It Looked So Simple

I've been trying to get involved at my new church by volunteering for every opportunity that comes my way. So far it's worked out pretty well for me! However, last week I volunteered to help assemble new preschool toys/equipment for the church's new building, and this...

...this did not go well for me.

Behold the Fisher Price Learning Home:

Intimidating, right? I spent about an hour trying to set this thing up! Just to make one thing clear...it is NOT hard to assemble. There was an instruction sheet with 15 simple steps (with pictures included!). I had to go back and "un-assemble" at times because I didn't properly follow directions. For example...the door is supposed to be one of the first items on, which I realized at about Step 13.

And I expect 24 nine-year-olds to follow directions in my classroom. Little do they know their teacher is a hypocrite...

I suppose I better evaluate my gifts/talents before jumping on the next volunteer bandwagon. Assembling is not my thing!

Pumpkins and Cousins

A couple weekends ago I carved a pumpkin at a birthday party. It was a rather festive thing to do, and it made me feel very autumn-y. Sadly, my pumpkin only lasted a week before it got old and moldy. I came home one day and noticed its upper lip was caving in - it got worse over the next couple days. The poor pumpkin had a massive underbite by the time it went into the trash can! It made me giggle every time I came home, so I thought I'd share a picture of my defeated jack-o-lantern. Poor guy.

In other news, I spent the weekend with my cousins Ashley and Rudy. Their birthday present to me was a photography class so I can better learn how to use my digital SLR camera. Ashley and I took it together this morning, and I learned some super helpful information! I think I finally understand what aperture, f-stop, and shutter speed are. The class was quite challenging for me, and I found myself thinking more than once, "I have no idea what she (the instructor) is talking about". She was very good, but it was a lot of new information and vocabulary!

Speaking of cousins, tomorrow cousin Ashley is moving to College Station. I'm sad about that. I know it's the best decision for her family, and I am excited to see what the Lord has in store for them down in Aggieland. At the same time, I will miss her dearly. I'm thankful God graciously placed us in Dallas for the last seven years, and I'm grateful we've had the opportunity to build that relationship. Ashley, you have been such an encouragement to me - know that you and Rudy will be missed by all of us Dallas folk.

Diaper Cakes

Well, I'm writing this at 10:40 on a Wednesday evening. Will I have a hard time rolling out of bed tomorrow morning? Absolutely. But I type away with joy because one of my devoted readers loves me enough to care about my blog. And I love her!

It's been a while! Much has happened since September, but for now I'll share a tidbit from today. My assistant at school (I'm spoiled, I know), wanted to learn how to make a diaper cake for a friend. Which, by the way, I didn't realize were not known in other parts of the country. I have a friend from Indiana who hadn't ever heard of one before coming to Texas! We southerners are strange, making diapers into cakes. Anyway, I went to my coworker's house this evening for Diaper Cakes 101. She graciously offered me a home-cooked meal with her family, and we spent the evening being crafty. Below are pictures of our (almost) finished products. My cake is for my cousin, who is decorating her nursery in a Dr. Seuss theme. Any idea where I can get a small red and blue fish for the top?

Off to bed for now, but I'll attempt to update again soon. :)

Spunky? Me?

Today I found out that one of my students told her mom that I have a "spunky spirit". I have NEVER been called spunky before, and it's not a word I'd use to describe myself. But I have to admit, it's pretty fun to be seen that way!

And then I started thinking back on the last couple of weeks. I'm pretty sure I say and do some quirky things in the classroom. Actually, I KNOW I do. My brother once said "Erin, you say your kids are quirky. Did you ever think that their teacher is making them that way?" Thanks, Brad. ;)

Today was National Skyscraper Day. You might not have known that, but you can thank the internet for that random piece of information. We celebrated today in the classroom. Now...let me clarify the depth of our learning in Miss Cunningham's classroom. In contrast, my coworker across the hall celebrated the holiday by educating his kids on the tallest skyscrapers around the world. Did you know the Burj Dubai is the tallest skyscraper, reaching 2,684 feet? I learned that today from my coworker, who compared it to several other skyscrapers, towers, and mountains. He even pulled down the map to show the kids where Dubai is located.

