Your advice would be greatly appreciated! I really like Lauren Conrad's hair, (on the right) elegant, yet simple...
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
What do you think?
So, I'm trying to figure out how to do my hair for my wedding. Yes, I know it is far off....yet so close!
Your advice would be greatly appreciated! I really like Lauren Conrad's hair, (on the right) elegant, yet simple...
Your advice would be greatly appreciated! I really like Lauren Conrad's hair, (on the right) elegant, yet simple...
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
I know, I know...
....I've been totally slacking on my blog. I guess I haven't really had anything exciting to write about lately.
School has been keeping me busy. We had our quarterly assessments the day after we came back from winter break and my student's totally bombed them. I am scared for our future. They could truly careless about doing well on tests, which is a bit discouraging at times!
We had yesterday off for MLK day. A year ago, I was sitting in a professional development at Onsted Middle School! Crazy to think a year as gone by already! Today we had no student's due to the Inauguration. It pays to live close to DC! I did have to go into school, the teachers could take the day off, but we had to use one of our sick or personal days, and I decided to go in. I needed to get some things done, but got kicked out at 2:30 b/c they had to lock up!
On an exciting note about the inauguration, we live about 100 yards from a Naval Base and early this morning (2am), Matt saw the massive convey leaving the base, police escort. (I thought I heard a lot of traffic as I was rolling around in my sleep, probably why I didn't sleep well.) And then at about 8:30pm tonight, we were sitting eating dinner and we heard the helicopter coming back and then I heard a whole bunch traffic and we saw the convey coming back! It was pretty exciting to see it! And one of my coworker's husband was apart of it. So I know someone who worked the security at the inauguration! Yes, I know, how cool am I!:)
Anyway, Matt and I have been nailing down more wedding things. I finally put all my wedding stuff into a wedding binder! It's about time I get organized! I picked my bridesmaid dresses (I had a link to it, but it didn't work...oh well...you will just have to wait to be surprised!
Save the dates will be going out in the mail tomorrow! Hopefully! I did sent a very few out in Christmas cards, but not all of them went! :(
Over Christmas, I went up to MI for a few days to see family and friends. Then I had a nightmare of a time getting back to DC, my luggage went to another airport, I missed 2 of my flights, the Northwest agents suck, and I didn't get in till 3am Christmas Eve! And then at 10am Christmas Eve morning, we got into the car and drove down to FL for Matt's family (and soon to be mine) family Christmas. Let me just tell you, Christmas in FL is the way to go! We were at the pool on Christmas day, soaking up the sun! It was great fun!
On a side note....we are looking to move and are looking at some gorgeous homes in VA! This coming weekend we are going to check some out!
Here are some pictures from the holidays!
My Family Christmas
Matt and I at the beach
School has been keeping me busy. We had our quarterly assessments the day after we came back from winter break and my student's totally bombed them. I am scared for our future. They could truly careless about doing well on tests, which is a bit discouraging at times!
We had yesterday off for MLK day. A year ago, I was sitting in a professional development at Onsted Middle School! Crazy to think a year as gone by already! Today we had no student's due to the Inauguration. It pays to live close to DC! I did have to go into school, the teachers could take the day off, but we had to use one of our sick or personal days, and I decided to go in. I needed to get some things done, but got kicked out at 2:30 b/c they had to lock up!
On an exciting note about the inauguration, we live about 100 yards from a Naval Base and early this morning (2am), Matt saw the massive convey leaving the base, police escort. (I thought I heard a lot of traffic as I was rolling around in my sleep, probably why I didn't sleep well.) And then at about 8:30pm tonight, we were sitting eating dinner and we heard the helicopter coming back and then I heard a whole bunch traffic and we saw the convey coming back! It was pretty exciting to see it! And one of my coworker's husband was apart of it. So I know someone who worked the security at the inauguration! Yes, I know, how cool am I!:)
Anyway, Matt and I have been nailing down more wedding things. I finally put all my wedding stuff into a wedding binder! It's about time I get organized! I picked my bridesmaid dresses (I had a link to it, but it didn't work...oh well...you will just have to wait to be surprised!
