Delightful Surprises

Do you have a favorite poet?

2012-01-10T17:21:00.004-06:00

I do. His name is Langston Hughes. I've admired his work since my sophomore year in high school after my English teacher, standing on her desk, recited A Dream Deferred.

This one is one I came across today! It made me smile.

Harlem Night Song

Come,
Let us roam the night together
Singing.

I love you.

Across
The Harlem roff-tops
Moon is shining.
Night sky is blue.
Stars are great drops
Of golden dew.

Down the street
A band is playing.

I love you.

Come,
Let us roam the night together
Singing.

2012 - The Year I Go Back To Basics

2012-01-02T19:20:00.010-06:00

2011 - The Year of Wonder.

It was just that! It was a whirl wind!! I neglected this blog quite a bit! But I have plans to turn that around.

So what was accomplished this year? I ran two half marathons. I got to go to Guatemala for a month this summer. I found my niche in teaching - 4th grade ESL! I paid off my credit card debt! ON TO THE STUDENT LOANS! The traditions we have as a family were totally awesome this year! It's like we all craved it and made sure it happened...right down to the punch with sherbet at Christmas!! :o)

I didn't accomplish weight training or braces...there was NO PLAN! And my 30 before 30 list is pretty much out the window...again no plan. But perhaps I'll do a daring 40 before 40 list. HAHAHA...10 years to accomplish WORLD PEACE!

This was the best year EVER! This coming year I'm turning 30 and I have a feeling it will be even better!! I really can't wait!! 30 is going to be my new 25! I loved 25.

So...moving along to the NEW YEAR!

HAPPY 2012! The Year of Going Back to Basics!

It seems like the older I get the more time flies. And the more I think I should simply. I also think a lot about how important it is to declare that Jesus is my life more publicly. Sure, everyone that knows me knows this about me. What you may not know is that sometimes I really struggle with even going to church...or reading my bible...or praying. It SUCKS! Because as much as it is a struggle, I know that JESUS is my TRUE source of JOY in my life. Maybe I'll share my testimony some time on this Delightful Surprises...

This year, rather than thinking about simplifying and prioritizing, the plan is to actually DO IT! So what does that mean or even look like? I'm not 100 percent sure, but I have some things in mind.

Here's what I have to set the tone for the year...

THEME VERSE for 2012:

Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.

-Hebrews 12:1-2

THEME PICTURE for 2012:

THEME SONG for 2012:

GOALS for 2012:

Read my Bible daily. Okay, so I've had this app on my phone for a while, but I HAD NO IDEA that it has different plans to read the Bible in various ways (like reading in 90 days or a year). So, as you read following one of these plans, it shows your progress on this little bar...I'm so excited, because not only do I want to read my Bible, but I also like progress. So not only will I have intangible rewards, I'll also have a little bar that will say: "Mims, you're making progress!" :o)
On a serious note, I think one of the problems I have is that my LOVE for literature often has me overlook the BOOK. I'm missing out on the perspective, direction, guidance it gives.
Does this mean that I won't be reading other books for fun? Absolutely not. It just means that I want to make sure to read my Bible...INTENTIONALLY!
Less time on Facebook and Pinterest. This is HUGE. Like ENORMOUSLY huge. I've noticed that I am not as creative as I know that I can be. And I've also noticed my absorption to FB and Pinterest...almost to the point of neglecting the people I have around me. Not to mention wasting lots of time. In order to accomplish this, I deactivated my FB account and removed both the FB and Pinterest apps from my phone. COLD TURKEY! So I suppose this is to be more intentional with my time, things and people around me rather than checking status updates and things I could possibly do instead of actually doing them.
This one is something I used to do...that I miss. And you may laugh. It's kind of silly...But here it is...I want to make my bed every morning. (insert bashful face) There's a discipline that I've lost along the way. I'm not sure why? Maybe waking up too late and rushing out the door? Like I said...I'm going back to BASICS!
I would like to run one half-marathon. I haven't been running very much. I don't know if it's possible to go back, but I want to do it. I have a race in mind, but I'll reserve the date for later.
Lay off the lists. I love lists! I do, but sometimes I like them so much that they paralyze me. I want to be a bit more spontaneous.
Significantly decrease the Student Loan Debt. I really wanted to finish by my 30th birthday, but it'll probably happen for my 31st which is just fine. I really can't wait!!
Braces? I'm such a wimp when it comes to pain....and I hear this hurts!!

That's all folks. I hope you've had a great start to the year!

December Excitement

2011-12-01T15:27:00.003-06:00

All I have to say is that today, my favorite number is 12! Usually it's the number four....but today it's twelve. Why?

It's the 12 days of CHRISTMAS!! 12 days before I get to celebrate it with NO SCHOOL for 2 weeks! SO EXCITED!! WOO! 12 DRUMMER'S DRUMMING! I've always loved drum lines!

12...it has a nice ring to it!

WAIT!! HOLD UP!!

It's 11. Today's school day is OVER! SO exciting!! ELEVEN! Eleven Piper's Piping!!

Chika, chicka.....OH YEAH!!

Plain and Simple

2011-11-21T17:29:00.005-06:00

So - this week is Thanksgiving. I'm thankful for a whole lot. I don't have to post it anywhere to prove it. Although, if I come up with a list I'll post it. (After all - I do LOVE lists!)

I just wanted to say on this hot and humid week of Thanksgiving...some things in life are plain STUPID! That's my bottom line today. Some things are just STUPID!

What can you do about stupid? NOTHING! Absolutely, positively NOTHING! Just smile.

Pretend you LOVE the stupid things in life! Pretend that this STUPID thing makes you're heart skip a beat! Pretend that STUPID is your new mantra! Pretend that STUPID is your slice of pie! Pretend that your flavor of STUPID is the new pumpkin spice!

YEAH! Let me hear it! STUPID! I love STUPID! STUPID makes coffee nervous!

(No, but for real - whatever this is on my to-do list is STUPID...or I'm taking CRAZY pills! I'm okay. I promise. See....:)....I'm smiling!)

Thanksgiving #8-12

2011-11-14T16:30:00.000-06:00

So...This is where I can't keep up. This isn't date accurate anymore, but I'm still thankful for this stuff:

8. I'm thankful for my Tia RosaMaria's visit to Houston. Not only have I gotten to see her cheery self, she also made us the most delicious enchiladas!

9. I'm thankful for unexpected surprises. The good kind. (I mean - really - who likes a bad surprise?!?!?) I'm talking like a visit from someone you weren't expecting to come. Yes. It makes me happy!! My brother came to church with me. :o)

10. I'm thankful for the perfect amount of events in a weekend. After having a full October, it's SO stinken' nice to CHILL and have no good excuse to go to bed at 8 pm on a Saturday. Lame...you say? I think NOT! I think an 8 o'clock bed time is a DREAM COME TRUE! It doesn't happen often.

11. I'm thankful for being able to be technologically literate. One of my biggest fears - okay so "FEAR" is too strong of a word - but I'm really afraid of being the one person in a room that doesn't understand how to do a simple activity on a phone, a computer or something techy.

12. I'm thankful for design. It is amazing how something people create take your breath away or makes you think of how you can improve you're own work. Personally - I love creating stuff for school in word.

Thanks for noticing...

2011-11-07T16:15:00.002-06:00

Up until I was 23, I had beautiful skin. No spots. No blemishes. Clean. Beautiful. Like really, super nice, skin. It was nice while it lasted...Wish it had lasted a bit longer, but my inner teenager decided to come out and my face broke out not quite to pizza face, but close.

I'll have mountain ranges on my face for months at a time. They'll go away for a short time and then come back like the revenge of the HIMALAYAS!

Today, I woke up with Mount Everest on the bridge of my nose and various other majestic mountaintops on my face. On top of that - I chose not to wear make-up. (Something I don't do anymore. My students haven't seen me without it.)

Well, I have really inquisitive students...One in particular who doesn't seem to have many reservations:

"Ms. Marquez, what happened to your face? Did a ball hit you on your nose?"

My response: "Thanks for noticing what's different on my face this morning. Let's focus on our work."

So there you have it...I have a PIMPLE face.

And thankfully - I don't struggle with insecurity on that front...or else...I would've never told you this incident and how much this made me laugh (on the inside!).

Thanksgiving, Nov. 7

2011-11-07T15:29:00.006-06:00

After having an achy back and really lousy sleep, I decided it was time to go ahead and purchase a new mattress on Halloween night. I was waiting for the right time, the right mattress, and the right set of NEW furniture, my own place...But it had been YEARS and nearly an entire decade that I had this thing. It was ridiculous and if I waited any longer - circumstances would never be quite right. Really - it's a wonder why I waited so long!

On my way to the store to purchase the new mattress, I asked my mom what I should do with the old one. I was embarrassed to even put it out on the curb for heavy trash pickup the it was so OLD! I told her that I would prefer to burn it.

And then it dawned on me...if I put that ratty old thing out on the curb someone who actually NEEDS a mattress will be SO HAPPY to come pick it up.

I'm not kidding when I say this: I started to cry!

I just don't understand how this works....How some have and others don't.

And even then - How in the world did I end up as one who has and sometimes feel like I don't have enough? How am I not one who is happy to finally have somewhere to layer my precious blankets instead of a dusty floor?

It reminds me of this:

From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom
they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more. -Luke 12:48

So - today, I am thankful that God has entrusted with a very explicit responsibility: To be a good steward of the things I have, and to share with those who are in need.

Thanksgiving

2011-11-06T16:23:00.003-06:00

Count your blessings...You'll realize you have more than you could ever ask for. Then, praise the name of Jesus. Every good and perfect gift comes from Him.

November 1-6 Thanksgivings:

I'm thankful for the Love of Jesus. He's lavished His Love on me so that I could be a Daughter of the Most High King.
I'm thankful for my parents. They keep it real. My parents aren't just parents anymore...they are my friends. I'm beyond thankful to call them MY parents.
I'm thankful for my brothers. I want to see them be successful in life. And I would like their love for Jesus to be inspiring to those around them. They have the ability to make me laugh like no one else can. :o)
I'm thankful for my health. I can see God's beautiful creation...I can see hearts that He's placed around for us to find! I can hear incredible music and the sounds of children laughing. I can hear my mom when she's cheering for a team. I can feel the different textures of the things around me. I can taste the most incredible food on the planet! I love food! I can smell when the rain is coming...it's the best smell ever - especially when you haven't gotten much of it.
I'm thankful for my job. I could whine if I wanted to about this...but I'm blessed. I teach the best set of kids a teacher could ask for. I get paid to work with KIDS! :o) I get to use my talents...
I'm thankful for Casa Bernabe. Life is not the same because I've been there.... Life is not the same because my heart is still there. I love that place. I love the kids. I love the people that work there. I just love it there. You can pray for me on that front.

More to come next week.

Inventive speaking

2011-11-03T15:18:00.002-05:00

In order to have my kids retain what is cause and effect, I had them do skits. After the skits they had to point out the cause and effects that occurred in their little skit...

So - of course, one skit is how a girl falls when she's playing tag and her mom put "oxygen water" to clean up her scraped knee.

Not only do they now know how to identify cause and effect, but they aslo know that agua oxigenada is not oxygen water, but hydrogen peroxide!

I thought that was super, super cute!! :o)

My first ever Haiku

2011-10-31T15:16:00.003-05:00

SHORT

Too fast for comfort
are the autumn days this year
Faster they will be

**Thanks to @ChaiJen I learned the mechanics of a Haiku today.

the D word...at it's finest

2011-10-28T15:12:00.005-05:00

There was a time in my life that I wanted to be "White." Blond hair, blue eyes, tall and skinny. It started in 2nd grade. Up until then, I was a happy little Mexican girl who loved learning English and loved reading Dick and Jane books. I would constantly write - "I can run. Can you run?" Sure, I didn't speak the language well, but I tried my damnedest. I would speak Spanish words pretending they were English, just like Americans add "-so" to English words to make them sound like it's Spanish.

Well - I transitioned out of bilingual/ESL earlier than most of my classmates. They put me in a mainstream class and I'd say that is when my crisis began. The bilingual students thought of me as a traitor (it was made very clear on field day) and the white kids were probably wondering what I was doing there. I didn't feel like I fit in anywhere.

It got to the point that I told my mom I was no longer speaking Spanish because I was going to be white. She said it was fine with her as long as I understood that I would no longer be able to communicate with her, my father, my grandparents, my aunts, uncles, and my favorite cousin in Mexico. So - I kept speaking Spanish.

It wasn't until I got older that I understood it wasn't just the Spanish language I almost gave up, but also my culture.

The culture where family is NUMBER ONE! Where what you feel - you feel it intesely! Where food is an invitation for friendship! Where having family in the same part of Mexico makes you have an instant connection with a complete stranger! Where music is more than JUST stuff you listen to! Where it's not JUST you...but those around you, and if you want to play the selfish game everyone around has no shame in letting you know how ridiculous you are! Where parents give up just about anything if it means their kids have a better opportunity! Where everyone works hard to make sure everyone has what they need and if anything is left over we'll make a party of it! Where gifts mean more than something you give, but you're actually giving a part of your heart!

My culture is BEAUTIFUL! I wouldn't give it up if you paid me a million dollars. I was young, naive, and felt completely out of place.

For the first time ever, this year, I get to see as a bilingual teacher what it was like for me as a bilingual student. The parent support is incredible. All the moms know each other and I'm sure have each other on speed dial. If I needed help tomorrow, I could count on them to come help me because I am their child's teacher. They know what's going on with each others kids and encourage the kids to keep each other accountable and to take care of each other.

I LOVE THAT.

But, I'm noticing my students are going through the same crisis I did and I want to make a big poster that says, "BE PROUD! YOU HAVE SO MUCH TO OFFER!!"

For me, today was especially rough. I don't know if my student's caught on but I sure did and I was ready to pounce! We were on a field trip and my class was split into two different groups. My group got to see the sparkly jewels and learned about geology. It was interesting, but not as great as it could've been if we had a more engaging and respectful tour guide.

He was too smart for his own good. My kids even used the word they learned earlier that morning to say: "Ms. Marquez, do you think he's a good example of 'brag'?" My answer was an honest: "Yes."

He began his little speech and began to ask questions in a way even I wasn't sure how to answer. He kept repeating his questions and pointing to different things and making hand gestures. He was looking specifically for the words: FLAT and SMOOTH! He pointed to a piece of wood, so the kids answered: WOOD! And then to a piece of padded velvet and they answered: FLUFFY! He was clearly not meeting them on their level.

His next question was the one that got my fire burning: Who of you were born in America?

WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?! Really - my students are really bright and know they words FLAT and SMOOTH!

When we got back I had a student tell me he didn't want to be Mexican. I'm not entirely sure what triggered that comment since he wasn't in my group...but he continued. That white people got the better jobs. How they look better so people treat them nicely. How others believe them before they would a Mexican.

So - I told them my story. I told them that the opportunities they have is up to how hard they study and how bad they want it. How being Mexican (or hispanic) isn't a drawback, but a more flavorful life. It means they get to have the BEST of BOTH worlds!

These kids want to be teachers and police officers. I have some who want to be doctors, lawyers, presidents of a banks, and even the President of the United States. Others want to be famous musicians to help fundraise for orphans!

My students have HUGE - I mean...LARGER THAN LIFE dreams! Please. I beg you. Don't have them tripping up on your discrimination.

A Cool Feeling

2011-10-13T19:12:00.005-05:00

The past two weeks have been a bit of a blur due to the Hispanic Heritage Program all bilingual teachers are highly encouraged to help with. It turned out really well. All the kids were happy and they did great.

What stood out for me was a small quick moment when everyone was rushing to get out.

One of my third grade boys rushes up to me and gives me a HUGE hug. I say, "Hello So & so! It's so great to see you here!" Without hesitation he says, "THAT'S NOT MY NAME!" To give myself time to think I say, "HAHAHA! I know - I'm testing you!..."

...THINK MIMI! THINK!!...

"See you're name is CORRECT NAME!"

OMG - THAT'S A COOL FEELING! I don't my student's names out of the classroom context! I'm gonna have to work on that!

