A Holiday Moosical

Last Tuesday, my kindergarten and 1st graders performed, "A Holiday Moosical: Featuring Marty the Moose." A tale of a moose that wanted to fly with Santa's reindeer. It was too cute for words so I will let the pictures do most of the talking!

I look tired don't I? I WAS!
She is singing her heart out! A music teacher's favorite sight!

My ragdolls could not have been any cuter than they were!

Our House!

Here are some pictures of the outside of our house! I'll give you an indoor tour when it's all put together! I LOVE THIS PLACE!

Its A Boy!!

Allow me to introduce you to the newest member of my family...Caleb Russell Bartee!! Baby Caleb was born Friday, November 18 at 6:45 p.m. weighing in at 5lbs 13 oz. and 20 1/2 inches long. How precious cute is this baby! Mama is doing well (doesn't she look amazing for just having had a baby?!) I can't believe my college roommate is a mommy! Congratulations Jonny and Amy! You are going to be outstanding parents!! And I have the answer to the question you all are wondering about...Caleb is currently a redhead!!

Alison's making a pumpkin pie! yum yum! 

Thanksgiving Day! Mom had lots of help making pumpkin pies!! 

One day we went to a nearby city called Guanajuato; it was just like stepping back into a European town! It was great to walk around and people watch! 

I've Never Felt So...

Single. That's right. I just want to start this entry with I appreciate so much the person I am about to tell a story about. So I'm sitting in my classroom the other day when a fellow teacher comes in and hands me a cd. "I got you a present," she says, "it's a sermon our preacher preached yesterday and it was really good and I thought you might like to hear it." I'm thinking, 'oh how nice of her.' Then I look at the title of the sermon, "The Joy of Single Living." "Thanks so much!" I say (thinking 'what?!?!') That's right I was given a sermon on being single. HA!! I listened to it, it was actually pretty good, but nothing I hadn't heard before! HA HA! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Movin' Out

Last night Adam took me for a night on the town and we had an awesome time! First we went to dinner at P.F. Chang's, which was awesome! But the best part of the evening was going to the theatre to see "Movin' Out" It was incredible! If you have the opportunity to go see it, do because the singing and dancing was absulutely terrific! I hope your weekends were as good as mine!!

April's Wedding Pictures

Not my wedding pictures silly...like that will ever happen! My good pal April Wooldridge/Everhart. I know some of you might not have her blog so I wanted to make sure you could see them as well! Check out her sweet wedding photos by following these simple steps:

1. Go to http://www.finephotosbyann.com
2. Click the View An Event Button.
3. Enter the username and password shown below.
4. Enter your email address and enjoy the photos!

Fill in the following name and password information:User Name: EverhartPassword: 4871

You Don't Know Anything!

So Karessa and I are at after school care yesterday and we talking with a second grader, let's call her Sue. Sue is giving us the third degree about our lives, how old we are, how long we've been friends, etc. We then have a conversation that goes sort of like this...

Sue: Miss Stephens, you know what Miss Karessa said about you.

Stephens: (looks suspiciously at Karessa) What's that?

Sue: She said she doesn't like the way you look in your glasses.

Karessa: (appears shocked and nods her head no)

Stephens: Really?

Sue: Yeah

Karessa: I did not say that.

Sue: Do you have little brothers?

Stephens and Karessa: Nope.

Sue: Little brothers don't know anything.

(Sue's little brother James just happens to enter the scene...still upset about the glasses comment Stephens continues...)

Stephens: James, guess what Sue said about you.

James: What?

Stephens: She said you don't know anything!

James: (ponders for just a second) I know 10 plus 10!

HA! Can one take anything anymore literally than this little first grader! I love it! He was so serious!

Come On! Miss Stephens...THINK!!!

So today at lunch I'm in the cafeteria doing the most dreaded teacher task ever...lunch duty. Well I am going to tell this story a little unconventionally...backwards. There is this 8th grader running around chasing this other kid with a ball of foil in his hand in the gym. I've already told him to stop so now he's in trouble. So I tell him he has to come sit on the floor next to me for the remainder of lunch. I promptly take the foil ball and hand it to a high school girl to throw away(I'm not going to get up to do it!) I notice the ball is wet...REWIND
The first part of the story goes something like this..."Joey stop chasing Johnny!" But he threw my ball of foil in the toilet!" STOP
That's right folks...I touched a ball of foil that had previously been in the boys' bathroom toilet...GROSS ME OUT!!! And not only that but I handed it to a poor unsuspecting high school girl!!! UUUGGGHHH!!!! This one just about takes the cake! I think I need to wash my hands again just thinking about it!

I've Finally Reached A Child Through Music...

First of all, you have to know that teaching is most rewarding when you see a student finally get something or get excited about something they are learning. This feeling was no different in pre-k music today...
I teach the 2 year old class and they are good for so much entertainment. I have the sweetest little boy, Jonny, who seriously looks like a Gerber baby. And he always wears these baseball caps that are bigger than his head...it's precious cute! Well everytime he comes to music, he just stands there and looks at everyone like we're crazy. I'm absolutely convinced that he thinks I'm the weirdest lady ever because I'm always dancing when he sees me. Anyways, I digress. Today, I decide to play a song we've never done before...and wouldn't you know it, little Jonny connected with this song. It's like a veil was lifted and he found music, he found movement, his face lit up and he moved and danced...that's right, I finally reached little Jonny, and all it took was "The Chicken Dance!" That song has so many more levels than I could ever have thought!

20 Things

So Tamra has tagged me to write 20 random things about myself. Normally I wouldn't have time for such a daunting task, but it's Friday and let's just face it, there's no way I'm going to be any more productive than necessary! So here we go:

1. I love wearing socks

2. I don't drink out of used plastic cups, and if I'm given a drink in a plastic cup, I will accept but I will never finish it, there will always be some left at the bottom (I can't really explain why).

3. I have a new thing about calling all of my students ding dongs when they do something stupid. I just do not know where this dorkiness came from.

