The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of 2010

So here I sit on New Year's Eve without any major plans and lots of memories of 2010 running through my head. I have compiled a list of some of the best of times, and some of the worst of times. I'm kinda indifferent about 2010. A lot of tough things happened, and a lot of good things happened. But honestly, I'm hoping that 2011 is bringing many good things my way!

The Good

• My first full year of Dual Immersion was a huge success and I loved every minute of it!
• Michael discovered his passion... Urban Planning, and he declared it as his major.
• We spent our first full year in our home and fall more in love with it everyday.
• We've made great new friends this year with people in our new ward.
• I got my new calling in the Young Women's presidency and love working with my cute beehives.
• Mike and I got to travel the Western U.S. as we drove to Texas and back.
• Mike and I fell in love with San Antonio
• Mike and I took our first vacation together to Disneyland and had a blast!
• Mike and I visited 4 National Parks and 5 National Monuments
• Mike and I got 2 new nieces 1 new nephew (I think?)
• Mike and I got to be Mary and Joseph at the ward's Christmas Fireside.
• In and Out came to West Jordan.
• I became the President of the Utah Dual Immersion Association, and presented at a state educational conference
• Mike enjoyed (aka survived) his first year at Girl's Camp
• My migraines have been getting better this year.
• We got our hefty tax return after purchasing a home!
• We paid off all of our debt besides my car, student loans and our home.
• The Subaru is still running!
• We finally bought a nice flatscreen, HD TV!
• I added three new Coach purses to the family.
• Mike got two new guitars and has been giving guitar lessons.
• I discovered some new talents in the crafting area.
• I slowly started getting myself back into shape and took a couple of dance classes.

The Bad

• Mike got rejected from the Architecture program at the U.
• We haven't been able to have a baby yet.
• I had surgery in November to hopefully make the previous statement possible.
• My amazing mom is still unemployed.
• Mike spent the majority of this year unemployed.
• My bro-in-law spent the majority of this year unemployed.
• My sweet student Jaime died in a car accident.
• The Subaru cost us $1000 in repairs.
• Mike got crazy amounts of dental work done, which cost crazy amounts of money.
• Worked 22 hours a day for 5 weeks during the summer and only got paid for half of it.
• Several friends had babies a couple of months early, and a sister-in-law lost her baby minutes after it was born.
• My violin broke and cost $140 to repair.

The Ugly

• 3 Words.... TEACH FOR AMERICA... and my amazingly AWFUL experience working for them in Houston, Texas. I still have nightmares about it and thinking about it still makes me nauseous, therefore I have yet to even blog about my fun adventures in Houston. I still stand by their mission. I do believe that one day every child will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education! However, mistreating and abusing good people is not the way to get there. I fully believe that what goes around, comes around... and I'm certain that what they gave me will come around full circle. The end.

I have high hopes for good things to come in 2011. Mainly hoping for a baby and a job for my momma. Maybe even a sweet job for my hubby, although he won't be graduating until 2012. Eleven has always been my husband's lucky number, so bring on 2011 baby!!!

The Story of the Christmas Wreath

Before I blog about my amazing Christmas, I promised to share a very special Christmas story.... The Christmas Wreath.

Many don't know that I grew up in a home where money was tight, especially each December. However, my mother always made sure we had a nice Christmas. Even if it meant the bills didn't get paid that month. Our gifts may have not been the most expensive ones, but they were always nice and we always had a large pile under the tree on Christmas morning. Because that's how I was brought up, I never really thought about others not having any presents at all. We were poor, and we had presents. All poor people should be able to buy presents, even if they were bought from the dollar store, right? I also thought anyone who couldn't afford presents would get help from some Sub for Santa or church organization. I was wrong.

