inspired

(tights: Simply Vera for Kohls, boots: Candies, dress: Target, shirt: thrifted, belt: Kohls, scarf: thrifted)

Things I'm learning about pictures and clothes:

-I really need to remember to take that stupid black hair tie off my wrist.  It is in every picture.

-This encouraged me to stop by Plato's Closet last week to check out their stuff.  I was amazed at what was for sale and the prices.  Amazed.  I have never shopped there before, but I will be going back.

-Nothing makes you more aware of what you're eating than knowing you'll have a picture taken later that will be posted on the internet.  Accidental (but welcome) side effect of doing clothes pictures: weight loss.

-Have you seen bloggers who just go try on clothes in fitting rooms, take pictures of it, and then post them?  I think this might be the weirdest thing ever.  I understand and appreciate people taking pictures of their outfits and blogging about it, I find inspiration in that.  I don't know what you get out of someone trying on a shirt at J. Crew, taking a selfie with their phone and then returning it to the shelf.  If you get this, please explain...

baby blogger

blog party with Lacey @ Little Miss Nerd Girl

Remember the blog party I told you about? 

The one with Casey Wiegand and friends?  I was assigned Little Miss Nerd Girl and sent everything last week.  I got word that she received it yesterday, so now I can share what I sent.

Here's what she got:



1. Valentine's day wreath.  Checking out her Pinterest, I found a DIY wreath decoration she pinned.  And I just happened to grab this wreath when I was out shopping for some candlestick holders for another project.  So I spray painted it, tied on some ribbon, and added it to the box.

2. Starbucks gift card.  Lacey is a mother of three and a student.  I just figured she needed it.

3. Mace.  That sounds like the worst gift ever.  But if you read this post, it will make sense, I promise.

4. Treats for the kids.  I know that seems kind of unfair to send something for her kids, but truly this is for her.  Ellie doesn't eat a lot of junk food, but I use these fruit snacks for rewards, bribery, or times when I just need her to STOP TALKING.  I don't recommend parenting through food, but sometimes it's all I have left.  So these weapons can be used for some Mommy time or just some peace and quiet.

I'm excited for my package to arrive and I'll share that when it does.  I just love getting mail.  Except the bills part, I could do without that. 

I'm also working on one of my 2012 goals to write more letters this week (and "more" being anything other than zero since that's what I did last year).  I originally thought I didn't really have anyone to write a letter to, but it's amazing how many people there are once I start looking for reasons to write.  So more on that later.

Happy Monday!

right now

I'm slightly embarrassed that my husband is watching Jackass 3.  Oh, the giggling.

Ellie finally went underwater at swimming lessons today.  Major advancement.

I did some weights at the Y this morning and it is now physically impossible to raise my hands over my head.  High five! (Figuratively, definitely not literally.)

Tonight I have a fancy date planned with my husband.  Two dates in one month?  New married-with-children people record.

This giveaway ends tonight.  And I will be winning.  Fingers crossed.

Speaking of giveaways, I've got some new stuff planned for February.  It's going to be fun!

Hope your weekend includes a lot of this. . .

(This was Ellie and I last weekend--I had a major headache and was passed out on the couch.  Ellie decided the best way to watch cartoons was in this position.  I didn't even know what was going on I was so out of it.  Thanks, Christopher, for taking the picture.)

she swims

And she watches.

weekend read: The Adoration of Jenna Fox

How far would you go to save your child?  What laws would you break, what secrets would you keep, what would you hide to keep your child alive?

In The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson, the main character's parents have to ask themselves those questions.  But they don't live in a place like us, their futuristic world has scientific advances that allow them to prolong life, bringing people back from the brink of death to live again.

But these methods aren't accepted by the world and there are agencies that police medical procedures and what has been done to Jenna is illegal.  As Jenna learns more about what has happened to her, what is in her past, and what her parents don't want her to know, she becomes discontent with their decision and takes drastic measures to feel human again.

