Recap of [2011]

January

The start of my final semester of classes. Student teaching interview. 
Continuing to work with my cardiac-electrophysiogist.
Researching the power of a healthy diet and it's effects on the body.
   

via

February

Grandma turns 90! 

We had a big open house for her and all of her friends :)

**she has more friends than I do!**

Starting undergoing chiropractic care.

March 

Mom's birthday!

POTS Symptoms were running rather high :/

Spent hours and hours in sped classes learning how to administer the WRAT assessment.

(one long and lengthy comprehension test!)

One out of the many pages...
we scanned them as we had to practice administering this test on many a friends ;)
Extra copies just in case we needed a new sheet for mess ups!

April

Blizzard in mid April! Crazy!

POTS symptoms controlling my life :/ Not a fun month.

Countdown until geneticist appointment.

May

BUSY MONTH!!! THINGS START TO LOOK UP :)

Revelation of our family history and nationality -- received grandpa's old adoption papers.

Letter official: Fall Student Teaching Placement

Start my coupon craze!

Osama-Bin-Laden is dead!

Monday mom nights: The Bachelorette starts!

Here is a snippet of my grandpa's adoption summary.
He was brought to the agency is a suitcase!

June

Omaha/Iowa flooding worsens.

Chauffeuring Grandma and funny stories develop!

Pinterest became highly-addictive!

 Famous information about our family!!!

 July
Geneticist appointment is here! I have an amazing genetic counselor and specialist.
...after 6+ months of waiting
Official EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) diagnosis is revealed.
Click here for more information regarding EDS!

August

Student teaching in 1st grade begins! 

Funny stories of past students!

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September

I turn twenty-three and received adorable gifts from the kiddos.

Husker football season is here!

How sweet is this?

Her and her mom baked the whole class homemade carrot-cake cupcakes :)
She was SO proud.

October

Fall Break is here!
Halloween parties in first grade.
A much needed rest and catch up picking pumpkins :)
Blog break for awhile and more awesome pictures from my lovely kiddos.

Acres and acres FULL of millions of pumpkins!

Mad skills for first grade! (especially the beginning of first grade!)

November

 Assessment presentation - Mom saves the day! Story here

(a.k.a. the big kicker for assessing your knowledge of teaching and assessment)

12-14 minutes. NO going over. 

You were graded on: confidence, oral presentation skills, knowledge of content, and more specific target areas.

CRAZY nervous.

Lesson for my project! 

Pictures were incorporated during my presentation

Introducing domino's to teach addition!

part-part-whole concept using manipulatives

Differentiation & Formative Assessment :)

Summative Assessment

December

Fall Elementary Education student teaching comes to an end :/ 

Bittersweet.. 

Spring 2012 special education placement received: Middle School. I have mixed emotions.

Currently: Applying for grad school & employment for August 2012!

What a year it has been. 

Primarily, it has been full of doctors appointments/health and teaching! 

I'm so proud of everything I was able to accomplish and am anxiously awaiting an even more busy 2012 year! SO much to look forward to :)

My blog has grown so much and amazing friendships have emerged.

I'm hoping these relationships continue throughout 2012 and beyond 

♥

Best wishes for a new year, friends!

See you in 2012.

xoxo

erinj0.

AARP?!

I checked my mail today, and to my surprise, I am now a senior citizen.

I received an official "laminated" AARP card and membership ID. 

{what the heck?!}

Now, I knew my life was moving pretty fast here lately, but oh gee - I didn't realize it passed by me THIS fast! haha

Even if I did become a member (which dear lord, I would never...it's probably a scam) but hypothetically, if I did, there would be plenty of perks...

• I could get movie discounts (because they don't do student discount anymore...stupid, I know!)
• Senior citizens get free pie at village inn! whoooo, who doesn't like FREE pie?!
• Shopping discounts! On certain days the old folks get super savings on their clothes! (can you say, jealous!)
• Fast food joints and even dine-in restaurants offer special savings to those over the age of 55! (heck 15% off your meal or free drinks can really add up ; )

...the list continues! This gets me thinking that just maybe...living the "good-OLD-life" won't be half bad after all <3

Speaking of old(er) people, I have a quick story.

