And Jump...

I made this the other day... thought I would share. 

We're Photographers... As of Right Now...

For date night tonight, Bryce and I decided to take out our cameras and take pictures of things...We don't have really nice cameras or anything, and we don't really know anything about photography, but it is still fun to take pictures.  This post will be picture overload... Enjoy!

Another Camping Weekend

Bryce and I went camping over Memorial Day Weekend with our good friends Briana and Tom. We had so much fun with them! We camped up at Badger Creek.

Bryce can take these really cool photos on his phone. They are call photospheres. The are cool because you can take a photo of everything around you... up, down, and around. I'm bad at explaining... but pretty much when you go to view the picture, you can get a whole tour of the place you were...Unfortunately we are still trying to figure out how to transfer the pictures from the phone to the computer... but here is just a picture of the photosphere... not nearly as cool.

If for some reason this link works for you, you can see the actual photosphere:

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/100920545708954050134/albums/5884364793904541745/5884364794262998834?sort=7&pid=5884364794262998834&oid=100920545708954050134

Also, on Saturday we went for a little hike up at Packsaddle Lake.  Of course we had to take a few swings on the rope swing... no jumping in the lake, though. Too cold!

While we were up there, Tom struck up a conversation with a fisherman who offered up an extra fishing pole for us to play around with. Well, we did just that. (Next time we will take our own poles, because it was a lot of fun!) Anyway, Briana is so funny. She has so many things that just make her, well, Briana! We recorded this super funny video of Briana after she caught a fish. She was SO excited! Too bad she is actually terrified of fish! Hahaha. Oh goodness we love hanging out with them.

Mother's Day!

For Mother's Day this year, Bryce went out and got me some flowers, a hanging pot, and some soil.... and this is how it turned out! It was such a thoughtful surprise; I just had to share. I love my little hanging pot of flowers. Even though we have just a little apartment, Bryce has always been able to find ways to make it feel like a home. :)

Also, I just wanted to share how great I think my mom is. I don't tell her enough. One thing I want to tell you about my mom and one thing that I love most about her is that she has always been my biggest cheerleader in life. She is always so encouraging and positive about whatever is going on in my life. When I was young, she was my biggest soccer cheerleader. When I was contemplating whether or not to go to Guatemala, she said, "You go on that adventure! You won't regret it!" When it comes to my new job, she is just as excited for me as I am about the whole thing. She is the best. She is always encouraging me to follow my dreams and be the best I can be. I have a text message saved as a picture on my phone that kind of shows you how positive and encouraging she is. It is one of my favorite texts from her. I'm pretty sure it made me cry.... This was one I received soon after I graduated from college:

See. I told you she is the best. I love you, mom. Happy Mother's Day! 

Not only do I have the best mom, I also have the best mother-in-law! I feel so blessed. She is always trying so hard to include everyone and make everyone feel so happy. She is always planning our next fun outing where we can all come together and enjoy an exciting time with family. She has an amazing gift to make others feel special and good about themselves. Before Bryce left on his mission, he talked with his mom and asked her to take care of me while he was away. And she did just that. When Bryce was gone, she always went out of her way to invite me to family activities and other things. Sometimes we would go on bike rides or play raquetball... she has always made me feel important and loved. And I know that is what everyone feels when they are around her. 

***This is written in Beki's voice... 

but both Bryce and I "wrote" it together.***

WE LOVE YOU, MOM(s)!!!!

A North Fremont Husky!

Yesterday was crazy.

It all started with an interview up in Ashton, Idaho.

Initially I was just interviewing for a kindergarten or a 5th grade position at Ashton Elementary School. But then they informed me that there was also a 6th grade opening at the the middle/high school just a block or two down the road, and that I would also be interviewing for that position. There were 6 people interviewing me: a 5th grade teacher, a kindergarten teacher, a 3rd grade teacher, the current principal at the elementary school (who is moving to the middle/high school next year), the future principal of the elementary school, and the assistant principal from the middle/high school. The interview went really well! I was proud that I didn't let my nerves get to me. I answered every question in the best way I possibly could have.

When I left the interview, I got about 15 minutes away when I received a phone call from Niel Williams (the current principal of the elementary school/ future principal of the middle/high school). He asked how far out of town I was, and if I would be willing to come back for another little interview with the 6th grade team. Of course I said yes. He then told me that they really wanted me to be an employee of their district, and that they were just fighting over whether they should put me in 5th or 6th grade. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face! At that point, I felt like I already had a job... I was stoked!

I went back for the second interview, where I pretty much gave the same answers to the same questions, but then they went over all the logistics of working at the middle/high school. Then I left to go back home.

Once again I had driven about 15 minutes when I got another phone call from Niel Williams. But this time it was to offer me a job! So, I am thrilled to let you know that after 41 applications in 5 different school districts, and after 4 interviews, I have accepted a position as a 6th grade math and science teacher, and 7th grade PE teacher. I am so excited! He also asked if I would be interested in being a soccer coach for their school.... which is a no brainer for me! Nothing is really set in stone for that, though :)

This will probably be a really long post, so you can stop reading here, if you'd like. Clearly am just really excited that I was offered a teaching position... and one that I am really looking forward to!

You can now consider me a North Fremont Husky!

There is a picture of my school! It is actually pretty new. It was just built in 2004. So that is fun! 

I know that you probably don't care nearly as much as I do, but if for some reason you want to read a little bit more about the school, here is the link to the website:

http://www.nfhuskies.net/

When I was talking to my dad about my job, he just asked me a little bit about Ashton, Idaho. The conversation went a little bit like this:

Dad: "So how big is Ashton?"

Me: "SUPER tiny."

Dad: "Like the size of Kuna?"

Me: "No. Like way smaller."

Dad: "Haha... way smaller than Kuna?!?"

Me: "Yah!"

Dad: "Is there a grocery store?"

Me: "No, I don't think so. I don't even think there is a stop light. There is a gas station, though. And Big Jud's." :)

Later I found out that the current population of Ashton is 1,117. Not even joking. The entire population of the city is smaller than the population of the high school I graduated from. Pretty little! Ashton is a 30 minute drive north of Rexburg. For the job I have right now, I drive 30 minutes south of Rexburg to Idaho Falls, so this drive will be pretty comparable to what I am already doing... just the opposite direction. 

In the interview, Niel Williams, the Vice Principal, and the 6th grade team explained to me what my schedule would look like. This is what they told me it would be: 

1st Period: Prep

2nd Period: Prep (because the 6th graders go to PE at this time.)

3rd Period: Math (with class #1)

4th Period: Science (with class #1)
Home Room
Lunch

5th Period: Math (with class #2)

6th Period: Science (with class #2) 

7th Period: PE (with the 7th graders) 

School is in session from 8:00-3:15 on Monday-Thursday, and 8:00-1:55 on Fridays. Each period is 51 minutes long. 

Anyway. I am so happy! I knew that I was going to accept the first position I was offered, so I prayed really hard that the first position I was offered would be one that would make me happy. I prayed that I would get a job at a school that needed me the most. And I truly know that my prayers were answered. I am so grateful that I get to be a teacher! 

If I Never Got Paid a Single Cent...

If I never got paid a single cent, this note/poem from a student would make it all worth it. 

Teacher Appreciation Day

Being a teacher also comes with a lot of fun little perks. One of those perks is teacher appreciation day. Check out these cute things I received from my students! A huge card with little notes from everyone, and a beautiful little pot of redish-pink roses. 

We also got free Olive Garden spaghetti, breadsticks, and salad for lunch, along with a bunch of fun homemade desserts.... Being a teacher is awesome!