Teacher Convention

On Sunday afternoon right after the morning service, a small group of teachers from our church's school headed off to Pittsburgh for a teachers' convention. It was a convention for the schools who use the A.C.E. curriculum (Accelerated Christian Education). It was a rather long drive, but thankfully we had gorgeous weather!

The convention was being held at the Double Tree Hotel, which is where we stayed overnight. It was a NICE hotel - complete with warm chocolate chip cookies when you registered into your room! :) (what more could you ask for?!)

The convention started early Monday morning.

I definitely got some valuable "tips" and lessons from the different workshops I attended throughout the day. The convention staff and speakers were SO enthusiastic about what they were talking about, you couldn't help but get a "renewed vision." As Mrs. Lytle put it, it was a "teacher's revival"!

To write down everything that I learned and gleaned from the convention would be an overwhelming task, so I'll just share a *few* highlights with you....

* As teachers, your example makes a difference - learn from your mistakes!!

* We wear our faith not like a coat where you can take it on and off, but like our skin - worn ALL the time - people are constantly watching you!

* Good leaders are gifted at giving good directions.

* Know your audience!

* A leader must agree with what they are leading in.

* Different opinions are not a threat - glean from the wisdom of everyone in the group.

* We need to encourage students to have a heart for God!

* Uniqueness is potential leadership - don't discount a child just because they are different.

* "God can't trust you with a scepter until He can trust you with a broom."

* Change is a conscious decision - am I willing to do it?

* God wants us to be passionate about what we do!!

* What is most important to you is what you are giving your time to.

* Think about how you feel when you are afraid the next time you are dealing with a child who is afraid (even if you don't understand why it is making them fearful - remember how it feels to be fearful!)

* You cannot allow your fears to control your life!

* You have to decide to overcome your fears.

* "Fear makes the wolf bigger than he is."

* Children react to your reaction!

* When children know what to expect, they won't be as fearful.

* By myself I can't, but God can.

* Choose FAITH over FEAR.

* I can't, God can, and I am going to let Him!

There was a Bob Evans right across the street from our hotel, so we had both supper and breakfast there.

For Monday's lunch, Mr. Anger treated us to Hoss' Steakhouse

So yes, it was a great time for teachers to get away to "renew our vision."

But before I close out this blog entry, I must inform you of something significant that happened to me on this trip....

I found me a man!!

Unfortunately, I don't think the relationship will last very long, because - to be truthful - he just doesn't seem too thrilled at the idea! (I had to make a choice though...it was either him or Ronald McDonald...who would YOU have chosen to be your man? :P)

Ahhhhh...yes, good times...good times :)

Birthday Pictures

This morning I came upstairs and was surprised to see yellow lilies amongst the purple flowers my Mom had bought for me the other day. There had been some flowers that hadn't bloomed yet, but we had assumed they would be the same purple flowers. What a pleasant surprise! I love yellow, purple and green together :)

Tonight my grandparents and aunt came over for supper, and my Mom made a scrumptious meal of chicken n' biscuits - a meal I have requested for my birthday these past few years because it is sooo delicious!

The birthday girl at dinner....clearing the table to get ready for cake and ice cream! This is my "Alayna-are-you-really-taking-a-picture-of-me?" look. :)

My birthday cake :) It was delicious as always and my favorite colors! Thanks Mom!

Blowing out the candles



Reading a birthday card in my traditional "dramatic" way!

Amongst many special presents, my parents gave me a new gold watch! Something I really wanted :) My other one had been through the war - literally - because I wore it every day when I worked at the day care and while teaching Kindergarten! Yep, I was ready for something new :)

Its been a great couple of days of celebration. :) Thanks to everyone who has found numerous ways to make my birthday a special one!!

24

As of 1:40 am this morning, I officially turned 24! So I have the same amount of years as there are hours in the day! Does that sound strange that I would think of that? Anywho, I am happy to be 24 for many reasons...one of which is - 23 was just not one of my favorite numbers. Many of you know why so I won't go into that again!

