It was a great day on the road. I was able to see a lot of Yellowstone and also enjoyed watching an IMAX show, seeing Old Faithful and viewing gorgeous landscape! Tonight I am resting very comfortable at Bison Willey's Hostel in Cody, Wyoming. I am looking forward to getting a good nights sleep and heading the rest of the way home tomorrow.

An old bull bison sunbathing

geothermal spot

OLD FAITHFUL!! (it was about 12 minutes late) :)

living room

porch chair

On the road

Well everything got packed up yesterday. Thanks to all who helped. It was a huge help and it is such a blessing to have great friends and family.

I am spending the week-end with my aunt and uncle in Twin Falls. We have had a great time. Nothing screams a fun time like graham crackers, homemade frosting and a lively game of Russian Rummy. As sure as Uncle K and I were sure one of us were going to be the big winners, we got the pants beat off us by Aunt T. She didn't gloat though...yes she DID!!! RUDE.

I am continuing my trip home tomorrow and will be going through Yellowstone and visiting Old Faithful and then spending the night in Cody.

I will post pictures of the rest of my trip probably when I get home unless the hostel has internet access.

The winning hand! Let's go to Vegas Baby

The final score...

Some sort of yummy, gooey goodness!!

my day

It was the last day of school. Yahoo!!

I got a manicure. It was great!

I enjoyed a fabulous meal with "The Adams Family" (no joke!)

I spent my evening with my dear friend Stacey. (good laughs)

I am looking forward to finishing my book that I've been working on for a few weeks.

Night all.

come by me.

Come by me, come talk to me baby
Tell me how we can combine
Will you be my sunshine forever
Will you be a friend of mine.

Try me out and if you get excited
Take me home, I'd love to be invited
Once were there, I'm sure you'll be delighted
We can rock all night.

Wait and see, we might fit together
That would be my lucky day
Come by me, come love with me baby
Maybe we could run away.

The above lyrics are from one of my most favorite Harry Connick Jr. songs. I was able to see him in concert tonight with my good friend Angela. Let me just say that we had 5th row on the floor seats. I had never seen Harry C. in concert before and it was wonderful. His band was amazing (there's nothing like good jazz), the set was incredible and the songs were divine!! My cousin, Sasha, spurred my interest in Harry Connick and I have been a big fan ever since. Thanks Sasha! Thank you too, A.T. for a very memorable night. It was a ton o' fun!!

a sad good-bye.

good·bye or good-bye also good-by (gŏŏd-bī')
interj. Used to express an acknowledgment of parting.

n. pl. good·byes or good-byes also good-bys

1. An acknowledgment at parting, especially by saying "goodbye."
2. An act of parting or leave-taking: many sad goodbyes.

This sums up my week. It has already been and will continue to be an emotional week. School ends on Wednesday and as much as I'm looking forward to that, it is always hard. I've spent almost everyday over the past 9 months with these 60 kiddos.
I'm having to say good-bye to my good friend Angela who is moving to Ohio on Wednesday, my great friend Chrisy whom I work with, my small group and all my Idaho family. I am packing up and leaving on Saturday. Saying good-bye has always been hard for me. I would rather just leave than have to deal with the stress and emotion of everything, but as I get older I realize that I need that closure.
Thank you to all who have supported me in this transition.
I will be back!
You can't get rid of me that easy...

slip and slide!

Today was our field day at school. Do you all remember them? This year at school they rented a blow-up slip and slide. Needless to say, it was a great time. I didn't realize they were going to have it or I would have dressed more appropriately. The below pictures were taken at my most stellar moments!!

a few favorites.

1. the sweet smell of freshly cut hay.

2. a tragically beautiful song.

3. a warm snuggly blanket.

4. fresh hot coffee. (breakfast blend)

5. the giggle of children.

6. the look and smell of a lilac bush in full bloom.

7. the promise of a new day.

My Aunt Lisa sent this cartoon to me and I thought some of you might get a kick out of it. I really feel this way sometimes...always thinking and looking for things to blog about. Have a great Wednesday all. We're half way through the week!!

A fun and "nutty" week-end.

I had the opportunity to spend about 3 full days with a good friend up in Coeur d'Alene Idaho over the Memorial Day week-end. I had never been up there before and it is truly beautiful. When I look at such beauty I am amazed at the glory and goodness of a wonderful God who created such places for us to enjoy. What a Wonderful Maker!! It was a week-end filled with a great bike ride on Saturday, a nice hike and relaxing day on Sunday, and great conversation and laughs the entire time. Below are some pictures and some narration. I invite you to experience my wonderful week-end with me.

FRIDAY

This is a view from Hwy. 55 on Friday. I didn't want to stop and take a picture, so I just stuck my hand and camera out the window. I don't think it turned out half bad!

SATURDAY

Entering one of the many tunnels. At the beginning of the trail you go through a pitch black tunnel that is 2 miles long! It took a few minutes for my eyes to adjust to only my headlamp, but once they did it was a fun time!

Looking down on a trellis. The longest one on the trail.

