The Quarantine Diaries

I feel that we have not even been living reality. It’s like a movie, an event in history, or what you watch on the news. 
It’s so hard to wrap my mind around it all. 

As everyone in the world knows, we have been living in quarantine because of corona. 
This is something I never expected to happen in my entire life! 

School has been crazy. We had just a few days to put material online for our kids. There were many days were
I have been up till 4:00 in the morning trying to get it all put together.

Then Utah had an earthquake soon after the quarantine was put in place. It scored a 5.7! I didn't feel it because I
was up till 4:00, so I was dead asleep, but how does this all happen all at once? 

Andrew & I started working from home.

We've been going on a lot of walks. 

This is how our faces look in public now.

We started refinishing an old piece of furniture of my grandparents.

Krispy Kream gave all graduates of 2020 a dozen box of donuts.
Since Andrew and I both had our graduations cancelled due to Covid we each got a box. And we did share those. 

A lot of places have been offering free drive in movies and we have been taking full advantage. 

We sure do love our CRV. 

We have been spending a lot of time grilling.

And upping our tennis game. 

The elementary school I work at did a drive by parade. The teachers stood on the curb and the students were in
their cars and drove by. It was a lot of fun to see people again!

And look at Andrew's hair! Since everything has been closed, including hair salons and barber shops, there was
no way to cut his hair (and I don't have the skill level to even attempt).
This was the day before he finally got it it cut. 

I miss going to work and seeing my students and coworkers. I miss going to the gym (we were able to get a
stationary exercise bike which has been super helpful). I miss friends and family. I miss not worrying about getting
too close to people! We've had events cancelled (like both of our graduations, and Andrew had two international
trips) but quarantine life has also been pretty good to us. 

I love having meals together. In all seriousness, we had more meals in the first two weeks of quarantine
than we have had in the past two years- not exaggerating.

Andrew has gotten me hooked on the show, "Last Ship." It's so good. On a few occasions we have watched
4 episodes in a row. It's on Hulu and it's a MUST WATCH!

We have been doing outdoor workouts and having game nights with each other. 

We have been working on projects that never seem to get done like organizing photos and videos
and updating my journal. 

When life returns to normal, I hope we get to keep some things from our quarantined life. 

"The only way to take sorrow out of death is to take love out of life."

My Grandma passed away earlier this month and I feel I don't even know how to react. 

She has always been there for me and has tried to make each moment of my life special.

I remember one year when I was little, my Grandma had back surgery. We went out to Nebraska to be with her and 

my Grandpa and since we could not go down to the basement to work on crafts, we made felt Christmas ornaments 

on her bed. I guess before her surgery, she had previously ironed Christmas decals onto the felt beforehand. Then on 

her bed we stuffed them with cotton and hand sewed them together. Those ornaments hang on my tree every year. 

My parents are both from Nebraska, so we would go there every Christmas and stay at my Grandparent's home.

She made it a huge affair! Her house would be decorated from top to bottom in Christmas decorations. 

Christmas Eve was a special feast with lobster and a beautiful decorated table. Christmas morning there were 

always beautiful gifts that far exceeded my expectations. 

When I turned 8 years old and was baptized she supplied all the decorations. Even though we had different beliefs, 

she knew it was a special occasion for me, and wanted to contribute. 

I would spend a few weeks on my own with my Grandparents during the summer. She would let me watch Saturday morning 

cartoons in my Grandpa's favorite chair and would serve me breakfast. We had so many tea parties together and 

she would always read to me. 

When Grandparent's day would come at school, the grandparents would come and we would do a presentation for them. 

My Grandparent's were never able to come because they lived in Nebraska, but my Grandma would always send a 

care package to my brother and I and they would tell us how much they wished they could be there.

When I was 9 years old, my family and I moved into a new house with a mother-in-law apartment so my Grandparents 

could move from Nebraska and live with us in Utah. For most of my life, she has been always so close.

Their house was always stocked with chocolate chip cookies. She was always available to talk. 

