Engagement

Today was the Christmas!
The last couple of days have been great and I am so blessed!

The best news was when my phone rang tonight. My friend who I have known forever was calling. I picked up and she proceeded to tell me she was engaged!!! I have known for more than a year of these plans but it finally happen! I am so excited for the two of them! I don't see them as individuals any more, they are Abby&Phil. I have to admit, I cried a little.

I am so happy and overjoyed by the news, I can't wait to watch two great people spend the rest of their lives together!!!

Holiday Season

Well, 

I feel behind in my Thankful days of November. But we are now full swing into December. Maybe next year I will keep up... probably not, but three cheers for goals! 


Thanksgiving was good. We went to my Uncle Darrins house and spent a few hours with them. Then we headed down to Gilberts, IL to Jimmy's Charhouse where we sat around a resturante table with my great aunts & uncles, my Grandma & Grandpa, and 2nd cousin. 

It was a great meal, and great to see some faces we don't normally see. But it didn't feel like Thanksgiving. There is always next year for the home cooked meal. 

The Christmas cheer is spreading like wild fire. Songs are blaring, tree's are up, lights are lit, and all the Elf on the Shelves are watching kids. I am almost done with my shopping. Just need to find something for my brother and dad. Other than that, I am done! I am very excited about the gifts I'm giving. I made a majority of them! Thank you Pinterest!!! 

My semester is ending. I have two finals on Monday & I'm done. It's good to be done. It was a bit stressful at the end there, trying to get all my observation hours in for a few of my classes. It wasn't easy, but the assignment taught me some valuable lessons. 

My babysitting is crazy as usual. I love my time doing it, but my goal for this month is to slow down a bit, enjoy the company of my own family and friends. Make time for "me". As hard as it is, it's good to have a break. It keeps me sane and nice.  

After the new year I need to start thinking about my future plans-  schools, houses, plans... it's all over whelming, but no rush and no preassure. Just breath! 

Last night I went to Adam & Alex's basketball game. It really made me miss some of my high school memories. I missed watching every basketball game, I missed seeing those guys every day, I missed hanging out with them and laughing non stop. No matter how close I am to them, we are growing up and our relationship is growing. I love those boys, they are like my brothers. I am so excited for them to go off to college and play basketball on a bigger level. But a part of me is sad too, knowing that another change is going to happen in our relationship. They have been great friends and pray that we are friends for years to come, even with changes ahead. 

Living to Learn 

Cancer Sucks

Today my heart aches for my dear and near friend, Sam. Her amazing auntie is slowly being swept away into Heaven's gate. Aunt Dee is an amazing person, through and through. The fact that the cancer is slowly taking over, just plain sucks. 

My other friend lost her father this week. She is a strong fighter, but this will tear a person down and I am praying for her. God has a will for everyone, but this I just do not understand. Period. 

So many people in my life have been effected by cancer. No words can comfort them. No action can make it go away. Cancer sucks. 

I pray that it will get better for my friends. I have faith God is working in their lives. But I do not understand it. Cancer brings no good, just pain. 

I pray that some brilliant person out there someday soon learns of a cure for this. In the mean time, I'm gonna do what I can to fight against this bitch! 

Cancer sucks. I'm living to learn. We are going to win. Someday, someday soon! 

November Days of Thanks Day's 12-18

I am so behind in my Thankfulness posts. It's always on my mind, but day are busy and sometimes there is no time to write it down.

Day 12 I am thankful for my best friend and older sister Abby Sue. I often tell people that she met me the day I came home from the hospital. I'm not really sure if that's true but she's been there since my memories began. She has always been my best friend, my older sister, and role model. I know that we haven't always been the closest, but she's a great person and I am happy to have such a person in my life. I know that she will stand up at my wedding, welcome my kids into this world, and for everything in between and after!

