New Year Intentions

Most people make New Year's Resolutions or goals every year. Many studies out there will say that most people quit or give up on those goals by February. 

When I was younger, I would make up some goal just to have one every year. I think those goals were things like color pictures for family members, learn to like coffee, take the dog for walks more, etc. As I got a little older, my goals became more serious about my health with plans to work out or eat better maybe be on my phone less. These goals never really stuck though. 

These last couple I've looked at New Year's Resolutions a little differently. I don't think making resolutions or goals for the year are bad, I'm just really bad at making and keeping them! So instead, the last couple years I made generalizations for how I wanted to live my life. 

I instead wanted to do less of certain things and more of others. It wasn't a strict policy or program I made for myself in which I would automatically feel guilty and then want to quit my goals altogether. I simply wanted to be more intentional about what I did with my time. I knew I didn't want to be on my phone as much or eat desserts every night of the week. I knew I didn't want to go three months and realize I never called or texted anyone in my family (besides my parents). I knew I wanted to be more intentional in my devotions, health, and truly taking advantage of my time with loved ones. 

As I reflect on the last year, I'd say I did okay with this intention! Finishing up school and moving to a new state definitely made me very busy and I didn't always do my best in working out or eating healthy. But I would say I didn't get down on myself for having the occasional indulgence either! I know I can do better in the "more" category. Talking to family is very important and now that school is practically over I don't have an excuse not to call my family more!  

Knowing that college is officially done in January, I am trying to be more intentional in making plans for myself. I do not to fill up my usual homework time with Netflix. I know I will have free time and I want to use that time more wisely. I want to fill that time with things I never had time for before like writing letters, calling family, playing board games, drinking tea, scrapbooking, working out, baking, and more. I always loved these things as kids and before college and the homework I could easily make time for them. 

I hope that in this next year I can joyfully participate in these activities and even learn new things like knitting, sewing, and trying new recipes! I hope that I can participate less in junk food, being ungrateful, absent-mindedly sitting on my phone, only half listening to conversations and more. Obviously, there will be a balance to my less/more philosophy! I can't be perfect all the time and sometimes I do just want to sit on the couch and do nothing, but I hope to fully take advantage of the life God has given me and explore more and fully appreciate all of life's blessings. 

It's a Wonderful Life

This year's Christmas was a little extra special

I am currently student teaching at a wonderful school where we can openly discuss and teach about the birth the Jesus. It felt great to be able to see my parents a week after graduation and spend more than two days with them over Christmas. Plus I was able to bring Josh home and we could share in some of my family's traditions! We spent time with family and relaxed (maybe too much!).

Let me share with you some of our family's traditions: 

• Movies: It's a Wonderful Life is watched every Christmas Eve. I watch White Christmas at least twice and sing along and can probably quote the whole thing. Mom normally has Christmas Carol on starting December 1st until the New Year. We always squeeze in [the old] Miracle on 34th Street. Josh's family always watches a Christmas Story, so I guess I need to fit that in now too!

• Presents: We always open presents on Christmas morning. Ever since I was little, I had to make a pact with my parents that I would not wake them up before 7. So basically every year, I wake up starting at 4 and then every hour until I think it's an acceptable time. To stretch out waking them up - I'll start the cinnamon rolls and coffee! **And yes even though I'm now 22 the same pact gets made every year and this Christmas Eve I got a total of 6 hours of sleep.** We always open our stockings after the dogs get to open their gifts. We open our stockings slowly and enjoy all the little treasures of candy, gift cards, soaps, and more. Then I get to play "Santa's elf" and pass out all the gifts under the tree to the people they belong to. And then it's basically a free for all to see who can make the biggest wrapping paper mess while Dad slowly reads each gift very carefully and tries to preserve the wrapping paper. While Dad continues to unwrap gifts, Mom and I are showing off what we got, getting a second cup of coffee, trying on our new clothes, playing with dogs and finally Dad finishes. 

• Christmas Day: Christmas Day is usually shared with my grandparents. We open presents in the morning and lounge in our pajamas for a few hours before finally deciding to clean up and go get them. We have plenty of appetizers out while mom gets the grandparents. Once they arrive they open their gifts while the dogs are so psyched to have more people over. Normally there are Christmas movies on or maybe a new movie someone opened. My sister may join us if she is in town and then there is a big family dinner complete with pie. And for added effect, we all just stay in our new pajamas and slippers for the whole day. 

• Christmas Eve: On Christmas Eve, we always attend our church's service. A few times we went to two services because both services are great, but then it slowly became just one. We have attended the early and late service and we equally love both. We always loved the late service because it was more intimate and quiet. We also love the early service because then we get to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! These church services are apart of who we are and we won't miss it!

What made this year extra special? 

At the beginning of this post, I already hinted at a few thing that made this year a little extra special and I want to tell you more about them. 

I didn't go home for Thanksgiving this year (which I was totally okay with!) but it is always different learning about another family's traditions. I love spending Christmas at home and so I was very thankful to share Christmas with my future husband and family. I loved getting to see my grandparents, visit with friends, see my nephews who are now taller than me and laugh with family. It was fun explaining and sharing what our traditions are and deciding what we want our future traditions to be. I'm glad I was able to spend more time with my parents considering I'll soon have a grown-up job and won't always get to come home! I got to feel like a kid again and enjoy Christmas like I always have. 

