Teacher.

Today was one of the longest, hardest, funniest and most rewarding days. I can't even start to tell you all the feelings I had. But it was a crazy day. Started off with a meeting with some parents, and it was a very frustrating meeting with a delusional dad. I came back to the class to deal with peer tutors who were being lazy and annoying. Then I taught and my knee was killing me. During the lesson I just couldn't help but have a huge smile on. My students say the funniest things and it is so fun to see their little success. One student told me, "Ms. Scott, you are a nice teacher." I needed that. I'm glad the students like me.

Near the end of the day, I had some students who were being so frustrating. And I just was at the end of my rope. But then one of the students said, "Teachers need a break, right?" I just laughed and said, "Yes, yes they do." Thank goodness it was a Friday! I live for my weekends. However, I love teaching. I love the stressors it brings, because the rewards are so much greater. I left with the biggest smile on my face. I know I put in a lot of hard work in today, but it was all worth it. I love what I do.

Pearl Earrings

My Valentine's Day was actually celebrated on the 15th. Bryson worked on the 14th, so we planned a date for the next night. We went to Olive Garden for dinner, then to Creativity Art Studio in Provo and painted ourselves some pottery. It was a lot of fun and definitely my favorite Valentine's date! Bryson surprised me with pearl earrings. I have never received jewelery from a boy, and it sure made me feel special. I sure like this boy.

No Mention of a boy...

So I had a few people (Denae and Bryan) comment that my last post didn't mention a boy. And well this is true. I felt he deserved his own post.

It has been 38 days we have seen each other in a row. 1 month and 3 days since he asked me to be his girlfriend. And it has been my favorite 912 hours of my life.

I feel silly writing about it a little because I mean really its only been a month...but then again how could I not tell the world about him? His name is Bryson Carrier. He is the most genuine person I know. He is smart, determined, sweet, funny, fun and such a good guy. I really like him. He makes me want to be better. He makes me laugh. He makes my days brighter. And he has been the silver lining in this whole ACL thing. Second day after I tore my ACL he brought me ice cream. We both have decided that was kinda the start of it all for us becoming "Bryson and Stacy." So maybe I had to have my ACL tare so that I could date this amazing boy. I would do it again.

Before I had my surgery we tried to do some fun dates. We went to the Ice Castles in Midway. It was freezing and full of people, but it was fun to see. We also went Disco Skating and dressed up. Disco Skating is one of Bryson's hobbies, so it was fun to see him do his tricks. Then the night before my surgery we went out to celebrate his birthday and I took him to the Melting Pot. It was super yummy, but the company was my favorite.

We seem to work well together. We can easily talk about anything. And I just feel comfortable and myself around him.

The best part about Bryson is the way he makes me feel so adored and special. He is constantly telling me things that make me feel wanted. How could I not like this boy?

Here is my favorite picture of us:

I think we are pretty cute, but I'm biased.

So here is the boy who is in my life, you are welcome Denae and Bryan.

P.S. He asked me to be his girlfriend on Christmas Day, so you could say I got a boyfriend for Christmas and it was my favorite present by far.

2014

Almost one month into the new year and I still haven't started one of my "New Year's Resolutions"...I wanted to write more on my blog. Well, better late then never.

So lots has happened since I last blogged that I wanted to blog about.

I went on a cruise to Mexico. That was tons of fun. I went with 3 girlfriends and we had a blast. It wasn't the warmest cruise but we made the best of it. We went horseback riding, tandem biking, took a segway tour and took hilarious photos together. The trip was filled with lots of laughs and many good memories. I felt it was a well deserved trip and I'm glad I went.

Then the holidays started hit, and things got busy. Thanksgiving my family went to my grandparents in Ephraim, UT. It was fun to see our cousins from California and partake in my Aunt Tammy's famous cinnamon rolls.

Then December 16th, I was playing in an indoor soccer game and I was running down the field and went to change positions when my knee gave out the wrong way, and I heard a loud pop. What followed was lots and lots of pain. The most pain I had ever felt. People surrounded me and started to say that I probably tore my ACL. It didn't sound good. I went to a doctor the next day and they confirmed my ACL had torn. For me, this was the worst of worst news. ACL tearing meant 6-9 months of no soccer. I live and breathe soccer...or should I say I lived and breathed soccer. I was playing on 3 different teams at the time and had about 3 games a week. It was my release. My happy drug. My hobby. My life.

And I was told I wouldn't be playing for a long long time.

It has been really hard. I have since then I have gotten surgery, and the surgery was a story in itself. But lets just say, being a gimp has been really hard for me. I am very independent person and lately I have had to be very very dependent. It has been a trial of patience and endurance for sure.