Day 13 I am thankful for my health. I am a healthy person with no pressing issues. There are so many people out there sick or hurting. I am thankful that is not the case for me. Life is sweet and I don't want to miss a thing

Day 14 I am thankful for little kids. They have such an excitement for life. The little things make them happy, bring a smile to their face, and bright up my life. Those little grins, belly laughs, and need to please is what makes me day better!

Day 15 I am thankful for Country Music! I am a singer, I enjoy music. It has a story, a meaning, a power. No matter my mood, I am calmed by music. Plus I'm excited for Country Thunder ! Great fun, great friends, and great memories. Not to mention Great Country Music!

Day 16 I am thankful for Fridays. Friday's excite me. It's an end to a busy week and an excuse to go out with friends... or in my case an excuse for others to go and me go work and make money. Either way, every Friday is a breath of fresh air and reason to loosen up and relieve the stress of the week. It's something to look forward to !

Day 17 I am thankful for mornings to sleep in. Although I only made it to 8:30am, I still got to wake up without feeling the need to rush out of bed. I was relax and had time to get up. I spent the morning cleaning an organizing. I love those days!

Day 18 I am thankful for I am thankful for laugher.  Laughter is good for the soul. I am thankful for the laughable moments.

November days of Thanks Day 8-11

I am a bit behind these last couple of days but here we go 

Day 8 I thankful for my brother. I miss him a lot now that is away at ISU. But I am thankful for the time he talks to me and when he comes back. Distance in our relationship has made us mature a little and I can not wait for Thanksgiving when he is home an entire week! I miss us arguing and annoying him :) 

Day 9 I am thankful for my babysitting families. I love the kids. On Friday, my Friday buddy- Harper, and I sat on the sofa. She fell asleep in my arms and I cherished every moment of it! When she woke up she was so giggly and happy. Later that night I went to a night job where I got to cook pizza, do a science experiment, and play 20 questions. I love those moments with such happy children! 

Day 10 I am thankful for Educators. I spent the morning at an Early Childhood Conference at MCC. I went with my Mommy and her co-workers. It was a great time! The amount of time my mom and her co-workers put in to make sure that every student of theirs is well educated and happy at school amazes me. I can not wait to get in the classroom and start me own thing! 

Day 11 I am thankful for my friends! I wish one of my oldest friends a Happy Birthday today! I can not believe we have been friends since the 5th grade! It's been a hell of a ride and I can not wait until we "grow up". I also spent last night with some of my closest friends! I always laugh when I am with them and I am such a lucky girl to have people like that around. Everything we do is a fun time and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for us! 

I would also like to say I am thankful for all the Veterans out there! They fight so I am free. Those who fought, are fighting, and will fight are the bravest men and woman I can think of and words can not express how grateful I am to live in a country. I am in forever debt to you! God Bless you, your families, and this country! 

USA 

President Obama 2012

Well, last night Obama was voted into office for four more years. I can't say I contributed to him being re-elected or that I even like it. But I can say I am a proud citzen. I voted for the first time. I did my job as an american. No matter who got voted in, I am happy and grateful to be apart of the great USA! We are a great country & I count my blessings everyday for being able to live a free life in the best place imagineable!
I pray for our president. I want him to succeed & be a man of God. Here's to the next four years, Mr.President!
MERICA'! 

November Days of Thanks Day 7'

Day 7 I am thankful for friends that have become family. My Mom & Dad's friends since I was a baby have become family! They are my aunts, uncles, and cousins. We celebrate holidays together, we spend weekends together, and I am thankful for them in my life! They support me, they love me, and they make my life a little bit sweeter. I'm glad to have people like that around!
Matthew (Bird) made a peanut butter & pickle sandwich when he got home from school today. He is such a crack up and I am so blessed to call him my cousin since BEFORE he was born.

November Days of Thanks Day 6

Day 6  I am thankful for my last name. The Learmans have had their fair share of struggles and arguments in the last couple of years, but at the end of the day I will go to bat for any of them! We love big, we argue big, we support each other big! My aunts, uncles, and cousins have given me great memories and laughs. Even though I often cringe at sharing my last name to strangers, fearing they will recognize my family, I also hold pride in my name.