Its officially been a year since I started this blog. The reason I started this blog was because I got the idea to post about all my past birthdays - post a picture of my cake and a picture of me from that year. Little did I realize how much fun (and addicting!) blogging would turn out to be! So here I am a year later with a little over 200 posts and over 5,000 visitors! Anyway, some of you might not have been following my blog way back in the beginning, so I thought I would post a link to all the blog entries I did related to past birthdays and past birthday cakes. It is definitely in honor of my Mom who has decorated each of my cakes...24 to be exact (the 24th will have to be posted later because my Mom is currently working on it!)

Here's the link: My Birthdays Past

Just keep in mind that the titles of the blogs won't be accurate anymore! Just add one more year to each of them ;-)

I'll be back later to post more pictures from my birthday!

A Birthday Treat

Today I was summoned to the lunchroom where the elementary students were having recess. When I walked into the room, they broke out into an enthusiastic rendition of the "Happy Birthday!" song. Mrs. Lytle made a yummy treat to celebrate - peanut butter & jelly dessert bars (I got the one with the candle :P)

They all signed a birthday card for me. It was very sweet of them! I think I have heard "Happy Birthday, Miss Follett!" at least 100 times these past two days from various elementary students. I nearly got tackled yesterday as a whole bunch of them came running to give me a hug and wish me yet another "happy birthday". They sure know how to make a girl feel special! :)

Birthday Lunch

Today the LVBC staff had a special lunch for my birthday coming up on Saturday. I walked in the door this morning and smelled the wonderful aroma of chicken noodle soup wafting all over the building. It was the perfect day for steaming hot soup because it was cold, wet, and miserable outside!

Thanks, Jackie, for coordinating everything and thanks to everyone else for all the things you brought in to make my birthday lunch extra yummy!

To make the table extra pretty, my Mom brought in purple flowers - my favorite color! They are now decorating my desk in the CP office. Thanks, Mom!!!

Piano Stairs

Here's one way to get people to use stairs more often!

Get Lost? Never Again!

I received an early birthday present last night...

Today, I asked my sister, with car keys in hand, "Hey, Alayna, you want to go get lost?!"

It was quite fun driving along and not worrying a bit about making a wrong turn or losing my sense of direction (which happens quite easily, I must say!)

Although Miss Garmin was rather startling at first, giving me "warnings" as I came upon a road on which I was to turn, I am loving her dearly. :)

Bring on the road trips...I am ready!! (or should I say, Miss Garmin and I are ready!)

A Teacher Moment

I haven't really posted much about the school year yet. Last year I posted at least 3 blog entries a week it seemed with stories and pictures of the many Kindergarten adventures I had with my kiddos. This year has been a bit different so far. I am able to help out a little at the school each day for which I am thankful. One of my main jobs is being a recess monitor.

If you have ever monitored an elementary recess, you'll know what an adventure that can be! Sometimes you are able to just sit on the bench and "observe", but most of the time you are too busy refereering a game, listening to a tattle-tale session, comforting an injured child, breaking up fights, doing countless "under-doggies" on the swings, and checking your watch every 5 minutes wondering if time is standing still!!! Right now I am just thankful for the beautiful weather we are still having so we can be outside on the playground where the energy can be released and happy screams less noticeable!!

Today I had one of those "teacher moments" out at recess. I have learned in my short time being a teacher that elementary girls are rather emotional! Feelings get hurt rather easily, and "cat fights" break out when just a few minutes ago they were the best of friends. Usually, I am the one blessed with dealing with these types of issues.

As I was sitting on the bench observing the competitive tether ball game today, one of the girls came up to me with a very serious expression on her face. She began to tell me that one of her friends was convinced that no one liked her...in fact, she thought everyone HATED her. This little girl and another girl were trying their best to tell her that they indeed liked her, but she just wouldn't believe them! Nothing they would say could convince her that they liked her. Inwardly, I admit, I was groaning and *rolling my eyes* at such a "drama queen moment", but I knew I had to give this concerned little girl advice on how to help her friend feel loved again. I suggested to her that instead of trying to convince her that they liked her by just TELLING her, they needed to find a way to SHOW her that they liked her. How about they invite her to play a game with them or something like that? This seemed like a good plan to this little girl so she ran back to her friend who was still trying (unsuccessfully) to prove her loyalty to her unhappy friend. I just sat there and observed as these two girls went aside and got into a little "huddle" to discuss their plan of attack on how to SHOW this girl that they liked her. Next thing I knew, all three of them were running around, HUGE smiles on their faces, the best of friends again. As they were running by, the little girl - who had come to me for advice - stopped by the bench where I was sitting, and with a big smile on her face, cups her little hands around my ear, and whispers, "Thank you, Miss Follett!!"

