16 months
12 months
9 months
4 months
2 months
It's amazing to watch the changes!!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Valentines
I've never really been much of a Valentine's Day person. I feel as though love should be shown by everyone everyday of the year. But I do understand how other people love it...and I want Brooklyn to know that she will ALWAYS have a Valentine...mommy and daddy. So we got her some gifts...
Since she is OBSESSED with Tinker Bell we decided to get her Tinker Bell stuff. She got 2 Tinker Bell Sippy Cups (we never can have enough...they end up at other peoples houses) and the original Tinker Bell movie...all wrapped in a Tinker Bell bag!! Her Nana and Pop got her a Tinker Bell backpack and blanket and Mimi and Uncle Matthew got her "Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue" and a Tinker Bell plush toy. (She's pretty spoiled)
These were Brooklyn's Valentine's that she gave out to family and friends. They are Tinker Bell (of course!). I would give them to her and tell her to take them to people...she didn't want to give them up.
Since she is OBSESSED with Tinker Bell we decided to get her Tinker Bell stuff. She got 2 Tinker Bell Sippy Cups (we never can have enough...they end up at other peoples houses) and the original Tinker Bell movie...all wrapped in a Tinker Bell bag!! Her Nana and Pop got her a Tinker Bell backpack and blanket and Mimi and Uncle Matthew got her "Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue" and a Tinker Bell plush toy. (She's pretty spoiled)
My 1st graders had their Valentine's party on Monday and since it snowed last Thursday they didn't get my present until today. I got them pencils...they always say "I need a pencil"...or "I need an eraser!" so I thought it would be the perfect gift!
These were Brooklyn's Valentine's that she gave out to family and friends. They are Tinker Bell (of course!). I would give them to her and tell her to take them to people...she didn't want to give them up.
I know holidays are going to continue getting more and more fun! I can't wait until St. Patrick's Day and Easter! Lots of GREEN and PINK coming your way!!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Snow Day!
The last time it snowed, Brooklyn didn't like it very much...we tried to go out but she didn't want to wear her hat or gloves and she wouldn't go 2 feet from me. This time she LOVED it!! It wasn't freezing outside, so we bundled up and ventured out for a little while. She tried to help me build a snowman...fail! I'm not a good snowman builder! But it was fun trying. 
We got out her sand toys so she could play with them in the snow...and she loved them!!
She is the happiest little girl in the world!! And she loves smiling for the camera! CHEESE!! :)
Chloe knocked her over. She didn't complain at all! But she couldn't get up...it was pretty funny watching her try on her own.
She was lovin the snow!
She got all bundled up to go outside...and kept her hat and gloves on the WHOLE time!!
(Sorry the pics are all out of order!)
Saturday, February 5, 2011
History
I'm not a history person AT. ALL!! I've dropped history 5 times while being in college! I toughed it out my freshman year (mainly cause my best friend was in the class) and took world history...but I still needed American Nations. I tried taking it online at Pulaski Tech...decided I didn't want to read. I tried it with one professor...he was fun...the content was NOT! That class got dropped after the first test...before I found out my grade. Next semester I tried it again with a different teacher...he was not nice or fun which made the subject even worse! Dropped that one quickly. Last May I tried to take it during intercession. She wanted me to read 4 chapters and take 2 quizzes A NIGHT???!!! You've got to be kidding me. Needless to say I dropped that one after 3 days.
I kept putting it off and thought I'd take it this coming summer...but my advisor had other plans for me. He told me he wouldn't admit me into Internship II (my final semester) if I hadn't taken this class by the end of May. Well there goes my plan of taking it in the summer. So I decided to take it online at ASU Beebe. I didn't want to have to sit in class and transfer grades don't count towards my GPA, only the credit does. It hasn't been too bad. I read everyday in my textbook. Its actually a little interesting (I can't believe I just said that!). I discuss with other people who are taking this class online. I can hold my own in discussions (I learned from Mrs. Henderson in 12th grade). Even if I don't read I can make something up that still sounds smarter than most of the other discussion posts. So, I'm doing pretty well. 50/50 on my first section of discussions. I just turned in my first test. And only 4 more weeks to go!! I'm half-way through!!