Yesterday my family got together for no apparent reason, but just for the fact that it was a nice day and we decided to have a Sunday grill out.

After dinner, we pulled out the good old game known as "Taboo" - the purpose of this game is to get your teammates to guess the word on the top of the card without using the basic words that most people think of to describe it. 

For example if the word is [pizza] you can't say sounds like, rhymes with, or the words: slice, cheese, food, junk, eat, etc... it actually is quite difficult.

You see... the problem when we play "team games" is that my grandmother is 91 years old and she tends to (for lack of better words) suck at these things. Granted, she is old and processing time is quite different and much more difficult, but we always dread if grandma gets put on your team.

*sorry grandma*

Funny thing is  this: she ended up killing it & rockin the show! She even showed up my mother and got THREE words completed before the timer ran up! (My mom only got ONE. ha, it was great)

-This might have been a "you had to be there type story, but it really was funny" - 

She is so independent and hates asking for help. 

Quite the stubborn one she is. 

I know I will be just the same when I get older, I can foresee my future already.

(man, I feel bad for my future children already!)

Anyways.

Goodnight all.

Hope all is well :)

xoxo

-erinj0

Happy Fourth :)

♥Happy Fourth of July
...the 10 minutes that's left of it that is.

Today was a wonderful day filled with family, food, and fun.

First, I started the day by finishing dessert, cake pops! So many people/fellow-bloggers have been talking about these little fattening, calorie filled chocolate goodness pops and so I had to to give in. I spent hours in the kitchen making these babies completely from scratch (mad props to me). You guys need to understand that I am usually an awful cook/baker/all the above. I called my mom over to come do a taste taste mid way through to assure that they were edible. Luckily, I was approved with flying colors and continued on.
Here is my first completed batch of cake pops :)
I am so proud of myself!

For the recipe I used, click here!

Next, my mom came over for a little wine and scrabble. 

It is our favorite game and perfect for some competitive family love :)

Later, I stuffed my face with loads of sugar and unhealthy yummy-ness all while watching the spectacular fireworks show that my (extended) family puts on. They buy extreme amounts of fireworks, make handmade ply-boards that are remote controlled and have loads of glued fireworks to them. It is quite the sight...even neighbors gather friends over to watch the show. I have no idea how much they truly spend on fireworks all-together, but it sure is one pretty penny!

Here is how we got the neighborhood dark(er)...
A member of my extended family built this contraption that sits on top of a street light. This "contraption" has a built in light that deceives that light pole to think it's daylight - He then assembled this long pole to allow him to set this thingy-mageeger up there...pure genius if you ask me!

(I totally understand that is an exceptionally bad picture, but you get the idea!!!)

-------------

Finally, here is a short 52second clip of the tail-end of our fireworks show.
In all, the grand entertainment was approximately 23minutes long.

I hope you enjoy :)

Fireworks can be extremely dangerous, so I hope everyone stayed safe :)
Also, thank you to anyone who is/was serving our country.
YOU are what this day is actually about ♥

"...And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free. And I won't forget the men who died, who gave their life for me...andI gladly stand up, next to you and defend her still today.

'Cause there ain't no doubt, I love this land...

God bless the USA"

xoxo
-erinj0

The Longest Day of the Year

Today is the first day of summer, which means it is the longest day out of the year!

This means my post can be extra long ; )

Here is a glimpse into the past few days...
--------------------
Yesterday was when all my projects and homework were due. 

{Here is one project I made}

It is supposed to represent a "balance beam" with my four steps (the four black squares) that lead to living a balanced life. The black squares are actually chalkboard and my envision would be to check them off each week to ensure that I am incorporating family, friends, faith, and relaxation into my balanced life!

