Stellmakers in VEGAS!

Well, I've had a list of 20+ blog posts to do for the last month - and here they come!  Life is busy and so good, and while I don't always get around to documenting things as they happen, I guess it's better late than never!

A while ago we decided to do something different for the Stellmaker Christmas celebration this year, and randomly decided to head to Las Vegas!  It's not your typical holiday destination, but it was so much fun to get away with the family and see some really neat things.  Only mom and Matthew had ever been there before, so it was all new for most of us.  Here are some of the highlights!

Dad looking cute in his warm vest.

Over-looking over Lake Mead

Mom and dad - cute couple!

Thought we'd get one of Matthew like this so we could photo-shop his future girl in!

At Hoover Dam

We took a tour of the inside - it was really neat, and so impressive!

Everybody with their brochures being serious tourists!

Loved spending time with this boy!

We went to the Venetian for supper one night.  We loved seeing it, especially having been to Venice.  SO cool!

The ceiling looked so real!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Free drinks (for everyone except my pregger self!) at a bar in one of the casinos.  We were impressed with his technique!

Such cool things to see!

We LOVED the Belagio fountains!  We got to see the water "dance" to "Hallelujah Chorus" and "O Holy Night"...it was so neat!

We took Saturday to relax, prepare food, and open presents.  Not a bad spread for a hotel room!

Looking good brother!

We always make everyone try on their new clothes...don't they look pretty!

Amy's new teacher shoes!

Our Uncle Doug and Aunt Sue have a fun tradition of sending us a Life Saver's book...thanks you guys!

And then...THE GRAND CANYON!

Seriously so beautiful!

And of course, a little bit of silliness with siblings. :)

Loved being here with my honey.

We got to go to the "Bodies" exhibit.  It was so interesting, and I enjoyed it way more than I thought I would!

Egypt anyone?

We went to see a lion feeding - except they had changed the time of the feeding without changing any of the information in the tourist brochures.  SO, instead we watched lions laying.

Bring on the penny slots!

Don't do it Chris!

Super Chris goes to see "Super M"

We got to tell my family that we were expecting a BOY on this trip!  So of course, we couldn't leave the M'n'M store without some M'n'M baby cuteness!

Chris, HANDS OFF!

We didn't make it to the official Las Vegas sign, so we settled for this one. :)

And what's a trip to the M'n'M store without watching a 3D M'n'M video in ridiculous glasses?!

It was such a great trip with tons of awesome family time.  I LOVE MY FAMILY!!!!  What a great Christmas memory...

Chris: Birthday & 12 Days of Christmas!

Chris' birthday is December 21st, so it's always tricky to figure out a way to make his birthday special and separate from Christmas, ESPECIALLY when Christmas is celebrated early!  He got two celebrations this year: one during the Farley family Christmas weekend (separate from Christmas of course!), and one on the morning of his birthday with my family.  He turned 29 this year - you know that what means?!?!  BIG SHINDIG NEXT YEAR!!!

FARLEY CELEBRATION

LOVE YOU BIRTHDAY BOY!

His fun presents. :)

Birthdays at Mike and Lianne's...

Mmm Mmm Good!

Big Lungs...

STELLMAKER CELEBRATION

TRANSITION: This is his birthday morning, Chris is pretending to be wide awake bright and early (I think it was round 6:30)

Amy is NOT looking so wide awake as Chris gets a happy birthday song!

29!  I love this tradition...thanks for making b-days so special mama!

Loving my hubby!

This year was a little different because while I had to finish up my last two days of school, the rest of the family head out to Las Vegas - ON CHRIS' BIRTHDAY!  So, I had to say goodbye to him for two days on the morning of his birthday celebration, and then we didn't get to have a birthday date or anything!  That was sad, but in the end it turned out just fine. :)  Love you babe!

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12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

This was a REALLY fun idea that I got from Rachel (thanks dear!).  It made the season feel like it lasted longer, and Chris definitely looked forward to getting his daily present.  I think there was only one day that I forgot to give it to him, and ended up having to give him two presents the next day.  This is definitely going to become a yearly tradition!

Roland-Story Awesomeness!

This is a news clip about Roland-Story (the school district that I work at).  Every year they put on a senior citizen Christmas dinner...and it is SO cool!  Makes me proud to be part of a place that still encourages and cultivates such great values...enjoy!

