Kindergarten Kandids

Life as a Kindergarten teacher is never dull.  I constantly hear, "Miss Jancy, look at what IIIIIIIIIIII found!"  This adorable little four year old was super excited with her find one day at recess.  "Miff Dancy, wook at my cawewpiwwer!" she exclaimed.  As cute as they are, it's even better to see the pleasure they get in even the simplest of things.  It should be a lesson for us all.  In this materialistic world, some of our most special memories can be about the most simple of things.

"Is it recess time yet?"

"Is It ReceSs TiMe YeTT?"

"IS IT RECESS TIIIME YEEEEEEETTTTTT?????"

One of my students' favorite times of the day is recess, especially when we go outside in warmer weather.  We have a pretty nice little playground, complete with slides, a tunnel, swings and even a tire swing.  (And for the record, it's one of their teacher's favorite times as well because they work off their extra energy and are ready for nap time which follows recess.)

We try to keep our classroom super neat and tidy.

But sometimes we forget to keep ourselves neat and tidy.  Especially when it is some one's birthday and the bring cupcakes!

And sometimes we have super fun, special days.  Today, a very nice man named Tracker Sean came to our school with his Creation Museum and showed us all sorts of super neat things.  We got to touch fossilized dinosaur bones, petrified wood, and he even gave us each a real shark's tooth to keep for our own.  The students enjoyed the day so much, and we didn't even have to leave school!

The Love of God

Just wanted to share one of my favorite hymns with you today.  It gives me goosebumps everytime I hear it.

The Love of God

The love of God is greater far

Than tongue or pen can ever tell;

It goes beyond the highest star,

And reaches to the lowest hell;

The guilty pair, bowed down with care,

God gave His Son to win;

His erring child He reconciled,

And pardoned from his sin.

O love of God, how rich and pure!

How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure

The saints’ and angels’ song.

When years of time shall pass away,

And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,

When men, who here refuse to pray,

On rocks and hills and mountains call,

God’s love so sure, shall still endure,

All measureless and strong;

Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—

The saints’ and angels’ song.

O love of God, how rich and pure!

How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure

The saints’ and angels’ song.

Could we with ink the ocean fill,

And were the skies of parchment made,

Were every stalk on earth a quill,

And every man a scribe by trade,

To write the love of God above,

Would drain the ocean dry.

Nor could the scroll contain the whole,

Though stretched from sky to sky.

O love of God, how rich and pure!

How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure

The saints’ and angels’ song.

Bucket List Update

Since it has been almost three months since I made my "Bucket List" for 2011, I thought I'd write an update on my progress.  I am quite proud of myself, actually.  I feel like I've accomplished quite a bit in just a few months.

Number 1:  Learning to play the guitar 

The first thing on my list was learning to play the guitar.  Let me start by saying- not as easy as it looks!  I didn't realize the bazillions of chords one has to learn.  My book has me learning notes first, then chords. So far I know eight notes.  I'm thinking this may take a while...   But- I am trying!

Number 2: Becoming a better cook

Let me begin by saying that being a Kindergarten teacher, tutoring after school, working out (or attempting to with some regularity), and being involved with church and ministries does not leave a lot of spare time or energy.  However, I have been trying to expand my culinary skills.  I have been experimenting a lot with chicken, and have come up with some really yummy and easy dishes. I have also been watching the Food network a lot on TV, and very much enjoying it.  Man vs. Food and Rachel Ray are my favorites.  Still, I must admit, every once in a while, frozen pizza still calls my name.  Does it count as cooking if I doctor one up with spices and extra cheese?  Ha!

Number 3: Trying sushi

One of my friends, Taylor, saw on Facebook that I had a bucket list.  We had quite a discussion about sushi, since he is an apparent sushi aficionado.  When he was in town a few weeks ago, he and his friend David took my roomate and I out for sushi.  It was quite an experience.  First, let me say that I was very thankful that I knew how to use chopsticks, or else I would have made an even bigger fool of myself that I already did.  The, um, interesting part about sushi is that you pick the "roll" up with your chopsticks and cram the entire thing into your mouth.  Believe it or not, I have quite a small mouth.  My dentist has even commented on it.  As for taste, I will admit that I was so busy trying to get the whole thing into my mouth and close my mouth over all of that food (while still breathing) that I didn't pay too much attention to taste.  Also, I was trying NOT to think about what was in it.  However, later I was brave and looked up exactly what is in a California Roll.  It consists of : cucumber, crab and avocado with a coating of rice.  Not too bad at all.  I was feeling proud of myself  (for eating six of these gems) when the guys informed me that it wasn't "real" sushi at all.  Kind of like Kindergarten level sushi.  Pretty fitting, huh?   I don't know if I would order it again, but I am very glad I had the opportunity to try it.

