Knowing my strengths

I will post Easter pictures tomorrow. I was going to right now, but I don't have all the pictures on my computer. I'll download them tomorrow, promise.
Since I'm not posting pictures, I thought I'd whine, just a little.

It's been a really looong week. One of those weeks when we have something every night and more than one thing a couple nights. Plus, we are waiting to hear if Jim got a full-time position at Morningside. He interviewed on the ninth and thought it went really well. It is a grant position training current teachers to be certified to teach English Language Learners. It is right up Jim's alley and as I said, the interview went really well. It's nice to be an internal candidate. Jim thinks he would really enjoy the job, and the pay is much better. He was the first of five interviews, they said they would let Jim know by April 25th. That would be today and we haven't heard anything yet. We are still very hopeful, but the waiting is hard. If you pray, please send one up for us!

So, it's been a busy week. Not all bad, my sister Jessica invited me to "Ain't Misbehavin'" at the Orpheum Theater in Sioux City. Frenchie Davies was the female lead and Ruben Studdard was the male lead. I'm not a big American Idol fan, but I remember Frenchie from the 2006 season. She was my favorite ever, but she was booted because of some photos she'd done before Idol. It's okay, she went to Broadway! (or Sioux City) It was amazing to hear her in person.

Friday night Jim was able to present the Fredrick Zuercher graduate assistanceship during the Political Science banquet. The evening got a little long, but it is an honor to be able to remember Fred's legacy by helping students. Jim did a great job presenting and he told the group that if Fred was alive, he would have reminded Jim that Friday was the 10 year anniversary of Jim and I's first date. My how time flies! I guess Fred also told Jim that Jim should marry me. Fred was such a smart man.

That brings us to today. In order to fulfill the "highly qualified status" required by No Child Left Behind, the powers that be decided I needed to take the Praxis test. Never mind the fact I've taught nearly eight years and never mind the fact I took a version of the Praxis 9 years ago in North Carolina, in order to get my next teaching certificate in SD, I am required to take 3 separate tests. I'm still arguing, ever so politely with them about the special education test. There is actually a 4th test the state would like me to take, but at $80 per test, I'm only taking the ones I'm required to take. Today I took the first two.

I study a bit for the tests, not much, but some. This morning was a comedy of errors. The proctor didn't have my name on her list so I had to find the women in charge to let me in. Then I realized I'd signed up for English Language, Literature, Composition NOT Middle School English Lit and Comp. Oops. So not only was I taking an $80, two hour standardized test that I hadn't studied for (I haven't had a Lit class in at least 14 years) I wasn't sure the test would satisfy the state's requirements. Nothing I could do but take the test. I have to say, the test went pretty well. I would have done better on the middle school version, but I was proud of me. I recognized almost all the authors it referred to and had read many of the books, not all of course, but quite a few. There were a couple questions I didn't know, but I was usually able to narrow it down to 2 answers and then make an educated guess. I know I don't always use proper grammar, but I can usually identify it! I finished with over half an hour to spare.

There was a break between the 2 tests. I went over to the new student center, the MUC (Muenster University Center) to get something to eat. Nothing opened until 11, it was 10:30, the next test started at 10:45. There was a machine in the Ed school, but unfortunately I had less than a dollar in change on me and even a candy bar was $1.25. So I went into the Middle School Mathematics test on an empty stomach. During the break I read a bit of "Teach like your Hair is on Fire." The author was commenting on how test crazy our nation is and how he helps his students without making it the focus of the classroom. I found it a bit ironic to be reading that between my test.

I had signed up for the correct test this time, thank God! But I had not studied nearly enough. There were 40 multiple choice questions and three in depth questions essay type questions. They were 4 part (or more!) story problems you need to solve and then explain your answer. On the multiple choice section, there were several times I worked out the problem only to find my answer was not a choice. A couple problems, I didn't even know how to start I just put down a letter I hadn't used in awhile. I found myself on the wrong number and had to go back and find my mistake once, it took awhile. I don't even want to talk about the in depth questions, it wasn't pretty.

