Christmas 2008

It was a lovely and busy Christmas this year. Christmas Eve was spent at my Grandma Peterson's home. Christmas Day spent with my family and cousins. Friday was busy with grabbing some after Christmas sales (no need to buy wrapping paper or bags next year!). Saturday was Ali and Joel's wedding, it was lovely, than Feyereisen Christmas, than Dieringer Christmas Eve tradition time! Sunday was Christmas at Dieringer's! Fun, Fabulous and Frenzy are the words that best describe this Christmas. Here are a few pictures from the week! I wish I would have gotten more to really show the great time we had! Miss Caden reading her new book from Aunt Krystin and Uncle Kyle! It was If you Give a Moose a Muffin! I think moose are great! It was wonderful seeing the big girl Caden is turning into. And she's got attitude which I love!
The "BOYS!" My brothers and the dogs...all cherished members of the family! :) My mom is going to love this picture!

Here we are!! I am wearing my Christmas sweater in honor of Grandpa Duey! He had one that was opposite and wore it every year! We miss him!

So, Christmas is over and the New Year is near! Later this week I will right a little reflection of 2008! It was a fun, life changing year!

We hope you had as blessed of a Christmas as we did! We are continually thankful for our family and friends!

Beth's Graduation & Roommate Christmas

Here are the pictures from the past two days! It has been a fun and fast two days. I am very excited for more family time next week. The Roommate Christmas was just the first of many celebrations! Carol, thank you for the ideas for Kyle and I!

Beth's Graduation Fan Club! The proud spouse of Beth!

Roommate Christmas Dinner

Nikki made this for Tina

Tina made this for Susan

Susan made this for me

I made this for Nikki

All the finished products - the stakes are getting higher every year!

My parents new puppy, Remi! Isn't he cute?!?!

Lazy Blogger...

Since Carol has had no good reading for awhile I will now write about my exciting life!!! This blogging thing can be lots of work! :)
The semester is coming to an end. I have officially went to my last college class. I have one paper/letter to write for Monday and my semester is done. WOOHOO I also completed my Phase III Portfolio and passed with flying colors. My teaching philosophy was rubriced a 4 (the best you can get!) and let me tell you that I was more than thrilled! Next semester is student teaching/internship and I am really looking forward to it. My teacher seems very nice. And next semester the job search really begins!
As I am finishing my semster, Kyle is working his butt off. He has 4 finals next week. So while I hang out, he will study. I guess that is what happens when you decide to get your masters.
I will hopefully be putting up some fun pictures in the next week. On Monday, I will be celebrating Christmas with my old roommates. Each year we exchange names and make a a Christmas "something." Last year was stockings, which Susan has up in her apartment right now. My mom and I did a great job on those! This year was a Christmas wall hanging. I will post pictures when my person, who might read this so I won't mention her name, opens her gift. I think it is pretty cute. Tonight we have 3 Dieringer family members sleeping over and then in the morning we will be going to Beth's graduation. Very exciting!
So, that is all that is going on right now. Oh, I am reading these really good books called the Yada Yada Prayer Group by Neta Jackson. I am sooo into them. Check them out.
Love to everyone! And Merry Christmas soon.... I am excited!!! Please give me any ideas to make Christmas something special for just Kyle and I before we go home to the family Christmas.

Christmas Tag

Well, I love to fill these things out. Here you go.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper
2. Real tree or Artificial? I love real trees but in our little apartment we can't have a big one of those so we will have my mini artificial this year. Next year, it will be real...hopefully!
3. When do you put up the tree? This is our first Christmas tradition as a married couple, the Sunday after Thanksgiving.
4. When do you take the tree down? After Christmas
5. Do you like eggnog? Nope.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? I can't remember but my favorite gift that my cousin Alyssa got as a child was a little grocery store check out station. I played with it ALOT!?
7. Hardest person to buy for? This year, no one. But probably my dad.
8. Easiest person to buy for? Kyle
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes -- And because of Carol's post I found out that my Grandma got Kyle and I the Willow Tree Nativity for Christmas this year! WOOHOO
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail.
11.Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Nothing has been that awful...actually Kyle did get me these little sponge things that grow when you put them in water. He was desperate but it was good that I like wierd things like that.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? I don't have one because we never really watched them growing up.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Day after Thanksgiving. I like to have it all done that day so I enjoy the entire Christmas month! I love to buy gifts for people!
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No, not a Christmas present, that I remember.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? I love to eat everything at Christmas but I really like my aunt tami's swedish tea cakes. I am going to make them this year! And I love peanut butter balls and sugar cookies.
16. Lights on the tree? yes, white
17. Favorite Christmas song? Winter Wonderland , Do you hear what I hear?, Baby It's Cold Outside.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Travel, I like to spread the holiday cheer!
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Prancer, Comet, Vixon, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Rudolph...i think. Which is odd since we never believed in Santa.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? I don't have this stuff yet but I will choose a star.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Both!
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Jesus is the Reason for the Season and people put too much emphasis on the gifts. I am guilty of this as well becasue I love to give and recieve gifts...It is my love language.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Red and White. I really love the bright, in your face Christmas colors. Red, Green, and White
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Mashed Potatoes, I always love mashed potatoes.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? To have a great first Christmas with Kyle creating our own traditions and also enjoying the traditions of our families.

