Family Pictures

We spent Christmas with Jirik's family this year. We've had a good time with his family. It's always fun to learn about other Christmas traditions and how each family celebrates. It's fun that Jirik has so much family near by. We were able to celebrate with his family and lots of extended family as well. My health has also been improving, making the trip more enjoyable. We will be here until the first of the year, then we head back to snowy Utah. The weather here has been fabulous and there has been no need to bundle up. Today we took family pictures because we had everyone back on his side of the family for Christmas. We took whole group shots, siblings, genders, and couples. Here are some of the pictures...enjoy!!Us!The Girls

Family PortraitsThe Boys

As Requested: Birthday Wishlist

Places I like to shop (in no particular order):

• Pier 1
• Gap
• Sephora
• American Eagle
  
• Bed, Bath, & Beyond
• Amazon.com
• Nordstrom

p.s. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

A Sickness Update For My Family Back Home (I know Mom worries)

Traveling Tip #1
Do not travel when you are sick. Especially if one of your systems is an ear ache. Bad news. What started out as a mild ear ache on Friday night became a raging ear infection after handling two descents on the plane. I also had a sore throat, which didn't get worse with the plane, but did make things more miserable. The week before we left we were so busy I didn't have time to stop off at the doctors for my throat. We flew Friday night and my symptoms were exponentially getting worse. Today (Sunday) the pain kept on getting more unbearable (my ear pain was pretty much intolerable, seriously worst pain ever) so I took mom's advice and went to the doctor out here in Virginia. I was very blessed and they accepted my insurance and my antibiotics were cheap. I liked the doctor and he was very helpful. The doctor said I have strep throat and an ear infection. He prescribed me amoxicillin to treat the strep and the ear infection, vicodin for the pain, and a nasal steroid for my congestion (apparently the inside of my nose is pretty inflammed). After I left the doctors office a new symptom started: throwing up. I've gotten strep throat pretty much at least once a year, so that is something that hurts, but it's a pain I'm used to. The ear infections and throwing up, not so much. I took my first doses of medication, but I also threw up at least a handful of times in the next few hours, so I'm not sure how much good they did. I discovered standing up and laying down caused me to throw up, so I've now been sitting up in bed for the last few hours and my body is treating me better. I think the throwing up was due to lack of food (the ear infection made it hard to chew and the strep made it hard to swallow so I wasn't really eating). Since I hadn't had anything to eat I just threw up stomach acid, which really burns by the way. So after I observed the benefits of sitting up I was able to eat a roll and took my next doses of medicine and they stayed down!! Yay! My throat still hurts but I've been drinking a lot of fluids to help. I still feel the pressure in my ears but the vicodin has taken away most of my pain. And the nasal spray has cleared up my nasal passages quite well (which should also eventually help my ear infection). So I'm starting to do better overall, but I'm still sticking to sitting up in bed for as long as I can to avoid any more throwing up. I'll try to keep you updated throughout the week so you know how I'm doing, plus it gives me something to do while hanging out in bed :-)

Snow

We got a little bit of snow in Provo today. Not enough to really care about, but my kids went crazy! I was doing guided reading groups when I noticed about half the class in a hysteria jumping up and down and running around (not allowed). They were looking out the windows and could not focus on anything but the falling snow. I calmed them down a minute later, but I was kinda surprised to see how excited they got. I remember getting excited when I was little about snow, but snow was a pretty rare occurrence and it meant school was canceled. I never thought it was huge deal here in Utah, but apparently kids everywhere freak out about snow :-)

The snowy weather also meant an inside recess day where all students come back into the classroom after eating and play games. I try to be well prepared with lots of games and activities and it's actually not too bad. Our one rule for inside recess: Mrs. Hynst gets a peaceful lunch (no tattling, fighting, yelling, anything that would disturb me eating in peace). It's funny how well the kids respond to this rule :-)

Reflecting on the Past Year

In December my thoughts tend to review the past year and reflect on my accomplishments and what I am thankful for, in preparation to make my New Years resolutions at the end of this month. This has been a pretty monumental year for me. I feel I accomplished a good amount for being 22 years old. I graduated from BYU, celebrated my first wedding anniversary with the best husband ever, got my first "real career" job with a salary, and made the biggest purchase thus far in my life (our new car). It's been a pretty good year in my book. I have accomplished many of my goals and been able to see the fruit of my labors (finally a job that pays me after 4 years of paying to go to school).