4. I tripped and fell a couple nights ago and now I have a huge bruise on my knee...I'm too old to trip!

5. I wake up every morning by drinking a can of Mt. Dew. I'm addicted!

6. I hate putting away clean dishes...HATE IT!

7. I'm moving into a brand new house at the end of November with my good friend Karessa!

8. I'm the youngest teacher at my school

9. I will be a faithful watcher of Freddie Prinze Jr.'s new sitcom no matter how cheesy it is because I love him.

10. I can't flush public toilets with my hand, I have to use my foot.

11. I'm the biggest control freak when it comes to putting on a music program at my school. I can't let anyone do anything, which explains why I'm so stressed and grumpy the week of my programs!

12. I have an unwanted roommate in my chimney, we think he's a squirrel. He moved in a couple months ago and they just can't catch that little guy!

13. I've been a maid of honor in two weddings and a brides maid in three. Always a bridesmaid never a...

14. I haven't eaten McDonald's in months. I've eaten there twice this week...I think it's because I like Monopoly.

15. I'm one of the most easily distractable teachers around.

16. I love to sing more than anything.

17. I do the Hokey Pokey at least once a day

18. I have a weakness for French Onion dip

19. The only real reason I play Bunco is for the prizes...fellowship, I mean fellowship!

20. I recently took a nap in the middle of the day just so I could try out my new eye mask that keeps the dark out. I was very excited...I woke up with them set aside right next to my pillow...so much for that!

Alright, I apologize if that was excrutiating for anyone else. Now it's my turn to tag 10 people who have to do the same thing...Jessica, Amanda, Karessa, Adam F., Adam C., April E., Kevin P., Curt, Angie, and Monica B. Hope you all have a great day!

And God Said...

So the pre-k do their weekly chapel in my room every Friday. Last week, they were learning about Noah's Ark. Miss Sue was reading the story when one her helpers wouldn't be quiet. Her reading went something like this: "And God said, 'Holden be quiet' go and build an ark..." HA! I didn't know God told Holden to be quiet in the Bible!

Creepy Substitute Stalker Guy

So there is a new substitute on campus. He's this young guy and I am finding out that he is not only creepy but somewhat "stalkerish" as well. Let me give you some background. A few weeks ago he came into my class and wanted to play my piano during my planning period, I was like "that's fine," well he couldn't really play but it "relaxes him to play" so whatever. Then a couple days ago, he comes up and asks if he can "borrow my room sometimes," I assume to play his piano music. I said no because at this point he's just creepy. Yesterday I took the day off to relax a little since I had just finished the 4th grade program. He was my substitute. I came back for after school care and one of my students runs up to me and says, "Miss Stephens, Mr. Smith (I changed his name for his own protection) is a really good drawer." And I'm like, "Oh yeah?" then she says, "yeah he drew a picture of you." WHAT????? What kind of creepy stalker guy draws pictures of a girl he doesn't know for her class?!?! Well today I've been poking around and have found out that this guy is just weird. My high school choir begged me to never let him substitute for me again because he was so creepy. He always talks about techno music and they were working on choreography and he was dancing all crazy...he was supposed to sit there and let them work on their own. Also, he tried to read one of the girls' journals in study hall (I KNOW!) and he wrote a note to a high schooler and signed it "Jesus." Who is this guy and more importantly why is he here creeping everyone out?? I'm going to have to have sit down with the principal in the very near future. I'll keep you posted.

Our Trip To Nashville

This picture belongs on a post card don't you think?

Karessa and I came to the Opry Mills Mall to listen to live Bluegrass music...yeah they cancelled the show...we're stuck at the mall for the rest of the evening! Good start to our trip! 

Since the live music was cancelled, we made our own fun for the $60 we paid the cab to get us there and back...that's right, I said $60!!!! This is so Karessa's boyfriend!

It wasn't me! 

What kind of mall has this many statues to make fun of?

Taking a break from all the fun we are having walking around the mall...stupid cancelled live music! 

The line for the infamous "Pancake Pantry" was out the door! But I think Adam and Karessa will agree that it was worth the wait! 

Friday morning we ate in the Vanderbilt District at the Pancake Pantry...I ate blueberry pancakes...mmm! Karessa had gritts...ugh!! 

Brrrr! It was in the 50s the whole weekend! It was awesome! A great break from the 100s in San Antonio! 

Karessa and I take a break while Adam buys shoes (note: Just for the record I hate the shoes he bought...sorry buddy!) 

Friday we spent the day in downtown Nashville. We didn't spend any money, just walked around and made our own fun! 

On Saturday, we had dinner at White Castle. That was a fun experience eating miniture food! 

This is like the smallest hamburger ever! I can honestly say now that I've eaten four cheeseburgers in one sitting! 

Overall, it was a great weekend! I got to spend time with two of my favorite people and I got to worhsip the Lord in a setting not soon to be forgot! 

Invisible...Almost

So yesterday morning, I'm standing on the sidewalk talking to our elementary Spanish teacher when the kindergarteners pass by. They all greet Ms. St. Clair but no one says anything to me. So I say to my fellow teacher, "It's like I'm invisible!" and right when I said that this kid passes by, looks at me and says, "Hi Mrs. Eggins!" Timing is everything! I was ignored by most of them and the one kid who noticed me called me by the wrong name! HA!

A Look At the 23rd Psalm

My Nashville trip entry is very soon to come (wait for it....wait...for it!) My Mom sent this to me and I think it is very fitting at this time, so I will share her intelligence via my blog...thanks Mom!

23rd Psalm

The Lord is my Shepherd … that’s relationship!
I shall not want…that’s supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures … that’s rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters … that’s refreshment!
He restoreth my soul … that’s healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness … that’s guidance!
For His name sake … that’s purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death … that’s testing!
I will fear no evil … that’s protection!
For Thou art with me … that’s faithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me … that’s discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies … that’s hope!
Thou annointest my head with oil … that’s consecration!
My cup runneth over … that’s abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…that’s blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord … that’s security!

FOREVER … THAT’S ETERNITY!

