Ella's First Halloween (well with me anyways...)

Well, tonight was pretty fun! Ella didn't quite make it through the night in her bumblebee costume (moped around and then faked an injury so we would take it off of her...drama queen!) but I did get a precious picture of her in her costume though before all that:

She really enjoyed meeting all the trick or treaters. She gave them kisses and let them love and pet on her all they wanted. She also tried to steal some candy but that was rather unsuccessful. So she settled on eating a stick from the front yard. Here is her and I sitting outside waiting for the trick or treaters:

So yeah. We only sat out there for like 45 minutes. No one really trick or treats that much anymore but we did give away most of the candy. There was one huge spurt of people but it was over almost as quickly as they came. Here's the pumpkin I carved (a favorite activity of mine!) with some assistance from my dad:

I think the picture in the dark is much better b/c you can't see the sharpie lines from where I messed up. Oh well. I'm glad it made it through the night though b/c one part was just hanging by a string and wanted to fall off.

Anyone else do anything fun for Halloween?

Interesting story of the day from my internship: A mom breastfed her child. Her 26 month old child. In front of me and two of my co-workers. Not once. Not twice. Not three times. 4 times (in 2 hours)! Boob hanging out and everything. And the child was telling mom which boob she wanted to drink from. AWKWARD!!!

Well, must get some rest. Substituting for a PPCD class tomorrow. So excited!

God bless!

New found respect for my teacher friends...

So today, I gained new respect for my teacher friends.

Holy moly.

So, today was my first day of subbing in Cy-Fair. I was a little nervous, but excited. My assignment was for a kindergarden (I'm still not sure how to spell that word) class of 20 kids. Now I'm much more comfortable working in a special ed classroom with 5 kids. But I thought it would be okay.

Oh my gosh. Within the first hour, a kid physically assaulted me and was removed from my room. The kids constantly argued with me, talked back, completely ignored me or found some other way to create problems in the classroom. I was dying! And I thought it was all my fault. No one had prepared me for this!

Well, later in the day, the teacher next to my room (Everyone can hear what is going on in the rooms b/c its like one big room divided with bookshelves. I know there's a word for this type of set up but can't remember it) came over and said I was doing a great job with the class and that they were an extremely difficult class. Their normal teacher struggles with them on a daily basis. It made me feel so much better because I totally thought it was all me and my inadequacy to be a teacher.

But holy cow. I don't know if I could do a class like that on a daily basis! Geez! Luckily, a para was in the room with me for the afternoon (and I have great respect for them b/c I used to be one!) so that made my job a little easier b/c she knew the kids and how to handle them.

There were some sweet ones that redeemed the day for me so that was good. One told me I was the best teacher ever (pretty sure she tells everyone that) and another told me I was beautiful like a beauty. Haha... so sweet. Too bad their sweetness couldn't rub off on the rest of the class. I felt bad b/c most of my time there was spent dealing with the problem kids in the class and ignoring the good ones. They didn't seem mad, but I felt bad for not getting to pay any attention to them. I praised them for doing a great job when I had a chance, but that time was limited.

So anyways. Hopefully I'll get some more special ed calls soon (not always a pleasant experience I realize though) in an environment I'm more comfortable in. Hopefully not all classes I substitute for will be that awful.

Anyways, I just wanted to let my teacher friends know I have a new found great respect for them! Bless you all!

The School Bus Hit My Car!

Hello friends! So the past week has been rather eventful. Where should I start???

