Monster Mash

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And I was like, why are you so obsessed with me?

The title is the first line spoken in the Mariah Carey song "Obsessed." I love that song. I guess you could say that I am truly "obsessed" with it! :) I wouldn't call myself a HUGE Mariah fan, and I don't think I would buy tickets to see her live or anything, but I was thinking about it today, and I have EVERY cd she has ever put out, and I have LOVED every one of them. So I guess that does make me a big fan of her music. Some of my childhood favorites of hers are Always Be My Baby , Hero, and then of course her collaboration with Boyz II Men, One Sweet Day. I always wanted to be a singer, so I used to stand in my room and belt out Mariah Carey and Toni Braxton. Turns out I don't have the same vocal skills they do, but I still love singing along with them! :)

Speaking of music, John Mayer has a new CD coming out. He has already released the first single. I'm not crazy about it, but it's okay. It talks about "getting stoned" though and that's just not my thing at all, so maybe I just don't relate to it. I do like that he mentions Austin though! :) Anyways, the reason I bring this up...sometimes I watch/listen to VH1 in the mornings when I am getting ready (I detest the morning DJs in Dallas, I miss Bobby Bones from Austin), and the video for "Who Says" came on today. I have always had a crush on John Mayer, but in this video he is extra amazing. He looks so handsome in it, so that makes me love the video (even though I don't really love the song). Taylor Swift also just re-released her CD with extra songs. Lady Gaga is releasing The Fame Monster in a few weeks and I can not wait! She just released the first single, Bad Romance and I LOVE IT!

Still on the subject of music, I AM GOING TO A CONCERT on Sunday! :) Yay! Stacy and I are going to see Hanson and Hello-Goodbye. This will be Stacy's sixth Hanson concert and I am so glad that she turned me on to them. They are also activists which makes them EVEN COOLER! They have evolved since the days of Mmm-Bop, and are an amazing band. If you are not familiar with their music, listen to the song I posted below.



Stacy and I also just joined Dallas County Young Democrats and we are going to their Speaker Series and Reception on November 13th. The founder of TOMS shoes, Blake Mycoskie, is going to be there, and I can not wait to hear what he has to say!

Today I had "CPI" training. This is non-violent crisis intervention training, where you learn how to safely and legally do restraints. They are always used as a last resort, but in my classroom I can see how it is important to know what to do in these situations. I felt like I was training to be a prison guard or something though, it is kinda scary to have to think about using these techniques on students, and I really hope I never have to. I am glad I will know how though, in case a situation does arise. The training flew by today (part of that is because it was only 8:30-2:30, with a morning break, an hour lunch, and an afternoon break, and because we were up practicing the holds and restraints), but I still would have rather been at school with the kids. I love my job. I can't believe how much I miss them when I am gone. I wish I could adopt all 12 of them. Okay, maybe not, but I wish they all lived on my street so I could go and play with them whenever I wanted. Okay, that doesn't sound right either. I'll just say that these kids have already made a HUGE impact on me, and I can't imagine not getting to keep up with them after this year. I wish I could be in touch with them forever. There, is that better? :)

Zac is sick. I think he has the flu. He already put in for a sub tomorrow (Thursday...his game day...this is a big deal) and he is going to try to get into a doctor first thing in the morning. His fever is 103 right now. Bless his heart. I am glad that he only has one more week of football...all that work takes a toll on him, not to mention the added stress that goes along with it! :(

Well, that is quite a lengthy blog. I guess I had lots to say. I still have even more to say, but I will save that for another day. I will leave you with a pic that made me smile. If you have seen The Hangover, it should make you smile too. This is my creative friend Kenji, at a Halloween party...

Why do I tire of counting sheep, when I'm far too tired to fall asleep?

As usual, I have gotten busy and although I have a hundred pics and stories to share, this is not the time. I have a big paper due tomorrow and I am working on it now. Actually "NOW" I am blogging, but I am taking a brief break from writing. I have this amazing song stuck in my head, and I just wanted to share it with whoever is lucky enough to read my blog. :) I am sure a lot of you have already heard it. I love it. I really think everyone would love this song...it's so happy sounding. Ladies and Gentlemen, please listen to Fireflies by Owl City.

