Cute Valentine's and Derek's Cowboy Birthday

Derek's Birthday Party (My sister and her family did such an awesome job!)







"Bear Hugs" Elle got from one of her classmates (teddy grahams & hugs candy)


Elle's Valentines for her class and teachers

9 years later

{an anniversary present 2009}
Feb.16, 2002 Chris and I went on our first real date and celebrated our first Valentine's Day together. Chris gave me a box of Godiva chocolates and took me to see Disney's Beauty and the Beast at the IMAX theater and then to dinner. I was pretty spectacular on such a large screen. Feb. 16, 2011 Chris and I celebrated Valentine's Day by going to see Disney's Beauty and the Beast Broadway musical. We did have to ride a bus and go with 130+ students, faculty, parents, and guests, but it was still pretty awesome. No italian dinner, but I did get a box of Godiva chocolates again. I highly recommend going to see this musical if you get a chance. I was really impressed with the scenery and costumes. We had a really fun time out "by ourselves", which we rarely do. My Grandma graciously came over and watched Elle for us. She is such a special person to us! We were surprised how many people asked why we didn't take Elle, but the show was about 2.5 hours long and some parts would have been pretty scary for her. Several times they turned out the lights or had bright flashes, plus lots of loud bangs and roars. The beast could be a bit intimidating for young kids. They also shot confetti into the audience a couple of times, which we thought was great, but could also be startling. They added a few more songs and tweaked the story just a bit so that the characters are turning into the objects, but it explains their still human-like form. They've also added some physical comedy and a few more jokes. Overall, it is a great experience.

an improvised valentine's day

My love!

Yesterday marked the 9th Valentine's day Chris and I have spent together and Elle's second. We didn't really have our official date because that's tomorrow night (more on that after tomorrow). I do want to say though Elle and I are so blessed to have Chris love us so much. I love him and Elle more and more each day! We weren't totally boring though. We went over to the school building last night to watch TwinProv (http://www.twinprov.com/). It's a set of twin brothers who graduated from OSSM in 1998. They formed an improv group who also do musical comedy. They're pretty good and we all had a good time. I recommend watching the New Moon Rap!

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.