our Jonny

I will post more when the memorial is over... just wanted to share

JONATHAN LUKE KEISLING
Surrounded by family and friends Jonathan (30) passed away November 30, 2009 at St. Anthony's Central Hospital in Denver, CO. Jonathan was born January 13, 1979 in Page, AZ to Michael Keisling and Nora Bell. In 2005 Jonathan married the love of his life and best friend Brianna Johnson. Inspired by a unique backyard, the Colorado River and Lake Powell, he discovered his passion for the outdoors. Jonathan pursued his love of fishing to become a professional fly fishing guide. The quality of friends he has met and the lives he has touched are telling of Jonathan's huge heart and sense of humor. Jonathan is survived by his wife Brianna; his father Michael; his mother and step-father Nora and David Bell; and his brothers and sisters Anthony, Loren, Gavin, Aaron, Ryan, Andrew, Mallory, and Mary. Funeral Mass Friday, 12/4, 10:30 am at St. Jude's Catholic Church, 9405 W. Florida Ave., Lakewood, CO. Donations may be made to the Jonathan Keisling Memorial Fund at any FirstBank of Colorado.

Thanksgiving Traditions

Every family has their own traditions, those rituals that you look forward to every year no matter how simple or dorky they may seem to outsiders... or at least I really hope that you do. My family has a longstanding tradition that even if only carried out in our hearts and minds on Turkey Day will be a part of each of my cousins', siblings' and aunts and uncles' fondest memories... guaranteed. We are not extravagant people, we don't do fancy, dressed up or color-themed... Where accommodations meant floor space, table decor meant butcher paper and some good markers, excitement meant the chicken coop before anyone else and entertainment was the latest lesson on the out of tune piano that accompanied wrestling matches... These are some of the fondest memories of my childhood... an overcrowded house full of loud people just happy to be together and rows of dirty shoes lined up on the deck outside. This may sound redneck to the majority but I wouldn't trade it for the finest table setting or gourmet food... This WAS my family. The scenery has changed in recent years... The farm is gone, the house is nicer, but for the first time in quite awhile, I am headed back to that "place" in my memory to revisit that coveted tradition. A few reminders as we go into the holiday season.
Enjoy your family, no matter how loud, backwards or stubborn
Enjoy the company, no matter how crowded (or how often you are allowed to flush the toilet)
Enjoy the food, even if it was beheaded in the backyard the night before
Enjoy the entertainment... regardless of what Monte Python movie has been chosen
Enjoy the tradition, even if (or especially if) it is cards and beer...
It is that "place" in your heart that counts... those fond memories of family and what it means to simply be together..
Happy Thanksgiving

What makes us normal?

normal...
What we all want for our children, our families, our own lives. What does that mean to you? What is your criteria? How far would you go to achieve it for yourself or your loved ones?
What are your feelings about Deafness?
I know not many of you have experience with Deafness, its children, culture or language... but lack of experience does not have to mean closed-mindedness. It does not mean disability, it does not need "fixing". We need to meet our Deaf children where they are, with the language that they deserve, with the knowledge that, just like any other child, they have the RIGHT to access. It is time to stop putting these children to the side because they are not the majority. All children deserve for us as parents, family, teachers and a society to step up and truly KNOW what they need... not to be afraid of what they are and to try to change them to what makes us more comfortable.
ASL is a language... Deafness is a culture... these children are being lost when their brains and hearts are there waiting for us to be ready to teach them.
It is time for us to find what works for THEM, not us.

"How does it affect children to find that they cannot express themselves in their own language because the grown-ups in their surroundings either do not understand it, or insist that they express themselves in another way?"
Bergman 1978

"I don't cause commotions, I am one!" —Elpahaba Wicked the Musical

For my very belated birthday present (almost 6 months later) Mike and I went to Denver for the weekend to attend the musical "Wicked" based on the book by Gregory Maguire. I read this novel about the other side of the wicked witch of the west last year and loved the message behind it. Mike bought the tickets back in May, knowing that we would be living here in CO by the time the show premiered in Denver so it has been quite the wait.... but WELL worth it.
I loved everything about the musical... from the incredible music and visual effects to the character of Elphaba and her causes... but mostly the message it conveyed. This musical spoke to the fighter in me, the person who is compelled to stand up for the underdog and fight for those unpopular and impossible causes.... These good intentions and the fire I have to support the victims of injustice get me into trouble at times. I have a difficult time controlling my passion and anger for the way that people treat others.
Although the book itself is great but strange... the musical was fantastic and moving... It is a reminder for all of us to fight the good fight... no matter the consequences or public view... it has changed me for GOOD :o)

