1. How did I survive road trips when I was younger without all the gizmos and gadgets?
2. Pandora's box comes in handy when few radio stations can be picked up.
3. Twizzlers are a great pick me up when you are tired and the designated driver.
4. Kev and KJ both drool when they sleep.
5. Even for a dog who sleeps most of the time, 19 hours is a long ride.
6. Spicy McChicken sandwiches are not sold in Iowa.
7. In Texas when there is road construction advising drivers to merge drivers wait until they are on the cones. In Iowa drivers merge immediately when they see the sign 2 miles before the actual merge.
8. 55 mph is a LOT slower than 70 Mph.
9. Phone apps come in handy when you don't have a book light.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Heavy Heart
Today was a big day for Ky swimming at Ponderosa and I was so looking forward to seeing her swim. She had qualified for the 3 events that were happening today. She knew her best chance for qualifying for finals was her 100 free. When that didn't happen, the flood gates opened. I didnt' know if she was upset because she didn't final, because she wanted to be part of the finals hooplah tonight, or she was realizing that summer league was coming to a close. I think it was a combination. Her coach and her 12 year old swim buddies tried to cheer her up, but it wasn't happening. Her heart was very heavy which made mine even heavier as well. Swimming has been such a part of our lives since Ky was 4 and now that chapter of her life (summer league swimming) has come to a close. It is a very strange feeling. She did end the meet well though, as the relay team she was on set a new team record. So both relays she's been part of, she is now part of both team records for 15-18 year old girls. It was a great way to end the meet that didn't start out so great.
Ky is going to go back to the meet to support the rest of the team tonight. She won the team spirit award this season and it's obvious why--she gets everyone else psyched up to swim a great race! I'm so proud of her.
Ky is going to go back to the meet to support the rest of the team tonight. She won the team spirit award this season and it's obvious why--she gets everyone else psyched up to swim a great race! I'm so proud of her.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Change Blog Name???
I did it! I took my last final early this morning and all my grad work is submitted! Now, I just have to wait for my certificate/dilploma to arrive in the mail late August. I did something I really didn't know if I could accomplish when I began this January 2009.
When I decided to start blogging, I really thought "busy life" was perfect for a blog title. Now I wonder, will I still be busy? Although I am looking forward to a few weeks to somewhat chill, I can't imagine not still being super busy. I can see my "busy life" shifting/having a new focus--preparing good home-cooked meals and desserts again, trying to make time for some form of exercise, "maybe" watching NCIS that my family keeps begging me to do with them as they are all addicted to that show (I just don't like to watch TV, but I know that's not what this is about!), reading a book "just because", maybe finding a book club to join. I don't know, I just know it needs to be something.
When I decided to start blogging, I really thought "busy life" was perfect for a blog title. Now I wonder, will I still be busy? Although I am looking forward to a few weeks to somewhat chill, I can't imagine not still being super busy. I can see my "busy life" shifting/having a new focus--preparing good home-cooked meals and desserts again, trying to make time for some form of exercise, "maybe" watching NCIS that my family keeps begging me to do with them as they are all addicted to that show (I just don't like to watch TV, but I know that's not what this is about!), reading a book "just because", maybe finding a book club to join. I don't know, I just know it needs to be something.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
A New Reason to Blog
OK, lately my brain has been going wacko by hiccupping some days with information and vomiting other days with brain overload! Last night, my brain was a little clearer after sharing my recent learning at a workshop and submitting my final assignment. So, I got thinking (no time not to think!) about blogging.
When I first started blogging in January it was a way to create a digital family scrapbook and a way for me to chill. However, after the last couple of weeks, I think I have found another reason to blog. When I went to NYC last summer, I then started reading a lot more for reasons other than for grad school. I realized the significance of my life as a reader and the impact that would have on teaching others to learn to read. Some days I really tried to think about what I was doing as a reader, although there were many times I just read to read. My reading experiences have helped me to become a better teacher of reading. And so I got thinking...Hmmm I wonder if my writing experiences will help me become a better teacher of writing? Yes, I think so! When I first started blogging I really struggled with "What should I blog about today?" just as a five year old thinks, "What should I write about today?" I do think this blogging has really helped me to get an even clearer picture of writing. AMAZING!
Read on? Write on? You bet!