Christmas was also special this year because of the school I am currently student teaching at. As you know, I am going to school for Lutheran education and this placement is a Lutheran school. Watching my students and the whole school recites Luke 2 (the birth account of Jesus) brought tears to my eyes. They did a wonderful job at sharing the birth of Jesus. They were so excited to sing Christmas hymns and genuinely wanted to share the story of Jesus with others. I had many students tell me that they wanted to share the love and story of Jesus with their other friends, family, and neighbors. They were so excited for the Christmas season because they know that Jesus is born and He will (and did) save His people from their sins. There is nothing more powerful than understanding this message and see your students understand this message - and then actually want to share it with others! 

There's nothing quite like fully appreciating what God has done for you all over again and seeing others proclaiming the good news. There's nothing quite like sharing this joy with family while you spend time together. Christmas always holds a special place in my heart and I am so glad this year was a little extra special ❤ 

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2

It's Graduation Day

When I woke up it was almost like Christmas (which isn't too far around the corner!) when I realized that today it the today I get to walk across the stage. 

I graduated with two degrees in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education with a specialization in Lutheran education. My program took 4 and 1/2 years and technically I have to finish up a couple more weeks of students teaching before the university will call it official! 

I wasn't sure how I'd feel going into graduation knowing I still had to "finish" up my program requirements. It didn't really hit me until the day before when my parents got on the road and I was excited to share the moment with so many people close to me. 

The day came and I was ready!! 

Because I am a Lutheran education major and I attended a Lutheran university, I attended baccalaureate. Only a handful of the people graduating attended this additional ceremony. I found myself tearing up through the whole thing as we all stood together singing, praying, and sharing where we will be heading next after graduation. I have not received an official call yet (which most December grads do not) but I was able to share that I will be staying at my current student teaching placement until June as a long-term substitute.

It was crazy when during the sermon, the pastor asked the graduates to stand and look at all the people behind them. These people included staff/faculty, parents, friends, and more. I could see my parents, fiance, and best friend. I almost broke down right there thinking about the support they (and everyone) gave and how far I've come in these last few years. 

Then it was time for the ceremony and I knew there'd be no tears. At this point, it was just excitement and I had already felt my emotional moment. I walked across the stage and it felt unreal. It was two seconds of glory but it felt wonderful.

I knew God gave me the strength to finish my years of schooling and as equipped and will continue to equip me for my future classroom. It was only because of Him that I was able to make it through school and follow His calling. 

Joy Journal: What would you do if you found/given $10?

I recently attended a special education teacher's conference. It felt amazing to be considered a teacher (even though I'm a week away from graduation) and be taken seriously as a real professional. There were many great ideas and it was awesome to share the experience with some fellow peers and colleagues.

In one of the breakout sessions, we discussed how to encourage students to write. The speaker talked about how important it is for you to write if you want and expect your students to write. I would not consider myself a writer, but sometimes I like to think that I'm super creative and could write a book. Occasionally, I will journal and write a few blog posts but generally, I'm not the person mapping out stories and character developments while at a coffee shop!

I really loved one idea the speaker shared. She discussed how important it is for students, especially young ones, to practice writing without feeling any pressure by getting to write about whatever they want and not getting graded or checking for grammar and spelling. She said as little as five minutes a day can improve students' ability to write and become writers. They are encouraged to write about whatever as long as they get it down. She called it their Joy Journal and we were able to practice our own writing and got a few minutes to write in our own journal. Below is what I thought while we were there!

Joy Journal 

Have you ever found $10 in your coat pocket or an old card that you totally forgot about? There have definitely been times where I came across an extra $10 or get gifted $10 in a holiday card from an unsuspecting person. My first reaction is joy and then maybe some embarrassment from the childish reaction. I immediately want to go shop and spend it all! I think of where I could go and what I could want. There are normally two options for me. I could either go to the dollar section at Target to get several items and get the biggest bang for my buck of going or go buy a new outfit that's a little more expensive. Then there's always a silent third option like going and getting gas for m car or saving it in hopes of getting another $1 unsuspectingly but we don't need to talk about that option. 

I love the feeling of getting a random $10. It's like being a kid again and mom saying I get to pick out one thing from the store. I budget (or at least try to) and this is $10 I don't have to account for. I don't need to feel guilty for spending $10 I didn't already have. I can go get something and treat myself. Maybe I can get something I already had my eye on or maybe get a treat from Starbucks. Maybe it'll be the one time I really needed to fill up my tank of gas and wasn't sure where the money would come from. Most likely I would go buy a book that I would never spend full-price on or go to Goodwill and get a handful of books! The opportunities are endless!

My question for you is: What would you do if you found or were given $10? 

I hope to continue the practice of joy journaling through my blog. It is fun to switch gears for a moment and write something a little less serious and also give you more of a glimpse into what I am like. I don't always need to document my life and sometimes it is fun thinking and writing about something without fear of judgment. Join me in the practice of joy journaling or by giving me ideas on what to write next! 

You're the Droid I've Been Looking for

I have mentioned my boyfriend in previous posts and I am excited to announce that we are officially

ENGAGED!

Let me tell you a little bit about Josh and our story

Josh: He is a few years older than me and is out of school. He has a full-time grown-up job with benefits and insurance. He is one of the biggest nerds I know loving Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and all things Marvel. He knows a ton of dinosaur names and random facts. Josh can even tell you some Latin names of animals if you go to the zoo with him. He is an uncle and loves his nephews. He will actually play with them and try to teach them ridiculous facts. There is a large family and he absolutely loves being and helping out with them. Josh loves Jesus and helps out at church all the time with teaching Sunday school, ushering, counting money, and more. 

I can honestly say that he is my best friend as well as my significant other. We can play board games one night, see a game another, shop all day, go for walks or workout together, take a day trip to Chicago, road trip together, worship together and more. I always wanted a guy who I could do everything with: sit at home, go on trips, spend time with family and friends, and serve God and others.

