And the Internship Interviews Begin

Bryce has been beginning to apply different places for internships. He is pretty open to anywhere that is computer science-y. 

He had one interview on Tuesday at a place here in Rexburg called "Get Found First." It's actually a website that is called getfoundfirst.com. They do internet advertising and search engine optimization for a bunch of different companies. It is just a small company, consisting of about 6 people. Bryce was actually offered an internship there. They said that they wanted him and could use him whenever he was available for an internship. However, since this is an unpaid internship, he is going to continue to interview and just keep this one in mind as a back up. 

Bryce also has an interview tomorrow (Friday) with Hewlett Packard in Boise. I am so excited for him. I hope he nails the interview, because I think this would be a perfect internship for him. No pressure, though. Something will work out and be perfect for us. Unfortunately, if Bryce doesn't get a local internship (as in anywhere from Idaho Falls to Ashton), we will have to be separated for about 3ish months. So, if things did work out with Bryce and HP (or somewhere else) he would be in Boise for 3 months, and I would have to be in here.  

Bryce also has a STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) Fair to go to on February 13-14 down at BYU in Provo. I am going to go with him, and make a fun weekend out of it! Hopefully he will be able to land a few more interviews there.

We are excited to find out within the next few months where he will get an internship! 

During My Prep Hour...

So, I am sitting in my classroom right now during my prep hour. I have all my mid terms graded, pre and post tests are analyzed and graphed, next weeks classes are already planned, the desks have been rearranged for a new semester, and I am feeling good!

I just wanted to take a minute to describe to you how teaching so far this year has been for me. Everyone always says, "Oh the first year of teaching is SOOOO tough," and "Just get through the first few years. Then you will enjoy teaching," and "During the first year, you won't have time for anything but school." Contrary to these statements, I have had a very different experience. A much more positive experience, I think.

When I first got my job, I was so excited. REALLY excited. But, to be honest, part of me was a little bit disappointed that I would have to:

1. Teach in a middle school 
2. Only teach a couple subjects 
3. Have a super weird rotating schedule

But, strangely enough, guess what some of my favorite parts of having this job has been?

1. Teaching in a middle school: I LOVE teaching 6th grade... and I LOVE middle school! 
2. Only teaching a couple subjects: It is nice to be able to put all my focus on just 3 subjects. (Math, Science, and PE) 
3. Having a super weird rotating schedule: On the first day of school, we did a regular schedule: 1st-7th period. The next day we start with 2nd period, and 1st period is at the end of the day. Then the next day starts on 3rd period and so on and so forth. It is just a continuous rotation, hence, a "rotating schedule." At first, I thought this would be confusing and hard to get used to. But I love it because then I get the students at all different times of day... (ie. instead of always right after lunch where they want to take a nap.) Also, I think it is good for the kids because usually the second time I teach the math or science lesson each day, it is smoother and better... I am glad that I don't have one class that always gets the rockier lesson! 

Other things I love:

1. Prep Period: I LOVE TO TEACH... but it is SO nice to have an hour a day that I can just sit, plan, prepare, grade, and relax. 
2. Coaching Soccer: This was a HUGE plus of getting this job in Ashton. The middle school and the high school are combined, so I was able to have the opportunity to be an assistant girls varsity soccer coach.(Not that I couldn't be a coach without teaching... it's just nice to be able to coach at a school where I work...) Also, the exciting news is that I applied, interviewed, and got the head coaching position for next year's girls varsity soccer team! 

Anyway. I love my job. I love literally everything about it. I have had an great first year so far. I feel so lucky and so blessed! Here is to the 2nd semester of my 1st year of teaching! 

Goals for 2014

I have never really liked the words "New Years Resolution." To me, "New Years" only applies to the first week of January... by the time December rolls around, the year is old, isn't it? Do the so called "New Years Resolutions" still apply if the year is no longer new? Anyway, I know it is silly, but Bryce and I have decided to just make goals for 2014 instead of New Years Resolutions... (yes, I know they are the same thing. I just like the sound of it better.)

I have goals that I REALLY want to stick to this year. So Bryce and I sat down and typed up a plan for our goals for 2014. We made individual goals, and goals as a couple. This typed plan is now posted between our closet doors where we can see them each day. I will spare you the details of how our goals will play out, but I think that it will be beneficial if I share some goals with the blogging world... then that makes us more accountable, right? I am leaving some of the goals out, since some seem a little too personal to share on a blog, but here are some of our goals for 2014!

Beki

1. Get in shape before soccer season... If I am going to be the head girls varsity soccer coach at North Fremont High School, I want to be a good example for those girls! 
2. Be more organized. I am excited about this goal because I plan to think of a new organizing project each month to just to make life more organized and... cleaner. This month, I am cleaning out the "junk drawers" in our entertainment center. 

Bryce

1. Get an internship. I'm so proud of Bryce. He has worked SOOOO hard in school. He has some great opportunities ahead that I know will bless our family. Bryce will be applying (and has already applied) at many different places: Google, Apple, Hewlett Packard, NComputing, and many other smaller companies. Anywhere would be lucky to have him! We hope he will be able to do his internship this summer or fall, but he can do it any time between July 2014 - July 2015. So we still have plenty of time! 

Couple

1. Save money. Be better budgeters. It has been so nice to have a job with a steady income where budgeting is actually a possibility. Now we just need to get better at knowing what to do with the money we get! 
2. Go on weekly dates. We have recently found some really fun, cheap/free dates, and we have had such a blast being together... I am excited to do things like that more often with my Bryceepoo. :) LOVE YOU!!! 

Anyway, I am excited for this new year, and I hope we will accomplish all the goals we have set for ourselves. Good luck to you on your goals for this year as well! 

Happy New Year!

I can't believe it has been so long since I have blogged last! I feel like a legitimate update is in order. So much has happened since my last blog post on November 24th.

Like... I met my cute new nephew, Tyler! 

 ...and had some fun times with family in Boise over the Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks.

We also had a blast getting back with all our high school buddies and making even more memories together. 

We also spent a couple days in Pendleton over New Years to visit the Walkers. We had a blast with them, too! Possibly pictures to come. :) 

2013 was a great year for Bryce and me. I got a job that I love and Bryce is doing amazing in school. (I would brag a little more about him on this blog if I didn't think it would embarrass him.) 2013 brought the two of us closer and more in love than ever, and we are so excited to see what new adventures we will begin in this coming year. Here is to a new year of optimism, laughter, growth, and love!