A few things I want to get out:
#1. If you have been following my blog at all you have read about KTIP that I have been going through since the school year started. This internship-on-steroids is ridiculous and luckily I only have 5 more observations. I really feel okay about where I'm at with this and it has just been a thorn in my side but not a huge hurdle (I was well prepared by Northwestern). However I DO have a little problem with THIS: As of NEXT YEAR there will be no more KTIP due to budget cuts!!! WHAT?! Are you KIDDING ME?! If it is something that is the first to go with budget cuts it CANNOT be nearly as important or as FORMATIVE as they think it is. When I found out I may or may not have asked, "So we're done, right? I don't have to finish?" To which they all thought I was joking (mind you they get paid to put in their hours with me...which did I mention is FIFTY out of class hours PER SEMESTER!?)
I'm done.
#2. We got an inch of snow...you would have thought the world ended.
#3. Today at school we really focused on the Inauguration. I thought this was cool that we had a special schedule that allowed for the students to watch it live. I had never been able to watch an inauguration because I was always at school...anyway- I'm currently listening to the Albert Mulder program and he is discussing not only the events of today but how as Christians we respond to having a new president. Very good. You can probably listen online. One thing he said that sticks out to me is that everyone keeps saying that race shouldn't matter...he said: "Race should matter in the right way."
#4. My fingers are really cold. Does it make sense that even with the heat OFF for 2 weeks in December our electric bill was relatively the same amount? We've decided to keep our temp. low anyway though.
#5. If you remember the pictures from my post after Christmas you remember a picture of a monkey in a cape (with a remote!). Well, this (albeit cute, right?) monkey makes a horrible squawking noise when you hit it. I had it leaned against the mirror in our bedroom last night and we were laying in bed when it fell over...and squawked! Brent jumped out of bed, I shot up, and my heart rate shot through the roof. (Aunt Linda, I may have cursed you at this point).
#6. What am I going to make for supper?
Okay, wrapping this up. If you made it this far you realized that I didn't really have anything to say today...just rantings and ravings. Tomorrow I hope to post some excellent recipes that I have been trying recently. They all have 5 ingredients and are a snap to prepare (and they taste great!) So stay tuned....tomorrow will be better...after all, tomorrow is another day. ( Name that movie?)
1.20.2009
1.18.2009
These are a few of my favorite things...
You know the song: When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things and then I don't feel so bad....Enter nuns and mountains and it really is a great song!
This weekend as I was getting ready for our date night (We went to a nice Italian restaurant and ordered something completely wrong--we split it-- that neither of us really liked...but still enjoyed ourselves), I was looking around our little apartment here and realized there are many things that 1) I just absolutely love or 2) Make my life a whole lot easier or a combination of both of those. I decided to compile a list of these items so when, as the song says the dog bites, I can return to this list and "not feel so bad!" :)
In no particular order:
1. Our apartment (which includes washer and dryer hookups)
2. My Yankee Macintosh candles, of course.
3. Bare Minerals makeup
4. Date nights with my husband.
5. Brent sleeping.
6. My rice bag.
7. The dishwasher.
8. Burt's Bee's lip shimmer chapstick
9. My bread machine.
10. This cookbook! (thanks Blythes....I use it a lot)
11. Finding notes around the house like this one on the mirror. 
12. Our couch that was such a steal.
13. Old books -
-My old copy of The Grapes of Wrath that mom and dad gave me last year.
- The Unhappy Hippopotamus that I got when grandma Schoon moved out of her apartment!
14. These banana/peanut butter/ carrot muffins that I make quite a bit (a recipe I got from Carrie)
15. Our Britta water pitcher.
16. My awesome cookware (we had just had fajitas! yum!)
17. Our duvet cover
18. My "Katsma" hoody that says "Eagles Basketball" that Renae gave me (wearing it right now)
19. Our red table and chairs that grandma and grandpa refinished
20. Sharpie Pens 21. Dove (dark)chocolate...with messages on the wrappers
22. My new digital camera from Brent.
23. My plant that I've had since my Junior year of college- Renae and I named it "Regina Phalange" 
(And I'll stop at number 23). I'm sure there are many other things that I could add to this list, but there were so many things that I felt I take forgranted daily that I wanted to recognize here on my blog! :) What would be a few of your favorite things around the house if you had to list them?
This weekend as I was getting ready for our date night (We went to a nice Italian restaurant and ordered something completely wrong--we split it-- that neither of us really liked...but still enjoyed ourselves), I was looking around our little apartment here and realized there are many things that 1) I just absolutely love or 2) Make my life a whole lot easier or a combination of both of those. I decided to compile a list of these items so when, as the song says the dog bites, I can return to this list and "not feel so bad!" :)
In no particular order:
1. Our apartment (which includes washer and dryer hookups)
2. My Yankee Macintosh candles, of course.
3. Bare Minerals makeup 4. Date nights with my husband.
5. Brent sleeping.
6. My rice bag. 7. The dishwasher.
8. Burt's Bee's lip shimmer chapstick
9. My bread machine. 10. This cookbook! (thanks Blythes....I use it a lot)
11. Finding notes around the house like this one on the mirror. 
12. Our couch that was such a steal.
13. Old books -
-My old copy of The Grapes of Wrath that mom and dad gave me last year.
- The Unhappy Hippopotamus that I got when grandma Schoon moved out of her apartment!
14. These banana/peanut butter/ carrot muffins that I make quite a bit (a recipe I got from Carrie)
15. Our Britta water pitcher. 16. My awesome cookware (we had just had fajitas! yum!)
17. Our duvet cover18. My "Katsma" hoody that says "Eagles Basketball" that Renae gave me (wearing it right now)
19. Our red table and chairs that grandma and grandpa refinished
20. Sharpie Pens 21. Dove (dark)chocolate...with messages on the wrappers
22. My new digital camera from Brent.
23. My plant that I've had since my Junior year of college- Renae and I named it "Regina Phalange" 
(And I'll stop at number 23). I'm sure there are many other things that I could add to this list, but there were so many things that I felt I take forgranted daily that I wanted to recognize here on my blog! :) What would be a few of your favorite things around the house if you had to list them?
1.10.2009
pictures...and then some
Today I have been furiously cleaning, unpacking, laundering, unpacking...you get the picture. This week Brent and I decided we would not even attempt to unpack as we were so tired every night after work. We instead left mounds of the remains of a wonderful Christmas vacation, and stepped cautiously (especially in the middle of the night).
However, I began to lose my mind, we told some friends to come over, and alas...I'm not in college anymore and just couldn't live like that! :) Yesterday Brent had the day off and did a WONDERFUL job of picking up our living quarters...taking the Christmas tree down, tiding up, putting our TV on a new TV stand that someone donated to our cause... and I walked in speechless. Thanks Brent. You're awesome. So when I came home from work yesterday I just worried about finishing up a few dishes, figuring out what to make for supper with friends, realized we had no food, made a quick list, ran to the grocery store, cooked a (delicious, I might add) supper (recipe to come soon it was SO good), and enjoyed the evening with friends.
Today, however, after a wonderful morning of sleeping in (Brent unfortunately had to work), I realized I had a bout 4 loads of laundry to do, a kitchen to clean, bills to pay, and....our bedroom where unfortunately a lot had been dumped and our suitcases still were left packed. So I dug in. And I am finally drying the last load of laundry (Speaking of which, how long should it normally take to dry a load of laundry? I feel like our dryer takes FOREVER).
Sidenote: I told Brent when he called earlier that while I was writing bills and licking stamps etc., I was not bitter about all the payments we had to make but instead I was truly grateful for the blessing we have in our ability TO make payments.