Finally...A Time For Renewal

After a couple weeks of pure torture: meetings, after school care, badly behaved kids, two bloody noses (not mine of course which makes it even more disgusting!), almost being hit in the head with a flying binder (don't ask), accused of not knowing how to run my own band, made to feel bad for overlooking a minor detail in planning chapel by someone who is not at all in charge, accused of not knowing what time to take my students to gym (don't ask), more meetings, having a major candid discussion with my principal about the overwhelming amount of tasks I have to accomplish on a daily basis, and attempting to start writing my own music curriculum for all grades, the time has finally come for me to get out of here for an amazing weekend of Spiritual renewal. I am attending the Zoe Conference in Nashville, TN with two of my dearest friends Karessa and Adam. This is going to be a time to refocus my mind and heart on the Lord, which is where it should be. I've questioned a lot of my past decisions these last two weeks thinking maybe this just isn't the life I want. But I take comfort in knowing God has a plan. Amanda sent me a note over a year ago when I was looking for a job and it had this scripture in it:

"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Jeremiah 29:11-13

Well that just about says it all. The Lord always knows just what to say if you are willing to listen.

Mama Said There'd Be...Weeks Like This?

I wrote this really long heartfelt entry about how these past couple weeks at school have made me feel. Then I read it back and realized how depressing it was. So I deleted it. Let's just leave it at that and pray next week is better.

A Very Close Call

So I wake up this morning with this outstanding headache that I am still currently trying to fight off. Perhaps it's due to my missed/forgotten chiropractor appointment yesterday, or maybe it's simply a result of the horrific week I've had at school; nonetheless, it's here.
I have recently run out of my supply of Mountain Dew at the house so I had to stop at the corner Diamond Shamrock to buy myself my morning Dew. As I walk up to the case I notice a lot of Diet Mt. Dew...I do not drink Diet Mt. Dew, I don't know who would it's absolutely disgusting! Then, to my dismay, I notice the two rows next to the diet (where the regular Dew should be) are empty! NOOOOOOOO! I thought I was going to have to go on a hunt for my morning Mt. Dew (everyone must be having a week like mine). Then I notice in the very back of the row there is one remaining...one just for me and my horrific headache. Hallelujah! My day has been saved! Thank you Diamond Shamrock for saving just one Mt. Dew for me!

Deep Thoughts by Mark Abshier...

So the other day Mark (my preacher) says to my friend Tamra, " I bet hanging out with April is like having a moving cocktail party...it's fun wherever you're at." HA! That is a wise man if I ever saw it!

It's Been A Ding Dong Day

So I'm sitting outside with this awesome 1st grader and we are discussing the goofy things I've been doing that qualify me for being a ding dong. We're talking he says, "the first time my big sister saw you she thought you were a student." So I said, "really?? The first time I saw you I thought you were a parent!" He looked at me for a very long time (at least 10 seconds), and said, "when I was in kindergarten, you thought I was a parent?" and I said, "I did." Then he looked at me, thinking very hard, for at least another 20 seconds and finally said, "a mom or a dad?" He was so serious! I laugh very hard for a short time and we continue our conversation and it went something like this:

Student: What else did you do that made you a ding dong?
Miss Stephens: Well I hit my head yesterday, do you think I have a concussion?
Student: (stares blankly) I don't know what that is.
Miss Stephens: It's when you hit your head and can't think straight (that's the medical answer!)
Student: Oh, well let me ask you some questions to find out. What is 1-1?
Miss Stephens: (thinks really hard and guesses...) 2?
Student: No that's adding
Miss Stephens: Oh right!...um...0? Is that right?
Student: (again thinks for a little while) Actually I don't know the answer to that question!

I love this kid!

National Singles Week

Did you know this week is National Singles Week? That's right, I just read it on msn. What is this about? I would think most people would not want to celebrate their singlehood, but I think us single people should celebrate! While most of us hope to have a significant other at some point in time, it does not mean we want it right now. We may complain about not having that special someone but deep down we know that we live a life married people can only dream about. Isn't it funny how we always want what we don't have? Single people want to be married and married people dream of being single again! Why can't we just be happy with the life God has given us at this exact moment in time? I'm having a blast here in San Antonio with my group of friends. We spend just about all our time together and it's awesome. Although, I still could really go for a date right now! HA! Hope you all have a wunderbar weekend and HAPPY SINGLES WEEK! Enjoy it...we're single!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Dumbest Blonde Moment Ever!

So this morning I realized I needed gas before heading to school, no big deal right? Well, first of all, the lines were really long. I guess because of Hurrican Rita. Second, there was a sign on every pump that said, "out of unleaded, use plus." Well, being a teacher and all, I only read the first part and completely ignored the comma. So I'm trying to put unleaded in my car and it won't work! I get frustrated and move my car to another pump thinking something is just wrong with that one! Same thing happens at this one! Then it dawns on me, "out of unleaded, USE PLUS!" I interpretted that sign to mean, "Out of unleaded plus." What an idiot! I can't even read a goofy sign. This just gives you a small hint of what this week has been like! UGH!

The Boy I Live Vicariously Through...

Richard Barth...one of the coolest guys I know, and one of the few cute redheads (besides my brother of course) I've ever seen! I used to be in musicals with him in high school, and of course I had a HUGE crush on (and got to kiss in "Hello Dolly!") We all talked about performing as a career and going to Broadway. But this guy is actually doing it! Check out this article about his current endeavor. This guy is incredible!! I wish I was as courageous as him! Keep it up Richard!

A Movie Star?? From My Past?

So check this out...fellow Oklahoma Christian University alum, Ray Bailey, made a movie! He always said he would and he did. It looks fairly cheesy but who knows, maybe it will be a hit, then I can say, "I know the lead in that movie...he held my hand at the movie theatre when we went to see 'Pitch Dark!'" Oh I also had the pleasure (or pure torture) of listening to him make out with Miranda Danley on Chorale tour!
The movie trailer:
http://www.doubleedgefilms.com/DEFmain.html

Aye Mate!

Did you know that today is "National Talk Like a Pirate Day"? It's the truth. I discovered it last year when one of my music curriculum magazines published a song dedicated to this special holiday. Well today I learned...the rest of the story...
Turns out these two average guys are playing racketball (I have no idea how to spell this word!) and start talking like pirates (I'm not even kidding!). Then they get to talking and I would think it went something like this (in a pirate accent of course):
"Aye Mate, this talking like a pirate!"
"Shiver me timbers, let's try to make it a holiday."
"Even better...a national holiday"
"Aye and let's do it on September 19, for this is my ex-wife's birthday (I do not tell a
lie!) ...we could make her walk the plank!"

This is the true story of how "Talk Like A Pirate Day" came about. I leave you with the lyrics of a song entitled, "Talk Like A Pirate."

