Back to you my heart was running

I did make it safely home, for those of you whom I left in the chilly state of Wisconsin. Jenny and Kathy, the two of you may be the only ones in the entire state- other than my family.

Graduation was very successful yesterday- I didn't trip on the stage, which was my biggest fear. :) I'll post photos when I get them from my brother.

Christmas with Nate's family is today, mine tomorrow, and his family again on Tuesday. I'm so excited to see everyone and snack on delicious food for three days.

These are some of the things I'm looking forward to most: (in no particular order)
* Bible study with the ladies on Wednesday nights
* Scooters
* Seeing my Grace community again
* being able to "just stop over" to Nate's house
* Singing at Grace again
* Hugging my grandparents on Christmas Eve
* my mom's food on Christmas Eve
* bringing Nate to our annual Christmas Eve service at church- put on by the grade school kids.
* meeting with friends for coffee
* Friends to play scrabble with
* being close to family
* Pillow Talk with my roommate, Megan, at night
* watching old episodes of "the office" with johnny and logan

Airport Adventures

My good friend, Carissa had a 3 hour layover at the Milwaukee airport yesterday, so I went to have coffee with her. It was SO GOOD to catch up. She's one of my inspirations in life. We're both crazy about writing and literature and have very kindrid spirits. We laughed really hard and talked about everything we could think of. I am so thankful for her friendship and really greatful that we had that time together on Sunday. God's timing was perfect!!!We also grabbed a bite to eat.

We very childishly created a bun-man....he was very messy.

I left her there around 5:30pm and went to visit my 3rd grade teacher and her family, who now live close to Milwaukee. Her husband works for one of the airlines. That evening, while I was at their house, Nate called to let me know that his delayed flights from New York to Detroit and finally to Omaha had been redirected to Milwaukee....but he said, "Don't get your hopes up- we'll only be there long enough to switch flights...." So, I told this to Kevin and he said, "Oh, that's no problem. We can get you there- you can surprise him tonight!"

SO, we figured out the flight times, how much time I would have between flights to visit with him and decided it was worth going for. Nate and Megan (my roommate in NE) were totally surprised when they saw me there- we were only able to spend 20 or so minutes together, but it was just such a blessing to get hugs and visit with them for a moment. Here are a couple of pictures:

Nate and I

Megan and I

The poor kids had been traveling all day and had been pushed back with delay after delay. They were exhausted and ready to get back home. I know my heart was blessed immensely by their presence....can't wait to be back home!

Talk about God's timing! I'd been to the airport already and familiarized myself with the area earlier with Carissa. I ended up at the airport man's house just when I needed to be finding out which flights Nate was on.....and the airport was directly on the way home from their house. God was watching out for me and wanted to give me a little extra push of encouragement before I finish up my time here- I'm sure of it!

Throwing up the 4's

4 days. I am praying for patience and also that the next few days would go very quickly. I feel completely restless as I anticipate my drive home and the friends and family I will see THIS WEEK!

As I look back on the last 5 months, I see a span of time that has seemed to last forever. I have enjoyed time immensely with my aunt and uncle and have found a couple of dear friends, but find that I have not fallen in love with any part of this city. I have, however, fallen more in love with Lincoln and the idea of investing in the community there. The last couple of weeks have provided growth in my heart and a longing for deeper connections with loved ones there. The Lord has been working in my heart and I feel more prepared now to invest in and serve as an encourager and source of constancy in the lives of my friends and family. There's been a lot of growth in my season of loneliness here. I have learned what it looks like to turn to the true source of happiness and comfort and have a great peace about moving forward.