You would not believe your eyes
If ten million fireflies
Lit up the world as I fell asleep

'Cause they'd fill the open air
And leave teardrops everywhere
You'd think me rude
But I would just stand and stare

I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay
Awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems

'Cause I'd get a thousand hugs
From ten thousand lightning bugs
As they tried to teach me how to dance

A foxtrot above my head
A sock hop beneath my bed
A disco ball is just hanging by a thread

I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay
Awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems
When I fall asleep

Leave my door open just a crack
(Please take me away from here)
'Cause I feel like such an insomniac
(Please take me away from here)
Why do I tire of counting sheep
(Please take me away from here)
When I'm far too tired to fall asleep

To ten million fireflies
I'm weird 'cause I hate goodbyes
I got misty eyes as they said farewell

But I'll know where several are
If my dreams get real bizarre
'Cause I saved a few and I keep them in a jar

I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay
Awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems
Because my dreams are bursting at the seams

Test...Success

I found out Tuesday (at school) that I passed my "EC-4 Generalist" test!! (This certifies people to be able to teach early childhood up to fourth grade, and questions cover content as well as situations and how to approach problems, design lessons, and teach material.) The magic number to pass is 240, and the best you can get is 300. I got a 276, and I was VERY happy with that! It is actually a tough test, and it's very lengthy. (You are allowed five hours, but I took just a little over two...but that is still a long time to have to focus so hard, and it is a lot of reading.
When I got my results back and finished jumping up and down, my teacher left and went to Sonic to get us all drinks to celebrate! They were so happy for me, and with me...it was a great feeling! In fact, we all went to dinner together tonight. I am so lucky to love my coworkers!

The next test I take is called the PPR. It stands for Pedagogy and Professional Responsibility. Whereas the last test is more about the "what" of teaching, this is geared to the ethics and laws and "rules" of teaching. I am not as worried about this one. Everyone says "don't imagine what you'd do in a real classroom, but instead think of the "ideal world." I will be taking this test in the next few weeks.
Those are the only 2 tests that I am required to take for my degree in Elementary Education. Since I KNOW that I don't want to teach elementary, I plan on taking a few more tests after I graduate. I will FOR SURE take the Special Ed. test, and most likely I will take the Bilingual or ESL test. The only problem is that these tests cost $120 each, plus a lot of stress, and a huge chunk of time. I know it is worth it though, and make me that much more marketable. The more certifications I have, the more people will want to hire me, and the more I will be able to do. :)
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This has nothing to do with state tests, but on the subject of education, I had my formal observation today, by my University Supervisor. She is so sweet and everything went really well. The kids were awesome, and I felt like it was smooth. When we were going over my evaluation, she said "well, I tried as hard as I could to think of three suggestions or areas to improve, but I could not come up with any, so I just wrote three extra compliments in that section." :) This has been a good week!

Still waiting and praying....

I wanted to post another update, as I know many of you are praying and keeping up with Emily's journey. This was sent to me today, by her dad Jeff...

We want to thank everyone for the prayers for little Emily. There has not been much change in her condition. We did try to remove the ventilator on Sunday, but Emily was not strong enough to breathe on her own. We have a couple more test that we should get back very soon. We are already planning a meeting for next week to brainstorm with all the doctors to see if we are missing anything. The doctors are working really hard to try and formulate a diagnosis and they are using all available resources to help themselves. Pray for them to have clarity of mind. Pray for strength and patience for Karen and I. Pray that Emily has a miraculous healing.

The good news is that through all this, Emily still has been able to give us smiles. Karen and I are able to hold her in our arms each day, and Emily has gained some weight. She is at 8lbs 1oz.

Wedding Bells

Last weekend, my best friend Kenji got married to a girl from our high school that I was also good friends with. This is only the second wedding I have attended of my childhood friends. (Carrie's wedding this past August was the first!) Needless to say, it was SOO very emotional. Kenji and I were inseparable in high school, and we also went to the same college! We even had matching cars and matching necklaces! :) He was like a big brother to me through all those years, and I am so lucky I had a protective boy best friend who could look out for me and call me out when I needed to be. There is so much less drama when boy tells you you're being a brat. :) I can't explain in one post (or even a million) how much my friendship with Kenji means to me. Just imagine your favoritest bestest friend from high school, and that's what he is to me. We haven't been as in touch the past few years and we both would like, but we have so much history, we can not talk for a few months and pick right back up where we left off. I was so proud and happy to see him marry such an amazing girl! They are both very lucky and will have such a joyful life together! Maybe that's why I felt like my heart was going to explode out of my chest on their special day! (Not to mention it was gorgeously planned and executed, they looked stunning, and it was so personalized...they played only Beatles music before/during the ceremony...It was so "THEM!") Here are a few pics...
The ceremony overlooked this gorgeous lake, the weather was cool and crisp and perfect.
Look how happy the lovebirds are!!
I loved the back of Tara's dress! Isn't the broach (which she added) the "cherry on top?"
Zac and I with the bride and groom...
BFF means Best Friends FOREVER!! :)
Zac and Kenji played football together at McMurry and were in the same social club, along with these other guys. It was so fun to see college friends we hadn't seen in ages!
And of course I got to see a lot of Mac Knights that I hadn't seen in forever. I loved my high school experience! We laughed and shared so many amazing memories at the reception!
Clinton was the other person (besides me and Kenji) that went to McCallum AND McMurry.
This was on the way to the car after the "send-off." I did not want the night to be over! What an amazing night!!
Of course we had to take a family pic with Molser when we got home. :)
Congrats Tara and Kenji! We love y'all so much!

