Cute kids, pretty goodies, and how I survived

I won't let the title lie....First some very overdue pictures of two of the cutest kids I know.  I'm so excited to be back in Minnesota for so many reasons, but for sure one of them is so I can soak up precious moments with these little ones.

Putting in donation change for the visit

Staying just close enough

These kids are beautiful!!!!!!!

Checking out the animal prints

Feeding the goats some grass.

Two seconds  before this he was having a melt down...ahh the joys of being 2!

So second on the list was pretty goodies.  Although many people couldn't make it to mom and my's Noonday Collection party, we still decorated and had a whole bunch of fun.  I snapped a few pictures of our special goodies.

Make your own drink station

Gold glitter caramel kettle corn...homemade and very addicting!

Pink raspberry rice krispy treats

Now for number three...how I survived.  I have officially made it through my very first week of teaching.  This school is like nothing I have ever seen before.  I feel blessed to have been considered a teacher that can help this school.  On top of being the very first year it's opened, it is filled with students who's parents moved them because they weren't making it at their old school.  My good days are the terrible days at any other school.  Most of these students are living in shelters or even on the streets.  They have seen, heard, and been a part of way more than any child ever should.  Students tell you "I'm not a good kid" because that's all they've heard.  The students in my grade are one, two, and even three grade levels behind.  I have one student on target, the rest being below.  I had to physically restrain a child two days this week so she didn't beat up another student in our class.  All of this being said, this is EXACTLY where I want to be.  When you can connect with a child that comes from all of this, it is worth so much more than I have ever experienced.  Will this class be able to get caught back up to grade level?  I hope so, but most likely not.  My goal though is for them to grow as a person and get to a point where they can finally believe in themselves.  I have a very long year ahead of me.  But as I spend this year helping these students grow, they are helping me to grow as well.  Thank you Third Grade Cityview Superstars. I can't wait to get to know you even more.

Meet our little girl

Okay so maybe if I ever have a real daughter she might be a little offended but for now she's our baby girl. 

This is Sapphire.  

We ventured to Iowa Saturday to go pick her up. We knew she was the one when she came up to me and started licking my fingers. She's quiet yet adventurous and very curious.  She is still working on letting her bravery catch up to her curiosity though. She is quiet all day long....nighttime is another story.  I think she is preparing us for parenthood in that area.  She thinks Lady (my parents' dog) is her best friend and always wants to play, however Lady does not think the same.  Although she was not so sure of the grass the first time her paws touched, she now bounces through it with joy.

Long story short...I love her!

On our way to pick her up!

She found that mulch was just her size...this was her first piece though.  She kept getting braver and found bigger pieces.

Her favorite spot is under mom's coffee table

Family photo

She posed for me...I had to grab the camera

I put the black sharpie to work...teacher's best friend!

The bow...too much!

So some may say I'm over the top, but I've waited so long for a sweetie like her and she is just too perfect.  Even her crying and baby howls at night doesn't make me love her any less.

I'm so glad you are now in your forever home baby girl!

A Reason to Write

Obviously if you look at my last post it has been FOREVER, but this last week we went on vacation in Charlevoix and it was a VERY note-worthy week so here is goes...

Venetian is a boat festival in my parents' hometown.  It is filled with music, food, and other special festivities.

Tuesday we went to my Grandma Barb's a little farther from Charlevoix with my aunt, uncle, and cousins.  Hotdogs on the charcoal grill, fishing off the pontoon boat, and swimming in the lake made the day a great relaxing start to our week.  We ended the day by listening to the city band in the park.

Wednesday was the start of the serious music.  Peter Revera from Rare Earth opened and then we saw Paul Revere and the Raiders only with Mitch Ryder because Paul Revere was sick.  Let the picture show begin...

My Beautiful Grandma Spence

Peter Rivera from Rare Earth

8 1/2 Years older people...just remember that

The Raiders!...Aren't the old men in their little suits cute?

And people wonder why my parents would want to retire here...straight out of a story book people and I'm not even a fancy photographer!

Mitch Ryder

Then came Thursday.  Country Music night.  One thing I didn't explain is that we could set up our chairs for the evening starting at noon that day.  Each day us kids were out there waiting in line chairs in hand ready to race with the crowd for the best spot.  Thursday we lined up and waited for nearly an hour so we could be first in line and this time we brought mom for reinforcement.  We sat in line playing "Garbage" (a card game the kids at school taught me). It was worth the wait!

Picnic dinner in the park

Maggie Rose...who signed Matthew's hat after the show and gave him a hug

LoCash Cowboys...I didn't realize how many famous songs they have written.

Friday night brought us to the Queen coronation ceremony and Terrance Simien who was a Zydeco artist.  He is a two time Grammy winner and wrote many of the songs from Princess and the Frog.  He came in tow with thousands of Mardi Gras beads and was throwing them out to the crowd....this little lady landed a purple one!

Last but not least came Saturday.  Some of you may know I have been training for a race.  Well Saturday morning this 5K race arrived.  I was so nervous but also so excited and by the time the race neared I simply was looking forward to it being over.  Little did I know this would end up being one of the most proud and amazing experiences of my life.  My outfit design led tp my aunt and I being the center of many cheers and a special announcement as we came near the finish line. 

Pre-race stretching...obviously I'm a very serious runner!

My race outfit.  You can't completely see it but my shirt says WILD!

I might have made them wear matching orange shirts....maybe ;)

My aunt and I..pre-sweat

Warming up the muscles

My first time in a race line-up

One of my favorite spots along the run.  This was about the 2.5 mile mark

Matthew coming up to the finish line...he had it kicked into high gear!

Patrick at the finish line

This is the moment when I look at the clock and realize I'm going to finish 5 minutes faster than in my practice.

Finishing the race.  Official time 32:36.  I'm still in disbelief.  I could not contain my excitement.  Oh and see the guy in the stroller...pretty sure that is the guy that almost ran me over at the start of the race.

"Mom, I killed it!" Seriously the first words out of my mouth.  Also the face from seeing the boys realize how close behind them I was.

Aunt Amy pulling it in right behind me, this was also a personal best for her too!

I dedicated this race to my parents.  I can't imagine how they felt as they were told they may need to put their little girl in a wheelchair.  Instead they opted to let me fight and do EVERYTHING in their power to help me get healthy.  They supported me when I was made fun of and tried to make my life just like any other kid as much as they could.  I could not contain the joy I felt as I crossed that finish line.  I didn't just cross it, but I crossed it with my best time especially considering it was my first race ever!  As my aunt and I ran and we were cheered a little extra because we stood out, I was excited to stand out for my outfit and not the way I was running.  I am so blessed for how God is making me stronger.  This was definitely the highlight of my entire vacation.  I had a blast! 

After the race, we showered quick to make it back downtown in time for the parade.  We enjoyed the parade and then headed for the park where we spent the rest of the day.  We played around, ate lunch, enjoyed some shopping, ate some afternoon snacks, played around some more, looked at some boats, ate some dinner, and then enjoyed some more music.

Saline Fiddlers

My Handsome Hubby

This guy was hanging out by the lake throughout the week.  It's like a jet pack with water!  He would dive into the water and shoot straight back up.

We ended the night with an amazing Simon and Garfunkel tribute band.

I enjoyed this vacation with family so very much and we were blessed with great weather too!  What a great way to spend a week of this summer.