Spring Break

Spring Break was a blast! It was an insight to what being a SAHM would be like. Christmas Break wasn't so much as we were traveling the entire time, but Spring Break, we mostly stayed home as Justin worked throughout the week.

I had participated in an Easter Swap hosted by Peculiar Treasures. We were paired up and to get an Easter treat, preferably local treats and a card with an Easter scripture. I gave a gift to Kinberley from Peculiar Treasures and I received one from Emilie.  She is part Brazilian, so she sent me her favorite Brazilian white chocolate Easter egg. It was huge and delicious! I am so glad to have gotten to know Emilie!

Last Friday, March 27th, was my last day of teaching. So, that night, we went to my parents' house in Farmington. Rhys was already there, as my mom watched him while Justin and I worked. He was just having the time of his life with his aunts and uncle and puppy cousins! It was a fun weekend of relaxing, going through childhood mementos as my parents started cleaning out and simplifying their household. Saturday, we went to Texas Roadhouse as my sister has a job there. Afterward, Mom, Dad, Paige, Rhys and I went to a local park and had a fun time enjoying the good weather.

During last week, Rhys and I stayed home, enjoying each other's company. We also went shopping for new clothes for me, and were somewhat successful. I also started getting up with Justin and making him breakfast. I thought to myself this week that I could get used to living like this.

This past weekend, we went down to spend the weekend with Justin's brother and his family. The last time we were down there was for Thanksgiving and Rhys was almost 5 moths old and was just scooting around. He was so excited to see his cousins again, crawled after them, "tackled" them, and gave them a barrage of kisses. He had the time of his life playing with them and their toys. Justin and I enjoyed their company, as well as Jason and Rachel's, watching movies after all the kids were in bed.

He didn't actually eat any candy ;)

How was your Easter? How did you celebrate?

Spring and Summer Wishes

One thing that I love and hate about spring and summer is the "Spring Fever" I always get. The weather is nice, the sun is shining, mornings are so tranquil, colors are brighter, and nature just beckons me to come enjoy it--early morning runs, bike rides through the neighborhood, reading on the grass, evening hikes, picnic lunches...

I get an almost insatiable itch.

Last year, it was a little harder to soothe that itch during the rest of my school year. But, teaching in a trailer that required the door and all windows to be open for air helped. Getting home by 3:40 every day was perfect for an afternoon run. The school year winding down worked in tandem with more time spent outside.

This year, I have that same itch, and it won't go away. I'm getting to my 3rd trimester so I can't run as I used to, new state testing and big culminating projects and final projects are being worked on at my new school, and the 50 minute commute exhausts me. Not to mention all the stresses and unkowns about the summer and next year makes me yearn even more for peace and tranquility outside.

What I wouldn't give for my Field of Wishes and Dreams to come back. A couple years ago, the house I lived in for college had a monster lawn with a broken lawnmower. There was also a plethora of snow giving needed water to the lawn. So, come May, it was literally a field of wishes.

- I wish Justin had a solid job offer.

- I wish we knew if we were staying in Utah or not (and oddly, I'm at peace with staying in Utah for a few more years--just NOT in Provo).

- I wish I had been active all this year so I could still be running a lot outside while 24 weeks pregnant.

- I wish I had time to do so instead of getting home at 4:45 or later every day.

- I wish Justin and I were better at budgeting.

- I wish Justin and I were better at not eating out.

- I wish Justin and I were better at leading healthy lifestyles.

- I wish we knew what to do about housing next year.

- I wish I had more time for reading and writing my novels that have been on pause for almost 4 years.

- I wish Justin and my schedules were more open for each other.

If you had a Field of Wishes, what would you wish for?

*Sneeze* I HATE spring *cough*

This is the window of evil.

This is our bedroom window. We can't open it. Why? Because then spring attacks me and attacks me hard. 

I have spring allergies. Always have, always will, always will hate spring. In Virginia, it was terrible! I could never breath properly in the spring and I dreaded the days were the grass and roads were coated with yellow pollen. Yes. There were days that all you could literally see was yellow pollen. I hated it. 

Stuffy noses, sore throats, headaches, puffy eyes. It's terrible. Then come the sneezes in 3's, 6's, 8's! I've even had an 11-sneeze record!

Here in Utah, the allergies aren't as bad as they were in Virginia. However, sometimes, they do affect me horribly. In August-October, the first few months of living in our new apartment, we decided to save money, be smart, and have open windows for breezes. Well, not only is this the view of our bedroom, but it is also the view of our living room. I got sick. Very sick. Super sick. Ultra sick. Not to mention that I am a first year teacher also getting what my students have.

Well, this "spring" in Utah has been very cold. We've had a second, third, and I think fourth winter. Finally, the past two weeks or so, it's been warm enough not to wear a jacket and even venture into shorts. So, the windows opened up during the day. Nights were still pretty chilly, so we closed windows when we went to bed. Then, earlier this week, the nights were hot, too. So, we decided, it's just about summer, what harm can the plants do to Tayler if we open the window as we go to bed. 

Oh, the foolishness, oh the naivety.

Yesterday, I woke up with a heavy head full of snot. I got up, got ready, and went to school with a perpetual sneeze just about to come out. First and second period came and went with a few sneezes and stuffiness. Third and fourth came and went with an added small headache. Lunch and 5th got hot (I teach in the trailer and our swamp cooler "works" half the time). 6th and 7th were miserable for my students and for me. Then, I had to grade 2 and a half hours of Civil War Projects (which were very interesting). When I got home around 6, Justin was still at work, and I could barely breath or keep my eyes open. Nyquil didn't even really help me to fall asleep.

This morning, same thing. Popped in some Dayquil and went to work. The only difference is now the Dayquil has run out and I can feel it. Also, Justin is under the weather as well. Very under the weather. So, we have two sickos, and about 4 different piles of tissues scattered throughout the apartment.

What do you eat on these days when there are too many dirty dishes and two people who don't want to cook because they are sick? Well, we have a coupon for Pizza Pie Cafe, so we will find a way to muster some strength to get out and stuff our stuffy faces.