Merry Christmas!

Christmas 2011

We are still enjoying Moses Lake and love calling it home. Denise continues to work for the Moses Lake School District as an elementary music teacher. For the past 4 years she taught at Discover Elementary but this past fall moved to Larson Heights Elementary. She is enjoying the new school but still trying to learn (and remember) all 360 of her students names! Also this fall she took on the role as director of our churches adult choir. This has brought many new and exciting challenges but she has loved every minute of it.

Tim continues to work as an associate at the Moses Lake Walmart and enjoys the interaction with the community. He is apart of our churches adult choir and has enjoyed having his wife for a director!!!

Winter is our favorite time of year because we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior.

"For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 2: 11-12

We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

Tim & Denise

Survived!

I am finishing my first day of winter break! The last month has gone so quickly. I can't believe Christmas is Sunday.

I have been working with an amazing group of individuals at our church to produce our churches Christmas program "Believe". Along with the producing I also directed the music. We've been working on this production since July and it is crazy to think it is over. We performed "Believe" on the weekend of Dec. 9-11th. It was an amazing weekend filled the the message of the hope we have when we accept and believe in Jesus. Many people were blessed and at least one person accepted Jesus!!!!! It couldn't get any better :)

Below are a few pictures of the weekend. To see more pictures visit our facebook page www.facebook.com/mlacproductions. Pictures taken by Aubrey White.

 The choir

 The entire cast and crew

   Me singing "Christmas In Heaven"

Ensemble Tim sang in.

When I wasn't preparing for the churches performances I was teaching my students at Larson Heights Elementary the music for their program. The Kindergarten - 5th grade students performed on Thursday, Dec. 15th (our anniversary!) Since I was directing them I don't have any pictures but they did an amazing job. I'm very proud of all of them.

Now I'm looking forward to a couple of weeks off to rest, relax and enjoy my family.

The Past Few Months...

...have flown by. I can’t believe it is the middle of October already and Christmas is just around the corner. So here’s what has been happening.

August

Enjoyed the last few weeks of summer vacation and spent some time setting up my classroom. In my 6 years of teaching I’ve set up my classroom at least 4 times due to various circumstances so I’m pretty good at it!!! My new classroom is in a portable and I’m all by myself. Which is good because we can be pretty noise in music class J The classroom next to mine is being used as storage so it is FULL of stuff. Below are pictures of my classroom.

My classroom from the door way. 

The front of the classroom. Each classroom has a "smartboard" which is an interactive white board. Like an oversized iphone or ipad. It is amazing what it can do. 

My desk area....since I'm in a portable by myself I've chosen an "Island" theme.

We also had to say goodbye to Tim’s sister Rebecca and nieces Sophia and Elise as they headed back for another year in China. Unfortunately, a few days before they were leaving. Elise tripped down a few stairs and fractured her lower tibia. While we were visiting I went with Rebecca to take Elise to the doctor to get her cast. Elise was very brave and did great! She has since gotten the cast taken off.

Rebecca chose purple "Go Dawgs!!!"

We miss them terribly but also know that the Lord has great plans for them there. We are counting down the months until next summer when they return for a visit.

September

I have a hard time remembering September because it was so busy and crazy. It started with a day trip to Ellensburg for the Kittitas County Fair and Rodeo. Tim and I went with my parents to the rodeo and walked around the fair. It was a fun day.

School began and so did the learning names, routines, rules and everything else that comes with a new place and people. It was very tiring at times but I can say I survived.

Last June our worship pastor and family moved on to North Carolina so we have been searching for a new pastor. Our church (Moses Lake Alliance Church) is still seeking the Lord’s guidance in finding the perfect person to come pastor at our church. I felt the Lord directing me to take over adult choir. I love choir and feel it is an important ministry in our church.

Our church has a history of putting on Christmas Programs that are pretty great! So, myself along with a team have been working on developing a Christmas Program. We have been leaning on the Lord’s guidance through the entire process and have written an original titled “Believe” a story about a father, son and faith and are getting excited to present it in December. It is an incredible story and I can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store. Please “like” us on facebook at www.facebook.com/MLACProductions to stay up to date on information also join us in prayer as we continue to prepare and for those that will be attending the performances.  

October

I’m starting to feel like life is a routine and not so crazy. Every day I’m feeling more at home at Larson but still learning many names and I hate when I can’t remember a kids name but 380+ names is tough to remember.

Last Sunday the adult choir sang in the church services and it was great! I’m so honored to be leading such a wonderful talented group of individuals in worship to our Lord.