So I'm thinking I should be teaching more literature than math. There is the theory that someone who has struggled with a subject can be a better teacher, because they can empathize and recognize common errors. Usually I believe that, not so sure today! The good news is, the high school English test does satisfy the state's requirement. At least I won't need to retake THAT one.

I'll keep you updated on Jim's job and my test scores as I know more. This turned out longer than I intended, thanks for sticking with me. I'm going to watch a Chick Flick and turn my brain off!

Catch up

Yes, we are still alive. Really we are. It's been a good month or so since I last blogged. Nothing major but a good month. I will post Easter photos another time, I just thought I'd show everyone what the Vermillion Zuercher's have been up to.

The Vermillion PTA sponsors a carnival every spring.
The guys had a really good time.
Jon spent awhile playing chess with member of the chess club.

Joey enjoyed fishing, maybe sometime
we will take him fishing where he will catch real fish.

The perfect Sunday afternoon
Both guys are playing soccer this spring. I got out the
box of spring supplies, here's Joey trying stuff on.

The first soccer game was two weeks ago, luckily we played before the snow!
It was quite chilly. The guys both played at the same time, since I'm
coaching Jon's team, Jim stuck with Joey and didn't get any pictures of Jon.

Jon playing Wii fit at Peggy's house.

Spring?

The calendar says it's spring. Around the ides of March, it was beautiful around here, 70 degrees and sunny. Today the high was 43 degrees and there's a chance of snow Monday night. Gotta love South Dakota!
Not a whole lot to report. The boys start soccer this week. I'll actually be coaching Jon's team, not sure why I agreed to do that, but it should be interesting. Today the guys and I went to Sioux City and saw Monsters vs. Aliens. Jon was really excited to get to see a movie, "The first day anyone can see it!" We had a really nice time. Joey and Garret shared a seat for most of the movie.
I'm finally posting pictures from our trip to Minneapolis a couple weeks ago. We had a really nice time with Angela, Matt, and Grant. We stopped at Berke's house on the way back, which was a lot of fun. I didn't think to get the camera out though, so no photographical evidence exists.

Grant playing with his Momma (he has chocolate on his tooth)

Grant wasn't always so sure about his crazy Aunt Gina,
but he and the guys got along well.

Jon and Joey shopping at Ikea.
Among other things, we bought a $3 lamp.
The bulb cost $8.

We also went to the Mall of America.
I finally caved and let the boys ride some rides.
I thought Joey would love this ride because he was a huge
Wonderpets fan. He was not all that impressed.

We went back to the zoo, always fun.
I honestly put this picture in because it's so
rare Jim or I show up on the blog.
Yes, dear, I'll post a picture of you soon.

We always love the aquarium

The Grizzly coast has only been open six months or so.
We think it is awesome.

It's amazing how close the bears seem!

Spring Break!

Last week was Jim's spring break. The boys and I have this week off. It would be nice if the breaks coincided, but it was nice to have Jim home all last week so I didn't have to worry much about supper and picking the boys up from daycare and such. And now Jim should have an easier week. The boys have doctor and dentist appointments early this week and we are planning on visiting Matt, Angela, and Grant in Minneapolis next weekend. Plans have changed slightly, I will be attending my Uncle Gerald's funeral Thursday morning. His passing was unexpected; please keep his family in your prayers.

Before I forget, we have disconnected our home phone. We are only using our cell phones. If you don't have our numbers, send me an e-mail and I'll send them to you.

Jim and I recently bought our Christmas/Valentine's/Anniversary/"Yippee we got our income tax return" present, a new camera! We've been playing with it a lot, here are some of the successes.

Friday was a gorgeous day, nearly 60 degrees
so the boys played in the backyard and I clicked away.