Those simple words just melted my heart. You never know when something you say or advice that you give will brighten someone's day and put a smile on their face again! I may not be teaching reading, writing and arithmetic this school year, but I can still make a difference in these childrens' lives - whether big or small!

The Book I Never Finished

It all started in elementary school - writing stories. My one friend and I would draw pictures and write countless stories together always "comparing notes" so to speak. I remember having a conversation in the car one day that when we grew up we were going to be authors of children's stories. Our future was all set.

In fourth grade, I remember writing a play called "The Spirit of Christmas" where all my friends had parts. It was all planned out. We were going to perform in my friend's garage. We practiced our lines during recess, sitting in a circle on our snow-mound "chairs". I remember getting really frustrated because I had spent all that time writing that play, and no one was cooperating!! Needless to say, that play was never performed. :) Sadly, I must have thrown my copy of "The Spirit of Christmas" away. I would have loved to bring it out again and just laugh and laugh. :) All I can remember is that it had the "Little Women" twist, where there were four sisters who had to plan Christmas by themselves because their parents were away, and they were getting too caught up in the food preparation and the gift buying, forgetting the true meaning of Christmas.

Unfortunately, none of my stories that I wrote during my elementary years survived. :( I think the one day I opened my drawer, saw a pile of paper, and decided to get rid of it all so the drawer could close again! Little did I realize the sentimental value of those stories!

However, when I was going through my journals and notebooks in the recent past, I uncovered this one.

One of my favorite books to read in 3rd - 4th grade, was a book called "Spunky's Diary." It was a story of a cocker spaniel, but it was told from the dog's perspective. I always thought that was neat because don't you always wonder what an animal is thinking?! I must have read that book at least a dozen times.

Well, when I got this journal, I must have felt inspired to write a story inside it. Looking closely at the inside front cover, my first inspired title for a story was "Michelle and the Haunted House". Apparently, that story never got past the title because it was soon erased and replaced with the title "Princess". I was going to write a story about a golden retriever puppy. It seemed fitting seeing how that was on the front cover!

I got halfway through Chapter 3 before the "inspiration" must have left me, and I moved on to greater ambitions. I can't remember when exactly I started writing this story, but it was after we had gotten Christy, our golden retriever, so I had to be about 13 or 14 years old.

I'd like to share my story with you now, but I warn you of two things- first, even though it is going to really annoy me, I am going to leave all grammatical and spelling errors in the story to give it the "authentic, original touch" and secondly, just so you know, the story get's cut off rather abruptly at the end, right in the middle of a sentence. Why?! Who knows!! Young girls, who inspire to be writers, tend to change their minds rather quickly. :)

Princess
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Dedication -

To my Godly parents

Also to my Golden Retriever Christy to all the fun and happiness we have had together

Chapter 1
My Family

Boy! was that sun bright. I yawned as I stretched getting all the kinks out. I slowly sat up. My eyes were still shut a little bit. As I squinted I was rudely shoved by a head. I collapsed in a mound of hay. "Go to sleep!" my mother commanded. I closed my eyes, but sleep wouldn't come. I layed there daydreaming. Four days. Four whole days since I came into the world. I loved those four days. I was still weak and a little blinded but I loved life. I squinted again. Leaning against me was my older brother Spunky. He was ok I guess, but I needed more time to get to know him. On the other side of me was my one and only sister Lucky. My mom said she was the runt of the pack because she was the smallest and the weakest, but she looked ok to me. Across our cage layed mischievous, fat Rolly. To me he was always pushing us aside and stealing Mom's milk. In my short life I knew I didn't like him. Then last but not least was me! My name was Princess. I was second oldest. Rolly always sulked because he said he could tell in just four days that I was Mom's favorite. I knew that wasn't true. Mom loved us all equal I could see that. Yes I was contented with my world, and when I was older I couldn't wait to explore it.

