keeping watch

Don't worry: I'm asleep...or am I?

great pic

Can you stop laughing?

vaca

Pretty cool double stroller for Agoo to push around.

Kate's all bundled (where is she?), and Aidan's got his belovéd blanket.

We took about 10 days in late July to have a road trip to Lubbock, TX, to visit Amy's mom's side of the family, the Falbos. We also went to Flagstaff for a few days of those 10 on the way home. While in Flagstaff, we took a walk one evening (as seen in the above pictures). The weather was beautiful in both locations. I can't tell you how much I missed my Phoenix, though. I might vacation in Flagstaff, but I want to live here. Family, church, work, beautiful desert landscapes...there is too much to love (yes, mom, that was for you). We had a nice time in Lubbock with the family, but we really enjoyed some time off in Flag (Amy and Francy scrapbooked most of the time). I think we all needed it pretty bad by that point in the summer, especially as school was about to start again in just a week more when we arrived home.This was the sunset the evening of our walk.

maggie brown's wedding

Maggie and her parents, the Browns, waiting for her grand entrance.

Maggie and new husband makin' out!

Amy and Maggie.

So, Maggie's now married. This marks the first marriage of any student which Amy or I discipled at ncc. Maggie married just two weeks after she turned 18, just two months after graduating high school. He is in the Air Force, and he helps guard missile silos in Montana (side note: the Spanish word montaña translates mountain in English). Don't know how things will go, since we've not really been around her for the last year and a half or so, and we definitely do not know him, but we wish them the best of the LORD's blessings for their new family.

kick-off

As school was about to commence, the DVUSD (Deer Valley Unified School District) leaders held a district-wide kick-off for all of the teachers and support staff. We had the superintendent speak, as well as a special guest speaker. It was not incredibly thrilling, but the guest speaker was alright. He was a great story-teller. Here are a few of the things that I wrote down during the conference:

• they keep pumpin' us up so we don't feel so bad about our pay
• "Purposeful learning community": people, results; productive citizens
• "one of the most important things you'll be doing in building a community of learners in your classroom," Leah, 06-07 rookie of the year
• five personal reflection qustions from the superintendent:

1. how is each treated with dignity and respect?
2. personalize for each student?
3. how are they setting goals? (leadership, community service)
4. life long love for learning being made?
5. passionate about work?

• "village to educate": bus driver, secretary, nurse, custodian/maintenance
• collective efficacy
• 3 initiatives of DVUSD:

1. student achievement: common assessments (computer system), inclusionary practices (year 3)
2. corporation: awards to compare, bell winner in US desired
3. communication: worksites, school, and district

• failure without redemption doesn't work