Okay, so today hasn't been too eventful and yet I still took up 4 paragraphs talking about it (do I have too much of my father in me? :) So, since I still need to do "the big" trip to the grocery store (and I think it's high time I shower as well) I will leave you with some pictures of our wonderful, 2 week, not long enough, trip home to Missouri!
The few pictures I took before Christmas day and Christmas morning I don't have because...Brent got me a new digital camera! So I was able to give Micah her camera back (thanks so much for lending it to me for so long!). When I opened it there was already one picture on it (below). He was VERY excited to give me this camera! It is a touch screen too! So hopefully I will be better about putting pictures up. One quick note: Brent and I were trying to decide how we want to do gifts for each other (since this is our first Christmas as a married couple), and we decided to follow in the wise counsel of a couple I had the privilege of getting to know while at school (and the privilege of babysitting for their great son!) Carrie said that they follow this poem when buying each other gifts : "Something you want, something you need, something to play with, something to read." We set a budget and stuck with those four things...and had a lot of fun doing it. (Something I need is below...a very cute and comfy pair of brown heels...nice work, Brent!)
After Christmas morning at my house we headed to Grandma Ann's and Grandpa A.J.'s for Christmas with my dad's side of the family.
The boys usually stick pretty close to their uncle Brent when he is around!
Hawkins got a new "grain bin" and we had fun "loading" the semi trucks (with air-soft pellets!)
Beta was a trooper through all the ruckus. (And who would have thought I would have ever have grown to like this dog? )
We later went to Grandma Pat's and had a Christmas get together there...complete with a game of scategories in which I probably got a little too competitive and even called Grandma Pat out :)
And, of course, Tippy wanted to join in on the fun!
We also spent a significant amount of time with some of our favorites, Paige and Torri...and their Wii fit!
And then... a few days before new year's some of my great friends from college called and asked if it would work for them to come spend New Year's eve with me...OF COURSE! They were there for less than 24 hours but it was such a fun time to catch up with these friends...and mom made enough food to feed a small army! :)
With our sparkling grape juice waiting for the ball to drop!
A wonderful surprise arrived the weekend after Christmas...AUNT LINDA and UNCLE ALAN! One day they just pulled up the driveway (when Micah was visiting...which I don't have any pictures of...what?) It was so great to see them again! Thanks for making the trip...it was way too quick in my opinion! (Here is dad giving them directions through the country...sorry!)
Unfortunately she also brought this little guy...a flying monkey that makes noises. You can imagine that Brent AND my dad had a little TOO much fun with this thing:
The boys and Dennis came over to shoot some revolvers. Even Hawkins got in on the action!
The last weekend we were back we traveled down to Joplin for the wedding of some college friends. We were able to stay with a family who came to mean a lot to Brent while he was in Joplin, and what a blessing it was to be with them again. Here is Brent with their youngest, Ella (who would not smile for a picture!)
When we finally got back to Louisville and entered our long-abandoned apartment, I walked in the bathroom to the below sight. Apparently these little seeds/leaves had fallen through our vent! Gross.
That was probably more than you expected to get, but for those of you who razz me about putting up pictures, there you have it. There was of course so much more that did not get documented, but hopefully this gives everyone a glimpse into the time I didn't spend blogging :) It's definitely hard to get back in the swing of things here but.....
there is my dryer!
...duty calls.
However, I began to lose my mind, we told some friends to come over, and alas...I'm not in college anymore and just couldn't live like that! :) Yesterday Brent had the day off and did a WONDERFUL job of picking up our living quarters...taking the Christmas tree down, tiding up, putting our TV on a new TV stand that someone donated to our cause... and I walked in speechless. Thanks Brent. You're awesome. So when I came home from work yesterday I just worried about finishing up a few dishes, figuring out what to make for supper with friends, realized we had no food, made a quick list, ran to the grocery store, cooked a (delicious, I might add) supper (recipe to come soon it was SO good), and enjoyed the evening with friends.
Today, however, after a wonderful morning of sleeping in (Brent unfortunately had to work), I realized I had a bout 4 loads of laundry to do, a kitchen to clean, bills to pay, and....our bedroom where unfortunately a lot had been dumped and our suitcases still were left packed. So I dug in. And I am finally drying the last load of laundry (Speaking of which, how long should it normally take to dry a load of laundry? I feel like our dryer takes FOREVER).
Sidenote: I told Brent when he called earlier that while I was writing bills and licking stamps etc., I was not bitter about all the payments we had to make but instead I was truly grateful for the blessing we have in our ability TO make payments.
Okay, so today hasn't been too eventful and yet I still took up 4 paragraphs talking about it (do I have too much of my father in me? :) So, since I still need to do "the big" trip to the grocery store (and I think it's high time I shower as well) I will leave you with some pictures of our wonderful, 2 week, not long enough, trip home to Missouri!
The few pictures I took before Christmas day and Christmas morning I don't have because...Brent got me a new digital camera! So I was able to give Micah her camera back (thanks so much for lending it to me for so long!). When I opened it there was already one picture on it (below). He was VERY excited to give me this camera! It is a touch screen too! So hopefully I will be better about putting pictures up. One quick note: Brent and I were trying to decide how we want to do gifts for each other (since this is our first Christmas as a married couple), and we decided to follow in the wise counsel of a couple I had the privilege of getting to know while at school (and the privilege of babysitting for their great son!) Carrie said that they follow this poem when buying each other gifts : "Something you want, something you need, something to play with, something to read." We set a budget and stuck with those four things...and had a lot of fun doing it. (Something I need is below...a very cute and comfy pair of brown heels...nice work, Brent!)
After Christmas morning at my house we headed to Grandma Ann's and Grandpa A.J.'s for Christmas with my dad's side of the family.
Brent and Charlee were both pretty entertained by Toy Story 2... 
We then headed over to Brent's house for Christmas with his family. We gave all the boys a little Louisville Slugger bat and a Southeast Christian soccer jersey! (Hawkins threw the ball up into Dawson's face right as I took this picture...and then laughed hysterically.)
We then headed over to Brent's house for Christmas with his family. We gave all the boys a little Louisville Slugger bat and a Southeast Christian soccer jersey! (Hawkins threw the ball up into Dawson's face right as I took this picture...and then laughed hysterically.)
The boys usually stick pretty close to their uncle Brent when he is around!
Hawkins got a new "grain bin" and we had fun "loading" the semi trucks (with air-soft pellets!)
Beta was a trooper through all the ruckus. (And who would have thought I would have ever have grown to like this dog? )
We later went to Grandma Pat's and had a Christmas get together there...complete with a game of scategories in which I probably got a little too competitive and even called Grandma Pat out :)
And, of course, Tippy wanted to join in on the fun!
We also spent a significant amount of time with some of our favorites, Paige and Torri...and their Wii fit!
And then... a few days before new year's some of my great friends from college called and asked if it would work for them to come spend New Year's eve with me...OF COURSE! They were there for less than 24 hours but it was such a fun time to catch up with these friends...and mom made enough food to feed a small army! :)
With our sparkling grape juice waiting for the ball to drop!
He's fancy...
A wonderful surprise arrived the weekend after Christmas...AUNT LINDA and UNCLE ALAN! One day they just pulled up the driveway (when Micah was visiting...which I don't have any pictures of...what?) It was so great to see them again! Thanks for making the trip...it was way too quick in my opinion! (Here is dad giving them directions through the country...sorry!)
