just because

the cutest advent calendar ever...

2010-12-02T22:00:00.000-08:00

...was recently created by my mother! She made this for Gavin and now we're all coveting it. :)

It was hanging up at my mom's house when we were there for Thanksgiving. I think my dad was hoping it would stay at their house (my dad is the biggest fan of Christmas...EVER). However, I believe it is now out in Maple Valley hanging with the Gavinator...as it should be.

How sweet are all of the little mittens? We used the Cricut to cut out the tiny numbers. Then, my mom glued them on to these tags she had covered in festive papers.

Since last year, my mom's had a plan. She knew she wanted to do something like this for her grandchild. (Gavin was a little too young to appreciate it last year.) So, grandma was on the lookout for mittens. She made some, bought some and found some in her own decorative stash.

There's plenty of room inside these little mittens to leave behind an advent treat.

Jamie was insisting that she should get the advent calendar since my mom has known her much longer than she has Gavin. I'm not sure that's fair play, but she's got a point. :)

Can't wait to see what grandma has in store for Gavin's little sister. :)

hope you had...

2010-11-30T21:00:00.000-08:00

...a Happy Thanksgiving! Below, you'll find my virtual gift to the world.

This is my third attempt at making some delicious and beautiful Jenny Cookies. If you have the time and money, I would highly recommend taking one of Jenny's classes. She's amazing (not to mention super nice, sweet, kind, beautiful, creative, and down-to-earth)!

My cookies are nothing compared to hers (but they have improved slightly), so don't judge her abilities by mine. Check out Jenny's website and you'll see what I mean. Incredible...and oh, so yummy!

Gobble, gobble...

thriller...teacher version

2010-10-30T12:40:00.000-07:00

We surprised our kids again...this time around it was in honor of the fact that we reached our school goal and raised more than $47,222.31 during our magazine drive. It's far from professional, but that's what makes it SO.MUCH.FUN!

Check it out!

(I can't put it in the post right now...it won't let me.)

please help...

2010-10-26T18:42:00.000-07:00

Update: Riley was found late last night. Thank you for your prayers!

One of my students has gone missing. She left home Monday morning, around 7, and hasn't been seen since. They (the police and her family) believe that Riley ran away from home, but this is totally unlike her. So, I ask you all to pray! You've graciously lifted me up in prayer and now I'm asking you to rally around this family. Pray that sweet Riley is quickly found...safe and sound! Pray that the Lord would equip our staff to handle the other students and all of their questions/concerns. Pray that through this difficult time, the Lord's power and presence would be felt by ALL!

Here's a link to the Facebook page her family has set-up. They have promised to keep it updated. I'll keep you posted as well...

no pictures, lots of words, but from the heart...

2010-10-19T09:38:00.000-07:00

Things are about to get real personal (and a little lengthy too).

What I’m about to discuss is something that it typically not talked about. It is kept hidden until change occurs…then, it’s not as likely to upset or offend. I don’t think that should be the case. Instead, I think it should be something that is openly spoken of and prayed for. You may choose to disagree, and that’s okay…perhaps a bit sad, but acceptable none-the-less.

Some may already know this; others, might not have a clue. Regardless, it’s a huge part of my life and that’s why I think it’s worth sharing. I can post a million crafts, a ton of family pictures, stories about my role as a teacher, what it means to have a relationship with Jesus, and gush over my husband. However, if I fail to mention this, I’m leaving out a huge piece of my story…the one that God is knitting together.

It is my hope and prayer that this post would allow others to see that they’re not alone in their struggles. This isn’t something you have to be afraid to share. I also want those in my life to know that they should not feel as though they have to hold back and avoid the topic altogether. The Lord has designed my life and this is obviously part of His plan. I trust Him fully, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t experience some pain and frustration along the way.

Here it goes…

In May of 2008, Ben and I decided that it was time to open up our lives to the possibility of having children. We knew it was something we wanted, but we also had a strong desire to wait until we had an opportunity to experience some time alone in our marriage. We felt it was important to wait a bit before having children. During those 21 months, we grew in our relationship and felt more prepared to welcome a child into the world. We also felt the Lord prompting us to pursue this avenue.

Now, if you’re any good with numbers, you can see that it’s been almost two and a half years and we still don’t have any kids.

For the first year or so, we didn’t really think too much about trying to get pregnant. We felt like the Lord would bless us with a child in His timing. However, once May of 2009 rolled around, we started to wonder. I found a specialist and decided to ask her about our struggle. She ran a bunch of tests and it looked as though everything was “normal.” She didn’t see the need to test Ben. Instead, she suggested we try for a few more months.

It’s important to note that I’ve never been regular…never. So, the fact that I was only having my period once every few months left us with a smaller window of opportunity. In the hopes of getting my cycle on track, the doctor had me try one month of birth control followed by one month off. Did you know that you’re most fertile when coming off birth control? Unfortunately, that didn’t work for us.

Flash forward a few more months and I’m back at the doctor’s office. This time around, she wants me to use some ovulation kits to see if I’m even ovulating. Really? Obviously, I wasn’t paying close attention in my high school health class. I didn’t know you could have your period and still not ovulate. Shows how much I know.

Since those sticks can get rather pricey, I found a place online and ordered in bulk. I just had a feeling (call it a prompting from the Lord) that we would need a large supply. So, my batch of 50 ovulation sticks arrived and we set off on the next leg of our journey.

During this time, I can honestly say that although I was discouraged and upset on occasion, I could also see the Lord’s hand in it all. Ben and I would talk about how difficult it would have been to have gotten pregnant right away. Since he was in school and gearing up to go back for another round, it was a blessing to see that the Lord kept us from conceiving. We were also able to take a few trips, get more involved at our church, cabin lead at Lakeside, love on our nieces and nephew, and take on more at work. With a child in the picture, those things might not have been possible.

Two years into it all, and I find myself back at the doctor’s office. That’s when things got a bit more serious. I wasn’t ovulating. As a result, the doctor prescribed some Clomid. I waited for a few months (since I didn’t get my period regularly) and then finally had a chance to take the medication in July of 2010. Nothing. The following month, nothing.

Since the first few cycles of Clomid didn’t work, the doctor increased my dosage. Instead of taking 50 milligrams, I was now taking 100 milligrams. Thankfully, I haven’t turned into a monster or anything. I know several women who openly admit to having been rude, mean, and cranky…all thanks to the Clomid. I’ve been able to avoid that side effect.

This pretty much brings us to today. We’re gearing up to try the third round of Clomid at 100 milligrams. I called my doctor (it was after hours, so I left a message) this week to see where we go from here – assuming that I don’t ovulate this next month. I’m supposed to call back today, after work. (By the way, I absolutely love this woman…she is so calm, and reassuring. If anyone out there needs a doctor, let me know. I will give you her info. At this point, she only accepts referrals – that’s how good she is.)

What am I supposed to say when people ask when we’re planning to have kids? Up until now, I’ve just kind of laughed it off and made comments like, “Any day now.” Otherwise, it makes for an awkward conversation. What am I allowed to share and what’s considered too much? How do I let people know that the Lord has blessed me with the ability to see children as a gift and a true miracle? I know many women who have struggled with infertility and as a result, they can’t go to baby showers, they get upset when people announce they’re pregnant and they find it difficult to rejoice in the addition of a new life. Not me! If anything, I feel as though I am able to see just how much of a miracle a baby can be…not all of us are guaranteed this gift. This is something that obviously comes from God!

On the flip side, I can tell you that I struggle when folks complain about how long it took them to conceive – four months, six months, etc. Inside, I’m screaming out, “Talk to me when you’ve been trying for two and a half years.” I know this isn’t a Godly response, but I’m being honest. I’m sure there are others out there who have been battling this for much longer. To them, I am certain that my voice is rather annoying.

I also find myself getting upset when people speak of their accidental pregnancy. That’s hard to hear. Again, I know this isn’t the right response, but I’m laying it all out on the table right now. Those who have struggled with infertility probably have their “hot buttons” as well…maybe they’re the same, maybe they’re different.

We might not know exactly what the future holds for our family. However, we are trusting in the Lord and His perfect plans. We know there are options out there, but we don’t yet feel called to pursue any of those (other than what we’re currently doing). There are many people surrounding us who have adopted – and rather recently. So, perhaps we will be contacting them in the near future for advice and feedback. Maybe this journey will come to an end next month?

Now you know what’s going on in our lives…the good, the bad, and the ugly. We have hope in Christ Jesus and without Him I can’t imagine traveling this road. We have learned so much about who God is and what He wants for us. We have been able to see blessings where it is often difficult to see at all. We will continue to praise Him and seek out His plan for our family…whatever that may look like. Please, feel free to join us in prayer!

If this is something you’re struggling with, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment – I would love to be able to lift you up in prayer! There’s something so freeing when you realize you’re not alone.

I’m tired of tip-toeing around infertility. Sure, I could have waited to mention this until we found out we were pregnant, but that doesn’t help to paint an accurate picture of our lives. Instead, the Lord calls us to share our story so that in turn, He may be glorified! We continue to praise Him in this “storm.”

too bad...

2010-09-17T10:00:00.000-07:00

...I don't know any educators who get overly organized for substitute teachers.

my bucket list...

2010-09-09T15:30:00.000-07:00

Now, this is supposed to be top-secret. So, I hope I'm not ruining anything for the six of you who still read my blog. A few months back, I was part of Seattle's Glee Flash Mob (that's not the secret). It was so much fun! Fast forward a few months and there was another opportunity to be a part of this same group. We were going to learn a new dance and then perform it for an even bigger crowd. Turns out, we're the halftime show for an upcoming Seattle sporting event. It takes place on Sunday and that's all I'm saying. :)

Last night we had a dress rehearsal at the venue (providing you with more clues as to our event time, location, etc.). It was absolutely insane. There were nearly 2,000 people in attendance and we were running around the field, through the tunnels and dancing our hearts out. The teacher in me (and Kristina & Katie) became a bit annoyed with the lack of organization and planning. As a result, we turned into three of the most obnoxious students, I'm sure.

Here we are (me, Katie, and Kristina) showing off the yellow whistles we were given. Somehow they'll be incorporated into the routine. We've also got some yellow flags to include. (I might have been using my district-issued camera to catch these moments...hence the less-than-stellar quality.)

This is my favorite picture. No, it's not going to win any awards, but it simply shows you what the view from the tunnel was like last night. Keep in mind, all of the soccer stuff was set up for tonight's game. So, it will look very different come Sunday! :)

This picture best captures how I felt last night, as we were leaving. A little bit of excitement, a touch of nervousness, a ton of frustration, and TOTALLY tired.

I've don't know that this is something I would have initially written down as a life goal. However, performing at halftime for a crowd of 70,000 is pretty cool. So, I'll be adding it to my list and then promptly crossing it off said list. I'm not saying it's going to be a perfect routine or anything...far from it. But, you'll see a field full of smiling folks who have enjoyed practicing and working together (and how cool that I've been able to share this experience with two of my co-workers?!?!).

I'm still not sure how this is considered a "flash mob." In my opinion, it's more like cheap (a.k.a. free) entertainment. We're like a miss-matched drill team...although that might be giving us too much credit. Regardless, I'm going to have a BLAST! :)

rebecca's space...

2010-08-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago, my friend Hillary and I got to decorate her sister's place. Rebecca lives in a cute studio apartment in Bellevue. (I've tried convincing several people to move into this building...great location, super nice staff, decent garage, sweet interiors, etc.)

We'll start with the before pictures. Oh, and please excuse the photo quality. I used my small camera and I haven't quite learned how to utilize it to it's fullest.

The view from inside the front door looking towards the hallway & living area.

From inside the main living space, looking towards the hallway/closet & front door.

The kitchen area...& Noah! Did I mention that we decided to take on this project during one of the hottest days of the summer?!?! Rebecca had a few fans, but it was beyond hot! Needless to say, after we left, Rebecca went out and bought herself an A.C. unit...smart girl. :)

This is the wall opposite of the bed & the kitchen. If you can imagine walking in, this is the wall on the left side of the room.

This is the view as you enter the main living space.

Hillary was given a $200-$300 budget - I can't remember exactly how much was spent. We met up one day and did the bulk of our shopping (Joann coupons can save you quite a bit). Hillary also tackled a few projects before the big day (painted frames from Goodwill, created a chalkboard, had the headboard made, etc.) Being prepared ahead of time allowed us to decorate and then shop for those items we still needed - all within the same day.

Now for the after pictures! Again, same camera...so the picture quality isn't all that great.