I have had a list of nonnegotiables for my future husband since freshmen year of college. It became exactly what I looked for in the guys that I dated. Sometimes I knew someone didn't meet something on my list but dated them anyway - and shocker that's exactly why things didn't work out later. When Josh and I met, I asked the hard questions to get down to it right away. We both took our first few dates seriously so see if we would be able to have a relationship. He met all of the things on my list and more. He met all of the things I dreamed about as a girl and talked about at sleepovers. 

Josh and I met in a very unexpected way. I normally go to bed incredibly early and one Friday night I could not sleep. It was almost midnight and my roommates were already asleep and I could tell I was going to be up for a while. For fun, I decided to make a profile on a dating app just for fun. I figured what could happen?! I'll talk to some people while I can't fall asleep and it'll keep be occupied through the weekend and then I can delete it - no big deal. 

Well, I made my profile and started talking to some guys. I saw Josh's profile picture and checked out his page. He ended up messaging me and we talked for a little bit! Out of all the guys, we actually held a real conversation. Come Monday, we were still talking and I looked forward to having notifications whenever I logged back into the site. A week goes by and I realized we were still talking! I hadn't really planned on that and I could tell something was different about him (and I hadn't talked to other guys using the app for a few days). I took the plunge and just gave him my number to make things easier. 

Eventually, Josh asked if we would ever be able to really meet out on a date. I didn't know what to say considering I was only planning to keep the app for a few days until I wasn't bored anymore. Did I really want to go on a date with someone that I met through an app? 

Josh was very gracious and said he would wait as long as necessary since I told him my worries. He had conversations over the phone and had a few video chats...so I definitely knew he was real! We ended up talking for about a month before we went on our first date! 

On our first date, we went out for coffee (in a very public place and I had a friend on call just in case!) and to talk. We talked until the coffee shop closed and then walked around the shopping district. We walked through the bookstore and had a great conversation. He was such a gentlemen in holding doors open for me and kindly holding my hand. When I said I should probably head home I knew a kiss was coming...and boy was it awkward! We were both nervous, but mostly Josh, and it was one second and then Josh walked off to his own car! I drove back to campus and thought could I really date someone who gets so nervous and barely wants to kiss me?! 

When we met for our second date at a restaurant, Josh walked right up and kissed me directly. I felt like I had been swept off my feet and I couldn't wait for what lay ahead. 

We had a few more dates where we discussed difficult questions and what we wanted for the future and he met all of my friends. I couldn't believe that there was a guy who was willing to have these conversations with me and meet my crazy friends. 

I knew I had to give this a try...and well the rest is history! 

Josh and I knew we wanted to get married. He will tell you he knew right away. I will tell you I knew when Josh willingly wanted to do devotions together as a couple (and we actually started them). After this, I realized I had never felt so much love in a relationship. Someone was putting in the same amount of effort I was and showing me love. 

I had started to figure out that a proposal was coming. My mom had started to ask more direct questions so I knew that they must have started to talk about a possible date and blessing. There were things my best friend, Bekah, had said or that Josh said and I knew something was up! I started to get paranoid anytime Josh and I hung out and I was getting upset with myself for trying to figure it out! 

Then one day Josh made a big deal of asking if I wanted to go to dinner in a couple weeks. The way he was talking I figured that had to be when the proposal would be! Then a few days later he asked if I would want to go to the movie Thor. I was so disappointed because I thought that was going to be the night to find out we were going to a movie...I said yes and I was determined to have a fun time regardless. I went into that night and dressed up like usual and tried not to get my hopes up but then...

We were walking towards the restaurant (before the "movie") and then Josh took a turn a different way. I asked, "Isn't the restaurant over there?" and he responded with, "Yes, but I want to take you somewhere else first." I didn't think a whole lot of it until he said, "I want to take you to where we first met" and I realized we were walking towards the coffee shop and tears immediately came to my eyes. He said we weren't actually going to see Thor because he had something else in mind. 

We were coming up to the coffee shop and Josh got down on one knee. He said something like, "I knew pretty much right away" and I was so caught up in emotion that I didn't really hear anything else until "Will you marry me?" I, of course, said yes while crying! I had so many tears in my eyes that I couldn't even focus on the ring until later! 

For the rest of the night, we enjoyed dinner, dessert, and then celebrating with his family. We called lots of family and friends only to hear how much they had been involved and knew the plan! I found out that Josh had the ring since July and had started planning! It was an absolute whirlwind! My best friend and maid of honor even left a little present for me to open once it was official. It was so exciting to see "Future Mrs. Buske" on the card! 

We are enjoying being engaged and starting the wedding planning process, but I cannot wait to marry this man and be his wife. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! 

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
Genesis 2:24

The Joys of edTPA

As many of you know, I am currently student teaching in the Milwaukee area.

Many states have begun requiring edTPA as part of the process to grant teacher candidates their licenses upon or after graduation. 

Here's my journey with edTPA 

I am a dual major in Lutheran Early Childhood and Special Education. This means I am completing the Special Education Handbook, so my story may be a little different because my requirements are a little different.

All of the handbooks have similar formats and tasks in that they cover:

                 Planning

                 Instruction and 
                 Assessment

Each of those tasks has additional parts that may include work sample, baseline data, video clips, assessments and more.

My university was very gracious and we went over rubrics and the handbooks multiple times before actually completing the "real" edTPA in my student teaching semester. We even did a Mock edTPA during a pre-student teaching clinical to practice the whole process. I highly recommend reading through the handbooks, looking at the templates and rubrics and actually figure out what it is you're doing.

Basically, you are planning a unit of 3-5 lessons, teaching and videotaping yourself, and then analyzing how you and the learner(s) did. 

