December 17, 2010

Belonging


What do you want to be when you grow up?
I have wanted to be a teacher ever since I can remember.   
It was always just something I felt I could do well at and would enjoy doing.

But during my student teaching experience, 
the magnitude of it all overwhelmed me 
and the meaning of it became something so much greater.

For the rest of forever, 
there will be 

22 people in the world who can tell you how many syllables are in a word
22 people who were taught that being themselves is enough
22 people who can write question marks using the headline, waistline, and footline
22 people who felt appreciated upon bringing anything they could find on their bedroom floor for  show-and-tell
22 people who had their first memory of harvesting a pumpkin
22 people who cheered on their classmate while pulling out her front tooth
22 people who know the characteristics of the four changing seasons
22 people who felt loved and appreciated by someone everyday

...because of me.

I don't mean for this to sound prideful,
my intention is to express gratitude.
I am grateful to have found something I love,
a place where I impact lives,
and to feel this great sense of belonging.

I am grateful the place I belong is a crowded, germ-infested classroom covered in paper decorations where I sharpen pencils all day, zip up jackets, send teeth home in plastic baggies, sing songs about the week, use my chin to count syllables, draw smiley faces on student work, give birthdays the excitement they deserve...

I love these little people and I can't imagine any better place to belong. 

November 20, 2010

365

365 days ago we promised each other forever, 
and we've never looked back since.


October 18, 2010



Note to self:
Haunted Houses invade your personal space and are....
 (spoiler alert)
SCARY ....
I am glad I got that out of my system for few years. 

Happy Halloween!

October 9, 2010

one year later. . .









Last weekend Devin and I were biking in the canyon when we 
we realized last year at this time we were taking bridals here.

This is the canyon where we first said "I love you",
where we promised each other forever,
and where Devin knelt down on one knee.


I love this canyon, I love my husband, and I love this year.

September 16, 2010

Devin is the best person I know at being born, 
   and I love him so much for it.
 Happy Birthday Dev, you are my number one.

September 9, 2010

Did you know...

My sister's debut book, Paranormalcy,
is number 7 on New York Times best seller list?

...I just thought you would want to be informed on the latest and greatest news.
Devin and I are both in our senior year.

We will graduate together in April 
and
I can't imagine anything more romantic.

Then we will both go on to more school.
Law school for Devin & elementary school for me.


Sorry Devin, but I think I am getting the better end of the deal on this one.


August 28, 2010

too good to be true

scott and marissa showed this gem to us tonight
and it is just too good to keep to ourselves.

if you don't love this, we probably shouldn't be friends.

August 24, 2010

dear summer,


you have been so good to us. thank you.


until next year,

beaches
           the hansens




california baby mania

sea world
California

first gardens

disneyland

dinosaur museums
baby audreys

card games and picnics

color me mine family creations

asher, asher, ashers


flower suprises

escalante road trip with friends

calf creek


summer treats
washington dc



fourth of july in DC
st george getaways

family canyon parties

girl nights

pool parties



lake powell
more st george getaways





August 13, 2010

This is my sisters first book that will be in book stores August 31st.
She will even have her own front store display in Barnes and Noble


So if you are the kind of person that loves a witty, romantic, suspenseful, inventive, and exciting reads...
be sure to get your copy and fall in love with Paranormalcy.
(warning: no abusive relationships with stone-cold vampires are featured in this book)

July 21, 2010

a little bird told me...

My best friend got her mission call,

then my best friend (re)met the man of her dreams

and she began thinking maybe she wanted to make babies instead of converts.....

and now best friend was proposed to in Europe last week?

nbd.

Actually, huge deal.


June 29, 2010

Happy Birthday Jonah!

Hey Jonah,

Can a bird knock you right out side the head?

No!

But it can sing Happy Birthday to you!

I love you! Happy Birthday!

June 25, 2010

 Sometimes I dream.
                    
                                         Devin and I are not muggles,
                                         
                                               we live at Hogwarts,
                                                     
                                        Devin's a keeper, I play seeker...

                     and we drink butter beer with Dumbledore every night.                                                                  

*photo shop compliments of Ty Goodsell, the best co-worker ever.

June 18, 2010

for your enjoyment. . .

Please appreciate how chubby Dev looks in this picture.
 It is only fitting that he is stuffing his face with a cupcake.

Happy weekend.

June 9, 2010

simply wonderful

You never know a normal day of your life might be one of your best. Not until it's happening. You don't recognize the magic of the day, not until you're right in the middle of it.

The day you commit to someone. The day you get your heart broken. The day you meet your soul mate. The day you realize there's not enough time, because wanna live forever--those are the biggest days. The perfect days.

But then there are those simple days. Those days where suddenly you realize that life could not be better. Those days when all you expected was another day and what you got is one of the happiest days of your life.

Today was one of those days.

It started with an afternoon jog with Devin. Then a healthy & delicious dinner of turkey burgers, corn on the cob, garden tomatoes {with kool-aid for Devin, of course) and strawberries for dessert. Following dinner, card games in the park--he won once, I won once. And it ended with a delicious batch of chocolate chip cookies for second dessert and forehead kisses from my husband.

Today was simple. Today was wonderful. Today was simply wonderful. 

I hope you can have one of those days soon too.

May 21, 2010

When in San Francisco. . .

When in San Francisco. . .
-Your hotel is built in 1915, is still in beautiful condition, and has complementary dog treats in the lobby
-Buildings are works of art
-You can have an authentic ethnic food experience from anywhere in the world
-Every direction is up hill
-Michelle, DJ, Stephanie, Uncle Jessie, and the rest of the Tanners are learning life lessons nearby
-Even out-houses look classy
-You can hang "I'm pretty busy right now" on your hotel door knob
-Walking the streets wearing the latest fashions is the only way you can fit in
-Roller-blading gangs of 45+ group members ride the streets
-There are entire blocks dedicated to chocolate
-Cup cakes come in every flavor
-Entire walls and buildings are made of earth
-Parks consist of lush gardens and romantic gazebos
-WICKED the Musical will fulfill your life long dream


.....and it will forever remind of how lucky you are because you found a man that will do anything and everything to make your life rich in joy.