tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71159708585148146692024-03-12T19:52:36.464-07:00Ma Vie en VioletBeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07559090688958358496noreply@blogger.comBlogger1367125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115970858514814669.post-59062755549448981072011-12-10T16:43:00.000-08:002011-12-10T16:43:58.915-08:00Moving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="http://img3.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.133787115.jpg" height="400" src="http://img3.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.133787115.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="374" /></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/43735656/moving-announcement-return-box-set-of-10?ref=sr_gallery_13&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=moving+notice&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade">source</a>}</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm moving my blog to Tumblr. It's been such a good run here on blogger after being on Xanga for a bit. Why am I moving? I want to keep myself on my techy toes and try to learn a whole new interface. Also, all of my favorite blogs are on Tumblr, so I wanted to be able to reblog and follow them much easier. Their platform is also better supported on my iPad, so I'll be able to blog on the go. How exciting! Here's the new url if you're interested on following me over there: </span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://beatrue.tumblr.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">http://beatrue.tumblr.com </span></a>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07559090688958358496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115970858514814669.post-79584224780508531272011-12-07T09:58:00.000-08:002011-12-07T09:58:00.336-08:00Marathon<div id="PinActionButtons"><br />
<a class="Button Button13 WhiteButton" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/247038520/#"><b></b></a> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://minimalmovieposters.tumblr.com/page/29" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Pinned Image" height="400" id="pinCloseupImage" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/134404370098865660_4OUoU0vO_c.jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">{<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/247038520/">Source</a>}</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="ImgLink" id="PinImage"></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We've been watching <i>How I Met Your Mother </i>and <i>Cake Boss</i> all weekend. I'm so missing NYC and all of east coast right now. I can't wait for our trip. Can't wait to suit up!</span>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07559090688958358496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115970858514814669.post-56150136118970845892011-12-07T09:17:00.000-08:002011-12-07T09:17:00.848-08:00Feliz Navidad!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwY2cJzU2NPA5R_BA0XksZfYsV3SpNJaF1J7oUpfSlrmL85023kXgtoLQG6V0RlAbfx0Og4AK1NhfifH_vdFlrE2t3bUlNIRfM8esWF3Fya_DhtGvyKvczmVafW7LnqlVfgGhHFmNptGc/s1600/Christmas+Ornament_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwY2cJzU2NPA5R_BA0XksZfYsV3SpNJaF1J7oUpfSlrmL85023kXgtoLQG6V0RlAbfx0Og4AK1NhfifH_vdFlrE2t3bUlNIRfM8esWF3Fya_DhtGvyKvczmVafW7LnqlVfgGhHFmNptGc/s800/Christmas+Ornament_1.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwh6lEXVseUITIC9zBZVYdUoVsRsstWxV62RzF4Fwi97irUsWr2puZFr-o12HFKGDpZ148qEFc5umiCuYq7WTX_fhYOHP3v8DqLb-tUFbpHuFM__8i1JVSpnuI9WA8huGZGC5kryIDKDo/s1600/Christmas+Ornament_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwh6lEXVseUITIC9zBZVYdUoVsRsstWxV62RzF4Fwi97irUsWr2puZFr-o12HFKGDpZ148qEFc5umiCuYq7WTX_fhYOHP3v8DqLb-tUFbpHuFM__8i1JVSpnuI9WA8huGZGC5kryIDKDo/s800/Christmas+Ornament_2.JPG" width="330" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yHeaVjxCJShq9frXuwynugWre-8nv5zNGrjBDBp3b_o0lY63ImaG1auifhdVqO3STSRBgPNeixRRf0swtV1qLfC2bdXrzp1-IddYAqfZmBokHe8RE9BbjuE7fUpbc3WorEp8P9fDezw/s1600/Christmas+Ornament_3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yHeaVjxCJShq9frXuwynugWre-8nv5zNGrjBDBp3b_o0lY63ImaG1auifhdVqO3STSRBgPNeixRRf0swtV1qLfC2bdXrzp1-IddYAqfZmBokHe8RE9BbjuE7fUpbc3WorEp8P9fDezw/s800/Christmas+Ornament_3.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOecdadsUMRCOuFXH4Fhv2KKtlkd1gU5yY0D952XYjZdSsgXYeOgCoZV2ZaxBp-yjfDdj0t4BCDzSFi_b33xBFPW6Sh_8Hbkk1agCH35tdxbylvK7zZUx4BQO0BlLP2vpRRZICxFVKIzg/s1600/Christmas+Ornament_4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOecdadsUMRCOuFXH4Fhv2KKtlkd1gU5yY0D952XYjZdSsgXYeOgCoZV2ZaxBp-yjfDdj0t4BCDzSFi_b33xBFPW6Sh_8Hbkk1agCH35tdxbylvK7zZUx4BQO0BlLP2vpRRZICxFVKIzg/s800/Christmas+Ornament_4.JPG" width="330" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This year, our good friends, the Esparzas, helped us pick out our Christmas tree. What does that mean? I get my picture perfect tree rather than my hubster's humorous tree. I love unpacking the ornaments and reflecting about our many adventures and memories. I can't wait to share the story behind each ornament with the soybeanitos. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>2007</i> - I found the ornament that my hubstser's best friend's parents bought us the year that we got married. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Kimono Girl</i> - One of my first grade kiddos last year gave me this ornament. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Kartchner Caverns</i> - It was my first trip to caverns with stalagmites and stalactites. </span>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07559090688958358496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115970858514814669.post-54265284091091827582011-12-06T08:48:00.000-08:002011-12-06T19:37:35.437-08:00Throwback Tuesday: Let It Snow - Boys II Men<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xlu48Iktjxg" width="420"></iframe>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07559090688958358496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115970858514814669.post-60416792512577805872011-12-05T19:14:00.000-08:002011-12-05T19:14:27.330-08:00All I Want For Christmas...<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">is to hold his hand and wander around doing random things. Maybe, we'll follow our nose to somewhere delicious. Maybe, we'll figure out some interesting places to take photos. Maybe, we'll go for a hike. Maybe, we'll go exploring around the city. Most important, I'm going to forget all about work and the kiddos if only for a few days. </span>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07559090688958358496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115970858514814669.post-6767935966519082832011-12-05T09:32:00.000-08:002011-12-05T09:32:00.860-08:00December? Really?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="http://img1.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.286143929.jpg" src="http://img1.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.286143929.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/86103748/christmas-tree-lantern-card?ref=sr_gallery_5&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=christmas+tree&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade%2Fpaper_goods">Source</a>}</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">These past couple of weeks (including the one that just finished) have been a haze of being overworked. Almost every fun thing was plowed over by too many work commitments or being exhausted from work. For Halloween, we forgot to carve our pumpkins. They're still sitting on our porch. (We're thinking about carving Christmas trees on them.) For Thanksgiving break, we were so worn out from work that we spent most of our time napping. It looks like the weeks before Christmas might suffer the same fate. I'm determined to at least have some holidayness to them. Here is my list:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Wrap gifts. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Drink egg nog. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Go to a holiday parade.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Watch a Charlie Brown's Christmas. </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Get our Christmas cards made and sent. </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Get a tree! We have too many new ornaments from this year to put up.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ready, set, go! </span>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07559090688958358496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115970858514814669.post-38219189376382285472011-12-04T17:26:00.000-08:002011-12-04T17:26:38.795-08:00Need a Lift?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="400" src="http://www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/13700353260/1/tumblr_lukxyj07YB1r1psiw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="266" /></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{<a href="http://modernhepburn.tumblr.com/post/13700353260">Source</a>}</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.alexostrowski.com/lookup.php" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><div class="backdrop"> </div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This totally makes sense! I love to look up when I'm taking photos and when I'm on vacay. I'm often happiest in those moments, especially when my hubster's by my side. </span>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07559090688958358496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115970858514814669.post-14650838945547330152011-11-30T09:23:00.000-08:002011-11-30T09:23:00.309-08:00Hello