Throughout this process you are showing that you can support individual learners you have to explain/describe/justify a whole lot. Find some good research and theory that applies to both the content and strategies you want to use in your unit.

For task 1 [planning], you collect baseline data to justify why you are teaching a certain topic and how teaching subtraction (or whatever your topic) is meeting that particular students' needs. Oh and make sure it is in compliance with the IEP. You collect documents that show what types of instructional materials (charts, books, or manipulatives) and assessments you will be using.

For task 2 [instruction], you are videotaping yourself and then analyzing how your teaching went. You may videotape all four lessons, but then you can only actually keep up to 20 minutes worth of your instruction. Choose those clips wisely because the more you can include in those clips the better!

For task 3 [assessment], you are analyzing how your learner did and justifying next steps. Here is where you show completed assessment records and more. You discuss how you gave the learner feedback and they were able to participate directly in the lessons to achieve the unit/learning goal. Then again you are explaining how the learner performed based on what you planned for and what was shown in the clips previously.

When you break it down this way it doesn't seem so scary. All teachers plan, instruct, and then analyze how students do. We become reflective practitioners naturally through the process of teaching. This process is definitely tedious and a lot, but try to think of it as a really long and annoying paper. It should be stuff you're already doing (minus the videotaping)! One big tip I read in my journey was to remember that the scorers are not looking for perfect teaching or even that your student meets the objectives perfectly. They want to see that you can justify everything you're actually doing and respond to that teaching. 

I hope my experience and explanations help you out a little bit and I have compiled a short list of tips that can prove to be helpful! I will be praying for you as you work through this!

edTPA Tips

• Start early

• Keep a flash drive or Google Drive account where you can back up your documents

• Read the Handbooks 

• Actually Read the Handbooks...Especially Understanding Rubric Level Progressions and Making Good Choices 

• Find a partner (in education) who you could peer edit with and could give you feedback

• Find someone you can email your documents just to make sure you don't get an error codes (it would also be great if they could read through just to check grammar and that things generally make sense) 

• Remember the point is not to be perfect! 

Disclaimer: I completed the Special Education Handbook which varies from others. I completed it in 2017 and handbooks sometimes change, so in a couple years the task may require different things. This is a generalized post about what I experienced. 

Meal Planning: For [the teacher's] School Lunches

As you know from my previous blog posts, I have recently started student teaching! Over the summer, I started meal planning and when I knew school was starting, I was so excited to add another level to my meal prep.

Below you will find some meal prep tips and recipes that I have been using to pack my

Teacher School Lunches

TIPS: 

• Plan in bulk

• Think through what you're buying. I normally plan to buy for about two weeks (my record is making it for about a month!) to save a trip to the store. I will typically buy meat in large packages and then section them for meals during the weeks. This makes it easier when I go to check the freezer for what I can make towards the end of that second week - I write on the packages what they should be used for. It takes a lot of the guessing out since I already thought through it all from the very beginning.

• Seasoned Chicken
• I always thought this would be a great idea, so I finally did something about it. I bought a large package of chicken and then used half of it to make up some seasoned chicken ahead of time for wraps or salads. I used two different seasonings to make sure it didn't get too repetitive and then sectioned it into snack bags to easily grab from the freezer and thaw as needed.  With only two chicken breasts, I was able to get 10 bags of chicken ready! 

• Use your leftovers for good
• This seems like a no-brainer, but people sometimes forget about using leftovers to their greatest potential. When making pasta or rice or veggies - add a few more and then you can save hopefully at least one meal's worth for lunch the next day! 

• Freeze your lunch meat 

• I wasn't sure if this would actually work, but it does. Since I'm just buying food for one, lunch meat can be expensive and wasted easily. I'm the type of person who doesn't like to eat sandwiches every day, so I needed to find a way to buy the cheaper lunch meat in bulk and not waste it either. When I buy lunch meat I have learned you can take half of it to freeze and then pull it out once the first half is gone - believe me it works and it's a saver! 

• Overnight Oats Alternative
• I have tried overnight oats a few times and have not really enjoyed it. It's strange eating cold oatmeal and I could never find the right proportions for things. So instead I have been portioning yogurt into containers with frozen fruit. I will get a few containers ready at the beginning of the week and then the fruit is not frozen anymore! Then I will pack oats in a separate container to add in at lunchtime. I am still getting the healthy stuff without the funky texture! 

• Sunday Night Lunch Prep
• Sunday nights have become my lunch meal prep time. I use this time to plan out what I'll eat and even get a few baggies ready. My friend gave me this tip and it really spares me a few more minutes each night because the main packing is already done! (Check out her blog here  http://stepsthroughlife.blogspot.com/) I do not make sandwiches or wraps early (because I do not want them to get soggy and they can be made quickly), but I will get grapes, carrots, salads, and yogurt (sometimes more!) ready to go for the week. This way I can grab and go during the rest of the week! 

Peanut Butter Energy Bites

I add these as a nice side to my lunch or save it for snack time. This is an easy thing to make in bulk, keep in the fridge and pull out as needed.

2 c. Oats

2 c. Peanut Butter
1 c. Chocolate Chips
2 Tbs. Honey 
1 tsp. Cinnamon *optional 

Disclaimer: I use either old-fashioned or quick oats for my energy bites and do not stay close to these measurements. This recipe can probably make enough bites for a week - eating about 3 per day. I typically "eye" my measurements now that I've made the recipe a few times and normally end up adding less peanut butter and more honey. I started adding cinnamon for a little extra flavor and some people add flax seed. 

