Need a Book?

Jenson Books in Providence, Utah is definitely my new addiction. It is a huge warehouse full of piles and piles of used books. I spent two and a half glorious hours digging through those piles. Most aren't organized with any rhyme or reason, but it is so worth it. Any single book is for sale for one or two dollars or you can fill a plastic grocery bag with any amount of books you can stuff in it for $7.40. I went the the second option and fit 58 books in my little bag. This means each book cost about thirteen cents.

Am I proud?
VERY :)
Did I even look at the adult section?
Yes, as I walked past it to find more kids books.

Total children's books I own: 119 and counting

The Calm before the Storm

I began student teaching on the 1st of September. This means that today, I have officially survived one month! This month has been full of memorable moments, learning experiences, stress, and less sleep than I'd like.

Finally, I have a chance to catch my breath. Today and Friday are days off because of parent-teacher conferences. I still go in part of the day to participate in the conferences, but overall it is going to be a very nice break.

These are some things that will hopefully happen this long weekend:
1) SLEEP
2) lots and lots of planning for school so that I can feel more organized
3)spiritual rejuvenation from general conference (I'm soo excited!)
4) time with Ammon (it's scarce these days)
5) watching USU beat BYU in football---I can dream right?

I officially take over my class this next Wednesday (October 6th-21). Which I am extremely nervous about. If I think I'm sleep deprived now, I'm sure it will be worse during the upcoming weeks. Most of the problem is that I create my own stress even when there is no valid reason for it. According  to my dad this is an inherited trait..my mom has the same problem. :)

One thing that I have learned about human nature is that no matter what challenges arise, we can generally take that challenge on and handle it better than we ever expected. I'm grateful for the break that this weekend will give me to calm down and prepare myself for this next challenge in my student teaching experience.

Person, place, or thing

A few weeks back my cooperating teacher taught a mini-lesson on nouns. She set up a three ring circus by laying three hula hoops on the ground. Each had "person", "place" or "thing" labeling the hula hoop. The students took turns standing on a table and tossing the bean bag into one of the hoops (very simple yet exciting for them). They then had to give an example that we wrote in the circus tent drawn on the board.

When one of the students was required to name a place, they said "the TEMPLE!!!". From the rest of the class I heard several excited whispers of agreement. One little voice said, "Yeah! The temple is a very special place."

I'd have to say I agree. I've learned to act impartial in the classroom, but secretly I was quite proud of the out-of-school training that these kids seem to be receiving.

Back to School

I came across this picture of me and Ammon today. This was taken a few years ago on my first rappelling trip. I started thinking about how I was probably feeling when this picture was taken. Some of these feelings were: nervousness, exhaustion,  being scared, and some excitement mixed in. I think that  during this semester I will definitely experience these feelings in a whole new way.

 For those of you who don't know I am now about a week into student teaching...
(The first half of this semester I am in a 1st grade class at Edith Bowen Lab School on the USU campus and then I jump to teaching 6th and 7th grade at a junior high in Hyde Park.)

I would love to share all my exciting adventures and funny moments involved in my student teaching experiences (I have a ton of stories all ready), but to respect the privacy of my students and help my chances of getting a job in the future I won't be sharing much on the world wide web. Just know that for now I'm surviving. 1st grade is a big change for me. (I've never taught anything lower than fourth grade.) Some days I come home eager for the next day, and others I come home and try to avoid thinking at all. I think that is true for any teacher. I am learning SO much and definitely feel myself growing. I also have one little annoying night class once a week for three hours that I have to get through for one of my endorsements. I try not to think about it too often, but since homework will be due eventually I guess I will have to start sometime. :)

Ammon for some crazy reason is currently signed up to 18 credits of classes which is generally the maximum amount you can take in the semester. The only problem is he is in the master's program where the most they recommend you taking is 12 credits. On top of that he is the sole income of our little family right now so he is working during any spare time he finds. He has this idea in his head that he will finish his masters (30 credits) in two semesters. (This way we will both be done in the spring.) I have tried to talk some sense into him, but I think he has decided to go through with it. Though I'm worried, I'm not TOO worried because I honestly think once he puts his mind to it, he can accomplish anything. He constantly amazes me.

So,in summary, PRAY FOR US BOTH! ha ha If we survive this semester we'll be in good shape.

New Haircut

We just got back from spending a few days in Zion on a rappelling trip. I had been contemplating chopping my hair off for a while, and staying in the heat of Southern Utah convinced me even more. (Plus, it is a lot easier to do when it is short.) One of my friends from our ward always does a good job with my hair. She didn't disappoint this time either--thanks Erin :). I love it!!! What do you think?






the back

Annual Womack Family Campout

Each summer my whole family--mom, dad, 6 kids(well 5 without Jared this year), 5 spouses, and 12 grandkids--spends a few days camped at a ranger's station. Needless to say, we are a big group. The rules are simple: the family with the newest baby gets first dibs on staying in the cabin, and the rest stay in tents on the surrounding lawn.



This year our festivities included:

a section of the river being redirected to make an less dangerous swimming area for the grandkids. (Ammon was the lead engineer of the project and had a lot of help) There is also inevitably a contest that breaks out to determine who can submerge themselves into the freezing river and hold out the longest. (Not my idea of fun.)







numerous games of horseshoes...complete with miraculous comebacks, talking smack, and heated debates.











hiking to the springs where the Cub River comes out of the mountains to get a refreshing giardia-free drink of water












my wonderful nephew Kayl's birthday celebration (I love these pictures of him)





Grandpa having his hands full, and the youngest grandkids getting a lot of attention. (Anywhere Jace is, Sadie follows eager to give him loves)















...and the excitement of taking down our tent on the last day. Somehow we were the only ones with help, because our tent was "cool". My niece, Savanah, assured me that one day when Ammon and I had kids of our own, they would like our tent too. I guess I won't have to worry about that anymore. :)

West Thumb Geyser Basin

Final Yellowstone Pictures from West Geyser Basin: (now my blog is actually letting me insert pictures again maybe I will catch up)