We drove to the Montana border on Saturday to ride the Trail of the Hiawatha. It is an old railroad bed made into a great biking trail. For more info. check out the website.

http://wallace-id.com/skilookout/taft.html

SUNDAY

We had a nice relaxing Sunday. The day started off rainy, but by mid afternoon, it had cleared up and we went on a nice hike.
On the way to the trail head, Patrick and I stopped at a convenience store for some water. We also picked up some great sugary bubble gum. The goal with the gum was to see who could chew the most pieces and still be able to talk and blow bubbles. The first one to get rid of their gum was the looser. I am glad to say that my days of chewing bubble gum came in handy...I won!! Although if Patrick hadn't spoken up when he did about being done chewing his wad, I was going to have too. My jaws were getting tired and sore.

The "wad" just before I threw it in the lake and it sunk like a rock.

The big bubble!

Would you believe that this is a picture of a pirates ship who had dropped their anchor and were coming onto land to kidnap us and take us to Bora, Bora...NO! Well, Patrick didn't believe that either. He was sure that the owner of the boat had taken the above "ordinary ship" out for a Sunday afternoon ride and the owners were just enjoying the day. I will let you believe what you want.

MONDAY

Although it was hard to leave such a fun, relaxing week-end, I had to, but not before I met up with some family friends who I hadn't seen for about 6 years. You have a sweet family Phil and Ashley!
On the way home I got to eat at my favorite fast food place. Taco John's. That made the trip home a little better.

Thank you P.W. for being a great host. I have some great memories!!

Field Trip

We took our yearly field trip today and it was so much fun!! Field trips are not my most favorite thing about being a teacher, only because they can be so hectic and busy. I'm also so worried that I'm going to loose someone. I should say that in the past years we go to the zoo, but this year we went to the Botanical Gardens. It was amazing! The kids were great, the parent volunteers was fantasic and the weather was nice. The ladies at the Botanical Gardens split the classes up into two groups. One group took a tour of the gardens and the other group talked about the water cycle and did a little science experiment. After both groups had gotten to do all the activities, we went to the park, at lunch, played on the play structure and then went back to school. It truly was a lovely day and one I will remember for quite sometime!!

Everyone enjoying a nice walk through the garden

Please use my hand as your plate! : )

It's Official.

We went on our field trip today (more abou that later) and when we had gotten to the park for lunch I realized that I am officially a bachelorette. I had both classes and parent helpers and while everyone set down to enjoy a nice lunch in the park they pulled out their sack lunches. Most everyone was having a nice meal of sandwich, chips, fruit and juice drink. I on the other hand was running late this morning and only grabbed a hamburger in a ziplock bag. I don't have any bread. While everyone else sat down to eat, I stood and kind of roamed between groups. I thought nothing of it until someone made mentioned that they could tell that I was single. I thought of how silly I must have looked to be eating a cold, bunless pattie and drinking cold coffee. It made me giggle. I don't mind though. At least I was eating something somewhat healthy...not mac and cheese and maltballs!!

You would be proud of me Jimi.

Totally Rad Week-end!!

The three wild girls!!

I was able to get away with some great girlfriends on Friday night and Satuday morning. We had an 80's movie night! We stayed in a beautiful hotel room (thanks to T.) that had a very nice large, flat screen t.v. We talked, ate junk food, watched some classic 80's movies and did toenails! The fellowship that we had with each other was precious and much needed. Thanks Home Team Sisters for giving me a great memory to take with me on my new adventure.

True Blue

BLUE

You give your love and friendship unconditionally. You enjoy long, thoughtful conversations rich in philosophy and spirituality. You are very loyal and intuitive.

Find out your color at QuizMeme.com!

I too took the color test. I would say that this is a good representation of me!!

Too Short

This past week end I had an amazing week-end with my family and friends. My parents came into town from Hot Springs, South Dakota and my brother and his family came drove from Springview, Nebraska. They all got to town on Friday evening and the party didn't stop until Monday afternoon at 3. We had a lovely week-end filled with laughs, stories, laughs, good food, laughs, hanging out, no sleep and more laughs. Like my sister(in-law) said "I don't know that we will be allowed back into the Cheesecake Factory!"

Not only did we celebrate graduation, but we also were able to celebrate L.'s birthday(early) and Mother's Day.

Baby J. enjoying the graduation

Baby J. enjoying the Cheesecake Factory

Grandbabies hanging out with Uncle Tom

A great game of cards (I'm sure that dad and I won!!)

Thank you everyone who came out to help me celebrate! Like I heard a lot on Monday afternoon as everyone was getting ready to leave...the time was too short. That it was.

The count down...

I love this picture. I even set it as my background on my desk top. It symbolizes a lot about me and my family. Only 2 days until my whole family comes to Boise to celebrate my graduation with me. If you were to ask me 10 years ago if I was going to get my Masters I would have said you were crazy. Now I am done and even entertaning the idea of going on to a Doctorate porgram (not this year thought)!! If you know anything about my school history or background, you understand why this was a big step for me. Thanks mom and dad for supporting me in all my schooling and for being my biggest cheerleaders and not letting me give up!
I love you!!

