Random Phone Pics

Here is a jolly collection of pics that have been accumulating on my phone lately.

Lil Sis are you sure you don't want a Wreck-It Ralph shower?

The headband I bought for Lil Sis's wedding

Sending Lil Sis pics of my proposed shower ensemble.

Showing Momma how clean my desk can be when it needs to be :) i.e. for Kindergarten Registration

One of our Oreo attempts for Lil Sis's shower. Thankfully they still tasted delish!

My copy of Lauren Lopez's cookbook, which I did not buy until she sold 100 that had been kissed by Mr. Joey Richter. Now I own one of Joey Richter's kisses! It was totes worth a cookbook I'll probably never use!

Lorax mustaches for an Earth Day craft for my class.

Pretty daffodils one of my kiddos brought me this week!

The dino currently taking up residence in our classroom.

New Darren Criss shirt I wore today :)

I'm a Runner!

This fall I was asked to be a coach for Girls on the Run at my school. I immediately asked, "Do I need to be a runner? Because I'm not." I tried to run one summer I was home from college, but I didn't really know what I was doing, so it didn't work.

My friends assured me that I did not need to be a runner, so I agreed.

If you haven't heard of Girls on the Run, it is an awesome program for 3rd-5th grade girls. It is at it's heart a self-esteem building, empowering program which uses running as motivator and a confidence builder. GOTR was started by Molly Barker and ends with everyone running a 5K. It is a truly wonderful program and I love helping with it. We teach lessons through games and activities about gossip, inner beauty, positive self talk, standing up to peer pressure, bullying and so much more. We are building strong, confident girls who know they're beautiful inside and out! Girls on the Run is so much fun!

There is also the running. After every lesson we do a workout, which involves running, but usually with a fun twist. One day we had a scavenger hunt. Sometimes they have silly things to do after each lap. One lesson is like a big game of tag. So we're running, but we're having fun!

After a few weeks, I wasn't running much due to supervising girls, handing out their activities, etc. and decided I'd better get serious about this running thing, because I have never run a 5K before in my life and I don't want to be the last one to finish! So I started running more during practice and it was fun to see my number of laps completed and the amount I could run before needing a walking break increase.

This week we have our practice 5K, so I decided that I needed to do my own practice ahead of time, to see if I could even complete the thing! So this morning, I set an alarm and headed over to our school track bright and early. On our track 5 laps = a mile, so I needed to do 16 laps to approximate a 5K (at least that's the math I did, if I'm wrong, don't tell me).

I texted my mom to let her know I was starting and that I had no idea how long it would take me. I decided to push myself to run three laps and then fast walk one and so on. The first couple of sets were pretty easy and then it started getting warmer and other people showed up, but I kept going! When I was on my last set of run three, walk one, I decided to do the walking lap after only two running, so that I could run the final lap.

I crossed the "finish line" (when luckily everyone had left) with my arms in the air! I was so proud of myself. If you had told me three months ago that I would have run a 5K in about 45 minutes, while actually running 3/4 of it, I would have thought you were crazy. I haven't run since freshman year of high school when I had to run the mile for PE. It's so crazy, but really exciting! And now I know that I will not have to be embarrassed when we run our 5K in a few weeks ;)

It's cool that not only have we been helping our girls become more confident as runners and human beings, but I've been able to become a confident runner, too! Hopefully I will keep it up once our season is over!

P.S. Here I am after finishing my run :)

I'm Grateful For... Kim

I am so, so very grateful today (and every day) for my dear friend Kim. She has had an extremely difficult week and just lost her father today. My heart is breaking for her and I just wish I could give her a hug. She is always there for me when I need her and I wish I could do more for her today.

Last year I had the pleasure of teaching with Kim. It was both of our first year's teaching (although she is already married with several teenaged- children). We shared so many ups and downs together. She was the first person I would go to with vents about school and to share the hilarious stories that come with being an elementary school teacher. Almost every day after school I would pop down to her room and end up staying at least 15 minutes, talking about school, our families and life. We had a great time teaching together!

