Valentine's Day, broken vans, and Wonder Woman
I guess I didn't realize how much time I used to have to blog before I got my new job dental assisting. The days seem to fly by and as soon as I come home, all I want to do is collapse onto the bed and pass out. But now that I have Fridays off, I will have to set aside some time to sit down and do my blogging (in addition to cleaning the house).
I started my job at Mapleton Family Dentistry as their new dental assistant. The dentist, Dr. Griffith's, is also my bishop! I wondered if it would be weird... but after the first time we had a thirty minute discussion on the atonement over a patient's gaping mouth, I knew I'd just have to get used to it. But turns out, I love it. I've been able to meet more people from our ward and neighborhood than I do on Sundays (maybe that has something to do with my calling in the nursery...). I've enjoyed working with each of the hygienists and the other assistant. It's been fun getting back into the assisting chair and re-learning all the procedures.
Josh had his annual UMEA conference in St. George a few weeks ago and left me for the weekend. While he was gone, I decided to clean the house. Deep clean the house. Like. Get in all the nooks and crannies and mop the floor on my hands and knees clean (okay, so I used a mop). I wrote down everything I wanted to accomplish and looked down at my list, determined to be successful. I glanced over at the clock and thought, "Pfft. I'll be done in no time."
Basically, I felt like Wonder Woman as I blasted Rascal Flatts and The Greatest Showman soundtrack. I started scrubbing toilets and shaking clorox into tubs. I swept the floor into a big pile and moved all the chairs onto the living room floor so I could mop. I finally put away Christmas, which resulted in lots of scratches on my arm from the fake pine needles and sparkles everywhere. I vacuumed. Mopped. Dusted. Folded.
And three hours later, feeling like I was ready to die, I looked around and thought, "Golly gee, cam. What on earth have you been doing for the past three hours?!" Because you see, the floor still wasn't mopped. The couch still had clean clothes on it to be folded and put away. The bathroom mirror was still spotty. I still had one more load of dishes to put into the dishwasher. I pretty much had three more hours of work ahead of me! I sat on top of our kitchen table, with my feet and my head hanging in utter despair. And then I wondered. If I couldn't even keep a house clean for two people... how could I keep a house clean for children (not an announcement)?!
Needless to say, I pulled up my big girl pants and got the job done. I even cleaned out my car and brought down the rest of Josh's things from his dad's house that have been in there for months. I felt pretty dang accomplished.
Josh received an award for being the 2A State Champion last year in the marching band while he was in St. George. I wished I could have been there, but I was proud of him from our little home in Mapleton. While he was there, the band director from Westlake high school approached him and asked why he hadn't yet applied for his position (Brek is leaving for Farmington high school for the 2018-2019 school year). He said, "I was hoping you would apply." This made Josh start to think about applying (again). The hiring committee met with Josh and took him out to lunch while they were in St. George and guaranteed him a spot in the final round of the application process. Which is a big deal. Josh and I talked about this for quite a while. We both have a special spot for Westlake and those kids out there. Thinking about going back there sent us down memory lane as we recognized just how much we missed it over there. Plus, it had so many perks: Big band. In the Alpine School District. Higher pay. Familiar faces. A supportive community. A trailer. New uniforms. One of the top performing groups in Utah.
It was a no brainer.
But on the other hand... we love Mapleton. This little town also has found a special place in our hearts. From meeting those kids on the first day and wondering if they would even be able to be a real band, to winning 2A state championships, this little group of kids became really special. It has been such a blessing to be here for Josh's first year of teaching. Even though the program has its difficulties, it really is such a wonderful place to be. And how great would it be to watch Josh grow this program and make it into something great!?
Together, we decided to stay at Maple Mountain, no matter how enticing the offer at Westlake was. We've both felt really good about this decision and are excited to stay here and see what blessings and opportunities await us.
While Josh was gone, my two friends from high school and I went to the Payson temple for a session. This was my first time since I had gone through for myself before we got married. I was thankful to have two other girls there to help remind me what to do and where to go. I love having temples so close to where we live! It really is such a blessing.
Valentine's week has come and gone, which is so sad. We had such a fun time together, planning surprises and spoiling each other. Wednesday started off with white chocolates and rose petals in Josh's car. I ran home for lunch to do the dishes while Josh tried to surprise me at work with peanut m&m's, a stuffed monkey, and two beautiful flowers. I was so sad I missed him, but loved the sweet surprise when I got back to work. After work, I met Josh at the high school and sat with him while he finished up parent teacher conference. Then, we went to Buffalo Wild Wings (our favorite place to eat). We happily are our basket of fries and filled our tummies with delicious wings. We drove back to the high school to get my van to take home, but before I could even leave the parking lot, I heard a big "pop!" and all of the sudden, my steering wheel wasn't working. So now, my van stays in the parking lot at Maple Mountain, waiting for someone to come and take care of it.
Josh and I have been carpooling for the past week. Which means, I have to get up really early and Josh has to stay at work really late. But we make it work! And it's been fun to be able to go to the high school with him in the morning and see all the students before I leave for work.
On Friday, Josh had pep band (and I had the day off), so I spent time making homemade dinner and decorating our house. I attempted my mom's homemade parmesan chicken and lava cakes. Both of which, turned out pretty good for my cooking skills. The following morning, Josh got up to go open the doors at the high school for some private lessons while I cooked french toast and bacon. Once breakfast was devoured, we went and saw "Black Panther" in American Fork before we got dressed up to go to a fancy dinner at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. Once we got there, we definitely felt out of place. But how fun it was to be at such an expensive restaurant, eating some of the best steaks we've ever tasted. It was such a fun evening!
