Birthdays

My birthday was yesterday. I had a pretty good day, but I've realized that after your 21st or 18th or whatever the last big one was, they just become kind of mundane. My last big one was 16 when I could finally drive. Since I don't smoke or drink 18 and 21 didn't really seem any more significant to me than all of the ones before. The only thing that really hit me on the 21st was that I am an adult now. I think I realized that when you turn 21 people kind of expect a little more of you than they did before. But still, nothing grand or memorable. This year, my 23, my parents took us out to dinner and got me a gift, but we went out with them last Saturday. Then, since Jesse had a basketball game last night we went out to a nice dinner Monday night. He got me a beautiful necklace, but it was two weeks ago, I was there and picked it out, and I used some of my allowance for it since we're on a tight budget this semester. Then (and don't get me wrong I love Jesse and I know he didn't see anything wrong with this) I called him at lunch yesterday to say hi and he asked me if I would stop at the store and pick up my cake since I was out already. I did a puzzle when I got home from lunch with my mom, watched Ellen, and went for coffee with a friend before Jesse's game. That's it! Nothing big, or especially memorable, just another day and I'm one number older now. The only thing I'll remember next year from this was when Jesse sang Happy Birthday to me with Abel next to him cocking his head. Anyway, I don't know why I just realized that Birthdays aren't what they once were, but for some reason it really got to me this time. I was thinking about it, and I decided that the next time my birthday will really be something special again is when my kids are old enough to say Happy Birthday to me, or make me a special gift. I guess that's something to look forward too huh.

It's Going to be So Much Fun

So, I had my first class today. This is the class that I have with the professor that will be observing us while we teach, and with us throughout the semester. After class I was so relieved. Again, I don't think I was worried because of the work load or how I would do, I was just worried because I didn't know what to expect. We have this class for four hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays and after that four hours I was so excited for the rest of the semester. I had all of my questions answered, and I noticed that there were other people there who were more nervous and far less prepared than me. I know it's sick, but that always makes me feel better.

Anyway I found out that I am going to be student teaching in a first grade classroom at Mary Blair in Loveland. Go figure, that is just two blocks away from where Jesse and I lived last year ( I could have WALKED and now I will be driving 20 miles to get there.) Oh well. It is so great to finally know where I am going to be. I think that first grade should be fun. It's a little younger than I was hoping for, but I'll deal. I was kind of hoping for a break from younger kids after the preschool. Maybe I'll go for sixth grade next semester. This next five weeks should be good. I have enough extra time in my schedule that I will be able to get all of my work done, and I should have time to sign up for another independent study course and still have time to watch general hospital on Tuesdays and Thursdays (shhhh, don't tell Jesse.)

School Starts Next Week

I am having some mixed feelings about going back to school next week. On the one hand I am so so so excited to finally be so close to done! I think that now that I have finally reached student teaching the rest is going to fly by. I'm excited because this semester I am finally going to be doing what I have been in training for for so long.

On the other hand I am a little bit anxious because I'm not really sure what I'm getting into. I have no idea where I am going to be teaching, or what grade. All I know is that yesterday I printed out a seventy two page handbook for student teaching. I'm sure it will be fine, but I'm just going to have a knot in my stomach until I find out exactly what I will be doing.

I'll let you know how it goes. Anyway, yea for only having one year left until I graduate!!

Louisville

This past summer Jesse and I had the chance to go to Louisville on a business trip for Walker Mowers. We left a few days early with our group so that we would have some time to check out Louisville and see all the sites. I honestly was not that excited when we were told that we would get to go to the Slugger factory and Churchill Downs. It sounded kind of boring to me, but it ended up being a lot of fun. When we went to Churchill Downs we got to see some of the race horses practicing, and you would not believe how fast they can run. I think that Churchill Downs was the place that I enjoyed the most just because of all of the history there. Jesse liked the Corvette factory and the Louisville Slugger factory more though. They had a wall at the slugger factory that had the signatures off all of the players that they had ever made bats for. We had a lot of fun touring the city, but for the last half of the week we worked at the race course for the Walker Mowers at the trade show. I have to say that it was more work than I had thought it would be, and at the end of the week we were tired and ready to come home. But we had a great time there and we got to know some of the people that Jesse works with and their wives.

I just thought that these pictures were kinda fun.

This was a racing simulation at Churchill Downs. I think Jesse won.

I love these old churches with the clock towers. This was one of the most beautiful that I saw.

Jesse driving through the race course that we helped set up and run.

Lousville Slugger Factory

Our New Year Celebration

This year we kinda took it easy. We went to a friend's house to play games and watch a movie. It was fun, but we ended up leaving a little after eleven so that we could get home before people started to leave the parties. Once we got home we lit a fire and roasted some marshmallows. I have to say that while it was fun, I think that Abel ended up eating more marshmallows than we did. I think I would like to do that again sometime soon, but I think next time we might use a little longer sticks. Afterwards we made it just in time to see the ball drop and have a midnight kiss. All in all I think it was a nice way to welcome the new year.