Zoology 102 with M & D

Remember the time Daniel and I debated the difference between an aardvark and an anteater? Well, we have finally found our subjects for Zoology 102 with M&D. While eating Sunday dinner with the Jacobsens last week, we got into a discussion about seals. Brief background: my father doesn't like seals. He truly, thoroughly, doesn't like them. He claims they're "ugly" and "they eat too many fish." Yeah. We don't get it either.

Anyway, after discussing my father's serious dislike for seals, my brother asked him how he felt about sea lions. My dad decided that they were okay. This sparked some discussion about what the difference was between these two animals - if there was a difference at all. So, naturally, we turned to our trusty smartphones at the dinner table and Googled some pictures of these guys. Want to know what we discovered?

In the case of seals vs. sea lions...

This guy is a seal:

And this guy is a sea lion:

It turns out, both animals are members of the pinniped family (along with walruses and even otters). But they have some very key differences, as you can see from this diagram:

Here is a more in-depth comparison.

After reading up on these guys, we now feel like we know a little bit more about the animal kingdom. What we still don't understand is how my dad can look at this little guy square in the face and tell him he doesn't like him.

There are some things we'll never understand. 

we will never forget.

Today, I'm taking a minute to remember the heroes and the victims of the September 11th tragedy. I can't believe it's already been 11 years since one of the most humbling, saddening events in our nation's history. It's even stranger to think that none of my 4th or 5th graders remember the events of that day. Only a few were even alive.

I am so grateful to live in such a strong, resilient country. I am grateful for the freedoms we enjoy, and the brave men and women who keep those freedoms safe. Especially my father-in-law, who is currently serving our country in Afghanistan. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

We will never forget.

Summer Happenings.

Want to know my top three reasons for becoming a teacher?

June, July, and August.

Haha! Don't worry, I'm just kidding. But we have had a pretty fun and relaxing summer so far. Here are a few snapshots of what we've been up to. This summer, I have...

Spent hours and hours setting up my classroom and getting organized for the school year.

Gone on a handful of fun adventures, including getting glitter strands with Lizzie, a hike to donut falls, and swimming/volleyball at Grandma & Grandpa's pool.

Discovered a new hobby: gardening and keeping houseplants! My very first tomato plant was a success.

Gone on several dates with my handsome husband. Going anywhere with D is my favorite; whether it's to the movies, the cabin, or getting shakes at Iceberg.

Said goodbye to my little brother, and it was not fun! In case you're wondering, he's doing exceptionally well in the MTC and has picked up Spanish quickly. We're all so very proud of him!

Eaten a lot of way too much good food. The Sweet Tooth Fairy is too good to pass up, peach shakes are my favorite summer treat, and I make a pretty tasty loaf of banana bread if I do say so myself.

Gone to three beautiful weddings with great friends. Congratulations Allison, Marianne, and Maria! 

...

Graduation, ages late.

I figured it was time I posted some photos from one of the most important events in my life thus far: 

The day I graduated from college!

Even though it was nearly three months ago, it all seems pretty surreal. I actually graduated from college! I learned so much in the process. Hopefully I learned enough to be trusted with my own class of students this year...but I guess we'll find that out in a few weeks! Eek! Pray for me.

...

Dear Elder.

I'm kind of freaking out today. My little brother Steven recently got his mission call to Tempe, Arizona speaking Spanish! He's reporting to the MTC on July 5th - just two short days away. I'm feeling pretty sad that I don't get to see this guy for two whole years. 

Steven, you and I have had some great memories together over the years - sharing a room when we were little, playing Settlers of Catan, driving to high school together in the Weasel every day, picking you up from hospital when you broke your foot, jam sessions in the car, going to the temple with you, and many more.  Recently, one of my favorite memories is staying up half the night while you patiently taught me how to play Minecraft. I will also never forget how you were there for me when I had a really rough year.

Steven, I want you to know how much I love you! Things will be a lot different without you around, but I'm so proud of you and the decision you've made. You're going to be a totally awesome missionary! Those great people in Tempe, Arizona don't know how lucky they are.

Love you, Steve-O! We're gonna miss ya!

Your "Little Big Sister",

Mandy

...

Events of the day.

Sorry guys! I have been seriously neglecting the blog as of late. Here is my list of excuses for why I haven't been able to blog:

1. I was busy trying to graduate from college. (Don't worry, I succeeded.)

2. I was busy trying to find a teaching job. (Don't worry, I also succeeded!)

3. I was busy laying on the beach in California.

4. I was busy riding all the rides and eating all the churros at Disneyland.

4. I was busy trying to figure out how to move my entire life from my old computer (RIP) to my new one! (I just barely succeeded on that one today.)

So, yeah. Expect some "flashback" posts in the next little while - I have a lot of catching up to do! Today, however is not a flashback. These are all events that happened today.

Event 1: The Carpet Cleaning Guy

First of all, I've been spending a lot of time lately setting up my classroom (!) and organizing all of my teaching materials for the upcoming year. In case you missed it on Facebook, I accepted a teaching position at Mill Creek Elementary in Granite District. I'll be teaching 4th and 5th grade this year, and I am beyond excited! 

Back to setting up my classroom. There were a bunch of people there today moving furniture out of the classrooms so the carpets could be cleaned. I was in my room, working hard trying to get everything put away so they could clean the carpets when one of the carpet cleaning guys poked his head into my room. He looked around for a minute, and then asked: "Hey, do you know if the teacher for this room is here?"