We got to travel for a two-day teaching conference together last spring. It was so nice to get to spend time together outside of school. We ate out, went shopping, watched an hour of Croc Hunters because we couldn't figure out how to change the channel... good times.

When I went through a very rough end of the school year and summer, Kim was always there for me. Taking me for lunch on the beach, out to dinner or just to talk while I cried. She was always there with a hug, a word of advice and a touch of motherly protectiveness. I'm not sure how I would have gotten through the summer without her love and support.

This year we are teaching at the same school again, but our rooms are across the school. It's not as convenient to pop down to her room after school, but our classes are buddies and we share planning time, so we find time to chat :)

I am so, so, so very grateful that Kim is in my life. She is sweet and thoughtful and generous and a great inspiration to me as a teacher, Christian, mother and wife. To borrow a Grey's Anatomy cliche, she's my "person" on this side of the state. Since I'm away from home, she's the person I go to when I need something. I know that I can count on her for comfort, advice, or just a hug.  God certainly had a plan when he had us teaching together last year.

I'm sending all of my love and prayers her way, as well as thanking God that he put her in my life!

2012 in a Nutshell

Soooooooooo... Long time,  no blog. To be honest I haven't even thought about my blog in months. Life got busy in 2012 and my time was being taken up by many things. But over the holidays a family member asked if I was still blogging, which made me head on over and check out some of my old posts. I like looking back and having this blog as a sort of chronicle of major events and musings of my life. So, here I am, back and hopefully I'll stick with it this time ;)

Here is a rundown of 2012 (during which I didn't post even a single blog...)
- Went with Lil Sis to New York for 2 days in January. We stood in lines in the freezing cold a lot, but enjoyed riding the Ferris Wheel in the giant Toys R Us, seeing Sister Act on Broadway, seeing the Statue of Liberty and the 9/11 memorial, shopping in Times Square and of course the reason for our visit- the Broadway debut of our favoritest favorite Warbler Darren Criss in How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying. It was truly an adventure and I am so very grateful that Lil Sis was able to convince me to go.

-Finished my first year of teaching! I got to attend a teaching conference with one of my teaching partners and we had a blast road-tripping, eating out and hanging out together outside of school.

- Found out that Big Sis and Bro-in-Law were expecting again! A little boy, who was born in August and dubbed Lil C. He is an adorable little guy, just like his big sister.

- Lil sis got engaged!!! I have not chosen a blog nickname for him yet, but I will think on it. I am so very excited for them and to be a part of their special day next July!!

-Spent the summer in employment limbo, which is a long story, but ended well with me back at the same district.

- Tutored some of my former kiddos over the summer and spent as much time as possible at the beach!

- Went to Florida with Momma, Daddy and Lil Sis. We spent four whirlwind days at Disney World and one magical day at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It was a fantabulous trip!!

- Spent 2 weeks learning to become a kindergarten teacher. Fell in love with both the colleagues at my new school and my 23 little sweetie pies.

- Watched the Tigers win the Central Division for the second year in a row. Made it to as many playoff games as humanly possible, including the incredible game when we won the ALCS and became American League Champs. It was a super special moment that Momma, Daddy, Lil Sis and I shared together.

- Went to my first ever World Series game! Which we lost, meaning we lost the Series, but Lil Sis and her fiance and I tried to focus on the amazing fact that we were witnessing the World Series!!

- Attended my Grandma C's 90th birthday party. There were roughly 75 people there and it was truly a tribute to her and the beautiful family she and Papa created.

- Became StarKid fans. Lil Sis and I have  been fans of A Very Potter Musical for years, but this year our Starkid love (fueled by our love for D-Criss) hit new highs. We attended Apocalyptour in May, had a truly amazing experience at Leaky Con in Chicago in August watching all of the old gang (including Darren) in A Very Potter Senior Year, the conclusion to their Harry Potter trilogy, spent way too much money on powder blue sweatbands, t-shirts, CDs and DVDs, etc. and way too much (or just enough) time watching their shows/livestream chats and listening to their awesome music!

