XOXO

Happy Valentine's Day from Boy oh Boy oh Boy!

The Thing About Teaching

I'm beginning to realize that just because one "big thing" or event is over doesn't mean you can stop and take a breather. Another "big thing" is always right around the corner.

This week turned out to be the week of nonstop teaching for me. In addition to the regular yoga and prenatal yoga classes I teach, I was in charge of hosting and teaching our home preschool Valentine's Day Party.

Then, I was asked to teach a yoga class to the ladies at church for a "slow down & be healthy" weeknight meeting. That night inevitably ended with me being doubled over in pain, as the walnut (I'm allergic) that I didn't know was in the "healthy" muffins digested.

It was also my turn to teach the lesson to all of the primary children at church for sharing time. And the whole Stake Primary Presidency was in there observing because it was ward conference, adding some additional pressure.

You would think that teaching classes would be a breeze for me by now, considering that I have a degree in education and have had a little experience under my belt teaching children and yoga classes. But I still get those nerves in the pit of my stomach every time it is my turn to take charge. I still spend hours preparing. I still go back and forth on ideas for presentation. And after the events are over, I agonize over what went wrong and what could have gone better.

What was I thinking including so many scriptures during sharing time when I was trying to engage a huge group of antsy children?

Did I even remember to talk about the sound the letter "i" makes at preschool? Could I have been any less prepared when it came to throwing together the Valentine's Day card holders for the children?

How incredibly distracting was it when my ipod speakers kept going in and out during our "slow down" night at church?

Did I really get confused about my "right side" and "left side" in front of my prenatal yoga class where I was supposed to be the professional? (I do the poses in mirror form towards the students, trust me, it gets confusing).

Sometimes I wish I could just have a complete re-do of the classes I teach. I would do so much better the second time around, not making the same mistakes.

Or not put myself under the stress of teaching at all. It would be so much easier to breeze by without ever having to be "in charge."

Troy keeps reminding me that the students will forget everything I said ten minutes after the events end (especially three year olds). But the perfectionist in me still gets frustrated that I'm not more confident. That my words don't flow more smoothly. That maybe an ounce more of preparation might have made the difference. 

But that is the thing about teaching. Once something is taught, it's out there. There are no re-dos. No going back.

Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy helping people grow. I love to see that expression on my students' faces when they hold a pose they never thought they'd be able to attempt. I love when the material presented might have changed or inspired someone to change or be a little better. I truly am honored to be entrusted enough to guide others with my limited base of knowledge.

I have a feeling that I am far from being done with teaching. Teaching opportunities are always going to pop up; that is inevitable. I'm going melt into a bundle of nerves again. I'm going to agonize over what went wrong. I'm going to panic the moment the spotlight becomes mine and then walk away with sweet relief when it's all over.

Maybe someday I'll be able to walk into a teaching position, with all eyes focused on me, and feel completely certain and confident. I won't miss any of the points I wanted to make. Maybe I'll be able to take the "me" out of teaching altogether. I won't worry if my words are completely fluid, if my poses are perfect, if I am doing it right. I'll be able to make it completely about them. 

Or maybe everyone else gets just as nervous as I do.

Regardless, it made my heart spill over with relief when the sweet primary girls "heart attacked" my front door with little notes of appreciation. After all of my agonizing, it was the little pick-me-up I needed until the next teaching opportunity comes knocking at my door, and then I'm sure I'll be right back to square one on the scale of nervousness.

Farewell

Next month, Troy's parents are moving to Hawaii. 

They will spend two years there, teaching an entrepreneurship class at BYU Hawaii. They'll live down the street from the beach. Rough life, right?

They've been trying to decide what to do ever since my father-in-law was laid off from his job last summer, and this opportunity seemed like the perfect fit. Since it isn't a formal mission, they will still have have the freedom to leave and visit family during school breaks. Plus, it's Hawaii. No brainer!

We sure are going to miss them though. It's going to be strange not having any extended family around.

The move to Hawaii was up for discussion but not quite finalized over the holidays. Since it was probably going to be the last time we'd all be together for a while, they wanted to take some family pictures. And man oh man was it freezing outside. We had to go inside the cabin in between every shot to warm up.

We'll be on board at any point to visit them at those Hawaiian beaches. 

Celebrating Nash

We held a cozy gathering with dinner, a few presents, and cupcakes to celebrate Nash's advancement in age.

Nash enjoyed being the main man.

Someone else thought it was his birthday, too.

Nash's favorite gift (or should I say chew toy) was this dvd from Grandma and Grandpa. We have a history of being born on holidays in our family, and Nash didn't break the tradition when he arrived three weeks early on Groundhog Day.

On to cupcakes.

Or shoes?

We've held off on sugar with both boys until their first birthdays. So, it was pretty fun to see Nash's reaction to a gob of sugar all at once.

I think he liked it.

Happy Birthday Nash!

One

Our little mister turned one today.

I cannot believe that it has been a year since Nash came into this world. It has been the fastest year of my life. I feel like we've been living in fast-forward mode and I'm afraid that time will only speed up more. I have treasured this year more than I thought was possible, even though I was exhausted for most of it.

Although I'm excited for Nash to grow up and discover the world around him, I am a little sad about his advancement in age.

I mean, how could he change so quickly in twelve short months?

I don't know where my tiny baby went.

Al I can say is that with each month I fall deeper and deeper in love with him.

I feel so blessed to be Nash's mom. He lights up the room with his generous smiles. He is so easy to please. He makes us feel more like a family. Oh how we adore our Nashy Nashy.