5 Reasons...

I'm having mixed emotions about the new school year starting...here are a few reasons why.


5 Reasons I'm NOT excited school has started...
1) All the food in the lounge that I will inevitably eat because I have no discipline.
2) Having my days scheduled by the ring of bells.
3) Grading...need I say more?
4) Early mornings...we had just taught Cami the joys of sleeping in until 7:30!
5) Not being able to be home with Cami each day.


5 Reasons I'm EXCITED school has started...
1) Being able to be my goofy self in a classroom of goofy middle schoolers. The jokes told there just aren't as funny to adults. :)
2) Seeing kids get excited about learning!
3) Science Fashion Show- red carpet and all.
4) The fun staff I get to hang out with everyday.
5) Knowing I am able to use my gifts and talents each day in the classroom.


Summer went quickly, and as sad as I was to see it go, I know that I love my job and life is good.

Erin is married!

Our summer ended on a very fun note with my little sister getting married! Our whole family got to be involved, with Bryan as the best man, Cami as a flower girl and I was the maid of honor. It was such a fun week of celebrations and joy. We even survived giving the toasts at the wedding. This was definitely a day that we won't forget! Congrats to Erin & Peter!

Here are a few of my favorite moments from the special day!

A refreshing change...

My palms were sweaty. My stomach was in knots.  I was trying to guess how many messages were filling up my inbox or how many new notifications I was accumulating. It had been 24 whole hours since I had been online to check my emails and facebook accounts. I was already having withdrawl...this was not good.
 In the last two weeks, I have been without internet or tv for 10 of those days. This has been due to little trips here and there where it just wasn't available. The first couple days were rough. My self-inflated ego was sure that if I didn't immediately respond to any and all messages I was receiving, things were just going to fall apart.
 However, as these little mini-trips and breaks from media continued on, I realized it was a refreshing change.  For 10 whole days, I didn't check a single email. For 10 whole days, I didn't stay up on the latest status updates of my "friends".  For 10 whole days, I didn't blog-stalk a single person. For 10 whole days, I was able to enjoy the things that happened in my day, instead of living vicariously through the things going on in others. For 10 whole days,  I was free. And it was wonderful!
 So, why is it that after each of these little mini-trips, one of the first things I did upon arriving home was jump on the computer? Ugh. Old habits die hard.

Becoming Aware

  Becoming more aware of something brings new responsibility. Because now that you have become aware, you can't go back. And there is the responsibility of using this knowledge to take action.

   I recently went to Tijuana with my church. Our church supports local missionaries there, so we went to help in the ministries they are currently working with. And I came back mainly discouraged. I spent most of my time in the orphanage. James, the local missionary, again informed us there are about 150 orphanages in Tijuana alone, each with 40-70 kids. This averages 7,500 orphans just in this small area of Mexico. He also informed us that Mexico has made it impossible for these kids to be adopted by Americans and so difficult for locals, that most will be there until the age of 18. When they turn 18, some will live on the streets, some become prostitutes or get pregnant, and others worse. I held a four month old baby, and looked down into her beautiful, smiling face knowing that she will never have the love of a mother and a father. She will live there for seventeen and a half more years.

 While I realize I am painting a bleek picture, there were things that I saw in the orphanage that showed God's grace in the midst of a terrible situation. These kids have a bond with one another that makes them family. They have four women there who love them incredibly and have made it their life purpose to take care of and love them. These kids find joy in simple things such as a silly relay race or games with water balloons. These kids have a love and passion for Christ that is evident in the songs they sing and the smiles they share.

 But I still hurt and I still struggle. Sometimes I struggle to come back and see this life that I have. I'm embarrassed by the things that I stress about or get upset about. I realize how blessed I am- in more ways than one. How did I get so lucky? Why wasn't I born into poverty or as an orphan? I know that I am no more special to God than they are.  And yet here I sit, typing on my laptop about the injustices of life. 

 So, I come back to my original thought. Now that I am aware, what is next? What do I do with this new knowledge? Is it simply enough to pray for them? What can I possibly do for kids from a system that is broken? How do I take this knowledge and make a difference? Becoming aware is difficult, because now that I am, I can't go back to the blissful ignorance that I once enjoyed.

Today...

Today was a perfect day... and yet there was nothing extra-spectacular about it. It was just good. It started with Cami and I going for a bike ride to my parents and having a cup of coffee with my dad. We then went to a friend's house and spent time swimming, hanging out and enjoying summer. After this, Cami and I went to her first swimming lesson. She loved the water all day long. We then stopped at the library and picked out some summer reading, went and watched B coach a summer league dinner and had a quick, healthy dinner at taco bell as a family. And to finish the day off, I had a nice, long bath with a new library book after everyone went to bed. There was nothing spectacular or extremely out of the ordinary today...but it was just perfect, in most every way. It is in the joy of contentment that I feel the outpouring of God's love and blessings on my life.

Time Flies!

