Wednesday, April 26, 2017

What's Up Wednesday

Today I'm linking up with Mel, Shay and Sheaffer for their What's Up Wednesday series!






- What We're Eating This Week -

We're keeping it classy with these....



Because they are easy and insanely delicious.  Mason has requested them almost daily.  YUM!!!  We're also eating the last little bit of leftover sheet cake, WAAAAY too many cutie oranges and the strawberries right now have been insanely good!  #allthefruit

- What I'm Reminiscing About -

This time last year we were in the throes of selling our house and when this picture of my three showed up on my timehop I couldn't help but laugh.  We had a whole weekend of showings where we had to be out of our house for almost 48 hours.  We were napping/bathing at a cottage at the country club, running around to various birthday parties and other events,  stopping in at home to grab things we forgot and meeting potential buyers (and having to apologize profusely for my kid needing to go to the bathroom RIGHT THEN!), spending a ton of time in the car, etc. and I snapped this after taking them to the country club to eat brunch after church (since we couldn't go home) and Griffin's mood for the picture pretty much summed up how I felt :)  SO GLAD that moving is behind us!



- What I'm Loving -
I know I talked about my Birkenstocks a couple of weeks ago, but y'all... I can't get enough.  I have to talk myself out of wearing them to work every morning :)  I wore them the entire time I was on my West Texas Trip (except when I was horseback riding) and they were comfortable and great for all the various activities we did.


I love them so much that when I found a pair on sale on HauteLook last week I jumped on it and ordered them!  They're not in stock anymore, but keep an eye on the website and I will as well :)


- What We've Been Up To -
Playing lots of Topple, spending as much time outside as we possibly can and celebrating Gibi with a sunset golf course cruise :)



- What I'm Dreading -
I've mentioned before that there is a big building project going on at MCA (a new high school!) and that means that I get to move out of my beloved (hahaha) "Math Trailer" and into a classroom in the quad (where my classroom used to be).  I am sooooooo excited but am totally dreading having to pack up my school life from the past 6 years.  Thankfully I'm "starting over" with my classroom decor and am getting rid of a TON of it, but STILL! I hate moving!

- What I'm Working On -
Exams! Can you even believe it?!?!  I try to "personalize" my exams every year and make them fun (as fun as a 90 minute Honors Algebra exam can be!) and that can take some time.





- What I'm Excited About -

Summer!!!  We've been scheduling camps, Vacation Bible Schools and planning out a few things to do while in Vail.  More than anything else I'm excited to spend our days in the backyard with these cuties.  I see lots of pool days in our future!  



- What I'm Watching/Reading -

So... I watched 13 Reasons Why on Netflix and I have mixed thoughts.  I watched it because I knew students were watching and I wanted to be able to answer questions and/or have conversations with them if/when it came up (which it has!) and while it was hard to watch I did enjoy it.  Have any of y'all watched it?  What did you think?  I've read numerous articles by counselors, educators, parents, advocates, etc. and STILL have mixed feelings.  While I think it presents important issues facing teens in a realistic and non-sugar-coated way I hate the thought of kids (especially Middle School students!) watching it without having an adult to talk to openly about it.  Thoughts???


- What I'm Listening To -

A lot of these on repeat :)




- What I'm Wearing -

I found a couple of really cute tops that I know I'm going to love all Summer and right into Fall!

This one is a newer arrival and still full price - but I couldn't resist the color!  I think it will look great with white pants for summer as well.  It's really comfortable and I am always looking for work appropriate shirts that aren't crazy hot and that I don't have to wear a jacket over.   The color is more vibrant in person and I'm seriously considering grabbing the white one.



I wore this shirt (on SALE!!!) yesterday and got lots of compliments/questions about it.  Excuse the "5 pm hair"... but I'd taught all day, carted kids around after school, prepped dinner, etc., etc., etc. 



It's super lightweight and I absolutely adore the detailing and little floral print.

 


- What I'm Doing This Weekend -

The regular!  And hopefully a trip to the lake for some fishing, kayaking and pie-eating.


- What I'm Looking Forward To Next Month -

Summer!!! We get out in May and we can't wait!  We're also looking forward to field trips for both the boys, field day, academic awards and about a million other events. 


