Hume Lake

Hume is the most relaxing place I have ever vacationed. We slept in as long as we wanted, took as many naps as we wanted and basically did a whole lot of nothing for an entire week. Not only that, we were doing it all amid some of the most beautiful nature that you could ever imagine. We went to church, walked the lake, ate together, sailed, made/ate home-made ice cream, slept, watched a small plastic alligator grow (highly recommended you do the same- the incredible growing creatures can be found at the Dollar Tree), sat around the lake for hours, people watched, read Crazy Love, played games, talked, laughed, and slept some more. It is incredibly refreshing to turn off your cell phone for an entire week, never log on to the computer or check e-mail and watch zero TV. Living “unplugged” is something I would like to do more often. Our time together as a family was awesome. We had so much fun cracking jokes, cooking and eating together or just all sitting out on the deck, each of us reading a book. I feel so blessed to have married into such a loving family who treats me as if I have been around forever. It’s always a hoot when we are together!

Home at Last

After 2 long, wonderful, memorable weeks, we are happy to be home and to sleep in our own bed tonight! We had a blast in Hume Lake, Lincoln and Tahoe. I will post about our trip along with some pictures soon!

Funny Facts

Funny facts are fun to know, even if they are useless! Here's a few I found. Now add some funny facts you know! :)

Dolphins sleep with one eye open.

A sneeze travels out of your mouth at about 100 mph.

Fingernails grow 4x faster than toenails.

Tourists visiting Iceland should know that tipping is considered an insult.

No president of the United States was an only child.

Mosquitos have 47 teeth.

Ants never sleep.

It costs about 3 cents to print a U.S. $1 bill.

It takes more calories to eat a piece of celery than the celery has in it to begin with.

Chewing gum while peeling onions will keep you from crying.

The glue on Israeli postage is certified kosher.

OK, enough of that! Now what are some random facts you know?

Looking Forward to Hume Lake!

I LOVE looking forward to something, especially vacations! Randy and I will be gone for 2 weeks, first to Hume Lake, next to my Great Aunt's house near Sacramento, and then finally off to Tahoe for my sister's wedding. I can't wait!

Hume lake is one of the most peacful, relaxing vacations of all time. Randy's family has vacationed there together for over 50 years. We love Hume for it's beauty and simplicity. It truly is God's country. What we love the most, though, is all the family tries their best to make it to Hume so we have a chance to all be together. We leave for Hume next Saturday and will be there for a whole week. I am very excited! :)

Light and Momentary

I have been thinking a lot about 2 Corinthians 4:16-18...

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

In reading this verse I find myself feeling guilty for feeling so strongly about what is happening at work. These are, after all, light and momentary troubles, and therefore, I should live in light of that. I am not discounting my feelings (because what is happening is wrong) but in order to keep a proper, eternal perspective, I must remind myself of the bigger picture.

After all, there are people suffering more than I can possibly understand. There are people who have lost a loved one, who are being persecuted and oppressed, and there are children fighting for their lives as they battle cancer. (By the way please pray for Anika and see here story here, and pray for Kate and see her story here).

Amazingly, even the most intense suffering is also a "light and momentary" struggle in light of eternity. We are here for such a short time; this life is mere dust, a vapor. We are here one day and gone the next. It may feel like the here and now is the now and forever, but that is not the case. I am praying for the strength to live in light of eternity.

Workin on the house and new couches (again!)

Meet Randy. Randy works hard. Randy wears a big hat to keep the sun away.

Meet Carpenter. Carpenter always helps with the house. Carpenter also works hard. He wears a smaller hat.

Meet Marley. Marley doesn't work hard and she doesn't wear a hat. She loves to sleep and for her, this is a lazy Saturday. Or I guess I could say it's just a normal day for her.

Meet the new couch and chair. Apparently I love couches because there are 5 of them in our house at the moment. We are going to sell 2 of the 5 couches, though, so we won't be "those crazy couch people."

Have a great Saturday!

Fairness

We've all heard that fairness is not defined as "Each person gets the same thing" but rather, "Each person receives what he or she needs." I understand the latter meaning of the word fairness and in fact, I find myself living out this concept with the students I teach. The thing about that definition of unfairness though, is that while it might be good or politically correct, it does not change the fact that unfairness stinks. Unfairness can even make us feel resentful after living with it for awhile. I am working on letting go of some resentment I have as a result of lots of unfairness at work. I may not be able to change whether or not things are fair, but I can change my reaction and attitude. So here goes... fairness, shmareness! Who needs it?! (Anyone sense the sarcasm?) No really, I am working on it...

2 Years

Randy and I just celebrated our second anniversary! What a wonderful 2 years it has been. I am so blessed to be married to such a wonderful man.

Shower Time

My beautiful sis is getting married in Tahoe in August. We had her wedding shower at our house on Saturday. It was the first time I have ever hosted an event like this, and it was so much fun! I feel so grateful to have a house where we can invite people over and host events. It was a nice day!

Then There Was Today

Have you ever felt defeated, de-valued or discouraged at work? I'm sure you have. We all have. It just so happens that the past few weeks I have felt more defeated, de-valued and discouraged than ever before.

Then There Was Today

Tonight was Open House. 7 out of 12 kids and their parents showed up. This is the best turnout I have ever had! I loved watching the kids show their parents their projects and things they have worked so hard on all year. Things were going well, just like any other Open House might go, until something happened that I will remember for a long time.

I have taught this certain group of 5 kids for 3 years now, and as we approach summer, I am thinking more and more of having to send these children on to their next teacher. I am realizing how difficult this will be for me.

Tonight at Open House, a Mom of one of my students I have had for 3 years approached me with a book in her hands. She said, " I bought you a book at the book fair tonight." "Oh, how sweet! Thank you!" I said. She continued, "I wanted to get you this book because it reminds me so much of A. (Her son) I wanted you to have it so you can always remember him because I know he will always remember you. You have been such a wonderful teacher this past three years and we will miss you so much. Thank you for all you for all you have done for A."

I was incredibly touched by this gesture and by her kind and thoughtful words.

There are days when I feel like I am getting nowhere or accomplishing nothing.

Then There Was Today

And tomorrow is looking pretty good too!

Last week was teacher appreciation week. My students got me a variety of gift cards. Do you see the one for Home Depot? Randy was pretty excited about that! :)