You is Kind. You is Smart. You is Imprtant

I am assuming that most of you have seen the movie "The Help" or read the book. If you haven't then I would urge you strongly to do so ASAP. It is powerful. It is a wonderful book/movie about humankind and what we are capable of. You may think this post is a review of the movie or book but it's not. I do love them both but I have no desire or expertise in order to critique them. So...I am just applying it to my own little life.

This is a totally random but I have been told by a handful of students, staff and faculty on Asbury's campus that I look like Hilly Holbrook from the film. Her real name is Bryce Dallas Howard. I don't see it but it does make me laugh.



Maybe I don't want to see it because of the character that she plays. I sat through that movie thinking I can't believe her, what a terrible person, and many other mean thoughts. Then I took a step back. I would like to believe that I would be like Skeeter. Doing all the right things for those in need around me but is that true. We have no idea how we would respond or what we are capable of until we are really put in a tough spot.

All that to say, I am thankful that I didn't have to see the things portrayed in the movie in real life and that I do hope daily even though I am not faced with such obvious racism I would be conscience of the people around me who are hurting in any way.

That was all a very long way to get to this point. I was sitting in a meeting last week called Early Alert. It is a group of five of us who check grades, chapel misses, personal life, etc. on the entire student body. We note anyone who we see falling through the cracks and assign someone to be in contact with them before weeks end. As I sat there I was struck with the fact that I could really relate more to Abileen and her relationship to Mae Mobley in the story. Abileen wanted to teach Mae Mobley that she is better than how her mother treats her.

I am capable and responsible to teach all the students that I interact with on a regular basis that they truly are better than they believe themselves to be. This is my own little goal now. Not that it is any sort of little goal, but I want people who interact with me to know those things are true when they are finished talking to me. Maybe not the first time, but by the end of this school year I want lots of students to be a little more proud of themselves and more confident that they were made for great things by their Heavenly Father.

So...if you are a student reading this, don't be surprised to get a note in your CPO reading..You is Kind. You is Smart. You is Important.

Laughs and Leaves

This past weekend I went to Indiana with a former student and friend of mine Dottie Ennis to look for a place for her to live. She got a job and is relocating to the area near my parents so we made a little road trip north to look at several apartments and houses. We drove through a freak snow storm and still made great time. The weather has been bonkers. It was cold and snowing one day and 60's and beautiful the next. If I figure out to upload videos I will post one of our ridiculous driving experience.

I didn't take any pictures of the places we looked at but I did, shocker, take pictures of Eli! Ha-ha, I know, I am totally that mom! My parents just have a beautiful tree out front and I couldn't resist. I hope you enjoy the pictures. These area only five of the 80 that I took. Again, I am that mom.

Kresge Kandyland!

I have been an RD for a year and a half and as most of you know I love planning events. So when I took the job I thought up the idea of a trick-or-treat event. We call it Kresge (the dorm name) Kandyland. So many people are against Halloween because it is the "devil's day" so I decided to put a positive spin on it. We turn the whole building into a Kandyland board...K for Kresge.

The girls get really into it and have a great time. This year we had Peppermint Prairie, Frosted Forest, Licorice Lagoon, Chocolate Swamp, Lollipop Lane, Sweet Street, Candycorn Canyon, Sourville, and Gumball Gorge. We had over 750 people participate in the evening. My sister-in-law Jennifer came up from Florida with her hubby and my niece and nephew. My parents and brother came into town as well to see the event themselves. It was a wonderful weekend with family. Below are a few pictures from the weekend.

The Green Lantern, Lois Lane, Clark Kent, Tinker Bell, 80's Rocker, Superman, and a Doctor.

Our little Newsie!

The lobby with some of the community members.

Eli- 11 months old!

I cannot believe it!! Eli is almost a year old! That is right. He is 11 months old today! He is growing and growing and changing what seems like everyday.

Weight- 19 lbs. 5 oz. (found out last week at the doctor's office)
Length- 28 inches long

• He is rolling from his back to his belly as well as from his belly to his back.
  
• He can sit alone for very long periods of time.
• He loves watching kids play. Kids of all ages. His cousin Landry was here last week and he was entertained for hours watch her.
  
• He laughs and smiles all the time.
  
• He still sleeps great and is taking two naps a day.
• He loves his pacifier. We try to give it to him at bed times only, but we make exceptions every once in awhile.
  
• He can now find his pacifier and put it in his mouth on his own.
• He loves to stand-up.
  
• He can pull up on me and Aaron and hold on, but he hasn't figured out to pull up on other things.
  
• He is starting to pull his legs under him like he might want to crawl soon. (Here's hoping)
• He can say, yay, yeah, dada, baba, gigi and boo boo. He doesn't know what they mean but he likes making the sounds.
  
• He grunts and groans all the time.
• He is eats big boy food type 2 twice a day and takes 4 bottles at 8 am, 12 pm, 4 pm, and 7:30 pm.
• He has been to his first basketball game and Halloween event.
• He was a "Newsie" for Halloween. (It was an easy costume that mommy could put together at home quickly)
• He got his first ear ache. I think that it was from the drainage of teething. He had a really bad runny nose and cough but was still a happy little guy.
• He still loves walks and being outside.

I am sure there is tons more, but I can't think right now. He is just a true joy to parent. I dream all the time about what his future holds. I know the Lord has big plans for our little man. It really is crazy to think I he has only been a part of our lives for 11 months. I love him more and more everyday so I cannot imagine how big my heart will be on his first day of kindergarten, his graduation from college, and even his wedding day. It is going to be a very exciting life for our little family.