In the last four days:

I played Scene It and won

I enjoyed my spa day at Jardin Salon and Day Spa. After a relaxing time at Panera for my favorite: icey mocha and playing Sudoku; I went to the spa and started off with a half hour massage. How amazing! Following that was a hair wash with head massage, pendicure, manicure, make-up, hairstyle and lunch. I was so grateful for the experience, but couldn't help thinking of all the people I would love to have there with me. Four and 1/2 hours can be kinda lonely. However, I got to meet some cool people. What was my favorite? The hair wash with head massage. Ahhhh!

After my day of pampering Luke and I got dressed up and went to Red Lobster to spend our gift certificates. After waiting for a while, the power went out. The mall next door lost all power too, so the movie we were going to go to afterwards was out of the question too. We tried to wait it out, but decided to go to the theater downtown, so we left the restaurant. Traffic was crazy. We saw Happy Feet. It was very enjoyable.

Speaking of enjoyable movies...today I went to The Nativity Story with my class. I LOVED IT. I thought it was so different than any Nativity interpretation that I have every seen. I liked how it didn't paint Mary to be this holy, untouchable, unrealistic girl--it was very thought provoking and overall realistic, I thought. I laughed (a little), I cried (more than a few times), I enjoyed! After the movie one of my boys said, "There should be a Nativity 2!" I thought that was funny. I said to him, "It's called Passion of the Christ."

And lastly, in the last four days I got a financial lesson from a seven year old. Today little Natasha said, "Mrs. Demarest, do you want to see my credit card?" Sure! I said. "Have you used it yet?" "No, I don't have any money. If we don't have the money, we can't use the credit card." She is wise beyond her years. Apparently she heard that from a fifth grader named William. I believe it. He's obsessed with money.

Just Tell Us!!!

Today I really stumped my students. They decided to sing "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," so I decided to play a little Christmas game with them. That's what you get for singing in class. I had them guessing all day. I got a little annoyed when they wanted to guess instead of doing their math homework, and when they stayed inside for recess so they could ask me for clues. Oh well, it's just for one day. I'm ending this madness tomorrow.

So, I said, "It's a little known fact that there actually is a tenth reindeer."

"What? No there's not!" (What followed was a reciting of the introductory part to the "Rudolph" song: "You know Dasher and Dancer...")

So we listed them all on the board, counted them up, and then I said, "There's one more."

This blew their minds.

We sang the song again. And again. Then...

"Oh! I've got it!"

My brightest student wrote it down real quick and submitted it for my approval. He was right. Then we broke for lunch. The second half of the day was filled with guesses like, "Is the other reindeer's name Glee? Foggy? Eve?" No, no, no. Seriously, foggy??

Anyway, all of them but one has gotten it. I'm really proud of the one who got it first, and the one who will most definitely get it tomorrow because they are the ones who have figured it out for themselves. The rest of them quizzed me and each other all day long, thus getting hints from EVERYONE!

Just a little holiday fun. I'm certain many of you out there know what I'm talking about and already have it figured out, but in case there's anybody out there who hasn't, let's not give it away.
Hidden within "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" is the name of a tenth reindeer. Can you find it???

What do Sunday nights mean to you?

For 18 years Sunday nights used to mean going to church. For a long time I just sat with my mom. Then came the teen years where we would sit in the front as a youth group. It was fun for us cause we could all be together. It was fun for the adults because they could have a clear view of their youngsters sitting in church and not out on the streets.

In college it meant going to Bible study with Stacy Elizabeth Billings for most of the years. Other years it meant just studying or spending time with my roommates.

The past two summers they have meant staff fun night. One night in particular was not so fun: rock wall climbing. The strangest thing though: when it was over, it was a little fun.

Since school has started Sunday nights have meant Amazing Race. Tonight, however, Sunday night meant going to a Christmas program at a church I don't normally go to in order to see my students preform. It meant seeing one of my students from last year who doesn't go to my school anymore. I was assured that he is doing ok and that all the hard work and frustration we experienced together has made him so dear to my heart. I was brought to a point of pure joy in seeing him tonight. It was worth it. This particular Sunday night meant catching up with my cousin James who happens to live in Sioux City, but whom I never see. He's handsome and funny and so caring. It was worth it to go just so that we could have the best conversation that we've ever had. Amazing Race was just going to have to wait this Sunday. So, I set the Media Center to tape it. What I wasn't counting on, but should have thought about, was that football runs late on Sundays, so 60 Minutes gets started late, and that pushes Amazing Race back a half an hour. 7:30-8:30 instead of 7-8. The computer set it to tape 7-8. So, I have no idea who won the race, but I do know how it started. I kinda feel like I watched the whole season for nothing! What's the point in watching the process if you can't see how it ends?? Hmmm, my mind is racing because I feel like there should be some kind of spiritual connection to all of this. I'll think on that one. Anyway, I suppose missing the final episode of Amazing Race is worth it for the chance to be with James and to see my students. Teaching is the most wonderful profession to have. What else is there? All my life I've thought I would be a teacher because seriously, what else is there to do?? I honestly thought that. Now I know there's more, but there's nothing else I'd rather do.

It's Christmas time

I won a watch at our staff Christmas party. Wait, correction: Luke won this watch at our staff Christmas party. He gave it to me. I'm pumped about it. I really enjoy wearing it and it was completely free. I had said before that my New Years resolution was going to be to accessorize. Well, here's my first accessory.



This is our tree a little bit after the cats knocked it down. It doesn't look quite like I would like it to. There's no ornaments on the bottom third of the tree, and everything that is on the tree looks all messed up. I'll get around to fixing it by the time family comes over for Christmas. Oh yeah, Luke and I were asked to host the family Christmas get-together this year. I'm excited about it. It will be lots of fun with the Demarests.



I didn't want to put any of my Precious Moments ornaments on the tree because they are too heavy and also because they might get broken by the cats. So I created a home for them in the kitchen.

Mass Hysteria

What happened today can only be described as mass hysteria. Fourth graders go crazy when there's a birthday going on. The pictures tell a little bit of the story from today. We had fun. We watched Princess Bride and had cupcakes.

Also today: Luke and I put up our Christmas tree. An hour later the cats knocked it down breaking four of my favorite ornaments. I'm giving them both the cold shoulder. I don't think they notice.

