Whew. And another great story.

February has been crazy. work, school,/preschool, and, well, life! It's been so much easier with a planner though. Holy cow what was I thinking ever living life without some sort of a planner. Its helped so much to keep me straight with what homework assignments due when, and where I'm supposed to be and why. I used to use one in high school, and after that I figured my life wasn't as crazy (which it really wasn't too bad) but this semester and last semester have been whacko. Last semester was the whole 2 jobs thing, and there's just always a lot going on.

My YW Pres. said to me a couple weeks ago, "you and your husband are just everywhere! I see you at church, I see you Tues nights, I see your husband on the tractor on the field in front of my house,I see you at the theater, and now I'm seeing you both here!" (this was at the Lincoln Day breakfast at which we listened to Orrin Hatch, who I'm a fan of. we listened to a lot of Republicans, and it was all real good but to be honest I was so tired I can't remember all of it...I really really like Senator Mike Lee but he couldn't be there but the guy who represented him still gave a great speech)...ANYWAY, i could list my schedule but why would I want to go over it again, just know that its busy.

But, it will start slowing down soon...like this coming week. I purposely squashed my preschool lab hours all into February so I could be done soon and so I won't have to go back after next week. It's exciting but oh so sad I love those little kids. I dont think I ever wanna be a preschool teacher, but this class helped me learn so much for when I'll be a mom one day...and simply just for church callings in the primary I feel like I could totally guide kids a lot better than I used to before. (hence the name of the class, Child Guidance) And I still have a half a semester to learn more about kids. I love it! I'm not sayin I'm a genius at this stuff I just feel like I graduated the Kindergarten of Child Guidance.

Then, after this semester....I think I'm gonna be done with school. At least for a while... I'll have my Associates, and over the summer and fall I'm gonna finish MT and yeah. Its gonna be good I think. Part of me wants to go on full time with school and just rock the education world and yadda yadda yadda...(this is long time comin to cuz i realized the other day I think my lil' sister and brother and I played more "office" than we did "house" so maybe I was just a career driven little girl?) But there's a bigger part of me that yearns (that's right, yearns) to be at home. Just being a wife, daughter, sister, YW leader, Visiting Teacher, friend, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, and aunt is a lot to focus on, and lots to be proud of. Not to mention one day adding to the list "mother." (not yet, trust me y'all will know when that day will come...) However, rather than delving more into that subject on a serious note, (even though its a great subject) I have a funny story... as usual:)

Were sitting at Ma and Pa Iverson's a couple weeks ago. We're all sitting around having various conversations about this and that, most likely business/money cuz let's face it the us Iversons got that part down. (I've learned so much about business since being a part of this family it's a great thing) Anyway, so we're chillin, and the conversation is kindof slowing down and I notice a friend of the family who we all love-but who can be random at times- gets up and walks over to me and puts his hand on my belly and says "How far along?" *silence* me: "Um, I'm not actually pregnant" that was exactly what I said, which thinking about it now kindof makes it seem like I was being nice...as if i could have added "...despite the current state of my body that would make you believe that I was" even though that's not true at all because I weigh less than I did in highschool (not a lot less, but less haha) Anyway, we all just busted a gut laughing, what else could you do? it was SO awkward, but SO funny at the same time and frankly I love that it happened because it's a great story! I wasn't offended in the least because again, I don't think I look pregnant. He is a great kid too, and if it had been anyone else it would've maybe come out with a different ending, but coming from him it brought us all laughs. Good times at the Iverson Home on Sunday evenings! Great stories are bound to happen.

Even better than the last one.

So, I've been waiting ever-so-patiently to hear something absolutely golden to come from one of the preschool children. Well folks, it wasn't golden, in fact if you were to describe it in a visual sense it was more green and airy and sort of wooshy...

Picture this, (because obviously I'm not going to go take random pictures of other people's children)

I was sitting there, playing with magnets, and talking to one of the brightest girls in the class. Seriously, she writes her name the fastest and the most "Kindergarten way" ish, and she sometimes would rather sit and read with a teacher or a nook than go outside to play with the other kids. So, being that she is pretty sweet, quiet, respectful, intelligent, etc...

You can imagine my surprise when she looked up from her magnets and smiled as she said, "Guess what, I just farted."

And it didn't take me long to realize that she was most certainly telling the truth.

Semester has begun

geez. posts are all about school these days. sorry. its a massive chunk of our lives right now. almost done for me tho.

