No more school for me!

At Disneyland with my love
last Monday, 9/24/12,
NOT starting school with
everyone else :)

Today marked the start of week #2 of fall quarter at SPU and I'm not there! Well, I'm still sort of there because I'm working across the street, but I'm not actually there. I've driven through campus on my way to and from work and thought about how grateful I am to be done with school, but also how thankful I am for all the experiences I had at Seattle Pacific. Tonight I was thinking about all the students who will be eating dinner in Gwinn and all the nights I would walk over with all the girls on my floor for dinner. When I drive by in the mornings I think about all the times I rolled out of bed and barely made it to my 8am class on time. I look at all the sleepy students wandering around and wonder what classes they're going to and if they have any of my favorite professors. College was a wonderful experience and it's certainly bittersweet thinking back on it (even though it was only just a few months ago!). The "sweet" part is that I have no homework! No papers to write, no late nights trying to get through endless chapters of reading, no more sitting through gen. ed. mandatory classes. The "bitter" part is a bit harder to deal with...I miss my roomies so much and the wonderful memories we have made. I miss running into people I know and care about. I miss chatting with professors after class. I actually miss having a crazy schedule and filling in my calendar with different things every week. Change is always hard, but I am blessed to have had such a wonderful college chapter in my life!

Last Wednesday night we had our first "Dinner Church" of the year and it was so fun to be back in the routine! We had a full house of kids and it was great to see them all so excited for the new things they would be learning. After playing in the gym we sat in a big circle and I had everyone say their name, grade, and favorite subject in school. When it was my turn I said that I was graduated from college which means I'm all done with school and one kid said, "Whoa! That means you're a grown up!" I laughed and said that I was kind of a grown up, sort of an in-between/almost grown up type person :) A 2nd grade girl gasped and said, "You're a grown up! Do you have a boyfriend?!" I chuckled and tried not to turn too red when I replied "Well, yes....." All the kids started giggling and the girls were rapid-fire asking me questions: What's his name? Is he cute? Where is he? How did you meet him?.....After regaining everyone's attention I told them that we weren't talking about that right now and that it was time to line up for class! haha Oh how I love the kids I work with. The lesson series we're doing this fall has to do with friendship and I'm excited for all the things that we'll be learning on Wednesday nights. Not to mention the fact that we just started practicing for the Christmas musical on Sunday!! I love kids Christmas music! Probably a bit more than I should.... :)

Happy Halloween!

It's almost October and that means....Halloween decorations! I love all things festive, especially in the fall :) I'm looking forward to drinking more pumpkin spice lattes, dressing up for the Halloween parade at the daycare, and going to the pumpkin patch in a few weeks!

 

Pumpkin pancakes for breakfast this morning!
With warm spiced cider in my Amsterdam Starbucks mug too :)

Puppy or Walrus?

Last night I was babysitting and before bedtime we were reading a book about a pigeon who wants a puppy. The whole book is this pigeon going on and on about why he wants a puppy. Then he finally meets a puppy and is terrified so he changes his mind and decides he wants a walrus instead. The 5 year old boy I was babysitting says, "What that pigeon doesn't know is that a walrus would be way worse than a puppy! Imagine the poop that a walrus would have!!" His 3 year old brother just nodded and agreed with a very serious face. Then we went on to discuss walrus teeth and how big they are and what they are used for and where you would keep a walrus in the house....the minds' of children (especially little boys) never cease to amaze me.

I love my job.

Thursday afternoon I was at work, in the gym with the two year olds, when a little boy (I'll call him "J") came running up to me with his shopping cart. He handed me some "milk" and told me I should drink it because it's good for me. I said okay, but milk makes my tummy hurt. He looked at me like that couldn't be possible and said, "Just drink it through a straw, then it won't make your tummy hurt. It's good for you. Drink it!" And then he ran off. Okay, thanks J :)

Then when I was leaving for the day he gave me a big hug. J was close to my face and said, "What are those spots you got on your face?" I told him they were freckles and he quickly responded by telling me that he didn't like freckles. I laughed and he said, "J has freckles??" and I said, "No, just Emily has freckles. Maybe you'll have them when you are older." He said, "Yeah, when I get big I'll have freckles. But I still won't like them."

J's mom emailed me earlier in the day and thanked me for caring for her boys the way that I do. She told me that she's watched me grow into such a leader the past few years since I started working at NQACC and that her and her husband were thrilled to find out I'd be spending more time in her son's classroom this year. She definitely did not have to send me this email or tell me these thoughts, but I so appreciated hearing her words of kindness. Knowing that parents appreciate the work that we do with their children makes it all worth it. The hugs and love we get from the kids is enough to keep me going for awhile, but that reassurance from their parents and other adults really tells me that I'm doing something right. I know that this is where I'm supposed to be at this stage of my life. Thank you Jesus for giving me this opportunity to be with these children every week.