Unfortunately she also brought this little guy...a flying monkey that makes noises. You can imagine that Brent AND my dad had a little TOO much fun with this thing:
The boys and Dennis came over to shoot some revolvers. Even Hawkins got in on the action!
The last weekend we were back we traveled down to Joplin for the wedding of some college friends. We were able to stay with a family who came to mean a lot to Brent while he was in Joplin, and what a blessing it was to be with them again. Here is Brent with their youngest, Ella (who would not smile for a picture!)
When we finally got back to Louisville and entered our long-abandoned apartment, I walked in the bathroom to the below sight. Apparently these little seeds/leaves had fallen through our vent! Gross.
That was probably more than you expected to get, but for those of you who razz me about putting up pictures, there you have it. There was of course so much more that did not get documented, but hopefully this gives everyone a glimpse into the time I didn't spend blogging :) It's definitely hard to get back in the swing of things here but.....
there is my dryer!
...duty calls.
1.06.2009
jiggity jig
Here we are back in Louisville after a 2 week vacation that we foolishly thought would be long enough!
Our time at home was wonderful and when I upload my new camera software (Brent's Christmas gift for me), I will upload some photos. This past weekend we were able to drive down to Joplin and attend the wedding of a couple we knew. It was a little overwhelming to see so many familiar faces that we hadn't seen in SO long...we felt like celebrities!! We also had the blessing of staying with the family of the guy who mentored Brent for his last 2 years of college. It was wonderful to sit around the table with them and play with their two wonderful kids! After that trip we drove back to Louisville...10 hours...and then neither of us could get to sleep (I think to many adventures and too much to do back here!), so Monday was not the most fun!!
Like I said, I will update with pictures later (which is way better!).
I did have one perk to returning to the mundane Monday at school... I received the STAR teacher award for the week. Every week a new teacher is nominated by the teacher who previous had the award, and they write up a little blurb about why so-and-so is a star teacher...so our 8th grade math teacher nominated me! So while I was bemoaning another Monday morning, over the loud speaker I hear the news. It's not a big deal, but it was nice to come back to people who support me here too.
Well, it's time to figure out what I'm making for supper. We have very little in our cabinets and fridge but I'm trying to stretch it out until this weekend because I do not want to go to the grocery store...not yet...that's REALLY admitting that vacation is over!
Until next time...
Our time at home was wonderful and when I upload my new camera software (Brent's Christmas gift for me), I will upload some photos. This past weekend we were able to drive down to Joplin and attend the wedding of a couple we knew. It was a little overwhelming to see so many familiar faces that we hadn't seen in SO long...we felt like celebrities!! We also had the blessing of staying with the family of the guy who mentored Brent for his last 2 years of college. It was wonderful to sit around the table with them and play with their two wonderful kids! After that trip we drove back to Louisville...10 hours...and then neither of us could get to sleep (I think to many adventures and too much to do back here!), so Monday was not the most fun!!
Like I said, I will update with pictures later (which is way better!).
I did have one perk to returning to the mundane Monday at school... I received the STAR teacher award for the week. Every week a new teacher is nominated by the teacher who previous had the award, and they write up a little blurb about why so-and-so is a star teacher...so our 8th grade math teacher nominated me! So while I was bemoaning another Monday morning, over the loud speaker I hear the news. It's not a big deal, but it was nice to come back to people who support me here too.
Well, it's time to figure out what I'm making for supper. We have very little in our cabinets and fridge but I'm trying to stretch it out until this weekend because I do not want to go to the grocery store...not yet...that's REALLY admitting that vacation is over!
Until next time...
1.02.2009
a new year...
A friend of mine posted this on her facebook and I thought it would be a fun way to reflect back on 2008, a year of CHANGE in my life.
Where did you begin 2008?Quietly with Brent and his parents at his home.
What was your status by Valentine's Day?Engaged.
Did you have to go to the hospital? A few times-- once just this past Thanksgiving for strep! :)
Did you have any encounters with the police?Yes, my dad got accepted to the Highway Patrol...so I would say I've had some close encounters ;)
Where did you go on vacation?Colorado on our honeymoon (and Nashville for the 4th of July!)
Did you know anybody who got married?Of course, I'm 22...a couple come to the forefront of my mind though: such as Renae and Jared, and Brent and me
What sporting events did you attend?Northwestern ladies winning the national championship! Louisville Bats games, derby races at churchhill downs, and church league softball and basketball games.
Where do you live now? Louisville, KY - who would have thought!
Describe your birthday?One of the best...Renae planned a big surprise party for me and my friend Jenny took me out to coffee as a decoy after we got done student teaching that day.she brought me back to my apartment where about 25 of my friends from college were gathered, all who had pitched in to give me a 100 dollar giftcard to Borders and a 50 dollar gift card to Bed, Bath, and Beyond! I was blown away by their thoughtfulness and that Renae had managed to make it all happen!! It was wonderful!
What's the one thing you thought you would never do but did in 2008?Taught 8th graders.
Any new additions to your family?BRENT!
What was your best month?The middle of May to the middle of June...that counts as a month, right? Graduation, weddings, my wedding, honeymoon...family and friends galore!
Any regrets?Not realizing how much I would miss Northwestern and my friends before I left the place.
What do you want to change in 2009?I'm not quite sure, but I'm sure a lot will change. I would like to feel more settled no matter what happens. I would also like my trust in God to change...become deeper.
Overall, how would you rate this year on a scale of 1 to 10? January through April: 8.5, May through June: 10. 5!, July- August: 6.5, September through October: 2, November through December: a steady 7.5. (Yeah, it's been a roller coaster of emotions).
Have any life changes in 2008? Better question would be did anything remain the same?...
Change your hairstyle?Drasticlly...figured everything else was different- why not!?!
Get a new job?Of course, because that's another one of the major stress factors people can have, and I wanted to cover all the bases...teaching 8th graders! :)
.How old did you turn this year?22
Did anything embarrassing happen?Probably.... I know I accidently cussed in front of my Seniors when student teaching trying to say "SHEET of paper"... and I know I've had my fair share of slip ups with the 8th graders...but I roll on :)
Be honest - did you watch American Idol?First season I ever watched--and it was a guy from MO who won!
Start a new hobby?Watching Jon and Kate Plus 8 and playing cards and Scrabble with friends.
Drank Starbucks in 2008?Yes, only when I have gotten gift cards though. (thanks Micah :) --and some random students!)
Are you happy to see 2008 go?Bittersweet I suppose...it was the end of a lot of great things in my life, but the beginning of more.
What school did you go to?Northwestern...and then South Oldham Middle!
What's something that you shouldn’t have done but enjoyed doing?Not using the summer to prepare for the fall school year, but instead going to the pool in our apartment complex almost ever single day (mainly because I was going stir crazy by July but knew no one and knew where nothing was!)
Did you change much?Leaps and bounds, my friends, LEAPS and BOUNDS!
Are you happy with who you have become?I'm still me...just a little further down the grown up spectrum...so sure. It sometimes hurts to change that much though.
Did you fall in love?I already was in love...
Did you kiss anyone?Once or twice.
Did you go to any camps?Camp? Uh, no. Unfortunately that season in my life has withered away...but I know I thought about my days at camp at least a few times this year.
Did you see any movies at the theatres?I think three. I can remember two, and I'm sure there was at least one more. We don't go much.
What's a song you were hooked on? Come and Listen, by David Crowder. My friend Becker pointed it out to me when I was trying to think of songs for when the wedding party would walk down the aisle...it was perfect, and Becker sang :)
Did you go to the beach?Nope. But Kali is at one while I type this...jealous.