I wish that I could just slow things down- it is all really just going too fast. Cami is 11 months old today. Eleven months old. Wow. What a fun whirlwind these eleven months have been. She is really at such a fun age. Here are a few of my favorite things she has been doing lately.

* She growls. It's funny. Just randomly, she will look at B or me and let out a little growl and then smile.

* She is starting to stand completely on her own and walk along our furniture. If thought things changed around here when she could crawl, I can't imagine how they will when she can walk.

* Since she can get around pretty fast now, she is getting into lots of things that she shouldn't. So, we have to tell her "no". Now, when we say "no", she shakes her head back and forth, looking very ashamed, and then continues to do whatever it is we told her not to.

* She is starting to pick up on some of the baby signs we are teaching her- we are only trying a few, like "thank you", "all done" and "please". It is so cute when she is done eating and waves her little hands back and forth.

* She is a show-off. Last week when Grandpa came to babysit, she saw him across the room, made sure he was watching her and then started crawling in circles really fast, smiling up at him as she crawled around.

* The very best thing is when I do the sign and say "Hug, please" she always comes over and gives me a big hug. When B does it, she just smiles. I think this is her way of getting back at him for rubbing it in to me that she says "Da-da" all the time. :)

There are so many other cute little things that she is doing. It is so fun to see her growing up and watch all these new milestones. As small as they are in the grand scheme of things, they are big and great to celebrate at our house. I can't believe in just one short month, we will be parents of a one-year old. Oh my! Let more fun begin!

Summer Vacation

As of today, I am officially on vacation! It is summer time! I have all these things that I want to do this summer and hope to get to. A friend of mine said to write them down, that way you have a list to hold yourself accountable to. So, here is my summer list...in no particular order.

1. Spend lots and lots of time with Cami.
2. Get my house clean and organized.
3. Start "Operation Get-In-Shape"...again.
4. Go on dates with B.
5. Learn how to paddle surf.
6. Read lots of books.
7. Revise one unit for next school year.
8. Go to my classroom and organize my desk drawers.
9. Create a memory book for Cami's first year.
10. Plan a bachelorette party for my sister.
11. Spend time reading my Bible and in prayer this summer.
12. Go for lots of walks and spend time outside.

I think that is plenty for now. I can't wait for days of relaxation, but also some time to get those things done that I keep putting off during the school year!

Summer Come Quickly!

I love being a teacher, but summer can not come soon enough. There are 3 and 1/2 days left of school...the kids are rowdy, learning is pretty much done and I can't wait for three whole months with Cami and B!
 There are so many things to look forward to this summer...my sister's wedding, Bryan's brother and his family moving out here, taking swimming lessons with Cami, a short mission trip to Tijuana, camping with friends and much, much more! Oh summer, please come soon!

I love teaching...Middle School?

As the year is winding down, I am finally coming to the realization that I do, in fact, love teaching middle school.
  I realize one reason I love this job is because I can embrace my inner- immaturity child-likeness and use it to meet them at their level. This was seen earlier this week when I chose to throw the papers I was supposed to pass out to the class into the air to watch them flutter across the room and accidentally hit the student in front of me in the head with them.
  I love teaching middle school because I get to talk a lot...and they HAVE to listen-even to my abbrevs! I have to constantly remind them that I abbrev words to save ti! We are lear so much mo this yea becau of the abbrevs!
  I love teaching middle school because youtube has made phrases like "Look at this" hilarious to middle school boys who have seen this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF8GhC-T_Mo. You would be surprised how many times in a class period this phrase may be said...and how funny it is to the boys every time.
    I love teaching middle school because I get to see students growing and maturing in their learning and their faith. I got the chance to see this a few weeks ago when a student came and told me that because of our classroom devotions, she had accepted the challenge and been faithfully reading the Psalms in her Bible. She said she was growing and was amazed at how God could speak to her through something written so long ago.
  I love teaching middle school because these kids are still impressionable and desire the encouragement that a teacher can provide.
  I love teaching middle school because every day is an adventure- no two days are alike...
  I love teaching middle school because these kids need love...I may not be able to provide all the answers to the questions they have about science, but I can try to make each and everyone feel loved each and every day....And that is what I love about teaching middle school.

Up until 10 months ago...

   10 months ago, life was very different. Up until 10 months ago, I slept until the alarm went off, leaving about 23 minutes until I needed to be out the door. Up until 10 months ago, I spent my afternoons dinking around at school, not really getting that much done. Up until 10 months ago, I loved making plans far in advance and filling my weekends up with business. All that has changed.
  For the last and fastest 10 months of my life, I have been getting up to the sounds of Tiny (that's what B calls her sometimes) between 5:30 and 6:30 AM. For the last 10 months, I get my school work done as fast as I can so I can race home to spend time with Cami. For the last 10 months, I try to make plans that allow me to bring Cami or wait until after her bed time. Things have changed in so many ways, but I wouldn't ever want it to go back.
   These 10 months have been so much fun and filled with so many emotions. The sheer joy I feel when Cami smiles at me from across the room. The utter contentment when she falls asleep laid across my chest on the couch. The happiness that comes from giggles back and forth between her and I as we act silly and play on the floor. The pride I feel when she accomplishes a new skill like rolling over or crawling.  The nerves that run through me when she comes dangerously close to getting hurt or falling down. The excitement of seeing her little face in the morning when I wake up.
   10 months ago, my life was great- I had been blessed in so many ways. And then, 10 months ago, I was doubly blessed, to find a new sense of joy in being a mother.

