Today and tomorrow I have parent teacher conferences until at least 8 pm (get stoked for some great #jrhighprobs) and then, with the exception of one dumb meeting, I have Friday off!

Then the second, better round of conferences begin Saturday at 10 am with my favorite weekend of the entire year – October LDS General Conference! It’s a good thing too, because I’m close to a stressful breaking point.

This week has been bananas:

• I’m wrapping up my teacher evaluations today, which has actually been a pretty insane, grueling process since I’m trying to get the entire cycle done early before I have my baby.
• For parent teacher conferences I had to print out grades and write personalized updates/feedback for all 200+ of my kids. It’s important and good, but boy is that a lot of work.
• The unit I planned (Columbian Exchange & Slave Trade y’all! Nothing’s more depressing than smallpox and slaves.) begins today, which has meant many late and extra hours over the past week and now much more intense prep/instruction until this unit is done.
• I have the largest pile of CLEAN laundry just chillin on my floor, waiting to be put away, for the 4th day in a row now. Going for a personal record.
• Don’t even ask about the dishes in the sink.
• I taught my Valiant 10 Primary class totally solo on Sunday for the very first time. Only one kid threatened me with cancer, one climbed out the window and one sprawled across an entire row of chairs and refused to sing during Sharing Time so that’s pretty good. To be fair I also wanted to climb out the window.
• Oil changes, safety & emissions were due on our cars. I know that’s normal and not a big deal, but it’s still adult shiz that I somehow freak out about every time.
• THEN some obviously fake law firm in Minnesota withdrew over $1000 from our bank accounts so we have to get that sorted out and corrected. yayyyyyy

Actual sneaky photo taken during Primary/a visual representation of my week

So today I got an Einstein bagel and a huge Diet Coke on the way to work, a stack of fresh pens and highlighters on my desk and the most positive attitude I can muster. Even though I’m gonna see wayyyyy too many immodest moms and jail-tattooed dads tonight. Even though I don’t get to go home see The Beard and my Coco until 9 pm at the earliest. Even though I have to come back for another 12+ hour day tomorrow. And did I mention The Beard is peacing out to Vegas for Thursday/Friday with his dev team for a retreat? I don’t even get to see my husband on my day off! Booooo.

I can do it though. Because the light at the end of the tunnel is that these conferences are followed by THE conference. Because I get 3 days to sleep in, hang in sweats with my boyz and hear messages from my Father through these amazing men and women.

I’m also a huge fan of the #ldsconf Twitter feed. Not gonna apologize for clogging up your feed with INSPIRATION FROM GOD. In fact, you’re welcome. I have actually found that I learn more, remember more and really feel more pumped when I read and contribute to the #ldsconf hashtags. It’s taken my conference experience to the next level.

I’ve been reading April Conference talks to prepare, as well as watching Women’s Conference on Saturday night. (In case you missed it, here’s my post at The Cultural Hall for How To Realistically Prepare for Conference.) A few talks have really stood out to me and got me all jazzed and inspired:

Sister Neill Marriott at Women’s Conference with the cutest accent and hopeful message

The Silver Fox at Women’s Conference because of duh. He has this knack for showing us love but also demanding more of us.

Elder Ridd’s crazy pertinent message about media and our choices. Had me in tears.

Elder Nelson’s talk about being forthcoming and upfront about our faith! Sometimes I feel like I’m too preachy or churchy, so this message really inspired me to write more and share more (like this!) about this Gospel I love so much.

Sister Reeve’s approach to pornography and the family had me literally sobbing through the entire thing – even the second time around. As a church, as families, as women… we NEEDED this so badly. One of the best talks I have ever heard. We’re talking Hall of Fame, right next to every talk Holland has ever given.

I honestly don’t know how I’d make it through this week without these talks and the hope of more to come this weekend.

Other Awesome Things to Keep My Mind Off Terrible Parents

• It’s October! Birthday Month is here! Yeah, it’s a thing.
• Gone Girl comes out this week! Anyone want to hit the matinee with me on Friday afternoon??
• Girls Night during Priesthood Session with my Holdaway ladies, need I say more?
• The delicious homemade chili & scones I’m making for Sunday dinner
• Fall Break is the week after next and that means Harry Potter movie marathon!
• This cool weather means hoodies and plaid and breaking out my boots!
• I am officially hooked on Game of Thrones. I listen to the audiobooks and I seriously can’t make myself get out of the car because I want to know what’s going to happen!
• Glen Coco has been burrowing under the covers lately and its warm/awesome/hilarious. I’m with ya, buddy.

Tune in tomorrow for my “10 Things Your Child’s Teacher Is Thinking But Not Saying To You” and more #jrhighprobs if I survive parent teacher conferences tonight!