Well, the internship was rather uneventful this week. Actually, boring is a better descriptor of my week. Monday, I had training in the morning which was okay. After that, I went on some home visits with a girl (who was super nice) and then I was supposed to drive across town to get a flu shot. Well, at that same time a downpour/monsoon started here in Houston. It was 3 and I needed to be in another part of Houston before 4 to get my flu shot. No big deal usually. Well, it took me longer to get across town than normal but I got there at 3:50. Just in time, right? Ha! They had already packed up and gone home for the day with the flu shots. Argh! So I had risked my life in a monsoon to get this shot and didn't even get it. And now I had to drive back across town to home in the still persisiting monsoon. It took me 2 hours!! Ugh. On Tuesday, the rain had stopped, but the day was not so good either. I was supposed to meet the same girl from the day before at 8:00 a.m. to follow her around some more. Well, her car got water in the engine so she couldn't come in. So I sat there in the office for a couple hours (mind you, when I'm not following someone or in a training class, I have nothing to do at my internship - and this happens rather frequently) and finally found another girl to follow for a bit. But she didn't have much either. So we sat some more with nothing to do. I was supposed to go to a visit later in the day with her, but we got there and the mom had forgotten about the important 2 hour meeting that was supposed to happen. So we left and went back to the office and did nothing. A horribly monotonous and unproductive day. Wednesday, I had more training which was okay. I had jury duty that afternoon but that was uneventful and I was dismissed 45 minutes after I got there. So I got home and started doing things around the house. Which leads me to my next story.

So, I normally park my car on the street outside my parents house. Thats what I did on Wednesday. Well, later that evening, my mom and I were going to meet my dad for dinner. As we went by my car, my mom goes, "Look! There's a huge dent in your car!" Oh dear. So, I called to file a police report the next morning and that guy just treated me like I was stupid and was like go solve it with your neighbor across the street because clearly someone backed out and hit it. Well, talking with our neighbor across the street is just something no one does. The police are very familiar with him (but apparently not this policeman). He just causes a lot of issues. Has had several loud loud loud drinking parties on weeknights keeping the whole neighborhood up. His son is involved in a gang and drugs and there has been a drive by shooting across the street from our house. His son is now on the run from the police for a drug charge. We just really didn't want to confront him. Luckily, our next door neighbors helped us rule them out. Apparently the damage had been done between 2:30 and 4:00 when the buses bring kids home, a landscaping truck had been parked across the street partially blocking the street and making it a narrow squeeze on our street. The paint on my car is black and yellow and my car had been moved a foot and suspended against the curb. Clearly something large couldn't get through the opening and nudged my car a bit. We got the police back out (a nicer guy this time) and made a report, so thats getting resolved. I called the school district and they are being super nice about working with me so far and I'm meeting with them this week to see if it really was one of their buses. Here's a pic of the damage:

Thursday, I got my haircut (sorry, no pics). Its okay. Shorter than I like but I still like it. It'll grow eventually. Nothing else really eventful happened that day besides dealing with the police and insurance company.

Friday, my brother came home and we did things to celebrate his and my dad's birthdays (Kyle's was the 15th, my dad's is the 22nd). I made two cakes this weekend which was wonderful. I haven't gotten to do that in a long time (maybe since May!). They turned out pretty decent. Nothing too fancy, but I liked them. Here are the pics of the cakes:

Saturday, I got to do my favorite thing each week. For the month of October, I have been volunteering to be a buddy for a soccer league in Katy for kids with special needs. I've also got my dad going too because he can't go on rides on Saturday mornings for a while because of his collarbone. I love it! This week, I was buddies with this precious little boy named Ben who has Downs. I'm not sure why, but I'm really passionate about working with kids with Downs. He had no interest in playing soccer besides reading the letters on the soccer balls, but I still had a good time with him and his dad. Next week is our last week which I'm very sad about. There's an awards party the following week, but I will be in Waco for Baylor's homecoming (so excited!). I'm so glad I found out about this opportunity because its brought a great deal of joy to my weekends! It also has made me lean towards getting certified to teach special ed. I really think thats what I might do. I've thought about a lot of options and I think despite the hard job that it is, I really want to do that. I'm researching the different alternative certification options and am praying hard about what to do. I really miss working with the kids I worked with last year (way more than I thought I ever would).

