We ate and ate and enjoyed our company. Afterwards we went to a notorious bar in Milwaukee, Victors, AKA “Victims.” There were some free-spirited folk dancing (imagine 75 year olds in purple strapless dresses) and I have to admit that they could care less that we were watching. They were smiling and grooving. I felt embarrassed for them and then a little jealous. I’m not that confident in myself to totally let loose.

Cue Jake.

This man loves to boogie. He has an eclectic dance style that has only improved since he took African Dance in college. He dances in the car, in the grocery store, basically anywhere. Last night he noticed his buddies starting to get bored so he joined the folk on the dance floor and held NOTHING back…

People laugh and stare but suddenly join him on the dance floor. When asking him on the ride home why he does this, he smiled and replied, “I want everyone to feel comfortable and have fun.” That’s a man of confidence.

HOORAH:)

Can you even believe that it’s December? I honestly can’t! I started the first of the month sick in bed, so lets hope that isn’t a trend. This morning I literally picked up my coffee cup and was reminded of things I love. Get ready for it!

YEAS!!!:

1) Christmas Trees:

My friend Rachel and her husband were so kind and allowed us to cut a tree from their land! It smells divine I love the twinkling lights. Sorry about the picture quality!

2) Pictures:

I LOVE photography, but honestly take most pictures with my cell (see above picture). A few years ago Jake bought me a cute point and shoot camera and I’m determined to use it! Does anyone love black and white photography? Mmmmhmmm, I can’t get enough of it! I think it creates a timeless and real quality, focusing you to look at the subjects.

3) Coffee:

I know, I gush over coffee literally every time I post, but come on, it’s magical! I get giddy when Starbuck’s Peppermint Mocha is brewing and have a hard time not purchasing every coffee cup/mug in the world. I also feel the need to say that I am not a daily Starbucks gal. I brew my own most mornings, which is equally as fun with all of the holiday creamers out in stores!! Check it out.

4) Reading:

My nook and I have been attached at the hip lately. I started a “12 books of Christmas” challenge during Thanksgiving break. I’m going to read 12 books from break (Nov. 23-Jan.1) until the New Year! I love escaping into books. Comfort. Currently, I’m reading:

5) My coworkers:

I love the people I work with! Honestly, love. New changes often evoke anxiety for me, so moving to a new school was scary! I’ve been blown away by the generosity and kindness displayed by these individuals. I am so blessed.

6) Jake:

Woooooohooo! Jake is a wonderful man. I realize that I’m not always the easiest person to live with (constant singing, piles of dishes in the sink, tofu loving, repeating favorite songs 1,001x per day, cover stealing gal). He accepts me for me and I just really am grateful for that. He has helped me pursue teaching, sort laundry, and has sparked my love for singing Army Cadences during long car rides. He’s truly a great catch!

Ben Lundsten Photography

7) Adele: 21 on Vinyl

This album invigorates every part of me. Her raw and emotional voice paired with the crackle of vinyl sends me into my happy land.

8 ) My OfficeMax Notebook:

I found this sweet notebook at OM the other day and fell in love! I really like the format because it allows me to seperate my “to-do” list with my reflections. It’ s been improving my productivity within the classroom! I can’t include a pic because I use my student’s names. (I used a google image, I think it’s math… haha)

9) Dog Obedience Classes

My pup, Skully is attending her second obedience class at PETCO and we have been so pleased! Not only does she enjoy the training process, but she is much more polite and well-behaved. Bravo.

P.S. She is a lot larger now (a whopping 12 pounds )!

10) The number ten. It’s my fav:

Kirs TEN

born on 10-10

NAYS:

1) Waking up early: I’m a medium morning person. but waking up before Mr. Golden Sun is depressing at times.

2) No Snow: WAIT a second, I need to say that I’m not a super huge winter lover. I LOVE Christmas and pretty snow, but dislike the cold. I say that I dislike no snow because I’m waiting to wake up and have there be 20 feet of snow. I don’t adjust to change that occurs during my sleep.

3) Illness: Do I need to elaborate?

4) Pessimistic People: I completely understand the need to “nay” occasionally, but it drives me bonkers when people only see the bad in life. How sad .

5) Dishes: How do two people accumulate so many dishes? It’s a never ending battle.

Love and warmth to all,

Kirsten

Jake and I thought, “We can do this for 30 days to feel refreshed for the holiday season!” Oh yea, each category has one free pass per week. Holidays are also “OFF” days. Jake and I also made an exclusive deal: He may have alcohol and I coffee. It’s best for our sanity.

Enjoy my journey….

Day 1: I had a little Reese Puffs cereal left, so there way no way I was letting that go to waste! So, yes, on day one I used my week free pass for the “No sweets” category. I realized that my dependence on sweets, eating a ton of chocolate to make up for my free pass. The second area that I realized I need an overhaul in is my water consumption. Whoa. I didn’t realize how much my body desired it. Feeling good today.

Happy July! Can you believe that it’s July? I really can’t believe it. My mom would always tell me,

Don’t wish time away.

