Kids do the Darndest Things!

Ben and I were told about this article by a friend and had to see it for ourselves. Although amusing, we found it to be completely frightening.

Considering I live in Denton, I know exactly where this place is, and drive by the Imagination Station several times a week. Here's how I find it to be all kinds of wrong:
a. the kid ended up at Hooters (where he was eventually picked up by authorities)
b. he crossed a major road that is a main entrance to highway 35
c. he potentially encountered many a less than "friendly" stranger
d. his day care did not pay enough attention to the fact that he was obviously NOT in the bathroom, and had left the center for quite some time, nor did any one except for the "hooters staff" notice him on his hike!

Unbelievable! Check it out for yourself!


Five-Year-Old Boy Leaves Daycare; Goes To Hooters
posted 4:20 pm Fri July 25, 2008 - Denton, TX

The five-year-old boy walked out of the Imagination Station day care near 35E Northbound, crossed Dallas Drive and went to the Race Track gas station to buy a soft drink and snacks. He then ended up in the Hooters parking lot a half a mile away.

"I was pretty impressed that he made it that way without getting hurt," says Hooters General Manager Brian Mason. Mason and his workers spotted the child before 5 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. "He let us know that he looked both ways before crossing the road," Mason says. "He stopped in the middle and looked both ways."

Mason says the boy was not afraid, but called police anyway. "We kept him in the back, coloring, and kept him preoccupied until the police showed up." The day care's owner Debra Pugh did not want to be interviewed on camera, but says the boy asked to go to the bathroom about ten minutes before five. When his father arrived minutes later to pick him up, workers realized the child was missing. They believe he got out through a fire exit that by law has to stay unlocked. Investigators are looking into the incident.

"We are looking into the timeline," says Officer Jim Bryan. "But I think the greater concern is the distance that this child went in the time frame that he was at the day care." Imagination Station is a plan one center, which means inspections are conducted every three to five months. Regardless of what plan they are on or how often they are to be inspected, parents we spoke with stand by their day care. "She's a caring woman and I like her. She really takes her children like her own children. She really cares for them."

HILARIOUS!

Ok, so I couldn't resist sharing this with the world. It is just too funny for words. I've watched it a million times, and every time it just gets more hilarious to me. Enjoy...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=gUpfqO7jIwc

Sunday Mornings...

Ben and I have been teaching in the 11 o'clock Young Toddlers class for four years now! It is crazy how the time has flown by, and I was reflecting today on just how blessed we have been to serve in this ministry. We have the privilege of getting to know so many Godly parents and children. It is neat to see how Christ is woven into their lives from such an early age.

One of the coolest things we get to experience, are the relationships we develop with some of the families as their 1st born, then siblings, come through the room. I cherish the time I get to spend with such Godly counsel.

Ben and I have started babysitting for a few of the families. Last Friday we got to sit for 5 yr. old Jake and 2 yr. old Jed Simpson. We played with Jake's new bike, ate popsicles, and watched Garfield & Friends!

On Friday we are going to spend 3 whole days with the cutest kids in town, Lauren and Luke Rumley. We can't wait to take them to the water park, playground, and some other special treats while their mom and dad are out of town.

I learned today that another one of our toddler families lost their 3rd baby to miscarriage suddenly this week. The sweet mommy sent me a text this afternoon just letting me know she appreciated the love I was able to share with her toddler at Sunday School. Just hugging her little one helped her to know how much we're hurting for them.

I'm so thankful to the LORD that he has entrusted us with these precious ones. They are a sweet spot in my week, and I pray that each of them comes to the knowledge of our Savior quickly. He is our only hope in a fallen world.

A New Song

I have been the wayward child
I have acted out
I have questioned Sovereignty
And had my share of doubt
And though sometimes my prayers feel like
They're bouncing off the sky
The hand I hold won't let me go
And is the reason why...


I will stumble
I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes
I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved


Bitterness has plagued my heart
Many times before
My life has been like broken glass
And I have kept the score
Of all my shattered dreams
and though it seemed
That I was far too gone
My brokenness helped me to see
It's grace I'm standing on

And the chaos in my life
Has been a badge I've worn
Though I have been torn
I will not be moved

- Natalie Grant "Will Not Be Moved"

Trainee Turned Instructor!

Just wanted to let everyone know that I have officially... become a Jazzercise instructor! Thanks to all of you that have been praying for me and encouraging me to keep on going! I was really nervous this week preparing for the written test and audition, but everything last night went amazingly well. I felt very at peace and had a lot of fun.

Today and tomorrow I will be heading back to Dallas to attend seminars that will help me put sets together, perfect my "moves," and learn the business end of the franchise. I plan to be teaching my own classes in only a couple of weeks! Very exciting! I was telling Ben last night that it is really neat to go after a goal and accomplish it. It has been a very fulfilling process. I am so excited about helping other people achieve personal fitness in a healthy and FUN way!

Countdown Mode

One of the best things about teaching 5th grade is that the end of the year goes by quickly. As 5th graders- (the top of the elementary school food chain!) we get a few extra priviledges. We have a kickball tournament with the kiddos for the last week of school and also have a swimming party on June 4th (June 5th is our last day of school). Truly, we are in countdown mode! In honor of the end of the school year, I thought I would add to my blog a very important list that all teachers will smile and agree with!

You Know You're a Teacher When...
HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU ARE A TEACHER?by Jeff Foxworthy
1. You can hear 25 voices behind you and know exactly which one belongs to the child out of line.
2. You get a secret thrill out of laminating something.
3. You walk into a store and hear the words "It's Ms/Mr.> _________" and know you have been spotted.
4. You have 25 people that accidentally call you Mom/Dad at one time or another.
5. You can eat a multi-course meal in under twenty minutes.
6. You've trained yourself to go to the bathroom at two distinct times of the day: lunch and planning period.
7. You start saving other people's trash, because most likely, you can use that toilet paper tube or plastic butter tub for something in the classroom.
9. You want to slap the next person who says "Must be nice to work 8 to 3 and have summers off."
10. You believe chocolate is a food group.
11. You can tell if it's a full moon without ever looking outside.
12. You believe that unspeakable evils will befall you if anyone says "Boy, the kids sure are mellow today."
13. You feel the urge to talk to strange children and correct their behavior when you are out in public.
14. You believe in aerial spraying of Ritalin.
15. You think caffeine should be available in intravenous form.
16. You spend more money on school stuff than you do on your own needs.
17. You can't pass the school supply aisle without getting at least five items!
18. You ask your friends if the left hand turn he just made was a "good choice or a bad choice."
19. You find true beauty in a can full of perfectly sharpened pencils
20. You are secretly addicted to hand sanitizer and finally,
21. You understand instantaneously why a child behaves a certain way after meeting his or her parents.

A sigh of relief!

I am excited to say I have good news on the Jazzercise front! I taught two more songs today and they went great! I think I am finally starting to ease in to being comfortable on stage. Any time you are put on the spot in front of people there is risk involved--- but hey, how would we experience anything without trying, right? I got two Jazzercise instructor shirts and a new pair of shoes, so now I feel like I'm suited up for the job.

In other news, our best friends Nick and Elisabeth Srader are having a HUGE celebration tomorrow! Nick is graduating from Criswell College!! These two have been our long time friends (aka family) since we moved to Denton over 5 years ago. It has been amazing to kind of "grow up" together as married couples. I'm so proud of Nick's accomplishment and I can't wait to par-tay tomorrow at their house after the ceremony. I am truly blessed to have such a great friend in Elisabeth, and Ben and I are so thankful to the LORD that we are able to share this wonderful weekend with them!