It was my second year teaching that I really realized what it meant to be poor. My students and their families were poorer than poor. They lived in apartments that were more like dumps, and some didn't have homes at all. Some of my students were homeless. When a family is homeless, the last thing they are thinking of are presents. I blogged once before about Chance and his family that I love so much. Their family did not have a home for many months. Finally, at the end of November/beginning of December, they found a government subsidized home to rent and they had enough money to get in. They were ecstatic!!! They invited us over to show us the new place. There was not food in the cupboards. There was not any furniture. There were no beds or dressers. There was a kitchen table and miss matched chairs they found in a dumpster. The kids didn't talk about what they wanted for Christmas, but they did talk about a tree. Now that they had a roof over their heads, they wanted a Christmas tree. I don't know if they had ever had one before.

We came back a couple of weeks later to find a sofa in their living room. It was destroyed, but it worked. They also found it near a dumpster. But more importantly, in their living room without even a lamp to see, there was a Christmas tree. When I saw this tree, the first word that came to my head was repulsive. I was a little taken back. But as the children and the mother told me about their tree, I began to cry. They had gone dumpster diving in several dumpsters nearby, and found the remnants of 3 different artificial Christmas trees. They didn't have the official stand or the right pieces, so they duct taped the pieces together. To hold it up, they tied a string around it and nailed it to the wall. They told me about how the Lord had blessed them with a tree. How blessed they were to find enough pieces to create a Christmas tree. They then told me how blessed they were to have paper and some crayons to make the ornaments. On used lined paper from old homework assignments, the children decorated little ornaments, tore them apart, and then stuck a branch of the tree through the middle to hang them. It suddenly became the most beautiful tree in the world as they children gave me a tour of their tree and their ornaments. I think these children were more excited to have this Christmas tree than a new gaming system on Christmas morning.

The mother then called the children all around and asked Mike and I to have a seat on the caved in, dirty sofa. She had a gift for us. Not only had the Lord blessed them with a Christmas tree, but the Lord gave them enough extra pieces that they could make us a wreath as a gift. The wreath was not roundish, nor ovalish, and not even squarish. Created with three different scraps of artifical Christmas trees, with rods sticking out all over, it was perfect. It symbolized all that really matters during the Christmas season. It taught me the greatest gifts are those you cannot buy. It reminded me of the true meaning of Christmas.

I vowed to never forget what I learned that Christmas. To help me remember, we put up our Charlie Brown Christmas wreath each year. I have put in some flowers and placed a ribbon on it to make it more festive, but it still maintains its not so roundish, ovalish, squarish shape. And this family and I talk each Christmas day and recant the memories of this special Christmas. We discuss our blessings and how that was a Christmas we'll never forget. We remember our Savior and all he has given us, including each other. And this is the story of the Christmas wreath.

Merry Christmas from the Wests

Wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas!

With Every Christmas Card I Write, May Your Days be Merry and Bright

Christmas Cards...
Two words that brew feelings of excitement and heartburn at the same time. I LOVE sending Christmas cards. I LOVE receiving Christmas cards. But oh, what a tedious task! And a difficult task for indecisive people like me. What's it gonna be? Store bought Christmas cards? Homemade Christmas cards? Photo Cards? Computer generated Christmas cards? Or I could even do what I did last year... NO Christmas cards. Well, thank goodness for Shutterfly! They have helped me make up my mind and relieved me of my Christmas card grief through their fun and easy options! They have an amazing 2010 selection. But now I have a new set of problems... which one should I choose??

Which one is your fave?

Card #1:

Card #2:

Card #3:

Card #4:

Card #5:

Card #6:
Hmmm... I'm still torn, but I better decide soon, or my cards won't be delivered before Christmas. Maybe that's why the first two might be a better option... because they are kind of "New Year" cards too!
Let me know what you think, and check out Shutterfly cards for yourselves at http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards for photo cards.

I'm also contemplating having a New Year's party this year and inviting a bunch of my family and friends. If so, I'll be looking into some of Shutterfly's fabulous invitations as well. I'm thinking maybe this one:



Cute, huh?
You can find holiday invitations for your holiday party at http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-invitations.

Shutterfly is also having a deal for BLOGGERS! You can get 50 free Christmas cards or photo cards. Visit their site for more info!

I'm looking forward to getting my adoreable cards in the mail, and making sending them OUT in the mail a little easier! Now... I need to choose some pictures...