Kids Give Back

"The True Gifts of Christmas" & a Religious Reflection

I have really appreciated being able to look back at this blog and remember what was going on over the years, so if you're still reading all these and hanging in there with me...I'm seriously impressed!  I also feel like I haven't been able to post any "processing" thoughts about life lately.  Hopefully we'll get these events out of the way soon so I can remember what was going on inside of me, not just on the outside!

So in the name of posterity - here's my post about our 4th grade Christmas Concert!  We did a concert themed "The True Gifts of Christmas", and I was really happy about how it ended up. :)  

The Gift of Song - "Sing We Now of Christmas"

The Gift of Light - “Lights of the Season”, xylophones

The Gift of Sounds - “Fum, Fum, Fum”, recorders

The Gift of Color - “Red and Green”, choreography :)

The Gift of Laughter - “Don’t Eat a Poinsettia”, this one was pretty funny!

The Gift of Peace - “Hanukkah is Here”

The Gift of the World - “A Russian Christmas”, recorders

The Gift of Tradition, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas"

"Sing We Now of Christmas"

"Lights of the Season"

"Fum, Fum, Fum"

"Red and Green"

"Don't Eat a Poinsettia"

"We Wish You a Merry Christmas"

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REFLECTIVE SIDE NOTE: I spent some time really thinking about Christmas/Christianity in public schools this year.  In the past I really didn't think about it, and have never personally had anyone object to me programming fairly religious Christmas songs during the Christmas concert.  I've never programmed that music as a way of proselytizing, but have generally always felt like that music is extremely important to providing a rounded music education.  This year, though, I kept hearing about ridiculous things being taken out of public schools because of their affiliation with Christmas - specifically, I can think of a school in California that banned all poinsettia plants, and another that refused to let anyone talk about Santa Claus.  SERIOUSLY!?

Therefore, (and this might seem like a strange jump at first), I decided to program some Hanukkah songs into my programs.  As I thought about it, it seemed that if I can use (and therefore protect) all religious material, then I could also protect Christmas religious material.  While I think it's wise for religion and the government to be separate, I DON'T think that means they can't co-exist peacefully.  In fact, I think it's fair to say that wiping out religious participation will prove completely counter-productive to government's goals in the long run!  Let's be smart here people!

So, I decided to try...strategically fight for the right to discuss and acknowledge religion in school...and continue fighting the Christian battle for the soul outside of school.

K - stepping off my soap box. :)  

2012 Goals

2012 Goals

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*The first five are taken from David Platt's book "Radical", and are called "The Radical Experiment".  I'm doing these with 3 other girls in the Ames area, and feeling VERY blessed to have them in my life to challenge and spur me on!

1. Pray for the World

I'm using the book "Operation World" and Joshua Project's daily e-mails to do this...

2. Read through the Bible

Got the kindle version of the NLT chronological "in a year" bible...I think it's going to be awesome!

I'm finding 1 verse each day to focus on, and reflecting on how I can 1) Submit, 2) Steward, and 3) Serve as encouraged by that verse

3. Sacrifice your Money for a specific purpose

We're sacrificing to become debt-free, but are praying for how God would have us use our excess money after our debt is gone.  Not sure what this will look like yet...but I'm planning to read "Neither Poverty Nor Riches" to process/learn more.

4. Spend Time in Another Context

We had originally planned to go on a trip in August, and thought to make it a combined mission/debt-payoff trip.  With our little guy coming in May, we're not quite sure if that'll happen...but somehow we're going to be finding a way to spend time in a different, uncomfortable context where we can serve and grow at the same time.

5. Commit to a Multiplying Community

We are continually learning what it looks like to live in community in America.  I'm excited to watch these two sermon series to do some more processing/learning about how to live like this: Engage and Covenant Community

6. Memorize 1 verse a week.

I think I'll start reviewing the Navigator's "Topical Memory System", and then go from there.

7. Read 1 more book than last year (25)

I just bought six "baby books" yesterday, and have 3 Christian books on my list already.  And of course, that doesn't include the 9 books I've borrowed from people that need to get read!  Oh boy...