Save the dates will be going out in the mail tomorrow! Hopefully! I did sent a very few out in Christmas cards, but not all of them went! :(
Over Christmas, I went up to MI for a few days to see family and friends. Then I had a nightmare of a time getting back to DC, my luggage went to another airport, I missed 2 of my flights, the Northwest agents suck, and I didn't get in till 3am Christmas Eve! And then at 10am Christmas Eve morning, we got into the car and drove down to FL for Matt's family (and soon to be mine) family Christmas. Let me just tell you, Christmas in FL is the way to go! We were at the pool on Christmas day, soaking up the sun! It was great fun!
On a side note....we are looking to move and are looking at some gorgeous homes in VA! This coming weekend we are going to check some out!
Here are some pictures from the holidays!
My Family Christmas
Matt and I at the beach
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Where do I begin?
I know I have been MIA, this teaching gig is tiring! But it is getting better as the days go on...I think?!
Anyway, the month of November we did not have one week of school where I was there everyday for a full day of school! We got voting day off, I was sick Veteran's Day, and then Thanksgiving. So this week was brutal! It went so slow and it was very painful! But I'm still alive!
Let me back up and give the highlights of November!
On a sad note. This past Tuesday night, Chrystal called me around 9:30pm telling me that Queens, her church, caught on fire that afternoon and her wedding is April 18th. I am so heart-broken for her! Queens is a beautiful church and is a very near and dear place for Chrystal. They are hoping that it will be restored by Spring and I am praying it will be done by Easter, since Chrystal's wedding is the week after!
Here are pictures from our Thanksgiving visit!:)
http://picasaweb.google.com/pjburch77/Thanksgiving2008#
Anyway, the month of November we did not have one week of school where I was there everyday for a full day of school! We got voting day off, I was sick Veteran's Day, and then Thanksgiving. So this week was brutal! It went so slow and it was very painful! But I'm still alive!
Let me back up and give the highlights of November!
- Malinda visited from MI and that was a blast!
- We went home to MI for Thanksgiving. Which once all the drama cleared, was a great visit!
- I got to see Malinda on her b'day.
- I got to see Cynthia, my sister.
- I got to see Pam and Tom and the kids for Thanksgiving.
- I think I narrowed down the dress I want for my wedding.
- I picked my colors!!! Truffle and Capri aka dark brown and light blue.
- I had a fun dinner with Chrystal.
- I spent time with Matt's family.
- I have a wedding party....asked Malinda and Chrystal to be apart of my special day! And now my side is complete and I couldn't be happier to have everyones love and support!
- I got to watch Matthew play hockey!
On a sad note. This past Tuesday night, Chrystal called me around 9:30pm telling me that Queens, her church, caught on fire that afternoon and her wedding is April 18th. I am so heart-broken for her! Queens is a beautiful church and is a very near and dear place for Chrystal. They are hoping that it will be restored by Spring and I am praying it will be done by Easter, since Chrystal's wedding is the week after!
Here are pictures from our Thanksgiving visit!:)
http://picasaweb.google.com/pjburch77/Thanksgiving2008#
Thankful for a great friend!
Arlington Cemetery
Arlington Cemetery
Arlington CemeteryThe weekend of November 7th, my dear friend Malinda made the long road trip, by herself, down to visit me in Maryland! A visit I had been looking forward too for weeks and I enjoyed every minute of her stay! Malinda is such a dedicated friend, b/c our other friend was supposed to make the trip with her, but couldn't make, but Malinda still made the trip! Thanks Malinda! I had so much fun!:)
We had a great visit! She got into town about 4pm and we had a great time catching up and talking while Matt was still at work! It was great to finally have a friend visit me! Matt has had lots of visitors, but Malinda is officially MY first visitor!:)
Saturday, we headed into DC. We were going to take a boat trip, but the day turned out beautiful (it was raining in the morning when we woke up) and so we decided to walk around DC. We dropped our car off at the metro and took the metro in. We walked along the Mall, walked down to the WWII memorial and the Jefferson memorial and sat and people watched for awhile! Then we walked over to the White House and then headed to our favorite restaurant, Old Ebbitts! Then went home and I crashed hardcore on the couch, while Matt and Malinda watched Notre Dame.