I'm very thankful for all that happened today. It was wonderful. I got a fun birthday card from a name-share-er! Thanks so much!!

Top 5 Birthdays

I would like to take this opportunity to share five of the best birthdays ever, or maybe some of the most memorable.

1. My freshman year of college my friends of only a month or so kidnapped me! They blindfolded me and took me on a car ride to the happiest place on earth: Chuch E. Cheese. Ok, not really the happiest place on earth. They took off the blindfold and there in front of me I saw many people I knew and some I didn't know. There were LOTS of people there. We had pizza, watched Stacy dance with a fourth grader, and played games. It was this birthday party that solidified some friendships and started other ones. This birthday was also so special because it was my first birthday by myself--no twin sister to share it with. I missed Liz, but it was so special to have my own day. The celebration was all about me! It was great.

2. My sophomore year at college my girlfriends arranged a dinner together at a pizza place. On the way there we were talking about how cool last year was and how this year will be good too, even though it will be a much smaller crowd. When we got there we went up to the party room and I opened the door to find a much larger crowd than expected!! It was amazing. So many people that at this point I knew and loved.

3. For my 16th birthday my mom threw Liz and me a surprise party. We came home from Awana and all of our youth group friends were at our house. Those were the good old days when Jon, Tab, Grant, Lucas, Angie, Lindsay, Jessica, Erica, Strohman, and others were readily available. That means nothing to most of you. That's ok. This is the only good birthday I can think of when I was still at home. I know that sounds harsh, but you have to understand...most birthdays growing up consisted of quickly sticking in a present opening session in between getting packed up in the car to go to Grandma's for Thanksgiving, and running around the house getting ready to go spend time with cousins we saw twice a year and who could care less that today was our special day. I remember one birthday Liz and I were asked to sit on the couch while our siblings stood around us and Mom was half paying attention to us while they sang happy birthday and tried to look interested as we opened presents. No, I'm not bitter. I guess I'm thankful that I had a partner to be miserable with me. haha, this sounds really harsh, and people will probably feel bad after they read this, but let's just laugh about it b/c it's all over now. OK?

4. One birthday really taught me humility. It was the first birthday after Luke and I got married. My birthday turned out to be the day that we were traveling back from our annual Thanksgiving trip to South Dakota. Terri's (Gabe's girlfriend at the time, now his fiance) birthday was the day we left, and mine was the day we came back. Her birthday was remembered the whole day; mine wasn't mentioned until the minute we stepped out of the van in Correctionville. I felt terrible and lousy, bitter and upset. This is my new family and they're not treating me like a daughter. I should have spent my birthday with people who really care: my own REAL family. Yikes, this sounds bad. I'm just being very honest. Come on, I know someone out there is identifying with me. Maybe it wasn't your birthday, maybe it was something else that was really special. Anyway, Luke and I talked about it on the way back to Cedar Falls and he tried to talk me out of being upset. When we got home he bought me a sweatshirt I really wanted and did one of my favorite things: ordered sausage pizza from Pizza Hut and rented a movie. Even though Luke and I had talked a lot about it and I knew I shouldn't let it be that big of a deal, I was still a little peeved. It was during that next week that I received a card in the mail from my mother in law who said she was sorry. She realized not much was said about my birthday and she would buy me some new jeans the next time I came home. I really needed them. I definitely felt humbled. It was a memorable birthday.

5. I think this birthday is going to be amazing because the big day isn't until tomrrow and I've already been so blessed. Today my kids at school got so excited that it was my b-day that I got more homemade cards today then ever in my whole life! One boy sang me happy birthday in his own made-up language like 10 times. Luke's family threw me a surprise party on Saturday after we got home from South Dakota, definitely making up for two years ago. :) We ordered Pizza Hut and watched Cars together. They bought me Diet Coke. "These are a few of my favorite things!" Luke gave me an amazing gift: a "Day of Beauty" at the Jardin Spa. I'm talking massage, facial, pedicure, hair styling, make up--the works. I'm so pumped! This may never happen again in my whole life. All this is happening and it's not even the 28th!

I'm finding myself thinking: I am so not deserving of this. I mean, I just got really peeved two years ago when my birthday was forgotten. Is that selfish? It makes me think I'm self-involved. If nothing else I'm learning that it's so worth it to let others know that you've remembered their birthday.

Is this still the USA?

Luke and I went to the Pine Ridge Reservation in SD for Thanksgiving this year. We left at 3 pm Wednesday from Sioux City last week and drove about 7 hours straight. We stayed with Luke's uncle Rick. Rick is a missionary at the Res. He raises support year round to be there. He lives in a house, with a roommate, that is next to an abandoned Christian school. Altogether we had 20 people celebrating with us. That includes cousins, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, grandparents, and parents. I wasn't sure if Luke and I would get our own room, or be able to share a bed, but we did. We slept on a blow-up mattress that was placed in one of the old school rooms. This abandoned school was a microcasm of the Pine Ridge Res. the way I see it. It was a well-intended organization that apparently received too little support, and/or money, to sustain itself. The whole school looked like at any day it could be started up again--everything was still stocked and ready to go. It's just that for some reason the school lost it's ownership. On Thanksgiving day for an hour Rick took us on a tour of the Res. I was reminded a lot of the missions trip I went on in college to the Rosebud Res. There was a really nice and new hospital and then really nice houses right behind it. This was a government funded hospital b/c part of the treaty the U.S. has with the Reservations is that they provide health care and money for LIFE! The nice houses belonged to the doctors from Brazil, or some other place where they have gotten education. We drove to the highschool where there were gates with barbed wire all around the school. There were playgrounds that had been set up by do-gooders from who knows where and they have all been graffitied and run down because there's no sense of ownership. They don't feel the need to take care of it because they didn't put in the time and effort needed to put it there. We drove through the drug selling part of town, the part where they sell the most alcohol of any place besides Omaha and Chicago, the place where homeless people stay; and all places were littered beyond belief. I honestly felt like I was driving through a different country. I struggled with what to do with this eye-opening experience especially on a day like Thanksgiving. I felt wierd about haivng so much to eat and so many things to do when I knew that right down the street there were Native Americans who may have not eaten in the last three days. What is the responsibility of the government? Are they really helping? What should we be doing? We had some really good conversations.