Chorus:
Talk like a Pirate Day, talk like a pirate now! ARRRRRR!
Talk like a Pirate Day today, Pirate Day!

Talk like a pirate on his boat, talk like a pirate now! ARRRRR!
Talk like a pirate on his boat, on his boat!
Shiver me timbers! Walk the plank!
Scurvy Dogs! Ahoy matey!
Swab the deck! Yo ho ho!

Chorus

Repeat above


X Marks the spot! A pirate's life for me.

A Loss For Words...

I've been sitting on an amazing experience for a week now. I've wanted to share this experience so much with you all but have not been able to find the right words. I went to the Hurrican Katrina shelter here in San Antonio last week and spent time with the people staying there. I still have not the words, and imagine I will never, to express the amazing experience I had. I literally am at a loss for words.
I want so much to tell you about all the people I met and their amazing stories but it would take too long, I wish I could share the emotions I felt after leaving the shelter but I could never do it through words. But I will try my best to tell you about my experiences at the shelter as they happen. For now, I ask that you pray for three specific people (I changed their names but God will know who you are talking about):

Joe: An elderly man who lost his wife eight years ago. He had incredibly uplifting things to say about life and his wonderful marriage. After losing everything, he is an encouragement to everyone with an incredible sense of humor amid a not so humorous disaster. Pray that Joe will maintain his sense of humor throughout his time at the shelter.

Josie: An elderly woman with a child who has cerebral palsy. They were on their roof for five days before being rescued. She plans to make San Antonio her home now that she is here. She says she will try her best to do what God has in store for her. What a beautiful heart this woman has. Pray a prayer of thanksgiving that she and her son are safe and that she remain a bright light of hope in a dim situation.

Jaylen: An incredibly sassy six year old who started school this past Monday. She's an expert hula hooper, with an amazing sense of style (she showed us her back to school outfit). Please pray the students will accept her and all the evacuees into their schools. Pray that she will have some sense of normalcy as time goes by.

These are just a few of the people I met and spoke with. If you would like more information about our shelter experiences, check out Karessa's blog as she is also writing about some of our experiences.

Did You Know That?

So I'm sitting in study hall and this little first grader comes to get his homework checked and sees picture of my brother and I at my college graduation on my computer. He says, "who's that?" and I, assuming he means 'who's that guy?', say, "that's my brother." He surprises me with the response, "he looks like a girl, did you know that?" I was like, what?? Then he says, "he looks like you" and it occurs to me that he is looking at me in the picture! So I say, "are you looking at me in the picture?" and then he says, "oh, is that you in the picture?" I say, "yes with my brother." and he says, "Oh I didn't even see the brother." HA!! What a ding dong!

Freddie's Back

I just want to announce that my ex-boyfriend Freddie Prinze Jr. (once he married Sarah Michelle Geller he lost all credibility) is in a new sitcom cleverly titled "Freddie". That's right! I cannot wait!!! I LOVE HIM! I realize that he is a total teeny bopper has been but I don't care...I will remain a faithful watcher of this new series just because I am faithful to my past admiration of Freddie Prinze Jr.!!

Carlos the Computer Guy

So we have a computer tech who is in charge of our network here at CHS, his name is Carlos the computer guy (that really is what everyone calls him, it's not just Carlos ever!). When he first came last Spring, we were having a ton of computer problems, our first computer guy just made things worse. So it was a happy day when Carlos came to save the day. Our school secretary told me that she thought I needed to date him so as to have someone on the "inside" of the whole operation, "it may get fixed quicker if we have someone working on the inside." HA! I laughed a lot at this.
Well, I just ran into Carlos the computer guy on campus today and remembered something very appealing about him...he's young, very well-dressed, good looking, excellent hairstyle (which is important), has an accent, but more than that...he smells amazing! I cannot even begin to tell you how amazing whatever cologne he has smells. Whatever cologne he wears, he needs to pass it on to other men because it is some good stuff!
Karessa and I have been on a mission to get asked out on dates (so far not so successful) but being cute girls we hope that will change in the near future. So now I'm thinking, "maybe I can get Carlos the computer guy" to ask me out...hmmm, I do like a well-dressed man who just happens to smell amazing...have I mentioned that yet?!

Music in the Midst of Disaster

Over the weekend, Karessa and I spent some time at the shelter for Hurricane Katrina victims at the old Kelly AFB here in San Antonio. It was amazing to see the city come together and embrace these thousands of people. We plan to spend as much time as possible helping but there are a couple of stories that already have made an impression on my heart.
On Friday morning, we were at the donation center sorting clothes when a truck full of bed linens came. I noticed the man had a Holiday Inn name tag so I asked him how it was possible that the hotel was able to donate so many linens. He said they just so happened to get all new linens for their hotel so they just happen to have an entire hotel's worth of linens to give away! How amazing is it that God was preparing our city to give before we ever knew it would be necessary?!
On Friday night, Karessa and I headed over to the actual shelter where the evacuees are staying to see about setting up times to bring our high schoolers to hang out with the teens in the shelter. As we walked in, I couldn't help but notice a man standing outside playing his soprano saxophone. It seemed quite obvious that he was an evacuee, seeing as he was not wearing matching clothes (most likely donated). I was so moved by the fact that in all that was going on his life, he still wanted to play his music. I've never been to New Orleans but I know that it is full of musicians who often play in the streets as people go by. I'd like to speculate that this man is one of these performers who saved his instrument in order to encourage those around him in the shelter with the gift of music God has given him. What an awesome thing to do!
On a side note...I would just like to say how excited I am to bring New Orleans' music to San Antonio!! We are about to be schooled in Jazz, I can just feel it!!!!!!!

A Crash Course in Pre-K Music

HA! I'm already laughing just thinking about what occurred in my preschool 2 year old class today. You see, we move to this classical piece and tell the story of a cuckoo bird who lives in a cuckoo clock and keeps the steady time all day, but at night (when the music changes), the cuckoo bird flies from its' clock. One of the teachers in pre-k began to fly and she took like two steps and did a face plant into the floor! If you know me at all, you know that people falling down is just about the funniest thing ever to me, so as you can imagine I had a really hard time keeping my composure. Well it wasn't long after that, two of the kids were "flying" and ran straight into each other and completely fell over. It was hilarious! What a day!