- What Else Is New -

Dave and I gave Griffin this horse stable set for her birthday and I can't get enough of how SWEET the little names are that Luke wrote!  Apparently she named them and he wrote them.  SO CUTE!



Happy Wednesday, friends!!!

PS - This post contained affiliate links - thank you for supporting my blog!

63 comments :

  1. Oh my goodness!! I LOL'd thinking she'd named one "Tina"-I just thought it was random but I'm pretty sure it was "Tiana" which makes way more sense. And your coral top at church was so cute!

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  2. I just bought a pair of Birks, & I'm loving them!

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  3. You in that cranberry sweater is one of MY favorite things!!!

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    1. Because nothing says Fall like an oversized cranberry sweater! :)

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  4. 13 Reasons.. incredibly hard to watch. Very emotional. One thing I took, THANK GOD I graduated in 95 before the cellphone period. It is horrible how quickly life can feel destroyed & invaded through pictures, text & social media.

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    1. Totally agree! When we went home we actually went HOME and were away from the cattiness, drama, etc. They literally have no escape from it now!

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  5. I have watched and read 13 reasons why. I found it VERY DISTRUBING!! The series more annoying. But I do think it had A LOT OF potential to be great for kids. I bought the book for my 13 year old daughter thinking this would be great way to talk about your actions effect people...maybe not how you intend them to but they do impact them. Well I feel this is waaaay too much for her. The series was way to graphic. I had to mute and close my eyes several times during the last episode and I'm 38 I cannot imagine how a 13 year old would process that.

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    1. I agree about it being a lot for a 13-year old. I'm thinking that 16 would be the appropriate age given the content. I've heard great things about the book "Wonder" for Middle School aged kids to start conversation about treating others well.

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  6. 13 Reasons Why....I really can't comment on the total content of the show because I refuse to watch, but having lost my own mother to suicide (as an adult) I can't imagine teenagers watching and understanding it. I was 25 when my mom died and I still didn't understand. Why do we need to expose our children to something so complicated without a solution or available resources?! From what I've read, the series romanticizes it which makes me sad.

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    1. I am so sorry about your mom! I can't imagine how hard that must have been and still is.

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  7. Okay, those tops are darling on you!!! I love them all! So pretty, friend!

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  8. 13 Reasons Why... My freakin GOSH. I'm a high school educator, and most certainly do NOT have mixed feelings toward the show.. I think it's destructive, and glamorizes not only suicide, but also destructive teenage behavior. I work at an all-girls' school, and my ladies have said that is portrays high school life pretty well. I know we can't shelter our students from all things, but I feel as though the message of the show is that Hannah won in the end because of the revenge she was able to inflict from her tapes. She didn't. She chose a permanent solution (suicide) to a temporary problem (bullying). As Christians, we know that there is hope beyond this world, and glamorizing suicide is not the answer.

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    1. Interesting - I thought that a lot of the ways they portrayed some of the destructive behavior was anything but glamorized. The rape scenes in particular. Compared to a lot of other "teen dramas" I feel like this actually showed the consequences for behavior choices while other shows don't AT ALL. Completely agree about there being hope beyond this world... but unfortunately a lot of teens can't see beyond their problems NOW despite knowing about that hope as well. Hoping that, if anything, this series opens a dialogue between teens and their peers, their parents and their teachers. Thanks for your comment, Britt!

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  9. I talked to our 12 year old about "!3 Reasons Why" and he said several of his friends had mentioned watching it. We discussed the content, but aren't going to let him watch either. I read an article comparing it to the death of Kurt Cobain and how it's giving a whole new generation a romanticized view of suicide, which is heartbreaking. Thanks for bringing attention to it so other parents can make an informed choice for their kiddos.

    Onto happier topics...Griffin Joy's horse stable is the cutest and I'll say again what I said last year at exam time... You are such a great teacher! Your exams would make even this math-disliking girl smile ; )

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    1. I think 12 is too young as well! The content is pretty mature. I think one of the most shocking parts to me was seeing how many middle school kids are watching it!

      And THANK YOU!!! It's hard to make exams anything but boring and kind of a beating... but I try! ;)

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  10. Ok.. I think I am going to finally get a pair of Birks! Weird question... do they get a weird smell? Sometimes leather sandals (I'm thinking of my brown doc martens from way too long ago) can get a funky smell..

