Friday was a heck of a day for me. I was walking down the hallway to the classroom I teach in, and one of my students met me at our classroom door. "Mrs. Hoekstra, you'll never believe what I did!" she said with such excitement on her face. I smiled, "Oh no...something bad?" And she looked at me and what she said next nearly brought me to … [Read more...]

Have you ever read something, heard something and thought, "I want to know more..." I know I have...many times. I think it is because I feel like an eternal student, always wanting to know more or wanting to be part of a conversation that is taking place---you know, like the general conversation in a topic or something related to that … [Read more...]

January 25. My birthday...I was 23, and I went into labor with my daughter... 5:59 a.m.---she was born. Welcome to the world, Kirsten! Did I ever think that my daughter would be my "not-so-mini-me?" Maybe. Did I ever think that she would grow into a kind, caring, loving, stubborn at times, beautiful girl? Absolutely. When Sam met the … [Read more...]