Books, Books, Books

  I love to read. I love, love, love it. I wish I could say that I spend my time reading books that lead to deep philosophical conversations and lively debate, but I don't. I like mindless, entertaining, almost cheesy fiction.
   I currently finished The Hunger Games series- I could not put these down-they were amazing! I definitely jumped on the Twilight bandwagon, and I am a sucker for any book that was written by Karen Kingsbury. I often get very emotionally invested in the books I am reading and can be found crying away on my couch at two in the morning as I read about the latest tragedy to happen to the Baxter family.
  However, none of the books or series I mentioned above can even hold a candle to my all-time favorite series- The Christy Miller Series. I can still remember where I was when I first started reading Summer Promise, book one of the series. We were at the Brouwers house- all the kids were hanging out as our parents played cards, and I was in their spare room sucked into the magical world of Christy Miller. I couldn't turn those pages fast enough.

As you can see from the cover of this book, it was clearly going to be a page-turner!

  I was invested in the romance of Christy and Todd. I read and reread every detail about their slow ascent from friends to dating and was overjoyed when they came out with the college years to keep me up to date on the status of their relationship. I couldn't wait to meet a "Todd" of my very own. :)
  One of my favorite Christmas presents ever was my very own set of Christy Miller books. These are still a treasured possession, that not just anyone is allowed to borrow. I became so wrapped up in these books and the story of Christy, that my family would tease me that I thought she was a real person and friend.
  While I realize that I can become a little obsessed while in the middle of a book (ask Bryan), that is what I love about books. They can take you and transport you to a place far away, where you can relate to the characters, feel their pain, experience their joy and for just a little while be whisked away from the dirty dishes that should be washed, the laundry that needs to be folded and the papers that are waiting to be graded...Oh the joy of a good book.

Fun with the Fam

 Another trip to Pella is coming to a close. And what  fun trip it has been. Cami got to spend lots of time with her cousins. She got so many hugs and kisses from Grandpa and Grandma. I got to meet up with some college friends to catch up and see them in their new roles as moms. It really has been a blessing.
  With Dan and Amy moving to Cali this summer, and two new babies in the fam, we made sure to take advantage of this time together and took family pictures. Here are a couple of my favorites of the kiddos in their new Easter outfits from Grandma and of our little family too.

 Spending this week with Cami has made me really anxious for summer, when I get to spend every day with her. A teacher's schedule is so great!

A Glimpse of Heaven?

 One of the best Christmas presents we got this year was tickets to a Chris Tomlin concert. The concert was finally this past Tuesday. So, my parents, siblings and all of our spouses went to dinner and then to the concert.
  It was AwEsOmE! It was three hours spent in worship with a couple thousand people. People were singing, dancing and letting their love for the Lord show. The spirit of God was definitely in that place. And it was so neat to think that this is just a glimpse of what heaven could be like...

A Trip to Pella...

 I am so excited- next week is spring break and I get to go to IOWA! Every spring break, my hubby and I head to Pella to visit his family and catch up with some friends. It is always a restful and relaxing week. There are so many things that I look forward to, and here are just a few:

* Riding the Harley around Pella with my hubby.

* Hanging out with my awesome sister-in-laws. I am so lucky- I married into a great family and one of the things I love the most about it is my sisters! We don't see each other a lot, but we always pick up where we left off. They are fun and funny and a blessing in my life!

* Spending time with our nieces and nephews. We only get to see them a couple times a year, so we have to soak up all the time we can get with them. They are always so much bigger than the last time I saw them and have so much energy and life. Even better, is that this trip we get to meet our new niece Adalynn!

* Puff pillows, Pizza Ranch, George's, Banket, and more! Oh the wonderful food that we eat when we are in Pella- it is such a treat. Even better is the souvenir of 5 extra pounds that I get to take home after each trip! :)

* Tulip Tea Room- For the last four years, the girls always get to have a dainty and fun lunch at the Tulip Tea Room. I was a little skeptical at first, but now I so look forward to this fun outing!

* Sleeping, napping and relaxing- Bryan's parents spoil us and let us lounge around, make a mess and enjoy our time together as a family.

* Being spoiled by my mother-in-law who fills the house with all of our favorite snacks and treats! (Have you noticed that most of the things I am excited about revolve around food? )

* Watching B and brother and dad compete for the golf crown- this battle gets pretty heated, but it is fun to watch them "bond".