Over the weekend, I was busy spending quality time with my family who was in town from Florida :) It was really nice spending time together and one night, my aunt & I stayed in to do some budget friendly arts and crafts! Here is a tutorial of our project...

{Hand-made Clay Pens}

What you will need:

Oven-Bake Clay - Pens - Folded Poster Board - Cutting Tool - Wax Paper - Plastic Roller -Strong Hands :)

Step One
Roll one color of clay into a ball & then flatten it with a roller (try to get it as thin as you can)
**Repeat this step with another color clay**
Next, take the two pieces of flat clay and stack them on top of one another, cutting around the edges so that they are even.
Then take one end and roll the clay up (as if you were going to roll a rug to transport somewhere)

Step Two

Cut the clay into little pieces (as shown in the picture)

Step Three

Using pliers, pull the ink out of the pen

Step Four

Start taking the small clay pieces that you just cut & press them around the pen until the who pen case is covered...make sure the ink hole is not covered!
Then put the completed pens on the folded poster board

Step Five

 Place the folded poster board directly in the oven on 250degrees for 15minutes
(no cookie sheet or anything is needed...the poster board can actually sit right on the rack)

Step Six

Take the pens out of the oven & let cool for 5 minutes -
Once the pens have cooled, put the ink back into the pen
(You will never have to throw away the pen! You can just replace the ink )
You now have beautiful, handmade, creative pens to share :)

Overall, this past weekend/beginning of this week has been wonderful, spending time with my family! I don't get to see my aunt and uncle very often, so it's always a good time when the whole family is all together! 

Families are the compass that guide us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter.
-- Brad Henry

Hopefully I'll share some more things that I will be making over the summer
(I may not be artistic, but I like to tap in to my creative side & attempt things!)

What are some of your favorite arts and crafts?

xoxo
-erinj0

I am famous :)

Okay, so I'm not really famous.

But still. 

Lately, my family has been really into our genealogy and my Grandma just happens to mention that she has information about her parents tucked away somewhere (you're just telling us know Gram!)

After I initiated the information about my Grandpa's adoption, she immediately got the urge to learn more about our history and started rummaging through her things to try and find the records she had. As hours went by, she finally found her parents family tree that dates back to 1751!

We found some pretty cool stuff! Check out this excerpt...

My family was on the Ways & Means Committee during the Revolutionary Way

We knew Mrs. Abraham Lincoln!

♥ photo credit

They sold their land and slaves to President George Washington! 

*This land is/was the present site of Mount Vernon

♥ photo credit

(Mt. Vernon was the home and estate of George Washington)

it is now an educational tourist attraction, open seven days a week!

I can't believe how much information I can acquire through ancestry.com and even just by simple things like Google searches. While I am learning so much more information via my own researching and through the internet,  I only know for a fact that this paper is accurate. 

I won't post anymore about genealogy, but I thought this was pretty cool & just had to share!

Plus, I'm showing some history :)

xoxo

-erinj0

History is revealed

Today IS the day 

♥

I waited patiently (okay it was FAR from patiently) for the mail, staring at the clock in my mom's living room, with each minute passing by, feeling like an eternity. 

Finally, at 11:10am, I spotted the mailman walking towards the house. 

(Note that since last Friday I have anticipating these envelope, hoping it would come!)

I saw that manila envelope in his hand! I knew it was it, I just knew it. I got up out off the couch faster than you could say scream "AH!" : )

Our family history on my grandpa's side - the adoption information from 1921 is here! 

Drum roll please......

.My nationality.

English

Irish

&

German

(My grandfathers mom was 100% German and his father was 50/50 Irish & English)

Here is a neat, but sad excerpt from the short paper we received - I am suprised at how much information they actually recorded back in 1921!

.Despite the dark and dreary day, sunshine was beaming inside of me.

I was able to share this information with my grandmother & to see the look on her face when I read her all the information - it was great ♥

She has always been curious & now she was able to learn more about the man that she loved so much.

