Santa Came Early This Year

Last weekend we went to Frankenmuth!

My new school threw me a wedding shower!!

Putting up the tree.

 

7 days to go!!

Giving Thanks

22 days to go!!  Ahhh, it's so close!  Things are getting in place and the stress that everyone told us would come in the last month, has not hit yet ;)  It's interesting now trying to figure out Thanksgiving and Christmas plans for two families.  Thankfully most of the things at each house are at different times and we'll be able to make all of them.  Josh and I are planning on going Black Friday shopping for Christmas presents and tires!!  Tires are not exactly the most exciting Black Friday purchase but they are needed...

My school decided to throw a wedding shower!  How nice!  I've only known them for 3 months :)  They are very sweet.

Off to school to make craft turkeys for today :)  Oh, the life of  kindergarten teacher!

Blessing Continue to Shower on us!

Josh and I have now had two wedding showers!  Ah, it's starting to all get so real.  46 more days until I will be married!  We just talked today about how at this time last year, we were meeting, trying to impress each other and praying that God would let us know that this is, "the one."  Now, a year later we are almost married!  The showers have been lots of fun!  Beth planned one and Josh's grandma and aunts planned the other.  I will have to post some pictures of the new decorations and cute things we received.  It's starting to set in!  This is real :)  It's a very exciting time!

The Unfit Couch

Josh and I are starting to move some of his things over to the apartment in order to do it slowly and not all during Christmas Break.  His Grandma wanted us to move the couch and chair over so that her old couch could go in his room.  So, we called over his brother with a truck to help and went down stairs to take out the couch.  They tried that couch every way possible and it would not fit out the door!!  Haha, it turns out that the basement (drywall, door frames, etc.) had been put in after the couch was already in.  They built the basement around the furniture!  Whoops!  So, the couch must stay but we took the chair.  Now we have two chairs in the living room at the apartment and no room for anyone else ;)  Does anyone have an extra couch they are trying to get rid of?

Good

I'm finding I really like five year olds.  They think everything is so fun!  The other day I began a writing lesson with them.  I read them a book and we talked about how the author is the person who writes the words.  I told them that they were all going to be authors!  We chatted about the similarity of all books.  They have more than one page!  With widened eyes and pumped fists, the kids were amazed that they were going to be able to write stories.  I chuckled to myself as I walked around and looked at their "stories."  There were pictures with arms coming out of heads and random letters strewn about the page.  Every so often a kid would proclaim that they were going to need another page.  It was  fun to watch.

Sometimes I get so caught up with the school work that I forget about them just being cute kids!  I'm reminded every morning when I meet the kids at the door and they look to happy to be at school.  This morning, one of my little guys came in and said very seriously, "Miss Hornback, I have something important to show you!"  He whipped out a toy duck that came from a pizza place the night before.  I'd never seen him so excited about anything!  I love kindergarten because I am amazed to see the innocence and true beauty of personalities.  Even with the trouble makers, I still see so much good in these kids, even when I have to look a little harder for it ;)

Starting to Pick up!

This past weekend, my roommate from college got married!  She asked me to sing in her wedding!  Though I was honored, singing/playing guitar in our dorm room was a little bit different than singing/playing guitar in her wedding!  I sure didn't want to ruin the ceremony with a horrible voice crack or sour note on the guitar caused by sweaty hands, haha.  But, I reluctantly agreed and it went very well.  I didn't even get "cotton mouth."  It was fun to reconnect with old college/camp friends and catch up.  Of course I was taking mental notes the whole time because OUR wedding is next!!  Ah, so hard to believe.  This coming weekend is my family wedding shower.  I can't believe things are coming so fast.  December will be here before we know it! :)

I love Kindergarten!

I love Kindergarten!  This is so great!  I haven't even had to take any work home with me each night!  The curriculum is so basic that it allows me to teach these little people how to get along, be respectful and take turns.  They are doing really well.  They are actually a lot more advanced than I thought they would be.  It has been a little difficult for them to remember to sit down in the chair, raise their hands before speaking and to not pee on the playground (hahah!) but for the most part, they are learning quickly.  The students have already shown improvement in writing their names and using letters on their pictures.  It's pretty fun to watch them get so excited about things!

More to come soon!

My new classroom!

