Pictures This Week

DAY 36 – DAY 42
During this busy week, I was determined not to forget to take pictures of everything happening around me. With that being said, some days have more then one picture. Hope you enjoy!!

Day 36: Saturday 2/5
Our varsity boy’s basketball team matched up against the Mohawk Indians. These are both strong teams; working hard for a state playoff spot. Even though this game did not change anything we still wanted to win:-) and we did!!!


Day 37: Sunday 2/6
At church this morning, the McGrath family had a dedication for their newly adopted daughter Audra. It has been a long time in the making and we are sssooooooo excited for their family and Audra.


Day 38: Monday 2/7
Every Monday right after school, Jera has piano lessons with Mrs. McKinley. Jera enjoys playing the piano and we are looking forward to her recital in April.


Day 39: Tuesday 2/8
Today I got a new student in 6th grade, making 15 students in my class now. This is a picture of his deck with all the books he will be using. I believe it looks pretty overwhelming, but he jumped right in and is doing great.
(I do not have a picture of him, because I did not want to scare him his first day with my crazy picture taking.)


Day 40: Wednesday 2/9
Picture 1
Jera came home today VERY excited to show me her “Plant Book.” Her class has been working some time on making these little plant books, filled with lots of information. She received 100% on her book, and was eager to tell us about it.


Picture 2
After school today, I had the privilege of going fabric shopping with my SIL Sarah. She is an amazing seamstress and crazily making totes, necklaces, push pins, purses and more right now. I asked if she could make me a laptop bag, because I was having trouble finding one long enough. While looking for that fabric, it was overwhelming with all the different options. But we did make it out after a couple hours and here is all the fabric purchased for different projects. Sarah was also VERY excited to get a new addition for her sewing “THE SERGER.”


Day 41: Thursday 2/10
Picture 1
Today the 5th and 6th grade classes went on a field trip to OMSI. We explored a couple of exhibits, ate lunch, watched the IMAX movie Hubble, shopped and then came home. I believe the trip was a HUGE success and the students enjoyed themselves. I know that I did!!


Picture 2
At the basketball game tonight, we had surprise visitors. Lisa and Alex had come up to Salem for the week and were able to come to one of the basketball games. Jera was excited to see them.


Day 42: Friday 2/11
Picture 1
Okay, yes I know this is a picture of a toilet. Last night and most of the early morning I had a little stomach bug. Enough said:-(


Picture 2
Bowling


Picture 3
My new amazing laptop top bag by sarie june!!!


Picture 4
This picture has a long story, but I will do my best to keep it short. I will start by saying that one of my favorite books is The Shack by Paul Young. Last night at the boy’s basketball game, I had the privilege of meeting Paul Young. This is how it went. I am sitting at the scores table; setting up the boy’s book, a man walks over to do the book for Damascus Christian. I went to introduce myself, which is normal, here is the conversation.
Laura: Hi my name is Laura
Paul: Hi Laura, my name is Paul Young, we are excited for this game tonight.
Laura: Paul Young, are you the author of The Shack.
Paul: Yes that is me.
Laura: WOW, I am so excited to meet you, I LOVE your book. (with a huge cheesy smile on my face)
Paul: Thank you
After that point, I was a little embarrassed about how excited I was to meet him, which I could not ask for his picture or autograph. He had a son on the other team he was very excited to watch.


Picture 5
This is after our boys had an amazing win against Damascus Christian.

It's Not Your Grandma's Cookbook

TURKEY BBQ MEATBALLS servings: 6-8

This is a recipe from Jay’s family!

Ingredients:
MEATBALLS
2 lbs. ground turkey (We started using turkey because it is healthier, but you can use ground hamburger also.)
1 c. milk
2 c. oats
½ t. pepper
2 t. chili powder
½ t. garlic powder
2-3 t. salt
2 eggs
½ c. chopped onion
SAUCE
2 c. catsup
1 ½ c. brown sugar
1 t. liquid smoke
½ t. garlic powder
½ c. chopped onion
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients for meatball together, and then form into 12 balls. Place them in a 9 x 13 pan. Mix all the ingredients for the sauce together; pour sauce over top of the meatballs. Bake for 1 hour.