I was inspired Thursday night by an inner city Christmas concert that I attended with my aunt and uncle. These high school children from very difficult lives sang to the Lord with more gusto and charisma than I have seen in a long time. The words that sprang from their young lips awakened something in my heart that has sat colorless for quite some time. I listened to one teacher speak of how he watches the students "Throw their 4's in the hallway"- meaning that, as they pass between classes, often students raise both hands showing 4 fingers on each, reminding each other of Philippians 4:4,

⁴Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

It's easy to forget. It's easy to get so caught up in our seasons of business, difficulty, anger, excitement, whatever....it's easy to loose sight of how close the Lord really is. In everything, rejoice. In loneliness, in anger, in disappointment, in preparation, in anticipation, in despair, in those times when you don't have an extra minute during the day to stop and catch your breath.... whatever we do, we are rejoicing and being gentle.

Starting today, I will try to remember to "throw up my 4's".

Pillippians 4:4

This morning I went to Target at 6:30 to meet up with a bunch of teachers from the area. An anonymous donor gives a plethora of money every year for the underprivileged children in our district. Their parents bring them to Target and each child gets to spend up to $50 on gifts for themselves. Once the families started coming, we were matched up with kids and their parents from our schools and went around with them helping to fill shopping carts with toys and clothes. What an awesome holiday experience! It was so fun to see their faces and talk to the parents as we walked around. I'm so thankful for the person who is generous enough to give thousands of dollars to these children every single year. What a blessing!!

Here's what it looks like outside our windows here.....I went out for dinner with my cooperating teacher, Kathy- (from 5th grade) and my supervisor, Jenny- the person who came to observe my lessons and met with me weekly to make sure I was doing ok in my placements.... It was so fun to see them again. The picture turned out a bit blurry- but I wanted to get it up because I know they both read my blog! :) AND because I talk about them a lot to people back home- so now you can put a face with the stories. Two of my favorite people here in Milwaukee!!!! I WILL miss these two....
I'm off to pack this afternoon. I'm getting so excited to be home. Now that the end is near, I'm letting myself get really excited. I told myself, "Once the date is within the 10-day forecast, THEN you can get excited." Only 5 days!!!!

Also, here's a picture of my man, Gina and Megan that I stole from Gina's blog. Isn't he cute? ( I guess the girls are nice too....) They're in NYC this weekend having a blast! And at the end of this week we'll all be together again, which makes me SO HAPPY!!!

Michigan Take 2

I went to Michigan again this weekend to visit Martha and Ryan. I picked her sister, Erin, up at the airport in Chicago on the way and we arrived late Friday. It was a great weekend...we were hoping the boys would be born before I went to visit- so I could meet the famous Thomas Twins, but God has a different plan. Martha's doing great- ready to hold her babes I'm sure, but not complaining a bit. What a trooper! She looks pretty good for 8 1/2 months pregnant with twins, hey? Martha casted her belly a month ago....I can't even imagine!
Erin and I
Here's Erin, Marth and I.....somewhere. I'm not sure where we were headed at this point.
This is my new haircut- just new on Wednesday. NOT done by Marth- for the first time in years, but I won the cut at a MK party.....long story. Turned out cute though.
During the shopping extravaganza with Suzie (Ryan's mom), we found ourselves in the hat department trying on some FABULOUS hats.....
I could definitely see all three of us as "hat women" at church.....wouldn't it be great?!
And here's Joe's blueberry buttermilk waffles that we had this morning. Michigan blueberries are the BEST! He likes to put one in each square.... :) What a good idea.

We also had a visit from Chris on Saturday morning. He just happened to be visiting some good friends who live a half hour away from the Thomas family - so he came over for a quick visit and breakfast. It was wonderful to see him, as always.

Coming home reminded me of how important community is. Ryan, Martha, Erin, and Chris, have all played pivotal roles in my life as a follower of Christ. They've encouraged and uplifted me through some of my hardest seasons. I realized the lack of that in my life lately, but am beginning to understand how vital it is regardless of geographic location. No matter what, we need to encourage each other. We need to be praying and lifting up people we love. Regardless of how far away we are, we must stay committed to one another; we need to pray, we need to call and encourage, we need to send notes and let people know we're thinking of them.....

This is our role as brothers and sisters. We need to take care of one another. It is so incredibly important.