This is Josh in his classroom!

 

                                           Sorry I couldn't get them to flip :(

Unexpected Adventure

Well, I'm now a Kindergarten teacher!  I got the call last Friday that my job had been eliminated and that I was being displaced to a new school and new grade!  At first I was shocked and upset.  I didn't know how to teach Kindergarten.  I had just gotten one year of 1st grade under my belt and was excited to try it again.  BUT, apparently God had other plans :)

I'm now at Wegienka Elementary.  It's a really nice school full of friendly and helpful staff.  I have a really nice principal and secretary who have found me all the supplies I need.  I have another kindergarten teacher there who has given me all her lesson plans, packets and templates to make my own!  She's been a huge blessing!  Though I will miss my old school and friends, I think I will be very happy here at the new school!  I feel like this is right where God wants me to be :)  As for teaching kindergarten, I'm excited to be able to teach them how to be little students and get along with others.  I get to be the foundation of their learning.  I get to teach them the basics of letters, sounds and reading.  It will be nice to start fresh!

My theme for the classroom is the jungle!  Josh made me a reading tree, I have vines in the corner, animals and grass around the room.  I will get pictures of it next week when it's all finished! :)

    

 

This morning I am overwhelmed by thankfulness.  I was sitting in my chair drinking my coffee, writing in my journal and doing the usual morning routine, when it hit me.  Last year on this day, July 25, I was frantically looking for a job.  I had looked in three states, attended numerous interviews and applied to over 500 jobs!  As the summer waned, I got more and more frustrated.   At one point I thought I'd be moving to Chicago, Perrysburg, Benton Harbor and St. Johns among others. God had other plans. 

 

I am so thankful to have a job in the increasingly hard education economy.  Teachers talk of lay offs, pink slips and years off of work.  But, God placed (which at times felt like He dumped) me at Erving Elementary, right where I was needed.

 

I am so thankful to have found a wonderful church.  The pastor speaks truth (even when it's hard to hear) and does so in love.  I have a small group, young adult group and a sweet group of friends to fellowship with.

 

I am so thankful to be engaged and planning a wedding!  Recently we got the bridesmaid dresses, did our gift registry and have ordered the save-the-date cards.  Things are moving along smoothly. 

 

With all that said, I'm so thankful to God.  He is so patient with me when I mess up.  He extends unusual amounts of grace and peace even when I don't deserve it.  He is so faithful.  I am so thankful.

Tents

On Saturday, Josh and I went with our young adult church group to serve at a homeless shelter.  This is one of our monthly service projects.  This week was much different.  I started talking to a lady name Patty.  She was concerned because apparently she had her belongs in a safety deposit box at the bank and she owed so much on the box that she thought the bank may have drilled a hole in the box and disposed of her things.  I assumed that she must have some very important things in the box, which to her were!  She had things like sunglasses and such, which to me seem minuscule, but since she only owns what she carries on her back, they are significant. 

We asked her about her life and her living situation.  This shelter is only for meals in the day time.  At night she lives in a tent camp out in the woods.  When I asked her about shelters, she said that they all close for the summer months.  Therefore, camping is her only option.  She explained that she lives with a few other couples in the woods and they all share food.  After asking her a few things, Josh and I discovered that they were in need of some other things.  The biggest problem is mosquitoes.  She said they eat them alive out there!

We'd heard about other "camps" like these that the police break up by slashing the homeless' bike tires and cutting up their tents.  Problem is, there is no where else for these people to go!  She wouldn't tell us the location of the camp because she was probably afraid we would call the police.

Josh, Josh's dad and I went to the store to buy her the things she needed such as, rope, water, bug spray, propane for a little grill, and deodorant.  As we walked out of Meijer to stuff a backpack for her, a man rolled down the window of his car and said, "God bless you guys!"  He continued to look at us out the window, smiling real big!  How did he even know what we were doing?  Why would he chose us to say it to?  I know I might sound crazy, but I think he might have been an angel in disguise, encouraging us to help the poor....Strange thought!

We gave Patty the supplies and she hugged me, thanking us in amazement.  He took us to the corner of the parking lot, where her path to the camp began.    In a narrow opening in the woods, we set down her things.  Hopefully she slept well that night without mosquitoes buzzing around her!  It truly is more blessed to give than receive!