Favorite Commercials

2011-10-06T17:04:00.006-05:00

I haven't been able to find it...or more like haven't had a chance to look online to find it...BUT there is a commercial that I've quoted for YEARS since hearing it the first time. It's VW commercial advertising their full size spare tires.

The phrase: GREAT DAY IN THE MORNIN'! WHAT ONCE WAS LOST NOW IS FOUND!!

It celebrates the fact that your car doesn't have to look gimpy because you had a flat. It is, for some people worried with appearances, a cause for celebration.

This phrase makes me happy!

For example...

I've had "great day in the mornin'" moments lately. Specifically with technology. You know those really amazing and convenient thumb drives and external hard drives? Well - One of them I thought had erased all the pictures I took in Guatemala. You all know those are near and dear to my heart. The other had me thinking I thought lost all my lesson plans! BUT THEN - I realized that they weren't lost... I'm not sure how the "almost lost" happens with these things...

It's not it's like life or death - but it's the thought of the TIME and MEMORIES! Losing both can suck. But DO NOT FEAR!! I have backed these items up TWICE OVER!

So I celebrate saying: GREAT DAY IN THE MORNIN'! WHAT ONCE WAS LOST NOW IS FOUND!!

ROCKTOBER!!

2011-10-03T21:31:00.003-05:00

When a new year approaches (like in October), I purchase a calendar. I haven't done it yet...because it's usually in later October that I get it. But anyway the point is not that I get a new calendar, but moreso that when I look through it the October of the following year always seems so much further away than it actually is. I've been looking at this years October with so much excitement and yet with slight weariness.

October always seems to be packed in tight. This year will be no exception.

It's already started with a BANG! My friend Valerie married the man of her dreams October 1. I spent the beginning part of the weekend hanging with friends and celebrating Val & Josh. The latter part of the weekend was spent with my aunt and uncle. They are on my top 5 most hospitable people list! :O) It's a serious gifting my aunt has. That I would have a pinch of what she has would be like hitting the jackpot for me.

Anyway - I'm going to make it a point to update this blog with the exciting escapades of this month's weekends!

My New Boyfriend

2011-09-16T16:34:00.007-05:00

I broke up with my long time boyfriend. I know. I know.

But don't be too sad, because I've found someone else. He's awesome. You'll love him too!

His name is David Muir. He's kind of a big deal. He hosts his own show...WORLD NEWS. And he really enjoys traveling. He covers really important stories all over the world.

So anyway...I thought I'd let you know that I bought tickets to this gun show. :o)

COKE & CHOCOLATE

2011-09-16T15:42:00.005-05:00

I've noticed there have been some addictions that I've completely lost without even noticing. And picked up some just the same...

The one I've lost is one I've been trying to kick forever!! Can you guess? Drinking COKE like it's my life. I think it's easy when it's sooooo terribly hot and you become dehydrated to actually be in want of the most refreshing drink on the planet - WATER!

Which reminds me of a side story.

In college, some friends of mine asked me to go on a bike ride with them to the park that wasn't too far away from our campus. BEAUTIFUL PARK! Anyway, they had access to 10 speeds, while I...ended up with a rusted Wal-mart bike that had no gears. And the dumbest thing I chose to do was to NOT bring water with me.

As I was huffing and puffing, my friends were enjoying their leisurely stroll through the neighborhood. I literally got to the point that I thought I would pass out if I didn't have something to drink! I was so desperate I was willing to start knocking door to door until someone gave me a glass of water.

Luckily, there was a woman watering her lawn. I went up to her looking like a Mexican gone through a drive through car wash (without the car) and asked to please have a glass of water. She looked at me and didn't say a word - she was extremely apprehensive about a stranger approaching her. With all the desperation in the world, I said, "Ma'am, I don't want to go into your home. I just want water. I'm willing to drink it from your hose."

So, she handed me the hose (I KNOW!!) and I DRANK the most life enhancing
WATER I've ever had in my life.

No longer a wilted flower, I got back on the bike and somehow managed to
get through the bike ride thinking how accurate scripture is when refering to Jesus as the Living Water....and of course - I was also amazed the woman only offered me her water hose.

Anyway - Something I picked up. CHOCOLATE!

It's horrible. What is the point of dropping COKE when you're going to start up on CHOCOLATE!?!?! I don't get it... If it's around I can't say no. I have to practice SELF-CONTROL!!

One thing that I think will help is knowing that CHOCOLATE can trigger migraines. I wouldn't touch a migraine with a ten foot pole...so why would I touch the chocolate that triggers it?

So if you're my friend you won't bring it around me. (Just kidding. You can have it, I just have to CUT BACK on the KISSES!)

If this story had a moral - I think it would be: There's nothing new under the sun. Chocolate and Coke, I've always struggled with them both!

Summer in the City

2011-08-29T15:35:00.004-05:00

The heat is unbearable. There are water restrictions, of course. After school dismissal is complete torture! My clothes is practically wet when I get back to get my things after school.

Pure misery. I'm ready for the changing of the seasons. I'm ready for RAIN!

Please, Lord, send the RAIN!!

First Day of School

2011-08-23T17:08:00.002-05:00

I was nervous about teaching older kids (3rd and 4th graders). I mean, I liked my first graders. I found out quickly there was nothing to be nervous about. Instead there's lots to get excited over. Like the fact that there was no crying at all. There's lots of independent, self-motivated students (not true for all). And their humor is SO stinken fun!!

I don't know if they'd never read Miss Nelson is Missing, but they giggled so much when I read it to them. I loved that! I was telling them that I could be either Miss Nelson or Miss Viola Swamp. They for sure have tested it and I am proud to announce that my teacher look was perfected yesterday. It received an AMAZING response! YES!

When I got home, I received a phone call from one of my sweet friends. I was in the middle of finishing up a small project and I told her I'd call her back. Well, I didn't. Why? I had fallen asleep around 9:30 pm on my work and slept so hard that I actually DROOLED all over my arm and my work. Thankfully it was laminated!! Whew!

So - that was my first day. It was super duper! And super exhausting!

My Classroom - Before and After

2011-08-22T17:36:00.012-05:00

{BEFORE} Honestly, I didn't know where to start. The good thing was that the teacher there before me was AMAZING at getting her stuff and moving it to her room. She's been really helpful.
How did I get through this? Well, I made a plan. I mapped out my room and started working from one area to the next - throwing things away or organizing them and putting them away as I went through the room.

{AFTER}
I started by putting all the tables in the middle and hiding the chairs behind a wall - just so that I could SEE what I wanted to look like without the stack of chairs. Then, I decided what work stations I'd have in the future: whole group, small group, computer station, library, writing station and listening station. I designated the areas and then went to town.
My favorite spot is the library!! Are you surprised? I still have to work on it to get it sorted by genre.
I can't wait for the room to be "ACTIVE"!!

My Dad is the MAN!

2011-08-22T17:26:00.006-05:00

I seriously wonder how I'd make it every year without the help of my family. They help me SOOO very much to get ready for school. Well, more than what I should ask of them. My mom comes to clean every crevace...and makes a sour smelling room smell like fresh laundry!

My dad - well, he helps me with lifting boxes, etc. This year, he takes the cake!! My kids didn't have a place to store their backpacks and I didn't really know what I was going to do about it - except for having them hang the packs on the backs of the chairs (not my favorite). So - what does my dad do? He put together some hooks to hang in my classroom and they worked like a charm!

Kuddos to my dad! I wouldn't be me without him!

Mission Statement

2011-08-22T17:19:00.002-05:00

There are MANY times that I feel inspired to write a mission statement much like Jerry McGuire's. This week would be all about the hoarding problem school teachers have. It's disgusting!! A classroom should be asthetic!

But in all reality, what would I accomplish in writing said mission statement? NOTHING!

Rant concluded.

Books of 2011 - Part 1

2011-07-29T22:19:00.013-05:00

So, as you know, I love lists. One of the lists I keep, as of 2009, is Books I've Read. If you want you can check out the 2009 list and the 2010 list. I usually post this at the end of the year, but I thought it wouldn't hurt to do it now and then do a part 2 later in the year....since I have the time to do it. Anyway, I digress. Without further ado, here are the books I've read so far this year:

A Grief Observed, C.S. Lewis
I cried most of the way through. I think it was my way of grieving the death of some friends. I'm thankful for Lewis's eloquence in the midst of grief. My words fail me all too often.

The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, Amy Chua
This woman is nuts. I have no idea how her pace is sustainable. I would like to know if she takes meds to regulate her blood pressure. One thing is for sure - it worked for her kids. Kuddos to her!

Choosing to See, Mary Beth Chapman
Wow. Kleenex please. Mary Beth Chapman is brave to tell the story of losing her precious Maria. She continues the story with God's faithfulness in bringing them through the hard times.

The Help, Kathryn Stockett
Had I not been reading this while school was in session, I would have read it in a day. I wanted to read it every waking moment...I couldn't wait to know what was going to happen next. Seriously kept me on the edge of my seat!
One of my friends has always mentioned how stupid women can be when they decide to tear each other apart rather than come together - seriously, girls can be so MEAN!! The Help would be an example of both sides - encourage/tear down. I hope we're wise enough to rise above...
"Wasn't that the point of the book? For women to realize, We are just two people. Not that much separates us. Not nearly as much as I'd thought."

Something Borrowed, Emily Griffin
Mindless reading. Sometimes we need it. Cheesy.

Something Blue, Emily Griffin
See #5

Leota's Garden, Francine Rivers
CHEESY!! It has a good message of forgiving and reconciling relationships, but I say it was a big piece of cheese! I still think Redeeming Love is her best book! I also heard that the Mark of the Lion series is really good too. I'll get to it eventually.

Passport through Darkness: A True Story of Danger and Second Chances, Kimberly L. Smith
Wow. This makes me question how much I'm willing to sacrifice for the sake of the gospel. Serving Christ is not cookie cutter or safe, per se.

This Time Together: Laughter & Reflection, Carol Burnett
HILARIOUS! She makes me want to find the humor in the simple things in life. Laughing is good medicine after all. If you decide to read it, when you get to the chapter "Fans" imagine me laughing out loud.

How to Get a Date Worth Keeping, Henry Cloud
I was intrigued by the title, so I read it. The advice I've taken has provided fun times...and great discussions with friends.

Beauty and the Beast, Marie Le Prince De Beaumont
Free book on the kindle so I read it. And there you have it.

Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home, Rhoda Janzen
Hmmm...I found this book depressing. I think some of her tragedy was supposed to be somewhat comedic, but I honestly felt sad for her.

When Cows Fly, Tom Watson
Free kid book on the Kindle. It's all about being green.

The Guernsy Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society: A Novel, Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows
Such a fun book of friendship and how this society came together to survive the awful times of WWII. I loved the character development and to think it was done in the form of LETTERS! I heart snail mail!! :o)

The Pastor's Wife, Jennifer Allen
CHEESY! Okay - so I can totally relate to some of the feelings described in this book since my dad is a pastor. However, it's like the cheesy christianese type stuff. As if life were wrapped in pretty paper and finished off with a perfect bow. Whatever - it's a book. I'll let it go.

Spaces and Places: Designing Classrooms for Literacy, Debbie Diller
I got to work alongside Debbie for a day earlier in the year. It was fun to go through her book and think through things in my classroom. By the way, I think I already have mad organization skills in a classroom setting, so some of it was like - DUH! But it's a great teacher resource if you need it!!

Tiger, Tiger: A Memoir, Margaux Fragaso
Not going to lie - it was very DIFFICULT for me to get through this book. It is soooo WRONG! It makes me cringe/sickens me/disturbs me...and it makes me want to take someone out! Unfortunately, it is the truth some children are faced with. I wonder if we're willing to see it in order to protect them.
"One thing I've learned through my writing is that because my grandparents didn't openly deal with the sexual assaults of my mom and aunt as children, the trauma was passed down unchecked. My mother had no idea how to recognize trouble, or to shield me from it. But insisting on silence and forgetting, my grandparents were probably trying to protect their daughters from more harm, but my own story is proof that they were tragically mistaken."

Relentless Hope: Extracting the Precious from the Worthless, Beth Guckenburger
One of my friends said that it was a book of one sad story after the other. Really - what it is, is finding hope where you think there is none. How God takes the beauty from the ashes. How when you think life is most hopeless - and it can be very dark time - you don't give up. God, Emmanuel, is with us!

Castaway Kid: One Man's Search for Hope and a Home, R. B. Mitchell
I cried. Laughed. Hurt. Became angry...He not only has an incredibly story of redemption, but an amazing ability to tell it. This book goes on my favorites list. If you want to work with children who have lost their parents or are forced to live without their parents, I suggest you read this book. This gives you perspective on their behavior/emotions and while you read it you pray with all your heart that you would be someone who makes a difference in this child's life.
"...even at age seven I could see that kids preferred poverty if they were loved, rags if they were cared for, and homelessness if someone wanted them. We were willing to suffer much if w could only be part of our own families."

Unbroken: A WWII Story of Survival, Resilience & Redemption, Laura Hillenbrand
One word: FASCINATING!!! Seriously. Seriously, fascinating.

Radical: Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream, David Platt
I read a similar book last year called the HOLE IN OUR GOSPEL. It is a reminder not miss what is radical about our faith and replace it with what is comfortable. To never settle for a Christianity that revolves around catering to ourselves when the central message of Christianity is actually about abandoning ourselves.
It's a challenge to live a life of significance! Sign me up!!

The Magician's Nephew, C.S. Lewis
In all honesty, I'd forgotten the significance of the first book in the Chronicles of Narnia Series. It was fun to read about how Narnia and the magical wardrobe came to be. I love that from the beginning Aslan says: "Do not be cast down. Evil will come of that evil, but it is still a long way off, and I will see to it that the worst falls upon myself."

The A-Team Missions Blog

2011-06-14T22:50:00.004-05:00

Last year my friend Ashley and I took a 3 week mission trip to Casa Bernabe in Guatemala. This year we are going to be there for a little under 5 weeks. It's crazy how time is flying!! There's lots to get done here at home until June 26, but regardless we are excited to say the least.

We are going to share our highlights and experiences as best we can through our blog. Will you follow our blog and commit to praying for us?! PLEASE!? Yes! Perfect.

ATeamMissions.blogspot.com

It's good...it's real good!

2011-06-14T15:24:00.006-05:00

Hey there. This past weekend I went to a beautiful lakehouse on Lake Conroe with some friends from church. We all signed up to bring something...so, I signed up to bring a Whole Bean Black Bean Dip. My friends loved it!! (Thank you Tia Elma for the recipe!!)

I told them I'd share it as long as I'm the one to bring this to the parties! :o) haha!!Anyway, they want the recipe and and I figured it wouldn't hurt to share it with the rest of you.

So, get yourself a serving bowl and hop to it!!

1 can whole bean Black Beans

1 small can of whole kernel corn

1 medium sized green bell pepper

1 medium sized red bell pepper

1/2 medium red onion

CILANTRO - how do you measure cilantro? I just take half of the bunch

1 lime squeeze the ever living juice out of it.

dashes of Tabasco to taste.

Italian dressing to taste.

So, open the cans of black beans and corn....drain and put it in the mixing bowl. Chop all the vegetables. And then put that all in your mixing bowl. Add Tabasco and Italian dressing. Once it's mixed it's ready to eat with some Tostitos Scoops.

ENJOY!

30 Before 30 - Update

2011-05-29T15:15:00.010-05:00

Hi! I wanted to let you in on what I've done so far:

Goal #3. Spontaneous Roadtrip.

The weekend of my birthday, I took a random unplanned trip to Matagorda, TX. My original plan was to go to Galveston for the day, instead we met up with some family and had an AWESOME TIME! We are definitely going to do it again!!

I also took a short trip to visit Susanne's Family to celebrate Lindsey's 4th birthday. I shouldn't have it count because I didn't get to stay long! :o(

And I just got back from a road trip with MIS AMIGAS! Sure, this wasn't spontaneous per se. But we were pretty spontaneous while we were there, so it counts!! We went to Fort Worth to visit our friend Valerie who recently got engaged. I am so excited for her and Josh - I mean he has to be amazing to have won Val's heart!! (They have the cutest story ever!!)

Goal #5. Write HANDWRITTEN letters to VIP's in my life.