Chapter 2
My New Home

Over the next few weeks we grew bigger and bigger. Mom says that if we grow any bigger we need a new pen. As I grew my curiousity grew too. Mom soon nicknamed me "curious cutie." I asked her one day "Who are us?"
"We are dogs" she answered.
"What kind?" I asked.
"Golden Retrievers" she answered going over to the water dish and lapping up some water.
"Why such a long name?" I wondered. Then I asked, changing the subject,
"What are those big black and white things?"
"Cows" mom answered.
"We live on a farm, she continued, Since you are getting older you are noticing more things. Like for instance those humans over there"
I looked through our cage and saw some "humans" running around.
"Who are they, and what are they doing?" I asked.
"They are coming around to feed me. It is feeding time for everyone. For the cows, chickens, horses, dogs and sheep" she answered curling up in a corner. She called to us "feeding time!" As I sucked away I thought of all I had seen that day. I couldn't wait for tomorrow to see what new things it brought.
Next morning, as Mom was giving us a bath she explained "You are getting to the age where one day some humans are going to take you away from me"
As I listened spell bound she explained that we are all going to separated from each other and how we would probally never see each other again.
By the time she was done there was tears on all of our eyes. She kissed us all gentley and said, "Why don't we all take a nap."
I woke up suddenly hearing something I felt Mom stiffen beside me.
"What's wrong?" I asked suddenly getting scared. "It is the humans," Mom explained, "they have brought more humans."
"Sooo?" I asked wondering what was so wrong.
"That usually means they are going to look for puppies for sale" she said quietly.
I got scared, and I started crying. Mommy I don't want to leave you!" I couldn't hear her response for all of a sudden our cage door flew open and human hands reached for me, and my sleeping sister Lucky. "Mommy!" I cried.
"What's happening?" sleepy Lucky sobbed.
"It is ok girls you'll".....but we didn't hear the rest. I was snuggled in two human arms. I would never admitted it, but I was comfortable. I look up at the human. She was smiling at me, talking in human language. "Oh Mom, Dad I know I want this one!"
"Just lay them on the grass," our human owner suggested.
I was gently layed on the grass. My eyes widened as I looked around. In the five weeks I had been alive I had never been out of my cage. Lucky was still trembling with fear, but I was ready for fun. I ran as fast as my wobbly legs could take me. I didn't get far before the human girl picked me up.
"Oh Ma!" she cried, "this is my puppy I know it!" the older human woman scooped me up and did some strange things. She looked in my eyes, felt my legs, and while she did it she talked to me. Even though I didn't know what she was saying I liked her so I licked her on the cheek. She thought that was wonderful or something cause she held me tighter. I glanced over my shoulder at Lucky. She was still trembling and wasn't moving. I decided I had to talk to her. Squirming trying to free myself from the lady's arms, she finally put me down. I ran over to my sister.
"What's the matter?" I asked her.
"They're going to take you away from me and our family I know it" she said crying.
"Oh don't be so silly," I scolded.
"But remember what Mom said?" she continued. I didn't have time to answer, because the human girl picked me up, and handed me to my human owner. She put something around my neck, and set me down again. Whatever it was, boy! was it itchy. I gave it a scratch with my hind leg, but the itchiness wouldn't go away.
Soon the human family left much to my disappointment, and we were put back in our cage. Our brothers had lots of questions, but Mom was silent eying my "itchy thing." I asked her, "Mom what is this?" giving it another scratch.
"A collar," Mom replied quietly. "It means they have bought you"
Well, that dampened my evening. "Oh Mommy!" I cried then added, "No!" I'm not going!"
"You have no choice in the matter" she said.
Well, I thought inwardly, I hate those people taking me away like this. I will never never go anywhere with them. After all am I not the princess?
Next morning I awoke with the sound and smell of a human coming close. I grew scared, "Mom?" I asked nudging her.
"Goodbye" she said quietly then went back to sleep.
Goodbye? I wondered, but not for long. The cage door again flew open and I was picked up. No! I wanted to protest, but they wouldn't understand anyway.
I was taken to the human house and I stayed there 2 weeks. During those weeks I explored every nook and cranny. Soon I forgot all about Mom, Luck and the brothers. I just enjoyed all the attention and had fun. Until one day the door flew open, and I ran to meet the person. It was the human girl, and her family. I stopped in my tracks. Oh no! I cried, they are going to take me away. And I was right. The girl picked me up and carried me out. She cradled me in her arms and started singing to me. I grew so contented I closed my eyes and fell asleep.

