Monday, October 4, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
These are a few of my favorite things...
I'm amazed at how much God really loves me. I've had some remarkable growth in this "transition" period of my life. I know my creator in a deeply personal way, and wouldn't trade anything in the world for it.
Both the man in the picture, and his sense of humor :o)
My "children." Even if they dig up my backyard and eat trash.
An organization that has captured my heart and my desire to reach girls stuck in this industry.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
So good
My teaching career, has had its...moments. Some good, some less than good. I'm a list person, that's how I get things done, how I visualize success, how my brain functions really. Here is my list of reasons that I love being a teacher (even if it's no longer full-time in a "big" school):
1. A student says, "Mrs. Jones, I get it!"
2. I get a text that says, "I miss you"
3. I see them accomplishing amazing things...without me :o)
4. A thank you note
5. A thank you blog-ahem...Rhonda
6. Seeing the growth
7. A student that says, "Mrs. Jones I'm not very good at singing, but I will try"
8. A student who appreciates the VALUES and lessons in CHARACTER, when I thought no one was paying an ounce of attention.
9. Someone who sees I actually do care, and begins to change their attitude.
10. A student who asks for advice even after I'm gone.
Really there are so many things. I'm glad that I've finally come to seeing them. :o)
1. A student says, "Mrs. Jones, I get it!"
2. I get a text that says, "I miss you"
3. I see them accomplishing amazing things...without me :o)
4. A thank you note
5. A thank you blog-ahem...Rhonda
6. Seeing the growth
7. A student that says, "Mrs. Jones I'm not very good at singing, but I will try"
8. A student who appreciates the VALUES and lessons in CHARACTER, when I thought no one was paying an ounce of attention.
9. Someone who sees I actually do care, and begins to change their attitude.
10. A student who asks for advice even after I'm gone.
Really there are so many things. I'm glad that I've finally come to seeing them. :o)
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
13 Wives and 56 Kids...he's a Johnson
While we were in Utah, Eric's dad told us about a descendant of the Johnson family. He was Eric's great great great something? Uncle, grandfather, I can't remember. Anyway, Paul was saying the tombstone is HUGE and was right on the drive home in Springville, UT. So naturally, we had to see this polygomists tombstone-especially since he was a part of the family...well, Eric's family.
Eric Johnson, 12 wives, 56 kids
Eric Johnson, 12 wives, 56 kids
The new Mr. and Mrs. Eric Johnson
We traveled to a far away land called Utah. It was a treacherous trek (12 hour car drive) and there were many obstacles to overcome (like sleeping in the car, in the parking lot of the hotel at 4am in the morning when we arrived), but we went for one thing, and one thing only: to see Patrick's best friend Eric Johnson marry his love, Marie Steck. Here's the proof...
The Bachelor Party Scavenger Hunt.
The Temple Square Picture w/o the temple in the background. (The lady thought I was a lunatic for not wanting the temple spire in our picture. I honestly just loved the beautiful flowers.)
See, the flowers are beautiful!
The new Johnson family...no, we didn't go in the temple(not even Patrick-for all of you who read his Facebook status updates. But it's true they didn't let me go to the bathroom because I didn't have a recommend.)
This is what I married ;)
The reception
We wish you love, understanding and years of bliss! To Eric and Marie!
The Bachelor Party Scavenger Hunt.
The Temple Square Picture w/o the temple in the background. (The lady thought I was a lunatic for not wanting the temple spire in our picture. I honestly just loved the beautiful flowers.)
See, the flowers are beautiful!
The new Johnson family...no, we didn't go in the temple(not even Patrick-for all of you who read his Facebook status updates. But it's true they didn't let me go to the bathroom because I didn't have a recommend.)
This is what I married ;)
The reception
We wish you love, understanding and years of bliss! To Eric and Marie!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Doesn't anyone know how to debate anymore?
Patrick mentioned a while back that people don't know how to have discourse. My husband says many things, and most are true. I'm finding this in particular to be more and more true.
Let me first open by saying, "This is an Op-Ed piece." Meaning, my opinion. There, now we're clear.
