Hillbilly Hand Fishing

Some of you may already know that I am watching two wonderful kids this summer until I begin teaching. (If you haven't already heard the great news, I accepted a 4th grade teaching position at a Christian School around the area where I will be living. If you scroll two post down, I blogged about it.)

Anyway, last week was my week off while the family I watch went to the beach. After playing with George, the puppy all last week, I was refreshed and excited to come back to work. The first thing the kids wanted to do was to go fishing at a local creek. All morning,  Jessie, her friend and Eric constructed fishing poles to use at the creek. Let me just put this out there before I go any further. Although my family used to have a boat and we would go fishing every summer, I do not think of myself as comfortable when it comes to anything slimy, especially slimy, living, wiggling, fish.

I was surprised at how small the creek was when we arrived and how quickly the fish began to bite and get hooked onto the kiddos make-shift fishing poles. Eric was the brave one who fished with just a string and a hook, and elected himself to be the fish holder while I took pliers to get the hook out of the fishes mouth. 

I sometimes forget how the simple things, like hot dogs, fishing line, and hooks can create such a positive learning environment for kids. Had they known this activity was educational in any way, we may have had problems. However, the kids had no idea they were diving into science and math.  

Of course, kids will be kids and there is always something so special about accomplishing something for the first time and holding up your fish, no matter how small, and smiling for the camera to prove that you did, in fact, catch a fish.  

What I also found true about the experiences I have with kids are just like the experiences I have with adults. Someone always takes the lead, and someone always gets their feelings hurt by the leader. The natural order of leaders and followers begins young. Eric is definitely a leader, especially in this small pack. 

And thank goodness he was the leader because he was fearless when it came to holding the fish for me. I was afraid to tell the kids, but I was scared of holding the fish. After all of those years fishing with my family, I had never once held a fish - and I wasn't about to start yesterday.

All in all, this trip to the creek was a wonderful experience for me as I begin my first year teaching, and a great experience for the kids. I never would have thought that such a small amount of work could result in such positive gains for the kids and I. 

Going into this school year, I realize the obstacles I am going to face: tons of planning, managing my time so that I am not overworking, making each child feel special, attending meetings, etc. However, reassurance from experiences from yesterday, (small but deliberate preparations can lead to such a wonderful learning experience) has really let me see the bigger plans that God has set for me. As long as I am willing to put in the time deliberately, I will be able to successfully engage my students with any activity I come up with.

Madalyn

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

If you know me or Josh, you know that we tend to have brilliant ideas that sometimes fail. One of these great ideas happened last week. Josh wanted to make smoothies for breakfast. With that being said, he purchased the necessary ingredients: Bananas, OJ, and Yogurt - he had frozen fruit already in his freezer. 

A week went by, and neither the bananas nor the yogurt had been consumed. He had heard that if you cannot use the bananas, to put them in the freezer until you found something to do with them. And as for the yogurt, well it stays good for a while as long as it hasn't been tampered with. 

I think God knew that I was craving to bake and to eat said baked goods which is why he lead Josh to purchase bananas and yogurt (at least that is my story - and I am sticking to it). I have also been on a recent health kick and am trying to find low calorie and fat recipes that are good to eat and healthy for you at the same time! I decided that I would whip up some banana chocolate chip muffins! Those ARE healthy, right???

Well, I have to say that I modified the recipe to MAKE them healthy! Take that diet! Below is my recipe for amazingly, moist, banana chocolate chip muffins!

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Ingredients:

1 13/4 cups all-purpose flour (I used whole wheat)

3/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 egg

1/2 cup vegetable oil - (I used 1/3c)

1/2 cup plain yogurt (I used 2/3c)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup mashed ripe bananas

3/4 c. semisweet chocolate chips (I used 1/2c)

1. combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda.

2. in another bowl, combine egg, oil, yogurt and vanilla

3. stir in dry ingredients until moist

4. fold in bananas and chocolate chips

5. bake at 350 degrees for 22 - 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. 

6. Cool for 5 - 10 minutes before removing from pans to racks. 

Then Enjoy!

Madalyn

Hello! I Am Miss Bamer, Your New Fourth Grade Teacher

As mentioned in post prior, I have recently graduated from Penn State with a degree in elementary education. While this degree is amazing, it is also very popular which means that teachers aren't in high demand because of the popularity. 

This has made finding a job difficult. 

I had one interview in May that I believed went really well. It was at a Christian school. After talking to God numerous times, I figured out that at this point in my life a Christian school was more of my calling than teaching in a public school. I received a phone call after the interview with the news I was expecting: I didn't get the job. Frustrated, I prayed to God and talked to him about it. This lead me to be at peace with the decision that was made because ultimately God has a plan and I needed to just let him take care of the details. 

It wasn't until I was in church three weeks ago, that I realized what God was trying to tell me about my job situation. I felt a strong urge to get in touch with the Headmaster at the school where I had interviewed prior, to offer my services as a substitute teacher. I had also begun looking into part time positions at my church in children's ministry. 