Gettin' my Craft On

So I dunno what's come over me lately, but I must have been bitten by the craft bug... I've always liked crafts, but they usually just end up annoying me and become something else to finish on my to do list. But lately, all I want to do is CRAFT! I'm watching HGTV, getting craft and home decor ideas. I'm looking in craft magazines. I'm stalking a million and a half craft blogs. I'm calling people to talk crafts and share ideas. This is crazy. But I'm loving it! I've discovered that just because I'm not in LOVE with scrapbooking, doesn't mean I don't have a crafty side. I have so many projects started right now, it's ridiculous. And some of them I can't share, because they are Christmas gifts, but I had to post a couple that I'm proud of.

My mom was dissing my wreath the other day that I put on the front door. Yes, it's a Charlie Brown wreath, but it has a great story that reminds me of the reason for the season (I'll have to share it in a future post). So I decided to bring my wreath indoors, and make another for the front door. But I couldn't decide which of two different wreaths to make, so I did what any other craftaholic would do... made BOTH! I put one on my front door and the other on my banister near my loft. I had lots of fun, and want to do more!!

Here's my ruffle wreath, made of fabric, wreath frame, and hot glue! EASY!

And here's my scrapbook paper wreath, made of circles of different sizes, with tacky squares to give it some depth, a wreath frame, and ribbon! Also very easy!

A Day of Thanks!

It's so fitting that my mother's birthday falls on Thanksgiving this year. I am so thankful for her and for the life she has lived. Every day of my mother's life is filled with service. She rarely, if ever, thinks of herself. She recently gave up several days of work and time for herself to come take care of me after my surgery. Yes, my adoreable hubby could have taken care of me, but a girl always wants her mommy. So she was there. She's the most intelligent, passionate person I know. She is the only person I know who honestly loves and cares for EVERYONE. Each stranger. Each enemy. Each weirdo. She loves them all. She sees the best in everyone and pushes them to reach their potential. She's also hilarious. If should could, she would laugh her way all the way through life. I think that's what gives her such a positive outlook on life and her trials. In short... my mom is the bomb. And I love her. Happy Birthday Mom! I am thankful for you today!

I am also very, very grateful for my husband. I love Mike. Head over heels, crazy in love, giddy, livin a teenage dream, IN LOVE. I know many people search for that their whole lives, so I don't take that for granted. He is such a hard worker, he's crazy smart, hilarious, and he adores me. I'm the luckiest woman in the world. I am so thankful for my lover and best friend---my husband.
I am also grateful for my home. I sat and thought today about how five years ago where did I see myself in five years... in love, married, in the cutest little home. And here I am! I absolutely love my house. It is perfect for me and Mike. If we could be anywhere, we would choose to be home spending time with each other in our cozy little house.

I am also very thankful for my kitty. I don't know why such a fuzzy little animal can bring such joy, but it's true. Jasmine and I have been through a lot together the past five years. She's seen me through my worst, and she's such a faithful friend. She feels my pain and tries her best to comfort me. She has definitely kept me company throughout the past couple of days while I've been recovering.
Lastly, I'm thankful for my job. I've found my niche. I'm happy every day. I have my creative outlet, my opportunity to be a leader, and the chance to grow and learn on a daily basis. I give so much love, and get even more in return. I have the gift of creating a community with past students and families, my current students, their parents, their extended families, and others at the school. We truly love and support each other. School is my safe haven, and I love my school community so much!

There are many other things and people I am thankful for, but I'll save that for another post. I hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving!!!

Goin Under the Knife

Some of you have been aware of our personal struggles lately... I've tried to decide for a while whether to have surgery or not. Well today, I went through with it...

