At the Drive In

TJ and I went to the Drive In last night.  The movie wasn't so great, but the company was!


Also, in one month we'll officially be married!  I can't even believe it, I'm SO excited to marry my best friend!

Actual Conversation

So I'm clearly not the best at blogging...let's just ignore that fact and move on.

Today I was walking around my classroom while my students were working on an art project and I had a conversation with one of the boys in my class that went something like this.

"Miss Shope, will you put your ring on my paper?"

Me, a little weirded out, "Why?"

Student, in a completely serious way, "Because if you like it then you'll put a ring on it." 

Of course, I started cracking up and had to put my ring on his paper.  It's moments like that, that you can't help but love your job!!

Also, only 2 more days this year!  Bring on SUMMER VACATION, and my wedding!

And then it happened...

Who would've thought merely three days after my last post, I'd be engaged?  It's been over a month and I still can't believe it.  I guess I should start back to the beginning...

To tell the truth, the week started out pretty crummy.  I found out on Sunday night that one of my best friends in high school's dad passed away.  I was feeling really bummed about the whole situation and luckily TJ was there to comfort me.  When I asked him if he'd go to the funeral with me, which was the upcoming Saturday, he said "Yes" as long as I would go snowmobiling with him after.  I figured, ok that sounds fun anyways.

Tuesday was Valentine's Day so naturally TJ and I celebrated by going to Taco Time.  Neither one of us are huge fans of the holiday, so we always celebrate by just being together.  

On Friday we packed up our stuff and headed to Logan.  My parents were in the process of remodeling their new house, so we spent Friday afternoon and evening at Home Depot and Lowe's picking out tiles and appliances and paint.  TJ was acting kinda weird, but when I asked him if everything was ok he said it was.  I knew there was something up!

On Saturday TJ woke up early and headed to his parent's shop to work on the snowmobile, he wasn't even sure it would run, but he really wanted to go for a ride.  I got ready for the funeral, picked up TJ and we went.  It was such a pretty, sunny day.  After the funeral was over the wind had picked up and the clouds were coming pretty quickly so we hurried and changed to take a ride.

We went up to Providence Canyon and got on the snowmobile.  As we were riding I was freezing cold and I kept thinking about all the fun stuff we had done in the canyon.  We got up to the rock quarry and TJ let me drive for a minute and then we stopped because the snowmobile was almost smoking.  As we were sitting there a guy and girl on a snowmobile showed up and started talking to us.  They hung out for about 15 minutes and the wind was getting stronger and it started snowing.  They finally left and I asked TJ if we could go back because I was getting cold.  He wasn't quite ready yet though and asked me if I remembered July 20, 2008.  I got a ridiculously huge smile on my face and said "Yes!"  And something along the lines of, "Is this really happening right now?"  He told me he wanted to take me back to the place he told me he loved me for the first time to ask me to marry him.  Pretty damn sweet!  I of course said, "YES!"  I couldn't stop smiling, and I still can't.  

I am so lucky to be marrying my best friend, and so lucky that he knows me so well to pick such a special place for both of us to officially start a new chapter of our lives together.  I couldn't ask for anyone better, I truly am the luckiest girl in the world! 

Lucky

Even after a few really crummy weeks, and an especially crappy day...I look to my left and realize just how lucky I really am.  I am so lucky to have TJ in my life...I can't imagine a better way to live than being in love with your best friend.

Lately...

One thing I absolutely LOVE about Layton...they have walking, biking, running paths all over the place!  Last Friday TJ and I took advantage of the one near our place and did some longboarding.  Who would've thought that on February 10 it would be snow free and warm enough to enjoy?  It was so much fun to get outside and get some fresh air, and now that the days are getting longer we can actually be outside before it gets dark.  December and January are always grim for me as a teacher, go to work when it's dark and go home when it's dark.  February is looking up for sure!

Valentine's Day is tomorrow, not much of a celebration in these parts, but as long as I get to spend some time with my valentine, it will be perfect!  TJ's birthday is coming up next week too, so February is always a fun month for me!

On a totally different note, I've really been missing some friends from home lately.  I got an unfortunate phone call from one of the best friends I could ever ask for last night, and it's been hard to get the conversation off of my mind.  She's an incredible person in every way and I wish there was something more I could do for her.  In my opinion the best kinds of friends are the ones you can call after months of not talking to each other and pick up exactly where you left off.  She fits into that category, probably better than anyone else I know.  

