And What a 2 Weeks It's Been!

Todd update:

Todd started his FINAL SEMESTER!! I am so excited, but he has a lot to do and is VERY busy. He took on clinic this semester, in addition to his TWO jobs and business classes, but he is getting it all done! I am so proud of him and I really appreciate all the help he gives around the house and to me :)

I am already anticipating his graduation day :) I know that is only half the battle to the bar and a job, but it will be nice to get that piece out of the way!

Megan update:

I have been going back and forth with liking my job and wanting to quit my job. But mostly quitting :) This year has been very difficult already and shows no signs of getting easier. Difficult students, new curriculum, tired teacher=an unfun combo. I am sticking it out this year in hopes that something better will come up in the next year. I've decided this clientele is not want I want to work with my entire career... I love the kids but I put out behavioral fires all day and it's wearing me down quickly. I don't feel like I can teach to my potential. I'm trying to keep a perspective that this stage will not last forever, and I'm trying to be as optimistic as I can be. I'm so grateful for nights at home!

I am considering just being a professional student, sounds good to me, minus the student loans!

In other family news, Ian got his mission call to Ogden, Utah and will be leaving Oct. 5th. That's really soon so they are scrambling to get everything done in time. I've got a trip scheduled that also coincides with my dad's birthday. Jess' baby shower will also be in the next few months...busy, busy! My parents and siblings survived an earthquake and a hurricane all in the one week, with only power lost and minimal impact. We had fun skyping with our niece McKenzie on her birthday, and watching her jump on her trampoline was so cute :)

I am still enjoying being in Young Women's. It is so nice to have the chance to be with the girls, and I love the women I work with. It's one of the highlights of my verrrrrrry long weeks!

Our Family updates:

We are in the stage where everyone wants to know what we are doing, where we are applying for jobs, where Todd is taking the bar, etc etc etc. I wish I had a GREAT answer, but the real answer is "We don't know!" We are trusting Heavenly Father to guide us and plugging along as we go. I know it will work out! We have so many changes coming in the next six months, so we are taking each thing as it comes.

Meanwhile, the dishes may be undone, the floors unvacuumed as we frantically try to get our work and school things done. We both come home late (Todd later), and really enjoy just relaxing when we get to see each other.

We are running the Race Against Breast Cancer race in October, and are heading to a local Lego exhibit this weekend hopefully. We have some ward and JRC socials coming up and are looking forward to seeing everyone there. I start to tear up when I think about the possibility of leaving Topeka because we have had such a great experience here. Hopefully we won't have to leave, but we know it's a possibility. Topeka is home now, and we love it, good and bad!

So there is the very long-winded update. We love you all!

What I've Been Up To

I haven't been blogging on THIS blog because I've been doing THIS on THIS blog!

New Dress

I had some jersey knit material that I didn't know what to do with. I had attempted to make a skirt with it and failed miserably so I didn't really want to go through all the rigamarole again...working with knits is hard! But I saw a tutorial on the internet that looked REALLY EASY, and like it would use up a ton of the fabric, so I decided to try it this afternoon. I have been missing sewing and needed something to help me get back into the swing of things. I'm hoping that sewing will be a good outlet to help me relax and take a break from thinking about work.

I think it turned out pretty good! Basically, you take a giant sheet of the knit fabric, sew it up on three sides, make a hole for the neck, and a hole for the arms, add a cute bow or belt, and you're done!

I do have to go back and resew a small hole I missed in the first go round, but I like it, and I love the to-the-floor maxi dresses that are "in" right now. Another thing I would change is that I wouldn't have cut the slit in the back of the dress (you can see in the last picture). It isn't too low, but it's pretty close. Beginner mistake!

Hopefully Todd won't think I look like I'm wearing a giant sheet. You can't really beat the comfort of this dress :)

(oh, and excuse the background. There is this quote I saw on Pinterest, "Please excuse the mess. WE LIVE HERE!" So excuse our mess, we live here, in its 500 square foot glory!)

 

Countdown

 We only have two days left in Brazil. TWO!! Where did the time go?

Tomorrow we'll spend wrapping up loose ends: taking pictures, cleaning, packing, one last minute quick trip to Embu.

SAD!!!

Missionary Love

Todd is out with the missionaries right now, and that reminded me of something that happened last night.

We were coming home from family home evening with the senior missionaries, and I spotted the young missionaries across the street. Just as I had said, "Hey, isn't that Elder Wilkinson?" Elder W SPRINTED across the street yelling, "I THOUGHT YOU HAD LEFT!" He grabbed Todd in a giant bear hug, swinging him around and saying, "I thought you had left, I'm so glad you are still here!" It was so cute and hilarious at the same time.

The senior missionaries were funny, at first they were confused as to why Todd was getting attacked by a random, loud stranger on the street (it was dark). They had a good chuckle when they realized Todd was just getting a hug. The missionaries love Todd. We are going to try to head by the mission home this week to get a picture of the two elders.


Oh, and on another note, here is a picture I snapped last night of my very helpful husband helping dry dishes after FHE. Sister Call (in the middle, she is our neighbor) gave Todd her husband's apron to help out. He looks good in an apron (cue his family to make comments about it!)