Five Things {Graduation Edition}

{first scene pulling in from New Mexico & into the hot desert}

So we don't overload this blog with too many photos of Derek's medical school graduation {because I easily could}, here are our five favorite moments from the weekend. From the ceremony to floating the lazy river with pina coladas in hand, we sure enjoyed our last real visit to the state we spent so much of our  engaged & married life in. Man, oh man, Arizona is always going to be one of those places for me.

{before the ceremony, last time Derek would be a "student"}

{please see any of these fantastic doctors for your below the knee needs}

{the gang celebrating the big accomplishment}

{the doctoral hood; Derek also wore two cords for graduating Pi Delta with honors}

Packing Up

Packing stinks .....

......from head 2 toe.

Spring Break

One of the major benefits of teaching school are the breaks. Spring Break has always been a favorite of mine, even as a student. We would pack up and go somewhere exotic for the week, usually on of the Hawaiian islands, and have some fun & relaxing family time. The past 2 years, I have been enjoying my break here in Arizona, and it has been nothing short of fantastic. Cool mornings perfect for hikes, warm afternoons by the pool, and night baseball games make for a perfect way to relax and detox before the final stretch of the school year. 

How did/do you spend your Spring Break? 

Friends & Babies

On Sunday, Stephanie and I decided to have a little get together at the park with some lovelies from the ward. Here is a shot before most of us packed up to leave. I think highly of these women. All of them are mothers, or soon to be (how adorable is Kristi in the green?) and all of us are in the same boat- all of our husbands are in graduate school programs or recently graduated. Thankfully, we can all get together and discuss how crazy our lives are before we all get whisked away to new adventures. The difference is, they all have little ones to juggle while their husbands are at class, studying, taking tests, or even away in different countries (You Thunderbird wives are rock stars!)

Also, why haven't we gotten the baby memo yet? 

P.S. Pretty sure sweet Jessie was off chasing her 2 boys and little girl around the park being 5 months pregnant. You go girl! 

Love is Patient....

...especially when I am trying to use self timer.

Happy Valentines Day to my one and only. 

Picnics at the park will always be my favorite dates with you.

Toesies

Although it's only February 7th and a beautiful 72 degrees, the toes are out to play. 

I have a feeling this post will come back to bite me in the bum come June 7th and it's a spicey 172 degrees. Okay, more like 127. 

Decking the Halls 2011

In the Smith home, we deck the halls, walls, shelves, and even the top of the fridge! Let me just tell you, I have been holding back this post because I wanted to seem "normal" and make it look like our house hasn't been decorated since the week before Thanksgiving. We are just a hop, skip, and jump away from Christmas day and I can't wait. We are heading to Idaho on Christmas Eve, enjoying the holiday, and then strapping in for a beautiful winter wedding for my sister-in-law & soon to be brother-in-law.

How are you spending the most wonderful time of year?

T-Day 2011

{a} Table settings were ready the day before Thanksgiving. Soo me. I love being on top of everything.

{b} A full yummy table. Everything was home-made, except the turkey. There is NO way I could have made a turkey in our one oven along with the rolls, stuffing, and sweet potatoes. Thank you Boston Market for helping me out this year.

{c} Later that night we went downtown and experienced "Glendale Glitters". They turn on all the lights, have tons of food vendors, and activities for kids.

{d} This carmel apple was divine. We couldn't eat it fast enough. It went along well watching and laughing at the kiddos on the bungee jump and moon bounce.

{e} It was fun getting "bundled" up & seeing all the Arizonans wear winter coats, gloves, hats and sip hot chocolate in the mid-60 degree weather.

It was a fun and eventful Thanksgiving weekend. It was exactly what we needed! Now, our house is decorated for Christmas and we couldn't be more excited to celebrate the holidays!

Ariga Bamboo

{Girls Camp 2011}

Dear Girls Camp Songs,

If you don't get out of my head, I might just explode. Yep. I've had enough with all your jazzy tunes, repeating choruses, and most importantly, lyrics about finding a nice Mormon boy to marry. It was good while it lasted..... but it's time for you to retire until next year.

Love,

Becca

P.S. Let's play "Spot the Leader" in the photo above. Could the 4 of us look any younger? :)

I Passed......

The AEPA!

(Arizona Educators Proficiency Exam)

Yes, I had already passed the Idaho exam (The Praxis) two years ago, but Arizona needed me to take this one as well. Needless to say, I was a little nervous! I was even MORE nervous when I was the first one to finish with 3 hours to spare. But, I went with my "gut instinct" and just turned it in. It was all about using the knowledge and experiences I've used since graduating, student teaching, and teaching this past year.

Luckily, the prize was won.

Derek was so cute in supporting me with this crazy endeavor. He takes multiple tests every week, and when it was my turn, he was so sweet, supportive, and helpful. He's the best!

Happy Monday!

Christmas 2010: Whimsical Wonderland

It's Christmas a the Smith home.

Since this was our first year decorating together, we collaborated on our color scheme.

I wanted to steer away from the traditional red & green,

and Derek loves fun, bright, and cheery colors.

Here is what we came up with.

Leave a comment! Tell us what you think!

What does your house look like this season?

We would LOVE to see it!

Library Story

I finally had a FREE Saturday. No work. No trainings. A clean house, and a busy husband studying for finals all day.

I was so excited to finally get to the city Library.

I couldn't wait to come home with a stack of books and dive in.

When I got there, I was prepared with my drivers licence & proof of address.

The conversation between me and the librarian went something like this:

"Okay. Are you ready to pay the $15.00 fee for using the library?"

"Oh, I have a valid Glendale address, I thought I would get a free card."

"Oh no, it doesn't work like that. Although you live within Glendale city limits, have a Glendale mailing address, and pay bills/taxes to the city of Glendale, you are technically in the boundaries for Phoenix."

"So, what does that mean exactly?"

"Well, you can come to this library for the fee, or get free cards at these two locations...."

(looking down at list) "So, instead of driving 5 blocks to come to this library, I have to go 25 miles because I am just shy of 2 blocks of the boundaries."

"Exactly."

So, I am boycotting the library for right now.

And yes, I will continue to read and re-read the same 5 books I own.

Student Teaching Recap

It's almost over. The end is near. It's a bitter sweet moment, but it's been amazing. I wouldn't have traded the experience for anything! I decided to make a little something for all my students.

The boys are getting candy, while the girls are getting cute little flower headbands.

A big shout out to all the people who made this experience possible!

Long Week

It's 9:01 on a Tuesday night and I'm exhausted. I don't even have kids to feed, bathe, and put to bed. All I have to do is worry about myself, oh, and my 26 "kids" I greet 5 days a week at school. Every night, I get ready for my nightly chat with Derek.

Some nights, it's fun. We talk about our days, laugh, joke, share stories. Other nights, it's not so fun. We're stressed and tired. On these nights, Derek is usually studying for a test. Now, here's where it gets hard. I support him 100% in his endeavors. I always tell him "If there is anything I can do, let me know!"

But, I know that's silly! I can't take is anatomy test for him. I can't study diseases for hours on end in his behalf. I can't see him everyday like we used to in Rexburg.

But, I can support him. I can tell him I love him. I can make him yummy dinners. I can clean is apartment.

He always says "Thank you". He is always so happy to see me. He is always smiling & saying "I love you".

Then I realize,

It's the moments like these, that make it ALL worth it.