Taco Bowls
I made up enchiladas one night and used the extra chicken to make taco bowls. Make up some rice, corn, taco meat, etc. and place them in smaller bowls. Freeze a few and then pull them out the night before you want to eat it! This is a special treat because you don't need extra sides also made up and it's filling! Feel free to add in tortilla chips, beans, peppers, cheese, or whatever else you typically add to tacos. 

Happy Meal Planning! 

I hope you enjoyed these tips and feel free to share any more that you have with me! Meal planning is a learning process and sometimes I need new recipes to try out with my lunches! 

What's teaching at a nature preschool like?

My first student teaching placement is such a blessing! 

I am placed at a nature preschool where I am blessed to go outside every day and help plan in an emergent curriculum.

Many people end up student teaching in the spring semester and get to see how the teacher wraps up the end of the school year, but I am fortunate enough to see how teachers start the school year. Who knew how important building students' stamina and teaching rules and procedures are!

I love the opportunity to teach in a Lutheran school. It is an amazing blessing to teach children about what God has done for them. We are fortunate enough to have weekly chapels with the pastor of the congregation and a whole-group Jesus Time between the preschool and childcare rooms. [I'm lucky enough to be teaching everyone!] 

Along with our regular Jesus Time, we also get to spend a lot of time outside. The school grounds are equipped with an outside classroom and many trails to walk through the woods. As an added bonus, the school uses trail cameras to keep track of what wild life is going on around them. There have been videos of hawks, owls, deer, opossums, raccoons and more! 

God created the world! 

The school follows an emergent and integrative style curriculum. There is not an emphasis on letters, numbers, words, math, etc. because it is integrated as the interests of the children emerge. My lesson plans are not scripted out but I plan for what they could possibly want to learn about in every subject area. Everything links together and means more since the students create their own connections. 

It is so rewarding to see the children figuring out patterns, playing with others, challenging themselves outside in risk-taking play, identifying wildlife, coming to me with adorable stories, writing their name and identifying letters, and more.  

 The unit I got to teach during this placement is on Monarch butterflies!

We mostly worked on identifying the stages in the Monarch life cycle. I used a movement activity for the students to act out the stages (and this came in handy for transitions and dismissing students!).  Outside during nature walks, we identified milkweed and then tried to chase the milkweed seeds flying away! We did a progressive art project - the students made caterpillars, a chrysalis, and then a butterfly. I then sent this home in a little "package" so the students could act out the stages with their parents and they could tell their parents everything they have been learning!
Our assessment was then done one-on-one where the students named the four stages when I showed them the pictures in a story on butterflies. Then we used noodles that resembled each stage for them to glue down.

I am saddened that I have to leave this school in just over a week! I have learned so much about how to remain flexible in my lesson planning and how to be creative with my unit. It is amazing to see how the students have been like sponges and soak up all there is to know about Monarchs and I'm excited to say that I have learned just as much alongside them.

Thank you Lord for teaching and challenging me so much! ❤

Check out my latest Pinterest board for the ideas I used to help form the unit! 

Nature Preschool - Monarch Unit

    

My Summer Reading List & Personal Reviews

I got to read so much this summer and I wanted to share some great finds with you! 

One of my favorite stores is Goodwill. I buy so many clothes and books from there because I know they are cheap - I don't feel bad if a pair of jeans start to fall apart because it was less than $4! Getting my library and wardrobe from Goodwill helps me to find things maybe I wouldn't have in a regular store and save a little extra. 

Below you will find a list of books I read throughout the summer and my honest thoughts on each one - they were all finds at Goodwill too!

Radio Girls by Sarah-Jane Stratford
       This book has so much history involved that I just had to get it! It is a story about a young girl who is excited to become a secretary at the newly invented and slowly rising radio company, the BBC. Some of the characters are in fact true persons that helped the BBC be where it is today and it was absolutely fascinating to read about how people were for and against the "newest technology." As the story progresses, you begin to learn about some conspiracy revolving around the company and how this new secretary finds the strength to confront it. The conspiracy/spy part of the story seemed a little rushed and chaotic; however, the little love story twist at the end does make you have to finish! The story left me wanting more, even if I felt parts of the story were jumbled, but the ending was a nice wrap-up.

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
        This was an amazing read! Starting in the 1960s it is interesting to read from the perspective of different characters and lives as the haunting decision of one night changed everyone. A doctor's wife goes into labor and has twins - a boy born healthy and a girl with Down Syndrome. At this time, children with disabilities were always sent away to an institution but the nurse keeps the child and raises her as her own. It was an amazing story that kept me hooked throughout the whole thing and it was so interesting to hear about how both families were affected by the loss/gain of a child. I wish I could have gotten more closure (but that's just me) but I love the way the story wraps up. You should give this story a try and be prepared to be a little sad and want to put the book in the freezer!

The Package Deal: My (not so) Glamorous Transition from Single Gal to Instant Mom 
by Izzy Rose
        I actually bought this book a few years ago and came across it again while moving and I was excited to try reading it. It seemed like it would be a funny little story and it actually was loosely based off of the author's real experience when she got married! It was definitely a funny story that had me locked in really fast. It's written in the first-person and the newly made mom has some funny commentary to being married and full-time mom all at the same time. I read it in a short few days and loved the growth the mom experienced throughout the story. The ending happened way too abruptly and it just wasn't enough for me though! I got so involved and curious that at the culmination I needed more...but it was still pretty funny and I would probably read it again for those funny mom moments.

The Curious Incident of the of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
        As a future special education teacher, I have always been told that this is a great book to read. I had tried reading the book several times before but was never quite ready for it I guess. The book is about a boy with autism who investigates the death of a neighbor's dog. It took an unexpected twist when you read about his parents and what really happened to his mom! It was amazing for me to see how the teachers worked with the boy and how the boy thought and processed. I can read a lot of textbooks and "understand" a disability, but this book truly helped me to better comprehend what autism can be like. It's a pretty easy read (minus the math problems!) so you should give it a try!