I didn't really take a "before" picture of the hallway wall. However, if you look back at the ones I posted above, you'll get an idea as to where this is. I had 4 mirrors that were just taking up space in a closet at our place. So, we were able to use a few of them throughout Rebecca's place. I think the black piece pictured below is something that was already at the apartment...not sure though. Since it matched, we used it!

As you come to the end of the short hallway, you'll see this! I love how it all turned out! :) Rebecca's colors were black, white, and then a pretty blue-gray. Noah's still looking pretty cute too.

Here's the view that you see when sitting on the bed/couch. Hillary had all of the photos printed in black & white...good call.

Now, if you were to stand where Noah is (above) and turn around, this is what you would see. Hillary decided that since the space has to function as a bedroom and a living room, it would make sense to create a padded headboard and then set it up like a day bed. It's super comfy and cute too! There were four pillows to begin with...and we found 2 more (Pier 1) to help give it even more of a plush feel.

Leslie, Hillary & Rebecca's mom, was kind enough to sew us some curtains for the room (just to the left of the bed/couch). Unfortunately, we didn't do a great job with the measurements for her. So, she's planning to add a contrasting fabric to the bottom of of these ones.

To the right of the bed/couch is the kitchen area.

We used another mirror above the sink and then installed a small rack (IKEA find) for some kitchen items. This is where I should give props to Steve, Hillary's husband. He came in and helped us with a ton of the hardward/hanging/manly stuff!

We put another mirror above the stove and this was an item that Rebecca had already...so it was free. :) The mirrors really helped to open up the space a bit. It made you feel as though there were more windows in the apartment too. Take note that we also included a few coordinating dish towels.

I should have taken pictures of the bathroom before, but I forgot. (To help visualize where this is at, just inside the front door, there's a bathroom to your right.) Here's what Hillary did to change it up...I think Rebecca said this is now her favorite part of the apartment. The sconces were something Hillary had and the small wooden wall hanging is a piece that Rebecca had. The flowers on the wall were something we stumbled upon at Bed, Bath & Beyond - along with the little hand towel. So simple, but so fun!

The shower curtain was a great find at Bed, Bath & Beyond...half price! It matches so perfectly too.

There you have it! We had a ton of fun doing this and we joked about how HGTV would just love to have us on their network. Ha, ha... It was a blast getting to do this for someone else. I think there was less pressure and that made it more fun. Seeing Rebecca's response was the best part of the entire experience. I should have captured that on film. Next time...

he's the best...

2010-08-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

It's currently 12:40 in the morning...that means it's officially our anniversary. 4 years ago today, we were in Hawaii, playing shuffleboard, swimming in the pool, and then things quickly shifted. I put on a dress, we all wore our leis, the photographer took some pictures, and then I walked down the isle and married the sweetest man alive. We were on a beach with a small crowd of family and friends and it was better than I could have ever imagined. We ended the day with a luau and it all felt so surreal.

Here we are at camp a few weeks back. This is where we met 5 years ago...and then got engaged 6 months later. It's amazing how the Lord has used this place to bring us together...then and now. It was so much fun to be back up there with Ben. Serving alongside him at LBC made me excited for our future summer schedules - two teachers with 2.5 months off each year!

Ben, you're the most forgiving man the world has ever known...seriously!
You have a heart for worship (and you're good)!
It's incredible to watch you with our nieces and nephew. Your face lights up and you can't help but talk about them to anyone who will listen. You'll make a great dad someday!
I especially admire your passion to serve the youth...of our church, community, camp, etc.
You put up with me and do it without complaining.
I love it when you share what you're interested in. I've been listening closely, as you tell me all about the wonderful world of sports. You've opened my eyes to statistics, trading, fantasy leagues, and so much more!
Ben, you work hard.
You are quick to admit your faults and take ownership of those things which need improving. I wish I could say the same about myself. Instead, I'm trying to learn from you. (Hang in there.)
Babe, you're super funny.
With so much on your plate these last few years, I stand in awe of all that you've accomplished. You've completed school and returned for more. You left one job and then quickly found another. Then you endured the nasty world of retail. Now, you've left that behind and you're on to the "real job" - the one you've been preparing for. I can't wait to see how much you'll enjoy teaching! Your students and the staff are going to love you too!
It makes my heart happy to know that although we won't be together to celebrate today, you're serving the Lord. Those campers are blessed to have you there this week. I'm so proud to call you my husband! Besides, we can celebrate once you're home.
I LOVE YOU H.B.S.P.

(Here's another thing I love about Ben. I never wanted a traditional wedding. I always envisioned that I would go back to Maui - where my extended family had vacationed over the years - and exchange vows on the beach in front of a small group. Thankfully, Ben thought it sounded great too. That family vacation/wedding is something we all still talk about. We are determined to return sometime soon too...maybe we'll celebrate our 5th anniversary there?!?!)

now that life is slowing down a bit...

2010-07-26T00:26:00.000-07:00

Perhaps I'll have a chance to try a few fun projects! Here are a couple of ideas...

Maybe I could use these when writing to my campers?!?! Super simple and inexpensive...but thoughtful, of course. :)
This is one of those things that would be fun to do with kids...however, we're short on those around here. So, I'm thinking this might be fun for our next family gathering. My brothers would go for it, but my dad might take a bit of convincing.
Maybe I should make a few of these sets now...then I'll have them on hand for any upcoming baby showers. Too cute!
After this last week at camp, I've decided that it might make sense to have some traveling pillowcases. Instead, we've been using old, mis-matched cases (one of mine is Lion King, the other is a floral pattern - Ben got stuck with a plain, nasty colored green case). Now, if I were to make these, adjustments would have to be incorporated for Ben's. The super-girly look would not fly! :)
So simple. So unique. So easy to try on my own. I can't wait to play around with this one.
This makes so much sense! I have some new towels that I picked up the other day...so, a transformation is in order.
Finally, I did something like this a while ago...only they were enclosed balls. This seems more useful and I really like the overall look.

I have a few pictures to post from camp, along with some of the crafting I've done lately. Ben's cousin Ashley (I refer to her as my cousin-in-law) is getting married later this month and I've had the privilege of making some things for the festivities leading up to the big event. I've got pictures to prove it too.

sioux falls...

2010-07-05T18:53:00.000-07:00

I failed at photographing our time in Sioux Falls. Since I didn't have the nice, big camera, I slacked-off. Wish I would have captured a bit more...at least Julia came through with a boat-load of pictures.

We'll begin with Ben's bug bites...

Oh, and here are a few more...

Next up, I had a chance to go on a nice date with these three. We had a delicious dinner and then hit up a movie. Good times! ;)

Finally (yep, that's all I captured), we've got the group pictures - minus the bride and groom. My bad! These guys were such troopers...most of them had just woken up and we were on our way back to Minnesota with Patti & Jason. So, it was now or never. (Blake is missing from this photo.)

Here's the next family portrait minus Scott...but now you're able to see Blake in the mix.

We were teasing Scott that perhaps he should simply have his own solo shot. I think he liked the idea.

Now, for a much better section of photos, I would encourage the rest of the world to take a look at the fun here.

I would like to think that we were having way too much fun to stop and take pictures. Although we certainly had a blast, I think that excuse is rather weak.

I had no clue that Sioux Falls could bring so much joy to someone's life...I think it might have something to do with the entire Iversen clan! :) We were blessed beyond measure to spend a few days with these fun folks who love each other and Jesus. I can see why Ben has enjoyed them so much over the years! I can't wait for the next big event. (Hint, hint: Janelle, Blake?)

for evie & ella...

2010-07-03T21:23:00.000-07:00

Uncle Ben and Auntie Anne ran into the Backyardigans while on vacation. So, these pictures are for Evie & Ella. We love you both and can't wait to see you! :)

suggestions, please...

2010-06-12T13:26:00.000-07:00

The summer is right around the corner - Thursday at 9:26am is when it truly begins for me. In the meantime, I've got some things to do here at work (yes, I'm here on a beautiful Saturday). My room has to be cleaned, my grades posted, papers graded, books organized, supplies tallied, etc. To keep me sane - and motivated - I ~~want~~ need some new music. So, please feel free to leave me a comment with your recommendations!

I promise to think of you as I close-up shop for the year and blast my music! :)

following directions...

2010-06-01T14:07:00.000-07:00

...or not!

Here's what we did in class today. This lesson never gets old, NEVER! :)

(Please excuse the quality of these photos. I had used the Print Screen option to make this show up.)

Any of you actually follow the directions?

I had 2 kids in my 1/2 block (of 32) who did what they were supposed to. The rest of the class simply untied their shoelaces, crawled under their desks, spun around a few times and failed to carefully read the assignment. Regardless, this task always creates great discussion...and a reminder as to why we read directions!

a few of my summer plans...

2010-05-24T08:09:00.000-07:00

The countdown is on...there are only 17 days of school left (including today). So, with more free time on the horizon, I've got a few creative plans.

I would really like to make a cover for my camera strap. This one is pretty cute and so is this one! It's also possible that I'll modify mine to include a ruffle. We'll see.
One of my missions this summer is to make enough cards to last me until next summer. This is a simple design that's super sweet!
Every spring, I host a classroom party. We celebrate everyone's birthday on the same day...that way those born in the summer aren't left out. This little party looks similar to an end-of-the-year celebration. We play games, create teams based on birthday months, and enjoy some yummy snacks - what's a party without food?!?! I want to make these for the annual celebration. They would hold-up well and keep me from having to buy streamers each year.
Some people belong to a book club, others are party of a dinner club. However, I'm thinking I should start some sort of craft club. One of the first projects I would tackle? This one! It looks so cute...and seems pretty simple too.
I would love to have these on hand for those rare occasions when we have folks over for dinner.
This is a brilliant idea! I need to get these made ASAP...that way I can use them throughout the summer.
I wonder if Gavin or the twins would find this book to be kind of fun?!?!
When the sun finally decides to stick around for a while, I want to try this little recipe. It seems easy enough.

There are a ton of ideas I have saved here on my computer. Perhaps I'll post a few more as I get a bit closer to summer vacation. In the meantime, please feel free to share any ideas you might have!

can you imagine...

2010-05-18T11:56:00.000-07:00

...how much fun this would be! :)

When you get to the post, make sure you scroll down to the actual video footage.

(This was posted on one of the crafty blogs I read. I couldn't pass it up.)

what's one to do...

2010-05-04T01:19:00.000-07:00

...when there's no Home Group on the first Monday of the month? I probably should have graded papers, cleaned house or finished up some laundry. However, I decided to put my creativity to use.

Let me introduce my meal planning menu board. I had set of pictures framed in our kitchen already, but I had been wanting to do something different. I contemplated changing out the three pieces of artwork that were being showcased, but that didn't seem too exciting. This is a bit more fun, and useful too! :)

(These pictures were taken once it was dark outside, so the flash had to be used...it left some crazy images on the left side near the knives?!?! Strange.)

Notes:

I don't often follow recipes...hence the open spaces where I wrote in some items. If I need the recipe, I can easily clip it to the proper clothes pin.
Since it's just the two of us, we're not all that great about sticking to our menu each week. Instead, life comes up...which is something we enjoy! So, this makes it easy to move things around without having to think too hard. :)
Saturday and Sunday are great days for consuming leftovers from throughout the week which is why I combined the two on my chalkboard.
I'm linking up to this blog (below) for the first time ever...could be fun! :)

All it took for this project was some chalkboard paint (already had some from another project), clothes pins (I've had those FOREVER), a bit of acrylic paint to transform said clothes pins, glue, the already-mentioned-frame, and a bit of chalk (again, something I had in my crafting stash). Super easy project and I think it will come in handy.

Now I'm going to try and fall asleep...

check me out...

2010-04-30T19:05:00.000-07:00

Here are my two new posts on Crafty Storage...in case you're curious. I've got a few pictures to tease you. Want to read more? Click on the red links.

Today's Post...or tomorrow's post, depending on your time zone.

Last Month's Post

Enjoy! :)

i love these people...

2010-04-23T21:30:00.000-07:00

...even if one of them likes to goof around when when taking pictures.

At least he behaved himself for this one...

About a month ago, we all went out to celebrate Bobby's birthday. The last few years my folks have been out of town on the 19th of March, so this time around we made up for it! Hooray for Bobby & dinner at Palisade!

These are basically the same picture...but some of us look better in one and some look better in the other. So, I'm including both shots!

I love this bunch!

cousin parties...