Sunday, I got up early to make breakfast and then we drove to Arlington Cemetery. Wow, that was so neat, especially before Veteran's Day! And then Malinda headed back on her long trip back to MI!
It was a great weekend and so nice to catch up with such a dear friend! Thanks again Malinda for coming down for a visit!
Here is a link to pictures!
http://picasaweb.google.com/pjburch77/MalindaSVisitNovember68#
http://picasaweb.google.com/pjburch77/Arlington110908#
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
M.I.A.
I am still alive! Just very busy with school and being exhausted from it! I have no energy whatsoever!
I will give an update hopefully this weekend of all the fun activities that has taken place the last month!:)
In the meantime, check out our wedding website!
http://www.mywedding.com/mattandpriscillaswedding
Enjoy!
I will give an update hopefully this weekend of all the fun activities that has taken place the last month!:)
In the meantime, check out our wedding website!
http://www.mywedding.com/mattandpriscillaswedding
Enjoy!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
9 years ago today....
Two years ago, I decided to write down and share my dad's cancer and passing. As I said two years ago, my dad was the world to me and I continue to feel lost (at times) without him in my life. As I am getting married in 8 months, it kills me that he is not here to meet Matt and to walk me down the isle and to help plan my wedding (b/c he loved to do that!) I know he is in a much better place and is whole again, but I can't help but want him here!
November 9, 2006
I realize this is very lengthy, but here is a "reader's digest" version of my dad's cancer. This time of year is kinda hard for me and I needed to write it down and share. For those of you who know me, my dad was the world to me. Sorry if there are some typos or errors, but half of it was written through tears.
My dad was diagnosed with brain cancer in the summer of 1998. He had surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible, but the tumor had "fingers" that went into his speech portion of his brain and the doctors didn't want to mess with that. The day after his surgery I left for a mission's trip to Port Hardy, British Columbia, that was so hard to do! I just wanted to be with my dad! But he was recovering and he wanted me to go on this trip!
The months that followed his surgery were tough. It was very hard to watch him have trouble remembering things. He still tried to teach his many bible classes at church and really wanted to go back to work, but the cancer was taking over.
The meds were also horrible on his body. They had horrible side affects! It was hard to watch him deal with that! But we stood by his side and took care of him, like he took care of us for the majority of his life!
In January 1999 they decided to put chemo wafers around the tumor, it was a new procedure. There wasn't really any change. He went through radiation and chemo. My dad was a tall, thin man and he gained so much weight from the radiation and chemo, it was hard to recognize him.
In May 1999, our family took a Disney Cruise. Something my dad wanted to do more than anything! It was our last family trip. It was so much fun! My dad and I were the only ones in the family that liked the shows that they had on the cruise ship, so we went to them every night! Time that I will cherish always! Our favorite was Hercules!
My dad was a trooper. He wouldn't let people see that the cancer was winning! His spirits were high and his faith in God kept him trucking along! He was an inspiration! My sisters gave my mom and him a trip to Hawaii for their wedding anniversary in September of 1999. My dad had a hard time getting around and slept a lot, but he enjoyed the trip. But after that trip, he started to go down hill. He was weak in the legs and walked with a walker to get around. He couldn't climb the stairs anymore to the bedrooms upstairs, so he had to sleep downstairs.
He fell a couple of times in the middle of the night and my mom had to either call the neighbor to help her lift him up or 911. I was away at school, just starting my senior year. I look back, and I should have been home, but my dad wouldn't allow it. He wanted me to finish up school.
Around the last weeks of October, my mom was going to be away for the day and asked me to come home and stay with my dad one Saturday and of course I said yes. That was one of the last times that I got to spend with my dad. And he knew who I was! I had a conversation with him about how upset with God that this happened to him. He told me that he was at peace and that I needed to be at peace and that I should not be angry. It was the most articulated conversation I had with him since his cancer! I wish I remember everything he said to me!