All Wrapped Up

I finished my first year of teaching in the USA!  Whoohooo!  Summer is here :)

I will begin my masters classes on July 1st.  I'm getting pretty excited about that.  Also, I am tutoring one of my students each week of the summer.  Then of course the wedding planning!

My computer died last week, which was a bummer.  On the way back from Waverly this weekend we went to a computer store and Josh and my dad helped me pick out a new computer, similar to my old one.  We chose a refurbished computer (which I now know why it was refurbished!).  It worked great in the store but when I got it home, the mouse pad didn't work!  Ugh...  Thankfully I can return it in Detroit and not have to drive to Ohio.  So, today I spent the day driving to Staples, Office Max, Office Depot and Best Buy, in order to get the best deal.  I got one!  Whew, two computers in two days.  I'm glad to have it ready to go now when my classes start!

I Got My Job Back!

Great news!  Today my principal informed me that I am placed back in my same position for next year!  Another teacher is moving, so I get to stay! :)  I am so excited that I don't have to pack up my room and start fresh at a new school again!  It's so nice to have that off my chest.  Here are a few pictures of my kids working with their 3rd grade reading buddies:

Wedding Dress...check!

This past week was my birthday!!  When I walked out to my car, it was stuffed with balloons, so full that I couldn't even get in!  Haha!

Then at school, Josh surprised me by coming to meet my kids at school to bring cupcakes! :)  They loved it!  The girls said things like, "Miss Hornback, you get to marry him!?  He's so cute!"  They were funny!

Then, I went wedding dress shopping with my mom and bought a wedding dress!  Whoohooo!  The only hints that I can give are that it is white and long.  Not too helpful, I know ;)

Well, only 2 1/2 more weeks.  Yay!  So close to the end!

Importance

Last week Josh's grandfather passed away...  It was a crazy week to say the least.  I went to spend time with his grandpa in the hospital a few late nights last week.  On one of the days, Josh and I were alone with him and got to spend time, talk and sing hymns to calm his spirit.  He was conscious and even joking with us.  Though he was extremely uncomfortable with tubes, wires and machines all hooked up to him, he enjoyed our time together.  It was really special to me.

He asked us, Josh in particular, to not leave.  I suppose like anyone he was afraid to be alone at such a scary time.  He also fought sleep because he wanted to stay awake  as long as possible.  Josh was the perfect grandson and stayed all night long both nights, even when it meant sleeping on the floor or in a hospital chair!

On Friday, we have no doubt that his grandpa went home to be with the Lord!  Josh was able to talk to him the last few months about Jesus and Heaven!  What an opportunity!

This has made me think a bit differently about my students.  It's moments like these, as well as the school shooting earlier in the year, that remind that life is so fragile.  Today could be their last...I cannot let a student leave at the end of the day thinking I'm upset with them.  In the grand scheme of things, a student's tendency to talk a little too much or lean back in his chair is not important.

Getting Close

I was at a conference yesterday afternoon and my mind wandered.  I thought about the beginning of this school year...

In the beginning, I was shocked.  I had no idea what I had gotten myself into!  My class was academically low, many behavior problems, I didn't have many resources, and I had to jump in the day before school started with no plans.  Chaotic is not even the word!

Not a lot has physically changed, but my attitude has!  I have learned so much through prayer, other teachers, and trial and error :)  Even though there are still a ton of behavior problems, I view it a different way now.  I have become so much more patient, consistent, intentional and my days rely on prayer. 

Though it's been a really tough year, I have learned so much and become better for it!  I do really love those kids!

Four more weeks!!

Beginning to Wedding Plan!

On Saturday I went wedding dress shopping for the first time!  I really had no idea what I wanted, so though I didn't find "the dress" it was nice to just get an idea of the style and what I like!  I will probably go again this weekend :)  Did you know it takes about 6 months to get a wedding dress!  They have calendars and everything to let you know how long it takes to order and do alterations.  Woah...

Then my mom, Josh and I went to look at reception halls.  We looked at three near us.  Two were pretty good, but we're going to look around some more.  Most checklists are telling us that things should have been planned 12 months ahead....well, we only have 7.  Our date is December 14 :)  I have always had a dream of a Christmas wedding!  We're a little overwhelmed but are so far not stressed.  It's a fun process!