2010-04-16T15:00:00.000-07:00

Carly, one of Ben's cousins (and now one of my cousin-in-laws, as I like to call them), is gearing up to leave us soon. She's heading out on a YWAM mission at the end of this month. So, we've tried to get the cousins together a few times before she disappears for a few months. We're sure going to miss her! The last few weeks we've met for dinner, enjoyed some games, taken a field trip to drop of Taylor (Carly's younger brother) at the movies, jumped at Sky High, dined on Tex-Mex & Red Robin, reminesced about what life was like growing up as a member of the Simmons family, celebrated birthdays, and literally driven in circles. It's been SO MUCH FUN...and I've got pictures to prove it! :)

These photos were taken at Grandma and Grandpa's house - during the family birthday party. Carly was there, I promise. However, she didn't want her picture taken. (Don't worry, she shows up below.)

Justin is not a part of the Simmons family (at least not yet). He is Katie's boyfriend who willingly came up to the Island for one of our family birthday parties...and he fit right in. I LOVE the fact that he's competitive too - just like the rest of the Simmons family!

This is a horrible picture - not because of the people, but because I was rushed and didn't do a good job! We set off on an inpromptu adventure to drop off Taylor (see picture below). He and his girlfriend were meeting to see a movie at the Clyde. We wanted to show up and embarrass him. From left to right you've got Justin, Caleb, Katie, Ben, Carly & Brandon.

Here's Taylor...gearing up for the big date. He's a trooper for putting up with all of us! :) What a cutie-pa-tootie too!

Katie stood in the middle of the street for this picture. I was pretending to take a photo of her when really, we were just hoping to keep an eye on Taylor and his sweet girlfriend...they are the two blurry figures in the back! :)

More pictures coming...this was just one of our gatherings.

the cutest spill you've ever seen...

2010-03-23T15:06:00.000-07:00

The day the NCAA bracket was announced, Ben and I went over the Bobby and Kelli's to watch the ~~blessed~~ event. While we were there, Gavin decided to swipe some of the adult snacks. We were all laughing at how cute he looked toting around a Coke bottle and a large bag of pretzels. At one point, the combination proved to be a bit too heavy and the items fell to the floor. Then, in slow motion (it seemed), we watched as Gavin picked up the bag of pretzels from the wrong end.

He was far more concerned than any of us. We couldn't get enough.

Then, without any prompting, the little man decided to pick up his mess...one pretzel at a time.

I love him!

my day in numbers...

2010-03-22T14:30:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago I took a few notes at work. The numbers jumped out at me. So, it's my work-day for your viewing pleasure...I also included a few pictures.

28 new emails (as of 1:38 this afternoon)
1 T.A. who deserved congratulations for landing the lead role in Willy Wanka Jr.
3 "Frequent Flyer" issues - those students who have an excessive number of absences (22, 19, 20) and as a result, have failing or near-failing grades. This means a lot of time was devoted to emailing parents, touching base with the attendance secretary and talking with other teachers to get their feedback. Oh, and you'll be happy to know that one of these kids brought in a note asking to be excused from school for a week-long vacation. Really?
7 requests to use the restroom (1 student asked twice). When I told him to wait 10 minutes and then ask me, he totally forgot.
4 testing dates were scheduled (after school next week) for those who need to make-up missing work/exams
16 emails composed and sent out
62 vocabulary packets collected
62 vocabulary packets graded (see picture)

62 vocabulary packet scores were entered into the online gradebook
15 no-name assignments currently decorate the front of my classroom (they hang from the whiteboard)
11 miles to work, 11 miles home
1 class covered during my prep period (only about 15 minutes or so) due to a cheating student. This young man decided to take pictures of his notes with his phone. Then, when it was time for the test, he pulled out his cellular device and used those photos to help him ace the test. Bummer for him that he got caught!
1 joke told by me (saw it on Facebook). What do you call a short, fortune-teller who has escaped from jail? A small medium at large. :)
10.25 hours spent at work today (the view from my desk is pictured below) and I'm still taking 3 different assignments home to grade

1 incredibly supportive 7th grade team...I LOVE THEM SOOOOOOOO MUCH!
7 fun folks to sit with and enjoy lunch - away from the classroom and away from the chaos
6 years of teaching and I can't imagine doing anything else
68 days until summer though! :)

as of late...

2010-03-18T21:27:00.000-07:00

Life is busy, but full. I am blessed beyond measure!

Don't judge, but here's our bedroom...right now! We were house-sitting for my folks up until this last Monday night. As a result, there are bags, clothes, shoes, books, slippers, and basketballs (?!?!) hanging out in our sleeping quarters. Real nice. (Can you tell that I've been putting in some long hours at work and choosing to spend time outside in the sunshine as opposed to picking things up and putting life back together?)

These little beauties are a new favorite of mine. I was able to justify the purchase because our school colors are green and gold. Every month we have a spirit day and these will be a perfect fit for the festivities. That, and they came in handy for St. Patrick's Day. :)

Sometimes I find myself needing a creative outlet when I've spent too many hours grading papers. So, when I should be keeping up with lesson plans, I turn to this sort of thing. Above, you'll find my first attempt at a hair accessory...I've played around with the design a few times and I think I like my more recent creations. They still needs work though...

I am spending a TON of time with these young ladies. Meet my 4 officers. They are loads of fun, and together, we've done some new things around Maywood this year. Right now, we're enjoying our own version of March Madness. Today, we had a cheer competition at lunch and it far exceeded my expectations! On Monday, we have a Slam Dunk Competition (you have to be the first one to take your tater tots, dunk them in ketchup, and eat 'em). It's been a blast. However, it's also been a bit time-consuming...worth every minute though. :)

Playing around with my camera is still high on my list of things-to-do-in-order-to-avoid-grading. Not that this is a great photo, but it clearly shows my need to keep learning! :) I also like it because of the cutie-patootie in the background...fuzzy as he may be.

Tomorrow the trimester ends and I couldn't be happier!

Grades will be finished and that brings me even more joy!

hot stuff...

2010-02-24T19:52:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was Ben's birthday! With his big day falling on a Tuesday, we decided to stick close to home and invite those who live within a few miles - my side of the family. Poor Ben was stuck celebrating with his crazy in-laws. :)

I think he managed to have a good time. You be the judge.

We headed to Mizu Japanese Steakhouse in Covington. Ben absolutely loves this place...and I don't mind going because they serve sushi. :)

Apparently, Ben isn't the only one who enjoys this restaurant. The youngest Weber was rather impressed...his eyes glued to our chef for much of dinner.

Now I realize this shot isn't the most clear, but I love how I captured Gavin's reaction to the huge flame!

Jordan and Jamie joined us for the fun...I absolutely love these two! We haven't seen much of them lately. Hopefully, if Ben's work schedule continues to SLOWLY improve, we'll be able to carve out more time for family (both near and far). It's been tough lately, but I'm praying!

Dad made the trek alone - mom's been super sick the last few days. We had to make due by talking to her on the way home. At that point, we filled her in on all of the details. Although we missed her - it's not the same without her - we all had a bit more time with Gavin since she wasn't around to steal him. :)

The Weber clan came all the way from Maple Valley - I think the drive was 2 or 3 miles at most. (Look at all of those baby teeth!)

Obviously, it was Ben's birthday. However, I couldn't help myself with the little guy around...hence the abundance of photos featuring Gavin.

Look at those eyes! Having been to this type of restaurant several times over, it seemed more fun to watch Gavin's reaction to the chef. We had all seen this "show" before, but the little man found it all new and entertaining.

Remember this post where I talked about Ben's love for Sam (the cat)? Well, apparently both of the cats - Sam & Jersey - have nothing but love for Ben. They sent their own gift to him on his birthday. Check out their wrapping skills...paw prints and all.

Look at Sam & Jersey's gift to Ben - a dryer sheet, a few kitty toys, a black cat cut-out, a wine cork, and some wadded-up cash. (My mom is quite possibly the most creative person this world has ever seen.)

Happy birthday to the smartest, silliest, strongest, sexiest (you saw that one coming), strangest, sweetest man I know! I hope you enjoy this image of him using one of his new birthday presents. :)

worth bragging about...

2010-02-21T21:33:00.000-08:00

Ben's entire family seems to be musically talented (understatement). Mine, not so much...there are a few in the bunch, but we certainly don't/can't sing Happy Birthday with all sorts of harmony. With the Simmons, I just lip the words for occasions such as a simple round of Happy Birthday...and I sit back and enjoy the blending of voices. Seriously!

So, with that said, I think you will all be blessed by the song found over on Emily's blog. Not only can she sing, but she can write too - a great blog post and a song for Jesus!

The best part of it all? She does it for the Lord! You won't be disappointed, I promise. :)

Enjoy!

Thank you for sharing your gifts with the rest of us, Emily.

when i should be grading papers...

2010-02-19T13:23:00.000-08:00

...i spend time finding projects around the house to keep me busy instead.

It's no secret, we have a small kitchen.

There's not much counter space and it quickly fills up. So, I've been wanting to take our spice rack that only holds 16 spices and takes up a bit of counter space and morph it...into something a bit more practical.

It was my hope that this new solution would also free up some much-needed counter space.

All it took was a few containers (ordered online from a bulk company for super cheap), some magnets from Joann's (the weekly coupons helped), my circle punch, some simple word art, and the amazing Cricut. Ta-da! :)

happy valentine's day...

2010-02-15T00:16:00.000-08:00

Here's a peak at some of the miniature treats I gave out today.

This is what they look like on their own. However, I felt they should be grouped before handing them out.

This one was for Bobby, Kelli & Gavin. The adults had red hot candies inside their boxes while the little man received some Gerber Puffs.

I saw this idea a while ago and decided that I would have to try creating my own.

I had a lot of fun...even if I waited until yesterday (Ben was working) to put the idea into action.

Happy Valentine's Day! ♥

happy birthday ky-lay...

2010-02-06T01:31:00.000-08:00

Here is a quick post with some pictures from our adventure tonight at Sky High Sports. It was so much fun - and an incredible workout! (Please note that the following photos were quickly thrown together to create this post. The lighting inside the facility is horrible, but you'll still get the idea. Just don't judge my ability to capture this event on camera.)

Oh, and with so many pictures, I had to make up a bunch of collages. Enjoy!

(Please take note of the small children fleeing from Kyle)

Kyle's girlfriend, Shelly, is hilarious! Check out her facial expressions. I loved watching her jump tonight...she knows how to have fun! :)

Michaela's just amazing. Check out her sweet moves!

My husband was in his element. He loves this type of stuff...and he's rather good at it too!

Please pay close attention to the picture of Kyle - the one where he's pointing over his shoulder. While we were waiting in the lobby to check-in, a random guy (in the blue shirt, same picture) came up to Kyle and said that he saw his birthday event posted on FB. The stranger said that he was at Sky High for another event, but it still creeped us out a bit...espeically when left his group and joined ours.

only for a best friend...

2010-01-28T10:01:00.000-08:00

When it came time to wrap one of Laura's birthday presents (January 14th), I wanted to be sure that all four items would stand out. Afterall, you only turn 29 once! So, I wrapped the four gifts separately and then sent them off to New York. When it came time to wrap the third one, I decided to try something different.

Bobby had given me a poster - a while back - of this fine little fella. Too funny! :)

Now, I would have gladly hung this up in my classroom for all of the 7th grade girls to drool over, but Mr. Efron is holding up his shirt (I forgot to photograph that part) and I deemed it a bit inappropriate for school. So, I had been holding on to this jem until just the right time...LUCKY FOR LAURA!

Now doesn't that look like a fun package? I bet she drooled over it just as much as my studnets would have! :)

guess who...

2010-01-27T09:22:00.000-08:00

...is having a birthday?

I can't believe he's already a year old! Crazy! We're having a family dinner to celebrate tonight...so I'll have pictures later this week. :)

Happy Birthday Gavin! We love you lots, sweet boy.

♥ Auntie Anne & Uncle Ben

i think this is pretty cool...

2010-01-19T21:21:00.000-08:00

A while back, one of the blogs listed to the right, posted that they were in need of some help. Turns out the site was becoming a little difficult for Paula to keep up with. She was hoping for some assistance. So, I jumped at the chance. I thought it would be fun. If you want to check out my first post, click here. :)

the climb...

2010-01-14T17:34:00.000-08:00

On the 2nd of January, a climb took place. This was something put together by several of Luke Gullberg's friends. They sent out FB invitations to those who were available and willing to brave the less-than-ideal weather. After I checked with Ben to see what his work schedule looked like (it varies from week to week), I knew that I would have to make the trek without him. Instead, I hoped and prayed that a few willing souls would take their time getting up the trail.

