SCHOOL

School has begun. I just finished up the first week with the kids. All I can say is, "wow". Wow meaning a few things. One being this class is a HUGE change from last year. Last year I had the "smart" kids while this year I have the opposite end of the spectrum. Boy you can really tell. Now I have a few that are up there with my kids from last year but for the most part, I can tell it's going to be an entirely different class. I know this was only the first week and they're still getting used to being in school but still... I guess it can only get better from here, with the teaching and training I give them. I know this year will be a challenge but I also know that with these students they have the most room for growth. And that's what I love. Seeing my students achieve. So for now, just pray that things go well this year and that my students are able to progress. I'm going to leave you with a few pictures of my room.

Clark's Cow Folk.

Our bulletin board

This will be my focus wall at my guided reading table.

Calendar, Classroom helpers, birthdays, library, lots of stuff

Mountain Math

Summer

I've recently been told that I'm horrible at updating my blog. Thanks Steven. I appreciate that. I did mention the fact that his has been stagnant for 5 months but he informed me that that is different. He quit his. Anyway, he does have a point. It's been a few weeks since I've posted anything new. And it's not for the fact that I'm super busy and have no time! Please, I stay at home and do nothing all day. I'm just going to blame it on pure laziness. But alas, I will defeat my laziness and post something for my wonderful blogging friends to enjoy!
So here it is, already past the first week of August. Unfortunately I can see my summer coming to its end. Which means no more getting up whenever I want, no more morning walks. No more meeting with girls for lunch, shopping, or get togethers, no more reading good books in the middle of the day while sitting outside to get some sun. I could look at the negatives all day long of what summer coming to an end brings. But there are also positive things. One BIG one. I'll save that for last though while you ponder what it might be. Summer coming to an end does mean, school starts and I keep busier, I get to ... well shoot. I don't really know why else it's good except for that fact that Steven is closer to coming home for good!
We've been talking about it for a while now. He's so excited to start school in January and I'm so excited that he will never have to leave again! Hopefully it will feel like our life together is finally starting. I know it's not going to be all roses but at least I will have a husband to come home to daily, and to say goodnight to, to go to church with, to just enjoy my weekends with.
I feel that positive alone trumps all of the negatives of summer coming to an end. Besides there will be plenty more summers but I only have one wonderful husband!

Back from Europe!

Hello to all! I made it back Friday night from Europe. Steven and I had a wonderful time. It was filled with ups and downs but overall we really enjoyed our time together. Steven said a few times on the trip that it wasn't really a vacation, it was an experience. I'll agree with him completely. I don't want to make this post too long so I'm just going to give you a few highlights from each place we visited.

GREECE

We met in Athens. Luckily Steven arrived from Iraq just a few hours after I got there. I was hoping I wouldn't have to wait long and God certainly answered that prayer. In Athens we visited the Parthenon, went to a Greek beach, and just enjoyed the sights of the city. It's amazing to be in a city that is thousands of years old! We have nothing in America like you will find in Greece. The statues and buildings are just unbelievable. Unfortunately we did have a mishap. Steven got pick pocketed on the metro on our way out of the city. We lost some money, our military id cards, and two credit cards. Luckily he didn't have everything in his wallet. We were left with some cash and an American Express card. So we had to make some calls to credit card companies and get some cash wired to us through American Express but it all worked out. We don't think anyone has used our identity but I guess we might have to wait and see.

Outside a church door in Athens.
At the Parthenon
An authentic Greek salad. Yum!
Parthenon at night.

We left Greece on a ferry/cruise liner. It was a 21 hour trip from Patras, Greece to Ancona, Italy. It was a nice restful time and we got to see some beautiful sights!





ROME

Rome is a very fast paced but architecturally beautiful city. We did a lot of sightseeing. We saw the Coliseum, Trevi fountain, and the Pantheon. We were also able to visit the Vatican City. No, we didn't see the Pope but we did get to visit Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. Those Catholics really know how to decorate.;) They were both beautiful buildings. The ceiling on the Sistine Chapel is so high. It's amazing to imagine Michelangelo spending years and years painting it. Needless to say, Rome wasn't our favorite city but it had some of the most beautiful buildings.

Steven and I outside the Coliseum

Posing for a picture.
Caught! Eating McDonald's in Rome.:) In the courtyard in the Vatican.
The ceiling in the Vatican.

One of the many, many statues




St. Peter's Basilica

Outside the Vatican
Trevi Fountain
The Pantheon


Steven waiting to head north!

SAN VINCENZO/PISA

After Rome we decided we needed some rest so we hopped on the train and got off when we saw the ocean. Literally. We got off in San Vincenzo. It was a cute little city with hotels on the ocean. They weren't cheap but it was nice to be able to rest in someplace nice. We were there for about 2 days to enjoy the sun and sand and then hopped back on the train. We were headed north and going through Pisa so we decided to hop off the train, get a few pictures of the leaning tower, and hope right back on. It was a pretty cool looking building so I'm glad we got to see it!

The view from our hotel room.


