Spring 2012

I would start off by apologizing for not updating, but I really don't think anyone reading this would've been that offended.
I am absolutely loving this weather! It's got that cool breeze and the budding of leaves and the air seems to be singing "Something's Coming" from West Side Story. I actually feel this way every spring, and I'm glad to have that feeling renewed. Though I'm very anxious about what the future holds, I am also really enjoying life right now. We moved a month and a half ago, and Ryan and I love our new apartment. So I guess I need to figure out how to change the name of this blog, though I think 'A Day in the Life of the Creek on Park Place Apartments' is a less exciting title. If I did that, I should be paid by them or something. Anyways, it's... cozy... but I find that I prefer it's size to a larger space (which only means more square footage to clean)! May I also say that you need to go stand in front of your washer/dryer and kitchen and say "THANK YOU!" After 3 years, I finally have a real kitchen, and it's encouraged me to stretch my cooking legs. I've had a few opportunities to plan full menus from scratch for family and friends, and it's quickly becoming my favorite thing. I have always felt that food brings people together in it's own special way; some of my fondest memories involve family and friends gathered around a table. We did part with Albus, but he's close by at the in-laws. He seems very happy there and has a nice backyard to play in, though I do hear he likes to tease their cat, Jack.

Lots of exciting things on our horizon. Ryan will be picking an official school to attend and declaring his major, and I will graduate 8 weeks from yesterday! I am excited for this milestone to pass, but nervous because I don't know exactly what's going to happen after it... every semester, I would just look forward to the end of the following semester, but now that there's an end to that road, I'm not sure where I'll go next. I'm sure anyone who has ever graduated has felt this way! However, I know the Lord has always placed people or opportunities in my path that keep me progressing.

Calvin is really loving his mission and he ships out to Germany tomorrow! He's spent 9 weeks in the MTC learning how to teach and how to speak German. I look forward to his letters and e-mails as he continues to progress. We're so proud of him and all the hard work he's doing.

Ryan and I are Primary teachers at church and we love it. I have to mention it, because I finally made a breakthrough in my lesson planning, of which I am rather proud. We have a large group. Due to our small primary, we don't need many teachers, but our class roster has over 20 students. Each Sunday we'll have an average of 9-14 kiddos. And if you've seen those small classrooms, you understand the challenge. For kids ages 4-7, sitting in a chair for 3 hours straight and having to be quiet most of the time is REALLY BORING! I said it. And I totally understand! Sometimes, when I was in Relief Society, even I would get so antsy because I'd been sitting quietly for so long. Small room + lots of kids + burnt out attention span! All together, it really started to make me feel like I wasn't engaging them enough for anything to actually sink in, thus negating my purpose as a Primary teacher. Then I stumbled on this AMAZING website. . I seriously could kiss this woman for doing this. She has gone through every primary manual lesson and added extension activities/handouts/etc. I read through them and started using ones I thought would be engaging (in addition to the lesson given), but then I realized I had so many, there was no way I could do all of them in that short time. So now here's the secret: STATIONS! Stations, stations, stations! They use them all the time in school (because they're amazing), so the kids were already accustomed to how a station works. I put a few 5-7 minute activities together and BAM! you have a well-planned, engaging lesson. In this new schedule, we take the kids for a walk outside, to utilize this great weather, have a 10-15 minute whole group mini-lesson over the topic, and then break into stations for the remaining time with a short re-cap before the prayer. I usually do 3 stations; one manned by me, one by Ryan, and the other is a self-managing station that usually involves coloring and writing (*always looking for ways to incorporate literacy). It has been a lifesaver, and it makes me love this calling even more. It's not changing the curriculum (because I still use the manual) so much as changing the group size. It's easier to manage those lessons and activities with smaller groups. I definitely notice the changes in their attention from my old method. The kids are so insightful, especially when you're able to access their interest and get them engaged in the learning. They have so much to share and give - it's a treasure to see it every Sunday!