Enter these lovely folks...

Hooray for the Platters! :) They were my saving grace...seriously!

Annie entertained us with her stories about love and life. She made me smile and kept my mind off of the actual climb.

Abbie was our fearless leader who kept a pace that was suitable for even the slowest of hikers - only because that's what I required. :) She could have raced up that mountain and left me behind.

Andrew made it a point to take care of us all - making us laugh on our way up, requiring an update on heart-rates, and feeding us cookies at the top.

Instead of taking pictures at the top (yes, we made it), we opted for a few on the way down. With the nasty weather and all, it was cold with little visibility at the summit. So, it made more sense to hold off on our photo shoot.

We had a great time and I loved the challenge. It might not have been an extremely difficult hike, but it sure managed to kick my butt. :) I'm hoping I can do this again sometime soon...and I would love to bring the Platters along with me (including Stephanie).

Luke would have been proud of us - especially since we contemplated what would happen if we waited for the others to turn around and come down?!?! We were thinking we could blend-in and pretend that we had reached the summit. However, Luke would have pushed us to keep going. So, we did!

jamie's 24th birthday...

2010-01-10T12:36:00.000-08:00

We celebrated last night with all the family (minus Ben, because he had to work). Here are a few shots from the night. You'll notice that Gavin is a fun target to shoot...the adults aren't as fond of the camera. :)

As you can see, Gavin is thrilled to be in attendance at the party! He is screaming out of pure excitement. This kid is LOUD...just more proof that he's a Weber.

Jordan, enjoying the delicious food...some of which he made. Not only is my mom a great cook, but both Jordan and Jamie can make a mean dish! They're creative about their food too...so that makes it fun for everyone.

I think this is my favorite picture of Gavin from our evening together. He's just too cute! Those cheeks, that smile, and those curls!

Jim, Jamie's dad, relaxing and taking it all in. He's not a loud guy, so I'm sure the noise at the Weber house can be a bit overwhelming. Poor guy. :)

Or maybe this one is my favorite?!?! There are simply too many to choose from.

Auntie Jamie, the birthday girl, with the little man. (I wish I would have turned my flash off for this one...I'm a slow learner sometimes.)

Jered's girlfriend (long-time now), Jill. We really like her and she already feels like family. The fact that she puts up with everyone is a huge bonus! :)

I {heart} him!

How sweet are these two? Yeah, we like 'em. They are full of soooooo much love...for each other and everyone around them. What a blessing!

...and another one...

Since Ben couldn't join us in the celebration, I figured I should at least make it a point to photograph one of his favorite members of the family. So, here's Sam! (Ben is obsessed with BIG SAM!)

Here's another one for my husband...

tortilla soup...

2010-01-06T19:15:00.000-08:00

I am NOT a cook! Don't get me wrong, I try...but it doesn't come naturally. So, I'm constantly on the lookout for simple, delicious recipes. A while back, the ladies at Christ's Church shared a recipe with me. I've made a few adjustments and this has become our favorite meal. (Pretty sure I've posted this before somewhere...but I can't find it.)

Tortilla Soup in the Crockpot

2 Cans of Pinto Beans
2 Cans of Black Beans
1 Can of Petite Diced Tomatoes
1 Small Jar of Salsa - Pick a Flavor You Like (we've done it with sweet, spicy, and mild and each variation is still delicious
4 Thawed Chicken Breasts - Left Whole

Pour it all in the crockpot.
Let it cook on low for about 5 hours.
Pull out the chicken and shred it with a fork and knife - it should just nearly fall apart.
Put the shredded chicken back in and mix it all up.
You can allow the crockpot to continue heating the mixture, or if the chicken looks fully cooked, you can go ahead and dig in!

We like to crush up a few tortilla chips, place them in the bottom of a bowl and then layer the soup on top. From there, it's nice to sprinkle on some cheese (or if you like sour cream) and avocado. So warm, filling, and soooooooooooo yummy!

I'll take a picture the next time I cook it...like next week. :)

fun from 2009-2010...

2010-01-03T01:34:00.000-08:00

I'm going to apologize now for the amount of pictures you're about to see. However, it was difficult to get rid of many. So, I opted for a few collages instead. Our New Year's celebration was just too much fun...and I didn't want to miss anything in the recap of our night together.

There was a lot of action on December 31st - January 1st from the men in this group. I can't explain it...so instead, I'll just embrace it. Andy and Ben enjoyed a few moments together. Classic!

While the boys were getting crazy, the ladies were enjoying the little ones. How cute is Ezra? How cute is Christy? :)

Now, imagine Case as an older brother...what do you think? LOVE IT! And I think Christy looks like a natural with 2. :)

It was so nice to have the entire Hamlin Family in town for this little par-tay! Life is so much better when they're around...seriously! :) They get their own collage...

I'm pretty sure this is the only "normal" shot of Andy from our time together. Here, he's getting ready to show us a magic trick. I think it was more of a card trick. Regardless, it's a great picture of him!

These are a little more like the Andy we all know and love! (He does look good with a baby though.)

How precious is this sweet couple! I wish we saw each other more often...they're a fun bunch (and so is Finn)!

Speaking of Finn...

Everyone was so gracious to allow me to play with my new camera (and use them as my subjects). I had a ton of fun doing stuff like this. Kinda cool...but I still need A LOT of work. :)

Truth-be-told, we watched a bit of Jersey Shore! As a result, the gentlemen decided to show off their fist-pumping skills. Enjoy...

Before the kids went to bed, the testosterone levels were at an all-time high. Looks like they all had a great time though...and no one was seriously injured (at least no one fessed up to anything).

I leave you with our group photo. Keep in mind, that this was taken at midnight. By then, the kids were in bed and Kara had gone home (she had to work early the next day). So, it's not complete...but it's better than nothing.

I would like to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to Chris, Christy and Case! Thank you for opening up your home to all of these crazy folks (myself included). Ben and I had a blast...and in looking through these pictures, I think it's safe to say that everyone else had a great time as well. :)

Happy New Year!

check this out...

2009-12-31T00:05:00.000-08:00

Emily, my amazing sister-in-law (although I prefer to think of my SILs as simply "sisters" - the in-laws part seems so unnecessary) has started a blog! I knew she had the voice of an angel, two of the cutest girls you'll ever see, the perfect brother (ha, ha), a heart for the Lord, and now her talents as a writer are shining through. Head on over to her blog and check it out!

P.S. She's absolutely beautiful too! :)

check it out...

2009-12-29T00:10:00.000-08:00

I have a signature on my blog now. Wow! :)

Do you like it? I'm not sure I do just yet...it may change, we'll see. If you would like to create a signature for your blog (most folks have probably done this already - you might say I'm a little slow), check out Becca's simple tutorial here.

nothing fancy, just the facts...

2009-12-24T23:00:00.000-08:00

There are no fancy pictures or funny stories to share. There are no gifts to speak of or gatherings to discuss. Instead...

"I celebrate the day

that You were born to die

so I could one day

pray for You to save my life."

That about sums it up! It's all that TRULY matters in life!

Merry Christmas.

oh, how i've missed her...

2009-12-21T14:33:00.000-08:00

Laura came into town last week, and it's been so nice to catch up. Although we talk to each other several times each week, it's so much more fun to spend time together...in person! So far we've enjoyed some sushi, done a bit of shopping, designed and created 50 invitations (for a friend of hers in NY), watched some movies, lounged around, enjoyed a night out on the town (complete with a late night dinner/early breakfast at Denny's), and we even managed to get 1 picture together. I need to be better about using my camera. At least we've got Laura's cell phone picture. :)

It's not the best picture in the world, so I'll do my best to ensure that we get a few more before she leaves!

a Christmas recipe unlike any other...

2009-12-18T17:18:00.000-08:00

"Literally heaven on a stick!"

- Hillary's response to this little gift

1. First, you take a delicious recipe found online at Giver's Log...along with some television for background noise (as a teacher, I struggle with absolute silence - it's not a naturally occurring thing in my classroom)...

2. Toss in a dirty sink, full of nasty water, lots of dishes (several of which aren't pictured)...

3. Add some popsicle sticks, candy canes, yummy chocolate and a few other important ingredients...

4. Finally, it's time to gently mix in frustrated cook who is trying to channel her inner baker.

Swirl it all around, add a bow and some sort of tag and here's what you get...

Some yummy hot chocolate on a stick...with a touch of white chocolate and peppermint.

I decided to take the first batch of marshmallows and throw them away. They were a pain in the booty and they turned out a little too funky. Instead, I just melted down a bag of small marshmallows and then added in some peppermint. The end result was a little better than my first attempt. However, I don't know that I'll be making them again. They just appear so sloppy and the stickiness is not much fun to work with either. I had to toss these in some powered sugar to be sure they would actually leave my fingers. Together though, I think it's a pretty sweet little gift. :)

we wish you a...

2009-12-17T08:41:00.000-08:00

anyone else enjoying this song?

2009-12-16T12:22:00.000-08:00

I've posted the lyrics and a picture of the woman whose voice is so incredible! I'm listening to it over and over...it's such a calming Christmas song.

Winter Snow

- Audrey Assad & Chris Tomlin

Could've come like a mighty storm

With all the strength of a hurricane

You could've come like a forest fire

With the power of heaven in Your flame

But You came like a winter snow

Quiet and soft and slow

Falling from the sky in the night

To the earth below

You could've swept in like a tidal wave

Or an ocean to ravish our hearts

You could have come through like a roaring flood

To wipe away the things we've scarred

But You came like a winter snow

(Yes, You did)

You were quiet

You were soft and slow

Falling from the sky in the night

To the earth below

Oh, no, Your voice wasn't in a bush burning

No, Your voice wasn't in a rushing wind

It was still

It was small

It was hidden

You came like a winter snow

Quiet and soft and slow

Falling from the sky in the night

To the earth below

Falling

(Oh, yeah)

To the earth below

You came falling

From the sky in the night

To the earth below

Audrey Assad - Photo From Here

this is a nice little article...

2009-12-15T06:09:00.000-08:00

I thought you might like to read about an incredible young man who was taken from this world just a little too soon.

Thank you to the folks at the Seattle Times who wanted to include a more personal side of Luke's life. I think they did a fine job. See for yourself...

While you continue to pray for Luke's family and friends, please remember to lift up the two hikers who are still missing - and their family and friends as well.

christmas cooking...

2009-12-13T22:00:00.000-08:00

Over the last few months, I've found myself searching for projects to complete. However, these projects all have one thing in common...they require a bit of creativity (I'll post a few over the next couple of weeks). So, preparing for Christmas has been more fun than ever. Along the way, I've made a ton of messes. Take a look at last night's project...

This is what my kitchen looked like - nothing creative or crafty about it!

This is what I created.

Now, these are supposed to be peppermint marshmallows. At this stage they are done, but not yet settled. In a bit, I'll be cutting them up into squares and hoping they compare to Martha's...

Yeah, we'll see.

Thankfully, this minor set-back won't slow me down.

Next up?

Hot chocolate on a stick!

Sounds silly, huh? It should go well with my marshmallows though. :)

christmas cuties!

2009-12-13T00:42:00.000-08:00

Look who we saw today! :)

Ella

Evie

They are getting soooooo BIG! And at this stage, they are constantly making the most entertaining faces...enjoy!

Ben thought it would be fun to demonstrate Evie's silly smile. She has a mouth full of teeth (at least 6 or so) and she likes to show them off when she grins. Oh, and her nose scrunches up too. Could this be any sweeter?

We went to dinner with Emily, Ryan and the girls...this was our Christmas present to each other. While we sat there waiting for our food, Evie and Ella showed off some of their communication skills. Ella (above) is really good at using her sign language. This is her most favorite sign, "please." She's smart enough to know that when she uses this sign, she'll be given something. :)

Instead of using sign language to express herself, Evie loves to repeat the following "pease, pease, pease, pease, pease..." Listening to her throughout dinner was hilarious! She likes to eat and as a result, she finds herself saying this over and over. Too funny!

It's so much fun to see my husband with these two! He loves them so much (so do I). It's a side of him I absolutely adore. He'll be a great dad someday (not anytime soon though...this is not an announcement).

I must say, our time with them today was far better than any gift! It will be so much fun to see them again on the 26th. Oh, and next time I'll be sure to take some pictures of their mom and dad too (sorry about that Ryan and Emily). :)

i give up...

