Surprise!

Apparently I am really easy to throw a surprise party for. My mom and sister started planning this little shin-dig back in April. They rallied the troops and gathered some of my favorite people all in one place and surprised me 24 days before my actual birthday.

I thought Jill and Holly and I were going to take a dip in my aunt's pool. Little did I know, I was walking into her living room filled with some of my dearest friends and family.

It's not a birthday without a delicious chocolate cake! YUM! 

I have good people.

I am related to some really fantastic people!

Summing up this summer...

I never like to see a summer come to an end.

Sure I know there are countless professions that do not get to enjoy a "summer" break like those of us who are in education do. However, the longer I teach, the more convinced I am that summer breaks are to maintain teacher sanity, to recharge, to rest, to get away, to shut down, to just be. 

That's what this summer was. That's what this summer needed to be. 

It's not that I'm "dreading" going back to work (I do enjoy my job most days) however there's a part of my heart that is reserved for summer. A part of my heart that comes alive in the summer. 

That part of my heart that is reserved for summer is very much wrapped up in a week spent down at Camp Quaker Haven. 

Bring Claire home

My girl Claire is SO close to getting to join her forever family!

I will never forget the day last summer when Rebecca found me on twitter then facebook, 

all because this pretty face...

stole my heart and was in my profile picture on facebook. 

Rebecca had seen something that I had posted on the New Day facebook page and recognized Claire's face. 

(PS YES social media CAN be used in some AMAZING ways.)

God was drawing her to Claire and I got to play a small part in their journey to Claire. 

NOW you can join in on their journey to finally unite Claire with her very own family.

If you love coffee, check out this link.

https://justlovecoffee.com/about/beneficiary/bringClairehome/

moments

Why hello neglected blog of mine... not sure why you haven't been filled with the amazing adventures of my grand summer. There was one summer that I blogged most every day. It is fun to look back on that summer and each of those blog posts. Good friends. Good memories.

This summer is no different. It has been full of good times with good friends and good memories have been made. Each day has not been documented. (I know, I'm a slacker.) However, my newest friend, trusty ole iPhone has helped document some of my favorite moments of the summer. So without further ado, I give you some of my favorite moments from June 2012.

 
It is most definitely true...

We do not remember days. We remember moments.

a simple asterisk

In an age of instant communication that spans timezones a seldom used symbol brought me to tears today.

All it was, was an asterisk. * 

That's it. * one simple asterisk. 

 Today, my girl was officially matched with a family.

I think my heart just might explode.

The 3 weeks that I spent with her changed my heart in ways I never thought possible. 

I've said it before and I will say it again but seriously...

WHAT A PRIVILEGE IT IS.

In other news, take 9 minutes of your life and watch this video.

http://www.indiegogo.com/Help-Us-Save-the-Dying-Orphans-of-China

It is a glimpse into the place that literally turned my world upside down, (in a good way of course.) 

It is a project that is full of faces that captured my heart. 

Faces that spur me on to consider what my role is in all of this. 

7 years...

Seven years of teaching is officially in the books.... 

One of my students put this next to my computer, I needed that small reminder.

This school year was not exactly my favorite but some pretty amazing kids walked through the door of my classroom every other day. They were what I needed, when I needed them the most. They were the kids who were in my classroom when I found out that my Grandpa Call had passed away. They were the kids who reminded me why it is that I do what I do. They are the reason why I didn't throw in the towel. They made me laugh. They let me be a part of their lives. They asked questions and wanted my opinions. They put up with my brutal honesty. They challenge me and inspire me more than they will ever know. 

Then there's this kid. Probably the smartest kid to ever step foot inside my classroom. He did his part in keeping me sane. He's going to Oklahoma State but he proved that he's a stater and not a hater when he showed up one day in a K-State shirt. 

This kid kept me laughing and very much entertained.

These girls kept me organized and made me proud to be their teacher.

And these 4... well, they are pretty special. 

I'm excited to see what they end up doing with their lives.

I ended this school year with a big sigh of relief.
However, I am so thankful for the ones who I had the privilege to call my students.

My Tho

After spending a month in Asia last summer I have developed a love for using chop sticks (and most REAL Asian food.) Granted there are several "American" foods that could warrant the use of chopsticks but when one has the opportunity to step into an authentic Asian restaurant I of course am thrilled.

Let me introduce you to my new favorite local restaurant.

The Pho was DELICIOUS!!!!!

Best limeaid. seriously.

And the company was pretty stellar.

If you ever feel like taking a quick trip to Asia, let me know and I will gladly join you at My Tho.