Joey got sick of being my model

Like I said we don't have big plans for the break, but we are
planning on having some fun. We will play some card games.
Jon & Jim playing cribbage.

We'll be doing some reading, I can't tell you how happy I was to see Jon (on his own initiative)
curled up with a book yesterday! I will be doing some school reading, but I'm not
complaining, I will be rereading New Moon (the 2nd Twilight book),
To Kill a Mockingbird, and The Outsiders. Great Books!

We will be hanging with friends and family more over our break.

Jon, Joey, and Sophia messing with D's hat.

Maddie hamming it up.Garrett looks so innocent: )Ella was so proud of herself for climbing the chair

What a day!

Joey is five today, kinda hard to believe! It was a great day. We had two parties, one with the extended family and one with some friends. Talk about a big day!

It is the tradition at our house that on your birthday you can
have whatever you want for breakfast.
Joey had ice cream, yes ice cream, for breakfast.

All the kiddos from the first gathering.

The second gathering

Snow Day

Not much to report from Verm town. We are all back on the school schedule. Joey is looking forward to his birthday in 2 weeks. He's planning a Star Wars themed party. Jon got his second report card, it's almost as good as his first was. Jim is back to work at Morningside, so far things have been quiet but it'll pick up soon for midterms. School's going pretty well for me, too. I am teaching one of my favorite books, The Secret Lives of Bees, to a group of 8th grade girls. They are really enjoying it, which is great.

It's been ridiculously cold here for most of the last couple weeks, highs below zero some days. I like winter, but that's a little crazy! Last week Saturday it was a balmy 30 degrees so we took advantage of the heat wave and played in the snow. I built a snowman, the boys helped for a couple minutes and then they had a snowball fight with daddy. It was a lot of fun!

Finally, Christmas Pictures

I tried to post a couple videos on Christmas Eve, apparently so was everyone else and I couldn't upload the video. I tried a post with pictures and video on Christmas Day and again it didn't work. And then.... I've been meaning to post for awhile.

We had a really nice Christmas. Christmas Eve we attended a beautiful candlelight service at our church. I was excited because I was almost done wrapping presents and thought I would be going to bed at a reasonable time. Then we decided to rearrange the furniture and I destroyed a bookshelf full of children's books. So Jim and I were up very late. Jon was up a couple times during the night with a horrible stuffed nose so I gave him a decongestant. He slept until 8:30!

The boys woke to find full stockings and one present each under the tree.
They weren't sure about that until they opened the presents to discover Wii remotes.

While I cleaned up the ruined bookshelf on Christmas Eve,
Jim was setting up the Wii.
We were able to start playing right away, so fun!

Grandma Nancy and Uncle Rich joined us later that morning to
open presents and for a very late brunch.

Rich was very inventive while wrapping Nancy's gift.

Jon and Nancy enjoying a gift she gave him.

On the 26th, we drove through thick fog to Bridges Bay in Arnold's Park, Iowa, where we met most of the Ter Wee clan. It was great!!! We've met at water park hotels in Sioux Falls the last couple holidays. Although Arnold's Park was a longer drive, the accommodations more than made up for it! The suites were large and lovely. We had 3 full kitchens, so much nicer than trying to go out to eat with that many people. The water park was larger and much less crowded than the one in Sioux Falls. I'm shocked to discover I have no pictures of us in the pool area. Maybe one of my lovely sisters would be able to help me out with that!

Boys and their Toys

Jim and Darrell
enjoying their gifts

Joey and Garrett checking out
the Joker's lair.

We got Matt a ladder ball set.
The guys set it up in the hotel hallway.

There was a little mishap with the dishwasher.
You need to be careful which dish soap you put in!

Jon and DJ hanging out, watching cartoons.

One of our favorite Christmas decoration is the Little People Nativity set.
Every year we put it out where kids can enjoy it.
A couple days after Christmas, Joe decided to add a few new characters to the mix,
Star Wars characters!