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Short Post

So it's been so long since I last blogged that I had to reset my password in order to be able to log in.

Wow.

I was just telling Jason that I was thinking of canceling our blog account since I'm so bad at blogging. Then he said 'why don't you write short posts?' Well that's a fine idea, Mr. Droesch. I just might try it.

School has begun again. Jay is teaching Math 143 as a graduate teaching assistant for the last time and is taking 3 classes. Well, technically 2. He's taking Number Theory, Introduction to Topology and is doing an independent study with Dr. Harlander. He's super excited about his independent study. He'll also be studying for his culminating exit exam which will happen in January. Then he'll be a free bird! He'll be done in January with the University and will walk with me in May!

As for me, well I'm Intern Teaching this fall! I love it. I'm in a Kindergarten classroom on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Kindergarten is a lot of work, let me tell you! We have an AM and a PM class. I'm just now getting all their names down! Kindergarten started last Wednesday and some still cry because they want their mommies but they're doing a lot better than last week. I come home exhausted but happy. I can't wait to have my own classroom. Here's a picture of my classroom:

It's a bit fuzzy but you get the idea.

So it's time for the awesome pot roast Jason made so I gotta go. Don't worry, we'll post about Europe next time!!

It's Christmas in July

This week has felt like Christmas. Jay and I have been staying up really late and sleeping in late. We've been eating popcorn by the bowls full and watching the Sarah Conner Chronicles till the wee hours of the morning. We also have been shopping like crazy for outfits (mainly Liz, big shocker, huh?), traveling neck pillows, and plug adapters. I can't believe we're heading to Portland on Saturday and then Europa on Monday! We can't wait to see all of our wonderful family.

It's so great to be ending the summer in such fun, traveling, family way! We have definitely worked for it! I'm finally done with all my summer classes and I'm done working at Victoria's Secret which actually brings bitter-sweet feelings. I really love the relationships I created there but definitely won't be missing picking up a zillion pieces of clothing off the fitting room floors! But I will miss the discount! haha

Jason tutored for the month of June at Brown Mackie College for an entry level math course. This was a challenge for him and taught him some valuable lessons about students: they come in all shapes and sizes! I think it was a great experience for him and we were happy to have the little bit of income that it brought!

Ok. Next time I'll post some pictures. :)

And We Will Call Her Blessed

As it is the day to celebrate Mothers, I will take the opportunity to celebrate mine. She was the light of our lives. Like for so many families, she bonded us to one another, pulling us together with her love. And now we celebrate her without her.





I have so many great memories of her and I laughing, talking, sharing, and dancing in the kitchen to funky 70s music as we cleaned. She was my best friend. Honestly, it doesn't seem fair that she's gone. Her wonderful laugh won't fill up a room, nor will her smile warm our hearts and neither will her presence bring us peace.

Just like the woman described in Proverbs 31, my mother was virtuous, she worked willingly with her hands and she extended her hands to the poor and needy. "Strength and Honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household" (Provebs 31: 25-27). And now we rise up and call her blessed.

I want to be half the woman you were, mom.

I love you, mom. I miss you with my whole heart. I can't wait to see you again.

Happy Mother's Day.

Quick little update

I did it! I passed the Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Assessment! All three standards! Not only did I pass, I got a 91% on two of the three standards and an 87% on the other. I'm pretty happy with those scores since I was a bit worried about one of them in particular. Phew...that's over!

So I've got three out of five classes done for the semester. I'll be done by Thursday of next week. I've got a few more pages to write up over the weekend and then take a final test for History on Tuesday. Then a few days of working, and we're off to Portland to see our niece! We can't wait.

Then on Monday, the 17th, I start a three week course. Three weeks! Three credits in three weeks is crazy! Not to mention the class is from 7:30 (AM!) to 11:30 (AM!). For those of you who know me well, 7:30 might as well be 6 am. Or even 5 am. Jason and I are not morning people. We have tried to be but no matter if I go to bed at 10 pm I want to sleep till 8. Sooo...this should be interesting! It's only for a few weeks so I can do it!

I also start my new job in a week. I will be working for BSU Housing as a Community Assistant. Basically I'll be an RA for an apartment complex. I'm really excited to start doing that again. I get to be crafty with bulletin boards and also get to know my neighbors. AND have our rent and utilities paid for in exchange. Dream job. :)

So things are crazy here...as usual. The Lord has given us so much and we feel unworthy of all his blessings. It's like he loves us or something. We would not be where we are with out Jesus.

Ahhhh Freak Out!

That song (you know, the funky 70's song) was playing when I got in my car this morning. It was EXACTLY what I felt like doing after what I had just discovered: Someone stole my BIKE.

My bike.

The one I ride.

The one I ride to and from practically everywhere within 3 miles of our apt. I was so sad to see its place on the bike rack empty. The only thing left on the rack is a U-shaped bike locked tire from the LAST bike someone stole two weeks ago. ANNNNNNND...my bike has been stolen a year and a few weeks after Jason's was stolen. Coincidence? I think not.

I will miss my bike terribly. I loved it. And now both Jay and I have no bikes to ride on the Greenbelt this summer. We are sad. However, no one has stolen our legs so we can still use those.