I could not put this book down, the reader learns (along with Jenna) what her past was and what lengths her parents have gone to keep her alive.  While not high suspense, Pearson keeps you on your toes just enough that you can't relax or anticipate what happens next.  And the ending was a little surprising.

I connected with Jenna's parents even though the majority of the book I didn't like them.  To lose a child seems unbearable and as a parent, I sympathize with the choices they had to make.  As with most decisions we make for our children, we hope we're making the right ones, but sometimes we just don't know.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox seems to be a little higher level reading than some of my students are capable of, obviously there are many science references that might turn some lower readers off, but I will definitely share this with my classes.  Especially as we just finished up reading The Giver, another good story set in the future with science ruling a world that isn't what it seems.

January date night

Starting off strong with our new year's resolution for a monthly date night, Chris and I went with some friends to dinner and a Pacer's game for our January date.

The restaurant and the stadium weren't near each other so we got a good walk in pre- and post-dinner.  The air was brisk, I was wearing my new mittens, and with my man. 

Such a good evening.

(Insert picture of us here...since I never remember to take pictures of us together.)

scout's honor

I stole a book. 

Specifically, a Girl Scout handbook. 

I'm pretty sure there's a whole page inside dedicated to not stealing or something along those lines.  I was a Girl Scout once.  I remember the rules.

But I'm a lover of old books and this one needed to be in my collection.

I sponsor a club at my school and we held a book drive before Christmas break.  We collected about 500 books to donate to a local battered women and children's shelter.  And someone happened to donate this vintage Girl Scout handbook.

I reasoned no one was going to want that book.  So I took three books of my own and swapped it for the handbook.  Sort of like stealing, but with a conscience. 

Well, it made me feel better.

The pages inside are wonderful.  And I'm imagining all the projects I could do with this book and less about the way I aquired it. 

This book is beautiful...and so is denial.

the english teacher

Shirt: Old Navy, sweater: Target, pants: Elle, necklace: Claires, shoes (not pictured): leopard print ballet flats by So

Because a day is always brighter when your family stops by work to see you and a picture is always better when a cute kid is in it.

bread spaghetti

Quick, easy, and delicious.

The only thing that could make this better is if it was also healthy.  But it's not.  Definitely filed under the "comfort food" category. 

Years ago, I watched an episode of Rachel Ray on the Food Network and she did something similar to this recipe.  I just changed it based on what we had on hand at the time and it stuck.  If time permits, I'll serve this with a salad and with a bowl of fresh fruit in the table to munch on while we're eating.  But sometimes we just have this.  And it's enough.

Bread Spaghetti
-one loaf of bakery-style bread (I usually buy italian bread)
-one jar of pasta sauce (get the one with veggie chunks in it for a slightly "healthy" component)
-olive oil

(Really, the above three ingredients would do it, but sometimes I add baby spinach, garlic, or onions to the mix if I have time.)

Coat the bottom of a large pot with olive oil (4 to 6 tablespoons) and heat on medium high.

Cut or tear the loaf of bread into bite-size chunks and add to the pot when the oil is hot.

Stir the bread around to make sure it is all evenly coated.  (I always drizzle more olive oil in at this point since the bread on the bottom soaks up the oil pretty fast.)

Cook the bread until it gets toasty.

Add peppers, baby spinach, onions, garlic, or anything else (maybe mushrooms if you're into those gross things) at this point.

When the bread is toasted (I like mine crispy), add the jar of pasta sauce.

Mix to coat the bread completely.

Serve immediately and sprinkle with parmasean cheese.

you've got mail

Chris and I are not big Valentine's day people.  Even when we were dating, we didn't make a big deal out of the day.  I think one year, before we were engaged, we ate White Castles on my couch and then fell asleep while watching a movie.  It was uber-romantic.

But Valentine's day for kids?  That's another story.

I {love} celebrating things if I can get my kids involved.  And this cute Valentine mailbox craft is how we're getting the party started this year.