Oct. 12^th I turned 30!!!!! I’m actually looking forward to my thirties. I can’t explain it but I’m happy with where I’m at in life. My mom planned a “Splurge” party for me at Maurices (a women’s clothing store) so last night family and friends celebrated with me. We started with dinner at Michael’s on the Lake and then headed to Maurices for the “Splurge” party. A splurge party is where you go to Maruices after hours and they host a party for you. We had the entire story to ourselves as we shopped! I had a blast. Thank you to everyone who took time out of their busy lives to celebrate me! I’m honored to have each one of you in my life.

Today, Tim returned from a 2 ½ day trip to Greenville, IL for his 10 year college reunion (yes he’s getting old!!!!!) and a visit with family and friends. I’ve heard many stories about his weekend and I’m sure he’ll remember a few more over the next few days. Plus Tim's team the St. Louis Cardinals (baseball) just won so are headed to the World Series!!! 

Well, I think that about catches you up. I’m trying to make blogging a priority but I can’t promise anything :).

Denise

Already failing at blogging...

I didn’t want to be one of those people that had a blog way out of date but some how that has happened so I guess it is time to get caught up.

The school year ended in a blur of activities and mixed emotions. Our district is growing like crazy and a new elementary school is opening in the fall. I have known for awhile that another music teacher would not be hired so a couple of teachers would be traveling to cover all the students. I had been assuming I’d be traveling since Discover (where I’ve been teaching) is the smallest school. Well…I was wrong. I was reassigned to Larson Heights Elementary full time. This move is bittersweet. I love Discover and have some very dear friends that I’ll be leaving but I’m also excited to not be traveling and ready for a new challenge. Larson Heights has some amazing staff members and I’m looking forward to getting to know them and working with them. The biggest positive in the move is the PE teacher from Discover was also reassigned to Larson Heights. She and I work very well together and get along great. So in the next few weeks I’ll begin the process of setting up my new classroom. I’ll make sure and post pictures.

I had a week off to “relax” then helped with our churches VBS by teaching. It was a great week and I loved watching all the kids learn about Jesus. I had an amazing co-teacher that made the job so much easier. The theme was “SonSurf Beach Bash” so each classroom had a beach theme. My room was the Bonfire Beach and here the kids learned about the story of Jesus ascending into the clouds and His command to His disciples (and us) to tell others about Jesus! During the week an offering is taken to support a missionary (who had connections to our church) in Burkina Faso, Africa. This years project was to raise money to buy “Books, Benches and Bibles” for Burkina and the goal was $2500. It is always so fun to watch the kids faces each day and the total is announced for that day. Friday was the most exciting day of them all. The total offering for Friday alone was over $2500. The kids had raised almost double the goal for this project. It was incredible! Praise the Lord!

The 4^th of July weekend was spent in Wenatchee with Tim’s family and attending some friends wedding in Leavenworth. We had so much fun with Tim’s parents, sister (Rebecca) and nieces (Sophia and Elise). Rebecca and girls are home for the summer from China while Adam (husband/father) stayed in China to study the language and prepare for beginning is Doctorate in the fall in China! We are all so proud of Adam and his accomplishment and are praying for this new adventure. Here are some pictures from the weekend.

Sophia with Uncle Tim

Sophia playing in the sand box.

Elise playing in the pool.

Last week July 13-17^th was spent in Newberg, OR with Tim’s entire family at the home of Chad and Megan (Tim’s brother) and kids. It was a full house with 7 adults and 5 kids but was so nice to all be together and catch up. On Saturday Tim and I drove from Newberg, OR to Spokane, WA to attend the Shock arena football game that evening (thanks to my brother for the tickets). It was our first arena football experience and we chose a good one. The Spokane Shock won in the last 3.9 seconds of the game.

Brennan and Ava 

Sophia

Elise and Papa having fun at the park.

Now we’re back home with no major plans for the summer (if summer ever arrives…crazy weather this year). I’m looking forward to completing a few projects around the house and as I mentioned earlier setting up my new classroom.

Happy Summer!!!!  

Busy, Busy, Busy

My how time flies... I can't believe it has been over a month since my last post. The past month has been full and here is a brief run down.

The month started with the resigning of our churches worship pastor. He and his family are not only our pastors but our friends. I’m happy for them and the new adventure God has planned but will miss them bunches. They have 3 of the most wonderful kids and we’ve had the privledge of watching them a couple times over the last couple years. So before I leave I wanted to have a day with the kids. I “stole” them for a Saturday full of fun. We played the Wii, colored, read books, played at the park, made cookies, put together Legos and much more. We ended the Saturday with dinner at our house. It was a great day. Scott, Alisa, Ella, Elijah and Adeline you will be missed!