I've written 2 of 15. They take a lot of thought!! :o)

Goal #19. Write and illustrate a kids book - homemade books are so fun!

Originally, I was going to write a little random story and illustrate it. I actually have a little poem that I'd like to add to to make a book out of...but anyway - I digress.

Some of my friends became foster parents not too long ago. When I met their little baby, my heart literally melted!! Not long after they welcomed the baby home, she ended up in the hospital. I was sad and scared. I prayed for her and wanted to do SOMETHING!! ANYTHING!! So, I stayed up one night and wrote it in about thirty minutes with an idea of what I wanted the illustrations to look like.

Thankfully, the baby is health and at home! Once she was okay, these same friends go out of town for two weeks asking me to house sit for them. I found that not being at home helped me focus on some projects I wanted to get done including this one. In one night, I got illustrations done. Another night, I did the detailing. And on another night I added the carefully written text.

Unfortunately, I am not going to share this book with you here...except for the cover. Just trust me when I say, that it is a sweet and special book.

Goal #20. Lose at least 10 pounds (no, i don't ALWAYS think I'm fat - yes, running is easier when you're lighter)

HOLY MOTHER OF PEARL!!! I'm going backwards! In the last month I've packed on extra pounds. I'll blame it on stress and lack of meal prep and some health issues I hope straighten out soon. Summer break is one week away and I will work extra hard in the month of June to do something about this!!

As a launch to this MONUMENTAL endeavor (yes - monumental...it's HARD!), I am doing an at home Biggest Loser Challenge by myself. I have some friends to keep me accountable. Every time I weigh in, I will take a full length picture of myself in the same work out clothes...and also one of my face. Will I post these pictures online, you ask? Well, I'll post the ones of my face! :o) I'm not as brave as the people on the Biggest Loser. And, my face does show change...

Here is day one (May 29) after a sweaty work out:

Welp, that's all for now folks! More to come later!! :o)

A World of Wonder

2011-05-24T17:22:00.009-05:00

Today, I laughed with a lady who mistakenly came into my classroom twice! She's not usually "zoned" to my classroom. The mistake reminded her of one of her dreams coming true.

She lived in a garage apartment with her daughter. It was small and cramped. They shared a small bed that she pushed up against the wall to make sure both of them fit without falling out. She prayed over and over for a house....

Finally she got it. It was a 3 bedroom, one bathroom home. She said that when they first got there, she and her daughter would fall over laughing because they'd get LOST in the house!

I tell my mom often, while I am thankful that I have what I have, I miss the newness of things. Not that things grow stale, but that the sense of WONDER sort of fades. That is unless you take time observe the things God has created or help someone else experience new amazing things! That is probably better than having that feeling yourself. (This is very true!)

Do you have a WONDER Story? Here's mine:

I grew up with very little. However, my brother(s) and I never felt like we went without - thanks to my wonderful parents who made stuff grand for us.

So, anyway, my parents decided to splurge one year and take us to the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo! We had never ever been and didn't really know what to expect. The Astrodome was humungous and I remember feeling pretty cool about the whole thing. We watched all the Rodeo stuff and then it was time for the concert part of the event....and the dome started to RUMBLE! All of a sudden we heard: "Ladies and Gentlemen, We present to you.....*rumble, rumble*....WILLYYYYYY NELSOOOOON!!" Fireworks went off everywhere!! My brother and I got out of our chairs hugged each other and cried the happiest tears any kid could cry. We had no idea who Willy Nelson was or whether we'd actually like his music, but nonetheless we were very happy! We leaned over to our parents and told them how happy we were and how much we loved them.

It's so funny to think back and see how excited we were to see Willy. I'm happy to have that experience and many other like it. I'd have to say that this is one of my favorites.

Fight For Air Climb - May 21

2011-05-21T10:44:00.003-05:00

Today, with two friends, I climbed 48 flights of stairs. Using the First City Tower fire escape, the American Lung Association set up a race that was harder on the lungs than it is on the legs.

My first mistake was starting off too fast (ok - if we back track a little more, I didn't train very well at all...). So, yes, I started off too fast. By the 5th floor I was not only out of air - I was becoming desperate for fresh air. The desperation was making me feel as though I just might pass out!! This fire escape doesn't have circulated air so you're breathing the stank of the people that have gone before you and those who are quickly passing by you!! There are also no windows so you really feel like there is no escaping this...

From then on, I stopped for water at every rest stop which was every 10 floors. I stopped one more time that wasn't a rest area...

Mistake number 2 - I don't know how y'all do with races and stuff like this...but I usually don't eat all the energy stuff that everyone talks about. From what I hear, people love that stuff...and fruit too...and whatever else. For me, if I eat during a work out, it'll come back to say hello. I ate one slice of an orange, because I was desperate for fresh AIR and an orange looked as fresh as anything I could get. I was feeling queasy afterwards though - it really sucked!

Then I finally made it to the top!! And I was surprised that it did go by faster than I imagined...and that my legs could've done more...

Breathing though - that's what makes this climb such a fight!

Would I do it again? Hmmm....I'm not sure. I think I like running outside more than I liked the enclosed space... I'm glad I did it. It was a good experience.

19 Days and counting...

2011-05-05T19:25:00.005-05:00

WOW!

All I can do right now is keep breathing! There is A BUTT LOAD to do before the year ends! You're wondering what - well let me tell you:

1. Stanford Testing
2. Field Trip
3. G/T Expo
4. Science Fair

Yes - You're wondering what the heck we're doing waiting until the end of the year for the Science Fair...I'm wondering the same thing myself. But I'm excited about it since my class is going to explore in greater detail the world of BUTTERFLIES!! (ok - i'll be honest and say that I'm just barely getting excited about it as I was typing this...)

Today, I'm still at school at 7:30 pm on one of the most festive days in the state of TEXAS!! Why? Well, I'd rather be here covering up everything for the Stanford Test we have next week and start putting things away during the week than having to do it on a festive FRIDAY and restful SATURDAY!

I started by feeling overwhelmed and I freaked out and honestly got mad about something stupid...seriously stupid...but I channeled it and I see progress!! YES! I love it!!

Thank you Pandora Radio's Quick Mix of my stations for giving the perfect soundtrack to a working night!

With that my friends I say good night! This teach is goin home to a tastey dinner and a good book. There was enough work done today!

(This post seems like I have the case of logorrhea. I'm sorry - wait - no I'm not!)

Whew!!

A Birthday Wish

2011-04-19T09:31:00.008-05:00

Good morning, friends!

Thank you SOOOO very much for making me feel extra special on my birthday through Facebook, phone calls, texts and cards!

Growing up, my family has never made a big fuss about birthdays. And thankfully as a result, I'm pretty low maintenance. A hug and a happy birthday is enough really. It's always been pretty simple - grill some good food and blow out the candles on a cake. Sometimes, it's the morning wake up call with the traditional Mexican birthday song Las Mañanitas! I love it!

This year though - I do have a wish and it's to go back to Guatemala for 5 weeks this summer. I'm paying for most of the trip, but I need help raising $500.

If you'd like to help me, HERE is the link. Another way to help is honestly to pray! It doesn't sound like much - but praying is a big deal and because of requests made to the Lord much is accomplished!

This orphanage in Guatemala is one place that makes my heart skip a beat! I haven't been able to shut up about it lately - especially since going back is a REALITY! The plane tickets are going to be purchased THIS WEEK!

AGAIN - A MILLION THANKS FOR MAKING ME FEEL SPECIAL!

P.S. I've lost the fear of turning 30 on my 29th birthday!!

For the Love...

2011-04-05T19:58:00.006-05:00

...OF LISTS!! Starting April 19, 2011 - my 29th birthday - I will begin checking things off my 30 before 30 list! 30 things to check of a list before the big Thirty, Flirty and Thriving Birthday!! (I can't believe it's a year from now! I hear 30 is the new 20!!)

Prepare a 3 course meal and make it a party!

Read my Bible from cover to cover

Spontaneous Roadtrip

Run a full marathon (please let it be the Houston Chevron Marathon!!)

Write HANDWRITTEN letters to VIP's in my life

Camp out on the beach

Ride a tandem bike

Paint Something(s) with purpose (like something someone would want to hang in their house)

More Picnics Please

Play in the rain

Get a gym membership and use it (complete as of 4.4.11 - a head start)

Get out of debt and stay out FOREVER AND EVER!! soooo close!

Take family pictures

Braces

Submit cards to Hallmark (I've gotta figure out how)

Begin learning about graphic design

Attend a professional football game

FINISH the DANG Christmas QUILT!!

Write and illustrate a kids book - homemade books are so fun!

Lose at least 10 pounds (no, i don't ALWAYS think I'm fat - yes, running is easier when you're lighter)

facebook less - JOURNAL MORE! (not sure how to measure this)

Parasailing! (been skydiving and paragliding...now I need to add water!)

Run the San Antonio Half

BUY A CAMERA AND GO PICTURE CRAZY! (yeah - I don't have one!)

Take a trip to someplace where I can HIKE at an incline rather than flatness (most likely Guate!)

Go to the Texas State Fair

ZIP LINING!! (if I can manage jumping off the platform!)

Plan and execute a FUN 30th Birthday Bash!

Okay - You noticed it's not finished. Maybe I'll do something cool, crazy or meaningful, add it to the list and then check it off! Does that count? Or maybe you could suggest something that is relatively inexpensive. 2 slots.

Ezra 2 - Places and People

2011-04-04T21:17:00.018-05:00

I'll be the first to admit that I did not expect to get so much out of a list of names! There was an awesome girl who read through these names in chapter 2 as though she were reading simple names like John, Sam, Phillip, etc. Seriously. I was impressed and tried doing it myself, but - if I'm honest - I need loads more practice.

Anyway - yes, when we get to scripture like Ezra 2, we have a tendency to skip over it...okay, I HAVE THE TENDENCY TO SKIP OVER IT. But as my teacher mentioned - don't neglect their importance.

And seriously - I love this. Yes - after 70 years of captivity, God sent a ton of people to go back home to rebuild the temple. And not just people - He sent individuals and named them one by one to their HOME!! It was a promise kept from long before!!

In class, we discussed how places are where redemption happens. God meets us where we are. That is what distinguishes JESUS from any other god around. When God meets us in a certain place, it becomes sacred. Not for the place itself to become an idol but for it to provide a marker...or a stone.

He also calls us individually to the place where we are!! YOU! ME! My Neighbor!! Examples of that are all over scripture, but we stuck with John 20 when Mary is looking for Jesus at the tomb. She was desperate to find Him... The conversation looks like this:

He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”
Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

Acts 9 shows how God called Paul (then Saul) by name:

As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

He called Mary and Saul BY NAME! He did the same for every individual going back home to rebuild their place! He has called you and me INDIVIDUALLY! And the question stands - are we listening??

I don't know if it's true for you, but I have a place(s). And if you do PLEASE TELL ME ABOUT IT in the comments!! I love listening to stories like this.

My Places:

Bolivar, MO! Funny how I always say that I don't really want to go back - and maybe it's because it's the people who made it (most of whom I keep in touch with). But it is a very special place. It is where my faith grew exponentially and I saw my God do a great work in the most obvious ways in my life. He hit me with a ton of bricks there! And within Bolivar there are places - like Dunnegan Park, Woody-Gott Hall, Beasley Hall, the cross in the middle of campus, Brenda's Cafe! :O)
Guatemala! Where do I even begin with this one? My heart truly longs for this place. And sometimes aches. (tears...) Here is a place that was introduced to me while I was in college. I've had the privilege of going back since and will hopefully will continue to go as much as I possibly can! My joy in finding hearts EVERYWHERE began in Guatemala, on one of those days that I was desperate for confirmation on something. The confirmation came through a heart shaped leaf flapping in the wind! I still have that leaf! And I've found many more hearts since reminding me of God's faithfulness in the midst of struggle. Within this place are individuals that I love VERY much! I love their hugs, their laughter, their personalities, their struggles, their JOY...Hearing their stories and their strength through Christ alone and their resilience to endure what life has thrown at them...I could go on forever! Driving into the campus makes my heart skip a beat!!
The mountains in Korea! Gyeryongsan
PRISON! They call me "Trouble" there (at least a couple classes did). I haven't been since becoming a teacher... Anyway, there are AMAZING stories of redemption! Even now, that I'm not so involved, I still hear stories of redemption from both the brothers and the leaders and I praise the Lord for using this brokenness to bring this incredible beauty!
And most recently Austin, TX during the LiveSTRONG Half Marathon. Sharing it with Adela Cordova - someone I don't know if I'll ever see again in my life, and the Van Zandt's was truly special! He seriously MET me there on SOOOO many levels. I've been telling my family that I feel like I now have an emotional attachment to that race.

The coolest part about all this is that it really isn't about US!! When we are called to GO to the place where are called we are more than likely to come BACK home. And when we do we tell of the glory of God. The work that He does when He meets us where we are is something to be shouted from roof-tops!!

Even now, I have to remind myself that where I am is where God has me and He longs to bring redemption to individual people there right now! I want it too!!

So it's your turn! Share! Please!

Ezra 1 - History

2011-03-03T19:30:00.002-06:00

(Pardon me - I've had the flu all week and this is an attempt to do something to work myself out of it if that's possible. I know that it's not. But anyway...)

Okay so before you go on and read what's on this blog, you should read Ezra 1.

The overly simplified version:

The Jews were in captivity. The King Persia - King Cyrus - was not a believer, however he was charged with rebuilding the temple of Jerusalem. Not only does King Cyrus lets the Jews go, but he provides the materials necessary for them to rebuild the temple. However, not all of them decide they want to return.

This is a reminder to the Jews that God fulfills his promises (Gen. 50:24).

Questions I have:
1. What is this scripture showing us about God?
2. Why didn't everyone go back? Would it be considered disobedience if they didn't? Can this/should this cause tension within the people?
3. What are the different viewpoints affecting the decisions being made? (King Cyrus, The Persians, The Jews who went home, The Jews who stayed behind)
4. How does this story in history parallel to what is going on today in our world? How are we supposed to respond?

EZRA - An Introduction

2011-03-02T15:48:00.002-06:00

So - I started going to a brand spanking new bible study class at my church (in December) and we're going to be studying the book of Ezra for the coming weeks - okay - months. I volunteered to blog through the study...which I'm beginning to wonder what I've gotten myself into.

While the enthusiasm of blogging my way through the book of Ezra is there, it is slightly overshadowed by the fact that I don't really know about Ezra (perhaps that's the whole point) and that there isn't much exposure to it like let's say Philipians or something. The cool thing about this study is the structure the teacher implemented.

We are going to take each chapter and we are going to look at the history and look for current events that relate. And secondly, we're going to look at the theology, and look at how it's played out in church history.

I may be in over my head. But here it goes...

LIVESTRONG Austin Marathon and Half Marathon

2011-02-20T16:51:00.008-06:00

Before I forget any details about a race that is already a blur, I want to write it all down! It's going to be in list form because seriously this mile by mile thing isn't going to happen this time around. The race was hard from the start!!

All of my plans prior to the actually race were falling through, I was really tempted to stay home. My very dear friend, my sistah Ang, was unable to come with me. I have taken many trips alone, but for not being prepared to be alone, I was in a bit of a crisis before leaving to Austin. During my drive, I prayed for consolation, for a new friend, to run into someone, for someone to somehow figure out a way to meet me in Austin...

And lo and behold, driving down I-10 to Austin, the Van Zandt's honk and wave! I was SO HAPPY!! VERY HAPPY! My friend David Van Zandt passed away recently and I've known his family for a while, but never had much interaction with them as much as I did with David, except for his mom Patti. Anyway - it was really sweet how it was a divine dinner plan!

