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. 

End of the Trimester

This past week was the last one of the trimester at Rigby Middle School, so it was pretty hectic! Since my Creativity class changes every trimester, Friday was my last day with my current students. It was pretty bittersweet, I'm not gonna lie. Having a class of 33 students in such a small room has been a challenge for sure, but I've grown to know each of them pretty well and it was sad to say goodbye. These kids have been such a memorable headache, lemme tell ya!

Friday night Jake and I went and saw Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and it was SO. GOOD. I was trying not to get my hopes up because I knew it wasn't gonna be the same as Harry Potter, but it was so fantastic! See what I did there? ;)

I have what's called a Professional Development Day this upcoming Monday. It's a day that as students, we would have had off as a holiday. Teachers from the district get together and go to special workshops about different topics within education, and I know it's dorky but I'm RIDICULOUSLY excited about it. The workshops seem really interesting so I can't wait to learn more about being a good teacher!

Children of God

HAPPY NOVEMBER!! I can't believe the year is almost over, it's so crazy. 2017 cannot get here fast enough!! 

Something I've been thinking about a lot lately when I get frustrated with how things are going as I'm student teaching is that we're all brothers and sisters, and children of God. It's easy for me to get so frustrated with a kid for how they're acting/the work they're giving me (or not giving me). Not to their face of course, because I don't wanna make any kids cry haha, but I'll come home and rant to Jake or sit there and just let the angry thoughts stew in my head, and be ready to just throw in the towel. And when I get to that point, I try to remember that these kids are, first of all, KIDS. For me, 8th grade was 10 years ago. So it's been a while, but I can still think back and remember what I was like and the things I cared about when I was 13-14. And it helps me be more patient with my students. Second of all, remembering that they're children of God really helps me have patience. 

These kids, whether they're LDS or not, are important to Heavenly Father. He cares about them SO MUCH! And He put them in a place where they'd have the experiences they're having, because He knew they needed them to become the people they're supposed to be. And who knows, maybe I was given this position at Rigby Middle School because there is one kid who I'll really be able to touch, or who really needs ME. Not any old teacher, but me specifically. How cool is that? When I try to think about my career like that, and about the kids I'm working with, I become so much stronger. Not that the problems go away, because kids are kids and MAN OH MAN can they test your patience, but I feel like I'm capable of handling the challenges I'm presented with. 

I go through this cycle of frustration to exasperation to "spiritual patience" roughly 3-6 times a week, though, so don't think I'm some amazing person or anything haha. I have to "talk myself off the ledge" so to speak on a regular basis. I know it's worth it, though, because I feel like I'm where I'm supposed to be. I'm learning a ton and having some overwhelming and stressful experiences basically every day that I'm in the classroom, and I wouldn't have it any other way. 

What's a blog post without a

cute Zoe photo?!

Halloweenie 2016

The weekend before Halloween, Jake and I spent a TON of time getting our ward Halloween party ready to go. We're the co chairs of the activities committee, and we had quite a lot to do. But it turned out SO FUN! We had different stations set up around our cultural hall with Halloween-themed minute-to-win-it games, and we asked ward members to bring their favorite Halloween treats. Everyone had a blast, and kept telling us how awesome we did at getting everything put together. It made us feel pretty great! I attached a picture of Jake, Zoe and I in our costumes before the party. 

Sadly we couldn't bring Zoe with us, but Jake and I still looked pretty cute without her! ;)

On actual Halloween night, we stayed in and relaxed in our jammies. We had a grand total of ONE trick-or-treater. Mainly because we live in the very back of our apartment complex and on the second floor I think, so kids would have had quite a hike to get to us. Jake wasn't too disappointed about it though, since that meant we had a good amount of candy all to ourselves...haha!

More October News

The past few weeks have been insanely draining and exhausting, but SO GOOD! Teaching is really draining, but it's also the best thing ever. I come home every day exhausted but happy.

Zoe's been struggling with Jake and I gone so often, but she's handling it like a champ. We spend as much time as possible with her when we're home, cuddling and playing and just spoiling her silly. We love our sweet pup!

How adorable is our pumpkin this year?! Zoe's not too sure how she feels about having another weenie around...haha!

Gettin' Spooky!

Student teaching is the most challenging but rewarding thing I've ever done. I had a student a few weeks ago that has made so much progress since the beginning of the school year that when I was looking at their work, I started crying. No joke. I'm so freakin' proud of how much they've been able to accomplish, and to know that I've been an influence for good in their life got me all choked up.

