We're Not Moving

Well, we're not moving. Bradley offered the position to someone else, who accepted. Unless something else comes up, we will remain at NIU for another year. On the plus side, this means no new paperwork for the adoption, Noelle will stay at her same school for Kindergarten, no new learning curve for me for teaching, we keep our same friends and continue at the church we have come to love. On the down side, I won't get that nice boost in pay for moving from an instructor to assistant professor. BUT - Jeff will still be working so money is not really an issue.

We are thankful for the answer, and trust that God has a plan for us.

I will post more pictures soon since most people enjoy them :)

Thanks for all you prayers - now if we could just get a move on with those referrals!

Jeanne

Forward Together Forward!

As we head back to the classrooms tomorrow, I thought I would post a scrap page of some of the events and memorials that have been happening around campus. Pray for us to heal as it will be a long road. Great song in church today - "We will remember the works of your hands; we will stop and give you praise for great is thy faithfulness!"

Jeanne

Credits:

Paper by RaspberryRoaddesigns.blogspot.com

Wordart by elegantwordart2.blogspot.com

Alpha? sorry, I didn't find a TOU with the alpha!

Return to NIU

I will be returning to work on Tuesday. We will be receiving training so that we will be prepared to handle some situations with students and to help our students cope with this tragedy. Classes will begin the following week. I went back on campus today for the first time since last Thursday. It just feels sad. Our campus is mourning and still trying to understand how this could happen at a place like NIU or anywhere else. The outpouring of love and support from friends, neighbors and strangers has been incredible. Words cannot express the sincere thanks and gratitude that I and the campus feels for all the prayers and encouragement that you have given. Thank you. The picture was taken by Jeff on Saturday morning. He has been very effected by this as well and was moved by this scene.

Jeanne

Tragedy at NIU

I am fine. Just wanted to let everyone know that I am ok. I was teaching a few buildings away from the shooting and we were locked down within 5 minutes after the incident. We have all been in shock and are a bit shaken up - no one ever thinks that this will happen on their own campus. The university did a good job responding to the incident. Please keep us all in your prayers as we recover and begin again.

Jeanne

An Early Valentine

News to share

Since my last post, we have news, but no answers.

Interview at Bradley was a lot of fun and they are very nice people. Waiting to hear if they think I am a good fit for their program.

We decided not to accept the referral of a 3 year old boy from Taiwan for multiple reasons.

Noelle has been in a "testing the boundaries" phase lately and we are hoping it does not last long!

January has been cold. February isn't looking much better! Come on Lord and move us to Florida!!

That's the news from DeKalb.

Ni Hao! Kai Lan!

Somebody please tape this for us!! From the people who brought us Dora & Diego, Max and Ruby, Wonder pets and more comes a new show! Ni Hao! Kai-lan that teachers Mandarin CHinese and CHinese culture for preschoolers! HOw cool is this!

Premiering on Nick Jr. Thursday, February 7 at 11 a.m.
Ni Hao, Kai-lan is a play-along, think-along series that weaves together Chinese language and culture, preschool-relatable stories, and interactivity, with Kai-lan as your intimate friend and playmate!
What the Show's About"Ni hao!" That means "hi" in Chinese--and that's how Kai-lan greets you every day! Kai-lan Chow is an exuberant Chinese-American preschooler, almost 6, who wants you to come play with her and her best friends. Kai-lan's world is infused with Chinese culture and is brimming with magical sights and sounds, and everywhere you turn there's something amazing and beautiful to see. Along the way, she and her bilingual buddies speak in English and Chinese, but they always need kids' help to find creative solutions to the daily dilemmas that come their way!

Ni Hao, Kai-lan is the next generation of preschool television programming that introduces the psychology of biculturalism. If Dora and Diego popularized bilingualism, Kai-lan will weave together being bilingual and bicultural. Ni Hao, Kai-lan reinforces the idea that being bicultural and bilingual is being American. The show will familiarize the viewing audience with elements of Chinese and Chinese American cultures to promote multicultural understanding in the next generation and goes beyond featuring "culture" as only ethnic food and festivals. Instead, it celebrates growing up in an intergenerational family, having friends from diverse backgrounds, and "habits of the heart" that are Chinese American.

These values include:
Mind-body connection Typically, television portrays excitement as the good emotion to feel. In many Chinese-American communities, the good thing to feel is often calmness and contentment. Feeling excited and feeling calm can both be happy feelings, but they differ in how aroused the body is.

Perspective-taking In many Chinese and other East Asian families, children are encouraged to take the perspective of others to maintain harmony in relationships with other people.

Being a good member of the group Ni Hao, Kai-lan also emphasizes the Chinese and Chinese American value of being a good member of a group.

Social & Emotional Goals Highlight cause-and-effect thinking about social and emotional issues germane to preschoolers and to support preschooler's social and emotional development.

Fun with Slide shows!

I have discovered the art of making slideshows. Enjoy these and I will post more in the near future to share our exciting times with you all! Noelle starts school again on Monday for a full day. Please Pray!

Jeanne

Check out my Slide Show!

Check out my Slide Show!