2009-12-04T07:36:00.000-08:00

I want to take a graphic design class...seriously! I have given up on creating my own cool, unique, and amazing blog background. Instead, I have opted to use someone else's for the time-being. There are these visions in my mind that I simply wish I could find a way to create and implement. Someday. Until then, this will do. At least it's festive. :)

really?

2009-12-03T12:37:00.000-08:00

Today...

A new student arrived. She is now a part of my 5/6 block - Language Arts & Social Studies. This 7th grader seems nice enough. She's rather quiet, sweet, and attentive. Oh, and did I mention that she speaks NO English?!?! However, I'm supposed to get her to the point where she can pass all standardized tests. (I'm also going to hope and pray that her scores don't bring down our school average - otherwise we run the risk of being labeled a "failing school.") Really? Welcome to public education, my friends. In so many ways, it's a great system...and in other ways, I can clearly see the need for improvement. :)

P.S. I now have 31 kids in my 5/6 block. And I'm the one with the smallest class...hence, I'm the one who receives the new student. (Nevermind the fact that our district will likely be making cuts again this year...)

Solutions & suggestions gladly accepted. In the meantime, I'm praying! :)

2009-10-21T10:26:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Mix-Up Day at Maywood Middle School! :)

I wanted you to see my inspiration for this awesome outfit. Click here to see the cutie pa-tootie! It's a much better look when being pulled off by a young child.

I love my job!

P.S. The picture is not the best quality (in composition, clarity, and subject), but that only adds to the "Mix." :)

some favorites...

2009-10-19T12:45:00.000-07:00

This might be a little random, but these are small things that make me smile. Maybe they'll brighten your day as well - and it will keep me from having to figure out this whole blogger update (see previous post).

In random order...

retailmenot.com - this website is one I stumbled upon a couple years ago. It contains coupon codes for so many online stores. I check this website before I order anything online (I also check a few other searches if nothing shows up on retailmenot). This site has greatly improved over the last few years and I'm hoping that most of you already have it listed as a favorite.
ebates.com - this website gives me money back. There's no catch. If I want to buy something, I first head to retailmenot and write down the coupon code(s). Then I head to ebates and look to see if the store I am looking to purchase from is listed. There are literally hundreds of stores to shop. It then links me to the store and I get a percentage of the final sale back. Every few months, a check shows up in the mail and I head to the bank! I've earned back $72.55 since I started with ebates. Who doesn't love a little bit of extra cash?!?! If you decide to give it a whirl, please include my email address so I can get a little something in return. :) Ben and Anne at gmail dot com
paperbackswap.com - this site allows you to trade books. (Some of you hate to read, so you might want to skip this one.) Here's how it works...I list my books and then wait for someone to request one. When they do, I mail it out to them and receive a credit for the paperback/hardcover/CD. Now, I can request one of the books that I would like to read. They start you off with a few free credits to help get the literature moving. As long as you're willing to be patient, the program works well. I also enjoy this because it keeps the clutter, created by books, to a minimum. And, instead of taking the books to Goodwill and feeling as though I'm not getting anything in return, I can at least trade them in for something I want.
sushi - Right now I can't seem to get enough of this stuff! I never thought I would be one to embrace something like sushi. However, about a year ago, Laura introduced me to some incredible sushi. If you live in the area, you need to try Umi Sake House. They have the most delicious food! For those of you who have never tried sushi, you need to find someone in your life who appreciates this food and then ask them to show you the way. You'll thank me!
Ben is no longer considered seasonal help - he's full time! Praise the Lord! Although his decision to quit his job was not something I wanted to face, I am so thankful he made the difficult choice. I know it couldn't be easy, but we can both see the benefits now. We trust that God provides, but to actually put that trust into action was not an easy task - it's still difficult at times (especially when we feel like ships passing in the night). But we are incredibly thankful for what we have!
The Christmas shopping has started! We're trying to be more thoughtful and intentional this year. We've made plans to do something as a family, with my side, instead of exchanging gifts with the siblings. However, that still leaves a few holes to fill...and I'm having fun doing that now.
cards - Oh, how I love making cards! Now if only I could make some money doing what I love. (Don't get me wrong, I love teaching.) However, it would be sweet if this hobby of mine could pay for itself. At least we don't have to throw away money on greeting cards. We're set...and people seem to like the homemade version.
rain - I am actually welcoming the rain this year. The cooler temperatures are kind of fun too! Fall is my favorite season and this one is shaping up quite nicely.
posting - I like being able to select the time at which my new blog writings will post. It makes me think that perhaps I should sit down and blog a few posts at a time and then schedule them to "appear" throughout the week. That could be fun.

i want to change things up a bit...

2009-10-18T15:02:00.000-07:00

I've been checking out this post - looking for some creative way(s) to change up my blog. Some of the templates out there are rather decorative and fun, but I want something that's totally unique. So far, I've found a ton of great ideas, but I'm not so good at the technical side of it all. We'll see.

Oh, and I'm hoping this change will also inspire me to keep up with my blog. Our camera is full - literally - of pictures that need to be uploaded and shared.

P.S. I would like to take a graphic design class at some point in my life. Nothing fancy, just the basics. I want to be able to create cards and such with my computer. Right now, I simply fumble my way though things. It's worked so far, but I know there's an easier, "right" way of going about it. In the meantime, I will happily head to places like scrapblog for some cool, free stuff to keep me busy.

last weekend...

2009-09-25T14:30:00.000-07:00

Check out my adventures here!

I had a blast hanging out with Hillary, Riley and Owen. I can't wait for another trek into the city with them. :)

do you want to...

2009-09-24T13:42:00.000-07:00

...renew your current magazine subscription(s)? Or buy a new one?

You can help Maywood Middle School by either purchasing a magazine subscription or renewing your current subscription(s). Unfortunately, we're a bit behind on sales this year - we were pridicting this. Since Maywood only asks students, parents, staff, and the surrouding community to participate in one fund raiser each year, this is it! As the Leadership teacher, I get a little nervous each year at this time. So much has to be covered by ASB funds...which means that every little bit helps. :)

If you're interested, please visit http://www.aphearst.com/

Our school code is: WC3660

When you're prompted to enter a student's name, you can either put my name in the boxes (Anne Simmons) or you can enter "No" & "Student" and the school with still get the credit.

I would love to know if you decide to participate. Please leave me a comment so I can thank you! :)

chunky monkey...

2009-09-17T14:10:00.000-07:00

Here are a few recent shots of Gavin...I just can't get enough of the the little guy. He has the sweetest smile and he's a chunky monkey - it's quite the combo! There's no doubt he's a Weber - he looks just like my dad and Bobby (maybe more so like my dad though). Enjoy!

Here we have the messy picture from lunch followed by the cleaned up version. He is so happy and content with a full tummy!

Here's Gavin with Uncle Mike...I don't know who did more smiling. It was so sweet!

This is a shot of Gavin flirting with Auntie Jamie!

Now he's trying to redeem himself and make it clear that I'm his favorite auntie. :)

This is one of my favorites - Gavin with Grammy! He's happy, full and tired. This was taken when we were over in Leavenworth last month. I love it!

Ridin' Dirty (diaper, that is)...

And here's how Gavin's visit at our place ended on Sunday (we babysat while Bobby & Kelli were at the Seahawks game). He HATES to sleep...so he constantly fights it. This time was different. He was rolling around and crawling all over the place. At one point, he rolled onto his backside and just started to chill out. Ben and I sat there watching him and the Seahawks game...before we knew it, his eye lids were shut and there was no waking the little man. Looks like we've got the touch. :)

learning, but not quickly...

2009-09-15T09:47:00.000-07:00

I am a gift-giver & receiver. It's my strongest love language. However, it's not Ben's love language...not at all! Unfortunately, that hasn't stopped me from using my love language to reach him - or try to reach him. Let me show you what I mean...

This is what I did before heading off to see my BFF in New York earlier this summer. Since I was going to be gone, I thought I would leave a little gift for Ben each day. The first day (Wednesday) he opened a card and there was $10 inside for him to get a sandwich at his favorite lunch spot. The next day, he had a gift card waiting for him - to use for a breakfast sandwich on his way into work. For Friday, it was a Starbuck card for a yummy drink and breakfast treat. On Saturday he was up with his family at Big Lake, so I had to hide the Gushers in his car...the card told him where to look. I knew he would be coming home to an empty house on Sunday and if there wasn't something frozen, he probably wouldn't eat (he hates to do anything that resembles cooking). So, I made sure the freezer was stocked with his favorites. Then it was time for him to head back to work on Monday, so I tied together a few Power Bars - something to help sustain him should he choose to skip meals. ;) Tuesday, I left money in the card for a bucket of golf balls down at the driving range. Then, the last day - the same day I came home - I put a gift card in there for dinner. The idea being that he would pick me up from the airport and then we would enjoy dinner together while catching up.

Great idea, right? I thought so. But that was my mistake.

Selfishly, this is the type of gift I would LOOOOOOOOOOVE to receive. Naturally, I thought it would be something that Ben would enjoy. However, I was thinking about myself and not him. Sure, the gifts were for him and they were symbolic of my love (which sounds strange, but you know what I mean). But Ben's love languages are words of affirmation, touch and time. Sure, he's pretty strong in 3 out of 5...unfortunately for me, my gift is not listed there.

I say all of this not to toot my own horn, but instead, to show just how much I'm still learning - after three years of marriage.

The Bible Study I'm current going through has been an eye-opener to say the least! The Lord is showing me that I am still so selfish - in small and in big ways! I've also been able to see that often times my selfish side comes out and rears its ugly head when I least expect it to. It's not like I sit around plotting and planning against my husband. However, I am also realizing that I don't sit around plotting and planning NOT to be selfish in my marriage...which is what I should be doing!

Thankfully, I'm married to a wonderful man who loves me despite all of my flaws! And, I can confidantly say that he loves me like that because He is actively pursuing the author of love! How blessed am I?

Now I just need to be sure I voice these things to my husband so he can enjoy those words of affirmation. ;)

As for the gifts I left behind for Ben...he forgot to open the first few. So, when I called to talk to him during the day, he explained that they were at home/forgotten/left behind. From that point forward, he just decided to open them all at once so that he wouldn't forget. Bless his little heart! :)

fun times...

2009-09-11T11:58:00.000-07:00

Fun picture

This past weekend, Ben and I had an impromptu gathering at our place. It all started with a text message, on Friday, from our buddy Chris (Kilcup). He wanted to do something on Saturday since the weather was going to be nasty. Ben and I figured we couldn't go wrong with video games and board games.

Ben & Chris Playing Some Wii Tennis - Lots of Hard Work as You Can See

Ben called up his cousin Brandon to join us while I sought out the Platters - figuring the number of girls needed a boost and I hadn't seen them in a while. :) Annie and Abbie were kind enough to help balance out the gender quota.

Brandon, playing around on his laptop while the other two are Wii-ing. Ha, ha...

Our place is super small, but we all fit in there rather nicely. It was a low-key, enjoyable evening. We introduced Brandon to everyone (the rest of us were up at LBC together this summer), caught-up with one another, ventured out to Carls Jr. for some dinner, played Catch Phrase, made brownies, and took turns playing all sorts of Wii games.

Chris would only agree to play Catch Phrase if I made brownies - but according to his recipe. Of course I was more than willing to go along with that - who doesn't love brownies?!?! The only requirement was that whatever brownies were made, a layer of peanut butter had to be added to the top. Delicious! Thank you Christopher!

I should have taken pictures throughout the night, but I only grabbed my camera once the girls left. I was reminded of what life was like growing up with brothers. The fellas were nice enough, but I could have done without the farts! ;)

i can't make this stuff up...

2009-09-08T16:12:00.001-07:00

The students just turned in an autobiography assignment. They were given a template and asked to fill in the blanks to create a unique poem about themselves. It's part of our get-to-know-you routine at the beginning of the school year.

Here's my favorite line...

"Who plans to become a dentist, more responsible, and more smarter"

Ah, the irony! ;)

why...

2009-09-04T09:30:00.000-07:00

...do 7th graders use Mr. Sketch markers to write all over their bodies? I thought that was something reserved for those much younger.

Alas, I was wrong.

Welcome to the end of week one (or at least the first three days of school).

living life...

