A Christmas Tradition

Today I would simply like to share with you an unique tradition that my sisters and I have had shared for as long as I can remember. The tradition: the night before Christmas my sisters and I have always slept together. It began with Lauren and I camping out on the floor in Nicole's room giggling and chatting about what we hope and dreamed of being under that Christmas tree. However, this year instead of sleeping in Nicole's room we all slept downstairs. Nicole slept on the couch and Lauren and I blew up the air mattress. However, this year was a little different than I remember other Christmas Eve nights. You see, I slept very very little last night. And no, it was not because I was so eager and excited to open my presents the next morning, but rather because my back was absolutely killing me! I spent the night tossing and turning on that air mattress -I don't think it had enough air in it. By the end of the night both Lauren and I ended up on the floor, it was better than the half-filled air mattress. Although this tradition causes some pain and anguish at times, it is nonetheless a Christmas tradition, that I have grown to love, one that I look back on with many fond memories. It is a tradition that I hope to pass on to many generations to come.

My last semester in pictures

College Orientation
Baseball Game

Paul and I along with Julian and Liz went to dinner one night at Wildfire. The food was delicious and we had great time.

On Paul's birthday I made him his favorite dessert...carrot cake.

On Halloween Paul and I made carmel apples and carved pumpkins

The Chesterton Christmas parade

Christmas Light Activity

Christmas Banquet

Here I am again...

Boy oh boy! It has been such a long time since I have written. I am so sorry, I was just so busy this last semester. But now that I have finished my first semester of my sophomore year, I don't have any excuses now do I? So much has happened this last semester... Where should I start? My classes all went pretty well. I took 17 credits varying from Teaching Reading to Universal History. I was able to teach a 9th grade History class this year. That actually was a lot of fun. I was so nervous, I didn't know what to expect. But once I began, I honestly had a lot of fun. The class participated really well and seemed to enjoy the topic I had chosen to teach on. I taught on the Ancient Olympics. It may sound boring but trust me it is quite the contrary. This past school year I was also able to observe 5 elementary reading classes. Although I am a secondary major I took two elementary classes just to see what elementary ed is all about. I thoroughly enjoyed both of those classes. However, I do believe secondary education is the major for me.

Not only did a lot take place in school but also on October 27, 2009 Paul told me the three words...yes he told me he loved me. He definitely through me for a loop, I didn't quite know what to say. But after a moment of shock I too told him exactly how I felt... I love him too.

This semester was a busy one to say the least, however this next semester I am going to try my hardest to keep updating this blog... So until next time..

Health Care

This week I was able to attend a Health Care rally in Valpo. I am very thankful that I had this opportunity to attend such an important rally. I have to admit that at first I was very reluctant in attending. I had heard it being described as the "Freedom Marchers",we were going to march around the block where the Health Care supporters were going to be having their Health Care speech. I really didn't know what to expect, I had never attending anything quite like this before. However, after I arrived I was so glad that I was able to attend. It definitely stirred up the patriotism in me. Let me describe the events on the night. The rally began at 6:00 pm, when I arrived I was lost in a swarm of hundreds and hundreds of health care protesters. It was such an encouragement to see how many people were willing to give of their evening to stand up for what they think is right. Upon arriving I truly didn't think much of this health care plan; I knew I didn't agree with it for several different reasons. However, when I left, I had a totally knew perspective on this health care plan. I realized that this health care plan is a moral issue -an issue of right and wrong. As I stood on the sidewalk I listened to the crowds of protester break into song, "God Bless America." I listened to them chants, "USA, USA, USA," I watched as three young men who supported the passing of the health Care plan, dressed up as the devil ran down the sidewalks yelling. I listened as the supporters began to cuss and yell profanities from across the street. As I stood there I realized that indeed this Health Care plan was evil and vile, a plan that will destroy our great nation. I then looked up to see our beautiful flag, of red white and blue flutter across the sky. I thought of all the young men who had fought and given their lives so that we could stand on our opposite sides of the sidewalk, and voice our opinions on this controversial issues. Although I do believe that our country is going on the down hill spiral I have determined to do whatever I can to help save our country because I truly want God to bless America. God bless the USA!

You reap what you sow...