* Catching up with college friends- some of our college friends live in the area and it is so fun to catch up with them, meet their kiddos and see how life has been treating them!

* Did I mention Pizza Ranch yet? :)

I could go on and on...and I as I look forward to heading to the midwest to spend time with my awesome family, I get more and more excited! :) Best of all is now we have sweet little Cami who gets to spend a great week with the people who mean so much to us!

The Halls of Middle School

   I am a middle school teacher- and have been for almost two years now. Each morning, we teachers stand in the hallway before school to keep the students from getting too crazy. As I watch these middle school students, grappling their way through these awkward days of adolescence, I feel a range of emotions myself.

   I laugh at the student who runs towards their friends screaming "Helloooo" the whole way down the hallway, making sure that everyone notices and looks at them along the way. 

   I smile at the girls who neatly put their books away, double-check their folder for homework, triple-check their hair and lip gloss in their locker mirror and quietly walk down the hall to find a group of friends.

  I hurt for the student I see walk back and forth, trying to look as if they are going somewhere, while also trying to figure out what group they can fit into, hang out with, or just follow around.

  I'm still puzzled by the behavior of boys as they jump on each other's backs, push each other around and punch each other in the arm or stomach as they laugh hysterically.

  I'm impressed by the international students who are here all by themselves, learning English while learning the culture of a new country while also successfully navigating the choppy waters that are middle school.

 I'm sad for the student who walks alone, hoping simply to blend in and doing everything in their power not to be noticed.

  I'm proud of the student who marches to the beat of their own drum, has their own style, and isn't afraid of not fitting in.
  I'm able to relate with the students I see sitting against the wall, frantically trying to finish the homework  they procrastinated on too long that is now due next period.
  I'm upset with the student who puts others down to make themselves feel better.
  I'm excited for the future when I see the energy, creativity, and joy that floats around the halls of Valley Christian.
  I'm privileged to be a middle school teacher.

  

  

Toga, Toga, Toga!

This month it was my turn to host card club. And of course, a card club isn't a true card club unless there is a theme and costume requirement. So, I chose "togas".

I couldn't resist dressing Cami up in a little toga of her own!

We are celebrating our "5 year anniversary" as a card club this upcoming summer. I can't believe how fast time has gone and how much I love spending time with these girls! So blessed to have these ladies in my life.

Mother Daughter Bunco Night

Almost two years ago, Bryan and I bought a house and moved back to where I grew up in Long Beach. We also became the youth directors for the high school youth group at the church I grew up in. I wasn't sure what it would be like coming back, but it has been wonderful. It is so great going to church with the people who you grew up with and who watched you grow up. One of the things I love about LBCRC is the community there.

   Recently, I hosted a mother-daughter-buno-night with many of the the girls that my sister and I grew up going to church with. It was such a fun way to re-connect with so many of the ladies that have meant so much to me while I was growing up!

 All the mothers

 All the daughters

The best part of bunco night was that I won more money that night than Bryan won that whole weekend while he was in Vegas! :)

Treasuring Time at Home

It's funny how things change. Just a couple years ago, I loved being busy. I would fill our weekends and evenings with a mix of friends, church and other activities. I thrived on having lots of things to do. Now that sweet, little Cami is in the mix, things have changed.
 I still thoroughly enjoy spending time out with friends, but I am realizing how much I really treasure my time at home with my family. I like getting home at a decent time so I can still have time to relax before crashing in bed. I love a Friday night with nothing to do but hang out with Bryan and play with Cami. I don't want to have every weekend filled up with plans and events to attend. I want to be home with the people I love. I want to treasure these moments and soak them in, enjoying time with the people I love the most.

Eight Months

 It has been eight months. Eight fun-filled, emotional, joyful, exciting and wonderful months. It was eight months ago today that I had one of the longest and happiest days of my life. Just eight short months ago, our Camila Joy was born.

 All I want to do is slow time down- these months have gone way too quickly. And they make me realize that time will only go faster and that I must cherish each day. I have made sure to journal every week about Cami's firsts, the fun and the feelings that we have had. 

 There are so many things that I love about Cami and being her mom. As a celebration of her being 2/3 of a year, I wanted to share (written as if being shared with Cami)!

 

* In the first couple months of your life, you would sleep on daddy's and my chest, curled up in what we called your "tree-frog" position. It didn't matter what we had going on that day, it would wait. We would just sit there holding you, letting you sleep on our chest.

* Checking on you every hour at night the first couple weeks, just to make sure you were okay. :)

* Watching your face light up whenever your dad or I walk into a room.

* Celebrating your baptism with so many of our friends and family.

* Hearing you giggle and laugh when you are tickled or find something funny.

* Dressing you up in all the super-girly outfits and lots of pink, completely contradicting everything I said I was going to have you wear!

* Teaching you how to eat food and watching it get all over your cute, little face.