2009-08-20T00:05:00.000-07:00

...is so much fun!

lots of time with LBC friends
a new MacBook (hooray!)
meeting babies - Ezra and Hazel
babysitting
working a ton already
watching 24
making cards
planning for the upcoming school year
packing for Leavenworth
hanging out with Gavin and enjoying every moment of it
staying up way too late and getting up way too early
excited to meet my new students
tons of pictures to sift through
learning lots about what it means to be a Godly wife
enjoying the fact that Jordan and Jamie are living in the area
playing games
visiting other churches to see friends
wedding
lending advice to young ones entering a new relationship
meeting with people who used to stand strong in their faith...and now they question
missing the folks from our home-group
having dinner with old family friends
a plethora of possible blog posts
FarmVille...I got sucked in!
piecing together classroom decorations
slumber party with campers (and Jamie too)
encouraging Ben in his new endeavor - quitting his job, going back to school, and planning to sub this year
reading blogs
salmon bake
swimming across the lake

ny with my bff...

2009-07-16T18:00:00.000-07:00

New York City is one of my favorite destinations. I can't quite pin-point the exact reason, but I think it has to do with the sights and sounds of familiar pop culture. Since I live for movies, television, celebrities, and anything that has to do with the world of the rich and famous (I realize it's rather pathetic), NY is a good fit?!?! I think it also has something to do with the fact that my BFF lives just outside of the city. Oh, and JT now has a place in Manhattan. What's not to love about that? ;)

The people aren't too friendly, the weather is kind of gross, and the streets are fairly dirty. At the same time, I find myself wanting to return for more. Go figure.

Here are a handful of shots from our adventures. We'll begin with our night out...

We stood in line at the TKTS booth in Times Square (with everyone else watching Michael Jackson's funeral) to get cheap tickets to a show. Our first choice, of those available, was South Pacific. We ended up with incredible seats...and for such a great deal. The show was absolutely amazing...from start to finish!

The next day, we ventured out to Serendipity for lunch. I have always loved the movie (don't judge), and I was excited to actually see the little restaurant. So cute, funky, and busy. However, not the greatest food or service. Their desserts however...a totally different story! So delicious! The frozen hot chocolate is their most popular item. It was beyond yummy! I had a chocolate peanut butter one while Laura enjoyed the chocolate chip mint. As best friends, it was only appropriate that we share. ;)

(Laura liked one of these pictures more than the other...I can't remember which one, so I'm including them both to be sure that I post the right one.)

Next up, was Rockefeller Center. The last time I was in NY, we passed through this area on a Sunday evening. Most everything was closed. So, I wanted to be sure I saw it all this time around. There's the statue just outside of the NBC studios, the fun NBC store - where Ben's Late Night with Jimmy Fallon t-shirt came from, along with my Bayside Tigers t-shirt, and a few Office pieces - and some incredible views from The Top of the Rock. This view is far better than that from the empire state building (in my opinion). The fact that you can see the Empire State Building is part of the appeal. I also love the look of Central Park from up there. The idea of something "natural" existing within this fast-paced city is so intriguing to me...and it looks incredibly beautiful.

We did a whole lot more, but I didn't take too many pictures. Instead, I just enjoyed it all! I'm already thinking about my next trip out there. Instead of going by myself, I'll be packing my husband too! Ben and I want to look into the NBC studios tour, a taping of Jimmy Fallon, SNL, the Radio City Christmas show, and maybe some ice-skating at Rockefeller Center?!?! I would love that!

Thanks to Laura for allowing me to invade her life! I had sooooooooo much fun! ;)

Stay tuned for more pictures from my trip into Boston. (I left my camera behind, so I have to wait for Laura to email the photos she has.)

m's game with j & j...

2009-07-15T14:06:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, Ben and I headed into Seattle with Jordan and Jamie to catch a game at Safeco. We had some free tickets and that meant there was more money for food! ;)

We took a few pictures as the game came to a close (we won!), so that's what you're seeing. I should have asked someone to take a picture of the 4 of us. Ah, next time.

We've enjoyed having Jordan & Jamie home! I don't ever want them to leave...life just feels more complete with them around. ;)

what summer vacation means around here...

2009-06-28T16:45:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to work on being a better wife these days. It might sound a bit silly, but I think I often take my marriage for granted. With the day-to-day activities, I think I forget to put Ben's needs ahead of my own. Many of my gifts and talents are used to shower others...instead of him. So, this summer I've asked the Lord to show me ways I can improve in this area. It's been a lot of fun so far...and we're only a week and a half into the summer. :)

When Ben came home from work on Thursday, this is what he found on the front door.

This one is a little easier to read.

Here's what he saw in our living room. (Notice the tent is facing the television...priorities people!)

This is the view inside the tent. I was sure to include the bare essentials - sleeping bags, pillows, and all the ingredients for some delicious s'mores. :)

Here's Ben hanging out in our tent!

i can't watch anymore...

2009-06-22T22:01:00.000-07:00

I know some of you out there were quicker than I was to STOP watching Jon & Kate Plus 8. Perhaps you saw the trouble that was about to unfold, or you just couldn't justify the way their kids were put in front of the cameras. Whatever the case may be, I have to say that their divorce has now left them on my list of shows to NOT DVR.

Obviously, I don't know the details of their marriage and why exactly it failed (I only know what the media has showcased). However, since this family openly professed (I haven't seen much of it recently...hence the past tense) to be followers of Christ, I can't help but wonder what happened. Why didn't we see them pursue marriage counseling? Why didn't we see them meet with the people of their church? Why have they continued to mention their kids as the reason for every decision they make...and not their faith? How does this fit in with the book they wrote (pictured above)?

When trouble first hit their marriage, I was one of those who continued to pull for them...wanting to see them reconcile their differences and make it work. Besides, what could be better for their 8 children, then to see their parents striving to make their relationship work?!?! (I know that's one of the greatest gifts my parents have given to me. Ben would be quick to say the same of his folks.)

I will continue to pray for this family, but I have to say that I'm disappointed at the outcome. I wish them nothing-but-the-best. However, I'm sad to see what has transpired. As a believer, I guess I just don't get it. At the same time, I'm not sure I want to understand it.

Marriage is hard work...but it's totally worth it to stick things out, knowing fully well that the Lord will bless you for your efforts. I praise God that Ben has chosen - and daily chooses - to spend his life with me!

i never post videos...

2009-06-10T11:37:00.000-07:00

...but this one is too perfect! Check out Zack Morris (not Mark-Paul Gosselaar) on Jimmy Fallon. He was on this last Monday and the clip is classic. It's just under 10 minutes long, so give yourself some time. :)

Enjoy...it was listed below as the first video. That might not be the case much longer. So, you can scroll down and click on the link below.

Here's the link in case the video doesn't work. :)

i'm pretty sure this makes me cool...

2009-06-03T11:54:00.000-07:00

...check it out!

Click here to see what I'm talking about.

Hooray Maywood! :)

sunshine...

2009-06-02T10:20:00.001-07:00

...is a wonderful thing!

However, life inside of a classroom with absolutely no source of cool air is completely miserable...for everyone. The days begin warm and they only continue to heat-up. Right now it's 10:30 and my classroom is a delightful 77 degrees. If we could just sit here for the rest of the day, it wouldn't be so bad. Alas, we're all a little lethargic.

Oh, and I forgot to mention that middle school kids tend to smell by 5th or 6th period. :)

So, to those of you in an office with AC, count your blessings!

P.S. I think it's also important to note that kids are throwing up around here left and right. Just this morning in the hallway outside of my room, we had another one bite the dust. So, take the warm air and mix in a batch of up-chuck...it's a beautiful thing!

can't wait to see these two...

2009-05-11T14:29:00.000-07:00

Within the next two weeks, I'm hoping we'll get to visit with these two little ladies.

Here is Ella with the boys at Easter. Next to Ben are his cousins - Brandon and Luke. Ben missed the memo on the rugged look. :)

This is cousin Katie holding Evie. So sweet...both of them.

We haven't seen the twins since Easter and we're long overdue! We're looking to celebrate Emily's birthday along with Mother's Day sometime during the weekend of the 22nd. I can't wait! I miss them!

burrito anyone?

2009-05-07T21:35:00.000-07:00

This is my favorite kind of burrito!

Not long ago, Gavin was over at our place to hang out. While he was here, it was nap time. I just couldn't resist sneaking into our room to check out the cuteness that slept on the bed. I heart him!

i miss her...

2009-05-06T21:30:00.000-07:00

About 2 weeks ago, my best friend was in town. I was lucky enough to see her for a bit...she had a full schedule. Despite her busy plans, Laura still made time for all of us to gather for dinner one night. Here's an image we captured while dining with a group of her closest friends.

(Don't mind the fact that my face is orange, and you can barely see my eyes.)

never too early to learn...

2009-05-05T21:19:00.000-07:00

When Gavin hangs out with Auntie Anne, he gets to experience her teaching skills...first hand.

Here he is sitting nicely in class. You can tell he's focusing on the lesson.

Next up, Gavin raises his hand to ask a question.

Here he is using his words!

His question was pretty silly and he begins to laugh (man, this totally mirrors my life in a classroom full of 7th graders). Oh, and notice the perfect rolls under that chin! Love those!

Finally, Gavin is ready for school to be over. He needs a break and he's counting down the days until summer vacation (or maybe his auntie is the one with the countdown).

i just can't get enough...

2009-05-04T21:09:00.000-07:00

Could he be any cuter?

Gavin loves to spend time on his backside. He will squeal and kick until he's got everyone looking his direction. (I guess that's the Weber in him.) :)

And these little shoes are just too sweet.

please pray...

2009-04-22T21:31:00.000-07:00

...for the future of our schools!

I know that the Lord is in control, but it's a little difficult to avoid discouragement when they just decided to cut nearly 200 teachers - from a district that only operates with a little over 1,100 members total. A ton of new teachers will no longer have jobs. Additionally, my numbers will greatly increase. I could be looking at a classroom full of 36 students next year. Really? This is insane. At the same time, I am thankful to have a job...and more importantly, I am thankful that my relationship with the Lord is far more valuable than anything on this earth. He is in control and He has a plan for each of those students who walk through my door. He has a plan for all of those wonderful teachers who have just received some terrible news. He has a plan for education in our state - in our nation.

Join me in praying for those little lives who will walk through my classroom door next year! As well, I ask you to pray for those families who have suffered great loss(es) because of these tough economic times - including the amazing staff members we are looking to lose.

something i never thought i would hear...

2009-04-01T13:16:00.000-07:00

As a April Fool's, one of my students came up to me just now and got down on one knee. He proposed and even opened up a ring box. Cute, right?!?! Yeah, until he muttered the following - then it just got awkward.

Student: "Mrs. Simmons, you could have 2 husbands. You know...just think outside of the pants."

What? I'm confused and repulsed...all at the same time.

Oh, and I did not accept the proposal. :)

never a dull moment...

2009-03-31T23:01:00.000-07:00

Let me tell you of two interesting stories…both true. Oh, and both were uncovered today. Let it be known, a teacher’s job is far from dull. Enjoy. (Warning, these are long…and maybe not be all that interesting.)

Story #1 – A young man, we’ll call him Joe, explained to me that he will not be here tomorrow. The students are expected to work on a group project and he wanted me to know that his absence tomorrow might make things a bit difficult for his group. That was nice of him to warn me. However, when I asked Joe to explain why he won’t be here, he just smiled and didn’t say much. I pulled it out of him and this is what he had to say (I’ll paraphrase, since I don’t remember the details word for word – but it’s pretty close, I can assure you)…

“My dad needs my help. Since tomorrow’s April Fool’s Day, he needs me to do some stuff around the house. We’ll be up all night because of it. Like, we’re going to dress up in our camo gear and hide out in case any of my dad’s friends decide to do something to our place for April Fool’s. We’ve got flood lights that we have to remain on guard to keep watch. We are also going to head over to a friend’s house and mess with his stuff. Our plan is to take the tires off of his car and then jack it up on cinder blocks. So, I’ll be too tired and way too busy to be here tomorrow.”

Yep, that really happened just now. Apparently, parents and teachers don’t work together…instead, they work against one another. Oh, and did I mention that this young man is far from passing his classes? Yeah, he could use the extra time in school.

Story #2 – Let me introduce you to a quiet young lady – we’ll call her Jamie. She has missed quite a bit of school this year. Supposedly, she gets sick once or twice a week. In looking at her attendance records from last year, there’s not much to compare it to….she was homeschooled for part of the day/year. So, when Jamie’s family decided to go on a vacation during the first part of this year (keep in mind we have Christmas break which is 2 weeks long, a mid-winter break with 4 days off, and spring break which is an entire week), I was a little apprehensive. I emailed Jamie’s mom to explain that her daughter had already missed about a month’s worth of school. Obviously, I couldn’t keep her from going on the trip, but I did encourage her to make sure Jamie was here EVERYDAY once they returned.

