If I Could Place Time in a Bottle…

Stop! In the name of Love! Before you move onto Middle School and break my heart! I was so excited to return to my sweet twenty-four loves! I know that each year will eb and flow in and out with its ups and downs, but truly, this year is something special! I am extremely saddened that I only have a little over eight full weeks left with them. They are each just precious and I love them so much. I never thought I could experience such bliss from students wanting to learn and me getting to pour it out each day. I am not drained emotionally or physically from arguing students or them yelling at me this year, I adore how they actually want to be in the classroom sharing my day with me. It really does make all the difference in the world to feel that for the first time in your career, parents and the students really connect with you and know that you have the best interest of their child at heart.

Not to say that I did not have one amazing spring break for the second time in my life. In the course of the last ten years, I have only traveled twice to a "fun" destination over my spring break. Senior year of high school to California and this year with Betsy on the Mega Bus to Chicago. Yes, for a mere, $30, less than a half tank of gas for many, I was able to take a bus to Chicago and back. Betsy and I started the break with a Sunday afternoon tour of the Boulevard Brewery here in KC. In all the years it has been here, I have never tried a Boulevard. Let me just say, I have wasted some serious years of beer enjoyment by not trying it. If you really knew me, you would know that I am a bit of a foodie…I love new foods, drinks and learning how to pair it with what I cook and how to use it in dishes I make. Needless to say the Moose Drool I bought over Christmas break, a 6-pack, two of which are still in my fridge…I savor it and I get creative in how I use it. This made Boulevard was quite the experience, I saw how their artisan beverages were created and then had the chance to try some of them. As usual, I loved the Dry Stout…I have a thing for dark beers…just like my aunt Laurie. I really enjoyed the spices in the Tank 7 as well as the Pilsner which they created. I was disappointed to learn that there was a chocolate stout which sold out in all seven surrounding states in the first few hours of its release. I am sure I would have loved it as well. After the tour, we packed up and headed down to the "station" at 3^rd and Grand to wait for our ten hour bus ride to Chi-cago!

After one of the most interesting rides of my life on a packed bus with an old man hacking in his sleep behind me and another older lady snoring with sleep apnea in front of me, I arrived in Chicago at 7:15 am. Betsy and I walked about two miles from Union Station from our bus to the Inn of Chicago where they graciously let us check in early and freshen up to hit the town. First stop…Deep Dish Pizza! I took Betsy a block or two over to Giordano's for some pizza, she loved it as did I…Could not compare with Pizzaria Uno's which was across the street which we enjoyed on Wednesday. Below is Betsy rockin' it at Giordano's and then us at Uno's later in the week.

We then took in the sights of the city. Walking to the Chicago Art Institute, Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum and purchasing trolley tickets for the next three days…a mere $35…totally worth it. Savoring the sights of the city aboard a double-decker bus is something special which everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy at some point in their life. We learned a great deal from the guides but also got to see the "green river" which was dyed for the occasion. In addition to this we saw Navy Pier and the John Hancock Observatory's Skyline Lounge which for the cost of a $5 sparkling water, you could see the same view as the $15 observatory admission. "I'll just have a water…with a side of limes. Thank you." J

Over the next few days we saw many places in the city and experienced some amazing shopping, Nordstrom RACKS!) fabulous food ($10 ice cream sundaes at Ghirardelli) and fun family which Betsy has. Her cousin Christina took us out for an amazing Mexican Tapas dinner.

We also got to visit an original speak-easy called the Redhead Piano Bar. If I had ved in the 1920's, mine would have been a corner pie cafe called Blondie's…which is the name Jimmy the bartender gave me. The bouncer here was really sweet as well, inquiring as to what we had for dinner since Bets and I brought our doggie bags from where we had already been in the city. We had previously enjoyed dinner at the Rosebud on Rush, an Italian restaurant. (If you look close, you can see our leftovers in the picture.) We met a very interesting server named Eddie who had worked as the head server at a restaurant on the 95 floor of the World Trade Center and was off on the day the planes crashed into it. He shared his story with us and discussed his life experience as a server etiquette and the book which he was authoring.

Overall, the most amazing place we saw was the Shedd Aquarium. I saw so many interesting creatures and fish in one day! I even found a pumpkinseed fish…yes, there is one! (Knowing me, my dad was always called me…punkin girl and I have a serious love affair going on with pumpkins anyways.) Some of our most fun was at the exhibit in the middle of the aquarium which was for small children on aquatic creatures at lakes. Pictured below are some of the fun we had at this mini-exhibit in the floor. I don't think I will ever grow up…I am mean to be a child at heart forever I do believe.

Getting to pet a starfish!