Five years ago, I was diagnosed with Level IV Endometriosis, had surgery, and was given Lupron treatments for a year which put me through a false state of menopause. Since then, I've been on birth control to manage things. I was told I may not have children, and that I'd have a hysterectomy before I was thirty. I received this news when I was 21 and not even married. Since that time, I've had occassional pain, but things were a lot better. The only real cure for endometriosis is pregnancy. Well for the past two years, Mike and I have been wanting to have children, and it just hasn't been happening. I've been having crazy amounts of pain interrupting my daily life. I've bled for 60 days at a time, stopped for 2 days, and began again. Things were not good. But the only thing worse than being in pain all the time is going through surgery. I HATED surgery. I really, really didn't want to go there again... I prayed for months about what we were to do, without getting a strong, vivid answer. Finally, I decided to take action and then pray about my action. I got up the guts, called and scheduled surgery while crying on the phone, and then prayed for confirmation. It was the right choice, but it has caused me so much anxiety knowing it was coming.

The doctor warned us of all of the worse case scenarios, and how there might be some insurance battles because we've had some fertility tests done which could tip off the insurance companies that this is a fertility issue instead of the health issue. But Mike and I attended the temple, I got a blessing, and we prayed a lot. We've had a lot of people praying for us too. I went in at 5:30 this morning for surgery, and I'm glad that I did.

Things went really well. The doctor did not find a lot. My endometriosis is now at a Level I. He got rid of the endometriosis that had grown and the scar tissue from my last surgery. He said that the Lupron treatments I went through really must have worked, which makes the MISERABLE treatments worth it. He doesn't know why I've been having so much pain or why I've been bleeding so much, but we'll see if it gets better after the surgery. I have another appointment in two weeks in which we'll discuss our next steps... Clomid and possible artificial insemination. I'm not worried about those things now. I'm just wanting to heal. The pain has been a lot worse this surgery than the last. I think it's the belly button incision. It's not my fave. But meds are good, and they don't keep the pain away but they take off the edge. I feel very blesssed that everything went well and that my endometriosis is not too bad. Instead of thinking that my chances of having kids are over, I'm starting to think I could still have a family. Who knows what my future holds. I'm grateful for my blessings!

I have my mom here helping, and my little sis is on her way. I love my family and how supportive they are. My hubby has been waiting on me hand and foot. I love him so so much. He even bought me some pretty flowers. :) Thanks to everyone sending phone calls, texts, meals, and love my way!! Life is good.

Love

Love comes in all forms. I love this little boy. It's such a special, different love I feel when I think of him and talk to him. I know that the bond we have goes beyond this earth, but it still puzzles me.

This is Chance. Chance was transferred into my kindergarten classroom my first year teaching in Las Vegas. My principal said he was transferring him to my class because the other teacher requested he be removed, and he felt I was flexible, loving and up for a challenge. I said GREAT!

The first time I officially met Chance, he was carried into my classroom by the principal, hitting and kicking. The principal sat down, and held Chance in a tight grip using his arms and his legs. When I finished my lesson, I went over to meet Chance and welcome him into my classroom. Chance broke a hand free, punched me in the face, kicked me in the knee, flipped me off and said F-YOU! It was love at first sight.

Chance was more than a challenge, but I could never explain the love I had for him. He couldn't communicate. He's caucasion and English speaking, but he created his only wild child language. The only words that I could really understand were the swear words he would say. :) I only had Chance from November until about March or April. His family was then evicted. Many teachers might celebrate, but I couldn't forget the special love I had for Chance. That was not the end for me.

Around that time, Mike had come into my life and loved Chance just as much as I did. We became really involved with the whole family for the next year, and helped them find housing, food, and other essentials. We even helped bring religion into their lives.

They have since moved to Oregon, and regardless of their rocky start there, they are now doing really well. It has been about five years since I've had Chance in my classroom, and he was only there for such a short time. It's rare a kid remembers who his kindergarten teacher even was, but Chance remembers everything about me and my class. What we have goes beyond this earth. It's a special kind of love. His family calls us family. As Era said it to me tonight, "Tristin, you ARE family. You and Mike are BLOOD. You are my heart." I feel the same way.

It's crazy how God places people in our lives. I know I have changed Chances life, but in so many more ways he has changed mine. I gave Chance a chance in life, and he gave me a chance to be his friend and teacher for life. Maybe that's what bonds us.

