We're done... almost!

So, we finally finished all the big projects with the reno. Yea! We have a list of about 15 things left, but these are all little things (30 minutes-1 hour). The problem with this list is that it's been at about 15 things for about a month. We do a project and then more things get added to the list. Like after we grouted the tile, then we needed to touch up the paint around the tile on the wall. So, we have 15 things on our list, maybe they'll go away... or maybe that's normal for home owners.

I'll post some pictures when I can figure out how to get the camera off the timer mode. Help Tucker!

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil;

I found out in June that the writing contract work I was doing last year was being cut out of the budget for this next year (this dang economy!). So... I started (although it was uncomfortably late) looking for a teaching job. I never realized how I took for granted that this job would always be there for me to fall back on. I never thought this whole economic crisis would be affecting me! I mean, I'm a bilingual teacher, you need me people! This is one thing I've realized- even the most secure job or situation can be taken away, nothing is guaranteed except the foundation of the gospel and God's promises!
Well, apparently all the thousands of teachers laid off in CA and AZ have meandered over here. I talked to a principal (who didn't have any openings) who showed me a stack of resumes about 3 inches high that he'd received. Needless to say, I went around to each school with openings, to find they weren't openings at all. All of them had already been filled! Even a huge school that is just bilingual already filled its positions.
I think the most discouraging was that the old school I worked at had a 3rd grade bilingual position (this is what I've taught). I already knew the team I'd be working with and had been volunteering there the past year. But, the principal was new :( . He ended up hiring someone who wasn't even certified bilingual (she will have until November to be certified)! It's frustrating that I'm certified and have experience with bilingual and that grade, and have great test scores from my students, but yet he wouldn't even give me the time of day.
I was really depressed about this for about 2 months, but recently am more at peace about it. The doors have so obviously been slammed in my face, that I feel that God is telling me "no." I'm not sure why, but that's okay.
We heard a sermon on Psalm 23. The pastor said that the "anoints my head with oil" was referring to a practice shepherds did with their sheep to cover their heads with a spicy oil mixture that averted their predators. Although the sheep don't like it, it's for their protection. So, for some reason, God has put "smelly oil" all over me. Each time I get discouraged I picture me handing my desire over to God on his throne as I say a prayer, which helps me as the visual learner that I am.

What's wrong with me people?

This is Rebecca's hubby again, sneaking in a post while the cat's away (the "cat" being Rebecca and "away" meaning that she's sound asleep). I just wanted to write so that I could get on my soapbox for a change (is "soapbox" another word for "kitchen counter"?).


I mean, lately it feels like we're only motivated to work on our house when we have some deadline that pops up...and usually it means a week of having little sleep, a few cuts and bruises, and a lot of bran (there's just something about fiber that keeps me going). It seems like we've realized this fact, because deadlines keep popping up every week: my parents coming to visit, Rebecca's dad coming to visit, our Bible study group coming over to eat, the mail man coming to deliver more junk mail...it never ends! Don't get me wrong; I love having people over (except the mail man of course...he and I are like oil and water...we just don't mix). But these deadlines are going to be the end of me. To show the effects of all this rush-ed-ness, here's a picture of our lovely butcher block countertop just out of the box:


And moments later, here's me trying to repair a big chunk I accidentally cut out of it:


I mean, eventually we seem to get to the end, despite all the missteps. For example, here's one of our countertops after it was put in:


It just seems like, with all this hurrying about, weird things keep happening lately. I mean, no one has been able to find our neighbor's cat, Lucky, since we recently closed up the walls in our living room.

On an unrelated note, I need to hire an electrician to come over to inspect the wiring I've done in the walls. Whenever I turn on the lights, the switch makes a "meow-y" sound.

Oh shoot...gotta go...

My soap box... What's wrong with you people?