This is a big accomplishment for me!
I kept putting it off and thought I'd take it this coming summer...but my advisor had other plans for me. He told me he wouldn't admit me into Internship II (my final semester) if I hadn't taken this class by the end of May. Well there goes my plan of taking it in the summer. So I decided to take it online at ASU Beebe. I didn't want to have to sit in class and transfer grades don't count towards my GPA, only the credit does. It hasn't been too bad. I read everyday in my textbook. Its actually a little interesting (I can't believe I just said that!). I discuss with other people who are taking this class online. I can hold my own in discussions (I learned from Mrs. Henderson in 12th grade). Even if I don't read I can make something up that still sounds smarter than most of the other discussion posts. So, I'm doing pretty well. 50/50 on my first section of discussions. I just turned in my first test. And only 4 more weeks to go!! I'm half-way through!!
This is a big accomplishment for me!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
When is it OK to Cry?
I go through stages when it comes to crying...I don't know if I'm the only one or not but it's sorta frusterating.
It all started back when my pastor passed away. I was in 8th grade. Most people don't think that should have such an effect on an 8th grader, but me and my pastor were close. My friends and I hung out at his house riding four-wheelers and fishing. We loved going out there. My church was relatively small so everyone hung out together and were friends. He was the first person I ever knew who passed away unexpectedly. (The only other person I ever knew at the time who died had been my great-grandfather.)
I had just seen him the night before at IHOP. The next day he got hit by a log truck.
I remember getting the call from my best friend. My mom, brother, and I were on our way to JCPenny's. I was sitting in the back seat. It was a Monday. I didn't believe her...I kept telling her that wasn't a funny joke..but she was serious. I was in shock. I couldn't tell my mom so I handed her the phone. I just remember telling her I had to get to church. So much of the next few days were a blur. I just remember crying constantly.
The next week I remember going on a walk around my neighborhood. I was terribly sad. I think a lot while walking and I remember thinking that I couldn't cry anymore. It was over. I had to be strong. I couldn't be this weak anymore. So I quit crying. I didn't cry for a very long time. At least a full year. Then began the stages... I would get hard hearted and not cry for anything...then I would have melt downs and cry at the drop of a hat. Neither stage is very fun.
Right now I'm in the crying stage. I can cry for any reason. I have to say this is the least fun stage. I can look at Brooklyn and just start crying. Tonight I didn't get to go to Zumba becaue I left my student ID at home and I cried. I had been so looking forward to it.
So when is it okay to cry? What constitutes the situation/time when crying is okay? Is it tragedies, happiness... Some people cry all the time while others don't hardly ever cry...Does everyone go through these stages? It's hard for me. I don't want others to have to suffer through the stages. I feel crazy.
Well that's my crying story.
It all started back when my pastor passed away. I was in 8th grade. Most people don't think that should have such an effect on an 8th grader, but me and my pastor were close. My friends and I hung out at his house riding four-wheelers and fishing. We loved going out there. My church was relatively small so everyone hung out together and were friends. He was the first person I ever knew who passed away unexpectedly. (The only other person I ever knew at the time who died had been my great-grandfather.)
I had just seen him the night before at IHOP. The next day he got hit by a log truck.
I remember getting the call from my best friend. My mom, brother, and I were on our way to JCPenny's. I was sitting in the back seat. It was a Monday. I didn't believe her...I kept telling her that wasn't a funny joke..but she was serious. I was in shock. I couldn't tell my mom so I handed her the phone. I just remember telling her I had to get to church. So much of the next few days were a blur. I just remember crying constantly.
The next week I remember going on a walk around my neighborhood. I was terribly sad. I think a lot while walking and I remember thinking that I couldn't cry anymore. It was over. I had to be strong. I couldn't be this weak anymore. So I quit crying. I didn't cry for a very long time. At least a full year. Then began the stages... I would get hard hearted and not cry for anything...then I would have melt downs and cry at the drop of a hat. Neither stage is very fun.
