Can't...sit...still...

We enjoyed a great min-vacation the last few days starting with a late nigh Denny's run, proceeded the next day by dinner and a show at the Marriott.  White Christmas was terrific!  Then yesterday, we took a train to the city and stayed overnight.  Simply wonderfully fun exhibits at the Field Museum, KrisKindlemart (I'm sure I butchered that spelling), and a fantastic dinner at the Lux Cafe.  

Sometimes it's just nice to get away for a while.

When we got home I was a little antsy after doing so much the past few days so...I decided to organize a corner of our spare room.

Before...I know, it's embarrassing. 

After...2 hours later

and that was my afternoon.  There's still more to do but it can wait until next week.

Bro/Sis resemblance

I'm not seeing the resemblance..

26 and 29...when did we get so old?

Great time with the bro, sister-in-law, and nephew for an early Christmas.
So wish they lived closer.  We'd seriously be best couple friends.
When will my niece get here??  My bets are on Dec 29...Dad's got Dec 28.  Seriously not believing she'll make it to her Jan 12 due date.  And I'm seriously dying to know her name...there is NO way I could be that secretive.  I'm not that good at keeping secrets like that.

New experiences

It's always fun to reflect on the past, remembering where we thought we'd be and where we are now.  It's interesting how many opportunities come up and our predictions of life are way off.

Wes will be working with a refugee ministry next semester, assisting with simple tasks that those who are not from this country may find daunting.  What a neat experience that will be for him!  While this helps to fill a requirement he needs, he's really excited to do this!

Beginning in January, I will be teaching 3 dance classes, with another one added in February!  Wow, didn't see this explosion coming!  (Side note-Almost my whole dance class at the studio is Christian and as I was leaving yesterday the mom looked me straight in the eye and said "Merry Christmas, God bless you!"  I can't even tell you how blessed I felt from her just saying that...right now I feel very trapped by the fact I can't tell children Jesus loves them at work...but in this class I know at least 6 out of 8 of them are Christians...so cool)

The name of the game is busy.  But now is the time to experience all of this!  We're young, we have energy...But I will be going to bed at 8:30 every night from now until forever.

Wes and I will enjoy a relaxing 2 weeks together before 2012 starts!  Who could ask for a better end to the year?

Gettin' all crafty up in here!

Ode to Pinterest: You are awesome...the end.

Thanks to ideas on pinterest (a website where people share crafty ideas and other fun things) I found a fun way to display Christmas cards.
Using cork board, ribbon, fabric, and pushpins we have this:

Cost: $15 because I bought enough supplies for four display boards.

It's not really crooked, I just took a fast picture.  There is another one right above it.  I just have to angle the pushpins so they don't scratch the wall, but I like it!
My other project was even more simple.  A pretty Christmas centerpiece.
Using our unity candle vase (we just had a vase with a small candle floating on top), 2 mason jars I kept from after using the contents inside, and one other vase I had, I stuffed them with inexpensive decor from Hobby Lobby and voila!  I suppose it's a little bulky but, again, I like it.

Cost: $4.50

I don't think anyone else can say they've used their unity candle again.  

I tried the whole melted crayons on canvas too.  That is currently in the bathroom.  I think it's one of the ugliest things I've ever done.  However, it took about a half hour to do and was so much fun that I decided to keep it around for a while just because it's melted crayons.  Did not come out as cool as the demonstration...so ugly.

Oh well, 2 out of 3 isn't bad.

A Short List of Goals Before 30

Goals...
In the next 3 1/2 years (prior to being 30) I want to:
Run a 5K
(This is especially hilarious because I can't run from here to where my car is parked.  Though back in the day, like middle school, I ran a 9 minute mile)
Take a photography tour
(I want to come back with thousands of pictures from some place I've never been)
Learn to sew on a sewing machine...resulting in either a blanket or a table runner or something of that nature
(I feel like every mom or grown woman should know how to sew...sorry feminists)
Pass for being in my late twenties
(we went to a restaurant not too long ago and I got carded 3 times...Wes never got asked)


Wes has decided he will help me with the 5K...when the weather gets nice...now how do I get him to help with the sewing?

