Little Things

The smell of fresh baked blueberry muffins zips through the house and a little four year old is curled up next to me relaxing his bum leg and two littles sleeping upstairs. Bo and I cleaned his house today we moved toys out of the way, we vacuumed and rearranged and moved everything back. We dusted the dust off of the shelves that hold all of their toys and polished the pictures hung on the wall. We swept the floor covered with crumbs enjoyed around a scuffed up with memories around the family table. A baby stirs. Cartoons play muted out in the background. Cars zoom down a traffic ridden race track. All is calm.

Guess it's the teacher in me making play time educational --- story time focused on Dinosaurs!

Added a great aroma on the 'ice day'

This past weekend I experienced more calmness. Since I started up this semester I either teach or go to school five days a week (something I haven't done since my freshmen year!). Talk about a busy week and by the time the weekend rolls around I'm exhausted! However most of my weekends this month have been filled with overnights with the littles or dinner date nanny time. Don't get me wrong I love seeing the boys but every now and again a weekend off is much appreciated. Last weekend I slipped away to Farmington (first weekend off all semester!!!) and spent some quiet, sans preschoolers, middle schoolers, or toddlers! Oh, and homework --- snow days sure have a way of keeping you ahead of the game! We watched a lot of movies and made yummy food, covered fruit in chocolate to make the healthy taste even better hehe! And we of course splurged on our favorite take out and shared a bottle of bubbly! The X-games were on this weekend and we awed in admiration of talent those athletes have in the snow and as the events carried on my eye lids grew heavy and it lulled me to sleep.

Believe it or not I have not had a latte in three weeks until this one was purchased not by me, but Bradley!!

Spur of the moment delay led to adventures around Ann Arbor --- cannot wait for my next trip to enjoy some dinner and exploring AA.

Bubbly and Pitch Perfect --- talk about Perfect!

Homemade chicken and mushroom dish followed by yummy chocolate covered fruit -- everyone needs to splurge!

There is a change of pace when I got to Farmington I'm sure it is the company I share in and the quietness that covers the city, Brad's apartment building is occupied by a mix of couples, singles, elders, and small families so the atmosphere is soothing and calming. Over the course of the weekend I slept for 20 hours with a two hour nap in there. Talk about being rejuvenated and relaxed! As the weekend came to a close I packed my things and we headed for Ann Arbor where I took the train back to Kalamazoo! My intentions were good I carpooled to Farmington with Jen and was going to take the train back --- not using my gas and using other modes of transportation. Well with the combination of weather and delayed trains I got back to Kalamazoo three hours after I was supposed to. Can't say I won't do it again, but man oh mister was that frustrating!  I am definitely looking forward to working this weekend away again and then heading home to Holland for another escape of a fast paced world and of course to see my family!

I have been overwhelmed at times, filled with love, filled with laughter, filled with tears, filled with frustration, filled with worry, filled with gratitude, and filled with exhaustion. But I have also been filled with the feeling that I am right where I need to be and that with each one of those feelings I am being changed, molded and moved to become a better person. I am continuing to work on myself, like I mentioned in a earlier post, and with doing so I have been loving the little things!! Happy Wednesday all!

This semester I have been dedicating more time to working out -- this means early morning wake ups in order to make time for it. I have been enjoying the quiet mornings and the routines I have been working on establishing. This morning called for pancakes!

Martin Luther King Jr. Day meant a day off for us three rented movies, Chinese and a glass or two of wine we called it a great day!

Having a passion.

Over break I was ordered to go to my favorite nail place in Holland and to make an appointment with Jasmine, what awaited me was a gift certificate for a pedicure and a conversation with the woman I didn't know next to me. As I was catching up on celebrity gossip and soaking my feet the woman next to me commented on something on the news. I looked up agreed that it was horrible, and went back to reading my magazine.

The conversation continued and I listened, it went a little something like this:

L: Are you in school?
Me: Yes I am as Western Michigan University
L: What are you studying?
Me: Special Education
L: Oh one time... the conversation progressed into her going into subbing at the ISD to get more experience with that population of people/kids. Which I thought was a very insightful way to become more educated.... The conversation continued into how some of the children were very violent and could execute some of the same crimes that were committed by the 'Sandy Hook' dude could be done by some of the students at the ISD --- my wheels started to churn. She also spoke about the students she worked with that were on feeding tubes and other needs were individuals that just needed to be with God again. Blood boiling. She then got into the 'Sandy Hook' incident and gun control, and mental health. She then got talking about how the 'Downs' and 'Autistic' kids were this and that..... Talk about nails on a chalk board for me. She then proceed to get up and go to the other room.
Me: The only response I had to whole thing, or the only thing I could get in edge wise, is that the students that she feels that are threatening are more than likely frustrated and that regardless of their life circumstance every child has abilities that out due their disabilities. 


