Sisters!

This past week I have been spending time with my family in Ohio. It started off when I got dropped off at the Dallas airport. I was supposed to fly to Houston and then to Ohio but my flight to Houston got cancelled because of weather (that has never happened to me before). So, I had to wait in a really long line to get my flight fixed. I didn't think I would be able to fly out that night, but once I got to the front, the lady got me a one way flight to Ohio! I was so excited that I didn't have to wait another day. Earlier that day, my sister Meredith flew into Ohio back from her LDS mission in Riverside California! It was a bonus that I got to see my family and Meredith! .. The only person who couldn't come was Lauren, but she happened to surprise us on Thursday. It was a big family reunion. I just wish Taylor could have been there!

During the week, we all went shopping at some outlet malls close by. We also got Mere caught up on some movies and shows (the last 2 Harry Potter movies, Captain America and Thor in order to see the Avengers, and Downton Abbey). Meredith also wasted no time in getting her hair cut short again. She was tired of her long hair. My Uncle and Aunt, John and Marsha, came down on Saturday to come to Meredith's talk for Sunday. My mommy made her delicious fish tacos requested by Lauren and me. That night we all got to play some Just Dance 3 that I brought. Here are some funny pictures from it:

On Sunday, Father's Day, Mere gave her welcome home talk. It was great hearing her stories, experiences, and lessons she learned from the mission. When we got back, we took some pictures as a family and then ate a yummy Father's Day meal!

Happy Father's Day Daddy!!

On Monday, Lauren treated all the girls to a pedicure! We had a great time together doing that. The Jacobson girls are all very ticklish and we couldn't stop giggling when they were rubbing our feet. Thank you Lauren :)

I have been missing Taylor a whole lot, but we have been able to use Facetime, which helps a lot. I look forward to when I get to see him in three weeks! He has been in Houston for the past week. I had him write what he has been up to. Here is what he wrote:

It’s been a crazy couple of weeks. I started Induction with Teach for America back on June 5 in Dallas (on SMU’s campus) and am now in my second week of Institute in Houston (on Rice’s campus). Institute is essentially “teacher boot camp”. We wake up at 6:00 am every morning and are on the road to our schools by 6:40. After arriving at my school, I am in and out of teacher training sessions until 4:40 pm. It’s a loooong day everyday. But this week it has finally livened up a bit. Monday was my first day teaching, in a classroom, on my own. I teach 4^th period 11^th grade chemistry from 1:25 – 2:45 at Madison High School (fun fact: Madison is Vince Young’s alma mater!). Actually being able to teach made the day fly by.

Lesson planning is still pretty rough. We have to write 3 versions of our lesson plans before we actually give the lesson. In addition, we had to write management and behavioral plans, along with several visions and many other plans. There isn’t any time to rest! But, looking at the broader picture, Teach for America is essentially cramming two years worth of college education courses, plus teaching experience, into 5 weeks. So I just try to take everything in stride, although it’s tough to keep great perspective when you’re up until 12:30 am prepping a lesson plan. 

The hardest part, though, of Institute is being away from young Madeline. We Facetime almost everyday, which is much better than talking on the phone. We won’t get to see each other until the weekend following the 4^th of July, when I have a Friday off. That’s actually the weekend leading into my last week of Institute, so it should give me some energy to finish strong! So overall this has been a very good experience. It has taught me hard work, how to function on 4-5 hours of sleep a night (without drinking any coffee, which is easily the most popular food and/or beverage in TFA), and how to become a better teacher. It will all be worth it when I walk into my own classroom in August at Sunset High! Go Bison! 

Houston, Texas

Our First Week in Dallas

On Sunday, June 3rd, Taylor and I left Kansas City and drove down to Dallas! We were so grateful for everything Taylor's family has done for us the past three weeks we were there. As we approached the city, we couldn't believe how big it was. There were so many highways crisscrossing each other and the city stretched so wide. It was definitely intimidating. We really got exposed to the city because Taylor had to meet downtown at the Teach for America offices to study for the Science 9-12 Exam. We got a little lost and had a hard time finding parking, but we got it all figured out and he was able to get some studying done. We then drove to Keller, TX (near Fort Worth) to stay with my cousin Emily and her husband Russ and their son Levi. They introduced Blue Bell ice cream to us. Delicious!!!