Goal #1: Graduate from BYU in Four Years
Ever since I was little I knew I would go to BYU Provo. I decided that before I even decided which high school I wanted to go to. There were no big celebrations when I got accepted, because I had done everything I could to secure that acceptance letter and no one seemed to doubt it. When I told people their reactions were "well, yeah duh" kind of responses. Fast forward four years to graduation there was a little more to celebrate. It was also a "no duh" that I would graduate, but I had a personal goal of earning my degree in four years. I promised myself and all my family members that my education would be a top priority, even though I got married before I graduated. I feel pretty accomplished that I earned my degree in four years. That had been a goal of mine because I wanted to graduate at a young enough age that I would feel good about working for a little bit before starting a family. So at 22 I have my degree and a solid job. Good stuff!


Goal #2 Be Happily Married
Looking back on our first year of marriage I really know I married the right guy for me. We dated for about 3 years before tied the knot, so both of us knew what we were getting into:-). Sure marriage has its ups and downs, but I can say that I am so grateful for my husband and the happiness marriage brings. Our philosophies on life are very similar so we agree on how we should do most things. Jirik has really been a support to me this year as I've gone through a lots of changes (finishing up school, finding a job, and my first year of teaching).


Goal #3 Find a Job
In this aspect I have been especially blessed. I purposely chose a career that I enjoyed, could do well, could find a job anywhere Jirik's job may take us, and something that is flexible with family life. I decided teaching was the career for me. After spending four years learning and practicing how to effectively teach children I definitely felt ready to get my own classroom. It's not all that hard to find a teaching job (there are schools everywhere and it's not the kind of job I have to worry about outsourcing, lol), but I really needed to find a job in Provo since we didn't have a car and needed to live close to my work and BYU for Jirik. Getting a teaching position in Provo is sometimes a little harder because lots of women are in my shoes (working while there husband finishes up his degree) and want to work in the area. I was also stressed about finding a job quickly because without a car we had to move within walking distance to my school. I was so blessed to be offered the first teaching position I interviewed for. One of my strengths as a teacher is being able to use technology to engage students and my principal is all about technology, so it was a perfect match and he offered me the job the same day I interviewed. So blessed!


Goal #4 Be a Great Teacher
I'm still working on this one, but I'm always getting better. The first year of teaching is one of the most stressful times ever (trust me). This is especially true when you have 27 second graders to teach, most of whom are behind grade level. And at my school I have to deal with lots of other obstacles in my classroom (adhd, autism, emotional issues, low income, and kids who are just learning English). It's hard, but so worth it. I have the best staff t work with and tons of support from the school to help each student succeed. I also feel my experience teaching will help me when we have our own kids. I will do everything in my power to prevent learning issues (I have seen how hard some of these kids struggle in school) and help my children with their education (before they start school and after). Yes, I will be one of those parents who does not allow TV (at least until they are older, then I will have a time limit) and cook healthy unprocessed foods. When I have children, especially when they are young, they will be my life and my top priority. I have parents tell me they don't have time to help their kids with homework or read with them, and it just breaks my heart. I only have two students that are reading above grade level, both of which have teachers as parents. I hope I can help my children succeed like that. It makes such a difference socially, emotionally, academically, everything! I'm so grateful that I had parents that taught me when I was little and helped me in school if I ever needed it. I feel I am successful as an adult partially due to my parents caring about my education, even going as far to moving so I could go to the best schools. Thanks Mom and Dad!


Goal #5 Buy a Reliable Car: This wasn't exactly a goal we had planned for this year, but it sure helps!!
I love being able to work and help pay the bills and support us. Teachers don't get paid a ton, but for us it is adequate for now and the salary pay helps us budget better. Plus, it allowed us to buy a car. We were going to buy a used car, but once we decided on a Corolla there wasn't a big price difference between new and used (which we felt was actually a plus because it means they hold their value really well). We had done all the research and talked to friends and family and the Corolla is gas efficient, holds its value, rated most reliable car by Consumer Reports, and with talking with my dad's mechanic friends the parts aren't as expensive as some of the other cars we were looking at, making any future repairs cheaper. Overall we love our car! It is the perfect starter car and has not given us any troubles. It has also made life so much easier! No more busing or walking forever long distances just to do the basics.









Sorry this post is so long, but I have just felt in a reflective mood.

"cool" hair

All of my students came in today and noticed my new hair color. They all told me it looked pretty and beautiful. It was pretty cute :-) I love how little kids are quick to complement. My little gangsta boy even told me my hair looked "cool," (and he doesn't lie unless he's in trouble, haha).