JERA

My daughter, Jera has quite the personality and can be pretty funny. Here are just a couple stories from this last weekend to share with you.

The Fungi
Jera: Mom, Dad what is fungi?
Laura: It’s fungus, kind of like mold, the green stuff that grows on bread.
Jera: Oh
Jay: No Jera, it’s the you know, the “fun” “guy”, the guy at the party that is always having fun.
Laura: Really Jay?
Jera: Dad you’re a fungi (“fun” “guy”)!!

At Aunt Sarah & Uncle Doug’s House
Jera: Mom, do I have to do my sit-ups tonight?
Aunt Sarah: What did she say?
Laura: We make her do sit-ups every night before bed.
Sarah: Jera you can come to Auntie Sarah’s house and have a bowl of ice cream every night before bed.
Lots of Laughs, then we get home.
Jera: Mom, can I have a bowl of ice cream.
Laura: No, it’s past your bed time, maybe tomorrow.
Jera: Mom, wouldn’t you be really sad it I left.
Laura: Yes, why would you be leaving?
Jera: Well, I might have to move to Aunt Sarah’s house, so I can have ice cream every night.

RANDOM INFORMATION

Jay and I sat down and answered some random questions about ourselves. Here you are to enjoy getting to know us...

If you could be in a rock band what instrument would you play?
Laura: the drums
Jay: the bass

If you could be any animal, what animal would you be?
Laura: tiger
Jay: grizzly bear

If you could be the opposite sex for one day, would you?
Laura: yes
Jay: yes

What is more difficult for you; looking into someone’s eyes when you are telling someone how you feel, or looking into someone’s eyes when they are telling you how they feel?
Laura: both :-)
Jay: it doesn’t bother me either way

Think of the last time you were REALLY angry.
Laura: at the last basketball game, the official was breaking the rules
Jay: during one football practice this last fall

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Laura: Africa safari
Jay: Australia or Paris with my wife

Think of the last person who you really knew that died. You have the chance to give them 1 hour of life back, but you have to give one year of your life. Do you?
Laura: this is too hard to answer for me
Jay: no, because their just going to die in another hour, who wants to die twice in one day.

Are you the kind of friend that you would want to have as a friend?
Laura: no, I am not the best people person
Jay: Yes, I love myself. I am a blast!!!

Is there something you've dreamed of doing for a long time?
Laura: hmmm, I have a lot of dreams
Jay: take a really long, extravagant vacation

If you had one day in your life to live over, which would you choose and why?
Laura: the birth of my daughter
Jay: the day I asked Laura to marry me

What do you think is the single best decision you've made in your life so far?
Laura: becoming a Christian
Jay: marring my wife

Name one thing you could do to improve any important relationship in your life.
Laura: honest communication, my husband and I have learned to be brutally honest with each other during the last couple months and it is amazing what it does for your relationship. Now I just need to be that way with other people in my family.
Jay: this is Laura answering, LISTENING!!! I have asked him this questions four times now and he keeps saying, what was the questions?

What scares you the most and why?
Laura: creepy bugs
Jay: my child dying, because no child should ever die before their parent

Do you like rainy days or snowy winter days more?
Laura: snowy winter days
Jay: snowy winter days

Which is your favorite part of the human face and why?
Laura: lips, because they have so many uses
Jay: eye, because they tell you everything

Have you ever gone cow-tipping?
Laura: no, I lived on a cattle farm; you cannot “cow-tip”
Jay: no, am I supposed to tip the cow for the steak it gave me?

