Changes

If you always do what you've always done,

You'll always be what you've always been.

                                                                                   -unknown


I've thought of this quote over and over the past four weeks or so....

I'm going back to school to become a Family and Consumer Science Teacher!

Formerly called a Home-Ec teacher....

This has all evolved over the past few weeks, and here's the scoop:

I am already enrolled in 5 online courses through NDSU.

If I complete these courses by December, I will qualify for an "emergency
license" which will allow me to teach beginning in January.

I'll be teaching afternoons only, every day...

at the school where I've subbed for the past five years. (Where my
kids go.)

I will now have 7th-10th graders as my students!

This is a major change for me.  Changes always come with some
anxiety and unknowns....

But this change has felt so guided.  I feel right about it.  I'll be okay.

I have comfort in that feeling.  And it has given me courage.

Change can be a good thing.

Sorry I've been so behind with my blog.  I've loved checking up on all of you, and will try to get some pictures posted soon!  HUGS!

p.s.  Dad, we are really missing the harvest.  Thinking of you so much!

Suh-weet Visit!

This is called Pavlova...

I didn't make it.

My sister-in-law, Narelle did.

She's from Australia.

And married to Rob's brother, Steve.

She's an expert at this beautiful dish.

It's an Aussie tradition.

Even more sweet, was this gift they brought with them...

And we got to share her for a few days at our house!

Oh, how we love her!

Uh, huh!  Even Mattie loved her... 

Wellllll, sort of.

Mikayla loved Mattie anyway! :)

Playing games with Uncle Steve and Auntie Narelle...

Bonding time with Mikayla

While her Mommy and Daddy were packing up to go last Monday.

This is the three of them on Saturday.  We all got together again for Rob's folks' 50th Anniversary Celebration this weekend.   More pictures of that to come....

The Real Picture

Special Couple, Special Day

This past week, Evan and Lana have been creating a wedding with their Lego sets.  And acting out the wedding with their minifigs.  Emily is getting married tomorrow in Florida.  Our thoughts are very close to them right now....

And we're remembering Emily at our own wedding several years ago when she was our adorable little flower girl.  She wasn't performing her duties as expected, and finally wailed to her mom, "But, mommy, I don't want to get married!"  Thank goodness that was at the rehearsal, and she did fine on the wedding day :).

We love you, Emily!  We hope you and Braden have a very special day...

Love, us 4

Our Reunion

Our time was grand... 

 And it went by so quickly.  Thank goodness for pictures!

These three buddies loved to hang out in "Auntie Elaine's Loft."  What a cool place it is!

Lana Jean and Lana Joanne

Some quality time with little Logan

This is my Auntie's beautiful flower/rock garden.  And my beautiful dear sweetie pie cousin and me.

I love to crochet these little finger puppets.  It kept me busy on the road.  One for each of my children, nieces and nephews.

I think they were the greatest hit with this little dolly!

A "Girl Cousins" picture.  We're missing Brenna, Molly, Kelly and Karla.

My adorable, precious, littlest niece who partly shares my name!

This is my nephew, Mr. Christopher Robin!

Big boys and their shades!

Goodbyes are no fun, but fist-taps are cool!

Great News!

My site feed seems to be working now!  I've fiddled and faddled several times and couldn't seem to get it to work.  I was to the point I thought I'd have to create a new blog!!!  After visiting with some of my family about it at our reunion I decided to fiddle and faddle some more.  I think now if you re-add me to your reading list, blogroll, google reader, or whatever you use, it should show automatically when I update.   Let me know if it's still not working for you...

Incredible Sky

Tonight I hear and feel the "Bombs Bursting in Air" from the big fireworks show 15 miles away.  Our own little show is over, and the kids are tucked into bed.  

The fireworks were pretty neat...

 But the sky behind them was even neater.  And how about this? 

 Money can't buy it.  Man can't make it.  All we can do is appreciate it and be thankful for it.

 And remember our Creator...

Who has talents this great and yet still has patience and love for little lives like my own and yours. 

I feel thankful today for the freedom we have in this land.
for the incredible fresh air.
for peace.
and quiet.