The Wednesday after I spoke with God about my job finding troubles, I received a call from the Headmaster asking me if I had signed a contract to teach somewhere or if I was still job hunting. My heart began beating out of my chest. You should know by now, if you are a follower of mine, that patience is not one of my God-given gifts. In fact, it may be one of the most worked on side of me. Anyway, he said that he may have an opening in 4th grade but needed a few days to discover if the position was available. It took everything inside of me to number one: not cry. And number 2: not rupture his eardrum screaming with the possibility to work at such an amazing school. 

The next day, I got the phone call. Chills ran up my spine as I weighed what the news was going to be. I answered and within seconds I knew the prayers I had sent to God were working: I accepted the job that had been offered to me over the phone!!!

Since then, I have been meeting with many amazing Christian faculty at the school and looking through the curriculum. I am excited to say that starting in late August, I will finally have my own classroom of fourth graders. And although they aren't Kindergarteners, I know that I will love them just the same. 

If I've learned anything from job hunting it is that God has a plan and by listening and obeying Him, everything always works out. I have been truly blessed! For those of you on the job hunt, regardless of the occupation; hold tight, and trust in God that everything will work out - because it does!

Madalyn

Thirty-One

Hello All!

I am sad to say that the position I applied and interviewed for in Harrisburg didn't come through. Bummer. However, I am excited to share that I am beginning yet another journey. With the help of the fiance, I was able to figure out a way to help make money on the side while we save for our wedding in November. I decided to become a Thirty-One consultant! I am so excited to explore this business and to meet some new and wonderful people around my new residence. 

Just an FYI, if you'd like to have a party or purchase something from the catalogue, email me and let me know! 

School is out in 12 school days and then I can finally put in some effort on this pitiful blog of mine! I hope everyone is doing wonderfully!

Madalyn

Wedding Wednesday: Engagement Photos

Ahh!

There is so much going on in my life at the moment. Wedding planning, graduating, inquiry project and conference this weekend and my FIRST interview in Harrisburg! I am excited and nervous at the same time! It's amazing how quickly time flies!

Josh and I finally were able to look at our engagement photos last weekend. Although they weren't completely edited and were small when we saw them, we were able to find a lot that we liked. So I am here to share the love. Please, Please check out our photographers website. He did an amazing job! If you are ever looking for a photographer in the Pennsylvania area, he is incredible! you can find his link here.

Without further adieu, here they are! Enjoy!

The photo above and below me are silly pictures we took at Josh's place of work. Yes, my future husband sells tombstones, and frankly I think it's an amazing job. :)

I hope your heart melts just like mine did after looking at these photos! 

Madalyn

Snow in April?

Yes, you read my title correctly. Snow. In. April. Absurd. What I am most upset about is that there wasn't a snow day for me to sit around with a cup of hot chocolate and scrapbook. Ugh, dream on! I woke up this morning to the uncomfortable feeling of two kittens, who are undoubtedly adorable, clawing at my head. Quickly I picked up my iPhone and searched for my school districts website...

All to find that they hadn't updated their site since March. What was worse than realizing I had to go to school today was looking at the clock; 4:45AM. I don't know the last time I got up that early on my own, without an alarm, but I was miserable. So after pouting until 5AM, I decided I was finished being a Debby Downer, and that I would just start my day.

Do you have a favorite show that can manage to put a smile on your face in seconds? My show is I Love Lucy. I used to watch it on Nick at Nite all of the time. My little sister turned it on, and as soon as I saw Lucy with what looked like a 1940's Stanley Cup on her head, I instantly giggled. Today was going to be a good day!

In the shower I went! It's amazing what shaved legs and hot water can do for a girl! I put on a smile, and headed to school. Then I walked into my classroom and saw this:

Yuck!

The weather reporters (who also reported that at this time there would be 4-8 inches of snow) say that it is going to continue snowing until tomorrow afternoon. I'm sorry, but it's April. It isn't supposed to snow in April. I guess I should be happy that God still makes snow, even if it's unwanted.

Speaking of God, one of my 101 things to do in 1001 days, is to memorize 15 new bible verses. Since I am finally getting back into Art Journaling, I thought that there might be a way that I could actually cross something off my list: Art Journal about my week and copy a verse onto that week so I can look at it each day and work on memorizing it.

The verse I chose for this week is Proverbs 3: 5-6: Trust in the Lord with all of your heart. Lean not on your own understandings. In all of your ways, acknowledge him and he will set all of your paths straight.

I felt that this verse really spoke to me this week. With so much in my life right now, I need to learn how to rely more on God and let him do the worrying. That's what he's there for right?

My mother was happy to see that my sister and I were using every square inch of the dinner table last night. It made it excessively difficult to eat dinner upon. 

Madalyn

101 in 1001

So I finally caved in!