On Friday we went hiking in the Badlands. Dusty, and windy! It was fun though. The men and some of the girls climbed to the high plateau we were hiking towards. Gabe and Luke went up the hard way. At one point Luke was laying flat, bridging the gap between two cliffs. I had the pleasure of sitting a quarter mile away to watch the whole thing happen. This was comforting, but not so comforting when it looked like he might kill himself. We have two traditions that Luke and I look forward to every year: tackle football after the Thanksgiving meal, and the South Dakota hike the day after Thanksgiving. Both events were enjoyable again this year.

My first pregnant friend

This is my friend Tonya. She is the tiniest pregnant woman I have ever seen. She lives in Kentucky. I wish we lived closer so I could see her. She's always had a laugh and smile or encouraging word to offer. She's going to be a great mom, and probably lose any baby weight within a month. In one of the pictures my friend Laura is with her. They're holding up the things we bought for her. Congratulations to Tonya and Ryan. Tonya, you look adorable!
Can't wait to meet your baby!

Finding the humor

This is ITBS week at school and the kids have been taking tests all week. Tomorrow is our last day. Today they took their social studies test and I was up and down out of my seat answering questions about how to pronounce words. Towards the end of the test, one of my boys named Cameron raised his hand and looked very serious. He spoke very softly so that I had to lean in really close to hear. Given how many questions I was answering during that half hour, I figured he had one too. He did have one, but it wasn't one that I was expecting.
Very softly he said, "Did you see Dancing with the Stars last night?"
Whispering, I said, "Yes."
"Who won?"
"They'll tell us tonight."
"No, I mean, who had the better score?"
"They tied."
"I thought they would!"

Then he promptly put his answer sheet inside his test booklet and put it at the top of his desk. He was done.
Things like this make me laugh.
If he only knew how much I like Dancing with the Stars...I'd be too much of a real person...that'd be weird...teachers aren't supposed to have real lives.

I am the Biggest Loser

So, the staff at school is starting a Biggest Loser competition. I'm pretty pumped about it. Everybody's chipping in some money and whoever looses the most gets the money. The competition will only last a month this time b/c of a long Christmas break coming up. The organizers are thinking of doing another competition in January. I feel a little out of my league. I'm not sure what to do about meals. Also, this is a lot different from this summer's detox diet. That only lasted for a week. I can do anything for a week. I'm not sure if I'll be able to keep this up for a month. The excercise is not what concerns me, it's the food prep, and not being sure what's ok. This summer I learned it's all about portion size, so I'll take that little bit of wisdom with me. Luke is doing it too. Pretty exciting! I think I'm the only one who faithfully watches the show. I feel responsible to make sure everything is authentic. :) Some of my competition: Luke, Lori, Shauna, and Angie. I'll find out tomorrow if there are more! Exciting!

School Auction

Last night we had our annual auction fund-raiser for school. Luke and I were helpers. We ended up helping a lot more than we thought we would. We were busy all night, but still ended up taking away 6 tickets to "Peter and the Wolf," and a new lamp! I love my lamp! It was a total surprise from a Mom from last year. She is so incredibly generous. I was telling Luke last night how much I love it and that I finally felt like I have something nice. That's funny b/c we have many nice things, but this lamp just makes me feel classy. Weird, but true. The room that it's in right now gets used so infrequently, so I think it might be moved so I can see it more.
**Yes, those are Jeff Clement baseball cards.**

In "Reader's Digest" I read an interview with Tim Allen, in anticipation of his new movie: Santa Clause 3. Will it be the next Christmas classic? Probably not. Anyway, there was one question and response that I found humerous and pretty true, in my life.

"RD: What was it like growing up in a family with so many children?

Allen: Fabulous, although my mom wold probably disagree. I have an only child. She's so independent and good with adults. We didn't care about adults. They were in that other living area. It was like Charlie Brown: you just saw their feet walking around."

I thought this was funny b/c it's so true. I was the fifth child out of six. Maybe being so far down in the pack made it more true for me than the older ones. I remember growing up being so intimidated and scared sometimes when communicating with adults, even uncles and aunts b/c we hardly ever saw them. Hey, when there's so many kids around, there's no need to interact with adults, but boy, when you're forced to, it's the most nerve-racking thing. Could this be why during all my jobs in highschool there was so much discomfort when it came to realtionships with my bosses? I.E. T-Man??? As realized recently, I was not able to feel comfortable around adults until I had become one. So, since college, it's been good. I just thought this was interesting. The reference to Charlie Brown made me laugh because I always got so irritated that I could never see the adults' faces or understand what they were saying. It's funny to me now b/c I think they were making a statement that when you're Charlie Brown's age, everything adults say sounds the same, as well as unintelligible.

Whoa!

I was so sad tonight when I finally got to watch my taped episode of Dancing with the Stars. Yep, it's safe to say I'm a reality TV junkie. I will give every reality show a fair chance. Well, not every show. I have to draw the line at Big Brother. I've never given that one a fair shake. It's just not worth it to me. Anyway, this season I got hooked on Dancing with the Stars after I saw that last season they had Lisa Rinna on the show. I loved her as Billy on Days of our Lives. So, this season when I found out Mario Lopez and Joey Lawrence were on...how could I not watch? Every episode my heart swells up with admiration and appreciation for Joey Lawrence. He is such a family man and obviously adores his wife and daughter. He keeps saying how "blessed" he is. Who says that? I've only known Christians to use that word. He is so appreciative for every good score he gets. I mean it's almost embarrassing sometimes how often he says thank you. He's so incredibly joyful, and talks about praying on the show. I have to say I like the bald Joey a lot more than the long haired Joey. I am a Joey fan now. He has got my vote and my allegiance much more than he ever did when he was on Blossom. (Trivia: Joey co-starred with David Lascher on Blossom, who appeared on "Hey Dude." Just a throw-back to an earlier post) Well, now that I've made this post look like an edition of "Tiger Beat" I would just like to finally note the reason for this post: I'm extremely disappointed that Joey and his partner Edyta got voted out this week. I was cheering for him, but I think that Emmitt Smith's charm and hip movement won out. I guess now I'm going to cheer for Mario. One of the teen heart throbs has got to win.

You'll always be a winner to me, Joe.