Someone on Facebook today posted to their profile an article entitled 6 Reasons to Have Casual Sex. I read the article and found it to be a terrible source of information. Several times the article poses an opinion (which is fine) but then argues the opinion with findings from a poll or survey (also fine). The problem is, the polls and surveys were not cited or listed anywhere on her article. There is a link however to her current survey (one you can actually take). What's the problem? Data, or lack thereof. I don't understand how a person can state his/her opinion and support it with non-cited findings. Doesn't that make you question the source right away? It did me. I won't even go into the ridiculous "comments" at the end of the article...well, maybe I'll save that for last. :o)
So I posted on this friend's wall something to the effect of, "there's no citing of the sources, don't believe everything you read." RIGHT AWAY was a response to my own that said, "Are you saying casual sex is bad for you? If so, cite your sources." I had no idea I would get such a response, because I wasn't arguing that at all (although I have very strong convictions about the subject) that wasn't even my point. We (responder to my comment and I) cordially, I think, discussed the idea that this article wasn't concerned with facts, rather it was an opinion piece. In the end I don't think my point got through. I only commented to make her (the person who posted the article to FB in the first place) think through what's being presented a little more thoroughly. The whole "don't believe everything you read" idea. But someone was looking for a fight I guess.
Which brings me back to the fact that people don't debate well anymore. I remember another situation, also on Facebook, where person A stated something political in nature and person B attacked with words like, "you're uneducated" and making assumptions that were not there. Now tell me, regardless of how you feel politically, wouldn't you think person A a much more credible person than person B? Attacking does not equal a sound argument. In fact, I would say the opposite is true. Attacking makes you look like a fool. Yup, I said it, a FOOL. Have I attacked before, yes. Have I appeared foolish, you betcha. And certainly I realize my mistakes and tried to learn from them.
So why do people attack in discussion? Why is it a necessity for your voice to be heard above everyone elses? As if speaking louder will get the point across. I think debating is ok, as long as it's only a debate. If we disagree, ok. But there's no need to attack. In the end, we'll all be judged by a just and fair God. There's no debate on that one-you'll just have to wait and see.
Let me first open by saying, "This is an Op-Ed piece." Meaning, my opinion. There, now we're clear.
Someone on Facebook today posted to their profile an article entitled 6 Reasons to Have Casual Sex. I read the article and found it to be a terrible source of information. Several times the article poses an opinion (which is fine) but then argues the opinion with findings from a poll or survey (also fine). The problem is, the polls and surveys were not cited or listed anywhere on her article. There is a link however to her current survey (one you can actually take). What's the problem? Data, or lack thereof. I don't understand how a person can state his/her opinion and support it with non-cited findings. Doesn't that make you question the source right away? It did me. I won't even go into the ridiculous "comments" at the end of the article...well, maybe I'll save that for last. :o)
So I posted on this friend's wall something to the effect of, "there's no citing of the sources, don't believe everything you read." RIGHT AWAY was a response to my own that said, "Are you saying casual sex is bad for you? If so, cite your sources." I had no idea I would get such a response, because I wasn't arguing that at all (although I have very strong convictions about the subject) that wasn't even my point. We (responder to my comment and I) cordially, I think, discussed the idea that this article wasn't concerned with facts, rather it was an opinion piece. In the end I don't think my point got through. I only commented to make her (the person who posted the article to FB in the first place) think through what's being presented a little more thoroughly. The whole "don't believe everything you read" idea. But someone was looking for a fight I guess.
Which brings me back to the fact that people don't debate well anymore. I remember another situation, also on Facebook, where person A stated something political in nature and person B attacked with words like, "you're uneducated" and making assumptions that were not there. Now tell me, regardless of how you feel politically, wouldn't you think person A a much more credible person than person B? Attacking does not equal a sound argument. In fact, I would say the opposite is true. Attacking makes you look like a fool. Yup, I said it, a FOOL. Have I attacked before, yes. Have I appeared foolish, you betcha. And certainly I realize my mistakes and tried to learn from them.
So why do people attack in discussion? Why is it a necessity for your voice to be heard above everyone elses? As if speaking louder will get the point across. I think debating is ok, as long as it's only a debate. If we disagree, ok. But there's no need to attack. In the end, we'll all be judged by a just and fair God. There's no debate on that one-you'll just have to wait and see.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Summertime and the livin' is easy
So I realized I hadn't posted any pictures from our many trips this summer. Here's a quick synopsis...
In June we went to Wisconsin to visit my Grandma Morgan who is turning 90 this September! It was really good to see her! We hadn't seen her since our wedding, 2.5 years ago-it was long over due.
Port Washington
Me and Grandma
Picture on the cliff
After spending a few days at Grandma's, we drove up to Eau Claire/Chippewa Falls to see Matt, Patrick's brother get married. It was a SMALL town. In fact, at Valerie's bachelorette party (in Chippewa Falls), one of her cousins said, "Oh! I would never move to Eau Claire!" I said, "Why? What's wrong with Eau Claire?" She said, "It's too big!" I think the pause from me showed her I could not comprehend what she had just said. Too big. Hmmm, ok.
