Today's Quote

"Make the most of the opportunities God gives you to shine today."

:)

Random

I just have to share this- it's drive your tractor to school day. And they make fun of AR.

Lord of the Flies

I first read Lord of the Flies in high school. I believe sophomore year, but I don't remember how I felt about it. I recently read it again because I start teaching it tomorrow. The story itself is interesting. It took me a while to get into it, but after a chapter or two I really liked it. It's interesting because I think Golding does an incredible job of depicting human nature. The coolest part is that he uses kids to show just how crazy people can get when it comes to power. He also explores the idea of whether or not people are inherently good or bad. Do we just behave because those are societies standards? I am really interested to see what students think. Hopefully I can convince my kids that it's a good story. They normally don't believe me.

Dave Barnes

During college I was introduced to a wonderful, sweet, completely romantic man. I became slight obsessed. I made (along with Katie) a playlist for what we like to call "Love Song Friday", and it was pretty much filled with his wonderful words of love. His name is Dave Barnes. If you haven't heard of Dave, you should go to itunes right now and download something of his. Anything will due. It's all wonderful. I am a complete sap though, so please realize that they are pretty romantic.

I just discovered this gem and thought I would share it with those of you (Katie) who love Dave Barnes as much as I do.


"God Gave Me You"

I’ve been a walking heartache
I’ve made a mess of me
The person that I’ve been lately
Ain’t who I wanna be

But you stay here right beside me
Watch as the storm goes through
And I need you

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you

There’s more here than what were seeing
A divine conspiracy
That you, an angel lovely
Could somehow fall for me
You’ll always be love’s great martyr
Ill be the flattered fool
& I need you

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you

On my own I’m only
Half of what I could be
I can’t do without you
We are stitched together
And what love has tethered
I could baby, never undo

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you, gave me you.
Gave me you."

Christmas Pictures

Here are a few pictures from Christmas. :)

Our door decoration.

The decor on the bookshelf

Our first tree!

Christmas parade in West Lafayette

Chris's tool organizer.

His new hoodie.

His headlamp from me and Drew.

My new sleeping bag. I also got new boots, but they aren't pictured because I got them early.

Ice Skating

My strawberry cake that I made for Ben's birthday

We celebrated Christmas the Saturday before so we didn't have to haul all of our presents home. And also because we wanted to start our own traditions. We had Screwdrivers and breakfast casserole. Classy, I know. But it was oh so good! Then we opened gifts and stockings as we watched it snow. :) We watched movies and were super lazy all day. Just like it was Christmas!

Our Chicago Trip- 2 moths later :)

A few months ago, early November or late October, Chris surprised me with a trip to Chicago! It was so fun and a great weekend away!

We took the AMTRAK! Before Dinner

Our Cheese Fondue at The Melting Pot! So good!

My martini and Chris's beer.

Our "Ying Yang Fondue"- it was dark and white chocolate!

All of the dippers

At Navy Pier

Again

Our Hotel- It was right across from Trump Towers

Our View

The bean

I really needed to hear this today!

"Trials build patience, make us strong, and teach us that sometimes prayers and truffles do go together."

When your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete." James 1:4

"The Godly woman faces her challenges with prayer, a sense of adventure, and a great pair of boots." (or in my case, flats.)

I don't think Jamie realized what a blessing her gift would be in getting me through the day. :)

Ramblings

I've come to realize that teaching is one of the most rewarding and frustrating professions.

Frustration: High School students are moody. Extremely moody. And I have to say, the target for all of their problems seems to be whatever teacher irritates them first.

Reward: I had one student break out in song while reading. Hilarious.

Frustration: They don't care (or at least put on a front that they don't care). Well, some do. Overall though, they are focused on sports, who's dating who, who's not dating, parents, cars, you know- the fun stuff! The stuff that I too focused on. :)

Reward: Hearing a students say, "Wow, I finally get it. Thanks!"

Frustration: After going over a what a thesis is and it's importance many times, a students says, "Thesis? What's that?"

Reward: Hearing students make funny, sometimes accurate and sometimes not, comparisons of any short story to "The Hangover". Great movie by the way!

Frustration: Pushing a cart around all day, and sitting back and watching as the administration makes a room for a study hall. I'm not bitter at all.

Reward: Feeling very proud when one of "my kids" scores a touchdown or makes a goal.

Frustration: Constant complaints- about absolutely everything.

Reward: Laughing. A lot.

Frustration: Teachers who do nothing in their class, creating students who expect to do nothing in every class.

Reward: Feeling like I might actually be making a difference in at least one person's life.

That's it for frustrations and rewards for now. I need to start writing them down as they happen.

Expect a "Tales from the Court- Take 2" soon.

Aside from school, everything is awesome. Softball conditioning has started and will go in full swing in March! I am pumped- though I will probably be exhausted.

I miss my friends. I don't get to talk to them as much as I want, and it really sucks.

A Girls weekend is in the works! Woohoo!

My head is swelling again. :) I guess the doctors appointments will start soon. A swollen eye/ forehead, does not make for a very attractive me.

Indiana schools have serious problems. Beginning with the fact that we don't have 1/2 days.

My husband is the coolest. I am so completely blessed.

I had a student ask me the other day if I planned on teaching the rest of my life, and it made me start to think. I am 22 years old. Can I teach everyday for the next 40 or so years. I'm not sure. That's probably a better questions after year 5 or 6.

Hmmm.... these are all of the ramblings I have. :)

Thought of the Day

"The good things God has for you are more exciting than a clearance shoe sale and a box of chocolates put together."

It's been a while...

Obviously I haven't posted in a while...
Life has been crazy lately! With 2 trips home, Christmas parties, the Holidays, and school- there hasn't been a ton of free time, and when there is- I relax. :) I don't' have pictures from the holidays uploaded yet, but I will! I actually don't have much today at all, considering I am at work. :)

What I do have is this: Jamie gave me an awesome desk calender for Christmas, with the sweetest and most uplifting quotes! I have decided to post them every few days, so that everyone can appreciate them!

"Rejoice in every day of life." Ecclesiastes 11:8 ~I love this because I get so caught up in work and other things that I forget to rejoice in the everyday. The beautiful snow that is covering the ground, my amazing students, my super awesome husband, my family and friends, cooking with Chris, lounging around, walking the dog, and all of the other things that make my everyday wonderful! It's a sweet reminder to appreciate the small things of everyday.

And one from the past:

"There's more happiness in a single moment of God's presencethan in anything else in life (and He doesn't mind if you sweeten the happy moments with a little chocolate). " ~For me, this quote says to see God in everything, and to spend time with him every day!

More to come- the bell just rang and it's time to teach the future leaders of our country. :) (Scary thought, huh?)