Kitty & Postcards<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://kawaiifoods.com/2011/hello-kitty-cake-with-a-hello-kitty-coffee/" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Pinned Image" height="265" id="pinCloseupImage" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/153263193538514691_VStoucnz_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">{<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/362632075/">Source</a>}</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="ImgLink" id="PinImage"></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've quickly learned how my kiddos will remember me. I'll always be that teacher that likes Hello Kitty and postcards. How have I figured this out? Well, let me provide the adorable evidence. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. A kiddo gave me a Hello Kitty pez dispenser.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2. Same kiddo gave me a postcard after she went to Universal Studios. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3. My kiddo who's still on vacay in China took a picture next to a giant Hello Kitty for me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">4. Another kiddo got me a postcard from Carmel over Turkey vacay, but she hasn't given it to me because she hasn't written a letter on the back. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">They're too cute for words. I hope the months don't fly by too quickly after winter break. </span>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07559090688958358496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115970858514814669.post-38284085342341842632011-11-29T08:15:00.000-08:002011-11-29T08:15:00.852-08:00Catch Up: Only 6 Songs<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sueswink.tumblr.com/" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Pinned Image" height="400" id="pinCloseupImage" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/233976143110293732_yQ2Kg8Zm_c.jpg" width="218" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">{<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/330676027/">source</a>} </div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="ImgLink" id="PinImage"></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">While we were in my hometown for Thanksgiving, we would continuously hear the same 6 songs whenever we were out about. It didn't matter what time of day or what pop music/hip hop station. Here is our official Thanksgiving playlist: </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEPTlhBmwRg&ob=av2e"><i>Moves Like Jagger</i></a> - Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ6zr6kCPj8">Party Rock Anthem</a> </i>- LMFAO</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyx6JDQCslE&feature=relmfu"><i>Sexy and I Know It</i></a> - LMFAO</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tg00YEETFzg&ob=av2e">We Found Love</a> </i>- Rhianna ft. Calvin Harris</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLQl3WQQoQ0"><i>Someone Like You</i></a> - Adele</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYEDA3JcQqw">Rolling in the Deep</a> </i>- Adele </span>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07559090688958358496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115970858514814669.post-47912479234033110832011-11-28T08:24:00.000-08:002011-11-28T08:24:00.523-08:00So Cal Thanksgiving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6rqsabwlzNBGJAGkeoWYe8kaYW-NaJiru2FJpOZUMuKfBYjP8nmEwXgQHD0qt8CEgeYIGU1jexFVnxGUQCxNyalpu0Pj1HIUfouYvYgeCvf3yNghi_0Wln2M4w31UK5eBWDTE-Km-AI/s1600/IMG_9897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6rqsabwlzNBGJAGkeoWYe8kaYW-NaJiru2FJpOZUMuKfBYjP8nmEwXgQHD0qt8CEgeYIGU1jexFVnxGUQCxNyalpu0Pj1HIUfouYvYgeCvf3yNghi_0Wln2M4w31UK5eBWDTE-Km-AI/s800/IMG_9897.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPbzE12EAcbpsA-7yeGT3HpRvEXPKj2WrYOLruFr7ylLtcZniVZH7XDaFdJ29sOQ-vLQddwwBMrKpklm1WuigTKfMS47u186x4K7VMhDfSgw5_cXs4sIZJ9JXe_m6ZpUF1f8ME3F8l-0/s1600/IMG_9902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPbzE12EAcbpsA-7yeGT3HpRvEXPKj2WrYOLruFr7ylLtcZniVZH7XDaFdJ29sOQ-vLQddwwBMrKpklm1WuigTKfMS47u186x4K7VMhDfSgw5_cXs4sIZJ9JXe_m6ZpUF1f8ME3F8l-0/s800/IMG_9902.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_j7_9QJLu58ha4tC82VpoScpka-8ZP0Nv06r781DaEajnKHaUy3SOeqprtzkRWE8A3Qvg1-R2Gb2hOWG1OHpPXyp18iMxQrn2zr-z241qRKl7GPrs93WMhNxfzS87IKsX8MmHoxJTWQ/s1600/IMG_9907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_j7_9QJLu58ha4tC82VpoScpka-8ZP0Nv06r781DaEajnKHaUy3SOeqprtzkRWE8A3Qvg1-R2Gb2hOWG1OHpPXyp18iMxQrn2zr-z241qRKl7GPrs93WMhNxfzS87IKsX8MmHoxJTWQ/s800/IMG_9907.