So we'll be window shopping for new bikes until we can afford to get some. Maybe we'll find our old ones...but new ones are a fun idea!

Well whomever stole my bike is gonna have to put some work into it. We just fixed the flat back tire but it went flat again so the whole tire will have to be replaced. Good luck bike-stealer!

It's a Girl!

She's here! Our beautiful niece has finally arrived. Fiona Aileen was born Friday, April 23rd at 7:27 am. She weighed in at 6 lbs 12oz and 19.5 in long. She is healthy and strong. Momma Beth is also doing very well. If only they could get some sleep! We CAN'T wait to make our way to Portland to hold and spoil her.

And so I Begin Again

I haven't blogged in a really long time because I've felt that I didn't have anything to blog about. I have recently realized that this is simply not the case. Now, I feel like I have so much to write about that I might blog-binge. Bring it on!

I will begin with what occupies most of my time (or it should): school. My classes are going really well and I am enjoying all but one. The 'one' is a class that is not as much fun as the others for multiple reasons like: it's right after lunch in a stuffy, hot room with a teacher who barely speaks above a whisper and we as students are constantly at a loss as to what she wants from us. There is also a big, scary test to take at the end of it (it's actually next Thursday!).

Anyway, my other classes are fun. I'm learning all about children's literature and how to teach reading in fun and effective ways. I've gotten so excited about books that I'm building my own library for my classroom and am constantly shopping for children's books at our local thrift stores (Have you seen how expensive brand new books are these days?). Thrift stores are my favorite. There are so many interesting and unique items out there. I'm sure that I will purchase some of my books from regular book stores but for now as I build up my library I'll be selective at my Goodwill and Idaho Youth Ranches. Now I need a new bookshelf!

What's been fun about all this reading and children's books and such is that Jason has also taken a little bit of an interest and likes seeing the different books I bring home. He reads some of them and we talk about them over dinner some times.

So next week I'll be taking the Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Assessment (ICLA) standards I, II, III. It's a bit daunting but I just keep thinking about my first day of my internship next semester and I get really excited. I can't wait to don my teachery-cardigan and step into that classroom.

Another class that I'm taking right now is U.S. History from the Bering Straight to the Civil War. I'm taking this class online and thought it would be easy but I quickly found that I was terribly mistaken. This class requires a lot of reading and writing! Not to mention, thinking! At times it's been quite the burden but in the last month I found that I kind of enjoyed the topic. In fact, I've become somewhat of a nerd for particular historical themes. Like, I wrote a paper about the Oregon Trail and now I'm so interested in learning more. My teacher suggested visiting the Oregon Trail Museum in Baker, Oregon where you can see the ruts from the original trail! I told Jason about it and he looked at me like I look at him when he talks about math. It was a look like 'you nerd!'. He laughed at me and said that some time on our way to visit Beth and Brian in Portland, he'll take me. Yay!

Well, that's an update on school over here! Also, we're still waiting on our nephew or niece to make their world debut and we CAN'T WAIT! We love you baby!!

Hair Cut

After many weeks of wanting to do it myself, I finally got my hair cut! I was really excited and nervous since I knew it would be a big change. I needed one. Well, my hair needed one! My hairstylist Heather cut off 10 inches that I'll be donating to Locks of Love. I didn't grow out my hair specifically to do that but I'm really glad I get to.

I told Jason before I left for my appointment that I would need a 'strong, positive reaction' from him when I came home. He definitely gave me one and I was sure glad he did because when I came home I felt like the poodles at my parents' when they get shaved-a little vulnerable. My neck feels naked and I feel a breeze on my shoulders and chest that I didn't notice before...even when I wore my hair up! Strange!

I'm just going to have to figure out a way to put my hair up and out of my face and off my neck for when I work out. This might be a bit of an adventure.

School

Well friends, the Christmas season has come and gone (although it still lives at our apartment as our Christmas tree is still up). It was beautiful and wonderful to be with our amazing family. I am so grateful for their support during our first Christmas without my Momma. It was difficult but I'm really starting to feel the hope and joy again that only the Lord can give. We shall be reunited!

This was also Jason and I's first Christmas as a married couple! Being married is the BEST. Not only because we had three Christmases (so cool), but because life is just so much sweeter and brighter with my Husband and best friend. Jason is so cool!

Ok, so I came on here to say that Christmas wasn't that long ago but it already feels like Spring in Boise. It's 50 degrees today with the big,beautiful sun shining brightly overhead. I've had to put on extra deoderant like four times. But it's a great day to start school again! So that's what I did. I have five classes only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I LOVE IT! Just spending a few months out of school helped remind me how much I love school. I think it's just what I needed to help me get through my last year and a half. I'm also taking a Spanish course for fun this semester which is exciting.

Jay is starting the new semester by also starting to teach a new class. He'll be teaching Math 143 (College Algebra) on Monday, Wednesday, Fridays. He's really excited and a little nervous since he'll have to write his own lesson plans and actually lecture. I think this is a really great opportunity for him and good change of pace from teaching Math 108. He'll also have a full load of graduate credits and a full-time wife to keep him busy this semester. :)

Well we're off and running now. Remember, the year has only just begun!

Cheers!