God is good...
For the past few months I have been babysitting for a family that I just don't gel with. They are nice and decent people but some of their parenting ideas just do not coincide with my ideas. It was fine in the beginning and it paid the bills but recently it has just been really hard (for reasons I won't get into).
I truly could nto take it anymore. I wanted to quit but could not because I had no other source of income. Just as I was reaching my breaking point a new door opened.
This year I have an internship at a preschool in the 2s room (I LOVE it by the way!). One of the mothers recently asked for my number because her sitter graduated from Nyack and therefore could no longer babysit.
Not only do I really like the parents but the kids are fabulous too! It is two girls, ages five and two and they are just giant loveballs. The hours are perfect and the pay is better than the family I was working for. BONUS: She is a chef and knows how much I love to cook so she offered to teach me some new techniques! How cool is that? She also said that during holiday season she will pay me to help her cook if I am up for it (she caters). I am so excited- this family is a perfect fit for me AND they are right in town.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow...
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Jack-O-Lanterns
Tis the season- for pumpkin picking that is!
Each day as I walk to work I pass a house with Jack-O-Lanterns and it has got me thinking. How much are we, as Christians, like Jack-O-Lanterns?
First, we are growing in a patch, we are bumpy, and dirty and just all around gross. We are then picked, hand selected to be taken in. We then washed clean, already this sounds good enough but it goes further. We are then cut open and all of our junk is taken out of us. A smile is put on our face, but thats not all- we aren't left empty- a light is put inside of us so that all can see the change that has come over us.
Next time you see a Jack-O-Lantern remember that it isn't just something fun that kids do for Halloween it is also a vision of what God has done for us (and an object lesson waiting to happen!)
Each day as I walk to work I pass a house with Jack-O-Lanterns and it has got me thinking. How much are we, as Christians, like Jack-O-Lanterns?
First, we are growing in a patch, we are bumpy, and dirty and just all around gross. We are then picked, hand selected to be taken in. We then washed clean, already this sounds good enough but it goes further. We are then cut open and all of our junk is taken out of us. A smile is put on our face, but thats not all- we aren't left empty- a light is put inside of us so that all can see the change that has come over us.
Next time you see a Jack-O-Lantern remember that it isn't just something fun that kids do for Halloween it is also a vision of what God has done for us (and an object lesson waiting to happen!)
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Self Portrait
For my Fine Arts for Elementary Teachers class I was asked to do a "Self Portrait Collage." I am still not sure how I feel about the collage itself but it really caused me to think a little bit about who I am.
Who we are is truly molded and shaped and changed every single day by everyone we encounter. From our best friend from kindergarten, to that friendship that went awry, to our professors, pastors, parents and bosses, to that guy that cut us off on the way to work this morning each person can affect our day and our lives.
As I looked through old photos to find some to glue onto my sheet of oak tag and sat and traveled back to fond memories and mourned over friendships lost. I hate thinking of how things ended with certain people. It is inevitable that we will grow and change and grow apart from some friends, I only wish that certain relationships could have ended amicably and not with harsh words and crushed spirits.
I want to embrace every bit of life that my encounters brings me whether it means a five second passing by or a lifetime of friendship.
Who we are is truly molded and shaped and changed every single day by everyone we encounter. From our best friend from kindergarten, to that friendship that went awry, to our professors, pastors, parents and bosses, to that guy that cut us off on the way to work this morning each person can affect our day and our lives.
As I looked through old photos to find some to glue onto my sheet of oak tag and sat and traveled back to fond memories and mourned over friendships lost. I hate thinking of how things ended with certain people. It is inevitable that we will grow and change and grow apart from some friends, I only wish that certain relationships could have ended amicably and not with harsh words and crushed spirits.
I want to embrace every bit of life that my encounters brings me whether it means a five second passing by or a lifetime of friendship.
I'm Back
So now that I am back at school my regular postings will resume. I have so many things to write now as I have gone have a summer without posting!
