Take a Breath

This past week was like one bomb was dropped on me after another.
Bomb 1: With budget cuts in the district, lots of changes are coming for next year. My principal pulled me aside this week and told me I would be teaching 3rd grade next year. I have mixed feelings about this. I have always believed that being stagnant means I am not progressing and not improving myself. I have felt a little stagnant in the 4th grade. Being my 3rd year there, I have my curriculum under control. With the work I have done in my master's classes, I have put a lot of thought and work into what I have taught and the things that used to be difficult for me in the 4th grade have become second nature. Moving to 3rd grade will give me a chance to challenge myself and will keep me from being stagnant. Plus I am going to be working with some awsome teachers who have already been so open and helpful this week. Another plus, my pal Lyndsay is moving with me, so we will still be teaching together. And while a change is exciting and new, it will have it's challenges. The biggest being that I will need to make 6 weeks of maternity leave sub plans in a curriculum I don't know. Lucky for me, I will have Lyndsay and my other friends in the 3rd grade to help me out. They are the nicest ladies and I know they will help me out. In fact, Lyndsay and I are going 3rd grade shopping this afternoon. It also gives me a little boost knowing that my principal has enough faith in me to move me in the first place. At least someone thinks I can tackle this! (Note: There will always be an emtpy place in my hear where my 4th grade team once was. I love you guys!) So, wish me luck!
Bomb 2: Other stuff at school. Teaching other people's kids is stressful. With testing at my heels right now, and other issues in the classroom, I have experienced several sleepless nights the past few weeks. Lets just say I have the most awesome husband in the world who will come home from his long day at work and school to spend his evenings listening to me vent and doing everything he can to comfort me. If he could, he would fight my battles for me.
Bomb 3: Finding a babysitter is proving to be very difficult. Fortunately, I work in a school full of young mothers who have given me phone numbers, information and lots of advice. One piece of advice they gave me was to start looking for a sitter early. Unfortunately, every sitter I have called will not have room for a newborn. The best solace I can take is that if Heavenly Father has given me this baby, he will provide a way. I don't know if I have mentioned this, but Chad and I were not really planning to start our family just yet. But if the Lord will have it be, something will come up. I still have time, I am just not a good waiter!

How Grateful I am for a new week and a fresh start! I know that if I just take a breath and put all this into perspective, none of these things are a big enough deal to put me out or get me down. Besides, I have too many great friends, family, and an awesome husband to let me fall in the first place!

Fiasco in the Kitchen

Sunday dinner. I loved it growing up in my mom's home. I was excited to get married and have someone to cook a good meal for on Sundays. Today, I attempted something not so difficult but still scrumptious, and it turned into a fiasco.

It started with splattering cooking oil, EVERYWHERE. On my hands and up my arms, now blistering. On my kitchen floor, which is where I slipped and ended up on my rear end. Does being pregnant make you more of a klutz? Let's not mention clean up, it will just make me more tired.

Turns out Chad does not really like scones and honeybutter anyway.

Family,Conference and Easter

This past weekend, we had an opportunity to attend the Saturday afternoon session of conference. It was so spiritual and uplifting. What a great way to spend an Easter weekend. Thanks Adam for hooking us up!

Following the session, we met up with Chad's family in SLC to celebrate as his younger brother was set apart as an elder. As I sat there with the family gathered at Grandma and Grandpa Barton's, I could not help but think how lucky I am to have both sides of my family so strong in the gospel. It was cool to see so many men in the Barton family stand in the circle for Tyler. They are a great family and I am so blessed to be a part of them.
Next weekend, my oldest nephew Canyen is being baptised. I cannot believe he is that old! My younger brother Connor is going to be doing the baptism. They have such a special relationship and I am so excited for both Connor and Canyen. Also, next weekend Cody will be blessing my newest nephew Porter. With this generation of grandkids that is coming into my family, it has been difficult at times to narrow down the priesthood holders who will be standing in the circle because we have so many willing and able men who share their preisthoold blessings.

I felt like this conference focused a lot on families and parenting. That could be just because this is the phase Chad and I are entering in life, so that is what caught my attention. Not going to lie, there are a lot of things that scare me about bringing a baby into this world. But I get so much comfort and relief knowing that Chad and I both have strong, awesome families to back us up!

This next week is my spring break. Kind of bad timing, cause chad is so busy getting ready for finals and finishing (and, let's be honest...starting!) projects. I don't really have any plans besides cleaning and housekeeping and maybe some yard work if the sun ever decides to come out this spring. I am going to be one bored and lonely Mandi, so please call me and we can hang out!