Disclaimer: I mean no offense to pre-k teacher, I've had my share of spills as well...I totally feel your pain!

What Make Loud and Soft Sounds

Kids, especially first graders, never cease to amaze me. Today I was teaching a lesson on loud and soft and we were making a list on the board of things that are loud and soft. I'm getting all the regular answers one would expect to hear...kittens, lions, trains, etc. Then this kid raises his hand and is so excited to get to say something and he says, "electricity!" WHAT? I guess it does make a soft sound...ha! Kids! You Gotta Love 'Em!

7 Things

So it has been requested by my stalker (ha ha! Totally kidding Tracy) to fulfill the following lists of 7 things (hence the name) each:

7 Things I Want to Do Before I Die...

• Live in a foreign country
• Get married to an amazing Christian man
• Be in a professional musical
• Go to Hawaii
• Be on a sitcom
• Have my own choral arrangements published
• Play concert piano

7 Things I Can Do..

• Sing
• Make other people laugh
• Swing Dance
• Do the hustle
• Pronounce almost any word in German, French or English (thanks to college diction)
• Type a lot of words per minute (I just typed that really fast)
• Rock Climb, repel and white water raft

7 Things I Can't Do...

• Write with my toes
• Sky dive
• Reach the top cubbard above my refrigerator
• Catch the squirrel in my fireplace
• Speak Dutch
• Eat colored tortilla chips
• Drink out of plastic cups unless I own them (I know...I'm quirkey)

7 Things That Attract Me to the Opposite Sex...

• Being a Strong Christian
• Beautiful eyes
• Well managed hair
• Humor...a definite must
• The ability to protect me in any situation
• Well-dressed
• Smart; being able to have an intelligent conversation about music.

7 Things I Say Most Often...

• "What the crack?"
• "So..."
• "I'm fairly confident that..."
• "I like say 'like' before like every word I like say"
• "Ohhhh great" (thanks Karessa for that one)
• "If you can hear the sound of my voice clap once.." (thanks to my loud students)
• "Awesome"

7 Celebrity Crushes...

• Topher Grace
• Freddie Prinze Jr.
• Ryan Gossling
• George Clooney
• Luke Wilson
• Jonathan Taylor Thomas (like 10 years ago! But I loved him!)
• Michael Buble (I'm a sucker for guys who can sing!)

7 People I Think Need To Do This List...

• Tamra
• Amanda
• Jessica
• Adam
• April E. (you're not April W. anymore!)
• Karessa (she already did it though...good job!)
• Kevin Peters...I don't even know if you read my blog, but if you do then you should do this! Ha!

My Own Personal Fan Club

I'm not going to lie...today was a terrible day. I didn't sleep well and woke up only to find the night was not near long enough. As I stood in the shower trying to wake up it occurred to me that tonight is open house night. I had already made dinner plans and would now be forced to not only cancel said plans but also deal with the realization that my 9 1/2 hour day would now be a 12 1/2 hour day. I got ready and headed to school. Half way to school I realized I had not taken my morning medication (vital to keeping migraines at a distance), so I had to turn around and go back home making me, of course, late to school. I had some major problems in my band class with kids who feel the rules do not apply to them. If this gives you any idea of how my day was let me tell you that my school functions on the credit/debit system and I gave out five debits today. I think last school year, I gave out five debits the whole year!
As I walked from my classroom to the open house meeting area, I passed the playground where all the kids were being babysat so their parents could speak with teachers and they all started yelling my name. This happens every time I walk by the playground. It was at that very moment that I remembered why I do what I do. Now open house has concluded and I sit in my empty classroom just contemplating life as I know it. I love these kids and they love me just as much back. The child who is repremanded and sent to the principal still wants to please you the next day. Kids are amazing and I am honored to teach your children. Thank you for giving me my own personal fan club.

A Prayer For My Brother

As many of you know, my brother Wayne is on his second tour in Iraq. When he first left, my good friend Tamra sent me this prayer via email. I think it is an awesome prayer and one that I pray often. Wayne has really been on my heart lately and I just want to share this prayer with you all:

Father God, please put a protective hedge around Wayne as he is inIraq. Give him safety and peace in this turbulent time. Father, provide a sense of security to the entire Stephens family that theymight know Wayne is in your hands. Be with his wife during her pregnancy that her body can grow a strong, healthy child who will know and love you. Be with April and the rest of their family. Calm their nerves and boost their faith in your plan for their lives. Lord, please also put people in each of their lives who will encourage themand left them up. Use Wayne during this time to not only serve our country, but to be a light in this dark world for your kingdom. Thankyou so much for Christ's willingness to serve others and set that example for us. Its in his name I pray. Amen.

The Numa Numa Dance

So Karessa showed me this link (that's right...for once I am stealing something funny from Karessa!) You really need to click this link then click "watch this movie" (the yellow button), then click "watch without subtitles" and watch this guy get down with his bad self! http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/206373
I wish I could dance like this!

Disclaimer: I take no responsiblity for anything else on the site. I have only watched this one video!

Little Bunny Who Who??

So in pre-k today, we are reintroducing the wonderful book/song "Little Bunny Foo Foo" and I say to the 3 year old class, "Does anyone remember the name of our little bunny from last year?" and they say didn't answer so I told them, "Little Bunny Foo Foo!" and a little girl says, "yeah! Little Bunny Poo Poo!"

My OTHER New Roommate

So I've introduced you to Lenny, the lizard in my classroom, and I've introduced you to Karessa my soon to be human roommate. Now I would like to introduce you to "Chutter" the squirel (at least I think it's a squirel) Side note: My second graders named him Chutter...I just don't ask questions anymore.
Anyways...so I have this animal of some kind living in my fireplace. I first encounted Chutter about a week ago when I heard a noise in my fireplace. After talking with my pal Adam, Karessa, and my Mom, I was convinced that it was not a person trying to come down my fireplace and that it was, most likely, a squirrel. Well Chutter appeared to have gone his own separate way until last night.
Chutter seems to have come back and made it completely down my fireplace to the damper (don't worry it was closed). So he's just scratching on this metal damper, trying to get in I guess, and I'm totally weirded out that he somehow will figure out how to open the damper and come make himself at home in my apartment! Well, Thomas (my sweet protective kitty) has been in big time hunt mode for several days now. I even caught him trying to get in the fireplace! He just sits and waits for Chutter to make it into the apartment so he can get him.
Well, I called my apartment maintenance people and they came to my apartment today to try to catch Chutter...well of course he was MIA. They found nothing! So I guess Chutter will come and go as he pleases and I will just have to trust the damper will not magically open because I just don't know how I would react to a squirrel in my apartment!