My lessons in Philippians

Everywhere I turn around Philippians is being taught in my life...okay maybe not everywhere but 2 places sure is a lot.  The other morning I attempted to memorize 2:14-15...I'm ashamed to say I don't memorize scripture.  I don't feel a challenge to do so like I did as a little kid.  Growing up Lutheran, we had to memorize or not pass confirmation.  They probably would have passed us anyway but the pressure was on and we memorized...a lot too.
I forgot how difficult it can be.  I chose this particular verse because it is definitely something I need to have in my head and my heart as I am not daily surrounded by Christians...and it's different than high school.  Now I'm on the younger side by a few decades which makes being a light that much more difficult when it's seen as ignorance or innocence.
It's so easy for me to forget that I have tools to bring joy and light into the environment I'm in and reminders that at 26, I am not to be looked down upon because I am young (I totally thought I wouldn't need to know that verse after high school)  I just don't take time to read and learn about it!
Interesting enough I have consistently been around people who spend time in the word every day.  (God knows I need this reminder!)  Growing up it was my mom-every morning!  Now it's Wes, who in attitude to me demonstrates my verse daily by not complaining about all the chores that have fallen to him this semester in addition to his full-time school load.  What a solid-in-my-face reminder.  I needed that.  It's a humbling challenge for me.  As my days get difficult and I come home exhausted, it's a reminder that I probably didn't rely on the one I should have...instead I relied on myself.
I'm so glad I have these consistent reminders in my life...but I'm still a work in progress in that area...and in the area I need this verse for...and in just about every area of my life.

"Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world..."

Ph 2:14-15

If you see me...ask me how the memorizing is going...accountability is never a bad thing...

Our Home...we like it.

So this has been our home for the past year and a half.  It's a wonderful 2 bedroom apartment with terrific downstairs neighbors.  Some of you may remember my horror stories with the Palatine apartment we had 2 years ago with horrible dogs downstairs.  This place is so much better...I had to have an awful experience to truly appreciate this place.  I never moved around as a kid but in the past 4 years I've moved 4 times...I know, not that much for some people but I'm ready to have a home to settle in.  I love our place but with Wes's school situation plans are uncertain at this time.  But at the same time, I want this to be a cozy place we love coming home to.  Not knowing if we will be here another year...or two...or three has made us put a hold on some decoration plans...but I am pleased to report...we have shelves!!  No seriously, this is very exciting.  Here are some pictures from when we moved in a year and a half ago (there are some slight picture frame changes but otherwise it's basically the same) and the last picture is the slight rearrangement and the new shelves.
The spare room/office

 family room

 the new shelves!!

front door is to the left of the t.v.
Thank you Wessley!  I am helpless and cannot bang holes in the wall without you!! :)

Nerdy Preparation

Be forewarned...some of you may be disgusted by what you are about to see...

Others of you will applaud my organization

And others will appreciate the insanity and method to my madness recognizing that I am now done and you have hardly started.

(these are not all of my Christmas cards...just examples)

Yes, I made them, yes they look like a 1st grader's craft project, no I don't care-their mine.

Every year at the end of the summer I begin to think what I would write in a Christmas card about the present year.  Wes and I have had some interesting events this year as well as big changes.  It was fun putting in the info to friends and family who don't live close so they can be caught up on our lives.

I love getting Christmas cards.  Growing up, and still today, my mom always put them in places that looked so elegant.  Big red ribbons were involved.  It was so fun to see pictures of people and hear what they're up to.  Facebook has ruined that a bit but at least these pictures I can hold in my hand.  I look forward to the first Christmas card every year.  I still have not mastered how to make them look elegant in our apartment but I will work on that...I've already walked around Hobby Lobby thinking of ideas...yes I just love Christmas.

Gettin' all Gussied Up

Not a fan of all the gross scary stuff, just the fun dressing up part...and eating the leftover candy part...

Party Number One...they just looked so awesome I had to put up a picture

Party Number Two in the city

The Hipsters...

So we've never been at home for Halloween...not sure if we even get trick-or-treaters.  We bought our favorite candy just in case we get to be the ones to eat it.  Um...maybe we should just turn the lights off.