I'm engaged!!

My dream came true yesterday!  Josh Andrews asked me to marry him!!!

He is a co-leader for our young adult group at church.   The group's name is Engage.  Because we had met through this group, he wanted them to be involved in the engagement.  Soooo, he planned an event based on the show Amazing Race, except called it The Engaging Race (yes, I completely missed the pun!) 

All week he had been working on the event stuff and frankly I was frustrated because we weren't getting a whole lot of time together.  Thinking back on it, I was kind of a pain, hah!  It turns out all the planning and time was for me!  Boy did I feel bad!

So, all five cars started off the road rally, matching group t-shirts and all.  We found clues that led us to our next destinations, all of which happened to be dates Josh has taken me on.  Once again I was clueless, even though all of the other cars had figured out what was going on!

The last clue led us back to the church, to find these puzzle pieces and fit them onto this huge board.  After the points had all been tallied up, they flipped the board over and on the other side were pictures of him and I and a poem he had written for me!  The last line asked me to marry him!

Unfortunately, I am a slow reader and was only half way through the poem when everyone else started gasping!  I didn't even finish reading it (the part that asked me to marry him!) and in shock looked over and there he was on his knee!  He'd faked it a couple times before as a joke, but this time there was a ring!!

The ring is beautiful, simple and elegant, exactly what I wanted.  He did such an awesome job planning all this and I truly had no clue!  I am so lucky to be engaged to someone who is so thoughtful.  Ahhhhhh, so exciting!  He is perfect for me and I've never been more excited! :D

Anger

I've been dealing with a lot of angry kids lately.  I'm not sure why this has become an issue in the last couple of months.  I have a few students who have been getting so angry lately that they go into a rage.  It's frustrating because it seems like nothing I can do is helping.  Once these students make one bad choice in the morning, they dwell on it the rest of the day and it just snowballs into more bad choices.  I've been trying to teach these kids more appropriate ways to handle their anger.  We have classroom discussions about it all the time and I even read children's books about the topic.  Nothing seems to be getting through to these few.  It's not fair to the other students because I am spending more time on managing behavior than teaching... :(  Hopefully this week will be better.  Please pray for peace and patience in my classroom.  Eight more weeks!

Odds and Ends

Today, I went with Josh to a Special Olympics swim meet!  It was really interesting to watch the athletes compete and enjoy the races.  Josh was timing some of the races.

Tonight I am doing some of my favorite things.  Long bath, reading and journaling.  These are things that usually have to wait until the weekend.  Ahh, so relaxing.

I have been watching the news about North Korea.  I was concerned because I still have a lot of friends over there.  I've talked to a few of them, and it sounds like once again America seems to be making a bigger deal out of it than the South Koreans are.  It's pretty amazing to me that they don't seem to get worried when threats of war are in the air...

One of my students came to school the other day really angry.  When we were all sitting on the floor, I asked him why he was so upset.  He said, "I'm just so angry because my microwave broke!!"  Haha, what a funny thing for a six year old to be mad about! :)

Uncertainty

Well, spring break is over and only 10 weeks to go!  Not much longer now.  I can't believe it is almost the end of my first year teaching here.

Unfortunately on my first day back, the HR guy sent an email to tell me that my position is being eliminated!  There aren't enough kids to keep all the teachers at my school and since I am the last hired, I will be bumped to another school/grade.  Ugh, how frustrating!  BUT, who knows what God has in store for me?  My flexibility and trust have certainly been tested this year.  He's never failed me yet!

Asia Bibi

On Saturday, I went to my church's women's brunch and they reminded me of the persecution of Christians going on around the world.  I encourage you to pray for this woman:

"Asia Bibi, a 37-year-old Pakistani woman from the village of Ittanwali, was arrested by police on Friday, June 19, 2009. Asia (also called Asia Noreen) is the wife of 50-year-old Ashiq Masih, and their family is one of only three Christian families in a village of 1,500 families.