For Sunday dinners my Grandparents would come upstairs to our home and we rarely missed a Sunday dinner together. 

If I ever needed anything, she was the one to help. Materials for school projects, Grandma had it.

When I entered high school and went to different dances, I think she bought every dress for me. When I graduated 

from high school, my Grandparents gave me a laptop for my gift. When I went on my mission she bought all 

of the clothes I needed. And when I came home, she was there to welcome me back. 

^Skyping from my mission^

When I got married she asked for some suggestions of a wedding gift and she got my everything I had suggested. 

I had not expected her to get my everything I said, rather they were just ideas. She kept saying,"What else can I get you?" 

Andrew and I just kept telling her she did more than enough and we refused to give her any more ideas. 

She just wanted to give us anything she could. That was simply they way she had always lived her life. 

Two years ago, Andrew and I moved to a different apartment and my Grandma wanted to see it. At this point of 
her life, walking was really difficult for her and Andrew and I were on the 2nd level with no elevator. We brought 
my Grandma over and she literally crawled up those stairs and we had dinner with her. It was so much fun to have her with us.

For this new year I was writing in all birthdays into my planner and as I was writing in my Grandma's birthday on 

February 18, I had a thought that she wouldn't make it to her birthday. She had been doing fairly well and nothing 

huge had changed in her health. A few days later she was admitted to the hospital. 

We were in and out to visit her for a few days. One night Andrew asked if I wanted to see her before going home. 

I was hesitant because of visiting hours but we decided to go. She was aware we were there and kept repeating, 

"I am so surprised," which is what my Grandma would say anytime I would visit her. 

The next day, my Grandma passed. I am so glad I saw her the previous night and got to have that last moment with her. 

My parents and I drove out to Nebraska for her funeral and she looked beautiful. It was difficult saying goodbye. 

She has been such a wonderful grandparent and I am so glad I was blessed with her. 

Happy Birthday Grandma! I wish you were here with us so we could celebrate your day!

Forever & Always a Part of Home

Five years! It’s been five years since I’ve come home from my mission and I don’t know where the time has gone! 

Five years ago today when I arrived at the airport and saw my parents at the bottom of the escalator and I 

remember I just started bawling 😭 Not because I was excited to be home but because when I saw my family it hit 

me that my mission was over and I wasn’t ready for that. I stayed at the top of those stairs for 15 minutes trying 

to get myself together as I saw other missionaries reunite with their families. I finally made it down the stairs and 

hugged my mom and I started crying all over again because I was so sad to be home. (Please tell me I’m not the only one!) ⁣
⁣
My mission was an unforgettable 18 months where I deeply connected with my God and his Son. That year and 

a half is where I greater understood how important it is to act on the things I believe. When I acted my faith grew. 

When I acted, my love for others around me grew. When I acted, I grew. ⁣
⁣
The Anaheim, California area will always have a very special place in my heart and it will always be a piece of my home. ❤️🏠⁣
⁣
(And yes, I cried writing this. My memories of my mission are so special, that it’s impossible not to reflect on 

those experiences with with so much joy. And sometimes I want more of that 24/7 missionary work back in 

my life because it sure created some unforgettable moments.)

Life 5 Years Later

Enjoying: 

Being done with school! No more homework. It's beautiful! 

Living:

Utah 

Looking Forward To: 

Walking for graduation in May

Reading:

Not really anything right now. Loosely, Harry Potter #1 

Job: 

Special Education Teacher!

Working On:

Putting my classroom together. 

Current Church Calling:

Compassionate Service Leader

How My Testimony Has Grown:

One thing that I have really grown to realize more this past year is how much God cares about me and my life plans. When I started my first year of college, special education was not on my radar. A friend had suggested it to me and I said, "Not happening." I don't know how but before fall semester ended, I was full speed ahead with special ed, and I felt very strongly that it was the correct career choice for me. Many obstacles came into my life that made it difficult to pursue my major, but time after time, my Heavenly Father was there to make sure I could overcome the barriers, or in some cases they would be completely removed.  I prayed so many times for things to work out. 