Number 4: Road trip

Can anybody say ROAD TRIP???  Anyone who has taken a "real" road trip with a group of friends knows it's one of the most fun things you can do together! Our sophomore year in college, a few friends and I took a road trip down to Georgia to visit one of the girls' grandparents who lived right on a lake.  Memories of that trip will live forever in my mind, from crazy stuff we did on the road (making signs and putting them in the car window for other drivers to read), to tubing down a river (that we later found was full of snakes....  eeeeeeekkkkkkk!!!!), to climbing a small mountain, to having old-timey pictures taken, to other shenanigans (skinny dipping in the lake at night).  Road trips are a time to just let your hair down and thoroughly enjoy yourself.  I'm hoping this summer I can get someone to go with me! (I promise, I'm more mature that I was at 19).

Number 5: Run/Walk a marathon

Anyone who knows me at all knows that I am not a super athletic girl... at ALL!  That's the other Liz I grew up with. Ha!  Sure, I participated in basketball, volleyball, track and field and cross country, but I didn't really have a choice in the matter.  However, recently I've gotten in better shape, and actually enjoy doing athletic things now, in moderation.  For weeks, I've been dying to take a nice long hike in the woods (with someone, of course, because if you know me, you also know that I have absolutely NO sense of direction.  I hate going to the restroom in restaurants because I have seriously gotten lost on my way back...  sigh...)

But back to the marathon.  I think it would be great motivation to get in better shape to have a goal to work toward.  As the weather gets better, I want to begin looking into something along this line to participate in.  Nothing huge, mind you.  Maybe five miles or so.  Just enough to challenge me, not to kill me!

Number 6: Learn to shoot a gun

Oh, I'm so super excited about this one!  I have always always always wanted to learn to shoot. This Saturday, on Post, I am taking a class that will teach me how to load, shoot and clean different types of guns.  Pretty exciting for a girl who's only ever shot a gun one time in her life!  I'm sure a post about that class is in the not too distant future.

Number 7: Write on my blog more

I'll leave this one up to you-  how am I doing?  :)  And by the way, I am thoroughly enjoying being all "bloggy", and am becoming a bit of an addict.

Number 8:  Jet ski

Growing up about a few miles from Lake Michigan, I have seen my share of jet skis. Never ridden on one though.  One of my friends mentioned recently that when I go to visit her this summer we are going up to a lake and renting them.  So, I'm crossing my fingers (and my toes) on that one!  Hopefully, hopefully, hopefully it happens!

Number 9: Start my jewelry business

Please excuse the picture on this one... I downloaded the wrong picture.  After posting my "bucket list" on Facebook, a man in the church read it and gave my jewelry business a jump start.  He runs a gift shop on Post for the Military Police, and asked me to make jewelry for the shop.  Their colors are green and yellow, the two hardest colors to find decent beads in, but I am pretty happy with the finished products. He placed his first order the other week, which I am in the process of filling.  I ordered business cards as well, so I think I'm official.

When I go home for Spring Break in a little over a week, my friend Nicole and I will be hosting a jewelry party!  (I think I mentioned that before, but can you tell how excited I am?)  I can't wait to see all her stuff, and see how the ladies like our jewelry! I hope to have a party of my own down here in not too long.  All the ladies in my church always comment on how much they like my jewelry.

Number 10: Ski again

Sigh, I'm not sure if this will get checked off my list this year.  Seeing that it is 70 degrees out today, I feel that I have kind of missed my window of opportunity with the snow.  I really don't know where they have a ski resort around here, nor do I have anyone to go skiing with.  Maybe next winter?

Number 11: Make a new life-long friend

No one can ever replace the wonderful friends that I grew up with, or the memories we've shared together.  Still, friends come and go, drift closer and drift apart.  It's just a fact of life.  This past year I have made quite a few new friends that I know I am going to be friends with forever. 

One is my friend Melissa.  Let me start by saying, that I'm a really nice person.  I get along with everyone, it's just my nature.  That is... everyone but her.  We met in college, which was small enough that we knew everyone.  Right off the bat, I didn't like her, for some strange reason, and she didn't like me.  Who knows what made us act like that... because I don't believe we ever even spoke.  She was dating one of my good friends, and when they broke up and he started hanging around me (just as friends), that clinched it.  She hated my guts and thought I'd stolen her boyfriend. She graduated a year before me with a secretarial degree and went back to New Hampshire (I think... I didn't really care and lost track of her).  She'd visit every so often, but we never talked.  Then, the strangest thing happened.  It was the summer after I graduated from college, before I moved down here to Missouri. Late one night I was on Facebook, chatting with a few friends, and her name popped up.  I didn't even realize I was friends with her.  Probably one of us requested the other just to get more friends.  I can't remember which one of us started the conversation, but we talked for hours... well into the night.  We cleared everything up between us and had a great time getting to know each other.  We talked a few more times, then lost touch again.  Somehow, about a year later, Melissa found my cellphone number and texted me.  We started texting and currently text every day.  I found out that she had moved to Virginia, was teaching school there, and was engaged to a guy whose family attended the church there.  Melissa is getting married this summer, and guess who's in her wedding???? ME!  I went from being the hated snotty boyfriend stealer to one of her best friends.  I guess I learned my lesson from that one- always give people a chance because they may turn out to be someone who ends up being one of your closest friends.