He calls me a couple of times a month to let me know how he's doing, and his speech is getting so much better. I can almost understand everything he is saying. He still struggles and his home life is much better, but still incredibly challenging. I've invited Chance to come spend the summer with me, and it looks like that might happen. I get so excited thinking about all of the things we can do together, all of the experiences I can give him that he's never had. I think of all of the things I can teach him, and more importantly, all of the things he can teach me. I've learned so much about love from this boy, and I'm thankful for life and the lessons it teaches me.

Happiest Place on Earth

In October, Mike and I did something we wouldn't normally do... we took off and went on vacation, leaving our cares, worries and responsibilities behind. Normally we would just go spend some time in Vegas, but this time we decided to also go to the happiest place on earth... Disneyland! We spent the first night and part of the next day in Las Vegas. We visited Mike's sister and cute family, Mike's best friend Dennis, and my BFF Melissa.

We went mini golfing with Dennis and had a blast. It was so much fun! Just wish his cute wife Kami could have been there!

My niece Afton and I really bonded when we were there. She just grabbed my finger and led me through the house. She wanted me to go with her everywhere. She is so cute!!
We also got to spend time with our new niece Sadie. She is so sweet and perfect!

Later that evening, we headed to California. We stayed in an awesome hotel in Irvine that once was a farmhouse and silo. It was really cozy and unique!

The next day we spent at Disneyland. We were expecting there to be a TON of people because of UEA, but it wasn't too bad. The parking garage was FULL of Utah license plates, but we surprisingly didn't run into anyone we knew. I hadn't been to Disneyland since I was a kid, and I really wasn't expecting to fall in love with the place as an adult. I was wrong. I want to live in Disneyland. I felt that fantasy was reality and that I could be me without any inhibitions, expectations or responsibilities. If only I could feel that way all of the time. Mike and I reverted to our inner children and had a blast.
We rode a few rides, but mostly walked around, shopped and enjoyed the fun ambience of the park. We also bought tickets to California Adventure which was fun, but I don't know if I would do it again. I noticed all girls, women, and children were walking around with Minnie, Mickey, or Goofy ears, and I wanted some!!! But the hats weren't too cute, and headbands cause me headaches. Finally, we found a cute pirate hat that I just had to have!
We were told there was a great water and light show at California Adventure, and the first thing we would want to do would be to stand in line for tickets in advance. We entered California Adventure and the line to pick up tickets was well over 3 HOURS long!! No way were we standing in that line. We were told, however, that at this restaurant we could buy our "box lunches" and get an advanced ticket with our meal. We decided to that. We stood in line for about an hour and picked up one of these:

It was at a high class, European restaurant and we decided that the Europeans don't know what real food was. It came with small cheese balls, olives, a slice of salami, a friend pepper, a fried tomato, and three crackers. AWFUL. and of course, expensive. So we ate it all anyway, and still were starving and had to wait until dinner time to eat a decent meal. However, the light show was more than worth it. I was breathless. It was so beautiful it moved me to tears, which rarely happens. It was so, so magical!

One of our favorite rides was the Tower of Terror. It scared the crap out of me, but we went on it twice. It was so much worse the second time because I knew what to expect.
The next day, Mike and I went to Newport beach and Huntington Beach. We walked around a bunch of little shops in Newport and met some fun, interesting people. We then went to Huntington Beach to wade in the water. Unfortunately, it was cold that day. It was actually warmer in Utah than it was in California. But we enjoyed just hanging on the beach for a little while. And Mike and I did not mean to match this day, but it worked out for some cute pics!

We headed back to Vegas and made it JUST in time for our show that night. A friend of mine from school hooked us up with VIP tickets to Human Nature, a famous Australian mo-town group. My friend Melissa came along, and we bought their CD's. They were amazing and we had a wonderful time.
Afterwards, Melissa, Mike and I hit the strip. We headed towards the Belagio to check out the Conservatory. It's always amazing! On our way, Melissa and I noticed the "Coach Bus". We couldn't help ourselves, so we had to take a pic!

