The Road, November

We played at an Episcopal retreat this weekend in New Hampshire. This is one of the most "spiritually comfortable" camps for me. The programming is very simple, no big show. As part of the Sunday morning worship we partake in the Eucharist, something that we often miss while traveling. The liturgical style is reminescent of my upbringing. I am moved by the interactive service, it is powerful to speak in unison, raise our hands in blessing. I like being part of the service as opposed to being an audience observer.



Jeff and I enjoy the sunny day in NH


We usually don't have time to sight see on the road so it was nice to find a few hours to head to DC last week. I really wanted to go to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, made popular by the movie Night at the Museum!! Duh!

We saw many wonderful creatures, including this funny fellow. We think he might make a nice adopted Wellington.





Aaaahhh! Shark jaw! Grandma Smart would have liked this one;)


I really want to go back when we have more time, it was cool! I am of the opinion that DC = boring!!, but I must admit that the museum was fun. Maybe the thought of seeing something from the Night at the Museum movie kept me enthralled? Or maybe it was the fact that I am no longer a hormonal teenager more concerned with my hair, boys and um, boys like I was on the 8th grade DC trip?


Yes, We are both wearing the same outfit as the last post. Sue us! Photos were a month apart.

Kelly and Matt's Ohio reception

We all piled in the Meyer family van and made the trek to Medina, OH to see our newly married friends Kelly and Matt Rowell. The Meyers, the Gerbers, and the Edgels were happy to arrive and see the happy couple, get some good eats, and meet up with the Millers. Good times, good friends:)


The guys. Jeff, Brandon, Matt the newlywed, Brant and Josh


The girls:) Kristi, Kelly the newlywed, April, me and Brittany

Subbing Saga, cont.

I was subbing in Kindergarten again this past week and got another fun story from my few hours with the youngens.

I had just finished reading aloud to the group of 21 eager "kinders". We read "T is for Turkey". One boy in the front raised his hand, and I called on him thinking that he might have something to add on the subject at hand. I should have known.

"Excuse me," he said so politely, addressing me and the rest of the class "....my pants unzip to become shorts."

OK. Thank you for that info, Wyatt. Indeed, he was wearing those awesome pants invented within our lifetime that conveniently unzip into shorts.

Things to occupy my time lately

We sold our old couch and love seat. The davenport is from craigslist and my parents generously gave us the two super cute red chairs. I really like my living room now, and have made some more little additions to add to the new feel. The benefit of the leather and vinyl furniture is how easy it is to clean up the cat hair! It will also be nice when we have guests who are allergic, they should be able to get more comfortable without experiencing their allergy side effects.

And it's so much cuter!!

As a gift, my mom got me the 'wall flowers' on the left. I think they are so cool! She got them at this neat store in Angola by the lake. The flowers just snap on and off of a special kind of nail head, so i can move them if i want.

Thanks, AGAIN, mom, for the pillows from pier one (we love that place!)

Our house was lacking a family picture place, so now we have one. I've included wedding pictures from our wedding, and all of our siblings weddings. Each of my adorable nieces get a frame. Our parents each get a frame. Engagement and 'Day after the wedding' pics are also up there. I think it adds to the homey-ness of the room. it shows, yes! there are people that live here!

You may not recognize the nice looking family on the top right!? I still need one more 8x10 =)

Late this summer, my Mom showed me how to make these fabric flowers and i've been hooked ever since! This was my first bouquet. It's purpose is to help blend the colors of the bright blue davenport and the bright red chairs.

In the center of the flowers is buttons!

Second bouquet, tiny flowers! in a tiny tin!

While at one of my weekly goodwill stops, i came across an old scarf and thought that this would be great material for my new favorite craft, Flowers! My love of retro and my love of fabric flowers birthed this little creation.

I sifted through some old buttons that my mom has, and gave the retro flowers their retro buttons. Got little green vase at a sweet thrift store while on the road.

At the same sweet thrift shop, I found this sweet old photo album!

Miss Scarlet Wellington wanted her picture with it, so I agreed.

