Kids Kids Kids

I teach first grade now.  I love it!  I love these kids so much!  All 28 of them!  I wish I could post a million pictures of them and tell you all of their favorite things and how awesome they're all doing, but I can't (privacy laws).  I can tell you some funny things they've said though!  

Me: Hey Josh, are you following the instructions?

Josh: Yes, I'm following the destructions! 

While reading with a kid:

Book: Where did the piglets go? (The picture had little curly tails sticking out of the hay stacks)

Student: They made them into pork chops!!  

I was dying at this one!!  

While walking away from reading groups:

Student: Miss Teichert, you're a pretty good teacher.  

I just wish I could tell you these lines in person!  As I was typing them up I realized that their facial expressions add a lot to these quotes! Haha

Don't be fooled though by the up-beatness of this post.  First grade is hard too.  28 kids is a lot.  Five of them are pretty hard.  But that means that I have 23 that are pretty great!  And let me tell ya, when the stars align and one or two of those five boys have a great day, I am pumped!  So far they've made me smile more than they've made me scream :)  

Also, if you ever need a good confidence boost, teach first grade!  I get told at least 20 times a day that they love me, get about 40 hugs a day, and am constantly told how funny, smart, pretty, ect I am :)  Six and seven-year-olds are the best!

And, because I can't get enough of kids I went home to spend time with my nieces and nephews this weekend.  

Kids+a ski hill=GOLD!  

We had so much fun up Pine Creek!  It was a warm, beautiful day!  Few things make me happier than seeing kids learning to love skiing, and when it's my nieces and nephews it's even better!  

Tessa. My BFF Forever.

It's Tessa's birthday today.  She's seriously the best little sister anyone could ever ask for.  I can not imagine life without her.  Here are some of the reasons I love Tess.  

She always has an awesome attitude, even when times are tough.  

She likes to watch sports with me.  And she came to BYU.  

She has the coolest/weirdest talents.  

 She likes going to concerts with me.

She's always got me laughing out loud.

She has the best booty.

She's my favorite ski buddy. 

 She loves America, and she loves going fun places. 

She went on a million hikes with me and only complained once. 

She accomplishes any goal she puts her mind to.  

Really though--always laughing!

Our names just go together.

She loves hanging out with me and my parents.  

She lets me cut her hair. 

She's just so pretty.  

We have the same brain which often leads to us saying the same things and dressing the same.

 Again...

and again.  

I really don't know what I'm going to do without this girl being there for me basically every second this next year and a half.  I'm so happy for her though and her decision to serve a mission.  She is going to be such a great missionary.  She is going to bless so many lives.  I know that the message she is taking to the people of Argentina is true.  God loves us and has a plan for each of us, and right now His plan is for us to be apart.  I know this is starting to sound dramatic, but people!  She is my BEST FRIEND!  You don't just go without seeing your best friend for 18 months unless it's for a very worthy cause (a mission just so happens to be the only qualification...).  Anyways, happy birthday Tess.  You're the bomb.com.  

The Real Life

So, I've been doing a million fun things lately.  Anyone who follows my Instagram or who is friends with me on Facebook definitely knows that.  I went to...

Zions

Stewart Falls

BYU Sporting events

the ski mountain 

Laramie

1st grade for a month

home

birthday parties 

Moab

fires

Questival

the Bean Museum

California

and some other fun places!

While all of this was going on, so were some real life things.  I was taking 16 credits, working, exercising, and just being a human.  I worked hard, met some goals, and didn't quite reach others.  Some days were awesome, some days were normal, and some days were just plain crappy, BUT every single day had something wonderful.  Whether it was the clear blue sky on my way home from a frustrating day at work, or a killer morning hike up the Y with Rachel and Tess--each day had something good.  This semester I was the happiest I have ever been. It's amazing how when YOU choose to be happy, happiness surrounds you.  Now I've moved home for the summer and some days are tough.  The rain just keeps coming (we really need it, but it makes work a little worse...), but I've been lucky enough to get a great work partner, live with three of the coolest people, and spend every day in this great community.  So, here's to another one of the happiest summers of ever, and I'll try to do a better job at keeping you all posted.  Not just on the fabulous, adventurous days, but on the regular days as well :)  

6 Days of Learning

It's amazing what you can learn in a short 6 days.  I've always said that I learn something new every. single. day.  So, here's a short list of the things I've learned the last six.