So i spend 2 days a week at the preschool here at the college. and I just have to tell you another one of the conversations i was a part of the other day.

Little boy #1: This is the boy club!
Little boy #2: (no reply, just walkin around the club)
Little boy #1: This is the boy club! Cuz boys are cool...and girls are.... boys are cool right?
Little boy #2: (still no reply just chillin)
Sammy: So is there a password to get into this club?
Little boy #1: Yes, it's Open Sesame! but don't tell any girls!
(I had no idea it'd be so hard to get it out of him)
Little boy #1 to Little boy #2: Yeah, boys are cool, LET'S GO DIG A HOLE!

Yes, boys are cool. But they are nerdy from day one. :) thats why us girls cant get enough of em.

Last Semester...

This is my last semester of school...is it? As far as my Associates Degree of Science, why yes, it is my last semester. My mind has been pondering continuing and hitting it hard for a Bachelor's Degree but I'm not a hundred percent sure what I would do yet? I've thought about Secondary Education, I've thought about a few different things, but my heart isn't passionately set on any one thing. Therefore, as of right now, I think the plan is to not waste time and money on school anymore until I know exactly what I want to do. I would love to be a Seminary teacher, I know that for sure, and I know how to go about it, and that would be my main reason for getting a Bachelor's Degree, but again I'm not sure that its even the right time for that right now. I just don't know!

Medical Transcription: let's be honest it's been put a little on the back burner because of trying to finish my degree. However, I found out I can get an extension if I have to, and I still have till August before I'd have to do that so hopefully I can finish before then.

My last two classes this semester are Math 1050, ....so fun.... and Child Guidance, which is actually pretty fun. I have to do 35 hours of lab work in the preschool though, I wasn't expecting that hunk of homework, but I think I've made it work with my schedule so I can get that done at the end of February and all the assignments that have to do with the preschool done by then too. This class is gonna be a lot more than I thought it would, but I love the teacher so it's worth it. It's gonna help me learn how to be a better mom, (hopefully?) which is always worth it.
While I was digging holes with the preschoolers in the sandbox the other day, one of the preschool girls leaned over and whispered in my ear,
"Guess what? I'm suuuuper nice."
I said, "Oh yeah? I'm sure you are"
And she responded, (still whispering) "I am, and when I grow up I'm gonna turn into a superhero"

Lucky me, I get to meet this superhero first! I'm gonna try and sneak her autograph one of the days she practices writing her name "the kindergarten way"...

Anyway, that's life, school, and work. And spending time with family in every spare moment I have. First and foremost my husband, even though we go from literally 7 am to midnight/1am before we see each other some days.

oh, Kojo the dog is doing wonderfully. He's only had one poop and one pee accident in the house thus far. Other than that he's potty trained and good to go. He stays in his bed all night and doesn't wander the house, and he is so smart! He's learning to "sit" and "stay" and he's gotten into our routine pretty well. We love him he is so much fun, and it's cute that Colten busts out some sort of baby voice with him--Kojo loves it when Colten comes home and says "where's my gooood buddy!?" it's pretty stinkin cute.

finally a post.........

First, in May of 2011 there was a big hole in the ground. It was pretty exciting.

Then, they put up walls to pour cement in for the basement. That was even more exciting.

Then, all of a sudden, the next day...;)...there was a house framed. (We didn't take good pics during this stage)

Then a roof with tile on it was added.

Then it was stucco(ed)?

(first layer)

Then rock, and finishing touches. (and a truck we no longer have... i miss that one)

And now we are moved in! FINALLY! one crazy summer later. And I came home the other day to this:

My very attractive husband cutting up a tree in the back yard so that we won't freeze our hinders off at night. And then now that we've lived in our house for a month or so, we decided we wanted to add another member to the fam...

This here is Kojo. What a cutie patootie huh. He's an 8 month old Border Collie that we adopted from the Hurricane Shelter. He is such a good dog. We love him so much already. His name is from a language called Twi, the language Colten learned the most of while he was in Ghana. In Ghana, you are named for what day you were born. Kojo means Monday born, and we adopted him on Monday so we thought it was fitting. In this pic he looks like hes dead, but there will be much more alive pictures through the years to come I'm sure.

This was my first crafty project. I put together this African flower arrangement for our African-themed room. :) we're fun huh haha.

Technically this was the first project, but it's not done yet. I will spray paint the bottom of the lamp brown. but I hot glued this lamp to its plaidy perfection thanks to an idea from good ole' pinterest.

