To live would be an awfully big adventure...

I threw Leslie a baby shower a couple of weekends ago.  She and Andrew are expecting a baby boy in a few weeks!  Leslie will be a fabulous mother; she is one of the most kind and loving people I know.  One time a few years back at the beach I caught a clam that was the size of my fist.  Needless to say I wanted to open it up... just in case a pearl was inside.  Leslie protected the clam from me, and encouraged me to let it go.  She is also the one to not only offer to clean up when we get together, but insists on working until all the work is done.  She will sit and listen to your stories for hours on end.  She makes you feel loved and comfortable.  I am so happy for her to become a mother, and of course I believe my brother will be an incredible father. 

One of the quotes I framed at the shower said, "to live would be an awfully big adventure" from Peter Pan.  I know how excited Andrew and Leslie are to have a baby, but I can't even imagine the type of feelings of excitement baby Cash must be having, because to live is an awfully big adventure, and we can't wait to welcome the babs into this wonderful life.  He will be one spoiled little babe. 

*P.S. my mom made the quilt with the frames of baby Andrew and baby Leslie resting on it.  This quilt was reserved for the first little grand-baby, so it's kind of special. :)  

Moments

Sometimes I look back at my week and ask myself, "did that really happen?"  I teach high schoolers chemistry, but they teach me so much about being teenagers.  The fact that they think me close to their age is also an issue at times, but I truly really love all of my students.  Here are a few things that have happened this school year.

1.  Some call me Megan behind my back.  

2.  A student admitted to checking me out in the hallway before realizing it was me.  #nightmare

3.  A girl asked me to move her seat farther away from an ex-boyfriend.  I did.
4.  Multiple students tell me about their tattoos slash intended tattoos.  I of course didn't know how to act, but I think my shock said enough.

5.  A student told me he cheated in math a few times.  Mmk?... I reminded him that I am a teacher.
6.  I have the world's best TAs.  Sometimes they come a little late, but not without a delightful white bag to leave on my desk with a donut of my choice inside.  I told them this habit must stop, or I'm going to have a heart-attack.  It's fine.
7.  Two of my students actively fight over who is my favorite, but one of those students did bring me Chick-fil-a, so you know...
8.  Two of my students brought me Valentine's goodies, which were so thoughtful and kind.
9.  At least three of my students want to major in chemistry now! This is a major feat! I mean really?! I am beyond thrilled.  I mean high school chemistry isn't even that cool yet, and they love it.  They are ten steps above where I was as a sophomore/junior.  I love those students for obviously reasons.
10.  One of my students told me to get Jacob a poster-sized cut-out of Scarlett Johansson... or video games.  Needless to say, I'm glad I'm not married to a high school student.
11.  One of my students told me that I shouldn't get Jacob anything for Valentine's Day, because he should be getting me stuff and more stuff.  I assured him that Jacob spoils me.
12.  A girl told her mom that my story about getting base in my eye was a testimony builder, so if for nothing else, my students are gaining testimonies... apparently.
13.  A boy almost made me cry of joy this past week, because of his participation and engagement.  Literally I thought I was going to cry.
14.  Parents are willing to tell you a lot of details about their children.
15.  A boy calls me his school mom, because I encourage him to get enough sleep and do his homework.  Apparently that's a thing?
16.  A student found me on twitter and my number of followers exploded, but now I just use it for my students mostly.

Teaching has been rewarding and fun.  A colleague at the beginning of the year said two things that stuck with me, "It's just a job," and "don't teach if you can't have fun".  I took those to heart.  In the beginning I would spend hours and hours planning lessons and thinking of details, but my lessons weren't as effective.  So now I try my absolute best to teach the content in an engaging manner, but I remember to love those students of mine and have fun. 

It's just what I wanted

One of my favorite family home videos takes place Christmas of 1995.  My parents had filmed us opening presents around the tree in hopes of capturing the moment.  After I opened every present I would say with all sincerity in my heart, "it's just what I wanted!"  Then I'd move on to the next present and repeat once again, "it's just what I wanted!" Each present I opened my tone of voice was just as surprised and thrilled as the previous present.   I'm convinced that that Christmas I really did get "just what I wanted." Now I feel much like I did on that Christmas, being married to Jacob.

Jacob and I have known each other since we were seventh graders.  He kissed me on the seventh, we dated probably about seven different times, and have been married about seven months.  He has always had the most special spot in my heart. 

And every day I really do feel like this is just what I wanted.

The Temple: Holiness to the Lord, The House of the Lord

The temple has been such a strength in my life.  This video explains the purpose and history of LDS temples.  Temple worship reminds us, "we are recommitting ourselves to live the commandments, to live righteously, to love others, [and] to follow the teachings of the Savior, Jesus Christ". 

A video of love

I debated whether or not I wanted a wedding video, but the more I watched Kale Fitch's films the more I was convinced I needed it.  He was booked for the year, but made an exception for our wedding.  Jacob has caught me watching it way too many times than I'd like admitting.  It's almost like reliving the day, and what a perfect day it was.  

Dreams of Chemistry

Physical Chemistry haunted my dreams as a freshman chemistry student, because it seemed so far away and so very difficult. I wondered if I would actually ever make it to pchem.  I don’t know what I thought would stop me from taking it, but possibly a major change if chemistry became not fun.  So today physical chemistry is still in my dreams, and if you ask Jacob, he would probably still say it haunts them when he hears me sleep talking about the orbitals. 

One night I fell asleep on the couch studying pchem.  Falling asleep on the couch never ends up well for anyone, but it seems like the best place to study late at night. Every single time.  Jacob woke me up to go to bed when he was done doing some more serious studying.  In my confused and sleep-deprived state I crawled into bed as irritated as could be.  “Jacob, I’m annoyed!” He asked me why, and I explained that the pi and sigma orbitals inside of me weren’t aligned correctly, so they couldn’t form bonds, and it was making me upset.  I got annoyed when Jacob tried to cuddle with me and finally got up to go to the bathroom.  When I came back I explained that I got all my high energy electrons out, so now I was in my ground state, (apparently a much happier state).  Next I apologized to Jacob for not letting him cuddle with me, but he was at a different temperature than I was, so we couldn’t form a bond!

And last night I dreamt about point groups for far too long.  But this time it’s not haunting any dreams, rather pchem is a surprisingly pleasant comfort.  It means I’m learning or at least thinking about learning, and luckily for me, my pi and sigma orbitals are feeling a lot better these days. 

*** Picture from Hawaii in August at the top of Mount Haleakala****

   

Temple Marriage

We recently got our pictures back from Lindsey Orton, and I of course love them.  Jacob, of course finds me looking at them far too often.  Oops.  I wanted to share the pictures from the temple first.  The whole day was beyond perfect, but the temple was the absolutely most important part of the day.  It was where Jacob and I were sealed together for time and all eternity.  I am so grateful for our temple marriage.