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8wkWMjXit6qaLstoFTPi7uvlMLhINI0CgEkrqOUS_UuQFGGOdJ54Nfdg27udrSDlB3mbz_FOcFBoqEd-XNcOPUbrzWLqpHKvW7hXA63ToMWPozJQ7P46cETM6w_bT1oFimAGdMhrIpmI/s1600/IMG_9908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8wkWMjXit6qaLstoFTPi7uvlMLhINI0CgEkrqOUS_UuQFGGOdJ54Nfdg27udrSDlB3mbz_FOcFBoqEd-XNcOPUbrzWLqpHKvW7hXA63ToMWPozJQ7P46cETM6w_bT1oFimAGdMhrIpmI/s800/IMG_9908.JPG" width="330" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7xWtEwbVYBQkcNd-mR4sZdsG79FvSnX6RAcTFOlIkUkR3LKV83418MLtVbJpUfGzuQ_L9nCv9vXda5ixwE74jJBpnLKxmHLMoG2EJ5XeTYnV5dXhXGnpPTR8L_6LGD5Eg5DRhsRgNxU/s1600/IMG_9915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7xWtEwbVYBQkcNd-mR4sZdsG79FvSnX6RAcTFOlIkUkR3LKV83418MLtVbJpUfGzuQ_L9nCv9vXda5ixwE74jJBpnLKxmHLMoG2EJ5XeTYnV5dXhXGnpPTR8L_6LGD5Eg5DRhsRgNxU/s800/IMG_9915.JPG" width="330" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApKMa9XaU5NLfbawpt-iL_XGTd7JykjB9RdB8NuhlEiFAbvtteTfAhuKUzGr0ehO0RzzVmvh1_bWL7Bhg3d-M7mKIDeHxDOFR7VlTqX0e8qC2Zen5hZkg66zeE3p1w4gObJ-wcFtt3zs/s1600/IMG_9916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApKMa9XaU5NLfbawpt-iL_XGTd7JykjB9RdB8NuhlEiFAbvtteTfAhuKUzGr0ehO0RzzVmvh1_bWL7Bhg3d-M7mKIDeHxDOFR7VlTqX0e8qC2Zen5hZkg66zeE3p1w4gObJ-wcFtt3zs/s800/IMG_9916.JPG" width="330" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2vnpRE1MrOVZM6pzpwPZFL5wYEAFytPjpgfT1vIRkrm7SLSb5TZrUo1KxV85tXjmv-yVVhVPvlBM6iD0qk0gE4t3IjPYuG0AVygmfECfp3GM8SFygAy5o8OKmhA7Y2oBhVDt3-2Em-Y/s1600/IMG_9919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2vnpRE1MrOVZM6pzpwPZFL5wYEAFytPjpgfT1vIRkrm7SLSb5TZrUo1KxV85tXjmv-yVVhVPvlBM6iD0qk0gE4t3IjPYuG0AVygmfECfp3GM8SFygAy5o8OKmhA7Y2oBhVDt3-2Em-Y/s800/IMG_9919.JPG" width="330" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoec5Myu8UHvZ_QwP0RzIe7huPGXXHAZbm_5oIuxlJBicjMBB-RnkLc7o10zBMANFz7h8_KypTvhUrIV6j8MGflOio7Cw502TXnjAvjPKP5ScZSBeHz89pln8JiuZJWYG2AAxaZ8YSYLQ/s1600/IMG_9922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoec5Myu8UHvZ_QwP0RzIe7huPGXXHAZbm_5oIuxlJBicjMBB-RnkLc7o10zBMANFz7h8_KypTvhUrIV6j8MGflOio7Cw502TXnjAvjPKP5ScZSBeHz89pln8JiuZJWYG2AAxaZ8YSYLQ/s800/IMG_9922.JPG" width="330" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2sv-WhAV5hwsR82GEtyFixKDCUpUfTYtOXdrllgM8lHuLXp7PLaZo3Q7hagUk9QXRl-d2lx7mB9p3UG0SJt_KJbRK5-17QdN_boyh1ZD78m3a9l7rQLwOaZsGMgbiXtRqIW0x2ZCmWs/s1600/IMG_9941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2sv-WhAV5hwsR82GEtyFixKDCUpUfTYtOXdrllgM8lHuLXp7PLaZo3Q7hagUk9QXRl-d2lx7mB9p3UG0SJt_KJbRK5-17QdN_boyh1ZD78m3a9l7rQLwOaZsGMgbiXtRqIW0x2ZCmWs/s800/IMG_9941.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This year, we flipped the holidays, so we spent Thanksgiving with my family. Of course, we had to go for a stroll on the beach. It was seasonably warm and gorgeous. After doing our friend and family marathon and shopping, we also managed to squeeze in a mission trip. We went to see the San Luis Rey Mission, which is my 7th mission. Only 14 more to go. Fun fact about San Luis Rey Mission: it is the home of the first pepper tree planted in California. </span>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07559090688958358496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115970858514814669.post-9811962405500009282011-11-27T20:11:00.000-08:002011-11-27T20:11:31.082-08:00Wrist Ring<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Talking about something totally random.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hubster: You could make it a wrist ring*.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Me: You mean bracelet?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Both: (laughs for a good minute)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*He's so flipping cute like that. </span></span>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07559090688958358496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115970858514814669.post-69892546982166417762011-11-25T18:32:00.000-08:002011-11-25T18:32:35.090-08:00He Makes Me Laugh<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-9428" height="275" src="http://www.snippetandink.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/15.jpg" title="" width="400" /></div><br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="body">Sexiness wears thin after a while and beauty fades, but to be married to a man who makes you laugh every day, ah, now that's a real treat.