After hanging with Melissa and grabbing some delicious In and Out, we went to my other BFF's house-- Kim! We were roommates when I lived in Vegas, and I played with her adoreable little boy! I love Caleb!!!

We loved spending time with Kim, Jhon, and Caleb but had to head back home. Mike and I haven't really had a "vacation" since our honeymoon, and althought it was only a 4 day vacation, we really enjoyed it! We also really needed it! Between my crazy schedule and Mike's even crazier schedule, we see each other only about 6 hours a week. It was fun to remember we're real people who are dorky and funny, and two people who are still desperately in love!

Vacay!

In just 10 days I will be in sunny CALIFORNIA, hanging out with Mickey and Minnie in



I can't wait!
Mike and I haven't been to Disneyland since he was eleven and I was fourteen. We are also excited about spending the night in this sweet hotel in Irvine, California.



It used to be a farm and a farmhouse, but has been renovated into this unique hotel. Mike and I got a suite in the silo. Sounds romatic! :)

We're also going to the beach, playing around in L.A., and playing in Las Vegas.

Just ten more days...

I'm a Mother

According to the dictionary
A “mother” is easily defined
As someone who has given birth.
But the word “mother” encompasses so much more.
I am frequently reminded, nearly everyday
That I am not a mother.
In passing, and without thinking,
Many people say…
“You’ll understand one day…when you’re a mother.”
“You’ll never know complete joy until you’re a mother, and hold that baby in your arms.”
“You think life is tough now, just wait till you’re a mother.”
“Your life will never be fulfilled until you have your own children.”
“Your career won’t matter once you become a mother.”
Although these words hurt, the people who say them don’t know they are painful.
Perhaps they’re right.
Perhaps I’ll never know joy.
Perhaps I’ll never understand.
Perhaps I’ll never know how tough life can be.
Perhaps my life will never have true meaning or never be fulfilling.
But I don’t think so.
I think a mother is someone who cares more deeply for a child than for herself.
A mother is someone who spends any free moment possible educating and enjoying her little ones.
A mother lives for her children’s happiness.
A mother dreams about her children every night and does anything to make their dreams come true.
A mother sacrifices.
A mother lies awake at nights worrying about her children and their well being.
A mother wipes noses, kisses boo-boos, and wipes away tears.
A mother hugs, consoles, and encourages.
A mother lives off of the words, “I love you.”
A mother thinks her children are the greatest children in the world.
And so do I.
I live for my children.
I spend every free moment possible educating my children so they can accomplish their dreams.
I tell them of their worth when others tear them down.
I see them not only for what they are now, but for who they will be.
I tell their mothers they are the greatest children in the world.
I lay awake at night worrying about my many children and their well being.
I wipe noses, kiss boo-boos, and wipe away their tears.
I hug them, console them, and encourage them to conquer the world.
I live for the words, “I love you,” every day.
And I love them… like a mother.
I may not be a mother by definition,
But I am a mother.
Only a select few have the opportunity to mother society.
So when you say I don’t understand, I might.
Because I am a mother.
I am an educator.
And I love all of my children.

Primates and Celebreties...Not a Good Combination

So today started out being a fairly normal day, except that I only got four hours of sleep last night due to all of the smoke in my house. The children were a little wild, which worked okay because I planned for some active lessons today, and I played off of their excitement.

However, in the middle of puppet making (it was tied to my math objective, I promise!!!) in walk the Dual Immersion celebrities into my classroom and take a seat. I thought I might have a panic attack then and there, but I ignored them and continued with my class. I passed them my lesson plans so that they knew all of the cutting, pasting, paper on the floor, and puppets on the hands linked to my objective. I had Ofelia Wade, the state Dual Immersion representative (and a good friend) in my room, which was intimidating, but okay. She and I know eachother and I feel very comfortable with her, but still wanted things to be PERFECT. But, by her side was Greg Duncan, a NATIONAL Dual Immersion representative, who spends his career training other districts and states in foreign language instruction all over the United States. In the education world, he is famous. It's a good thing it didn't really click with me WHO he was until after he left, because I might have peed my pants.