Isn't it true?

"Laughter is an instant vacation."

-Milton Berle

so fun to sew

On Saturday I went over to my friend C.B.'s house to work on a sewing project. We had been talking about doing this project for awhile and Saturday seemed like the perfect day to do it! We had gotten the material earlier in the week and I was ready to "create." C.B. is a very good teacher and has a lot of patience! I love my new apron, but I'm afraid to use it when I cook. I don't want it to get dirty... :)

"small"group

On Monday evenings there is a group of families from my church that get together...they are my small group. Last night though we were an extremely small group due to people having other commitments. There was only four of us and we had a great time of fellowship! Because it was such a small group we were able to have some good conversation and get deeper into each others lives. After our vidoe and discussion time we went on to the back patio and lit the fire pit and had s'mores. It was a great way to end a hectic Monday as well as a great way to start the week.

PBR BABY!

My good friend and I went to the PBR (Professional Bull Riding) on Friday evening. We had a great time.One of my favorite clowns was in town, Flint Rasmussen,and he is stinkin' funny!

We don't get a lot of time to just hang out by ourselves and it was a sweet time together. After the rodeo, we went to the official after party and had a great time of dancing and people watching. Thank you H.W. for a fun evening!!

New Goal

Hello friends! It has been too long. Sorry for the absence, but life has been going 1, 000 miles an hour the last week or so.

As you can see by the title, I am working on a new goal in my life. Since finishing school I needed something to pass the time. I decided to run the Marine Corps Marathon in October with my Aunt Lisa. I have run a full marathon before, The Top of Utah, and I am ready for another one. The MCM is in Washington, D.C. I started training this week...I'm a little out of shape!! It's a good thing I have about 5 months.

a good friend.

I was able to hang out with a great friend last night. Something we hadn't done for quite sometime, only because our schedules have been super busy. We enjoyed a great supper together and then hopped in my car to make an ice cream run. As we were driving to the store, a lot of fun times and memories came flooding back to us. We talked, laughed and cried about some very fond memories that we share together.

When we got back to the house, we went upstairs into her office and did one of my most favorite things to do...we listened to music and read lyrics of songs that touched our lives at different times. A lot of these songs take us back to the same place...last summer. This good friend of mine is also my Aunt. She was my rock last summer when I went through a very devastating time. So when my Uncle walked into the room he found two ladies laying on the floor, talking, laughing and crying.

Thank you L.R. for having the same passion about lyrics and music as I do. I greatly enjoyed last night and it does make me sad to think that in a few months our times of doing that will be few and far between, but NEVER forgotten. Thank you for loving me when I have not always been lovable and thank you for loving me through some hard times.

plain. and. ordinary.

What do the above words mean to you? After today, I will think of them in a different way. I was told that some of my pictures on my blog made me look plain and ordinary (non-photogenic). Now, in defense of this person, I did ask their opnion and they gave it...holding nothing back. They later did a good job of explaining to me what they meant, but it got me thinking. How often do I make judgments on people solely on looks and without getting to know them and their personality and/or story? I let it happen more than I realize and I need to take the time to get to know a person and not just make a decision on an outward appearance.

Thank you C.R. for making me think about how I treat people.

ramblings...

It has been awhile since I've posted, but nothing really happened last week. On Wednesday I went to BSU and got together with my Masters committee and had my oral defense on my comps and that went well. I passed and will be graduating in May! YAHOO

I got the decluttering bug Saturday morning. I cleaned out my closet and when through all my clothes and got rid of a lot of items I don't wear anymore. I love the feeling of walking into a clean closet, but it never stays organized for too long. : )

Easter Sunday was wonderful. The church services went great and our praise choir sounded wonderful!! I was able to spend a nice relaxing afternoon at my aunt and uncles. We ate a wonderful lunch and then took nice long naps. I hope that everyone was able to spend a nice Easter with friends and family and truly remember and celebrate the real meaning of Easter!!

I found the below comic and couldn't resist posting it. Too funny!!

on the move.

I am happy to report that I was offered an all day kindergarten position at Rawhide Elementary in Gillette, Wyoming. I am very excited to be making this change in my life. Although it is an exciting time for me it is also bittersweet. I will be leaving behind some very close friends and family. I know that not everyone understands why I've chosen to make this decision, but I need for them to trust me and know that it was not made on a whim! I am not moving because of the "big break up" or because of the money. God has been working in my life for sometime and I knew that He was prompting me to move. I just didn't know the location...till now.

There are still a few details that I'm working out, but all in all it is going smoothly. The picture below is of a night rodeo in Gillette. I'm excited to get back to my roots. I've told the ladies at work that I am sure that my dad is hoping that I'll find myself a good cowboy and leave the firefighter behind (they cause nothing but trouble and heartache)!! I've also included some other pictures that represent my "new town".

I covet your prayers as I venture out into this new adventure. Like I mentioned earlier it will be very hard to leave behind my smallgroup, family, church and work friends. I won't be leaving until summer, so I have plenty of time left here for fun times and hanging out!!