A Dead Desire of My Heart

Ballerina magnets a few of my dance students made me (one of them still needs to be hot glued to the magnet)

This dance class is just another example in my life of God giving me the desires of my heart.  I always wanted to teach ballet and never thought I would be able to.  I don't have a degree in dance, I just have 11 years of ballet, tap, jazz, and pointe experience and while I was in the top classes by the end of my dance "career", I've only entered a small handful of contests and until this studio found me (yes it most definitely found me) I only ever choreographed dances in my head.  I've been doing this for almost six months now and I absolutely love it.  The girls are fantastic, they get my humor, and we have fun!  One mom stopped me on my way out the door last week and said "They are always smiling".  Good!  It's all about having fun, learning and becoming better, but having fun.  It's just something I never thought I would do but always wanted to.  Just another example of how God can and does give us the desires of our heart...sometimes we just have to wait.  I gave up on that dream in college-the dream was dead.  God is amazing.

Budgeting

I just want to make a shout out to all those people who are budgeting.
After being inspired by Dave Ramsey (google him...now).  We came up with a budget.  I know every family is different and is able to budget differently, which seems weird to me because to me budgeting used to mean "you can't buy anything but groceries and gas for your car".  But I'm learning that when you budget well and within your means it means you know where you're money is going and you are keeping good track of it, staying in within the boundaries you set.  It doesn't mean you can't ever buy a shirt, it just means, "let's wait until the middle or end of the month" and instead of going to Ann Taylor Loft, buy it at Target...or not at all.  Budgeting for us means netflix is cheaper than cable...our "tv bill" is $16/month (hulu has anything we would really want to watch anyway)!  It means bringing your lunch every day instead of eating out and saying "no" to starbucks unless you have a giftcard.  We have absolutely dominated our grocery bill for the past two months and it's a good feeling.  Family of 2= under $130.  Thank you Aldi, we couldn't have done it without you.
It also means planning ahead.  Like Dave Ramsey says "Christmas does not sneak up on you.  It happens every year.".  So we have been planning accordingly for that and a few other things we know are coming up.  It's nice to not fear finances.
Dave Ramsey also encourages families to make a little extra $ wherever they can.  Well, we discovered Half Priced Books...okay so we didn't discover it but the actual store is only 2 miles from us.  We sold some books and DVDs we don't use for $40!

So yeah for budgets!  You should make one too!

Jr. High Retreat

Great weekend with the Jr. High at Timber-Lee.  Highlights:
1. Hilarious Scarecrow/Corn Race
The kids had to find pieces of a scarecrow, put him together, then run around the camp taking pictures of "him".
2. Crazy Dodgeball Game...VCB dominated...it helps that we play every week.
3. The Drive there and back
Instead of a big bus, the church rented two 15 passenger vans.  Wes drove one and I drove one.  Taylor Swift has never been sung so loud...loved it.  I actually wished the drive was longer.

I'm pretty sure I got 11 hours of sleep last night...needed.

We're now in our 3rd year with the Jr. High.  It's so fun to see the kids literally growing.

Coffee...

I made my coffee extra strong today.  It was too weak yesterday.  I figured this one out too late.

How do 4 year olds have so much energy yet they don't drink coffee?

And don't say it's because they take naps....because we don't in our class.

I almost fell asleep on my break as I sat outside and thought about life.  Apparently life is pretty boring because, like I said, I almost fell asleep.

Therefore, I made my coffee extra strong today.

We're headed on a retreat this weekend with our wonderful "pseudo" junior high kids.  I'm stoked,  Seriously, seriously stoked.  I love these trips.  I remember being a student on trips like theses so clearly. How am I old enough to chaperone?  I'm probably not...I'm probably sleeping right now and when I wake up I will be 12 again.  Maybe...if...I...just...put...my...head...down...I'll...wake...up...on...my...desk...in...my...room...14...years...ago...(DRINKS COFFEE)

A few days ago, before I drank my coffee I tried to get the coffee out of the coffee maker with a spoon...it didn't work and I was perplexed.

I don't love coffee, don't misread me.  I have just come to a point in my adult life that if I do not have it I will probably die by 8:30.  Yes, seriously drop dead from...well I just need it, okay?  I can quit whenever I want to!  I'll just drop dead...that's all.