That's 2012 in a nutshell. I may try to go back and post a longer blog about some of these events, but for now this will suffice to sum up the year :)

My Timeline

I was inspired by the my life timelines that Lauren and Kari have written.

1988- During one of the hottest summers on record, Jillibean is born! Momma was miserable until I was born and everyone (including me) was miserable whenever they had to hold me for the next two months. I basically lived in diapers for the first two months of my life...

1989-I turned one and discovered the deliciousness that is chocolate cake.

1990- Lil Sis is born. Jillibean is only 22 months old, so I had lots of fun poking my fingers into her eyes, nose, ears, etc.

1991- I started preschool at the Catholic school Momma taught at. I spent the rest of my time at our wonderful babysitter Jeanne's house. I met my first best friend, Renee.

1992- I attended four-year old preschool. Renee taught me how to buckle my shoes.

1993-I turned five. For my birthday party I went to see Snow White at the movies with a couple of friends.

1994-While Jeanne and Amy were late getting back from a preschool field trip, I waited after kindergarten with my friend Andy. As we were waiting our classroom chicks started hatching and we got to see it! We thought we were so awesome, because we were the only people in our class to see them hatch. This fall I started first grade at the public school near my house.

1995- When I turned seven I had my first sleepover with Renee. I started second grade and met my elementary school best friend, Ashley. When Ashley got to the classroom, the only open seat was next to me, so she sat down, and the rest is history. Momma started teaching at my school, but I was still super homesick for her. Most mornings I would cry as I walked down to my second grade classroom. Ashley would ask me every morning if I cried and usually I would say no, even though the answer was yes.

1996- I went on a plane for the first time, to get to my uncle's wedding in Texas. I had a pool party birthday party, except it was only like 50 degrees in July! Yikes, of course our eight year old selves jumped in.

1997-Started fourth grade, with one of my favorite teachers ever, Mrs. W. We started looking for a new house to move into. We celebrated our last Christmas at our house.

1998- The weekend of the Women's Figure Skating Finals at the Nagano Olympics we moved into a brand new house. Lil Sis and I got our own rooms. We all woke up super early to watch the skating finals live. I was sooooooooooooo excited when Tara Lipinski won, Big Sis was very sad that Michelle Kwan lost. In July, I turned double digits!!

1999-I graduated from fifth grade and started middle school. I was sooooo nervous about starting middle school, it seemed so scary. I started playing the clarinet.

2000- The world exploded... oh wait, Y2K turned out to be a bust. The family went on a trip to Disneyworld. Lil Sis was finally old enough to remember the trip, Momma and Daddy's requirement for us to go. So much fun!

2001-I went on my first band trip to Niagra Falls. The three-day trip was the longest I'd ever been away from home and I was super nervous before we left, but I had a blast with my band friends. I became a crazy teenager!!

2002-My second band trip to Mackinac Island. It was a super quick trip, only one day and it snowed... Started High School, also very scary. Went to band camp, of course I was homesick :) Our band did a Beatles show.

2003- Went on a High School Band trip to Chicago. We were supposed to go to Toronto, but it was full of SARS. I think this is the year we went to Hilton Head Island for vacation. Such a relaxing vacation, basically we laid on the beach and read all day for a week! Big Sis graduated from high school and started college. I started my Sophomore year of high school. Band camp rocked and we did this fabulous, show that no one's never heard of.

2004-I turned 16 and got my driver's license!!! My cousin Jared was adopted. Watched the Detroit Tigers play on Opening Day and got hooked. I started my junior year of high school. Our fabulously fantastic homecoming float featuring Venice came in a devastating last place. The float featured moving gondolas and a fountain of water... Was in a huge fight/deep freeze with one of my besties for half the year.

2005- I got voted the president of National Honor Society. I started visiting colleges and applying to schools. Went on a band trip to New York. Five great days with some wonderful friends! Went to Europe with my sisters. We traveled to Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Austria for ten days. So much fun! Started working at k-Mart My senior year of high school. Made up with said feuding friend :) Got accepted to all three schools I applied to.