 My Grandfather and Grandmother have been in this town for forty plus years. They are some of the best people I know and I am proud to be their granddaughter. My Father is one of the most active and hard working men in this community. I am proud to be his daughter. My Mother is a celebrity in the early childhood community and I am proud to be following her footsteps. My uncles grew up in this town- my one uncle is an amazing writer for the Woodstock Independent. I am proud to be his niece. My aunts are givers! I am proud to be the niece of a EBD teacher and nurse. My cousin Amber is so hard working and such a leader at her high school. I am proud to be her cousin! 

Every family has on going drama. Every family has disagreements and low points. But I am thankful to have a big family that surrounds me and lives in the same place. I'll never be able to do anything without it getting back to my parents, but that has made me a better person. 


We may not always like each other or understand each other's choices and actions. But at the end of the day you mess with one Learman you have messed with us all. 

November Thankful Days 4&5

Day 4 - I am thankful for great Sundays. A great church community spent with people that I've known for most of my life. My church provides a place for me to use the talents God gave me such as singing, leadership, and teaching. It's a blessing to be able to surround myself with people of God and use those talents but also be able to praise God. Sundays are relaxing and dedicated to great people and family. I am thankful to have such a place and such a day. It's what I need to prepare myself for busy weeks. 

Day 5-  I am thankful for awesome grandparents who love me! I am fortunate enough to have all four grandparents in my life who love me and want to see me succeed in life. They are great people who I look up to and adore!

November Thankfulness Days 1-3

Can not believe that it is November already!! I have about five weeks of school left!!

All over Facebook people have been sharing what they are thankful for each day. Rather than clogging up my friends newsfeed  I have decided to do it here. I am a few days behind, but here we go!


Day 1. I am thankful for the oppurtunites in my life. There are sooooooo many families that have welcomed me into thier homes to care for thier children. It's a crazy schedule but I love most every minute of it! It has allowed me to be a full time student and still be able to work a full time job, a job in which I love!! 

Day 2. I am thankful for a slow week. After working 40-50 hours a week for weeks on end it was nice to have a mellow week to relax, get organize, and gear up for the crazy holiday season.

Day 3. I am thankful for my parents. I don't always agree, like, or understand the things they do. But they have raised me to be hard working, tough, and smart. They have instilled morals and manners in me that will get me far in life. And most of all they have provided all my needs and more! I have never had to worry how I'm going to eat, pay for things, or where I am going to sleep at night. They have given me a great life! It's had it's fair share of negatives or struggles, but they gave me the love and strength to get through it all. Thier actions have been the greatest lesson of them all. Work hard, have fun, be polite, and happy with what you have.

Until the net time ...

One book closes while another one opens...

Well, that's it!
Summer 2012 comes to a close as of now.
Class starts tomorrow at MCC & my fall work schedule is officially in progress!

It blows my mind to think that I am a college sophomore. I still look at myself as a kid, but if I really think about it, I am an adult. A very young adult, who still needs so much help from my parents, but an adult. It is crazy. I feel like I just left high school, yet high school feels so far away at the same time. I could never go back.

Almost all of my friends have left for college. I'm glad to still have a few that attend MCC with me. Most of them who have left are getting an on campus apartment. Again. blows my mind. We aren't old enough to live in apartments..or are we?

I can not wait to go visit them, but until then I am beyond excited to get into my Early Childhood Education Classes!!

Living to Learn...

Great Times

I just got back from a great weekend with some great friends! We left Thursday night and made the four hour drive up to Tomahawk, Wisconsin! Us girls, Kate, Michaela, Alyssa, and I  spent three days on the lake, cooking, shopping, eating, and laughing. It was truly a great time!! I look forward to many more years to come with my close friends on trips like this!! 

We made t-shirts a week before we left. We wore them on the day we traveled. It was something fun to do together!  

I got little gifts for us all at Target. They were fun cups to drink a yummy {non-alocholic} drink! 

