Writing: The Write Thing To Do

So obviously I've already failed at writing on the Blog every day.....  But that's ok!  I've repented and am starting fresh.

I'm currently in a Literacy class that focuses on how to make time and integrate writing in the classroom.  All my fellow teachers out there know how quickly time flies in the classroom.  How on earth do I fit everything into just six hours?!  Well, that will come with practice, but one thing my professor also emphasizes is the importance of having students write!  Writing has so many purposes:  venting, recording memories, taking notes, improving handwriting, exploring creativity, developing a voice, and so much more!  From my teacher point of view, I know that writing can be a healthy activity and that every one should write a little bit every day, even if you don't think you are any good!

I've always been an avid journal writer.  I've got at least nine journals shoved in my closet full of drama, laughs, tears, memories, and love.  I love being able to go back and read all about myself.  I've changed so much since my crusty middle school years (and thank goodness...)!  To me, writing has been a way to record parts of my life, both things worth remembering and things I want to forget.  Since coming to college I have been pretty bad at writing in my journal.  However, I have lots of pictures that record my adventures!  I've also started a journal for my personal scripture study and a journal for church.  Also, MY BLOG!  Even that is writing :)

So I guess the point of this post is to encourage the world to write a little more.  You'll be glad you did!  Here are some ways that I've found that I want to try (to see my sources and for more info, click on the idea's name):


DIY Memory Box

This is a super cute way to keep a "journal"!  Simply put 365 index cards in a box and once a day write down something that happened.  Over the years you can compare how things have changed and it's neat to see what you did a year ago.  Add pictures, tickets, fliers, whatever keepsakes you want!

Quote Book

Have kids?  Are they hilarious?  Most are.  Record it!  Have inside jokes with your spouse?  Record it!  Funny moments with the roomies?  Record it!  Having all those fun sayings, you'll be grateful that you wrote them down!

Memory Jar

Jackson and I are doing this right now!  All year, we record on slips of paper the memorable things that we've done, trips we've taken, accomplishments we've made, etc.  At the end of the year open the jar and go down memory lane!  You could even go a step further and put all your slips in a scrapbook with pictures.  It's just another fun way to "journal" without committing to a book every day.

Back to Real Life

So I know that it's been a really long time since I blogged (like all summer), but I'm back!  Summer is always great, getting a break from school, going on vacations, staying up late and sleeping in, etc etc....  But I've learned that summer isn't nearly as fun when you're old.  All Jackson and I really did is work.  Ugh.  However, we did have some highlights!  Here they are:

Mexico, obviously, but you already knew that!

We celebrated our 1 year anniversary!  Can you believe it???  We have been married one whole year!  So weird.  It feels like we've always been married.  I couldn't have asked for a better eternal companion.  He is seriously the best!  I've never been happier, and I can't wait to see what happens next!  Anyways, we went to the temple and did sealings and had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory to celebrate!

We took a trip to Idaho Falls, Idaho for Jackson's friend's wedding!  It was such a beautiful day.  Congrats to Jordan and Nicole!  They make a beautiful couple :)

We took ANOTHER trip to Twin Falls, Idaho for my good friend's wedding!  It was such a happy day!  I loved how Jordan couldn't take his eyes off Erika all day.  So cute!

We also spent some time with my family in Meridian, Idaho.  We rode bikes around Boise's Greenbelt, visited Starlight Mountain Theater and saw Big River, and even got our family pictures taken!  It's always fun to go home and get spoiled!

We got to go camping a few times over the summer!  It's amazing how nice an overnight trip can be.  I built my first fire (with tips and pointers from Jackson) and we had hot dogs and potato salad.  Can't get better than that!

I took the PRAXIS test!  It's a test I have to take before I can student teach.  It was super stressful even though all the content is basically stuff you learn in elementary school.  Turns out I passed!  Jackson, being the wonderful husband that he is, took me to Red Robin to celebrate!

Jackson worked for the MTC all summer in the referral center, as well as started a job as a Research Assistant for Aid Data.  He is well on his way to get his foot in the door for future plans.


I worked all summer as a nanny for two adorable kids, Lucy (4) and Andre (7 months).  They filled my summer with laughs, hilarious comments, and a better appreciation for my own parents.  Kids are the future my friends, cherish them.


Jackson and I started our last first day of school here at BYU on Tuesday!  I can't even explain to you how excited I was for school to start.  Like beyond excited.  Jackson was a little more reluctant, something about lots of work and dumb papers or something, but he too was so ready to finish our last year at BYU.  Right now we are looking at Graduate School for Jackson for a degree in Business Analytics.  We are so excited to get out of Provo and move on to the next step of our lives!  I see good things up ahead :)

Anyways, while the point of this post was to catch up on everything summer, it also serves a homework purpose.  In my Literacy Methods class, I was challenged to read and write something every day.  As a teacher, it is important for my students to understand that I practice what I preach: If I want them to read and write every day, then I need to read and write every day!  My goal now is to post to my blog at least five times a week.  Please don't roll your eyes!  I promise to try to make it interesting, just humor me.

So there you have it, you are now my homework!  I'm not complaining :)