But us? Oh, no. In Miss Cunningham's class, we celebrated National Skyscraper Day by walking down the hall like skyscrapers. By standing as tall as we could, as straight as we could, and as still as we could (with our hands pointing straight up - for the tip, you know). We got weird glances and questions all the way down the hallway, to which I responded "Happy Skyscraper Day", of course.

So spunky? I don't know. Quirky? Definitely. Sometimes I wonder what in the world comes out of my mouth during a school day. I don't even want to know what the kids tell their parents at home. That I'm spunky, apparently. I think that student was just being kind. :)

Tomorrow is National Newspaper Carrier Day. This one I researched beforehand. Did you know the first newspaper carrier was a 10-year-old boy named Barney Faherty who began his job in 1833? My kids will learn that tomorrow!

It's Like Riding a Bike

So the phrase "It's like riding a bike - you never forget" is actually somewhat true. This weekend I rode a bike for the first time in more than 15 years! I was terrified and thought I might die when I had to practice on the street in front of my brother's house. If you'll notice, there are children - no older than 8 - in the background of my cherished picture below. There were at least 4 of them playing in the street, riding their bikes cheerfully like it was no big deal. I had to take my practice run in front of them, wobbling all over the street with a look of panic on my face. Embarrassing? Yes.

My brother Brad took me on an 11.7 (I will NOT leave out that .7) round trip ride to a Farmers Market in Colorado, and it was a great experience! I loved the mountain view, the brisk air, and the speed that you gain on a bicycle. Within a couple hours, we biked to the market, where we shopped and enjoyed a tasty tamale lunch before biking back home. And I didn't hurt myself OR the bicycle! :) I was amazed...it's incredible how the Lord created our minds and brings even the most long-lost skills to the surface...even after 15 years.

I never knew exercise could be enjoyable! Don't get me wrong, by the last mile or two I was barely making it up hills. It was challenging...but more enjoyable than painful, which is always good, right? Maybe I'll take up biking in Dallas. Although it's probably different biking in the 100 degree heat with the Dallas skyline as the backdrop. Not quite the same.

Boast No More

We sang this song in church this morning, and I love the words. It is a great reminder that I am accepted as a child of God because of Christ alone - because of His work on the cross. Not because of things I do, but because of HIM and His amazing love and mercy. I need a lot of help remembering this!

No more my God, I boast no more
Of all the duties I have done
I quit the hopes I held before,
To trust the merits of Thy Son

Now, for the loss I bear his name,
What was my gain I count my loss
My former pride I call my shame
And nail my glory to His cross

Yes, and I must, I will esteem
All things but loss for Jesus' sake
O may my soul be found in Him
And of His righteousness partake

The best obedience of my hands
Dares not appear before Thy throne
But faith can answer Thy demands
By pleading what my Lord has done

~Caedmon's Call

My Current Pet Peeve

I need to know something. Let me preface this by saying that I love food. And being a single teacher, I tend to find it easier to grab dinner on the way home. Subway and Pei Wei recognize me now, although I'm not sure that's a good thing....

I've been harboring bitterness about something, and I just need to get it out there and confess. When I go to these places to eat, I always ask for water. It's better for me, and I can't justify spending $1.45 on a drink when I'm already spending money on dinner. Very rarely do I order a soda, but when I do, I get a choice of a 12 oz. cup, a 16 oz. cup, or a 20 oz. cup. However, when I order water, I get this:

6 ounces of water. Does anybody else think this is a little unfair? If a customer is ordering water over soda, shouldn't that person be rewarded for choosing a healthier option? Instead of being punished by receiving a tiny cup - that once filled with ice - holds about a teaspoon of water? Occasionally I'll ask for a bigger cup, but on two recent occasions I've been rejected and charged extra.

