Welcome Winter

Just a quick note today.  The weather has turned quickly from fall *which happened during the months May through September* to winter.  I've been super busy this semester with getting everything done and ready for student teaching, graduation, and projects up the wazoo for my classes (at least one big project is due every week! it's crazy!!!).  Hopefully after Student Teacher Assessment day things will settle down and I will be able to fill you all in on what's been going on!  This weekend we are headed to Billings for Josh and Julie's wedding =) should be a good time!  Bummed that the weather isn't cooperating for them ,but it will still be a great time!  Anyhow! I'll fill you all in more in a few weeks!

Thanks!

Thanks to everyone who came and ate soup and played bingo at Michelle's benefit!  It was a fun time and the weather really cooperated for a soup lunch (it was cold and windy!!).  The donations they received will help a lot with the medical expenses that have accrued and they appreciate it very much!  Thanks again for all your support through prayer, good thoughts, and monetary donations.

THANK YOU!!!!

Benefit for Michelle

Below is what I am told was published in the Ranger Review, so it's what I'm sharing with you!!!  

Friends and family will host a cancer benefit in honor of Michelle (Wiseman) Hegel on Sunday, September 27 at the Knights of Columbus (310 North Kendrick Avenue, Glendive MT). Please join us for various kinds of soup and bread, along with finger desserts. Attendees are also encouraged to stay after lunch for an afternoon of fun and bingo.

 Lunch will be served on September 27 from Noon until 1:30 p.m., with bingo following after until 3:30 p.m

There are raffle tickets being currently sold as well so if you'd like one contact me or one of my family members (Michelle's side or my dads). 

More info about the raffle tickets and prizes can be found below:

$1 each!!!!! or $5 for 6, or $10 for 12!!!! PRIZES: primitive piece (decorative chalk board piece), Handcrafted woodwork that my dad makes!, 2 quilts, handcrafted doll cradle with wooden doll and accessories, COACH purse, decorative bird cage, and a 'going to the movie' themed basket!  The drawing will be held the day of the benefit!

 Thanks!!

For More Information about Michelle you can check out her page on Caring bridge by clicking HERE!

 

oh fifth grade...

Well I had the pleasure (if you will) to work with 5th graders for the first time this week.  For my block 2 practicum I am with 5th graders at a school about 5 blocks from our apartment.

I'm not sure how well I like the 5th grade.  Maybe it is because they are getting ready for the big MAP testing this next week or maybe it's because I didn't get to teach a whole lot compared to my last practicum.  I'm not really sure.

I have a tough class to work with this semester.  The first words out of my practicum teachers mouth on Tuesday morning were something to the tune of "This is my toughest class in all the years I have been teaching, I just don't know what to do," and this was on the first day of me being there.  They are pretty far behind in reading, math, etc.  There are some health reasons, but really the class is just REALLY young for their age.

My first day there we were going on a field trip thought to Knife River Indian Village (click on the name for more information).  The field trip in itself was a great experience to get to be on.  I have always wondered how that would work and now I know.  We had to make accommodations on the fly for some students due to health reasons, but it was a great day.  I have never been there, so that was great to get to see.  It was about an hour or so bus (big yellow bus mind you) ride up.  I sat with the teachers on the way up and on the way back I was able to sit with some of the students and got to know them a little bit better.  One of the students and I had some great conversations that really blew me out of the water.  This little fellow knew so much about cars and trucks it was crazy!!!

The second day (Wednesday) that I was there I was able to give the spelling test (and then did not collect the papers as I thought they turned them into a basket or folder, but apparently not!).  I also worked with a student during the math lesson...and that was pretty much my day.  The power was out for about 2 hours and my teacher was in meetings for about an hour and a half  so we had an aide in the room with me.

It was an interesting two days of observation.  I go back again Monday through Friday next week.  They are taking their MAP tests next week and I am going to be able to for sure teach four lessons (Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies).  So I am very excited for that.  I am still unsure if I like the intermediate grades.  3rd (which is primary) was great, but I really don't think I'm too sure on this 5th grade business.  Hopefully as the year progresses my mind will change and I will enjoy the topics they are learning.

I'm staying open minded.......

Dad's 50th Birthday Partay!

My dad turned 50 this year (in August). We had a small party for him over Labor Day weekend, as this was a good weekend that both my brother and I were able to be home in Glendive. We barbecued and had cake. It was nice having all of us together again (as we also planned it so Brad could be there as he works crazy hours at his job). We haven't all been together like that for a very long time, so it was really nice.

Sarah made a golf cart cake for him and my sister made a mix in the pan cake (dad's favorite!) for the grass that it would sit on and it turned out AMAZING!!

They did a good job huh!

I made sure to get a picture with everyone that was there, since it's been so long since I've had a picture taken with them all =)

My dad and I

Grandma Maggie and I

Michelle (my step mom) and I

Linken and I

Lukas and I (he was being a goof)

 

Lily and I

Chad was being my photographer for most, but not all

My brother Brad and I

My sister-in-law Sarah (nicks wife) and I

My sister Kris and I

my brother-in-law (kriss husband) Charles

My brother Nick...

Okay that's better, Nick and I

Haha, it was a good time.  We played Wii sports resort (thanks to Sue!) later on that night and it was fun!  All in all, a good weekend!

Ashley and Ryan's Wedding

Yikes! I have been so busy I haven't been able to update this bad boy! I should be at an SEA meeting tonight, but my brain is so fried and full of information this evening, I think staying at home is just what I need, so sorry SEA I won't be there this month!

Labor Day weekend was so busy for us! We went home for my step sister Ashley's wedding on the 5th (mind you we were also invited to Lindsey (Chad's cousin) and Kristen (my long long long time friend) wedding on the same day!!! We had a nice time; we went with Nick and Sarah. It was great seeing my step dad as I have not seen him since Christmas if memory serves me right. It was a beautiful ceremony and the reception was fun while we were there. Poor Chad made a deal not to drink for two weeks with me because he's been breaking out in hives when he does drink, so it was interesting to see him not throwing back a few while we were in town visiting family!

Greg and Ashley walking down the aisle

Nick and Sarah

Chadder and I

Greg (my step dad) and I

The beautiful center pieces =)

Someday....

I ran across a quote yesterday; it stated:

"Someday is not a day of the week."

It really got me thinking. I say "someday" to Chad A LOT! Maybe he doesn't see it like I realized last night, but I don't think I will say it anymore haha.

He always says, "I can't wait to have a big house with a big yard to take care of," and my response is always, "someday."

or

He will say "I really want to paint my pickup" and my response again, "someday."

I just came to the realization that when I say someday, I don't have motivation. It is something that seems to far out of reach, so I just respond with "someday."

September 1, today, kicks off a new month and new attitude (so to speak haha). My "someday's" are going to become a day of the week, a month, or a year. Soon will not be put in place either, as it's not a day either =) I think it will give me more hope for the future and motivation to get there!

Just a thought for the day I was having today.

Think about how many times you have said "someday" to someone in your life. Maybe you haven't used the word and maybe you have. Ponder that as you are going through your day to day routine =)