Highs/Lows

Highs and Lows for the past week or so. (H=high, L=low)
H-Taking our class to the state fair, and Zac taking a day off work to join us! :)
L-Having surgery, swine flu, and an upper respiratory infection in a 5-week period.
H-Loving my job and my kids and my coworkers, more than I ever thought I could love any of the above. I even went out with a few of my work friends after school one day this week!
L-One of my professors is a bit unpleasant. She loves for us to feel inadequate, instead of feeling confident and successful.
H-Dinner with Stacy on Thursday night, followed by a visit with my in-laws at Zac's football game. They won with a trick play in the last seconds...very exciting. I love seeing Zac's kids hugging him. Click HERE for details and a few pics.
L-Varsity has only won 1 game. It has made for a hard season for the guys. It's awkward being a coach's wife and having people come up to you and ask "why can't we win?" Ugh!
H-Recently downloaded a bunch of new music and have been enjoying getting to know it. I love a all of it, but if I can only make on suggestion, check out Bob Schneider's "Lovely Creatures."
L-Being asked weekly by a foster child "can you please adopt me?" Heartbreaking.
H-Relaxing weekend with Zac. Yesterday the Horns won, we ate some yummy BBQ, went to a movie, had Jason's Deli (yum!) for lunch today, babysitting a real cutie pie this afternoon.

Emily Update

from Jeff, Emily's dad...

Thanks for all the prayers and support over the past month. Emily is still in ICU and on a ventilator. We are still waiting on a number of tests. There is a small chance that Emily could have botulism, but the good news is that this disease is curable. Pray the test is done quickly. Pray for all the nurses and doctors that they are able to figure out a diagnosis and treatment for her. Pray for Karen and I to have strength each day. Good news is that Emily weighs 7 lbs 12 oz, which is almost 1.5 lbs gained since being in the hospital.

Emily Kate

I have a huge favor to ask of anyone who reads this. Please pray for my cousin Karen's daughter, Emily. She was born in June, and only weighed 3lbs 7oz. She did really well and grew in NICU and got to come home, and continued to grow at home, but right after 2 months, Emily started to have severe reflux and started not wanting to eat. They have done several types of tests to figure out if there are any other issues, but didn't find much out. On Sept 11, Emily was barely eating enough food to survive, so the doctor had her admitted to the hospital. Again, the testing began, but this time, Emily started getting weaker. The doctors have started to look more and more at genetic disorders. Last Tuesday, Emily stopped breathing and was rushed to ICU, where she has been since. They are now waiting on the results of the genetics test, which should take 3 to 12 weeks, depending on the test. Please pray for strength for Karen and Jeff. Please pray for strength and recovery for little Emily. They tried removing her respirator last week, but she was not strong enough to breathe on her own, so they had to re-intubate her. Please also pray for the doctors, and that the results come back sooner than expected. Here are a few pictures of the little sweetie...



Thanks for your prayers, and please feel free to pass on the word.

Football Season

Even though football season is half way over, I feel like it is just beginning. But that is probably just because I was not feeling well, then I had the surgery, so I missed the first three weeks of football season. Last week we played the number three ranked team in the state, and well-I'll let you judge by Zac's face whether you think we won or not. I think sometimes he kind of detests having a wife who is so camera-happy. That's okay. He'll live. :)Yeah, we lost, but it was a fun game anyways. Meredith and I went together, and there are always so many cute coaches kids. This is one of the cutest girls ever, and I think he is one of the cutest boys. I think they should get married. Yeah, they're only two, but just look how precious they are together!
So we have already played five games (our record is 1 win and 4 losses), and only have five more to go. It's going by pretty fast. This might be Zac's last year coaching, since he will finish his masters in administration in December. Kinda weird to think that this chapter in our lives is coming to an end. Better enjoy the frito pies while I can! :)

Fun links:
-Thanks to Hot Topic, you can now shimmer like Edward. Haha!
-To see "100 of the best Youtube videos," in under 4 minutes, click HERE.
-Have you heard Britney's new song, 3 yet? I am pretty much already obsessed with it.