"Children Learn What They Live"

If a child lives with CRITICISM, he learns to CONDEMN. If a child lives with HOSTILITY, he learns to FIGHT. If a child lives with RIDICULE, he learns to be SHY. If a child lives with SHAME, he learns to FEEL GUILTY. If a child lives with ENCOURAGEMENT, he learns to be CONFIDENT. If a child lives with PRAISE, he learns to APPRECIATE. If a child lives with FAIRNESS, he learns JUSTICE. If a child lives with SECURITY, he learns to have FAITH. If a child lives with APPROVAL, he learns to LIKE HIMSELF. if a child lives with ACCEPTANCE and FRIENDSHIP, he learns to find LOVE in the world.

--just a handout we got in class last night, and I thought it was so insightful for having kids and working with kids. Take what you want from it, but just know as parents and educators we have a huge impact our our young ones! --

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!!!

Yesterday was my dad's birthday. My dad is my hero. Plain as that. This man is absolutely amazing. He has always put his family first. I can call him at anytime during the day and he will answer (most of the time). If he is a meeting, he'll leave and answer my call. I am so sad that I missed the family dinner for him. My dad is the most wonderful husband, father, friend, and grampie. He was always supported me and has been so encouraging throughout my move to Idaho. I love you dad and hope you had a great birthday! I miss you!!!!

In my opinion, dad deserves this award every year for the hours he devotes to his school and students!

He LOVES doing bills and Sophie used to love getting up there and laying on them!

We love getting him gifts to see if we can get a tear or not! He loves his hockey jerseys!

Dad's Favorite Bi**h! He loves to make out with Lilly! Babbbeeeeee

We went on a family backpacking trip in the summer of 2007, and he did SOOOOOO much to prepare for it, maybe too much. But it was fun to see him relax, puff on his pipe, and catch some fish.

Happy Birthday Daddy!!

The most wonderful dream...

I took a nap today, which is something I rarely get a chance to do. The first dream I had was a disgusting one about being on the skanky show Rock of Love. I actually made out with Brett Michaels in my dream. I remember even gagging as we were kissing because I knew how disgusting and disease infected girls he kissed from the other two Rock Of Love shows. This was NOT my wonderful dream. Here it was:

I was in our old bonus room in Gig Harbor. Dillbeck (Joe's best friend) was playing Wii with a girl we play soccer with named Emily. I decided to play Sonic the Hedgehog on the Sega (mind you we never had these things growing up, but all of a sudden my house was equipment with every video game device).

As I am setting it up, Avery comes up behind me in her green sleeper. I look at her and go "Hi" she then goes "Hiee" (Avery voice). I said, "Can Auntie have some kisses"? She then gives me 4 good kisses on my face. I start to laugh which makes her laugh, which makes me laugh harder because I LOVE hearing her laugh. I lay her on her back and she looks up at me and says clearer than crystal "I love you". Of course I started bawling (I am starting to tear up now thinking about it) and hold her tight to me. That was the most wonderful dream.

Things have been busy lately. I have started a new class and I spend the majority of my free time reading. I have class on Saturday and then again on Tuesday with the same amount of reading we usually read once a week. Other then that things are going well.

I have been extremely homesick lately. My whole family is celebrating my dad's birthday today, and I can' be there. I just miss you all SO much.

Certain things I have been praying about lately that I would appreciate you all praying for: Tiffany's masTITis, Avery's sickness, Jackson's RSV, and now Kory's cold. My roommate's Grandpa is pretty sick with brain cancer. All of my roommates are sick BUT ME, so healing for them and NO sickness for me.

Lent starts next Wednesday. In the wake of me recently turning 24, I am sick of the way I eat and the way my body looks. So, I am going to give up ALL sweets, ice cream, and junk food for 40 days. I am hoping that this helps me start a habit of liking the way I feel when I don't eat that crap and workout and to not continue to do it. I am not catholic, Nazarene, or any particular religion that practices lent, but I thought I should do it anyways. I was going to give up alcohol, but sometimes its so nice to unwind with a glass of wine after a long day!

Hope everyone is well!

Whoop Whoop one year!

Yesterday marked the one year anniversary of my knee surgery, sounds super dramatic huh, NOT!! But I am proud of the improvement I have made in the last year. I am skiing again, playing soccer, and running. The first couple weeks of February lats year were full of pain, pain meds. (yummy), and a foot long... well ask my family about that! Here are a couple pictures of my knee before, a couple days after, and a year later!

The day of my surgery

I should have worn this outfit to prom

About a week after surgery, my leg was so deformed

Ting much?!

Here is it, one year later

PS-- sorry this is such a disgusting post, knees really are pretty unattractive, especially mine