The Undertaker

I heard this sound advice today from one of my 2nd graders, Tommy. He came walking up to me in his very classic sweatpants and John Cena t-shirt, arms flailing in the air...
"Miss Mullen! Whatever you do, do NOT take your baby to SmackDown."
I smiled, trying SO hard not to burst into laughter at his very serious advice and politely responded, "I'm not having a baby right now, Tommy....."
(and with a big trying-not-to-laugh-grin)
"does it look like I'm going to have a baby?"
(dangerous question for Ms. Mullen to ask...)
"No!? But I'm just sayin'......DON'T take your baby to SmackDown. The Undertaker will scare it."

I love my job.

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod

A Dutch Lullaby.

WYNKEN, Blynken, and Nod one night

Sailed off in a wooden shoe,--

Sailed on a river of crystal light

Into a sea of dew.

"Where are you going, and what do you wish?"

The old moon asked the three.

"We have come to fish for the herring fish

That live in this beautiful sea;

Nets of silver and gold have we!"

Said Wynken,

Blynken,

and Nod.

The old moon laughed and sang a song,

As they rocked in the wooden shoe;

And the wind that sped them all night long

Ruffled the waves of dew.

The little stars were the herring fish

That lived in the beautiful sea--

"Now cast your nets wherever you wish,--

Never afeared are we!"

So cried the stars to the fishermen three,

Wynken,

Blynken,

And Nod.

All night long their nets they threw

To the stars in the twinkling foam,--

Then down from the skies came the wooden shoe,

Bringing the fishermen home:

'Twas all so pretty a sail, it seemed

As if it could not be;

And some folk thought 'twas a dream they'd dreamed

Of sailing that beautiful sea;

But I shall name you the fishermen three:

Wynken,

Blynken,

And Nod.

Wynken and Blynken are two little eyes,

And Nod is a little head,

And the wooden shoe that sailed the skies

Is a wee one's trundle-bed;

So shut your eyes while Mother sings

Of wonderful sights that be,

And you shall see the beautiful things

As you rock in the misty sea

Where the old shoe rocked the fishermen three:--

Wynken,

Blynken,

And Nod.

Eugene Field

It's Christmas time, so open up the floodgates

I recieved a wonderful email from a dear friend today. She reminded me to be thankful for my time here- and that God can and WILL use this time to help me grow. There is still so much to be learned- even in three weeks! I'm also thankful that three weeks is all I have left; that I am able to be close to my honey and my family for the holidays; that very, very soon I will be back where I belong and ready to invest in the community there. For these things, I am so thankful.

I am also thankful for friends to remind us of these things just when we need a gentle push to get through to the end.

I'll be Home for Christmas

I've arrived back in Milwaukee- from a simply beautiful Thanksgiving weekend with my family and Nathan. I'm physically back in Wisconsin for my last leg of the journey here- but my heart still aches and tears stream quickly down my cheeks as I sit here wishing so badly to be home.

Three weeks is nothing. That's what I keep trying to tell myself. "It's like a vacation"- the words Jason, Nate's brother, said to reassure me in the car on our way away from home today. I pray they go quickly. I love my aunt and uncle and what they've provided for me here- I truly do appreciate everything they've done. But my heart is in Nebraska. The people I love wait there for me and as loneliness sets in once again- I can't help but feel completely incomplete being here without those who are so important to me.

On a less somber note, thanksgiving was wonderful. Nate and I spent the weekend "yo-yo-ing" from his family to mine and back to his again. We spent much-needed time with family and had time together during the drives between towns. I was able to experience my first "other family" thanksgiving- he had his first "black Friday" morning with my mom and I, and I learned to play the Wii and had their famous family tacos on Saturday night. It was so good for my heart to be surrounded by family. My heart has been rejuvenated and I'm ready to push through these last couple of weeks.....although, tonight I am already feeling very homesick.

I've got to get working. Lesson plans to write.....children to teach tomorrow. This is why I'm here.

I know that I've got no place to be

Actually, I do have a place to be....and that is right here in good old Nebraska. I am home. And I love it.

