six pack and a pound

This is Nathan and Joe Joe. They are brothers that come to my house everyday after school and have quickly stolen my heart. Nathan is in eighth grade and calls me to tell me if he's going to be late, tells me about his girlfriend daily, texted me to say thank-you out of the blue, is obsessed with spiderman (mexican spiderman to be exact), loves tacos, dilligently completes his homework everyday, and shows a very fatherly love to his younger brother daily.

Joe Joe is in 6th grade and some that know him think he takes extra patience but I really get him. Joe Joe needs lots of words of encouragement everday and 1-1 help, loves star wars and wants a luke skywalker tunic, is very sweet-spirited, has the best one-liners, and definitely has a special place in my heart.

These boy earned a trip to Taco John's through a competition at the Powerhouse. They saved there pennies to upgrade to order the coveted six pack and a pound. So, the week of thanksgiving when we had a day off we headed over to the ol' taco joint for dinner. Precious moments with these kids are spent outside of the two hours in my home...though, that time is precious too. But, it's in the conversation prompted by a pound of potato oles that I get to hear their dreams and hurts and I'm reminded once again why I do this gig every single day. They aren't angels but amidst the 6 tacos I was given incredible amounts of patience and love for these boys that extends into the after school hours at my house.

Then they ate the entire six pack and the entire pound- both of them, and i wanted to puke. Growing boys I guess, but seriously. yuck

Gerson

I have had lots of opportunities to brush up on my Spanish in the last four months. Though, the smaller the better when it comes to students to practice with :). This is Gerson (Harrison) ...we got to play together one morning. He taught me so much! Doesn't he just melt your heart!!!

We were playing cash register. He said, "Miss Jessi, yo tengo money" (I have money) a little mixed language if you will :)

This life of teaching classes, visiting homes, hanging with the kids after school is becoming very normal to me and I'm figuring out more and more of a routine. I'm grateful for how beautifuly and naturally it has all come together and even more grateful for all the beautiful people that I get to share life with. Not too many people get an opportunity like this and I'm humbled by how so many welcome me into their homes with open arms. I am so lucky!!

Veteran's Day

I am grateful for the Veteran's, including my grandpa who are serving and have served our country. What a sacrifice. We celebrated my grandpa and many other veterans at applebees with free ribs and beer for him. Nothing like a hearty thank-you!

Though, I was grateful for Veteran's Day at my VOA job as well as I spent the day visiting my familes homes and got to spend time with the children who are typically in school. They are all about the sweetest things you ever met and so incredibly talented and intelligent. They are so far ahead so many as they speak bilingually and are figuring out life in this country and help teach their parents along the way too. Such incredibly strong children and momma's (and daddy's).

I had the pleasure of doing some turkey fun with the kiddos and seeing the beauty of kids learning right along side their mothers and encouraging them and celebrating the victories of irregular past tense verbs as if they had just won a soccer game. It was quite humbling to see a kindergartner and 2nd grader reviewing vocabulary with their mom. These mom's are so tough and hard working and striving so hard to give their children the best life possible. Even if that means working all night and still attending class the next morning. I'm blown away by these women daily and the hurdles they are overcoming as they adjust to life in America.

Made these turkey cookies first, even with the first 4 kiddos at 9am, i'm sure that mom was lovin me :)

Jose and Antony reading together..watch out ladies, these guys are going to be heartbreakers. They are so darn precious!! (not to mention super polite too!)

This is Elba. The four of us we're practicing vocabulary around the room. We learned clown, baseball bat, submarine, kite, and football. The boys cheered when she repeated all of them. She is one of the sweetest spirited ladies and has raised some fine young men. When I met her we stuck to hi and how are you. Now we talk about her children and their progress at school, her job, and where she likes to shop. She absolutely blows me away!!

I am so blessed and honored to visit the homes of these incredible families each week and to be a part of their lives!