Right now I'm in the crying stage. I can cry for any reason. I have to say this is the least fun stage. I can look at Brooklyn and just start crying. Tonight I didn't get to go to Zumba becaue I left my student ID at home and I cried. I had been so looking forward to it.
So when is it okay to cry? What constitutes the situation/time when crying is okay? Is it tragedies, happiness... Some people cry all the time while others don't hardly ever cry...Does everyone go through these stages? It's hard for me. I don't want others to have to suffer through the stages. I feel crazy.
Well that's my crying story.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Opinions
Lately I've realized I sure do have a lot of opinions on things. It might be because I'm not around enough people to "choose" my opinions for me or that I just don't have anyone around when I come up with my opinions. Might be both. But I thought I'd let everyone in on a few of my opinions that I believe people might actually want to read about...nothing to do with politics...but these are important opinions to me.
Opinion #1:
It's now Christmas time. Don't get me wrong....I love Christmas!...but I HATE all the commercializing of it! Christmas decorations were put up around town before Thanksgiving. I wanted to shout "woah! slow down! Don't forget about Thanksgiving!" With all the commercializing and present-giving people seem to forget about the REASON for Christmas: Jesus!...
which leads me to...
Opinion #2:
Christmas is spelled/said/wrote CHRISTMAS!! NOT X-mas. (it hurts to even type it) I don't exactly know why/how people got started with this abreviation, but I don't like it! It might be shorter to write, but it's taking Christ out of Christmas!! Without Christ there wouldn't be a Christmas! It's not a gift giving holiday (though it's turned in to being one)...it's a time of year when we're suppose to reflect on the fact that Christ came to Earth to suffer, take on our sins, and die so that we can live forever with Him in Heaven.
I recently saw a sign for Sonshine Academy's Christmas recital. The title was "There is no X in Christmas." I couldn't help but smile! I want the whole world to know that there is no X in Christmas! There isn't! The X is just taking Christ out and putting in something more "politically correct." Well, Christmas wasn't founded on "politically correctness." It was founded on God's love for us...on Him sending Christ to die for us! That's why it's called CHRISTmas!!
Opinion #3:
Back in middle school shirts came out that were very popular that said "Jesus is my homeboy!" I never liked these shirts. I remember thinking..."Jesus isn't my homeboy! He's my Lord and Savior!" A few weeks ago, Bro. Bobby mentioned this in church. I was like "wow! I'm not the only one who thought that! Then I saw a sign on a car that said something to the extent of "my best friend is a carpenter." (I don't remember exactly what it said) When I saw this I thought about how this person is thinking he's popularizing Jesus and making people think of Him. But I just thought that he was lowering Jesus. He wasn't just a carpenter. He is my God! My King! My Lord! My Savior!! Why not exclaim that! He is not my "homeboy" he is the Almighty! The King of Kings! How could someone think they could sum up Jesus as a "homeboy?"
Opinion #4:
Whenever I drive into downtown Little Rock I drive by this huge church on the left. If you've driven by it you will know what I'm talking about. It's fancy. Not at all plain. You think "they must have spent a fortune building that thing!" Whenever I drive by I think "I wonder what the inside looks like." Not the inside of the building, but the people that make up the church. The building itself is not the church. I don't believe God cares if we have a "fancy," expensive building. I believe He cares about the people that make up the church! The ones leading others to Him. The ones learning more and more about Him so they can have closer relationships with Him. Why spend so much time and money on the outside? Why not work from the inside out? Start with yourselves and show others how great Christ is. People shouldn't want to come to church just to be in a nice "building."
These are just opinions that have been building up inside of me needing to be released.
Opinion #1:
It's now Christmas time. Don't get me wrong....I love Christmas!...but I HATE all the commercializing of it! Christmas decorations were put up around town before Thanksgiving. I wanted to shout "woah! slow down! Don't forget about Thanksgiving!" With all the commercializing and present-giving people seem to forget about the REASON for Christmas: Jesus!...
which leads me to...