One night he fell really badly and didn't know what happened and was taken to the hospital. I got a call from my mom that she and my sisters where going to go make funeral arrangements for my dad. I was livid! I could not believe she was already planning my dad's funeral! I was in the mindset that he would get better! I went home b/c it was on the weekend and my dad was in the hospital and I went to visit him and it was a sight I wish I could erase from my mind! They had him strapped to the bed b/c he kept pulling out his tubes and trying to get up. My mom said to him, "Jim, Priscilla is her." His response was, "Who is Priscilla." That was horrible to hear. That my dad didn't know who I was!
We talked to his doctor to see if anything more could be done and they couldn't do anything for him. The tumor had started to take over his brain.
That was a Sunday November 7, that I went to visit him in the hospital. I went back to school on Monday and Tuesday the 9th, I received a phone call from my brother in law that the doctors gave my dad 2 to 5 days to live and that he was going to be going home with hospice care. So on Wednesday, November 10, I made the rounds to my professors and told them that I was going home and I didn't know when I was coming back. I left GR around 5pm on Wednesday evening…I had to pack in preparation for my dad's funeral, how messed up is that? I got home, just has the ambulance was pulling into the driveway with my dad. The paramedics were strong men and carried my dad up to my bedroom where everything was set up for him. A hospice nurse came shortly after and did what she needed to do. My brother freaked out and couldn't handle seeing my dad in the state he was in. I thought I would be able to talk to him, but he was in a great state of confusion and had no idea who I was. The nurse gave him morphine for the pain and to help him sleep through the night. My mom was exhausted and I told her to go to bed and I sat with my dad. I looked at him and told him I loved him and I watched him slip into a coma. I stayed up with him all night and eventually fell asleep about 6am.
A dear family friend came over to our house in the morning, she was a nurse and said that we needed to call my sisters and friends and pastor tell them to come say good bye, he was going. So we did. And they came. We surrounded him and sang songs, we shared in Holy Communion and prayed and read bible verses. He moaned as we sang. It was actually a beautiful, comforting event. And we each took our turn with him and told him that it was ok to go "home." And we laughed that he had a list of questions already planned and ready to ask God! We knew he would no longer be in pain and that he would have his mind and body back! I was exhausted and decided to lay down for a bit. My sister came and got me and told him that he was breathing his last breathes and that I need to come in and say good bye and I did and about a minute later he died. That was on November 11, 1999. I was 22 years old. I miss my dad more than anyone will ever know.
November 9, 2006
I realize this is very lengthy, but here is a "reader's digest" version of my dad's cancer. This time of year is kinda hard for me and I needed to write it down and share. For those of you who know me, my dad was the world to me. Sorry if there are some typos or errors, but half of it was written through tears.
My dad was diagnosed with brain cancer in the summer of 1998. He had surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible, but the tumor had "fingers" that went into his speech portion of his brain and the doctors didn't want to mess with that. The day after his surgery I left for a mission's trip to Port Hardy, British Columbia, that was so hard to do! I just wanted to be with my dad! But he was recovering and he wanted me to go on this trip!
The months that followed his surgery were tough. It was very hard to watch him have trouble remembering things. He still tried to teach his many bible classes at church and really wanted to go back to work, but the cancer was taking over.
The meds were also horrible on his body. They had horrible side affects! It was hard to watch him deal with that! But we stood by his side and took care of him, like he took care of us for the majority of his life!
In January 1999 they decided to put chemo wafers around the tumor, it was a new procedure. There wasn't really any change. He went through radiation and chemo. My dad was a tall, thin man and he gained so much weight from the radiation and chemo, it was hard to recognize him.
In May 1999, our family took a Disney Cruise. Something my dad wanted to do more than anything! It was our last family trip. It was so much fun! My dad and I were the only ones in the family that liked the shows that they had on the cruise ship, so we went to them every night! Time that I will cherish always! Our favorite was Hercules!