One major thing that I prayed for was to pass my Praxis test in Math and Science- my two worst subjects. I had avoided taking it because I was so stressed about it, I didn't even want to think about it. But the time came where I needed to take both sections of the test if I wanted to student teach that fall. Without passing them, I would not be able to move forward in my schooling and would have to hold of student teaching. I know it was my fault, and my poor planning. I studied so much for those sections and poured over study guides the praxis test provided. I spent hours a day studying and tears came. I finally booked my test dates at the beginning of August (student teaching started 3 weeks later) and it came to the point where the only thing I could do was pray. I went to my first test, science. I looked at the first question, and I was like, "How in the world does this even relate to what I studied for?" And that is how it was for the majority of the test. I was simply guessing. The next day, I took the math test. Same thing. I had not even done some of that stuff in college. It was not even close to the elementary math that they gave on the study material. Some answers were fill in  the blank and I had no idea, so I could not even guess. When I walked out I knew I did the best I could and I hoped it would be enough. When I got my results back I found out that I had passed both sections on my test and not just barely, but well over the minimum mark! There is NO WAY I could have done that on my own. Prayer is real! God listens. I was able to student teach, get my degree, and find a job. Miracles happen!

There have been a few times during the year with other things where I prayed for something to happen. These were things that were completely out of my control. I could do nothing to make it happen. In that week, my prayer was not answered once, but twice! And it happened a few other times through out the year as well. Prayer is real! God listens.

I know that every time I pray, things won't always happen the way I wish. I just feel with the first experience I shared with special education, my want was aligned with God and He fought with me to make it happen. With my second experience, I feel it was something that was simple and not too life altering, but just a simple desire that was hard for me to not receive. I still struggle with it to this day, and I do all I can to make it better, but usually it's out of my own power and I just have to hope everything works out. But what I do know is that prayer is real. God listens to me and He loves me more than I understand. And miracles happen daily. 

And here's past blog posts about marking my return home:

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Officially a Teacher!

When I was little I wanted to be an artist 👩🏼‍🎨, a ballerina 🩰, a farmer 👩🏼‍🌾, and a teacher 👩🏼‍🏫 all at the

same time and I told my mom I would be too busy to see her 🤷🏼‍♀️. With many prayers answered and miracles 

experienced (I mean, mountains being moved!), one of those dreams came true. 

Today was my first day of my first year of teaching! 🤍⁣

^Look at how well Andrew did at decorating my door^

This day has been a long time coming! I started my college degree back in 2011, little did I know it would be 

8 years later till I would graduate! I knew I wanted to major in special education soon after I started my first 

semester of college and started to peruse it right away (by divine guidance). 

The first two years were easy. I got everything done that I needed to. I left for my mission after my sophomore year 

with everything lined up to apply for my major when I got back. (I could not apply beforehand because I needed to 

take a math test in September to apply to the program in October, and I left in July) . 

Anyways....

I went on my mission and I would not trade that experience for anything.

I got back at the end of January, so I took a semester off waiting for the fall semester to start.

I started to get information about it and it turned  out while I was on my mission, the special education department 

had added an additional math class I needed to take before I could apply to the program, and since I had not 

taken a math class in over a year, I needed to take an additional math class before that (which I had already taken 

my freshman year of college). 

 I just added another year so I could tack on ONE prerequisite for my major. 

Frustrating but doable. 

At the end of my junior year I got married, and moved down to Provo and applied for the distance education 

program along with my special education program and I got in! But the distance program was not offering any 

of the classes I needed for Fall 2016 semester. I looked into BYU and UVU for classes that would 

transfer to USU, but none were offered. So I took another semester off. 

FINALLY I could take classes in January on the distance education campus and online. 

I was a part time student but I was moving forward! 

While I was doing part time school I worked at a local elementary school being a special education aide 

(it's like a supporting teacher). I really got to experience my career choice first hand and I got to do a lot of 

my assignments for school in class. It worked out so well and I had so much support from my job! I worked 

there for 3 years with the best people! 