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="body"> - Joanne Woodward</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="body">*She knows what she's talking about. Yes, hubster. I love how you make me laugh. </span></span> </div>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07559090688958358496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115970858514814669.post-18279083267758139862011-11-25T17:42:00.000-08:002011-11-25T17:42:36.821-08:00That's a Hyperbole, Mrs. Trac<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hamadahideaki/6203380223/in/contacts/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="326" src="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsg9260xAW1qgxwpjo1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{<a href="http://novemberschopin.tumblr.com/post/10941304026/livin-on-the-edge-by-hideaki-hamada">Source</a>}</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Currently, one of my kiddos is in China because his family is adopting an adorable little girl. Instead of having a journal, he wanted to blog. That's how the kiddos roll in the 21st century. I've listed one of his posts below. It's so amazing that he's keeping his class updated in real time. Check out why he has an asterisk. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Today we got Cailyn! We got her at thee Adoption Registry Center of Guangdong Province. At first she was crying her eyes out*, but she is still getting used to us. She likes to play with toys, and likes to stick her tongue out. I can't believe I have a new baby sister! </i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>*thats a hyperbole. </i></div>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07559090688958358496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115970858514814669.post-87933676497573044242011-11-24T08:17:00.000-08:002011-11-24T08:17:00.415-08:00So Thankful<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="http://img1.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.194699577.jpg" height="266" src="http://img1.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.194699577.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62281272/be-thankful-cuff-hand-stamped-bracelet?ref=sr_gallery_22&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=thankful&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade">source</a>}</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So thankful for </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">my job</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">my drive </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">my heart</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">my kitties </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">my health </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">my books </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">my friends</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">my kiddos </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">my hubster</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">my passion</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">my mom and dad</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">my morning cup of coffee </span>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07559090688958358496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115970858514814669.post-44076750258930459762011-11-23T09:38:00.000-08:002011-11-23T09:38:00.663-08:00Authentically Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="http://img1.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.247803089.jpg" height="400" src="http://img1.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.247803089.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="390" /></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/75037416/wish-8-x-8-polaroid-photograph?ref=sr_gallery_3&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=mirror+polaroid&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_ship_to=US&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade">source</a>}</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Dear Universe, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank you for teaching me the beauty of being me. We must both admit that it wasn't pretty getting here. As you well know, I'm a rather stubborn perfectionist. Of course, I had a well-developed concept of who I wanted to be and how I wanted others to see me. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Along the way, I learned that being vulnerable in front of others takes incredible strength. Weakness is not synonymous with vulnerability. What was I thinking before? When I lay my heart out there for all to see, I have been graced with so many blessings. My hubster may laugh up a storm in the most charming way. My kiddos tend to echo, "Me too!" The random conversations with my co-workers flow with more ease. My friendships are strengthened by our shared quirks. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Who am I? What is in my heart? I am person who undoubtedly sees beauty in everything. I stop and stare at trees and clouds. I have to carry a camera around with me because the compulsion to save this beauty overwhelms me throughout the day. My heart feels emotions to such depth and intensity that I have to often remind myself that they are <i>just</i> emotions. I find comfort in words, songs and delicious food. They are the trinity that keeps me balanced and feeling well. I'm learning to love exercise, but it's a slow process. I must remember to be patient with myself. I must also remember to be kind to myself. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">*</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">One of my dearest friends has been blogging up a storm lately. She's in the middle of her <a href="http://quarterlifecomeback.tumblr.com/">quarter-life comeback</a>. One of the topics that she's been writing about is authenticity, which has inspired this post. </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07559090688958358496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115970858514814669.post-79892547364592815462011-11-22T10:02:00.000-08:002011-11-22T10:02:00.273-08:00Throwback Tuesday: Breathe - Michelle Branch<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/EQQZSL_tVsE" width="420"></iframe>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07559090688958358496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115970858514814669.post-9587968612391459182011-11-21T20:23:00.000-08:002011-11-21T20:23:04.018-08:00Yes, Picasso!<div class="title" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://modernhepburn.tumblr.com/post/13076851457/each-second-we-live-is-a-new-and-unique-moment-of">"Each second we live is a new and unique moment of the universe, a moment that will never be again. And what do we teach our children? We teach them that two and two make four, and that Paris is the capital of France. When will we also teach them what they are? We should say to each of them: Do you know what you are? You are a marvel. You are unique. In all the years that have passed, there has never been another child like you. Your legs, your arms, the way you move. You may become a Shakespeare, a Michelangelo, a Beethoven. You have the capacity for anything. Yes, you are a marvel. And when you grow up, can you then harm another who is, like you, a marvel? You must work, we must all work, to make the world worthy of its children."</a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><div align="right" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">—Pablo Picasso </div><div align="right" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">{<a href="http://modernhepburn.tumblr.com/post/13076851457/each-second-we-live-is-a-new-and-unique-moment-of">Source</a>}</span></div>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07559090688958358496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115970858514814669.post-3456464211635552912011-11-17T09:23:00.000-08:002011-11-17T09:23:00.400-08:00"A Weed By Any Other Name is Still a Weed."<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/310751097/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Pinned Image" height="400" id="pinCloseupImage" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/310751097_ziwdvVH9_c.jpg" width="269" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">{<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/310751097/">Source</a>}</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="ImgLink" id="PinImage"> </div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My hubster and I had a very cozy weekend with movies, blankets and soup. One of the movies that we watched was <a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/gnomeo-and-juliet/"><i>Gnomeo and Juliet</i></a>. It was absolutely adorable! I was bit concerned how they would translate the original story line for the kiddos. I thought they did a great job. It kept true to the original story as much as possible with allowing for a happy ending for the wee ones. Overall, I enjoyed how Juliet is such a strong female lead. It's been really refreshing to see animated female characters who are sassy and strong. </span>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07559090688958358496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115970858514814669.post-29572637152594297842011-11-16T09:18:00.000-08:002011-11-16T09:18:00.436-08:00Oh, Autumn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="http://img3.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.270062799.jpg" src="http://img3.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.270062799.