not anymore.

In my last post I wrote about how I was excited that this Valentine's Day was a real V-Day for me, no more singles awareness day any longer. Well, it truly was an amazing day. Our school party was a hit, but in reality, 5 year olds get excited about anything! I was finishing cleaning our room from our party about 2:20 this afternoon when I looked out my classroom door and saw my Jeremiah coming down the hall...shock! I wasn't expecting him at all. Great suprise. He had beautiful flowers and chocolate for me. We went out for an early supper and then headed to Starbucks. On the way to get coffee he hit play on the pick-up's cd player and one our favorite songs started (Big and Rich's Lost in this Moment). When he parked the pick-up and before we walked into Starbucks, he turned and looked at me and said very sweet words. I don't quite remember what they were all I heard was, "Will you marry me?" Yes, you read right, Jeremiah asked me to marry him and of course I said "YES!!" The ring is beautiful. He picked it out himself and if I were with him, I couldn't have done a better job. We haven't set a date yet, but it will be this fall sometime. I will keep everyone posted, trust me!

Singles Awareness Day...

NOT anymore! The last few years when Valentine's Day has rolled around, I became very aware of how single I was. With all the commercials about flowers, rings, diamonds, chocolates and the list goes on. BUT, this year is very different. Jeremiah and I won't be able to spend tomorrow together, but we will see each other this weekend. I believe that we are going to a movie and supper, which is something we do a lot of anyway, but everytime it is fun and exciting.

Happy Valentine's Day all.

The last couple weeks I have been CRAVING coffee in the mornings! If anyone knows me, you know that I am not a morning person at all, but I have been waking up around 5:50-6:00 just so that I can stop by Espresso Roundup on the way to work for my coffee fix. I know, I know, you are probablly wondering if I have lost my allegiance to Starbucks...No! There is only one in town and it is not close to my school. The next best thing is Espresso Roundup. Very tasty!

Music Tuesday

I'm not sure how old this song is, but it has been running through my head the last few days. I thought I would share. Enjoy!

LOVE this!

Since moving to Gillette, my skin has become very dry. I love Bath & Body and all their fun scents, but I found this winter my skin is just icky! One of our teachers sells The Body Shop products and she gave me some body butter for Christmas. It is wonderful. My skin doesn't itch like it used to. I had used up all the body butter she gave me, so I put in another order last week and my supply came in today. I ordered the Brazil Nut...LOVE it.

I am enjoying my time teaching in Gillette, Wyoming! Things happen here that make you shake your head and say to yourself, "only in wyoming!" Some of the "head shakers" this year are:

1. I had one little boy come into the classroom singing the theme song to Smokey and the Bandit. He knew the whole thing.

2. Where else does your entire room shake from the mine across the road blasting and the kids say, "must be a blasting day!"

3. A lot of my boys got BB guns for Christmas and when telling stories about getting to shoot them they clarify that they get to shoot their dad's EMPTY beer cans.

Everyday is something new to laugh about and appreciate. The kids and parents in my class are very sweet and helpful people.

Happy Week-end all.

Saturday was a very restful day! It was the first week-end since Miah and I have been dating that we didn't have to be somewhere or do something. I was able to get a massage, we had a nice leisurely lunch, walked around downtown Custer to some fun little hometown shops and spent the evening with some friends. It was nice not to have to do anything. I'm afraid that will be the last relaxing week-end for awhile, but that is okay!

2007: A Great Year

It has been a year since I've entered the "World of Blogging!" Thank you B.H. for helping me get started in this wonderful journey! I have loved every minute of it.
2007 was a year of growth and change for me. I accepted a Kindergarten job in Gillette, Wyoming in April, I finished and graduated with my Masters in Reading from BSU in May. I packed my classroom and house and picked-up and moved in June. I met Jeremiah in July!!! A new school year started in August; not only a new school year, but a whole new district, state and school. I started living in my little room at Dave and Sally's. August began the week-end drives back and forth to and from Custer. I ran my second marathon in October with my Aunt. Then comes the holiday season and of course it was a wonderful time!
That pretty much, in a nutshell, sums up my year. It was a good year, a hard year and a learning year, but the Lord really showed me Himself through everything! I am super excited to see what 2008 has in store for me as well as Jeremiah. We have some pretty exciting things going on for us this summer...More on that later...
Thank you to all who read. I have LOVED sharing my journey with you all, as well as being involed in your own personal journeys.

Here's to an "Ever Forward" 2008!

I'm Still Here!

Hello Blogger friends. Sorry I have not posted in such a long time. It was crazy busy around Christmas and then New Years Day I broke a finger on my left hand that has left me in much swelling, pain and unable to type as fast as I would like to. It is getting better daily and I am wanting to post and comment in the next day or two.
Happy Wednesday everyone!!

A Tribute to my Grandma!

