Mastered.

This summer I took on the challenge of completing my capstone project/thesis for my Masters degree. This is the Big Daddy- the thing I'd been dreading since I started working on my degree 8 years ago. I was quite unsure of myself since research and writing are definitely not my gifts. But with the encouragement of Zach, and the realization that if I didn't finish the project the classes I already completed would expire and not count anymore, I took it on. 

I am beyond thankful and happy to say that I finished!....and got an A! 

I have probably spent 2-3 hours, six days a week working on this since March. Thankfully I had previously written a teaching resource book when we lived in Jarvis and I was able to use most of the information from that book for Chapter 3 of my project. (That book was about 8 months of work.) Had I not had that already completed, I don't know that I would have finished. Thank you Lord for giving me the desire and foresight to accomplish that a few years ago. 

My project is called, "Creating a Positive Classroom Climate." In a nutshell, I stated the problem that too much time in the classroom is wasted managing/discipling students, taking away precious instructional time. I based my research on Maslow's theory of the hierarchy of human needs as well as Haim Ginnot's theory regarding the effects of praise. I read numerous case studies to research the aspects, importance and validity of creating a positive classroom climate as well as how students respond to it. 

I also wrote a teacher's resource handbook with simple ideas that can be implemented to help create this climate, better manage students, and better engage students in the learning process. The ideas/strategies are under the following categories: Clear and High Expectations, Praise, Classroom Relationships and Organization. I've found much of what I learned can be implemented in a home environment while raising kids, which is a bonus!

Below is a huge chunk of my research. It felt so good to dump it in the recycling!

 I ordered mugs and wrapped them to give to all my classmates at our last meeting. I thought this kind of achievement needed a little something special to remember it. (Underneath the mug is my bound project.)

This project was an incredible challenge that taught me a lot about the power of blanketing challenges in prayer and positive thinking as well as the importance of taking a challenge one day at a time. Thank you to all of you who supported me in this by asking me how it was going, encouraging and praying for me, editing and revising, and helping with the kids. 

Zach was an incredible support during this project. Each morning he would leave me a note of encouragement. After I handed in my bound copy, I found this the next morning...

In case you can't read it, it states, "Morning Girls! KC, have fun working on your pap... wait a minute- you're all done! Enjoy the recycling! I love you. (Z) Dad.

Jarvis Visitors!

Vacation! We enjoyed a week out at Kasey's parent's cottage (THANK YOU Mom and Dad)! Our good friends, Chuck and Brandi, came for the weekend with their three sweet boys. Below are a few cute pictures of Care hanging out at the cottage sharing her sweet smile.

Here we are having fun catching fish one morning.

Too cool.

Colin's photo bomb!

Getting a picture with all the kids proved to be...a challenge. Carrie is in there- can you find her?

Whoe Care!

There it is!

The kids checking out the view.

Carrie loved the boat rides.

Our Captain Zach.

The fun days tuckered Lyddi out.

Bran and I enjoyed many good chats and we even walked around the lake together. That's a whole hour of uninterrupted conversation- now that's a gift!

Chuck and Zach got to go golfing together. Good times.

THANKS so much for coming guys. We had such a fun, refreshing time with you guys. Miss you!

Sweet Reunion!

Another sweet reunion was getting together with dear Dordt friends: The Kuperus', Bussis' and Olson crew. Sometimes it feels like yesterday when we were out in Iowa loving the Dordt life together. It's pretty remarkable that we each married men, one of whom attended Dordt, who are all friends through different life connections. Pretty cool, God!

The moms enjoyed a mani/pedi together while the guys manned the kids. It is always a treat to be together with these ladies.

After our treat, we headed back to help with the kids. Below Cambrie and Care (born within a couple weeks of each other) hanging out...future Dordt roomies and best buds (according to their moms).

All but one of the kids together playing.

Lyddi was pretty tuckered after a fun afternoon with friends.

Good-bye hugs. :-)

Random Summer Pics...

Below are just some fun shots of life lately... 

Our sweet Care all ready for church. 

Our girls adore their cousin Sarah. Below Sarah is holding Care at Sarah's birthday celebration. Happy Birthday Sare Bear!

Ice-cream is a big part of our summer... :-)

Care just exploring the world around her. "Mom look at this cool chair I found!"