2006- I graduated from high school as the Valedictorian. I got to give a speech at graduation. Spent a rockin' summer trying not to freak out about going to college. Went away to school. Met Laura H when she wandered into my door room asking if anyone wanted to go for a walk. Missed my family like crazy. Cheered like crazy when Magglio and his fabulous curly hair put the Tigers in the World Series and Pollie hopped like a fool around the bases. My cousin Rach was adopted. Rushed onto the field after our football team won the National Semi-Final game. Watched on TV as our team won the National Championship!!!

2007-Had an awesome weekend snowed in at school. Went to Tigers Spring Training in Florida with Big Sis. Came home for the summer, worked at K-Mart some more. Big Sis graduated from college and got a job out of state. We missed her like crazy. Went back for my sophomore year of college. Lived in an on-campus apartment. Got a job working at a church nursery.

2008- When I came home from school I got a job at the daycare I still work at. Fell in love with three fabulous 18 month olds. Lil Sis graduated from high school and went off to college. Went back to school for my junior year. Lived in the same on-campus apartment with two of the same girls. We adopted a large stuffed monkey, Cody.

2009- Went on a Spring Break mission trip to Knoxville, Tennesse with 15 amazing women of God. It was a blessing to work with the girls at the Florence Crittenton Agency. Big Sis got engaged!! Studied Abroad in the Netherlands for a month. Met some truly amazing people and got to visit England, Ireland, France and Belgium. Started my senior year of college after working at the day care again. Lived in a different off-campus apartment with one of the same girls. Big Sis and BIL got married and I was a bridesmaid. Rushed out on the field as our team won the national semi-finals again. At Christmas we found out that Big Sis was pregnant!!!

2010- Teacher Assisted in a fifth grade class. Went to Kansas City with Momma and Daddy for Tigers Opening Day. Moved home for the summer/for good. Worked at the daycare. Lil E was born! We spent a week getting to know her. Student taught in a third grade class. Graduated, got a long-term subbing job in a first grade classroom.

Jillibean's graduates!

Two weekends ago I graduated!!!!!! Yay! It feels so wonderful to have graduated! The whole Bean family traveled to the other side of the state for a Graduation weekend. Even Big Sis and Lil E joined in on the fun!

Friday night was my College of Education ceremony. I was chosen to give one of two student keynote speeches. I was honored but super nervous! My speech was based on this quote from Fredrick Douglass, "It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men." It went really well. It was fun because I got to sit on stage with the faculty for most of the ceremony.


Here I am getting my pin from my Intro to Ed professor.


The graduate with her proud parents!

Saturday was the big university ceremony. I got to process in next to my friend Jessie, which was nice. Plus it gave me someone to talk to during the ceremony :)

Here I am just I walked across the stage.

Afterwards we went out to eat with my Grandma, Grandpa, aunts and uncles. The place where we ate gives you a free cupcake with your meal :) Delish.

Here are some pics of me with the fam in my pretty graduation dress.

Fab Weekend

I have had a really great weekend so far. It's been very busy, but all good busy :)

Friday night was my university's annual formal dance. I was going with some friends and it was super fun.



We danced and got our pictures taken in the photo booth it was lots of fun.



I was excited to have a green, over 21 wristband, even though I didn't drink :)


When I got home I realized that I didn't have any pictures of just me, so of course I took some.





Of course the night ended with very tired feet!




But I cuddled up with some ice cream and warm pjs and then slept soundly.



Saturday afternoon my parents came out and we went to a basketball game.



I was pointing out the president of our university (nicknamed T-Haas) to my mom and then his wife Marcia. My mom responded "M-Haas?" And that is why I love her!!



I spent the night with them at the awesome Hyatt Place Hotel. It was gorgeous!!



And the hotel was free because we got it with Frequent Flier miles or something!!!

Today included breakfast with my parents (where we also bought some amazing cupcakes!!), reading, church and the Super Bowl!