I bought the mailboxes at the Dollar Spot at Target and scored the red stands at the Salvation Army.  I originally went to the thrift store looking for candlestick holders that I would spray paint, but there were no candlestick holders in the whole store.  I found these just as I was about to give up.  And the best part?  I didn't even have to spray paint them.

Decorate the outside (or leave it blank)--I just used supplies I had around the house and then hot glued the mailbox to the base. 

I'm planning on setting these out February 1st and then the week leading up to Valentine's day, a new surprise will appear daily.  Maybe during the night or during naptime.  I'm not sure exactly when, but Ellie will know to look when the little arm is up.  I can't wait for her to see them. She's going to flip her lid when she learns she can check her mailbox every day for a treat.

And the treats are nothing expensive or fancy.  I'm just using what we'd give her on Valentine's day and spreading them out to extend the fun.  A package of stickers, some fuzzy heart socks, red and white candy, a bouncy ball--little surprises that go over big with three year olds.  And for Harper, animal crackers, a new teething ring, some little baby socks, and, perhaps, a new pacifier. 

this could go badly. . .

In December of 2010, I did a little experiment at school.  I was becoming pretty lazy when it came to my dress and was wearing lots of khakis, shirts, and Converse sneakers to teach in.  It was quick, easy, and, hopefully, clean.  Plus at the time, I was pregnant and super-tired so clothes were not high on my list of priorities.  Neither was getting up early to get ready (but, truthfully, that never is).

The week before Christmas break in 2010, I embarked on my "week of fancy."  Paying attention to what I was wearing, dressing up more, doing my hair.  The response from my students and peers was surprising.  I took notes through the day and then, with a picture of my outfit, blogged about their responses.  Some of them were pretty funny.  You can check out the experiment (and really bad pictures) here, here, here, here and here.

I kept the fancy-ness up for the rest of my school year which ended in March when I started my maternity leave.  But when I came back to school in August (okay, we go year-round, so it was technically July), I decided to stick with the dressing up theme.  Being excited about my clothes, paying attention to what I wear, and checking out what other people are wearing on blogs has become fun.  When I have something new or different to wear, it makes getting out of bed a little easier in the mornings.

I've gotten lots of encouragement and fun ideas from The Daybook, The Sartorialist, Let's Talk Trunk, and, recently, Chasing Davies, among others.  I like to see what people wear and see how I can make it work for me.  It's a different form of creativity than I'm used to.  Some days I take more time than others on my clothes, but my style is evolving and I like what it's becoming.

Okay.

So all of that was to set up what I'm getting ready to do.  And this is seriously out of my comfort zone. 

But the tipping point for this thought that has been floating around in my head was my friend Becky.  She's blogging about her lifestyle change and fitness goals and she did something huge.  Huge.

She posted pictures of herself Biggest-Loser-style, shorts and a sports bra for all the world to see.  She did some before pictures to let it all hang out.  And to encourage others in their fitness goals.  It makes me all sweaty and clammy just thinking about what she did.  But I admire her so much.

And she did encourage me (not probably in the way she was thinking. . .) to step out of my comfort zone. 

And so here I am, showing you something I wore this week. . .

(Dress: Target, boots: Candies, tights: Simply Vera for Kohls, ring: Simply Vera for Kohls, necklace: Forever 21)



How absolutely terrifying. 

And because everyone always looks so glamorous and snazzy on the internets, I feel the need to share the photo gem that shouldn't make the cut, but is. . .

. . .where the wind almost made a little welcome-to-the-neighborhood show for the people working on the house next door. 

So obviously, my life as a fashion blogger will never happen.  I'm not disappointed by that, it's not something I want.

I just want to work on my clothes a little bit.  And since I blog all about my life, this is just another piece of me.  A slightly scary, out-of-my-comfort-zone one.

weekend read: No More Dead Dogs

In second grade, my teacher, Mrs. Sass, read Wilson Rawl's Where the Red Fern Grows out loud to us.  And as the book neared its end and Old Dan and Little Ann are getting ready to die, Mrs. Sass got so emotional she had to hand the book over to her assistant, Mrs. Wantz, to finish.  I have such vivid memories of this event and how sorry I felt for the dogs, their owner Billy, and my teacher.  I could not believe that the author would let the dogs die and that he would make my teacher cry.  Such a travesty.

