Our Story: The Bell Family

Mark finally got to fly over Great Salt Lake in a little airplane on Wednesday. Mark had so much fun, and the pilot was impressed by how well he did in the plane. I was impressed by Mark, and by how well behaved Flynn was when I taught VIPKID that morning! He usually stays with Mark while I teach, but this time he just napped at my feet the entire time I taught! He used to ask for my attention when I was trying to teach, but now that he’s growing up he’s more content to just be by me.

Wednesday we also went on a date to our favorite hamburger restaurant, Morty’s. They have the yummiest burgers and fries! Eating there was an item on the summer bucket list (which we have been very slowly making it through). When we got there the workers had just made too many scone fries so they gave some away to us. Yum!

On Friday I took our niece, Tanya, to the beauty college for manicures. It was our gift to her for graduation. We had a lot of fun!

Saturday morning I went to a meet-up for VIPKID teachers. It was my first meetup, and it was fun although it was only myself and the girl hosting it. We met at the Waffle Iron for breakfast. I got some fun VIPKID supplies!

Mark worked in his lab while I was gone, but was able to have some well deserved down time the rest of the day. I spent the afternoon working on a presentation for my class. I’m trying really hard to get it done so we can make it to the upcoming family camping trips. It was a busy day, but homework is much more fun when you have a sweet puppy sitting at your feet! Then we attended our ward picnic in the evening. We absolutely love our ward! We love being in a family ward and are going to be so sad to leave when Mark graduates.

The majority of our activities each week are similar. Mark is still spending most days near Great Salt Lake (his professor constantly reminds him not to use the word “the” before its name because it’s a proper noun, haha). I’m still teaching VIPKID and figuring out my new job with WebAIM, but I decided to take July off from teaching piano because I’m beginning an internship.

My internship is with the Logan Family Center. They are a non profit organization who offers free children’s classes, parenting classes, and a library with books and toys. I actually did the internship for my undergraduate degree with them, and am excited to be back. I will spend a lot of my time organizing their preschool materials and writing grants for them.

The Fourth of July was good, but didn’t go how we had planned. We wanted to watch the city fireworks on the 3rd of July from our balcony, but they were much too loud for Flynn. I really can’t blame him since car alarms were triggered by the very first firework. So we sat in our bedroom with a fan running to drown out the noise. Gratefully Flynn doesn’t mind the fireworks done in the neighborhood.

On the Fourth, Mark spent most of the day in his office on campus. He worked on the chapter he and his professor have been writing. We had planned to eat breakfast with my parents, but just Flynn and I made it to that. We brought some food home for Mark though! I got some homework done that day too since it can get boring without Mark around. We did make it to the barbecue with my extended family that evening. It was really fun and nice to have a break!

On Friday, Mark went to count Grebes in the morning, and then worked on the chapter more! He thought he was done writing and editing, but his professor said he needed to work on it more. Mark didn’t make it home until after dinner time.

Saturday morning we got to help clean the church. We got assigned to bathrooms-lucky us! We went on a quick date to Gossner’s for some cheese samples! After that Mark built some little steps for Flynn to use to get on and off our bed. They turned out great! Now we just need to help Flynn get used to using them!

Saturday was also Flynn’s “Gotcha Day!” We got him one year ago! He’s grown and learned so much, and he brings so much happiness to our world!

Finishing my classes, training at work, and balancing all the other things I need to do can be overwhelming, so I was very grateful for the help I received this week. For example, a friend texted me out of the blue to see how I’m doing, my mom dropped off homemade pie, and a friend helped me get to our stake relief society social which was so much fun. Of course I have to mention how often Mark makes me laugh, and how Flynn keeps me company when I’m doing homework. It also makes me happy to see the peach colored roses blooming outside our apartment. They were out when we got married and I think they are gorgeous!

I did manage to finish both of my classes this week. I was so worried I wouldn’t get good grades because I’ve just had too much to do, but I earned an A+ in both classes! Mark laughs at me because I worry every semester, and then my grades turn out just fine. Now that I’m done with classes, I will begin my internship next week.

Mark continued studying duck nests. The action-sensor cameras have caught some fun videos of skunks and raccoons in the nests at night. Mark also spent time in the lab analyzing data. On Friday he was able to go out alone to count Eared Grebes.

This highlight of our week was having Mark’s brother, Steven, spend a night with us. We invited him to come as a high school graduation present. On Friday we played wii (Steven creamed us, except in cow racing where I remained the champion). We also walked around campus although it was much hotter than we anticipated, and we ended the night making brownies and watching Monster’s University. Saturday morning we walked the Logan River Trail, ate lunch at firehouse pizza with Julie and Kaden, and then Mark and Steven went to the shooting range. Flynn was so sad when Steven went home. He really enjoyed having someone to play with him.

Mark spent more time collecting data from duck nests this week! Wednesday he worked from campus analyzing the data. We were able to fit in a little date going geocaching that evening.