General Conference was AWESOME! There were so many great talks, but I have to say that Russell M. Nelson's was my favorite. I can't wait to read it once the talks are available in print version! His talk just really spoke to me.

Jake and I have been having a blast getting our little apartment looking spooky for Halloween, and I have to say we really outdid ourselves. It's so much fun having your own place to decorate and make your own, especially during the holiday season! I love it!

Another September Week

This week was busy busy busy! Jake enjoyed his last low-chaos week, since tomorrow he starts his semester at BYU-Idaho. He'll actually be taking a class on campus this semester (for only the second time; he's usually only online) and balancing that while working full time is definitely going to be a challenge. Especially since I'll be student teaching, so I won't have as much time to "pick up the slack" that happens when Jake's schedule is extremely busy. We're going to be up to our ears in work, and trying to keep our heads above water when it comes to dishes, keeping the house clean, laundry, and of course Zoe. Bring it on, Fall Semester!!

Teachers can take mirror selfies, too!

This week, my paid substitute position comes to an end and I officially begin my student teaching! That means I won't be substituting other elective classes in the REC, I'll just have my own "permanent" 8th grade Creativity class, plus time with my mentor teacher in her Language Arts classroom. I'm so excited to get officially started on the path that I've chosen for myself, and to see what this semester has in store for me!

A Rough Week

FALL IS HERE!!!! Well I guess not technically til the end of September, but I'm considering it fall right now because I'm so DONE with summer weather. Plus I'm back in school, so that means it's gotta be fall! I love fall because of so many reasons...mainly because all the bugs are dead and can't attack me anymore! 

This last week was another busy one with school Monday-Friday, and Wednesday was ROUGH. Wednesday was a really rough day for reasons I won't go into, but yeah. It was hard. I cried in front of my fellow student teachers, which was embarrassing. PRAY FOR ME haha.

Other than that, this week was decent. I'm so happy we have school off on Monday for Labor Day cuz I NEED a long weekend! Teachers work really hard, dude. I hope no one I know ever takes them for granted again. 

Tuesday was our 2 year anniversary! I can't

wait to see what these photos look like when

we're old and gray!

First Week of School! First Week of School!

This past week was SO. BUSY. Starting school as a teacher has been a whirlwind of seating charts, lesson plans, worksheets, and countless other stuff. My to do list seems to get longer every day, instead of shorter. But as weird as it may sound, I'm LOVING it! The weekend was great because I had time to rest and get ready for a new week, but I've also missed being at the school a lot. I know, I'm crazy! 

Jake had the day off on Saturday, so we got to spend the day together, which is a rare thing for us lately. We had a friend's wedding that evening, which was so awesome to be at! I can't believe that Tuesday is our 2nd year wedding anniversary. We've basically served a mission together! ;)

My Summer Ends

This past week was my last one of summer break! Tomorrow (Monday) I have an all-day-long orientation at the middle school, and Tuesday is a paid prep day, then Wednesday school starts! 

I found out last week that I'm working with *drumroll* EIGHTH GRADERS!! I was SO excited when I got that info, since it's the grade I've been hoping and praying for. The middle school has kids from 6th-8th grade, and since I wanna eventually work in a high school, I was really hoping to get experience with the oldest kids I possibly could. My mentor teacher's name is Mrs. Wagoner, and she is AMAZING! I got to meet her last Thursday when she invited me to a curriculum meeting with the entire 8th grade Language Arts department, which was super nice and not necessary, but it was such an awesome gesture and a great start to our work together. She's super sweet and also has a pet dachshund, so it's the beginning of a beautiful friendship! 

Zoe's Duck Park Obsession

This past week was another lazy one!! We took Zoe to the park every evening, and she had fun chasing ducks and sniffing mud as usual. She has become pretty adventurous, going out onto the little lakes at the park and hardcore swimming to try and catch the ducks! We bring her home every night soaking wet haha. She loves it!!
It's crazy that this week is my last full week of summer break. Next Monday (the 22nd) I have my orientation at the middle school, and then the year begins that Wednesday! I'm almost there!!

August Fun

This past week was another normal one for Jake, Zoe and I. We went on lots of walks to the local duck pond (Zoe's new favorite place) and laughed over and over at how excited Zoe gets when she sees the ducks. She loves to chase them, the little turd! 