Josh is now getting ready for festival season and I'm currently trying to battle a nasty cold before I have to go back to work on Monday. We're excited to see how his concert bands will do! Josh had two of three percussion ensembles make it to the state level of solo and ensemble, along with other students.
I started my job at Mapleton Family Dentistry as their new dental assistant. The dentist, Dr. Griffith's, is also my bishop! I wondered if it would be weird... but after the first time we had a thirty minute discussion on the atonement over a patient's gaping mouth, I knew I'd just have to get used to it. But turns out, I love it. I've been able to meet more people from our ward and neighborhood than I do on Sundays (maybe that has something to do with my calling in the nursery...). I've enjoyed working with each of the hygienists and the other assistant. It's been fun getting back into the assisting chair and re-learning all the procedures.
Josh had his annual UMEA conference in St. George a few weeks ago and left me for the weekend. While he was gone, I decided to clean the house. Deep clean the house. Like. Get in all the nooks and crannies and mop the floor on my hands and knees clean (okay, so I used a mop). I wrote down everything I wanted to accomplish and looked down at my list, determined to be successful. I glanced over at the clock and thought, "Pfft. I'll be done in no time."
Basically, I felt like Wonder Woman as I blasted Rascal Flatts and The Greatest Showman soundtrack. I started scrubbing toilets and shaking clorox into tubs. I swept the floor into a big pile and moved all the chairs onto the living room floor so I could mop. I finally put away Christmas, which resulted in lots of scratches on my arm from the fake pine needles and sparkles everywhere. I vacuumed. Mopped. Dusted. Folded.
And three hours later, feeling like I was ready to die, I looked around and thought, "Golly gee, cam. What on earth have you been doing for the past three hours?!" Because you see, the floor still wasn't mopped. The couch still had clean clothes on it to be folded and put away. The bathroom mirror was still spotty. I still had one more load of dishes to put into the dishwasher. I pretty much had three more hours of work ahead of me! I sat on top of our kitchen table, with my feet and my head hanging in utter despair. And then I wondered. If I couldn't even keep a house clean for two people... how could I keep a house clean for children (not an announcement)?!
Needless to say, I pulled up my big girl pants and got the job done. I even cleaned out my car and brought down the rest of Josh's things from his dad's house that have been in there for months. I felt pretty dang accomplished.
Josh received an award for being the 2A State Champion last year in the marching band while he was in St. George. I wished I could have been there, but I was proud of him from our little home in Mapleton. While he was there, the band director from Westlake high school approached him and asked why he hadn't yet applied for his position (Brek is leaving for Farmington high school for the 2018-2019 school year). He said, "I was hoping you would apply." This made Josh start to think about applying (again). The hiring committee met with Josh and took him out to lunch while they were in St. George and guaranteed him a spot in the final round of the application process. Which is a big deal. Josh and I talked about this for quite a while. We both have a special spot for Westlake and those kids out there. Thinking about going back there sent us down memory lane as we recognized just how much we missed it over there. Plus, it had so many perks: Big band. In the Alpine School District. Higher pay. Familiar faces. A supportive community. A trailer. New uniforms. One of the top performing groups in Utah.
It was a no brainer.
But on the other hand... we love Mapleton. This little town also has found a special place in our hearts. From meeting those kids on the first day and wondering if they would even be able to be a real band, to winning 2A state championships, this little group of kids became really special. It has been such a blessing to be here for Josh's first year of teaching. Even though the program has its difficulties, it really is such a wonderful place to be. And how great would it be to watch Josh grow this program and make it into something great!?
Together, we decided to stay at Maple Mountain, no matter how enticing the offer at Westlake was. We've both felt really good about this decision and are excited to stay here and see what blessings and opportunities await us.
While Josh was gone, my two friends from high school and I went to the Payson temple for a session. This was my first time since I had gone through for myself before we got married. I was thankful to have two other girls there to help remind me what to do and where to go. I love having temples so close to where we live! It really is such a blessing.
Valentine's week has come and gone, which is so sad. We had such a fun time together, planning surprises and spoiling each other. Wednesday started off with white chocolates and rose petals in Josh's car. I ran home for lunch to do the dishes while Josh tried to surprise me at work with peanut m&m's, a stuffed monkey, and two beautiful flowers. I was so sad I missed him, but loved the sweet surprise when I got back to work. After work, I met Josh at the high school and sat with him while he finished up parent teacher conference. Then, we went to Buffalo Wild Wings (our favorite place to eat). We happily are our basket of fries and filled our tummies with delicious wings. We drove back to the high school to get my van to take home, but before I could even leave the parking lot, I heard a big "pop!" and all of the sudden, my steering wheel wasn't working. So now, my van stays in the parking lot at Maple Mountain, waiting for someone to come and take care of it.
Josh and I have been carpooling for the past week. Which means, I have to get up really early and Josh has to stay at work really late. But we make it work! And it's been fun to be able to go to the high school with him in the morning and see all the students before I leave for work.
On Friday, Josh had pep band (and I had the day off), so I spent time making homemade dinner and decorating our house. I attempted my mom's homemade parmesan chicken and lava cakes. Both of which, turned out pretty good for my cooking skills. The following morning, Josh got up to go open the doors at the high school for some private lessons while I cooked french toast and bacon. Once breakfast was devoured, we went and saw "Black Panther" in American Fork before we got dressed up to go to a fancy dinner at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. Once we got there, we definitely felt out of place. But how fun it was to be at such an expensive restaurant, eating some of the best steaks we've ever tasted. It was such a fun evening!
Josh is now getting ready for festival season and I'm currently trying to battle a nasty cold before I have to go back to work on Monday. We're excited to see how his concert bands will do! Josh had two of three percussion ensembles make it to the state level of solo and ensemble, along with other students.
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