Tim and I went to Spokane on May 21^st and enjoyed the show “Wicked”. I wasn’t sure what to expect because I had heard mixed reviews but we both LOVED it. It ranks as one of my favorites right up there with “Phantom of the Opera” and “The Lion King”. I’d see “Wicked” again in a heartbeat.

Memorial Weekend was full of family and friends. My hometown has lots of festivities over Memorial Weekend so I headed home Friday night and Tim joined me Saturday after he got off work. The weekend started Friday night with the Bullarama (bull riding). Those guys are totally crazy for doing it but it sure is fun to watch. Saturday started with the Cow Pie Jog a 5K. I walked it with my mom and many other family members and finished it in 52 minutes. My only goal was to finish in under an hour and I made it!!!! Then there was the parade, family BBQ and the Rodeo. Sunday was just as full with church, church BBQ, Rodeo and a great friend Katie’s personal bridal shower. Monday ended the fun weekend with a church/community bridal shower for Katie.

Now it is Tuesday night May 31^st and I look at the next few weeks and wonder how everything is going to get done. It seems like we cram everything into the last few weeks of school. Well actually, there’s only 13 days left....

I think I can….I think I can…I think I can….

Denise

I need to organize...I need to organize...

A couple times a year I get the urge to organize. I love organizing stuff to make room for more stuff! We have lived in our house almost 2 years and I cannot believe how much we have accumulated.

Well, my kitchen seems to be getting smaller and smaller. I can’t find anywhere to put anything. I love kitchen gadgets (especially when it comes to baking) and dishes so space is a must. My parents remodeled their kitchen a few years ago and kept some of the old cabinets. Now they want to get rid of them well….I found this 5 foot long cupboard and had just the place for it! The contents in the cupboard cleared 1 ½ cupboards in the kitchen! Now there’s more room for more gadgets!

I wish I could scrapbook but I’m just not very creative but I like to play and try to be creative. Until a couple of weeks ago all the supplies to scrapbook were in plastic totes in the closet and were hard to get to. Found the perfect solution…now I can get to everything quickly.

This last item isn’t really about organizing but I’m so excited to have it. I now own a “real” piano!!!!! I say “real” because for the past 6 years I’ve had a digital piano. I’ve loved it but since buying the house I’ve really wanted a “real” piano. Some family members decided they didn’t want their piano anymore and I was the recipient. It was tuned today and now sounds perfect!  

Kids Say and Do the Silliest Things

As an elementary music teacher I can agree with Art Linkletter and Bill Cosby in that "Kids Say the Darndest Things." Over the years I’ve heard my fair share of funny things but lately there has been a couple that are too cute not to repeat.

1^st Graders are some of the best at this…I took my 1^st graders outside on the Friday before Spring Break. We all needed just a little bit of fresh air. While outside I was shooting hoops with a couple of boys. After a while a little boy looked at me and said, “Mrs. Krober have you even made one yet!?!” I replied, “Yes! One.

A few minutes later, another boys was giving me “Super Powers”. I had all kinds of different unique powers. Finally the little boy said, “I’ve zapped all your powers away except…the Super Power of bad breath.” I said, “Oh no, does my breath stink?” reply, “No, that’s just the power I gave you.” Not so sure this is a power I want to keep!

A few weeks ago in the middle of music class… Student 1: “Mrs. Krober, you look different today.” Student 2: “That’s because she’s losing weight” (me, starting to laugh inside), Student 1: “You can’t say that, it isn’t nice!” Student 2: “Yes I can. My mom says it is a compliment.” (me, laughing out loud now). I say, “Maybe it is because I’m wearing glasses today.” Both students at the same time, “That’s it!”

This didn’t happen to me but another coworker told me about it. While she was helping a 3^rd grader with writing... “I can’t do any more writing.” Why? “Because my brain isn’t storming anymore.” J

I’ve saved the best for last. The week before Spring Break we celebrated all the support staff that helps our school run. So a 2^nd grade class made cards for each of those helpers including the helpers in preschool and the birth to 3 years program. This card was made for the secretary of the Birth to 3 program…

Have a great weekend!

Joining the Blogging World

Well...I've been thinking about this for awhile and have decided to jump in with both feet. I'm not sure my (our) life is all that exciting but I'll give it a try. Between church, school and home I'm sure things will happen that are blog worthy. So here goes....