Apparently campin' has so much to do with the aquarium...mmm...bacon, eggs and pancakes!

Betsy was a beauty waving at the crowd on the shore...

I was my usual mature self...reinacting the lifeboat scene from Titanic...this one is full.
I wonder if you could toast these and season them with Jack Stack Rub too?

Returning home on St. Pat's I had my panel interview with BCBS and spoke with the doctor and panel about why my surgery should be covered. It was something very emotional to share with the panel and I was really proud of myself. NO TEARS! I find out tomorrow by mail if they will cover their tiny portion of the surgery. (HIS grace is sufficient for me.)

I did beat some of my personal goals for the month, one was to run 10k…I ran two of them over break in addition to a 5k. J Yep, feeling like a rock star. I beat my personal best mile of a 10:55…to a 10:18 on the 5k, so that was a pretty proud moment. I shared with students that my new physical goal was to run a 10:00 mile by the end of the year. I cannot wait to beat this goal. Hopefully Kelli and I will rock the Starfish 5k on Saturday morning with our amazing times!

It Was More Than The Luck of the Irish…

I think today was one of those days which was surreal. I have had a LONG week by the ways things have been going, I had two 5:45 am workouts with Drew, and meetings every night after school making my commitment to myself for healthy living through exercise very difficult. In addition to this, two bowls of peanut m & m's managed to find their way into my belly. The good news is that I am bound by grace and not by weight. I have been learning lately that I am no longer a number which I am managed by for health insurance reasons, I am able to monitor myself better and accept myself more due to this. This does not mean that I am the best person at making great decisions, I have a system…and 8 of the 10 times I use it, I have immense success. Handfuls of chocolate are not part of the system and I really do need to avoid fat free whipped cream.

With this week being as hectic as it has been for grades, spring break my mid-term practicum due and other items, I was surprised by many sweet friends this week. Brenda, one of the beautiful blondes at my building who makes the office run so smooth took the time on Thursday morning to tie a helium balloon to my chair in the classroom because a few weeks ago I had exclaimed over a balloon bouquet in the office that getting a helium balloon bouquet would be such a fun surprise! (The balloons in the office were for kindergarten round-up.) Imagine my surprise when a "You Are Special" balloon was beckoned into my presence. I also was surprised by a sweet basket of goodies tonight from one of my students after leaving school tonight to meet with Fox 4 again. A student whom I have been really working with this past year brought me a handmade bright pink basket full of dark chocolate, Starbucks gift card and jolly ranchers. Getting such a shock at 6:00 pm when I returned to the building to grab my teacher bag was very meaningful, but the card tucked inside of it was worth more to me than any item they placed inside…"Erin, I would like to thank you for all that you have done for _____ the challenging year, both at school and at home. You have gone above and beyond what many people would in fostering not only a teacher-student relationship, but a friendship with _____. I can tell that teaching is not just a job for you, but who you are! Your dedication to your students is very much appreciated. Thank You!!! Sincerely, ___ and ___." When I look back at today as this student sat in the hall crying over doing late work for me and then finally making eye contact and conceding that this was not their "personal best" and feeling frustrated at their lack of drive for the day; I am reminded that I am not always aware to the extent of my value in the lives of my students but also that each student has a life beyond school as do I which can be consuming…Olathe's mantra…Students First…is something that I really try to embrace with each child. They are the sole reason why I have a job and they are what I do each day.

I bet you're wondering what all of this has to do with the Luck of the Irish. I have a second level appeal with BCBS on St. Pat's at 1:30 pm, I am not anticipating good things. The new appeal is for medical necessity. Obviously, I do not need the extra skin removed to live my life so I am anticipating a big green four leaf clover NO on next Thursday. However, Fox 4 wanted to come today and film in my classroom…they were turned down by HR. Linda Wagar did however come and film me with Scott and give me the best surprise of my life to date. A doctor with KU Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics is going to accept my case along with his residents!!! I started crying on camera, I had no idea what to say other than thank you. How does one repay what was once a dream not to be fulfilled with the gift that a doctor and medical center offers? Not only is it a specialist, it is the head of the department with the residents who are all going to be working on me. I feel like the Venus di Milo who has been slowly sculpted for the past five years waiting for her Master architect to be standing back and admiring HIS handiwork. Not yet, but I know that it is close. The first person I called…mom…the second…Drew. Drew is the one who got the whole ball started in the first place, he made some calls and caused people to look into my case. I drove to Bally, through hazy contacts to share my extreme joy. Not there. Drew was across the street at Best Buy waiting in line for an iPad. (Guy thing.) J I drove over, floated in and hugged him, while the line watched me gush and tear up all over again. His beautiful wife Romi and family met me in the parking lot and hugged me as well. I am truly blessed to have Drew as my coach. I know that it is an investment, but I consider him much more than just my trainer. He challenges me in my physical, emotional and spiritual growth as well. He is very much like the older brother which I would have wanted growing up to mentor me. What makes this even more special is that my sessions were "up" yesterday. Both of us knew that I could not afford him and still save for surgery. God provides in mysterious ways. I feel like I got my carrot cake, and I ate it too!