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  11. Fingers crossed for you about moving classrooms. I have had to move classrooms the last two years and it is a beating and not much fun. However, it is super fun and exciting that you all are getting a new High School. Those tops are so cute. Have a great day!

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    1. Thanks, Jenna! I'm equal parts bummed about having to pack and move and STOKED about getting a new room! WOO HOO!

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  12. I have mixed thoughts on 13 Reasons Why and have also read a ton of articles on it because my husband is a youth pastor. I can see the value in watching it to actually be able to have the conversations with them... and I DEFINITELY believe that if a student is watching it, then their parent needs to be aware of it and having a conversation about it. Hate that this is what our new generation is dealing with. :(

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  13. First of all I can't wait to see your new classroom. Second I still have Lego's that my boys have written "jail" or "Keep out" on. I treasure them when I come across them. Third my son is a youth pastor and watched 1Reasoms for the same purpose as you. I think it's wise to be in tune with our children as parents and educators but yikes, what a hard series to watch. Finally. I hope you kept that kitchen friend. : ). Happy Wednesday. I love knowing what's up.

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    1. Awww! I love that you kept their Legos! That's the sweetest! Also... I kept the kitchen :)

      And yes... it was hard to watch but so glad that I did. I've had some great conversations with kids and since they know that I've watched it I've been able to answer a lot of questions as well.

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  14. I'm a marriage and family therapist that focuses on working more specifically with kids and teens, and 13 Reasons Why has come up quite a bit in the past week or so. What I have seen is that it becomes a great conversation-starter for the potential of your actions to impact others, and can be a way of learning perspective-taking and empathy. Many of my teacher friends have noted that their students are watching it without parental supervision, and while I think that we already place too many expectations on school staff, I do think this is an opportunity for school counselors and support staff to have a captive audience on suicide, self-harm, and bullying in a way that they might not have before. Many of my clients (teens and adults) that have watched the show felt it was emotional but fairly accurate to what they experience being suicidal or struggling with lowered self esteem, so I think the show is making it's point-just to bring attention to an area of need.

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    1. Great points! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment!

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  15. First of all, welcome to the Birkenstocks club. I've been wearing them for 10 years(before they were cool again), and I seriously would rather have those on than tennis shoes if I'm spending a long day exploring a city, going to the zoo or amusement park, etc. They're THE best. Secondly, I've had the same mixed feelings about 13 Reasons Why. I don't have any kids of my own yet, but I do work with at-risk, low-income children daily, and it has me so worried that they're watching this show and not having someone to discuss it with, too. The show was so very well done, but it has blown up, and I fear kids with think of this almost as a "fad." At the same time, I think it is great how it shows that all of our actions can have positive/negative reactions/impacts. I just don't know what to think either.

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    1. YES!!! I want to wear them all the time and they are so much better for tennis shoes, flip flops, etc! I'm officially a convert! :)

      I feel like we have the same mixed feelings - it has the potential to be a great tool, but without the proper guidance could cause a lot of harm. Lots to think through!

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  16. I watched 13 Reasons with my 14-year-old. It was one of those shows that I didn't completely enjoy, but could not stop watching, if that makes sense. I made the decision to watch with my son because the show was actually filmed here in our town in Northern California, which has made the show topic of conversation #1 at school. The high school where it was filmed is also in the midst of a lawsuit brought by a student because of alleged bullying and racism. In the end, while it was painful and sometimes almost unbearable to watch, I am so glad I was able to have the open and honest dialogue with my teenager that came with watching it.

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    1. It makes total sense! It was hard to watch - but intriguing and made you want to watch the next episode. And YES for open and honest dialogue! So much better than him getting his info/worldview from peers!

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  17. I'm with you. I have watched 13 Reasons Why and have read all kind of articles. Still have mixed feelings. I think it's hard because I think the show could have positive and negative effects depending on the individual, but those effects aren't known until the show is watched.

    Thanks for posting the Anthem Lights/Bruno Mars! I HAVE to show Bryson. I love Anthem Lights and he's a huge Bruno Mars fan with Treasure being his favorite song. I'm actually debating taking him to a Bruno Mars concert, but questioning if 12 years old is too young??