Random Comment of the Day

So I'm in study hall with my 1st and 2nd graders. Here's some background. I have a bunch of balloons in my room for a lesson I've been teaching. So they finished their homework and I said they could each pick a balloon to play with. One girl says, "Miss Stephens did you blow all these balloons up yourself?" I said, "Yes I did," and she says, "Ohhh...so that's why you are so skinny." Like 'oh I get it now!' HA! I love kids!

High School Ensemble Name

I've been contemplating names for my new singing group at school. I want it to be unique, but not too complicated. I want it to sustain and remain the name of the group for many years. I need your help...I've come up with a few possibilities. I need your vote. Please comment and tell me which one is most appealing to you or if you just hate all of them. Here they are...

Vocalise - this is a word meaning vocal exercise (like a warm-up or something to that effect)

Allegro - Italian for fast

Uno Voce - Italian meaning One Voice

Bel Canto - Italian meaning beautiful singing

Melodioso - Italian for melody

Daybreak - English meaning daybreak

This is a working list so please let me know exactly what you think, let Me know what you think PLEASE!

Our House

So as many of you know, Karessa and I are getting a brand new house! They just framed it last week. Things are progressing nicely and hopefully we will be moving in at the end of October. I just wanted to share with you the floorplan of our new dwelling.
Go to http://www.pulte.com/homefinder/model.asp?commOrg_acctCode=2183&plan_acctCode=35703 and you can see what our new house will look like!

What is Your Biggest Fear?

So after the ropes course, we were discussing the purpose of it. And the question was asked, "what did you get out of participating in the ropes course?" And one of the kids gets up and begins his answer with, "Well I'm really chlostrophobic when it comes to heights..." Well done!

Camp Itenerary For Fifth and Sixth Grade Retreat

Friday, Aug. 19
6:45 - Scheduled departure from CHS to Camp Cho-Yeh
7:15 - Actual departure time to Camp Cho-Yeh
8:30 - Pit Stop
10:30 - Pit Stop
12:15 - Arrive at Camp Cho-Yeh and head to lunch
1:00 - Ice Breaker Games with the not so eager staff of Cho-Yeh. Oh yeah, it's about 105
degrees and no shade in sight. At one point we are playing "People to People" the game
where one yells out body parts and you must connect with your partner. For example
"chin to nose" that's the one I got to experience with my principal. No one should ever
be forced to be that close to their boss!
3:00 - Swimming at the Livingston Public Pool
*Students continuously get in trouble for not waiting in line properly for the water slide.
Note to self...students are not so good at the listening thing.
5:30 - Kids head back to camp I make a Wal-Mart run for supplies. On the way to Wal-Mart I
give myself the tour of Livingston's finest areas of town. The wal-mart, HEB, trashy
trailor park, a lady thinks I am going to run over her as I stop to let her cross the street,
oh and another trailor park.
6:00 - Make my way back to Camp Cho-Yeh for dinner
7:00 - More games organized by yours truly. For all my OC fans, I did teach the "Take A Hike"
and they loved it...but unfortunately, we had to end the game because people wanted to
be in the middle so they would not so subtly run in circles til all seats were occupied.
Good job kids!
9:30 - Devotional
10:00 - Lights Out
10:30 - I'm questioned by parent, whom i don't know at all, about why I'm single and how it is
that I'm still happy in life (so uncomfortable!) "So you don't have any prospects? "no"
"and you're okay with that?" "I am" etc. (why is it that people think life is not worth
living unless you are betrothed to someone?
11:00 - Actual time the lights went out
Middle of night - Boys' cabin absolutely out of control...I sleep through chaos.

Saturday, Aug. 20 HAPPY BIRTHDAY KARESSA!!!
7:00 - Rise and Shine!!
7:30 - Devotional in Outdoor Chapel...about 95 degrees already
8:00 - Breakfast
9:00 - Ropes Course...at this point I am sweating profusely and am yet to do any physical
activity. I climb a tree, walk a tight rope and go down a zip line. Life is hotter than ever,
but it's good.
10:00 - Still at ropes course. Kid doesn't have tennis shoes and begs and cries to go get tennis
shoes.
11:00 - Still at ropes course. Kid now has shoes but is sitting on a log not participating.
12:00 - Leaving Ropes Course. Kid throws fit because now he wants to get on ropes course and
we are leaving.
12:00 - Lunch
1:00 - We asked Mr. Arnold for a 30 minute rest period...permission granted
1:30 - Sports...outside in the sweltering heat. Kids beg to go back indoors (as do teachers). We
all begrudgingly head to the basketball and volleyball courts.
2:30 - Coach and i come to other field after playing volleyball until near death from heat
exhaustion and find that of 12 adults only four are present at sports.
2:50 - I track down remaining adults (including a principal and two board members) in air
conditioned meeting room and tell them just what I think about their sitting in the air
conditioning while I am dying outside. It is at this point, I really have no will to live
anymore and I inform them that they can watch the kids in their next outdoor activity
because I am going to sleep in my cabin.
3:00 - Kids go swimming in lake, I go sleep in cabin.
4:30 - Kids are done swimming due to lightening and I am awakened.
5:00 - All are forced out of cabin to dinner hall where we sit outside in the heat doing nothing
until dinner at 5:30. Why in the world did you make us come up here????
5:30 - Dinner
6:30 - Scavenger Hunt/Wild Goose Chase...outside of course it's only about 95 degrees now
8:00 - Campfire with smores
8:30 - I am still passing out smores, and now completely covered in them as well.
9:00 - Yet another Wal-Mart run in the great town of Livingston, which seems to be the WT
capital of Texas.
9:30 - still searching for needed items and am checked out by a strange girl in a mesh top.
Livingston is high society!
10:00 - Three boys refuse to stay in bed and are forced to stand outside their cabin as
punishment. Faculty sits outside and laugh about/at them. All other children asleep in
cabins.
11:00 Lights out for me.