Did you get really dressed up for anything?I had a gig in June.
What are some inside jokes for the year?"Did you just fake Nerts!" "It is a little warm in here!"
What is the funniest thing that happened? I have been way too blessed to be surrounded by people who make me laugh frequently-- a few I recall: many late nights with Renae, who knows what was so funny: The first night we hung out with Shane and Meagan: A lot of my students: and Becker's story about a kid with a lisp at her daycare who said, "Misth Elithabeth, I justh bonked my penisth on the blue pole over there...can I get an icthe pack or sthomething?"
What is the saddest thing that happened?Moving away from everything and everyone that was familiar.
What is something that really made you smile? Brent. Constantly. :) (and just recently Aunt Linda's surprise visit!!!)
What are your plans for New Years?We spent New Year's at my house with Jess, Becker, Jenny, Brandon, Paige and my parents. It was SO great to laugh with old friends again.
Think back to the beginning of the year and now think of now what’s different?New city, new apartment, new marriage, new friends, new job, new loans, new directions, new hair, new last name....
What’s the same? Same great God in charge of it all, same great man beside me through all the change.
How was your last winter?Bitterly cold in the gusting below zero wind of northwest Iowa, but wonderfully simple and peaceful.
Spring? The snow finally melted in April, I believe, I finished student teacher (what a WONDERFUL experience), Brent and I decided to move to Kentucky, I got a job, and graduated.
Summer? Married off one of my best friends, married one of my best friends, moved away from most friends, unpacked, unpacked, nested, went to the pool and read books.
Fall? Hard... but good to go through with Brent. We made some great friends too and FINALLY felt a little bit more settled with our jobs.
Was 2008 your best year? I have no idea...a lot of really great things happened though! I'm looking forward to what God has in store for us in 2009 though and constantly trying to remember what Jim Elliot said: Wherever you are BE ALL THERE; live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.
May you all have a happy and blessed New Year!! It sure was great to see some of you over the holidays!
Where did you begin 2008?Quietly with Brent and his parents at his home.
What was your status by Valentine's Day?Engaged.
Did you have to go to the hospital? A few times-- once just this past Thanksgiving for strep! :)
Did you have any encounters with the police?Yes, my dad got accepted to the Highway Patrol...so I would say I've had some close encounters ;)
Where did you go on vacation?Colorado on our honeymoon (and Nashville for the 4th of July!)
Did you know anybody who got married?Of course, I'm 22...a couple come to the forefront of my mind though: such as Renae and Jared, and Brent and me
What sporting events did you attend?Northwestern ladies winning the national championship! Louisville Bats games, derby races at churchhill downs, and church league softball and basketball games.
Where do you live now? Louisville, KY - who would have thought!
Describe your birthday?One of the best...Renae planned a big surprise party for me and my friend Jenny took me out to coffee as a decoy after we got done student teaching that day.she brought me back to my apartment where about 25 of my friends from college were gathered, all who had pitched in to give me a 100 dollar giftcard to Borders and a 50 dollar gift card to Bed, Bath, and Beyond! I was blown away by their thoughtfulness and that Renae had managed to make it all happen!! It was wonderful!
What's the one thing you thought you would never do but did in 2008?Taught 8th graders.
Any new additions to your family?BRENT!
What was your best month?The middle of May to the middle of June...that counts as a month, right? Graduation, weddings, my wedding, honeymoon...family and friends galore!
Any regrets?Not realizing how much I would miss Northwestern and my friends before I left the place.
What do you want to change in 2009?I'm not quite sure, but I'm sure a lot will change. I would like to feel more settled no matter what happens. I would also like my trust in God to change...become deeper.
Overall, how would you rate this year on a scale of 1 to 10? January through April: 8.5, May through June: 10. 5!, July- August: 6.5, September through October: 2, November through December: a steady 7.5. (Yeah, it's been a roller coaster of emotions).
Have any life changes in 2008? Better question would be did anything remain the same?...
Change your hairstyle?Drasticlly...figured everything else was different- why not!?!
Get a new job?Of course, because that's another one of the major stress factors people can have, and I wanted to cover all the bases...teaching 8th graders! :)
.How old did you turn this year?22
Did anything embarrassing happen?Probably.... I know I accidently cussed in front of my Seniors when student teaching trying to say "SHEET of paper"... and I know I've had my fair share of slip ups with the 8th graders...but I roll on :)
Be honest - did you watch American Idol?First season I ever watched--and it was a guy from MO who won!
Start a new hobby?Watching Jon and Kate Plus 8 and playing cards and Scrabble with friends.
Drank Starbucks in 2008?Yes, only when I have gotten gift cards though. (thanks Micah :) --and some random students!)
Are you happy to see 2008 go?Bittersweet I suppose...it was the end of a lot of great things in my life, but the beginning of more.
What school did you go to?Northwestern...and then South Oldham Middle!
What's something that you shouldn’t have done but enjoyed doing?Not using the summer to prepare for the fall school year, but instead going to the pool in our apartment complex almost ever single day (mainly because I was going stir crazy by July but knew no one and knew where nothing was!)
Did you change much?Leaps and bounds, my friends, LEAPS and BOUNDS!
Are you happy with who you have become?I'm still me...just a little further down the grown up spectrum...so sure. It sometimes hurts to change that much though.
Did you fall in love?I already was in love...
Did you kiss anyone?Once or twice.
Did you go to any camps?Camp? Uh, no. Unfortunately that season in my life has withered away...but I know I thought about my days at camp at least a few times this year.
Did you see any movies at the theatres?I think three. I can remember two, and I'm sure there was at least one more. We don't go much.
What's a song you were hooked on? Come and Listen, by David Crowder. My friend Becker pointed it out to me when I was trying to think of songs for when the wedding party would walk down the aisle...it was perfect, and Becker sang :)
Did you go to the beach?Nope. But Kali is at one while I type this...jealous.
Did you get really dressed up for anything?I had a gig in June.
What are some inside jokes for the year?"Did you just fake Nerts!" "It is a little warm in here!"
What is the funniest thing that happened? I have been way too blessed to be surrounded by people who make me laugh frequently-- a few I recall: many late nights with Renae, who knows what was so funny: The first night we hung out with Shane and Meagan: A lot of my students: and Becker's story about a kid with a lisp at her daycare who said, "Misth Elithabeth, I justh bonked my penisth on the blue pole over there...can I get an icthe pack or sthomething?"
What is the saddest thing that happened?Moving away from everything and everyone that was familiar.
What is something that really made you smile? Brent. Constantly. :) (and just recently Aunt Linda's surprise visit!!!)
What are your plans for New Years?We spent New Year's at my house with Jess, Becker, Jenny, Brandon, Paige and my parents. It was SO great to laugh with old friends again.
Think back to the beginning of the year and now think of now what’s different?New city, new apartment, new marriage, new friends, new job, new loans, new directions, new hair, new last name....
What’s the same? Same great God in charge of it all, same great man beside me through all the change.
How was your last winter?Bitterly cold in the gusting below zero wind of northwest Iowa, but wonderfully simple and peaceful.
Spring? The snow finally melted in April, I believe, I finished student teacher (what a WONDERFUL experience), Brent and I decided to move to Kentucky, I got a job, and graduated.
Summer? Married off one of my best friends, married one of my best friends, moved away from most friends, unpacked, unpacked, nested, went to the pool and read books.
Fall? Hard... but good to go through with Brent. We made some great friends too and FINALLY felt a little bit more settled with our jobs.
