In the History of Birthday Presents...

My ukulele has to go down as one of the best, most thoughtful gifts I have ever received. On one of our first dates, I told Bret that I wanted to learn to play the ukulele and he remembered all these months later and surprised me with a ukulele for my birthday! I've been playing it everyday and LOVE it! My good friends, Josh and Amanda came to visit last week and Josh and I had fun playing guitar and ukulele together.

Here's one of our first attempts at a duet.

My Sweet Ellie is ONE!

My sweet niece turns one today. ONE! How has time flown by so quickly. I love this girl so much it hurts a little.

My Latest Project

Now that I'm a doctor and not writing that pesky dissertation, I have a more time to spend on being crafty and leisurely! For graduation, Mom and Dad got me a fantastic new sewing machine! I love it! It's so fancy and runs so smoothly!

My first project was a quilt for my niece's first birthday. The inspiration for my quilt design came from here. It's probably one of the simplistic quilt designs ever and I'm so happy with how it turned out!

My fabric:

                                                

Next, cut your fabric into strips. It's easy cause you don't have to make them all the same width. I think mine varied from 2"-5." Here's what it looked like after I pieced it together.

                                                

And the finished product (Don't mind the cat, he insists on laying in close proximity to me at all times).

The birthday girl with her new blankie!

Feeling Older Everyday...

Yesterday in class, my students were looking through some possible song choices for a teaching lesson and a student mentioned the title, "If I Were a Windmill." We had the following conversation:

Me: Oh I used to listen to that song as a child, but it was a different version.
Student: Do you still have it?
Me: I have it on an LP somewhere.
Student: (blank stare) . . . what's that?
Me: (Blank stare) . . .
Student: Student B, do you know what an LP is?
Student B: No idea
Me: It's a record
Student B: Ohhhhh....my mom had a record player.

I died a little bit on the inside.

Student Teacher...or Music Education Professor? Who Can Tell?!?

So a couple weeks ago, I had the opportunity to work with some 1st and 2nd graders at a local elementary school. The classes came through with their teachers and I presented a 15-minute music activity. Afterward, the music teacher told me that one of the classroom teachers approached her and said, "You have to get that girl as your student teacher next year! She's awesome!" To which the music teacher replied, "That's Dr. Stephens. She coordinates the music education program at CU."

HA HA! At least I know I'm an excellent student teacher candidate. One of these days I'll actually look my age and people will take me seriously. ha ha! I love my job!

I Went, I Conquered

Easter weekend was filled with lots of fun, lots of friends, and best of all a name change! I traveled to Tucson to defend my doctoral dissertation and I passed! I am now Dr. Stephens! After my defense, the committee sends you out of the room to discuss the outcome. After a couple minutes, my advisor walked out and said, "Is there a Dr. Stephens out here?" Best sentence ever spoken! I'm not gonna lie, it felt good!
The weekend was filled with some wonderful quality time with friends as well!

We dyed eggs

Went to church

Got to love on this sweet boy all weekend!

Caught up with my most wonderful Tucson friends.

And of course, spent time with my fellow Ph.D. gals!

It was a great weekend! Thanks to all!! Goodbye Arizona . . .

Spring has Sprung!

It's been years since I've experienced a real Spring and I'm loving it! Kentucky is already super green and my flowers are quickly growing! I am especially excited about the tulips I planted!

My very "springy" porch. Can't wait for all the flowers to grow!

Where I've Been . . .

I've pretty much lost touch with the blogging world. I hope to remedy that starting now (if anyone even still checks this thing)! So what have I been doing that could possibly be more important than updating my blog?

Well, since my last post I . . .

1. Moved from Tucson, AZ to Campbellsville, KY
2. Completed my first semester as a full-time music education professor
3. FINISHED MY DISSERTATION!

I submitted my dissertation and have my defense date set in April. If all goes well, I will graduate in May! It's been a wild ride these last few months but I am truly a blessed girl!