The first night we made HoBo's. Grilled chicken & veggies! 

The 2nd night we made Turkey Burgers. So big & So delicious! 

Clear Lake 

Fun day on the lake! 

God's Plan Still Amazes Me

It is amazing how excited I am to jump into the Early Childhood Education classes this fall...that is considering I swore up & down I would NEVER be a teacher. I would NEVER be following in my mom's footsteps. I would NEVER be exactly what everyone thought I would be. 


But that's the funny thing about life. God know's exactly where you are suppose to be. After all he wrote your story. He has set up my entire life to end up right here...and this is just the beginning. This afternoon I spent a few hours looking up the ECE classes. Not only the required ones, but the electives that you get to pick from, and I kind of want to take them all! I feel like such a nerd, but that truth is, I think I am going to be good at this. This is where I am suppose to be. This is where I feel most comfortable. 


The next year or so is not gonna be easy. After all, I am no long a teenager. I am suppose to be a true adult. Many changes are going to come. But I pray that they are good changes. Changes that I make after much prayer, thought, and discussion. Changes that reflect the kind of person I am destined to be. 


Living to Learn 

Summer Vacation Part 2.

Well, I am bored out of my mind!! 

Lot's has happened since my last blog, yet nothing really all that challenging or out of the blue. I spent the Forth of July up in Tomahawk, Wisconsin with my family & close friend, Kate. It was everything and more. Relaxing, entertaining, and exactly what I wanted.

The weeks to follow have been normal. I work a few times a week and attend class. However, as of today I have dropped math. It was a bit challenging and I let it go for one second and my grade slipped. Nothing bad, but considering I don't need the credit as of right now I rather have a perfect grade on my transcript, than just hurry up with it. Math has always been a challenge for me and it's frustrating that it is taking me so long to conquer. But I will accomplish it. I have to. 

The month of July is full of exciting things that I planned months ago when I couldn't even taken a moment to breath. Now every weekend is full of fun, friend moments. I am enjoying every moment of it, but I feel as if I have too much air. ha! I am grateful for the break, but I am the type of person who needs to be constantly moving, accomplishing something. The amount of down time is starting to ware on me. I need to organize something, plan something, loose some sleep, accomplish a task. Needless to say  I am ready to get back into the swing of things. Full time school with new, exciting classes. Full time work, with only a few minutes in between. I need a bit of stress in my life. 

But as I always need to remember, I need to live in the moment because once it's gone ... it's gone. And I will want it back. 

Exciting things are ahead. Just need a little hard work, a few sacrifices, and the grace of God. 

Living to Learn 

Summer Vacation Part 1.

I can not believe that it is almost July! Where did the summer go!?


Since my last entry I started summer classes... or class. I decided the night before classes started to drop my speech class. It was just too much anxiety to face over one summer. So I took a small step and decided to tackle math alone. Now full swing into Math, I am glad I made the choice I did. Math requires all of my attention.


Class schedule's are not the only things that have changed in my educational journey in the last month. I have decided to put my dream of event planning on hold for the time being. I am no pursuing an associate degree in Early Childhood Education. Shocker, I know! I believe this is just a necessary step God led me to. Working with Children is my nic. It literally is the only job I have ever had! I am all ready to finish my associates in ECE degree by next year. Then I will be able to stay at MCC to pursue my bachelors degree to hopefully teach Pre-K to 3rd Grade. I never in a million years thought I would actually be a teacher, but everyone else always said I would be. And no what I have finally come to my senses I know it's the right choice. Already in my Math Class I feel a sense of relief. Less anxiety. I am actually excited to start my ECE classes!


Two weeks ago I celebrated my 20th Birthday. Holy crap, I am no longer a teenager! My day was amazing and the days to follow were as well. I am so blessed to have such great family & friends in my life. Not only did they make me feel special but my owl collection expanded! :)


I have tomorrow and Friday off from work. What a surprise! I have decided to take SkyeLeigh Rae. I love that kid and she makes my entire day worth while! Hopefully my friends and I can give Skye some good memories, Auntie time is an essential part of growing up :)

It's been awhile! May 2012

It has been several weeks, even months since my last entry. It's been a whirl wind of a semester. 