My dad was a trooper. He wouldn't let people see that the cancer was winning! His spirits were high and his faith in God kept him trucking along! He was an inspiration! My sisters gave my mom and him a trip to Hawaii for their wedding anniversary in September of 1999. My dad had a hard time getting around and slept a lot, but he enjoyed the trip. But after that trip, he started to go down hill. He was weak in the legs and walked with a walker to get around. He couldn't climb the stairs anymore to the bedrooms upstairs, so he had to sleep downstairs.
He fell a couple of times in the middle of the night and my mom had to either call the neighbor to help her lift him up or 911. I was away at school, just starting my senior year. I look back, and I should have been home, but my dad wouldn't allow it. He wanted me to finish up school.
Around the last weeks of October, my mom was going to be away for the day and asked me to come home and stay with my dad one Saturday and of course I said yes. That was one of the last times that I got to spend with my dad. And he knew who I was! I had a conversation with him about how upset with God that this happened to him. He told me that he was at peace and that I needed to be at peace and that I should not be angry. It was the most articulated conversation I had with him since his cancer! I wish I remember everything he said to me!
One night he fell really badly and didn't know what happened and was taken to the hospital. I got a call from my mom that she and my sisters where going to go make funeral arrangements for my dad. I was livid! I could not believe she was already planning my dad's funeral! I was in the mindset that he would get better! I went home b/c it was on the weekend and my dad was in the hospital and I went to visit him and it was a sight I wish I could erase from my mind! They had him strapped to the bed b/c he kept pulling out his tubes and trying to get up. My mom said to him, "Jim, Priscilla is her." His response was, "Who is Priscilla." That was horrible to hear. That my dad didn't know who I was!
We talked to his doctor to see if anything more could be done and they couldn't do anything for him. The tumor had started to take over his brain.
That was a Sunday November 7, that I went to visit him in the hospital. I went back to school on Monday and Tuesday the 9th, I received a phone call from my brother in law that the doctors gave my dad 2 to 5 days to live and that he was going to be going home with hospice care. So on Wednesday, November 10, I made the rounds to my professors and told them that I was going home and I didn't know when I was coming back. I left GR around 5pm on Wednesday evening…I had to pack in preparation for my dad's funeral, how messed up is that? I got home, just has the ambulance was pulling into the driveway with my dad. The paramedics were strong men and carried my dad up to my bedroom where everything was set up for him. A hospice nurse came shortly after and did what she needed to do. My brother freaked out and couldn't handle seeing my dad in the state he was in. I thought I would be able to talk to him, but he was in a great state of confusion and had no idea who I was. The nurse gave him morphine for the pain and to help him sleep through the night. My mom was exhausted and I told her to go to bed and I sat with my dad. I looked at him and told him I loved him and I watched him slip into a coma. I stayed up with him all night and eventually fell asleep about 6am.
A dear family friend came over to our house in the morning, she was a nurse and said that we needed to call my sisters and friends and pastor tell them to come say good bye, he was going. So we did. And they came. We surrounded him and sang songs, we shared in Holy Communion and prayed and read bible verses. He moaned as we sang. It was actually a beautiful, comforting event. And we each took our turn with him and told him that it was ok to go "home." And we laughed that he had a list of questions already planned and ready to ask God! We knew he would no longer be in pain and that he would have his mind and body back! I was exhausted and decided to lay down for a bit. My sister came and got me and told him that he was breathing his last breathes and that I need to come in and say good bye and I did and about a minute later he died. That was on November 11, 1999. I was 22 years old. I miss my dad more than anyone will ever know.
Friday, October 24, 2008
What a week!
Oh boy...I had one of those weeks! Or shall I say two weeks!
Shall I do a top 10 list? Yes, lets! Or I'll see how many I put to highlight my weeks and then I'm off to bed.
1) It is sad that I cannot remember what I did last Monday (I just realized this!):(
2) Last week, I had several migraines (which was due to hormonal change, I have
figured that out, or shall I say Matt tuned into that!)
3) Had my first IEP meeting for a kid who drives me bonkers! All the other teachers say he is doing great and love him in class...shocking (I wonder if we have the same child!)! Then, I tell them...he is at a 3rd/4th grade reading level! And they are shocked...continue to be looking into this one...