No More Dead Dogs by Gordan Korman carries the same sentiment.  The main character, Wallace, is tired of reading books about dead dogs.  And after writing a negative book report over a book his teacher loved, he's assigned detention until he rewrites it in a favorable light.  And detention just happens to cut into football practice.  While Wallace is suffering through detention, his teacher is directing the school play which just happens to be an adaptation of the book Wallace refuses to write about.  Things turn comical as Wallace starts making suggestions to "improve" the play and his football buddies turn against him as he eventually quits the team to help out the play.

This book is entertaining and clever.  And a little outrageous, but all good young adult books are.  I think this book will go over well with my boy readers.  I seem to read more "girl" books and often hear complaints from the boys.  So this will be right up their alley.  I don't think they'll find it as comical as I did, because while I see things from an adult perspective, they'll see this as their lives and take it more seriously.  But it's a good, quick read and the title will definitely grab my students' attention.    

mounds of clay

I've been asking God a lot of questions lately.

How should I discipline my strong-willed daughter?  How do I teach my daughters to love each other and play nice?  How do I show Elliott how to be a big sister to Harper?  HOW DO I MAKE MY KIDS SHARE?

What's comforting is that these aren't new questions that no one has asked before.  I like knowing that this is a struggle that existed well before my kids were born and long before I was born.  I like to imagine cavewomen struggling to get their kids to share rocks (and maybe fire).  It just makes me feel better about my parenting.

So I understand these questions have been around forever and there are no definite answers.  We need to figure out what is best for our kids and you need to figure out what is best for yours. 

And that's all well and good in theory.  It's nice, warm, and fuzzy.  You do what is right for you and I'll do what's right for me. 

But I need a jumping off point. 

When I was pregnant with Elliott, I read Bringing up Geeks by Marybeth Hicks. I was drawn to this book because of the desire to let my kids be kids for as long as possible.  I don't know if it's because I teach middle school and am still saddened by the lives some of my kids lead or the things that they know, but I want my kids to have a childhood that outlasts their single-digit years.  And I get scared watching kids today--and I don't want my kids to be like most of them.  So this book called to me and I remember enjoying it, but I don't remember specifics.  I blame pregnancy brain.

So I plan on rereading it in the next few weeks.  But I still think there should be more.  Coincidentally, in church on Sunday, our sermon was over the next generation and our responsibility to them.  So again, I feel comforted to know it's not just my struggle.

A couple years ago, this would have been interesting to listen to and then I would have left the building and not thought any more about it. 

But now that I have these two beautiful little girls, the weight I feel on my shoulders to make them everything they are meant to be is a little overwhelming.

When they were little babies, I knew what to do: feed them, change their diapers, have a good nap schedule, introduce a variety of baby foods to make them good eaters, sing them songs when they cry, give them to their Daddy when you feel like you might kill them.  I got that stuff down. 

But everything else kind of scares me.  I want my girls to grow up to be strong, independent, confident, smart, funny, brave, compassionate, motivated, loving, caring women who love Jesus, each other, and their families (specifically, me) with wild abandon.

But how do I do that? 

From my years in the classroom, I understand that my kids are watching me all the time.  Even when I least expect it.  And whatever I do, they will do.  And I want to make sure I'm doing the right thing so that my example (and Chris' example) are worth imitating.  And then I think the rest will be less hard (I was going to type "easier" but I know that's a joke).

So here are some more books that came into the Graham household this week, more things to read and discuss, more things to help figure out our way. 

(There's also a Bringing up Boys book for those with boys.  When I was in the bookstore, I opened this book up and did the page 99 test [open any book to page 99 and read the whole page, if you're interested, get it.  If not, put it back.] and immediately started crying.  Then I bought it.)