Was 2008 your best year? I have no idea...a lot of really great things happened though! I'm looking forward to what God has in store for us in 2009 though and constantly trying to remember what Jim Elliot said: Wherever you are BE ALL THERE; live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.
May you all have a happy and blessed New Year!! It sure was great to see some of you over the holidays!
12.30.2008
nothing quite like it
Brent and I have been home now for about a week and a half. We will have to head back to Louisville this weekend, but are trying not to think about that!
There really is nothing quite like being at home. Being surrounded by things you know and people who know you... there is truly something medicinal about it all. Yesterday Brent and I were driving into St. Joe, a drive that we have probably driven about 500 + times in our lives (or so it seems...) and yet yesterday I was just soaking it in. I had this moment, watching the hills and pastures roll by, and Brent wasn't saying anything and more surprisingly I wasn't saying anything-- we were both just totally THERE. Living in the city now I feel like that awareness side of me, the side that notices the new calves and the hawks on fenceposts (or "statue birds" like I used to call them) is gone. But when I returned to my "roots" I was relieved to find out that it was still there.
Brent and I also had an interesting conversation shortly after these thoughts ran through my head on our drive. Brent simply said, "It's amazing that our brain can still remember how to get everywhere back home." It is something I hadn't taken the time to stop and think about, but it's heartwarming to realize that we don't just push old memories out of the way and replace them with our new directions, and locations, and numbers, and addresses etc. We retain them. This relieved me as I thought of this simple truth regarding directions, because I realized this was the bigger truth I was realizing while being home. Since this is the first big trip home that we have taken, we were both maybe slightly apprehensive that what we once felt when we were home wouldn't stick...yet, just like directions to st. joe, it is a part of us, and just as easily we are able to resume our position in our homes.
We have been able to relax a lot, but we have also done our share fair of "bouncing" as I like to call it. Since our families live about 20/25 minutes away from each other, we just bounce back and forth. It is nice that our families are close and that we don't have to decide one place to spend the holidays, but sometimes it feels like we're shortchanging everybody! Christmas day was a good example: Christmas morning was spent at my house, then by 2 we were at my dad's parents with his side of the family and by 5 we were at Brent's house with his family! Whew. That doesn't take into account all the other Christmases we have had while being home...but it sure is great to see everyone. I even got a big surprise when Aunt Linda and Uncle Alan pulled into our driveway on Saturday!! Everyone had kept it a secret from me and it was SO good to hug A.L. again...I think I want to have her on my birthday cake this year :) I have also been able to spend some quality "play time" with Paige and Torri, always a treat, and not enough, but some time with Micah. Another fun surprise came when some of my closest college friends called yesterday and said, "Hey, if you think it would be alright we would love to come and spend New Year's with you?" OF COURSE! So tomorrow I get to surround myself yet again with some old memories that have not yet been pushed aside!
I have taken some pictures that I hope to post when I get back to Louisville (Brent got me a new touch screen digital camera for Christmas, so I have pictures!). But for now, I don't want to waste anymore time I could be spending with the wonderful people that are around me right now.
There really is nothing quite like being at home. Being surrounded by things you know and people who know you... there is truly something medicinal about it all. Yesterday Brent and I were driving into St. Joe, a drive that we have probably driven about 500 + times in our lives (or so it seems...) and yet yesterday I was just soaking it in. I had this moment, watching the hills and pastures roll by, and Brent wasn't saying anything and more surprisingly I wasn't saying anything-- we were both just totally THERE. Living in the city now I feel like that awareness side of me, the side that notices the new calves and the hawks on fenceposts (or "statue birds" like I used to call them) is gone. But when I returned to my "roots" I was relieved to find out that it was still there.
Brent and I also had an interesting conversation shortly after these thoughts ran through my head on our drive. Brent simply said, "It's amazing that our brain can still remember how to get everywhere back home." It is something I hadn't taken the time to stop and think about, but it's heartwarming to realize that we don't just push old memories out of the way and replace them with our new directions, and locations, and numbers, and addresses etc. We retain them. This relieved me as I thought of this simple truth regarding directions, because I realized this was the bigger truth I was realizing while being home. Since this is the first big trip home that we have taken, we were both maybe slightly apprehensive that what we once felt when we were home wouldn't stick...yet, just like directions to st. joe, it is a part of us, and just as easily we are able to resume our position in our homes.
We have been able to relax a lot, but we have also done our share fair of "bouncing" as I like to call it. Since our families live about 20/25 minutes away from each other, we just bounce back and forth. It is nice that our families are close and that we don't have to decide one place to spend the holidays, but sometimes it feels like we're shortchanging everybody! Christmas day was a good example: Christmas morning was spent at my house, then by 2 we were at my dad's parents with his side of the family and by 5 we were at Brent's house with his family! Whew. That doesn't take into account all the other Christmases we have had while being home...but it sure is great to see everyone. I even got a big surprise when Aunt Linda and Uncle Alan pulled into our driveway on Saturday!! Everyone had kept it a secret from me and it was SO good to hug A.L. again...I think I want to have her on my birthday cake this year :) I have also been able to spend some quality "play time" with Paige and Torri, always a treat, and not enough, but some time with Micah. Another fun surprise came when some of my closest college friends called yesterday and said, "Hey, if you think it would be alright we would love to come and spend New Year's with you?" OF COURSE! So tomorrow I get to surround myself yet again with some old memories that have not yet been pushed aside!
I have taken some pictures that I hope to post when I get back to Louisville (Brent got me a new touch screen digital camera for Christmas, so I have pictures!). But for now, I don't want to waste anymore time I could be spending with the wonderful people that are around me right now.
12.23.2008
Christmas isn't Christmas, 'till it happens in your hearts...
(The title of this post is an old Christmas tune I once sang at a kid's Christmas concert at church and I always think of it at this time of year...it's so elemental, yet beautifully true.)
The real reason for this post is three-fold:
1) I left a lot hanging with my last post...I DID recover from what HAD to be something I ate- yuck. I finished the week at school complete with kids crazy for Christmas break! Brent and I then journeyed to Missouri late Friday night, and despite our check engine light coming on before St. Louis we made it home safely and have been enjoying time here ever since.
2) I am just going to say it up front: my blogging may be sparse now that I'm at home. Not only are Brent and I busy splitting time between our two wonderful families, we are also busy sleeping in, napping, reading, sleeping, watching movies, and partaking in many other important ventures. :) I hope to update at least once or twice more before we head back to Louisville after the new year.
3) I actually mailed out Christmas letters this year (yeah, talk about feeling like an adult! Whew! It was exhilarating...and surprisingly costly! ) Anyway, needless to say I underestimated the amount of pictures I would need, and then ran out of time tracking down every one's addresses. So, I figure if you are interested enough in my life to check my blog periodically, and you did not receive a Christmas letter from me: shame on me...BUT here it is for you! There were a few pictures with it, but since I'm not on my computer I can't put those back on here...but if you missed it in the mail: here it is!!! Just for you...
Hello from Louisville, Kentucky! We still can’t quite believe we are here, but we’re more and more certain that this is just where God wanted us for this time. We can’t believe that it has already been 6 months since we packed up everything we could and headed out east, but it really is time to start thinking about Christmas and what next year holds.
If I had to summarize our past year in one word it would be CHANGE (not meaning to echo any political campaigns, either J). Not only a year ago both Brent and I were busy college seniors anxiously awaiting what lay ahead of us. In April Brent secured a year long internship/job at Southeast Christian Church here in Louisville (www.southeastchristian.org). After much prayer and many tears thinking about leaving home, we knew we were to follow that call. We both graduated in May, I landed a job at South Oldham Middle School (in the number 1 school district in the state of Kentucky) teaching 8th grade Language Arts. During this job hunt we were busy finishing up final papers and making last minute plans for our upcoming wedding.
