J and C

Connections

2012-01-28T20:41:00.000-08:00

Jeff and I went to the funeral today. Ken Borges was excellent father, brother, and friend. He at the age of 45, died to soon. He died a fighter living 9 years through an illness the doctors believed would have killed him in 9 months.

An honorable man, he deserved a worthy funeral with loved ones celebrating his life. He received that today. The priest today shared some powerful ideas. Often at a gathering such as a funeral words are spoken about the love one living on through the people they leave behind. Today the priest explained that this does exist because of the connections we make with loved ones. These connections endure as memories. The remembrance of these happy times can fill our hearts and keep those near to us, even if they aren't with us. I felt like those words were so comforting. I have been to a few celebrations of life, and I don't think I've ever heard it so simple. Maybe I wasn't ready to receive the words at the time, but I feel like I truly believed them today. I know Ken will live through all the connections he made and people he touched. Especially through James, Ashley and Keagon.

Weekend Weather and GO NINERS!

2012-01-22T18:05:00.000-08:00

Well, the rain finally decided to show up! Thank goodness since Northern California (and Southern for that matter) was in desperate need. The rain dismissed the idea of a new weekend walk, but since the niners are in the NFC Championship and the house needed some major cleaning I guess its okay! Currently Jeff, Chris, Tim and Clay are rooting on the niners in the cold, dreary Stick!

Weekend Walk

2012-01-21T08:34:00.000-08:00

Last weekend went to SF to visit my Dad and Erika for his birthday! Our weekend walk consisted of cruising SF style. We decided we wanted to take him to Bubba Gumps and tour Pier 39 a bit. This is the perk of living in Northern California; you can do a little bit of everything in one weekend with about an 1 hr or 2 distance between. It was a beautiful, sunny day and we enjoyed catching up!

MLK Jr.

2012-01-16T21:55:00.000-08:00

As I can continue to grow as a teacher observing Martin Luther King Jr's birthday becomes more and more powerful each time. Last week we were working on extracting important and significant information from our readings. As a way to teach this, since we've already studied Jackie Robinson and Cesar Chavez, we discussed significant heroes in history. It was a great way to tie in MLK Jr. I did a read aloud with Martin's Big Words by Doreen Rappaport. It's a powerful book that shows Martin's growth from child to preacher to activist to civil rights leader. As I read the book out loud to my students I got a little choked up as I looked out amongst their captivated faces. A mix of Black, Hispanic, Asian, and White looked back at me and I felt like we had come so far as a country. I finished the book and looked back at my students, most working on becoming the first college graduates for their families in our "College for Certain" atmosphere at school. In that moment I realized the lesson on "extracting important and significant information" was actually shifted back to me. I felt like we actually have a lot of room for growth as a nation, as I often have. Martin and many others got us to a significant point in history as far as social justice, but we must keep working on that equality in our ever changing world. Much more could be said, but I think MLK said it best...

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."

"Rarely do we find men who willingly engage in hard, solid thinking. There is an almost universal quest for easy answers and half-baked solutions. Nothing pains some people more than having to think."

So.True.

2012-01-12T20:32:00.001-08:00

Weekend Walks

2012-01-09T20:11:00.000-08:00

With our busy schedules J and I are trying to carve away time on the weekends to spend with each other. We have this idea of sometime during the weekend getting outside (with the dogs as much as possible) and take a long walk. This weekend (the first of 2012!) we went to Pena Adobe in Vacaville. It's a recreational area with a lagoon, plenty of hiking trails, horseback riding, bbq pits, you name it. We enjoyed a 3 mile walk with the dogs and took in the fresh air. Refreshing.

We were close enough to Grandma and Grandpa G afterwards that we brought them over for a visit. It was a nice visit. It makes us very happy to see them in such a nice place with a beautiful view. I always want to explore Rancho Solano and it's surrounding areas while I am out there. Maybe a point of interest for our next Weekend Walk?

Addicted to Pinterest

2012-01-07T21:54:00.000-08:00

Like many, I have caught on to the recent addiction that is known as Pinterest. If you haven't heard of Pinterest yet its basically a website filled with photos tagged from the internet. Anyone can submit a pin (a picture) of something that interests them. I can see what my friends "pin" and make a virtual pin board of things I like.

Although I have a lot of guilty pleasure websites I have to say this one tops all! The difference is I feel slightly better looking at this website than others, because I at least receive inspiration, creativity and motivation from looking at the pictures and ideas. I am excited most of all to get different recipe and organization ideas, because I admit I can be stuck in a rut in those two categories. When searching for recipes it led me to this fabulous site 365 Crock Pot. For awhile now, I have wanted to bring that out and use it to its full advantage since Jeff and I are so busy. It would be awesome to come home to a home-cooked meal all ready to go. This week I am going to give it a try for the first time, we will see how it goes!

In the meantime, I can also search organized pantrys on Pinterest to store all the supplies I would need for cooking/baking. A girl can dream!

Pinterest/Country Living

Restaurant Review: Fuso

2012-01-07T21:45:00.000-08:00

It's no surprise Jeff and I love good food. Because of that, we love trying out different restaurants. Moving to a new place has had us on the search for finding some good local fare. It's kind of hard in Vacaville since most of the restaurants are chains built to entice the outlet shoppers. Last night, however, we tried a local Italian restaurant, Fuso, with my mom. We really enjoyed it. It had a casual, yet upscale atmosphere to it. There were so many appetizing selections on the menu it was hard to choose. We went with bruschetta for an app, Jeff had the calamari steak, I enjoyed the salmon and garlic pasta, and my mom had the shrimp gnocchi. We all walked away satisfied, especially after trying the honey lavender creme brulee for dessert. Yum. Fuso will definitely be an option when Jeff and I have our next special occasion!

