Day 6 - 20 of My Favorite Things

These are a few of my favorite things (sung with a Julie Andrews voice)... and are not in order.

1. Dark chocolate covered pomegranates from Costco

2. Hickory Farm's Beef Summer Sausage

3. Snow

4. Reading a good book inside while it is storming outside

5. Reading a good book at the park

6. A comfy down comforter

7. The feeling after finishing another semester

8. Watching my students "get it" and become excited about the material

9. Sleeping in on a Saturday morning

10. Feeling the Holy Spirit move in a church service

11. The feeling after doing what you are supposed to be doing even when you don't feel like doing it.

12. Waking up to my husband there

13. Cooking a fantastic meal and getting "the" compliment from Paul

14. Playing the piano to release emotions

15. Having a student tell me that I'm their favorite teacher

16. Talking to my parents on the phone (would prefer in person...)

17. When our puppy hears the alarm go off and jumps on me to signal the start of the day.

18. Starbuck's Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha

19. Knowing that God will never leave me or forsake me

20. Outdoor activities (skiing, hunting, camping, hiking, etc)

Day 5 - Your Favorite Quote

I can't decide between these two:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost

and

No one cares how much you know,

until they know how much you care.

Theodore Roosevelt

Day 4 - Your Favorite Boook

This one is so extremely hard to choose just ONE book. I mean, come on! I love to read! Almost every Christian would say the Bible, as will I. Some days I just love to curl up with a book by Christian author Ted Dekker. When Paul is gone for long bouts, I seem to always find a Nicholas Sparks book to read. However, the classics like Pride and Prejudice are always a great alternative to the hectic lifestyle of the 21st century. Have you ever read the real Grimm Brother's stories? They are very odd and nothing like Disney portraits, but, they are ever so fun to read aloud in the car while the other one drives. I love Stephen and Sean Covey's "7 Habits" books and I do confess I am reading a little Dan Brown right now (cringe).

But if there is one book I could choose, it would be my Nook. I know, I know, it isn't a "real" book. But, it does hold so many books for me to enjoy at my every whim. I always carry it with me just in case I get that spare second to read. I absolutely love my Nook and recommend it to anyone that enjoys to read.

Day 3 - Your Favorite Teacher

I have three favorite teachers that I would like to share...I am so breaking these rules...

1. My favorite university teacher would be Dr. Brian Warnick. He is patient with every student and truly makes you feel like you are the most important student he has. Dr. Warnick empowers pre-service agricultural teachers to inspire the youth of tomorrow as he leads by example. Dr. Warnick allowed me to student teach out in Virginia and even flew all the way out to observe my classroom. His teaching style is very similar to what I hope that I can one day imitate.

2. Mr. Steve Wilder and Mrs. Erika Cowman were my agricultural teachers in high school that really made a difference in my life. They both encouraged me to participate in the National FFA Organization and gave so much of their time to see other students succeed. Their teaching strategies were very different from one another, however, they both gave teaching their all and made concepts easy to understand. In short, these two individuals are the big reason that I am teaching agriculture today.

3. My third favorite teacher is my my Mom. My Mom taught me from first grade all the way until I graduated high school. She cared so much about my sister's and my education that she became a teacher at home. My Mom researched the most challenging curriculum and had us participate in extra curricular activities (such as 4-H; guitar and piano lessons; & home-school skiing, P.E., skating, and theater). It is not easy teaching and I cannot imagine teaching your own kids correctly. There are a lot of parents who do not home-school sufficiently; but my Mom is not one of those. Love you, Mom!

Coming tomorrow... Your Favorite Book (this is going to be hard)!!

Day 2 ~ Your definition of success

The favorable culmination of hard work and dedication upon achieving a goal.

Day 1 ~ Your Greatest Accomplishment

Accomplishment: [uh-kom-plish-muhnt] noun
1. an act or instance of carrying into effect; fulfillment:
2. something done admirably or creditably:
3. anything accomplished; deed; achievement:

I would have to say that my biggest achievement has been graduating with my Bachelors in Agricultural Education. To some this is not a lot, but for me, it is a big deal. Here are my reasons.

* I was married for three out of the four years

* I transferred schools - from University of Idaho to Utah State University

* I am the first person in my family to graduate with my Bachelors

* I graduated with a combined 3.84 GPA

* I participated in student organizations and served in leadership roles

* I student taught in a state completely foreign to me

* I worked part time while attending school

* I was active in our church teaching Jr. Church, playing piano, and helping with the youth ministry

* I finished my last semester with Paul training over 2,000 miles away

* I have zero dollars in student loans receiving over $65,000 in scholarships

However, none of this happened because of me. I thank the Lord for blessing me with the opportunity and resources to accomplish this feat. I also thank my parents for instilling in me desire and a dream. And finally, for Paul for putting up with my late night studying, mounds of laundry, and crazy coffee addiction. Since I am working on my Masters right now, I have been contemplating continuing on towards a doctorate. With Paul's brother finishing medical school, who knows, there could one day be two Dr. Vandenbos'... :)

Prepare to be Challenged!

Okay, so I have been HORRIBLE at blogging lately. I saw this challenge on another friend's blog and I thought it would be a great way for me to get back into the habit of posting consistently. I challenge some of you to do the same thing if your blog needs a little help too!

The 30 days Include the following:

Day 1 - your biggest accomplishment
Day 2 - your definition of success

Day 3 - Your favorite teacher

Day 4 - your favorite book

Day 5 - your favorite quote

Day 6 - 20 of my favorite things

Day 7 - a photo that makes your heart melt

Day 8 - a photo that makes you angry/sad

Day 9 - a photo you took

Day 10 - a photo taken over 10 years ago of you

Day 11 - a photo of you recently

Day 12 - something you are OCD about

Day 13 - a fictional book

Day 14 - a non-fictional book

Day 15 - your role model

Day 16 - a song that makes you cry (or nearly)

Day 17 - an art piece (drawing, sculpture, painting, etc)

Day 18 - my wedding/future wedding/past wedding

Day 19 - a talent of yours

Day 20 - a hobby of yours

Day 21 - a recipe

Day 22 - a website

Day 23 - a youtube video

Day 24 - where I live- in detail, what makes it special?

Day 25 - guilty pleasure

Day 26 - your week, in great detail

Day 27 - my worst habit

Day 28 - whats in my handbag/purse

Day 29 - hopes,dreams and plans for the next 365 days

Day 30 - car you drive ( and past cars too!)