* Kissing your chubby, little cheeks

* Laughing when you saved all your "blow-outs" for your time with Auntie Erin!

* Going for walks at the park

* Coming home from youth group to see you sleeping on Grandpa Halma's chest

* Seeing all of your "firsts" like rolling over, sitting up, sleeping without your swaddle bag

* Seeing your excitement over "little puffs"

There are been so much fun and growth in eight months. I can't wait to see what the next eight months bring. I love you so much!

A Trip to Mexico...

   A couple of Saturdays ago, I went with a leadership team from my church down to Tijuana, Mexico to meet with the missionaries we support. We are hoping to take a team down from our church this summer to help support and see first-hand the ministries that our missionaries are doing there.
  We went for one day and saw so many things. We visited a local church and saw the outreach they were doing in the community. We visited a men's rehab center. We had amazing tacos at a local place. We went to a Bible institution and church. And finally, we went to an orphanage.
   This place broke my heart. It was a home for about 45 kids from infant to middle school aged. These kids are orphans because their parents died, are in jail or abused them. Their chance of being adopted is very slim because the cost is too great for many and the laws make it difficult for any sort of international adoption. There were 3 wonderful women who live there and take care of the children. But that's it. Just three women for 45 kids. As if my heart was not hurting enough, James, the missionary, said that this was one of 250 registered orphanages in Tijuana alone. All of which are about the same size. Approximately 11,250 orphans in Tijuana alone.
  These kids will live there until they are 18 and then they will have to leave and be out on their own. Without a family for support, a place to live or many of the skills needed for survival. All I wanted to do was take these kids home. It was so hard to drive back home to my place of comfort. To my little world where my biggest problem is that I have a student that was disruptive or a parent that was difficult. I saw beauty in the faces of these children and I saw pain as I imagined the future that is ahead of them. And I feel helpless...

Breakthrough!

We have had a major breakthrough! Starting on Friday, Cami is finally taking her bottle again. She guzzled two bottles down today at daycare. Yeah!!! This is an answer to prayer!

A moment my students won't soon forget

 This week in science there was an unforgettable moment. A memory that I'm sure my students will remember for many years to come. I wish I could say it was an amazing lab that sparked a new-found love for science in the hearts of these young adolescents.  Or that we had a deep discussion that made students really take time to think and ponder another point of view. Sadly, it was not.  Instead it was just an embarrassing moment. A very embarrassing moment. An extremely embarrassing moment...for me.
 I was reviewing the answers to a worksheet with my class on my document camera. As I was sitting in my chair, I was leaning forward on the front legs, as I always do. All of a sudden, I could feel the legs of my chair sliding backwards and out from under me. It was in slow motion. I could feel it slipping and yet could do nothing about it. I threw my hands in the air and tried to grab my desk as I fell completely to the floor.
 My mind was going a million miles an hour as I laid there on the floor. I had just completely fallen out of my chair on the floor in front of my whole second period class. Did everyone see that? How does one recover from this? What was the best way to handle it? The class was surprisingly quiet as they tried to stifle the giggles and laughs that were building in their throats.
 I decided the best way to handle it was to laugh and relieve the tension. I quickly stood up and took a bow and started laughing out loud. The class, seeing that I was okay, started to laugh out loud too.
 Then comments started flying. I heard things like "That was the slowest fall I've ever seen." "I thought you were having a seizure." "What happened?" "That was so graceful".
 For the rest of class, I tried to regain control, but as I was teaching I would try to envision what it looked like for my students to see me fall completely on the ground and I would start laughing and my students would quickly join in.
 I'm sure many students will never remember what we learned in that lesson about chemical bonding, but they will always me- falling, flailing and flopping on to the cold hard ground. Awesome.

Come Follow Me

  Last weekend we had our high school winter retreat. It was a great weekend of fun, fellowship and learning. Our kids are really creative and were able to make a little of their own fun. They found old pieces of wood to use as sleds down the icy hills around the camp. They even got crazy and used an old table to "ski" down the hill. Probably not the safest activity, but they had a blast.
  Retreats are always great because your group comes back so much closer. You have new jokes, new stories and a lot of bonding time. However, the best thing about our retreat was the learning and growth that took place. We had Tim Becksvoort come and speak to our kids about what it takes to truly be a disciple of Christ. He did an amazing job of tying Bible stories together, showing what it truly takes to be a follower of Christ and stirring up new passion and desire to follow him. Bryan and I both said he really brought the Bible to life- it was like we were in an arena watching Bible stories take place in front of our very eyes.
 If you have heard Ray Vander Laan speak, Tim echoes some of his teachings. One thing that stuck with me is that you need to follow your rabbi (Jesus) so closely that the dust he kicks up lands on your feet. You need to be studying and learning and following him each and every day. You can't claim Jesus as your rabbi if you really don't know anything about him.
 I came home with a new passion and desire to truly study my rabbi. A new craving to jump into the scriptures and get to know my Lord. To look for ways to imitate him in my every day life. I pray that I continue to be faithful in this journey with my rabbi.