The Van Zandt's are LOADS of fun! Their high pitch brother/sister banter and the teasing of their mom had me smiling the rest of the night while I prepared for the race.
I woke up at 3:45. Why? I have no idea. It was way before my alarm went off...okay, only 30 minutes, but still. I was out of the door by 4:30, ready to encounter serious traffic!! I mean, there were only 20,000 people running. Well, there was no traffic...and I was the first at the bag check...and probably one of four runners taking pictures at the Capitol Building at 5:30 in the morning. The good thing about this is that I got the BEST free parking spot EVER!!
There was a woman from Monterrey, Mexico that I ran into while we waited for the race to start. It started at 7. We didn't cross the starting line until 7:20. Conversation with her was awesome - we had a lot in common. That was the last I saw of her.
For the life of me, I cannot remember if we had just crossed or were about to cross the start line...This woman tripped and fell. She was going to get up and start back up, but her knee cap was off to the side. She cried for both the pain and the disappointment of not running this race. I felt so bad for her, and hope her recovery will allow her to run again!
A few minutes into mile one, I heard THE SONG! The song that makes me feel like I'm in a movie with me skipping around and doing twirls. Are you ready? ..........DANCING QUEEN! :o)
From here on out, I have no idea how each mile went. It's really all a blur. The hills are brutal! BRUTAL!!
Mile 9 is the only one I can remember! There were loads of people in the yellow LIVESTRONG shirts and yellow banners with a bold black font with words like: Strength! Courage! Finish! And the roads were written all over using chalk with stuff like: You're Stronger than You think! You can do this! Finish strong!

At this point I thought, I can't believe I'm running another half. I was really close to doing a beauty queen cry!! The kind where you flap your hand and tears start welling up in your eyes.

Races are amazing! (Which reminds me that there are a lot of people out there with amazing stories! This man wore a shirt that said: "One day I will not be able to run, but today I CAN!" He's been diagnosed with a muscle something or other and in a few years he'll be in a wheel chair.)
I ran into another lady from Monterrey! She was running the full marathon! We gave each other pep talks and got to talk a picture together before our courses split. I can't wait to see if they post it on the website!! She was a gem!
At mile 11, I think, there is a NASTY...I mean - NASTY incline! I didn't train very well for hills, so I wasn't going to fool myself into running this. I walked it. An older lady had her husband give her a piggy back ride. It was kinda funny because she was holding her boobs in place the whole time until she got on her husbands back...hahaha! Anyway - on that hill, I prayed for God to please help me get through this. I was ready to sit it out. I started singing Star Smith's Song - I am Strong in the Lord. When I got to the top, I did a little skip and started running! It was AMAZING to conquer that beast!
When I turned the corner and saw the finish line, I think I was in shock. I did a SPRINT for what it was worth! Where that energy comes from I have NO idea! But it's amazing!
Word of advice: If you ever run a race like this, take cash and wait for a massage! HEAVEN! I actually drooled!! HAHAHA!!
My car was only a few steps from the massage tent. PRAISE GOD! If you know me at all, you know very well, I'm directionally challenged! This was seriously the perfect parking spot!! I pulled out all of my food from my trunk to the passengers seat and headed for home.
The official finishing time for me was: 3:08:24. Sure, it was slower than my last half (Jan. 17 - 2.45), but I am seriously not at all upset by it! I am SOOOO very proud and thankful that I was able to finish.
a. I didn't train as much for this one because I was recovering from my ever aching feet from the last race.
b. HILLS KILL!
c. The wind will slow you down.
d. I FINISHED!

AND - I have officially accomplished on of my 2011 goals!! YESSSS! I think I'll do another one in the fall. I'll stick with 5 and 10k's until then. :o)

Running is seriously amazing! I encourage you to do it!

He called me FAT!

2011-02-18T17:16:00.005-06:00

This morning, I had an activity for my students to practice their spelling words one more time before taking the spelling test. When we were finished, I asked them to go back to their seats. In the middle of it all, an uproar began and this what took over my classroom...

Girl: OH MY GOD! WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT!? (immediate downpour of tears)

Boy 1: blank stare

Girl: MS. MARQUEZ, HE CALLED ME FAT!

Boy 1: No, I didn't.

Girl: YES YOU DID!! DON'T LIE!!

Ms. Marquez walks toward the girl to calm her down.

Girl: MS. MARQUEZ, HE CALLED ME FAT! (she stomps her foot on every syllable for emphasis)

Boy 2: Why are you so upset? You're so skinny!

Girl: BOYS AREN'T SUPPOSED TO CALL GIRLS FAT! IT'S SO...RUDE!

Ms. Marquez pulls her aside and tells her she's right. That it is rude for someone to say mean things, but she needs to SIMMER. (okay, I didn't say simmer...but I almost did.) Ms. Marquez patted her on the back and asked her to go to the CHAIR (the one Ms. Marquez sends her students to cool down - it needs a name). And so, I get everyone back in their seats ready and situated for the spelling test. Once everyone is set, Ms. Marquez walks up to both the girl and boy 1 asking for an apology and forgiveness conversation.

Girl: Ms. Marquez, everything is okay. While you and the other students were getting ready he apologized.

Welp, there you have it. Don't call girls fat.

Wow, February! Wow!

2011-02-02T21:06:00.004-06:00

Who would have thought that February would start with such a bang!?

I'm currently praying for a 3.5 day weekend. Shhh...don't tell anyone - the prayer consists of steady drizzle in freezing temperatures....and safety for the "I don't know how to drive in freezing temperatures" Houston drivers.

And let the record also show, I'm expecting to build a snowman this Friday! I don't care how big (or SMALL) it turns out as long as I get snow....mmmmk. Thanks!!

*******
My not so selfish thoughts have me wondering what in the world homeless people are doing to keep themselves warm. I remember hearing at the beginning of the school year of how some students in the district I work in are HOMELESS! Can you imagine being an elementary school student without having the security of a nice warm place to sleep? OMG! I can't!

So, along with my selfish prayers, I also pray that these little ones are shielded from the unforgiving gusts of pure COLD! That they and their parents wouldn't lose hope...

What goes around, Comes around...Part 2

2011-01-28T22:00:00.001-06:00

Approximately 20 years ago, as fourth grader, I beat up a boy. Yes. It's true. I'm not proud of it, but it does make for a hilarious story.

We were on the school bus on our way home, and this kid named Chad (poor, poor Chad) wanted to have a friendly chat. I was in no mood for his antics and asked him to please be quiet. And then, I wasn't so nice and said that if he didn't shut up I'd beat him up.

He didn't believe me and he continued to talk. So, when we got off the bus, I made sure the bus turned the corner and then I charged him. I ran up to him, pushed him to the ground, and started punching him as if he were a lifeless flour sack. I went to town until his glasses flew off...

I know - it's AWFUL! I was a coward and ran off for fear that he'd hit me back or worse - I'd get caught fighting!!

Anyway, poor Chad wanted to make amends by giving me one of his mother's rings. I accepted.

The only problem was how in the world I was going to present this to my MOTHER!! A boy gave me a ring, because he's really sorry he annoyed me so much I beat him up!? No. Absolutely not. No, I chose this story instead:

Mom, look at what I found on the playground!! Isn't it pretty? I was on the swings and I saw something shimmer, so I jumped off and found this.

Well - I should have checked in with my older brother before telling this tall tale because just as my mom is gushing over this beauty, he waltzes in blowing my poorly executed cover: MOM - DID YOU SEE WHAT CHAD GAVE MY SISTER?

hahahahaha!! OMG - I had dug my own grave. I had to spill the beans - How I beat him up. How he felt sorry. How he gave me his mom's ring! And then on top of that, I was escorted by my mom to return the ring and apologize to him and his mother!

Fast forward to TODAY:

I walk into class today and I'm so excited to see that my students have worked on their 100 day projects (posters they work on that show 100 somethings). I notice that one particular poster is creating quite a buzz, but didn't really make out what anyone was saying. So I take a closer look and realize that my Curious George puzzle is on this kid's poster!!

Once his sister finished helping him settle in with this gigantic poster, she leaves and I begin to probe.

Even the other students, when they saw this poster, began wondering with quizzical expressions - Ms. Marquez, isn't this YOUR puzzle?

Me: Oh, look! How interesting! I had a puzzle like that. I can't seem to find it.
Student: Oh really?
Me: Yes, don't you remember it? I usually have it right here and look - it's missing.
Student: Well, I found this one outside.
Me: Really? Where exactly?
Student: You know...I was outside playing and then I see these puzzle pieces all spread out in the grass. So I picked them up and took them home.
Me: Wow - what are the chances?

I step away and continued on with the morning routines like nothing had happened. I asked the kids to line up to go to the restroom and just BURST into laughter!! I told my kids: Life is HILARIOUS! It's so interesting how things come full circle. You remember that! They all begin to laugh only to ask: What's so funny?

He had no idea that while he was enjoying his time in P.E., I was calling his grandmother to "check in" on things. How this will be handled from here, I'm not quite sure.

But just know...that everything I ever did as a child is coming back to haunt me. It makes LAUGH!

********
For Part 1, click here.

My FEET!

2011-01-26T20:33:00.003-06:00

So after the half-marathon, my feet felt a little like this. I tried running today in my "old" shoes and my feet were like - Uhm, NO!

Not even two minutes into what was supposed to be a short liesurely run, I turned around and drove to the nearest shoe store.

And there you have it....my feet feel better already with the support given by these Brooks. I strayed from my adidas. Sure, they are UGLY. But guess what I LOVE THEM! They feel great and can't wait to run my way to happiness tomorrow!

January's Wonder

2011-01-25T16:50:00.003-06:00

The picture does this happy little tree absolutely no justice. Located right outside of the school gym, it brings a joy to my heart every time I see it. I breath in deep and thank the Lord for bright colors in places like this tree when the sun is refusing to show his face behind the dreary gray clouds (with the exception of today of course). The red berries are happy little things. Happy is contagious! :o)

***********************

*On a totally different subject: boys at school are tough. Any reading suggestions for the teacher out there? Any methods that I should adopt? I would really, Really, REALLY appreciate the feedback on this one.

A Runner's High

2011-01-16T16:01:00.008-06:00

So - I ran my first half-marathon (13.1 miles) ever!! I'm very VERY excited about it. It wasn't necessarily easy but I would do it again with ALL MY HEART AND SOUL!!!!

If you want to see pictures click here!

Here's the break down of the race:

We were told that we had to be parked no later than 5:30 a.m. and that roads were closing at 6. The race was supposed to start at 7:00. My friend Ashley, who went to Guatemala with me, woke up at the crack of dawn to take me to the race only to find out it was postponed until 7:45!! It was RAINY, WINDY and COOOOOOOOLD!!

I had my favorite breakfast: Ice Cold Milk and Bananas. And like 2 bottles of water. And in my fuel belt I had water (Gatorade during runs makes me puke) and M&M's!

Mile 1-3: I run this distance often so this part was the easiest (which I'm proud to say practice has paid off). I had to tell myself to chill and to take it easy because it was just the beginning. At the beginning of races, you're adrenaline is on HIGH you want to take off like Speedy Gonzalez. I stop to take off my long sleeve shirt because it get's really hot when you run! I think I was running at an ~11 minute pace here.

Mile 4-5: I ran most of this but I told myself it was okay to walk. My 3-1 fartleks began. It's my favorite way to run. 12 min pace.

Mile 6: PAINFUL. Like excruciatingly painful. I got the worst stitch of all time! I was talking to a lady about how it's my first half and she asked it if was okay if she ran with me (she is a lot older and has several under her belt). As soon as I agreed, this pain came in directly under the right side of rib cage and I wanted to curl over into a fetal position and cry. She left me saying, "Breath deep...I promise it will pass!" It was seriously like my insides were being split open. (I'm not exaggerating...it was painful.) It lasted a full minute...
12 min pace

Mile 7-9: A complete blur. Except that here the 1-1 fartleks began. I was happy.

Mile 10: I remember celebrating the fact that I had kept a pretty consistent pace. They pace person said: 12.23! I replied back: ARE YOU SERIOUS? Pace person: Yes, keep it up!
I told everyone around me that we should be soooo proud!! They sorta looked at me like I was crazy. I was really HAPPY!!

Mile 11: I prayed aloud: "DEAR GOD - HELP ME! BE WITH ME NOW!"
People asked if I was okay. My response: "My toe really hurts."
My index toe on my left foot usually hurts when I run, but the pain was a bit exaggerated since my feet were cold and wet and I also tend to be slightly dramatic. I started counting to a 100 over and over to get my mind off my hurting toe. That is until I remembered a chant I learned at a VBS 2 years ago. It goes like this:

RUN, RUN, RUN the RACE!
KEEP, KEEP, KEEP the PACE!
RUN THE RACE! KEEP THE PACE!
KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS!

I was still at a ~12.23 pace

Mile 12-13: I slowed down to a 12.40 pace. I walked a lot more, but still managed to run most of it. I saw a girl who had been running really well the whole time look like she was throwing in the towel. I ran up to her and said - COME ON! WE CAN DO THIS! WE GOT THIS!! KEEP GOING!! We ran/walked together until the very end. She runs better than I do, so she said see you at the finish line and she took off, but not before giving me a pep talk!

In the middle of all this, I was soooooo incredibly encouraged to see one of my students and her mom under HWY 59. They had a poster that said: YOU CAN DO IT, MS. MARQUEZ! I almost cried, but instead I stopped to give them both a hug. They handed me a bag of snickers!! :o)

The last bit: The finish line was after you turn a corner...I would have loved to have sprinted from the corner...but I waited until I got a little closer. I started yelling - I FINISHED before even crossing the finish line! The clock read 2.47...my watch said 2.45. I'm waiting on the official results to know what my time was. But the bottom line I FINISHED!! AND I DID IT UNDER 3 HOURS!

This is really one of the most incredible feelings I've ever experienced. After saying my whole life that I would never ever in a million years like running, I have developed a love for it! Crossing the finish line was pretty emotional for me. I couldn't do it alone - Christ is my strength and thank you Regina White for crossing the 5k finish line with me in April 2010 and assuring me that if I could run/walk my first 5k, I could run a half!!

2011 - The Year of Wonder

2011-01-01T14:42:00.016-06:00

2010 Recap- It was the year of conquering and while I don't feel like I did much conquering per se, I know that there's been a lot of progress. For instance, I went from being jobless, to working at the mall and being a substitute teacher, to working as an elementary school teacher! Is that progress or what?

I went from a complete inability to run (okay - I could run for only 3 minutes when I first started - it should count for something!!) to run the entire loop at Memorial Park, plus some with the right pacing. That progress to me is kind of unbelievable!! Me - run? Never!

And I went from wanting to go to Casa Bernabe to actually GOING to Casa Bernabe!!

There's plenty more, for sure, but these are my favorites!! Why? Because I did none of it on my own. All of these big accomplishments remind me of really special people in my life. They remind me of how blessed BEYOND measure I am. My cup runneth over!

Moving on to 2011....

2011: THE YEAR OF WONDER!!

I don't know if it's just life and you get busy or jaded or both...but it's easy to stop to looking at people, things and situations - the amazing things God has created and done - in wonder. For instance, the fact that I'm moving my fingers to type this in itself is seriously wonderful! My legs are crossed and my right foot is bobbing up and down without even paying 2 bits of attention to it while I'm typing - Incredible right? So that's what I'm talking about - I want to deliberately enjoy every scent, every sight, every sound, every TASTE (I LOVE FOOD!!), and every EVERYTHING life has to offer! Yes - and even when it hurts, I want to feel it on purpose knowing that my God is sovereign!

Theme Verse for 2011:

Many, LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done,
the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
they would be too many to declare.

Psalm 40:5

Theme Picture for 2011:

I watched Tangled with my cousins and I think I seriously gasped whenever the lanterns were all around her! This captured this year's theme: WONDER!

Theme Song for 2011:

Go Outside, Robbie Seay Band

I seriously love this song!! I've been listening to it for over a year...still not old!

Goals for 2011:

Read at least one book a month. I'm currently reading Pastor Gregg's book!
Run at least 2 half-marathons. Maybe more? Running is something I'm going to keep up with regardless of whether I sign up for races or not. I never thought I would love it this much! Feel like you're getting into a funk - GO RUN!
Pick up weight training...or rock climbing! (I hate weight training!!)
Make it back to Guatemala. I'm planning on going for ~5 weeks this summer. I'll tell you more about it. Be praying about this - please!
Get braces. Stuff like this is supposed to happen when you're a teen not when you're practically 30 years old. But whatever - I think I'm going for it for my 29th birthday. If not my birthday - I'll kick of the summer with several visits to the orthodontist!

