Flashback City

Today during my most favorite part of the day, lunch duty (NOT) the fourth graders were talking about how they were going to see Titanic in 3D. 

BAM, I was suddenly transformed back into my 4th grade year when the movie first premiered.  My 12 year old self became engulfed in everything around the ship Titanic and the movie Titanic.  I, of course, was in love Leo DiCaprio and dreamed of being Kate Winslet.  I begged and begged and begged to go see the movie.  I had a tough fight since I was still 12 and the movie was rated PG-13 and therefore didn't qualify to see it under my parents rules.  So of course Grammy took me to see the movie!  I still remember seeing the movie at Cinema 6 in Ada, and then wanting to get my hands on everything that involved the movie.  How fun it was to be 12.  I kinda wish I could go back to having no responsibilities, and my only worries were that my Doc Martin's would match everything I wore and that I would do well in my upcoming Gymnastics meet!  I enjoy seeing the 4th graders get excited over the same thing I did.  I'm kinda starting to like these kids a whole lot.  I'll be to leave them in May.

The Spring Break That Never Ends!

Despite my terrible allergies, I just love this time of year! I love watching everything turn so green, seeing the days get longer and watching the temperatures rise.  My official spring break was the week of March 12 and since Geoff had to work, not much happened.  I enjoyed getting to stay home, did some spring cleaning, hung out with Roscoe and did a little shopping. 

Happy Hour trip with my Spring Break Buddy!

At the end of the week, we loaded up and headed to Joplin to visit everyone and for Geoff to fill in down at CED Joplin.  I also got to help my mom with High School cheerleading try-outs.  That brought back tons of memories!  There were so many good girls and I think she is going to have a pretty kick butt squad next year! That weekend, we ate lots of yummy Joplin foods, visited and went to the first annual St. Patrick's Day Parade!  Dad's company has had a big P.R. push so we got to enjoy watching him and the company's float in the parade!  I also got to help Hannah out with some photography assignments by modeling for her.  Although we don't have the same eye for things, it was still pretty fun! 

"Top of the mornin to ya" from Kerry O'Kerr

St. Patrick's Day 2012

At the end of the weekend, it was time to head back to Lincoln to go back to work, but Mom and Hannah tagged along since it was their spring break.  So I worked during the day and in the evenings it was a sewing party!  I had told Mom that I was really determined to learn to sew, so she spent the week teaching me a little bit of sewing.  Watch out, I think I'm hooked!  I am a sewing machine!  Haha get it? Sewing Machine! Anyways....  I took the last few days of the week off so we could head back to Joplin.  Friday I took a trip to Silver Dollar City with Mom, Dad, Hannah, Haven and David.  As usual, it was fantastic and just the fix I needed to make the final push to summer.  Saturday, Geoff and I took a trip down to Bentonville, AR with Kirk and Peggy to do some shopping!  I also got to have my first ever Charming Charlie's experience.  If you have never been to a Charming Charlie, look one up, get in your car and go.  It is a girls dream; filled with all sorts of accessories.  I found out there is one in Omaha....this could be dangerous.

In "da hood"

My sewing project inspired by Pinterest!

As sad as we were to leave Joplin, we were both ready to be home for a little bit to recover from our busy few weeks.  But we couldn't rest for long, this past Friday (Josh) Hesi, Geoff's bestest college friend came for a visit.  The last time we all were together was our wedding, so it was a great visit of catching up, hitting up the sights around Lincoln and eating too much food!  We also got to take Roscoe to an Easter Bone hunt of Saturday.  I'm pretty sure he had a blast and is still sleepy from the big adventure! 

Geoff and Roscoe hunting "Easter Bones"

These past three weeks were really the spring break that never ended!  It was great and I have loved the unusually warm weather.  We even turned on our AC last night! CRAZY!  We even started our countdown to the end of school: 34 more school days!  Where did the year go?  I'm still searching for jobs for next year.  As far as Lincoln schools go, I have to wait until current Certified staff have had the opportunity to apply for new positions before they will open it up to anyone else.  So I guess God must be teaching me patience, because I'm have to wait a really long time!! Well, Geoff and I are going to enjoy this nice weather, I hope you are too!

Auctions. YUUUUPP

Last weekend, Geoff had scoped out an auction for us to attend.  So reluctantly I got up waaaay early on Saturday morning to make it over to the State Surplus Auction by 8am.  Geoff had scoped out the goods on Friday during his lunch so we went in with a game plan.  Geoff had his eyes on a few things like a new office desk chair, WWII mine detection kit, and a computer travel bag.  We were lucky number 33 this time and started off on a fairly decent foot winning the second item we bid on.  This was an interesting auction because there was such a wide variety of things.  They had tons of desktop computer towers, printers, chairs, binders, trash cans, appliances, craft supplies, literally a little bit of everything.  Geoff was in his element and was soaking it up.  I believe what I enjoy the most at auctions is people watching.  There were definitely some odd ducks there.  All in all, we came out not so bad.  We got Geoff a new office desk chair, Hannah this sweet old camera, and Geoff's travel laptop bad.  The only bummer was the two items I wanted we didn't win.  Some jerk out bid me on an awesome teacher stool and the box of random crafts supplies went for 30 bucks and I was not going to pay 30 bucks for junk. 