........um.

That is not a joke. He actually asked me that. I was speechless for several seconds before I put my little hand up and said "Um...that would be me." The poor guy felt bad and pretended like he knew the whole time, but we all know what really happened. Perhaps I need to get out my fake glasses again and start dressing more like an adult when I go in to clean out my classroom. Or perhaps it will just take me a couple of years to start looking (and let's be honest, feeling) like I'm actually qualified to do this job.

Event 2: That time I dragged my sister Allison on a 4 hour drive for milk.

Later, I got home and decided I was absolutely, positively craving these little flavored milk cartons that you can only get from one place - Gossner's Dairy in Logan. I first discovered them when Daniel's mom gave me one up at the cabin, and the addiction was finalized when we went to see the Elk at Hardware Ranch and stopped at Gossner's on the way down. I discovered that they sold the things in cases, and they came in more flavors that I ever imagined. I got a case of the chocolate ones (still my favorite to this day) and bought one of every other flavor to sample. My second favorite is the banana, third is the vanilla, and fourth is the orange cream. The root beer one is not legit.

But today, we were out of them. And I wanted them. Bad enough to drive nearly 2 hours up to Logan just to get them, and then drive the 2 hours back in the same day. So I did the only logical thing I could think of - I packed some car snacks and kidnapped my little sister to show her the beauty that is Gossner's Dairy in Logan.

We had a blast driving up there - the scenery was beautiful, and we got to hang out and catch up on each other's lives. Once we got there, we sampled everything we could and left with cases upon cases of the tasty flavored milk. We also bought some squeaky cheese, and got Gossner's ice cream cones for good measure. I had the best strawberry-banana cone of my life, and Allison went for the dreamy chocolate-marshmallow flavor.

Then, we turned around and drove home. All in a day's work.

Event 3: We are at the cabin!

That's right. After I drove the 4 hours to Logan and back, I packed my things got back in the car for another hour drive up to the cabin. Daniel and I are up here for the weekend with his sister Emily, and we are going fishing tomorrow! If you consider our last two fishing trips, I should hopefully have some stories to share.

Here's to an adventure-filled summer, and some more consistent blogging in the future!

...

grateful.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We are so thankful for you.

photo from last year.

Today, we're headed to my grandparents' house for Thanksgiving dinner. I'm bringing the rolls! I've been baking all morning, and the apartment smells absolutely heavenly. Cross your fingers that they turn out okay!

Today, I'm grateful for so many things:

Our families, because they support us in everything we do
Our jobs
The Prophet, and that he is in our ward
The Church, because it brings so much good into our lives
Our Heavenly Father, because he loves us
The Scriptures, because they guide our lives
Temples
Being able to work with children
Our apartment
The Internet
iPods
Picture messaging
Smart phones
Daniel, because he loves me and he is my very best friend
Eternal marriage
Education
Freedom
Miracles
Answers to prayers
Talents
My students
Kind people
Warm clothes in the winter
Yummy food
Our health
Sickness, because it makes you appreciate being healthy that much more
Our cars
Our camera, because it documents our life together
Our sweet friends who are always there for us

We hope you have a very happy Thanksgiving filled with lots of turkey, pie, family, and relaxing!

P.S. We had pumpkin pie for breakfast this morning - it's a Jacobsen family tradition! The Sorensens have a tradition of deep frying a turkey every year. Soooo yummy! What are your Thanksgiving Day traditions?

P.P.S Last year's thankful list and our very first Thanksgiving together :)

birthday.

 A few weeks ago, we celebrated my 22nd birthday with a wonderful mix of chinese take out, family, friends, flowers, presents, and ice cream pie. (I'm not a big fan of cake, so my mom has made me ice cream pies for my birthday ever since I was little!) It was such a fun, relaxing evening. Aren't those flowers from D so beautiful? They really reminded me of fall.

Also, can you believe I got this fortune in my fortune cookie on my birthday? What could be better?!

I really wish I had brought my camera to school on my birthday. My darling (and very sneaky) 6th graders found out it was my birthday, and they threw me my first ever surprise party! They all hid under their desks after we came back from lunch, and they jumped out and yelled "SURPRISE!" They even brought cake and presents!! My favorite part was the sweetest handmade card they presented to me after the party. It started out as just one folded piece of paper, but more kids wanted to sign it so they stapled more paper onto the back. The notes my students wrote me almost made me cry! They were all so sweet.

The next day, D and I went out to dinner at Tucanos with friends. If you haven't been, it's one of our favorites! It just so happens that I share a birthday with our friend Laird, and Emma's birthday is only one day later! 

I've known Emma since elementary school, and our husbands just so happen to be best friends too! She gave me the sweetest shout out on her blog for my birthday, so I wanted to send her a little love as well. All the pictures she posted are exactly how I remember high school, and she's in every single one. We truly have been through everything together. I love this girl so much! 

 Daniel & John

 Laird & Daniel

It was an excellent triple-birthday bash. We ate way too much meat at Tucanos, and then carved some  awesome pumpkins together. My favorite is John's white pumpkin carved like Jack Skellington - how cool is that?!

Thanks everyone for all of your sweet birthday wishes. I felt so loved! I have the best friends and family in the world!