Planet Earth

At the middle school conference I attended last weekend, I was totally blessed because I WON TWO DOOR PRIZES! How great is that?! We even have door prizes at our faculty meetings every month, and I usually don't even win those! The first door prize I won was the entire Planet Earth DVD set. It's worth like 50 bucks! The second door prize was 20 dollars cash-so we're looking at atleast $70 in door prizes. Thank you Lord!

Last night a couple friend and I decided to pop in the Planet Earth and it was pretty cool. Didn't know how I felt about watching the earth and it's animals, but it really is amazing what these cameras have caught in action. I only watched about an hour and it was really fascinating... especially these funny looking birds that do mating dances etc. We loved it!

La dee da...

...that is what my life has been like this past week! I have: been at the pool almost every day, worked out a few times, continued decorating the new apartment, and hung out with friends! BUT-next week I will have fun stuff to write about! Mom and I are GOING TO CALIFORNIA ON THURSDAY! WOOHOO!

Cali has been on my list of places to visit for a long time, and I am glad I am getting to go with the ultimate tour guide, my mom! We are staying in Hollywood and I plan to be very touristy and hit the hot spots with my camera in hand. Can't wait to post photos! I return the day I have to start cheerleading practice, so this is somewhat my last hoorah for the summer. Watch out west coast, here I come--southern accent and all!!!!

Pulled Muscle

So last fall I decided I was going to start working out consistently and try to shed a few pounds. I joined The Rush (fitness center here in Cleveland) and even got a trainer! He was so great too! It was a slow process but by the end of April I had lost about 17 pounds, so I was (and still am) pumped about that.

I kind of got on a kick though of going to spin classes. Now-if you've never been, you should try one. They are 50 minutes of pure sweat and exhaustion, BUT you can burn anywhere between 600 to 1000 calories. These classes totally wear me out, but I love how I feel afterwards.

Honestly, I hadn't worked out since school has been out (which has been almost a month) until yesterday. My friend Tricia and I decided we would hit up the spin class.... oh my! I only did 30 minutes, and I thought I was going to pass out! Not to mention, I'm pretty sure I pulled a muscle in my leg. Ouch!

So, needless to say, I never should've stopped going in the first place! I've gotta get my tail back to the gym!

Paper Clips

So this past Friday and Saturday I attended a middle school conference in Nashville. There were almost 30 staff members from LFMS that went, so we had a really good time! (And I got to go shopping!)

I learned many new things and did get somewhat of a "boost". The last afternoon was probably the most interesting to me though. In 2004 a documentary came out called "Paper Clips" which is based on a middle school in Whitwell, TN (about 20 minutes northwest of Chattanooga). The students and staff of the school wanted to started a study on the Holocaust to learn about its effects and also learn about diversity.

After several years of having this after school study, a student finally asked.. "What's 6 million?"--since 6 million Jews were killed in the Holocaust. The principal said she had never seen 6 million of anything, which then made them all curious to collect 6 million of something so they could understand it better.

Well... basically, it turns into this unbelievable project where they start collecting paper clips. I can't really tell you it all, because it's too much, and I want you to go rent the DVD.

The producer of the film was one of our speakers, and he told us so much inside info. and really explained how it all happened and began. We then watched the film and were able to ask him questions. I definitely cried.

Of course, the Holocaust is an extremely emotional topic, but also... I was so overwhelmed because I realized that we underestimate what our children are capable of doing. These students were unbelievable and literally, changed the world. Holocaust survivors, newspapers, the national news, and even the president knew about the paper clips project.

I also take a special liking to the film because it was so close to home, and those children are as country as a shoe! So-I can definitely relate based on my precious angels I teach!

Go rent PAPER CLIPS!

Trip to Nashvegas

So, I know you all are so jealous that you can't attend this Middle School conference with me this weekend in Nashville---I am sure you are dying to take 2 days to go learn about our precious little emotional adolescents! HA!

Tomorrow morning about 30 teachers from my school are heading to the annual TAMS (Tennessee Association for Middle Schools) Conference in Nashville. I am kind of excited because there are sessions all day long, and a lot of motivational tools. Us teachers need new ideas and some excitement to keep us going! Hopefully, I can really learn some new things to implement into my classroom this year. I'll let you know what I discover when I return...

Tennessee Ten Vacation!

We have been created to have relationships with people. It's the purpose of the church and the accountability within, and it's also healthy for our hearts, minds, and souls.

I have an unbelievable relationship with 9 other girls... the "Tennessee Ten". (Yes, I do have MANY other close friends who are dear to me!) There are ten of us, and we all met in the great state of Tennessee (at Lee, and all in DZT to be exact), thus the name.

