You Have to Laugh About It

Holy cow, has life been crazy or what? But a good kind of crazy. Christmas at home was wonderful and was exactly what I needed. I felt rejuvenated coming home to Utah and was actually pretty glad to come back and continue on with life and a new year.

School began again and I love my students, so life was good. I turned 24 and don't feel a whole lot different. AND a week after my birthday...I broke my foot. For a single person, dang! My life is exciting! Last year, I kill my back. This year, I break my foot. Each year has got to start with something, right? :)

So I've just been hobbling around on crutches and an awesome knee scooter the hospital gave me for school. My students told me I needed to "pimp my ride," so I did! Picture below.

At first, I was kind of devastated in a sense. When the doctor told me my foot was broken, I looked at him and said, "Haha. No. It can't be. Nope. I'm a teacher. I have school! I have things to do...in life! No...." Then the doctor laughed and said, "No matter how many times you say no, it's still going to be broken!" I just couldn't believe it. I was stunned. I've never broken a bone before. And it didn't hurt too bad. I was expecting excruciating pain that never came.

So they gave me all the stuff I needed and I went home. Up until this point I had not cried. I think I shed one tear after the doctor said it was broken, but other than that...nothing. I was pretty proud of myself! And then I got home and got tucked into bed (Thanks, Dawn!) and THEN I cried. However, I knew that crying would not make the situation better. My foot won't heal any faster and I just needed to get over it. So I did!

I decided to have fun with this! I told my kids a bunch of "stories" of how I broke my foot, instead of the lame truth of me working out and breaking it, let them write creative stories of how I broke my foot (ideas listed below), and I poked fun at myself and let the kids poke fun, too. You have to laugh about it! You have to have fun and find the silver lining in the cloud. So I am. And it has made this frustrating situation, not so frustrating. Keeping a positive outlook really does work! I feel happier because of it.

Also, feel free to come visit me anytime! I do get bored sometimes, so PLEASE stop by! Just give me a heads up, and all will be well. :)

Picture of the knee scooter all "pimped out" as my kids say. ;)

My kids' ideas of how I broke my foot:

1. I was fighting an epic battle against ninja assassins and while destroying them, broke my foot. Then I was greeted by a handsome super model, got married, and had three kids. Nice.

2. I jumped off my porch pretending to be Batman. (Eventually, due to word of mouth, this one morphed into Super Man.)

3. I was dancing with my (non-existent) boyfriend and broke my foot because he spun me around to0 fast.

4. I was, again, with my (non-existent) boyfriend and we were ice skating. I was attempting to show off by doing a "fast, spinny, thingy" and broke my foot. I was quite embarrassed and then he proposed to make me feel better. And then this student quickly added, "But he was going to propose anyway! So it's not just a pity-proposal! I promise!" Oh, I love them. :)

5. I was fighting ANOTHER epic battle between the Dark Force (Star Wars) and the Wizarding World (Harry Potter) and became injured trying to restore peace to the galaxy while bringing down Voldemort. Sorry, Luke and Harry, I win!

Good times in 8th grade.... :)

I'm Still Alive, I Promise.

I need to blog more. I just don't have the time today. Will blog soon. :)

Goodbye 2011

So I know I wrote one of these last year, but I also wanted to/felt the need to write one for this year.

Dear 2011,

Wow, the things we have seen this year! The year started off with a huge blessing! I was blessed with a full-time teaching job in SLC, UT. Coming in as a ninth grade teacher half way through the school year was rough, but pretty amazing. I learned things from those kids I was not planning on learning. And I definitely learned more about myself. Not to mention, I officially got rehired for the following school year! Life is good. :)

The Church reorganized the way singles wards are done and I got called to be the RS president. Not an easy task, might I add...but a complete blessing as well. I have enjoyed my time in that calling and the many opportunities I've had to serve those around me. Again, I have learned a LOT about myself.

The summer was a crazy whirlwind! I coached swimming and had a blast. My parents flew out and I went on a California vacation to Yosemite and Monteray and San Francisco. It was wonderful! Many memories and good times. Unfortunately, like last year, I experienced some heartache. A type of heartache I never even dreamed I would have to experience. And I came out on top! It was the hardest thing I have done up to this point in my life, and even though I would never wish this kind of thing on my worst enemy, I wouldn't take it back either. I have learned more about myself, the beauty of trials and suffering, and the beauty of mercy in the past five months, than I have in my whole life. My testimony is stronger and I know that I am much stronger! I can honestly say I have walked away from this experience a better person. I have gained a sense of gratitude for the things we all go through in life. I have gained a sense of compassion for others and I have a very much stronger sense of self. I can accomplish and live through anything.

My students this year are hysterical. They are a huge joy in my life and I am thankful for them every day. They have just been a blast and I look forward to seeing what the rest of the school year will bring. :)

I am home for Christmas. Words cannot express how much this trip home has meant for me. I needed this. I needed to be home in the place where I grew up, being around friends and family who have always offered love and support, and I feel completely rejuvenated having been here. It has been so good to be home.