Books of 2010

2011-01-01T13:49:00.003-06:00

This year I read fewer books because I am a SLOW reader and I would fall asleep as soon as I started reading. Can you blame a girl?

Ninteen Minutes, Jodi Picoult Jodi's books always leave you wondering what would I do if I were in their position. This one hit a bit close to home and messed with me a bit. The topic: Bullying. I could write another post about my elementary school life experiences, but I don't want to - so I won't. :o)
The Prophet, Khalil Gabran - I found it interesting that some people have put the Bible aside and taken this up as their spiritual guide. Be warned that this prophet isn't JESUS.
The Hole in Our Gospel, Richard Stearns - This is my FAVORITE book of the year! While it all may be something you may have already heard, it forces you to look at how you live and how it affects those around you.
Little Bee, Chris Cleave - This book left me with a lot of unanswered questions regarding immigration....Oh, the ever controversial topic!
Same Kind of Different As Me, Ron Hall & Denver Moore - Ron and Denver have a really sweet friendship. I like how Ron was honest regarding his feelings toward "christian" stuff. A lot of times I feel the same way - but the funny thing is something great happens when you are obedient to what God's asked of you.
Double Take, Kevin Michael Connolly - Imagine you were legless and you were traveling the world on a skateboard??
The Recipe Club, Andrea Israel & Nancy Garfinkel - If honesty is the best policy, I found this book to be a bit lame and predictable.
Sh*t My Dad Says, Justin Halpern - Laughing out loud doesn't often happen when I'm reading, but I sure did laugh out loud with this one. Justin's dad is a serious ham and a half. (If the word sh*t or F*ck bother you then don't bother picking this book up.)
The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho - Another one of those philosophical books...very simple. It's really REALLY popular and I'm wondering if I'm missing something. Did I miss the train everyone else is on?
Morning Glory, LaVyrie Spencre - Okay, so they made a chick flick out of this book and I completely missed it while it was on the big screen. I tried renting it but can't find it anywhere so I picked up the book and imagined the movie while I read the book. It was cute and what you'd expect from a chick book.

My Heart

2010-12-27T11:02:00.016-06:00

Zaccheus Marquez

September 10, 2007 - December 27, 2010

Zacc lived only three short years. I expected to grow old with him and have him go deaf and blind before I had to say good bye. But alas, life is often full of detours. I had to say good-bye this morning and my heart is pretty achey.

He stole my heart with his "milk-it-for-what-it's-worth" eyes. I had a written and well developed plan on how I was going to get a Westie and ended up meeting Zacc, the runt of the miniature poodle litter. He was a timid little thing with the perfectly crooked teeth and an eye that would sometimes float the opposite direction he wanted it to. I couldn't walk away from him. I literally teared up and said - "I can't leave him there. I want to make him happy."

From the time we was itty bitty, he would say hello belly up...begging to be loved on. I loved that about him. You couldn't sit down without him sitting beside you and rolling over. He wanted for you to pet him - even with your foot.

I'm seriously so sad. I cannot believe how short his life was. I can't believe that he was healthy one day and completely helpless the next. There's nothing that I could've done differently....

So - the story begins sort how it started. I cry wanting what is best for my little Zaccheus. What was best this time was saying good-bye.

Or Something...

2010-12-03T16:12:00.007-06:00

I had a break down last night. It was an all time low. The kind where you just throw yourself on the floor...flat on your back, cover your eyes with one hand and slap the floor with the other and let all your frustrations come out in the form of a waterfall we call tears.

Yes. It was a pathetic...and I mean, a PATHETIC sight. If I would have made any decisions last night I'd probably regret them in the morning. (Or would I? I still don't know.)

My parents suggested I get on my knees and pray, but at that very moment...I just needed to let it all out and have a pity party!!!!

And guess what folks. Today was an EPIC FAIL! Imagine if I hadn't let it all out last night? I think I'd be on the breaking news. Instead, I felt like I was walking through a field of wild flowers...or something.

I think this is what you call denial.

So - this is where I am in my life. I finally have the job of my dreams....And I'm beginning to wonder if I dreamed a little TOO dreamy. This is the HARDEST job I've EVER had in my life!

All I know for sure right now is that I will crawl to the end if I have to...but I will make it to the end...and I am SUPER EXCITED about my Christmas, Spring and Summer breaks! WOOO-HOOO!!

BBC Book List - Everyone Who is Cool is READING!

2010-11-30T19:29:00.003-06:00

• Bold those books you've read in their entirety.
• Italicize the ones you started but didn't finish or read only an excerpt.
• Underline the ones currently in your read pile (you've bought then and plan to read them 'one day')

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling (1 of 7)
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6 The Bible
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulk
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
19 The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck (I read East of Eden instead)
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34 Emma - Jane Austen
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41 Animal Farm - George Orwell
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44 A Prayer for Owen Meany - John Irving
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan
51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52 Dune - Frank Herbert
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zifon
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding
69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75 Ulysses - James Joyce
76 The Inferno - Dante
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80 Possession - AS Byatt
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87 Charlotte’s Web - EB White
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factoy - Roald Dahl
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

18 of 100. I love reading, but this list makes it seem like I'm an amateur. Anyway - I'm curious what you've read.

COFFEE FOR CHRISTMAS!!

2010-11-21T14:00:00.004-06:00

Hi friends!!

Have I told you guys that my Uncle Ashely Anderson sells coffee? I don't think I have!!! UNBELIEVABLE!!

Well, I just wanted to let you know that this coffee would make a great stocking stuffer or you could even get purchase this coffee before all your out of town guests come for a visit. You'll have awesome coffee waiting for their arrival!!

For every cup that you purchase you can know that not only are you enjoying a good cup of coffee, but you are affecting the lives of some great people around the world.

Get more info at www.elcampocoffee.com!!

Don't Miss Out, SPEAK LOUD NOW!

2010-11-16T07:38:00.003-06:00

When you purchase this single, all the proceeds will help my friends at His Voice For Sudan build an orphanage in Sudan. Buy the song...Spread the word...Help orphans!

Thanksgiving

2010-11-12T17:50:00.009-06:00

For the last month or so, I've been whining nonstop about the demands of my job and how I think they are unsustainable. Unsustainable because if I were to actually get everything done when I want/need them done...I wouldn't sleep.

I have heard so many people say that they are going into teaching because they can't find a job as though it's a piece of cake with extra icing and sprinkles on top. Well, I LOVE my job...and yet I CAN'T STAND IT! I love the teaching my kids, but there are so many things coming at you as though there is a "ball launcher" of assessments, new expectations and so many freakin' deadlines. And sometimes even your good kids are your worst terrors.

You begin to think that a larger paycheck and an endless supply of mojitos will help console you! (But you think about it and realistically it's not enough - you go back to ponder why it is you came in the first place...you remember and keep truckin.')

I've whined so MUCH, I am currently getting on my OWN NERVES. Which in my world happens a bit more often than I'd like to admit. It's not like whining actually helps....or gets the job done.

SO-------Thanksgiving. I'm going to focus on the things I'm thankful for:

Jesus loves me and although He doesn't take me out of situations I'd rather not endure - He sustains me. He strengthens me. He loves me.
I am alive and healthy.
My family is awesome! (They help me so much to get stuff done for my students. Not only that - They make me laugh. They encourage. They get on me when I'm being ridic. They remind me that life is short - enjoy it! I will never be old enough to stop needing my parents/family!!)
I have amazing friends! (It's a rarity to have friends this good and I don't take for granted on this jackpot I've hit.)
I have a job. (One I wanted for so long! And I get summers off so I can go to Casa Bernabe!!)
My students are good. We have our moments, but I'm really thankful for the parent support I DO have. Though sometimes it doesn't seem like much - one helping hand is worth a million dollars!!
I got to back to CB this summer and it looks like I'll be going again.
I have a car that I just finished paying off. (HAVE I MENTIONED HOW EXCITED I AM!!!)
My closet is full. I know this sounds so stinken shallow...I grew up with a really bare closet. I sometimes just stare at it in amazement that I could have this much clothes. (And FYI - it's not a walk-in closet...It's pretty dang small.)
I'm thankful that the star of the week's parents brought lunch for me one day this week!

I'll add more. Ten is a good number for now.

In Memory of Jonathan A. Harris

2010-11-07T16:23:00.006-06:00

Job 19:25-26

"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God." God, help me to keep my priorities straight. I will see You one day, and how much money I had or lost won't matter, only how I used what You gave me, and how I acted in the trial. God, give me grace.

-Excerpt from Jonathan's Journal, January 13, 2007

**********

Jonathan was born April 15,1980 in Morrilton, AR to David and Yolenda Daniels Harris and died November 3, 2010 in Bossier City, LA after a courageous battle with cancer. He was a member of Shady Grove Baptist Church and sent from the church as a missionary to Spain.

Jonathan Andrew Harris came into the presence of his Lord. As most of you know, Jonathan had been battling cancer for many years, and as testimony to God's immeasurable grace, Jonathan continued to serve his Saviour in every way he could. He was a gentle husband who strove to love his wife Melissa as Christ loved the church. He was a careful father who sought to bring up his two little girls in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. He was a humble son who honored his father and mother in all things. He was a treasured friend and brother whose communication was free from corruption and edified everyone around him.

Jonathan taught at Helmers Street Christian School for several years while going through intensive cancer treatments, making a lasting impact for the Gospel on all his coworkers and students. From a very early age, Jonathan had a burden to minister on a foreign field, and in 2009 he made the step of faith to begin full-time deputation as a missionary to Spain. The Lord, however, has seen fit to get more glory from Jonathan by taking him home, and transforming Jonathan perfectly into the image of Christ His Son. As Jonathan would want, let's honor his memory by honoring his Saviour, and striving to serve Him no matter what obstacles we may face in our lives.

*********

So, much could be said about Jonathan. He was faithful to the end. Spending the weekend with his family and friends makes me want to do so much better. To love the Lord more...To tell/show those special people in my life that I love them so much...to prioritize....

Please keep Melissa and her girls, Katie (8) and Emma(3) in your prayers.

My Costume

2010-10-31T10:29:00.008-05:00

I have really liked this company for a long time and to promote it I decided I'd be:Blake Mycoskie

I wore these!

Here's the picture of what I was after:

Too bad I didn't get the wig I wanted (I waited too long). I ended up looking like Annie! LOL!!

Go get a pair of TOMS! When you purchase a pair of shoes you're actually giving another pair to a kid who needs them. Learn more on www.toms.com.

Thirty Minutes

2010-10-30T15:00:00.003-05:00

People are hilarious. I've been spending my Saturdays taking a professional development course about teaching GT students. The age range among the teachers is pretty vast. Personalities are all over the board. In two weekends and as a first year teacher, I've looked around and thought - Cool and Uncool. I want to be like her when I get older. And I definitely hope not to be anywhere near her.

Do you guys do this? I do this....a lot. I don't know that it's good or bad but I do it.

Today - I had to laugh at this older lady. It sounds mean, but this is our situation: We made a commitment to attend this course for 4 consecutive Saturdays. It's scheduled from 8 - 4. The option we've been given is to have a working lunch and get out THIRTY minutes early OR go out and spend those THIRTY minutes to eat.

Well, this lady's face contorted and she was VISIBLY upset when there was argument to eat out because the Quilt Show only comes around once a year and she NEEDS to go!! Folks, it's THIRTY minutes and she nearly had a cow. I just had to LAUGH!! I mean - there were other options to take this course online or on different dates. If she really wanted to go this quilt show, couldn't she have considered other options? Is THIRTY MINUTES really going to give her the time she wanted at the quilt show? LOL!!!

I am praying tonight that I am not like this when I grow up....and that I could extend grace and be kind.

This Too Shall Pass

2010-10-22T15:30:00.006-05:00

This is one of my favorite proverbs (not Proverbs but proverbs) EVER! I love it because it's so stinken true!!

In the movie my best friend's wedding, Julia Roberts' character sent an email that she later regretted. She was was in hysterics over it. It created a big riff between her best friend and his fiancee. They called off the wedding because of this email (or was it when she kissed her best friend?). To console herself, she stepped out of the hotel room where her best friend was staying and had a smoke. The bellman comes by and tells her that it's a no smoking area. She explains to him how she screwed everything up. He responds with my favorite line in the movie: "You know, my grandmother once told me...This too shall pass." He said it with so much conviction, it makes me laugh!

Well - it's true. I was FREAKING out about this week. I was coming to school fairly early and going to sleep at ridiculous times in the morning to wake up a couple hours later to go back to school and do it all over again. One day this week, I forced myself to be social just so I don't feel like a madwoman. I made it. It's Friday!

(Then it starts over again next week! I'll make it then too.)

Eat, Drink & Be Merry?

2010-10-18T16:53:00.004-05:00

I have found that I'm am stress eating and drinking Coca-cola as though it is going to save my life. There are a lot of changes at school and a lot of deadlines. Change, whether good or bad, is change and something to get used to. Deadlines are not really an option. As a result, my my social life is becoming slimmer and close to nonexistant, I'm eating myself to being happy. Or at least for the moment I'm eating.

I was telling my mom that I'm not sure why I'm eating JUNK and why I'm drinking Coke, because even though it makes me feel so comfy and safe at the moment, I end up hating myself for it...Or at least being upset because I can't run like I did 2 weeks prior. The amount of energy I have changes too - and my ability to sleep well. Everything is screwed up because I am stressed and feel the need to eat and drink things I know have a negative effect on me.

Yes - everything in moderation....but when it's a daily thing...it's a problem.

This cycle sucks and I need to figure out how to break it before I can't fit into my clothes and go into a long term funk!!

I need to stop whining - and make it happen!! I have the priviledge of having a career that I longed for way back when... I have to take the days as they come and plan ahead!! :o)

Psalm 37:3

2010-10-10T21:59:00.002-05:00

Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

Hill Training Day 1

2010-10-07T20:25:00.003-05:00

Well, earlier this week I was so excited because I had a super good run (for me) with my running buddy Lara. And I thought that since that run was great I was going to be great at my first day of hill training. YEAH - NO! Turns out that most of these people have already been training for an entire month - they are training for the marathon. Training started today for me since I'm training for a HALF marathon. I was glad that I wasn't the only newbie - I ended up teaming up with a girl who was willing to run at my turtle pace. Two is better than one, especially when it's starting to get dark in the city of Houston.

The warm up was 5 minutes of going in a circle up and down this hill. If you ask me that warm up was enough for me to say, "I DID IT!" :o) Well, after the warm up we did this 2 mile cross country type run that was very hilly for Houston.

On the trail we ran under this bridge that is home for bats. OMG!! It STUNK so bad! My gag reflexes kicked in high gear and I tried so hard to get it together. I held my breath and picked up the pace to pass up the stink...but when I got to the other side - aka fresh air - I puked! My new friend watched as I puked up the water and gatorade I drank prior to the run.

SO NICE TO MEET YOU! GLAD YOU COULD SEE ME PUKE ON THE FIRST DAY OF MEETING YOU! IT'S MY FAVORITE THING TO DO FOR FRIENDS!!

Thankfully there was a water fountain and I got some water and was able to finish the run. And my new friend and I high fived. We finished. LOL!

I had to remind myself that today was my FIRST hill day and it'll get better. I mean - it has to right?

So bottom line: Bats Stink and Hills Kill!!

College Days Remembered

2010-10-01T19:25:00.000-05:00

My friends made this video of them sneaking into my room on a Friday night. It was pay back for breaking into her room and waking her up one night. As abnormal as it may seem, it was normal for me to go to bed anywhere from 7 to 8 on a FRIDAY night! I know...RIDICULOUS!

The deal was that every day (even on the weekends) I would wake up at 6 a.m. no matter what time I went to bed. Some friends would say, "Call me when you wake up." I'd call and they & their roommates would be ticked because I woke them up on a Saturday!! LOL! I'd work my tail and then PLAY hard. By Friday I was done. DONE!

Such is the case as a teacher. I haven't been this tired in such a long time! At least, since MAY!! It's crazy to think that I am ready for bed and it's only 7:20. CRAZY!

An Excerpt

2010-09-26T15:01:00.008-05:00

...from a book I'm reading.

