My Funny Valentine

So yesterday, I was on my way to my friend Molly's house for a lovely V-day brunch. I got a few miles down the freeway when I heard a terrible noise coming from somewhere on or in the car. I thought to myself, "That doesn't sound healthy. I will calmly pull over at my earliest convenience." In reality, I was a little panicky! But I was soon able to pull over to a somewhat spacious shoulder. When it was safe, I got out and walked around to the passenger's side and saw this:Awesome. This is shaping up to be a really great day. I called Gerrit to let him know of my plight. Unfortunately, neither of us has experience changing a tire (especially not on the freeway!). So, I called a towing service. Actually, I had to call three different numbers to get someone to answer! In the meantime, Gerrit came to wait with me. My hero:In total, the flat tire/towing experience lasted about an hour and a half. I missed brunch. :( Sorry girls! But I got to be a damsel in distress and Gerrit got to rescue me on Valentines' Day.

In the afternoon, Gerrit and I exchanged small gifts (including Mary Poppins for me!) and spent time relaxing together. We didn't want to deal with the crowds who would be out and about. We had breakfast for dinner. I made cinnamon roll french toast (real yummy), and Gerrit made scrambled eggs (he's a pro). But my body didn't want breakfast for dinner and I was sick for the rest of night. Again, awesome.

Flat tires and flu-like symptoms aside, it was a good day. I hope your day was good and that you felt loved by someone in your life.

25 Facts About Me

I was "tagged" on facebook to write a note with 25 random facts about myself. I thought I would include those here. Enjoy!

1. My favorite season is Autumn. I love the colors, the crisp weather, and wearing sweaters without a heavy coat.
2. I'm huge on tradition. I think this stems from my dislike of change and my OCD.
3. I met my husband Gerrit in college while we were both RAs. We actually weren't allowed to date during that time but kind of did anyway. We got in big trouble for this. We even had to sign a contract about it. Don't get me started.
4. I don't like talking to people while I'm in a public bathroom stall. There's no need. We can wait till we're at the sinks, thank you very much.
5. But I love talking to strangers. I thoroughly enjoyed my job at Caribou for this reason.
6. Mmmm.....Caribou. My favorite drink is the Caramel Highrise.
7. I used to think I was adopted because I don't think I look like my family.
8. My favorite chips are ketchup chips.
9. I have very vivid dreams almost every night. I have lots of dreams about wolves and alligators.
10. I love, love, love musicals. I currently have a "Hello, Dolly!" song stuck in my head.
11. I don't want to move out of the Midwest. Not that I don't want to VISIT outside the Midwest. But I love all the seasons and the polite people.
12. I've been to Florida 3 times and never really liked the state itself. We even went to Key West for our Honeymoon. I loved the time spent with Gerrit, of course! But for sure, not my favorite place on earth.
13. I don't trust men with mustaches. Other facial hair is fine. But a straight up 'stache is not okay in my book.
14. I hate receipts. They make my purse messy. Yay for online banking!
15. I love the cereal "Ohs!" But I don't like how they scratch the roof of my mouth.
16. I love music, but I very rarely listen to it outside of the car.
17. I can memorize movie lines the first time I hear them. But I can't remember information for tests, Bible verses, or a mental grocery list. And I often forget to do things that I meant to do.
18. Learning about cults is fascinating to me. One of my favorite classes in college was all about cults.
19. I used to want to be a famous actress. Now, looking at the wonderful life I've been given, I'm so glad that God didn't bless me with the talent to make it in the biz.
20. I like the idea of running, but I actually hate to do it.
21. I'm very interested in the genealogy of my family.
22. I love to fall asleep on the living room floor before I go to bed.
23. I always laugh at myself when I trip.
24. I could eat some kind of potato for every meal. I love potatoes!
25. I love you all! Thanks for being you!

In My Head and On My Heart

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

**Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.**

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!**

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS © 1923 Hope Pub­lish­ing Com­pa­ny

You don't have to watch the video, but I like this version:

Quotable Quotes From the Kids....