The Teahouse Fire by Ellis Avery 
        I have read a few books related to Japanese historical fiction and this book offered a fresh new perspective about a young "foreign" girl who runs away while in Japan. She is taken in by a family even though she looks strange and follows her years as she grows to learn the new language and cultural tea ceremony. At times it was a little confusing and maybe even a little dry, but it was so interesting to learn about a specific tea ceremony and ritual. The beginning and end had the most drama to stay entertained. I often have the complaint that books always end too abruptly because I always want to know what happens even years down the road - this book's epilogue satisfies that curiosity!

Sex Lives of Cannibals by J. Maarten Troost 
       I really just bought this book for the title and I just had to know what in the world it was! It sounded pretty funny - it's about a man and his girlfriend who travel to a tropical island because they are restless and want to work in a country that needs help. They think it'll be this romantic experience, but you read stories about how awful and hard it is! It makes it better that it was based on some true events! Some parts are definitely hilarious but it does turn more into a "documentary" type text, so eventually, the book became drier. It does make you think about a lot though and you might enjoy it.

A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon 
     I didn't even know I had two books by the same author until half way through this one! I wanted another fun read for the summer before I picked up another textbook pretty soon and this seemed like a good fit. It is structured similarly to his other book with short chapters and is also written from multiple perspectives. I, of course, wished there was more closure at the end of the story, but I was left with the feeling that everything turns out okay (even though there was an affair, wedding emergencies, and a father who thinks he's going crazy!).

Teatime for the Firefly by Shona Patel 
      I have had this book on my shelf for years and I'm glad I finally picked it up. I do not know much about the culture and history of India, but this book helps to learn a lot! It was so interesting to learn about a small section of tea culture especially when I drink so much tea. It is amazing to read about a strong woman especially when you learn about her new position and changing roles. I, of course, wanted more closure, in the end, to know that everyone turned out okay, but in the midst of rebellion and war during India's history, it does make the most sense. I would definitely recommend this to anyone that is looking for a book that includes love and adventure.

Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda 
     I decided to read this novel next since I had just read another book about the culture of India - which was a great idea because it helped to understand some of the vocabulary along with the cultural aspects of the story. This book is an amazing read and even brought me to tears a few times. You learn about a family who is unable to conceive and a family who is not able to keep their daughter which is the premise of the story. You follow the biological and adoptive parents as well as the daughter as they learn to understand what family means. You get angry and emotional with each character as the story unfolds over the span of twenty years and it is difficult to put down.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
     I have always had the desire to read this book - maybe because Reese Witherspoon stars in the movie version. So when I finally found it I was really excited to get it!! I had no idea that it follows the memories of a 90-year-old man on the day the circus comes to town - I loved learning about his life and experiences of life working for a circus from working with the animals, unlikely friendships, and an alleged affair. I did not want to put it down and I would definitely recommend this to someone who wants more than a typical love story. *This may have been my favorite find for this summer.

The Dressmaker's Dowry by Meredith Jaeger
     This book has been on my list for a few months (it just came out!), I saw it in a bookstore and loved the description - I was so happy I found it cheaper! I absolutely loved this read and you should definitely give it a read! This book, set in San Francisco,  follows the story of a writer who is attempting to write her master's thesis by writing a novel which isn't working out - she finds an old article of two dressmakers who were murdered. She begins writing on this mystery that over a hundred years old. You also hear the story from the perspective of one of the dressmakers as the journalist is uncovering her story. It was an awesome journey and mystery that is hard to put down!

My shelf is a little crowded! 

What should be next on my list?

I still have a few books on my shelf that are untouched but I have a few of my favorites with me too! Maybe I should start with Austen or Bronte since I love the classics or focus on Paley because then I can see her theories and observations in practice!

11 Easy Crafts to do with the Kiddos you Nanny

DISCLAIMER: I nanny for a family that has two kids: a ten-year-old girl and a thirteen-year-old boy. I did these projects with a ten-year-old but they can easily be done with someone who is a little older or younger. I attached some of the links to articles I read for full instructions and materials. 

They are pretty fun so you should do them too! Some of them still require some adult supervision, but the kids can easily get in and help to put them together! 

HAVE FUN AND ENJOY ❤

1. Baking Soda Art

       This was supposed to be a fun and quick little craft, but it turned into two hours! It was a lot of fun forming and shaping and experimenting with how to make some sea creatures. We had so much mixture that we were able to make a lot. It takes a couple days to dry out, so once it finally dried we painted using watercolors. It was something we decided to do since we had an extra hour plus it struck up a lot of conversation about ocean creatures! Keep the glue handy though because once the creations dry out they can fall apart...

2. Tissue Paper Canvas

      Everyone should do this because it was a lot of fun and surprisingly so cool once it dried! Definitely, do some trial runs to see how the tissue paper color will transfer because some colors work better than others. Layering the tissue paper makes it pretty cool too and you'll love the way it ends up looking. She wrote a quote on top of hers and I drew a city skyline for a little somethin extra! 

3. Sharpie Canvas 

      This is really easy and fun, but be careful with the colors you choose (I recommend not choosing red because once you apply the rubbing alcohol it'll change into a rusty orange). It is a really cool way to experiment with how the colors will run together and how prominent or faded you want the colors. We ended up writing "Beautiful Oops" onto the canvas afterward since it looked a little goofy but then that made everyone like it more! Do some experiments on scrap paper first and try spreading the rubbing alcohol with different sponges or by sprinkling to see what you like best - and then hopefully you avoid any mishaps! 