A typical moment in our house.

Laughing Lyddi. 

Aunt Helen visited from Arizona. This was a fun shot of her and one of her nieces and three of her great nieces!

Check it out! All 10 grandkids listening to a book being read to them. Love it!

Lyddi loves to sing! Here she is singing, "If You're Happy and You Know it!"

Roo in Town!

Another highlight was seeing my dear friend, Roo, while she was in town for a visit. She was able to stop by and spend an afternoon at our place. We enjoyed coffee outside together chatting and connecting while Lyddi and Care napped. Her timing was perfect! 

Roo's name is actually Carrie. Below are my two dear Cares. :-)

Special Delivery!

This summer I had a playdate with a good friend, Heidi, and her son. She was due to have a baby two weeks from the morning we met. Well... she started having contractions while we were together and they intensified and got closer together VERY quickly. As she was leaving they were only 3 minutes apart! We prayed and she rushed to the hospital and had a beautiful, healthy baby boy only an hour and a half later!! Congratulations Heidi and Brandon!

Below, Lyddi and Colton are playing together before things got very exciting. (Sorry, no picture of the baby, Cameron, or Heidi.)

Cougar Bee 2014

My mom (the Hurricane), Aunt Cindy (The Coug), cousin Lindsey (Tuna) and I (The Bee) try to get together once a year (whether it be a weekend, a week, or just a dinner) to laugh, catch up and make fun memories. We've nicknamed our times together, "Cougar Bees." Laughter is so easy and happens very often with this crew.

Thanks for another super fun Cougar Bee! ...till next year. :-)

Ice Cream Truck!

How much fun is the ice-cream truck?! We are super thankful to have a truck that comes down our road about once a week. The excitement that high-pitched "Popeye the Sailor Man" song delivers is immeasurable! We have even hopped on our bike to track him down to ensure he comes down our road. I always make sure to tell Mr. Dave (the driver) that he brings great joy into our lives, and so many others, with his arrival. :-)

Lyddi the Swimmer!

Lyddi learned to swim with a life jacket all by herself! What a fun day!! As you can see, her joy can't be contained about this achievement.

The result of an afternoon in the pool. :-)

The Foursome Duo!

Getting together with old, great friends is always a treat. Adri was in town so Jodi, Laura, Adri and I got together for dinner. What a special night to re-connect....and boy, did we laugh!

We've been friends for over 20 years...wow, that makes me feel old!

Zoo!

Lyddi is at a perfect age for the zoo. We have gone several times this summer, and it's so fun to watch her learn and see her curiosity about God's creatures. One of our zoo trips was with Lindsay and her son, Levi.

Seriously cute.

Another zoo trip with cousins, Blake and Bryson.

Another perk of the zoo....treats!

The pink flamingos are one of Lyddi's favorites. Unfortunately they are super stinky and we can only stomach about a minute of viewing before moving on.

John Ball Zoo has a great little petting zoo. I caught Lydia singing, "Baa Baa Black Sheep" while petting the sheep. 

Bookie Bee 2014

I've finally downloaded pictures off my camera from the past few months...lots to catch up on. I've been very busy the past 5 months completing my capstone project/thesis for my Masters degree (more on that later) and delighting in our two lovely kids. That is why our blog has been so neglected these past months. Prepare for an onslaught of posts....here we go!

Our summer started off with a bang. Thanks for our wonderful husbands agreeing to watch all of our children, four dear friends from Jarvis make the hike to GR to spend a girls weekend together. These girls and I were all part of a book club in Jarvis, so we called our special weekend, "The Bookie Bee!" They arrived and I greeted them with a goodie bag of American gifts...to welcome them to my home-land. 

We enjoyed a lovely and delicious dinner at FireRock Grill. It was so easy to catch up and pick up where we left off a year ago. We laughed, chatted, laughed some more and ate good meat together.

We then headed to my parents cottage. We enjoyed a truly delightful weekend which included: a walk  (or death walk) around the lake, laying out chatting, swimming, pontoon rides, jumping off the boat acting like kids again, card games and many new fun memories. We ended the weekend by attending worship at East Leonard and then had lunch back at our home.

Thank you Bookies!! You jump started summer with an AWESOME weekend. And THANK YOU hubbies for watching our kids, giving us this enriching time of refreshment!