Student teaching time came, and I was offered an internship at my current school to teach for 1 full year in 

the special education 4th-6th grade class. As much as I hated to leave, I turned it down because I wanted new 

experiences and ideas. At the end of my student teaching, I was informed that my old school had the 4th-6th grade

 class position open and wanted me to apply. 

I applied, interviewed, and got the job!

Today was my first official day and it feels so good to be back! 

I'm working with a lot of the kids I had before when they were in 1st-3rd grade.

I'm also happy to be working with the 1st-3rd special education teacher again because I was an aide in her 

classroom for 3 years and she's pure genius. 

My parents came by after school and brought me balloons to celebrate. 

It was a good first day back (even if I had to chase a student to walk and follow directions, haha!).

I love where I'm at and I'm excited to finish out the remainder of the year! 

And here's a short little post about when I first got hired as an aide. 

Our Top 20{19}

I can't believe this decade is over! There have been so many different life changing experiences in the past 10 years. 

I graduated from high school and college, went to the temple, went on a mission (one of the best things), 

met Andrew and got married, new friendships, and a lot of growth in every aspect. 

This year was a great way to end the decade! We had some fun things planned for the year, and 2019 delivered! 

1. Saw Comedy Sports 3x's!

2. Got to hear from Elder Bednar for a Q&A Fireside

Elder Ballard is one of the 12 apostles in our church and it was such an amazing experience to hear from him. 

One thing that he mentioned was that even if he answered our question that night, it was not the end of the road. 

The questions we have are still something we need to pray about and spend more time on with God. 

He just gave us a stepping stone. 

3. Hawaii Trip with Andrew's Family

4. Kennecott Trip

5. Lagoon Day (thanks Alyse!)

6. 3rd Anniversary

7. My Birthday Celebration

My mother-in-law took me out to lunch 

and my mom took me to the Hale Theater to see the play, "Tuck Everlasting."

8. Cabin + the Manti Pageant

9. Ran my 1st Half Marathon

My word of the year was "wellness" and I set a goal to run a half marathon, something that I never thought 

I would do but I loved it and it was so worth it. I would do it again!

10. Backstreet Boys Concert

I'm usually not a concert going type of person, but this was AMAZING! I loved every second.

11. Pioneer Day Concert

Andrew and  were able to go to the Tabernacle Square Pioneer Day concert featuring Sissel. 

It was so good. I don't have a picture, but here is one of my favorite songs from the performance. 

12. Passed BOTH sections of my Praxis test!

I needed to pass the math and science sections of my praxis test so I could student teach and graduate.

Sooooo stressful but I did it! Prayer works because there is NO WAY I could have done that on my

13. Huntington Lake

14. St.George Trip

15. We got a new car!

We had been on the car hunt for awhile and we went up to Riverton to look at a car with no intention of buying it. 

Well the next thing we know we are making a deal and buying the thing. 

I am trying to call it Wanda the Honda, but Andrew just wants to call it the CRV. 

16.  Disneyland with my family

17. Finished college & got a new job!

I FINALLY finished my bachelor's degree! It took awhile with my mission and credits being added in my absence 

(that pushed me back a year), then going to part time online school when I got married, but I'M DONE! 

I will walk in May so I'll share more of my story then. But if feels so good to be finished!

18. Giving my parents their Christmas gift

My mom had loved Cher since she was a teenager. She has always thought about how close she is to Cher & always 

tries to sing like her. Cher is coming to Utah on tour and we thought it would be so fun to give my parents tickets 

to Cher's concert (and my dad is up for anything my mom is). We did this whole presentation for them of giving 

them different clues with our own Cher music video at the end. They thought the music video was so funny, 

so when we gave them their tickets at the very end they didn't even see it coming! They had no idea Cher was 

coming to Utah, so it took them by complete surprise! Both of them started crying a little bit too, which we 

were not expecting at all! It was so much fun to give it to them.

I tried to upload the music video but YouTube won't let me because of copyright reasons.  

