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Sunday, July 24, 2011

Day 17 - A picture of your biggest insecurity.

Yes....I need to finish this 30 day challenge.  Started last winter!!!

This would have not have been my insecurity 6 months ago, but I am obsessed with lotions, oils, etc... to put on my belly so I do not get stretch marks.  While I was looking up different things to use, I found this and it melted my heart.  Not so concerned anymore...just feel really blessed.

"A mark for every breath you took, every blink, every sleepy yawn. One for every time you sucked your thumb, waved hello, closed your eyes and slept in the most perfect darkness. One for every time you had the hiccups. One for every dream you dreamed within me. It isn't very pretty anymore. Some may even think it ugly. That's OK. It was your home. It's where I first grew to love you, where I lay my hand as I dreamed about who you were and who you would be. It held you until my arms could, and for that, I will always find something beautiful in it."



17 weeks....and counting!

A sweet picture Dan snapped this week.  I fall more in love everyday with my little one.  I can't believe how attached both Dan and I are to this little miracle.  We both cannot wait to meet him/her.  We are constantly using our "pillow talk" time to discuss all the things we want to do as a family.  What we think the little one will be like, look like, act like....and the name!  The anticipation is killing me and I am not even half way there yet!  

We have our ultrasound appointment in just a few short weeks.  We have yet to decide if we want to find out or not.  I have heard so many good things from both angles.  I suppose we better talk about it a bit more before the big appointment.  Most of all, I just want to hear the baby is healthy and that everything is just as it should be.  We love you Baby Hicks :)

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Our little Nephews

Posing with their new gifts from Mexico.  They loved the whistles!

This picture is just the best.  My little brother Derrek and Baby Bentley taking a little rest.

Playing hide and seek on a rainy afternoon.

Dan...attempting to teach the little guys how to play the guitar.

Napping with my favorite little guy!

Kisses for Uncle Dan!
Here are a few pictures of our favorite people in the world.  We are lucky to have three little nephews who we adore.  Plus....one more on the way in November.  Every moment with them is just the best.  Our two little nieces to come in another post.... they complete our group of favorite people!

4th Of July



Wow did we have a fabulous time on the 4th!  We once again were able to go to our good friend Tony's cabin.  We got to fish, swim, eat, and enjoy great company (not to mention the gorgeous sunsets).  It was the perfect way to spend the weekend.

PICTURES

Here are a few pictures I have taken and edited with the new camera Dan got for us.  I'm still learning, but boy is this a fun hobby :)



I'm baaaccckk....with a little different look!

Hello friends and family!  I think we have told everybody and their dog, but Dan and I are expecting our first little one in December.  Here is a shot of my expanding belly.  I started showing pretty early.  Before questions begin....no I am not having twins, yes I really am only 15 weeks not 25, and I have not been eating McDonalds everyday.  I can't control the belly :)

We are more than excited to have a new addition to our family who we will get to meet soon.  Names have been the main topic in our house, and wow.....we can't agree on anything so far!  Wish us luck...

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Day 16 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently.

The recent attack on teachers in the media.  I do not know every aspect of every legislation decision and specific laws, but I do know every aspect of my job.   I must say it burdens my heart to know that people can say such awful things about somebody's profession.  Our job is to educate students, but as an elementary teacher I also nurture them.  It is hard for me to understand how parents or society can point fingers when I wipe their child's tears, laugh at their jokes, listen to their stories, try to teach them right from wrong, encourage them, and lift their self-esteem.  I am not sure what schools people are looking at, but at Central Cass the teachers are very loving and caring.  They have patience and decency when it comes to dealing with their students.  Yes, we get summers off, I knew this when I went to school, just the same as nurses knew they would need to work weekends, real-estate agents knew they would have to work evenings, or managers knew they may have to work holidays.  It is just the way our professions are.  We are contracted for those nine months and technically laid off for 3 months in which we can't collect un-employment.  I am proud of my profession, and I take it to heart when others knock it down as I see it as one of the most important roles in our society.  I will also leave you with this :) ENJOY! Oh- and no picture as I included this high informative article for your viewing!


Are you sick of highly paid teachers?
Teachers' hefty salaries are driving up taxes, and they only work 9 or10 months a year! It's time we put things in perspective and pay them for what they do - babysit!
We can get that for less than minimum wage.

That's right. Let's give them $3.00 an hour and only the hours they worked; not any of that silly planning time, or any time they spend before or after school. That would be $19.50 a day (7:45 to 3:00 PM with 45 min. off for lunch and plan-- that equals 6 1/2 hours).

 Each parent should pay $19.50 a day for these teachers to baby-sit their children. Now how many students do they teach in a day...maybe 30? So that's $19.50 x 30 = $585.00 a day.
However, remember they only work 180 days a year!!! I am not going to pay them for any vacations.
LET'S SEE....
That's $585 X 180= $105,300
per year. (Hold on! My calculator needs new batteries).

What about those special education teachers and the ones with Master's degrees? Well, we could pay them minimum wage ($7.75), and just to be fair, round it off to $8.00 an hour. That would be $8 X 6 1/2 hours X 30 children X 180 days = $280,800 per year.  Wait a minute -- there's something wrong here! There sure is!
The average teacher's salary (nation wide) is $50,000 (ABOUT $29,000 where I work in North Dakota!). $50,000/180 days = $277.77/per day/30 students=$9.25/6.5 hours = $1.42 per hour per student--a very inexpensive baby-sitter and they even EDUCATE your kids!) WHAT A DEAL!!!!

Make a teacher smile; repost this to show appreciation for all educators.

Update: I'm glad that many people have shown their support for teachers by reposting this note, but I am not the original author.  I received this as an anonymous chain letter email, and I wanted to share it to support the public workers of Wisconsin.