After the auction, we went back home and loaded up Roscoe to head to the I Love My Dog Expo.  It was really neat and we ran into tons of other basset hounds!  After a brief freak out moment, I think Roscoe really enjoyed himself.  After such a busy Saturday, we have been tired all week and this weekend we are making up for it with House Pants Saturday!  I must go, I've got tons of lying around to do and we've got quite the line up to watch on Netflix.  Ya know, we wouldn't want to be too busy today!

Pity Party, Table for One

I don't know what my deal is lately, but I've been having a pretty stellar pity party for myself.  Its not like anything is wrong, I've just been feeling down and out.  Although I think I know where this is coming from: my job situation.  Things at work have been not so great, all of the teachers are stressed, kids are nuts, and paras are starting to feel under appreciated with talk of having to cut back on staffing for next year.  And me, I'm starting to get tired of being just a para.  I'm tired of not getting to teach.  I'm tired of not having music in my life on a daily basis.  I'm tired of having to run flash cards or have students read me a book or cut out laminate or make copies or distribute gallons upon gallons of ketchup, ranch, salsa, or BBQ sauce or stand around for indoor recess duty.  I've been finding myself thinking, "I went to college for five years and I'm doing this?"  Then, I found out that I'm not going to get to apply for the job that I had been putting all my hopes in for a music job for next year all because I'm currently not a certified LPS staff member. 

BUT I've got to remember that all of these thoughts are just Satan trying to wear me down and win me over.  I've got to remember that this is all apart of God's plan, and I've got to be thankful for what He has give me.  The Women's Bible Study Group at church is doing the Beth Moore study, Living Free.  Which is all about giving every thing over to God.  Which is really what I need right now.  Its funny how God just makes everything fall perfectly into place.  So right after I had a breakdown thinking I was going to be a para for the rest of my life, I discovered a job opening for next year!  Its in a small town in between Lincoln and Omaha called Gretna.  So everyone pray for God's will and guidance in this whole process for me.  I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but I'm still staying positive.  I'm giving this to God and stepping aside.  And trying to leave my pity party in the past.  Maybe I'll just watch a sappy movie and cry it out for an hour. For some reason I think that might just help!

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer.  

2 Samuel 22:2

Where For Art My Snow Day?

Last weekend I was super pumped to wake up to snow!  Since it was Saturday, we stayed in our jammies and watched Netflix untill I couldn't stand it.  Then I made Geoff layer up and head outside!  We romped around with Roscoe and made a snowman.  We attempted to sled, but with our make-do-storage-tub-lid sled, we weren't too successful.  None the less, we had a blast!  The only bummer was that the snow came on a Saturday and we couldn't have a snow day.  So this morning when we woke up and I checked my phone and Facebook, I was super bummed to read about the excitement and joy of the snow day back home in Joplin.  We got snow today.  Our roads were really slushy and not even plowed, but we trooped out there just to get our students the education they need. Joy.

I've been praying for quite a while now that we could get at least one snow day.  In our school calendar there are 5 built in snow days, weather we use them or not, we are still going on those days.  Soooo, why not use one or two.  So far Jesus has answered my prayers with a "not right now" answer, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed on Wednesday when we are supposed to get our next round of snow!

On another note, last week we got to go to the Nebraska vs. Michigan game.  And of course Michigan won and Geoff was in hog heaven.  I just hope that someday we can make it up to Ann Arbor to see Michigan on their own turf.  I'm kinda of surprised to say that I'm sad we have gone to all the basketball games we got tickets for this year.  I really enjoyed going to the games.  I didn't get to just watch football/basketball games in high school and college so being apart of the crowd was a new and fun experience!

GO BLUE!

Herro February!

Where did January go?  Time went by so fast this month and I've seriously neglected our blog.  But honestly nothing too major has happened this month.  We are starting to really settle into our lives here in Lincoln.  We are starting to have "activities" outside of work, which is exciting.  But it also makes me realize how lazy we have been.  I get pooped out because we aren't spending all evening on the couch.  We are so lazy that we have nicknamed our laziness Couch Island.  Can I just say that I love Couch Island; especially Couch Island weekends. 

So here is a quick wrap up of our adventures in January:

• We have had crazy weather! Some of the clolest and warmest days for this month! 
• Geoff has started his monthly promotions at work and have been a huge success! 
• I started teaching an after school club called Crafter's Corner on Wednesdays.  
• Geoff has started doing the visuals for worship at church.
• I started attending Women's Bible study at church.  Again, I'm the youngest one there, by at least 10 years, but the ladies are so fun and welcoming!  I'm looking forward to our Beth Moore Study starting in February.  
• I'm stalking the job postings page daily for teacher jobs next year.  
• I got majorly sick, but I survived, thanks to lots of sympathy and loving care from Geoff. 
• Geoff and I looked back on this past year and all it's events and have marveld at how God has made our lives tons and tons and tons better than it ever could have been. 
• My parents and Grandma Gabby (the dog) came to visit us! 
• Roscoe turned TWO years old!!! 

I think that pretty much sums up our January.  I promise not to neglect our blog this month.  Who knows, my next blog may contain stories of our fabulous snow adventures.  We are awaiting the arrival of 10-12 inches of snow tonight and tomorrow.  I don't care what Geoff says, just because we don't have kids doesn't mean that we can't build snowmen and go sledding!!