19. Went to California on a last minute whim

To see our favorite memories of the past few years:

Our Top 20{16}

Top 20{17}

 Top 20{18}

Vietnamese Wedding Celebration

We made a last minute decision to go to California for a few days. Andrew served a mission for our church from 

2008-2010 in Anaheim, CA and he spoke VIETNAMESE! (I still can't get over it). He became really close with the 

members in the area because he was in the same area for the entire 2 years! One of Andrew's friends from the area 

was getting married and they had invited us to the wedding months ago but we were still on the fence about 

going because it was right after Christmas and we did not know how the weather was going to be. It was something 

that I knew would take a lot of time and I had so much to do at home (getting my new classroom 

ready with the layout, schedule, & lesson plans, putting Christmas decorations away, cleaning, etc.) so I was kinda 

dreading going. But once we made it it felt so good to be back in a place that Andrew and I love! 

(if you didn't know, I also served my mission in Anaheim, but English speaking)

We got there late at night (there was NO snow in Utah, but there was a snow storm on the Nevada/California border 

and it closed the road. Andrew and I took a L O N G detour that added 3 hours to the trip).

The traditional Vietnamese wedding ceremony was early the next day. I love culture, so I really enjoyed seeing it! 

In the Vietnamese culture it is traditional to wear red Áo dài (pronounced Ow-y-eye) on your wedding day. 

The groom comes to the bride's home with gifts for the bride and they do a tea ceremony which is presented 

to the the family's elders. 

^Gifts for the Bride's Family, and a pig is very traditional^

After the ceremony there was a breakfast, then after the breakfast came more food! 

And that was only the beginning of the endless food. 

The couple were getting sealed in the San Diego temple later in the day. Andrew and I drove down early so we could tour 

the area. We went to the Mormon Battalion site which is a Visitor's Center to learn more about the history. 

About 500 members of the church joined the United States Army in the war against Mexico (while the church was 

currently fleeing to Mexico for religious freedom). The army made it to San Diego and that's why 

there's a Visitor's Center there.

We met up with one of Andrew's old mission companions there and Linda 

(the girl who introduced Andrew and me).

^We panned for "gold"^

We went to the temple and that place is gorgeous! 

The couple got sealed and the temple is just as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside. 

The rest of the wedding party went and got food, but we stayed at the temple longer. 

When we came out it was dark, and look how beautiful the temple lights up the night.

We drove back to Anaheim and picked up Andrew's "viet mom", got spring rolls, and went to Downtown Disney

 to watch the fireworks. It was such a fun way to end the night. 

The next morning we met my "mission mom" for brunch. It was so good to see her again and it makes me wish 

we lived closer to California so we could go more. 

Went for lunch dessert with our Viet crew.

(Andrew's mission mom & Andrew's mission companion + his 2 brothers)

And of course we went to the beach. Guys, I really need more California in my life. 

That night was the wedding reception and it was gorgeous! 

And there was SO MUCH FOOD! I think the entire thing was at least 7 courses not including the appetizers before. 

There was fried rice, shrimp, lobster, noodles, and so much more. And it was really good. 

Andrew did try an 1000 year old egg. It reminded us of James Cordon's Spill Your Guts or Fill Your Guts. 

Andrew has tried 3 different things from that show: Balut, Pig's Blood, and now the 1000 Year Old Egg. 

The wedding was a lot of fun. Andrew really enjoyed it because he saw so many members, some who have moved 

away so when we come back to Anaheim, he doesn't see them. 

And the bride had S E V E N dresses! 

1. Her red traditional Áo dài 

2. She wore a white Áo dài to the temple

3. Her temple dress

4. Her white wedding dress after the temple

5. Reception dress #1- Long ball gown

6. Reception dress #2- Shorter white dress

7. Reception dress #3- White going away dress

That wedding spared no cost. My favorite part was the reception food.

Before we left California the next morning we saw some people I love. I saw the Wick's, one of the members in 

the last area I served in. The kids are so old. The youngest just turned 8 when I left now he's almost 13! 

California is always so good to us with the the weather, the experiences, the food, but mainly the people. We love it all so much.