14 reasons...

***Warning- mushy post- readers beware ***

In honor of Valentine's Day, I have decided to post 14 of the many reasons that I love my hubby. While there are so many reasons that I love B, here are just a few:

1) He is responsible and organized. This may not sound like the most exciting thing to start off the list with, but it is an important one in our relationship. Without this, bills would be unpaid, checks would never be deposited and we would still be looking for the checkbook. He is the one that keeps things running smoothly around our house.

2) He makes "the face" whenever he does his hair in the mirror. It's impossible for him not to make "the face" and I love it.

3) He is an amazing dad- there has not been a diaper too dirty, a toy too girly for him to play with or a bathtime too stressful. He loves Cami and he loves being her dad. He lights up when he holds her and his grin shows across the room when she is around. Cami is a lucky girl.

4) He gives 100% in everything he does. This is in teaching, coaching, leading youth group, loving Cami and loving me. He never does things half-way. He is a stud. :)

5) He is  a bad-a**. He drives a motorcycle. With his argyle socks on. It's pretty sweet.

6) He teaches me how to be more disciplined. He show me that daily decisions are what lead to growth and change.

7) Bryan thinks first, speaks second. I often do the opposite. From this, I learn many lessons.

8) He's still as dreamy as he was when we were in college.

9) He knows what he believes and does what he believes is right. He sticks to his guns and will make decisions or say what is needed to be said, even when it is difficult to do or say.

10) He's the best Dr. Mario player I know. It is truly a talent to stand in awe and amazement of.

11) He is a soup specialist- he makes a mean batch of potato-cheese soup, as well as chicken noodle!

12) He is willing to watch girlie movies with me...and sometimes he even likes them.

13) He is always honest. And to be honest, sometimes I hate this (when it isn't what I want to hear). However, I never wonder where he stands, what he thinks or if the things he says are sincere.

14) He loves me. When it is good, when it is bad, and even when it is ugly.

I don't often take enough time to reflect on how good I really have it. I am a lucky girl and love every minute of being married to Bryan Joel! Happy Valentine's Day!

** End of mushy post**

Highlight of the Week

Two nights ago Bryan was watching a movie called "Disturbia". He kept commenting how scary the movie was, so he was already a little on edge. I had to go out to the garage to change the laundry. As I went by the living room, I pounded on the window behind his head. He jumped out of his seat and screamed so loud. I couldn't believe he didn't wake Cami up. It was AWESOME!

Stubborn Off

 Cami and I are in the midst of a "stubborn off" and she is winning. Cami has decided that she no longer needs to take a bottle. She has taken one without problem, and quite energetically, for the last four months. However, she recently decided that she is over it. She will only eat bananas and pears or when I nurse her. I have tried different types of sippy cups and bottles, holding her different ways, slipping the bottle in when she is distracted, and many other "tricks" I have been told about. None of them have worked. I have taken her to the doctor to see if she had an ear infection that might be causing this, but no, she is healthy as can be. And stubborn as can be. So, our poor little girl eats nothing all day while we are at work.
 On Saturday, I decided that we were going to fight it out. I was going to refuse to feed her unless it came from a bottle or a spoon. All morning I kept trying an trying, and after three hours of effort, she finally took 5 ounces. One point for mom.
 However, this would be the last point that I would earn. From that point on, she did eat some bananas and peaches, but didn't drink another ounce. Finally at five o'clock that afternoon, I felt I had to give in and give her what she wanted. She had won. And she still has not taken a bottle. So, each night she eats a lot and each day she eats nothing. She has a little cold right now, so I am waiting to try round two until she feels a little better. Let's hope that she will finally give in and take that bottle!
 This whole bottle thing has taught me a lesson in parenting. I see now how as a parent doing the right thing is not always the easy thing. It is so much easier for me to give in to Cami and give her what she wants. Then I know she is eating and there is no battle of wills and life around the house is a lot easier.
 However, I also know that the better thing would be for her to take her bottle. If she takes a bottle, she won't be hungry all day and she will feel better because of it. I can see the big picture. I know that I need to keep working on it and holding out until she finally gives in.
 However, this is so hard because when Cami isn't eating she is crabby and sad. When that little bottom lips starts to stick out and quiver, I am putty in her hands. I'll do whatever I can to make that stop. Holding out for the bottle makes that bottom lip quiver and makes me feel awful.
 I know that holding out until she takes a bottle is the right thing, but it is the hard thing. I know that in the future, there will be times when I have to tell Cami "no" or discipline her because I know what is best for her. And I know that it will be hard to watch and hard to stop myself from giving in, but I also know it will be what she needs. Being a good parent won't mean having her like all my decisions, but making decisions based on what is best for her.
 This got me thinking about our Heavenly Father and how he has to do the same for us. He watches us and hears our prayers but sometimes he has to say no. He sees the big picture. He knows what is best for us. Sometimes he has to let us go through hard times and difficult situations, because he knows that in the end, it is what is best for us. And for this I am so thankful.

