Time flies when you're having fun!

As I was trying to think of a creative title for this blog (I still haven't thought of one currently) I don't even know where to begin really. I was thinking about writing a "wrap up" blog but the nice thing about technology is that I really feel as if I have been able to keep everyone up to date on the events going on in our life over here so I don't feel the need to "catch up" everyone on the year. I am very thankful that when our families pick us up at the airport, we will be able to pick up right where we left off. So, I'll send a quick shout out and thanks to the world wide web. Without you, this year would have not been the same.

So, all that jabbing to say, there are still definitely a few reflective thoughts I can share about our first year here ..

As Erik and I begin to pack up our apartment it's crazy to think how fast this year has gone by. It really doesn't seem that long ago that our principal picked us up at the airport and brought us to our apartment. The first weeks here were full of shock, nervousness, and excitement! I really can not believe that we are wrapping up our first year here. It has gone so fast but we have really enjoyed it so much. We have both learned so much about teaching and working in a school - the experience we have gained this year alone is tremendous. We are VERY excited about coming back next year - we have been told that the 2nd year is so different (in a good way)! I am excited to come back and feel like I know what I'm doing. I am also very excited for our new apartment! I am excited about the friendships we have made here this year and am already looking forward to re uniting with many of them in July! Lots of things to look forward to as we pack up this apartment and get ready for the next year and chapter of our lives here .. :)



Our last few weeks here have been just as busy (if not busier) than normal. Grades are due next week, as well as portfolios, and we have to pack up our classrooms in boxes so they can be cleaned this summer. So we definitely have lots to do at school as well as packing up our apartment! Among these things, we had (and have coming up) lots of fun things! Erik played in a softball tournament 2 weekends ago (they won in their division) and I had a field trip to SeaWorld to wrap up my Ocean unit as well as fun classroom parties! Erik also got to have a pool party and dunk contest with his basketball team to end out their year! What a fun coach! :)

Here are some pictures of the softball tournament and my field trip as well as some other pics..

We had an Arts Fest a couple weeks ago at school, and these pictures are from the photo booth there. It was a basically a carnival for the students - lots of fun and a great success!!
{Katie and Mia are in the pictures with me}

SO blessed and thankful for the fun and laughter my husband brings to my life :)  

Chris and Erik after they won the tourney! Woo Hoo!
Katie and I had a fun time watching them play! We got Starbucks! ;)

The whole team (most anyway) after the win! Erik loved playing with these guys and he is beyond thankful for their friendship - all great, Christian guys who he can't wait to play with again next year!

My kiddos looking at the ... ? I can't remember what this was. When I showed the pictures to my kids in class they swear the guide called it a mermaid ... Ha ha. So who know :) Pretty sure it is a manatee!

Posing in front of a HUGE mummified (preserved? not sure what the right word is) sting ray! They were pretty amazed!

The whole group with my wonderful class moms who helped me out with all the kids - as you can see we had our hands full :) What a fun day we had!! 

As we finish up these next 10 days here in Indo until we head to the States for the summer, please be praying for rest. We have a lot of things to finish up and we both have a strong desire to finish the year strong. I am already feeling a bit "checked out" but I hope and pray that I can hang on and finish the year out with patience and glorify God by doing everything to the best of my ability! Please pray for smoothness as we pack up our apartment in boxes (the school will be moving the boxes to our new apartment while we are home) and also as we pack up suitcases to come with us home! Packing has a way of stressing me out sometimes - I need my Mama for stuff like this! :) Pray for my 27 students above and their families. I love them all so dearly and hate to let go of them next year. I am glad I will have some of them again (my K1 students) and that I will see most of them across the hall in K-3!

Thanks, as always, for the prayers and support! We love you all and can't wait to see those that we can this summer! The next time I write will most likely be from America! YAY! :)

Bye for now. 

For all the mothers in my life ...

I have so many mother figures in my life that I look up to and love so much. I am so thankful for each of them and don't know what I would do without them in my life ... This blog goes out to them today :)

For my Grandmothers ... 

Mama Jo aka Jo Jo - You are so dear to my heart. I look up to you and cherish the the time I get to spend with you so much. I love to watch you support Daddy Mike in his ministry and you are an amazing friend and mom to your children. You make the best palates on the floor to sleep on and you're the best piano player I know. I love how similar we are and how we think the same way and I love your hugs! I am so blessed by you, Jo Jo. Thanks for being a great example of godliness to me! Happy Mother's Day to you! I love YOU!
Granny - You make me smile so much! I love how much you support Erik and I. Your are such a supportive grandmother - I never wonder if you are proud of me :) . You fried salmon and biscuits are probably two of my favorite things! Your house will always be one of my favorite places to be. I love you Granny - Happy Mother's Day! :)

For my Mother-in-Love ...
Karleen - Never in a million years did I dream that I would marry into such a wonderful family. You are the sweetest mother-in-law I could have ever asked for and you raised one wonderful son! :) You made me feel so welcome into your family the very first time I met you and you have never stopped making me feel loved and accepted. You are such a good example of faithfulness to me. I have only known you well for about 4 years, but I have seen you and your family go through some ups and downs and you never once questioned God or His plan. I love spending time with you and talking with you. You make the best buns ever! :) I can't thank you enough for welcoming me into your family and loving me like your own daughter. I love you so much! Happy Mother's Day Karleen! :)

And for MY MOM! ...
Mom - I could seriously go on and on forever about how much you mean to me. I tell you all the time how much I appreciate your friendship, but I really can't explain with words how much your friendship means to me. I absolutely love how we can talk about anything and always be honest with each other. You are one of the few people I can be 100% myself around always! You are such a great example and you always have been. One thing I specifically remember about growing up is watching you have your quiet time. I love how much you love to study the Word and God and actually take it to heart. You don't just read to read and that is evident by the way you live your life. You are such an amazing support to Daddy and I think you are a perfect example of what a godly mother and wife looks like. You are hilarious and you are fun! I don't think I have ever not liked something you have cooked and I love hanging out with you! And I like how I can borrow your clothes because you have style! Too bad I can't fit in your shoes though ... ;) You always give good, smart, well thought out advice, and you listen to me! I absolutely adore you mom and you mean the world to me! I miss you so much but L-dub I will see you soon! I can't wait to sit on the kitchen counter and talk to  you while you're cooking! :) I love you mom - Happy Mother's Day!

And last, but certainly not least, shout out to all those other mom's out there in my life that are wonderful mom's ...
Carol, April, and Aunt Barbara - You are all the coolest aunts on the planet and great mothers! I love you all  so much and am thinking of you on this day too!
Mrs. Jana - You are like my second mother! Thanks for caring for and supporting me in everything I do! I love you and your family so much and am SO thankful for you on this day especially! :)
Lindsey - Happy first Mother's Day! I know you were technically a mother last year, but I am sure it means so much more to you this year being able to hold Brayden in your arms! You are a wonderful mother to Brayden and a great wife to Peter. And you will be a great aunt to our kiddos some day! :) I am so glad and thankful to have you in my life! Happy Mother's Day to you! I love you! 

Brittany - I know that you are a wonderful mom to Caden and I can't wait to meet him! I hope that your first Mother's Day is a wonderful one too! I love you and miss you!

And to all my many friends out there who are having babies and being wonderful moms - happy Mother's Day to you, too! I can't wait until I can join the mother club too some day!

I am SO blessed to have so many wonderful mother figures and examples to look up to! I love you all so much and I hope that your Mother's day is wonderful and that you don't have to do a thing! :)
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!


Bye for now ...