Work

About 1 month ago I was asked to give a talk in church about having Faith in the Lord and trusting in his timing and will instead of our own. I decided to use my jobless summer as an example of how I have learned to trust the Lord more because he knows whats best. I must have sounded woe-is-me, because after the talk I had about 12 people approach me with job opportunities, ideas, subbing options, and different names of teachers that they wanted me to meet. Needless to say, I left bad because I clearly gave my talk wrong, but I was very grateful because so many new doors were opening to me.
I started nannying for a family in the ward every Tuesday-Thursday. It pays ridiculously well, is super easy, and is around the corner so I do not have to drive. I am really grateful for the opportunity to earn some money AND have something to do all day. I have gotten to the point that I actually like free time again!! It is a weird feeling.
Along side that I have also started subbing and I LOVE IT!!!! I am so grateful that I do not have my own classroom (because I love the flexibility) but I love still being able to teach.
I most recently taught 7th grade English and it was like I died and went to heaven. For those of you who don't know, I considered English for a few years, I sorta wish I would have pursued it, because I love classroom teaching. We read stories, discussed them, I answered questions about papers etc. It was so much fun too because the teacher actually left me with things to do!! All in all, my experience was amazing and I have already set up more time with this specific teacher.
This work is not what I had planned at all, but I am so grateful for the source of money that I am making. I can sub every Mondays and Fridays and then help the family out Tuesday-Thursday. It is nice to also be able to still exercise and help family members when needed. Just wanted to let everyone know about the good news!!

Arizona

Over Labor day weekend, Ethan and I took a trip down to Phoenix AZ to visit his Aunt Kay. Ethan got his birthday off of work as well as labor day and so he took two more days and we had a 5 day vacation. It was the first vacation that we have taken together excluding Spokane trips, and my goodness did we have fun!! The weather was hot, but surprise... its Phoenix!!! Luckily there was a lot of cloud coverage so even though it was 105
we didnt have the sun beating on us and so it was completely bearable to be outside. Every morning we also woke up at 5 to exercise because we had to beat the heat of the sun.
The first day we went to the Phoenix Botanical Gardens and I got to see my first cactus (minus the 100s that we passed getting there). Afterwards we went home and vacationed!! We read, swam, ate really good food, and played Ethan's new game Dominion which he received for his birthday. We also went on a morning hike in the preserves, visited Aunt Kay's PT office, and went to a delicious Mexican dinner.
The second day we went on a 5:30 bike ride along the canal and went running on the tread mills in Aunt Kays office. Afterwards, the girls went and did girl things (aka Pedicures, shopping, lunch) and Ethan stayed and watched BYU beat Ole Miss. (don't worry... I was getting constant updates from multiple sources) That night we went to the movie The Help and got $1 large drinks and popcorn because Aunt Kay wore her movie t-shirt. Sweet hookups
On Sunday we got together with Ethan's friend Sean Vanhill and played 3 games of Dominion and had a tour of downtown Phoenix.
Monday morning we woke up at 5 and rode our bikes to Tempe and rode the train back. This was our favorite day because the ride was so beautiful. Tempe Town Lake was gorgeous, we found an oasis along the trail, and stopped at an amazing breakfast cafe. After we all got home swam, and took naps, Ethan and I then went to the Phoenix Art Museum followed by an ice cream sundae at a place called Mary Colldes. Their peppermint ice cream was to die for!!!
It was a great vacation and action packed. Phoenix was everything I expected/hoped. It was hot, sunny, and red. It is different than anywhere I have ever been but just as beautiful in its own way. I have never seen a prettier drive than getting to Phoenix. The red rocks are incredible and crossing the Colorado river was so much fun!! We tried to stop at the Grand Canyon but simply ran out of time.