Another Week of Summer Gone

Another week of Summer Vacation in the books! This summer is flying by. It's already July! We leave on vacation this week. When we return in a few weeks it will be William's birthday and then school/work will start a few weeks later. Crazy!

Hmmm...what did we do this week?

I spent a large part of Monday planning and preparing lesson plans for the first half of the school year. It will be nice to start at the beginning of the year rather than starting in the middle of the year. I'll also be able to decorate my own classroom and make it my own rather than starting in the middle of someone else's classroom. I'll be able to start with my own rules and procedures as well. I'm really looking forward to it. We will be reading "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and doing ELA activities related to that book. Then we will be doing a variety of STEM, Art, Social Studies, Science, and holiday themed learning activities. It's going to be a great year...I hope. I'm blessed to have such a job that allows me to be with other people's children on Monday to Thursday, and allows me the opportunity to volunteer in my own children's classrooms on Friday's. I get weekends, evenings, and all holiday's off. It really is the perfect job. Before this job I had my heart set on going to nursing school. However, after starting this job and recognizing all of the positive aspects of working in the field of education I think that I have changed my mind. There isn't a better job for Mom's with a family. Part of me feels guilty for working...but the other part of me feels like I really need to be working. I think I would be depressed if I stayed home every day. I could feel the depression coming. I loved being a stay-at-home Mom when my kids were young and not in school. It was wonderful and I have no regrets. However, with William starting school my needs and desires have changed. I recognize that I need what working can provide for me. I have really enjoyed meeting new people and making friends. Particularly friends that aren't members of the church. It's been nice to feel "different" and/or to see the similarities between myself and other people. I've been very sheltered for the past 14 years as a stay-at-home Mom. I didn't really associate with many people who aren't like me. It's nice to get to know and develop relationships with other people. And I love being with my students. It's a very fulfilling job. Being a working Mom doesn't come without challenges, but the challenges will diminish and/or change as my kids grow. Right now, I feel good about my decision to work. I plan on continuing to put my trust in the Lord follow the promptings of the spirit that I receive in regards to working, or not working. Fortunately for us, Jon makes sufficient money so that I really don't need to work for financial reasons. The extra money is nice, but not necessary. So, if I feel like I need to quit my job, I will be able to quit with no repercussions for our financial life. I am truly blessed in that regard.

On Tuesday, we gave Lizzie and early birthday present. Jon took Lizzie and her friend, Lily (who is in our ward and moving to Utah in a few weeks), to Disneyland for the day! Jon dropped off the girls and then he went to the temple and spent the day planning next school year. They didn't get back home until 2:00 in the morning. Jon earns the Father-of the-Year award for that day. He's a better Dad than I could ever be, ha ha. I am reminded daily how blessed and lucky I am to have Jon in my life. He's a wonderful Dad.

Jon just got a new calling today. He is now a Young Men advisor for the priest quorum. He'll be attending youth activities and attending the YM classes on Sunday's. It will be good for him to be with the YM and not have the additional responsibilities of the bishopric. It will be a good calling for him. I haven't received a calling yet, but I'm okay with it. I likely will not be called into the YW program since Jon is in the YM program. This does cause me a bit of pain if I allow the thought to penetrate. I loved serving in the YW program. I have to be okay about leaving the program though, even if it was premature and unexpected. I just have to move on. Susan Creel (Tara's Mother-in-law) said years ago that her favorite calling is the calling that she is currently serving in. I need to truly internalize that attitude. I love serving in the YW program and I feel like I could easily say that it is my favorite place to serve in the church...but I need to let go of that attitude. I need to let go. I need to embrace whatever calling that am called to do. Experiencing loss is just difficult. This is the first time that I have felt like I experienced a major loss when I was simply released (prematurely and unexpectedly) from a church calling. A volunteer position. It's strange that I would feel such heartbreak over being released from a calling. I just truly loved the young women and it's a major loss to recognize that I won't be able to be involved in their lives as much any longer. They touched my life and I treasure the opportunity that I had to be with them.

On Wednesday, I took the kids to Zuma Beach. We met Rachel Phelan and her kids. It was a lot of fun! I really enjoy talking with Rachel. We have known each other since Lizzie was born. She's one of the only friends that I have made that has stayed in the A.V. and not moved to Texas or Utah, ha ha. She's a really good friend and I'm truly grateful for her in my life.

The rest of the week was pretty chill. We watched the Harry Potter movies. It's a summer tradition. On Saturday, we went swimming at the free pool and we got slushies at Sonic (another summer tradition). We've also been getting ready for our vacation. We are leaving on Wednesday and we are so excited. We are taking our trailer to St. George, Logan (2 nights), Jackson Hole (2 nights), Yellowstone (6 nights), Logan (1 night), Syracuse (2 nights), and Mesquite (1 night). It's going to be so much fun! I can hardly wait to see the beauty of Yellowstone again. It's beautiful country that is another testament to me that God lives. Last time we went to Yellowstone (3 years ago), it snowed or rained practically the entire trip. I don't think it'll be like that this time around so it will be so nice to spend more time outdoors and just soaking in the the beauty.

Here are some pictures of this week!

Lizzie ad Lily at Disneyland!