Nov. 1-4th

So lots of people are posting things that they are thankful for since it is November. I try very hard to be thankful for all things (even the hard, difficult things), sometimes I stink at it but I still try. So I decided since I am not so great at blogging anymore - mostly I am lazy and not really sure what to write about - that I would post my days of thankfulness for all to read.
Day 1: I am thankful for Jesus and that He died for me. I honestly do not know where I would be, who I would be friends with, and lots of other things if I would not have started walking a life that is about trying to walk out my faith each and every day. He has given me so much!

Day 2:  I am thankful for my mom. She is great! I love all the silly things that she has done in my life (notes, voice mails, etc.). She has always been my #1 fan since December 9, 1977. I love that she stayed home with my brother and I as we were growing up - a huge blessing.

Day 3: I am thankful for Melissa Yoh. She is my best friend on the planet. I love that she can tell me exactly what I need to hear at even given moment. I love how she can still surprise me after being friends for this long. Even though sometimes it is hard to be so far away from her - I know that our relationship will continue to grow and withstand the distance.

Day 4: I am thankful for Wyatt William Blake. Though his life here on earth was short I am so thankful I got to be part of his life. I often have memories of him being a cheetah or a lion. The days when he would change superhero outfits numerous times a day. When he learned how to wink and we practiced together. Playing soccer in the front yard, Legos. Him and Cassidy playing games in my closet when he was my roommate. I miss his voice, his laugh, his sensitive hear, his hugs and just the way he yelled my name when I came home!

It's back

Well readers I have an announcement  - - --
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Photo of the Day is BACK! This year I am trying to take all the photos with my phone or iPAD. I have them on a page just like last time (right about this post)

The photos might not be in actual order and right now I have not labeled them (one step at a time), so enjoy! I will get around to labeling them and putting them in the correct order soon. If you are on facebook then they are in ordered & labeled there.

Thanks for reading my blog and looking at my pictures.

Pure Joy To MY Heart

Both of these girls bring a huge smile to my heart every time I see them. I just wanted to share with my readers in hope you get a smile on your face as well. 

Maya

My niece has been here on the planet for a little over a month now. She is so great - of course. I have not gotten to see her as much as I would like however when I do get to see her beautiful face it makes my whole week better.
One of the greatest parts of her being here is I get to see my brother be even more amazing. It is really fun to watch him love on his daughter, be protective of her, be sweet with her, snuggle her, oh man I could go on and on. I knew he would be a great dad - but man better than I imagined. He is such a great man and for that I am thankful God made him MY BROTHER!

There will hopefully be many more posts on my niece!!

Summertime Maasen Style

It has been brought to my attention that I have not blogged in a long time - I do not really have a reason other than i just don't think about it.
As a teacher there are a few questions that I get asked VERY often:

1. What do you do ALL summer? 
2. When do you go back to work? 

To answer the first comon question, I will tell you what I have been up to this summer. Mostly I have been relaxing and just enjoying not having to do much. I tend to stay pretty busy and work several hours during my 9 months of the school year. So here is some random things that I have done this summer so far.

• going to the pool to work on my tan/even out my coaching tan lines (my feet are finally pretty tan) 
• went to a leadership training for work
• worked a softball camp for a few days
• drove to Ohio and back for about a week to visit my best friend
• went to Italy for 8 days - Florence, Venice, and Rome - so great I have posted pictures on facebook and I will be blogging on that trip soon 
• working out at the gym - i started a new workout program, I'm only on week 2 but it is pretty good so far
• house/dog sitting for a lady i work for
• tea time with Deann and Susan 
• spending some time with my Granny 
• going up north to hang out with my favorite mom (mine) 
• reading some books
• staying up way to late 
• sleeping in 
• watched my friends dog Coda at my apartment 
• drinking QT summer drinks - mostly the Mango Tea since I am not drinking pop right now
• 4th of July supper with the Johnson Family 
• a day of relaxing and flea market shopping with Angel 
• watching the ALL STAR Game 
• spending some time with my brother 
• eating home grown tomatoes from my dads huge garden 
• FaceTime with the TBlakes
• meeting with 12 high school girls for a Bible Study once a month

Alright now on to question 2: 

I have to go back to work on August 10th. Volleyball starts on August 15th and the first day of school with students is August 16th. I love my job and I don't mind going back to work - I really just miss my free time to do things for myself. 

coaching

It is spring - my season of full on coaching, lots of time spent with high school girls, updating stats, and just being outside on the diamond. Overall, we are having a pretty great season we are currently at 5-7 and I am pretty sure we have a few more wins in us. We have been hitting the ball really well this season which is a huge bonus from last year. We had a few games where we had some errors on defense and left a few people on base instead of scoring them - which kept us from winning those games. 

Also this semester I have been going through a book called InSideOut Coaching with my Coaches Bible Study on Wednesday mornings. It has been a great addition to my coaching principles and ideas. It encourages coaches to go inside their own lives to find out why we are coaching so that we can make sports a life changing experience. I have known for awhile that as a coach I have the potential to influence the lives of many, many children so I try to do it in a positive and uplifting way. This book and the Bible study have helped me enhance that ability to be uplifting coach and person to children.  One of the things that the author of this book challenges us to do is to write a mission statement. It is still a work in progress and I am sure it might change over the years as I learn more. 

"I am called to coach so that I can build long lasting relationships with my athletes. I use my compassion to stand by and encourage them as they journey to become honest and loyal women of God." 


I know that this might not happen with everyone I coach but it is at least my goal for them. 

The APT.

As most of my readers/followers know I moved into an apartment in December. I finally have it set up and cleaned up enough to post some pictures. The walls are still blank and super white and boring, but I am in the process of working on that as well. The apartment life is pretty okay, it is sometimes boring to live alone - but its okay, I am around people almost all day so it is a nice balance I guess. I do miss living with the TBlakes alot and just sharing our days/life together but I am pretty sure this is going to be a great season for all of us. I will post some more pictures when I have some things on the wall, so stay tuned.

 living room

 living room

 living room (the view from the couch)

 My bedroom

 bathroom

 kitchen and laundry room

(the far set of doors is the washer/dryer)

dining room