I can't explain how this dynamic works but it's about as perfect as can be. We are all VERY different and live very far from each other. We live in TN, SC, VA, DC, DE, and MN. We primarily communicate via e-mail and stay up on each other's lives almost daily. It is truly a pure blessing from the Lord.

WELL-we had our 2nd annual vacation in Elkton, Maryland at the Sedgwick's river house. It was fabulous fun! In attendance were as follows:
Cameron and Brad Sedgwick
Paula and Adam Richwine
Shawn and Adam Reuss
Hannah and Brandon Baldwin
Jessica and Tim Mancari
Lisa Turner
Katie Dietz
and ME!

Haha... the dear spouses are such good sports, and have learned to love each other too!

We played on river toys all day! Sail boats, ski boats, jet skis, went tubing, skiing, knee boarding, and even "surfing"-well kind of! We ate good food and laughed A TON! We shared loads of old DZT and Lee memories and laughed at ourselves continuously.

I feel such comfort in this group because we all know exactly who each other is, and we don't ask that anyone change and try to be something they're not. I'm not saying that we have all gotten along perfectly all the time, but we have learned how to deal with it and move on because the ten is just too great!

Rollercoaster

Well, the past week has been full of all kinds of emotions-good and bad. I just returned from vacation (which was great!), but I was also still dealing with the loss of Tyler Carver.

I realize I didn't write much last week, but I was really overcome with grief and still am. I feel very ignorant in how to deal with such a painful and tragic loss so I wasn't quite sure what to do.

I, personally, have been deeply impacted by this 16 year old's life when I saw what a mature man of God he already had become. Tyler's viewing was overwhelming with the unbelievable amount of people who came to show their respects and his funeral was even more amazing. Probably over 2000 people were in attendance to give honor to such a wonderful kid. A former teacher/coach, aunt, and best friend spoke and shared funny and heart-wrenching memories about Tyler. It was encouraging yet terribly painful.

As a teacher, I hated seeing all of those students there with their heads hanging so low in pain and confusion. I hated to see that basketball team and track team having to endure such loss of a fellow teammate. I hated to see 16 year old boys carry the burden of being pall bearers for their best friend.

But, I was amazed and joyous to see the impact Tyler had already made on fellow classmates, teammates, and, even more amazingly, on his teachers. His former track coach said it so well... "as teachers, we are supposed to have an impact on students... but every once in a while, a student impacts us... and Tyler was that kid."

It's such a mix of emotions. If any teenage kid thinks their decisions don't matter and they can't change anybody, they are sadly mistaken. Tyler impacted people by being the steady, friendly, Christ-like young man that everyone needs in their life. My old youth pastor always told us to be "Jesus with skin on"... and that seems to be the perfect description of Tyler.

I hope his parents, Hugh and Nona, know and realize how well they did at raising their son and how he was truly growing and becoming an unbelievable man of God. He learned from the best.

www.tylercarver.org

Fixer

So I admitted several months ago on here, that I'm a blower... well, I have also realized that I'm a fixer.

I want to fix things for people. I want to help them out and improve their lives. I admit-I don't necessarily always feel this for people I don't know that well (which, I know, is selfish), but I so want to get people through that tough time or clue them in on what could help their lives. I think I can be someone's number one cheerleader!

But, I also realize this comes with a huge fault... I desire to be in control. I know I can be a little bit of a control freak, but I am learning to tame it. I want so badly to "fix" others because sometimes I think I know best, and I think my way is the best way, and I think whatever I do can fix it because I want SO BADLY for things to be better for that person. It's truly a humbling experience because I am reminded almost everytime that nothing is within my hands. I have NO true control over anything and I HATE to see that I can't help someone.

Now would be one of those times.

My mother has an unbelievably wonderful job in which she (and actually all of the family) is extra close to the people she works with. We received a phone call last night that her boss's teenage son was killed in a car accident.

I can't fix this.

There are no explanations, nothing that makes anyone feel any better, or any words that can soothe any of this siutation. It's full of "what ifs" and a true sense of anger. Nothing about it makes sense! It's just like trudging through the mud and not being able to fix anything or even get anywhere. This is when we realize how small we really are and how big HE really is. Our lives are but a small blink yet seem so huge and important to us. It doesn't matter how many times we face an extremely tough situation or have to deal with death... the yucky feeling of having no control rears its head to prove itself...yet again. Everytime, I deal with the same frustrations and feelings. It doesn't get any easier the next time. I give it up only because I really can't and shouldn't do it. It's all His.... It's in His control... and actually, in this new lingo, He's the only fixer.

This is all I kept realizing as I was laying in bed last night pondering on everything I could do to fix this. I really had no great revelation as to what to do, but just a reminder that some how our tiny lives work in such a huge plan that we CAN NOT CONTROL. We take what we have and honestly, make the absolute best of it ONLY for Him and ALWAYS for Him in every situation.