This morning at church was pretty good. I went back to a church I had tried like 6 weeks ago. I was not impressed with the service then and I really wasn't this morning. However, the singles group, although small, was FANTASTIC! They teach the Word, pray for each other, go out and do fun things and the people (mostly girls - they were so fun!) were great! I can't wait to go back. What an answer to a prayer that has been on the forefront lately!

I think I'll end with a prayer request. My sweet friend Audrey (we've been friends since we were like 10!) is going through a really hard time right now. Her dad has stage 4 liver cancer that has spread and at his last appointment, the results were not good. She is also a first year teacher so that has a lot of stresses. Anyways, if you could just lift her and her family up, that would be great.

So, I'm off to start another exciting week. God bless! Here's a pic of Ella helping Kyle fix dinner that will make you smile:

I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee...

Hehe. Well, last week, Target was having a fantastic sale ($8!) on their Halloween costumes....for dogs. Hehe. And you know I couldn't resist. After much discussion with my dad, we decided Ella should be a pumpkin for Halloween. Well, unfortunately, they were out of pumpkin costumes in her size (its tough being a big girl!) so we went with the next best thing - a bumblebee! Unfortunately, Ella's enthusiasm for her sweet new costume is significantly less than mine. I tried it on her (much to her chagrin and struggling to get away) and got two pictures (she is also scared of the camera, so the costume and the camera weren't such a great combination anyways). So here is my sweet girl in her costume:

Clearly, she is trying to escape me as I take her picture. But ya' know, my mom heard on like The Today Show or something like that that they are having a contest and you should send pictures of your dog in their costume in and the winner of the contest gets a trip to New York. I really want to go to New York (of all the places I have been, NY is not one of them!) so yeah. I'm using my dog to make my dream come true. Haha...

Anyways. Last weekend, my parents and I drove up to Waco for the day to see my brother (don't be hurt that I didn't call people - I wasn't there that long!) and do an early bday celebration (he's turning the big 2-1 on Monday...yikes!). As it happened, my sweet sweet friends, Jeremy and Chelsea who recently moved to Boston were in town to visit their church and luckily had about an hour to spare to see me! Oh how I miss them! Anyways, Ella got to meet them and pretty much loved them. Here is a picture of all of us:

So yeah. Just wanted to give you an update on the life of Ella. I love that dog!

God bless!

A little frustration

So, I've really just been struggling with a few things lately (and I've probably lamented about them before) and I just don't know how to fix the situations or what to do about them. Let me know if you have any ideas. My frustrations are:

1. Its not just a lack of knowing what I want to do after I graduate with my Masters. Its knowing what to do with my Masters. I feel sometimes as if that program were a waste of my time and I should have done something different because so far its getting me nowhere fast. There seem to be no jobs for me that require a Masters and/or do not recognize that I have a Masters and therefore will not compensate me for that qualification. Its frustrating to feel like I have worked hard on it and put myself in debt (argh...student loans!) over it and nothing is coming of it. Now, I loved my program for the most part. I liked learning all about it and researching it and stuff. But was it really worth it?? I feel like if I had done an MSW program or something like that, I might have been better off. But I'm certainly not willing to put myself in more debt to get another degree so I am a desired applicant. I was talking to a girl the other day and she said if she had a Masters, she would accept $50-$60K/ year and no less. Its not about the money...really it isn't. But when you are looking to pay back a significant amount of student loans, it kinda has to be a little bit. So why do other people with Masters make that much but I can't?
2. Church. I'm beginning to hate it. The institution of it at least. I love the Lord and realize that this thing we call "church" was created so that we could fellowship and grow with other believers. But I feel like it has gone so wrong. Few churches seem to really get what being a true church is about. And very few want to minister to singles in their 20s and refuse to even attempt to. Everything is about being married and having kids and such. That seems to be what ministry is about. But what about those of us who are not called to that at this time? We might desire it, but we are not there right now and are here for a certain reason. So why is this specific group so ignored and/or pitied? Jenny and I have tried several churches in the area and just are kinda frustrated and dismayed with things. We don't feel like we should have to drive 30 minutes to church every Sunday and only participate on Sundays because the church is so far from us. So whats the solution? I feel very isolated and alone and missing the community that I so strongly desire and yearn for.
3. Houston. Love it and hate it. I love being near my family and doing some things around the city. But I hate the busy-ness of it all. The fast paced life that never seems to ease up. THE TRAFFIC. Not much I can do about it, but a frustration nonetheless.