Today is Thanksgiving. In the midst of the confusion, irregularity and lonely moments in life this fall, I find no difficulty in being thankful for so many things. Being here, with my people brings a life to my heart that just cannot be explained. Knowing that my mother and father are two simple hours away; that my brother is just across town; that Nate is six minutes down the road; that grandparents are close enough to visit and friends are available for coffee....these realizations calm my heart.

This year, I have so many things to be thankful for- but the thing that stands out most is being home. Being home means I'm here; that they're here; and that life is a lot more doable with the people you love.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

Back-comb, shmack-comb

I've given it over a week. I've tried different techniques, different kinds of combs, different products.....to no avail. I cannot learn to backcomb my hair! It's hopeless. I've asked for advice, I've looked online....I just can't do it. Here's my new haircut. Very nice- compliments of Martha.
You can see in the second photo, that I have a headband in. Now, wouldn't it be nice to have a little more volume in the back? That's what I thought too. I can't get it to stay. What usually happens is that I start with a little hairspray at the root and I try to lift it with my fingers or a comb. Then, I spray a little more....still, nothing. Then a little more and more and more...until it's time to go and all I've got left is a flat top-o-the-head full of cruncy, sticky hairspray. Awesome.
So, I'm asking those of you who know a thing or two about back-combing.....what am I doing wrong?!?!?!?! Help!

Michigan

I went to visit Martha and Ryan this weekend. We had a WONDERFUL time...it was so good for my heart to see them. I feel rejuvinated and refreshed- ready for another week.

Here they are at the Christmas tree farm. We tagged one with Ryan's parents....ready to be cut after Thanksgiving.Here is Martha, Me, and the boys. She chopped my hair off and colored it this weekend. You can kind of see it here- turned out really cute. Thanks, Marth!
And here they are overlooking Lake Michigan. It was beautiful out- the lake is literally in their backyard. Amazing. Marth suprised me Saturday with coffee and pedicures- a day of relaxation and spending time with Ryan's parents. It really was great. I should have taken more pictures. Next time. I'll be going back in early December when Erin goes to visit. I expect to meet the new baby Thomas boys....they'll be so excited to see Aunt Scipp. :)

ha!

For a good chuckle, watch this:

thoughts on 5th grade

It's silent. My 5th graders are reading and meticulously filling in bubble after bubble on Wisconsin State Standardized Tests. Our aquarium buzzes in the back of the room; water trickling out of the filter into an empty habitat. 4 toads are absent today because Ms. Sominsky's 8th grade biology class has borrowed them for observation.

I recall the soothing melodies of Iron and Wine from earlier today. Faint melodies floating into their young eager minds. This music calms them almost instantly after they come bustling in from the early November weather, bundled in puffy coats- spotted with filth from romping in the leaves in yards on the walk home from school, backpacks with wheels, and Green Bay Packers ear-warmers. The contrast of Fubu and Element names against a thin, faded purple drawstring bag- undoubtedly passed down for years through a line of siblings that can't afford a new school bag every year; and yet, none of them seem to notice.

I've placed myself strategically next to ceiling-high windows to warm myself with the touch of the sun's rays pressing into our little classroom. Sitting back, I watch my children working steadily with so much joy in my heart and a slight tinge of pain at the thought of saying goodbye to them next Friday. I love my students. They are my children. I am their teacher. This is what I'm created to be.

poor pumkins

When Nate was here visitng, we carved pumpkins. They've lasted about a week and a half. Mine is developing a serious underbite- and Nate's looks like he's disgusted by my disfiguration. :) They're still pretty cute....maybe even cuter than before. I tried to post a picture of Josi and I from Saturday in Chicago- but it wouldn't load for some reason. I'll try again later- just to prove that I really did see her.

