Back to School

Well I had my first day back to school! Didn’t really think I’d be headed back but am doing it and am excited for the challenge but also the advantages it will present as I apply what I learn directly into my career. Already one week down I have taken two exams and learned more about Excel than I have my entire life. Just in time too! My boss sent me over a project and I really don’t think had he sent it to me just a couple weeks prior that I would have been able to complete it without the knowledge I have gained in just this first week. Can’t ask for anything better than that! I truly look forward to continuing learn and grow in my business skill set and career.

Jaden has been such a trooper and a helper as I get my feet under me with a new routine of working full time and studying. I don’t think I could have made the progress I did without his help (I was trying to get ahead in the class so I could feel comfortable traveling next week for work and not worrying about studying while I was gone). Since he doesn’t go back to school until the 17th he helped out around the house as I buried my head in my first class. He did laundry, made dinner, made the bed every day, and seriously kept the place sparkling all week. I told him he probably does a better job at upkeep throughout the week than I do! Sometimes I just don’t have the heart to do dishes after a long day of work and a good dinner. He inspired me to be better at cleaning up as you go (something my mom has tried to teach me for years and years) I seriously would be the one with the messy, chaotic station if I was ever on the Great British Baking Show. I need to be better, I consider myself to be an organized person but when it comes to cleaning my cooking messes I definitely fall short.

We took some pictures for mom of my first day back to school and I really did consider getting ready but also realized that I will probably look like this most days. Comfy clothes with my hair up in a bun. Although I actually have been trying to get ready more in the mornings because I do think it helps me focus and be more “at work” when I feel like I’m getting ready to go to work. I know people have varying opinions on that but I do notice a difference when I take time and get ready for the day. Another area I can improve on. Thank goodness for a new day every day to be better! 

Overall it’s been a great week and I am excited for this next year of school.

Peaches

• Jaden going above and beyond in helping out around the house
• Eating a healthy consistent breakfast and working out
• Jaden literally dropped his 10 pound holiday weight gain in a week (this also could be a pit because how annoying is that?! Men can lose weight in a snap. I’ll keep it as a peach because I’m proud of his dedication)
• Starting school
• Learning so much about Excel and applying it to my job
• Got a new planner and notebooks so I can stay on top of my schedule and studies
  
• Packing and getting excited for my trip to SHOT Show in Vegas
• Going to dinner and playing games with friends
• Starting to figure out spring break plans
• Hearing from my grandma and chatting with her for a while
• FaceTiming Morgann for her birthday
• Being involved with client calls and learning about new product they’re going to start selling
• Jade got a calling, he’s the new Elders Quorum instructor so we’ve got two instructors in the house now! I told him I hope he gets to teach the same week I do so we can plan all of our lessons together! 
• Got a new printer
• Cool mural as we drove around the city looking for a print shop
  
• Sunday dinner and games with friends
• Figuring out spring break plans to the Poconos took votes in a hat during a friends hangout and Jaden tallied them and read the results to the group. Poconos here we come!
• Listening to Carrie's Because He Lives song and thinking of baby Hayes
• Passing both of my Excel exams for school
• My snake plant is thriving after our trip home to UT, my palm tree not so much
• Apparently we don't have any winter gloves so Jaden started putting socks on his hands to run or ride his bike to the gym. I ordered him some online that should get here next week

 

 

 

 

Pits

• Hearing about the devastation from the tsunami that hit Tonga. When I went there for my humanitarian trip in the summer in high school I didn’t have any forms of social media to use to keep in contact with the people I met but I hope and pray they’re all ok
• Going to the store and seeing so many aisles wiped out in preparation for the incoming snow in Pittsburgh
• Jaden drove me to a print shop to get my business cards printed and they were closed for walk-in business so then we drove to Staples because they had same day printing, when I walked in they told me that their printer was broken but they could send them to a different printer and have them back in house within 2-3 business days. I was banking on that since I needed them before Vegas next week. Luckily they were true to their word and printed in time.
  
• Hayes boy is getting sick again and we're worried they might have to postpone surgery again
• Major shortages at the grocery store due to everyone panicking about the snowstorm, expecting 7-10 inches
  
• Worrying about the snow canceling my flight to Vegas
• Getting a four hour flight change to 5:45 in the morning!
• We did Sunday dinner this week and made Jaden’s mom’s chicken croquette recipe that included chopped pecans in the breading. Jenna is allergic to tree nuts which we were well aware of but I was so nervous about serving her he nut free version. Even though we took so many precautions to make sure hers was made separately I still was so nervous! Thankfully she was just fine! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lessons Learned

• How to use Excel more at work
• You know you are an adult when getting a printer is an exciting event
  
• People in Pittsburgh really are afraid of snow
• Marriage is all about teamwork and I've always known this but learned it again this week Jaden is absolutely a team player and I am so grateful for him!