So, one of the classes I'm taking this summer is for Instruction for English Language Learners. One of the chapters I just read describes and analyzes all the different programs for ELLs. It also synthesizes research and test scores from students in all of these programs. Turns out, bilingual education is the best option for long and short term success (academically and in English learning), and ESL pullout is the least effective for these learners. What really confuses me, is that some students in my class read this and say, "I'm still not sure what's best for ELLs." You're kidding right?!!! How can you say that? Look at the long and short term test scores of these students. California's proposition 227, eat your heart out! The sad thing is, this was around before the proposition, and no one cares. This is even more frustrating.... Lau vs. Nichols decided that language services needed to be in place for students to get an equal education. Shouldn't we be providing the best language services available? So, how in the world can the public vote away that right? Oh, wait.... here's the guy's (who started this proposition) main line of defense: My grandma learned English so why can't they? Seriously??? Did his grandma learn anything else, or just English? What did she do after she graduated (for that matter, did she graduate)? We shouldn't turn people's equal rights to education into a political voting campaign. Especially when people who vote aren't even educated about the issue.

Camping in Colorado

For our anniversary we decided to go camping outside of Pagossa Springs in Colorado. We had so much fun! We went on a hike to a gorgeous waterfall (which we don't have pictures of because our battery went dead). On the way back to the campsite we had cocktail hour with Dr. Peppers and Cheetos (what more could you ask for?). One morning we went to this English tea house/ antique shop and I had coffee while Tucker had an egg and cheese croissant. One night we roasted hotdogs and marshmallows for s'mores over the campfire, and enjoyed sitting around the campfire together. On our way out of town we stopped by a local bar and had us some amazing fish tacos. I mean, AMAZING! It was a great anniversary!

Here's the tent we got. We love it! It's L.L. Beans Cabin tent for 8 people. It's height is 7'2" so there's plenty of room to walk upright. I don't know how 8 people can fit in there. We thought if it rained we'd have enough room to set up a little table inside. It's super easy to set up.

Here's a spot in the campground we stayed. Colorado is just so beautiful. It was fun going back for our anniversary since that's where we got married.

Melissa, do you remember playing in this river when we were little? We used to go here with my grandparents and cousins when we were little. It was fun to go back and see the place I have so many great memories of.

This was a picture we took on our drive to the hiking point. It was a fun drive and a great hike! Pagossa Springs area is only 4 hours away, and it has such great hikes and the town is so fun. We're definitely going back sometime!

Back in New Mexico

So, Tucker and I have started playing tennis some evenings. I'm not very good, and Tucker gets a great workout. He's so sweet, he'll run way out of bounds, into the cactus bushes, and scale the fence just to return my hits. It makes it more fun to play because we can actually get a volley going. Of course, the hope is that one day I'll improve and it'll be great exercise for both of us.

As we play we get to enjoy the cool desert air and the gorgeous desert sunsets.

The tennis courts are so pretty! I love the mountains as the backsplash, they wrap around the whole northeast side of the courts.

So, here's a new problem we've never had. Cactus weeds! They're sprouting up everywhere. Although they have lots of flowers (see all the buds) I refuse to have a yard full of cacti!

Our living room is finally getting settled in. It's nice to have a place to relax and to get out of the one room that has been everything for us (office, dining room, living room). Tucker did such a great job! Go Tucker Go!

Tour de Texas

So I haven't updated since I've been back. I had an amazing time with my good friend Leigh celebrating her graduation from DTS. Congratulations Leigh! I'm so thankful for her friendship and I had SOOOO much fun getting to hang out with her. I also got a fun car trip with one of my best friends Christine and I got to catch up with other good old friends and Central Asia friends. I miss my Texas friends!

Another exciting part of the trip was going to my older sister's baby shower. She's due in about 3 weeks now! I can't wait to see my first niece! Her shower was amazing, and so elegant! She got so many nice things for baby Claribel and I was so thankful for the many sweet ladies from my parents’ Bible Study and good friends that threw her the shower. Here are some pics from the shower.

Monie did the flowers and they were absolutely gorgeous. I don't know how she thinks of such creative ideas! These gerbera daisies had chocolate brown centers, nice extra touch. There was a few other cool arrangements but I just am having trouble putting those pictures where I want them in the blog.

Here's the baby book Melissa made for Claribel. The patterns match Claribel's bedding and room decorations. Melissa is very talented!

Here's another flower arrangement, this one was my favorite! There was also a small one in the bathroom- just to make the experience feel a little more elegant. Also, there were huge chocolate covered strawberries in all different patterns of dark and white chocolate with baby pink accents.