I have been looking at blogs for the past week and have finally decided that I am going to try the 101 things in 1001 day challenge and see how it goes. You can read about it all here. What seemed like only 101 things to do really turned into much more than 101. For instance one of my goals is to watch the top 100 movies of all time. That alone is 100 things to do in just one goal!

I am excited to give it a go though. I am soon finished with college and will begin another journey and need some motivation and goals to keep me centered. 

Speaking of goals on my 101 list, graduation is one of them and it is coming up in three weeks! It's amazing how quickly this four year journey through college has gone by. I can still remember moving into my dorm the summer after graduating high school. Now after I graduate college, I will be moving to Lancaster and finding my own way and starting the next chapter in my life. 

With that being said, I still have three more weeks of teaching until I graduate. Technically I have seven more weeks of teaching because I don't complete my internship until the kiddo's get out of school on June 7th. Currently in my classroom we have been incubating chicken and duck eggs. Last week the chicks hatched and are currently peeping away in my kindergarten class. The ducks should hatch this week and we should be able to see the differences between the ducks and the chicks. It has been such an amazing experience from the start to the finish hatching eggs in the incubator. My kindergarteners have learned so much from just observing the different parts of the life cycle.

Later this week I will be posting more about the wedding plans that Josh and I have discussed. I am excited to share more details on the wedding. We cannot wait to get married and appreciate all of the support everyone has given us thus far!

Madalyn

Wedding Wednesday: Updates on an Amazingly, Some-what Planned, Wedding

So I figured that I needed to start making a commitment on my blog to at least update friends, family, and fellow readers what Josh and I have been up to with our wedding plans. Just for your sanity, and mine, these plans are always subject to change. :) 

Now that I've made that statement, I can take a deep breath.

It took a while to figure out just where we wanted to have our wedding. For the longest time we wanted it to be in a back yard, something informal after the ceremony, and not to mention something relaxing. In our minds, we figured that we would have the ceremony and the reception in his uncles back yard near a golf course. Plans always seem so easy when they evolve in your mind. In real life, the plans that were simple, become so complex.

Wedding dress shopping was one of the first things I tackled off of the never-ending list. After going through bridal magazines for hours each week, I had picked out so many styles I liked. A lot of styles I knew that probably wouldn't look so flattering on me, but I dared to dream.

It was wonderful to shop two weekends ago with five (current and future) family members.  I will say that the first shop we stopped at was a let down. It was difficult for to do what the girl was asking me to do. When I read reviews online, they were wonderful, which put me in high hopes. When I got there, I was disappointed. Not with the service, but with the limited amount of options that were available. Not only the options, the dresses only came in one size as well. It was almost like going to an ice cream store with only one size cone to choose from and only two flavors.

The next store we went to had over 500 wedding dresses in stock. There were all different sizes and styles. Alas, I felt as if this was the place I was going to find my dress. In State College, I had already tried on some dresses that the also carried at this store. The first dress I tried on at both of these stores, which happened to be the same exact dress, I fell in love with.

After three hours of making sure it was what I wanted, I finally decided on the first dress I had tried on. Sorry, I cannot show you what it looks like yet. The Hubs-to-be checks my blog and doesn't want to know what the dress looks like until I walk down the aisle, or should I say, the sand. Yes I said it. The sand. After careful consideration and deliberation, Josh and I are getting married at the beach.

The wedding date is set for November 18, 2012 and will be taking place at The Sandpearl Resort in Clearwater Beach, Florida!

This is the back of the hotel that sits on Clearwater Beach, Fl

This was the only weekend that could allow me to take personal time off the next week so that I could have the entire week off. Thanksgiving break usually starts on Wednesday where there is no school, so I'd only need to request off 2 days of work. Alleluia!

This is the resort at night with all of the lawn chairs seated on the beach. 

We fell in love with this resort when we first stayed there in November. It had everything we could have asked for, except for the ridiculous valet parking price that was not optional. However, we quickly rolled our eyes and got over it.

This was the view out our room window to the pool area and then attached to that is the sand and the ocean.

The view from the pool was so amazing to wake up to each morning. I wish Josh and I lived someplace where we could hear the waves crashing against the sand each morning. 

This is Honeymoon Island where Josh Proposed Marriage.

The story of how he proposed will come in time. But this lovely island is where he did it! :)

Last day of single-ness (photo was taken the day before proposal. 

Model-worthy, right?

Engagement dinner on the beach! :)

Anyway, Pinterest has been zero help with me being so close to graduation. I thought I was addicted to Facebook when I had it. Pinterest and Etsy keep my attention off of school work, and constantly on what I could be doing for my wedding. I keep trying to tell myself that I only have 4 weeks until graduation (OMG) and 8 weeks until school is out. 

I hope to become a regular blogger again. I have a delicious blueberry recipe to share with all of my muffin lovers. Anyone? It uses only 3tbsp of oil and substitutes applesauce for oil. 

Have a great week everyone!

Madalyn