The End of College

This week was THE END OF STUDENT TEACHING!! It was pretty bittersweet, and filled with a LOT of work. On Thursday near the end of the day, the "boss" of the REC building asked me if I'd be willing to stay on as a long-term substitute teacher for the building when school starts again in January. I accepted! I have a paying, full time teaching job for the next few months and I am THRILLED. I feel like everything's falling into place!

This also means that I am officially 100% DONE with college. I can't believe it! It feels SO WEIRD!

Today we came home from church to find that Zoe had gotten into some milk chocolate chips and eaten quite a few...she's been throwing up a LOT and just plain miserable. We called the vet and he said to not give her any food or water, and to keep her up and walking around the house as much as possible. I had the pleasant experience of having her barf INTO MY LAP...oy vey. Thankfully she's doing better now!

Tis the Season!

The past few weeks have been crazy busy as usual, but I'm really feeling myself getting worn down. I'm stressed about so many different things that I feel like I don't have the energy to get through a full day. But this upcoming week is my LAST ONE of student teaching, and then I get a break!! I'm planning on substituting from January to the end of this current school year, and trying to get a full time position for this upcoming school year.

Last week I had my final evaluation by my BYU-Idaho supervisor to grade me on my teaching  The feedback that I received means that I'm the best I can be, at the point I am currently--not a well-experienced full time teacher. So I was pretty happy. My supervisor wrote things on my form like "Jessica is a natural teacher, with the aura of a professional." SO awesome to hear! 

This past Saturday night we had our ward Christmas party! Jake had the day off from work, and we spent the ENTIRE day preparing. We got to the church at 10:30 and didn't leave until 9 pm. It was a LONG day, but it was so worth it! Our ward LOVED the work we did (see the photos I've attached, I think my hymn book tree is INCREDIBLE) and everyone had a great time.