"It is worth considering, as we look at repentance and restoration, that although Jesus knew Judas would betray him, Peter would deny him, and the others would desert him, he still washed their feet (John 13:3-5), then shared the bread and wine with them - bread that represented his body and wine that represented his blood. Despite knowing what they would do, he said to them, "I do not call you servants any longer...but I have called you friends" (John 15:15). He did that for all of them, including Judas. Jesus looked past their betrayal, their sins, and their failures and called them his friends. We take comfort in the knowledge that he will do that for us as well."

-Adam Hamilton, 24 Hours That Changed the World, 1. The Last Supper, p. 23

The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

He did this for you. He did it for me. And to think...that He...gave His life knowing full well we'd be unfaithful friends - WHOA! He loves us SO much that He gave His life so that our sins would be forgiven.

It goes against the grain. I'll only be your friend if you're nice to me. And if you laugh at my jokes. If you let me know how cool I am and what kinds of things you like about me. I'll only be your friend if you look like me and if you wear similar clothes as me. I'll only be your friend if your aren't embarrassing and if you never offend me. And if you do all of this for me, I'll do the same for you. Because, really, it's all about me...and in your case you! Right? We aren't in the habit of befriending people who are going to betray us.

Not Jesus. He knew....He knew betrayal was coming from ME! But He still called me His friend.

It is truly astounding!

And just so you know - He really is the greatest friend you could ever have. Not only did He give His life, but Jesus considered you the joy that got him through it (Hebrews 12) - because He did it specifically for YOU.

I've been on a journey with Him since a young age and it's been a good one. I could go on forever about Jesus, but really you should get to know Him.

School Funnies

2010-09-04T14:09:00.011-05:00

It is true that kids say the darnedest things!

I've been coming home every night writing down all the hilarious things the kids say and do.

1. One of my kids hears me say something to a Spanish speaking student in Spanish. He says, "Ms. Marquez if you can speak English and Spanish, How do you say my name in Chinese?"

2. I call my students to come sit on the floor to go over the safety rules for Science. I say, "We are going to talk about Science..." A student interrupts and says, "Ms. Marquez, can we talk about God instead. You know He made EVERYTHING!"

3. For the weekly spelling test one of our words was "fat." I read off: "Fat. My aunt has a fat cat." During the time I'm giving them to write the word a student says: "Ms. Marquez does it make you sad that you have a big belly and everyone thinks you're fat?" (HOLY WHAT!?!?! hahahaha!)

4. Our school has breakfast in the classroom. I set a timer so they are busy eating and not busy playing with their food, but sometimes it's inevitable. They had bananas as part of their breakfast one morning and when I turn around one of the girls is using this banana as a phone. She asked her friend on the "phone" to please run some errands for her because she's busy at school and won't get out until it's too late. Girls will be girls!

*****************************

Running front:

Running has not happened since last Wednesday. That means it's been a week and three days. :O( It's not like last Wednesday's run was great either....it honestly sucked. But saying hello to first graders, loads of "unexpected" stress, and some really late nights, also means saying hello to germs and a weaker immune system.

I'm using this Labor Day weekend to get myself better.

*****************************

Autumn is around the corner and it makes me so.....DREAMY!! I love this season - it's seriously my favorite of all time! It's perfect season to re-read Pride and Prejudice for the umpteenth time and of course to watch YOU'VE GOT MAIL while doing chores or working on stuff for school. Oh - and of course having that Louis Armstrong Pandora station is a MUST!!

I found this song several years ago, when I used to surf MySpace specifically to find music that made my heart skip a beat. This one is perfect for the season.

AUTUMN DAYS Elizabeth Seasons by Empty Songs

Enjoy the summer heat - what's left of it! I hope to be wearing layered apparel soon!! :O)

Happy 200!

2010-08-29T13:24:00.002-05:00

This is the 200th post on Delightful Surprises! Should I bake a chocolate cake and make it a party?

School:
First week was good! All my students are getting home to their respective families without any problems which is VERY successful! I had one student throw up and my gag reflexes kicked in, but I made it without following suit! Also successful! I'm getting this question asked by only one student: "Teacher, what's your name again?" It makes me want to laugh every time!

The only thing that was not fun AT ALL this week was having swollen feet at the end of the day. I mean - I'm not even pregnant!! :o)

Running:
Since I've started school. Running has not been as great. Yes, I'm still going out and making an effort. I'm having to adjust to a new schedule and I also have to figure out how much I should eat and when. It's not necessarily been a breeze and it's frustrating, but this too shall pass.

I've registered for two half marathons. One in January and the other in February. Excitement abounds!!

That's all for now. I have to manage my time very wisely these days.

After

2010-08-22T13:49:00.015-05:00

This took TWO WEEKS! Are you ready to see it? I'm so excited to share this with you!

Okay - and before I show you the pictures....I have one more thing to share. This past Friday we had meet the teacher. And I wasn't sure what all I was supposed to do or say because it's my first one, but it went over SOOOO well.

So here are the after pictures:

This is to the right of the door when you walk in. I still need to get some fabric to cover up the storage space under these desks.

Bulletin Boards: Expectations and Star of the Week
Things on the table: Dry erase markers, Pencil holders, Trays to turn in their work, restroom baskets that will hold paper towels, soap and hand sanitizer, and other trays for misc. supplies.

The same wall on the other side of the white board.

The Word Wall and the Computer Center
There's also a shelf that stores the work we'll do the upcoming week(s), the casitas, etc.

This is entire wall on the right when you walk in.

This is the wall parallel to the door.

This is my favorite spot. The 'Read'wood forest and the R/LA, Science and Math Centers
I got the tree at a Hallmark that was closing down at College Station.

Inspiration Station (where inspiration quotations and art will be displayed)
Stellar Work! (where the kid's stellar work will be displayed!)The yellow table is where we will have small group instruction once it's cleared off. :o)My desk. The one and only time it will be this orderly!

This picture isn't letting me move it so it's out of order...It's the wall parallel to the windows. It's the calendar wall.

The big picture of the back wall.

There you have it! That's the tour of my classroom. I'm ready for Monday - I think... :O)
I'd appreciate your prayers for the upcoming year!!
Excitement abounds!

During

2010-08-22T11:05:00.019-05:00

It's true that it takes a village to raise a child. It also takes a village to get a teacher ready for school. I don't know that what I would have done without my family and friends!

I want to be sure to let everyone know that my favorite thing about my classroom is not necessarily the fact that it looks AWESOME (oh - and it does!). My favorite thing about my classroom is that when I walk in I think of my family and friends who helped me put it together! I'm INCREDIBLY BLESSED!

First, my mom and younger brother came. Mom cleaned EVERYTHING - even the unifix cubes that my students will use for math and science. My brother Tim helped me put the bulletin boards together and he also hung up all the posters that are out of my reach - which is practically every poster. HAHAHA!! My brother Aser came by one day and helped me punch out the pre-cut letters for the bulletin boards. He also had fun writing funny things on my white board.

Look at the difference in the WINDOWS (top right clean!)!!

On this day, I had promised we'd leave early and I didn't follow through.
BUT we had a delicious lunch! The room by this time was lookin' pretty good.

Aser had a lot of fun writing on the white board.
Ask him to read what he wrote to you! You'll laugh because his accent is HILARIOUS!

Another day, Angela was SUPER sweet to come help me with what Tim and I hadn't finished. We got 3M strips and covered up a chalkboard that I don't use. Now I have more "bulletin board" space and everything looks more uniform.

I didn't get a picture of Angela...but this is a cute one of us at a friends wedding.

And finally, this past Thursday I sent a picture text saying: "Are you good with scissors?!? This is how I'll be spending my time tonight. :o)" Look at that! It's a never ending roll of laminated stuff and I was going to do it BY MYSELF!

Looking at the amount of laminated stuff made me want to cry! (not really - I just whined about it until I got help)

It would've taken me all night and I still wouldn't have finished. Luckily, one of my friends - Ryan - said that I should go over to his work place and bring scissors. OMG! I jumped on that! I brought 5 pairs of scissors and put them to work double time!!

Ryan is THE super star for offering the much needed help!

Corey was either cutting out stars or showing off his guns...still haven't figured out which!

Chad was multi-tasking!

Jeremy said he wouldn't help unless he got to use the Christmas Tree scissors. haha!

Real men help first grade teachers cut out stars and such!

There were other people that work with Ryan that helped & aren't pictured.

I feel like saying THANK YOU isn't sufficient. The work EVERYONE did is seriously priceless!!

Before

2010-08-22T10:29:00.008-05:00

August 9 was the first day back to school for us teachers. We did have five days off after the 9th but having looked at my room and feeling completely overwhelmed, I took those five days and used them to get my room in order.

I called my mom because I felt COMPLETELY overwhelmed and begged for her to come help! It didn't take much convincing - she agreed.

These are the before pictures...

Gearin' Up

2010-08-14T22:52:00.004-05:00

Have I mentioned lately how thankful I am to have a job? And not just ANY job, but one that I really want? I'm a first grade teacher. I...AM...A...FIRST...GRADE...TEACHER! :o)
The only thing that would put sprinkles on this cake is if we added "bilingual" before "first grade teacher" - but I'll wait. I can wait.

I've spent the past week cleaning, organizing, and preparing my classroom. I have before pictures and haven't taken after pictures yet...because it's not ready!! AAAAHHH!! It's almost there. I think I need one more day and I'll be set.

Have I mentioned how it takes a village? I couldn't have done this on my own. I've had the AMAZING help of my mom, my brother Tim and my childhood friend Angela. I'm SO incredibly thankful to have the most incredible people in my life! (of course, this is the SHORT list)

More to come later!

THE 5k

2010-08-07T15:00:00.005-05:00

Hi.
I just wanted to report that I ran a 5k today with my friend Regina. It's the one that benefits the World Parrot Trust! :o)

Our goal was to RUN the entire thing. While the time did matter, I really wanted to RUN the whole thing. This did not happen! Why? Well, there was a hill (bridge) at the very beginning. The first ten minutes of any run are hard for me. Add a hill and you finish me! haha!

So, instead, we ran 1.55 and then went into 2-1 intervals.

Towards the middle of mile 2, I started panicking during the run because I couldn't seem to get a deep breath in. Thankfully, I got myself calm and all everything was fine.

Then we got closer to the end and we saw some girls with really fun shirts. One said: I GOT THIS! And the other said: I may be slow, but you're still behind me. Regina & I both agreed that while they are way cute shirts we had to beat them to the finish line!! HAHAHA!

And at the end, the hill that we had to climb at the beginning, helped us gain momentum on the way down for the finish. The girls with the cute shirts were behind us officially. I saw my family and heard them cheering us on. At that point I was SUPER close to crying! But I held it together.

We sprinted to the finish line and then Regina tells me our time: 37.07.

Enter Mimi's excited tears here! :o) I was really happy with the time! Even during our practice runs we run 3.1 miles at 39 minutes. The 5k in April I finished in 47 minutes.

I'm very VERY happy!

Next to the Bible...

2010-08-03T21:00:00.000-05:00

I wrote this January 2009. I remember the context well and I laugh a bit when I read this. I'm thankful that I'm a teacher now. And I'm very thankful those winds of change brought some needed fresh air!

******************

Next to the Bible, if you look a little to your left there's "You've Got Mail."

Mr. Joe Fox tells my hero Kathleen Kelly:

"You're at war. 'It's not personal, it's business. It's not personal it's business.' Recite that to yourself every time you feel you're losing your nerve. I know you worry about being brave, this is your chance. Fight. Fight to the death."

So inspirational! Don't you think? Because really...we recite that to ourselves knowing full well that when people are involved it's personal. Business doesn't grow without personal investment.

When life gives you limes you make limeade. If these people don't like your limeade - make some popsicles and take them to someone new!

2009 has the winds of change blowing through the corridors.

This Week Is Exciting!

2010-08-01T14:34:00.009-05:00

Among other things, what I'm looking forward to the most is attending the Global Leadership Summit. I really wish I was going to Chicago and then accidentally bumping into Blake Mycoskie, the Founder and "Chief Shoe Giver" of TOMS Shoes, Inc. Since that isn't going to happen, I'll enjoy what I get in the Houston Satellite location.

I'm excited because I know that the GLS was one of the main components of giving me a kick in the pants to get in gear for getting back on the teaching train. And this time I'm taking my brother Tim along with me!

I signed up before school was out last spring and I seriously can't believe that it's THIS week!

I promise!

2010-07-28T15:57:00.005-05:00

I promise to write about more things than JUST running, but I just wanted to tell the WHOLE WORLD that I'm officially signed up for the 5K August 7. The race is called the Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer and I'm still laughing at the fact that this race benefits the world Parrot Trust which is dedicated to the survival of parrot species in the wild, and the welfare of captive birds everywhere.

Just to be clear, I'm not doing this for the birds. I'd prefer to run for people, but for now I'm doing this one for ME!

Today, I ran 2 miles without stopping...and actually completed the 5k distance in a decent time. It was the hardest run I've had in a while. I'm not sure why my legs felt like lead, but they did. It's interesting how you have to train your mind to say, "I CAN!" because your whole body is saying - "PLEASE STOP!" And once you finish you feel like you can conquer all beasts!

My friend Regina and I ran the 2.88 miles just under 36 minutes and ran the 3.1 miles in 39. She can do better than I can - so really this is my time with a friend cheering me on. Her patience and encouragement is PRICELESS! And I'm wishing my friend Lara was here running with us. She'll be back soon, but the three of us are running this 5k together. I'm dubbing us the DREAM TEAM! They don't know that yet, but they'll find out soon enough. ;O)

************

I mentioned before that I'd share the scripture that comes to mind when I run so here they are:
Isaiah 40:29-31

He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

The infamous Philippians 4:13

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Psalm 28:7

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

And my theme verse Romans 8:37

...in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

There is also a song that in my head I'm belting out (I think I'd pass out if I was ACTUALLY singing it)! The chorus says:

I will not be moved, and I'll say of the Lord:
You are my Shield, my Strength, my Portion, Deliverer,
My Shelter, Strong Tower, my very present help in time of need.

Update on the Running Front

2010-07-20T17:52:00.002-05:00

Well, I spent three weeks in Guatemala and was unable to run as well as I would have liked. The altitude really got the best of me...so I ran ONCE! Sad day! But I did go up and down these never ending steps every day that really do take your breath away. I wish I had a picture of them. They are steep and the steps are a bit awkward. I also did a bit of Jillian Michaels 30 day shred, which I've carried over to the States for "cross-training."

As I suspected, I indeed gained weight. I should stay away from RICE and the rest of the amazing food they serve there. But even if I had, this is what happens. The GOOD news is that I didn't lose momentum on running. I think the thing that was hurt was my confidence in how far I've come. My first run back here was Saturday morning and it was NOT bad at all.

Today was my second run since I've been home and my brother Tim came along with me and Regina. He kept up with us!! Well, he also has a bigger stride...So he could leave me in the dust. But I just wanted to say, in case I hadn't mentioned it before: I LIKE RUNNING! :o)

I'm about 3 weeks from running my next 5k! I'm very excited!!

Pick Up Lines

2010-07-11T14:28:00.005-05:00

Usually, you get to meet some of the coolest people on the planet working at this orphanage. Sometimes, you also meet the most awkward individuals...

During the second week of my stay here in Guate I met this dude who was REALLY smooth. Thankfully his stay was ONLY one week! Here are his lines:

You speak really good English!
I like your headband...And your shirt...You look really good in it.
So, do you have a green card?
You should look me up on Facebook. You can't have too many friends you know!
Come sit down with me. Let's talk.

He won me over with "Do you have a green card"!!

Bless his heart.

Who Knew?!?!

2010-06-19T18:26:00.007-05:00

Okay, think you get the picture that I've never been a runner, nor have I EVER particularly enjoyed it. I've talked about running for a while and made mention of it in two blogs:

Here: this is when I went to my first Houston Marathon as a spectator and actually wanted to try it!
Here: this is when I gave up on my training.

Since then, I got into an argument with a friend over running v. not running. It was RIDICULOUS! I've gone to cheer more friends at the Chevron Houston Marathon. I actually WALKED 5k in April in less time than I expected. And I've been training...like seriously training to RUN a 5k in August.

Ironically enough, I've gotten past the stage of dreading it. Okay, honestly the first 5 minutes when I get out there really suck but I LOVE IT and I wish I had started this sooner!