First, I moved into my first apartment!!!!!! I am starting to feel grownup- thankfully, being an officer's kid, I knew the basics of moving and what I would need. However, now I am feeling the craziness- the changing of the electricity into my name, changing my billing address for my phone and credit card, trying to decipher the difference between basic cable, family cable, silver and gold cable... TOO MANY CHOICES, and who honestly needs 400 CHANNELS! I now go grocery shopping and I cut coupons (NOT in that order)! AND I now monitor the amount of electricity I use... Dad would be proud. For all who would like to know here is my new contact info:
Address: 13 Francis Ave. Apt. 3B
Nyack, NY 10960
Cell: 973.234.8861
Second, I just started my junior year! I am now more immersed in lesson-plan writing and field experience planning than I ever thought possible. One of my tasks for field experience is actually to change a diaper. They are obviously unaware of all the babysitting and childcare I have done in my day. I have seen all varieties of "surprises" in a diaper and I am not even a parent yet! That task should be a breeze!
Yesterday Matt and I celebrated our 2 year Anniversary and it really made me reflect. I look around and see so many relationships (NOT celebrity, they don't count) that are so fleeting. People are astonished when they see that someone my age has been in ONE relationship for two years- then you throw out the "waiting for marriage" fact and people are floored! It is so sad to see how easily that idea has been brushed off in our society. I am so blessed to have found someone who knows me for who I am and still loves me not in spite of my quirks but because of them. And a bonus- Matt got me an iPod and a car adapter! WOOT! No more fussing about which CDs are in my car and which are in the house!
First, I moved into my first apartment!!!!!! I am starting to feel grownup- thankfully, being an officer's kid, I knew the basics of moving and what I would need. However, now I am feeling the craziness- the changing of the electricity into my name, changing my billing address for my phone and credit card, trying to decipher the difference between basic cable, family cable, silver and gold cable... TOO MANY CHOICES, and who honestly needs 400 CHANNELS! I now go grocery shopping and I cut coupons (NOT in that order)! AND I now monitor the amount of electricity I use... Dad would be proud. For all who would like to know here is my new contact info:
Address: 13 Francis Ave. Apt. 3B
Nyack, NY 10960
Cell: 973.234.8861
Second, I just started my junior year! I am now more immersed in lesson-plan writing and field experience planning than I ever thought possible. One of my tasks for field experience is actually to change a diaper. They are obviously unaware of all the babysitting and childcare I have done in my day. I have seen all varieties of "surprises" in a diaper and I am not even a parent yet! That task should be a breeze!
Yesterday Matt and I celebrated our 2 year Anniversary and it really made me reflect. I look around and see so many relationships (NOT celebrity, they don't count) that are so fleeting. People are astonished when they see that someone my age has been in ONE relationship for two years- then you throw out the "waiting for marriage" fact and people are floored! It is so sad to see how easily that idea has been brushed off in our society. I am so blessed to have found someone who knows me for who I am and still loves me not in spite of my quirks but because of them. And a bonus- Matt got me an iPod and a car adapter! WOOT! No more fussing about which CDs are in my car and which are in the house!
Thursday, July 13, 2006
I am still alive...
To all who read this blog (okay so its a total of four people but whatever)... I did not die. Sadly, I have been transfered based on severe need and am now the manager of the Thrift Store in Pompton Lakes (which is really close so you should all visit me!) So I no longer have internet access (we are in the dark ages at my house).
Carole my dear- I can be reached at my home number- as of right now my cell is pooped out- you can look me up in the dispo :)
Keep me all in your prayers this new job is quite a challenge, in SO many ways. I love you all!
Carole my dear- I can be reached at my home number- as of right now my cell is pooped out- you can look me up in the dispo :)
Keep me all in your prayers this new job is quite a challenge, in SO many ways. I love you all!
Friday, June 09, 2006
Two and a Half Hours
I stare out the window
at sunny skies, ble and white
From behind my desk
While Lotus replicates the clock ticks
Taunting me
I WANT TO BE OUTSIDE!
Feel the blades of green
Between my toes
watch bunnies and bears
form in the sky
while I lay on the ground
sipping iced coffee
and daydreaming
two and a half hours until
the bliss of the weekend
The Great Rescue!
How cute is that?!Okay- you may be wondering... "Why did she put up a picture of a bunny?" or "Why is there a bunny in a Dell box?" or "Why is there a bunny sitting on an afghan?" All these will be answered in the following story.
