Zumba Bumba

Ok, I've been talking about it and even been doing it. My zumba class made the King 5 News tonight. The instructors Kristyn and Mandy are good friends of Desiree (my best friend here in Tacoma and the one who finally talked me into it). I love going and have recruited my neighbor Laura, my friend Mary and co-worker KayLynn. They even go the nights I don't.

So if you like dancing (and even if you don't... you all know how well I dance). You've gotta check it out! It's all the craze these days.

QUESTION : Am I sort-of famous if I know the girls featured on the news?

CHALLENGE: I was in the class that night. If you spot me you win!

ULTIMATE CHALLENGE: Find a Zumba class and sign-up!

check it out here: http://www.king5.com/video/sports-index.html?nvid=215160&she=1

My Mini Red Album Assignment

I'm in my final course for my Certificate in Administration for Early Childhood Programs. Our instructor was trying to get us to do some self reflection and asked us to do an assignment about looking in our purse. I really ejoyed this assignment.

Here's what I found:

As I look through my purse and try to find something that is of particular meaning to me, I ponder what’s in my purse. Would it be my Blackberry, which I use for work and to make calls? Would it be my debit card that allows me to purchase what I need, since I never have cash and less and less vendors take checks. My lipstick….no, I hardly wear it. My gum…well I really like to chew it, but it doesn’t say much about me, expect I have bad breath.

I look deeper and find it…oh yes this is it. It’s a red leather mini album with pen markings on it. It’s a photo album that was given to me by my friend. But before I could put any pictures in it my two children got a hold of it and drew all over the front of it. At first I was mad, by the drawings, thinking “ I will never have anything nice”. Then I realized I treasured the “art” they put on the front of it because it reminded me what blessings they are in my life. So in this photo album are a few pictures, pictures of those mischievous children who I love and treasure so much. What’s missing from the album is a picture of my husband and myself to show the family that I’m so proud to be a part of.

What does this say about me? We’ll, yes I love children and I love being married. But what I really value is family. I value the relationship between a husband and a wife. I value the bond between children and parents, mothers and daughters, fathers and sons. Until I was a parent I could not at all comprehend what it means to be a mother. I didn’t realize the amazing impact a father has on his children. I didn’t realize how complicated life becomes, how many fears you have that something will happen to your children.

I realize now that that little red album represents the person I’ve become, not just the mother or wife I’ve become but also the hopes and dreams I have for all children and families that I come in contact with. As a result of my love for my own family and children I have a desire that every child have the opportunity to feel loved, be in a home or environment where they can shine. I also have a strong desire to learn more about being an effective parent, teacher and leader. I want to have an impact on the lives of those around me and be a positive influence on those whose lives I enter.

Little did I know that little red album would show me that I want to change the world….but it did. Boy, am I glad I didn’t choose the gum in my purse.

Snow Day !

We got snow, enough for Alyssa's school to have a snow day! It was fun, we were out in it at 8:00am, worried it might not last long. We played hard. Owen and Alyssa enjoy throwing snowballs, so once they realized we were making giant snowballs for the snowman it was all over and the snowman was fair game for snow ball throwing. Our backyard looked so beautiful with all the snow. It's been a long time since I could say that about the backyard.

Fun times had by all!

Note to grandparents: Your grandchildren need snow boots and snow suits size 2 and 6:)