Cami's First Day at Daycare

 I can't imagine what it will be like the first day we take Cami to school, because today was her first day of daycare and that was tough enough. We have been lucky enough to have my sister babysit Cami each day at our house since I started school in September, but sadly, that arrangement has come to an end as Erin is getting ready to start physical therapy school in Azusa.
 Don't get me wrong, we are really excited and feel good about the at-home daycare she will be attending, but it is just another reminder that time is passing so quickly and Cami is growing up!
 As we got Cami ready for they day, we made sure to dress her in one of her cutest outfits. We wanted her to look good for all the new friends she was going to be meeting today. First impressions really do make a big difference. :)
 As Cami was eating this morning, Bryan said, "Well, at least we know your lunch won't get stolen today, because all you have is bottles of mommy's milk and some squash...although in that crowd, that may seem like a treat instead of formula!" Bryan also reminded her too be tough and stand tall to any kids that might be mean to her, because she is, after all, two foot four!
 I slowly pulled up in front of her new daycare and suddenly remembered I hadn't filled out the emergency forms she needed. I frantically looked around my car for paperwork and found it "neatly"folded and under the front seat. I quickly filled it out and stuffed it into a bag... somewhere.
  I brought her up to the door with all the bags and bags of stuff that I had packed for her first day of daycare. I think our daycare provider could tell I was a little nervous, because she just smiled at me a lot and said "Okay!" to the million different instructions and tips I shared with her. At the end of my spiel, she grinned at me and sweetly said, "Sounds great- and you are more than welcome to call anytime to check in on her too." I breathed a sigh of relief as it was nice to hear her say that out loud. I gave Cami one last kiss and drove away a little bit sad, but fully confident that she was in good hands.
 And as a reward to myself for being such a big girl, I stopped at Starbucks and treated myself to a salted caramel hot chocolate.

Marriage is Bliss

My little sister just got engaged. I am so excited for her- Peter is a great guy, who loves her so much. As I sat tonight and listened to them laugh and joke about what married life will be like, I think back to oh-so-long-ago when Bryan and I were newlyweds. There are so many memories that I have from these early days of marriage on Hilton Head Drive. So, as the older sister, I'd like to share some marital advice with Erin from many years as a married woman.

* It was four weeks into marriage and three days into our new careers as teachers. Bryan came to me and told asked me to cut his hair. He told me his mom did it for his dad, so I could do it for him as well. We had received the clippers we registered for as a wedding gift, so we were all ready to go. I popped in the little "How to Cut Hair" video that came with the clipper set and was ready to go. I was very nervous to do this, not wanting to mess up my hunky husband's hair. I timidly approached above his right ear with the clippers. It didn't seem to be cutting any hair, so I put on a lower guard and tried again. I had the same problem. I tried again, but again, I was barely cutting any hair. I continued to do this, changing and lowering the guard until Bryan grabbed the clippers out of my hand and put it right up to his head. This time it made a whirring sound and cut out a very large chunk of hair. Long story short, we had to shave his head without a guard, causing it to be very, very short. Let's just say, that my good looking hubby looks much better looking with hair. Lesson One: Don't try to cut Peter's hair.


* Just a few short weeks later, Bryan and I were still adjusting to our new lives as spouses, teachers and basically adults. Bryan was commuting from Diamond Bar to Cerritos and got up very early to beat the traffic. One particular morning, he got ready to leave like usual, but forgot to reset the alarm for a later time for myself when he left. I continued to sleep and sleep, when suddenly, I woke up and looked at the alarm clock. The numbers 8:47 were flashing at me and sent me into a panic. I had overslept and was already an hour late to school. I quickly called my school and told them what had happened and that I was on my way. I showered and went school, looking very professional with wet hair, no make up and a sheepish grin. Lesson Two: Have two alarm clocks.


* Lesson Three: Hamburger Helper isn't as impressive to your hubby as you think it will be...enough said.


* Men and women like very different shows. While I love watching uplifting shows like Grey's Anatomy, Friends and The Bachelor, Bryan loves watching any, every and all sporting events. The "great" thing about sports is that there is always some sort of sporting event going on. And if there isn't, there is some ESPN classic replay, PTI, some guy on ESPN talking about sports on TV or...you get the picture. Now, I love sports myself, but... Lesson Four: Take control of the remote early...if you don't, you'll never get it back.


* Right after we were married, I thought it sounded like so much fun to go grocery shopping together. To pick out the different meals that I imagined we were going to cook together, eat together at the table and clean up together. Shortly after we got back from our honeymoon, it was time for our first shopping trip. We went together and we quickly realized that we had very different shopping styles. While I liked to look at all the different brands and compare the prices and really think through every purchase, Bryan was a speedy shopper, paying less attention to price and more to what sounded good at the time. I wanted him to slow down and he wanted me to hurry up.  Lesson Five: Grocery shopping together isn't as romantic as it sounds.