Yesterday when I arrived home from work I discovered a Caitlin King in my driveway. We went into my backyard to sit and talk and we saw a baby bunny in the middle of my backyard. This is not uncommon in Verona- they roam free and they certainly understand the command "Be fruitful and multiply" Cait decided to go over and see the bunny (it is very cute after all!) But as she approached it did not move- which is VERY uncommon, even in our backyard where bunnies have taken over. So, we both got close to see what the deal was and the bunny proceeded to drag himself across the lawn by his front legs- his hind legs were immobile! It was so sad to watch but he/she showed so much strength in its attempts to escape the grasp of two young girls.
We were both rather concerned for the safety of this young one as there is a very NASTY cat next door and we do not have fences in our backyards (hence the abundance of bunnies and deer). I can live with nature taking its course with a runt but NOT with Lucifer over there (in reference to the cat in Cinderella, not the Dark Prince) making this bunny its midnight snack!
I went inside and asked my Dad what we should do and he confirmed my concern- he had found a dead baby bunny in the yard the other day! This one was not going to suffer the same way (stinking cat!). My Dad went inside and got a box (isn't it nice how he caters to our girly ways as we sat and cooed over this wee thing) and I grabbed an afghan (green to recreate its natural habitat, haha) and some lettuce, shredded carrots, and diced apples. There was no need for a full on cage as its hind legs were immobile and therefore s/he could not hop out.
At first s/he seemed terrified, s/he was shaking and staring up at us, but then he calmed down, it seems he is growing accustomed to her/his perfumed guardians. (I really need to figure out if it is a girl or a boy). When I woke up this morning I found him/her alive and well- with its entire feast eaten! I put some more food in the box and headed off to work.
If it dies now I will know it was of natural causes and not from some cat, and if it lives, well, I wanted a pet anyway, and this will be less expensive than buying a dog.
I have decided that if it is a girl I will name it Hope, and if it is a boy, Lucky (only because Hope is a little too feminine for a boy).
Monday, June 05, 2006
Feeling old...
It's funny what can make you feel older- its hard to believe that I am able to decide our country's president, go to war, or- the subject of this blog, serve on a jury- me, who plans to make her living teaching toddlers everyday, running around singing songs like "Do the Dragon" and fingerpainting. I am the biggest kid inside and I have to go and act like an adult. I know I can do it- I've seen me do it before, but really, they want me making a decision that can seriously effect someone else's life. When did I become an adult? Apparently somewhere between youth band trips, research papers, and yearbook meetings I missed that transition.
Right now I am just praying that I will have an open mind, an unbiased opinion, and fair judgement, and okay, I am also hoping it will be a cool trial- let's be honest I don't want to trade my $11/hour for $5/day for nothing. (I'm not being selfish I promise- I am thinking about tuition bills) Though somehow I don't anticipate real-life living up to the fabulous closing arguments of Sam Watterson on Law and Order- we shall see.
I also realized that this is certainly going to test my will power to keep things to myself- I am not allowed to talk about the trial to anyone... do you think talking to your pastor counts? Because if I am allowed to talk to Carole about it I will be okay :)
As much as I joke about it I do recognize that this is actually a huge responsibility (hence the making me feel older). I am going to be a part of the Essex County Judicial system. This should be interesting...
Right now I am just praying that I will have an open mind, an unbiased opinion, and fair judgement, and okay, I am also hoping it will be a cool trial- let's be honest I don't want to trade my $11/hour for $5/day for nothing. (I'm not being selfish I promise- I am thinking about tuition bills) Though somehow I don't anticipate real-life living up to the fabulous closing arguments of Sam Watterson on Law and Order- we shall see.
I also realized that this is certainly going to test my will power to keep things to myself- I am not allowed to talk about the trial to anyone... do you think talking to your pastor counts? Because if I am allowed to talk to Carole about it I will be okay :)
As much as I joke about it I do recognize that this is actually a huge responsibility (hence the making me feel older). I am going to be a part of the Essex County Judicial system. This should be interesting...
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Reflections...
Sometimes when you reflect back on a time in your life you are excited about how much you have grown and changed- that is not the case today. Though I feel that this year has been good for me and I have learned a lot about myself, I can't help feeling sad too.