They were both there with my principal for about 40 minutes, and they even questioned the students to see exactly what they had learned. The bad news is that my students were acting like monkeys today. They were hitting, poking, arguing, teasing, talking, calling out... and it looked like I had very little classroom management going on. Well the truth is, I know how to manage a classroom! I just didn't want to tell a sweet, innocent-looking first grader, "You stand up, sit in the back of the room and put your head down until you can decide you're ready to act like a first grader!!" in front of the observers. After multiple offenses, I did start whispering into some of their ears that if their behavior continues, they will never have recess.... ever again, followed by a "Ok princesa?" and a smile.

After what I thought was a very rocky lesson, I got a chance to speak with the celebs in English about my lesson. I got many compliments, to my dismay. I was expecting a "Well that was nice" and a quick exit, but they said some nice things. Ofelia wants me to share some of my ideas and activities with teachers in our trainings. Duncan complimented my room and how it was decorated. He complimented me in my modeling and how EVERY one of my students successfully completed their tasks in Spanish. He loved how I integrated literacy into my math lesson and also used it to teach a lot of vocabulary. He loved how engaged the students were. I breathed a sigh of relief when I realized that they must see a lot of first graders, and that many of them must look and act like monkeys. I guess I can forgive the lil' munchkins and hope that next time a man with white hair and a nice shirt and tie walks in, they'll realize he's probably a celebrity, and they'll stop with the monkey business.

New School Year Resolutions

Life seems to be going at full speed these days. Lately Mike and I have been feeling imprisoned by our busy lives.


Mike has 16 credits and is working 25 hours a week and teaching 5-6 guitar students. I'm teaching my 2 dual immersion classes, a night class for adults, and am serving as a counselor in the young womens. I'm also taking over the Dual Immersion Association this November, so I'm preparing for that and training our new Dual Immersion teacher. There is honestly not even a moment to relax and breath these days. Fortunately for me, this is how I choose to live my live. I usually thrive under the pressure and I love the fast paced lifestyle. But as I grow older, I have more of a desire to slow down every once in a while and enjoy the simple things in life. I'm struggling more than usual, and I believe it's because my husband is now even busier than I am. We don't have any quality time together these days and definitely no time for ourselves. I can handle being stressed, but I hate seeing my husband under so much pressure. I've done some reflecting this weekend and identified some small, simple things I can do to bring me joy and keep me sane in my insane world. These are my New School Year Resolutions:

• Paint my nails every weekend
• Go on a walk around my neighborhood, at least once a week
• Attend a weekly dance class
• Write a poem or journal entry at least once a month
• Write an entry in my blog at least once a month
• Participate in a service project or activity at least once a month
• Start reading a book and keep it with me so I can read whenever I get a chance
• Read scriptures every day
• Weekly date with my husband (even if it's just watching a movie on the couch while he does homework)
• Monthly "Special" date with husband (example: dinner and a movie, dinner and dancing)
• Learn to say "NO" to the 'extras'
• Work on some geneology...maybe :)
• Attend the temple at least once a month
• Go out with friends for an afternoon or evening at least once a month, or every two months

A lot of these things I have already begun, some are continuing habits, and others are new goals. However, I look at this list and think, "There's no way I have time for ME and all of these things! Some of these things just aren't that important" But I'm realizing that if I don't take the time for me (and my marriage) to make me whole and happy, I'm not going to be strong for others that need me. These are all simple things, but they make me happy! And they remind me who I am... not just a wife... not just an educator... not just a young women leader...not just a daughter/sister/in-law, etc........ME--- Tristin Taylor West.

