A Quick Update

It has been so long since I have posted and I want to say life has been truly busy, and I have so much to post--so please bare with me as some of them will be out of order, but I want to share it all!

School Underway...

With the second full week of school underway I feel very confident about my class this year! My kiddos are great, even with those few who can be "individuals" at times. I love my school district and am thankful to find such a great place to work. This is my third year there and hopefully I can stay for several more to come. We have a new elementary wing with a new office, nurses station, counselor office, music & art rooms--and all of the classrooms have two bathrooms (with their own sinks) and a sink in the room and Smart Boards. I wish I was in one of the new rooms, but I do enjoy my "new to me" room I have this year. I finally have windows and a sink!!! I love teaching it is such a great job to have!

I will add pictures of all of the NEW stuff soon!

Also look forward to seeing more pictures of a trip coming up this weekend...down south--Louisiana again!! Till then...God Bless

Playing Catch-UP

I must say I am so sorry for the long period between blogs! I have been so busy that I really haven't had any time to get on my computer--I know that is very hard to believe!

Dinner with the Girls:
Kara, Megan and I all went out for dinner one Wednesday night before church to a newer restaurant in Lebanon. T's Redneck Steak House (near Wal-Mart) is a great place to eat! We had a great time even though we were a little rushed before church! Megan and Kara are such great friends, I love them dearly!!




July 4th Week Celebrations:
Some of my great friends, Derek & Kara, had some friends come visit from Bastrop, LA. Derek and I took Jeff & Tena to Bennett Spring first then we ventured to the Amish on the 4th, because Kara had to work in the morning...we had a great time shopping for goodies! I love the Amish Bakery!!

Jeff & Tena at Bennett Spring

After the Amish, we all went over to "Aunt Pat's" House and had pizza and enjoyed all of the family being in town. My family was in Bay City, Michigan celebrating the 4th and Jim & Sara had a 2nd Wedding Reception up there.

I also had a great time at the Caveman's Restaurant that same weekend..with Derek & Kara and Jeff & Tena! After dinner we had a great time laughing about my $4.00 side salad...which only had iceberg lettuce and tomatoes...and those of you who don't know--I hate tomatoes!

Dinner with some of my church girls

Kara and Megan have to the best girly friends I could ever ask for! They can always put me in a good mood, and we always have plenty of things to talk about...thanks to all of the drama within our church group! (Mainly just the good old fashion fun drama!!)

The girls and I decided to have dinner at a semi-new restaurant in town, T's Redneck Steakhouse, before church Wednesday--July 2nd--I believe!

Amish Life

Today I went on a drive to Lead Mine, Missouri --otherwise known as Amish Country. I had to lovely girls from the youth group at Faith Baptist Church with me....Hannah and Cassie!

We departed Lebanon, Missouri around 1:45pm and arrived in the Lead Mine area around 2:15pm. (Take 64 from Lebanon and go past Bennett Springs and turn left on Hwy T...about 23 miles from Lebanon...continue on Hwy T for approximately 8 miles and turn to the left on Hwy E?? to go to the first of many Amish stores...the store off of Hwy E?? has a map for the community...I recommend stopping here to get one first!)

During our 2 hour visit to the Amish community, we stopped to scope out the Bulk Foods Store where I was able to pick up a few of the famous Silver Handled Knives for my mother--who loves them! They also have several bulk food items at a much lower price compared to our local grocery stores. For example salt comes a large clear bag in 2 lbs for around $1.20. Great for making large quantity meals...or for just stocking up! As we neared our adventure at this store, Hannah noticed they had a few lights attached to the ceiling, which I can only guess are solar powered, seeing how the Amish do not believe in using electrical items.

So we journeyed on to get a few items from the famous bakery, which to our dismay was closed on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday...darn I will have to return soon for some fresh bread and pastries.

As we traveled down a gravel road on a search for fresh vegetables and fruits, we were able to see several Amish men and boys out in the fields cutting hay...we made mention of Brock doing the same thing today, but in a much different way. Brock's family farm is much more modern than the Amish, they have a tractor with A/C and a computer...wow!

After several trips down gravel roads to search for fresh foods at different Amish homes, we decided to head back to good old Lebanon and relax in the comfort of the A/C at home.

I was so sure it would be a great trip for the girls to realize how the Amish live, and their way of life. We made mention of the dresses all of the women were wearing and several of them had no shoes on because they were working in their gardens. God works in several ways...it is so amazing to see Him at work in the lives of the Amish men and women.

If you get a chance to visit an Amish Community, I would encourage you to do so...it is truly amazing how they can survive on what they have, and most of us are lost without our cell phones and electricity in a storm.