I am looking back on friendships that have fallen through the cracks and I so many what ifs pop into my had. Did I not make enough effort, did I not show enough love, was I too selfish, self-centered, and horrible? Did we just grow apart or did do something? And even with all of that did I throw in the towel too early rather than fighting for it.
I know that we all grow and change and friendships change too but I can't help feeling like I am to blame.
How do you know if the things that have changed in you are for better or for worse? I feel as if I have grown in a good way but if that is the case why do so many people see it otherwise? I feel like I am a twelve year old girl again... funny how every time you think you have figured yourself out reality comes and slaps you in the face again.
I am ever a work in progress...
On a lighter note- the concert was beyond amazing! I had so much fun with my friends and the bands were ALL great (even opening acts which was a shocker to me!).
I will get pics up as soon as I get a chance!
I am looking back on friendships that have fallen through the cracks and I so many what ifs pop into my had. Did I not make enough effort, did I not show enough love, was I too selfish, self-centered, and horrible? Did we just grow apart or did do something? And even with all of that did I throw in the towel too early rather than fighting for it.
I know that we all grow and change and friendships change too but I can't help feeling like I am to blame.
How do you know if the things that have changed in you are for better or for worse? I feel as if I have grown in a good way but if that is the case why do so many people see it otherwise? I feel like I am a twelve year old girl again... funny how every time you think you have figured yourself out reality comes and slaps you in the face again.
I am ever a work in progress...
On a lighter note- the concert was beyond amazing! I had so much fun with my friends and the bands were ALL great (even opening acts which was a shocker to me!).
I will get pics up as soon as I get a chance!
Friday, May 26, 2006
So Much Excitement!
2. Matt is coming to visit for the weekend! :)
Oh what a fabulous day...
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Generations
I was cleaning the bathroom yesterday and I am a person who needs background noise while cleaning anything. As I flipped through my CD binder I came across this CD which I hadn't listened to in awhile and popped it in. As I listened to her song, Generations, I really started thinking (that's right- I can have serious revelations while scrubbing a shower with a toothbrush). In the past when I heard this song I automatically thought about th generational sins that had come before me, I would always place blame on others for the things that faced me today. However, something about this time was different, maybe it was the soap scum and Magic Eraser that humbled me, I started reflecting on myself and thinking about how my decisions and actions would affect my children, and their children, and so on...Imagine that everything you do can be a cure or a blessing on your great-grandchildren... man, what an impact... my little things (getting angry at that guy that cuts me off on the parkway, talking about that girl with the too short shorts, etc) are all affecting the future, their struggles will be that much bigger because I lost sight of His will. That is huge.
Here's the lyrics for you if haven't heard the song before...
I can taste the fruit of Eve. I'm aware of sickness death and disease. The resultsof her choices were vast. Eve was the firstbut she wasn't the last. If I were honestwith myself, had I been standing at thattree, my mouth and my hands would be coveredwith fruit. Things I shouldn't knowand things I shouldn't see
CHORUS: Remind me of this with every decision.Generations will reap what I sow. Ican pass on a curse or a blessingto those I will never know.
She taught us to fear the serpent. I'mlearning to fear myself and all of thethings I am capable of in my search foracceptance, wisdom and wealth. To saythe devil made me do it is a cop-outand a lie. The devil can't make me doanything when I'm calling on Jesus Christ
CHORUS
To my great-great-great-granddaughter,live in peace. To my great-great-great-grandson,live in peace. To my great-great-great granddaughter,live in peace. To my great-great-great-grandson,live in peace, live in peace.
CHORUS
Eve was the first but she wasn't the last.
CHORUS: Remind me of this with every decision.Generations will reap what I sow. Ican pass on a curse or a blessingto those I will never know.
She taught us to fear the serpent. I'mlearning to fear myself and all of thethings I am capable of in my search foracceptance, wisdom and wealth. To saythe devil made me do it is a cop-outand a lie. The devil can't make me doanything when I'm calling on Jesus Christ
CHORUS
To my great-great-great-granddaughter,live in peace. To my great-great-great-grandson,live in peace. To my great-great-great granddaughter,live in peace. To my great-great-great-grandson,live in peace, live in peace.
CHORUS
Eve was the first but she wasn't the last.
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