My Life as of Late

So it seems a lot has been going on lately, but not a lot that would be considered "Blog Worthy". I'm just living life, and I'm so blessed that it's a life I love. Mike is back in school, now majoring in Urban Planning. He is absolutely LOVING it! He also got a job, so he's staying very busy. I have started out the school year and teach 56 adoreable first graders. I am in love with them already. One little boy, in particular, really keeps me on my toes. He's very active and never sits quietly. He says the funniest things all day long. I wish I could take him home! Last week I started my first Adult Spanish class I'm teaching for Murray Community Education. It was a blast! My class is large and growing! I'm so excited to pass on my passion for the Spanish language to so many others in the community. I've been working in the Young Womens and loving every minute of it! It's keeping me busy and I'm learning a lot. Lately I am working on making more time for myself and developing some talents and hobbies. I'm going an adult Jazz dance class this week and I'm SO excited about it! That pretty much sums up my life as of late. Life is good! :) I've included some pictures of my colorful classroom!

New Opportunity!

I am aware of the fact that I'm crazy. I always must be busy, busy, busy... But this year, I'm working on being busy doing only things that I love and that are positive in my life. I just got an amazing calling in the Young Women presidency, which will keep me busy and bless my life immensely. In addition to that, I just got offered a position with the Murray School District teaching an adult community education class in Beginning Spanish. I really am so excited! I've sent Murray Community Eduation several e-mails over the past two years letting them know of my interest to be involved, but there were never any openings. Finally...I'll get the chance to enrich adults' lives as well as childrens' lives. My first master's degree is a Masters of Second Language Teaching and is focused on teaching a second language to adult learners. I'm so excited to be able to utilize these skills and have this opportunity. One day, I would like to be a college professor, and this is just another step in that direction!

Happy Birthday Mikey!

Mike turned the ripe old age of 23 today. Yes, it's true...I'm a cradle-robber. I've been thinking a lot lately about the man I married and how it was the best decision I ever made. I may not have a castle, expensive jewelry, glass slippers or a fancy stagecoach... but Mike makes me truly feel like a princess. I swear he wakes up every day wondering how to make my life more wonderful. And he succeeds. I'm such a lucky woman! So this post is meant to celebrate Michael Edward West. Happy Birthday honey!

Mike was a studly boy early in age...

Mike is a rockstar. He touches many lives with his music, especially his many guitar students he now has. His mad guitar skills are what attracted me to him in the first place. It all began in the singles ward where I asked Mike to give me guitar lessons... and the rest is history :)

We took a service trip to Mexico to volunteer at an orphanage when we were dating. I realized how big Mike's heart is, how good he is with kids, how his Spanish speaking skills have potential, and how hot he looks in a Mexican leather vest. I also have thought that if it ever came down to it, Mike could play music on the street and collect money in a hat. He's THAT good!

Mike and I just celebrated our 2nd anniversary June 14th. I didn't post anything because I was too busy living in Hell (aka TFA in Houston). But because of our anniversary and Mike's birthday, I've been thinking a lot about how much I love this man! He is so talented! He not only plays guitar, but he sat down at a piano today and starting composing songs like nobody's business. Who knew? He's also very artistic and mechanically inclined. He sees the world so differently and that's why he'll be an amazing architect one day. He's a great writer, singer, skateboarder (so he says), musician, artist, and has fun doing absolutely anything with absolutetly anyone.




Mike and I both like the outdoors. The difference is, however, that I like the outdoors for about 2.5 days. Mike could live in a tent for months and be fine. I was missing my flat iron. We camped recentently in Bryce Canyon and had a blast! Mike is one of very few men in this world who could have a good time camping with three high maintenance women. He has crazy amounts of patience!!!



Mike makes me laugh every day and reminds me not to take life too seriously. I never knew what it really meant to be myself until I met myself with Michael.

He's so handsome. :)

Mike got spoiled on his birthday, as usual. I have so much fun shopping for him! Before I met Michael, I thought boys were so hard to shop for. But not Mike. He loves everything! This is Mike opening up his new snazzy watch.

Happy birthday Mikey! So many people are blessed because they know you. I love you and look forward to the many birthdays we'll share together in our future together!

Don't worry... I'll be posting pics from our Houston adventure and I may disclose some top secret information explaining why my 5 weeks in Houston were the worst weeks of my life. Stay tuned...