I'm so thankful for my friend Regina who jogged the last I don't know how many yards of the 5k in April. I told her then that I LOVED the atmosphere of a 5k, I loved how the self competition kicked in full gear when I was there, and I loved the challenge. I told her that if I could do a 5k I could do a half marathon. While I was mostly joking, she took me seriously and she said - Okay, let's train to actually run a 5k and we will go from there.

So here's the progress. In April I did the 5k in 47 minutes! Not too shabby for someone who didn't train. Okay - so I train on a track that's 2.88 miles and on June 1 I went around in 43 minutes and it was more walking than running. On June 18th, I did the loop in 40 minutes 6 seconds. 24 minutes of jogging and 16 minutes walking.

I write this not to boast and say LOOK AT ME! I write this because I didn't know I had it in me. And the things that have really helped are the following:

Accountability (insert Regina and this blog post)
SCRIPTURE starts flowing in my head. I wish I could quote it right now, but I've gone blank...I'm not running right now. I'll post in a future blog the scripture I use.
Prayer! OMG! Regina knows when I start getting tired or when I'm about to and she tells me - Okay, Mimi this is when you should start praying if you haven't already started!
Subscribing to Runner's World! TIPS GALORE!

I'm actually going to RUN a 5k August 7!

This is a bit of a selfish prayer request and a bit more personal than I like to get on a blog, but I'm going on a mission trip to Guatemala for three weeks. When I travel, I tend to gain weight which tends to make me blue. So, please pray that I can keep this up while I'm away. I really don't want to lose this progress. It really makes me happy and I actually DO enjoy this!!

Mona Lisa Smile

2010-06-13T21:27:00.010-05:00

There's a scene from the movie Mona Lisa Smile that I often think about. In fact, I thought of it today. If you haven't seen it, it's about an art teacher who comes into a SUPER traditional and extremely conservative 1950's private girls school and challenges their way of doing things. This stirs up a lot of talk and trouble.

Well, this scene in this movie reminds me of something Jesus would do. No, this isn't a Christian movie, nor does it teach biblical roles of men and women, but this one scene...I tell you what! The scene is when the perfect little Betty Warren (who married this "perfect" man) comes into the dorm with a chip on her shoulder. She is cruel to one of her classmates to the point of making her cry. A mutual friend looks beyond it and just embraces Betty. She saw that Betty came in with a wounded heart. Betty falls apart and starts weeping! Turns out her husband was having an affair and she was taking it out on anyone she could.

I think of it mostly when people say things with every intention of HURTING me. I honestly want to hug them (just like this girl did in this movie) and tell them that they really aren't upset with me and that Jesus loves them!

Copperish Brown

2010-06-07T14:46:00.003-05:00

Against popular belief, not all Mexicans have a natural tan. My legs are WHITE when they say hello for the summer. But now summer is here and I've been walk/jogging at the park and I spent all weekend outdoors and I can say now that I'm tan. I have a ridiculous watch tan line to show the contrast.

Anyway, I'm not on here to talk about my tan, per se. I remembered a story from a couple years ago when I went to a ball game with my brother, Tim. We sat directly behind the cutest little boy and his dad. Well, this kid turns around and points at me and says: IT'S HER, DAD! It's HER!

The dad was embarrassed and says: I'm sorry about that ma'am. My son and I were playing I spy and he spotted something copperish brown. It happens to be you!

HAHAHA! That story makes me laugh. Kids are fun!

The Quotation Promised

2010-05-30T17:39:00.005-05:00

I love the recklessness of faith. First you leap and then you grow wings.

- William Sloane Coffin

For some time, a friend of mine has reminded me that God is pursuing me. He desires me to trust him 100% and he desires to have my heart. As a christian, a follower of Jesus, I think "He already has my heart. I trust him." But, at some point something happened to make me doubt...Life. It never goes just how we plan. And I hit some big bumps during and right out of college. And yeah, college was 6 years ago. But the problem is that I stopped trusting.

As a result, I was afraid of taking any risks. I think I've always taken some sort of risk - going skydiving for my 18th birthday and H.S. graduation, moving far away for college, flying on my own to foreign places, eating food I wasn't sure was legit, paragliding, etc.

Once I got back home it all stopped...and I became fearful. I was no longer doing anything that wasn't "safe." If I noticed something was just a tad bit off, I stepped away. My life was being sucked right out of me.

But in the last two years (and maybe even longer), I've had a mother load of people praying for me (it takes a village). God's faithfulness in pursuing me has been incredible! And even that is an understatement.

I'm thankful that I went to the Willow Creek Leadership Summit in August 2008. I'm thankful that my job search lasted over a year. I'm thankful that even when things don't make sense at all there is an affirmation of the spirit that lets you know you are doing the right thing - I resigned from a decent job without having secured a new one. I'm thankful that for five months, I had uninterrupted HOURS with my Bible. I'm thankful that I met the principal of my school so randomly and that she liked me enough to hire me mid-year. I'm thankful that my kids took well to me. I'm thankful that I made it through my first semester as a teacher successfully. I'm thankful that all of this has not been easy. I'm thankful that I have summer!

You have no idea what this means to me. And I have no idea how to let you know what this journey does to me! :o) I'm so happy! Like so happy that I feel it to my inner core.

I had dreams as a kid...and they grew as I did. The dream: To become a teacher. To help children who need it. To be a summer missionary. To meet missionaries and provide them fellowship and American goods they may be missing. To love recklessly.

As all of this is falling into place, I have to have some Kleenex's with me because I'm overwhelmed at how the desires of my heart are being answered.

So, I'm saying this to you - TRUST HIM! He's asking you to trust him...and when you take that step He will give you wings!

"He has made everything beautiful in its time." -Ecclesiastes 3:11

School is Out for the Summer

2010-05-27T15:57:00.005-05:00

Hey! I made it. From February 10, 2010 t0 May 27, 2010. Time flew right by! So fast that I have about three entries in my journal since I was hired. I'm a little sad about that because there is soooo much that happened - to backtrack would just be a bit tedious.

Anyway, yesterday we had our end of the year party and it was soooo much fun! Next year, I'm going to recruit more parent volunteers because they are sent straight from HEAVEN! They were so very helpful and I was VERY happy to have them there! We had pizza, a movie (A Goofy Movie), paper bag puppets, face painting, etc. If you want to help me next year - I'll recruit you too!

And the last day (today)...well, my kiddos were OFF THE CHAIN! OFF THE CHAIN!! We watched the Lion King. I returned a bunch of their old work for them to take home to play school with and also gave them worksheets that they could do while they are home for the summer. I remember liking that when I was kid. I always played school! But unfortunately, the last hour was not as fun as I would have hoped. I'm going to have to figure out how to keep my students a bit more calm next year cause I lost my cool the last hour...or maybe we could just have extended recess?!?

I thought I'd tear up because it was my first class and my teacher's always did when I was a kid...and because I'll admit - I'm a crier! And I didn't. :D

I'm proud of myself this semester. I cried only one time! ONE TIME! One time...and that was because one of my students cut another students ear. I didn't cry in front of them, but I took them to the lunch room and when I went to the teacher's lounge I let go of a few tears. The more experienced teachers said I'd be okay - and they were right! I was!

And so there it is...My first semester! I made it!

P.S. I told my class that we were having an end of the year test...Which was a joke and they thought I was clever. However, I really think I'll do a "test" next year. I think that they'll take it seriously and that will keep them occupied for quite a while!

a WHOLE month?

2010-05-18T16:51:00.003-05:00

What in the world!! Where does time go?

I've been thinking up a post...inspired by a quotation that made me very happy. I'll share it with you very soon, but for now I just wanted to say HI! I'm alive and well (except for one of my little toes).

I have SEVEN more days with my first ever first grade class! Eight days of work. YEAH!

Excitement about summer abounds!!

The Hole in Our Gospel

2010-04-18T10:05:00.004-05:00

Here's an interview of Richard Stearns who wrote the book I'm currently reading. I highly recommend it!

A Free Saturday

2010-04-10T21:28:00.013-05:00

Today I had nothing planned, except to get my inspection sticker that was four months overdue. I know...embarrassing! But I've gotta say that my car, Pearl, although I love her...I can't stand her. She is expensive!! And I can't stand the dealership either. I didn't go there today, but finding out that I have no other choice but to go very soon makes me want to punch them (the VW dealership) in the face!! I think I've mentioned all this before.

So I say this with all sincerity - Say HECK NO to Volkswagen!
But I do encourage you to say yes to other things like:

Super cute Poodles that get so hyped when they get to go for a ride!! (notice they aren't in the ridiculous booster seat I bought last year for safety! ;o) )

Say YES when your friend, who is practically your sister, invites you to Crave & Starbucks!

Then move the party to the Apple store where you get "Macs"! ;o)

And finally, say yes looking for the lost opportunities left at the Apple store!

I love days like today! They are RE-energizing!

2010 - The Year of Conquering Continued

2010-03-29T22:36:00.004-05:00

At the end of every year, I like to set goals for the next and LOOOOOVE to pick out a theme scripture, song, and a sorta cheesy picture that all go along with what I hope the year will bring.

I just wanted to come back and say that I've picked a theme song for 2010, practically 4 months into the year. It hasn't been too terribly long ago that I've shared this song with you, but when I sing it...I SING MY HEART OUT!! Because it reminds me of how much grace has been extended to us by the One who loves more than we could ever comprehend. And it's Easter...and there was a great sacrifice that has allowed my soul to feel its worth!

My ultimate goal in life is to share beauty, even in the midst of ashes, that only God Himself brings to such a messy time on earth.

So here again is the song:

The Rewards

2010-03-25T18:05:00.006-05:00

When I was in college, I idealized my class. How all my students would listen when I said listen, sit when I said sit, walk in a perfect little line, and get perfect grades because they already know everything. I'm there to help them review to not forget.

But, the truth is that school doesn't work like that. And I like that isn't like that!

Today, I got the best note I have ever, EVER received from the students I've had/met. Remember my little buddy that gave me the warmest welcome on my first day? The one who got suspended before the day even started? And since then, I've been reasoning with him. On one of those occasions, I asked, "Do you understand why I'm saying this to you?" He replies, "Yes, sir!" To which I responded, "It's, 'Yes, ma'am." And his witty self said, "Well, you look like a man!" Hahaha! Okay, truth is I didn't laugh. I said to him that if he continues to be rude, he will end up a lonely man.

Well, the week before last, I was as sick as a dog. I woke up completely sick on Monday morning. I called in and slept the entire day. Hating to miss school, I woke up the next morning and braved it. I went to school...which only made it worse. I lost my voice completely. I didn't go to school the rest of the week. The week after that was Spring Break (which was AWESOME!) and so it was 2 weeks since I had seen my students. I missed them, but was scared of the unknown. What the heck will they be like when I get back?

They were ECSTATIC to see me. I didn't realize the extent of the excitement until I received this note from my little buddy.
You are the best and I like you and when you was sick I missed you and I thought you will never come back

but when you came in this morning I was so happy.

I showed some teachers and they asked how in the world I got it out of this kid? And I just smiled. They have no idea how much I pray for him specifically and how much I actually care!

This is a happy day! Very happy day!

Sacrifice

2010-03-24T18:58:00.003-05:00

Since I started my job in February, I haven't read a book in its entirety and I'm craving a GOOD page turner and I can't seem to either a) find the right book or b) stay awake long enough to peak any sort of interest. I hope to make up for the lack of reading for fun in the summer.

And I hope that one year in, I'm in a groove to be able to read for fun all the time...even during the school year. Have I mentioned how much I LOVE reading? I do. A LOT! And I MISS it!

If you have any book suggestions leave a comment.

What goes around comes around...

2010-02-27T20:48:00.003-06:00

Dear Ms. Hartwig,

Remember when I was in third grade and I had a favorite teacher whose name was Ms. Reed? Remember? She was soooooo cool!! She had the "IT" factor without even knowing she had it...She made learning fun and she wore such cool clothes. She was so chill. On casual Fridays, she'd wear overalls. And on one of those Fridays, there was in grasshopper in the room and she didn't freak out about it. She didn't kill it either. Instead, she caught it with her BARE hands and then released it to the outdoors where it belonged. I thought - WOW, I really want to be like her!!

And then...well, I'm not sure what the circumstances were (except that you were new to town from Iowa), but you took over. And you were completely different from her. You wore skirt suits. You wore hose. You always wore heels! And...You never DARED to wear a pair of overalls. I hated that! I thought you were too uptight and I thought you wore too much make-up! And I made fun of your hair that didn't seem too move...

Yeah...that was my perspective as a third grader. But now that I'm in your shoes, I just want to say I'm so sorry for giving you hell. I remember the torture I caused you! I remember you asking me to go back to my seat so nicely and my stubborn self decided: I think I'll just stay here...on the floor and I will not move! Remember? I do! You literally had to drag me by the arm to my seat. And I remember the entire class gave you such a difficult time that you had us eat a silent lunch in the classroom with the Assistant Principal standing beside you! There was no escaping! I don't remember when I started to take you seriously, but I do remember I did end up liking you.

I've been thinking a lot about you! I've been wondering if we wore you out so bad that you took naps as soon as you got home? Did you wonder if you were going to make it? Did you talk so horribly about me to your whoever your go-to person was? Did you see any progress in our (okay...MY) behavior? Did your third grade team give you suggestions on how to handle us? I hope I didn't lead you to cynicism.

Thanks for being a brave soul to take a class mid-year. Thanks for having the patience (even if it was just surface level) for me. And thanks for putting me in my place. I really appreciate it...now more than ever.

Your fellow colleague,
Ms. Márquez

P.S. YES...I still wonder about your hair, but I'll cut you some slack because it was the EIGHTIES!

The First Day...2.5 weeks later

2010-02-27T20:25:00.005-06:00

So, I started working as a teacher February 10. And, the day before that I was a nervous wreck. Sort of...Okay, I'll be honest and say I had trouble sitting still that day and trouble sleeping that night. Nonetheless, I woke up at the crack of dawn...I got ready for the day and started driving to my first job as a TEACHER!!

I got there an hour early, so I got back into my car in search for breakfast. Once I got back to the school, I went straight to the front office to wait for direction. I waited there for what seemed like an eternity. I was waiting for someone to tell me where to go...

While I waited, a hall monitor came in to talk to the AP about a kid in the hall and while I'm not entirely sure what this hall monitor said, I'm certain the response from the AP was "OH REALLY?!" The AP walked out into the hallway and marched this kid into the office to call this kid's parents to pick him up. He asked this kid to sit down and his response was repetitive: "I AIN'T GONNA SIT DOWN, CAUSE I DON'T WANNA SIT DOWN!" This kid got suspended from school.

I thought to myself, "Wow!! Whoever has this student really has their hands full!"

OH THE IRONY! Welcome, Miss Marquez to your first day of teaching! Meet YOUR first grade student!! You WILL have your hands full!! But we wish you the best! GOOD LUCK!!

I'm still laughing!

HIP HIP HOORAY!!!

2010-02-08T17:24:00.004-06:00

(me and the contract!)

I am officially an elementary teacher in the 7th largest district of the United States! My first day is this coming Wednesday! Pray for me because this girl is going to need it!

BUT RIGHT NOW LET'S CELEBRATE BECAUSE THE LORD HAS RESPONDED FAVORABLY TO THE DESIRES OF MY HEART!!!!

I'm feeling a bit like this:

HAHAHA! My cup overflows!

Just when I think...

2010-01-26T14:58:00.009-06:00

...that there's no way I'm going to survive this year financially, I'm reminded of Him who is in control of it all. Just when I start to believe that I really screwed myself over, there is HOPE!

September 11, I left a decent job. Did I LOVE it? No. Actually not at all. (Well, if we're talking the last 1.5 years of 3). I learned how to do the work by doing it with some but little training, and did it well. I learned a lot about working under pressure and producing the impossible with an amazing team (OMG - Looking back, how we did it is beyond me!!). I learned how to ask questions (I ask more questions than I did even then). I learned that I do indeed have a back bone (at one point I thought back bone days were over).