Happy Birthday, Dad!!

2012-01-01T15:35:00.000-08:00

Dad touching Greg Allman's piano!

Today is my dad's birthday! My dad is taught me a lot about working hard, enjoying your passions, and keeping things simple. I am proud of the fact that he is a self-made man and would do anything for the ones he loves. I love him so much. Jaimie and I are lucky to have such a great dad and Jeff loves his F.I.L! Here's to you, dad!

Greatest Hits of 2011

2012-01-01T14:26:00.000-08:00

Well it would be an understatement to admit that 2011 was the year of change! Luckily for us and our a family most of the changes that came this year were ultimately positive. Many welcome additions and transformations came out of 2011, and we welcome 2012!

Here are some of the most important moments of 2011 for Jeff and I this year:

January: Family Trip to Portland, Oregon with Erika and Dad. Jeff got to meet Grandma and Grandpa Baxter. We rang in the New Year with a great dinner (at 4:00 I might add!)

March: Jeff receives job offer at Taber Construction marking a major decision for Jeff and I to leave Chico and move back to the Bay Area. After serious consideration, we decided its the best opportunity for us.

April: Jeff moves in with Grandma and Grandpa Gukan to start the job on April 1st. Chelsea gets a fabulous bridal shower at the ranch, followed by a bachelorette party later. Later in the month I have a job interview for a 2/3rd grade position in Sacramento.

Unfortunately in the month of April, my Grandpa Baxter passed away. He was a loving, caring, intelligent man who is missed daily. Jeff and I are so thankful we got to spend New Year's with him, and will always remember is grin and wit!!

May: I am offered the 2/3 teaching position on May 5! Jeff and I get married on May 7! Jaimie graduates from college on May 14! We move to the ranch on May 28!

June: Jeff and I move into a place in Vacaville June 4th! Kendall Julia Demers is born June 6th! Jeff turns 25 on June 10! Chelsea turns 25 on June 30!

July: Chelsea starts new job as 3rd grade teacher for Alexander Twilight College Preparatory Academy.

August: Jeff and Brian earn 3rd place in the annual Delta Frog Tournament. School starts for Chelsea, and she loves her job/classroom.

September: Autumn Faith Demers is born September 1st!

October: Grandma and Grandpa G move in to Emeritus at Rancho Solano.

November-December: Work, holiday parties, family gatherings, busy busy busy!!

Holiday Recap 2011

2011-12-31T11:19:00.000-08:00

"I see a cowboy"

Piperade!
Jeff and I had a lovely holiday season with lots of family visits, food, and relaxation. The weather in CA was amazing, and we really enjoyed spending quality time with our extended families. We kicked off the weekend before Christmas at my Dad and Erika's house. A few weeks earlier they had gone to Bodega Bay and caught several crab for our Christmas dinner. Erika served that with a Basque dish called Piperade. Everything was delicious and topped off with my dad's angel food cake and steamed pumpkin pudding! The foodie in Jeff and I is always satisfied at my dad's house. We ended the night with gift opening and numerous laughs. We only wish we could have gone up to Portland to see all the Baxters!

No tears for Kendall this time!
On Christmas Eve we got to spend time with the Gukan/Demers/Baxter clan. It was such a joyous time with everyone and the sweet babies! The house felt so full of of love at my Aunt's house and I loved the reoccurring theme of regifting and homemade gifts. It really helps focus the true meaning of Christmas. I think the most special moment for Jeff and I is when Grandma G opened the wedding album we made her. The look on her face was priceless!!

The classy traveling shirt 2011

Christmas Day we spent with the Masters and Bowmans. The Masters always set up a gift exchange between all of Ron and Jeanne's children and grandchildren. This year I had Uncle Casey and Jeff had Carrie. Chris was buying for me and Jeff bought for Carrie. I knew Chris would be up to something buying for me! The Masters have a Christmas tradition known as the "traveling shirt". On Christmas 1980, Ron was given a shirt from his mother, Velma, that wasn't his taste. He regifted the shirt the next year and as an ongoing tradition it is regifted to someone in the family every year. Being my first Christmas "officially" as a Masters Chris gifted it to me. The other rule is if you get it and it fits, you have to wear it to dinner. It's always fun to see who gets the shirt so I will have to think of a fun way to regift it in 2012!! Overall this holiday season was filled with abundance and love. Jeff and I are very fortunate!!

Hunger Games

2011-12-27T16:23:00.000-08:00

Slovly

I love teaching for a lot of different reasons, that I am sure I will post at least sometime on this blog. One reason I love it (and can endure the long work weeks!) is that I get some excellent break times. It seems that every time I get a break, I get to enjoy a favorite pastime of mine, reading.

This Christmas I asked for the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I really didn't know anything about it, but had noticed different people from my life were reading it and decided to give it a try. It was completely different than anything I had read before, but I fell in love with it. As I was reading it I kept thinking what a great movie it would make. Apparently so did Hollywood, because it is coming out March 23, 2012! Also as I was reading I felt strong admiration for the main character Katniss. Her tough spirit, edge, and determination were likable. Anyway, I really liked how the artist above portrayed some of the main characters. I am looking forward to reading the next two in the series.

Bucket List, Sorta.

2011-12-27T13:58:00.000-08:00

Hello? Anyone out there?

Jeff and I (okay, mostly I) a happy to have a place to journal our happenings. Recently a co-worker of mine was inspired to write a list of 30 things to do before turning 30. Kind of like a bucket list, but for more immediate purposes. I loved the idea, and on my own list I put start and maintain a blog. I've started a few here and there that I never really keep up. The purpose of this is blog is to journal, reflect, inspire, and grow. Sounds good, right?