Okay thats enough griping for the day. I have a few more items that I am frustrated with but are not blog-worthy and rather trivial at best. So yeah. Since I griped, I think it is only appropriate to say what is blessing me right now and making me joyful.

1. Living with my parents (most of the time). It is so nice to not have to worry about many things that if I were living alone, would be worrysome. Sometimes its hard to live with them, but things are going okay right now. Not something I want to do forever, but good for right now.
2. Jenny Sheets. I love that we are living in the same place and are kinda in similar places in our lives right now. I don't think I would be making it very well if God had not placed her in my life, especially at this time. Really the only community I receive on a regular basis and I love this girl! I could go on, but maybe in another post, because this girl is amazing!
3. Ella. I know she's just my dog, but she brings me an indescribable kind of joy that really is comforting. She drives me crazy sometimes but am truly thankful for this extra blessing in my life.
4. Spare time. I think this will be the last time in my life for a while where I will have spare time. I am able to get in the Word on a nearly daily basis, walk my dog, go out with friends, do things on weekdays that I normally would not be able to and just relax a little. I complain about the boredom but I think I will miss this freedom when its gone in a few months.

Okay. Enough. Another marathon post for my faithful readers.

God bless!

Pretty sizzles, sexy fizzles

Modest really is hottest.... and the fashion world is starting to agree!

So, I read Beth Moore/Living Proof Ministries blog every now and then and they discussed this article in the Houston Chronicle and how the fashion world is taking a turn towards "cute" and "sweet" rather than the typical "sexy". So thats good news for us who don't think showing our butt cracks and/or cleavage is appropriate and that now when we go shopping, it might not be such a struggle to find appropriate things to wear that are stylish too! Yay!

`Pretty' sizzles, `sexy' fizzles
Designers get away from steamy looks; now `cute' is in

By CLIFFORD PUGH
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

MILAN — Here in the Italian fashion capital, there's a rich history of glitzy, glamorous body-baring designs.

The late Gianni Versace and former Gucci designer Tom Ford pioneered the steamy look in the 1990s. Roberto Cavalli and Dolce & Gabbana, along with Versace's sister, Donatella, and Gucci designer Frida Giannini continued the tradition. Houston women who work out regularly and love to show off their well-toned bodies love their risque creations.

But something strange has happened with spring 2008 collections: Sex has virtually disappeared.

Retailers have used words like "pretty," "cute" and "flirty" to sum up the looks. "Steamy" and "sensual" have been missing from the lexicon.

"There's much more of a feminine spirit and a fanciful spirit in the air here," Neiman Marcus fashion director Ken Downing said. "It's more about flirting as opposed to an obvious, overt sexiness. But there's nothing better than a good flirt, don't you think?"

A lot of skimpy mini-skirts were spotted on the runways. But lengths just as often stopped just below the knee or skimmed the floor. Pants were varied, too, from skinny stovepipe legs to super-wide bell bottoms. Day dresses and evening gowns rarely hugged the body, although they thankfully no longer expand to tent size proportions.

Cavalli — who has long championed tight leopard prints and plunging necklines — was among those leading the charge. Before his show, he said it was time to rediscover the "innocence of the woman."

Instead of his trademark form-fitting gowns, Cavalli showcased demure lace dresses, whispy tunics, coats made silk petals and loosely-draped evening attire. The setting was modeled after the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles.

While a few designs plunged to the navel — despite Cavalli's new sentiments, he just couldn't seem to resist exposing a breast or two — the overall look was subdued.

