Still Training

Just one month of training to go until the big triathlon event on November 1 at Lake Pleasant in Peoria, Arizona.

I will also be participating in a triathlon this weekend on the 27th in Tempe for a little "practice." Training is going well and I'm excited to be involved in a race again.

This Sunday will be an emotional day for me - one year ago my brother was at this very same event watching me race. I crossed the finish line and Brenan was there to give me a big hug. He was feeling good that day... and so was I! I had completed my first triathlon and my brother was there to see it.

Thank you again for all your support! You can check out my fundraising website here: http://pages.teamintraining.org/dm/amchamp09/eeiler and see that I am WAY over my goal thanks to you!

Waiting for Fall

Next week marks the official start of fall. If you feel at all the way I do, this tiring, hot, emotional summer cannot be over soon enough. I look forward to a fresh autumn breeze and temperatures dropping below 100 degrees.

Lucky for me, I was able to wrap up the summer with a nice long vacation in Alaska followed by a week-long trip to Michigan with Dave visiting his family. His brother got married last weekend, which was a bittersweet day for me. Dave's family is so welcoming and loving - he has two brothers and a sister, and very nice parents. I couldn't help but feel a bit lonely and terribly sad, but very happy for Dave's brother at the same time. I miss my brother immensely. When my mom and I talk about it, we know the best thing for us to do to honor Brenan is keep living, keep smiling, keep remembering all the good times, and try not to be sad. But we can't help but feel the reality of the situation sink in a bit deeper as each day passes.

Right now, my godmother and our family's long time friend and neighbor from Minnesota, Renie, is here visiting. She is so much fun to be around and we are excited to spend this week with her.

Lost Dogs song "Breathe Deep"

Hey, everyone! Just a quick note to give you an update and post a video. I've had a really great week at my new job. Everyone is so friendly!...it's like being in Disneyland. I'm a bit overwhelmed with beginning organizational tasks but anticipate that I'll be feeling really good in about a week. The kids and teaching environment are great! I really like the district model they have set up to include so many of their special education students in regular education settings.

I'm so grateful to also say that I have been feeling really prepared in the job based on the things I have learned in my masters program in combination with the things I already knew from my Special ed degree. Additionally, I took my AEPA (Arizona teacher test) for early childhood over the weekend and felt really successful. It is so great to have that out of the way. Whew!

Here's a pretty cool video that I think you will appreciate. This was one of my favorite songs when I used to do Jr. High Youth Ministry. I like how it includes everyone! "Breathe Deep" by Lost Dogs:



Also, not sure who is/isn't following the healthcare reform topic but I really liked President Obama's weekly address this week. Here's a link (click) if you're interested.

Have a good week everyone! Jess

Announcing Cardinals tickets for bid!

Hey, all. It's Cardinals season again and Brenan's friend, Jose is keeping the tradition alive! You would certainly all remember Jose from his meaningful reflection at Brenan's memorial service. (He was that wonderful guy with the Cardinals jersey.) Brenan and Jose had season tickets together and they both loved the Cardinals...yes, even before the Cardinals were big deal West Conference champs. Jose has been at the last two pre-season games keeping the seats warm and the Cardinals spirit on fire. You would be very touched to read Jose writing about going up to Cardinals training camp and getting Anquan Boldin to autograph Brenan's jersey. Read that story and see some great pictures HERE. (Click)

I am so terribly sad to say that Jose is out of town at the moment because his mother sadly passed away from an accident at her nursing home. This news fills me with much sorrow for Jose, his wife Maritza, and their kids Joseph and Abrielle. Since tomorrow is a home game for the Cardinals and Jose will not be able to go to the game, he had the most wonderful idea to "sell" the tickets for proceeds to benefit Elisa and her Leukemia & Lymphoma Society triathlon! He is truly an amazing person. So--give it up for Arizona Cardinals tickets! I'm putting them up more like an auction. Bid your price in the comments section here. (Don't forget to put your name if you post anonymously). Whoever has the winning price by 9 am tomorrow will be the winner. You can pick up the tickets at my house (very close to Cardinals stadium) anytime you want tomorrow.