Well, the family came back from their vacation and the mom was a little upset with all of Jamie’s teachers. She felt like family vacations were the type of things kids should be encouraged to do – I agree, to a certain extent. However, when your kid has missed a month of school, it’s time to sit down and evaluate your priorities. Anyways, at that time, the mom also informed the principal (and teachers too) that the family would be going on another vacation at the end of March. The principal informed her that those days would not be excused due to the Becca Bill.

Side note: Once Jamie returned from her family vacation, she continued to miss school on a regular basis. Nothing changed.

Fast forward to last week – I get an email from Jamie’s mom. Jamie had missed a few days of school and her mom was updating the teachers to let us know that her daughter had mono. Mom told us to keep our fingers crossed that Jamie would be back sometime this week (I thought that mono was more serious than just a few days out of school?!?!). Whatever the case, that can't be fun for a seventh grader.

:) Being the super nice teacher that I am, I started to gather work for this young lady so she wouldn’t fall too far behind. I emailed home a few times to see when mom would be by to pick up her work. I also had some questions as to which books she had at home, and what was left here at school. I wanted her to have all of her materials in order to complete the assignments. I never heard back from mom.

Today, I finally went down to the attendance secretary and asked her if she had heard from the family. Nothing. I asked the secretary to try calling home…and if that didn’t work, to try the other contact numbers listed. So much of my time had been spent gather materials and trying to contact the family, that I wasn’t about to let it go. I wanted to know why mom hadn’t emailed me back or called. One of the contact people on Jamie’s list gave us her father’s work number. When our secretary called, the person on the other end indicated that Jamie’s dad was not in the office and he wouldn’t be – he was on a family vacation.

So, either the daughter really is sick and the family decided to go on vacation, or Jamie is not sick and mom just lied to get out of her explanation of the family vacation. Either way, it’s all a bit shady if you ask me.

And we wonder why kids today lack responsibility?!?!

i'm here at work...

2009-03-23T09:21:00.001-07:00

...and I need to go home. There are no more subs in our system. Turns out everyone else is sick too. Good times. Nothing like trying to teach while feeling yucky. I love my kids and obviously they love me enough to share everything...even their nasty germs. I've never had a year like this. Usually they all get sick and I find a way to avoid it. They got me this time. Ah, shucks.

P.S. For those of you who think teaching is such a sweet job because of summers off and such...take note, sick days are not really a time to rest up and get better. Instead, they're spent putting together sub plans and praying that someone will be available to cover your class. Oh, and you also pray that the little ones will behave themselves. :)

I love my job though...and I find it difficult to imagine doing anything else.

in case you were wondering...

2009-03-17T21:42:00.000-07:00

...the nap was wonderful! :)

tired heart...(a.k.a. boring post)

2009-03-17T14:34:00.001-07:00

I feel tired and worn out. As a result, I'm cranky and irritable. Doesn't that sound like fun? The last few weeks have been full of fun, but the pace of it all is catching up to me now.

Are any of you "yes" people? When someone asks you to do something, you respond with an eager and enthusiastic, "Yes"? For so long, I struggled with taking on too much. Obviously, I still do. Sometimes I need to remember and realize that it's okay to spend time at home - with nothing specific on the agenda.

Ben and I were talking about the chaos that is currently surrounding life at school/work/home. In and of themselves, the events that keep us busy are nothing bad. In fact, we have gained so much...

Our trip to Vegas was a blast! I loved spending time with the Hamlins...they're a bunch of fun! The only downside? I missed last Monday due to that trip. Not a big deal - and worth every minute!
Then, I came back to work on Tuesday - only to be gone at a conference the rest of the week. Thankfully, my mom got to come with me and it was so nice to have her all to myself. :) I learned a ton of great stuff and it has made me excited and eager to tackle next year's Leadership Class. I also had the opportunity to talk to my mom about her life growing up. Poor thing, I asked a million questions. It's just so interesting - her story is incredible!
It's tough to be away from work. As a teacher, it's far more work to be gone than it is to just be here.
Did I mention that last Friday was a half-day for teachers to input report cards? Yeah, I wasn't here for that. Needless to say, I should be entering late work and submitting comment codes. Instead, I sit here typing.
Upon returning from the conference, our weekend was spent grading (mine), dinner with some of the folks from our church, and an early morning in the nursery.
From there, Hillary and I were lucky enough to see Hello Dolly at the 5th Ave. It was fun to see Kasey, Mo, Jadd do their thing up on stage. What a talented group! Another highlight to my time with Hillary was the fact that we got to eat lunch/dinner at Umi's in Belltown. They have the most amazing selection of Sushi! So good. It was also such a treat to spend some time with Hillary. I always enjoy our adventures. She's a great friend who listens well and seems to brighten my life! :)
Last night I was planning to stay late and get the report card thing finished up. I had forgotten about our parent meeting. You see, the 7th graders are taking a trip to the Seattle Underground Tour later this spring and we had a meeting last night for potential chaperones. Alas, I am still sitting here with papers to grade. My fault, completely!
That brings us to today. It's been a bit crazy with snow this morning and half of my students absent. However, we laughed a lot and took joy in the new trimester and the fact that it's St. Patrick's Day.

So, when you look at the list of items individually, it's nothing worth losing sleep over (which apparently I do...I average about 3.5 hours of sleep on work days). However, when it all starts to pile on top of each other, it gets to be a bit much.

Did I mention that I agreed to help out with the church's sleep-over this weekend? I need to be reminded that it's okay to say, "No."

What do you do when you find that your schedule becomes a bit too cluttered? How do you say no?

Those of you with kids probably look at my list and think I'm nuts...it's nothing in comparison to what you deal with on a regular/daily basis. I guess it's all about perspective. Right now I'm just feeling tired and overwhelmed. You're a trooper if you continued to read this far. :)

Maybe it has something to do with this crazy weather?

changes

2009-03-06T10:09:00.000-08:00

From 26 degrees to 62 degrees in less than 2 and half hours? Yes please! Anything beats this cold weather we're having. So excited!

only a few hours left...

2009-02-26T13:11:00.000-08:00

...to donate and be a part of Jackie & Bender's One Big KISS for Seattle Children's Hospital!

I know times are tough and money doesn't grow on trees, but I can't help but mention this great hospital! Over the years, Children's Hospital has cared for both of my brothers and I truly believe they were blessed by the doctors, nurses, and the organization in general. In fact, our whole family was! Consider finding a way to help those families in need. Unfortunately, someone we know is bound to end up receiving services from Children's Hospital...it's my hope that we all do our part to share that burden now - instead of waiting.

Click here to help KISS reach their million dollar goal by 7pm tonight.

where would you go...

2009-02-24T07:32:00.000-08:00

Laura and I are contemplating a small vacation next fall. However, we're still undecided as to where we should go. So, I'm asking all of my readers (thousands upon thousands) to offer their suggestions. Here's the criteria we've come up with so far...

Within the US (we can only be gone for 5ish days, so we don't really want to eat up too much of our time traveling)
Since Laura's in NY and I'm here in Seattle, it would be nice to meet up somewhere close to the middle...however, that's not a real deal-breaker
We need to be able to do inexpensive and/or cheap things while we're there (site-seeing, relaxing at the beach, etc.)
Decent weather would be nice, but it's not crucial
Somewhat close to an airport...we don't want to be faced with a 6 hour drive once we arrive somewhere

So, what can you suggest? I'm looking forward to some great ideas!

happy...

2009-02-23T11:42:00.000-08:00

...birthday Ben! :)

I love you!

when i wake up in the morning...

2009-02-20T23:59:00.000-08:00

While cleaning out all of our closets - organizing and purging - I've come across something pretty special. We used to own a game called, Saved By the Bell. I know, some of you are soooooo jealous already. Anyways, my mom got ride of it a while ago and I remember grabbing the set of questions from it. I thought it would be fun to hold onto those and revisit some of the questions later on in life. Just recently, I stumbled upon those very questions...and now seems like a good time to test your knowledge of pop culture history. See how well you remember the years Bayside!

What is the name of the oil company Bayside uses after the discovery of oil? A) Britestar B) Rockstar C) Calstar

What is the name of the men’s story Kelly works for during the Christmas season? A) Mooney’s Clothes for Men B) Moody’s Clothes for Men C) Hunter’s Clothes for Men

What is the name of the school nurse that Zack falls in love with? A) Janice B) Joyce C) Jennifer

What country does Screech compete with in the chess finals? A) Japan B) Russia C) Germany

Who chases the gang at the mall? A) Louis & Frankie B) Frankie & Johnny C) Johnny & Louis

What is the name of the Princess Slater falls for? A) Stephanie B) Christina C) Joanna

Which Christmas carol does the gang sing while Laura’s father plays the piano? A) Jingle Bells B) White Christmas C) Silent Night

What is the name of the fashion school Lisa applies to? A) Design Institute of NY B) The Fashion Institute C) Art Institute of LA

Who does Jessie end up taking to the Date Auction Dance? A) Slater B) Zack C) Screech

Where does Belding take the gang on their annual class trip? A) Surfing in Hawaii B) Camping in Yosemite C) White-water rafting

Where does Screech hide his “Lucky Beret?” A) In his pocket B) In his locker C) Under his bed

Who is the 8th dork “Studly” in Bayside’s performance of “Snow White & the Seven Dorks?” A) Slater B) Screech C) Zack

2009-02-13T08:39:00.000-08:00

I've decided to join in the fun...I'm paying it forward, just like Kel did on her blog. :)

Here's how it works...

I will be receiving an item from Kelly. In the mean time, the first three people to comment on this post that they want to participate, will receive a handmade item from me (I've got so many ideas...it will be tough to narrow it down). I have 365 days to complete it (if I wait that long, I'll forget...so expect it sooner). The gift is surprise and I will do my best to tailor it to you.

If you are interested, post in the comments here. If you are one of the first three people, then go ahead and post your "Pay it Forward" on your blog. The handmade items do not have to be extensive. Do not feel you need to spend days and days on them. Just do what you can.

Sounds fun to me. I'm hoping at least 3 of you are feeling the same way. :)

last weekend's adventure...

2009-02-07T13:02:00.000-08:00

View of Closet Before

Top Portion of Closet Before

Bottom Portion of Closet Before

Our coat closet is rather large in size, but the space wasn't being utilized properly (it's been this way since I moved in). So, Ben and I went to work last weekend to make better use of the square footage. I measured things out and had an idea of what I wanted while my husband took care of all the manual labor. He did such a nice job. It's nothing fancy, but it makes a world of difference! I love it!

Top Portion of Closet After

Middle Section of Closet After

Bottom of Closet After

Side View of Closet After

My favorite part of the new closet...all of the extra storage! Who doesn't love empty shelves?!?!

P.S. I still hate blogger! Why is it so difficult to get the spacing between lines to work? Ah, frustrating. I think I'll get off the computer and go gaze at my closet. The spacing in there is just right! :)

why my bf is better than yours...

2009-01-31T21:27:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, one of our secretaries came into my classroom with this beautiful bouquet of flowers. I was confused and trying to figure out who would be sending me something like this. I mean, I love my husband dearly, but he doesn't send flowers randomly (I wouldn't mind it though...hint, hint). I pulled out the card and realized that my best friend was the one who so generously sent this gift. Her note read that she was proud of me for finishing up my master's degree. As someone who already has their master's degree, Laura understands the magnitude of this feat. She sent me the flowers as a congratulations. Isn't that just the sweetest thing ever? I love my BF...even though she moved to NY!

Thanks so much dear friend! I love you and miss you too!

ta-da...

2009-01-28T08:15:00.000-08:00

Here's baby Gavin Michael. He was born around 4:15 pm yesterday (January 27, 2009). Since Gavin was rather happy inside in mommy, he came into this world via c-section. Both he and Kelli are doing well! Little Gavin weighed in at 7 pounds 11 ounces. (Side note: We all made predictions as to his weight before Kelli left the room for surgery...I guessed this exactly. I'm such a good auntie!) He is 20 inches long and absolutely perfect!

I wish I had a better photo...I only had my phone. I'll be heading back the hospital today...maybe I'll get a few more shots. :)

baby gavin...

2009-01-27T08:39:00.001-08:00

...is on his way! I'm leaving work as soon as they (the miracle workers in our front office) can get a sub! Kelli and Bobby are on their way to the hospital and things are quickly progressing. Hooray! I can't wait to meet him!

cutest picture ever...