I have also made other really close friends in very random ways.  One friend I have become very close with is the cousin of a guy I was interested in who set us up.  Came to find out that I actually went to kindergarten with this guy, and we have pictures together.  Another friend is someone I knew from long ago, who accidentally started chatting with me on Facebook.  We talk every day now, and he is really great friend.  You just never know!  I hope to make many more friendships like this throughout my life.

The Wonderful World of Beading!

(This is actually a chunky necklace.  I love love love it!  Seriously thinking about keeping it for myself!)

Welcome to the wonderful world of beading!  

My aunt took to me to a beading class when I visited her at Christmas my freshman year in college.  The poor woman did not realize the monster she was creating!  Beading is my addiction.  It is an outlet for my creative side.  It is something for me to do while watcing tv or a movie (since I'm slightly OCD and can't seem to sit still during a show without doing something).

I have decidec to be "bloggy" today and post about one of my favorite passtimes, and share some of my most recent "creations" with you.

One of my newest finds- a lampwork (hand made glass bead) source.  These beads are big and chunky and funky and absolutely adorable!  I love the black and white and yellow contrasted.  Always said that someday my kitchen would be done in those colors.  We'll see about that.  Ha!

 I found this charm at Michaels, as well as the the beads that go with it.  I instantly fell in love with it; I think it's my favorite up to date.  I made little earrings  from the beads that match as well. 

 I found the above two charms at Hobby Lobby (the bestest store on earth for anything crafty) and love them.  They're both very unique and would compliment any outfit.

 This necklace is what's called a "glass tile necklace".  I learned the technique from my dear friend and beading partner Nicole.  I am super excited to be hosting a jewelry party with her in a week and a half when I go home for Spring Break!  I absolutely can't wait!!!!!

This ring is my constant accessory.  I love it to death, and is one of the few things I've made that I kept for myself.  This picture definitely doesn't do it justice!  The design is actually from a dress in a magazine that happened to be the perfect size for this one inch circle.  I love big bling statement rings anyway, and am super excited to be able to make my own!

Goodbye, Chickadee

 Yesterday was one of my most emotional days as a teacher so far.  My absolutely favorite student (okay, okay,so I know it's not allowed, but if every teacher admitted it, they secretly have favorites) finished her last day of school. Her father is in the Army and was transferred to California. 

 Tristynn is definitely the student that I have grown the closest to this year.  Every morning as soon as she comes in the classroom, she heads straight to my desk and gives me a giant bear hug.  There have been times I have feared for my life because my air supply has been cut off.  Then she hangs up her book bag and takes out an item that the entire class has come to know and love.  Bear.  Bear is Tristynn's stuffed animal that she carries everywhere. (We're pretty sure Bear is actually a dog, but we never want to argue with Miss Tristynn.  Ha!)  Bear is a rather interesting creature, who wears infant clothes and a diaper that Tristynn has informed is "just in case".  So, Tristynn removes Bear from her book bag and brings him up to my desk every morning, claiming that Bear wants his good morning hug as well.  The classroom just isn't going to be the same without that raggedy beloved bear (dog).

I think one of the things that brought Tristynn and I so close is all the extra time we spent together.  From day one, Tristynn struggled with her letters, blends and reading.  Since she stayed everyday for after-school care, I began letting her stay in the classroom after everyone else had left for the day, and tutor her in reading.  Usually we would just read together at my desk, her sitting in my lap.  She did so much better of a job reading then, and improved dramatically.  I am proud to say that by the time she left she was doing just as well as the other students, and better than some.

 Tristynn is definitely "Little Miss Personality".  She could always tell when I was stressed or upset about something, and would either come up and give me a huge hug and tell me she loved me, or would cheese an enormous cheesy smile at me.  Occasionally, she would even make a silly face at me, which never failed to instantly change my mood.

Yesterday afternoon, before she left, Tristynn asked if we could do the "heart thing".  I got out  a red marker and drew a heart on both of our hands.  Then Tristynn took my hand, and pressed the hearts together (this is where I lost it and started bawling) and told me that now our hearts would always be together.  Pretty insightful for a 5 year old.  As she walked out of my classroom door for the last time, my little sweetie turned and blew me a goodbye kiss.

