Are You an Organ Donor?

When I started working with Andrew, it didn’t take long for me to realize that I was working with a mastermind in the classroom. His way with his students is humorous, intriguing and one that draws not only them in, but me. I can’t tell you how many things I have learned by being with him on a daily basis. From classroom management to hockey facts and stats, I feel like a student myself. 

Halloween would be the only picture we have together!

It also didn’t take me long to learn that Andrew is living with Polycystickidney disease (PKD). PKD is genetic disorder characterized by the growth of numerous cysts in the kidneys.  Currently, Andrew’s kidneys are functioning at 15%, where as you can guess, ours are functioning at 100%. If Andrew doesn’t receive a kidney transplant as soon as possible, he will be put on dialysis and will no longer be able to be in the classroom. As the 2011 Denver Public Schools Teacher of the Year, that would be a huge loss to our young minds at Steck Elementary. 

How can you help? By becoming an organ donor TODAY.

When I spoke with Andrew about his condition, he made it very clear that maybe YOU can’t help HIM, but you can help SOMEBODY. That somebody is a living human being, a person whose life needs to be saved and can be saved by someone like you and me.

When Fox31 News came to school on Friday, it dawned on me just how powerful media can be in these situations. To help you better understand his situation and hear from his current and fellow students, click the link below.

http://kdvr.com/2014/02/14/kids4kidneys-needs-your-help/

For more information, please go to the National Kidney Foundations website at: http://www.kidney.org/transplantation/livingdonors/index.cfm. 

If you still have questions, please email me at: carrie.stavenger@me.com

Friday Favorite: L.O.V.E

You've either been looking forward to this day, dreading this day, or just treating it like any other Friday on the calendar. For me - it's none of the above. Today, I'm not celebrating a relationship with a boyfriend or husband, but rather celebrating the act of love.

For me, love doesn’t have to come in the form of a Hallmark card and roses. It doesn’t look like a box of chocolates or a dinner at my favorite restaurant. For me, love looks like:

Holding the door

Forgiving a friend

Giving a compliment

Making a phone call to a dear soul no matter how busy I am

Donating those “I’ll wear it someday” clothes that I haven’t worn in months

Teaching a child the act of kindness

Trusting, hoping, perservering, protecting

Knowing when a friend needs help, and being there faster than a Jimmy John's delivery boy

Maybe you are reading this and you have found a person that you claim as your own. Today, throw that love a party and every day after. Talk about what love looks like, sounds like, acts like in your relationship. 

Maybe you are reading this and you are single. Today, seek out the things around you that exemplify and radiate love. Surround yourself with those today and every day after. 

Question & Comment: Where do you find love? 

Constant

They say that change is the only constant thing in life and I'm here to second that. That's why we try a new recipe, brush on a new nail polish color or book a vacation to anywhere other than where we are.

While switching it up every now and then is needed, both mentally and physically, there are things in life that should remain constant. Now, some of these will seem obvious to you while others may make you want to call me up because you are doing the exact opposite (see bullet point #8).

If what I say and what you do are two completely differently things...wonderful! Do what makes you happy and what is going to get you out of bed in the morning. If you are in or have gone through school, you know that "what works for you may not work for the next person" and this post backs that up.

In reality, this list is a reminder for me to continue to walk this ground carrying out the meaningful things in life that I don't want to lose sight of. And that's how the cookie crumbles...

Things That Should Remain Constant
(according to me)

• Church on Sunday morning
• Coffee to start each day
• Painted nails
• Manners
• Mailing a birthday card vs. sending a text 
• Greeting the ones we love with a hug
• Playing outside until the sun goes down
• Moving in together as a married couple 
• Spur of the moment nights with your girlfriends around a bottle of wine 
• Cooking barefoot in the kitchen 
• Your goals and dreams
• Family dinner...at the table
• Traditions
• Reading to your child before bed
• Cake on your birthday
• Boardgames on a rainy day
• Loving all people; the good and the bad
• Keeping photo albums around the house...your cell phone doesn't count
• Smiling at strangers
• Donating...time or money or things
• S'mores at each bonfire 
• Prayer
• Appreciating a Disney movie whenever possible 
• Filling your lungs with fresh air
• Not settling for anything less than wonderful
• Never passing up the opportunity to build a snowman or a sandcastle
• Keeping a journal
• Being active each day 

Question & Comment: What do you wish to remain constant in your life? 

#WorkItOut100: Week 3 Recap

Looking back at this week, and the way my legs are feelings at the moment, I notice that I did too much cardio and too little strength training. It's a battle I fight with myself as an hour of intense cardio makes me feel like I went to the Olympics and won every gold medal. Hello endorphins! With that said, I need to remember that strength training is equally as important and equally beneficial. 

I will admit that if it weren't for logging my workouts, I wouldn't have realized that I need to give my legs, heart, and sweat pores a break more often. I look forward to getting back in routine this week (I missed Body Pump Thursday morning and Friday evening) and seeing what week 4 has to bring to the table! 

Friday Favorite: Lundberg Rice Cakes

I think we can all agree that snacking is a pretty great (small) part of life . We snack while cheering on our favorite team, while waiting for Chris Harrison to inform us that "this is the final rose that will be given tonight", and in between meals.

Lundberg Rice Cakes are the perfect snack if you are looking for something healthy, versatile, and Gluten-free. Coming in a variety of flavors, they are sure to please any or all of your taste buds.

While you can eat them plain, I find that rather boring. Three different ways I top mine are:

PB2 topped with sliced banana 

Greek Yogurt topped with granola 

Hummus topped with deli meat

Click here for more information including products, recipes, and more!

Question & Comment: How do you top off your rice cakes? What other snacks do you reach for? 

Twitter Feed: Super Bowl Style

The city of Denver had been "cray cray" ever since knowing the Broncos were heading to the Super Bowl. Billboards cheered on the team and storefront signs were hung saying they would be closed Super Bowl Sunday.

In all honesty, living here has not made me a die hard fan, but it has made drinking a beer on an occasional game day Sunday not a bad gig. This Sunday was different as we were in the Super Bowl, the creme de la creme of it all!

Yesterday morning I realized that I had no team "flair" so headed to Sports Authority only to walk out with a youth size medium t-shirt because it was either that or a $50 XXL mens sweatshirt. After getting ready, we met up with friends at a local bar.

Soon after kick-off, I couldn't keep my thoughts to only those around me, so I took to Twitter to share them with others.

Pretty sure you're suppose to catch the football #SuperBowl

So maybe I'll be getting a cab home now #SuperBowl #beerme

I would play defense so I could be fat and fit #mcdonaldscreditcard #chargeit #SuperBowl

Now is not the time to be colorblind Peyton #SuperBowl

It's fun when we have more than one 1st down and it's the second quarter #SuperBowl

"No shirt no service" should apply for everything...including the #SuperBowl

I feel like either way our fire department is going to be busy tonight #denveronfire #SuperBowl

April fools came early, right? #SuperBowl

Check please. #SuperBowl

I'm scared to leave my house in fear that our town has burned to ashes....