4. Fluffy Slime

      Join in on the latest craze and make some slime! You can make a lot of variations by adding glitter, color, or different scents for something different. There are so many recipes out there for different kinds of slime and there are minimal ingredients. Have the kids queue up some videos for different kinds and variations - plus there are fun things to do with slime so look it up! You should also do the Blind Folded Slime Challenge - pretend you're making a YouTube Channel video and attempt to make slime while blindfolded!   

5. Baking! 

      We really enjoyed baking this summer. We tried quite a few recipes including cookies, Red Velvet Truffles, and brownies! It's always fun to have a treat around the house and surprise the parent with something nice after they had a long day at work. Make it even more interesting by making a "cooking channel" video for added appeal! 

6. Birthday Cake [for the dog of course!] 

      Definitely, give this a try and your dog will love it! Maybe you might like to take a bite too because everything is edible...basically, it's meatloaf with a peanut butter frosting. It was a fun way to spend some time decorating and learning how to frost flowers! 

7. Tye Dye T-Shirts

       Michael's made it really easy to do tye-dye this summer! They sell kits to make it easy to put together. You can buy a pack of three colors (that come with gloves, rubber bands, and designs) or a larger pack. Obviously, a pack of three is cheaper but it depends on how much color you need or how many you want! Michael's also sells T-shirts right there which made it a one-stop shop. 

8. Summer Scrapbook 

       All summer I took pictures of stuff we did. I took pictures of recipes, crafts, or places we went. From the very beginning of the summer, I told the kids that I would take pictures and keep any tickets, brochures, or bracelets that we collected. Then we would be able to get the pictures printed and put them all together in a little book - I love doing this so I even brought my completed scrapbooks as examples. It's a fun way for the kids to feel independent and get creative with their layout - then you get to use stickers, colors, and go crazy! 

Michael's makes scrapbook kits or individual books and then you can purchase the extra supplies. 

9. Squirt Gun Canvas  

       This was definitely fun on a hot summer day because it got us outside! We weren't planning on keeping the artwork, so there was no pressure for how it would turn out. Plus it was fun experimenting with the different colors and how they would overlap - it was great when a friend came over to join! It helped that we had a small easel we could set up outside to really go crazy - for added challenge have someone be blindfolded while squirting! 

10. DIY Galaxy in a Jar

        This was definitely fun and easy since you have a lot of the materials right in the house. When you need to fill up an hour with something a little more relaxing then do this because the paint does end up looking super cool! We had a couple problems with the colors blending, but then that was an even better combination I think.

11. Fluffy Sidewalk Paint/Chalk 

        We used leftover tye-dye bottles instead of Ziploc bags which made it more fun for squeezing out and controlling the fluffy sidewalk chalk - plus it was a little easier cleanup! It was an awesome day to get outside and it was fun mixing it all together too since shaving cream is oh so much fun! It does wash away and keep for a couple days after mixing, so go have some fun! We recommend adding a little bit of water so that the mixture isn't as thick. 

It's My Last Day Off

...for a long time 

I will be starting student teaching in just over a week. Fortunately, my first few days will be full of orientation at school and then help to set up the first classroom. I can gradually ease into what will probably be the busiest semester of my life and career thus far. 

Earlier this week I had the realization that this is going to be my "last day off." 

True, Josh and I technically have Monday off so we plan to eat junk food and watch all the movies we didn't get a chance to already this summer. I'll have weekends, holiday breaks and a day off for my sister's wedding, but that won't be quite the same as my last day off all by myself without any homework. 

The big celebration started last night complete with a face mask, a fancy dinner for one, a workout, and a nice glass of wine! I have no plan for today other than to eventually do my dishes, eat lunch, and hang up a decoration on our apartment day. Maybe if I really feel productive then I will clean up and maybe start some scrapbook preparations. This evening I'll get to join Josh's family for a big dinner get together....but, for now, the comforts of my bed are very great. 

As I head into this last stage of my college journey I am feeling a lot of different things; excitement, fear of the unknown, God's calling, anxiety, passion, and nervousness. 

Will I have a social life? Did I work enough over the summer to pay all the bills until the end of January? Will I have to make plans to move, change phone plans, find insurance, and more if I find a job someplace else? Will I find a job? What are my options if I can't find a job? When will I get to see my friends? Will I get all the work done? 

The one thing (besides a long hot bath, a cup of tea, and/or a long walk) that seems to calm the feelings of anxiety is that I know God's got me. God has a plan and I do not need to worry. He has the best job lined up for me in the best location. My prayers are and will be answered. I have an amazing support group in my family, friends, old and new church and I can only thank God for who He has given me, but I am grateful I can also turn to Him.

My confirmation verse really sticks out to me during this time, along with a few others,

Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.  ~ 1 Timothy 4:12 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.  ~ Joshua 1:9 

Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.          ~ Ephesians 5:1-2 


My excitement and anxiety ebbs and flows with the coming days. Lots of support from those around me has helped and I am going to take this last day of freedom to

                                                                                      Be Still 
                                                                                                     (Psalm 46:10)
                                 

Da Crib & Where I Live

What does it look like?!

I was always fortunate enough to have amazing roommates in college because they were my best friends! We had a running joke that we should have our own TV show because we were so funny and it could be called "Da Crib." That name has continued on as now I have my own place that I get to share with my boyfriend's sister in the Milwaukee area. 

It has definitely taken a while to get settled since there were more important expenses like kitchen supplies and then furniture. Now that I've been moved in for a couple months it really is starting to feel like home. 