Chapter 3
Adjusting to My New Life

When I woke up I was curled up in the girl's arms. She smiled and petted me. 'We will be home soon Princess" she said. I yawned and went back to sleep, but not for long. Soon we stopped suddenly and I jumped. I stood up and looked out the car window. "Where was I?" I wondered. The girl picked me up and climbed out of the car. Before me was a big white-framed house. She put me down, and together we ran to the back yard. Boy was it big! I ran to my heart's content. Soon I became thirsty. The girl brought me a bowl of fresh water. I drank till my inside's bulged. She took me inside the house. She said to me, 'It is time for supper, so you stay in here." She put me in a big box with soft blankets. I yawned, not caring about anything so while the family ate I slept. I was awakened by someone picking me up. I opened my eyes and saw a strange human. He was a boy human not a girl human. I got scared but he cuddled me close and took me outside. He set me down, and I ran off. Soon I got tired of running so I plopped on the cool grass. The boy human called for someone and the girl came outside. I was so happy to see her. I ran to her and she cuddled me. After a while she sat me down, and ran off with her brother. They started throwing this round thing back and forth to each other. As curious as I was, I ran to play with them. They threw the round thing at me. It was to big for my mouth so I started batting it around with my paws. We played with it for awhile, and then when we were all exhausted we went inside. They told me to "go in box." I didn't understand what they meant. So they put me in my box. They said "Goodnight" and left. I thought the would return so I layed there. Another human man came in. He patted me on my head, and scratched my ears. Then he said the human word "Goodnight" again and went away. All the lights were turned off and it was very dark. Soon I realized that they weren't coming back, and I started crying. I missed my mom, and my siblings. I wanted them. I was so confused. "What am I going to do?" I wondered. Soon my cries turned to sharp, little barks. A light went on, and the girl came in. I was never so happy to see her. I stood up in my box and wagged my tail. She came over, and cuddled me in her arms. I sighed and went quickly to sleep for I was very tired. When I woke up it was dark again. I was alone again. Where did the girl go? I wondered. I started crying and this time the.....

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And that, folks, is how my story ended. I am not sure why I stopped in the middle of a sentence and never continued on. It remains a mystery and always will! I guess I just lost interest rather quickly! Maybe someday I will feel the inspiration to write another story (or continue this one...haha!).

So what do you think should happen next in the story? How should it continue? How should it end? Feel free to post your thoughts. ;)

Randomness...

Happy October 1st, everyone!

I happened to glance at my Sitemeter number today and just had to post about it. I've had my blog for almost a year now, and have had a total of 5,000 visitors! Of course, if you are reading this blog entry, that means that the number is no longer 5,000. :) However, I wanted to capture the moment before it became some odd looking number like 5,013, which just doesn't have the same EVEN affect for me. :)

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I read an interesting definition of patience last night on the character evaluation sheet we were given at church.

Patience - Accepting a difficult situation from God without giving Him a deadline to remove it.

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A good friend of mine, who shall remain nameless *cough, cough*, got me addicted to this game called "Bloons Tower Defense." It really is a silly game - using a bunch of different "weapons" such as dart-throwing monkeys, cannons, spikes, and ice balls to pop balloons before they get through the path. Every balloon that you miss costs you a life. Its just one of those games that requires a little strategy, but is mostly mindless fun. It kind of reminds me of the whole "bubble wrap popping" addiction some people can have. I don't like popping balloons in real life, but these computer balloons are fun to pop. Okay, now that you are all probably shaking your head at me, I'll just end this post by giving you the link...in case you want to try :)...no one will ever know!!