Now what…? Well, running the Westport St. Pat's 5k, finishing grade cards, buying luggage for Chicago and my practicum are all on the agenda for tomorrow. Maybe sometime in there I will find time to get some serious packing done and buy a book to read. Truly, this is a day which was not to be forgotten in a year which has been one of the best of my life. I am truly starting to reap the sweet seeds of hard-work and sacrifice which were planted long ago.

Run with Perseverance the Race Marked Out For You…

What I week this past week was! I did two 5k, one last Sunday, the Save the Boobies run in Lawrence and then the Diva Dash today in Leawood. I loved it! I have learned a new level of understanding of what Paul mentioned about running a good race for the prize at the end. There is something special about visualizing the final 500 meters of a race, seeing people cheer you on and imagining those you love chanting you into the finish line. I have been able to appreciate it more what it must be like to cross that line into my Heavenly Father's presence some day. I never was able to picture it before, but within the last week, I have made a bigger connection with the verse in Hebrews 12:1-2, Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

My First 5k on Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011 – My parents came to cheer me on!

Approaching the finish line…BIG CHEER coming on!

Diva Dash today, Saturday, March 5, 2011 - Ashleigh coming out to cheer me on…really did run with my crown on.

I feel more energized this week! I feel like I have more of a long term goals of what I want to accomplish with my life and new goals which I am setting up for myself. I will do a 5k at the end of March and push myself to accomplish a 10k by April, and the latest in May with my students for the Heart and Soul. Betsy and I talked about the St. Louis Rock and Roll Marathon in October, which is over conference weekend for both of us…I am going to begin training for it in the next few days. I cannot even believe that I have even considered such a thing as a half-marathon, but not only that, I WILL run it and complete it. These things are simply goals which I never imagined being able to accomplish in my life. "I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13.

I have also began some new long-term life goals as well. I have a few dreams which I would like to fulfil before I am 50 years old. I am not sure how the Lord will help me do them, but I believe he is setting the fist stages into play. I may become a barista this summer just for fun at a friend's coffee shop. Her husband and her are both from Ethiopia and are considering teaching me the art of coffee…a serious passion of mine along with high quality foods.

I also accomplished a few goals on my Happiness project this past week. Not only did I do two 5k's in under a week, I tried out two different recipes. Both of them were by one of my favorite chefs to watch, the Barefoot Contessa herself, Ina Garten. Watching Ina is like watching an Aunt create and inspire. I love seeing Jeffery her husband pop in at the end of the show to give her a kiss and see what "Friday Night Chicken" looks like. Nothing she creates is remotely figure friendly…the first was Peanut Butter Brownies for my students (Picture Below) and then tequila lime chicken. Betsy and I are using the leftovers for fajitas on Sunday night…drunken chicken is simply divine. Yes, the brownies really did take up an entire shelf in the fridge and I had to purchase a special cookie tray for baking them.

Read Across America was on Wednesday, I dressed up as best I could for the current read aloud book in my room…Anne of Green Gables. I am of course lacking the red braided hair and the carrot colored temper to match. Kelli, one of the most lovely ladies I know, and phenomenal co-workers had her birthday this past week and dressed up as another literary character that has captured my heart…Fancy Nancy. What can we say, blondes really do have more fun! I created a second donorschoose.org project for math manipulatives in my classroom. I am believing that the funds will come in not only for this project but my other project for reading as well.

I was also very blessed this past week…I had my final taping with Fox 4 News…they are doing the final edits on my situation and journey thus far. They are sitting on the story for up to two weeks before going public about the Problem-Solver crisis which they are looking to correct. I am believing for good news, already this past week, BCBS contact me and has reopened my file for evaluation…God is Good!

Rounding out the week…I was able to go and see Jenna, her husband Jesse, Laura and her fiancé Kevin, Amanda from Texas and her boyfriend David. Amanda is a sorority sister who I haven't seen in nearly three years and came in town for a couple's engagement celebration for Laura and Kevin at Laura's aunt Kathy's. What fun we had simply talking, remembering, catching up and seeing Laura and Kevin's family and friends for celebrating their upcoming nuptials in July.

Myself, Laura and Jenna



Myself, Amanda, Laura and Jenna