On Friday, June 19, there was an intense discussion among the women about their faith. The Muslim women told Asia about Islam. Asia responded by telling them about her faith in Christ. Asia told the Muslim women Christ had died on the cross for sins, then asked them what Mohammad had done for them, according to VOM sources. She told them Jesus is alive, but Mohammad is dead. “Our Christ is the true prophet of God,” she reportedly told them, “and yours is not true.”
Upon hearing this, the Muslim women became angry and began to beat Asia. Then some men took her and locked her in a room. They announced from the mosque loudspeakers that she would be punished by having her face blackened and being paraded through the village on a donkey.   Asia’s conviction and death sentence have brought international attention to the country’s blasphemy laws. Christians have called for Asia’s release and for a repeal of the laws, while extremists in Pakistan continue to demand that she be executed.
The Voice of the Martyrs urges Christians around the world to pray for Asia Bibi and her family." 
-persecution.com

Compassion

After my students get unpacked and do their "morning work," they sit down on the carpet and I have a few people share something.  Of course, they all raise their hands, thinking what they have to say is so much more important that what everyone else has to say.  I'm pretty sure that they're not even listening to their friends because they are so focused on waving their arm so that I can see THEIR hand.  This is sometimes accompanied by a scrunching of the face and an occassional "ooo oooo." Haha!

Yesterday, I could tell that a few of the students looked like they were in a bad mood, so I asked them how they were feeling.  After a few answered, one asked me.  "Miss Hornback, how are you feeling today?"  I said, "Well, actually I'm a little sad.  My friend Josh's grandpa is in the hospital and he has a big surgery today.  He has a "broken" heart and they are trying to fix it so he will be healthy again."  After a little more explanation, I looked over and saw Bailey, hunched over, shoulders shaking, with her hand over her mouth.  I thought I must have missed something.  Maybe someone said something mean to her...

"Bailey, what's wrong?"  She said in between sobs, "It's just so sad!!"  Then the tears started falling...

My first reaction was to laugh (don't worry I didn't!).  How funny that she was so sad because she knew I was sad.  I brought her over and hugged her, thanking her for being sad with me.  She was so sweet.  In the mean time, the rest of the class was looking very confused, giggling.  :) 

It's just so foreign to us that someone would actually share in our burdens.  Who would have thought a 6 year old would teach me a lesson on compassion!

New Car!!

This week I finally bought a car!  I had saved up and have been waiting for the right car and the right price since I came back last March.  I love the car and the color :)  God is faithful!

6th Row!

 

Josh and I have a couple in our small group who invited us to go to the Detroit Pistons game with them!  Turns out Steve, the guy we went with, used to intern at the Palace of Auburn Hills and has connections!  6th row tickets!  It was a pretty bad game (lost by 20 points) but man did we have fun!  So cool to be that close!

This week I'm going to a three day training for school about an hour away.  I hope it's fun because three days is a long time!  Pray for good weather while I'm driving :)

The Joy of Hyperventilating :)

As with many of my students, I have a few that really test me when it comes to their behavior.  I am convinved that this boy in particular is not trying to do anything wrong.  He just can't help but be squirmy and off task. 

The last month or so I've given out a "best behavior trophy" every day to one student who was trying hard all day long.  Yes........I know that sounds dumb, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do! :)  Some students have gotten it twice already and some students haven't gotten it at all.  It just depends on the behavior they choose.

The coolest part is, yesterday, this one boy was great all day long!  More than great!  When I decided to give him the trophy, I didn't even have to "fudge" the truth!  He earned it all by himself.  He knew that he'd had such a great day and was so proud of himself.  I started walking around the room, giving clues as to who would get the trophy.  As I walked near him, he looked all around him just to make sure I was truly coming to his desk. A huge smile spread across his face and he pretty much started hyperventilating because he couldn't contain his joy and excitement!

Though this may seem insignificant to most people, I think this 30 sec. clip of time might be my greatest moment of being a teacher.  Considering all this year has brought, this memory will encourage me to keep doing what God is having me do!

My First Valentine

On Friday I was SO bummed because everywhere but Woodhaven had a snow day.  Of course Josh, who teaches in Allen Park, felt so badly that he got a snow day and I didn't so he brought me breakfast before school!  That was surprise #1.  When he spotted my spare key on the counter on the way out, he got an idea. 

When I got home from school, there were balloons tied to the door.  When I opened the door, my apartment was filled with balloons!  He had used the spare key to get in while I was at work, and he blew up over 70 balloons!!  (Don't worry, he put the key back! haha) On each balloon, he had written something about me.  I couldn't believe he could think of that many things to write down!