Sunday, Aug. 21
7:20 - Rise and Shine
8:00 - Breakfast
9:00 - Swimming at the lake.
10:00 - Clean up and pack cars
10:30 - Church...we forgot the crackers at the store (probably because I was frightened by the
people of Livingston), that we are forced to use crutons as our bread.
11:30 - Children perform prepared skits...students mostly just stand there cause they can't
remember their parts. I chuckle.
12:00 - Lunch
12:45 - Head for home
1:30 - Everyone asleep as I drive...teacher snores.
2:00 - Still snoring but a little louder
2:30 - Pit Stop
3:00 - Still snoring, now I'm slightly annoyed.
3:30 - Still snoring, but now feeling somewhat trapped in this moving vehicle.
4:00 - Still snoring. I'm not annoyed anymore, I'm really frustrated because she's all I can
hear!
4:30 - Still snoring and now I'm just mad!
5:00 - She finally wakes up and is complaining about the route we are taking...I become even
more grumpier
5:45 - We arrive back at CHS and I drop the kids off and run as fast as I can back to my
apartment to begin the process of forgetting this weekend ever happened!

Who Does Stuff Like This???

So I'm teaching my first kindergarten class yesterday who, let's face it, should not have graduated preschool...KIDDING (kind of). Anyways, I look over and this girl has tied her left and right shoes together. Most kinders can't even tie their shoes at all but this one ties hers together. Well then she wants help and I say no (I'm so mean) because I am teaching and we are sitting down and she's in no immediate danger of tripping. She then proceeds to lie on her back with her feet in the air thinking somehow this will help her untie the knot. Then she begins to solicit other kinders to help her...well it became quite the uproar and I was forced to stop my class and go undo her knot just so I could get back to teaching! I guess next time I'll just untie the knot rather than trying to teach her a lesson about tying her shoelaces in knots. Lesson learned Miss Stephens...lesson learned.

A Picture is Definitely Worth 1000 Words

I think this pretty much sums up my life to this point...always a bridesmaid never a bride...sigh. Wait...what am i talking about? I love my life! God is good!!

Random Comments...I Love Them SO Much!

So my first graders come to class the other day and one is like, "Remember Miss Stephens this summer when I saw you at Wal-Mart?" Another girl says, "yeah and 'member when I saw you at Target?" "I sure do" I say. Everyone suddenly remembers seeing me somewhere over the summer (which they didn't) then little Noah yells out, "I went to Canada!"

What's Your Favorite Food?

This is a fairly simple question that usually gets a fairly simple answer from kids...pizza, ice cream, etc. Well yesterday I was in second grade taking roll. The game was that I sing their names and then they sing back to me their favorite food. So we're going along and it's all the usual favorite food items. Then we get to Joey. I sing "Jo-ey" and he sings "Octopi." WHAT!? That's right he not only likes octopus but he pluraled it and everything. I don't even know how to spell that word (so please no nasty comments about my spelling). Kids are so weird! I LOVE IT!

I Need Your Help!!!

I need to come up with a name for my new show choir. Being a music teacher, you would think I'd be creative but I'm just not doing such a good job with it right now. I need everyone's input on what I should call my group. I really do want some good names so let me hear them!

I have had several complaints about the fact that my previous post "My New Roommate" was not about my soon-to-be actual roommate Karessa...so I thought I should take this opportunity to introduce you to Karessa Star. We are getting a house this fall and cannot wait! Many of you have met Karessa...if you have not, you are missing out. She's hilarious...but to be honest, she steals most of my jokes. Case in point...last year we're at a church retreat and I make a funny comment to her. I kid you not, she turns around and says my exact funny remark to the youth minister and he laughs a ton! WHAT?! You can't just steal other people's material. Anyhow, she's awesome and we laugh a lot! I have many more funny stories (most likely funnier than the story I just told) but I will close for now! 

Mr. Mundy

I'm not even going to protect Mr. Mundy by hiding his identity. Mr. Mundy has been at my school since cavemen walked the earth. He is one of the funniest people I know. As a disclaimer, you must know that I think he's a great teacher and awesome role model. He's also one of the most sarcastic people I've ever met! Now, most of us know that I appreciate good sarcasm and I respect a good burn when I see it. My philosophy is that if the sarcastic comment/burn is incredibly witty or smart, you can't get mad, rather, you must respect the intelligence it took to come up with said remark so quickly.
I am talking to Mr. Mundy and I'm telling him how last year, one of my tenth grade girls came up to me and said, "Miss Stephens, if I was your age we would totally hang out!" Then Mr. Mundy said, "if she were your age, she'd be married!" BURN!! But I can't get mad, it was a good one! Congratulations Mr. Mundy. I applaud your wit and the courage it must have taken to say that to a 24 year old single girl who just completed her fifth round as a bridesmaid one week prior to this conversation. That took guts!

You Just Don't Know Torture Until You've...

Been to a teacher inservice. I'm not lying! It's amazing how many useless things you learn at a teacher inservice. I just spent a week going to various meetings, one of which I think may have applied directly to me.
I kid you not, at one point there was a ten minute discussion among ten teachers about where and when students will purchase their extra slice of pizza on Fridays...what??? I KNOW!
What is it about teachers that make us ask so many questions? Is it because we are used to being in a class with kids so we've absorbed the talent for asking meaningless questions? Or do we just feel the need to constantly talk because we are used to having the floor all to ourselves when in class? This makes sense because teachers cannot stop talking during meetings. They are worse than their own students. They show up late to the meeting, first of all, then they talk and whisper throughout the entire meeting. Now this might not be so bad except because of their constant chatter, the same meaningless questions get asked not just once or twice but an average of three times within about a 20 minute period. Teachers are some of the most amazing creatures I have ever met!! And I'm proud to be one...hopefully not one that asks goofy questions (although I know I do...no teacher is immune!)