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, whose sexy-bordering-on-pornographic magazine ads showing group couplings have been banned in some countries, also jumped on the modesty bandwagon.

The duo's top-of-the-line collection featured voluminous ball gowns hand-painted with Impressionistic flowers, while their lower-priced D&G line showcased frilly floral print dresses with gladiator sandals.

Gucci's Giannini, who has put her stamp on the company in recent years, sent out a feminine collection of frothy pink cropped jackets, short skirts and draped minidresses mixed with harder-edged attire, like skinny checked pants and a snakeskin motorcycle jacket.

Her closing statement of pretty ball gowns in dramatic yellow, black or floral black and white print seemed suited for a charity ball — not a trendy statement. Far sexier: Gucci's sky-high gold stilettos with gold ankle cuffs. Shoes are where the sex is next season.

Donatella Versace, who became Versace's chief designer after her brother was murdered 10 years ago, also showed an uncharacteristically sedate collection. Dresses and evening gowns in popsicle colors were draped loosely.

The one body part Versace seems obsessed with: the back. Many gowns and some blouses featured exposed skin all the way down the spine.

Maybe it's just all in the timing. Fashion constantly changes to lure new customers, so each season new styles are unveiled as the next great thing. But the changes often are incremental.
Downing predicts that spring will be a continuation of the "really strong glamorous woman" that appeared on the runway for fall. "The clothes are a little softer. There are not as many jackets. You don't have as many constricting fabrics. But it's still a very dressed-up spirit," he said.
Another possible explanation for more practical styles: Milan has more female designers at major houses than any of the world's other fashion centers.

Women's Wear Daily notes that a large number of family-run companies — Prada, Albert Ferretti, Versace, Fendi, Missoni, and Etro — were founded by women or now run by daughters and sisters. The contingent also includes Consuelo Castiglioni at Marni, Anna Molinari at Blumarine, and new hires Alessandra Facchinetti at Valentino and Christina Ortiz at Salvatore Ferragamo.

Women's Wear Daily suggests that female designers are often more in tune with what works for women. "Women seem to know better what other women need, want and like to wear," Angela Missoni told the newspaper.

Not every designer stuck to the "pretty" look. The Canadian designers of Dsquared2 — who are men — created a collection that would have fit right in during Tom Ford's Gucci heyday, with black teddys, minis and "trikini" swimsuits studded with Swarvoski crystals. Next to the demure looks on other runways, the clothes looked tired and tawdry.


So, its not perfect yet, but at least we are moving in the right direction! Be encouraged!

God bless!

PS - Here's the link to that article if you wanted it: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/style/5179253

Craig Biggio and Preemies

No, those two have nothing to do with each other. Just what has occurred in my life in the past two days.

Yesterday, I watched Biggio's last game ever (and the Astros season closer) on tv with my mom. Super sad I couldn't be there in person. I like Biggio because he is a classy guy and conducts himself in a classy way on and off the field. A role model I feel that truly deserves to be one. I also like that while he probably has a couple more good playing years left in him, he has decided to step aside for the sake of his kids and his wife. In my opinion, there's nothing more manly than that. He is laying aside all kinds of fame and glory for the sake of his family. Truly admirable. And will be very missed by Astros fans everywhere.

Today at my internship, our Child Find Coordinator (Kim - she's so sweet!) took us (the new kids) to Ben Taub Hospital to tour the NICU. We went to the Level III nursery (the most serious kids) and got to walk around. I've never seen a preemie, so it was so interesting (and sad) to see that. They didn't even look real. I was also surprised they let us get so close but I'm glad they did. I am so fascinated my the medical world, so this visit (although sobering) was right up my alley. It was also sad to hear some of the stories there because Ben Taub is a community hospital (where the people with no money/insurance are sent), so a lot of these families have sad stories anyways and now these precious babies are fighting for their lives.

Anyways, thats all really. Just some tidbits I wanted to share. God bless!