Opinion #2:
Christmas is spelled/said/wrote CHRISTMAS!! NOT X-mas. (it hurts to even type it) I don't exactly know why/how people got started with this abreviation, but I don't like it! It might be shorter to write, but it's taking Christ out of Christmas!! Without Christ there wouldn't be a Christmas! It's not a gift giving holiday (though it's turned in to being one)...it's a time of year when we're suppose to reflect on the fact that Christ came to Earth to suffer, take on our sins, and die so that we can live forever with Him in Heaven.
I recently saw a sign for Sonshine Academy's Christmas recital. The title was "There is no X in Christmas." I couldn't help but smile! I want the whole world to know that there is no X in Christmas! There isn't! The X is just taking Christ out and putting in something more "politically correct." Well, Christmas wasn't founded on "politically correctness." It was founded on God's love for us...on Him sending Christ to die for us! That's why it's called CHRISTmas!!
Opinion #3:
Back in middle school shirts came out that were very popular that said "Jesus is my homeboy!" I never liked these shirts. I remember thinking..."Jesus isn't my homeboy! He's my Lord and Savior!" A few weeks ago, Bro. Bobby mentioned this in church. I was like "wow! I'm not the only one who thought that! Then I saw a sign on a car that said something to the extent of "my best friend is a carpenter." (I don't remember exactly what it said) When I saw this I thought about how this person is thinking he's popularizing Jesus and making people think of Him. But I just thought that he was lowering Jesus. He wasn't just a carpenter. He is my God! My King! My Lord! My Savior!! Why not exclaim that! He is not my "homeboy" he is the Almighty! The King of Kings! How could someone think they could sum up Jesus as a "homeboy?"
Opinion #4:
Whenever I drive into downtown Little Rock I drive by this huge church on the left. If you've driven by it you will know what I'm talking about. It's fancy. Not at all plain. You think "they must have spent a fortune building that thing!" Whenever I drive by I think "I wonder what the inside looks like." Not the inside of the building, but the people that make up the church. The building itself is not the church. I don't believe God cares if we have a "fancy," expensive building. I believe He cares about the people that make up the church! The ones leading others to Him. The ones learning more and more about Him so they can have closer relationships with Him. Why spend so much time and money on the outside? Why not work from the inside out? Start with yourselves and show others how great Christ is. People shouldn't want to come to church just to be in a nice "building."
These are just opinions that have been building up inside of me needing to be released.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
The Reason I Know I was Called to be a Teacher
There are times when I wonder why I’m going to school to be a teacher. It’s a job where I won’t ever get paid much. I’ll be working with kids who are only at school because they are forced to go. Their parents don’t care if they do good in school or if they flunk out. They might be rude, talk back, sarcastic, and snotty nosed. I’ll have to follow the curriculum with very little deviation. I’ll be forced to “teach the test.” I’ll be grading papers and making lesson plans till wee hours of the night. The list goes on and on…
This all seems like teaching is just so horrible…but there are so many benefits that out weight any negatives.
A couple of weeks ago, when I was in NLR doing my field, I went with my mentor teacher to give a student some work to do. He was in “detention” which meant he had to sit in a desk right outside of the principal’s office. To me this was not a good idea because everyone coming or going through the office knew he was in trouble. He was humiliated to be sitting there. My mentor teacher tried to explain to him the assignments but he refused to pay attention. She looked up at me and motioned that “its like pulling teeth” to get him to respond. I thought I might give it a try. When my mentor teacher went about doing other stuff in the office, I stayed behind with the boy and talked to him about the book he was reading. I asked him what it was about and if he liked it. He told me all about it and that he did like it. He seemed to be responding a little more. We had to go back to the classroom with the other students…
Fast forward 2 weeks. I came in this morning to the school and received a hug first thing from him. Now receiving hugs from the students isn’t a new thing…but hugs from him have never happened yet. So, first thing in the morning I was taken by surprise. While I was observing my mentor teacher and helping students, he kept coming to me for help. He seemed to be very motivated to do the assignments….then it was my turn to teach. It was my last time to teach this semester. I was extremely nervous. Not getting up to teach…I’m not public speaking/stage shy at all…but my mentor teacher had to grade me and I had to record myself for an assignment to be graded. This was a big deal for me. My other lessons had super fun activities including molding play dough. The kids LOVED it!!! But this lesson just didn’t seem very fun for me so I wasn’t super excited. I was afraid my students would react badly when they realized I wasn’t going to have a fun activity for them. I did have a file folder game to sort problems and solutions, but to me that just didn’t seem very fun. Boy was I WRONG!! They went crazy over wanting to play the file folder game. I had to leave it there because everyone wanted to continue playing the game.
