Region Festivals......AAAHHHH!!!

I just need to vent...that's what blogs are for, right?

I am taking two of my choirs to Region Large Choir Festival today, and it is stressing me out. Don't worry....this is only my third...or fourth region festival this year. Each time I get my students ready to compete, I completely lose it! Did I teach them the right things? Did I choose the right music for each group? Will the other directors think I've done a good job with my students? What will the judges think?

So, in short, I didn't sleep much last night, and my stomach has been in knots all morning. We'll see how things go tonight....man I have not chosen a stress-free, low profile profession...now have I??? ;)

Wow...I promise I am not dead!

It has been SO stinkin' long since I posted here on my blog. I'm sure most of you have seen my status updates on Facebook, talked to someone in my family to hear what I'm up to, or have actually contacted me....who does that anymore??? This post is mostly for those of you out there that have wondered at some point in the last year...what has Suzanne been up to?

Here's an update in a nutshell:

I am teaching at Hurricane High School this year. I am teaching both band and choir, and I love it! It is absolutely the busiest I have been in my life, and for those of you who know me...that's really saying something. My Chamber Choir sang last week at Region Solo and Ensemble, and although they didn't qualify for state competition, I am very proud of them. Next up is Instrumental Solo and Ensemble next Wed. at Canyon View.

Let's see...what else has happened in the last year...haha...you think I would be able to tell you more. If you want to hear about my relationship history over the last year...you'll have to give me a call sometime. :)

My family is great. My sister Stephanie had a new baby about six months ago, my little brother Taylor got married in July...to an awesome girl might I add, Bryan and Melissa's kids are growing up so much and are a blast to hang out with, and I am every day more grateful for my mom and dad. They are so supportive of me!

Otherwise, I am going to be in the Hurricane Valley Theatrical Company's production of Anything Goes in April. I love that I get to tap dance! I am renting the cutest yellow house in all of Hurricane, I'm attending a YSA ward where I feel like I'm the grandmother of the ward, and my best friend in Hurricane is a fellow teacher at HHS.

This year has brought with it some great challenges, some great successes, and I can say I have grown a great deal going through everything I have. I am going to try to be better about updating my blog...a little more often. :)

Wow...I promise I am not dead!

Think, Suzanne

Ok, so sometimes I have realizations that really get me. I ask myself questions like: Why didn't you think about that before you said something? Why didn't you think about how that might affect you and those around you? Why are you doing this to yourself?

The reality is...I just need to think. Think before I act...think before I say things. It would really save me a lot of trouble in the end. My new goal...is to think.

On another note...everything else except for the thinking thing is going pretty well. I've started having very mixed feelings about what to do next year and where to go. By that I mean that the past week or so I've felt that it is a very strong possibility that I stay here and apply for teaching jobs in Cedar. If it's where I need to be...then in Cedar I shall stay.

I have to say that I am grateful for the blessings in my life. I know that I am loved and well taken care of. I don't deserve all the things that are provided for me at very little effort on my part. I will continually be humbled by my weaknesses...and reminded that "I know in whom I have trusted." Definitely a little rambling tonight...but the truth none the less.

Life is Hard...

So...I had great plans to post all about my exciting and option filled future...all the Grad School Applications I'm filling out...the teaching positions that I'm looking into, all the excitement in my social life...and all the other wonderful things happening in my life...

WELL...it turns out that even for someone so seemlingly eternally optimistic as myself...that life is hard. I don't know what the future holds. I actually have no idea. I am looking into all my options...but don't feel particularly drawn to any one thing. It's really frustrating. So for today...just for this little while I am going to be a pessimist. I am going to say that everything is not ok. I'm living in limbo right now...and it's ok. I will say that I am looking forward to having some direction...sometime in the future. And...I will say that I do know that something will work out. I know there is a plan for me.

But for today...I feel like this:

New Beginnings

So I am pretty sure most of you think I have fallen off the face of the earth. In all reality...I have been pretty much MIA for the last couple months from the blogging world. I am going to try and stay a little more on top of things. I had a great holiday season and am looking forward to a new year. I have lots of plans and resolutions for 2011.

Stay tuned for some updates. :)

Welcome Home Nanny!

It's about time I get on here and do some bloggin'! I have to first of all thank my sisters Stephanie and Melissa for taking care of posting on my blog during my mission. They did an AWESOME job! I love you both SO much! Thanks for all you did!

Next, I have to say that I am having a great time being back at home. Don't get me wrong...I miss the mission an incredible amount...but spending time with the fam. has been amazing and I am glad to be home and have the opportunity to experience some other wonderful things as well.

Since I've been home, I've been substitute teaching quite a bit, and I'm deciding right now where to apply to Graduate School. We'll see if I get in a Grad School Program...or if I teach school next year...or teach school while doing a Masters Degree. I have lots of options and I am looking forward to seeing what the Lord has in store for me next in my life. I know that there is a lot to figure out...but I look forward to all of my upcoming decisions with faith and confidence. :) Not to mention...that someday...I don't mean tomorrow...but someday I'd like to get married and have a family. (I'll play that hand when it's dealt to me! ;))

Otherwise, everything is going well for me. I am happy! I'm including some pics. of the airport scene when I got into the Las Vegas Airport. Bry, Meliss and the kiddos stayed up extra late to see me when I arrived. It was SO good to see them. Taylor and Jenny also come...which was amazing!