I honestly think there are only two bad things about Education Week. Out of the entire week, only two bad things. Number one, Ammon's birthday always falls sometime during the week and number two? I can't go to more classes. With Matthew with me in Utah, there isn't any way for me to go to as many classes as I'd like. I have grown to LOVE Ed Week so much. This year was my 11th year. It makes me feel so old. What makes it so great is that there are classes to fit every stage of life. I went every year as a teenager and I loved the youth classes. I went when I was in college. There were some for that. There are some for newlyweds and for new parents plus all the amazing gospel-oriented topics you can learn about. This year, my mom, Sloan, Gav, Reese, Matt and I loaded up in the beast and and left Monday morning as usual, stopping in Cove Fort for the kids to eat and, since this was the first time they had been on a trip and were potty-trained, they got to use the potty.
I wasn't sure how it would be for the two boys, but they both traveled so well. We only stopped on the side of the road once! We stayed at the Joseph's house, right across the street from the Provo temple and the MTC and right down the road from BYU. We couldn't ask for a better place to stay. Bishop and Jean are some of the nicest people and I am so grateful for their hospitality. This was our third time staying there for Ed Week and I think it's the most perfect place for us, even with our children. They were nice enough to put up with our kids being there during the day while we went to class and they've even done so much to the house since the last time we went there. We arrived Monday afternoon, unloaded our vanful of stuff, let the kids play for a minute then left to go to Ikea. I got some great deals on some furniture and we even ate dinner there. Man, what a great place!

Monday: Ikea
Tuesday: Macaroni Grill
Wednesday: Texas Road House
Thursday: Red Robin
Friday: Cracker Barrel
About a month before we left, we asked Sister Joseph the names of a few girls in their ward who would be able, and willing, to babysit the kids while we went to class every afternoon. We were able to get them all day Tuesday so we could go to devotional by Elder Steven Snow of the Presidency of the Seventy. I would love to write down on our blog all the inspirational things I heard that week. Elder Snow talked about how important it was for us to participate and come prepared to meetings because that is how the spirit talks best to us. I found that very comforting because I am one to NEVER comment in Relief Society (even though I haven't been in there in a very long time) and I don't say much when I am in class either. He also told a really cute story about when he took his sons camping when they were just young boys. He lost his son one long day after no luck and no fish. He came back telling his dad that he went to pray that he'd catch a fish and told Heavenly Father that if he did catch one, he'd never do drugs (he was five)! His dad (Elder Snow) told his son that Heavenly Father probably didn't care if they caught fish that day. Well, hours passed, but at the end of the day, they caught one fish. And it was that same son who had prayed for that. That story was great because it really made me think how important it is to teach our children the gospel. I hope one day that Matthew will have enough faith to pray for even the simple things.
Tuesday: Macaroni Grill
Wednesday: Texas Road House
Thursday: Red Robin
Friday: Cracker Barrel
Teachers I really liked this year
Randal Wright
Margaret Pickard
Merilee Boyack
Brad Wilcox
S. Michael Wilcox
Margaret Pickard
Merilee Boyack
Brad Wilcox
S. Michael Wilcox
A highlight of our time there was that we were able to take the kids to the Wilkinson Center to eat lunch with us on Wednesday because we didn't have the babysitters until 1:00 that day. I LOVE THE WILKINSON CENTER and the Bookstore. I could stay in the Bookstore for hours and hours. The whole feel of Education Week makes it. It's not just the classes, or the different restaurants every night, but just being in the Wilk with the thousands of other people going for the same reasons you are makes the entire experience. I have already made it a priority that I'll be going every year, even if Ammon's birthday is smack dab in the middle. (I don't think it's selfish because I'm going to better my family and I'll justify that one until the day I die!)

Tabby
Kenzi, Joni and Becci
Blake's mom, Heather Fronk
(she actually approached me telling me how I looked familiar. It was good seeing her again though)
The Josephs
Joanna
Mom
Sloan
Micki (although I never got to talk to her)
I love seeing people I know actually. Normally, I don't. I'm unfortunately not the type who likes to run into people at the grocery store or see people at the car wash. But, while at BYU, I don't mind. Probably because I know they're there doing the exact same thing I am, and for some reason, no negative feelings exist while attending Ed Week.
Kenzi, Joni and Becci
Blake's mom, Heather Fronk
(she actually approached me telling me how I looked familiar. It was good seeing her again though)
The Josephs
Joanna
Mom
Sloan
Micki (although I never got to talk to her)
I love seeing people I know actually. Normally, I don't. I'm unfortunately not the type who likes to run into people at the grocery store or see people at the car wash. But, while at BYU, I don't mind. Probably because I know they're there doing the exact same thing I am, and for some reason, no negative feelings exist while attending Ed Week.
Things I have to get to eat every year
Jamba Juice
Ice cream
Brownies
Donuts
Chocolate-covered Almonds
Chocolate-covered Cinnamon Bears
(interesting fact: During Womens' Conference this year at BYU, in two days, BYU sold over 12,000 brownies. I have no idea how many they sold during the FIVE days of Ed Week, but I'm sure it had to be a ton!)
Jamba Juice
Ice cream
Brownies
Donuts
Chocolate-covered Almonds
Chocolate-covered Cinnamon Bears
(interesting fact: During Womens' Conference this year at BYU, in two days, BYU sold over 12,000 brownies. I have no idea how many they sold during the FIVE days of Ed Week, but I'm sure it had to be a ton!)
Saturday we packed up, cleaned up and headed home. We got home in good time and even though it went by way too fast, it was a great week full of inspiration, fun and great memories!
2 comments:
Thats so nice that you were able to go. I really miss ed week. I hope to be able to go next year.
ED WEEK ROCKS!!!!! LOVE LOVE it... and our children are the cutest things I have EVER seen.... and always remember... NOT A PROBLEM...
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