This is my bedroom! I'm not used to the hardwood floors yet, so I had to get a big carpet to keep my feet warm. Courtesy of Goodwill and my hoarding tendencies since I was little, I was able to pull everything together and it matched! I've done lots of art projects over the years and received gifts which brought the room together. I would say this is an old-fashioned style room what with the artwork and eclectic pieces - but really it's just me!

The sunflowers prints I did my freshman year of school and the canvases are my favorite - the canvases are full of personally important Bible passages and meaningful quotes. I love that my room is a concoction of all things that mean so much to me ❤

This is our living room and I absolutely love it - our goal was to have the decor of anything but poor college students. Fortunately, my roommate purchased some of the larger pieces and then we got lucky with Goodwill finds! We're still deciding on which pieces to add to the walls, but I love how much it's come together. The chair is the perfect spot for reading and the couch is a great place to watch some reality TV.



We were so lucky to find an apartment that had a little extra square footage and provided us with a dining room and buffet area. You can't really tell from the pictures but the buffet is filled with books! I love that we have a formal space to entertain when I have friends over for a weekend or if Josh and I are having a more formal dinner on a Typical Monday Night.

The bathroom was the easiest set up in the whole apartment since we basically only had to get a shower curtain! Then luckily an old gift fit in perfectly too. And don't worry because there's a hallway closet that holds a ton of storage for us. I also fashioned a DIY bathtub stopper for those nights you just need to unwind a little!


One of my favorite places in the apartment is the kitchen. The lighting and cupboard storage is great, but it really was complete after my roommate found this breakfast cart. It provides extra prep space when I whip up an elaborate meal, but it's a great place to enjoy morning coffee and a light lunch. Sometimes I'll eat dinner there on my alone nights with a good book.

Well, that's my apartment! It took a while to settle in, especially since I moved in over the course of a month since it was the tail end of the school year. The excitement kept getting postponed since I only moved a couple boxes at a time - and then I didn't even have a real bed my first weekend there! And don't worry I do now!


But now it feels normal to have my room and favorite spots. There are things that I miss about not being home in Michigan, but luckily I have plenty of pictures to remember it all and family is only a phone call away. The city is growing on me and I'm fortunate to live in a walkable neighborhood with adorable shops and church is right down the road. It's strange to think how much I've grown up in these few months living in an apartment and I can only thank God for all that He has blessed me with.

My friend Bekah recently moved into her own apartment, so check out her most recent post to see what hers looks like! 

http://stepsthroughlife.blogspot.com/ 

Friends are the best decorations right?! 

"But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15 

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

My best friends came for a weekend in Milwaukee! 

It was kind of a spontaneous weekend get-together when a few weeks ago one of my friends asked if she could visit for a weekend. So we asked the whole group and everyone was able to come! Then, of course, the planning had to start between days off and traveling, food, and what we were actually doing...and of course no one would actually commit to a decision!   

Let me take some time to introduce my friends and tell you about our amazing weekend ♡

Bekah, Sam & Emma

I explained in a previous post about how I met Bekah, but I met Sam and Emma a little earlier. My freshman year I went to school not knowing anyone so I really tried to embrace the orientation activities. I went to a service event where we basically spent the afternoon weeding at a local nature preserve, but I ended up sitting next to a couple of wonderful people on the bus. I like to say that we got stuck with each other by sitting together. These people ended up becoming some of my best friends and we decided to eat dinner together every night until we felt more comfortable with school and classes. [I remember my freshmen RA telling me that after a couple weeks I would meet my "real friends" once I got more involved with my major and classes....like no way, I had already met my real friends!] Eventually, Bekah started joining us for meals too and the rest is history...We started spending all of our time together and roomed together for the next few years of college. 

I love them all so dearly and I could not be more proud of them as Bekah goes into her first year of teaching, Sam & I finish student teaching together, and Emma finishes up her last year in pharmacy school. They will always be in my prayers and my hearts. 

 

Friday Sam and Bekah came in the afternoon so we spent some time walking around the neighborhood. But don't let me forget to mention that Emma stopped by at 7:30 in the morning to drop off a dessert that needed to be refrigerated...on my day off no less! Eventually, we put the pizzas in the oven because Emma got off work and the evening was set. Our dinner consisted of pizzas, chips, Emma's dessert, watermelon, grapes, lemonade, a little wine...because calories don't count on girls weekend right? We talked a whole lot and it felt just like old times - except this time we ate at a real dining room table rather than the floor at college. Then we finished the evening watching White Chicks and laughed hysterically through it all. 

Saturday we made a plan to go get lunch and then spend the day walking around Milwaukee. But first, we spent lunch at Bayshore and then spent an unplanned hour in the book store [I found several more I need to add to my list]. We made our way down to the North Point Lighthouse and then the beach - it was an absolutely gorgeous day for the 6 weddings we saw and for a lovely walk. We were always nervous to go down to Milwaukee since we didn't know the area, but since I've been living here I finally feel more comfortable and it was wonderful doing a little exploring together. The Riverwalk was also beautiful (especially sexy according to the drunk guy that hit on Emma). Once we went home we ate another million calories that didn't count while cuddling on the couch. I think we racked up several miles which balanced our calorie intake! If you haven't seen Sydney White I highly recommend doing it - because as our go to movie it is still hilarious. The friends you make in college are for life as the movie says ♥ 

Living on my own has been a huge adjustment and moving into the next phase of my life has been a little trying at times. Spending a weekend with my best friends gave me encouragement as I was able to see how much we've grown in the last few years. I miss them already and look forward to our next trips (especially London 2K28). This girls weekend meant so much to me as I got to play hostess, catch up, laugh about silly anxieties, get advice, and more. Thank you girls and thank you God for putting these girls in my life ♡