Long Time No See

I haven't updated my blog for a long time. A LOT has happened in that past couple of months. Let's see... So in May my Grandma Ila Rae Riley passed away. One of the hardest times in my life. It was really fast and no one saw it coming. We found out that she had cancer. 3 or 4 different types of cancer. Ovarian, Uterine, and colon cancer. They were able to get two of them earlier but one of them spread throughout her body. She did chemo which made her really sick.She got an infection in her leg that she couldn't fight. She passed away May 17, 2015. She was a wonderful women. I miss her so much. A little after we found out grandma had cancer, We found out we were pregnant. We were so so happy!!!We have waited a long time to hear this wonderful news. A couple months went by and we found out that we had lost the baby. My heart was broken into a million pieces. Another one of the hardest things I have ever had to go to. I felt like crap. I thought I was broken. There were so many people that comforted our family. Unfortunately,  there were some that were really rude and not compassionate at all. You never know what someone is going through and how they are feeling.   I definitely found out who really cared about me. This was a loss. A huge loss. I never thought it would happen to me. It did. I have definitely learned about myself and the love from heavenly father. They helped me understand that everything will work out. I had to put so much faith in God to get through these events that were so close together. I am so grateful for the plan of salvation. I am so happy that I have this wonderful gospel in my life. I am happy that I get to be with my family FOREVER and see my again. WOW. This gospel is wonderful. I love this gospel. It makes me sad that there are some people that I know that don't believe in our church anymore. It makes me really sad.  There are times when things are thrown so hard at us, but the Lord will never leave our side. He is the one that carries us through. My testimony has been tried, but it has been strengthened. Stronger than ever!!!
In July, Preston and I went to Washington DC. It was so much fun! I had so much fun showing Preston around :) I will post about our trip later!
Before our trip,  Preston and I put an offer on a house. A couple of days later, we found out they accepted our offer!
So we closed the on the house the day we got back from our trip!
We LOVE our new house :) We will post pictures soon! I will write about our story when I have more time. But I just wanted to give an update. We also went to our ward the first time, and it was actually really good. I was worried.  But it was good!
August, I started my teachers training and we start school at the end of the Month! Can't believe school is already going to start! LETS DO THIS (Again)

Answered Prayers!

I know that if we have faith in the Lord, He will bless us. He will bless us if we just do our very best. We must act and work hard. Hard times will come, but He will never lead us astray. I have had a huge weight lifted off my shoulders because I have faith. I have been doing the best that I can. That is all He ever wants. He wants us to do the very best we can. We are enough. He loves us. He will continually pour His blessings upon us as long as we remain faithful. I know that He answers our prayers. Sometimes it is not what you expect it to be but it is what is best for you. He knows us individually! I know that if I continue to do my best, Everything will be okay. Everything will work out.
I love this quote from President Hinckley:

" It isn’t as bad as you sometimes think it is.

It all works out. Don’t worry.

I say that to myself every morning.

It will all work out.

Put your trust in God,

and move forward with faith

and confidence in the future.

The Lord will not forsake us.

He will not forsake us.

If we will put our trust in Him,

if we will pray to Him,

if we will live worthy of His blessings,

He will hear our prayers."

Worth It!

I have had recent experiences that weren't so pleasant. 

I have learned so much about myself. 

I have learned that it really isn't about "Me" and that I shouldn't assume things.

It is so important to go to the person with the issue instead of asking everyone around you.

I was able to go straight to the person and ask them what is going on. 

Let me tell you... It was SO WORTH IT!

I was really nervous about confronting and asking them about what was going on.

I finally got the courage to do this.

It is amazing to know that you aren't the problem or the reason why things were happening. Before this, I just assumed that it was all my fault. It ended up not even being about me... I felt kind of stupid for thinking that it was my fault things were happening. There was a little something that happened that let to this, but I apologized.

I was able to say sorry if there was anything that I have done. It was nice. It was really scary for me to do this but I did it!