* As Bryan and I adjusted to each others habits and quirks, we quickly realized that our biggest issues were not going to be relational, but were going to be roommate issues: I am messy, Bryan is was not. Things that I didn't notice, like the overflowing trash or dishes in the sink, drove him crazy. Things that I stepped around and overlooked, such as clothes on the floor and laundry left in the dryer, were making him go bonkers.  I would be watching TV or reading a book, oblivious to Bryan huffing around the condo, shooting me not-so-loving-looks and picking up all the messes that I had created. I quickly learned my next lesson. Lesson Six: When the hubby is picking up around the house, put down what you are doing and help him out. 


* I hate to burst your bubble, but sometimes married couples have arguments disagreements. Like mentioned previously, ours were typically about our roommate issues. Since I am the over-reacter in the couple, I would often make these a bigger deal than they needed to be. Typically our fights would end when I made some outrageous or dramatic statement that made us stop fighting and start to laugh hysterically. Bryan still uses many of these statements made in my over-reactive state as a means of making fun of me.
 One of our personal favorites is when Bryan, trying to smooth things over, told me "we just need to hug it out." He then tried to wrap his arms around me and end our argument. I, both angry and completely serious, glared up at him and growled, "Do I look like a cuddler? Do I look like someone you can cuddle with?" After which, we both laughed at the ridiculousness of the statement and realized how silly our fight actually was. Lesson Seven: Laughing at yourself can help bring "tense" situations into perspective.


* Bryan and I have been married for 7 1/2 years. We have had a lot of great times together and grown together through some tough times. I wouldn't trade in a minute of it for time with anyone else. We have loved, laughed, cried, fought, smiled, teased, grown and loved. I look back and see how quickly time has flown by. So here is my last lesson. Lesson Eight: Cherish each and every minute of married life- it moves so fast!


Erin- Love you lots and I know you are going to be so happy with Peter. I can't wait for the chance to learn from your married life lessons! :)

Cami Joy

Cami is six months old! She has brought us an abundant amount of joy, happiness and fun. The newness isn't wearing off, but time is traveling at lightning speed. We have loved this new journey parenthood has brought and look forward to what the next six months will bring.

The Art of Listening

Listening is an art. It is harder than it sounds. I know this because I often have to repeat directions in class over and over again. I like to blame things for my bad listening skills. As a teacher, I like to say it is because I am a visual learner, so I have a harder time listening. This isn't exactly what it means to be a visual learner.
 I don't think that DVR has done me any favors. I am so used to being able to rewind what I am watching to repeat something I missed. I catch myself wanting to use this same rewind button on the radio or when people are talking. In fact, earlier this week a student was answering a question in class and I realized I had no idea what they were talking about. As they waited expectantly for my feedback, I had to sheepishly admit I wasn't listening, and could they please repeat their answer.
 I realize that all too often I simply smile and nod at people and really have no idea what it is that they are saying. Today, Bryan and I were playing peek-a-boo with Cami, when he announced he had to get going. "What? You're leaving? Where are you going?" I asked. He laughed and said he knew I hadn't been listening when he told me the night before that he had to scout in the morning. Busted.
 To truly listen to someone, you must put aside your own desire to be heard, and let someone else have the floor. It can be difficult to truly listen to someone without throwing in your own two cents. Without checking out of the conversation.
 In James, it says,  "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." Unfortunately, I often find myself on the wrong side of this, by being quick to speak and slow to listen. And so, yet another area to work on as we enter 2011. Well, I better get going. I think Bryan is talking to me. :)

Celebrating 2010

As 2011 is quickly getting underway, I wanted to stop and take a few minutes to reflect on 2010 and all the blessings that it has brought. 2010 was a great year and one I won't soon forget! Here are just a few of the high lights:

* A smooth transition to teaching middle school science at my alma mater.

* A new passion and love for the age-old classic Jeopardy.

* Watching little E graduating from college.

* Attending a very interesting birthing class that will bring B and I laughs for many years.

* Youth retreats, outings and fun with high school students.

* Dressing up and hanging out with friends at monthly card club gatherings.

* Seeing my brother so in love with his new wifey and gaining another sister in Katie!

* Gaining our newest niece, Adalynn Faith.

* Visiting family and having family come to visit us.

* Becoming recent fan of the color pink, headbands and bows and all things girly.

* Finding new ways to waste time via Family Feud on facebook.

* Experiencing the joy of being pregnant, something I wasn't sure was ever going happen.

* The continued satisfaction that Diet Coke and Cheez-It's bring.

* A whole new side of my hubby being revealed as he dotes on our little girl.

* The overwhelming joy and excitement it has brought each day to be a new mom to our Camila Joy. 

We are so thankful for all of God's many blessings in 2010 and look forward to the start of a new year!