We wanted to let you all know that as of this past Thursday, we are no longer in escrow on the house in Lincoln. The appraisal came back lower (twice) than the sale price, so we did not continue with the escrow process. Unfortunately we will not get the $8000 tax credit this year for first time home buyers, but we are confident that God has a house out there for us! We have decided to now look exclusively in the Twelve Bridges neighborhood in Lincoln. I fell in love with the area when I taught in the neighborhood last year. We keep praying for direction and know that whatever comes along will be wonderful :)
Thanks for the support and being excited with us through the process. We will keep you updated! Let the house-hunting begin yet again!!!
Joel and Ashley
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Dog vs. Cats
When I came home Oscar was curled up in this dog bed trying to keep warm. He got a very short haircut on Saturday, so he is wearing his sweater to prevent some severe shivering.
Anyways, I let him outside to go to the bathroom and he stopped abruptly at the top of our steps down to the grass and started barking/growling. I happened to peek outside to see if I could see the neighbor's cat that he was barking at. Well, much to my surprise, I saw two little kittens snuggled up together on our patio furniture.
I grabbed Oscar, afraid of what he might do if he got close. I took a quick picture and went down to check them out. The neighbor's cat obviously had kittens, and Oscar is NOT happy about it.
After waiting a few hours and scoping out the backyard for the kittens, I let Oscar back outside. I thought that he would be safe. Well, he was safe.... but let out his deep hatred for the cats on our patio furniture. He is obsessed!
Anyways, I let him outside to go to the bathroom and he stopped abruptly at the top of our steps down to the grass and started barking/growling. I happened to peek outside to see if I could see the neighbor's cat that he was barking at. Well, much to my surprise, I saw two little kittens snuggled up together on our patio furniture.
I grabbed Oscar, afraid of what he might do if he got close. I took a quick picture and went down to check them out. The neighbor's cat obviously had kittens, and Oscar is NOT happy about it.
After waiting a few hours and scoping out the backyard for the kittens, I let Oscar back outside. I thought that he would be safe. Well, he was safe.... but let out his deep hatred for the cats on our patio furniture. He is obsessed!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
I love pumpkin!
Here is an amazing recipe for delicious pumpkin cookies from my sister.
Pumpkin Cookies
2 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp salt
Combine ingredients in a smaller bowl and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
1/2 c butter-softened
1 1/2 c white sugar
1 c canned pumpkin
1 egg
1 tsp vanille
Combine the butter and sugar. Then add pumpkin, egg, and vanilla and beat until it is creamy. Add the dry mixture from above.
Cook cookies for 15 minutes- they will be fluffy. Let cool.
Icing
2 c powdered sugar
3 Tbsp milk
1 Tbsp butter
1 tsp vanille
Combine sugar, milk, butter and vanilla. Drizzle over the cookies and enjoy :)
Pumpkin Cookies
2 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp salt
Combine ingredients in a smaller bowl and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
1/2 c butter-softened
1 1/2 c white sugar
1 c canned pumpkin
1 egg
1 tsp vanille
Combine the butter and sugar. Then add pumpkin, egg, and vanilla and beat until it is creamy. Add the dry mixture from above.
Cook cookies for 15 minutes- they will be fluffy. Let cool.
Icing
2 c powdered sugar
3 Tbsp milk
1 Tbsp butter
1 tsp vanille
Combine sugar, milk, butter and vanilla. Drizzle over the cookies and enjoy :)
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Stories from the week...
***During our Language Arts time, we read an autobiography from Michelle Kwan. Michelle talked about her life motto/philosophy, so I had the students write down their mottos.
Robert wrote, "Be the spider, not the fly". Hailee wrote, "Love what you do and let the world see you glow". And Noelle wrote, "Be green and love your family". Interesting to see how their motto fit their personality.
***During our spelling test, Luiz asked if he could abbreviate the word vacation....as 'vaca'. When I asked him what he thought that I would say, he said, "Oh snap!". He is constantly saying 'oh snap'. I love it :) Makes me smile.
***While I was on playground duty in the morning, Michael and his friend walked by and asked me if I was 6 feet tall. What? I reassured them that I am not 6 feet tall but only 5'8". Random.
***My students LOVE the book series 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid'....I would say that at least 75% of my class is reading one of the three books right now. At least they are getting their work completed so that they can read. I can't complain.
I am starting to really enjoy my students....after two months of being super strict, setting the standards high and developing our classroom environment. I can finally joke with them, smile, and laugh without fear that they will push the limit.