"And nobody! In all of Oz! No Wizard that there is or was...Is ever gonna bring me down!"
"I'm through accepting limits
''cause someone says they're so
Some things I cannot change
But till I try, I'll never know! "
"I'm Beautifully Tragic"....

Mikinzie Ella's baptism

Sweet Day to remind us all of our innocence, our humanity and our spirituality....
I have been very busy with my new job... the little preschoolers are running me ragged along with very high expectations from my school. I did, however, get to slow down for one weekend and spend it in Phoenix with my sister's family. Mikinzie is Bree's 3rd daughter and Mike and I were asked to be her God Parents... to guide her spiritually and be there for her. I am a God parent to two other little ones and it is such an honor to be asked once more. It is a strong reminder of the person that I aspire to be. The ceremony was beautiful and special, Kinz is such a sweet little girl.

Classroom

I have been working my BUTT off on my new classroom (shoulda taken before pics) but it is practically finished and the monsters come on Monday!! I am super excited. Here's to a good year!

the job

I am fortunate enough to be employed at the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind and am a proud Bulldog despite being a faculty member for only 2 weeks... I can't believe the warmth and support that I have received in my induction here and am truly excited to begin this journey with my 3 and 4 year old students. They have tested my courage and allegiance with a terrifying ropes course and my endurance with 2 weeks of 11 hour days. But I have a great paraprofessional and an amazing admin staff..
That being said... I am slightly terrified and exhausted and the kids haven't even arrived yet. This preschool program has been in duress for the past few years and they are thankful to have a certified teacher of the Deaf as an addition to their early childhood program... but as only a 4th year teacher and having experience only in the areas of science and english I am not sure that I am the savior that they have made me out to be. I have also been entrusted with the "early years" program which is a support/resource program for parents of young Deaf children that need support and that gives them ideas and companionship... it is such an amazing concept and I am nothing but proud to not only be apart of it, but run it... it is flattering... and OVERWHELMING.
I only hope that I have the strength to meet these parents and children where they need me to be... to be the teacher and shoulder to these families that I feel is my calling...
I am excited and scared to be a part of this endeavor... but what other feelings would be necessary?....
faith?

Page High School Reunion

I can't believe that I am old enough to have been to my 10 year high school reunion. The years have flown by but it was so great to see everyone. I am not sure why I thought it would be fine to plan this event from Boston and during all of our life changes in moving out west. I tend to pile things on... when you are crazy busy, what is one more little thing right? ha... There was quite a bit more involved in this little weekend gathering than I originally thought but after a few minor hiccups, I think that it turned into a great time. I loved seeing old friends (who still look amazing) and their little families. It is wonderful to see the people you have grown up with all grown up and being such great parents. We had a gathering at the Marriott patio on Friday evening, a family beach day on Saturday and then the dinner that night at a great sushi place in town.
Here are some of the highlights of the weekend from the PHS class of '99

Mikinzie Ella Scott

I am an auntie again to another beautiful little girl. Mikinzie (miki.... kinzie) Ella was born on July 15th and came into this world with gusto!!! Bree had an amazing labor and birth and only pushed 5 times! Bree has had her share of horrible pregnancies and births and totally deserved a great experience! Mike and I went down to see her and her big sisters for a week and WHAT A SWEETHEART!! She is so little and cute and just STOLE MY HEART. I love all of my girls and am so glad to add my little Miki Lou to the family. Here are some pictures of my newest love...

homeless

So we are on about week 3 of our wandering ways... week one consisted of the actual move/drive from Boston to CO Springs, week 2 was my 10 year high school reunion prep and execution (stay tuned for pictures) and week 3 has been baby excitement with the birth of my sister Bree's 3rd child Mikinzie Ella Scott (also to be posted later)
I am so blessed and excited to have all of these amazing places to visit and events to be taking place.... I just can't help but feel just the slightest bit homeless.
We did not even unpack boxes in the new apt. before we departed. We were in my childhood home for one whole week but half of that was out on the lake. Now Mike and I are in a hotel in Mesa ( to help out with taking the older girls off of Bree's hands)and I feel like I am floating from place to place.
We will be "home" in CO on Sunday and although I am excited to be settled... it doesn't quite feel like going home just yet... :o(

Where do we live???
Phoenix??



