Christmas Villages

The coming together of two families has been quite an experience. Some of you have experienced this "dramatic" event as you know what I mean. The holidays are upon us and the decisions and events must be worked out to accommodate two families. Thankfully Jonathan and I haven't had any major crisis yet. This being said I had my first experience at Christmas Villages yesterday.

Jonathan has always been assigned the task of putting up the Christmas Villages at his house. Growing up we had many traditions, mainly German Christmas traditions that my mother used with us. I also loved that I got to experience the upbringing that my mother had growing up. It has always been so special to me. Well yesterday, Jonathan and I put up my first Christmas Village at his parents house. First we had to take all the pieces out and glue them together. We couldn't find the hot glue gun so we made a trip to Fred's. After many hours, most of mine were spent on the couch, Jonathan finished the Christmas Village.

I have a before picture but I don't have an after picture. It was too dark in the room to get a good picture but I will have to post one soon. And after Jonathan completed the Village and a quick trip to Starkville to get supper and consume yogurt, we headed back to watch Criminal Minds and admire the wonderful Christmas Village.

I have decided to start a Christmas Village with Jonathan. I want to be able to take traditions from both sides of our family and use them in our new life we start together. The first piece I will purchase is going to the the schoolhouse. How appropriate right?

I love this Schoolhouse by Department 26. I have decided that this is my favorite Christmas Village Retailer

What are some of your Christmas Traditions?

Thankfulness...

I wrote this on my phone while I was at home and never posted it.. A little late (I know) but wanted to share this with others...

This Blog post has been weighing heavy on my heart for some time. No I haven't done the 25 Days of thankfulness, but I feel this was a much needed post after a conversation I had a couple of weeks ago....

As many of you know I come a family of educators, I am marrying into an education family, and I am a educator. The meaning of educator can be determined many ways however I feel it is one that is not selfish, happy, willing to help others, etc.. While talking to an educator the other day, they told me they hate education. This is where the thought of this Blog started. Why hate a job that you have? Why hate a job that is so important to the success of our country? Why hate a job you don't get paid for as you should.

This is what has become so awful in our society. So many professionals are located in their job and are unhappy. Why? Why do something you do not enjoy. I have become the opposite. I love education. I live the thrill of being able to help others. Often I find phone conversations with 'J' leading to education. Something I have about the two of us is that we have a heart for education. We both selected undergrads degrees that did not pertain to education in any form. And look where we are now.... Education.

I guess where this Blog is going. Don't complain about the profession you have selected. You selected it for a reason. If you have lost that fuel find it. If you can't find it, find something new.

My mom taught me lessons in the short life we had together. But one lesson she taught me was to be happy. Life is too short not to enjoy it. So if nothing else enjoy the day you have been given. Smile and don't complain. I have learned the last three years somebody always has it worse than you. So be thankful for what you have! I had to learn this the hard way but maybe that's what makes me happy to be in education. To have the ability to make a difference.

In closing this is what I am thankful for this thanksgiving! I am thankful for the life I have been given. The opportunities, the education, the ability to make decisions and choices. The opportunity to have the ability to spend thanksgiving and everyday with my family and future husband. And the 21 wonderful years I had with my mother.

Chistmas Wish List

Anybody that knows me, knows that I am the hardest person to buy for. Usually I have my mind made up and what I want and I don't wait for anybody to get it for me. I just go out and buy it. This year I have had a list. I will be the first time in years and the only reason I am doing is this because of 'J' and his constant asking of what I want.

The first item on my list is a must this Christmas and I have told Jonathan that I have been wanting for a while.. It is the Rachel Hobo Wallet in Stone..

The second item on my list in another item that 'J' was just bugging me to tell him something else I wanted. I have been wanting these for sometime. These are amazing and so warm! I can't wait to wear them around these house if I am good and receive them.

