We are having a weekend at home for a change. Other than a brief trip to an insurance agent friend who helped us set up life insurance and going to church tomorrow, we're going to be homebodies.

I snuck out this morning before Brian and Claire woke up to plant a couple of pots. I have more to do, but at least I started them before the rain came! I love mornings, daylight without the heat. Once the sun goes down, I'm tired and in a sedentary mode.

Brian and I talked about how he could work towards starting and finishing seminary. I know he feels called to do this, and I believe he'd be a good pastor, part or full-time. With me at home and with us planning to have a couple more kids at least, it'll be good practice to reorganize our finances. If God wants Brian to finish seminary, he will. I think I would be a good pastor's wife. Hey, maybe we'd host missionaries from or to Africa so I can use my French? I've always wanted to go to Africa, who knows where the life of a pastor's wife might lead...

Next year I will probably substitute teach one or two days a week to supplement our income and to give me a day out of the house every once in awhile. My mom lives close and has said she'd be willing to babysit Claire on the days of the week that she's not taking care of my Grandma. It's hard to think about leaving Claire with anyone for more that two or so hours at a time, but maybe I'll feel differently come fall. I like the idea of substituting much better than having my own classes. If I don't like the particular group of students I don't have to return, I don't have to grade or plan. Sometimes I enjoyed all the different components of teaching, but I'm definitely ready to take a break and enjoy having a family!!!

I'm going to attach a statement I wrote for a local school district application. It mentions what I'd like to do eventually in the public schools. Here it is:
As a graduated student of the public education system in Hillsboro and Beaverton Oregon, I was inspired to become a teacher by many of my former teachers. I began to play the violin in second grade at Indian Hills Elementary in Hillsboro and continued my orchestral training from third grade through high school in the Beaverton School District. I also learned French beginning in the 8th grade at Cedar Park. Two of my best teachers were my middle school orchestra teacher, Peggy Swafford, and my high school French teacher, Linda Kreis. As a result, I decided to study both French and Music in college and earned double majors and continue to speak French and play the violin regularly as an adult.

The biggest challenge I see facing the public education system in Oregon is the lack of music and language programs especially for elementary aged children. I would like to help establish a movement to install foreign language learning before adolescence because research has proven this to be a critical time to become proficient in a foreign language. In addition, I believe music classes would aid in acquiring a foreign language. Since both of these areas are passions of mine, I see it as a professional duty to help promote foreign language and music study for our youth who will become our nation’s leaders one day.

Does anyone else out there think that our elementary schools should offer more foreign language and music??? Research says it's the best time to learn both!!! However, most Americans, compared to Europeans, don't seem to feel learning a second language young is a valuable asset. Why is beyond me...
  ¶ 5:21 PM