humble beginnings

Dan has been at DMC everyday since Aug. 1st preparing for his first day of school on Aug. 18th. He has had meetings with the principal, time to connect with the other jr. high teachers, and time to figure out exactly what he is doing. In the past 2 weeks or so, Dan created probably his first ever bulletin boards!

The constant...this board will only display necessary school/class information

These boards are also in the front of the classroom, he's not quite sure what to do with them yet...that's ok he still has a week :)

also, that's Dan's desk computer...unfortunately, his desk is in the back of the classroom and the computer is in the front. The only way to get the computer in the back is to have cords running the length of the room under the students desks...guess it's going to stay there for now :D
Here are some classroom and storage room shots Dan took today:

...notice the computer and desk positions above...
the nicely stocked storage room.

Today was the first day for me at CPCS. I only stayed about 3 hours due to lack of clue of what to do. While I was there I was able to make a bulletin board behind my desk:

it says Mrs. Broersma's with Computers coming from the M in Broersma-in case you couldn't read it ;)
The following is the nice computer lab I was supplied with...I'm still trying to figure out arrangement and workability...it's difficult considering everything is bolted into place

Those are the latest on the picture front. On our lives, neither of our schools provide dental insurance so we are now beginning to figure out if/what insurance we should get. If you have any suggestions, please let us know! I've always found insurance to be something of an annoyance, too many deductibles, co-pays, limited benefits, etc. Some how life has caught up with us and we really weren't planning on having it come to visit anytime soon. Justin really is right, once you get married you turn "old." Thanks a lot Justin...way to be right...again

I think it's time for a fun picture from our trip to Mackinac Island. Let's see if you get it...

it made me laugh :) hope it makes your day, too!

a very relaxing Saturday

Today was a nice and relaxing day. Dan and I slept in (until 8:30!!), leisurely watched the Olympic, then walked down to Town and Country Day down the street (too bad I forgot my camera!). Saturdays have pretty much become "clean up" day for me in the apartment. I like to do a quick vacuum and wipe everything down. It's surprising how many messes can be made by two people in one week.

Anywho, I figured out that my parents and California siblings have never seen the finished product of our wedding guest platter...so I took a picture :)

It turned out really well! Right now it is chilling in the middle of our IKEA coffee table...it might move...who knows. I was also able to take a couple more pictures of our place...

our kitchen

Our water softener in our laundry room
My Pantry!! :)
The Living Room
our very unorganized linen closet ;)
behind the door in the bathroom
and now our deck!
the sliding door back into the apartment

well that's more of our apartment. Hopefully you can get the gist of it from those. Maybe once we figure out what we are hang on our walls I'll take more pictures. As for tomorrow, Dan and I were invited to a member of Community CRC's house for lunch-their daughter is also in 8th grade at DMC. It's nice living here in Demotte because the people from the church and school really take care of you. Starting on Monday, I will be going to CPCS more regularly...yes, I am nervous :)

Until then! GOD BLESS and have a wonderful weekend

I found more pictures!

Here are more pictures I found of our apartment and the surroundings of Crown Point Christian School (CPCS)...

This is the water tower right outside CPCS-technically CPCS is in St. John, IN

The road to CPCS-oh I should let you know that Dan was taking all these pictures while I was interviewing for the position. He's such a trooper ;)
the "heart" of Crown Point, IN-which reminds me and Dan of Stars Hollow for Gilmore Girls
And now some more apartment pictures...these are as I am trying to pack for Mackinac Island...Dan is such a great help :D
Our guest room...don't worry it will be beautifully clean if you decide to visit
Love the bathroom with the fabulous IKEA shower curtain!!!
last but not least...a sneak peak at our bedroom...remember I am packing!
There are more to come-I promise. Next week I will have pictures of CPCS! Until then, Dan began "new teacher orientation" at school on Monday while I sit here at home. That's ok-I have been able to clean everyday, study up on Indiana state standards for Computer and Art, relax, and be a wonderful wife.
In other news, I am VERY excited that I might (if Justin decides he loves me) get to see JUSTIN!! It has been a month since I have seen my family and I can't wait until I get to possibly see my favorite younger brother as he travels back to Calvin College.
I love my brothers!
(Jeremy's 24th birthday-I just found these in my email!)