Page??



The Springs??

In the new place

So we are officially in our new place in the Springs. The apartment is... well will be cute!! Right now it is an explosion of boxes and bags... I wish I had the time to spruce it up before we are off again but sadly that isn't the case. We have just today and then leave tomorrow for Grand Junction, then Page for the reunion and then down to Phoenix to see Bree's new baby (we are hoping she waits for us to get there!!)
so here are some pics and a video of the new place. I especially love the view from our porch and Meli loves all the new space to race around!!

first leg

First leg of our trip
Woburn to Erie then on to Effingham.....

Effingham might be the worst place ever... I'm just saying haha

aaaaand we're off!!

Today is the big day- We are starting out our journey across the country with a big yellow moving truck, the toyota being towed behind us and Meli in the cab haha! We head out and stop in Eerie, PA for the first leg of the trip.
Wish us luck
Wild West here we come!!

Goodbye Boston

Our lives are packed in little boxes
all the evidence of my brave venture out here tucked away and labeled.
Such warm people
Such good friends
Such great memories
So unforgettable
Thank you Boston for being my home
for teaching me pride in history and where you come from
for teaching me about "tonic" "bubblahs" and "carriages"
for giving me the greatest 5 years...
I will forever be a Bostonian...
goodbye

why I will miss teaching 11 year olds

favorite story of the day

Two of my fourth graders are writing "if I were in charge of the world poems"
and we were talking about what we would cancel if we could...
Adriel: I would cancel the yankees
Jin Run: I would cancel your face
LOL
just a smile to brighten your day

Swine Flu

There have been a lot of breakouts of the H1N1 virus here in the east. Many schools have shut down and we have had an increasing number of students and staff out with flu-like symptoms. I was one of these cases and have been couch bound for the last few days. I work at a school for the Deaf which serves many students with multiple disabilities and compromised immune systems. Needless to say we were all concerned when we heard of two confirmed cases at our school, wondering when they would shut us down... well WE ARE OFFICIALLY CLOSED woohooo. Now, not to say that I am happy that some people are suffering with this illness but for the rest of us (I am feeling much better) this is a MUCH needed 5 day vacation. We had so many snow days this year that we actually go until June 26th!! We luckily do NOT have to make up these days and as luck would have it, this is the week my parents are coming to visit. Thanks universe for working that out for me... I needed a little lift ;o)
Oink Oink

changes

So I can FINALLY spill the beans now that things are official... I got a great job in Colorado Springs as the director/teacher or the early childhood program at the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind. I am so incredibly stoked about this opportunity and can't wait to rise to the challenge. We will be leaving Boston on the 5th of July and driving all of our meager belongings out to "the springs". The move will be oh so bitter sweet because I have loved Boston and all of my wonderful friends here so much. Now that the change is upon us, I can't help but think about 6 years ago when I first came to this city to decide on grad school. All the things that captured my heart are the things that I will miss every day while in the west. The gorgeous trees and flowering plants, the gruff but warm people, the history and culture of pride... We are ready to start this new chapter in our lives and hope that it brings new wonderful things but it could never take the place of all of the people here... So wish us luck and I will be updating you as we get closer. Cheers to change and new challenges.
Here are a few pics of recent events... Kaitlyn and Eric's visit, my 28th birthday and gorgeous Boston in the springtime

Mike's Time

It took me a week to post due to my family visiting but Mike's official time for the marathon was a personal record of 2:38:09 with a strong head wind. We had a great time and are so proud of him. Here are some pictures of the day- it is a huge deal in Boston and tons of people come out to support the 23,000+ runners. Great job Mike!!