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    1. Totally agree! I think it all depends on the conversations surrounding the show and parental involvement.

      and YAY for Anthem Lights and Bruno Mars! I've never seen him in concert so I can't speak to the appropriateness for a 12 year old - but if you end up going I want to hear all about it!

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  18. You always look so cute! I love your style! And that pic of the kids in the pool is a framer! (Basically every picture of your kids could be a framer though. They are so photogenic!) Happy Wednesday! :)

    That Inspired Chick

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  19. Vail is a amazing in the summer. We went last summer it was so great. We went to piney river ranch for a day. We did a hike and my kids went horse back riding. The top of the mountain is so much fun!

    I have not finished 13 reasons why. I read the book at the same time my daughter did when she was 13. We talked about it a lot. I have not finished the series yet but we have discussed it. She is 14 1/2 and will be in high school next year. We have had many more conversations related to all aspects since there is much more than just suicide addressed. My daughter said whether things are said or done or not kids know and talk. Kids face many challenges and their friends and classmates do too. She and her friends feel it is better to be aware and informed. My kids even my younger one know even if someone says it as a joke about wanting to harm themselves we need to do something. You cannot remain silent. My husband is a clinal psychologist so they are familiar with age appropriate issues and we encourage them to talk to us so we know they are getting the right information and support. It has been a big topic at school. Some kids have made jokes about it and teachers have had to address it. I do think what is most important is that they have a parent or adult they can discuss it with but every kid is different and it requires a level of maturity.

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    1. We ADORE Vail! We went two summers ago and can't wait to go back! I"m going to look into Piney River Ranch! Thanks for the recommendation!

      And YES to there being more than suicide to talk about. I think the way Hannah was treated, the rape scenarios, drinking, drugs, etc. all posed great talking points for parents and teens. And couldn't agree more about the maturity level!

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  20. Hubs and I are thinking of watching 13 Reasons Why, but I just don't know if I'll be able to handle it. I don't do well with stuff like that, so I might try a couple of episodes and see how I feel about it before totally committing.

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    1. If you don't handle those things well you may want to reconsider - there's a lot to think about and process.... especially being a mom!

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  21. I haven't had a chance to watch 13 Reasons Why and am starting with the book, but I did want to share a really great article on it. Knowing that teens are going to watch it, I think you are right on that the adults in their lives need to be clued in to discuss it! http://700childrens.nationwidechildrens.org/13-reasons-parents-concerned-netflix-series/

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  22. Love your math exam questions! When I taught, they renovated the building which meant moving 2 years in a row -- it's so much with but you are right, I purged a ton! Xoxo Erin

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    1. That sounds AWFUL!!! My co-workers and I joked today about having a bonfire to burn all the JUNK we don't want to move :) hahaha

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  23. I'm ALL ABOUT those TJ mini-tacos. I'm happy to see other moms who have a "junky" dinner/lunch/snack every now and then. (Someone told my daughter that chicken nuggets are junk. LOL. She told me she likes them anyway.) Also, those same songs are on repeat for me, too.

    And 13 Reasons Why... I cant bring myself to watch it or read the book. I'm afraid it would be too emotional for me. Have you heard of the toothpaste activity for tween/teen girls? You basically ask a girl to squeeze out an entire tube of toothpaste onto a plate. Then after she's done, you ask her to put it back in. The point is that the toothpaste is the way you treat others... your words, your actions, your attitude. Once you've made a mess out of it, you can try to clean it up, you may even be able to fix it a bit, but you can never put things back the way they were. So it's better to be very careful about what you do and say. It's an activity we do with middle schoolers at my work at the start of each school year, and it's been very meaningful.

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    1. What's funny is that I don't really consider those junk. hahaha Not sure what that says about me! And I don't think there's ANYTHING wrong with some chicken nuggets! ;)

      I've done the toothpaste activity before but THANK YOU for the reminder. I'm going to do it with my small group girls next week!

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    2. I dont think those are junk either! We are totally having taquitos tonight for dinner with salad. I'm all about something quick, easy and fun that my kids will actually eat!

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  24. Ugh, moving. We're about to list our house and I am Dreading. Every. Minute. I feel like GG in that pic! And, really, if my 8am hair looked anything like your 5pm hair, I would be one happy girl. :-)

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  25. The series is much more graphic than the book. They could have done much better.

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    1. I haven't read the book - but may need to. Thanks for the info!

