The K-House Banquet

We are closer to the end of my first year at Cornerstone. Tonight my roommate and I attended the K-House Banquet. It was a fun way to draw the year to an end. Ami and I had lots of fun dressing up to look like princess. This first picture is of Ami my roommate in her dress that she bought just to go to this and then is returning it. Isn't she the bomb-diggity:)


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This is my roomate and I.

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Even though our sweetmate did not go she is the best sweetmate ever so we wanted our picture with her.





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This is me. I am wear the dress that I was suppose to wear in a friends wedding that never happened.

Monday Nights Since January

Every Monday night from 4:00 to 9:00 I drove a 16 passenger van. I went down into the "hood" and picked up kids to bring them out to Cornerstone to meet with their LJ group. Some nights were better then others, but I will still miss spending my Monday nights with 60 cool kids. This Monday was our last night and here are some pictures of the kids' last night on campus.

This is all 60 (give or take a few) plus the LJ leaders.

Big Bob painting the "stone".

Look at the monkeys I work with :)

Imagine that you can travel through time into the future!

It is 2026, twenty years from today. My, how you’ve grown! Take a few minutes to imagine and answer some questions about “your future you."

1. How old are you in 2026? 42 in June
2. What year did you graduate from high school? 2003
3. Where do you live? In the country outside of Grand Rapids
4. Describe your work. Where do you work and what do you do during the day? Why did you choose this profession? I wake up Mon. thru Fri. at 6:00 am. Leave my house at 7:15 with my 2 biological children and my 2 adopted children. Arrive to my classroom at 7:40 after dropping of the children at school and day care. The children arrive at 8:00 and I begin to mold the minds of my first graders. At 3:00 I leave the classroom with all my homework and pick up all my kids. Then at home I go into mom and wife mode and cook dinner, do my children’s homework with them, get them ready for tomorrow and then for bed. Now it is time to work on my homework and socialize with my wonderful husband. Yes I did choose this job, it is elementary teacher.
5. What’s your favorite part of your job, and why? The favorite part of my job is the idea that from 8:00am to 3:00 pm I can provide a safe, fun, and educational environment for children.
6. What are 2 important or interesting things you do outside of work? I raise my 4 children, scrapbook and make cards, and do home interior (when I have time). I including my family volunteer at UFM.
7. Describe your family: I am married to a wonderful man who is a Christian lawyer. We have 2 biological children and 2 adopted children who are joys themselves.
8. If you’re a parent, what are you most proud of as a parent, and why? I am most proud of all my children’s accomplishment and their faith in God.
9. What is something you really like to do with your family, and why? Go camping because it is a place that we can remember that life is relaxing, fun and we can see God’s creation.
10. Is there anything else important that you’d like us to know about your "future you"? I love my God, my family, and my job.

Who is responsible...

Lately in the news the Government has been questioning the education of the Educators based on students performance on test. I strongly disgree with the Government putting the blame on the Educators. As a future educator I want to say, "it is not techers that raise children, parents do!!!!"

The government needs to realize that there is more to student learning then just what they are taught in the classroom. Students learn by living and students live mostly at home, therefore, implying that students learn more at home then they will ever learn in a school. The values, morals, persistence, and willness to go above and beyond is taught at home and then practiced in the schools, but if you do not have a FIRM FOUNDATION then how do you expect the teachers to build on what is not there?

Second, I think the Government is putting students on a learning pedstal that the only thing they can do is fall off that pedestal making them failures in the Governments eyes. Government has standards for the education of students, but do not realize that learning beings at home. Open your eyes and look at the homes that our students are coming from, the foundation that is not there or is very weakly built.

I am not saying that I could do there job any better, because we all know I am not perfect, but what I am saying is... that we need to implement parent education programs, focusing on how to prepare our children to be the best that they can be instead of increasing learning standards forcing our children to fail. Parents need to step up and take the blame from the teachers!

The BIG weekend has come and gone...

Not only was this weekend Easter and the celebration of our risen savior, but it was also the weekend that I sat down with my parents and talked to them about transfering to GVSU. Well the good news (I think) we are all on the same page. I need to start lining up all the ducks (so to speak) so that come next fall I do not have to be screwed. I would have to say this weekend was one of the best back home. I was able to talk with my parents about a lot of things that are going on in my life and see what they think.

I know this is sort and sweet, but I hope to post again tomorrow.

Why am I where I am???

Where you are God has placed you
What you have God has given you
What you are to do God will show you
All you need God will Provide!!!!

Do you ever have a day where you wonder why God has placed you were you are or how He will provided for you? Well I am having one of those days. I know that God is with me and will take care of me, I just do not always understand what He is thinking. Why does he choose to make life complicated for me (my eyes not God's). I guess I will have to wait and see where God is going to lead me this time. This is why I call it a rollercoaster.

24 years of bliss...

24 years ago today God fulfilled his purpose for two very special individuals. These two united their lives before God and family on this day 24 years ago. Though they have had to make changes over the years their love for each other has only growen stronger. I have had the pleasure to watch them go through the valleys of life and come out with a deeper love and appreciation for each other and God.

I thank God each day for fulfilling his purpose for my Mom and Dad so that I could see what a wonderful marriage is. To see how a friendship can develop into a lasting relationship.

So todays posting goes out to Alan and Cheri. HAPPY ANIVERSERY!!!!!!!

Love

Kali

The Big Tour

Well tomorrow is the big tour to GVSU. I am hoping to find out weather or not transfering to GVSU is a good choice or not. I would like to ask all for prays that I would make the right choice.

I am also going to my friends house so she can color my hair and highlight it. I am completely trusting her to make it look good. Nothing darstic I told her.

Well I will let you know how it all turns out later. Have a wonderful weekend.

10 Things I like to hear...

10. The birds singing in the morning

9. Kids enjoying the wonderful weather

8.The ocean waves crashing against the shore

7. Someone playing the piano (especially if the song was written for me and is being played by the man of my dreams)

6. The sound of joy in someone’s voice

5. People encouraging other people

4. My favorite songs on the radio

3. The wind blowing SOFTLY through the trees

2. Friends talking

1. Children asking intelligent questions

Thank you Noelle!

Gift Ideas

I went to my Cousin's baby shower this weekend. I saw many great ideas for gift and thought I would share them with you.

1. Handmade Baby Announcements

2. Handmade Baby thank you (My gift :)

3. Diaper bag with (diapers, wips, travel bibs, etc.)

4. Laundry basket with (laundry soap, pre-treatment, hangers, etc.)

5. Bath basket with (hooded towel with monkey face, lotion, body wash, bath cradle, etc.) (My Families gift)

6. Scrapbook or scrapbook items

7. Disney movie (Mother's favorite one while growing up)


Most of these gifts can be altered to be used for graduation gifts or wedding gifts.