1. If you jump out of a boat into water while it's going 28 mph, you will probably experience some side effects of whiplash  (I'm on day 4 of recovery and my neck's still feeling it!)

2.  How to fix a water hose that is leaking

3.  Don't lay down in the woods when it's dark  (You just might get a whole ton of burs stuck in your hair and the only people there to help you get them out might be boys…)

4.  Prayers are answered (I already knew this, but it's always nice to have a reminder)

5.  Backdoor (the ski run up Pine Creek) is NOT flat.  Try hiking it sometime :)

6.  If you wear running pants to the cemetery, your bum will get CHEWED by mosquitos

7.  Tunnel wishes don't always come true

8.  How to "pin" on Pinterest

9.  Family reunions are still a fun time even when you're 21

10.  The story of the city of Jericho in the Bible

11.  You can have a Spanish keyboard on your phone and an emoji one! (I know, I know, welcome to the 21st century Liv…)

12.  It's okay to talk about skiing in the summer

13.  The drive to Laramie and back is long when you are alone (but it was totally worth it!)

14.  There are very talented people in this world that can give your blog a much needed and much appreciated face lift (THANKS BREANNE!!  I LOVE IT!!!) 

I'm sure I learned more things than that, but 14 things in 6 days--I'd say we're doing pretty darn good.  What did you learn today? 

Sundance

It's hard to believe that four months have gone by, but it's true.  The ski season is over at Sundance, and oh was a season it's been!  I absolutely LOVED being a ski instructor up there this year!  I learned so much--about skiing, and more importantly, about myself.  I had the opportunity to meet so many great people who came up for lessons.  Those kids just made my day!  I had so many great lessons and great experiences that taught me so much!  Each day was an adventure.  

It's hard to pick, but here are three of my favorite experiences:

One day I had a group of four boys, three eight year olds and a six year old.  The six year old could tell he wasn't doing as well as the others.  I was giving him most of my attention to ensure that it would be a good experience for him.  As we were skiing I asked him if he was having a good time.  Slightly frustrated he said, "Yes, because everyday I get to choose if I'm going to have a good day or a bad day, and I'm choosing to have a good day!"  What great parents that kid must have?!  

I taught so many determined kids.  I had a little 5-year-old girl over President's Day weekend who became my little buddy.  She did so well!  She was always happy and willing to try whatever I asked her.  Her parents were great, and I was so sad when they left.  I didn't know I could grow to love someone so quickly.  What a great experience!  Then, on my second to last weekend, a little girl came up to me and asked if I was Olivia.  She then told me that she was Caroline's neighbor back East and that Caroline says hi!  Seriously made my day!  

The season was winding down and there weren't too many lessons anymore.  I taught in the morning Saturday and figured I'd get the afternoon off.  That's always kind of nice.  So, I was standing at line up when I got called over to do a lesson.  My supervisor told me that the student had some learning disabilities as well as a few physical disabilities.  He was ten years old and about as big as me.  Needless to say, I did NOT want to teach the lesson.  I taught the lesson, and I think it ended up being the highlight of my season.  This boy was so determined!  I worked so hard with him, picking him up each time he fell (literally), staying positive, and convincing him that he could do it!  When I started the lesson his mom told me that she'd be happy if he lasted an hour of the two and a half hour lesson.  We made it the whole two and a half hours and he wanted to do more!  I was so proud of him!  When I got into my car, I collapsed.  My adrenaline was gone and I was exhausted, but I had just had an amazing experience, one I will never forget.  

More important than all of my lesson experiences is the friendships I made with the people I worked with.  There were so many great people up there!  Each day I went up, I was so excited to see them!  They always made me feel so good about life.  So many of them made a huge impact on my life and I'm so glad to call them my friends :)  I can't wait 'til I can see them all again!  Sundance was good to me.  I think I'll go back.  

The "Three Musketeers"  Oh how I love these girls!! 

  Last day!!  Ski/Snowboard crossover. What a fun day with some fun people!