On Wednesday, May 2nd, I finished my Spring semester. Well kind of. I have 1 assignment  to e-mail in and an online final exam for my online art class. I have to say I am not too ashamed of my grades this semester. Could they be better? Yes. Could they be worse? Yes. 

After the semester I had, I am okay with the way things turned out. College isn't what I imagined it would be. I can't pin point why, either. I have had several anxiety attacks throughout the entire experience. The entire MCC environment shuts me down. The halls, the classrooms, the work. It all just gets to me. I have never been the shy type. If something makes me nervous I walk in, my head held high, and define someone to mess with me. This new found weakness is out of character . I have done everything from working myself up like I'm a big shot to going with it and hoping for the best. It all turns out the same. Heavy breathing, shaking, and near tears. 

It's all still a mystery to me, but I have 5 weeks to figure it all out. I start summer classes June 11th! I have to say, I am proud of myself. Despite my panic attacks I am chugging along in my education. I have officially been in school since Fall of 2010, no long term breaks. 

Along with school I have been working like a mad woman. I am up to about sixteen families I babysit. Not all consistently, but a majority-yes. It has been an amazing experience to be invited into these families. It has taught me the value of a job and money. It has taught me about children of all kinds and family life. It has taught me about parenting - high and low points. It has taught me lots of patience ~ truck loads of patiences. My job is definitely a challenge somedays, but I honestly, truthfully- can't say it with anymore truth- LOVE IT!! I can not imagine working a "normal" college job, I just can't! 

Amongst working with several families I have "my family". SkyeLeigh Rae and I still share Fridays together. And now even on Tuesdays! She is growing up to be quite a character! She has an attitude on her! Her language is amazing and her expressions are priceless! That little girl has stolen my heart forever. I refuse to imagine my life with out her. Just typing how much I love her I am fighting back tears- didn't think I was that emotional. The love I have Skye runs miles wide, and if I love this child- no blood relation- so much I can not imagine what it will feel one day for my own child. Every time Skye says "Auntie Cay" I smile, no matter how stressed or unhappy I am at the moment! She is the light of my life. 

Skye & I at the Children's Museum in Naperville in the beginning of April. I love this age! 

Some how my friends and I manage to find time together between work and school. I have to say beginning college last fall the group of people I called my friends was a lot different then now. I was so ignorant to think that college would not change my friends. But then again I am not convinced it did. Certain obstacles and circumstance in life bring out a person's true colors. Maybe my true colors came out in the last year because my college experience has not been as glorious as I had hoped. However, I stand in the person I have been. In high school I was a no bull shit kind of person. If you upset me in any way I was not a coward. I confronted you. Sometimes it was unnecessary or inappropriate or not even worth it. But I am blunt and genuine. I am what I am. I am not ashamed of the person I am. I stand tall in my beliefs and will not fall. That attitude has cost me some friendships though. Its hard to except I could still have a friendship with a person had I just ignored what was going on. But I have no regrets in the past. However, starting college was somewhat a new beginning. The group of friends I hung out with over last summer I did know in high school. But I didn't know them as well as I hoped to get to know them. It was chance to start over and do things right. 

Over the last year, there have been a few times I would have loved to just rip into a person. But part of growing up is knowing when to put a smile on your face or when to walk away. There have been a few friendships that I have had to walk away from. Had you told me a year ago I would be walking away from that person I would have laughed in your face, but God as a greater plan for them and me- just not together. The friendships I have had to walk away from just faded out. There was no blow up, no drama, no words exchanged. There were just fewer texts, fewer lunch dates, fewer conversations. It was refreshing. Walking away from these friendships knocked down the barriers that kept me from growing up. Friends are very influential and unfortunately you don't see the effect a friend has on you until you have stepped back. 