I started my new job on Monday. I am a course facilitator for the Center for Person’s with Disabilities department at USU. The course is about creating documents that are accessible for individuals with different types of disabilities. I feel like it’s taking me a long time to learn all the things I will be doing, but once I learn it all I think I’m going to enjoy this job. My boss, George, even said I should be able to do most of my work from home after I am trained. I’m excited about that!!

Thursday evening my piano students had a recital. They all did a great job! Mark even got home a little earlier than usual and was able to attend!

Saturday we drove to Layton to go to the wedding reception of one of my friends from the switchboard. We went to Red Robin there for dinner which was yummy, and it was so fun to see my friend and her new husband!

Mark is working hard this summer and I’m so proud of him!! Some of the tasks he is asked to do are very challenging, but he tries his best, with an optimistic outlook. He spent several days setting up cameras to watch duck nests again. It’s been fun seeing some of the cute critters that come to the abandoned duck nests.

It’s been getting hot, but we aren’t quite ready to pay to run our new AC unit. To help cool off the apartment I put ice in front of a fan to get some cool air circulating. Flynn loved sitting by the fan and occasionally licks the ice.

Wednesday evening my sister, Janese, and I attended a cooking class on preparing “Lean and Green” meals. The health coach hosting it is in my ward and I’ve participated in some of her free challenges. I’m excited to try some of these healthy recipes at home.

Thursday was my last day as a switchboard operator. It was a really bittersweet feeling because I know good opportunities are ahead, but I’ve loved my three years. My boss is the most fantastic lady, my coworkers have become friends, and I don’t know if I could have survived grad school without having a job where I could complete my homework between calls. My boss said she really wants me and Flynn to come back and visit occasionally. Flynn is a bit of a celebrity in the IT building! I’m sure we will visit soon.

Friday Mark got his first crown on a tooth. It’s something we knew would have to happen eventually, but we were hoping to hold off a while. It went well and that afternoon he was back out doing research!

Saturday morning we went to the temple and happened to get there the same time as Janese! It was fun to sit by her! On our way home from the temple we stopped by the grocery store, Lee’s, to look at the Father’s Day car show.

Mark spent more days looking for duck nests! When he goes to the Salt Lake or the bird refuge it takes all day. On the days he’s home, he is analyzing the data. So he is very busy! One day this week he and his technician went to Salt Creek. They took canoes so they could find duck nests on the islands, but the water was so shallow they were really just pushing the boats through the mud. Mark has a good workout from that!

Flynn wasn’t feeling well this week which was very sad to see! We almost took him into the vet to see what was wrong, but then he began feeling better. It sure is nice to have his happy, playful self back!

I was able to spend all of Monday with my mom and sisters for our “Sisters Day.” We went to a vocal concert at the tabernacle, helped our sister in law prep for teaching 1st grade next year, ate Italian ice, shopped, played games, and made dinner together. We aren’t all together very often so it was a lot of fun!

I spent the middle portion of the week working, doing lots of homework, and planning for primary and a ward baptism. It was very busy! I must be receiving heavenly help because there’s so much to do and somehow it all got done! I’m also very grateful for my fantastic primary presidency!!!

Friday we drove to Idaho Falls to stay with my sister Tiffany because her daughter was baptized on Saturday. Her baptism was beautiful, and we enjoyed visiting. On Friday, We had a blast going to the zoo, and Flynn loved all the attention from our nieces and nephew. He is getting better at listening for trick commands from other people, so the kids enjoyed getting him to perform. That evening I met up with a good friend from high school. Kenya was also my roommate during my semester at BYUI. If it wasn’t for her I would have sat in my room studying 100% of the time instead of just 90% haha! It was so good to catch up.

On our way home from Idaho we stopped in Blackfoot to say hello to Mark’s younger brother. They enjoyed taking his Dad’s Jeep on a quick drive. Mark has worked on it quite a bit and was excited it was running well.

Our Memorial Day was pretty uneventful. My family had a potluck barbecue Sunday evening. I spent Monday doing some homework and house work, and Mark continued his research. We were able to meet Mark’s parents, grandpa, sister and brother in law for dinner at Sizzler’s that night which was fun.

Wednesday I passed along my chorister supplies to the sister replacing me in primary, and I spent the afternoon talking with the previous primary president. There’s certainly a lot to do, so I’m grateful I have a fantastic presidency. We had our first presidency meeting Thursday night and did some good planning (as well as some fun visiting).

Mark spent a lot more time in the Bear River Bird Refuge. He went there several days and found 63 duck nests. All the rain has made it a good year for them! Thursday morning Mark went to finish a few things on the fence in Richmond. He took Flynn with since I was teaching English and taking a parenting exam. Flynn had fun, but came home covered in burrs. Flynn was very unhappy when we had to get the burrs out and he ended up getting his hair cut much shorter than we usually do. Flynn has seemed a little sick since the burr incident, which is so sad for us. He does seem to be on the mend though.