Beautiful Wedding

Jake and Nicole's wedding was such a good time!  She is so creative!  I took some fun pictures while I was able to enjoy myself! (First wedding since I started shooting that I just got to have fun!)

 The happy (and very attractive) couple!

 The Johnson family (minus the kids)

 Beautiful!

 So much thought went into these decorations!

 horse shoe table "cards"

The imagination and creativity that went into this wedding was amazing!  The Byron Colby Barn was a beautiful place for this fall wedding!

Sometimes we are boring...except when we're not.

Sometimes we are boring.  Yes, it's true.  But, sometimes we are fun.  This weekend we were fun.

Who needs tv when you have farkle?

Working on a photo project Saturday morning, thought these were fun.

Why hello Mr. Squirrel.  What was that?  You have aspirations to be a model?  With that profile, why yes I think you could do it.

Watching the pig races at Geobbert's Pumpkin Farm in Barrington

Corn Maze! (Definitely not for little kids)

Seriously awesome

I make the poor guy take pictures all the time

Today we are mostly boring.  We used up all our fun Friday and Saturday.

It's the little things...or rather not so little to me.

After a busy week of what shall from hence forth be called "normal", I came home to this:

You have to understand-we hardly ever use table cloths and you can only see two/thirds of our kitchen table 99% of the time because of mail or books, computers, or homework.

What a wonderful way to start the weekend.
He's so great.
I think year number 3 will be our best yet. :)

Then and Now

As we opened the windows to let the cool air in, I smelled fall coming.  It's on it's way!

I absolutely love fall.  Maybe it's the colors or the decorations.  Or it could be Halloween (I really like Halloween despite the creepy factor).  But I actually think it's because fall is the season Wes and I met.

I love fall.

Then (almost four years ago)

 Now (2 months ago)

I was misguidedly told in high school to make a "list" of the qualities I wanted in a husband.  I can only be glad Wes was not told to make a similar list.  Years later I have found these "lists" that appear to be more of a grocery list than a list of character traits I would want in someone I am to share my life with.  I am too embarrassed to post these recent findings but it is amazing how it changes.  I used to "update" my list every year around my birthday.  I think somewhere, I have about 4 or 5 lists starting from the year 2001.  I am sincerely thankful that I was not given what my list claimed I needed.  I had no idea what I wanted or needed for that matter when I was 16.  Ten years later I am finding God knew exactly what I needed and gave it to me before I could even think to ask about that "quality".  

How many dreams do I think will be good for me/us?  Then we find we're better off trusting God than creating our own ideals.  

Throw out my list Jesus.  Change my heart so I don't even make them to begin with.

A little encouragement resulting in a busy fall

A little encouragement after an exhausting first week back.
This week I found out what after school specials I will be teaching.  The teachers get paid a certain amount depending on how many kids sign up for their class.  So, Monday after school I will hanging out with 10 5-7 year olds, dancing to Justin Bieber in our socks on the drama stage.  It's going to be a blast.  In the second class, I'll be reading kids stories and they will either draw or write responses to it and sometimes create their own alternative ending.  This class is for 5-6 year olds and I've got 8 of them.  On top of those two classes I found out my tap/ballet class I teach elsewhere got enough kids in it to continue through the fall.  I feel very encouraged.  Needless to say, it will be a busy fall but I am very excited to try my hand at these.
I've found some great children's books and I know a lot of authors from my time at work but does anyone have any suggestions?  Even though this class is for 5-6 year olds, they're all a grade ahead.  I'm willing to research just about anything!

A teacher's List for future readiness

While talking about how many people are in my family a little girl asked me why I didn't mention a baby.  I tried not to laugh because usually I don't get that from little kids.  I told her I don't have a baby.  She asks "did it die?" very seriously.  At first I found this amusing because she just figured every person has a child and there must be a good reason I don't have one.  Then it occurred to me that her short life experience may have crossed paths with a loved one who lost a little one and the smile left my face very quickly.  I'm not sure what to do with that.

On a different note...