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  26. I read 13 Reasons and didn't enjoy it at all. It seemed totally unrealistic to me (and I understand many people are saying it's not at all far-fetched; I get that), so apparently 1999 was a loooong time ago and/or I lived a completely sheltered life in a very small town.

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    1. Unfortunately I think it pretty accurately what a lot of teens are actually facing on the daily. ;(

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  27. Can I just say that I ❤️ that you ❤️ Birkenstocks!? I just feel like we could be best friends! Your music selection is 👌

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    1. I LOVE them and I want to tell everyone I meet about them :) Let's be BFFs! hahaha

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  28. LOVE those tops!! Your hair looks presh!! Cant wait to see pics of your new decor in your new classroom!!

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    1. Thank you!!! I'm excited to get it all pulled together!

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  29. My husband and I just finished watching Thirteen Reasons Why on Netflix. It is very intense, and definitely not appropriate for younger teenagers IMO. I don't think it romanticizes suicide. In fact, the last episode that actually showed Hannah commit suicide was very hard for both my husband and I to watch, and I hid my eyes at one point. Nothing romantic about that. Bottom line I think watching with your older teenager and talking about it, especially how there are consequences (good or bad) for everything we say and do, would be helpful.

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    1. I definitely agree about the age thing - I think high school would be an appropriate age. I think it may romanticize it in that Hannah almost gets "revenge" in a way on the people who treated her poorly, but the suicide scene itself I felt portrayed it in a pretty cold and painful way. And yes.... I think watched with a parent would be helpful. Such tough subject matter to tackle! Thanks for your comment, Kathy!

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  30. I read the book "Thirteen Reasons Why" last summer as the middle school humanities teacher at my school studied it with her students. She was a fantastic teacher and the book sparked a lot of genuine and real conversations that were expressed in a "safe environment". However, I found it very dark and hard to read, but at the same time I felt that it portrayed how desperate and hopeless some kids feel and we have to be aware of those signs and signals and be prepared to offer help and genuine support. I have not watched the series yet because emotionally I thought it would be tough.

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  31. Girl, I can't praise you enough for how dedicated you are in ALL that you do. As a mom and as a teacher. When 13 Reasons Why has come up in conversation with friends, this is pretty much what I offer up: for lack of a better phrase, it sucks. (And I don't like saying that word often) it's well made, the acting is fine.. it just stinks that it's our reality. At the same time, we have the ability, like you said, to open up the dialogue... to, AS ADULTS, watch it, intellectualize it, prepare ourselves for tough questions and get ready to fight this fight. And I've read some comments about how it's too hard to watch... I'm going to be bold here: we NEED to watch this stuff that makes US uncomfortable so this can stop happening in REAL.LIFE!!! I pray to our mighty Lord every night that my baby girl will NEVER get touched where she doesn't want to... but if I have to watch a scene of a show where a girl is getting raped to open up dialogue and discuss this with her and have her watch it to make it REAL and give her every tool on how to avoid it, then I will do whatever it takes. Andrea, the fact that you are doing whatever you can for your middle schoolers.. to help answer uncomfortable questions about a series that is something they shouldn't have to watch right now, but are, makes you even more of a saint. You are a true woman of God.. serving the Lord with the biggest heart possible. I know there are so many teachers out there like you, and that is why I have faith that if we continue to talk to our sweet kids, maybe 20 or 30 years down the road... cyber bullying, suicide and rape will be things of the distant past. Or so we can dream.

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  32. Hi! I am a student pastors wife and we actually chose to do a series about 13 reasons why. Our Goal is to help our students realize the hope they have in Christ Jesus as well as to bring the hope to their friends at school. I like you have mixed feelings. I think the show is gripping and has decent acting and the story line was intriguing. Also as a previous person mentioned I do believe it glamorizes suicide, sex, drinking, secrets and other destructive behaviors. I believe this because it doesn't truly show how devestating the consequences of all of these actions can be. I am also saddened because the only "hope" the characters had were each other or a inept school counselor. Of courses I cannot expect a Netflix show to have a character who shows Hannah Jesus but I wished that they would've shown people who struggle with depression, being bullied, rape or addictions that there is true help besides just a hotline.

    We are trying to equip the students under our influence to help others find that hope in Jesus, kindness, friendships and even counselor, church or parents!

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