Robert wrote, "Be the spider, not the fly". Hailee wrote, "Love what you do and let the world see you glow". And Noelle wrote, "Be green and love your family". Interesting to see how their motto fit their personality.
***During our spelling test, Luiz asked if he could abbreviate the word vacation....as 'vaca'. When I asked him what he thought that I would say, he said, "Oh snap!". He is constantly saying 'oh snap'. I love it :) Makes me smile.
***While I was on playground duty in the morning, Michael and his friend walked by and asked me if I was 6 feet tall. What? I reassured them that I am not 6 feet tall but only 5'8". Random.
***My students LOVE the book series 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid'....I would say that at least 75% of my class is reading one of the three books right now. At least they are getting their work completed so that they can read. I can't complain.
I am starting to really enjoy my students....after two months of being super strict, setting the standards high and developing our classroom environment. I can finally joke with them, smile, and laugh without fear that they will push the limit.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Turkey Chili
My best friend Danielle made this delicious chili when I visited her last February. I finally made the recipe this week, and boy was it good. It is full of fiber, makes great leftovers, and has simple ingredients.
Recipe:
-ground turkey browned and drained
-2 cans white beans (great northern beans) drained
-1 can corn drained
-1 can garbanzo beans
-2 cups salsa
I drained all of the canned goods and added them to the pan with the cooked ground turkey. I warmed all of the ingredients together and served with sour cream, avocado and tortilla chips. Yum....I love the fall!
Recipe:
-ground turkey browned and drained
-2 cans white beans (great northern beans) drained
-1 can corn drained
-1 can garbanzo beans
-2 cups salsa
I drained all of the canned goods and added them to the pan with the cooked ground turkey. I warmed all of the ingredients together and served with sour cream, avocado and tortilla chips. Yum....I love the fall!
Monday, September 28, 2009
One of those days...
I had one student try to forge his guardian's signature on a weekly communication folder. Yeah, I gave him detention and called his guardian. She was very supportive.
I had another student get in a fight at lunch recess. He was not suspended, but the other boys involved were suspended for half a day. He went home early because he blacked out when he hit his head during the fight. Great.
And one of my girl students wrote me a letter and put it on my desk. It said...
Dear Mrs.Winger,
I haven't been feeling good latly. I went to the doctors to see when I am going to start my period. he said pretty soon. So, if I you notice that i'm not my normal self it is because I'm having cramps.
Sencerly, ***
Yeah, this is definitely not like last year in 3rd grade :)
I had another student get in a fight at lunch recess. He was not suspended, but the other boys involved were suspended for half a day. He went home early because he blacked out when he hit his head during the fight. Great.
And one of my girl students wrote me a letter and put it on my desk. It said...
Dear Mrs.Winger,
I haven't been feeling good latly. I went to the doctors to see when I am going to start my period. he said pretty soon. So, if I you notice that i'm not my normal self it is because I'm having cramps.
Sencerly, ***
Yeah, this is definitely not like last year in 3rd grade :)
Thursday, August 20, 2009
First day done...
Whew...I am exhausted. After all the anxiety and uncertainties of teaching 5th grade, I finally met my students today and we are off to a great start.
Differences than last year-
-I have 33 students this year instead of 19....my line goes on and on and on. It takes 5 minutes just to walk from the front to the back :)
-The students are way bigger...not as big as I thought, but I know that they will grow as the year progresses.
-The students understand my jokes and sarcasm which is fun. I have a few quirky boy students again that just crack me up.
-5th graders are WAY more independent. I can actually give them a piece of paper and have them take notes. I don't have to write everything on the board and make sure every student is writing it down. Wonderful!
I'm mentally preparing to be strict and consistent again tomorrow. I have to start out strong and follow through. Whew....I could go to bed and it is only 5:30pm.
Differences than last year-
-I have 33 students this year instead of 19....my line goes on and on and on. It takes 5 minutes just to walk from the front to the back :)
-The students are way bigger...not as big as I thought, but I know that they will grow as the year progresses.
-The students understand my jokes and sarcasm which is fun. I have a few quirky boy students again that just crack me up.
-5th graders are WAY more independent. I can actually give them a piece of paper and have them take notes. I don't have to write everything on the board and make sure every student is writing it down. Wonderful!
I'm mentally preparing to be strict and consistent again tomorrow. I have to start out strong and follow through. Whew....I could go to bed and it is only 5:30pm.
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