*sigh*

oh what a day : )

xoxo

-erinj0

Just Another Week

We're alive : ) 

The crazy beliefs that the world was ending were suprisingly...FALSE. Go figure!

♥ photo credit 
 

Since the world is going to go on like another old week in this world, here are some things I am looking forward to this upcoming week:

.Monday. 

{1} THE BACHELORETTE PREMIERES : ) 

 I am a big BAchelor(ette) fanatic and I am hoping there are a couple other bloggers out there who share the same crazy love as I do for this partially scripted, sometimes sappy, but oh so entertaining show! 

**If you want to take a sneak peak at the possible contestants and begin picking favorites, etc... like me, then head over here to the Bachelorette facebook fan page & click on "Meet the Bachelors" to learn more!**

 {2} I FIND OUT MY HISTORY & NATIONALITY!!!!!!

Okay, this is HUGE! 

My grandpa was adopted back in 1921, so we are unsure of our nationality & any information pertaining to. 

Last week I made a call to the adoption agency in our state that he was adopted from & it turns out that we can access some information! We went through the process, filled out paper-work & they found NINE pieces of paper from his adoption file! 

(Now, I know nine pages really doesn't seem like a lot, but for 1921, that is quite substantial!) 

 I am really excited for the mail to come tomorrow & hopefully find out some of my history : ) 

Can you tell I'm kinda, really excited?! 

.Tuesday.

{3} I GET TO MEET MY COOPERATING TEACHER & PRINCIPAL

As most of you know, I am going to be student teaching this fall with 1st graders. I set up an appointment to meet with the teacher I will be working with and the principal of that school. I am very excited to get insight on lesson plans that I can start working on & see my classroom!! : ) 

 .The Rest of the Days Following.

{4} Nothing else happening this coming week seems important to blog about in comparison to these two things I have going on in the beginning of the week!

I have...

-Final due Tuesday

-Projects due Wednesday

-Driving Gram to organ : )

-Class...boring!

-Family graduation this weekend

-Blah, blah and blah

I'll keep you all posted on the updates!

What exciting things do you have coming up this week?

xoxo

-erinj0

A Day to Celebrate

Happy Birthday, Mom : )

(This was the first shot I took on my 21st birthday & the first shot she took in 21 years!)

Who is your rock? The person you look up to and depend on when you are down and in need of someone to lift you back up again. Who is the person you rely on whenever you are in trouble or just need someone to talk to. What about the one person who would drop anything in a heartbeat to be right there by your side. 

My mother is that person. She has been there for me through all the bad days (and good) in my life without fail. Dating back to my first school play and Christmas concert. The only time she ever missed a sporting event, concert, award, announcement, etc was when she was having surgery or in the hospital herself. 

Not only do you put me above yourself mom, but you understand the pain and hurt that I go through. You understand what it is like to be sick day after day and to have people around you not understand. You make feel like everything is going to be okay.
YOU. You are the one person who keeps me going every day : ) 

I love you so much mom, more than words could ever show.

Today is your day. Happy Birthday Mom!

♥ erinj0

Birthday "Open House" Party

Today was my dear ol' Gram's 90th Birthday "Open House" Party : )

Holy balls, does she have enough friends? Our entire family wasn't even there (and our family is pretty small!) and about 75 people showed up to wish her a Happy Birthday! Well, you know when you have an open house, people usually come, grab some food & leave...ha. These old people did just the opposite. They came, plopped down and stayed awhile. And boy I mean AWHILE. At one point, there was absolutely no where to sit and when you turned around, you were in someone's way. 

It was so nice to see just how loved my Grandmother really is. She has so many people that care about her and I can only wish that when I grow to be her age, that I too can feel just as loved and appreciated by my peers. 

The top was some strawberry wedding cake (said to be delicious by those who consumed it!)

The cupcakes are supposed to look the "organ keys" because she goes to organ class twice a week with her girls! : )

 Happy 90th Birthday Gram. I love you ♥

What a good night for family and friends : ) 

Something to definitely be thankful for

xoxo

-erinj0