Merry Christmas...soon!

Christmas blog time! I just wrapped all the presents I bought in the past two days so I decided it was time to make my blog very Christmasy! I feel very festive when I look at it and I hope you do too!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I love Thanksgiving! It has always been one of my favortie holiday's. Most likely because it is centered around FOOD and family! :) This year, Kyle and I will be having two Thanksgiving dinners. At noon we will be with his family and then around 3 we will be heading over to my family. At the moment, I am baking pies for both of those parties. The pumpkin pie is done and it was my first one ever. It looks lovely. Anyways, this morning I began to think of all the things I am thankful for. My family always goes around the table saying what they are thankful for before we eat, so I was preparing!! Here is my list:
1. God - I do not know who I would be without His guidance.
2. Kyle - 5 months married! WHOA!
3. Peterson family - my support system.
4. Dieringer family- I love the craziness and love in this family.
5. My health - no health insurance so this is important.
6. My field study students - they have solidified my desire to teach.
7. My education - I can't wait to teach in my own classroom!
8. My baby apartment - it is small, cute and ours!
9. My friends- I am blessed to have very close relationships with these girls.
10. My passions: cooking, reading, pictures, tetris (haha), blogging, friends!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATY LOU!

We hope Gera, Sara, and Katy are having a great day celebrating Katy's 1st year! WOOHOO Wish we could be there! :)

Go Rocket Football

Rocket football has one the sectional title, first time in school history, and will be playing for the State Title on Thursday at 4pm at Camp Randall. It will be the first state title ever attempted for the school. I am lucky enough to have a brother on the team! This is a super exciting time for my family. Also, my cousin's team advanced and will be playing in the Division 3 State game! I love high school football!!!!!!! My brother, Josh, #1 Tight End in the State!

"I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me: let us exalt his name together."
Psalms 34:1-3

I have recently been thinking about how thankful I am for the life the Lord has given me. I have a God who loves me, a husband that is so kind all the time, and tons of family and friends that I can lean on. I am learning new things about life all the time, discovering my purpose in life, and focusing on praising God through it all.

So, I have these thoughts of contentment and then go to the middle school every day. Many of these kids are hurting and need to know joy and hope in their lives. Some students see no purpose in life. How can I reach a student significantly when their home life is so broken and hurting? Is being kind, showing them I care, and helping them learn enough? Most importantly, will they be able to see Jesus in my actions?

I will continue to PRAISE; trusting that God has a plan for each of these students of mine, as well as, a plan for teaching me how to show His love to them every day. I am so grateful to have the hope of the Lord in my life. It gives me strength!

In my Bible, I have some notes next to Psalms 31:24, "Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord." Here is what they say, "Be Brave, Be Strong, Don't Give Up, and Expect God Soon." My mission field at the moment happens to be the middle school classroom and I will continue to serve those students. Never giving up on showing them the joy of life.

Happy 23 to Me!

This weekend was my birthday and it was probably the most uneventful birthday of my life but it was still wonderful. We went home for my brother's football game and Laura's play! It was fun to see our siblings perform! :) Here are a few pictures of the celebrations...

Very Good Cake! The frosting is like fudge! A chocolate lovers dream!

Kyle got me a Vera Bradley! I love it!

Baby Bug Has Bit...

I enjoyed every minute of this week with Baby David. He came over every day around 12:45 and left in the evening. He is only 7 weeks old and it was his mom's first week back to work. Yes, there were tears. So, the baby bug has bit! Lots of fun for me and Kyle, too. The best part of it is when he was fast asleep in my arms, very warm,cozy, and comforting. (Yes, Carol, this is suppose to make you get to work! hehe) My maternal instincts are kicking in! :) He is starting to fuss so that means it is time to go.

The first video was much to long! This video goes much quicker but I hope you enjoy seeing our little place. I apologize for the shakiness and the lighting. And Kyle had jumped out of the shower in the midst of my show, that would explain the odd giggle. LOL Please come visit, I was unable to show you all the cute details of our home. :) Only 2-4 people at a time, that is all this place fits! Hehe Thanks for watching!!!

Our Home

Some of our family members have requested pictures of our apartment. So, I made a video of the apartment. It gets a little shaky at times, so I hope you don't get sick. I also added commentary, enjoy! If you think the apartment is small, it is smaller! :)

Weekly Update:

Field Study is going extremely well. I am actually in a 7th grade Literature classroom. So, I am reading lots of books and planning lessons around those. It is great! This past week was Red Ribbon Week. My first lesson was an activity for that. The principal came in during it and gave my teacher a compliment about me. It was very encouraging and made me feel even more qualified for this experience. I am enjoying it so much. Also, the 7th graders are not that scary! AMEN.