I apologize for my venting. Maybe someday I'll accept the 6 ounce cup with a smile, but apparently not today. :)

Happy Cow Appreciation Day!

I wonder if Chick-fil-a knew their marketing scheme would work so well. My roommate, Summer, and I just celebrated our 3rd Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-fil-a. Each year, we see more and more people dressed like cows to get free food - it's brilliant! And fun!

This year we recruited cousins to come with us, and we enjoyed a great time of fellowship. We are already looking forward to next year's celebration, and we're thinking of ways to embellish our costumes. Happy Cow Day!

Sit Long. Talk Much. Laugh Often.

This was the slogan of a restaurant I visited while in Seattle last week, and I fell in love with it. David, my brother's friend, took us to a small bistro that he had happened upon a month before while in Seattle on a business trip. He had gotten to know the owner pretty well, so we were all introduced to him when we arrived. Three hours later, we left the restaurant full and relaxed. The owner actually sat down with us to chat, as did the waiter that was serving us. They asked questions, got to know us, and brought us our food slowly in courses, providing plenty of time for conversation.

Why can't more dinners be that way? Isn't dinner meant to be enjoyed with family or friends? Why can't we slowly enjoy the food God has provided and the people He's blessed us with? I rush through dinner often, so when I do have a meal like the one at the bistro, I leave feeling refreshed.

Two of my super cousins came over for dinner tonight. We sat, talked, and laughed, and enjoyed each other's company. I'm so grateful for my family! Thanks, Becca and Deborah, for a fun night!

But God...

I've been thinking on the sermon I heard at church yesterday, praising God for a pastor who communicates clearly the good news of the gospel.

Yesterday I was reminded that as a sinful person I deserve nothing but eternal separation from a holy God. There is nothing I can do to work my way to Him, to earn His favor, to make myself right with Him.

But God...

My, those are beautiful words.

But God, who is rich in mercy, sent His Son to die for me. To take the punishment for my sin upon Himself, and to defeat death and bring new life through His resurrection. In Christ alone, I can experience forgiveness, love, peace, and joy - and I can live in relationship with my heavenly Father. As His child, no less!

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound...

Lord, help me to rest in your grace in all that I do.

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!"

~1 John 3:1

I Should Know By Now...

Many times I'll see cute things at a store and think to myself "I could make that! It would be easy and would cost 1/4 of the price it's sold for."...

A pretty penny and many hours later, I understand why these store people charge so much. It's a lot of work to be crafty! Don't get me wrong, I always have fun trying to recreate the things I see, but you think I would have learned by now that it's not as easy as it looks!

Take, for instance, the bottle cap necklace. I saw the girls in my class wearing these often, so my former student Riley and I attempted to make them together this week.

We like the way they turned out! Riley did most of the work. I just poured in acrylic resin, which is one of the most awkward craft items I've tried to work with. The mixture has to be just right or it ends up having a life of it's own. It actually corroded one of the cups we used; and at one point, it turned into a glob that I thought might jump out of its container.

We also made fun stone necklaces like the ones below - these are my favorite! They are easy and inexpensive!

So lesson (maybe) learned. Next time, when I walk through a super cute craft store, perhaps I'll remember the previous 50 times I've tried to recreate an item I've seen. And maybe I'll spend the $10 on it and save myself some money and some time...or maybe not. :)

My Crafty Cousin

My cousin Becca is an artist. She doesn't think so, but it's true! I recently asked her where she bought three beautiful wall hangings that hang above her bed, and she calmly replied, "I actually made them". I was very impressed, so when she offered to make some for me, I just couldn't say no, especially when there was a giant wall in my room that had been empty for the last two years.

She came over last Friday, and our art project turned into a bonding day with Becca. Below are some pictures from the day, including the finished product. Thanks, Becca, for making my room a brighter place to be!