Mother Mayor Didn't Have to Run a Marathon

By Lorene Rasmussen Last year I had the privilege of introducing my mother to you through a holiday article called, Mother Mayor's Management Style. Many of you wrote back to us saying that you enjoyed the "heart warming" story and that it was a nice tribute to a woman who had obviously exhibited hope, passion, tenacity, and leadership. I shared in the earlier article that the holiday season was my Mother's favorite time of year and I still believe her drug of choice was pine scent and fruit cake. Her idea of an extreme sport was baking 15 different flavors of cookies and 10 varieties of homemade candy. Mom was magnificent, colorful, and quite authentic. She never went to college; she never wrote a book; and at the time of her passing, she didn't have a $1,000 in her bank account. Nonetheless, she raised 6 hard working children; owned a greasy spoon café, and stayed married to my father for more than 50 years. Mom had a passion for good food, good kids, and a good community. Mom was a big woman; she stood 5'8" tall, weighed well over 200 lbs, and her voice entered the room before she did. Mom accomplished everything she needed to without the aid of computers, iphones, or blackberries. She drove a big green Cadillac and always had a cigarette lit, which she used for dramatic emphasis when she needed to make a point. Mom's last paying job was mayor of my hometown, population 272. The community called her "Mother Mayor," a term of endearment, which followed her to the grave. One year, Mom was elected as Mayor by the write- in votes alone, but she declined the position in favor of the second place gentleman who was actually running for the position. When introducing mother to you last year, I mentioned she never ran a marathon; the truth is, she didn't have to! She passed away three years ago, but her memory ran every mile of training with me as well as the Marine Corps Marathon. The day I crossed the finish line, I desperately wanted to pick up the phone to say, "MOM, I Did It!" Even now as I am recovering from a torn calf muscle and a few secondary issues from the injury, I just want to talk to her. When you hurt, there isn't anyone in the whole world that can sympathize with you, like your own mom. Her memory will be ever present with me. Like I said, Mom didn't have to run a marathon to be a metaphor for leadership. Everything I learned during this past year through training, implementing, and execution, she knew instinctively. Mom wasn't perfect but the woman did know how to love people and manage projects and she did it straight from her gut, right through her heart. So with that said, let me share four of mom's attributes last year's readers found inspiring. Perhaps these attributes will help inform your leadership style, whether you are a hometown mayor, a small business owner, or someone who just needs to rethink some old principles in a new, down home way. Hope: Mom was a fairly optimistic person with a sense that things would turn out for the best. Originally, when she campaigned for the office of mayor she did so because our town's water system was running through 100 year old rusty and rotted pipes that couldn't keep pressure. The pipes needed to be flushed regularly so the drinking water wouldn't be brown. Being a responsible citizen and tired of living with nasty water, she believed that someone needed to be accountable for the drinking water before the state of Wyoming stepped in and took charge of the situation. Mom knew this project was unpopular with many of the townspeople because they thought that the water bill increase would be more painful then the unpleasant water they had grown accustom to. Over gallons of coffee, one cup at a time, Mom carefully took the time to communicate her hope for clean water and a new system that would hold the proper pressure. Tenacity: Being elected as mayor was only the first step of thousands required to obtain the brand new multi-million dollar water system. Mom was faced with learning a whole new skill set; understanding the idiosyncrasies of DEQ's rules and regulations, learning how to write bond applications, meeting with "real" politicians, and playing the mediator between small town needs versus big state politics. It was Mom's tenacity that kept her focused on the greater good when conflicts, details, and deadlines threatened to derail the project. Passion: Mom would not accept the myth that "there is nothing we can do about the bad drinking water." Her passion for doing what was right and creating a better community was far more important to her than her own comfort. Settling for status quo was not an option for her. (It seldom is for real leaders.) Leadership: Mom was accused of being bold! She would speak her mind, not mincing words, but I don't believe she was ever considered brutal, just truthful. Mom knew there was an urgency when she took office. She only wanted to be in office just long enough to accomplish what she set out to do. Consequently, Mom had to have the courage to take charge and make unpopular decisions regarding the details surrounding the water system and community pride. It's outrageous to believe Mom accomplished this multi- million dollar installation by herself. As a leader, she knew there were people she needed on board to accomplish the mission. She also knew there were others that would criticize her work the entire way. The dichotomy created between the cheerleaders and naysayers became the check and balance system that kept Mom on target, realizing the completed project. Mom's natural leadership style was not only demonstrated during public times but it was also apparent when she took the time to serve others in her home, just listening to their concerns. I guess if you can raise a house full of successful children, you have an understanding how to lead others. No doubt I have painted a picture of a woman that is "bigger than life." I admit I have "creative memories" that surround the details of my Mother. However, I believe even a legend can teach all of us essential principles of leadership. So why didn't Mom really run a marathon? Beside the fact they wouldn't allow her to enter the race with her Cadillac and a cigarette, Mother Mayor had a city to run, a water system to overhaul, and a family to raise. Since we are smack dab in the middle of the holiday season, perhaps this would be a good time for you to reflect on the people that made an impact on your leadership style and if possible, why not send them a thank you note this year. She asked me when the season of joy was suppose to end. I said I didn't really think there was an exact date. So we left the tree up until June that year!" ~ Brian Andreas, Story People

Early Christmas

I was given an early Christmas gift on Saturday. Miah had a remote start put on my car. He was a little worried that it might not be "personal" enough, but I think it is very thoughtful and personal. He knows I DON'T like to be cold and, welll, it is cold and windy in Wyoming and since he can't be here to start my car in the mornings or after work, this was the next best thing. What a Sweet guy!!