He has his grad class on Thursday so he surprised me by celebrating early!  He is my very first valentine.  Pretty special :)

Lesson Learned

I am blogging during lunch today because I just needed a break!  Whew, they are ornry today!  Just one of those days I guess.  We've been stuck inside for recess now for three weeks.  They are so squirmy and so am I! 

I graded journals again over the weekend and this was one of my favorites.  The topic was, "Tell me about a time when you learned a lesson..."

Student: "One day my mom told me to pick up my room and I said, "No!"  Wen I wet to bed my room was a mess.  I cood not get thru it was a dizastr!  Sow I lrnd my lesin.  Next time I will listen to my mom!"

Haha, so cute :)

Hard Things

I had kind of a rough week...

This week a few of my students told me some things about their lives that just made me so sad.  It's so hard to understand what goes on in some of these little kids' lives.  I don't know how they are able to carry on at school and deal with some of these things when sometimes their worlds are just turned upside down.  Little kids should not have to go through hard things.  I wish they could just forget everything, be kids and just play. 

We are not allowed to go outside for recess if it is below 25 degrees, so you can imagine how wound up my kids were after a whole week of indoor recess.  Ahhhhh!  Whew, they were SO wiggly by Friday!!

We're supposed to get freezing rain tonight and I am seriously hoping for a snow day!  I'm worse than the kids, hah! :)

Two Dollars

On Friday, little Alex came in with a sparkle in her eye as she showed me her two dollar bills and some spare change in her change purse.  She told me that she wanted to buy me a present.  I assured her she didn't have to buy me something with her well saved money.  I totally forgot about that conversation.

On Monday, she came in beaming.  She had wrapped a present for me in a Dollar Store plastic bag.  She stood expectantly, waiting for me to open the plastic bag.  With her two dollars, she had bought me a beaded chain for my recess whistle and a little box of chocolate!  She watched carefully as I took off my old chain, threw it away and put my whistle on her new beaded chain.  I think she was waiting for me to "try it out," but I assured her that I would blow the whistle for her when we went outside for recess.

Though a chain and box of chocolate might not look like much in the eyes of the world, she used the only money she had to buy me a present from the Dollar Store.  It means a lot to me!

Living in the moment

It's that time of year again.  I hate New Year's Resolutions, mostly because everyone always makes them and then no one ever keeps them!  I don't think I've ever made an official New Year's Resolution.  Though I don't want to label it a resolution, I guess I do have a goal for this year.  My goal is to strive to live in the moment.  So often I get so focused on the future.  I think about next school year.  I think about next summer and how I'm planning to take classes.  I think about next month.  I think about my life in 10 years!

Not that those are bad things to think about, but I am missing life!  Well, not really missing it, but not enjoying it as much as I could be.  I am learning that sometimes a plan only keeps my eyes on the end goal and misses the enjoyment inbetween.  So, my "New Year's Resolution" is to stop. think. and enjoy.

Homeless in Detroit

Yesterday, Josh and another friend of ours and I went to serve the homeless of Detroit.  The other two had gone before and driven around downtown handing out meals to people they saw on the street.  They told me about some awesome stories as they just sat there and talked with the people eating their dinner. 

We headed out about 4:30 with even more than the last time.  We made up bags full of coats, gloves, deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste.  We took 20 sandwiches and bowls of soup, crackers, fruit and candy.

We started to get disappointed because we could find hardly anyone on the streets like they had the last time.  We decided to go to a shelter instead, to donate all of our bags.  The shelter pointed us to a group of homeless people across the street.  We handed out everything we had.  Amazingly, we had just enough for everyone to get a bag and just enough soup to fill the last bowl.  It was pretty cool how we had just the right amount.  God knew how many people would be standing on that street.  They were very appreciative and showed their excitement for the things they were given.  One man asked us to pray for him and then he even prayed for us.  How humbling it is to be prayed for by a homeless man.  Though it took me out of my comfort zone, I never felt unsafe.  Discomfort cannot compete with serving the Lord's people.  What a great opportunity!

Back to school tomorrow......What a wonderful Christmas break!  Now back to reality!