Something extra: Joey had a short-lived singing career and I loved one song that he sung. I still listen to it every once in a while. If you'd like to listen to the song, go here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVg7il--C90
For some reason the video doesn't match the song, and it's broken up, but you get the idea.
If you missed Joey dancing this season, never fear, go here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhnYQ0anoMw
**I can't figure out how to make a word highlighted within my post like Holli and Miles do. I would like to just have it be highlighted so that you can click on the word "Joey Lawrence," for example, and it will take you right to the video. Rookie question, I know, but can anybody help?

This one's just for fun:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYCSCbqbdJA

Rare and Few

Not many people get to graduate from college with their husband. That's why I love these pictures so much. We sat right next to each other and walked across the stage one after the other. Deb first, then Luke. Luke cheered loudly for me. Yes, we planned it so our hats would point to each other while we were sitting among the rest of the Ed. Majors. We made it easy for our parents to spot us.

I also really like this next picture. It's an ad for Bleach. At the bottom it says, "Trusted for six genertations. All the rage since 1913." I'm not sure why I like it so much. It just really makes me think. What are they trying to say? I may be searching too deep for meaning...probably. It think it's saying that what was popular in 1913 was to be like the first girl, then in the twenties to be like the second girl, and so on. Until we get to today. So the question I ask myself is: Is it now more popular and noble to be pregnant and not working? (I can only assume not working, because the previous girl is obviously headed off to work in her pant suit.) Is that what is "all the rage" right now? My friend Micah came to another conclusion: "The ad is saying that there's way to much pregnancy now. They're saying while you used to see every popular girl in a working suit, now you see them pregnant." We laughed about this a little bit. But the question remains, is the ad speaking out about the nobility of being a mom and investing in your kids, or about promiscuity? You be the judge. Could be that this is not interesting to anybody but me...

Blanchard's fate will be decided in 5 minutes

I was looking at some old commercials and TV intros tonight while waiting to see if our school's superintendent won the Iowa Senate race. Barbara Blanchard, best of luck to you.

What I was mostly looking for was a specific Dunkaroos commercial where it says, "The long distance, dainty dunk!" I'm trying to prove something to an old friend on his birthday Nov. 20. I found every Dunkaroos commercial but that one. Ugh. In my searching I found the song intro for "Hey Dude." Awesome! I also saw the intro for "Kid's Incorporated." So funny. While I was watching the "Hey Dude" opener I spied something so totally amazing. Check out the name of the girl who used to play "Brad." Kelly Brown??? WHAT? haha. This is hilarious. One of my bestest friends used to have the name Kelli Brown, now it's Kelli Burrier, but sometimes I slip up and call her Brown. :) I thought this was great. Thinking of you tonight, Kel!

Now I know how you really feel...

Today I sat down to edit the yearbook for Luke. After an hour into working, I looked down at the mouse pad to find a friendly surprise. I'm not sure who wrote it, but I'm sure it's one really cool fourth-grader.


May you be someday be graced with the sweet compliment of defaced property; done out of uncontainable admiration for you.

The Night the Stars Came Out

Tonight was the first ever SCCS talent show.

So many cools acts. First of all, my class this year has no school spirit, I'm pretty sure that's true. We just got done with a book fair. They had to meet a class goal so they could be in a competition for a pizza party. We were the only class that didn't meet our goal. C.R.A.P. Then tonight was the clincher when no one from my class was in the talent show. I was forced to cheer for my class from last year, who cleaned up big time. I wish they were still mine so I could brag. First, second, and third place, baby! Anyway, the whole night I felt like I was at a camp talent show. All I needed was a camera around my neck, and I might as well have been in the Tabernacle. (These are donated photos, in case you're confused) There were many acts tonight that were far better than the norm at UM Camp. I also felt like Holli Gregg much of the time when I was cheering for the kids. What does that mean, you ask? 1. The loudest one cheering. 2. Cheering no longer is limited to clapping and "whoo hoo!" It can now include, "That was great!" "Wow!" "I loved it!" (Has anyone else every laughed out loud at Holli at a Talent Show?) These things can also be shouted at any time during the act. 3. I'm not afraid to really participate and give all the encouragement possible, even if there was no talent involved. (I thought of you tonight, Holli!)

One of the coolest acts of the night: The girl you see in the sparkly, green dress is a third grader who sang "Here I am to Worship." Look closely and you will see she is of Asian descent. All these things made me think of college days' interaction with the Japenese students. That song was their favorite.

The talent show was a fundraiser for the senior class trip. It should definitely happen again. Where else can you see a first grader with a bow staff, Chuck Norris jokes, and mega hoola-hooping all in one night?

Please Pray

This weekend Luke and I are going with the Sr. Highers from school to Lake Okoboji Camp and Retreat Center, for the school's annual Fall Spiritual Retreat. It is supposed to be a required thing, but many students are not excited about it and have made excuses not to come. This has left some of the other students that are going pretty bitter. Luke and I are chaparones along with his sister Charity, who works at the school, and her husband Paul. Also one of the parents is going. Luke will actually be the one in charge. I am asking for prayer, for anyone out there reading. I've recently discovered a bad attitude that I have toward the senior highers because I get tired of their disrespect and complaining and it seems to me that many times they are given too much freedom here at this private school. So, I just want to have the right attitude toward them. I want to be compassionate and to have the desire to form relationships with them. Also, pray for the students. I'm asking that the Lord would speak to their very hearts; that He would change them on the inside and that would affect their behavior outside where all can see it. We have a great speaker coming along who is pretty funny and interesting. Also, the leaders are all going to be young and easy to relate to, so hopefully this spiritual retreat will go from being something nobody wants to go to, to something that everyone looks forward to after they hear how fun it was, and how the Lord changed lives. We'll be gone all day Friday and most of the day Saturday. Well, thanks for reading and thanks for any prayers.

First exposure to Meatloaf.

A funny memory came into my head this afternoon while waiting for family and friends to come over for a movie...