But I left. I left for MANY reasons, but mostly to pursue my dreams of becoming a teacher. I would leave most nights with the sun setting on the horizon (I'm not making this gushy - I'm being honest). Looking into the sunset on a daily basis made me think of myself in my 60's, 70's, 80's. I imagined myself sitting on a porch in a rocking chair chatting with people I love with the sun setting looking back at what my life is like RIGHT NOW and wondered if I'd be happy knowing that although I felt like I had a decent job that my dreams were going down the toilet. Would I be okay looking back on the years of my prime? The answer was always: No. These thoughts are haunting! Seriously haunting.

A bit over four months later, I'm here. Sometimes I wonder if I made the right decision (Oh Doubt, how you get the better of me at times!). Some may say it was a dumb choice because of the economic crisis, etc. But I was made to teach. I know that I know that I know! I know it to my core! I know it in my BONES! I have lots to learn even as a teacher but I know that I was made for this and wasting precious time was not longer an option for me. When I start getting into a funk I remember that although it may not exactly be my timing, I will be just fine.

I am "employed." However, I'm not working every day and each day that I don't get to work I wonder if I'm going to make it. But one thing is for sure. I am happier. I am happy to know that I'm pursuing the dreams from the age of SEVEN!

So...I'm saying hold on tight. And let your time with Jesus be sweet! These are the times that grow our relationship with Him.

I am still waiting. I am still hopeful!

"You have listened to fears, Child," said Aslan. "Come, let me breathe on you. Forget them. Are you brave again?" --Aslan to Susan, Prince Caspian, C.S. Lewis

"I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed." --Psalms 37:25-26.

JANUARY

2010-01-21T17:09:00.011-06:00

I cannot, absolutely not, believe that there are only ten days left to the first month of the year!
This girl has been working on her fitness and has reached her first goal! Can I get a WOOT WOOT?! Gonna keep at it!
Kids keep me on my toes! You get kids in space, kids smack talking to each other, and kids kissing...As a teacher (or substitute teacher) you have to have what we call WITHITNESS! Alertness beyond measure. Discernment to figure out their next move before they take it. An OCEAN of compassion...that and patience! All that while TEACHING a concept! Prayer: Dear God, I cannot teach without your help! Please be near!
My feet have been begging for mercy. I hope that their cuteness doesn't go away because I'm not being very nice. Just say no to SHOES that hurt!!
I've socialized quite a bit, I've also rested a ton more than I imagined. It's pretty sad that despite the rest, I've managed to get sick again!! I'm a'ight! I'm a'ight!
The Chevron Houston Marathon is one of my favorite things (as a spectator of course!!). I got to cheer on my friend Jeannie who ran her second marathon. KUDOS!!
I haven't been GeoCaching yet this month. I need to make some time for it!!
Uhm...The reading is going strong! A list for the month will follow.
The next ten days are full!
THE END!

P.S. I know I'm a bit early with the Valentine's header, but can I just say that I really like hearts, and red, and pink, and stickers, and GLITTER!! HA HA! I am indeed a GIRL!

P.S.S. Chivalry is INDEED ALIVE and well. I just wanted to give kudos to the dudes that practice it and hope to the girls that desire it!

Oooooh, And one more thing! My friend Laurie shared this on her blog and I can't help but share the wealth! (haha!)

2010 - The Year of Conquering

2009-12-31T14:52:00.001-06:00

The year of the Learning Curve (2009) was just that...A lot of learning and starting from ZERO! But it's been amazing nonetheless and 2010 can only get better!! I'm VERY excited about start of this new year. Excitement ABOUNDS!!

Theme verse for 2010:
"...in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."
Romans 8:37

Theme picture for 2010:
(yes...Aslan!!)
Theme song for 2010: I haven't picked one. ;o)
(2009 was Jon Foreman's Your Love is Strong)

Goals for 2010:

Continue Reading
I love it! I remember having a conversation YEARS AGO with someone about books. I told her that I really like them, but never seemed to have time for them. She answered, "Well, we all have 24 hours in a day and I read every night. You make time for it." And I am thankful she said that because back then I didn't think it was that easy. It's true for a lot of things!
Teach
I'm really close I can taste it. I have LOVED every minute of the time I've had off. I can't say it enough. You couldn't pay me to go back to where I was. I'm in a much happier, healthier state and I'm more than ready to teach!!
Geocache
Back in August, I saw a group of boy scouts geocaching and I loved it. I said I'd do it but I haven't. So I promised a cousin of mine that I'd go on a bear hunt once a month and keep my geocaching profile updated.
Go on a Mission Trip
My dreams have always been to teach and use the summers for mission trips. So, why not start this year. I'll have more information on this soon.
Lose Weight
It's on "the list" every year...and I wouldn't have it any other way! I've recently made some progress and hope to continue into the next. I feel GREAT!! Thanks to the Wii Fit Plus, I am tracking the progress daily and it's ADDICTING!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

2009-12-23T10:28:00.004-06:00

Imogene had the baby doll but she wasn't carrying it in the way she was supposed to, cradled in her arms. She had it slung up over her shoulder, and before she put it in the manger she thumped it twice on the back.
I heard Alice gasp and she poked me. "I don't think it's very nice to burp the baby Jesus," she whispered, "as if he had colic." Then she poked me again. "Do you supposed he could have had colic?"
I said, "I don't know why not," and I didn't. He could have had colic, or been fussy, or hungry like any other baby. After all, that was the whole point of Jesus - the he didn't come down on a cloud like something out of "Amazing Comics," but that he was born and lived...a real person.

-Barbara Robinson
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Books of 2009

2009-12-23T09:50:00.005-06:00

Since one of my goals for the year was to read more, I want to share with you the books I read this year. It's really crazy to think that there are about eight days left to the year. If I get another book read in that time it would be a miracle.

So...without further ado, here is the list of books I read this year.

Let Me Be A Woman, Elisabeth Elliot
Love in the Time of Cholera, Gabriel García Márquez
One Day, All Children...: The Unlikely Triumph of Teach for America & What I learned Along the Way, Wendy Kopp*
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, Ishmael Beah*
The Butterfly Jar, Poems by Jeff Moss*
Esther: A Woman of Strength and Dignity, Charles R. Swindoll
Confessions of a Shopaholic, Sophie Kinsella
My Sister's Keeper, Jodi Picoult
Big Russ & Me, Tim Russert*
The Relentless Tenderness of Jesus, Brennan Manning*
A Raisin in the Sun, Lorraine Hansberry*
Crazy Love, Francis Chan*
Joseph: A Man of Integrity & Forgiveness, Charles R. Swindoll*
I Would Die For You, Brent & Deanna Higgins
The Time Traveler's Wife, Audrey Niffegger
Like Water For Chocolate, Laura Esquivel*
The Book of Romance, Tommy Nelson
Pride & Prejudice, Jane Austen*
Harry Potter & The Sorcerer's Stone, J.K. Rowling
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Barbara Robinson*

I've put a star by the ones I think are my favorite! (And just because it doesn't have a star doesn't mean I didn't like it...it just means it wasn't a FAVORITE.)

Of the christian books, Joseph: A Man of Integrity & Forgiveness by Charles R. Swindoll is my favorite. I couldn't help but fall in LOVE with the man of God from ages past!

And for non-christian reads, I'd have to say that I really and truly enjoyed Like Water for Chocolate. Couldn't put that one down at all. There is something about Spanish Literature that leaves me wanting more!!

So, there you have it. I accomplished that goal. Gold star for me! :o)

My Christmas Wish List

2009-12-08T17:21:00.006-06:00

I think this all fits in one of those USPS mailers that you can ship to me for like $4 or something. I'm just saying that if you so feel led to give all this to me at once I'll hook you up with my address. :o)

3 Pack of Moleskine Journals
Victoria's Secret Love Spell Lotion and Body Splash
Fat Tubes of black and white acrylic paint
Gift card to Barnes & Noble
Support for a mission trip to Kenya (OR support to send me back to Casa Bernabe in Guatemala).

I'm keeping it simple.

High Spirits

2009-11-18T11:56:00.007-06:00

Last night, my mom and I took some chicken soup to a lady from church who recently went through open heart surgery. From what I can tell, she's feeling pretty chipper and high spirited despite the pain she's enduring. As soon as we walked in, she introduced me to her sons - "The Old One" and "Your Boyfriend." I couldn't help but laugh out loud. The poor guy was so embarrassed after saying hello he went to the bedroom and tried everything not to have to come out again!

The Drums Are Rollin

2009-11-13T14:07:00.007-06:00

I've been in a season of suspense. I've gotten into the seat, secured my seat belt, and I'm in the slow climb uphill on a roller coaster. I think my knuckles are turning white. I'm ready to let go, lift my arms up and let out a good holler.

I realized last night that I have 3 days for the results of an important exam I took in late October. Everyone says - "oh Mims you have it in the bag." But can I just say that speaking on command and under pressure is not like having a conversation with your best friend. It's more like pulling your wisdom teeth out and taking too much Vicodin.

I hope that I'm able to eat sleep and socialize like a normal person but if I'm walking around like a zombie with the jitters just know...I'm holding on tight until I can let go. I've never looked forward to a Monday so much in my life!

**********

On another note, I'm going to prison tomorrow. It's been a long time. I'm excited to see what's in store and also very excited to meet the new class. It's amazing how time flies...this "new" class will graduate December 4th (I think).

Orphan Sunday: November 8

2009-11-06T12:29:00.003-06:00

Orphan Sunday from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.

There are 143,000,000 orphans around the world.
143,ooo,ooo orphans standing shoulder to shoulder will go around the 10,913 mile perimeter of the USA nearly 4 times.
143,000,000 orphans in a single file line would reach around the earth over 2 times.
500,000 of those orphans are in Southern Sudan alone.

My friend Amber Burger (from SBU), introduced me to Orphan Sunday. She and her husband, Vernon, have been working with an incredible church in Southern Sudan called Evangelical Presbyterian Church under a nonprofit organization: His Voice For Sudan. They have been working hard to build orphanages and equipping the people of Sudan to run the facilities. If you would like more information about His Voice for Sudan go to www.hisvoiceforsudan.org.

Giving Thanks

2009-10-27T09:56:00.007-05:00

It is Autumn - my favorite season of the year. It makes me think back and reflect on all the good things that have occurred in my life and also what I've learned through the hard times. It is a time of Thanksgiving! In preparation for the actual Thanksgiving holiday, I started a list early in the year in the back of my journal of things that make me happy. And let me tell you - I am a HAPPY GIRL! I add to this list often!

However, I ran across a list today that surpasses the list I have written in my journal. This list is found in Ephesians 1:3-14 and it is what God has done for me! So, I want to share it with you because it is pretty amazing!

So, I am thankful because God has:

Blessed me with every spiritual blessing.
Chosen me.
Predistined and adopted me.
REDEEMED me.
FORGIVEN me.
LAVISHED His GRACE on me.
Made known the mystery of His will.
Provided and eternal inheritance.
Sealed me in Christ.
Guaranteed my inheritance.

He wants the same for you! John 3:16 - the most famous Bible verse says: For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not parish but have eternal life.

When we die, we have a destination. Heaven or Hell. It's true. But God doesn't condemn...see John 3:17 - For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

It also says in 2 Peter that "...God is patient with [us], not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

When we respond to Christ's invitation to be HIS, we are richly blessed. (See the list from Ephesians.)

My heart is overwhelmed by His goodness this morning. I had to share this with you!!

Saying Hello To The New!

2009-10-09T18:38:00.008-05:00

This week our newest family member came home. His official name, in my opinion, is Chandler Copper Chase Marquez (all the names we debated). However, he is not MY dog and I've had to relinquish my desire to keep the name Chandler in existence and let the rightful owner (my dad) name him whatever he chose. So, Copper...Copper it is. :o)

We are all very happy he's home. Zacc is so happy to have a playmate and loves his new role as "pack leader." Zacc's personality changed so much - it's WEIRD!

So here he is....Mr. Chandler Copper Chase Marquez!

The day we met the TRIPLE C!

The day we picked him up to take him home!

My gramma was really happy to meet him.

His first bath

The Copper Fro!

Unfortunately....

2009-09-25T23:38:00.004-05:00

Seems like lately, I'm attracting middle schoolers, married men or guys with girlfriends. I don't usually post this kind of stuff on the blog for the whole world to read, but here's what I think...

1. If you're a middle schooler, sorry dude, but there's no chance. I'll take a picture with you though. (hahaha!)
2. If you're married, I will politely decline but internally I'm giving you a solid kick in the nads. Have some respect for me and the commitment that you made to your WIFE!
3. If you have a girlfriend - be about your girlfriend!!
4. If your single, have courage. I'm right there with you!

Around the Corner...

2009-09-18T19:17:00.001-05:00

Autumn is around the corner. I've been listening to the Louis Armstrong Station on Pandora, have many windows open around the house, and pumpkin spice candles burning for long periods of time. Weirdly, I've spent a lot of time in the kitchen and still I've yet to touch my sewing machine which is calling my name! I have the bouquet of sharpened pencils my bestie sent me in honor of me receiving my teaching certification (in January) prominently displayed in my room. And I'm dreaming of pumpkin carving parties and hoedowns and such! Have I mentioned that I love AUTUMN and all the festivities therein? I do!!

Project Runway: Newspaper as Fabric

2009-09-18T18:24:00.008-05:00

You have no idea how exciting it was to watch Project Runway! The latest challenge was to use newspaper as fabric!!

Look at this winning design:

To see other designs click HERE!

And LOOK!! Remember the blog entry from November 2007? Yeah!! The family had a newspaper challenge too and Hannah created a really beautiful dress!

In the second picture, you can see the Super Hero costume we made for Andy (right) and how other designers didn't give Sophia the option of free limbs (left). Without asking what Sophie thought the designers wrapped her in newspaper and made newspaper "arms" with a gun at the end. So funny! Do you see it? And of course, Olivia is sporting Hannah's design which included the bow made out of the newspaper bag (center).

It's so sad that the beach house where these pictures were taken is no longer standing. Thank you Hurricane Ike!

In the near future...

2009-09-12T16:11:00.004-05:00

I'm looking forward to watching these movies (I'm pretty sure they'll win awards):

1. Where the Wild Things Are

2. The Blind Side

3. Good Hair (this one is going to be hilarious!!)

4. Precious (this one, epsecially, will be winning some SERIOUS awards)

Going on a Bear Hunt

2009-08-25T18:29:00.005-05:00

Have you ever gone geocaching?

This past Saturday, I spent the morning at the park for some much needed alone/regrouping time. While I was there, a boy scout troop came by for a while looking for a treasure. I suppose I didn’t expect that I’d be COMPLETELY alone. After all, I was at a park where practically every Houstonian goes to do some serious work outs, running, golfing, and GEOCACHING.

I’m not sure how much time they spent looking for this hidden treasure when I joined in the fun (I hope they didn't mind...I did my part too by letting them use my pen to sign their names on the log). I tell you what – it was delightful! I’ve now joined in the geocaching world at http://www.geocaching.com/ and you guessed it (there is an APP for that) I downloaded the app to my iPhone!

Have I ever mentioned how much I HEART scavenger hunts? I’m going to have to make time for geocaching!

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Bunny trail: Telling you how much I LOVE scavenger hunts reminded me of last year’s lock-in at church (I CANNOT BELIEVE I DIDN"T BLOG ABOUT IT!). That was a blast! We played all kinds of games, met more people from church and yes – you got it…We did a scavenger hunt creatively named: THE AMAZING RACE! And if you care to guess again – yes! My team won! I perhaps was a bit overly excited but I seriously, SERIOUSLY LOVE scavenger hunts, throw in a little competition and I become a different person! Here are some pictures from that night.

The girls of the winning team!!

My favorite picture of the night!

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Another bunny trail: RUMOR HAS IT...that there is going to be ANOTHER Amazing Race. And my Sunday School class is going to have a digital scavenger hunt! Pretty sure, I'll get a lot of hunting done before the year is over!

Advice

2009-08-18T17:02:00.002-05:00

If you don't have anything nice to say, just say it in Spanish!

HILARIOUS. It came from one of my aunts.
The only downside to this advice is that most people, esp. in Houston at the very least understand the language. So, maybe it's best that you not say it at all (or learn to speak Finnish).