Summer . . . Soon to be over.

I start back to my job again on Tuesday . . . as usual, with mixed emotions. I am excited to get a fresh start with the kids again, a new grade, new challenges, yep--all that. Several veteren teachers laughed at me today for meekly admitting that I'm excited. Let 'em laugh. God put me here.

This summer has been a crazy rush of going to Seattle, preparing for a bridal shower, preparing to be 2 bridesmaids, going to be 2 bridesmaids, hiking, loving Jackson, George Strait, Grand Junction college, taking Emily camping in CO, getting ready for school, and now Grandma on my mind. There's just so much. so much. so much to be thankful for.

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The reason we were in the closet for 2 hours on Wednesday afternoon:

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Summer plans

After such an exhausting school year, and considering all the activities I have planned for the summer, I have decided to take the summer off from work. I'm going to stay home with Emily and enjoy the last few months of her life before she starts school herself.

I have, however, decided to take an unpaid job (otherwise known as "volunteering") with the Buckboard Therapeutic Riding Academy as a sidewalker. I work with Kathy Gatch, the Founder/Instructor of the Academy, at Lincoln Elementary, where she works as a para-educator even though she's a certified teacher. Early in the school year, we took our 6th grade class on a field trip out to her Academy for a work day. She explained how she had begun taking in retired horses because of her desire to see them spared, and how she had been trained to do therapeutic riding, and all the other circumstances that led up to the founding of the riding academy. I found it fascinating to hear about how she helps children with handicaps through the therapeutic riding, and was very warmed by the huge heart that she has for the children and the horses. I immediately wanted to become more involved, and this summer seems to be my chance.

As I said, I'll be a sidewalker--holding onto the child's gate belt to ensure their safety while they do exercises atop a horse. It may not be glorious, but I'll get to work with kids that are excited to be there, I'll be outside, and I'll be getting good exercise. All of which I'm sure to enjoy.

The Buckboard Therapeutic Riding Academy is a non-profit organization, so fundraising is very important to them. I have just learned about how they use "Goodsearch.com" to earn money every time someone performs a search or makes a purchase using this search engine. It's totally free to you, and what a great cause! Helping kids in need. Please remember to use this search engine whenever you can to help support Buckboard Therapeutic Riding Academy. www.buckboardtherapeutic.org/

Beth Moore in Laramie

The next day after school was dismissed for the summer, I jumped in a van with several other women to travel to Laramie to see Beth Moore speak. I knew that lady was something from her videos and books, but to see her in person is to be truly blessed.

I'm sure every one of us walked away with something special from the Lord after hearing her speak, but I for one feel changed, cleansed, set free from some sin I'd been hanging onto. Thank You, Jesus, for loving us even when we're stubbornly hanging onto something that did more damage than good in our lives, even at the expense of distance from You. Thank you for loving me.

A new assignment

Ahhh . . . summer is HERE. I'm so relieved to be rid of those lovely, contented, lovable 6th grade wretches . :0) As the school year was ending, I was informed that I was being reassigned to 4th grade for the 2009-2010 school year. Thank You, God. No, really.

I had been told, by many people throughout the school year, that I should ask to be reassigned to a different grade, for several reasons. I considered it, and carefully, because I knew their reasons were not unfounded, and I had a tough year. Sixth graders aren't always lovable and contented and lovely . . . just sometimes. The other times are a real bear to deal with. So, I considered it. But then, I remembered that I had prayed and asked friends to pray, that I would be given the grade that God wanted me to have, the specific group of kids that I should be with. And He gave me those 6th graders. So, who am I to say, "Get me out of here!"? I, for one, do not want to willingly take myself out of God's plan. My decision was to wait and pray.

And now it appears that 4th grade is what I get from waiting and praying. Thank You, God.

I'll be in a different building--the Main building. I will no longer have air conditioning. I will have a different cooperating teacher to grow accustomed to. I will now have three flights of stairs to climb up to my classroom. The bonus, however, is that most of my students should be shorter than I am. Yay.

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Happy Earth Day!

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Snow day

The winds here today (and maybe there where you are, too) were blowing the snow horizontally, circularly, diagonally, and up at times, I'm sure. The state of Nebraska was mentioned a record number of times on the Weather Channel, a place where we began to question our very existance, because they mention us so seldom and most often block the entire state while they talk about the other more important areas of the country. Just the fact that they even mention us usually indicates catastrophe. We chuckled whether weatherman called our winds a "snowcane" (think hurricane, then you'll get it.) Right on, weatherman.

School was dismissed at 2 p.m. and then cancelled for tomorrow. Nice chance for me to catch up on paperwork. oH boy. there's excitement. hee hee.

I've finished my latest embroidery project and thot I'd post it. The project began when Emily said, "Would you embroider a toucan on my pillowcase?" She twisted my arm and I agreed. It took a few months, but I'm done, and now contemplating my next project. This one will be a gift for this girl I know . . . and I'm putting lots of thought into it, hoping to capture a style that will suit her style. I just hope it's finished in time.

My little shamrock plant and

the thermometer clock--today it was about 30 degrees and

yesterday it was 80. Cra-a-azy.

my little toucan