8. Run a 10K (with Chris!) in the fall

I mentioned this goal to Chris and HE VOLUNTEERED to run it with me!  I'm so pumped!  

9. Become debt-free!

Scheduled to happen some time in May - WAHOO!

 

10. Get back to pre-pregnancy weight

Hopefully by the end of the summer - but I'm pretty loose about the time frame on this one, as I have no idea how my body will have changed and what I'll be able to do with a little one!  But this will happen at least by the end of the year!

11. Save money to buy an SLR camera

Thought this would be good timing, as we'll likely be taking lots of fun baby pictures. :)

12. Be more intentional with communication/interaction

I really want to continue this goal from last year, and have it include my cell phone (those of you that know me well know what I'm talking about!), remembering and planning for birthdays/events ahead of time, and just generally keeping in touch with people in spite of work and having a new baby.

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This morning at church, we were challenged to think about what would make 2012 a really successful year - and to process that 2012 needs NOTHING other than Christ to be great.  I'm continually learning how to die to myself, and I think that includes goal-setting.  So I'm holding these goals with an open hand, and acknowledging that my only TRUE goal is to be more in love with my Lord at the end of this year than I am now. 

Final Goal Reflection, 2011

End of Year = Final Goal Reflection!

 Goal 1 - Catch up on scrapbooking
      *I have officially "made the change" to online scrapbooking!  It feels really good...and I'm officially done with our Hong Kong trip and Ireland trip.  I'm working on Chile, and should be done in a couple of days.  India is a bit more overwhelming than anticipated since there are just SO MANY pictures, but I'm going to rock it out and just ATTACK it.  Fingers crossed, this one will get done by end of January?! 

Goal 2 - Become active/involved at Cornerstone
     *DONE - but hoping for more now. :)  We decided to pull out of the PK room, and I've joined the worship band while Chris is starting on the tech team this Sunday.  We're LOVING our small group, and are excited to see how God will continue to grow relationships and challenge us through those people.  I'd really like to get involved with the International Ministry and maybe some short-term missions trips, so that's the next goal!

Goal 3 - Get trained in foster care
     *DONE!

Goal 4 - Become conversational in Spanish
     *Didn't happen…this was a pretty lofty goal without having an outlet to practice, I should be more realistic sometimes :)

Goal 5 - Save up to buy a nice bike
     * DONE!
 
Goal 6 - Have a garden/do some canning
     *I got a basil plant - but I decided not to count this. :)  I'd like to make that a continuing goal for this next year, but with a baby due on May 7th, am seeing a serious conflict with planting season.  Hmmm...maybe this one will wait until we have our own place and no little one on the way!

Goal 7 - Work through my elementary curriculum
    *DONE!
 
Goal 8 - Level 1 Kodaly Certification
    *DONE!
 
Goal 9 - Finish a marathon
     *Didn't happen - but for a good reason (pregnancy!).  I have no regrets about not finishing this goal!

Goal 10 - $18,000 of student loans paid off, $4,000 in savings
     *DONE!

Goal 11 - Be more intentional with communication/interaction.
     *Big “Aha” moment related to this goal!  Ever since I entered “adult life” I’ve felt frustrated by a dramatic drop in my desire to be social.  I used to initiate group get-togethers, invite people to everything, and call for one-on-ones all the time!  What I’m realizing, though, is that the combination of marriage and teaching COMPLETELY fills my social capacity, and by the time a free second comes long, I’ve got very little left for anyone else. 
     This feels both good and frustrating at the same time.  Recently I’ve had a couple of days at home, and by the end of the 2^nd day I was completely STIR CRAZY!  I’ve never texted so much in my life!  It feels good that I haven’t actually changed, and given more time and less people, I will probably fall right back into intentional communication/ interaction naturally.  However, it also feels frustrating because it feels like I’m losing a lot of time to build relationships.  Thankfully, I do feel like my job is also a mission field, and can spend my time loving the little ones that need love. 
     All that to say – I think I’ve realized my capacity for intentionality, and will have to continue being intentional until it comes naturally again. :)

Extra Goal: Read 24 Books
    *DONE!  I’m even ¾ the way through #25. :)

FINAL REFLECTION: I love what happened this year, but also see areas for improvement…. and really, what more could you ask for?!  

And with that, I’m declaring my 2011 goals all wrapped up!