Showing posts with label Memories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Memories. Show all posts

31 March 2013

I'm Back :) Happy Easter!

First. Happy Easter ♥
I hope you all enjoy plentiful amounts of time with your loved ones!  Spring is such a beautiful time of the year and it is the day to remember how blessed we are!



I made some yummy cupcake puppy chow.

Doesn't the look of it just make your mouth water?
It is simply fantastic.
Check our the recipe here!







Second. Hi! I'm Back :)
Who knows if anyone even look at this blog anymore, but wow, I have missed some old blogger friends.  My life has been quite busy to say that least.  Actually the busiest it has ever been (and potentially EVER will be). 

So what have I been up to in this past YEAR, you ask? Here are my top 5 things going on in my life...

ONE.


I got engaged! 
Eeek
Yes, finally :) 
We have been together now for 8 1/2 year and he is my high school-sweetheart, whom I adore! I feel so lucky to have someone life him.




TWO.
I started grad school. I will walk THIS May with a MS in Education & a focus in Literacy :) 

THREE.
I am second grade teacher and absolutely love my students.  They are at the age where they you are the greatest thing known to man and have mad rad skills (such as: you am the best artist, you SO knowledgable...(almost genius!), and the list goes on!) 

FOUR.
We're getting a house! Now, this is exciting but also incredibly stressful.  Holy paperwork! My life is officially signed away with mortgage loans and what have-ya. Whoa, nothings "official" yet, but we're darn close!

FIVE.
We will be adding another addition to our family soon...
A PUPPY :) 

Thoughts about particular breeds? We want to adopt a small-medium sized furry friend!

Well, if you happen to mosey on over and find this post, let me know something new that's been happening in your life! It will take awhile to get back into the swing of things and read old friends posts, but I thoroughly intend to, quite soon too!

Have a happy and blessed day, friends!
xoxo
erin.

31 December 2011

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 
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!

via

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.

17 December 2011

One door closed, another opened.

Wednesday, December 14th 2011.
My last day student teaching with first grade
Bittersweet.

A new chapter in my life is closed, leaving wonderful memories and a hopeful future.

Throughout the day, the kiddos were so sweet and loving saying things like 
"Miss Chase, please don't leave! Why do you have to go"
and the best one yet...
"Miss Chase, can I be your son?"
What do you say when a little first grade boy looks at you in all seriousness with big baby blues!?

Kids do say the darnest things. 
They were utterly convinced that I was not just leaving and moving on to different things, but that I was "retiring" 
The students would correct anyone who said different with 
{insert sassy first grade voice}"Um, NO. She is RETIRING!" {insert sassy first grade voice}
Too funny.

***
I was completely shocked at how well they kept a secret (for almost a MONTH) about my presents and surprises. They all put together a book of memories and brought in teacher goodies for me!
My handmade "Memory String Book"
(Based off the book "The Memory String")


 They all created a "bead" (circle) with their favorite memory of me 
and signed the hardback book of "The Memory String" for me to keep :)

Here are some of their memories...
She is a fabulous artist!!

I thought this one was SO cute!
It's always great to know they understand what you're teaching :)
I just bought the whole Junie B. Jones series for my future classroom!
:)
My Goodie Bin
This is the goodie bin I received that is full of gift cards, letters, drawings,
supplies and everything under the sun :)


I can't believe my time with all these lovely first graders has come to an end. This whole semester has made me realize that first grade is really where I want to be - I wouldn't mind a couple years older, but first grade is definitely my favorite! This coming January, I start my second semester of student teaching in a special education classroom at a local Middle School (talk about change!) I am looking forward to embracing this new opportunity and hope that I will enjoy it just as much :) 
You never know...