My brother Matt must have liked this girl because when he found out she was going to be on vacation with her family for an extended amount of time, he said he would take care of the paper route that her little brother had. This boy was my age, but I didn't know him because he went to the private school. We were both in sixth grade. All I remember is being woken up VERY EARLY one Saturday morning with the news that my twin sister, Elizabeth and I were in charge of the paper route for the next 3-4 weekends. What's up with that? How did we get roped into this? I remember being really upset by it. For like two Saturdays Liz and I went to walk the route with Josh, the boy. Of course we had to get familiar with it before it was all our responsibility. Matt did his part too! He was the one who drove us to the trailer park where the route was. What a guy! I'm sure he returned home to enjoy another hour or three of sleep. Liz and I were crazy upset, but also slightly excited because this was a new boy in our class that nobody at our school knew. Soon Josh and his family left for vacation and it was up to us for what seemed like a month, but was probably only a couple of weeks. We had to get there insanely early so we could roll the papers and put them in bags. Then we had to load up the carrier which had pouches on both sides of the body when it was worn correctly. I'm pretty sure Liz wore that carrier. She always did the things that were harder. Like carrying heavy things, and going into the doctor's office first when we had appointments together, which was like all the time. Now it was time to get started. We walked through the trailer park talking to each other and probably fighting every once in a while because that's what twins do when they're upset: they take it out on each other. "You didn't get the paper close enough to the door!" "You never throw it right, just let me!" Being the good Christian girls that we were, I also remember being so afraid of doing something wrong to upset one of the residents. So whenever we thought the other one did something borderline crazy, we would snap at each other with a quick scolding.

One early morning I remember one of the trailer park residents was blasting a song that we had never heard before. It was catchy and the guy kept saying: "I won't do that. Oh no, I won't do that." We sang it the whole rest of the morning and wondered out loud what he meant by, "I won't do that..." What in the world is he talking about??? We found out later that week that it was Meatloaf, in fact, that we had heard, and we were still not sure what the song was all about. One day we sat in front of the radio that was in we room we shared, and listened to that song again. My mom walked by and said, "I don't like that song. Turn it off." What? Why? We didn't understand. But we turned it off anyway.

Huh. I just wanted to share this story because I thought the injustice level was off the charts. Big brothers can make little sisters do anything! I also thought it was funny that I remembered the Meatloaf song. This made me laugh out loud today. It would be funny to tell Matt what I remember about this incident, and then he'd probably set me straight about how it all REALLY when down. Even if I knew the truth, I'd still tell the story this way.

Lawn Chairs are Evil

So yesterday we were driving down the Hwy 20 bypass. 65 mph all the way. Luke was munching on something while we were on our way back to the school for a meeting. All of a sudden there appeared in the middle of the road a green lawnchair that looked exactly like the one in this picture. There was no where we could go. We were penned in from all sides. We had to hit it. It hit off the passenger side of the car. Crash and blown to pieces. I looked out the back and it was no where to be seen. The car in back of us never hit it...just us. Our tire in front didn't sound healthy and I just knew something had to be broken. We got off on the next exit and pulled into the school parking lot. The front fender and bumper are missing a large piece. Part of our car is now with the pieces of lawn chair somewhere.

Why do people leave stuff in the road? Yeah, they probably didn't realize they were doing it, but let's try to be a responsible when we haul stuff. I guess the good thing is that we didn't get hurt.

So many joys in such a short time

Friday at 5. Done with conferences/thinking about school until Tuesday morning. What a wonderful weekend ahead of me! Time with incredibly amazing friends, family, and lone time in the car. What could be better? In times like this, when there is so much that is noteworthy, I have to resort to making a list. It saves time, and I promised I'd play a game with Luke at 4:00. Since I neglected him all weekend, I better be true. So, here's the highlights:

The beautiful fall colors. It was everywhere. I love fall. I discovered this was my favorite season last year when I moved to Sioux City. The surrounding area is so colorful and seems alive! Funny that the colors mean it is dying. But, vibrant non-the-less. I can't wait to go back to the state park we discovered this weekend: McBride Lake State Park. So beautiful!
Meg Vinson at Cup 'o Joe! I've missed my Meg. It was the greatest thing to spend time with her and KB. We got to reconnect and learn new things about each other. Meg still really makes me laugh. Oh, memories of when she was my camper. Spiderman and Jim Craig rule! You're welcome at my fire side anytime, Meg!

If you haven't already guessed, that's ok I haven't told you yet. I spent the weekend with three of my best friends in the world. Stacy Regennitter (I spelled it right!), Laura Helmke, and Kelli Burrier. All of us in different spots on the map, but coming together for a weekend of whatever and wherever. This is where we sat on a cliff that overlooked the expansive McBride Lake. We chatted and got hungry. Kelli fought with bugs and Stacy let one foot cool off. I took the pictures. I have beautiful friends inside and out. Our weekend was so fun. We spent a little time in Cedar Falls, and some in Cedar Rapids. I got a flat tire, but it got fixed for free. We swam and ate at Chilli's. We hiked and laughed at each other. We had earthshattering discoveries about things we should have learned way back in Jr. High. I'm so glad that's all cleared up now!

Atkins, IA holds one of Iowa's best-kept secrets: Bloombury Farm. Complete with corn maze and haunted barn, a fun time can be had by all at this gourd-filled getaway. Not worth the $9 unless you have kids, but the gift shop and barn filled with gourds is worth the trip. Hey, you might even get a bug in your eye! I'll post pics of this later when I can fit more in a post.

My nephews are so adorable. Elijah is now going around the house meowing like a cat. "Meow! Meow!" He will even show you how a cat bathes itself. Sam remembers everything! He knew that Luke was no where to be found! What's up with that! He knows that when I leave it may be a long time before I come back. Oh, if only I could see them everyday. Sam is saying Bible verses b/c he's in Cubbies now. Wow. The intense emotion that wells up when you hear your child or nephew recite the words of the Lord could be felt by looking from face to face in that room. I love Sammy, and God loves him. I pray he knows that fully in his life.

My sister Liz and husband Andy gave Luke and me a plant. A housewarming gift they've been saving for months until it's just right for our new home. There's something so touching about knowing that a person has wanted to give you something for a long time, but has just had to wait until it was perfect. Lots of care has gone into this plant already, I hope I can keep it alive. I do not have a green thumb, or is it that it's just undiscovered? This brought tears to my eyes to see how the Lord provides for me. I've been wanting to add plants to my home.

I didn't have the threat of sleep even once during the insane amount of hours that I drove this weekend! I prayed over and over again for safety on the road. The Lord provides!

Jesse's Girl on the way home. I love that song.

What a great getaway! School starts tomorrow, but, ain't nothing gonna break my stride. Ain't nothing gonna hold me down, oh no.