It was great to see the Jones clan again, even though not everyone could make it. I've always appreciated these extended family get togethers on both sides. I guess because I realize how blessed we are to have two amazing families. From what I've heard, not everyone can say the same. It sort of makes me wonder what I will feel like when I'm in our parents' shoes; seeing all of my children get married and adding on to the family. Must be bittersweet, emphasis on the sweet :)
Here are some wedding pictures...
The happy couple
Jones Family
Handsome groomsman
Siblings
I think Colby took this picture
The now larger Jones family
The reception after some apple pie, or apple cider, I can't remember what it was called :o)
The weekend after we got back from Wisconsin we went up to Christopher Creek for Fathers Day with my family. This was our first time to Christopher Creek and it was gorgeous! We went kayaking, hiking, and spent some quality family time.
Going kayaking
Kayaking is my new favorite sport. I went out for hours by myself! It was a blast! (And got the worst sunburn I've ever had)
Lovebirds
Simply gorgeous
Happy Father's Day Dad
After two trips we were spent (physically and financially :o) and took it easy for a couple of weeks. Then we couldn't stand the heat anymore and decided to head out to California for the 4th of July. The weather was absolutely incredible. The high was never more than 80 and the low was in the 50s! I was actually a little chilly because who from AZ would think to pack a sweater in July?! A wonderful time was had by all.
Wine tasting in Temecula with Amy and Dave
Took the dogs to the dog beach (although we didn't take pictures there. This is at Newport-it was CRAZY on the 4th!)
And of course fireworks
It's been a great summer, I'm sad to see it go. But things are looking bright for the future. Patrick continues to move his way up through Wells Fargo, and I'm teaching one choir at Phoenix Christian HS, and volunteering (for now) at Streetlight. PLUS! Patrick's friend Eric is getting married in a couple of weeks. More weddings coming soon!
In June we went to Wisconsin to visit my Grandma Morgan who is turning 90 this September! It was really good to see her! We hadn't seen her since our wedding, 2.5 years ago-it was long over due.
Port Washington
Me and Grandma
Picture on the cliff
After spending a few days at Grandma's, we drove up to Eau Claire/Chippewa Falls to see Matt, Patrick's brother get married. It was a SMALL town. In fact, at Valerie's bachelorette party (in Chippewa Falls), one of her cousins said, "Oh! I would never move to Eau Claire!" I said, "Why? What's wrong with Eau Claire?" She said, "It's too big!" I think the pause from me showed her I could not comprehend what she had just said. Too big. Hmmm, ok.
It was great to see the Jones clan again, even though not everyone could make it. I've always appreciated these extended family get togethers on both sides. I guess because I realize how blessed we are to have two amazing families. From what I've heard, not everyone can say the same. It sort of makes me wonder what I will feel like when I'm in our parents' shoes; seeing all of my children get married and adding on to the family. Must be bittersweet, emphasis on the sweet :)
Here are some wedding pictures...
The happy couple
Jones Family
Handsome groomsman
Siblings
I think Colby took this picture
The now larger Jones family
The reception after some apple pie, or apple cider, I can't remember what it was called :o)
The weekend after we got back from Wisconsin we went up to Christopher Creek for Fathers Day with my family. This was our first time to Christopher Creek and it was gorgeous! We went kayaking, hiking, and spent some quality family time.
Going kayaking
Kayaking is my new favorite sport. I went out for hours by myself! It was a blast! (And got the worst sunburn I've ever had)
Lovebirds
Simply gorgeous
Happy Father's Day Dad
After two trips we were spent (physically and financially :o) and took it easy for a couple of weeks. Then we couldn't stand the heat anymore and decided to head out to California for the 4th of July. The weather was absolutely incredible. The high was never more than 80 and the low was in the 50s! I was actually a little chilly because who from AZ would think to pack a sweater in July?! A wonderful time was had by all.
Wine tasting in Temecula with Amy and Dave
Took the dogs to the dog beach (although we didn't take pictures there. This is at Newport-it was CRAZY on the 4th!)
And of course fireworks
It's been a great summer, I'm sad to see it go. But things are looking bright for the future. Patrick continues to move his way up through Wells Fargo, and I'm teaching one choir at Phoenix Christian HS, and volunteering (for now) at Streetlight. PLUS! Patrick's friend Eric is getting married in a couple of weeks. More weddings coming soon!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)