I guess it was about time to be reminded not to take anything for granted.

Feelin' It!

I'm feelin' it today, after a stressful day at school I have decided that LIFE IS GOOD!  I've decided to make a small list of the reasons why:

1. 3 out of the 10 students that are going to the District Science Fair belong to ME!!!  I couldn't be a prouder teacher when it comes to that.  That might only seem like a measly 30% to you math wizards, but there are six 6th grade classes and 150 students, and I get to claim 3 of those spots.  I know they will be amazing!
2. TJ is amazing.  I admire him for more reasons than I'll list on here.  None of you want to read that anyway...but ultimately, he puts up with me and my sass, which is A LOT to deal with.  I couldn't ask for more!
3. My family is full of incredible people.  I can go to my dad for advice on anything and get honest feedback (whether I want to hear it or not).  My mom believes in me more than I believe in myself and has always been my biggest cheerleader.  My sister, what can I even say?  She's my absolute best friend and I wouldn't be who I am today without her.  She has always taught me to stand up for myself, and to be okay with being me.  I love you all so much!  I also have the best brother-in-law and 2 adorable and hilarious nieces.  I have more love than a girl deserves!
4. My co-workers are amazing, all of them, seriously!  I'm so lucky to work with such incredible people that are full of great advice and lots of laughs!  
5. My students, even though we definitely have our days, they are a great group of kids that I wouldn't trade for anything!
6. Last but not least, laughter.  Without it life would be way too intense, and for someone with a slightly obsessive/compulsive personality, it's great to be able to laugh at life.  

Well, that's all I've got right now...there are many more things in my life that make it so wonderful, but I'd hate to brag!  

Crystal Ball

This song is speaking to me today, on multiple levels, I could listen to it on repeat for hours and never get sick of it!  The lyrics are absolutely amazing!

"Sometimes you think everything is wrapped inside a diamond ring,

Love just needs a witness, and a little forgiveness
And a halo of patience, and a less sporadic pace
And I'm learning to be brave in my beautiful mistakes."

I feel like the older I get the more I realize that everything I've gone through is what has made me who I am today.  All the good, the bad, and the ugly (that's for you dad...just a little Clint Eastwood shout out!) in my past has helped make me, me.  And whether anyone else is okay with it, doesn't even matter, because I'm okay with the person I am becoming.   

"I'm not scared at all, of the cracks in the crystal ball."

Might have found my mirror twin...

An interesting thing happened yesterday as TJ and I were leaving for school, we open up our front door to leave, just as our neighbors are leaving for work.  They are a couple around our ages and they are newlyweds.  Anyway as our front doors open, at the same time, I can't help but notice inside their living room, and what do I see?  The exact same picture frame collage that is hanging up in my living room in the same location.  So of course I told them they had good taste in picture frames.  They looked at me kinda weird until I pointed into my place with the still open door to show them mine.  They took a deep sigh of relief that I'm not a complete creep, and started joking with us.  

 

I probably shouldn't admit this next part in my out loud voice because people will realize just how anti-social I really am, but this is my first conversation with these neighbors.  They've lived next door for about 4 months.  I think I have a new new year's resolution now, maybe I should get to know my neighbors, at least a little bit...I'll give myself a 4 month window.

Jumping on the Bandwagon...

Well, wouldn't you know it, out of nowhere I feel the need for a blog!  I guess there are worse things I could do with my free time...grade papers, plan, play solitaire... 

I'm loving my crazy, fun-loving, 6th grade class.  All 31 of them!  It's funny how much you can grow to truly care for kids that have no sort of genetic relation to you.  It's amazing how much an 11 or 12 year old can teach you.  For instance, I have been informed what LMFAO stands for (PG version of course) and also that I'm unfair because I don't think "Last Friday Night" by Katy Perry, or "Get Low" are appropriate songs to play at school.  (I'm so lame these days.)  If only they knew that I listen to that music at home.  A student was trying to debate with me a few days ago, and out of nowhere  the words "End of Discussion" came straight from my childhood and out of my mouth...thanks for that one dad!  Apparently I'm not only going to turn into my mom, but also my dad.  That could be interesting...poor TJ!    

Life has been crazy busy, but really fun.  I'm lucky to be doing what I love with support from people that I love!  What more could a girl hope for?

On a side note, 2 of my students scored 100% on their science fair projects today, and there were some really tough judges, this teacher gets to brag a little!

Until next time...