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/81531230/50-off-sale-autumn-fall-leaves-autumn?ref=sr_gallery_8&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=fall+leaves&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade">Source</a>}</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." - Albert Camus </span></div>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07559090688958358496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115970858514814669.post-67538366903940097322011-11-15T08:27:00.000-08:002011-11-15T08:27:00.914-08:00Throwback Tuesday: Lovesong - Adele<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="274" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DyM5jb2ZABs" width="480"></iframe>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07559090688958358496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115970858514814669.post-57165153511903536992011-11-14T09:19:00.000-08:002011-11-14T09:19:00.798-08:00Dear Not-Yet-Made Soybeanito Letter #5<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Dear Soybeanito, </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A few days ago, I wrote to your sister. Your dad lovingly reminded me that I need to write to you, too. Please don't think that I haven't written to you because I haven't thought about you. I think about you constantly. Whenever a rambunctious boy in my class gives me a sly smile, I think of you. Whenever a sweet boy quietly helps me put the books away without me asking for help, I think of you. See, I think of you all day every day! I suppose I haven't written to you, because I assumed that you will be like your dad and not want to read anything so sappy. My assumption may be terribly wrong once we meet you.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In my mind, you have your dad's loving eyes, his quirky humor and his strength to tell-it-like-it is. From me, I hope to give you my love of spicy food, empathy for others and ability to quickly read others and any situation.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> For you, I will go outside in the blistering heat to watch you throw around a ball. For you, I will make the trek up to the mountains to watch you roll around in the snow. For you, I will not care how many grass stains or mud stains end up on your clothes, creating an endless pile of laundry to take care of. As you can see, we will infinitely love you. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">How can I begin to tell you my wishes for you? I have so many. My most important wish for you is that your heart will know true love. I hope that you will not have your broken too many times. When it comes the day that there is a girl who breaks your heart, please know that there is a reason why you were not meant to be. It may be something you did. It may be something she did. Whatever the reason is, it is beyond your understanding. Don't waste your time analyzing her or your relationship. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Rebuild yourself. Make yourself stronger. Why? What's the point when you feel like you've been shattered into a million pieces? Because when you do find unconditional love, you will want to be the best person you can be for that person. You will feel so unworthy of that person's love if you don't love yourself. Please know, you are worthy of that person's love. How do I know? Because you have shown us that we're worthy of your love, we never thought we would be worthy of your sweet unconditional love. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07559090688958358496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115970858514814669.post-20072220173114249252011-11-11T12:27:00.000-08:002011-11-11T12:27:10.952-08:00Doomed<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Saw my hubster being ridiculously adorable with our friend's granddaughter last night. He's doomed. I'm going to have to be the meanie. Boo!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07559090688958358496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115970858514814669.post-88657132570179595982011-11-11T12:17:00.000-08:002011-11-11T12:17:07.358-08:00Catch Up: Spirit of Dana Point<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUfagEvZyx5ttt2VcNiZ3Y9n2x8kMAgnDRp7z3eX2QpkqhToklM7949K6qTrzYS8ba-i3oAAJibQeXdGQtZgPUDBoU1ZgVKvm-wo4izU_RAyT7xQ11aqB11l-Kp7t9cSHXqcOncejSJY/s1600/292+Bea365+2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUfagEvZyx5ttt2VcNiZ3Y9n2x8kMAgnDRp7z3eX2QpkqhToklM7949K6qTrzYS8ba-i3oAAJibQeXdGQtZgPUDBoU1ZgVKvm-wo4izU_RAyT7xQ11aqB11l-Kp7t9cSHXqcOncejSJY/s800/292+Bea365+2011.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've been putting off this post for almost an entire month. How silly, right? I just couldn't find the right words to describe the experience. I just thought that any words would sound trivial when compared to my memories. Well, here I go...