If there is anything that you have done to hurt someones feelings, I would apologize as fast as you can! You will feel a lot better. You will feel peace. Don't hold on to grudges. It will destroy you. That is exactly what I was feeling, but when I touched bases with this person... We were able to move on! We are letting are relationship grow and develop! 

That is why I am saying that it is worth it to forgive people! It is also important to not assume things. Go straight to the person. 

You definitely need to see the bigger picture of the situation.

I can't tell you how relieved I am for apologizing and forgiving!

IT IS WORTH IT!

Change

Change is very difficult for me. I think the hardest thing about it is that I can't really do anything about it except change my attitude. There are times where I am just too exhausted to change my attitude. Having a positive attitude can change any situation you are in. I have decided that I am going to try to have a positive attitude when I am faced with hard times. 

This past week, I have been asked to move to the 3rd grade. It was VERY difficult for me to grasp this new idea. NEW teacher, NEW students, NEW schedule, and NEW expectations. It was hard to let my class know that I was needed in another class. A lot of them were very sad. It broke my heart. Some of them are still trying to get over the fact that I am not there anymore. I was very nervous to be with my new class. I didn't know any of them. I was so worried about having an anxiety attack in front of them. There were times where i thought that I couldn't control myself. I had a lot of support from my co-workers. They are amazing. I am a lucky girl. Just then, I realized that I can have a horrible experience or have a positive experience. I chose to be positive. I have seen so many great things because I chose to work hard to enjoy my new position. The teacher I am working with is amazing. She is hilarious and the students love her. She is also very positive and I know that I can look up to her. She has helped me not be so anxious. My anxiety level is really low when I am working with her. She understands which is the best. My new students are incredible :) I was nervous that I wouldn't be able to connect with them. I didn't have to worry one bit. They are kind and loving and so much fun! I know all of their names and I am having a fun time getting to know them. One of the best things about getting a new class, is that when you are out at recess at the same time as your old class, they all come tackle you and give you the best hugs! They tell me they love and miss me. The schedule is what is giving me a hard time. Today, I finally felt like I was doing okay. We'll keep working on it. I thought I was totally going to break down because of all these changes. I am surprised with how well I am dealing with the class change. I am proud of myself.

Another thing that I have noticed in my life is that I don't really spend a lot of time with family or friends anymore. Ever since I got this job, I have been too tired to do anything after school. I am exhausted. I also don't really have any friends that live by me or we have different work schedules. It's hard because I would like to go out and do things with people. Whenever I ask, I get the same response...too tired, too sick, my mom needed me to do something, (doesn't text back) etc. I am sick and tired of people giving me excuses. Just tell me the truth. I am going to try to work hard and plan something with friends. That's one of my goals. 

Preston and I have been trying to save money. We are hoping to get in a house. This is huge! It is crazy to think that we could be in our own home this year. If not this year, next year! 

Another thing we are saving our money for is Washington D.C. We booked our flights. Now we have to plan our trip! SO excited. We are going back with Preston's family. Taylor gets home from his mission in April. So that is awesome! We are going to Maryland where he served his mission. It will be great! We'll see what happens :) 

I know that when I have a positive attitude, the Lord blesses me with tender mercies. I am grateful for that. I have already learned so much because of change. I hope that I can continue to work hard even when times are rough. I also need to start exercising. It makes me feel better. I really just want to get my life back in order. So if any of my friends would like to get together and do something that would be great! Also, if anyone would like to workout. Let me know. 

2nd Grade

For the last three weeks I have been teaching second grade.

Holy cow, I am exhausted.

It is a love/hate relationship.

Today, was a rough day. The one thing that made me smile is to hear my kids laughing. I love getting to know them. There is one boy in particular that doesn't talk to anyone. He doesn't respond to any of the other teachers. Only Me. When this boy was little, He had a traumatic brain injury. The result of this is that he has a very low IQ. He also has a very hard time processing things. I have already seen so much improvement that past couple of days. Today, he finished one whole assignment by himself with very little promptings. He got them all right too :) He was so excited to give me "High Fives". After he finished his assignment, he looked over at me and said, "Guess what Mrs. Pettersson? My grandma has A LOT of grapes!" It was something so simple but it made me so happy!  The cool thing is, his goal is to just recognize letters and write them. But he is totally accomplishing his goals and more!

