above his shoulder and he strained it a few times right in a row, so it was killing him. We went and got x-rays and turns out, he separated his AC joint. (I of course had to make a few comments about him having an air conditioner or alternating current in his body because I'm super mature like that.) They gave him a sling and some pain pills and basically said it has to heal itself and you're not supposed to use it at all. (If you know dallin, you know how well that's going to go...lol) Poor guy.

We also both got sick around the same time too. Dallin was throwing up and had to stay home from work, and I luckily didn't get as bad, but I definitely felt gross. But luckily it passed fast and we're both fine now.

Nail Addiction

I think I spend more time than most normal people doing my nails. I just find it relaxing and I'm actually really good at it. And it's sooooooo cheap in comparison to going to the salon for it.  I find the artistry of it really cool. I could see myself going to nail school one day. 

The Reps Got Quite the Incentive...

Clearlink did a "Merica" themed week for the fourth of july and did a whole bunch of things including a tug of war contest, hot dog eating contest, a real eagle visit, and an inflatable obstacle course. One of the incentives was that all the managers would have to dress up in slutty cut-offs and tank tops and wash the reps' cars in a seductive fashion. Probably the funniest thing I've seen in my entire life. Lol go boys! Work it! 

(Dallin acting sexy with a sling on his arm lol classic.) They even took official photos for a calendar. No Joke.

I'm going to get chubby from going to Chubby's

This place is sooooo freaking good. It rocked our world, and was not even expensive at all. We really like trying new restaurants.

Last Wednesday

We went and had dinner with my Mom and Step Dad at Cafe Rio in Draper and that was a good meal and a good time. Watching my mom spend 4 hours on a salad and convincing her that hurricane Zoey is coming to Salt Lake is always entertaining. 

Then we proceeded to Boondocks because clearlink rented the place out for the summer party. I'll be honest, it's not as fun as I remember it being when I was 15. It was crowded and hot, and it seemed like the perfect place to host a birthday party for an 8 year old boy. But not fun for adults. The thousands of littles running around seemingly enjoyed themselves though.

Walks = true doggie happiness

Jake and Josie love going to their special place on walks. There's a huge field that Jake always does laps around while Josie tries to keep up with him a little pond they dabble in. It's pretty chill. 

Josie even likes my special butt-pad I got for mother's day. Make fun all you want, but that wondergel is marvelous. 

This isn't the best angle for her. And that dress is un-flattering. But don't we all have a picture or two just like that? And I love my little chubby princess :)

Last night we painted the town

Have you ever been to Masa in Lindon? If not, go. It's all fresh, hand made everything, and all ingredients from local farmers markets. And it's freakishly tastey. Disregard my awkward face, that's me trying to sneak a pic of the live entertainment by taking a selfie. That dude was good, and all the staff was so friendly. We loved the small restaurant feel and we'll definitely go back. 

When we got home we had some couch potato time. After going through all 5 stages of grief, (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance) we felt ready to move on to a new show. We chose Chuck, and that ended up being a great decision. There's comedy, suspense, romance, and CIA agents fighting terrorists with big explosions. Perfect combination. 

My quest for relaxation

I've been trying to relax more, so I brought a candle to work and took the most magical bath.

Our relationship is almost a kindergartener

That's right, it's almost been 5 years! And it's almost 1 year since we got married. It went by so fast! We were talking about something and at first said it was 2 years ago, and then we realized that it was 4 years ago and it hit us how long it's really been! So weird. On our honeymoon we decided that no matter what on our anniversary every year we'd get away. So we're going to Colorado, and it's coming up quick! We're stoked. 

Husband Points.

10 points for Griffindor! (If he were Harry potter) Dallin cleaned the bathroom today!

So that's the last 3 weeks of our life in a nutshell. Next time I am not waiting this long so it doesn't take me forever to write.
Seeya!

-Syd