I have always been impatient. I wanted to be a grownup, married, etc., etc., etc. It reminds me of what I’ve heard called the “Christmas Syndrome.” You get really excited about something and the anticipation grows and grows, creating that bubbly feeling in your tummy. The event happens and is so incredible but afterwards you feel that, “what’s next” impatience. Maybe I’m prone to this because I’m really emotional, but it bothers me. It actually makes me ashamed of my satisfaction in materialistic items.

Jake and I returned from an amazing vacation with our pup, Skully on Lake Wisconsin.

Our Dock

I had a lot of time to fish on the dock and think. I didn’t realize that I needed this solitude, but wowzie did I! My heart needed to have quiet. The waves gently cascaded over the rocks as did my busy heart. I prayed for my friend who recently lost her sweet mother, I watched my incredible husband run with my puppy, and I sang while eating Starburst and wearing pink sunglasses.

I titled this post “sunny,” because, well it’s summer, and I’m striving to be sunny. My impatience has caused me some hard times as Jake comes and goes due to Army obligations. I know that he is fulfilling his dreams and I’m really proud of him, but it’s hard when your heart has to open and say goodbye for months at a time. It makes me even more empathetic to those with loved ones overseas; 2006 seems like ages ago yet those emotions can wash over me with raw honesty.

So friends, listen to my mama and don’t wish time away. Love the moment you are in. If it’s rocky, challenge yourself and create goals to improve you spiritually, physically, and emotionally. Don’t wish for tomorrow, watch the waves and the sun glisten today.

Sending you all love and hope:)

Kirsten

I realize that I am very bad at updating my blog. First off, how are ya’ll? I’m doing great! I’m sitting in my comfy clothes wrapped up in a quilt, drinking coffee, petting my pup, and listening to James Taylor.

Since my last post in Jan., I have switched careers. I loved working in Birth-Three as a Special Education Teacher. I was exposed to so many lifestyles, learned so much about infant development, and had exceptional co-workers. I got a personal offer to teach in my dream position (literally) and was blown away. I had to laugh because it’s not often that you have two careers that you enjoy. After a lot of prayer, thought, and pros and cons lists (yea, I do make them), I decided that I would accept the offer to teach K3-K5 special education at an amazing school in Milwaukee! I co-teach with the most amazingly talented and selfless woman:) and love my students!

Jake and I celebrated our third wedding anniversary in March! Yea! I really can’t even describe how wonderful Jake is. He makes my life so beautiful!

Jake and I, Summer 2006

Skully the pup is doing well! She is 6 months old, weighing in at 8 pounds. She loves digging holes, squeaky toys, bones, cuddles, and walks! I fall more in love with her every day!

I have a question for my readers. Jake and I feel so busy these days that I’ve noticed the cleanliness of our home decreasing throughout the week. I hate spending the weekends cleaning. What do you guys do? I don’t mind cleaning and it really makes me feel less anxious, but I never feel caught up! Suggestions?

In honor of past posts, I need to give shout-outs to my current favorite things!

1) Keurig Coffe Makers:

As you know, I love coffee! My in-laws have this machine and I became entranced by the variety of flavors and speed of this baby! I purchased one on “Black Friday” on a huge discount and love it. I was a little afraid of the price, but you can buy a thing that lets you put your own coffee grounds in…so it’s not bad! I have also received K-cups (what you put in the maker) as gifts which is so neat!

2) Meditation

My friend Bethany and I took a meditation class and had fun! I learned the importance of making time for yourself, breath control, and the ability to let your mind think with no restrictions.

3) Shatter Nail Polish by O.P.I

I love this stuff! You paint your nails with the base color of your choice and add the “shatter” on top. Before your eyes it starts to crack! It’s fun and funky.

4) Fondue

Yum! I’ve come to the realization that fondue creates a fun atmosphere, therefore conversation is exceptional!

5) Nook

I love my nook! Jake got it for me for my 25th b-day and I use it frequently. I love eliminating clutter, so this allows me to carry reading materials everywhere!

LOVE to all,

Kirsten

10. Fall is just around the corner! I know, I know, a lot of you readers are avid summer lovers. I can’t hide my passion for fall, in fact I even burned  my fall scented candles this week! The cool air, the leaves, the fires, the pumpkins, coffee and apple cider, sweatshirts, orange, brown, crunchy things…ahhh.

9. Baking. Really, need I say more? My mom bought me the coolest book on cupcakes (see image below) and my brain began to spin!

I haven’t tried any yet, but am looking forward to it! If you love to bake, you need to check out this website: Bakerella. This woman can bake and everything is oh so cute!

8. Beer! I know, this is odd, mainly because I’m not a big drinker. In the past I hated beer with a passion. If I had a sip my gag-reflex would kick-in and make me feel appalled. For some reason, I started to really like it! In fact, I started trying fun beer!