…but back to the boy. After my lesson, before he switched class back to his homeroom classroom, he came up and gave me a big, huge again. Then he told me “thank you so much for this fun lesson!” My heart just melted. After all my worrying and trying to keep the class in order I felt totally blessed by this one little boy. He wasn’t the only one to come up and thank me for the lesson and give me hugs but he defiantly had the biggest impact on me today!
I know being a teacher will be difficult. There will be days that I want to give up and be a stay at home mom for Brooklyn and any other kids Luke and I have. But I will never forget the impact a little lesson with a simple activity..a little attention…a BIG hug can make in a child’s life. No matter what those kids have to deal with at home, they can always come to school knowing I LOVE them! I love those kids already and I only see them once a week. I can’t wait to love the kids I get to see everyday.
This all seems like teaching is just so horrible…but there are so many benefits that out weight any negatives.
A couple of weeks ago, when I was in NLR doing my field, I went with my mentor teacher to give a student some work to do. He was in “detention” which meant he had to sit in a desk right outside of the principal’s office. To me this was not a good idea because everyone coming or going through the office knew he was in trouble. He was humiliated to be sitting there. My mentor teacher tried to explain to him the assignments but he refused to pay attention. She looked up at me and motioned that “its like pulling teeth” to get him to respond. I thought I might give it a try. When my mentor teacher went about doing other stuff in the office, I stayed behind with the boy and talked to him about the book he was reading. I asked him what it was about and if he liked it. He told me all about it and that he did like it. He seemed to be responding a little more. We had to go back to the classroom with the other students…
Fast forward 2 weeks. I came in this morning to the school and received a hug first thing from him. Now receiving hugs from the students isn’t a new thing…but hugs from him have never happened yet. So, first thing in the morning I was taken by surprise. While I was observing my mentor teacher and helping students, he kept coming to me for help. He seemed to be very motivated to do the assignments….then it was my turn to teach. It was my last time to teach this semester. I was extremely nervous. Not getting up to teach…I’m not public speaking/stage shy at all…but my mentor teacher had to grade me and I had to record myself for an assignment to be graded. This was a big deal for me. My other lessons had super fun activities including molding play dough. The kids LOVED it!!! But this lesson just didn’t seem very fun for me so I wasn’t super excited. I was afraid my students would react badly when they realized I wasn’t going to have a fun activity for them. I did have a file folder game to sort problems and solutions, but to me that just didn’t seem very fun. Boy was I WRONG!! They went crazy over wanting to play the file folder game. I had to leave it there because everyone wanted to continue playing the game.
…but back to the boy. After my lesson, before he switched class back to his homeroom classroom, he came up and gave me a big, huge again. Then he told me “thank you so much for this fun lesson!” My heart just melted. After all my worrying and trying to keep the class in order I felt totally blessed by this one little boy. He wasn’t the only one to come up and thank me for the lesson and give me hugs but he defiantly had the biggest impact on me today!
I know being a teacher will be difficult. There will be days that I want to give up and be a stay at home mom for Brooklyn and any other kids Luke and I have. But I will never forget the impact a little lesson with a simple activity..a little attention…a BIG hug can make in a child’s life. No matter what those kids have to deal with at home, they can always come to school knowing I LOVE them! I love those kids already and I only see them once a week. I can’t wait to love the kids I get to see everyday.
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