A Little Update

Hello! I've been reminded by a few sweet blog followers that I have not updated for a while so here goes and here is why: I've been SUPER BUSY! And after living in a "super busy" world of childhood cancer where you don't have a choice, I love my self-selected "super busy" time. I am blessed! I know I can set my own schedule and stop at any time, unlike those still in the cancer world, yuck! That's not a pretty place to be. Busy by choice is a good place to be - at least for me!

The first weekend of November found me presenting at a national research conference for literacy in Virginia and the following weekend I presented with a colleague at the American Middle Level Educators' (AMLE, formerly NMSA) Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. Last weekend I went with two fantastic 7th and 8th grade E/LA teachers (and also one of my current BGSU students) to the National Council of Teachers of English Language Arts Teachers' national conference in Chicago. I did not present at that one so it was just fun to go and learn and catch up with other educators.

I was blessed to spend the evening of my birthday with my family! Shayne and I drove back from Chicago and aunt Marty brought a birthday cake for us. (I was born on my mother's birthday.) We then went to the 10:00pm showing of Twilight: Breaking Dawn.

A manuscript I wrote for a research journal was rejected; however, I was thrilled beyond believe when an article I wrote for a peer reviewed journal of the National Social Studies Council was accepted. I made the revisions, corrected the proofs, worked back and forth with the editor and it will be printed in their Jan/Feb edition. Praise God as this is a mandated requirement for keeping my job, but also becuase I believe my work contains vital information that social studies teachers should be doing in their middle school classrooms to enhance their students' learning.

Shayla continues to do incredibly well and I thank God every day for the healthy and sweet young lady she is. She tells us she's happy and I'm thrilled about that! We love her friends, grades and many activities she partakes in. This afternoon she will be getting braces on her bottom teeth. She's really doing well!

Thanks so much for checking in. I hope you have a fabulous Thanksgiving enjoying your many blessings!

Shayne and I recently attended our 25th high school reunion. Certainly we are not that old! (I remember when my parents went to theirs and I thought they were old! Hee hee!)

I recently served as head judge for the Miss Maple City pageant - a local preliminary to Miss Ohio and then Miss America. Shayla helped back stage, curling hair, zipping gowns and taking it all in. She's always amazed at how nice the girls are to each other and I tell her that was exactly my experience as a contestant back in the day, funny how I still keep in touch with some of the other girls. I can't say enough about the Miss America Scholarship program - my winnings fully funded my Master's degree. I'm happy to judge and give back; I may be getting more involved in the near future.

Shayne called on clients while I was at my conference and then we squeezed in lots of couple time, enjoying Chicago! Sushi, deep dish pizza, shopping and an incredible suite at the Trump Tower, thanks to a sweet friend's treat! Unbelievable!

After checking into our suite, Shayne and I were sent up a fruit plate much to our surprise and shock. We were treated like royalty. Both rooms had floor to ceiling windows and even a "pillow menu". We have never been put up at such an amazing place before. While in Chicago I was also able to have a fantastic lunch with an amazing woman we met through Christi's journey.

Thanks to mom and dad for taking care of Shayla while we were in Chicago last week!

Shayne hugs her great aunt Marty (and her Godmother)

Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Be No Evil! Love those three guys!