(This is a devotional book that Chris is doing with Ellie (and eventually, Harper) during the day.  The cover of the one I bought is not this cheesy.  There's a short story, some questions to ask, and then an acitivity like coloring, counting, matching to do together.  I feel very strongly about Chris doing a devotional with the girls.  I'll do it occassionally, but I want this to be his thing.)

 
(I picked this up for a couple reasons: the front cover has an endorsement by Donald Miller whom I love, the back has a quote about the author from Jim Gaffigan whom makes me laugh like no other, and I need some butt-kicking in the thoughts on faith department and this looked like a good fit.  While figuring out who Isaacs was when I got home, I found her blog and in the first one I read, she referenced David Sedaris which just sealed the deal for me.  I know I will love her.)

We've got lots of reading to do.  Lots of conversations to have and lots of praying to do.  I trust that we'll make good decisions, but I also know that nobody gets out of their childhood complete unscathed and we're bound to do some damage. 

I just hope we give them the foundation to know who to turn to when they need help fixing the mess we made.

bite your tongue

Here's what I wanted to do: lash out, make sure she knew I wouldn't allow her to treat my kids that way, destroy her with my words.  You're upset with me?  Fine.  But don't mess with my kids. 

But I let it sit.  And I prayed about it and prayed about it.  And had some angry talks with Chris.  And I was pretty much at peace with this person being immature and I was going to leave it at that.

Then this weekend I had the perfect opportunity.  It was like a gift from God.  She left herself open for my wrath and it was going to be beautiful. I even wrote it out, told Chris about it, and was going to let it sit for a while to make sure I was making the right decision.

And then we went to church. 

If I had just stayed home, I'm sure I would have gone through with it.  But then during the sermon, we were reading 1 Timothy and after the minister had moved on, I kept reading the chapter.

And then I understood.

Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.  And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resent.
1 Timothy 2: 23-24

This is exactly what I was doing.  I didn't know there was an argument, I thought it was over, and then she took it out on my kids, but made sure her kids got theirs.  I felt the need to make sure she knew she was wrong now.  Before I didn't care, but she made it too personal and now I was going to join the argument. 

And then God said don't.  It's not worth it. 

And, truthfully, I didn't like being told that.  I still don't like it very much, but I'm working on it.  Some people just play dirty, are dirty.  And I'm trying not to stoop to that level.

But it's hard.  Really hard.

Because I always want to win, always have the last word.  It's who I am.

But I don't always get to or need to.  And God is showing me that and working on my heart and loving me inspite of myself. 

What a lovely little mess I am.

ham & bean special

I made ham and bean soup.

It was easy and delicious and easy.

But it was also magical.

Because I have an almost-three year old that sometimes won't eat things I make.  I know this a unique Graham family problem.  Try to follow me.

But this ham and bean soup was enjoyed in abundance.  Three bowls to be exact.  Less broth and more beans and ham.  She ate it up.

So while this recipe might not even be considered a recipe due to its simplicity, I'm writing it down so that I can redo this magic everyday again.

Ham and bean soup
add to your slow cooker:
-four cans of navy beans (do not rinse or drain)
-one can of beef broth
-one can of water (if you don't buy canned water like the affluent Grahams do, you can just fill the beef can up from the faucet)
-one ham steak, cubed
-one med. onion, chopped
-1 tsp. pepper
-1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
-four bay leaves

Simmer on low for 6-8 hours.  Feed your two year old again and again.

the blog world

I love reading other people's blogs.  Probably a little too much.  But whatever.

One blog I've read for a couple of months is Casey Wiegand, and just love her honesty, her point of view, and her heart.  You should definitely check her out.

Last week she announced she and some other bloggers were hosting a blog party where they hook you up with another blogger, you spend some time getting to know that person through their blog, and then you send them a little care package by a certain date.  It's like a super-cool, grownup chain mail without the threat of death.

I got all excited and signed up right away.

It's a fun way to meet new bloggers.  And get a present.  I'm excited to meet new people.