**I didn't get done by 4:00. I think it'll be ok.**

Interview with a critic

Critic: So I understand that you call yourself a Hawkeye fan?

Deb: Of course! I've always been a Hawkeye fan!

C: Oh really?

D: Yes! For as long as I can remember I've bled black and gold.

C: Oh! Ok! So you would be able to tell me what season they're in right now?

D: Well, duh. It's football season.

C: Good, and did they play this weekend?

D: Yep, on Saturday night they played Ohio State.

C: How did you know that?

D: Well, my friend Joel told me that on Friday night.

C: Oh! So did you watch the game?

D: Uh, no. I was busy doing some home decorating. But I sure did think about them.

C: Hmmm. Well in any case, you must have at least found out today what the final score was?

D: Actually, I have no idea. But, I'm sure they won. They are awesome!

C: Well, that's easy to say, but do you have any idea what their record is this season, or if they are in fact, awesome? Who on their team would you characterize as awesome?

D: Well, no, I don't know what any of the players' names are this year. And, no I don't know what their record is, BUT I do know that they beat Iowa State. Yah, ha ha, that's right. That's all that matters.

C: Oh, yeah. Speaking of Iowa State I just acquired a photo from your basement.

D: What? How did you get into my house?

C: Now, this doesn't look like the makings of a Hawk nest. It looks more like a Cyclone home.

D: No, no. You've got it all wrong. I realize these colors look very similar to the red and gold sported by the clones, but you have to understand, that's not what was intended. Any similarity in color is just happenstance.

C: Ok, if you say so. It's not looking good for you, though. So far you've given me nothing to convince me that you are, in fact, a Hawkeye fan.

D: But wait! You haven't even asked me about their basketball team!

C: Can you tell me when their season starts? What their record was for last season? Who their big players are for this year?

D: That's not fair. No, I haven't the slightest idea.

C: Ok then! I think I am being very fair.

D: Ask me who wore the #52 jersey when I was in Jr. High! Ask me who his teammates were! Ask me who their coach was! Ask me who used to announce all the Hawkeye games! Ask me about Chris Street! C'mon, ask me any of those questions! That's all I ask! Give me a fair shot!

C: Those questions are severely outdated and hold no clout with Hawkeye fans today. Who cares who wore jersey #52?

D: It was Russ Millard! He was my favorite. I am a fan, I tell you. No matter what color my basement is. If I never watched another game in my whole life, I would still be a fan. All I know is that when March Madness roles around, that means it's time for me to get caught up on what's going on with the Hawks, and cheer them onto victory. They should always be the ones to play in a bowl game, which I will always want to go to. Oh, and they will always be better than Iowa State. And they are always the team that needs to win, even if they're playing the team where you go to school. They will always be my team....even if I know nothing about them.

Go Hawks!

I've been tagged!

I've been tagged! Read a lot about what I have read. I'm going to tag Debra, Mandy, Holli, and Bryan. Accept the challenge if you dare.

1. One book that changed your life: Gift Wrapped by God. I studied this book with my friend Stacy Kay and loved it. I also wrote a prayer for my life after reading this book. (Kel: I still have a copy of your vision statement.) It helped me forgive others and myself...it taught me so much and reformed my thinking.
2. One book you’ve read more than once: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I read it once by myself, once to my students last year, and this year my whole class is reading it together. To see their eyes light up in surprise, jaws drop in the realization that God and Jesus are represented in this book, and to see their excitement to find out what happens next is true joy.
3. One book you’d want on a desert island: A Bible and a pen. That's the only book I want to have all the time in the world to delve into.
4. One book that made you laugh: I remember cracking up while reading Sideways Stories from Wayside School. It would be interesting to read it again and see what my sense of humor was like in fourth grade.
5. One book that made you cry: Stone Fox. The dog dies! I couldn't believe it! The first time I read that book was to my kids last year in school. They all saw me cry. Oh well. They were an amazing class.
6. One book you wish had been written: Big Family, Little Home. It's the story of the Brants from 1960ish to present. I think it would be hilarious...for me. Liz? Having any writing ambitions?
7. One book you wish had never been written: Humanities textbooks. Hated every minute of it. I might appreciate some parts of them now, but then it was torture. All I wanted to do was play soccer in the hallway...or listen to Kelli and Allison make bird calls...last thing I wanted to do was read for Prahl's class.
8. One book you’re currently reading: As mentioned earlier: Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe. Also, Indian in the Cupboard. Soon I will be reading Velvet Elvis in a study.
9. One book you’ve been meaning to read: Searching for God Knows What. I'm having trouble getting into it. I read a little, then I stop, then read a little more. My sister says she loves it. I just need to give it another chance--a true chance. I also want to read Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free.

I'm adding one of my own:
10. Last thing you read that was encouraging:

Thank you, Debra, so, so much! How amazing your friendship is to me. To Luke too. You've known him longer than I have. I love it that you can tell me about the Luke before the Deb. He's a better Luke now. :) While reading your card, I noted that I have thought many of the same things about you, friend! So many people rest in your company, depend on your comforting care, and rejoice in their time with you. What a good friend I have! I love it that we're "The Debs." I thank the Lord for my most recent summer with you and our dear friend Mandy. I'm so much more thankful though that it extends beyond summer! Yay! More fun times to come!

Sing with me

At Paul and Charity's wedding this weekend they had a worship time in the middle of the ceremony. I've been to other weddings where they have had a time of worship, but I have never been so blessed by it as I was yesterday. The band was amazing. There's nothing like good music to put me before the throne of the Lord. I sat third row back from the front next to Luke and Terri, Gabe's fiance. I sang and looked at the bride, then the groom, and saw that their focus was solely on worshipping the Lord at that moment. It was amazing to me that even though they were about to be married, they still recognized that they were there because of Christ. I looked at the pastor and it was the same story. I looked at the maid of honor, father and mother of the bride, and grandparents of the bride and it was all the same. They were feeling the same way I was: we are here to praise our Father; thank you, Lord for this life's blessing and joys; may the day come quickly that EVERY knee will bow, and EVERY tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. I was just so thankful that Paul and Charity were in love with their creator and then with each other. I decided on a new favorite worship song after having it bless my heart so much on Saturday afternoon.
How great is our God, sing with me, how great is our God. And all we see how great, how great, is our God.
It feels like my heart is crying out for ALL to see how great He is; please, sing with me and know Him.
Paul and Charity left for who knows where. They didn't even know when they left. :) I guess we'll all find out Wednesday when they're back at work.