Do any other teachers out there feel like they are not allowed to complain about their day in front of parents?  I don't mean parents of the children they teach...I mean people in your personal life who happen to be parents.  Sometimes I feel like everyone else is allowed to complain about work but because I work with kids and don't have any I get the eye roll and the judgmental statements.  I get it, I really do.  I don't have kids so I don't know that side of it...but don't we all think it's ridiculous when a 4 year old comes to school in 2 inch heels?  Or when a parent forgets to pack their child's lunch 3x in one week?  Or how about making their child look like Jonbenet Ramsey on school picture day?  Yes, I know I'm not a parent, but I would hope there would be some common sense things that people just know not to do.  

I realize I've learned a lot in my years in a classroom too so here are some obvious lessons and some that are perhaps not so obvious that I've picked up and now just consider good common sense.

In no apparent order:

1. Do NOT buy your child lace shoes if they cannot tie them (teachers do not enjoy tying 20 pairs of shoes multiple times a day because the child insists on untying them every time you turn around).  Shoes with laces should never be allowed until first grade (just my opinion)

2. Pack your child snow pants in NOVEMBER.  Just because it's not snowing does not mean it's not cold out there...insulation.

3. When you are getting ready for winter: get your child 3 or more pairs of gloves/mittens that are the same brand/color everything.  That way when the left one keeps going missing you can replenish easily.

4. You may think your child will never have a bathroom accident...and you may be right.  But if you don't put an extra set of clothes in their backpack like the teacher told you to, the next time the kid at the lunch table tips over his milk onto your child (which happens twice a week), your child will have nothing to wear.

5. It is really not helpful to hang around the classroom in the morning when your child is crying.  If you leave they will stop.  It's like some unwritten preschool rule that all the kids know but don't let the parents in on.

6. Don't try teaching your child sounds to get ahead of the class if you can't teach them correctly.  "F" is not "fuuuu" it's "fffff", "M" is not "maaaaaa" it's "mmmmm".  You really just confuse the kid and the teacher has to unteach to reteach.

7. A granola bar doesn't constitute as a lunch...not for a 3 year old, 13 year old, or 30 year old.

Okay that's all my raving for now...I know I don't have it all figured out and I am not saying I'm going to be the perfect parent-or even any good for that matter.  But at least I won't be worrying about stupid stuff like lost gloves or extra sets of clothes.

A Team Effort

We are discovering new ways in which we work together.  It's a blast.

Excuse our grossness...it was a warm day in Chicago

A New Way to Live

I'm not exactly sure where I'm standing on this...just some thoughts bundled together.

During a wonderful visit with friends, I was more properly introduced to Dave Ramsey...not in person but rather, his ideas.  If you haven't heard of him, I recommend looking him up.  I bought his book The Total Money Makeover.  Some of the stories in there are absolutely frightening.  Young couples making $40,000 combined with $150,000 in debt!  There are even stories of older couples, the age of my parents, who are in just as much debt.

Now don't get me wrong, we don't have debt like that.  We don't own our own home and we are not making car payments.  Student loans are what run us into the ground.  But after reading these stories about how these people made it out of debt....within a FEW years makes it super encouraging that we could possibly do that too.  (Those of you who are Ramsey enthusiasts are saying "DO IT! DO IT!")  but it's definitely scary.  I like his "tagline" so to speak "live today like no one else so you can live tomorrow like no one else".  When I see people our age buying houses or nice cars I definitely tend to think "oh man, that would be nice...maybe next year" in a sad melancholy voice in my head.  Again, don't get me wrong.  I love our life.  But I'm not perfect and just like the human race, will always tend to want something I don't have...even if it's just cooking skills.  I'm definitely not trying to knock those people who already have a house and the new car.  I'm just wondering if I want that too...right NOW.