Have you ever felt like you are completely wasting your time? Have you ever felt like giving up, after all nothing was coming of all your efforts? Do ever feel like the biblical principle of "you reap what you sow" applies to everyone but you? Well this summer I kinda felt that way. Every Saturday afternoon after I visited the people in the Nursing Home, I would go canvassing just for an hour or so, to find more kids for the bus route. Well I had been doing this all summer. Just last week I began thinking that this hour was a waste of time. You know I could be doing something much more profitable with my time. Something better than walking down the street trying to ask people to let their kids ride the Sunday school bus. After all, all summer I had seen zero results. However, I had gotten the door slammed in my face, I had gotten called a few names, but I had not one person even the slightest bit interested. But then yesterday happened...It was the last street on the block, the last house of the summer...I knocked on the door, no answer. I then looked up into the upstairs window where I saw two little faces pressed against the screen. I spoke to them briefly and asked them if their mother was home. They replied that she was, however, she didn't want to come to the door. I decided to leave a flier in the door and head on home. My partner and I began to walk away, when the door opened. She explained that she was int he middle of doing the dishes etc...she hadn't meant to make us wait. I very simply invited her and her children to come to church, explaining how we have a Sunday school bus that comes through the area and picks up children and brings them to church. What she said next completely shocked me.

"Ok, so you'll be here at 9:00, we'll all be waiting for you. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow"

I could not believe my ears. As I walked away, I thought to myself what better thing could I have possibly done with my time.
Have you ever felt so happy you didn't know what to do? Have you ever felt so full of joy that you feel you might burst if you don't give a little shout? Well that is how I felt today when I watched two little girls get on the bus...my bus...all because I gave one hour of my time...

Tornado!

The Brown apartments were completely destroyed.

One of the many homes which had its roof blown off

I think this is absolutley amazing!

Just one of the many smashed vehicles...

Well I can't believe it...the little town of Chesterton Indiana made national news. Yes, we had a tornado. But somehow, through the tornado sirens, roofs being blown away, and trees being uprooted, I missed it. You see I was at home, wondering why in the world the electricity went out. I mean it wasn't raining that hard when I had left work just 45min earlier. My parents then decided to take a drive around to see what was gong on. When they returned home I realized how bad this "little rain storm' had been. The middle schools roof had been blown away, trees had been uprooted, windows were blown out of buildings, vehicles were being destroyed from flying debree. I still can not believe that I actually had a tornado in the town where I lived, and Ididn't even realize it....

Now, more than a week later you can still see the effect of the massive storm. The entire tree line is different, limbs are still lying all over people's yards etc...

And just to think the one time Chesterton Indiana made national news...I was sitting at home wondering what was wrong with the Nipsco people...

Junior Year

Today I watched my little sister, Lauren, head off or her first day of school as a junior. I still can't believe that my "little" sister is a junior in high school. It truly seems like just yesterday that I was a junior in high school. Now, it is her turn for all the chemistry experiments. Chemistry was definitely one of my favorite classes I ever took in high school. I will never forget the time Mr.Kelso passed around a potion he had some how manage to get a hold of. Being the strange individual that I am, the moment I got a hold of it, I took a big sniff of it...whatever it was it smelled bad and I mean real Bad. I quietly being choking and gagging on the substance I had just inhaled." Brooke, are you ok, please tell me you didn't just sniff that." I confessed that I had. "Brooke please stand and read the warning label printed." I will never forget what the label said, DO NOT SMELL...INTENSE SNIFFING MAY LEAD TO HEART FAILURE AND CANCER. I didn't know what to say... So I have already warned my little sis...whatever Mr. Kelso may pass around never never smell it...it has side effects to say the least.

Now, it is also my sister turn for Geometry. Now that was definitely my least favorite class I ever took in my high school career. Although I ended up with a B in the class, I walked away wondering what in the world a postulate and theorem were....

I can't believe it is her turn to make explosions in the chem lab and it's her turn to guess on her geometry quizzes and tests. But one thing Iknow...she will be great, she is growing up so very fast, and I am very proud of the woman she is becoming.

A day of my life

Today I would like to take you on a little trip with me, destination: Wee Care. The job of a preschool teacher is a job unlike all else. At approximately 8:58 when I walk into a room full of anxious kids being told to clean up because it is almost time for morning snack. As I walk to the teacher closet, I will be stopped by Megan who will give a hug. Then no doubt Madeline will come running over to me, hit me, laugh, and run away. I will hear many shouts of young children to welcome me back to work. I will then feel many small arms wrap around my legs to greet me. I try to shoo them off, reminding them that are to be cleaning up for snack. But I can't help but smile to myself, as I hear Miss Kathy telling the kiddos to leave Miss Brooke alone and to please wash up for snack. Then three year old little Logan will cautiously approach me. He will gently stroke me, "Miss Brookey Brooke, you look beautiful!" To which I reply with a giant bear hug. Now tell me how many of you get greeted with hugs and kisses when you go to work?

You see my job truly is like none else.

Now I would like to give a few examples of things that will occur during the day:

First of all, I would like you to meet our little twins, Bella and Mena. At one point or another during the day, one of the twins will hit another child. However, the hard part is to identify which child it was- now did Bella hit Maddi or did Mena hit Maddi?