I'm gonna be alright

We had our "harvest festival parade" at school on Wednesday . That's another way of saying "Halloween Parade", but some parents don't like to celebrate Halloween...so we have harvest festival instead. Here are a few of my students dressed up. Today I had the day off (still)....I've posted a lot since I've been home so much. I took this opportunity to make some pumpkin bread from scratch- real pumpkins and all. Here's the mess I made baking, skinning, and pureeing the pumpkins. It was really easy....
This is me. (obviously)
4 loaves of bread later, I'm sitting in a quiet and still house waiting to deliver them. I was going to take one to my CT, Kathy, and one to my friend, LaVonne from church. The other two we'll probably freeze or eat here- because I don't know enough people to deliver them all. :)
Hope you're all enjoying this beautiful fall day....

My Wild Self!

Here's my wild self. Ha! Thanks Carissa. :)

MY MAN!

I just realized, I never put up pictures from when Nate came to visit! Here are a few...We walked along Lake Michigan Friday- Nate took some great pics....It looks chilly- but it was actually really beautiful. The weather was wonderful the entire weekend and dropped to 50 degrees the day after he left! I'm partial to comfy-clothes weather, but Nate likes warm weather- so it was perfect for both of us. :)
This was at the park by our house...the leaves are BEAUTIFUL right now.....which, I think, is God's way of saying, "I know you want to be home right now, Heather....but look at what I've created for you here! Enjoy this and be distracted by my beautiful creation in this time away from home..."
Carving pumpkins!!!
So- we had a wonderful weekend. It was painful to send him away- but weekends like these mean I'm getting closer to coming home! I do like it here....but my people are there. I need to go back and can't wait to be close to everyone again!

Someone to watch over me....

Renae came to visit!! We went to a great coffee shop here by the Lake, Altera. Here we are, loving our time together. It was a rainy fall night, and when we came out into the parking lot after an evening of coffee and laughter, I noticed that the EVIL SWAMP MONSTER TROLL had been trudging through the parking lot! I knew this because of the huge foot-print that I found. Here, you can see how huge he is....lurking around the city just waiting to destroy.

In other news, today I've got the day off! We have teacher conventions today and tomorrow- I went this morning and picked up some great new FREE pens, notepads, teacher bags, etc..... all those things you don't really need, but are fun to have anyway. I'll use them in my classroom someday... :)

Speaking of which, I need a job! I graduate Dec. 22, so if you are a teacher in Lincoln, or if you know someone who is, KEEP ME IN MIND!! Because I'm so far away now, it's hard to get ahold of people to visit about schools and possible openings. The odds of getting a position mid-year like that are probably pretty slim, but teachers get pregnant, retire, move, etc.....so I'm praying that something will open up. I get so excited about having my own classroom someday... and I know it'll happen, I'm just not sure how soon.

I came back to Caribou today- Nate and I came here on Sunday morning before he flew back home. I found out that refills on coffee are free here- as long as I stay! I could sit here all day drinking their coffee, blogging, journaling, building my portfolio and correcting papers...and I might just do that! I think Owen and Liam are coming tonight while their parents go bowling- so I'll have to get home for that eventually. But for now, it's me, my coffee, and an afternoon full of time.

coming soon...

Renae is visiting today!!! I'm so excited to see her....she's been a great encouragement to me while I've been here. I can't even tell you how many cards this girl has sent....she's amazing.

I've got lots of pictures from my weekend with Nate- I'll try to post some early this week.

Today is better. I'm still sad to be so far from home- homesickness is bound to happen when you're gone for an extended amount of time. I guess it's been long enough.

I miss you more than I should; more than I thought I could.

Nate is back in Nebraska. My heart is lonely already, but he left me with a gift that has rejuvenated my spirit.

I dropped him off at the airport early this afternoon and drove west on I-94 with tears falling from open eyes. Once again, he was too far. Our weekend together was so good for my heart but the absence of him left me feeling like I had forgotten something. To distract myself, I called my good friend and roommate back home, Megan Joy. We visited for a short time and when she asked me how I was, the tears began to fall again. "I may have something that will cheer you up," she said, "Look for something in your room that reminds you of me..." I was confused but immediately turned to a photo of the two of us that sits on my dresser. Tucked behind it, there was a note card with Nate's thin black handwriting, "To start this scavenger hunt, look for a 'raw' scarf. Look deep!" Buried inside my knitting basket was clue #2- which led me to more and more notes. He stayed in my room this weekend while I was in the guest bedroom with Anna. While he had time, he hid notes and clues all around my room. What a wonderful man.