Until next semester, I am working hard applying for jobs and graduate school!
Eeeeek. 
Can you believe that applications need to be in THIS month for a job in AUGUST 2012?!
{insert jaw drop} I know, right? {insert jaw drop}

I will certainly be one busy bee this Christmas break!
What are your plans for the holiday season?
Any big events or things on the to-do list?

xoxo
-erin

11 September 2011

A Day of Remembrance

September 11th, 2001
10 years ago
♥ photo credit
 As I remember...
It started as just another typical day of an average 8th grade student. 
I woke up a little late and skipped breakfast, as my friends dad was early to pick me up. 
The school day began and the class was chipper and talkative as usual; however, that didn't last long.
Math class had just begun and the grunts and frustrations of not understanding these problems seemed like our biggest concern at the time, until Mrs. Chytil (the history teacher next door) came into our room with floods of tears streaming down her face.  
*Mrs Chytil was one of those teachers who never showed emotion and was very stern - it was in that moment the class went still and knew something was terribly wrong*
I remember specifically her saying "it's the twin towers". 
I looked around at my peers, with a confused look in my face, only to see everyone just completely dazed and confused as well. 
Our teacher ran out of the room as we all sat in silence, with a couple speculations about what the twin towers might be...

Management was a word that was thrown out the window that day. 
...you see, the seventh and eighth graders had the whole third floor to thenselves, while the K-6 classrooms were on the first and second...
I don't know what was happening on the bottom levels, but I remember just going up and down hallways and sitting in the science classroom as Mr. Colon had CNN playing and everyone just watched in utter disbelief. We asked so many questions, like "what are the twin towers" "what is happening" and so many more...

We were able to leave school whenever our parents/rides were there to pick us up. 
I remember the absolute terror of walking outside...it is that feeling you get from the unknown...
We just starred up in that bright sky and just felt very uneasy and vulnerable. 

*The one thing that I clearly remember is the bright sky and gentle breeze*
♥ photo credit
I couldn't fathom how the sky could look so beautiful when something so dreadful just happened to our nation? The whole way home, I just kept starring, starring at the sky -
I felt the gentle breee again as I got out of the car and my mom picked me up in my arms, squeezing ever so tightly, as she never wanted to let me go. It was in that moment, I felt safe. 
♥ photo credit

Safe, in a sense of comfort - we were still on edge about what could happen next. 
What if this, what if that... 
The "what-if's" literally flooded my mind.
All that mattered is that if something happened, I was with the one person who mattered most to me in the whole entire world, my mom.

It wasn't until later that night that my and I sat and talked about what is happening.
The people who lost their loved ones, the pain, suffering, and agony of that city...
the list goes on, SO many people were/are affected.


Today is a day, I want to take time to say thank you to all those heroes who risked their life to help serve others, to  pray for all the families who lost a loved one, and to never forget that through many heartaches and even in the worst of times, we will prevail. 

I believe that good can come from evil - 
Throughout that time in our life, for once it wasn't about whether your democrat or republican,  gay or straight, rich or poor, we all worked together for a common goal, and that...that was beauty.

♥ photo credit

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone today
God Bless you all :)
xoxo

22 July 2011

A Walk Down Memory Lane

For this weekends post, I decided that I would take you through a trip down memory lane.
Remember all the (nineties) fads that were ever so popular growing up!
...it's okay to think some are still cool, I do :)

*Note: all images are hosted through
my Pinterest board here


{Firby}
 These little creatures, are honestly freaky. I woke up one morning to this little things talking in my closet. I swear it was haunted and possessed and instantly threw it against the wall. They stare at you and babble nonsense while laughing at you. No thanks!


 {Giga Pet}
These virtual little animals could clip onto anything & you took them everywhere you went. Cleaning up after them, feeding them, and giving them love! Oh, I loved you dear giga pets :)


{Lite-Brite}
This wonderful fascination consisted of a bright light in the back of the stand, and contained pegs that you could strategically place around the board to make colorful figures that would light up the rooms and display your creative design!


{Hungry, Hungry, Hippos!}
Which hippo will be the first to munch all the white little circles?
All it takes is someone who can slam and hit the handle of the hippo the fastest... strategy? ha... 
Out of control, fun game? Yes :)


{Lisa Frank}
Oh, the school supply shopping.
It wasn't a success unless I was able to purchase the Lisa Frank collection of supplies!
I was only able to get designed folders and notebooks (the pens/pencils/etc... were too much my mom said) I do remember for many birthdays, I asked for Lisa Frank art kits and stationary so I could write my pen pals in "style"! Cool, huh? 


{Jelly Roll Pens}

In grade school, your papers weren't complete until they were graced by the lovely touch of Jelly-Roll Pens!! To top it off, you were extra cool if you have the matching black paper to make the eccentric colors stand out and pop :) They made our notes we passed in class even cooler and the caused the teachers great eye-strain until they were finally banned from homework assignments! 
These completed my grade school years. I loved you, jelly-roll pens!