Thursday evening we got together with our next door neighbors and had a fun time. They cooked us dinner and we brought dessert, and we played some Apples to Apples and talked and laughed for a few hours. We'd been talking about doing something like that for over a year, so it was great to finally do it! It was so fun. 

My Summer Finally Begins!

This past week was pretty great! I finally got to enjoy my summer vacation that I've been working so hard to make it to. I've been reading a lot, watching pointless TV, and just enjoying the few short weeks I have before my school year starts at the middle school!

On Tuesday our friends Kelsey and Kenzie came up to visit us! It was so great to see Kenzie again, and to finally meet Kelsey in person. We got dessert at Kari Anne's here in Rexburg, and walked around on BYU-Idaho's campus so they could catch Pokemon. I just watched and kinda giggled at how many people were up on campus during the summer break, all trying to catch Pokemon and whatnot. I never got into Pokemon as a kid because I wasn't allowed to play video games, so I don't really get the hype over Pokemon Go, but hey if it gets people outside and walking around more, awesome!

I'm a College Graduate!

These past few weeks have been CRAZY. I'm so glad they're over with, even though I'll miss being a student (sometimes...probably not very often haha!). I can't believe I'm done with college. It's a SUPER weird feeling, since I've been in school practically my entire life...what am I supposed to do now?!

My "last day of college" selfie!

My whole immediate family except for one of my younger brothers was able to come up to Rexburg for my graduation, and it was so great to see them again. We hadn't seen each other since last Thanksgiving, so it was so much fun spending time with them again! My mom and little brother Alex arrived on Monday afternoon, and Zoe was thrilled to have so much attention!

Zoe loved all the attention she

got from Uncle Alex!

My sister and dad got in on Tuesday night, and we all met up at Red Robin in Idaho Falls for a late dinner. It always makes me smile to see how easily Jake fits in with my siblings and parents. My dad and Jake have very similar senses of humor and personalities in general, so it's always fun to see them together. 

Wednesday was a busy day! We met up in Idaho Falls for breakfast at IHOP, and then Jake, Sarah and I ran a few errands before picking my mom and Alex up at their hotel for our next adventure: Yellowstone Bear World!

Jake and I have driven by the park more times than we can count, and have heard bits and pieces of what it's like, but hadn't been yet. My mom and I decided it would be a fun activity while my family was here since this was probably the last time they'd be visiting us while we lived in Rexburg, and man are we glad we went! It was SO COOL!

Bear World is exactly what it sounds like: a world of bears. You drive through a nature park and living, breathing bears walk RIGHT BY your car! It was the coolest thing!

After the driving portion, there was a little park area that had amusement rides, a gift shop, and a petting zoo. There was also an area where LITTLE BABY BEAR CUBS were playing and you could watch them. They are ADORABLE. 

I got to pet a BABY DEER at the petting zoo. It was seriously one of the coolest experiences I've ever had.

After we came home from Bear World, I had my sister Sarah take some graduation pictures for me.

The photo I'm holding is my school photo from
kindergarten. So, you can see from the beginning
to the end of my school career!

Then...it was time for GRADUATION!!

My friend Makayla and I before the Commencement

Ceremony!

Walking across the stage! They pronounced my last
name wrong...what makes people think "Gwilliam"
should be pronounced "Gwill-um?!" THERE'S AN
I THERE, PEOPLE!

My graduation present from my parents was a pretty big deal. They drove up the car I drove when I lived at home for Jake and I to have, so now we are a two-car family! It's going to make our lives SO much easier, and we're so grateful for my parents for doing it. Thanks, Mom and Dad!

See ya college, it's been real.

Happy July!

I try to make time to post on here weekly, even when things get really hectic. So you know I must be insanely busy when I haven't posted for TWO WEEKS! Good grief, this senior semester is ROUGH!

I've been really focusing hard on completing all the work necessary to make it through my classes, while trying to actually absorb the information and feel like I'll be able to apply it to my teaching career. Which is no easy task, lemme tell ya. Thank goodness there's only a few weeks left!

This past week was a bit rough on Zoe, since she's in heat currently and going through her "puppy period." She's extra cuddly and gives us her sad puppy eyes when neither of us are paying attention to her...life is RUFF for a weenie with parents in college!