June 7th came with no rain and we still reflect on how perfect it was to get married in my grandparent’s garden. We only wish we would have had more time to spend with all of you who made the trip to share that special day.
After a wonderful and relaxing honeymoon to Colorado, it was time to load the truck, say some very hard goodbyes, cram as many memories of home in our bags as we could, and make our big move eastward. I’ll never forget that Tuesday in June when we unloaded everything, Brent drove off to work, and I waved goodbye to family. I looked around the apartment full of boxes and belongings and knew the romance and newness of it all had faded.
Slowly the boxes were unpacked. Slowly we began to make friends (which the Schoon family would be proud to know we taught Nerts), and slowly we felt more settled. In October a fellow teacher of mine hugged me and said, “Wow! I can’t believe everything you have been through and accomplished in the last few months!” I immediately melted into tears simply in appreciation for someone recognizing everything we’ve done since May.
It has been lonely at times, and it has been thrilling at times, but overall Brent and I are happy to be able to share so much time together and figure out the beauty of marriage on our own. We miss family and home deeply, but are thankful for this time to become “The Irwins.” Brent is really enjoying his job in the Sport’s and Fitness ministry at our church. He has helped organize and prepare for softball, soccer, basketball, racquetball, and volleyball (did I miss anything?!). He is currently coaching a young basketball team of 8 and 9 year olds, and we are taking advantage of such a wonderful sports complex so near by. We are both playing in the adult basketball league, and let’s just say that his team has been slightly more successful than mine! As far as my job goes….whew!!! I’m tired A LOT. I remember being an 8th grader and I think 8th graders just make people tired wherever they go J but I am also beginning to see some of the benefits of teaching. Just recently I asked my students to write “Why I write…” and what they produced moved me to tears. I posted it on my blog if you want to check it out and see what 8th graders truly are capable of: www.kelseylynae.blogspot.com. (Duh...I think you got this)
With all this CHANGE Brent and I have become ever more grateful for everything in our past that has made us who we are. We are thankful for family dinners around the table that faded into hour long conversations. We are thankful for friends who never wanted to be entertained but just wanted to be with us. We are grateful for family that invested in us, prayed for us, and walked with us. We are grateful for a God that goes before us and beside us.
Has all the CHANGE that marriage, moving, and new jobs brought us been easy? NO, but we are ever-thankful for the life we have been given, for the gift we have in each other, and for the Savior we celebrate this season. We look forward to spending two full weeks at home over Christmas relaxing with friends and family, and recharging in the land that made us who we are. Whatever you may be doing this year for Christmas may the Lord of every CHANGE in our lives bless you, and may you be refreshed and renewed by His goodness as the new year begins.
Love and Blessings,
Brent and Kelsey
The real reason for this post is three-fold:
1) I left a lot hanging with my last post...I DID recover from what HAD to be something I ate- yuck. I finished the week at school complete with kids crazy for Christmas break! Brent and I then journeyed to Missouri late Friday night, and despite our check engine light coming on before St. Louis we made it home safely and have been enjoying time here ever since.
2) I am just going to say it up front: my blogging may be sparse now that I'm at home. Not only are Brent and I busy splitting time between our two wonderful families, we are also busy sleeping in, napping, reading, sleeping, watching movies, and partaking in many other important ventures. :) I hope to update at least once or twice more before we head back to Louisville after the new year.
3) I actually mailed out Christmas letters this year (yeah, talk about feeling like an adult! Whew! It was exhilarating...and surprisingly costly! ) Anyway, needless to say I underestimated the amount of pictures I would need, and then ran out of time tracking down every one's addresses. So, I figure if you are interested enough in my life to check my blog periodically, and you did not receive a Christmas letter from me: shame on me...BUT here it is for you! There were a few pictures with it, but since I'm not on my computer I can't put those back on here...but if you missed it in the mail: here it is!!! Just for you...
Hello from Louisville, Kentucky! We still can’t quite believe we are here, but we’re more and more certain that this is just where God wanted us for this time. We can’t believe that it has already been 6 months since we packed up everything we could and headed out east, but it really is time to start thinking about Christmas and what next year holds.
If I had to summarize our past year in one word it would be CHANGE (not meaning to echo any political campaigns, either J). Not only a year ago both Brent and I were busy college seniors anxiously awaiting what lay ahead of us. In April Brent secured a year long internship/job at Southeast Christian Church here in Louisville (www.southeastchristian.org). After much prayer and many tears thinking about leaving home, we knew we were to follow that call. We both graduated in May, I landed a job at South Oldham Middle School (in the number 1 school district in the state of Kentucky) teaching 8th grade Language Arts. During this job hunt we were busy finishing up final papers and making last minute plans for our upcoming wedding.
June 7th came with no rain and we still reflect on how perfect it was to get married in my grandparent’s garden. We only wish we would have had more time to spend with all of you who made the trip to share that special day.
After a wonderful and relaxing honeymoon to Colorado, it was time to load the truck, say some very hard goodbyes, cram as many memories of home in our bags as we could, and make our big move eastward. I’ll never forget that Tuesday in June when we unloaded everything, Brent drove off to work, and I waved goodbye to family. I looked around the apartment full of boxes and belongings and knew the romance and newness of it all had faded.
Slowly the boxes were unpacked. Slowly we began to make friends (which the Schoon family would be proud to know we taught Nerts), and slowly we felt more settled. In October a fellow teacher of mine hugged me and said, “Wow! I can’t believe everything you have been through and accomplished in the last few months!” I immediately melted into tears simply in appreciation for someone recognizing everything we’ve done since May.
It has been lonely at times, and it has been thrilling at times, but overall Brent and I are happy to be able to share so much time together and figure out the beauty of marriage on our own. We miss family and home deeply, but are thankful for this time to become “The Irwins.” Brent is really enjoying his job in the Sport’s and Fitness ministry at our church. He has helped organize and prepare for softball, soccer, basketball, racquetball, and volleyball (did I miss anything?!). He is currently coaching a young basketball team of 8 and 9 year olds, and we are taking advantage of such a wonderful sports complex so near by. We are both playing in the adult basketball league, and let’s just say that his team has been slightly more successful than mine! As far as my job goes….whew!!! I’m tired A LOT. I remember being an 8th grader and I think 8th graders just make people tired wherever they go J but I am also beginning to see some of the benefits of teaching. Just recently I asked my students to write “Why I write…” and what they produced moved me to tears. I posted it on my blog if you want to check it out and see what 8th graders truly are capable of: www.kelseylynae.blogspot.com. (Duh...I think you got this)
With all this CHANGE Brent and I have become ever more grateful for everything in our past that has made us who we are. We are thankful for family dinners around the table that faded into hour long conversations. We are thankful for friends who never wanted to be entertained but just wanted to be with us. We are grateful for family that invested in us, prayed for us, and walked with us. We are grateful for a God that goes before us and beside us.
Has all the CHANGE that marriage, moving, and new jobs brought us been easy? NO, but we are ever-thankful for the life we have been given, for the gift we have in each other, and for the Savior we celebrate this season. We look forward to spending two full weeks at home over Christmas relaxing with friends and family, and recharging in the land that made us who we are. Whatever you may be doing this year for Christmas may the Lord of every CHANGE in our lives bless you, and may you be refreshed and renewed by His goodness as the new year begins.