When I first started blogging in January it was a way to create a digital family scrapbook and a way for me to chill. However, after the last couple of weeks, I think I have found another reason to blog. When I went to NYC last summer, I then started reading a lot more for reasons other than for grad school. I realized the significance of my life as a reader and the impact that would have on teaching others to learn to read. Some days I really tried to think about what I was doing as a reader, although there were many times I just read to read. My reading experiences have helped me to become a better teacher of reading. And so I got thinking...Hmmm I wonder if my writing experiences will help me become a better teacher of writing? Yes, I think so! When I first started blogging I really struggled with "What should I blog about today?" just as a five year old thinks, "What should I write about today?" I do think this blogging has really helped me to get an even clearer picture of writing. AMAZING!
Read on? Write on? You bet!
Monday, June 21, 2010
Submit!
I submitted my last grad school assignment tonight! Now, all I have left is my final on Friday. I'm thinking of setting the alarm for 5:00 AM and taking it before I teach that day--oh what a feeling!!!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Watch Out For Whitesharks
Yesterday was the summer league divisionals meet. It's where all the teams that Kylie swam against as dual meets this summer came together in one big meet. There were over 1000 swimmers there. They were able to sit in an air-conditioned school until they swam while the parents sat out on the hot concrete parking lot! I wanted to get some work done before the meet, so Ky and Kev left at 6:00 AM. Kole and I didn't leave until 7:45. The meet began at 8:30. Ky swam her seed place in almost every event and dropped time just a little. Throughout the entire day the team leaders were going back and forth between Wortham and Coles Crossing. It was predicted that it would come down to the final relays to determine the winner. Ky's relay was the final relay and Ky led it off--she swam the best she had all day--you could tell she was determined! The girls finished first. When the anchor got out of the pool they all started screaming--whoever won the final relay won the meet. So not only did the girls win the meet, they also set a new record. What an amazing feeling after seeing them work so hard.
But, as I write this, I also realize there will be an emptiness in my heart as this was probably the last divisionals meet Kylie will ever swim since she hopes to be a counselor at camp next year. She's been swimming divisional meets since she was 4 years old, and now it's over. I wonder if Ky has realized that yet. Although it makes me sad, it also makes me so proud. The first meet she swam, she had to pull on the lane ropes to get to the other end of the pool. We really wondered if we were doing the right thing by putting her on a swim team. Then, 13 years later, she is on the winning relay team that sets a new team record and made sure the Whitesharks won the meet. I am so proud of all she's accomplished as a swimmer! I know swimming has caused her many heartaches at time, but in the end it has contributed to so many wonderful happenings--setting goals, doing something you didn't think you could do, being a leader and mentor to others, learning how to study while looking at lane lines, becoming a pro at multi-tasking, learning to do a lot on little sleep, being impacted by wonderful coaches, leading to a new love of water polo, and learning how to give it your all when the tank is empty! Ky has given it her all!
But, as I write this, I also realize there will be an emptiness in my heart as this was probably the last divisionals meet Kylie will ever swim since she hopes to be a counselor at camp next year. She's been swimming divisional meets since she was 4 years old, and now it's over. I wonder if Ky has realized that yet. Although it makes me sad, it also makes me so proud. The first meet she swam, she had to pull on the lane ropes to get to the other end of the pool. We really wondered if we were doing the right thing by putting her on a swim team. Then, 13 years later, she is on the winning relay team that sets a new team record and made sure the Whitesharks won the meet. I am so proud of all she's accomplished as a swimmer! I know swimming has caused her many heartaches at time, but in the end it has contributed to so many wonderful happenings--setting goals, doing something you didn't think you could do, being a leader and mentor to others, learning how to study while looking at lane lines, becoming a pro at multi-tasking, learning to do a lot on little sleep, being impacted by wonderful coaches, leading to a new love of water polo, and learning how to give it your all when the tank is empty! Ky has given it her all!
The Help & The Energy Bus
These past 4 weeks have been jam-packed with 2 classes of grad school, closing out the school year, preparing for Cancun so I didn't have to take any work with me, being in training all last week, and preparing for delivering training all this next week. The last thing I needed to do was read for pleasure! However, reading for pleasure is something I thoroughly enjoy and in order to help students be lifelong readers I need to model being a lifelong reader myself.
Two books I recently read were The Help and The Energy Bus. The Help was recommended by my mom. She said it was a "can't put it down book". I was worried about taking it with me to Cancun because if I truly couldn't put it down, my family would not be happy with me! I started in on the airplane and read one day on the beach. I could see if I had an entire day to just read, I probably wouldn't have put it down. I don't think I would've chosen it by reading the blurb on the back, but I went with my mom's recommendation and it was a good book. The Energy Bus was one recommended in my training this last week. It was a quick read (about 1.5 hours) that I read last night after being out in the sun all day at a swim meet. My brain was too tired to think about my upcoming workshops, so I decided to do a "no think" read instead. The problem was it did make me think! Again, a good book I hope to be able to embrace many of the concepts in it.