If you're not familiar with Dave Ramsey, let me give you the first few steps...before step 1 he tells you to make a budget then numero uno...save a small emergency fund for those rainy day mishaps.  Two...start paying off that debt.  This step takes years but if you stick to your guns and decide you will not buy that new tv, dress, or go out to dinner every week, this is entirely possible.  There are many more steps but this is about as far as we are.  I'm just not sure how gun-ho I can actually BE about it.  I LIKE enjoying a nice dinner every once in a while, I LIKE going to H&M...and the list continues.  BUT I LOVE the idea of having no debt by the time we're 30 even more.  By deciding to jump on board I am resigned to the fact that my extra funds from doing extra jobs around work will go to paying off our loans...not dinner out.  Again, I'm not sure how well we'll do but I'm willing to give it a try.  I know in the book it says unless you have "gazelle intensity" you will not make it out of debt...I'm hoping this "gazelle intensity" comes after we can cross off that first loan (I have about 5 for school)...crossing fingers....my personal goal is December!  Then, when Wes finishes school we can start tackling his loans.  At the moment it's a little weird to start listening to Dave Ramsey because he doesn't want you to have debt or loans but that is how we are able to put Wes in school now.  No, the loans are not going to pay for loans...that's stupid.  But it's really weird to think that we want to pay off some loans and then it's like...oh yea, we're taking out loans right now.  It's comically hypocritical.  But at the same time we truly believe God is placing us on this path of Wes being in school so that eases my heart rate quite a bit.

I'm still not sure about all this and how I will do with the temptation to buy a new sweater or two when fall comes around, but it was definitely encouraging when I gave the book to my dad, whom I highly respect, and he agreed with the 90% of things that I did in the book (eventually Dave Ramsey says to live without credit cards completely and Wes and I just can't agree with that in our society) and he even encouraged us to do it!  

I have to say I am also HIGHLY encouraged by the couple (a very close friend) who told me about all of this.  They are doing it with "gazelle intensity" and I feel like there is very little fear, just the realization that they don't want to be paying off two cars, a home, etc etc.  They want to live like no one else now so they can live like no one else later.  It's even more encouraging knowing they have a child and it's possible to live this way with a kid!  That baby will not remember giving up going out to eat...but that 10 year old will remember her parents sitting over the kitchen table calculating the mortgage plus the new car and wondering how they will pay for vacation and summer camp...

A friend and I were talking about entitlement the other day.  Our generation feels entitled to the things our parents had, but worked years for.  We feel that we DESERVE a house by the time we're 25, we DESERVE a new car every 4 or 5 years.  But in reality, we DESERVE nothing and with that mind-set, perhaps it will be easier to jump on that gazelle...

I'm still not sure where I am on all of this.  But I am enjoying hearing about this new way to live.

Back to School

Today is quite possibly Wes's last first day of school.  I have been itching to take this picture since we don't have any children to take pictures of on the first day of school.  This is Wes's 21st first day of school.

...I tried to pose this picture by the bus stop outside and strategically plan it...but Wes didn't think that was a good idea.

Back to work

Work starts up again tomorrow after 3 months of sitting outside in the sun, vacations with family, and traveling to visit friends.  Recap of my summer:

Family Reunion in Tennessee.  Can't wait for the next one in two years!!

Insert pictures of me lying in bed, my own then the hospitals, here...3 weeks later I was more or less recovered from mono...

Celebrating our second anniversary!

Fantastic trip to Virginia and D.C with friends!

We spent an extended weekend at the Wisconsin Dells with my side of the family-it's crazy how fast our family is growing!

I now jump into 9 rigorous months of teaching four year olds how to walk in a line, train them to only use the bathroom during certain times of the day, raise their hands when they have something to say, and attempt to distract them from 8:20-8:45 while they scream for mom those first two weeks....(actually there is a ton of learning that goes on too)  I really do like my job, A LOT.  But those first two weeks are like boot camp...for the teachers.  Once the first two weeks are over and the rules are established-we have a ton of fun.  The kids crack me up.  Here are some highlights from the past 3 years:

"Mrs. Johnson, what's the third letter in the word 'loquacious'?"

"Please pass the trapezoid, I need two to make a hexagon."

"I speak italian, 'frappuccino'!"

"When I grow up, I'm going to rockstar school!"

As I said before, I really like my job.  I'm glad that when I "bring my work home" it looks like this:

Putting lego pieces together is my kind of "take-home work".

After a summer of unexpected changes, sickness, and lots of travels, I'm ready for something normal.  I have my school hoodie ready, name tag, and keys...BRING IT!