So, at the close of this year, I close another chapter in my life and begin to start a new one. I am so excited to see what 2012 has to offer me. I know it will be full of highs and lows, good times and bad, but in everything there can be joy and gratitude. I truly feel as if I can take on the world. And this year, I plan to.

Goodbye, 2011. Thank you for everything you have taught me.

I'll Be Home For Christmas

A few months ago I experienced one of the hardest trials I have ever been through. Never in my life did I ever dream I would have to go through something like that, but I did. And for the past four months my heart has been aching to go home. I want to see my parents. I want to be in my "safe place" where I grew up and have unending support from old friends and family who I love dearly. I have wanted to be back in the south. I miss it! I've craved it. Just knowing that at this time tomorrow I will be stepping off a plane onto home soil makes me want to cry! And I know I will. :)

Don't get me wrong, Utah. I love you! And I look forward to coming back completely renewed and seeing what more you and 2012 have in store for me. I have learned so much and have been so blessed by my experiences here. I'm coming back, I promise! But right now, I just want to go home.

Random List of Facts and Feelings

Holy cow! Has it been awhile or what??? :)

Catch up:

-I love my students. They are a huge joy and light in my life.

-I am going home for Christmas. 20 days and counting down, ladies and gentlemen!

-I have fallen in love with two shows: How I Met Your Mother and The Big Bang Theory. Much love to Ted and Sheldon.

-I'm playing Mary Bailey in our ward Christmas play, "It's a Wonderful Life." This means a lot to me because this movie and I have a special connection. Really...we do. :)

-Tomorrow is Friday and I can not wait.

-On Saturday I have my first, full-fledged wedding/luncheon/reception photo shoot. I. am. very. very. nervous. Wish me luck!

- The bridals I did last week for the above stated wedding/luncheon/reception look AMAZING. If I say so myself.

-I'm going home for Christmas. Did I mention that already? ;)

-I have truly been blessed with amazing friends and family who have been extremely patient with me and who have seen and carried me through the past few months.

-I miss the sunshine and warmth of summer.

- I promise to be a better blogger.

Home on the Mind

Being Fall and all, I've had Georgia on my mind a lot lately. I miss it! I miss the bright colors everywhere and the high school football games and I miss the mall. Haha! So today I had a "Liz Day." I went shopping for a new outfit, bought a Pumpkin Spice Steamer from Starbucks (no coffee), a few books, and I got my hair trimmed because the ends were split and dead. Lol. So overall, it's been an awesome day. It has been so nice to have some time to myself. To just be. I know it sounds selfish, but sometimes those self fulfilling days are needed. I was feeling very homesick and today I had a day that made me feel very much at home. I don't know if that makes any sense, but it does to me. :)

So here's a song that I heard on the radio today that made me think of home and made me feel a little bit better.

Faith In Every Footstep

It's been a long time, Blogging World. Sorry about that. Sometimes life takes a pretty strong hold and it doesn't want to let go.

Summer was awesome. The beginning of the school year has been pretty good. I love my students. They are already pretty amazing and I know I'm going to have a good year with them. I am so excited! I just have a really good feeling that this is going to be a great year. So here we go, 7th and 8th graders! Let's rock this. ;)

On the flip side of awesomeness there have been some challenges. Well, one challenge to be specific. And I brought it upon myself. That's what I find to be so amazing about the Lord and the way He works. Even when we're not listening and trying to ignore Him, He still finds a way to humble us enough so that we can listen. So that we WILL listen. And this time, I really didn't want to listen and I made life hard for myself. Then, when I finally listened and acted upon the things I felt and heard, life became so much easier and brighter. I had several people tell me, "Wow, Liz. You haven't been yourself for awhile, but tonight...you're back! Good to see you." Not even kidding. Several people have told me that. And everyday there are little affirmations that tell me I'm doing the right thing, right now. Everyday there is something that reminds me that the Lord is mindful of me, He loves me, and I need to put my trust in Him. Sometimes you have to step into the darkness to find the light. :)

President Joseph F. Smith said, "I firmly believe [that] the divine approval, blessing and favor of Almighty God … has guided the destiny of His people from the organization of the Church until the present … and guided us in our footsteps and in our journeyings into the tops of these mountains." Now, President Smith was speaking about the pioneers but I think this can also apply to us. Heavenly Father leads us and guides us into our own "mountains" sometimes. The road may be bumpy, the weather may be fierce, and the days may be dark. But eventually God leads us out of the mountains and into the valley where we will find rest. And if we give our will to Him and do our best to follow Him, He will lead us to amazing things.

And finally Elder M. Russell Ballard said, "Truly the Lord encourages us to walk in faith to the edge of the light and beyond—into the unknown. After the trial of our faith, He once again shines the light ahead of us, and our journey of faith in every footstep continues."