Looking for some new book recommendations to take with me on our trip to Iowa and Michigan. Any suggestions?
Two books I recently read were The Help and The Energy Bus. The Help was recommended by my mom. She said it was a "can't put it down book". I was worried about taking it with me to Cancun because if I truly couldn't put it down, my family would not be happy with me! I started in on the airplane and read one day on the beach. I could see if I had an entire day to just read, I probably wouldn't have put it down. I don't think I would've chosen it by reading the blurb on the back, but I went with my mom's recommendation and it was a good book. The Energy Bus was one recommended in my training this last week. It was a quick read (about 1.5 hours) that I read last night after being out in the sun all day at a swim meet. My brain was too tired to think about my upcoming workshops, so I decided to do a "no think" read instead. The problem was it did make me think! Again, a good book I hope to be able to embrace many of the concepts in it.
Looking for some new book recommendations to take with me on our trip to Iowa and Michigan. Any suggestions?
Brain Overload
Have you ever thought your brain was just going to splatter out onto someone because there just wasn't room for anything more? WOW--did I feel that way this week.
Last year I had the opportunity to go to New York to receive some training from the Teachers College. It was an amazing experience and the most worthwhile training I had ever received. This year, the training came to our district. Although parts were similar, there was a lot of new learning as well. It made my brain hurt and I most often had "busy brain disease" at night, unable to stop thinking about all me learning.
Now, it's applying it all--more restless nights of busy brain disease ahead.
Last year I had the opportunity to go to New York to receive some training from the Teachers College. It was an amazing experience and the most worthwhile training I had ever received. This year, the training came to our district. Although parts were similar, there was a lot of new learning as well. It made my brain hurt and I most often had "busy brain disease" at night, unable to stop thinking about all me learning.
Now, it's applying it all--more restless nights of busy brain disease ahead.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Vacation's Over :(
So, Sunday morning I had laundry done by 11:00, went to church at 11:00 for Kole to be commissioned for his mission trip, took Kole for a hair cut, helped him pack for his missions trip, left at 2:00 for Ky's swim meet, got home at 9:00 from the meet, took my mid-term, and crashed!
Monday I left for work at 6:30. The Teachers College came to our district this week, so I'm attending that training again and learning LOTS. My brain hurts! I got home at 3:30 and did a little grad work before eating dinner and heading to the pool. I got home at 8:00 and started working on swim team stuff and preparing for TU training. Although I went to bed by 9:30, Ky and Renee stayed up until 1:45 AM tie-dying.
Tuesday I was at work by 7:00. I checked on a few things and then went to the training. Again, my brain hurts! Tonight there's a swim team meeting at my house at 6:30.
Kevin has been awesome--done the grocery shopping, picked up the house, swept, cleaned bathrooms, and made brownies for the meeting tonight! He managed to do all of this and golf 27 holes today. He can be pretty good at multi-tasking himself!
Only 10 days left of grad school--can you tell I'm excited or what!? I have some of that work left to do, but my big "hanging over my head" is the training I'm doing next week. It's based on our training we're receiving this week and then we turn-around next week and present it. Although I'd love to have handouts ready, can't happen until we get through our training--so you know what my weekend will consist of! And that's around a swim meet on SAT that we'll need to leave for around 6:30 and it'll go until 3:00ish. It's okay--it'll all get done! I'm working off adrenaline now!
Monday I left for work at 6:30. The Teachers College came to our district this week, so I'm attending that training again and learning LOTS. My brain hurts! I got home at 3:30 and did a little grad work before eating dinner and heading to the pool. I got home at 8:00 and started working on swim team stuff and preparing for TU training. Although I went to bed by 9:30, Ky and Renee stayed up until 1:45 AM tie-dying.
Tuesday I was at work by 7:00. I checked on a few things and then went to the training. Again, my brain hurts! Tonight there's a swim team meeting at my house at 6:30.
Kevin has been awesome--done the grocery shopping, picked up the house, swept, cleaned bathrooms, and made brownies for the meeting tonight! He managed to do all of this and golf 27 holes today. He can be pretty good at multi-tasking himself!
Only 10 days left of grad school--can you tell I'm excited or what!? I have some of that work left to do, but my big "hanging over my head" is the training I'm doing next week. It's based on our training we're receiving this week and then we turn-around next week and present it. Although I'd love to have handouts ready, can't happen until we get through our training--so you know what my weekend will consist of! And that's around a swim meet on SAT that we'll need to leave for around 6:30 and it'll go until 3:00ish. It's okay--it'll all get done! I'm working off adrenaline now!