Lots has happened in 2011 that I am overwhelmed thinking back on. December has brought a lot of happiness though. It's like all the stress has finally started to release and although there's still so much ahead I'm so happy. I now work only at the movie theater, so even though I loved my other job, it's less stress to only have one. I will be getting my Associates Degree this spring semester. (finally) And things are looking good. I know that Heavenly Father loves me, despite the challenges I face and the tests I'm sure I fail, he keeps giving me opportunities to learn and grow. I'm thankful for that. Life's good. Gotta love it. :)

C.O.

We got an official Certificate of Occupancy today! That means we get to move in. Life has been craaaaaaaaaaaaaazy busy. One day I will post pictures. I'm just stoked we will be moving in this weekend hopefully- so to all family and friends who want to help- Saturday is the day :) woot woot!

Something That Works

It's been on my mind today, so here I go.

Things that work:
-Man made products: microwaves, washers&dryers, lights, cars, etc. They all work, and when they quit working, it works to just replace them.
-Some more random items:
Umbrellas-they work when it is raining
Alarm clocks- (hopefully) they work to get our day started on time
Lotion-works to help relieve dry skin (sounds like a commercial...)
Phones- work when we want to call people for any reason at all
-Things that work better if:
-Stop signs work better if you stop at them.
-Looking both ways before you cross the road usually works better if you are planning on making it to the other side...there's a pun here, I could also say that it works better to look both ways if you're planning on NOT making it to the other side yet...
-Hot chocolate works better if its cold outside
-People usually work better if they get enough rest, enough food, and enough playtime (playtime is in there for a reason, we all need it)
-Inspirational quotes work better if you read them frequently (as opposed to putting them on your wall and reading them once a year)
-Holidays work better if there's someone to share them with (could be a sad subject, but generally speaking we all know it's the truth)
-Marriages work better if both people want it to work.
-Books work better if people read them.

The list goes on and on. But the biggest one I want to add to the list is an explanation, and it's spiritual. Read on if interested...

We read in James that "faith without works is dead."(2:17) Therefore, faith, usually works better if, you put some action, some work, some belief, [all of the above] into it. I have been taught this, and I think I've even practiced it, but I think because sometimes we drift off the path of what we know to be true, I had lost sight of what this really means. When I read my scriptures, when I read conference talks, when I pray more fervently, and I sincerely try to love those around me the way that Christ does, faith is easier. I don't think faith is easy, but I think it can get easier as we put more into it. Haven't you ever heard a parent say, "you're only gonna get outta life what you put into it" ? I sure have. But with my lazy tendencies, and the natural woman inside of me saying 'that's too hard' I think I had forgotten what having faith is all about.

I feel...and truly felt today...what can only be described as, joy. Not because anything miraculous happened. In fact, I experienced trials today much as I do everyday, just as we all do every day. But because of some increased scripture reading, a lot more effort on my part in the prayer department, and trying to listen to the spirit, I feel like I dealt with those trials easier. Not only that, but I was able to say, with confidence, the things that Heavenly Father would have had me say. I didn't have a perfect day, don't start thinking that, and I didn't act perfectly today, but I had a certain feeling of peace, and as I wrote earlier, joy. I think that just happens when we learn more about the gospel. I think it happens when we realize how much God loves His children. My heart feels full today. As I sit here and think, it's truly not because I look to the future and don't see a million and a half things on my To Do List, but it is because I have more faith that Heavenly Father, and His Son are right there with me, to help me as I go through what life has in store. I'm thankful for that.

I guess that what I'm saying is, faith is a huge thing. In the Bible Jesus taught that even if you have (I wont word it exactly) 'faith has a mustard seed, you can move mountains.' In one of the conference talks a while back a general authority reminded us that for our day, faith as a mustard seed can move mountains of despair, mountains of stress, and i think that means it can fill valleys of emptiness too.

I tend to like to see things right out in front of me, and my husband is even more so that way. He's very smart and detailed and so he's taught me to look at every detail and that's a very good trait to have, in business, and in many areas of life. These thoughts run through my head: Ya gotta look at the numbers! Ya gotta see if it really works! Ya gotta see if the investment you put in really gives back! I know, with all my heart, that "[when] ye have faith, ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true" (Alma 32:21) And I can testify, that through faith, I have gotten way more out, than what I put in. I had to make the investment, by doing more of what the Lord has asked me to do, and it's worth more than I ever realized.