Little Skiers :)

I got to go home the weekend of the 22nd and teach my niece and two of my nephews how to ski.  We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day, and they did so great!!  It was their first time ever, and we did six runs!  I was so proud of them!  They were so happy and so fun to be with.  Here's me and my little skiers :)

Not only was I able to be with these kids all day, but almost all of my family came home!  We had a fun ski day together

a sister's walk

a delicious lasagna dinner

celebrated Tillie's birthday with some Angel Food cake

and got to spend some time loving on this little cutie :)

Isn't he perfect?!

As you can see, it was a great weekend!  I love my family and I love the great relationships that we have with one another.  The whole weekend was full of laughter, hugs, food, and fun.  I feel so blessed to have the family that I do.  I thank my Heavenly Father for them every day.  

21!!!

It was my birthday yesterday, and it was the best birthday of my life!  The whole weekend was so great!  Definitely better than I could have asked for.  

I'll just start with Saturday, the day leading up to my birthday.  I had Insanity and work nice and early, but I got to go and work on some of my personal skiing before the lift was open (another nice perk of being an instructor--instructor clinics). Then I had a fun lesson in the morning with two cute little 4-year olds who had never skied before.  They did great!  Then after I signed them out to their parents I turned around and my parents were there!  I was expecting them, but I was still so surprised to see them!  We visited outside in the warm sun while I ate my lunch.  They were able to meet some of my co-workers and bosses and it was just so fun to have them there and have them meet some of the people who are having such a huge impact for good on me.  Then my lovely boss let me off early to go with Mom and Dad.  So, we came back and went to the BYU Women's basketball game and then out to dinner at Texas Roadhouse!  It was my first time ever, and of course I got the ribs :)  Ribs are one of my favorite things, and these ones were especially delicious!  Then we went to Target where Mom and Dad "gave me" two super cute sweaters for my birthday.  Then we went to the Creamery and got some good ol' ice cream :)  I'm so blessed to have such a great family.  I love them so much and I'm so glad they chose to spend their day off down here with Tessa and I.  Thanks again Mom and Dad!  I love you guys!

My real birthday was Sunday, and boy was I spoiled!  I woke up to texts full of birthday wishes and they kept coming all day long!  My roommates cooked me breakfast.  French Toast even!  My favorite!  I seriously live with the best girls!  

Then church was great, and after two guy friends from my ward came over and sang 3 different renditions of Happy Birthday accompanied by an accordion.  It was so fun!  

Celinda and Jesse had Mary, Tess, and I over for birthday dinner, lasagna!  Once again, one of my favorite things! Then when we came back to the house the side door was locked!  I was trying to get in with my key, I pounded on the door, I even cussed a little (I think I said stupid…) and then Mary convinced me to just go through the front door.  When I went through the door the living room was FULL of my friends and they all yelled, Surprise!  I really was so surprised!  I had no idea that they had been planning this?!  I still don't know how they kept it so hush-hush… Then we had cake and candles, and played a game and it was so great!  Mary even made a chocolate roll?!  When we sat down to play the game I looked around and said, "Wow, I'm so lucky to have such awesome friends."  But really you guys, there were so many good people in one room, and I considered ALL of them my friends.  I love every one of them.  One of my friends took video of blowing the candles out.  I can't figure out how to upload it, but it was good!  

I don't know if awesome birthdays are precursors for an awesome year, but I think we're off to a pretty great start :)  I can't wait to see what the next 364 days have in store for me :)  Thanks everyone for making my day so great!  Thanks for all the phone calls, texts, voicemails, Facebook posts, and wishes in person.  You guys are great!  

A New Adventure!!

No, I'm not leaving the country (yet), but I am a ski instructor for Sundance!  

You guys, I LOVE it!  A lot of you already know, but I figured since I picked up my second pay check today it's getting pretty official.  I've been super busy doing trainings and everything for it, but now I'm going to start getting busy teaching lessons! I'm so excited!  I've taught 5 lessons so far, and they were all so fun!  Yes, some of them were challenging, both mentally and physically, but fun nonetheless.  The people I work for and with are great!  It's just so refreshing to be around them.  My favorite part about the job though is probably being outside.  I don't care if it's cold as long as I'm up on the mountain.  I love it so much!  So, if you're ever down in the Provo area, come hit up Sundance :)