Love and Blessings,
Brent and Kelsey
12.15.2008
what in the world?
Strep over Thanksgiving and now this?!
We had some friends over yesterday for lunch and over the next 20 hours some how or another all of us got sick. Unfortunately, I got it the worst. I called in sick today (or actually filled out my "subfinder" request online...everything is so impersonal, isn't it?). I'm feeling better now and even managed to eat some of my favorite noodles.
I am typically a very healthy person. I DO NOT like being sick (of course, when I write that down it begs the question, "who really does, Kelsey?"). Maybe I should say it this way: I am a very pathetic and unhappy camper when I am sick. I'm trying to be better, and Brent has been fantastic, but I feel like I have the right to display how miserable I really feel...is there anything wrong with this?
I only have four more days until Christmas break, and I know I can survive, but it is so weird that I have been as sick as I have been this year. Weird. I just want it to be Friday, for the drive home to be over, and to wake up to mom's homemade toast and FEEL BETTER....
We had some friends over yesterday for lunch and over the next 20 hours some how or another all of us got sick. Unfortunately, I got it the worst. I called in sick today (or actually filled out my "subfinder" request online...everything is so impersonal, isn't it?). I'm feeling better now and even managed to eat some of my favorite noodles.
I am typically a very healthy person. I DO NOT like being sick (of course, when I write that down it begs the question, "who really does, Kelsey?"). Maybe I should say it this way: I am a very pathetic and unhappy camper when I am sick. I'm trying to be better, and Brent has been fantastic, but I feel like I have the right to display how miserable I really feel...is there anything wrong with this?
I only have four more days until Christmas break, and I know I can survive, but it is so weird that I have been as sick as I have been this year. Weird. I just want it to be Friday, for the drive home to be over, and to wake up to mom's homemade toast and FEEL BETTER....
12.13.2008
is it really almost Christmas? whew
For some reason my blog has not been updated since Dec. 1. Weird. If someone wants to look into that I would really appreciate it. :)
I have a large stack of papers that need to be graded (and I would prefer getting them done before break - this Friday) so I am going to try to accomplish two things with this post: a good update for all of you faithfuls who have been patiently withstanding my tardiness, and brevity (the latter of which is not my strong suit).
Since my last post:
- Thanksgiving...at home. Beautiful. And even though I had strep throat it was wonderful to be with family. Unfortunately, because I didn't feel very well I took very few pictures. Here are a few that I was able to get with our nephews (who we hadn't seen since JUNE!)
-Since Kali and Dan were at home for Thanksgiving, but will be traveling to California for CHristmas, we decided to give Mom and Dad their present while we were all home. The four of us "kids" all went in together and were SO excited to give them their new flat screen TV! Needless to say, they were very overwhelmed and thankful.
- Final KTIP observation for cycle 1 is complete (2 more cycles to go...) I received very good reviews and the board member who is on my KTIP committee asked me if there is anyone else from my college who needs a job :)
- Brent and I decorated for Christmas last weekend (with the few decorations we have...I'm waiting for the sales after Christmas this year to stock up a little...but don't worry, I won't go overboard). We put up our Christmas tree, including out "First Christmas Together" ornament :), our nativity set, which was passed onto us by Renae and Jared (who, strangely enough, did not register for a nativity set but received 3 for their wedding in MAY...weird), and a poinsettia that one of my students gave me.
- Last Sunday we had a phenomenal message at church which I would encourage all of you to check out and listen to online if you have a moment (I usually just turn it on the computer and then crank it up while I clean) : http://www.southeastchristian.org/sermons/?id=808. I was expecting a "typical" Christmas message, which sounds horrible to say... but I think this Christmas season pushes a lot of us into a routine place of "Yep...Jesus is the reason..." But this Sunday I was shaken out of that place. The sermon started with the sanctuary lights being turned off, and when you're sitting in a room with 10,000 other people and you can't see anything, you're are uncomfortable...and you're listening. The premise was this:
-Until you grasp the extent of the darkness in this world you won't be able to truly celebrate the light of Christmas
- Are we still afraid of the dark...within us?
- He talked about the history of Christmas lights: That in medieval times they wanted to create something to hang up that would remind them of the LIGHT of Christmas: Jesus in a dark world.
I would just really encourage you to check it out if you are finding your self needing a step back from the chaos of Christmas, a step back from the world... a step out of the darkness so you can truly appreciate the LIGHT of this season!
- Brent had an interesting day at work. For the all-staff Christmas pary each department at the church puts together a "float" and they have a parade and then worship and food and all that good stuff. He said it was a really fun day: everyone leaves at noon, gets paid until 5 for the day, and there is happiness all around :) Brent's sports and fitness crew decided to do a "political" themed float and ordered masks online. They made a replica of the whitehouse for their float, and Brent was a secret service guy. The picture is a little far away, but there is a Palin, Clinton, Obama, and Bush (the McCain mask didn't come in in time. Brent is on the left holding a paintball gun)
We leave to go back home for TWO WEEKS on Friday, and could not be more excited. Hopefully this update has sufficed...May you remember the Light of this Christmas season!
I have a large stack of papers that need to be graded (and I would prefer getting them done before break - this Friday) so I am going to try to accomplish two things with this post: a good update for all of you faithfuls who have been patiently withstanding my tardiness, and brevity (the latter of which is not my strong suit).
Since my last post:
- Thanksgiving...at home. Beautiful. And even though I had strep throat it was wonderful to be with family. Unfortunately, because I didn't feel very well I took very few pictures. Here are a few that I was able to get with our nephews (who we hadn't seen since JUNE!)
-Since Kali and Dan were at home for Thanksgiving, but will be traveling to California for CHristmas, we decided to give Mom and Dad their present while we were all home. The four of us "kids" all went in together and were SO excited to give them their new flat screen TV! Needless to say, they were very overwhelmed and thankful.
- Final KTIP observation for cycle 1 is complete (2 more cycles to go...) I received very good reviews and the board member who is on my KTIP committee asked me if there is anyone else from my college who needs a job :) - Brent and I decorated for Christmas last weekend (with the few decorations we have...I'm waiting for the sales after Christmas this year to stock up a little...but don't worry, I won't go overboard). We put up our Christmas tree, including out "First Christmas Together" ornament :), our nativity set, which was passed onto us by Renae and Jared (who, strangely enough, did not register for a nativity set but received 3 for their wedding in MAY...weird), and a poinsettia that one of my students gave me.
- Last Sunday we had a phenomenal message at church which I would encourage all of you to check out and listen to online if you have a moment (I usually just turn it on the computer and then crank it up while I clean) : http://www.southeastchristian.org/sermons/?id=808. I was expecting a "typical" Christmas message, which sounds horrible to say... but I think this Christmas season pushes a lot of us into a routine place of "Yep...Jesus is the reason..." But this Sunday I was shaken out of that place. The sermon started with the sanctuary lights being turned off, and when you're sitting in a room with 10,000 other people and you can't see anything, you're are uncomfortable...and you're listening. The premise was this:
-Until you grasp the extent of the darkness in this world you won't be able to truly celebrate the light of Christmas
- Are we still afraid of the dark...within us?
- He talked about the history of Christmas lights: That in medieval times they wanted to create something to hang up that would remind them of the LIGHT of Christmas: Jesus in a dark world.
I would just really encourage you to check it out if you are finding your self needing a step back from the chaos of Christmas, a step back from the world... a step out of the darkness so you can truly appreciate the LIGHT of this season!