{Butterfly Clips & Scrunchies}
No hair style was complete with out the added touch of those big bulky scrunchies (especially the kind that matched your uniform...you know, if you went to a private school!) and don't forget the butterfly clips! I remember using those little butterflies to part back little pieces of my hair! I also loved the colorful bands that you used to "web" your hair. Starting with like four rows in the front, then three, two, one, etc... 


{Jellies & Adidas Three Stripe Shoes}
These two pieces of footwear were staples to the 90's style. 
I remember never being allowed to purchased the Adidas three stripe shoes because "they were too expensive and I would just get them dirty & ruin them".  I tried so badly to fit in by wearing the four stripe off brand ones. Um, yeah, everyone knew the difference...it definitely was not cool :(



{Dawson's Creek}
This was my addiction and favorite show growing up. 
(Saved by the Bell was right up there, too!)
It is what made me get up early for school, because I couldn't miss the episodes that the played every morning! It was one of the few chances I was able to watch television and boy, I wanted to be Joey SO badly.



{TY Beanie Babies}
Oh.my.goodness.gracious.
These little guys were not only just popular with the kids, but adults as well.
People believed that if you collected all (or certain ones, I don't remember) they would be worth something someday! Of course, they just collected dust and proved to be another fad. I think it became quite interesting when McDonalds used to give beanie babies away in their kids meals and parents began rushing through the drive-thru's & making scenes if they didn't get the "toy of choice".



{Easy Bake Oven}
I think this was the most popular. 
I thought I would be a fabulous cook one day with the help of this potent little machine! (Little did I know, that was far from true...) While kids of all ages loved this oven (boys included!) it was quite the safety hazard :/ I remember making brownies and the next thing I knew, the oven was steamin'! I think that was my first hint that I would lack adequate cooking skills.


All of these little fads make for wonderful memories :)
While there were SO many more, this post can only be so long.

What were some of your favorite or most memorable things growing up?

xoxo
-erinj0

13 July 2011

Written Word Wednesday

While computers are wonderful, typing is great and all, and emails are super speedy and handy, the written word is something that I have always loved. 

Do you remember when Pen-Pals used to be the "cool thing" to do?
How about passing notes in class or during the passing periods...
I absolutely loved love writing letters to my friends and jazzing them all up :) 
**********
I stopped home this weekend to pick up a few things, and pondered across some material that was stashed away in my little old dusty closet. As I was rummaging through them, memories began to flood my mind and I thought I would share them with you
(Keep in mind,  I kept everything!) 
...who am I kidding, I still keep everything)

{This is an old shoe box CHUCK FULL of notes from grade school and high school}

 {Here is a closer look at some of them...}
 {This was such a popular way to fold the note, "football style"}
{Here is a stupid, pointless, but yet cute note from grade school}
Nothing special is written in the note, but funny things like "I will sit next to you at lunch" and "Ahhh I am very bored" - We also used code names because if any of our notes were to be seen by teachers, we would have received a "demerit"! 
If you notice, my name at the time was "Koo".  
Why? I have absolutely no idea! ha

 {Here is yet another box piled full of more memories}
This box is purely from high school and mixed special cards, movie stubs, and things from my man :)



These are just two little cards that were attached to flowers/fun gifts from my my boy on random occasions.

One fact about me: I do not like receiving flowers on the "typical holidays". To me, it's overdone and doesn't have as much meaning as the spontaneity of true love <3

I will post about our story sometime in the near future!
We have been dating for almost seven years.
I know, right?!
 He always does cute things like this :) 
...and I ALWAYS keep them!
--------------------------------------

Even though I am almost finished with college, I still love sending and receiving letters/cards/etc. 
Here is a lovely letter that I received from a dear friend, Brooke, whom I met via the lovely internet!
We both have a bond due to a chronic illness, and she came up with this brilliant idea. A couple of us "sickies" exchanged mailing addressed and send each other mail on random occasions! 
She is so sweet! Check out her fabulous blog here

Do any of you still write letters or remember exchanging notes in school?
I hope I'm not the only hoarder who keeps everything :)
xoxo
-erinj0

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