Remember that Edgar Allan Poe unit I've been working on for one of my classes? Well I had a conference with my professor last Tuesday so she could look over it. I was pretty nervous about it, because this professor is SUPER picky about how detailed our lesson plans are, and how things are organized. Everything has to be a certain way. I showed her my unit plan (which was 73 pages long...thank goodness I only had to submit it digitally haha) and she LOVED it! She said she was worried when I told her that I was doing Poe for 8th graders, because Poe can be boring for kids. But the activities I'm doing with them are things that will really make the stories fun and interesting, and she's just really impressed by what I've created. So basically I felt like I was on Cloud 9 all day haha. It was AWESOME that all my hard work was received so enthusiastically! Hooray!

My "brain blast" moment of the week was a few days ago, when something randomly occurred to me. You know those "open when" letters people make for friends that live far away, or for missionaries? Well, the scriptures are like "open when" letters from God. They're there when we need them; when we're having a hard day or are upset over something, or we need some encouragement. Or even when we're having a great day and some love from our super awesome Heavenly Dad doesn't hurt, it only helps. Just thought I'd share that with y'all.

Healthier Kitchen Sink Cookies

**Unless otherwise stated, I take NO credit for the creation of these recipes! I can cook, but I'm not usually inclined to experiment on my own!**

Healthier Kitchen Sink Cookies

I adapted this recipe from crunchyrocks.com to be a healthier version!

2 cups Quaker oats

2 cups flour

3/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/8 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup + 2 tbsp unsweetened applesauce

1/2 cup coconut oil

1 cup brown sugar

4 tbsp Stevia

8 tbsp egg whites

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (I used a mix of sugar-free and regular milk chocolate chips)

1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

1 cup Rice Krispies cereal

Preheat oven to 350 and prep a baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine first 6 ingredients and set aside.

In a stand mixer, combine coconut oil, applesauce, brown sugar and Stevia. Let mix 2 minutes, then add egg whites 1 tbsp at a time. Mix another 2 minutes. 

With a wooden spoon, add in dry ingredients (the ones you combined and set aside earlier), followed by the chocolate chips, shredded coconut, and Rice Krispies. 

Spoon onto baking sheet and bake 10 minutes, then allow to set up for 5 minutes on baking sheet. Remove to cooling rack and MAKE SOME MORE!!

The Farmer's Market

Jake and I have been busy as usual with homework, school, and adulting. Life is crazy! 

Our fun event of the week was taking Zoe to the Farmer's Market here in Rexburg. We were only there for a few minutes, but she had SO MUCH FUN sniffing around and seeing lots of people. She got swarmed by a huge group of little kids all trying to pet her at once, and at first she was kinda freaked out...but then she loved it! All that attention, what dog wouldn't love that?! She was pretty bummed when we left, so we'll have to take her again this weekend.

June is Here!

This week has been BUSY for Jake and I, no surprise there!! We've been focused on schoolwork and adulting and all that good stuff. Life can be pretty rough sometimes. But it's worth it, and it'll all work out! I get stressed SUPER easily, but Jake is the opposite, which is awesome. Whenever I'm stressing out, he likes to remind me to have an eternal perspective, and that we've already got the things we need most: the gospel, families that love us, and an eternal marriage. And Zoe of course! I'm so grateful to have the relationship I do with my sweet husband. It's not perfect of course, but he has strengths where I have weaknesses, and we balance each other out pretty nicely!

Student Teaching News + Jake's Birthday

I got some exciting news this week about my student teaching adventures starting this fall.  At the school where I'll be student teaching, they have a building called the REC that's run entirely by student teachers, and they have elective classes for the kids there: things like Leadership, Creative Writing, etc. Well since it's run entirely by student teachers and our semester doesn't start til 2 weeks after the kids actually begin school, the school needed student teachers who would be willing to start the school year with the kids and be paid substitute wages for the first few weeks until the rest of the student teachers began their semester. I let the principal know I was interested, and I just found out I received one of the positions! I'm gonna be a PAID TEACHER (only for 2 weeks) BUT STILL! I'M SO EXCITED!! 

Along with that exciting news, this week's fun event was Jake's birthday! He's finally 24, and I'm not such a cougar anymore haha! I surprised him with his favorite homemade cake and presents, and we went out for dinner at a new (to us) Mexican restaurant in Rexburg. It was SO GOOD and also pretty cheap, so we'll definitely be going back again!

Jake LOVED his birthday present! I did pretty 

well picking it out ;)

Jake's favorite chocolate cake is not only

yummy, but SUPER EASY to make. And

I made it healthier than the recipe normally

calls for, without sacrificing any of the taste!

We were both thrilled!

The biggest burrito I had EVER seen. Jake was

a happy guy!