Memphis Teacher Residency

I can only begin to describe my excitement and overflowing joy this week. Yesterday I got accepted to the Memphis Teacher Residency, which is a one year Masters of Urban Education program here in Memphis. I will take courses and teach secondary math alongside a mentor teacher in Memphis City Schools while living in community with the other residents.

_

This video is a great overview of the program:

_

All of the events in my life since even before graduating last year have led me right to this opportunity. God has beautifully brought together my experiences and passions to serve and empower kids while using my passion for architecture. I will be moving to be right in the heart of the Neighborhood Church Community and within a mile of serving at Idlewild and from Scott and Debbi.

_

Right Now, I can only praise God for his perfect plan and timing. Hallelujah!

Co-op Kitchen

Earlier this month we had another Co-op Kitchen. Amy and I planned and shopped for this one, and it was a success yet again! There was lots of great fellowship as we made Lasagna, Chicken Tortilla Soup, and Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. And even better everything was under $2 per serving!

Rebecca and Kristi were queens of the Lasagna: Amanda whipped up all the cookie dough with that pretty Kitchen-Aid Mixer: Paula chopped all the chicken for the soup, bless her heart!

Poor Micah's pants kept falling down and his face was from his first pickle, not that I was taking his picture: LaTasha and Ellie engineered Cookie Dough burritos to be frozen: Teamwork to clean and finish dividing all the soup!

March Madness

I love everything about March Madness. Bracket Pools, Upsets, and lots of cute basketball players.

This is my bracket, and thanks to two key losses, you can ignore the left half. But I still love March Madness because it was so exciting to be at a restaurant/bar with a big group of people as Northern Iowa pulled off the upset over Kansas earlier tonight.

Come on Duke! Please just beat Kentucky!

iPhone Laughs

Have I mentioned that I love my iPhone? One of many reasons is that I can capture some images of life as it happens. [Some of these photos have already been posted on Twitter, but they are worth sharing again.]

A few weeks ago I got to Skype with Kidd and James from Bulgaria. I even got serenaded with the banjo. What a treat!

Parent's Night Out: This particular night a few trouble makers thought it would be funny to clog one of the toilets in the men's restroom. I thought it was funny when they got to mop urine off of the bathroom floor.

I need some help with this one still... Straight from the streets of Memphis. Can someone please explain what BBQ & mildew have in common?

Snowflakes are falling on my head... Not dandruff. Please don't get confused!

Mom was all stocked up to visit my sister... Gotta love Panchos cheese dip!

Ashley mixing glazes at the pottery studio, just before she fell onto the floor. Beware chairs with wheels:)

You might be a redneck if you have beer can candles on your birthday cake. Available in Bartlett, TN.

Practical uses for High School biology: Choosing the correct bathroom at a restaurant. The sad part is this restaurant has closed recently. Hopefully not because customers were confused by the bathrooms!

The barbershop quartet rocked karaoke at Lou's Pizza two weeks ago... We all need to practice for next time our Community Groups go.

And, I have some exciting [but not completely confirmed] news:

Martha is going to be a Razorback! Thats right, two Hogs in the family!

Cecelia Marie Halpert

When I got an e-invite to a Baby Shower a few weeks ago I was very confused. I wasn't aware anyone that Danielle and I both knew was pregnant. Then I was ashamed that I had forgotten about Pam and Jim's baby on our beloved comedy, The Office.

So we had to celebrate accordingly, with a baby shower for Cecelia Marie. [It is super cool that the baby is named after Virginia Cecelia and Ashley Marie!] We played shower games including a Purse Scavenger Hunt, in which we learned just how useful all the things in Sam's purse can be and even Brett was a good sport to play with us...

And I can't leave out the most excitement of the evening; Danielle perfected her macaroons. We are so proud of her!

Game Night

My family has been travelling a lot lately, so I have had the house to myself quite often. A few weekends ago I hosted game night. Friends I have known since high school and brand new friends came over for food, drinks, and games.

Ashley, Krista, Sam, Jennifer, Danielle

We watched the Olympics as we played Catchphrase and Apples to Apples, two of my favorite games. But not before we enjoyed Blueberry Lime Margaritas and Mint Chocolate Cookies. The Margaritas were only 125 calories per serving, so I didn't feel as guilty about the cookies:) The Margarita recipe came from Eatingwell.com:

Blueberry-Lime Margarita

2 cups ice
1 cup frozen blueberries
1 cup blueberry nectar (I couldn't find it, so I substituted with a Blueberry Smoothie Drink)
1/4 cup seltzer
2 tablespoons frozen limeade
1 tablespoon lime juice
3 ounces tequila
1 lime wedge
Coarse salt

Combine ice, blueberries, smoothie, seltzer, limeade, lime juice and tequila in a blender and blend until smooth. Rub rim of 2 glasses with lime wedge and dip in salt. Divide the margarita between the prepared glasses and serve.

Grizzlies vs Lakers

Almost two weeks ago, I got to to to the Memphis Grizzlies vs LA Lakers game with Amanda, Jonathan, and Kristi (friends from Neighborhood Church). I was excited to be at my first Grizzlies game and didn't care that we were rows away from the top of the Forum. The most annoying thing is all the Memphis people who are Lakers fans. I took the top picture for them and ask that unless you have personal ties to the Lakers that you root for the Grizzlies if you live in Grizz Country!

The Grizzlies lost 98-99 in the final seconds. It was heartbreaking. But we sure did have fun watching such a tight game! I hope to go again soon.