Over the last few months I have learned another very important thing about friendship. Right now life for me and my peers is constantly changing. For the next 3-5 years we are going to be in college and working to pay bills. But in that time a lot could happen with relationships and kids and finances. Very little in today is stable for tomorrow. To say I know who my absolute best friends are like I stated in blogs from the Fall is just ignorance. Yet, I will say I have some very close friends that get me through today! Would I like them to be there on my wedding day, on the day I welcome children into the world, to celebrate accomplishments and to get me through the obstacles - YES! Will it happen? I am now big enough to say - I don't know. Only God knows who will be there. 

To those who I consider a friend today and pray that one day I still call them friend - thank you. You have brought me memories and lessons I will keep even when you are gone. 

 

    

  

Along for the Ride

Well, it's been awhile since I last blogged. I feel like so much has happened, yet nothing really inspiring or worth writing about. 


Christmas Break flew by. I survived the holidays with the family, and enjoyed my week off hanging with friends. I started school, Spring 2012 semester. My classes aren't bad, and like my goal last semester, I want to do better then I did in high school. I can do it. 


Last month I went down to North Central College to visit my close friend Kate. Not expecting it, I fell in love. My current education journey is taking me towards North Central. Right now I am just researching it and mapping things out. But I am motivated to make it there. We'll see if my grades are good enough to get in ;) 


Jobs have been crazy. But I am loving it. Currently, I am saving like a mad woman. In May my friend Sam & I are going to NYC! I am so excited, I just wish it was May. Well, it can be May when I have all my money. Along with the trip expenses I am determined to get a Canon Rebel Camera before. Can you imagine the pictures!? I am so excited, and with a tight budget, and lots of work I will succeed.


I miss my friends so much. Its funny, looking back at my previous blogs, I thought I had all my friends figured out. The truth, since than my relationships have changed. Some for good, and of course, some for bad. I have come to the conclusion, that I don't know squat! Therefore, I plan on living life, laughing often, trusting God, living to learn. I am along for the ride. 

ONE GAME ONE CAUSE ONE COMMUNITY

ONE CAUSE ONE GAME ONE COMMUNITY 

Thunder rolls in black….Streaks strike in white but for these few nights

Woodstock UNITES TO FIGHT in GRAY!

  In March of 2010 a family of the Woodstock community lost their child, Hope Fuller, to a disease called DIPG.  In memory of Hope and in support of the Fuller family, both Woodstock High School and Woodstock North High School are coming together during this basketball season to raise awareness and funds for research for this childhood cancer.  DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma) is a disease which strikes at the heart of childhood and it is a disease in desperate need of a cure.  This disease affects the pons (middle) portion of the brainstem, rendering the nervous system function impossible.  The only known treatment is radiation because it is of the most resistant of all cancers to chemotherapy treatments; it affects primarily children (whose treatment has historically lead to innovations in many other forms of cancer), and with a “dismal” prognosis, alternatives are few!!!!  Put together these obstacles offer researchers a chance to revolutionize cancer research and prevention.  It is even suggested that a cure to DIPG might result in a cure for almost every other types of cancer.     For this reason….

The Cure Starts Now strives to generate the resources necessary for doctors to study DIPG and implement the findings in hope of curing DIPG, and hopefully all cancers.








Purchase T-shirts for $15.00 to show your support. Wear them to the 7 o'clock p.m. game on January 21st, 2012 at Woodstock North High School. 

For more information please contact

Chris Learman @ 815-245-6944 or chrislearman@att.net

OR

Rebecca Einspahr @ reinspahr@att.net

twenty-twelve

Last night my friends and I rung in the New Year. It was a great time and, yet, so odd to reflect on what happen in twenty-eleven. 

In one years time I graduated high school, started college, finished two semesters of college, bought a car, and started working non-stop. 

It's been an amazing year, packed full of so many accomplished and happenings. I can't imagine what is next in life. I pray and hope the good relationships I have now last forever and I continue to fulfill God's will.