Mike Is 25!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKE! :)

He is 25 years old today!

(Last year when he was turning 24, I actually had him convinced for a while that he was turning 25. This year I tried to convince him he was turning 30 but he didn't fall for it.)

I'm Afraid Of Ice Skating!

My family has never understood why I don't like ice skating! It all started way back when I was little and someone told me if you fall on the ice a person could skate over your fingers and cut them off. You wouldn't think it would be such a big deal since I live in Texas but my entire family is from Wisconsin and they love hockey. Eventually, I did realize that it is highly unlikely for me to have my fingers cut off by an ice skater...but I still prefer to operate on the theory that it was even more unlikely if I don't ever ice skate.

While I was watching ESPN after school today I saw a story that has given me a new reason to never ice skate! A hockey player for the Florida Panthers underwent surgery because his teamate's skate cut his carotid artery and just missed his jugular vein during a game. It was a crazy accident! His teammate was knocked over by the other team and went head first into the ice which meant skate first into his own teammate's neck.

Check out the story: http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=3240651

I realize that the chances of me getting cut in the neck by an ice skate is about as likely as my fingers getting cut off...but I'm not even that good at ice skating anyway... :)

I Love My Jeans!

I am definitely a girl who loves to shop for just about anything! Don't get the wrong idea...I spend lots of time shopping and very little time actually spending money. I have an idea in my head of what I want and if I don't love what I find I'm not willing to settle. I usually have trouble finding clothes that fit me...but last weekend was totally different.
A salesperson introduced me to the long and lean style of jeans at GAP and they are the best jeans I have ever worn! Cindy loves them and said that they are Oprah's favorite jeans too! I don't agree with Oprah about everything, but I would definitely endorse these. Whoever decided to make long and lean jeans for women who do not consider themselves long and lean definitely made my weekend. They fit perfectly and I feel great when I wear them. If you don't love your jeans, you should try a pair!

Happy Holidays!

I really miss everyone from church! It feels like it has been forever since we have seen anyone!

Mike and I are doing well! We are enjoying our time with our family and friends in Dallas! I hope everyone is doing well and we will see you soon! :)

Frogs!

My job is amazing! My students are smart and work so hard everyday. Some days my ESL students struggle with simple vocabulary or grammar and other days we have deep conversations. Today we spent a great deal of time discussing greed and how it can ruin lives. We read a story called "The Eagle And The Moon Gold" and they had a lot to say after we finished reading. Basically, the story is about one man who is content with his simple life and another who wants more and more until it ultimately causes his death. My students had some amazing ideas and examples to share. Besides not knowing English, they really are very different than normal American students. More than anything, it amazes me how polite and genuinely appreciative they are. They are also extremely goal oriented and very close to their families. We do have some very difficult days though. If you have ever tried to learn a foreign language you know how frustrating it can be. I spend a great deal of time monitoring their emotions in my classroom as well as in their regular classrooms. Sometimes they need me to reassure them that everything will be ok and help them relax while other times they need some tough love and an extra push to help them continue being successful. Overall, I am constantly impressed with their ability to not only survive middle school but to also enjoy and seek out new experiences that can be difficult and nerve-racking for regular students.

What does the frog picture have to do with this? Nothing...I just like frogs! :)

Hello! :)

Hey!

We decided to try this for a while because it looks like fun! Mike and I are both from the Dallas area but we are very excited about being in Houston! We met at church and started dating on my sixteenth birthday. We are sooo lucky to have met each other so early in life and were able to go to high school and college together. We share a passion for education and enjoy having new challenges each day!

For me everything is new right now! This summer I graduated from Baylor University, got married, moved to Houston, started my first teaching job, and so much more. I am really enjoying everything right now!

- Suzi