Studentz

Just when you don't think you are making a difference in the world, you receive the sweetest letter from one of your former students.  It went a little something like this:

"...thank you for always listening to my rantings, and for answering all my questions.  I am so glad you got that teacher award; because you deserve it 100%.  You are the greatest teacher ever!  I loved your step by step lessons in web design, and I loved doing yearbook with you.  If every teacher was more like you the world would be a better place...."

Wowzas. I have the best job in the world.

And not to mention the best coworkers ;)

2nd Annual "Getting to Know Ms. Hansen"

Jessica

Check out this beauty!  I am proud to call her my sister.

I am in St. Louis this week for work, which is fabulous because I get to visit with one of my sisters, Jessica, her 5 kids, and husband, Scott.  She is an amazing lady and inspires me in so many different ways.  We went running together at "The Lodge" today and we had so much fun catching up on life and telling college memories.  I so wish we can all live closer, because I can truly say that each one of my siblings are my best friends.  

This week was Jessica and Scott's 10 year anniversary and I took some shots of them before they left for the Cheesecake Factory.

Yearbook Students

Tonight as I was doing finishing touches on the yearbook, I received an email from my students and they made this "surprise" spread to include in the yearbook.  I was flattered, but I think that would be too embarrassing and vain if I put in a whole spread about me. HAHA   This just melted my heart and this is what makes my job so worth it.

p.s. this is my 100th post :*

24

I had the best day this past Monday for my Birthday. Emily and Pearce came down to Provo and brought me balloons and a cute picture that Pearce painted. Emily seriously made my whole day and I really love having her so close. It was such a good and happy time. I love my family so much!

We went to Guru's and had the most delicious breakfast. I got the banana's fosters pancakes and I will definitely be getting that again real soon. We had some more time before my office hours started at noon, so we hit up the Provo Beach Resort and rode the carousel a few times. So fun!

After my office hours were over, I got to go run outside in the most beautiful weather! Then headed to the chocolate Cafe for dessert with a few of my favorite people.

Ordered the red velvet cake with vanilla bean ice cream -- so delish!

We ended the day watching the Bachelor at Freddie's. Sounds like a perfect day, huh? It was glorious.

I can't believe I'm 24 years old! I am so grateful for all of these years living on my own and experiencing so many things that have shaped me into the person I am today. I am excited to grow even more and to see what's in store for me this year.

Love y'all!

Highlights from New Orleans

Top 10 highlights from Christmas break (in no particular order):

1. Making lots of chocolate freezie's with mom's magic bullet blender. We made sure to always have blue bell ice cream, chocolate syrup, bendy straws, and styrofoam cups in stock. I'm craving one real bad right now.

2. Church. I love going to church in New Orleans. There is always such a wonderful, unique spirit that is present. I loved LOVED teaching primary with all of the cute kiddies and going to mutual with the youth. The youth went to get hot dogs at the gas station across the street after cleaning the chapel. I can't believe how much the church has grown down there.

3. Christmas day in Thibodaux. Nuff said.

4. Spending time with my mama. We went to Houston's a few times and pretty much ordered the same things almost every time. Grilled Artichoke appetizer, Thai Steak Spinach Salad (I found the recipe here), and St. Charles Oysters were so delish! We also went to the cute boutiques on Magazine Street and I bought some cute things that I normally don't buy (i.e. scarce, hat, necklace.)

5. Rachel + Lexie. I love these cute cousins of mine. They came to New Orleans and stayed with us for a couple of days. We did fun sleepover stuff including painting nails, watching youtube videos, netflix, and lots of snackin'. We also went to Magazine street and ate at a cute cafe, walked around, did lots of people watching, and went to this cute, chic bakery called "Sucre".

6. Car troubles. Mom's poor Sienna mini van was a hot mess. A day after getting it "fixed", it stalled on the interstate. Me and Jacob had to push it to give it some momentum, then once it did, my mom wouldn't stop the car for us so we had to jump inside of the moving car! It was a James Bond moment...We took it to the dealership and had to wait in the waiting room for a while. There was a see-through soundproof room where we all hung out and had fun making fun of people as loud as we wanted without being heard.

7. Riding my mom's bike in Audubon park almost every day, listening to good music. This fills my soul!

8. Jacob. I love my brother Jacob and I feel like I get to know him so much more every time I go home. He is an amazing kid with such a big heart! Love you.

9. My sister, Sarah, and her cute family came to New Orleans and we had such a fun time. We went to the park, ate lots of yummy po'boys and beignets, and hung out. We went to the Riverwalk and Eleanor had a head-crackin' great time!

10. Amy bought a car! (and happily drove it back to Utah by herself). I'm so happy for her and the start of her adulthood with a car!

I'm excited for a new year and ready to "laissez les bon temps rouler"!