My oldest sister, Marisa, and two of her boys drove up to visit. I went to the local zoo- Zootah- with them and had a lot of fun.

Changes have always been difficult for me, and I just have to laugh when changes all seem to come at once. Heavenly Father certainly knows how to help us learn and grow.

After about a month and a half without classes, I began my summer semester on Monday. I knew it would be a challenging semester having two, fast-paced graduate courses at the same time, but I didn’t anticipate the amount of work both courses would require. Both courses- Parenting and Diversity- require a lot of reading, lectures, discussion boards, papers, and exams. It’s going to be a busy 6 weeks, but I think the time will fly by.

Thursday I got a call offering me the job I interviewed for! I begin June 17 which will be perfect. I’m excited for the opportunity, and a little nervous to learn a new role.

Two weeks ago (on Mother’s Day) our Bishop called me into his office and asked if I would serve as the ward Primary President. He said he knew I was busy, but “If you want something done, give it to a busy person.” I was very surprised because I am much younger and less experienced compared to many of our wonderful ward members, but I accepted. I was pleasantly surprised that just a few hours after that meeting I had names come into my mind of sisters to request to be my counselors. That timely revelatory response was reassuring to me as I faced this new responsibility. This Sunday we were sustained. I’m nervous, but excited to work with my awesome counselors and to serve the children. I’m grateful I know the children after having been the chorister for two and a half years.

Mark had a busy week this week too. Monday evening he got to go fishing in Willard Bay with Dr. Conover. He had such a good time and came home with three small mouth bass.

On Wednesday and Thursday he spent a lot of time helping his dad and brothers build the fence again. Around working on that project he tried to get ready to do more research with water fowl on the Great Salt Lake.

Friday he went to the bird refuge with Dr. Conover to find duck nests. They took turns driving the truck slowly so the chains on the extended bar would drag in the grass and scare the ducks out. They then could go find the nests and set cameras to watch the ducks.

Thursday morning we woke up to fallen trees and scattered debris. The whole week was quite stormy, but Wednesday day was especially windy.

Saturday we attended my cousin Tristin’s wedding! I love attending weddings in the temple and thinking about the blessing it is to have families for eternity. I also love seeing couples so happy and excited for their future together. Tristin and her husband will live close to us so I hope we will see them from time to time!

Mark didn’t go to the Great Salt Lake this week, but he did spend a lot of time dissecting birds (to analyze their diets), and writing a paper which will eventually become a chapter in a book. He also spent time throughout the week helping his dad build a fence on some property in Richmond.

I applied to a job with USU’s Center for Person’s with Disabilities as a facilitator for an online course. I had an interview with them on Thursday. I think it went well, and I hope to hear back soon!

Friday we were able to go to Hogle Zoo with Mark’s brothers, Carl and Chris, and their families. It was a rainy and cold day, but we had a lot of fun! We especially loved the bird show where all sorts of birds soar inches above your head! It was Mark’s first time seeing the show. Another favorite was the red panda!

Black and White Days (Richmond’s annual celebration) happened Saturday evening. The event also serves as the Bell family reunion so we enjoyed seeing Mark’s extended family. All of Mark’s siblings were here so we got a nice family picture! We watched the parade (Flynn did better with the noises than he did last summer, but he’s still not a fan), and had a delicious dinner complete with Dutch oven potatoes and smoked ribs. Flynn was pretty upset when we wouldn’t let him eat food that had fallen on the ground, but he did love all the attention he got!

This was the first week of the summer semester on campus. Mark went to the Great Salt Lake again to working on the grebes research. The professor he is studying under, Dr. Mike Conover was able to go with this time. Mark even got to shoot some of the birds they will be dissecting for research. Dr. Conover was very pleased by how well Mark shot.

I began a new work schedule at the switchboard this week. I only work Tuesday through Thursday which is going to be nice! I am also keeping my eye out for a job to replace the switchboard when I graduate in August. I love VIPKID, and it’s a good fit for us right now, so I plan to continue teaching. I am just looking for a part time job to do in the day. Job searching makes me pretty stressed so I’m not looking forward to that, but I am happy I have the whole summer to look for something that will be good!

Wednesday was Flynn’s first birthday!!! We love him so much we decided it would be fun to celebrate!! On Sunday we had a little birthday party with my parents and my brother’s family. We had dog friendly cookies (made from banana, egg, and peanut butter) for Flynn and my brother’s dog, Ella. I made dog shaped sugar cookies for the rest of us. Our cute nieces even made a little gift for Flynn- a new rope toy and a veggie chew. He loved it! On his actual birthday we walked over to my campus work building where Flynn always gets a lot of love and attention from my boss and coworkers. I also took him to IFA and bought him a new rawhide chew. We enjoy taking him to pet friendly stores so he can practice behaving well in new places, and he loves all the attention he gets. He didn’t know why we did so many of his favorite things on Wednesday, but he sure seemed happy!