My 30th Year!

My 30th year has been very exciting.  It has been full of ups and downs.  Here is a recap of my life over the past year:

• Spent my 30th birthday in Kauai 
• Went snorkeling for first time
• Went on helicopter ride to Jurassic Park waterfalls
• Climbed Kilimanjaro with Rachael
• Helped build the Bubu School in Tanzania
• Learned to cook Tanzanian cuisine
• Swam in the Indian Ocean
• Went on an African safari
• Ran my fastest marathon time of 3:46 at Utah Valley
• Ran the Top of Utah Marathon
• Went to Nicaragua to study the educational system
• Went to Napa and Tahoe
• Graduated with my Master of Arts in Teaching
• Patrick got married
• Bob got diagnosed with cancer
• Loved and lost
• Started teaching 2nd grade at Dilworth Elementary
• Signed up for first bike race
• Graduated from the YSA wards 

I had an amazing year and am so grateful for my family and friends.  

Huntsman 75

I am doing the Huntsman 75 miler! I am doing it for Bob and all those who have had cancer. Bob has taught me to live each day to its fullest, I owe him more than a bike ride. Thank you Bob and love you! Click here if you want to help me reach my fundraising goal. 

DIlworth

I have officially been a second grade teacher for 3 weeks.  Here are some pictures of my classroom, I must say it looks really good.  People comment on how clean and great it looks.  Pinterest and my OCDness have helped with that.

Past month

Alot has changed and happened since I did my last post.

• Got my dream job at Dilworth Elementary teaching 2nd grade
• Went to Nicaragua with my school.  You could read more about it at http://matnica12.wordpress.com 

Granite District

It is official I have accepted my first teaching job.  I will be a 4th and 3rd grade science teacher at Rosecrest Elementary.  I am lucky I found a job mid year so easily.   I am going to to start a month before I graduate.  My school gave the approval.  I am so excited to get a paycheck again.

4th graders scare me and so does science but I always like a good challenge.

Top of Utah Marathon

Today I did the Top of Utah Marathon and I was in a very dark place.  I have had a cold all week so my ears were clogged the whole time, which made me not want to eat anything while running.  Not to mention that is usually an issue for me already since I cramp my jaw when I am running.  (Yes, my face has to look ridiculous when I run). My first half was awesome, I did it in 1:46 then I just choked at mile 19 and had no desire to run anymore.  I ended up getting 3:59:42 which is not my best but not my worst.  I had great support along the way, Bob, Mom and Blake.  Bob and Mom have had a tough week and so I thank them for coming to cheer me on.  Love you both!!!

LOTOJA

This past weekend I went and saw Blake ride LOTOJA.  It was my first major bike race experience and he did awesome.  He did the two man relay and they won their division and made a course record. It was fun to watch him get so excited.  Congrats Blake!!!

In his Dark Place.

The fires in Wyoming. 

Jackson Hole

The Lagoon pose!