Beautiful sunset

Yeah, we're dorks.:)

CINQUE TERRE- VERNAZZA

This by far was our favorite place. The Cinque Terre is 5 small towns located on the Italian Riviera. There are no hotels and just 600-1000 people that live in each town. It's easiest to get there by train, not many cars go into the towns. Once we hopped off the train we found a lady and asked if she had a room for us. She told us she only had two single beds for the first night but could get us into a queen bed the next few nights. We jumped at the chance and once we got to our room saw we had bunk beds.:) I called top! Even though the sleeping arrangements weren't the best the first night it was all worth it. The city was beautiful, the water was crystal clear, the people there were amazing and so was the food. We were able to hike to the different towns by day, swim in the clear water, and at night we enjoyed eating at the great restaurants and talking to whomever was dining next to us. We would've liked to stay longer in Vernazza but only had a few days before we had to fly out of Paris.

The view from a train.

Our city, Vernazza, seen from our hike.

Steven cliff diving.
Um, I'm not going to say anything on this one.

PARIS

We arrived in Paris 11:00 on Wednesday night, found a hotel and slept. We were leaving on Friday morning so basically had to do all our sightseeing in one day.:) On Thursday we visited the Louvre (sooooooooo much artwork, very overwhelming), Notre Dame (very pretty, no hunchback though), Arc De Triomphe (impressive), and the Eiffel Tower (looooooong wait). We enjoyed what little time we had in Paris. Again, very beautiful architecture but very busy with a lot of traffic. We spent about 4 hours at the Eiffel tower just waiting to go up, go down, etc. There was a huge rainstorm that got most people soaked, not Steven and I though, we were under the middle. It was neat to see the city of Paris from so high up. Friday morning we jetted out and now will wait for 4 more months to see each other again.

Me and the Mona Lisa
Notre Dame, looks different from the one in South Bend.;)
Yay all you Hoosiers! This restaurant was in the middle of Bastille Center.
The Eiffel Tower sparkles at 10:00, 11:00, and 12:00 pm every night. I set my camera on fireworks setting and this is what turned out.

I know I will remember this trip for a long time and I certainly enjoyed my reunion with my husband. It's always nice to be reunited and reminded of how much fun you have together. Thanks for a great time and I love you Steven!

The End

My time in Indiana is done for now. I had such a blast hanging out with my family and friends. I'm leaving for Greece this morning so I figured I should blog about my time in Indiana before I go.

My mom and Emerson

Sisters!

The majority of my time was spent with my sister, brother-in-law, nephew, and niece. (Go figure.) I just couldn't get enough of those little ones and I know that when I see them again they will have changed so much. I hate that I have to miss out on these big changes in their lives but hopefully I won't be gone forever. Who knows, I may just be around when they actually will remember me.:)

The proud parents

Emerson
Landon fully enthralled in Jeopardy on t.v.

So other than hanging out at my sister's house, I also visited my friends Amy, Lindsey, and Erin. Even though high school was 10 years ago it sure doesn't seem like it when I go home. Some of the friendships I have have lasted for a long time and I'm really grateful for that.

I also hung out with The Frye's, Davis's, and Hahn's on the lake and for mini golfing. We had some good times and an adventure. Check out Jess's blog to read all about it.

Landon not enjoying the boat ride.

Emerson sleeping the whole time.

Grace Frye on the boat.

Jess, Grace, Jessica, and Greyson

Boat fire!

I was able to speak with Steven some while I was in Indiana. He told me some really good news. Campbell University, where he'll be attending in the spring, has accepted the Yellow Ribbon Program and his tuition will now be paid for! This is a blessing because it now means we won't have to take out student loans to pay for his college. Lord knows we weren't going to be able to pay for college and our house on just my salary! God has definitely blessed us with that.

So right now I'm waiting anxiously to go to the airport and fly to Greece! He called me last night and said he was in Kuwait already which is the last stop before Greece. So I may be able to see him sooner than I thought!

I'll be off for a few weeks but I promise that when I get back there will be tons of pictures and stories about my time in Europe!

Halfway

I am halfway through my vacation at home in Indiana. The week has flown by. Fortunately I have another one to enjoy. I've had so much fun with my nephew and niece over the past week. Landon is moving like no other and talking for anyone who will listen. Emerson is a quiet, peaceful baby and a joy to hold and be with.

A few days ago the grandkids went through our grandpa's house to see if there was anything we would like such as furniture, dishes, etc. I was fortunate enough to get my grandmother's china! I never registered for any for my wedding just because it's super expensive and I knew it wasn't something I would need right away. Luckily I waited because I got something better than I could've ever picked out at a store.

Every morning my mom and I have been going on walks. We've enjoyed talking, laughing, and exercising all in one. I've also helped her pick strawberries from my great aunt's garden and weed and trim raspberries. Being here also helps me to enjoy country living. The green grass, tall trees, summer storms, and coolness of the evening.

And I can't leave out our adventures last night. After a great family dinner at Peterson's Steak and Seafood House, I went with the Bontrager family and Aunt Doris to the chief for some ice cream. And then we ventured out to the bowling alley. Now my Aunt Doris is a little 86 year old lady with white hair but who obviously enjoys a good time. She didn't bowl but did laugh a lot while watching Dan bowl.;) And to top it off, Loren won her a stuffed monkey from the claw machine at the end of the night!

I've had great times so far and am excited to start a new week full of surprises.:)