Cancun Memories Cont...
Friday was a big day for us. We got a private driver (only $20 more than taking a bus and having to wait for all of them to board by day's end!) and headed to XCaret. It's a park of wildlife (marine and land), along with shows. We had arranged for the driver to pick us up at 9:00; however, the room service that was to be delivered between 8:00-8:30 didn't arrive until close to 9:00 so we got a little later start than anticipated. It took us about 1.25 hours to get there. The driver walked up and got our tickets for us so we could walk right in--best extra $20 ever spent! We walked some underground caves, saw animal exhibits, rested in some hammocks and headed to the dolphin swim. Both Ky and Kole wanted to swim with the dolphins so we arranged that for them. Kole was a bit nervous, but not Ky! They were in a group with 2 others and swam for about an hour with the dolphins. Ky loved it and Kole did also by the time they finished. If only one wouldn't have to study science, Ky would love to explore marine biology! Kevin and I thoroughly enjoyed watching their expressions throughout the entire experience! We then watched some flying men and headed for a late lunch (Yes, Ky had plenty of snacks up to that point!) After lunch (4:30ish) we went swimming in the underground river. It was COLD but yet refreshing on such a hot day. After the underground swim, we went to a cultural show of the history of Mexico. The music and costumes were amazing! We only wished they would've interpreted the words in English as our Spanish interpreters (Ky and Kole) couldn't translate all of that for us. The show ended at 9:00 and we got back to our hotel about 10:30--a long day!
Saturday morning we headed down to the beach and pool for one last time. We checked out at noon, ate lunch, and then waited for our ride to pick us up and head back to the airport at 2:30. Our passports had fallen out of my carry-on bag in the van, but I caught that before we got out at the airport. Ride back was smooth flying! We landed in Houston about 7:30, were home by 8:45, and Ky had friends over by 9:00.
What made it so great? No phone, no internet, all of us together for everything, no food tried, lots of sun, few disagreements, a time to just be ourselves and not worry about anything!
Yes, I did get one book read--The Help. It was a book I normally wouldn't have selected but was recommended to me by my mom--good book!
Saturday morning we headed down to the beach and pool for one last time. We checked out at noon, ate lunch, and then waited for our ride to pick us up and head back to the airport at 2:30. Our passports had fallen out of my carry-on bag in the van, but I caught that before we got out at the airport. Ride back was smooth flying! We landed in Houston about 7:30, were home by 8:45, and Ky had friends over by 9:00.
What made it so great? No phone, no internet, all of us together for everything, no food tried, lots of sun, few disagreements, a time to just be ourselves and not worry about anything!
Yes, I did get one book read--The Help. It was a book I normally wouldn't have selected but was recommended to me by my mom--good book!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Cancun Memories
What a vacation--some of the best family time--long-lasting memories!
We left TU for the airport a little after 6:00 AM. We weren't planning on leaving until 6:30, but we were all anxious and ready! After parking the car, we headed to Continental terminal to find we were a few pounds over 50 in one of our bags, so I threw out the shampoo and conditioner (is that why they make travel-size) and we were good to go! While in line waiting to go through security, we run into a Cy-Falls baseball coach who was going to Dominican Republican to have a baseball clinic. Then while waiting to board the plane, Kev notices a Langham fball coach. I swear Kev knows more people! Kev was just hoping the Langham coach didn't recognize him--the last thing he wanted to do was talk fball!
The flight down was uneventful. We made it through immigration and customs without any problem. We found our travel company waiting for us to take us to our hotel. Who should be on our van ride? Yes, the Langham coach! However, when we were dropped off at our hotel, it was not the Langham coach's destination.
We checked out the hotel and started thinking about our excursions. We went down to the beach and stayed at the hotel the rest of TU.
WED we booked our excursions for TH and FRI and then spent the rest of the day enjoying the beach, pool, unlimited beverages and snacks! Ky did taste margaritas and prefers strawberry to regular. What we learned that day--expired sun screen is not a good thing!
TH we left the hotel at 7:40 AM to go snorkeling. We rode about 45 minutes to the site. Our guide was excellent. We snorkeled at two spots--God's underwater beauty is amazing! The guide then offered for anyone who wanted a chance to do a version of parasailing in which you swing on a parachute and then they drop you in the water. Ky was the 2nd to try it. She asked to be lowered into the water when she was done swimming rather than be dropped. Not to be outdone by his daughter, Kev tried it too. His entry into the water wasn't as graceful!