I didn't really know what I was going to put in it at first,

but then i figured it out--

Last month, my Dad lent me his old camera that Sheeshaw got for him and my uncle Johnny when she was in Japan. (in the 70's sometime, i think) So now I plan to fill the album with picture taken with this special old camera.

sounds fun to me =)

Stories of a Sub, Thoughts on Family

I have been subbing quite a bit lately. Elementary music, HS math, Middle School language arts, Kindergarten =)

I got called a "Stupid B!%$#" last week, so that was awesome. I called the high school student out right away. I could have sent him to the office, but I choose to not involve the office in the worries of a sub, they've got enough to worry about. I was not making any outrageous request to warrant such treatment, but nonetheless, he thought that descriptor was applicable. Thanks man. It went something like this. "Excuse me!? Just because I am a sub doesn't mean that I don't have feelings. That is rude and it hurt my feelings." It seemed to work and embarrassed him enough to shut him up for the rest of the period. I can't really pull of the "mom-intimidation" that some teachers use. So, as a sub, who sees students a handful of times at most, I just try to be real.

I feel bad for all the times that I goofed off when I had a sub growing up. Oh course, it never went as far as calling names. But now I am on the other side of the exasperation that a sub feels. The constant "please get to work" "please stop talking", it gets old!

I think it is inappropriate and sad when other teachers tell me how bad a student or class is. I like to naively go into a day and assume the best of them, until they show me otherwise. Most of the "problem" kids and classes have enough negative energy and attention thrown towards them that I don't want to contribute to that.

On the other end of the spectrum, was Kindergarten. ha! There was constant tattling. If you think you know anything about anything, you are wrong in a kindergarten classroom!! They can tell you how to do everything, what is fair, what is NOT fair. They have strict routines (that are necessary, I'm sure)-- do not alter their routine! "Mrs. E, um, Megan was supposed to count to five and she counted to four instead." "Mrs. E, um, Aroura farted during the movie and she keeps smelling." "Mrs. E, um, Grayson pushed Cam." But they were adorable anyway.

There was one sweetheart in particular that pulled at my heart. James. Wavy blonde hair, dressed in a little flannel and khakis. He was very quiet most of the day and it took me awhile to figure out why. James had a serious speech impediment. At one point he came up to me and said something like, "I go to da tweasertwesh." And I am like, oh Lord please help me understand this little sweetie. I had no idea, "The what?" I asked. He repeated and I could see the disappointment and insecurity in his eyes. Finally a classmate translated- treasure chest- then, I was able to celebrate with him, "That's great, James!"

How frustrating would it be to not be understood? It sparked in my mind, that this could be my child. Every child has their challenges and I will count it a blessing to help my future kids through whatever it is that is before them.

Speaking of children. I think it is annoying when young marrieds (I mainly hear guys) joking that they "never" want kids! "Kids are a hiccup in my plan" "I'm in no hurry", "I'm having fun just practicing", haha! hilarious, NOT. Is it not one of the greatest blessings of life? I came across an old photo album when I was home last. in it, I found a bunch of birthday cards from my 1st birthday. I was struck by all those who thought of me, this little bald baby who couldn't really offer much but a funny noise, giggle and a dirty diaper. I was and am so blessed to be loved by a wonderful family. I am biased, but I think that my kids will be surrounded by the love of WONderful aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, great-grandparents. Why withhold this blessing? i love my family. i love family.
It often seems to go like this: Ok God, I'm ready to have kids now, Bless Me! Is that how it works? I've had my token five years with my hubby, we've done our European vaca, we've had some adventures, now it's BABY time! What if I am not so blessed? What if 5 years turns to 7 w/out kids, turns to 10? I think that the 'adventure' never stops. my family is PART of my adventure, not a hindrance to it. Encountering different families on the road, i am inspired by those who engage their children in their ministry. I hope to be like that.

yes, i am a fan of babies, but more a fan of family and the special love that you can only share within that bond. A love that disciplines has high value. The refining ability of a family is a godly thing in my eyes. am i in a hurry? to some, it may seem that i am. I like to think of it as i am excitedly awaiting the blessing.