Ticket info:
Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers
Sunday, September 13th at 1:15
Section 437, Row 7, Seats 9 and 10 (plus parking pass)
Here's a link to the map of the stadium seats

Remember that you can write this off to charity! Guys go ahead and use that excuse with your ladies! Click on "comments" below to bid. And please everyone keep Jose and his family in your prayers.

Legacy (Nichole Nordeman)

Reminder that the next "Project Homeless Connect" is this Friday, Sept. 11th. If you remember, I wrote about this awesome volunteer opportunity a few weeks ago. Click here to read about it if you missed it the first time. Consider volunteering if you are off work or could get off work. (Remember that some companies have volunteer options that will pay you for a day off work and allow you to volunteer. Check and see if your company is like this.)

Here's the web address to sign up to volunteer: http://vsuw.org/volunteer/project-homeless-connect. Friday, Sept 11 -- Human Services Campus: 1201 W Madison Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007 (7:30-4:30 Volunteer for a specific time slot on website).

Sadly, I can't go to the event myself since I start my new job this week. If anyone gets to go, you'll have to let me know if you enjoyed it. For all the things that people mention when talking about Brenan, I will always be touched by his unbelievable spirit of volunteerism.

A video reminder to inspire the volunteer in all of us: Nichole Nordeman--Legacy

Chorus:

I want to leave a legacy / How will they remember me? / Did I choose to love? / Did I point to You enough to make a mark on things? / I want to leave an offering / A child of mercy and grace who blessed Your name unapologetically / And leave that kind of legacy

Here's a link to the rest of the lyrics: Click here

Funny Peter Sagel quote

I heard an amusing quote this weekend that I thought I'd post in light of all the debate last week about Obama's back to school speech. I think that it will likely amuse you regardless of your party affiliation...especially if you have kids:

"People have accused the president of trying to indoctrinate our children with his 'socialist agenda.' This is crazy talk. I have three school-aged children who take what they want from the productive members of the family, demand constant subsidy, and refuse to earn their own keep. How much more socialist could they get?" --Peter Sagel on "Wait, wait...Don't Tell Me" --NPR

Hope this gave you a good laugh! -jess-
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Here's the link to the Obama speech by the way in case you want to pre-read it or forward it on to friends. I think that it's great that someone wants to tell the youth of America how important they are to the future of this country! Perhaps this will become an annual tradition for ALL presidents of ALL parties to come!
http://www.whitehouse.gov/MediaResources/PreparedSchoolRemarks/

Hooray new job!

Very pleased to announce that the work issue has been resolved! My company, after having no success in resolving the 2 day/3 day contract issues with my previous school district, has been looking for a new placement for me this year. A great opportunity popped up for an "inclusion specialist" in a district (which I won't name just yet since it isn't completely finalized). Since my previous district has not followed up with my company for over a week, and I am unwilling/unable to work there for only two days a week, my company has moved ahead in pursuing the new position. We met with the Special Ed director on Friday and it seems like a really good fit. I am excited about the opportunity and the resolution to something that has really been stressing me out mentally and financially!

As an inclusion specialist, I will work with classroom teachers (preschool) who have both regular education students and special education students in their class. The special education students receive their education in a typical setting with their peers, allowing them all of the opportunities of their peers as well as the good role-model examples. This is a philosophy that I really appreciate: it is very child-focused and, in my opinion, exactly what special education should look like. Anyhow, I will be supporting the classroom teachers and the education of the special students as well as maintaining their IEP (educational goals) and attending meetings with parents, etc. I feel that all of my previous teaching experiences, especially the last three years of working with so many different types of students and classroom placements, has really prepared me well for a job that I will enjoy. It is also a great opportunity to affect the lives of lots of kids...I will have around 30-40 on my caseload. There is another woman who also works for my company who shares the same job title at a different school. I am meeting with her on Tuesday to "shadow" a bit and see how her role works at her school. I start at my new school on Wednesday!

Thanks be to God for a great opportunity that will be both interesting and challenging! Thanks also to EES (Exceptional Educational Services) and to Emily and Rick who have been very pro-active in advocating for me this year...finding me a job that I expect to really enjoy.

Chris Rice--Cartoons

Something to make everyone smile. This is a song that Chris Rice does live with all the funny voices. Pretty entertaining and impressive. I don't often cite the sources of stuff I find on youtube, but in this case I have to give props to "terryrlo7" for this awesome video ;) Enjoy!