On Monday (our 2 year anniversary!!), Taylor and I had to wake up really early to get to downtown Dallas for Taylor's science exam. Taylor had to pass the exam or else he would not be able to teach in Texas so we were hoping and praying so much that everything would work out. We started driving and we got to experience Dallas traffic. The trip should have taken us 40 min, but it ended up taking 1 hr and 40 min. We were so worried that we wouldn't make it to the testing center on time, but luckily we did and we had to end up spending $18 in parking! After he took the test, we went to look at apartments. We found some online that are 1.5 miles away from Taylor's school. They are called the Greens of Kessler Park. Taylor and I were very impressed by these apartments because they are in a very nice area and right next to a golf course. We will feel safe and at home in them and they are in the perfect location for us. We couldn't sign anything on Monday because we still had to wait and find out if Taylor and passed the test. 

From our Wedding June 4, 2010

We celebrated our anniversary by going to Chili's! That night was going to be our last night together for 6 weeks because the next day Taylor had to go to Southern Methodist University (SMU) for training for the first week and then Rice University (in Houston) for the last five weeks. 

(SMU's campus is gorgeous)

On Tuesday, I had to take Taylor to SMU where Taylor was going to be staying. It was very hard to say goodbye, but I knew I could see him on Friday. I drove by myself from Dallas to Fort Worth when I got a phone call from Taylor. He passed his test!!!!! We were so happy and felt so blessed and relieved. Taylor had studied 93 hours for this test. He had to teach himself physics and relearn everything else with science. It was a very difficult test but I am so proud of him! Now we knew for sure that Taylor can officially teach. After I found out, I drove all the way back to Dallas, and put a deposit down on the apartment we really liked. 

On Thursday evening, Taylor called me and said he found someone who is driving near Keller that night and could give Taylor a ride! I was so excited to spend one more last night with him. It was such a great surprise! We woke up Friday and drove to Dallas and got to sign the lease on our apartment. We get to move in July 7th. I am going to Ohio in two days for three weeks to visit my family so the timing is perfect. After, we got to tour the Sunset High School. It is a very old high school but we are excited about it. His classroom is decorated with painted planets on the ceiling. It is perfect for astronomy. We got to meet the principals and they were very welcoming. Later that day, Taylor and I had to say goodbye for five weeks. It was really hard and I am going to really miss him, but it is going to be worth it! Taylor has been having a good time already with the training and meeting other Teach for America members, and he is looking forward to more training in Houston. 

Taylor and I have been so blessed recently with safe travels, passing the science test, getting an apartment, and Emily and Russ letting us stay with them. 

BBQ, Wedding, Dallas!

Well a lot has happened the past few weeks! We spent more time with family in Kansas City, MO, went to our friends' wedding, and moved to Dallas, TX (I will write more about the move in the next post). For the first time, Taylor and I and his parents went to a famous BBQ place called Oklahoma Joe's. I can't believe we haven't eaten there sooner. It is so delicious. We got there around 3 in the afternoon and we still had to wait around 40 min in line! Here are some pictures of our experience there:

We also made some yummy cupcakes for Keri's (Taylor's mother) birthday. They are chocolate cupcakes with chocolate chip cream cheese filling and a cream cheese frosting! Yum!

Last week, Taylor and I got to attend Troy and Jenny's wedding. Taylor was one of the groomsmen! We were invited to the wedding rehearsal the night before along with a delicious Italian dinner at a cute restaurant in Parkville. The food was delicious, probably too delicious for Taylor's friend and other groomsmen Brian Cleek haha. The waitress was impressed on how much he ate! 

Us buying their present the night before the wedding haha

The next day was the actual wedding. It was located in a Catholic church were they performed a mass during the ceremony. There was beautiful music playing as the bridal party and bride and groom came down the isle. (Taylor looked so cute in his tux haha). The ceremony was so nice and you could tell they are so happy and so in love. 

That evening was the reception at the Marriott tent right by the pond. The reception was very fancy and such a great experience. The toasts were great, especially Jenny's dad's "speech" he gave. Taylor and I are so happy for Troy and Jenny and the new life they get to start together. Marriage is the best! :)

The next day Taylor and I got all packed and drove 9 hours to Dallas, TX! I will write about our move in the next post!!