- Brent had an interesting day at work. For the all-staff Christmas pary each department at the church puts together a "float" and they have a parade and then worship and food and all that good stuff. He said it was a really fun day: everyone leaves at noon, gets paid until 5 for the day, and there is happiness all around :) Brent's sports and fitness crew decided to do a "political" themed float and ordered masks online. They made a replica of the whitehouse for their float, and Brent was a secret service guy. The picture is a little far away, but there is a Palin, Clinton, Obama, and Bush (the McCain mask didn't come in in time. Brent is on the left holding a paintball gun)
We leave to go back home for TWO WEEKS on Friday, and could not be more excited. Hopefully this update has sufficed...May you remember the Light of this Christmas season!
12.01.2008
student's writing
As promised, here is what I put together of my students' writings (I will blog about Thanksgiving at another time.)
If you feel like "kids these days" just don't understand, or that they have lost a love for words to video games and t.v. shows, then you need to read this! :) The Friday before Thanksgiving for my student's writer's notebook's invitation (they write for 10 minutes everyday in these), I simply asked them to record why they write. I read them a chapter from Natalie Goldberg's "Writing Down the Bones," & then I turned on the classical music for 10 minutes and in the lamp light (Oh yes, I really set the mood, don't I?) they wrote these words that moved me to tears.
Just when I had almost lost hope in them and in their ability to really feel writing, they gave me true inspiration and art.
I looked through all 120 notebooks and could have typed up 20 pages...but I pulled out the ones that refreshed something in me, or that broke something in me, or that made me want to pick up my pen and write.
So here you have it, why Mrs. Irwin's 8th grade Language Arts classes write:
I write.....
- Because it takes me anywhere I want to go.
- Because it influences me every time I write a piece.
- Because it makes me feel good about myself.
- Because if I didn’t, the monster would unleash itself.
- Because it is the only thing that keeps me contained.
- Because I am heartbroken, and need to mend my shattered heart.
- Because my heart is overfilled with emptiness, and I am in hopes of filling it with emotion.
- Because I don’t have the guts to say things in person.
- Because I am shallow; like a creek without water.
- Because they are my stories, my imagination coming out on paper.
- To see a new world.
- Because I’m full of mistakes.
- So I can start a new page.
- Because I’m only 13.
- To answer my questions.
- Because my teachers say I talk too much.
- Because I have ADHD.
- Because it is a never ending story.
- To see myself grow.
- It’s the only thing I know I’m good at.
- Because somebody will eventually read it and feel the same way.
- Because it’s a part of me: just like singing, and dancing, and my family.
- Because I can hit words instead of people.
- Because it takes the edge off of some pretty embarrassing things.
- Because I can’t say it out loud.
- Because everyone passed by too quickly.
- Because I can create a world and rule it with an iron fist.
- Because I am ignored.
- To start a riot.
- Because I don’t know how to stick up for myself.
- Because telling people things to their face is not what I do.
- Because my feelings get hurt easily and I don’t show it.
- Because I can’t handle the truth.
- Because I can’t take this anymore.
- Because nobody is perfect.
- Because I made another mistake.
- Because if you’re really writing you have the feeling you could go on forever and you just stop thinking about it and you just let the thoughts flow freely.
- Because I need to keep myself from going crazy.
- Because I need to get over my anger.
- Because it makes time go by quicker.
- Because it’s not the end of the world, it’s a new beginning.
- Because I have a story to tell everyone.
- Because it calms me down.
- Because I let go during writing.
- Because I don’t have to stop.
- Because there is no limit.
- Because nothing goes wrong while writing.
- Because it never holds you back.
- Because it’s a way of life.
- Because it always agrees with you.
- Because it never talks back.
- To keep my brain active.
- To persuade.
- To change the world.
- To impress people.
- Because the world is messed up.
- Because nobody listens.
- Because that’s a piece of Springdale, Arkansas—home—that I don’t want to let go.
- Because I’m afraid of being judged.
- Because it’s my peace of mind.
- Because it makes up for hesitations and regret.
- Because it lets me be where I want to be, to see who I want to see, to say what I want to say, and not have to think twice about it.
- Because I want to compare my handwriting from another day.
- Because I love the feel of the imprinted paper after I’m done.
- Because I love to tell how much I miss you.
- Because it helps me cry.
- Because it’s my freedom.
- Because no one cares anymore.
- Because I’m heartbroken into shattered pieces.
- For the same reason a baby cries; for the same reason water freezes; for the reason a volcano erupts. I write because it’s natural.
- Even though there is never enough time to let your mind drip out onto the paper.
- Because the paper is the only one who cares to listen, and will not be hurt by what I say.
- Because the paper will listen without indifference.
- So I won’t yell at my mom.
- So I don’t put burdens on others.
- So that when the stress of the world is so great, and I am so alone, I don’t break.
- So the good times, feelings, and relationships have a safe haven, where I can keep them fresh forever.
- So there will be less of me and more of everyone else.
- To save myself, the world, and the ones I love.
- Because it is like breathing on the paper
- When I’m cold, tired, alone, worried, laughing, and rejoicing.
- Because I want to remember how I felt, where I was, how far I’ve come.
- Because I can actually get a whole story out.
- Because then I can make a story end the way I want to.
- Because it’s the only time I’m not interrupted.
- Because writing can be edited, unlike speaking.
- Because I’m too shy to say it out loud.
- Because I secretly want someone to hear my thoughts.
- Because I feel too small, too plain in the world.
- Because it’s the only way I know to touch someone’s life.
- Because I know my memory is never as good as visiting my memories in ink.
- Because I have an opinion; a voice that is suddenly heard over the crowd.
- Because of rainbows.
- Because there is a thing in my head called pain.
- Because my family is a distant memory I can’t seem to want anymore.
- Because I’m emotionally unprotected.
- Because I want my mother to have a better life.
- Because I fell through the cracks and was buried in cement.
- Because no one looks twice.
- Because I can’t seem to get the smell of paper out of my nose.
- Because I think pencils can remove my pain.
- To feel writing outside of schoolwork.
- To become a bestseller.
- Because things left unresolved can never be mended.
- Because I don’t want to leave my something broken because I may get no other chance to fix it.
- Because some people can’t, so I’ll write for them.
- Because I don’t want a chance to pass me up.
- So I can leave this trace of pencil markings on paper to be held and read for all eternity.
- To be the cause of someone’s laughing; someone’s tears.
- Because it is the over-popular blue jeans that never go out of style.
- To be the red rose in a field of gray.
- Because there are lies that are believed.
- Because there are too many hours in my midnight.
- Because I miss my grandmother.
- Because I am different.
- Because I am the girl who tripped over a bag and broke my arm.
- So that my mom will have a reason to get up in the morning.
- To feel, smell, see, hear, and touch.
- Because I have many things to say and no one has a long enough attention span.
- Because I open my mouth too much, and it’s my apology.
-Because I like to start with little ideas and turn them into big ones.
- Because people call me names and I don’t care.
- To start a revolution.
- Because I am like those priests that turn atheists into worshippers.
- Because I have the right.
- Because I tell my friends I don’t like to write, that there is nothing to write, but inside that is all I feel like doing.
-Because I’m a ship in a bottle with no escape.
- Because my parents don’t listen.
- Because I’m the youngest in my family.
- Because I was forced to grow up and I’m looking for a way back.
- Because it’s like putting a pressure release valve on my mind.
- Because I have a sponge-bob band-aid on my shoes.
-Because Wal-Mart isn’t open.
- Because I want to find love.
- Because every novel starts with a rough draft.
- Because it’s like being in a place where everyone understands you, and those types of places are hard to find.
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