Kyle has been busy with school. The next two weeks he has lots of tests. This weekend we equipped him with lots of hunting apparel. He was like a little kid in a candy shop. He kept trying to hide his excitement but he was bursting inside. Above is him giving me a fashion show with his new apparel...I have my family to blame for this new obsession!

Our next few weeks should be really fun! My brother, Josh, is in football playoffs. They have a good chance of making it to state this year. My birthday is two weeks away. As well as Naomi's. WOOHOO Laura is in the play Anything Goes. Hunting season is coming. My grandparents are coming from Tennessee. Lots of great stuff! Maybe I will post more often! November is my favorite month!!!

Field Study Begins...

This week should be a very eye-opening one for me. I am beginning my field study in a 7th grade English classroom. I am very much looking forward to the experience because I will be able to apply what I have been learning for the past 4 years. But I can help but be nervous, not only do middle schoolers scare me, but what if I can not connect with them in a way that can help them learn. I know that I have been well prepared for this experience and it is the beginning of a wonderful journery in the world of education, so please pray for me. I have such a desire to serve these students and I believe it is a road God has definitely put me on.

Mom & Dad D Come to Visit

Kyle, Krystin, Mom & Nate in the tree!

We went for a hike! Leila got LOTS of bug bites!

I kept thinking "No health insurance, no health insurance!" HAHA

Nate & Kyle started the tree experience

Mom in the tree! She couldn't help herself!

Fun Times! Next Weekend, Moving Eric, Carol, & Caden into their new home! WOOHOOO!

I figured it out! I knew I could do it! :)

HELP!

Can anyone tell me how to change the color of my page title? It does not match the new template and it is time for a blog change. Let me know if you have any idea. Thanks!

We had a day date last Friday. Good Quality Time and it was not planned which made it even more perfect!

What We Are Learning...

Hello Family and Friends!
I am just a terrible blogger. I love to look at what is going on in everyone's life but never know what to write on my own. So my newest post will be all about what Kyle and I are learning as a newly married couple:

1) Keeping the Budget (Easier Said Than Done)
2) Learning the Love Languages of the other and acting upon them
3) Finding time to spend together
4) Making it a habit to have times with God.
5) Most Importantly: Having complete dependence on God.

I want to mention how extremely thankful I am for the people that God send into my life. I have had this yearning to draw closer to God but always pushed it aside. Until lately.... first, Eric and Carol showed me the wonderful example of prayer. I was just in awe of how God worked in their lives. Second, I had this extremely powerful conversation with my new friend Becky about being married. She just has such dependence on God and has these "spiritual encounters" that are amazing. Then, last Sunday at ODBC, Pastor Seth did a sermon on "What does Jesus mean to you" and it was more of a discussion than a sermon. It was just so wonderful to hear how much Jesus means to people. It brought tears to my eyes numerous times. After the service, I just felt like Kyle and I needed to discuss this and to my wonderful surprise, Kyle turned off the Brewers game on the radio to discuss it. It was such a blessing to me. So, I have been working on my Jesus Statement, as I have been calling it, and just thinking about how my life would be with out Jesus. I also throughout the week have seen how having such a spiritual high as of Sunday and how it can fall so quickly with the busyness of the week.
So, this is our life at the moment. We are constantly learning from one another and learning from God.
It was enjoyable blogging to you all! :)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.....And the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds.
Phil 4:6-7

This verse has been a comfort to me and hangs on our fridge! So, I had the urge to blog it so hopefully it will be a comfort to you all. :)

Labor Day Weekend was full of football games, mom's birthday and relaxing for the first weekend this summer. It was quite enjoyable. Tomorrow we start our last year of school. WOOHOO I am so excited to get into the schools and work with all the kids. We are ready for a "normal" routine to our days. We hope the end of summer was enjoyable for all and here's to fall!!!!! :)

Our new Packer grill. Kyle's favorite wedding gift. We might need to get a Jet's grill as well. :)

Rehearsal Dinner before our wedding! Finally I was relaxed. (Yes, this is way after the fact)

Kyle is in mourning! Now we have two favorite NFL teams.

Grampa is under the water!! In his boxers! LOL

Shamu Show in the Splash Zone!
Perfect Afternoon! :)

JAWS!!!

The New Newlyweds!

Fun at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure. Kyle and I love to get soaked on water rides!!!

Honeymoon #2 - Joining Scott & Beth in Florida

Here we are at Downtown Disney. It is always fun to be a kid again.

Honeymoon #1 - Lake Tahoe, CA

Our wedding. I laughed through most of it! :)

Our life as a married couple begins! We want to share it with everyone we love so enjoy!