Raccoon Eyes

Today was hot. I mean really hot.

I took the day off from school to help coach our high school girls tennis team at their regional tournament.

Well, actually I took Friday off, made my sub plans, drove to the tournament site and then drove back to school, sent my sub home and spent the rest of the day with my kids since the tournament was canceled due to rain.

Anyhow, Friday was freezing and rainy and today was a heat wave.

I knew it was going to be warm, but I really couldn't image how hot it would be. So now I am stuck with raccoon eyes, and a less than awesome tan line.

Good thing I don't have 3 weddings this weekend. And a strapless dress to wear to them. Oh, wait- I do.

I tried taking a picture of my burnt face, but I just wasn't comfortable putting it up- it's just too beautiful. :)

Winston's Grand Adventure

Oh Winston, you have had quite the grand adventure.

When I got a call at school that you had gotten picked up by a nice lady because you were out in the middle of the street, my heart jumped a little bit. Imagine if we came home and you weren't there!

We picked you up from the vet since the nice lady dropped you off there. You were not phased.

Even though we were told that you were got out and our neighbor put you back in our yard.

And you got out again.

And then followed a jogger for a half hour.

Jumped in front of a car which then stopped and picked you up. She said that you were so good at her house- just sat there and ate some food. Why don't you do that at our house?

They wanted to keep you. We would have missed you though. Even though you bark at us, run away, and are a bit crazy we would miss watching you eat ice cream, running around our yard and trying to cuddle with us as if you were a little pup.

The Longest Week Ever

Do you ever have those weeks where they just never seem to end?

I don't know if it was my lack of sleep or my class that has spring fever or the long, hot rehearsals for Grandparent's Day.

All I know was that it was a long week.

I thought I was going to lose it when I had to make sure 75 kids were quietly waiting in the 80 degree gym. I really thought I was going to lose it when one of my students insisted on doing the opposite of whatever I said. And the cherry on top was when I had to stand out in my flip flops in the pouring rain to greet the parents as they dropped of their students.

And yet, God seemed to be pushing me along so that I could make it through the week.

He reminded me of how much I really do love my students as I watched them sing their hearts out.

He reminded me that I am appreciated when I found a note from one of my students on my desk.

He reminded me of the blessings family brings as I greeted proud grandparents into our classroom.

And He reminded me that there is always a new day waiting and a gift of forgiveness when one of my students called me on Saturday morning to apologize to me.

Tomorrow begins a new week. I bet it's going to be a good one. :)

Vera Crazy

I don't know how many of you have Vera Bradley bags, but I happen to love them. They are perfect for weekend getaways (or trips to see my in-laws) and always come in fun patterns and colors. The bags are made in Fort Wayne, Indiana which is just a couple hours from my house. Each year, they have a big sale at a convention center where they sell their stuff for a discounted price. I have been once before, but this was my first time at the spring sale.

My grandma, mom, sister, 7 month old nephew, and myself ventured to the sale on Thursday night. First, we had to drop off my 4 year old nephew at my brother-in-law's work. He informed us that he was wearing a button down shirt because that's what you wear to work and that no girls were allowed at work. :)

Now, this place is packed with Vera stuff and crazy people trying to grab their favorite patterns. I just about got dizzy from it all. We had so much fun finding our stuff and sorting through it all. It was so crazy though that I forgot to take pictures. However here is one from their facebook page to show you how much Vera there was...

I ended up buying a lot of notepads and candles for gifts and a "Saddle Up" bag in Raspberry Fizz which I am super excited about!

Here is my mom trying to push all of our purchases to the car. Don't worry- there's no baby in the stroller- just lots of Vera.

And here is how my nephew felt about all of this...