What's your worst pet peeve?
Laura: obnoxious noises; like snoring, eating, ticking clocks, passing gas, etc.
Jay: bad breath

Do you dance crazy when no one is looking?
Laura: yes, I love to dance and do it all the time
Jay: no, but I have been told I am going to

Do you like to sing in the shower?
Laura: no
Jay: no, but I like to pee in the shower

What is the funniest name you’ve ever heard?
Laura: twins, named Eileen and Ben Dover for REAL people
Jay: He is making me type this one: Anita Peter

What is your most embarrassing moment?
Laura: one I can think of is when I got hurt during a softball game and cried like a baby and had to have help off the field, and people this was last year
Jay: when Pastor Garylee was using “Mr. Bones” in his sermon and I thought it was a real person standing up there

How much sleep do you require a night?
Laura: 5 to 6 hours
Jay: too much 10-12 hours


What's the first thing you thought about this morning?
Laura: I need to seriously start getting up on time and stop sleeping in.
Jay: the dreams I have during the night

What's the last thing you thought about before you went to sleep last night?
Laura: how much I love my husband
Jay: I can’t remember, I fell asleep

What do you have handy at your bedside?
Laura: books, ear plugs
Jay: MP3 Player, alarm clock

What are your nicknames?
Laura: LC
Jay: Jay, Dub, J Dub, Wartburg, lighting

Do you still have your tonsils?
Laura: no
Jay: yes

Pictures This Week & Some :-)

Well, I have to tell you that I am WAY behind on my posting. Here are my pictures from the last two weeks to get myself updated.

Day 23 - Day 29

Day 23 - Jera's Art Supplies!!
Jera loves to do art; painting, drawing and coloring. She decided it was time to clean out her supplies and organize them (Oh how I love my daughter for organizing :-)


Day 24 - Yearbook Deadline!!
Today was my first yearbook deadline. I will admit, it was REALLY hard to hit the submit button. People keep yearbooks forever, show them to their kids and then to their grandkids. It was VERY important for me to have every page perfect, but I can not tell you if very page was perfect. Because my husband told me stop obsessing about it and just hit the submit button. I guess we will see in June when they arrive.


Day 27 - Day 29 BEACH TRIP!!!
I spent 4 night at the beach with four of the most amazing ladies (Tricia, Sarah, Jodi and Kelly). My next few pictures are just a tiny glimpse of our scrapbook beach get away. There was scrapbooking, shopping, amazing food, fellowship, prayers, crafts, exercise, talking, personality test and a lot of laughing.
OUR HOUSE

GIFTS AND FOOD


SATURDAY


Day 30 - Day 36

Day 30-31
My beach trip continued for the next two days :-)
CRAFTS

THE GIRLS

Sarah and I had a basketball game to go to during our trip. Really I can not explain this picture, but it is pretty funny if you were there.


Day 32
Jera received her 2nd quarter report card today. She was very proud of it and I was also very proud of her!!!



Day 33
Today, being the beginning of the new semester, I have new students in my publications class and a couple have left. I am excited for this group, adding a few students makes the workload easier on everyone.


Day 34 - My 6th Grade January Student of the Month: Taris Krutsch


Day 35 - CCS Homecoming 2011

It's Not Your Grandma's Cookbook

BAKED SPAGHETTI servings: 8

This is a yummy spaghetti casserole!

Ingredients:
16 oz. package spaghetti noodles
1 lb. ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
26 oz. jar meatless spaghetti sauce
½ t. seasoned salt
2 eggs
1/3 c. grated Parmesan cheese
5 T. butter, malted
2 c. small curd cottage cheese
4 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
Directions:
Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the spaghetti sauce and season with salt; set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, Parmesan cheese and butter. Drain spaghetti; add to egg mixture and toss to coat.
Place half of the spaghetti mixture in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish. Top with half of the cottage cheese, meat sauce and mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers. Cover and bake at 350 degrees F for 40 minutes. Uncover; bake 20-25 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.