the P word

It seems like lately everywhere you look the concept of a princess is being thrown at girls. Maybe this is more apparent to Chris and I because we have a girl, but it just seems like it's the thing that little girls are supposed to be into. On a recent trip into the Disney store I noticed half of it is devoted to selling the various princess movie merchandise. Parents magazine recently had two interesting articles devoted to the princess phenomenon. The first is titled the princess diaries and the latest article is an interview with the author of Cinderella Ate My Daughter: Dispatches From the Front Lines of the New Girly-Girl Culture. I haven't read this book, but have it on reserve at the library. Both articles caution parents that the princess obsession may be pushing girls to grow up too fast and teaches them to value being spoiled, the bling, and narcissism.

I'm not saying Elle can't be into princess stuff (although the thought of it makes Chris' hernia hurt), but I want to make sure she understands what that means. I want her to focus on the good messages of the movies or stories, to learn the virtues that are imbedded in the fairy tale. Most of the stories have the underlying message that good triumphs over evil (and kindness to animals : ) ) and each of the characters hold certain virtues. Here's a short list based on the "Disney Princesses":

Belle- wisdom, philomathy, acceptance
Cinderella-hopefulness, kindness, perseverance
Snow White- optimism, cleanliness
Sleeping Beauty/Aurora- obedience, respectfulness
Ariel- curiosity, courage
Jasmine- self-respect
Pocahontas- courage, truthfulness
Mulan- honor, strength, courage
Tiana- determination
Rapunzel- loyalty, creativity (I haven't seen this movie, just going on what I've read)

I think many of the virtues can overlap princesses, but you get my point. I also think it's a good idea to talk about what a real-life princess does. It's not just about tea and pretty things. What good things have real life princesses done with their title? I'm not going to say they're perfect, but most princesses are involved in some charity work and are highly educated. (Did you know Princess Caroline has a degree in philosophy and can speak 5 languages?) The meaning of royal duties might also be a good topic to discuss. I've also seen that there is a christian children's book series called gigi: God's Little Princess, but I don't know anything else about it. This has just been on my mind lately and especially as Elle gets older.

no snow day for you!

What do OSSM professors do when a blizzard is expected? Spend the night! Several professors and staff spent the night in offices to make sure they could be here. A couple of people probably won't go home until tomorrow. School doesn't stop when everyone lives at school. Classes must go on, which means Chris has had to teach extra classes for those who couldn't make it here. Most of the students have been earning school service hours for shoveling the sidewalks. Elle has been sick so she hasn't been too active, but we broke out the playdough as a special treat. She took a brief trip out in the snow (probably 5 minutes). We're especially grateful for the cafeteria and janitorial staff who have made it here to provide the kids with food and to clean. The last pic is of our living room window with the snow blown up on it (please ignore the dirt that has blown in from construction).

my deep gladness

I feel like I need to explain a bit about my vocation. I constantly get these questions: what do you do? do you get to stay home with Elle? what do you want to do when you're finished with your degree? The answers should be simple, but they're not. I have a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, a masters degree in School Counseling, and am currently working on my doctorate in education in curriculum and instruction. I've taught 4th, 1st, Kindergarten, and at the university. I've also subbed and tutored all grades, but this doesn't really explain it.

Frederick Buechner calls vocation “the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” My deep gladness is education. I*LOVE*TO*TEACH! I get giddy over school supplies and planning lessons. I love vintage school stuff (the pic is a chair I found at a garage sale that Elle uses in the living room). My dream house would be designed similar to a one-room school house. (Is that extreme?) I'm passionate about reading and doing "teacher stuff". As Chris can attest when I'm in my element it's hard to pull me away. I've spent many early mornings and long evenings at school and then brought it home with me. Those of you who teach know what I'm talking about!

I feel this is a way to do something significant with my life. There are so many children who need quality teachers and stable adults in their life. I've also found through my studies at Baylor that there are so many things that I wish someone would have told me. For example, research has shown teaching ESL/ELL students the alphabet and to read in their first language actually helps them to learn English faster! Or that action research can be a really beneficial thing in your classroom. I could go on and on. Basically I'd like to take what I've gained and bridge the gap between the university and EC-12.

My favorite grades are kindergarten and university students beginning their path into teaching. (I suspect that I'd also love teaching preschool, media literacy, and children's lit.) For a while I couldn't figure out why I could love both when it's so different. But then it dawned on me it's because I get to be their first experience. I love being the one who gets to introduce kids to all the wonderful things you can do in school. Most kindergartners are sweet and so excited about the smallest things. I also love getting to share how wonderful teaching can be and helping students decide if this profession is their "deep gladness" too. (That's right, not everyone can teach, but that's another post!)

Right now I'm enjoying spending most of my time with Elle and someday the "not yets". I can still do "teaching" with her right? I find that working on another degree keeps me in the loop of the profession, but I get this precious time with Elle too. I also feel that the more knowledge I have, the more I can do for teaching. When I'm finished at Baylor, or maybe a little sooner, I'd like adjunct or teach preschool, or do professional development, or all three until I'm ready to go back full-time.

black bean soup

This is what we like to eat on these cold days! It meets my requirements for food...yummy, simple, and Elle will eat it!

Black Bean Soup
2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can vegetable broth
1 cup salsa (we use Mild Pace Picante)
1 tsp dried cumin

Blend 1 cup of black beans, vegetable broth, salsa, and cumin. Pour into saucepan and add rest of black beans. Cook until heated thoroughly. Serve with sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese.

a little bit of Elle

my cutie girl
sidewalk chalk on a recent warm day
sitting at her desk in our {meaning mine and Elle's} office

Stampin!

My new hobby is stamping and card making. These are a few recent creations:

a post for Daddy

I'm dedicating this post to my dad because it would have been his 56th birthday today. He died of congestive heart failure July 17, 2007. My dad loved cactus. So much so that he brought different species home from his big truck travels and with his talented green thumb they flourished all over the house, the garage, and the yard. A hobby my mom is still dealing with. I think of a cactus as a good representation of my dad's life. Pretty prickly, able to survive harsh conditions, and beautiful blooms. Right after graduating high school he developed hodgkin's disease and survived, which was pretty rare at that time. He was told that he wouldn't have kids, but he ended up with 3 girls. I like to think about the things he passed on to me. A love of NASCAR, country music, reading, traveling, playing dominoes and a little bit of that Johnson temper. I wish so much that he could be here to enjoy his grandbabies. I know he'd have them down at the lake fishing or digging in the dirt. I think he'd have been especially proud this year as "#3" graduates high school and goes off to college. His death still stings and I suppose it always will. I get comfort though from thinking about Jesus' sacrifice for us all. I hope for the day when Daddy will get his healed heart and he'll be tending to God's garden.