Things kids say

Elimy....Emnily...Emmaaayeee...Enemy...Emily? Who know my name was so difficult to say?! Well, when you are only 18 months and still trying to figure the world out Emily is one of the toughest names ever! The sweet kids that I work with are always saying the best things and I often find myself retelling stories to anyone that will listen. Sorry if you get bored with kid stories, I just can't help it!

This morning while I was serving up breakfast for the 20 month- 2 year old class, one of the little boys turned to me and said, "I'm so glad to be here today, Emily!" I smiled and said, "I'm glad you're here too!" All through breakfast he kept saying, "I love it here! I love it here!" Anyone who knows kids knows that they certainly speak their mind, and clearly this little boy is just loving life.

About a week ago another little boy, almost 3 years old, was leaving for the day. He got some crackers from our office manager (as the kids do at the end of the day). He thanked her and then ran around the corner to his dad and yelled, "I looked her in the eye!!" Clearly something that they have been working on, but so cute to hear him so proud of himself for this accomplishment!

Last one for now....One of my favorite little guys always wants me to play with him when we're on the playground and says, "Come on, Emily, come on!" A few weeks ago he grabbed my hand and I asked where we were going. He said that we were going to the picnic store, so I asked what we were going to get there. He said we were getting hot dogs and watermelon cookies and then going on a picnic. What does a watermelon cookie taste like you ask? Something similar to wood chips....

Two years old is one of my favorite ages. Not everyone loves it, but the things that the say and the sweet things that they do certainly keep me coming back for more. The hugs and kisses I get and the way they say my name and ask for things always makes me smile. Today a little guy kept coming up to me saying "I need a hug." I'd say okay and bend down to give him a hug. As he walked away he would say, "I'm okay now!" (He also kept reminding himself that mommy and daddy always come back- too cute).

Yes, little ones may need lots of reminders, but they are also capable of giving lots of love!

Blessed by Seattle.

Driving around Seattle lately I have taken more time to look at my surroundings and recognize that I live in a beautiful place. The water, the city, the trees- it all works together in a way that just makes me happy. I'm going on my fifth year in Seattle and I'm really starting to appreciate it for what it really is. The first few years I was trapped on campus, but now I'm actually exploring a bit more and I love finding new beautiful places, tasty restaurants, and fun things to do. I know Seattle may not be my home forever, but right now it truly is a wonderful place to call home.

Today was overcast and the weather is really starting to feel like fall! I've realized that I look forward to every season for different reasons. When summer is almost here I'm excited for flip flops and sunshine. When winter has come I'm excited to bundle up and watch Christmas movies (and sometimes even snow!) Every season has different ups and different downs, but each one is a blessing in my life as I focus on all the things I like with the change. After a few months I'm ready for new things, new clothes, new food (new drinks at Starbucks...hehe). Summer is coming to a close and I'm so excited for fall and all the wonderful things that come with it.

The Last Few Months...

My computer is working again!! I have the best boyfriend in the whole world. He took my laptop apart and fixed it with his magic technology fixing skills. I am now backing up my files (after a slight panic that I would lose everything in my computer) and enjoying being able to do all the things that a smart phone and iPad cannot do. The last few months have flown by with a whirlwind of activities, everything from graduating and weddings to beach trips and working full time. Here is a glimpse at life lately for me...

Ivy Cutting with President Eaton, followed the next day with graduation at  Key Arena - 6/8/12

4 years and 2 degrees later, I am officially an SPU alum!

I spent my summer Fridays at FFMC helping out with "Mom & Me" story times. So fun to spend time with these little ones and their moms!

Wedding #1 Hannah & Nate's lovely wedding in Sandpoint, Idaho - 7/14/12

Luke and I had the opportunity to go to the Mariner's game and sit in the owner's booth with Mr. & Mrs. Davis! Mr. Davis threw out the first pitch to celebrate the Mariner's 35th anniversary.

No summer would be complete without a trip to the beach with these lovely ladies. So glad we were able to do this while I was home!

Wedding #2 this summer :) Esther's beautiful wedding in San Diego - 8/18/12

Love this girl!

Janelle and I got to practice our cake cutting and catching skills. We're going to see how many weddings we can cut the cake for :) I love that I get to have this girl as my roommate once again!

Last but not least, I came back from a vacation at home to a week of VBS- my first at FFMC. Such a fun week! Here are some of the highlights...

All in all, life is grand. I'm excited for this next season of life. Post-college with a great roomie, a wonderful man in my life, and not just one but two jobs I thoroughly enjoy. The best part is that it's all happening during my favorite time of year. Bring on the scarves, boots, and pumpkin spice lattes!