In other news, my cats have fleas. I knew this would happen. I told Luke to not let them outside because they would get fleas, and I was right. I don't want to do the "I told you so" thing, but uuugghhh...I was right. So tomorrow we become offensive in the fight against parasites. We should have done that from the beginning, thus avoiding the trouble of fleas.
Also news for today: I played Uno on the Xbox 360. Big deal, right? Wait for it...I played with the headset...and a webcam. I know. This won't happen again because I was freaked out when some of the other guys started talking to me. Luke says they get a little carried away when they find out there's a girl playing Xbox. There's a world beyond the Xbox people. I should have said that.

Clay County Fair

This weekend I was off to have some fun at the Clay County Fair in Spencer, Iowa. Luke and I left after school to go to Spirit Lake to meet some camp friends, and then move on to the fair. I'd never been to this fair and I was really excited. Here are some noteable noteables:

• Joel Doeleslager...need I say more? I don't know how to spell his last name, but whenever he's around, the stars align and spell F.U.N. He was an excellent surprise on Friday night.
• Pouring rain for most of the night. I was told I didn't get the complete fair experience, which I'll concede to. But I have to tell you, it was really fun! I ain't afraid of rain. I loved walking around in the coolness and freshness. I opted for tennis shoes and a hood before we left, so I was fine. We saw a great lightning show and felt sorry for the grandstand act that night. I love the rain.
• A toy that gave me the biggest shock I have ever received, literally. After watching Keith, Luke, Joel, and possibly Bryan go down, I somehow thought I could handle holding onto a metal grip while Joel held the other end waiting for me to react. I must have thought they were being dramatic, or being wimps. So I held on, pushed a button, and dropped the grip with a scream. How can this game be safe for children? That's the last time I listen to Joel.
• I think Joel gave me a backrub. I'm still not sure about that one. It was either him or Luke and they're both denying it. Creepy.
• I had fair food: cotton candy and a funnel cake.
• I was disgusted by the midway, but also intriged by the prizes you could win. By that I mean the stuffed animals or picture frames, not the photographs of unmentionable things.
• Some girl checked out Bryan. That was funny. Debra watched it all go down.
• Coughing sheep...HILARIOUS! An ISU pig...I Smell U. Soft bunnies. Horse hind quarters. Miniture ponies. GIANT rabbits!!!
• The commercial building. Like one huge infomercial. So fun.

The fair was great. Other exciting happenings of the weekend: delicious scones. A HAWKEYE VICTORY OVER ISU! That's right. Saturday afternoon catch, and walks to the lake. Staying at staff house again. Seeing Debra, Mandy, Keith, Abby, Adam, Bryan, and Joel.

Happy Birthday, Dad.

Today was a better day at school. I knew people were praying, as was I. Tomorrow brings a fun Friday of Clay County Fair and camp friends. Then on Sunday a wedding shower for Paul and Charity. Wedding times are so fun! I wish everyone a happy and relaxing weekend. To those I know are traveling, I pray for your safety!

Running a Mile Can Kill You

Apparently running a mile can kill you.
This is according to my fourth graders who ran the mile today.
You would have thought they had been poisoned after their mile run, by the way they were holding their stomachs and groaning and complaining.
I think I was asking for disappointment and frustration when I went ahead with our math lesson after their mile run. I told them to sit down, let their bodies rest, and drink lots of water. I turned on the air and fans full blast and all I was asking them to do was just listen and follow along. And maybe answer a question once in a while. Well, this was too much. Two girls insisted they were going to throw up, asking for the bathroom and drinking fountain, headache medicine, and so on. I had so many interruptions during this lesson. I was more than a little put off by all the drama.
So the rest of the day went like this: "Weren't you listening?" "I missed number four, will you go back?" "I don't feel very good, so it's hard for me to think." "If anybody else talks it's two warnings instead of one."
Yep, I let it get me down. I let it affect me and I remember at one point praying for patience and peace because I was out of it. This incident with the mile run is the breaking point for what has been building up for three weeks now. I'm in the process of restructuring my discipline plan, because what was used last year is not working this year. Today just confirmed it. There are a few that just aren't responding to the warnings and subsequent concequences. So, it'll all change, and I'm learning that it may take a little extra to be patient and peaceful this year. I have some students that really need my room to be peaceful and happy, and I want it to be that way too, so Lord, help me.

Have you been making some good friends?

I don't know how many times I've been asked this question since I've graduated college and moved on to new places. Every time I was asked, it was met with an, "Uh, yeah. We've been meeting a lot of people." It took me until tonight to realize the magnificent work God has been doing in my life for the past year and a half.

My answer is a resounding YES! Forgive me Lord and forgive me to everyone involved for not seeing it until tonight.

Tonight I attended a wedding shower for my sister-in-law, Charity. She is getting married in two weeks. She is incredibly calm, and just taking it easy. We ask, "How will you do your hair, Charity?" And she says, "Well, I thought about asking Trish, but I haven't." We all know it will come together, but it's humerous. Tonight was the meeting of women in Charity's life. Mom, Grandma, sister-in-law, best friend, and the many women that have helped raise her-- her parents have so many good friends they've let be apart of their lives, as well as their childrens'. We played games, opened gifts and talked for an hour and a half. Just us girls! It was incredible. When I say that I spend no time apart from my husband, I'd be willing to place a bet and dare someone to find me apart from him in the next week. Our lives are such right now that we are always together. I've gotten used to it, and I enjoy him so much. But, WOW, how incredible it was to be away from him and to talk with the girls. While I was there I felt at ease and enjoyed just being able to be a girl. Mentally I can go through the room and picture all the peolple that I can now genuinely call my friends--people that are important in my life. People I would hate to live without. Many of them are my family also.

Micah and Sarah: Amazing people of God. A young couple with a daughter who just turned one. Sarah grew up with Luke; and Micah, the resident Jew :), came to us from kind of all over. Micah and I talk about big city life compared to Correctionville. Yah, Marshalltown is SO BIG! :) Sarah threw the shower tonight and let me help. Micah came to our house to play with Luke. I think they played video games.