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On October 17th, I took my kiddos on our first field trip of the year. It was an overnight field trip on a replica of a 1800s schooner that was docked in our local harbor. Imagine 25 fourth graders, 7 chaperones and 1 rookie teacher all together on<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chadofax/3525645913/"> this kind of boat</a> but smaller. I wasn't nervous or stressed about the trip until I loaded my kiddos on the bus. Then, it hit me. All the planning, organizing and cramming has brought us to this moment. My kiddos were going to be treated like 19th century sailors and they were going to have to take care of one another. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The most glorious thing happened. The field trip was flawless! The crew was amazing with the kiddos. Tough love all the way. My kiddos communicated and cooperated with each other. The pride beaming from their faces as they worked together to hoist each other in a boatswains chair and rowing a long boat to gather hides was priceless. I was overwhelmed with joy for them. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Why am I now recanting this episode? I was just reading their writing assessments, which had a prompt about the Tall Ship. They wrote with expression and included so many details. For their closing sentence, many students wrote, "I'll never forget the Tall Ship experience!" I feel so honored to be part of their memories. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">P.S.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sorry for recycling images. I try not to do it too often. I just totally loved that picture. Isn't our scenery gorgeous? Aren't my kiddos ridiculously cute? </span> </span>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07559090688958358496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115970858514814669.post-22243945900815789132011-11-10T20:14:00.000-08:002011-11-10T20:14:11.797-08:00Who Else Wanted to be a Teacher?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflk_gsCKyNrQgVkYETHfgibisMOj5KV7hzSopeYezBh1Ha7nzqNpfucY7s7V7o0x9fJv2yrU4Kih13d3VupZ4L1uKjT2B2s8nNNRiUQEGkw9I75iU-_bpG1Rmp2qFtkt-fZadWJMPATc/s1600/327122_301019799917166_100000274463639_1205690_902474882_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflk_gsCKyNrQgVkYETHfgibisMOj5KV7hzSopeYezBh1Ha7nzqNpfucY7s7V7o0x9fJv2yrU4Kih13d3VupZ4L1uKjT2B2s8nNNRiUQEGkw9I75iU-_bpG1Rmp2qFtkt-fZadWJMPATc/s800/327122_301019799917166_100000274463639_1205690_902474882_o.jpg" width="330" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hillary Rodham Clinton also wanted to be in a teacher when she was in 6th grade. My friend Mark took this photo for me. I <span style="color: #e06666;">heart</span> when my friends send me photos of teacher things. </span>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07559090688958358496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115970858514814669.post-78435838034929983482011-11-10T08:36:00.000-08:002011-11-10T08:36:00.229-08:00Dear Not-Yet-Made Soybeanito Letter #4<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Dear Soybeanito,</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Your dad has had a twinkle in his eye for you. It was particularly sparkly when we would see a little girl out and about.</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> In my mind, you are glorious, a force to be reckon with. You'll be spunky and adorable. You will have your dad's intelligence, strength and confidence. From me, you will have my creativity, thoughtfulness and sharp tongue. Your humor will be offbeat and a bit sarcastic. For all these reasons, we love you to the moon and back many times over.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Then, the day will come when you are no longer our little girl, and you'll become a young woman. You will have left her childish things in a box in her closet. We will be wondering about that boy who comes over, if he is really<i> just </i>a friend. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At some point, your sharp tongue will be pointed at us. My heart sighs when I think of the day that you turn around and say you don't need us anymore. It won't be playful like when you were a wee one. Instead, there will be so much conviction in your voice that we know that you mean business. I can't bear to watch your dad's heart breaks as your eyes barrel those words deep into your heart. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My hope is that you will be strong and empathetic. In your moments of frustration and growth, you will be mindful of what you say. I hope your love for others will weigh as much as your love for yourself. We will be here by your side through the awkward growing pains and as you pull away from us. I know you will move mountains and change the world in your own way. As you change and grow, please don't forget who loved you before you even existed. </span>Beahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07559090688958358496noreply@blogger.com1