On the Last Day of School . . .

I knew what the last day of school felt like as a student, but this was the first time I got to experience it as a teacher.

 On the last day of school . . .

My students wrote about all the exciting things they were planning for the summer (this was more like the last week of school, but it still counts).

My desk looked like this as I was cleaning.

I bought myself a celebration breakfast, complete with two donuts and a coffee drink.

I enjoyed my maple bar immensely.

I enjoyed my glazed twist with delight.

I enjoyed my Milky Way blended-ice drink like it was going out of style.

 The counter was cluttered as I was putting everything away.

I received a sweet gift from one of the kindergarten teachers.

I took down my fun bulletin boards.

I became a stapler-remover expert.

I filled buckets, which in turned filled children with joy. 

I watched the kids get wet while playing Drip, Drip, Drop (similar to Duck, Duck, Goose).

I ate a tasty Subway sandwich my wonderful husband brought me, all because I forgot the lunch I took the effort to pack.

I helped a friend remove the paper from gobs of crayons. 

I stood outside with friends as the we said goodbye to our students for the summer.

We all watched and waved as the last bus of children departed.

I remembered all the things I learned this year. 

I sat in my empty classroom and thought of all the students who sat in those chairs.

I wondered if I had done my best to inspire them.

I thought of the future and where I will be next year.

I felt sad to see the kids go . . . some to happy homes, some to not-so-happy homes.

I was blessed to be able to impact children's lives in such an important way.

Colossians 3:23

"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord, rather than for men, . . ."

Birthday Celebrations!

I was especially excited for my birthday because this year because I was home for it and I have a wonderful husband. He likes to pretend that he hasn't planned anything but I always know he has something up his sleeve. :) At school that day, he brought me Chinese food for lunch. It was so tasty. That evening, we went to Texas Roadhouse for a delicious dinner. Here's us waiting outside for our seats.

Our yummy food! There was lots of it!

My handsome husband with his food.

 That night, he majorly surprised me by taking me to The Anniversary Inn. This place is awesome! It has all different themed rooms. We stayed in the french canopy one this time. Sadly enough, I forgot to get pictures. I guess you will just have to imagine how amazing it was. :) The next morning, we walked around the Boise market and ended our visit with some yummy frozen yogurt. :)

Saturday evening, my brother and sister-in-law took us to a restraunt in Emmett. We definitely enjoyed their company.

 Here's the loot I acquired! My husband also got me a massage, which I will enjoy tomorrow. It will be my first time. :) 

All in all, it was a great 23rd birthday. Truthfully, it was probably my best birthday in a while! Josh did such a good job and I felt so loved by all the messages, phone calls, cards, etc. :) Thanks to everyone! 

The Great Outdoors

It has been so nice recently, we have been spending some time outside. But first, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but our garden has officially died. We were doing great, with at least three small plants. One day, they looked a little yellow, the next day they were gone for. So sad. We were getting so excited too. Before I took a picture, my husband threw the poor plants aways. I guess we're going to buy some big plants to replace those. Thank you for your thoughts during this difficult time for us. 

Now, on to more happy things! :)

Our community has a youth appreciation day every spring. It is very cool because they offer fun things to do, and it is mostly free. They only charge for food, but it is very cheap. We volunteered to take our pastor's kids and they had a blast! This is Maddy going down one one of the bounce house slides. 

They got to put out a "fire" with a real fire hose. They were pretty thrilled about this and it didn't disappoint . . . besides the fact they ran out of cool fireman hats they were giving out! 

Sitting in the fire truck. 

Grant saw some kids roll down this hill, and he just had to do it. He loved it and it entertained him for awhile while Maddy was getting her face painted. 

Josh and I went exploring one evening and found this secluded river access point. Such a cool little place. 

 Josh saw a beaver when we first arrived so he was trying to find it's dam, to no avail.

Josh was told this was where one of the stagecoach weigh stations used to be. Pretty cool if you ask me. 

 We found some pretty daisies along the road on our drive.

We came to the conclusion that all of the yellow out there was from the same kind of daisies along the road. 

My daisy bouquet. :)

I hope this awesome weather stays around. It is 82 degrees here today. I LOVE IT! :)

He is Risen!

Since I have been at college for the last four years, I haven't been home for Easter. It was a joy to be home this year to celebrate with my family. :) Here are some pictures of the resurrection day of our Lord. Enjoy!

We started off the day bright and early with our sunrise service, one of my favorite things!

 Our choir sang two songs. I loved being a part!

The kid's choir sand a song also. :)

Me and Maddy girl. 

Josh and I. :)

 Stephanie and I. We make a great team!

Josh and I's Easter loot. It was funny because we bought each other some of the exact same candy.

 Sophia and I.

Some of the cutest boys in the world. Josh made both bowties so we had to get a picture. 

Pretty flowers at grandma's house. 

 We just had to dye eggs. This year we tried two new ways. The first one was with shaving cream. All you do is put shaving cream in a pan, swirl in some food coloring, and then roll the eggs around. Let them set for 10 minutes, then wipe off the shaving cream. They look pretty cool when they are done! My sister and my new cousin, Pui, who is also pregnant right now. Can't wait to have some kids in our family again. :) 

 The other new way we tried was very "granola." First, we found some leaves and flowers from outside. Next, you "glue" them on the eggs by using water. Then you wrap them in pantyhose and tie them off. Then you boil them with onion peels (weird, I know). They actually look pretty cool in the end. 

 Now, here's the "normal" way of dying eggs. Even Josh wanted participate.

 And, my cousin Chad who thought dying eggs was lame at the beginning. Ha!

Elisabeth, Paul (one of my aunt and uncle's foreign exchange students), Ken, and Pui. 

Now, this is what the adults do. More realistically, this is what my mom and dad do. Party poopers. Next time we need to dye their ears or something. 

Some of the finished products. These were the shaving cream eggs.

 I love how this one turned out. 

Some of the "normal" dyed eggs. 

 The onion dyed eggs. You can also use different color onions to dye them!

This Easter is has been amazing to remember Christ's sacrifice for us and all the world. He willingly gave up his life for us. Wow! That truth humbles me and makes me want to serve him all the more. Thank you, Lord!