If you ask Mena if she hit Maddi she will tell you that she saw Bella hit her. However if you ask Bella if she hit Maddi, she will explain to you that she saw Mena hit Maddi. Then I am in a serious dilemma. You never realized that the job of a preschool teacher also included some detective work on the side, now did you?Then through out the day, I will be disinvited from several birthday parties, including Sarah's. You see I will no doubt put a stubborn child in a time away, in which they will reply with a smart remark that I am no longer invited to their 4th birthday party. In fact they aren't even going to buy me a Christmas present now.With Grace in the classroom you can't help but have a little drama throughout the day. She just might take the chalk and color her entire face blue. Or perhaps she will introduce you to her fairy friends. And you never know you might even be lucky enough to get one of her

"Italian kisses!" Then there is Logan. He has this little problem- you see he hits other kids. Logan, himself, doesn't even know exactly why he hits, he simply finds it entertaining. If you carefully observe you will find him hitting other children and then laughing uncontrollably. However, he is also the most loving child at the day care.

However, the most dangerous thing that can possible happen at preschool, is a simple game: Hide and Go Seek. Through my 15 months of "service" I have learned how terrible those words really are. I have learned to never, never, never, agree to play that awful game. Kids are all to good at that game....

Now at the end of the day, as every child's parents come, they all give me a hug good bye..now how many you have such great job like mine? The job of a preschool teacher can be very stressfull at times, but all in all it is a very rewarding job that I would not trade for anything!

A Day at the Fair

It all began Friday...when Christina and I decided to go to the fair after we got off work. When we arrived we looked around for a while, then we decided to do something crazy...we were going to get wrist bands. We both agreed that we absolutely LOVED fair rides. We both recalled our childhood days in which we would ride the fair rides over and over again. However, I really do not understand what happened between my childhood fun at the fair and now. For some reason..when I rode those rides my body felt a little bit different, to say the least, then it did when I was younger.


On the very first ride Christina and I both got sick to our stomachs. As we staggered off the insane ride, we shook our heads in unbelief wondering, "why in the world did we just spend $22 on this bracelet." Although we felt sick we decided we must proceed on...after all we had spent $22, and we weren't going to waste it. One of the next rides we went on was the Inverter. Not only did this ride hurt by back, leg, and stomach, but at the top of the ride Christina's cell phone slipped out of her purse and went crashing to the ground. So needless to say on that ride we lost an appetite and a cell phone. As we walked off the Inverter Christina and I once again shook our heads and wondered, "why in the world did we spend $22 ...what a waste...look what it had gotten us so far."


Finally we learned our lesson, we were done with those crazy rides, we would ride something much more calming, something we knew we would not get sick on...The Swings. However, for some reason even the slow circling motion of the swings made me a bit woozy.


Then I saw it....

I saw what all the wise people in this world were doing..watching the crazy, foolish people...like Christina and I, ride the rides. I watched as they smiled and ate their corn dogs, elephant ears, funnel cakes, carmel apples, etc... They smiled as if to say, "I would love to see you try to eat this now. You are so dumb, I can't believe you spent $22 on that little yellow bracelet."

However if I had to do all over again ...you know I think I would spend that $22 all over again. You see I had a great time with my best friend, and made precious memories to last a lifetime. Now that is worth $22!

God still answers prayer

Last Sunday was one of the greatest Sundays ever! Timmy, a little boy I have been babysitting for two years now, came to church with me. I couldn't help but beam with joy as I walked back to the bus- with him by my side. He was so cute on the bus. He was trying so desperately hard to sing all the "church" songs. He was so good. And I was so proud to have him ride with me to church.

You know, on Saturday I had to give my testimony in Nursing Home. I encouraged the elderly people to keep praying and to never give up, because God wants to answer their requests. It was then that I realized that I had given up on Tim. I had tried so many times to get him and his mom out to church and it just never worked out, so I gave up. But after I gave my testimony I realized the person who really needed my little " speech" was none other than myself. Later that day I called Tim's mom and asked if he could ride with me. To tell the truth, I didn't believe for one moment that he would be able to. But I decided to give Tim another chance, I decided to see if God really would answer this prayer that I had prayed for for such a long time. And sure enough...God answered my prayer. You know it is so easy for me to give up on God...but He never gives up on me. God is still in the miracle working business. and yes- God still answers prayer.

Wedding Pictures

Well I just received some of the pictures form Ervin and Kiandy's Wedding. I had such a great time simply being with the bride during that very special time in her life.

Getting ready for the Big Night!

I never realized how complicated it really is to put on a wedding dress. I think that truly is the main purpose of the brides maids- to help dress the bride!

Just having fun

The Schrocks

Now I got you, and there is nothing you can do it about it now!