Here are some of my favorite quotes from the little darlings I work with each day:

2nd Grade Boy: Can I get another milk?
Me: No, I'm sorry. Lunch is almost over.
Boy: How about for 1 million dollars?
Me: Nope, not for all the money in the world.
Boy: Not even for 9 million-trillion google-f***s?

1st Grade Girl: Do you believe in God?
Me: Yes, I do!
Girl: Well, he doesn't (pointing to boy sitting right next to her).
Me: Well, some people believe in different things.
Girl's friend: Like the devil?!!!!

On hot dog day in the cafeteria:
Kindergartener: I just love the smell of wieners.

3rd Grade Girl: I fart and call it magic.

2nd Grade Boy: Can I play on the computer?
Me: Not today. You need to do your math.
Boy: What is wrong with you today???

.......same boy, different day..........
Boy: We learned a new trick in karate.
Me: Really? Wow. What color belt do you have?
Boy: Um, I'm just a master. I'm a dragon warrior.

#1 Fan?

Last night we had the privilege of going to a Timberwolves basketball game. They played the Milwaukee Bucks. If you know much about basketball, you'll know right away that this was not a critical game. But it was half priced if you wore a blue shirt and we're poor. Why not? I'll be honest, I didn't watch much of it. I mostly people watched with Maria.

The "EXCITING" game!

Maria and I were loving every minute!
The boys shared a victory dance.
Our blue shirts!
All of us after the game.

Sixth

I was "tagged" many moons ago by Shannon (sorry it's taken so long). I need to find the sixth picture in the sixth folder on my computer. And then I will tag someone else . Here is my picture:


This is a younger Gerrit as we were on our way to an RA staff retreat. Our RD and friend, Jim, took this picture. Gerrit and I were both RAs on the same staff that year. By some crazy coincidence, this is the same year we started liking each other. At this point in time, he had already liked me and decided it was a lost cause. Therefore, he stopped liking me for a short time. But on this very retreat, I was just too awesome and his feelings were rekindled. It wasn't until about a month later that I returned those feelings. He won me over! Praise God!

Okay, I tag Carey and Heather E. (if she's reading this!).
1. Find the sixth picture in your sixth folder.
2. Pray that you remember the details.
3. Post it on your blog.
4. Tag other blogger friends and let them know they've been tagged.

'Tis the season

I know! I'm a terrible blogger. But getting past that, Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas! So much time has gone by that I thought I'd just highlight some moments with the "best" pictures from the holidays. This was a holiday season of "firsts" for me.

This is my first major break vacation from work. Testing computer software was a temporary solution until I found something more permanent. I now work at an elementary school as a Para. For me, that means that I work with kids with special needs. I work in the EBD (Emotional and Behavioral Disorder) room, supervise the lunchroom, help kids in math, and do before/after school daycare. This probably sounds like a nightmare job to some, but I've been surprised at how much I love it! The kids have won me over. After the New Year, they want me to work in the "Time-Out Room." I'm sure I will have stories to tell! Anyway, back to the holiday of firsts:

My first-ever Gingerbread house! It's pretty tacky, but pretty awesome.
Actually, these pictures don't represent a first, but they are entertaining. Gerrit and I spent Thanksgiving with my family. We had a great time playing with the kids, going to movies, shopping, eating, and playing Telephone Pictionary.Here's Owen and Gerrit singing. Thanksgiving was a hoot!This was my first Christmas away from home. It was hard not to be with my family, but Gerrit's family made me feel at home. We definitely kept busy by seeing both sides of his family, going to movies, playing games, and teaching me how to do a Sudoku puzzle. The hardest part was teaching me how to pronounce Sudoku.
This is Gerrit's sister, Ahna and cousin Daniel.
Gerrit's sister, Darcy was there too! We haven't seen her since last year.And finally, this is the first time I've ever dyed my hair black. Eeeeek! I thought it would turn out dark brown....not so much. Whoops. Sorry for the gap in posting. I promise to do better! How was your Christmas?