Charity and Paul: Luke's sister and her fiance. They are so great and funny. Paul is a youth minister and Charity teaches at school with us now. She's also living with us until her wedding. How great to now be related to such fun people who share our love of the Lord.

Gabe and Terri: Luke's brother and his fiance. Both attending school at UNI. Gabe is a Demarest through and through, but so different than Luke. I really enjoy his more sensitive side and caring spirit. Terri is such a joy. She's beautiful and has the inside character to match. I love it when they come home!

Mark and Jo: Luke's parents. I'm so thankful for their Godly example. Tonight we talked a lot about marriage. People said a high-risk time for divorce is when all the kids are out of the house b/c the couple finds they have nothing in common anymore. I know Mark and Jo will not experience this next year when Gabe is married. Like Luke and I, Mark and Jo are together all the time. They minister together, talk together, and love together. They share all they have and wish they could do more. I am so incredibly thankful for them. I look forward to our relationship growing stronger and stronger.

Cara and Tony: I love Cara! She is one of those women that I know can spur me on towards Christ. If only we could find the time to be together! She homeschools and loves her family. When I have kids I think I'll spend more time with her. We live close. Tony is so funny. He could be a pro football player by the looks of him. He's so in love with his wife and is an entertainer. He's a business man who will always provide for his family in a biblical way. They are pregnant again! I think about the first time we met them at a Bible study for young couples. We were shy, but now here we are.

And I have to mention all the camp friends I've made.

Keith and Mandy: Directors of the camp Luke worked at in highschool/college. We've worked there together the last two summers. They're great b/c they're the only other couple at camp and they are hilarious. I think Luke really appreciates Keith b/c they can talk about a lot of the same stuff. I appreciate Mandy b/c she's Mandy and brings new life to everything! You haven't lived until you spend a day with Mandy.

Gosh, there are so many people at camp. I could make a big long list; God has been good. Since I've been mentioning couples tonight, I'll stick with couples. So I guess I should include Bryan and Debra....just joking.

I feel compelled to write all this tonight b/c on my drive home alone between belting out Celine Dion songs, I was thinking of all the people God has placed in my life, and how in the beginning I didn't think I would make any lasting relationships. When Luke and I moved in with his parents I was uncomfortable and shy and frustrated a lot, I didn't give anyone much of a chance; or was just uncomfortable doing so. When we went to camp the first time people were whispering about me right in front of me. (Apparently I look like Debra Wittrock. Whatev. Ha!) I totally misunderstood, and could have sworn right then to not be friendly all summer. I'm not upset about that anymore. I promise! Over the last two summers I went from thinking camp was Luke's thing, to knowing camp is something we share now.

Anyway, if for no one else but me, it's been good to think of all the people who I can now call my friends as a result of this after-college, newly-married, moving away from family and friends adjustment. God has been good during this time that has been uncertain sometimes and filled with change.









Front to back: Paul, Mark, Jo, Micah, a pregnant Sarah, Terri, and a distant relative.

Some pictures I want to go on record

These are some pictures I've been meaning to post for a couple of weeks now and I'm just getting around to it. Some are from camp and some are from the last time I was in Marshalltown with my family. All are fun and special to me.

The first one is a picture of my Nalgene. Andrew and Aaron, who were inseparable this summer, made it their mission daily to steal my Nalgene and put it in random spots. It was usually never too far away. This summer my Nalgene was attached to my hip, well not literally, otherwise I would have noticed the boys stealing it to hide it. What I mean is I've never gotten so much use out of my Nalgene as I did this summer. I was drinking 3 Nalgene-fulls of water a day. Spirit Lake water is soooo good. I wish I could say the same for Sioux City water. Then again, I'm just a really picky water drinker.

The next picture is of Andrew and Aaron being sneaky. It was right after they attached my Nalgene to the chain-link fence behind homebase in the kickball field. They sure were sneaky!

Next is me with my twin sister Liz and little sister Paige. We are holding all my nephews. Elijah is with Liz, Nathan is with Paige, and Sam and James are with me. They are such a joy to me. Also in this collection is a picture of my WHOLE family. That's right, everyone my side of the family has to offer. It even includes Paige's boyfriend Danny who we suspect might be staying around for a while! Yay! He sure held his own during Matt's made-up game we all played. Hours of fun! Finally, there is a picture of my mom, Rick, my five siblings, and me. Can you guess which one I am??? I'm the one in the pink.

My family's great!

A letter in code

Dear Shew, Wittrock, and Zwiefel;

I am so looking forward to our time together in the month of harvest. I hope you haven't forgotten. I'm expecting girl time, scrapbooking, and maybe the two Shews can make me an icy mocha...they are so good!! I think the holiday of Columbus was mentioned earlier, but that may not work for me now...it turns out to be the only weekend that will work to visit a college friend in the windy city. So, will any other weekend in the tenth month work? I hope so. Wittrock, thanks for the money. It is already being put to good use. Also, are you holding out on me? Do you have a blog? Zwiefel, are you home yet? Everything in me hopes that's a yes, but I fear it's wishful thinking. Shew, lovely Shew, how are you? See you all soon!

Truly, Madly, Deeply (Hi Whitney!);

Deb

Early Out Equals Big Fun...and Lance is gay.

A wonderful ending to the first week of school: an early out in anticipation of Labor Day. One of the great things about being at a private school is that on Monday you can make the decision to have an early out on Friday as long as everyone agrees. I agree! I agree!

Today we left school at 1:30, came home and I got ready to make the half our trip to Washta, IA to pick up some teaching materials. As soon as I got in the car I put in "No Strings Attached" by Nsync. I enjoy Nsync...A LOT. I know, you're thinking: geez, move on. That was so 5 years ago. Hey, I like what I like. I'm being totally honest when I say that I never had a crush on any of them, I just really enjoy the music. I think it's because I can sing along with it pretty easily. haha, that's funny.
Another thing I really enjoy is driving alone in a car and turning the music up really loud. If you were to drive by me at one of these times you would see me singing at the top of my lungs. That's so great. So when you put Nsync and a lone long drive together you get great big fun. Until you remember that Lance Bass is gay. What in the world? For an Nysnc fan like myself I have to say when I heard the Lance news during the last week in July it rocked my world. I guess we should have known...nice space suit Lance.

Anyway, today was great. I love driving by myself!












Why Lance? Why?