A Virgin Christmas

This Christmas was my first year away from my family. It was quite a novelty to say the least! The Virgin family has traditions for what seemed like each night of the week including a white elephant, a nativity scene, and a talent show. Now each of these events have unspoken specifications (or so it seemed) so Carl led and guided me through the experience. The talent show, for example, means show the family any uncanny skills you possess! It was a spectacular night full of surprises and laughs. Below is a 12-minute bit of some events from the night!

Carl and I decided to make up a family song for ours and it ended up being a big hit! Well, Carl made up the song; I assisted. You might not be able to understand all of Carl's lyrics (he didn't have time to practice) but it's full of family experiences and inside jokes. Also, to clarify Carl's ending verse, I am NOT pregnant. We just wanted to tease the family!

ENJOY!

'Tis The Season!

Who knew December would sneak up this quickly? I love December 1 because I feel justified in celebrating Christmas! This is my absolute favorite holiday; I love the feeling that colorful lights, giving of gifts, and celebrations with loved ones bring. Carl and I have been listening to a variety of Christmas music and we are constantly saying, "Ooo, I love this song!" or "This is my favorite!" I decided to list my top 5 favorite Christmas songs in no particular order (more for my sake than anything)!

1. Oh, Holy Night

2. Angels We Have Heard on High

3. The Christmas Song

4. Carol of the Bells

5. What Child Is This?

Christmas music makes me so grateful that I have a voice to sing!

A Blog of Thanks

Carl and I were talking the other day about how you should be thankful every day of your life, and unfortuantly I am guilty of not always counting my blessings. However, because of this day of thanks I dedicate this post a few of the MANY things I am grateful for.

1. My loving husband, Carl. I would not be this happy if it were not for him! I grateful I am to be eternally his!

2. I love my family more than anything. My dad, my mom, Ashley, Allan, Annie, Angela, Autumn, Aaron, Amelia... they bring so much goodness to my life.

3. Breakfast. I will always be grateful for this beautiful meal that begins each day. Erin Stolworthy can tell you what number that is on my list ;)
4. What is life without good friends. I have been so blessed to meet so many wonderful people throughout my life and continue to stay close to a few of them.

5. I am so thankful for the restored gospel and my membership to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Its standards and teachings are what make me who I am today; as well, it continues to change me into a better person.

6. Okay, this is a bit silly, but I am grateful for small, cute things--puppies, babies, mini bottles of ketchup--they light up my day. There is something about itty bitty things that make me smile.

7. I am grateful for humor. Though I am not a funny person, I love a good joke, a silly dance, or a witty remark. Laughter will always be a part of my world.

8. A good education and soon a degree & teaching certificate! I finished all the requirements for graduation last week with my student teaching and will receive my certification at the end of December. I am so thrilled to be a college graduate.

Of course, Carl and I had to make "thankful turkeys." I know, so 3rd grade, but we had a good time ;)

The Beginning of the End

Today was my last day of student teaching at Pyle Middle School. I would go so far to say that it was the best 13 weeks of my 4-year college education because I was able to learn so much about teaching and about myself. There's only so much you can do in a college classroom, though I did apply many of tools and principles learned there. While in the classroom I was able to learn what kind of teacher I am--what my strengths and weaknesses are--and how I interact with colleagues and students. Even though I am pleased with what I accomplished during these past 13 weeks, I know what I need to improve on and how to take it to the next level when I have my own classroom.

My students were simply amazing. They were so sweet, very polite and usually eager to learn. I was fortuante enough to have advanced 8th graders, so as a whole they like to do well in class! Each class had a unique personality to it and I always tried to adapt my lesson plans to what they would respond well to. I couldn't resist taking a picture of three of my classes :) They were the best thing that has happened to me in my very limited teaching career. I can only hope for classes like these in my future!



Period 4





Period 5



Period 7



Our Professional Advice (Hehe!)

Carl and I have been married for 18 months. 18 months! I love it! It's been the most amazing, most trying, more rewarding thing I have ever done, and we still have so many more months and years to come! So I thought Carl and I would make a list of 18 things we have learned so far in our marriage.

This is our serious face.

1. CARL: In the words of Michael Buble, "Try a little tenderness!"
2. ALISA: The age old advice, COMMUNICATE.
3. CARL: Forget yourself in service.
4. ALISA: Read the 5 Languages of Love
5. CARL: Women need to cry. Often.
6. ALISA: Being silly is necessary.
7. CARL: Have FHE every week. Don't miss a single one!
8. ALISA: Think of your spouse's needs before you think of your own. Their's might be more important :)
9. CARL: Tell her she's pretty. Even when she thinks she isn't, but you know she is.
10. ALISA: Always say thank you! Don't let their service go unseen.
11. CARL: Accept that she will constantly look at pictures of babies. And puppies. And you better learn to love it.
12. ALISA: Hold hands always.
13. CARL: Remember she needs to talk. (Alisa insight: And it might need to be with other girls!)
14. ALISA: Don't forget to do your individual scripture study and personal prayers.
15. CARL: Never skip a date night.
16. ALISA: Share your testimonies with each other.
17. CARL: Tell her you love her. Then tell her again.
18. ALISA: Tell him you love him. Then tell him again.

**This list idea brought to you by Angie Roane's blog!

Ode to Fall

Carl and I spent our first fall together in Idaho where, as many of you know, tends to skip over fall. And spring. And basically only favors winter. Needless to say our fall here has been absolutely splendid. A couple weekends ago I took time off from planning lessons and grading papers to venture on a hike to Sugarloaf Mountain. Unfortuantly, we neglected to bring our camera, but I assure you the view was absolutely gorgeous! The hike up was somewhat steep, but the view at the top of the mountain was always worth it. The leaves were turning bright colors of red, yellow, and orange and those that had already fallen made a satisfying crunch under our feet. We (jealously) looked on at families hiking together and vowed to take our children hiking one day. (Can you tell we're baby hungry?? haha!) There's something about the combination of nature and humanity that makes the world seem good and whole. We were going to climb up another side of Sugarloaf Mountain the following Saturday, but the weather has started to become cloudy and gloomy--winter is unfortuantly on its way.

Carl and I were discussing the nature of seasons and decided that Heavenly Father was extremely wise to have four seasons. We wouldn't appreciate those bright summer days, the beautiful mixed colors of fall, the frigid winter days when you stay curled up in bed with a good book, or the rebirth of nature that spring brings. It's those little differences in life that really make you appreciate each and every day that you have.

Microwave Popcorn

Microwave popcorn is ingenious. I purchased a box the other day, and when I popped a bag I couldn't stop thinking about the mechanics of it all. I mean, you have the kernels and hard butter just sitting in a folded up bag. You set the timer for 1 minute, 52 seconds and the heat takes over. The kernels start popping into popcorn, the butter becomes liquid and juicy and the bag expands. All in under 2 minutes. As the timer dings, you pull out your hot, but tasty, snack. It's brillance! It's like an innovative bag of happiness :)