Community

Community is something I think about a lot whether it be a church community, neighborhood, or my own classroom community. In my classroom I have spent a lot of time promoting a community that encourages learning yet is also a safe place, which is something a lot my kids don't have. The older I get the more important a neighborhood community is to me especially living in an actual neighborhood. It's something that I enjoy living and being involved in. This evening I saw an amazing story about a family from Grafton, WI. The story followed the community as they rallied together and redid the house of a single mother - who had triplets - 2 of the 3 children were confined to wheelchairs. The best part was they asked for nothing, were told they were just going to get their floors redone and their doorways widened - and they were happy with just that. The story was amazing, especially due to the numerous volunteers, many of whom were fighting their own unemployment and house loss themselves. While this wasn't to the "Extreme Home Makeover" Standard it was still amazing. Hope you enjoy the clip: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032600/ns/dateline_nbc It was one of the most inspiring story I have heard in a long time.

Spring has been sprung

Well I have failed miserably at keeping up with this blog but at least I am trying to post more than once a year:) Today so far has been a great Saturday...Dave and I were able to take an awesome 2 hour walk with Elsie. It's funny because we have been holed up inside for so long that I forgot what it was like to walk in the sun without ten layers on. You know that you are in Wisconsin though when you see someone with shorts and a t-shirt on and it was on 40 degrees....crazy I know but after months of weather in the teens 40 suddenly feels like 60. I love Saturdays like this where Dave and I just talk and walk. It's funny we have been married four years and yet we can walk for 2 hours and talk the entire time:) Pretty much why I love my husband - I will never say our relationship is perfect because no one's is but I can honestly say that each day gets better than the one before. Other than that life has been pretty busy - we have had a lot of people visiting lately - Jon and Callie - Dave's brother and his wife, my brother twice - which I love that he lives in Chicago - Nathan when are you and Emily moving closer, plus we have been to Chicago, me to Michigan and my mom coming next weekend. Plus we are trying to figure out a road trip destination for Spring Break - the joys of being a teacher:) Hopefully we will have some exciting news to share in April as well - no we are not pregnant but it would be a huge life change - keep us in your prayers - we hope it works out:)

Christmas Time 09

Well - it's 2010 - hard to believe. I have been thinking about blogging more and have decided it will be one of my many resolutions this year:) I usually don't like to blog because I don't think I am that great of a writer but i am over that now....so bear with me. I was driving this afternoon to my school. If you don't know me you need to realize that I work at an urban school with high school students who have pretty much nothing. I was thinking how excited I am to see them on Monday - I know crazy since they drive me crazy but after 3 years those kids are my kids. Anyways I was thinking of how blessed I was this year for Christmas. I have an amazing husband and 2 wonderful families. We got to see both this year and it was wonderful. I could care less about gifts but I love seeing my families:) It got me thinking though how one of my students said Mrs. Watson I hate Christmas because I don't get anything at all. This killed me because I hate that she thinks of Christmas that way and that she is right - she won't get anything. My goal though as I have been renewed this vacation is to show my students that they don't need the material things.....it's about things more important than that. So if you are reading this I hope you had an amazing Christmas but that you also are reminded of the true reason for the season.....:)

Life In March

While I rarely write on my blog I am trying to be better about doing it. I think it's because I don't think I have anything interesting to say but I guess that is why blogs are great....I can ramble all I want and it doesn't matter because it's my blog:) Anyways life is good right now...we are moving to a new place and that means we are done with apartment managing. I really thought it would be a great opportunity and a good way to minister to people by being the managers. While Dave and I did learn a lot we also gave up a lot. We were unable to travel like we wanted to, participate in any volunteer activities and we realized in the end it's business and people don't care who you are. I am not a mean person but I have had to be way more firm than necessary in regards to paying rent. Anyways it's almost done and I feel as if a weight has been lifted off me. Plus our new place will be awesome. Other than that I have been training a lot for the Boston Marathon. It's been a lot harder around this second time as the weather has been terrible. For instance yesterday while running instead of snow I had rain pelting my face for half the run. Not terrible but since I was running a little over 2 hours it was a bit much. Oh well I complain but despite the hard work I can't wait. I love running probably a little too much but I feel like I am in my element and I get in a zone that I don't ever want to leave. I guess that is what they call a runners high. Either way I can't wait until I get to run the Boston with all of the elite runners.

Summertime

I knew that I would never be good at this blogging thing as this is only my second post in 6 months but hey 2 are better than one. Dave and I just got back from Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver. It was an amazing vacation and I really hope that we end up there soon. Just something about the place just fit us so much. We both agreed that we just felt so relaxed and at peace there. Hopefully we will be there eventually.

I told my job that I was quitting. It was a relief to finally tell them as I have known for about 2 months. This does mean though that I am really going to be a teacher! It's crazy as this is something I have wanted for a while and now finally have. I am glad I have waited though. For a while so much of who I was, was tied up in being a teacher. I know that I will never be identified by that and that I am now okay with just being Nickie. I think I have finally realized that jobs are jobs and that they come and go and that while I am really excited about this job it is just a job. There are more important things in life.

So that is life in general for me. Dave and I are still loving each other:) The first year just flew by. Now it's time to figure out our lives:) Hopefully we can do that eventually.

Christmas Time

Well I never thought I would be a blogger. I have never been much of a writer and we all know that when I have had to write in the past it has always been pretty methodical and organized not creative at all. Let's be honest college prepared me to write math proofs and no offense I don't think anyone will want to read those...anyways on to what I was actually planning to write when I was pretending to be asleep but really my mind was going a million miles a minute.

Last night Dave and I and my friend from work went to a Christmas Play at our church, Crossroads. Now we all know that I am not a huge fan of Cinci-nasti but the church we go to is amazing. The play was awesome to. It really reminded me of what Christmas is truly about. I will be the first to admit that sometimes I get caught up with the hustle and bustle of the season but more and more I am reminded of how Christmas really is about being with the people you love. Now that I have not one but two families this is even more special to me. I cannot wait to spend time with family and be with them. It's funny how as a kid the little things meant the most like snow or a box for a fort and then as you grow older it seems like it takes more and more for happiness to be found. Last night was such a good reminder of how the little things are all that are necessary and how Christmas truly is about family and the birth of Christ.

So to anyone who may read this I hope you take the time and appreciate your family and remember the true reason for the season not the presents you need to buy or the gifts you will/want to receive.

Merry Christmas!