I like these conversations they make me think, they make me upset, but they make me realize that I need to voice the truth and educate others around me. It is also a reminder that I have a passion for a group of individuals that is undeniably apparent.

This conversation also sparked a conversation at dinner with my parent. My parents both had good points on how naive people can be when they are not surrounded by facts, and the truths behind what I am going into. More specifically we talked about the use of the 'r-word' and for those of you who are reading and becoming more aware of unaccpetable terminology in the field of special education and to those families and indivduals with disabilities the 'r-word' having the r + etard is not acceptable however many people use it to describe a bad day, etc. However to families it is hurtful and more importantly to individuals that are diagnosed with something it is offensive. The conversation escalated into how others around us don't always know the right way to address things and often times don't understand how others are affected. Unless there is a passion for this population. I have that passion.

Another topic my parents and I got on was person first language. This is rather new in the field and the terminology used but it is putting the person before the disability. They have an identity outside of their disability. Keep it in mind. For example she was diagnosed with Down Syndrome not they have 'downs.'

Yup I stepped up on my soap box but sometimes we all have to. I just strongly encourage people to be conscious of the language they are using in terms of people. For that matter terms they are using in public and with people they may not know, it is also important to watch out for those around you.

My dad had a good quote during our conversation, I wish I remembered it but regardless it was a good one and he should pretty much write down all his witty quotes, but it went back to me having a passion. I do, and I hope all of you do too.

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Life Update: Final Semester Begins

Side-note: As this year gets under way I am marking the final semester at Western and am wrapping up all my course work and all the work I have left to do with Honors College. With that being said I am taking 19 credit hours and so far am LOVING it despite the work that it will entail. As I was on Facebook the other day I like how my friend Adriene put my work load: "It's a different kind of busy though." That it is I get to start my day with 10 beautiful preschoolers. I would be lying if I said I didn't tear up when they all trucked into the hall my first day with their winter coats on and their little faces starred at me. It took me back to the last time I was in a preschool class and yes, yes it was when I was in Dakar. My heart fluttered and yet again I felt like I was right where I had to be. I LOVE it. I can get used to singing songs, practicing names and letters, opening snacks and milk, tying shoes, planning crafts for the month, having my hair 'cut' while playing house, and zooming cars through the car village. And I love to hear all the stories about my students and how far they have come with their development and milestones. Makes my heart sing!

I also have very exciting news to announce! One of my classes I have is an independent study with Sarah who was my professor while I was in Dakar. I will be presenting at a conference in March for the Council for Exception Children in Grand Rapids. There will be more information coming soon! Until then I continue to grow in my field and soak into my last semester of course work at Western!

As for life I am trying to make changes and to better myself and relationships. I am falling into a routine of school, working out and relaxing. Not to mention getting to bed early, real early!! I am happy, things are falling into place and I keep praying that God continues to provide in areas that need work.

a new year

I cannot believe that a new year is here however I am still in awe over the past year of my life. I started 2012 ringing it in twice due to the time change experience in Chicago. I accomplished two of my goals for the year: I ran my first 10k and I went to Africa. I guess you could say I volunteered more through the organization Volunteer Kalamazoo.

This year has been amazing.

I am able to say that I spent three beautiful weeks half way around the world inside an amazing culture, surrounded with love, God, and some of my best friends. I touched the hands of so many beautiful souls who have stolen my heart forever. I am so thankful for the journey that took me to Dakar and for all the love and support from my family and friends.

Our family grew this April by one family member and it will again grow in October of 2013 as Phil and Sam get married. The wedding of Matt and Betsy was one for the books, however creating a larger family is something we welcome with open arms, it is an exciting experience and brings us closer as a family.

I was able to check off my number one bucket list item this summer by going to see Jason Mraz in concert. It was amazing and something I would not mind doing again! I spent the 4th of July weekend with family like usual and extended it to a camping adventure with friends in Ludington. I volunteered at Camp Sunshine again, however I watched in the crowd this year at the talent show instead of participating. I went hunting for the first time, I shot at a deer however I missed. Christmas held different traditions but the same meaning and time with family like always.

Our nation struggled with some heartache this year we had several devastating hurricanes and numerous shootings. However, out of each one of these incidents we honor amazing individuals who step up to the plate and become heroes.

I am still in awe in all that I have been blessed with this year and how many lessons I have learned along the way. I am continually growing and learning and have been so lucky to surround myself with beautiful people this past year. I have learned to put aside some of the drama in my life and to continue to focus on what means the most and to stay surrounded by people will help build me up and support me. 

I have always been a fan of the number 13 and what better year than 2013 to have big things happen. I will wrap up my course work in my program and will be one step closer to graduation. I will begin student teaching and become one step closer to fulfilling my college career dreams. I am so hopeful for what this year is going to bring to my life and I welcoming 2013 with open arms. 

Blessings to you all & wishing you all the best year possible!