So, back to the holidays. Christmas was wonderful as always. Kyle and Monica with their kids were able to visit for a while. It was great being around them. It was a time filled with reflection and a time of great change in my life. It was also my last break before I started student teaching.

So January started, and with that student teaching. I am student teaching at Orem Jr. High. I love it. LOVE IT. Not all the school work and stuff I have to do for my portfolio, but I love the students, and the funny things they say each day. I leave most days with the biggest smile on my face. This is what I want to do "when I grow up." I found it. And I'm doing it. Graduation for me is this April...and I'm super excited.

Sorry for the long catch up post, I know this blog is mostly for me and my journaling. But thanks to the few and far between readers. 

I hope to post at least once a month, I failed miserably at blogging in 2013. But here is to a new year and new goals and new adventures!

A Constant Choice

Saw this today, and I felt like it was just what I needed to hear. I have felt that lately I have been overly optimistic and happy about my life. But last Friday life hit me, and I wasn't feeling very optimistic. I was angry, sad, depressed and confused about a lot of things. I did not receive any answers over the weekend, but I did feel like it was all up to me to be happy. Like I mentioned in a previous post...the one thing I have control over is my attitude. It is a constant choice to be happy, and sometimes we have our moments and break downs where it all feels overwhelming but I think the real beauty of life is that we just keep going, and trying to make the best of what we have.

Here are some previous posts that I had to re-read to help myself choose happiness:

Recipe of Happiness
Choosing Happiness

"Rock Bottom"

Today has been a day full of insights and inspiration...I just had to write some things down.

It started with my Relief Society President winging a lesson because the teacher didn't show up. She decided to talk about the Atonement, and how it really is for everyone. It was great. But then my friend Shelli raised her hand and made this awesome comment that has been what has opened up so many doors today...

She talked about how people use the expression, "Rock Bottom." How it means that when you hit rock bottom, you can't go any deeper and that you are stuck there. But then she said, she thought about how in the scriptures it talks about Christ being our "rock" and salvation. So when we hit rock bottom, we have really just run into the Savior. That we can't go below him because he ascended below all things. And when we hit rock bottom, we have a chance to start anew and to then build our foundations on the Savior. How awesome is that thought? I love it. I can't say I have ever hit rock bottom in my life, but there are times when it sure has felt like it. And I know that the one person who was there for me deep in my sorrow was the Savior. "His hand is out stretched still...." He will never give up on us. And when we believe we have gone so far and that there is no hope, we can see that the "rock" we have fallen on is actually Christ.

Then later I was able to go with my Grandparents to a missionary homecoming of one of the missionaries they served with. He shared the scripture Alma 26:17-20. Basically its when Ammon is asking why did the Lord decide to save him. Why is it that through his "polluted state" the Savior saved him and his brothers? And then it reads:
"...Behold, he did not exercise his justice upon us, but in his great mercy hath brought us over that everlasting gulf of death and misery, even to the salvation of our souls."

I think we often will ask why the Savior has extended his hand toward us and will continue to have his hand outstretched to us. And it is because of love. The Savior has mercy for us, and continues to plead for us to come unto him.

I love Sundays. I love the Atonement. I know that when I hit "rock bottom" that it is only a chance for me to pick myself up and to start again and to rely on the Savior to build my foundation. He is continually there for me, and He will always be there waiting for me to return. 

Not In Control...

This past month or so has been interesting for me. I have spent a lot of time on my knees and pondering about my life. From little experiences with finding a job, to dating experiences, to tender mercies in a day, I have realized greatly how little control I have over my life. Yes, I can do things that help my life, but my future is greatly in the hands of the Lord.

One thing I have had relearn is attitude is everything. When we have a positive outlook towards life, life seems to be more positive. Crazy, huh? My attitude is in my control. Even though I have situations that arise that should give me great troubles, I feel calm. I know its the Spirit helping me to be positive, and to not lose hope.

Because of this positive outlook, I have felt the need to give back to the Lord. It is a funny goal I started a couple Sundays ago, but any time there is a sign up sheet passed around for something service oriented, I make myself sign up! So far I have helped cleaned the church, helped garden at the temple and made treats at FHE. They haven't been big things, but I feel the little effort I can put in does count for something.

I just feel so grateful for my testimony of Jesus Christ. I always think I understand the Atonement, and the sacrifice that was made, but then something in my life happens, and I realize I have no idea how much love the Savior has for me. I feel it in doses, and it is truly amazing. I wish that more people could feel that love and understand their great worth in the eyes of God. How differently we would act if we fully understood our worth.

I'm excited for my future. Who knows where I will be in 5 years or 10...but one thing I do know is that it is going to be great because Lord has a plan for me! I have very little control over timing and what may happen, and at times it is hard to put my trust in the Lord, but I know that is the only way I can be happy.