Fourth Grade

My students are so precious. I've been teaching at Westminster Classical School for a little over a week now, and I love it! My students are so eager to learn and my school is committed to helping them understand and live out of the gospel. On Monday two of my girls asked if they could sing a song they wrote over the weekend during snack time. Little did I know, it was a song about me! Here's how is goes (after a brief "Somewhere over the rainbow" intro...:)

Lisa Driver

Lisa likes to drive a car.

Lisa likes to eat a bar.

Lisa likes to teach girls,

and in her hair she has some curls!

She also likes to teach boys.

Even if they make some noise.

Lisa likes to look at bugs. [I have them fooled! We're studying bugs.]

She also likes to give some hugs.

Lisa likes to bake a cake,

and spend the day at the lake.

She is smart. She is cool.

We're so glad she's at our school.

Go Mrs. Driver!

The boys, of course, had to respond to the "noise" comment and came up with a cheer of their own. Here's a picture of the two girls who sang. Aren't they cute?

Sad news

Aunt Clemmie passed away this morning. She had a stroke last night and was brought to the hospital where she was put on life support. She never regained consciousness. Aunt Clemmie was the matriarch of the Walker family in Carrollton, Georgia (Justin's mom's side of the family). She planned all the Thanksgivings and reunions. She was Justin's Papa's brother's wife, which sounds far-removed but they're a very close-knit family. She always had a smile, hug, and welcoming word for me and I'm really going to miss her. She was beautiful at 81.

Poor Arlo!

Yesterday was a crazy day. Justin and I played at church, as usual, and were planning on going back for the Czech Rep. team's update at 6pm. Instead we got a flat tire on the way home from the Hoover library (best library ever!) and then almost killed our cat while we were eating dinner. Justin's elbow got a little too enthusiastic about his milk and knocked the glass onto our hard, tile floor. Poor Arlo got sliced in the leg in two places and was bleeding all over the carpet! We got him to the garage and called our vet friend. Anyways, we didn't make it back to church and Justin felt so bad for Arlo that he is more certain than ever about our decision to wait to have children..."If I feel this bad for a cat..." What a sweet man:). We love our kitties.

The Kirkpatricks

These are my Kirkpatrick (Katie and Kristy are sisters) friends from B-ham. They have been such a blessing to me! The top photo is Kristy and me at her wedding to Parker (see next pic). The bottom one is Katie and me. Justin and I played and sang at the wedding, which was in Demopolis, Alabama (a really cute, small town that reminds me of a southern version of the Gilmore Girls' town). Kristy is a nurse and Katie is a teacher at Briarwood.

7- 7 -4 -2

Apparently I'm a 7-7-4-2 on the Kolbe Test. I had to take this test for my new job. It's not a personality test but rather a test to tell how you instinctively respond to situations and what is stressful for you. There are no "good" or "bad" numbers but all have their strengths and weaknesses. Here's a breakdown of my score:
Fact Finder score (out of 10) 7 = I want to master knowledge before teaching it/talking about it; I want to share what I know; I give detailed, thorough answers

Follow Through 7 = I'm good at systems and organization; I finish what I start

Quick Start 4 = I value innovative ideas but like to minimize chaos; I don't love risks

Implementor 2 = I can imagine what something should be without physically touching it.

The Kolbe guy said most teachers have high Fact Finder and Follow Through levels so I was right on track! He said when kids get high quick start teachers they find them fascinating (ie Kaitie) b/c they're different from the average teacher who LOVES her systems and order! How funny. Playing right into my natural desires for order, I can't wait until I settle into the school year and all the pre-school stuff is over....

Gibson=Joy

Ever since my husband bought his new, old guitar he's been playing nonstop around the house. I love having him come home and (I realize this sounds super 1950s) play while I'm cooking dinner. It bring me such joy to have a husband who uses his musical talents to honor God. We've been having fun going through the Trinity Hymnal and learning some old hymns. Here he is playing with his brother at our new house. Two of our current trinity favs are "Were you there?" (old spiritual) and "Jesus Keep me near the Cross" (Fanny Crosby).