A Middle Schooler's View of Mr. Nobles

Each week the Rome News Tribune publishes a section called Young Romans. This features art work, activities and writings from various schools from the area. Rome Middle School was the insert this week, so I was reading it closely since that is where Randy teaches.

This is his 31st year of teaching middle schoolers. He is ready for retirement, but still enjoys the interaction with students...it's the administration and all the hoops that are TIRING! I have always been proud of what he does as a teacher & coach, but this little narrative by one of his students solidifies what I know.

A Noteworthy Role Model (written by an 8th grader names Michelle)

One word describes the one and only Mr. Nobles: character. he is THE best teacher I have had in a very long time. The captain of Stardust! (that is his team) That old man over there! The one who can talk forever and ever --- non-stop! But most importantly, Mr. Nobles is dedicated to his profession. His thirty-one years of teaching experience helps students to understand our state, Georgia.

After being in his class for a few weeks, everyone starts to notice how much he cares about his students. I have never seen a teacher more supportive of the goals in his student's lives than Mr. Nobles. He teaches more than Georgia Studies; he teaches life itself. I don't know of any student who doesn't appreciate him! He treats his students fairly and equally in all situations. Not only is he a teacher, but he's also a caring role model. One of the best teachers ever, Mr. Nobles.

Thanks Michelle for the nice article about a fabulous teacher, coach, husband & dad.

Miss Them Already

It happens every year, college students that we love & care about graduate, and move away. Every now and then we get to keep some longer because they take a job in Rome. Tommy Murphy, Jonathan Shaw, Tracy Morgan Batchelor, and Hailey Stovall Burns all stayed longer than their college years. Tracy lives in my neighborhood, Hailey is not far...but Tommy & Shaw live far, far away.

Michael & Dana Van Sant also stayed in Rome after graduating from Berry. Michael taught at Rome High for a year, then worked at Winshape Retreat before becoming the student minister at Calvary. Michael's journey at Calvary began his freshman year. His journey in the ministry is now taking him & his precious family to Florida.

Our church will miss him, but the Nobles will miss him terribly. He & Dana were regulars at the Nobles home. We even borrowed a high chair to use for Sadie! My kids have been blessed beyond measure to have this sweet Godly couple as an integral part of their lives.

Kate was honored to be the flower girl at their wedding in March 2005.

Michael was already ready for games at the Nobles house. We love to hear him laugh!

Michale & some college students that he influenced. He actually performed his first wedding for Emily Kettering..now Liles. The guy with Michael & Emily is Chad Rowell (not Emily's husband Chris). Chad is also far away, in Texas at Southwest Seminary. Chad, Chris & Michael were ALL Winshapers.

Dana getting in on the Catch Phrase. I love Dana's approach to life...it's a common sense approach, no frills. She is the perfect minister's wife, always joyful & positive.


Dana with Emily & Rachel before the annual Christmas caroling. I think Dana is popping one of her favorite sweets, Chocolate Oat Bars, in the picture.


The Van Sants were at our house so often they made the family Christmas picture!


We LOVE Sadie! We will miss watching her grow up. She has amazing parents!


We plan to visit Michael, Dana & Sadie at the beach once they get settled...but we'll look forward to seeing them at Mountain Day!! When you live in Rome, Mountain Day is easy. Those that travel - have to plan for it. Please plan to come to Mountain Day!


This picture now adorns our refrigerator. We wish they were really in the kitchen with us, as they were so many days...but I guess the picture will have to suffice.


Thanks for sharing in our lives, you taught us a lot. We love you!

Cookin' up life

It's been awhile since I posted...in fact, not since the big snow in January. Well, life is happening all around me and no time to blog. I'm either teaching, preparing to teach, practicing, or cooking. Well, there are other things like laundry & vacuuming, but cooking is my favorite. I really am happy when I'm in the kitchen.

If you have eaten at the Nobles home, then you know I'm not a gourmet chef. I like home-cooking that is easy to prepare, and tasty for my family. Over the years my repertoire has increased, and I thought I would share some of my menus here. I recall when the rotation included: Manwich, spaghetti, tacos, hotdogs, and a roast on the weekend. I also remember when most everything I cooked came from a box!

Cooking is like everything else in life...the more you do it, the easier it gets! It also helps to have some girls that can help prepare it. I do the prep, they finish cooking it and get it to the table. Today I had Aaron put the chili on! I had made it the night before in the crock pot...mixed it together. He just had to take it out of the frig and turn it to low before he left for class. (On a side note, Aaron is no longer working at Chick-fil-A, but is a host at Olive Garden...hoping to get some of those recipes soon!)

Here are some things we have had over the past 3 weeks. Note that nothing has been repeated! With the mouths I feed, there are not typically enough leftovers for an entire 2nd meal, but they make for great lunches for one or two people.

Potato Soup

Chicken Marengo

Lasagna

Hamburgers/hotdogs on the grill

Pork Chops, sides include potato & broccoli

Chicken Pot Pie

BBQ (quick meal...buy from Sam's!)

Southwest Soup (also known as taco soup)

Chicken Tetrazinni

Pizza & salad (I make my own dough)

Stir Fry

Chicken & Rice

Tortellini Soup

Jambalaya (in the crock pot - Carrie's speciality)

Tilapia & potatoes

Chili

Chicken Parmigiana

Chicken Wings (buy from Sam's, serve with vegetables)

Whenever we have soup, we have grilled cheese!

Do any of these look good to you? Want the recipe? Email me or leave a comment. Some of our favorites (like the photo at the top of the post) aren't even on this list! I can't tell you that these are economical, because I'm cooking for 5 - 8 people on a regular basis. But, it's certainly more cost efficient than eating out, and tastes better than Sloppy Joes.

Yes, I even cook when we are on vacation!!