The last note led me to a book that is a compilation of notes from many of you back home. A black journal with my name spelled out in Scrabble pieces holds encouraging verses and notes from many of my greatest friends. I curled myself between my bed and the wall and read through my new book. I cried, laughed, responded out loud to messages and notes. I loved every page and came away feeling refreshed and homesick all at the same time. I know this is a season of growth. My time away from home has been difficult on my heart but has led me to find strength in the realization that God brings us to different seasons for a variety of reasons. Sometimes we cannot see so clearly what the purpose is- but that is where our strength comes from the Lord and we continue forward in faith, knowing that we are taken care of. ...even if we are away from those we love most; even when we feel lonelier than we'd ever imagined; even when our pillows are tear-stained and wet from the heartache of being so far from home. It is in these moments that our God pulls us to his chest and delivers some sort of comfort that can never be explained. It is in these moments that we are remembered by our closest friends; we are given a note (or book) of encouragement, a hug from a far-away visitor, a CD in the mail with a new autumn mix to be listened to with a fresh pot of coffee- from a dear friend who has shared these moments in the past, a phone call from a family member 'just to check and see', or a care package from mom and dad. I believe it is these things that God sends to remind us that we are loved; that He has chosen very certain people to be in our lives at a particular time- to encourage and bless us with their words, voices and occasional touch.

It is these things for which I am so thankful; knowing that God has my heart in mind and is holding it even more carefully now than ever before- keeping it safe until I am back with my community in Nebraska- at which point, He will gently set me back into my flock to encourage and uplift my family there....always keeping an eye on his little Heather.

a little sunhsine in my corner

Nate is visiting. (!!!!!) We've had a wonderful time so far. I went to Madison on Thursday after school- he, Jason- his brother, and I had dinner there to celebrate Jason's birthday, which is this week. We stayed to watch Grey's Anatomy there (which, by the way, is getting really kind of sad... )

Yesterday we ran around Milwaukee- exploring together...shopping, taking pictures....etc. My heart is so happy...

I picked up a pumpkin for him when we were at the pumpkin farm, so now....we're planning to carve them this afternoon with Anna. :)

I'm going now.....to spend time with my man.....because he is here. :)

Pumpkin Farm, Anyone?

Today, you guessed it, we went to the pumpkin farm! (Otherwise known in Nebraska, as the "pumpkin patch".... Anna is here visiting from Florida. She is my cousin's daughter- Ray and Ruth's granddaughter. So- she's staying for the weekend and we made plans to meet Owen, Liam and Cathy at the punkin' patch. Here we are in order: Anna, Ray, Cathy and I. How tall this fall? Oh...around 5'5.
Here are the kiddos playing with the pumpkins. Very cute.
This was funny- no one wanted this pumpkin out of the patch....wonder why.....
Here's a video of Liam rolling his giant pumpkin....


Grandpa and Owen are getting to be great buds- Ray reminds me of his dad, my grandpa, who happens to be one of my favorite people in the entire world. ENTIRE world....
Here's a picture of Ray and Ruth- they are my family this semester- they have been extremely welcoming and very generous this fall. It's going to be VERY hard to leave them in December....

It's raining like crazy here tonight. Tomorrow is supposed to be wet as well- which I love. I also love the fact that NATE IS COMING TOMORROW!!!!!! I can't wait to see him- he's flying in tomorrow morning, his brother is picking him up and I'm going to go to Madison to meet up with them tomorrow night. We'll have dinner to celebrate Jason's birthday and then Nate will come with me back to Milwaukee for the weekend. It's going to be so fun to show him my new area- the things I've discovered....where I teach, where I live, the grocery store I shop at.... those little things in life that you just like to share with people you love....that's what life is all about.

Miss Mullen, look what the toads are doing!