Fun Flights and a Brand New Baby

I just returned from North Carolina, and I must say, travel was an adventure!  Everything started out just fine on Saturday as we boarded the plane exactly on time.  I found my seat, settled in, and had a lovely conversation with the woman sitting next to me.  Two and a half hours later, we finally took off.  Yes, that's right.  Two and a half hours.

The captain was very good about keeping us informed, and I appreciated him keeping us in the know!  From power failure to engines not starting to faulty air pressurization, we had a wide variety of problems that had to be dealt with.  Personally, my favorite part of the wait was when the captain came over the loudspeaker and said "Thank you for your patience.  Our technicians are on the phone with headquarters in Phoenix.  They are looking through the Boeing manuals to see if they can solve this problem."

What about that statement is supposed to make an airplane full of people feel better about things?  Imagine going to the doctor and having him say, "Wow, we've never seen anything like this before.  Let me get back to you on that."  That's a little bit what it felt like.

Aside from that, the A/C kept being turned on and off, people were getting cranky, and the sweet flight attendant was racing up and down the aisle, answering frustrated questions as best she could.  I was very impressed with the smile she kept on her face!

The good news is, the passengers were forced to bond with each other.  The lady next to me was very nice, and I made friends with her 5-year-old little boy.  We spent much of the time playing our own version of the Dot Game, connecting the dots, playing "Guess Which Animal I'm Drawing", and coloring pictures in his coloring book.

Needless to say, I missed my connecting flight in Charlotte, so I arrived in Durham closer to midnight than nine like originally planned.  Julie and Flynn picked me up at the airport, and it was so fun seeing Julie's belly in her last hours of being pregnant!  She looked beautiful, as always, but she was ready to meet her sweet daughter.

The week was amazing.  We spent Sunday at church, eating a wonderful meal, watching High School Musical, and playing with the dog.  I cannot tell you how amazing it was to feel Julie's baby moving inside her Sunday night, and then to be woken up at 5:45 Monday morning by the phrase "We're going to the hospital!".  What an incredible transition into motherhood!  

Julie did so well during labor, and the nurses were continually impressed with how she handled it.  Flynn was a solid support through it all.  At 8:40 p.m. Monday night, Lara Eleos was born.

Lara means "protected one", fitting because of the Lord's protection during pregnancy.  Eleos is the Greek word for "mercy".  The Lord, in His great mercy, blessed them with this beautiful child.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow - every good and perfect gift is from above!

While Julie recovered in the hospital, her mom and I spent time preparing for their homecoming.  We cleaned, cooked, made trips to the hospital and store, and prayed for sweet Lara and her parents.  God's timing was perfect, as always, and I was immensely blessed by being there with Julie and her family during this time in her life!

Ode to Summer

I'm not a writer.  I'm really not.  But summer is here and I've got a little more time on my hands.  And I figure if I've created a blog, I may as well use it - so here goes...

It's amazing to me how abruptly the school year transitions into summer!  May is such a crazy month, filled with field trips, projects, report cards, grading, and parties.  Everything in May builds up to that last day of school.  And on that day, the kids leave you with hugs, gifts, thank-yous, and tears; and you stand there looking at an empty classroom, thinking of the memories that have been made with 22 children during the last 9 months.  Thinking of all the energy, time, and effort put into the year.  And all of a sudden...it's done.  The year is over, and you realize you will never have the same mix of children in your classroom again.  

What a blessing it is to be a teacher!  I wish I didn't take it for granted so often.  I wish I would recognize that God has placed 22 children with me for 7 hours each day (kind of terrifying to think about!) so that I can be used by Him for His glory.  I wish I would remember to rely on Him for strength, patience, and love as I interact with my students.  I am thankful for the grace He gives me each day, despite my many flaws.  What a merciful God we serve!

I do get a little nervous about the summer time.  What I don't want to do is squander my time.  This summer, my goal is to use the extra time I have to serve.  If you think about it, pray for me to find opportunities to do so...