Please take a moment and pray for the Carver family, and my mother as she is trying her best to be a strong sense of support.

McCain's Daughter

A few months ago, my friend Jessica sent us gals a link to John McCain's daughter's blog. I haven't written much on here at all about politics etc., so this is a first.

I love reading Meghan McCain's blog because she is around my age, and everything is from her point of view. It shows where she travels with her dad, and allows you to see into their family a little bit. Whether or not you are a John McCain supporter or not, you should check it out. It's very down to earth...

www.mccainblogette.com

Gran and Papaw's House

About 2 hours and 15 minutes north of Cleveland right off I-75 is a little town in Kentucky called Corbin. It's my favorite city. :o) My grandparents have lived here since before I was born and I have more memories here than almost anywhere.

It's pretty much paradise for me. They have a rather large house on top of a hill with only 8 other houses. My grandparents live on one end, and my aunt and uncle live on the other end. The view of the mountains is breathtaking and the trees and flowers are gorgeous! We prefer to call it the resort because there are great places to sleep, fabulous home-cooked meals to eat, golf carts to travel on, sweet cars (from my uncle's dealership) to ride around in, a real home theatre to watch movies in, pools to swim in, hot tubs (or hot "pools" as Winston calls them) to relax in, and a small lake to fish in. It's wonderful!

I admit I'm pretty spoiled to this place because pretty much everything we need is here. And... if you wanna head to the other end of the street, just hop on the golf cart and go. We have all learned to drive up here and have suffered some serious injuries as well, but I'm so glad my nephews and niece are getting to experience "granny and papaw's house on the hill" just like we all have.

Lucky me

Since I am one of the few single gals left within most of my close girlfriend circles, I have the joy of watching and learning from their marriages and parenting. I am truly taking it as a blessing, because I am getting so many great examples! Of course, the family I watch the most is my sister's but then I have multiple girlfriends who are raising their first child and it is so interesting to see how different they all are and how they look at being a mother. Today, I was at the pool with 3 moms (all kids different ages) and I love scoping out how they handle situations. I know I will never really know until I have my own, but I am taking these siutations in as teachable moments. So thank you to all of you friends/mothers that are doing such a fantastic job in raising your children! I feel very blessed to be able to watch these little kiddos grow.

Hair Cut etc.

So I chopped my hair off! Sorry I don't have a pic, but I'm waiting until I can really get a good style down before I expose myself on here. I haven't gotten too many rave reviews on it, so if you see me out and about, just tell me you like it anyway. I was waiting until after Sarah's wedding. It's not SO short, but it IS short for Abs here-who is used to having very long hair.

This is my first full week of summer vaca and it's been nice... I am almost completely moved out of the house, and it's definitely no fun moving all this stuff by car loads little by little. Boo. But, Katie and I went and bought house stuff tonight-it's going to be so cute! Come visit us!!!

It's come and gone

I think I am somewhat feeling what it's like to have post-wedding let down! Ahhh! All THAT work for a few hours?! At least I can be prepared for my own wedding.

My sister got married Saturday, and it was absolutely fabulous! My oldest sister, Rachel, poured her energy into this wedding and it was gorgeous. This eases me knowing when I get married, I will have both wedded sisters to help me out. :o) I could write for days about everything that went on but I'll just give a few highlights and photos.

Top 20 Wedding Highlights:

1. Going to eat at the Grove Park and then seeing all the unbelievably expensive cars there! (there was some type of show or something going on)

2. Going to eat at the Grove Park and having Philip Fulmer's wife and daughters sit right beside us!

3. Alex's parents-Eva and Enzo.

4. Harper pooping all over her pretty dress at the rehearsal... and causing a small delay! How can you get mad at a 5 month old though?

5. Sarah losing her engagement ring in the car for about 10 minutes. Lots of people were looking... it was found. :o)

6. Alex's groomsmen...

7. Limones-the rehearsal dinner restaurant. AWESOME food!

8. My bridesmaid gift-awesome purses you can design online! http://www.1154lillstudio.com/

9. Sarah waking up somewhat cranky on her wedding day.

10. Getting semi-lost in downtown Asheville trying to get to the wedding site with Rachel driving who doesn't necessarily have a sense of direction. All ended well though...

11. My granny telling my papaw on the phone what to wear... truly a priceless conversation!

12. Winston Jay not being happy about the ascot around his neck.

13. Walking down the mountain in the processional.

14. Alex smiling the whole time during the ceremony. I loved it!

15. Reception food, favors, candy jars, etc.!!!! It was great!

16. and of course... the dancing! especially the girl who clogged to good 'ole Rocky Top.

17. Edward dancing like a mad man at the reception.

18. Enzo saying in his toast how Alex was born in Morocco but he really "came from" Spain... get it?

19. My mom's hot dress!

20. Being so happy it went well!