2009-01-26T12:10:00.000-08:00

...not of me, but Evie! How sweet is this? I'm not playing favorites (since there's no photo of Ella, I wanted to make that clear). We didn't bring our camera with us this weekend. Don and Suzy took this shot and emailed it to me. I couldn't resist. Next time I'll be sure to get a picture with Ella. We have to be fair. :)

light bulb moment...

2009-01-22T12:43:00.001-08:00

Just now, one of my students said (to a group of friends seated around her…and loud enough for everyone to hear), “Hey, isn't it crazy that Christ's birthday and Christmas are both celebrated on the same day?” The other kids sitting there looked at her and started laughing. They thought she was joking. Then someone asked her if she knew why Christmas was originally celebrated. She didn’t know.

I love listening in on their little conversations. They’re learning so much at this age…even if it has nothing to do with what we’re studying.

life is good...

2009-01-22T07:47:00.000-08:00

I'm updating the blog for Robin today. She needs something other than my Kleenex-stuffed nose to look at. :) Now I'm challenging her to UPDATE!

I'm excited to post today because life is good...God is good!

Ben is done with school...hooray! He finished up in December, but all of the paperwork is official now. He's working full time at the same place he did all through college. The job is great, the company is supportive, and the pay isn't bad either. :) (It's amazing how much life can change when you've got two full-time incomes...we're feeling a bit more "grown-up" these days.)
I'm done with my Master's classes and I couldn't be happier. It's about time! I'm ready to retire my role as a student - at least for a while. Sure, I'll continue to absorb everything I can, but I don't care to write another paper for quite some time. Maybe next fall I'll look at pursuing my National Board Certification?!?!
My brother and sister-in-law haven't had their baby yet, but I'm predicting Gavin will make his appearance this weekend. We'll see. Of course, I'll be sure to post pictures.
Ben finally has his X-Box Live up and working. (I'll post a picture this weekend.) Although this is a little annoying at times - listening to him talk to people through a drive-thru-like headset - I know it brings him so much joy! The last couple of years, he's taken a break from video games (at our place). It was a nice break. However, I know he's happy to have a new system. It keeps him connected to some of his closest friends - Chris, Dusty, and Andy. So cute!
Over the last two weeks, I've been blessed to be a part of a great Bible Study. We haven't even started the actual study yet, but God is already doing incredible things. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to meet some of these incredible women. It's also thrilling to know that what awaits us is sure to be amazing...and life-changing!
There are so many fun things to watch on television these days. That's just a fun, little side note. :)
We get to see our nieces this weekend! I'm excited to hold Evie and Ella...and take lots of pictures. The last time we were altogether, I had to share the girls with the entire Simmons family. Not cool. I like to hog them! :)
Ben is leading worship for our church's youth group. He's really enjoying this new role and it's something he's wanted to do for a while now. With school over and done with, his schedule has finally opened up enough to commit to this ministry opportunity. I'm so proud of him!
Things at work have slowed down a bit and I'm about to start working with an after-school program. Should be fun!

heavily medicated...

2009-01-10T21:52:00.001-08:00

...can you tell?
I was attempting to fold laundry today. Since my nose wouldn't stop running (and who wants snot on their clean clothes), I had to improvise. This was my solution. Don't knock it until you've tried it! :)

Thankfully, Ben came to my rescue and helped me with the challenge. Can you see him in the background?

The sickness that was once in my throat has now moved north...my nose, forehead, sinuses, and ears are all plugged and/or stuffed. Good times.

life right now...

2009-01-10T00:00:00.000-08:00

...is good!

Although I've been sick for the last few days, I must say that life is good. Now that the holidays are behind us, life has slowed down and we're back to our "normal routine" around here (whatever that means).

Lately, I've been big into saving money! I clip coupons like a mad-woman, check some frugal blogs on a regular basis (look for links down on the lower left), use the Grocery Game (Last week my total was $78 before coupons and deals. I left paying less than $38) and repeatedly revisit our budget, giving, savings, spending, and overall situation. I know this money we have is not ours...it belongs to God. He's put it on my heart to be sure I'm using His money wisely. It's important to be a good steward! Funny how this has been placed on my heart and yet I'm totally enjoying it. No one ever said that following God's prompts had to be painful. :)

I also think it's funny that the Lord opened my eyes to all of this just as Ben was promoted. For so long, we've been the "struggling college kids." Now that Ben's done with school and my master's program is over, we've got more coming in than ever before. We are by no means rolling in the money, but we are doing our best to be wise with what God has blessed us with. Besides, someday (not anytime soon) there will be a baby Simmons and it would be wonderful to have enough funds to stay at home!

If possible, I would love to know how others are saving money. Feel free to share your thoughts and ideas.

While you're pondering what to share, please enjoy the following pictures. Since we don't have kids of our own to display, I'll be using some other cute faces that we've recently seen (hope that's okay)...

How cute is Case? He shopped with us like a champ. Here he is relaxing on a couch at Crate & Barrel.

This is what Kara will look like in the near future! LOVE IT!

Here are the girls all decked out in their Christmas outfits! Evie (left) & Ella (right) are getting bigger all the time. I sat here with both of them and had a new-found respect for Emily (and Ryan too). I don't know how she does it with two...even if they are so well behaved! :)

And I leave you with this sweet face. I heart him...

love dare...

2008-12-29T22:56:00.000-08:00

Ben and I started the Love Dare three days ago. It's a book that was created for the movie, Fireproof (recall my post here). We were a bit nervous that the challenge would be much like the film...a bit cheesy. However, it's been so much fun already.

Each day there's a small written segment that describes what is needed to love your spouse as Christ loves us. From there, you're given a small dare for the day. Each day builds on the previous day(s). So, you're constantly challenged to repeat the daily dares.

So, whether you find yourself enjoying pure marital bliss, or you're a bit frustrated by your mate, consider picking up this book! It's well worth the $.

P.S. I'm not being paid to say any of this...

merry christmas...

2008-12-25T22:08:00.000-08:00

...to all and to all a good night!

The Simmons family would like to extend our warmest wishes for a most wonderful Christmas!

We would also like to remind you that this blessed day is not about gifts, family, friends, a decorated house, or the "spirited feeling." Instead this day is celebrated because of our Savior's birth. Let us not forget the true reason behind our gatherings and gift exchanges! Without Him, we would have nothing to celebrate.

Merry Christmas!

how does this work...

2008-12-16T23:24:00.000-08:00

I did my last bit of Christmas shopping online, December 6th. Included in this order were two gifts for Ben and one for my mother-in-law, Suzy. I figured it would be here by now. Since I was a bit concerned by the delay (we are heading up to the Island on Saturday, so I need to make sure I can wrap it and such), I checked my email for the original information.

Turns out Amazon sent me an email today apologizing for the delay. That was nice. However, it went on to say that the book for Suzy (above) would not be in until the middle of January or February. Really? Oh, and they also mentioned that the other two items would ship shortly and should be here AFTER CHRISTMAS! What?

Am I missing something?

i should clarify...

2008-12-12T13:40:00.000-08:00

My post below was not meant to offend. I should be careful what I say and how I say it. No matter how you and your family go about your Christmas greetings, it's all good! :) My apologies.

Alicia, I'm excited to use http://www.paperlocket.com/. I don't need anything now, but I saved it to my Favorites.

Christie, I'm sure your Christmas cards will be lovely!

Kara, keep an eye on your mailbox. But don't get too excited. They're nothing monumental.

Lisa, I will think of you the next time I read a personalized note. I'll be smiling too. :)

christmas cards...

2008-12-12T09:55:00.000-08:00

Lately we've received a handful of Christmas cards in the mail...so much fun. However, I must say that I'm extremely disappointed with the way it's all carried out these days. Suddenly there's nothing personal about the cards. No one actually writes a personal message. Instead, you get these cute pictures with a standard greeting. Often times the address is even printed off on a label. I miss the days when people would actually sit down and hand write a personal note. I was never the one doing this at our house - I was too young. Instead, my mom would write out every single Christmas card by hand. Then, I would eagerly check the mail each day, looking for letters from our friends and family. It was so much fun. Now, it's kind of a disappointment.

This year, we have Christmas cards (for the first time) and I've typed up a specific note for each person/family. I wanted to write them by hand, but I was fearful I would run out of time. Ours is not a great novel about this year's adventures. Instead, I've just made it a point to get specific and personal for each recipient.

I don't want to see these Christmas traditions as bothersome, or taxing. Instead, I want to enjoy it. I want to sincerely wish people a Merry Christmas. I want them to know that they are thought of during this blessed season. I also want to remind them of the true meaning behind it all.

Maybe we've all just got too much on our plates during this season...and that shouldn't be the case. It's my goal to simplify things and continuously remind myself that there's more to Christmas than just the long to-do lists.

Can anyone else relate?

the cutest...

2008-12-02T20:19:00.000-08:00

...twins in the world (although Shawna and Scotty are pretty cute too)!

Ella - The more relaxed of the 2 sisters. Ella doesn't really fuss too much and she's a pretty easy-going little lady. She loves to cuddle and she's quite good at burping up her food.

Evie - I didn't get a close up picture of Evie this time. I'm already struggling to "keep things fair." She is a mama's girl...or a daddy's girl. Basically, she just wants to be some body's girl. She loves to be held and she doesn't want to miss out on any of the action. She's not a fan of sleeping all too often either.

_____________________________________________

We spent the night at Emily and Ryan's last Wednesday. This was done for 2 reasons - 1) Ben and Ryan were playing football early on Thursday morning up in Edmonds and there was no way we were going to make that drive on Thanksgiving. 2) The extra night with Emily and Ryan, also meant more time with Evie and Ella! To some this may seem selfish...to us, we recognize it as a duty - as an auntie and uncle!

Wednesday night we stayed up late and played a round of Settlers. Emily did well as a first-time player. And although Ben and Ryan argued over the game as if it truly mattered, my husband proved victorious. I also think it's important to note that I was planning to lay down the win with my next turn. Ben was seated to my right and his turn preceded mine...I could taste the victory and then it was quickly stolen.

Emily is playing with Evie on her lap. I held Ella most of the game...they're just so cute. Anything that only weighs 8 pounds is just absolutely adorable!

Once Ella's eyelids became heavy, I put her in here to sleep. She watched us play for a few moments and then she was off to dreamland. So sweet!

Thanksgiving on the Island was great. The ferry ride there and back were not as pleasant. I could do without the waits. Oh well. We had some yummy food and it was nice to see Grandma Nancy, Bob, Kathie, Don and Suzy.

Check out the cute grandparents. Can you tell that they're thrilled to have these little blessings (Evie on the left with grandpa, Ella on the right with grandma)? It's great too...one for each of 'em.

some feedback would be nice...

2008-12-01T17:00:00.001-08:00

As soon as I'm done entering my grades and comments (maybe Wednesday), I plan to put together the greatest Christmas playlist ever! Yeah, this one may actually top the NKOTB's Merry, Merry Christmas album. Hard to believe, I know.

So, here's where you come into play. I need to know what tops your list of favorite Christmas tunes. I can tell you right now that mine is O Holy Night. It doesn't matter who sings this song, I love it...any and all versions are lovely.

I must confess that I'm not a big fan of Christmas music. To me, it's like watching a movie over and over again...I don't find it all that fun. However, there are a few exceptions. So, now you might be able to understand why I need your feedback. Feel free to leave me a comment with some of your favorite songs - and please include the artist(s) as well.

Worth mentioning - I do not care for instrumentals, the Little Drummer Boy, or O Christmas Tree. Got it? But I totally favor Mariah Carey's, All I Want for Christmas. That's right, I said it.

wouldn't it be nice...

2008-11-26T07:52:00.000-08:00

...to have 2 Thanksgivings? One to share with the husband's side of the family and another to share with the wife's?

We do all sorts of crazy things for our spouses (i.e. this picture of Ben)...I guess the holiday trade-off is yet another adjustment. I wonder if it will always feel a bit foreign to miss out on seeing my family for Thanksgiving.

P.S. Don't get me wrong, I love Ben's family. However, it's just not the same (I'm sure he would say the same about my family).

thank you...

2008-11-21T23:41:00.000-08:00

...for the prayers! It went fairly well and I'll tell you more tomorrow. I would have updated earlier, but I came home and crashed for a few hours. It's been a long week...but PRAISE THE LORD, it's over! :)

Who knew that the land of blogging could provide so much encouragement! Thanks to all of you!