We then enjoyed appetizeers and drinks at the snorkeling site while waiting for our bus to pick us up. However, while waiting, Ky passed out. Yes, she said it was the similar experience of when she passed out at school. We got some suger in her quick and the medical staff checked her out. She's usually pretty good about snacking throughout the day, but with it being so hot, she really didn't feel like snacking. Lesson learned!
More another day--too much work to do!
We left TU for the airport a little after 6:00 AM. We weren't planning on leaving until 6:30, but we were all anxious and ready! After parking the car, we headed to Continental terminal to find we were a few pounds over 50 in one of our bags, so I threw out the shampoo and conditioner (is that why they make travel-size) and we were good to go! While in line waiting to go through security, we run into a Cy-Falls baseball coach who was going to Dominican Republican to have a baseball clinic. Then while waiting to board the plane, Kev notices a Langham fball coach. I swear Kev knows more people! Kev was just hoping the Langham coach didn't recognize him--the last thing he wanted to do was talk fball!
The flight down was uneventful. We made it through immigration and customs without any problem. We found our travel company waiting for us to take us to our hotel. Who should be on our van ride? Yes, the Langham coach! However, when we were dropped off at our hotel, it was not the Langham coach's destination.
We checked out the hotel and started thinking about our excursions. We went down to the beach and stayed at the hotel the rest of TU.
WED we booked our excursions for TH and FRI and then spent the rest of the day enjoying the beach, pool, unlimited beverages and snacks! Ky did taste margaritas and prefers strawberry to regular. What we learned that day--expired sun screen is not a good thing!
TH we left the hotel at 7:40 AM to go snorkeling. We rode about 45 minutes to the site. Our guide was excellent. We snorkeled at two spots--God's underwater beauty is amazing! The guide then offered for anyone who wanted a chance to do a version of parasailing in which you swing on a parachute and then they drop you in the water. Ky was the 2nd to try it. She asked to be lowered into the water when she was done swimming rather than be dropped. Not to be outdone by his daughter, Kev tried it too. His entry into the water wasn't as graceful!
We then enjoyed appetizeers and drinks at the snorkeling site while waiting for our bus to pick us up. However, while waiting, Ky passed out. Yes, she said it was the similar experience of when she passed out at school. We got some suger in her quick and the medical staff checked her out. She's usually pretty good about snacking throughout the day, but with it being so hot, she really didn't feel like snacking. Lesson learned!
More another day--too much work to do!
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Reveal or Cover Up?
OK, so I got up yesterday at 5:00 AM (Yes, a Saturday that early!) and decided to work non-stop on work and grad school so I could be ready to spend getting ready for our trip. At 7:00 PM I finished, but got almost everything done I had hoped to. With that being done, I could now concentrate on getting ready for our trip.
I realized it had been 7 years since I last purchased a swim suit. Although I have no idea if it still fits, my family insisted I buy a new one. So, Ky volunteered to help me swim suit shop. And to be honest, there is nothing I dread more than shopping for a swim suit.
After church, Ky and I headed to Memorial City. We went into Macy's. The first suit I saw that I would agree to try on was $89 for the top alone! Not willing to pay that, so we looked some more. Finally we found the section that fit my budget. As Ky was showing me different suits I realized her purpose in a swim suit is to reveal and my purpose is to cover up!
In the end, I found more that would work than I realized. I found 3 that I couldn't decide between, so Ky took pictures of me in each one and sent them to Kev (the benefits of a cell phone!). I had decided I would buy 2 (who knew, it might be another 7 years before I did this type of shopping again!). I knew the one I liked the most, but asked Kev to make his vote. My #1 choice was his #3! So I decided I'd buy all 3! And all 3 cover up rather than reveal!
I realized it had been 7 years since I last purchased a swim suit. Although I have no idea if it still fits, my family insisted I buy a new one. So, Ky volunteered to help me swim suit shop. And to be honest, there is nothing I dread more than shopping for a swim suit.
After church, Ky and I headed to Memorial City. We went into Macy's. The first suit I saw that I would agree to try on was $89 for the top alone! Not willing to pay that, so we looked some more. Finally we found the section that fit my budget. As Ky was showing me different suits I realized her purpose in a swim suit is to reveal and my purpose is to cover up!
In the end, I found more that would work than I realized. I found 3 that I couldn't decide between, so Ky took pictures of me in each one and sent them to Kev (the benefits of a cell phone!). I had decided I would buy 2 (who knew, it might be another 7 years before I did this type of shopping again!). I knew the one I liked the most, but asked Kev to make his vote. My #1 choice was his #3! So I decided I'd buy all 3! And all 3 cover up rather than reveal!
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