Merry Christmas to ME.

Favorite Things

This past week I was home sick with the flu for 2 days. I'm still trying to get over it, but that is beside the point. : ) While I was home I was able to catch-up on my t.v. watching and I happened to to see Oprah's Favorite Things episode...WOW! What I would give to be an audience member on that day. One of the items she gave away was a Kitchen Aide mixer. I don't bake a lot, but I've been doing more lately...Miah has a sweet tooth, anyway, I would really like to have one sometime. My mom has one and I enjoy using it. I like it too that it comes in many fun and different colors.

Ta Da!!

Here it is! We decorated the Christmas tree on Friday night. It was a fun time. You couldn't have asked for more perfect weather. It snowed all night Friday, but it was the fluffy kind. We ended up with about 8 inches. I hope we get some more at christmas.

O Christmas Tree

Yesterday was just a lovely day! After church and a delicious lunch that my mom made, Miah and I went back up to Custer. We put on warm clothes, stopped and got hot chocolate and went out to hunt for the perfect Christmas tree. It is his job in his family for him to get the tree for his parents house, so we did. We went out into the Black Hill National Forest to the same area Miah went last year, a place that isn't too well known by many and found the cutest little tree. It is only about 5 feet, but it is truly perfect. I am excited to decorate it on Friday. Miah will go out sometime this week and chop it down. Hopefully I'll remember my camera on Friday so I can post a picture of the real thing.

Thanksgiving Day!

The above picture is of our family on Thanksgiving Day. It was a great time of food, football and games! So much to be thankful for!!

What do you call Him?

1. My beloved
   
2. My defense
   
3. My deliverer
   
4. My exceeding joy
   
5. My Father
   
6. My fortress
   
7. My friend
   
8. My glory
   
9. My God
   
10. My goodness
    
11. My help
    
12. My hiding place
    
13. My high tower
    
14. My hope
    
15. My hope in the day of evil
    
16. My judge
    
17. My King
    
18. My lamp
    
19. My love
    
20. My praise
    
21. My Redeemer
    
22. My refuge
    
23. My rock
    
24. My salvation
    
25. My Savior
    
26. My shepherd
    
27. My shield
    
28. My song
    
29. My stay
    
30. My strength and power
    
31. My strength and song
    
32. My strong refuge
    
33. My strong rock

"Well, will you do me a favor then? Can you bring me my chapstick? ...But my lips hurt real bad!"

- Napoleon Dynamite

A little girl in my class, Hannah, came up to me today and asked if she could go to the nurse. I asked her why. She said, "Because my lips hurt real bad!" I laughed so hard. She didn't understand why I would be laughing, but dang she sounded like Napoleon.
I let her go.

Happy Be-lated Birthday

Happy Birthday to my nephew Jake. He was a year old last Saturday!! He is one cute baby.

'Tis the Season...Deer Season

Well it is that time of year. Deer season is in full force here. The below "song" is one of my favorites. We used to sing this song in high school and I'm sorry to say that I used to know ALL the words...(I'm bit of a redneck) Don't let that get around!! : ) If you aren't used to listening to a Northern accent, you may have a hard time understanding the words, but the point of the song is that these hunters from Wisconsin found a "thirty" point buck.
Enjoy.

One Week Ago...

Ryan Shay died during the U.S. men's Olympic marathon trials on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2007 in New York. Shay collapsed about 5 1/2 miles into the race Saturday, and later was pronounced dead at a city hospital. His wife, Alicia (Craig) Shay, is a runner from Gillette. I live with Alicia's folks, Dave and Sally Craig.

Saturday was a very surreal day as I talked to Sally and found out that Ryan had died. At first I thought she was joking. How can it be true that one of the top athletes in the United States is dead? But the more she talked and I could hear the strain and tears in her voice that I knew it was true. My heart broke for the Craig/Shay family. I had met Ryan, right before he and Alicia got married and of course he and Alicia were usuallly a topic of converation at supper time. Talking about their different upcoming runs and of course the Olympic trials. The funeral is tomorrow afternoon and I can't imagine the grief that the new bride of 4 months is and will be feeling tomorrow and for along time to come.

Please keep this family in your prayers.