7. Live music! I’ve been soaking in the live music at “Live at the Lakefront.” The atmosphere is breathtaking (imagine an outdoor concert surrounded by water and boats). I love filling the air with music and laughter, in fact, it invigorates my soul!

6. Flowers. Yes, I’ve managed to kill a cactus. I’m trying to get better at watering my plants. I’m pretty proud of myself!

5. My Fancypack! What is a Fancypack you might ask? It’s a modern fanny-pack. Mine is yellow and beautiful. I seem to always set my purse down and forget about it, so this is the perfect solution.

4. A NEW FAVORITE COLOR! Wait for it…..

Yellow:)

3. Rock climbing. Crazy, right? My husband, Jake loves to climb and I bought him a climbing membership for a birthday gift. I wanted to have him decide between two locations, so I joined him. I was hooked! Have you ever had that “runner’s high” feeling? I had it once after a 7 mile run and it was insane. Well, both times I’ve climbed I have had the same feeling! I love the way it stretches me mentally and physically. Hooked. Hooked. This also leads me to say “YEA JAKE! I’m so stoked that you were born!”

2. My parents came to visit! Jake was away on Army orders for a month so I was starting to feel a little sad all alone in the summer. My rents came for four days and we had a blast! We went on a brewery tour, ate pizza, walked around, listened to live music, toured the WI State Fair, and visited with Jake’s parents! Shoot, I forgot to add that I became obsessed with the tv show 24 thanks to my dad’s DVD collection!

1. A real teacher? Yup. . I have been fervently praying for a job. It’s funny that throughout the entire interview process with my job I felt at great peace. To think that I’ve ever doubted prayer:).

Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

I am a Birth-3 Special Education Teacher (with some Service Coordinating and Screening) for the Next Door Foundation. This means that I will go into the homes of young ones and work with them and their family to develop goals and guide family members. I am so excited, but nervous because I want to do a great job!

]]> http://kirstenprobst.wordpress.com/2010/08/31/august-loves/feed/ 1 kirstenprobst leaves cupcakes shot_1281221965598 2010-08-04 18.17.40 Flowers shot_1283270703149 YELLOWCRAYLG_copy http://kirstenprobst.wordpress.com/2010/08/17/2nd-place/ http://kirstenprobst.wordpress.com/2010/08/17/2nd-place/#comments Tue, 17 Aug 2010 23:34:48 +0000 kirstenprobst http://kirstenprobst.wordpress.com/?p=67 Continue reading →]]> The past 24 hours have been really crazy. Yesterday I had a job interview that I was really excited for. It was for my preferred age group (3-5 yrs.), 10 mins. from my house, and under new and fresh leadership. I went into the room feeling prepared and came out feeling inspired and optimistic.

This morning I felt anxious, but that’s to be expected. I turned to the Bible to be reminded that God cares for us and that we should give him our worries and fear. How easy of a statement, but how hard of a concept? This is an area that I need to work on.

About an hour later my cellphone alert indicated that I had an email. I opened it to read (paraphrased) “The interview team was quite impressed with your skills and you will be a great teacher…but we’ve hired someone with more experience.” Bummer. It’s hard to swallow when you know you were so close but didn’t quite make it.

I’m not trying to get symphathy, in fact that would embarrass me, but instead I want to wrap this up with a pearl of wisdom from my husband. He reminded me to take that negative energy and put it towards something positive! So I did just that. I networked to a few principals, read at the Marina, went grocery shopping, and rented a chick flick. Life is too short to wallow in pity. Stuff happens, accept and keep your eyes and hearts ready for the next open door.

I believe in me and I believe in YOU!

I love sharing things that make me happy…enjoy:)

1) Pretzel M&M: Bravo! I like to explain them as baby chocolate covered pretzels!

2) Air Conditioner: I realize it’s a luxury, but my husband can confirm that I am a grumpalina when I’m warm. I don’t mean to be, but I just feel snappy.

3) Reading! I deactivated my facebook while I’m in an intense Autism class, and I’ve found so much more time to read! Right now I’m reading “Army Wives,” by Tanya Biank. It’s really interesting because it shows the often unspoken opinions of wives.

4)  May Kay lip gloss: I know being a consultant, you think I’m expected to say this, but I’m addicted to the stuff. It’s the perfect summer look because it’s glossy but doesn’t feel sticky or thick.

5) Being barefoot: There’s nothing better than walking on the freshly cut grass with bare feet. Ah, comfort:).

6) Summer radio: Every summer there’s a few songs that make you feel good while driving with the windows open!

7) Slow pace: I love it when people are walking at 9 pm! There’s something about summer days and nights that make people feel free.

8 ) Sailboats: I’ve never been on one, but they’re so beautiful!

9) Garage Sales: I love these for so many reasons. It’s awesome knowing that you’re recycling and often times you meet the strangest people:). My latest find was a vintage Brewers t-shirt for 10 cents. Ohhhyeaaa.

10) Farmer’s Market. I love the atmosphere of the farmer’s market! Fresh food, dirt, and bargaining with the locals. Yea!

Enjoy the sun:)