So I've been spending some time checking out the blogger I'm supposed to send a package to and I've already got some good ideas.  And then I remember the limit of money I can spend, and I get all flustered.  I'm not good at following rules.  Ugh.

But I thought if I was doing some blog stalking, you'd like to also.  My person is Lacey from Little Miss Nerd Girl.  And she's a red head who loves to read.  It's a match made in book heaven. 

I'll share my package before I send it--and gladly take suggestions if you come up with one!

thinking of you

Got this in the mail recently.

I have some pretty great friends.

it fits in our cuckoo nest.

Here's where I put the garage sale birdcage.

But don't worry, I took the price tag off.  I'm not that tacky.

another thirty

Remember my friend Krissy? 

She turned thirty in December.

And we got a night away from (at the time) sick kids.  It was delicious and fun and just what I needed to be filled up again and return home to take care of some babies.  Because I was running on empty and not being very nice about it. 

Happy birthday Kristen!  Eighteen years of being friends (well, most of the time anyway) and counting.  I'm looking forward to the next eighteen.  Love you.

(Let's blow out all the table candles and then take a picture, shall we?)

weekend read: Mockingbird

New for 2012: instead of the random book review posts, I'm starting a Weekend Read post every Friday.  A book suggestion for the weekend (or whenever), when you've got a couple of lazy days ahead and need a book to read.

------------------------------------------

As a teacher, I come into contact with a wide range of learning styles, personalities, and needs.  It's just part of my job.  And while I took all the required courses in undergrad (and some in my graduate studies) about students with special needs, I don't think a teacher is ever really prepared for that challenge.  I can have a bag full of differentiated instruction, interventions, and alternative assignments, but until I know that student individually and understand their needs, all my fancy schooling means nothing. 

And all my years of schooling didn't teach me half as much as I learned from reading the young adult novel, Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine.  To peek into the mind of an almost-eleven year old with Asperger's syndrome has open my eyes and mind in a way a textbook never could.

The narrator, Caitlin lives in a world of black and white due to her autism.  But when her older brother is killed in school shooting, things get all fuzzy.  It's heartbreaking to watch her and her dad struggle through the fog to try and heal.  And what they eventually create is beautiful and hopeful. 

This book made me laugh out loud at how literal Caitlin is and the confusion that sometimes causes.  And then I cried when she tries to make everything alright for her dad while not fully knowing how to handle the tragedy herself.  This book is just lovely.

Sharing with my students: There are some people I would not want to read this book because they couldn't handle it, would not be gentle and loving with Caitlin.  I feel like I need to protect her and sharing this book with some kids would somehow do damage to this sweet girl.  This is a book that many people need to read (educators or not) but some of my students won't be mature enough to read Mockingbird.  They would just use it as entertainment or as a way to make fun of someone.  And this book, and Caitlin, deserve more than that.

giddy up.

Over Christmas break I got to spend some time walking around Goodwill all by myself.  It was magical.

And well worth the 15 minute detour (I was actually heading into school to get some work done and was trying to find other things to distract me).

Meet our new rocking horse. 

(The picture looks odd because I cropped out some other stuff I bought that I'm not done with yet.  So more to come.  Lucky you!)

I've been wanting to add some new or different things to the collage above Harper's crib and this little dude would fit perfectly.

And since it was freezing cold out when I did this project, I set up and spray painted in the basement.  That didn't make the whole house smell or anything.  It was definitely a good choice.  Chris even said so.

It took four coats to cover completely. 

Confession: I'm a little heavy-handed with the spray paint.  I start out all nice and even and then think hmmm, this would take a lot less time if I just kept spraying and then, before I know it, the paint is dripping down the side and I've ruined whatever would-have-been-amazing project I had started.  So when I was painting this, I practiced major restaint and just did light coats and didn't make sure everything was covered with the first (or second) one. 

And you know what?

It turned out perfectly and with no drips.  It looks really nice.

Lesson learned.  For now.