Third on my list has been sitting in my room for sometime. The lamp shown below is a McCarty Pottery lamp in jade. I bought my lamp in nutmeg, which is my favorite color in McCarty Pottery. I have the base to my lamp, however somebody or someone needs to assemble my lamp so I can use it in my wonderful room.

I love McCarty Pottery and there are three four smaller pieces that I would love to have this Christmas. I have no asked for them and to my knowledge nobody knows I want them. They are just sitting on my McCarty Wish List..
     -Nutmeg Candle Plate
     -Nutmeg Small Candle Holder  (and I would love to have two of these)
     -Nutmeg Large Candle Holder
I also have a Peter's Pottery Wish List going (I don't have much Peter's and really like McCarty Pottery better however there are a couple pieces that Peter makes and McCarty doesn't.
     -Nutmeg Salt and Pepper Shaker
     -Nutmeg Souffle Bowl
     -Nutmeg Rectangle 7x11 Casserole
     -Nutmeg 7x7 Casserole Dish
     -Nutmeg Chip and Dip

As I mentioned I have never made a list and these couple of items in the 'pottery' world I have had my eye on so why not put them on my Christmas List. I will not be heard broken if I don't get them because guess what? I will be taking a trip to the delta after Christmas with my Christmas List to do some shopping!

What is your eye set on this Christmas?

Grant Writing...

Yes.. The wonders of asking for money. I am currently having my first experience in grant writing. I am currently writing a grant for my department to be able to travel and recruit graduate students to the program. It has been an experience and with the help of Jonathan maybe we will get the grant (Yes, I even made him help me). I love helping people and I feel that this will help our department at MSU in so many ways. First of all, we will be able to travel to MECA to recruit future students. Many of you are asking what is MECA.

It is a conference help in February in Jackson, Mississippi that basically all computer teachers and coordinators come together for three days! I love the fact that there is just a great opportunity for these individuals to get together in Mississippi. I have submitted a proposal to be able to present at MECA and should find out this week if I am selected. This will be the second presentation on the Ph.D. resume (thank goodness).

All this being said has lead me to some thought about my dissertation. I am wanting to complete it on the importance of technology in special eduction. Many of you might be asking how or why I decided this topic! I believe that technology can really enhance learning when used effective. So why not incorporate in our classrooms and use it for additional instructional of those students who need it.

Special education students need a ton of additional assistance on repetition. The state of Mississippi can not afford to higher one-in-one instruction for these students. So why not use technology? I am not trying to save the world.. well not just yet! Just trying to help it be a better place for our young adults and children!

Dishes...

I love being in the kitchen. I love to cook. The only problem is I have desire to cook for one individual each and every time. Every time J & I venture to Weir I also end up in the kitchen with his mother. I guess the reason I have such a heart for being in the kitchen is because that was something I could also remember my mother doing. My mother always set the table and we had dinner every night with something green and a glass of milk. To this day when I sit down with something to eat I want a glass of milk at supper. I miss my mother dearly, especially this time of year when the seasons begin to change and football season is in full swimg. However, I continue to search for the perfect dishes for J&I. I have a heart for Vietri. Ever since I travel to Italy my senior year I have always wanted this to be my traditional dinnerwear. I couldn't decide on just one for I think I am going to put the two together.. What are your thought?

-Court

Friday Night Lights

Many of you know that Jonathan is coaching football at Ridgeland High School. Well my duties usually involve the drive to Weir to eat my 4:00 meal and then continue with the drive to Ridgeland. This week however I will not be going. I have a lot of sinus drainage and with J (Jonathan) & I having to get up early to drive to Meridian for class I decided it would be best if I stayed in Weir tonight. Speaking of Weir, they play Ethel tonight and I hope that maybe I can make a small appearance as those of you who know me know that high school football is my favorite. So that being said.....

I wish Jonathan good luck against Neshoba Central! 

My dad (Corinth High School) good luck against Pontotoc. 

And Trey (Weir High school/my cousin) good luck against Ethel.

HAPPY FRIDAY NIGHT TO ALL!!! 

-Court