New Roommate

So I'm sitting in my classroom today plugging in my laptop and printer to my new computer desk, when this little lizzard comes out of nowhere to greet me! If you know anything about me, you know that I am quite possibly the jumpiest person on the planet. So I scream and jump back. I immediately call for backup...a high school boy, and demand he remove the lizzard from my room. Well now the lizzard has disappeared, probably because I gave it a heart attack when I first discovered it. So he leaves and I'm stuck with knowing there is a lizzard in my room but I'm just not sure where. I try to continue with my work as planned but I just can't stop thinking that Lenny, my new roommate, is going to come back to say hello. So as I sit here and write this entry, I am constantly aware of my surroundings as I look to see where Lenny will show up next. That's just great! Of all the classrooms on campus, Lenny has to show up at mine and now the day is shot!

No Longer A Rookie...

Wow! I cannot even begin to fathom that my summer is over and it is now time to go back to school. It's hard to go back to school. Because I never dreamed of being a teacher, I always assumed that the phrase "back to school" would never apply to me once I finished college. So here I sit in my classroom, already overwhelmed by the thought of a new school year and all that goes with it, staff meeting, study hall, music programs, staff meetings, more music programs, chapel, beginning band (that's right), more programs, oh yeah...and teaching.
I look forward to this new school year for several reasons. 1) I have a classroom, newly painted by myself, that is twice the size of of my old classroom. 2) My budget has increased very significantly and I have already made several big purchases to enhance my lessons. 3) I will be putting on music programs completely independent of PTFA meetings (this is a big deal even though you may not know what that all entailed). Of course, there are more reasons but these are the big ones.
Now that I am no longer a rookie, I look forward to actually having some clue about what is happening before it actually happens. I'm sure I will still do a fair amount of flying by the seat of my pants, because let's face it, that's what I do, but this year I'll be prepared for anything! Have a wundebar year everyone and GOOD LUCK teachers!!

Do The Hustle

I'm convinced that only a small number of music teachers would actually be willing to teach a group of summer camp kids ages 6-11 how to do the Hustle. I am one of those teachers. I taught a Music and Movement day camp class a couple weeks ago and we did all kinds of great dances: The Electric Slide, The Hustle, Hands Up, Macarena, etc. Well this day camp offered both fun and academic classes. We were in the middle of The Hustle when one of my first graders shouts out over the music, "This is way better than reading class!" HA! I love these kids!

I'm Not Her Mom!

So we're in beginning piano class today and I am at the dry erase board helping a little girl write a rhythm. One of the kids comments, "Miss Stephens, from the back, you look like a mom and daughter. You have the same color hair." Then little Sarah turns to me and says, "Miss Stephens, I don't look like your mom!" HA! You should have seen her face, she was so serious...she totally didn't get that they meant I looked like her mom! It was precious cute!

What Might Happen If...

So I was organizing my classroom for next year and came across some stories that were written by my third graders. I asked several questions and their job was to write a story to go along with one of the questions. Here are just a few of their stories as written by them:

What Might Happen If A Player In The Orchestra Continuously Played All The Wrong Notes?

Every body would leave and start screaming and yelling and taring [tearing] the chairs apart. and some people would cry because they paid alot of money to see it. I would start crying because couldn't find my family.

- Kara

What Might Happen If An Orchestra Had No Conductor?
Everyone would get off tune and keep going and never know when to stop People would blow up because they would never stop. I would have to call the ambulains [ambulence] to make them stop.
- Sara

What I think what might happen if a symphony Orchestra didn't have a conductor everyone would forget to go to the bathroom before so they would half [have] to go during the musical.
- Alexis

Everything would go wrong and someone mite [might] play the wrong instrument and some one mite not blow spit out of there [their] trumpet and spit flew all over the audience.
- Susie

But I Did It On Purpose, Why Are You Punishing Me?

I was substituting in the preschool today and we were on the playground with the 3 year old class. A little boy hit one of the girls who, of course, started to cry immediately. It seemed to be an accident but required more investigating since it involved being hit. So one of the teachers asks him, "did you hit her on purpose?" He does not hesitate to say, "yes." This is an open/shut case, he admitted to hitting her on purpose and he will now receive his sentence...time out and a talk about not hitting our friends. He walks over to us and is very upset (sad not mad). He starts to cry as if he is being wrongly punished. He then says, "But I did it on purpose!!" He can't seem to understand why he is having to sit in time out for doing something on purpose. Then it occurs to us...he's gotten his words mixed up! What he means to say is that it was an accident! What seemed to be an honest criminal was really a mixed up little kid!

Favorite Quotes from Colorado Trip

Here are some of my favorite high schooler quotes from the recent trip to Colorado:

On the way, a teacher and I were listening to what we thought was a novel but turned out to be a documentary type book about Mormonism. When I got on the bus we were telling the kids that we now knew more about Mormonism than we ever needed to know. One girl says, "good thing we're going to Colorado then!" Last time I checked, there weren't a lot of Mormons in Colorado. Ha!

We are driving out of Raton, NM and are about to enter Colorado. I see the sign that says "leaving New Mexico" sign and I say, "we're leaving New Mexico!" And one of my girls gets real excited and says, "YES, we're in...Colorado??" Good job! Where else would we be?

So we're rafting down the Arkansas River and we see a deer standing by the river. I point it out and one of my girls says, "look at that! Is it real?" No...people put fake deer on the side of the river because we don't have real deer in Colorado!

A Birthday Party for Miss Stephens

So my birthday was June 3. This was the last day of our Colorado trip. I was not all that excited about spending my 24th birthday with a bunch of high schoolers but I also knew it wasn't the worst thing that could happen on my birthday so I didn't worry too much about it. Well, we were waiting for the bus to arrive at 1 p.m....and we waited...and waited. Turns out our bus driver was completely incompotent. She was having bus trouble and needed a funnel to put more collant in. Rather than going to the local grocery store, she drove 40 minutes past our campsite to buy a funnel! Well, she can't drive in a straight line, so she got lost coming back. To make a long story short...we left 6 hours late! Needless to say, I was not a happy camper. Not only were we running way late but I had to cancel dinner plans with a good friend from high school I haven't seen in two years. When I finally walked onto the bus, I found that the students had hung a "Happy Birthday" banner with balloons above my seat. They were all so sweet and apologized that my birthday was a total bust. What they don't know is that they made the whole day worthwhile!

The CHS Adventure Seekers

Here's our Colorado Adventure group! These high schoolers are so amazing! I am blessed to have the opportunity to teach them. In just five days we rafted, rock climbed, repelled, played games, prayed together, laughed together, and cried together. What an awesome experience.