It happened. I heard the inevitable statement, "Miss Mullen! Look at what the toads are doing!" And guess what the toads were doing....."giving piggy-back rides". I looked into the tank and continued my math lesson without the bat of an eye. I was proud of my "teacher response".

Here are some pieces of artwork from our hallways- this bat is from a younger student- kindergarten, 1st or 2nd, i'm guessing.
Some of the upper-graders made these "ugly dolls". I think they're hilarious. This one is my favorite- for obvious reasons.
This one is great- the teeth are my favorite part.
and this.....just doesn't need any comment.
This one is cute- all the different colors.

The point of the art project WAS, in fact, to make the ugliest doll. So don't, for a moment, think that I've hurt someones feelings by calling their creation ugly. They are.

Number one is "villi", V-I-L-L-I.

5th grade science. yikes! They've been learning about plant and animal cells. Mrs. C has been teaching this unit- and for that, I am thankful. I will work my way into this subject in a couple of weeks...

I haven't posted for over a week. This is unacceptable. My deepest apologies. I had a nice weekend- Mrs. C invited me to go to her daughter, Alex's, gymnastics meet on Saturday. It was a lot of fun- I'd never been to a meet before. They then took me to a restaurant called "Chancery"...very good food. It was nice to get out and away from my correcting and lesson plans. I also got started on a project I'm working on for a Christmas present. I wish I could give more information, but unfortunately (and fortunately), the recipient reads this blog very regularly. Perhaps after the holidays, I can post photos.

I've turned in applications for teaching and substitute teaching for the spring- a nice weight lifted off my shoulders. Now I've got to focus on finishing up other things before graduation in December- finally!!! Before I left Nebraska, my dear friend, Renae, gave me a bunch of letters to open over the months here. I opened one couple of weeks ago that was an invitation to our graduation on December 22nd. Ha! She's a riot....thanks for the invite, Renae. I'll try to be there! :)

I'd better get back to my kiddos....hope everyone is having a fantastic Monday.

a day with the boys

Owen and Liam stayed here for the weekend.....we had a LOT of fun....but I am VERY tired....Ruth and I took the boys to the zoo Saturday morning. I had to take a photo of my very favorite animal......as many of you know, I am an elephant girl....don't know what it is about them. I even had a dream last night that I found a baby elephant, the size of a small puppy, and kept it in a shoebox. She was so cute- and was almost crushed by a dog, but I rescued her and took her home to my room with Renae.....I'd never been there before, but she had decorated it beautifully. :) Funny thing is, Megan is my roommate when I move home.....
Liam and I were able to feed the giraffes. Ruth bought us tickets for a ridiculous price so that we could feed them crackers and leaves. They are only fed twice a day, so this was a very special privilege. She has the photos on her camera- I'll have to get them from her.
Here we are waiting to feed the giraffes. Liam is 5 and in Kindergarten this year- a very sweet boy. We are becoming very fond of each other as we are able to spend more time playing swords and catch. He continues to let me know that I'm "not very good" at playing football. :) It's good that children are so honest- they keep us humble. :)
Here is Owen at the zoo exploring dead leaves.
When we got home, Ruth (grandma) had to go to work, so I made lunch for the boys and took them to the park. We played on the swings....
...rolled in the grass for a bit- which was VERY itchy, we noticed, after the fact....And went back home for some more time outside in the yard. Liam had a stomp rocket that was fun for about 2 minutes....after that, we played catch with the football.....and that's when he let me know how bad I was at it. :) My favorite part is when they're tuckered out and cuddly. Here I was, exhausted from the day- not even showered yet, and happy as a clam because I had a snuggly, sleepy baby in my arms. We had a wonderful weekend. I've had time today to correct papers and prepare lesson plans. I've also started Christmas presents, which makes me very excited. I love the holidays.... they mean time with family, comfy sweaters and blankets, hot tea, coffee, cider, fireplaces, changing colors, cold nights, blowing winds........and curling up to a great book inside.....everything warm and cozy.