Things like this make my job SO worth it!

Decision Making

Making decisions has always been so hard for me.

Well the past couple of weeks have been FULL of decision making.

What I would like to talk about is the decisions about whether or not to get a job or not.

So I was kind of in a rut the last couple of months! I didn't know what I wanted to do. I knew I needed to get a job. I just didn't want to. So I didn't really look around. This past week, I was offered three jobs... I wasn't really ready for that!

First, I had the opportunity to be an Intern for Up With Kids! I did Up With Kids for 13 years. I loved it and I grew so much. It was such a great experience. I was really excited about it, but I got a feeling that I shouldn't do it. I don't know why. I just knew I wasn't supposed to do it right now.

I felt so bad because I was so excited and already went to the first teachers meeting.

Second, that same day I was asked if I wanted to work as the front secretary at a dental office. I was excited because it was different. I also wanted to help my friend out. It was just a temporary position though.

Third, my mother in law asked me to go with her to a job fair for a charter school called APA. It was definitely last minute. I decided to go. My husband said that it wouldn't hurt to go, so I went.  I didn't want to go. His mom picked me up and it ended up not being so bad after all. I actually became really excited about it. I was also very nervous. I didn't realize we would have interviews right then. I was nervous, but I think I did pretty good. After the fair was over, I came back home and was so confused. I didn't know what to do. I had three totally different opportunities that would have a great impact on my life.

So the next morning, I found out that I was offered the job at APA. I was so excited! I felt really good about it :)

I talked with my husband, family, and close friend to help me decide what to do! It was really important because like I said, it would deeply impact my life. Even if this is only temporary until we can start our family.

I prayed and prayed. I fasted. I went to the temple.

I got my answer.

 I had to let the others know that I wouldn't be able to work with them because I got another job offer. That was the hardest part for me.

I felt guilty because I had already said I would help them out.

But I had to do what was best for me and my family.

So I decided to take the offer at APA. The American Preparatory Academy.

I am excited for this new adventure! I am also very nervous!

:)

I start next month!

SO I only have a couple of weeks to play then I need to go to work!

_________________________________

So other updates:

We were able to keep Pippin :) ( The baby kitten)- she is a little brat, but she is adorable

Preston is enjoying his job and is doing really well!

I was able to go on Trek and had an awesome experience!

I did my first batch of INDEXING! so much fun and addicting

Went to the splash pad a couple of times!

Went camping and hiking

Had Lani's Hawaiian Ice for the first time!

Went to the Jump and Bounce for Cam's birthday

Mom and Dad are loving their mission

Dad got called to be the assistant district leader! (I think) :)

oh , Preston and I got called to serve in the NURSERY :)

I can't think of anything else, but I hope to post more often.

I also want to write about some trips, our proposal story, honeymoon, anniversaries, anything that I can think of! I don't want to forget or loose these experiences! So I will be writing about them hopefully soon!

Lately...

So here we are after graduating from College. There hasn't been much going on for us! Preston started his job a couple of weeks ago. I haven't found a job yet. I haven't really been looking because I have been helping my sisters. Mal is now an Up With Kids! director! So that is what she has been working on the last year. These last three weeks were performances so that is why I have been helping her out. She gets her own groups next year.  

My mom and dad started their mission in Salt Lake City a couple of weeks ago. It has been such a great joy and overwhelming experience for them both.  I am happy for them. 

My last day in Rexburg, My dad and I went to Bear World one last time for a while. It was pouring rain but it was still awesome. It was the cub palooza! We got to meet the new cubs. I was even able to pet a couple of them. I got to touch a baby bear! It was neat!!

We also got a new kitten. Her name is Pippin :) She is so sweet.

Hopefully things work out and we will be able to keep her. 

I have been watching Joelle Carlile's twins and baby boy! They are adorable. It is every Thursday which is so nice :) 

Oh and Preston and I went to Cinderella Ballet this past week! It was so much fun!

 Well here are a couple of pictures....