Our first adventure in Indiana

Even before we moved to Demotte, IN we were told about Fair Oaks Farms. The first time we heard about it was on the Discovery Channels Dirty Jobs, then we found out that Dan's mom's students is related to the Fair Oaks Farms family. Needless to say, we had to visit this place-plus it's actually close to our place-15 min! Unfortunately, we did not have a working camera at the time so we had to borrow one from DMC and then the batteries died shortly after we began taking pictures. We did manage to get a few shots though. Hope you enjoy...

The entrance...

It was so much fun!

Dan trying to beat the clock in attaching the milker

The birthing barn...my favorite :)

And now a pictures of our apartment...please look past the mess...we're in the "moving in" process still
the living room to the kitchen

yep...definitely messy...once I take more pictures/figure out where everything goes I will be sure to post them.

Time for an update...

Hello, hello! It has been quite some time since this ol' blog was last updated. Anywho, in about 11 days Dan and I are going to be officially hitched! Everything is happening so quickly. On May 17, I graduated from Calvin College. Right before that Dan accepted a job as the middle school science teacher at DeMotte Christian School in DeMotte, IN. As for me, I have been trying to get myself organized with wedding details and moving to IN things.
Thankfully, a few days ago, Dan and I found a BRAND NEW apartment to move into Mid-July. It is beautiful! Unfortunately, my camera is broken so I was not able to take any pictures. Never fear-we are returning there next week and I will be sure to have a camera this time!

I do, on the other hand, have pictures of DeMotte Christian for everyone...so enjoy!

Dan's classroom :)

Begonia St. on which resides DMC
The proud owner of a teaching contract
Oh and here are some pictures from my final day at Ada Christian:

My class 4-P and now all of 4th grade (all of which I had the pleasure of teaching)
Well, once I get some pictures of our apartment I will be sure to put them up.

Until then...

GOD BLESS

The first week of subbing...and other thoughts

So this is Dan, and this is my first time posting on this blog. I felt as though I should tell about my first week of subbing. In all, it was a promising week. A few things I learned about during this week is as follow:
1) It can be frustrating trying make students stop talking when I've got no idea how the normal classroom teacher does it.
2) All students believe that every teacher in the world teaches the exact same way as their regular teacher.
3) Middlevilled smells really bad.

After reflecting on those three key lessons I had this week, I realize that I really do enjoy this sort of thing, except for number 3 on the list; that was a terrible smell.

As for Jennifer and I, we're just plugging along with all that we have to do. Jennifer is keeping busy now that she has finally had some consistencey with her student teaching and actually going there. We've had more snow days this month and more snow than I can ever remember. Actually, I measured the snow in the backyard, and there was about 15 inches of snow.

That is really all that is going on. Thanks for reading this and I'm sorry there are no pictures to go along with it.

back in business

Needless to say...we are back in Michigan...unfortunately, the weather in Michigan is not quite what I would call enjoyable. Yesterday it went from being 47 degrees to 17 degrees in a span of 3 hours. When I was driving home it was POURING rain. The roads were completely flooded. Well, once I got home it was POURING SNOW!!! All the water that had gathered on the roads has turned into ICE!! Complete ICE!! The good news is the snow day we got as a result. The bad news is the FRIGIDNESS that has come from the arctic "breeze."
Oh how I wish I was back in California...out where the sun is shining and my car isn't covered with snow and ice.

On the other hand...I started student teaching and absolutely LOVE my class!! My teacher is also amazing! So far, going to student teach is what is keeping me going. That and the fact that in about 140 days I am getting married to Dan, the most spectacular man ever!

In the end,

God is good, life is good, until tomorrow :)