NASA DOWNLINK

Today was an awesome day! Mueller Elementary along with WSU College of Education had a live downlink with three astronauts on board the NASA Space Center. 275 students (3rd - 5th graders) came to exploration place and were able to talk to these astronauts live. The astronauts answered their questions and I felt so privileged to be there.

After the download the students toured the 30 "Discover Centers" prepared and presented by WSU COE students. My partner and I had a "Comet" center and the children were able to make a model of a comet to take home with them. Most students seemed like they really enjoyed the activity and were interested in the information.

As we were walking to the car we passed by some boys waiting in line to board their school buss and they yelled out "thank you for the comets!". That made my day!

One thing I was surprised by is that other people also came through and asked questions about our Discovery Centers. I had been under the impression that it would only be Mueller Elementary students there. Had I known they allowed others to come in I would have called my homeschool friends and let them know to come. The kids would have really enjoyed and benefited from visiting all the discovery centers.

I feel sure after today that I have chosen the right profession. What a great day!

P.S. - Bad news is . . . forgot my camera. BOOOOOOOOOO! :-(

ONE SPECIAL DAY!

I totally forgot to post about my most wonderful girlee day with some of my favorite girls. One evening my SIL, Lorrine, called and asked if I would like to have a girlee day with her and my 16 year old niece, Haleigh. Of course I said "YES!" right away. A day or so later I was with my other SIL, Noel, and I asked her if she and my 13 year old niece, Paige, would like to join us. Unfortunately Noel was unable to break away but Paige was able to join us.

We were able to go to Xenon School of Hair Design and enjoy manicures, pedicures, and facials. Haleigh and Lorrine also got haircuts. We all felt like royalty!

I had never had a facial before and let me tell you, it will not be my last! I felt like I was in heaven! From the dim lights, the soft music, the warm towels, the fantabulous face, neck, and shoulder massage . . . . . . ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. If she would have left that room for even a second I'm sure snoring would have ensued. PURE BLISS!

After all that special treatment Lorrine took us to On the Border and treated us to a great meal and dessert. Great food and and a super fun time just hanging out there visiting. I think this should be a new tradition!

Here are a few pictures from that day . . . . .

McKain Christmas Party

Saturday we went to Bartlesville to the McKain Christmas party. Everyone but 2 nephews were able to come one was out of state and one is expecting a new baby SOON)and we had a great time.

It was so great to get to see everyone and catch up on what's going on in everyone's lives!

Wrestlemania!

After the McKain Christmas Party we stopped by Bryan and Noel's on the way home.

Jenna had babysat Roxie for us all day and she did a great job!

For many years Don has shared his wrestling expertise with Trevor and schooled him with his fancy moves. Age has taken it's toll and this wrestling match didn't quite turn out the way the old man expected. Trevor got the best of his Uncle Don and the Uncle was calling UNCLE!

Oh, the honesty of children . . . .

This weekend I got to spend the weekend with my nephew and nieces in Winfield. We always have such a great time together and this weekend was no different. They are such wonderful kids and I am proud of them in every way.

Unfortunately Don was not with us because he is spending a few days with his dad, helping him get some things done around his house. Saturday evening we decided to drive to Ponca City to eat so the kids and Don could see each other and enjoy an hour or so visiting. So, we all loaded in our "new" 1990 Buick. A few minutes into the drive Jenna asked how she was supposed to roll down the window. You see, this car has CRANK windows - something that 6-year-old Jenna has never seen before. Oh, the wonder of such a thing. She had all kinds of interesting questions and comments about how these windows work. So I suggested that when she went to school on Monday she could tell her friends about these windows. She politely said that she did not want to tell anyone. Well, this, of course, led Paige, Trevor, & I to taunt her about being embarrassed about Aunt Neta's car. With all the seriousness of a politition she announces that she is NOT embarrassed. She states that she loves Aunt Neta's car, cause it is an "old-fashion" car - she just doesn't want to tell anyone so it can be our secret! How funny! We all had a good laugh while she continued to proclaim that she LOVED Aunt Neta's old fashioned car!

I just love the honesty - and loving consideration that comes from this wonderful child!

I'm Grateful and Honored!

A few weeks ago one of my professors pulled me to the side and told me she was recommending me for a paid liaison position with WSU and she gave me an application to fill out and hand in to the Urban Teacher Preparation Program Liaison leader.

Today I met with that leader and was asked to join the team. I am so excited. There seems to be about 10 WSU Education Majors on the team. We sign up to attend H.S. FEA (Future Educators Association) meetings and work as a liaison between the school and WSU. We also work as mentors to the FEA members. The maximum 77 hours per year work limit is not a lot of hours but I feel like this is an incredible opportunity and a huge blessing!

Good Friends, Good Food, Good Neighborhood!

Several weeks ago we received an invitation to a neighborhood potluck dinner. There are 3 ladies in our neighborhood who took the time to plan, invite neighbors, and rent the North Park Villa for a potluck dinner so we could all get to know each other a little better. Kathy admitted last night that they were really not even sure that anyone would come - How wrong they were! The ladies invited everyone in an area 2 blocks long & 4 different streets. I counted how many people were there several different times and would estimate that about 50-60 people came. There was more food than we could possibly eat and everyone was mingling around meeting each other. We met several families we did not know yet and everyone there is looking forward to the fall dinner we are having in a few months. WHAT A GREAT IDEA!

We feel so blessed that God lead us to this neighborhood. It is about as close to small town living as one can get in the city.

Riverside Rocks!