4) Found out a couple of weeks ago that a lovely, model citizen (can you sense my sarcasm)student of mine as an ankle tether. I find this out from the student, not administration, which I think this information should be provided to me from the school! OK...it gets better. We talk to the counselor, curious what we (my IA and I) do when he continues to make references to drugs throughout class. (not really knowing why the child is on probation). The counselor says we need to document it, but fails to tell us that we need to write him up b/c he has a court hearing and everything that he does in school needs to be documented! UGH! OK...this needs to take up 2 numbers...
...5) SO...this kid makes a threatening remark when something happens and a teacher does something and he is called out of my class, returning visibly pissed, making this remark...I write him up. (I don't think I should put up with this crap.) Next day, I talk to my VP and he tells me I should work, this kids is harmless! Oh, I was pissed! But he was put in In school suspension for my class and stayed all day b/c he was high! GREAT!!! Then this week, he comes back, continues to act like a dumbass...I write him up twice! And today...HE GOT ARRESTED on school grounds! I never thought I would be pleased about this, but I do have to say, I hope I don't have to see that child again! I didn't sign for this!
6) This week happened to be the longest week of my life!
7) I had an emotional break down on Wednesday and was ready to quit and moved back to MI!
8) I have heard from at least two teachers that my students hate me. I have come to the realization that I'm not there for a popularity contest, I'm there to teach.
9) Reason why they hate me, b/c my bigger class is the worst...so the counselor and the VP visited the class and gave them a "talking" to and they didn't like it...basically they don't like authority and do not like being told what to do...hence the reason why they are the worst class!
10) It's amazing when you tell a student that you care about them as an individual and that you want to see them succeed in life, how quickly they change their tune, hopefully it stays changed and in tune!:)
OK, well I made it to 10...a lot more happened, but these are my highlights...
Shall I do a top 10 list? Yes, lets! Or I'll see how many I put to highlight my weeks and then I'm off to bed.
1) It is sad that I cannot remember what I did last Monday (I just realized this!):(
2) Last week, I had several migraines (which was due to hormonal change, I have
figured that out, or shall I say Matt tuned into that!)
3) Had my first IEP meeting for a kid who drives me bonkers! All the other teachers say he is doing great and love him in class...shocking (I wonder if we have the same child!)! Then, I tell them...he is at a 3rd/4th grade reading level! And they are shocked...continue to be looking into this one...
4) Found out a couple of weeks ago that a lovely, model citizen (can you sense my sarcasm)student of mine as an ankle tether. I find this out from the student, not administration, which I think this information should be provided to me from the school! OK...it gets better. We talk to the counselor, curious what we (my IA and I) do when he continues to make references to drugs throughout class. (not really knowing why the child is on probation). The counselor says we need to document it, but fails to tell us that we need to write him up b/c he has a court hearing and everything that he does in school needs to be documented! UGH! OK...this needs to take up 2 numbers...
...5) SO...this kid makes a threatening remark when something happens and a teacher does something and he is called out of my class, returning visibly pissed, making this remark...I write him up. (I don't think I should put up with this crap.) Next day, I talk to my VP and he tells me I should work, this kids is harmless! Oh, I was pissed! But he was put in In school suspension for my class and stayed all day b/c he was high! GREAT!!! Then this week, he comes back, continues to act like a dumbass...I write him up twice! And today...HE GOT ARRESTED on school grounds! I never thought I would be pleased about this, but I do have to say, I hope I don't have to see that child again! I didn't sign for this!
6) This week happened to be the longest week of my life!
7) I had an emotional break down on Wednesday and was ready to quit and moved back to MI!
8) I have heard from at least two teachers that my students hate me. I have come to the realization that I'm not there for a popularity contest, I'm there to teach.
9) Reason why they hate me, b/c my bigger class is the worst...so the counselor and the VP visited the class and gave them a "talking" to and they didn't like it...basically they don't like authority and do not like being told what to do...hence the reason why they are the worst class!
10) It's amazing when you tell a student that you care about them as an individual and that you want to see them succeed in life, how quickly they change their tune, hopefully it stays changed and in tune!:)
OK, well I made it to 10...a lot more happened, but these are my highlights...
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