It's unfathomable to think that a little girl who was so much a part of my life will probably never see me again, or I her. I hope that I have made an impact in her life in the short time I had with her.  I often wonder, what will my students be when they grow up? What sort of people will they become?  There is so much potential in these young lives and so amazing to think of all that they will one day accomplish.

The Attack of the Zhu-Zhu

The day began like most ordinary days. Just a typical Thursday. I was actually feeling pretty cute today. I've just decided to grow my hair out, and was really quite pleased with how it looked today. Haha, days like this don't come around too often. Little did I know... my impending doom awaited.

Just like when I was little, there are still the "it" toys to have and bring to school. Some things just never change. When I was little it was Beanie Babies, American Girl Dolls, yo-yo's... etc. Now all the cool toys are so much more sophisticated than anything we ever had. So, the "cool" toy to have right now in Maranatha Baptist Academy's K-5 classes is a hamster looking creature called a Zhu-Zhu pet. Thanks, China, for coming up with this wonderful gem... I owe you one.

At first glance, I too was deceived by the apparent cuteness of this toy. But don't let it's cute exterior deceive you. It's lethal! ha!




Looks harmless enough, right? But under this fuzzy exterior are little wheels. When you press his cute little pink nose, those wheels begin to spin. Does anyone know where I'm going with this? I was sitting in my chair at recess, watching the students playing in the gym, when a little girl (from the other K-5 class) came up holding her Zhu-Zhu pet Apple Cheeks (don't ask). She commenced to show me how it worked on the floor, demonstrating how it moved, stopped, turned... etc. Being the nice teacher that I am, I feigned interest. She even let it "walk" on my lap a little bit. Then, the girl disappeared from view. Moments later, I felt something on my head, and heard a sickening sound... the sound of wheels turning. Immediately, a huge chunk of my hair ( I say huge because I have very fine hair and loosing any is never good) was hopelessly twisted around one of the wheels and pain shot though my scalp. My roommate and fellow teacher instantly jumped to my aid, but it was too late...

The situation was so ridiculous, that I was half laughing, half crying as she tried to extract the vermin from my poor hair. But, it was to no avail, and eventually we decided that it must be cut out or I would be forced to go through life with a Zhu-Zhu pet attached to my head. Not the best way to attract boys probably.

So, here's the end result... the picture doesn't do it justice in the slightest, and there's a good three inches of hair wrapped around the wheel. Well, life goes on. Just beware of this toy! The irony of the whole situation is when I turned it over to take this picture, the yellow warning label says, keep away from hair! Too bad our students can't read that well yet... Haha, what an incentive to teach them to their Phonics!

A tiny amount of humor and the true American heroes

My post today has two purposes. I cannot help but sharing a "Kindergarten Crack-up" from Friday that I was not able to blog about. I only have four little boys in my class of sixteen: Luke, Sylvester, Caleb and Wilbur. Normally my little girls "run the show" so to speak, but today Caleb took center stage. Friday is pizza day, so their lunch consists of a slice or two of pizza, chocolate milk, goldfish crackers and Scooby snacks. My little guy must have really enjoyed his meal because during Math class (our first period after lunch), he let out an enormous belch. It rather reminded me of the one from the movie Elf. I was completely surprised that such a sound could come from that little of a person, but recovered quickly. I looked at him and asked, "Caleb, is there something you would like to say to the class?'" He looked up at me completely innocently, cheesed a huge grin (as only Caleb can do) and said "hello". I completely lost it, and has to sit down I was laughing so hard. Of course, all the other students saw their teacher laughing and has to laugh as well, so the K-5 class was a bit chaotic for a few minutes. Thought all of you would enjoy that little bit of humor.

The second half of today's post I would like to dedicate to the brave men and women who serve our country so fearlessly. Living here so close to Fort Leonard Wood, I see first hand the sacrifices these soldiers and their families make every day. They sacrifice the little things that we tend to take for granted: spending time with their families, being there for birthdays and anniversaries, spending time with their children, seeing their child's first steps, coaching little league teams, the stability of having a permanent place of residence, the list goes on and on.

Tonight I will be accompanying my roommate Maureena's family at a special ceremony on Post, to say goodbye to her father who will be deploying to Afghanistan with his unit for a year. I cannot imagine how difficult it would be to say goodbye to my own father, knowing not only that I would not see him for a year, but also that he is in a dangerous place. Mr. Duran is a chaplain, so will have even more responsibilities there. I am sure that there will be a lot of soldiers with spiritual and emotional problems as a result of being there and the experiences they will have. How very very thankful it makes me for the brave Americans who risk life and limb to keep our country free and safe. May we never forget their great sacrifice and remember to pray for them every day.