The Summer Adventure of a LIfetime

(Hi Uncle Tim!)

I don't even know where to start! I had to look at the last blog (July 4th...I know!!) and find out where I left off. It was right before my summer adventure began. I have to weed through everything to figure out what you'd actually care to read.

Missions Trip-We had a lot of fun learning and serving and being stretched. Check out our blog to find out more about it!

Trip to Michigan-road trip was a blast with Jessie, Erin and Eric in the car, playing "Brown Truck" and Fed Exing people. We jammed to some music (of course, not country because they wouldn't let me play that). Wendy and Kenton's wedding was amazing. During one of the special musics, Wendy looked around at everyone who was there and took in all the love we wanted her to feel. I'm really glad we went! She was beautiful and he was rockin' the tux. I also got to spend time with Cherise, a dear friend from college.

Indiana- Ohhhhh, Indiana. I went to hang out with Rach and her new little baby. In a matter of the 10 days I was there, she ended up having such bad back/leg pain that we got her a special ride in an ambulance to the ER, where she was then scheduled for back surgery that next day. It was the most trying time of my life so far. I don't think I've ever cried so much. Leona, the 1 month old, was the easy one to take care of. We had friends bringing meals, to watch Rachael and Leona for 2 hours so Ben and I could both take a nap, and Rach's mom came for more help. I was up with Leona for her feedings or I was helping Ben with Rachael, or whatever else needed done. I don't want to do it again but I don't regret being there. Rach was so apologetic about this not being what she had planned, and we were suppose to have fun, etc. I told her that if God hadn't of planned this, I would have gotten myself there anyhow. God really taught me a lot that week. The surgery helped so much (she had a herniated disk) that by the time I left, it was as if the week of Hell didn't even happen. It was like we woke of from a nightmare and things were fine. I WILL be back to Indiana to visit them again, this time, no surgeries!

Camping- I LOVE CAMPING!!!!! It was so fun to just enjoy family and friends and fires. We went tubing MANY times and biked and played frisbee. Ahhhhhh...mazing. I'm going again over Columbus Day weekend! Can't wait!

Moving- I moved! Now I'm 4 minutes from school instead of 20, and am living with Erin! The fam came down to help on a very hot day. It was a lot of work. SO was cleaning the WHOLE dumb townhouse. Ugh. It's so fun to be moved because now we can both be home but be hanging out together! Meal planning and grading are going to be so much more fun---I mean, bearable!

California- Wow. I did it all. As soon as Erin and her fam picked me up from the airport, off we went to In-N-Out burger which was so good! We drove from San Fran to Los Angeles and the stars on the sidewalk, Sunset Blvd, Hollywood Blvd, chasing the Hollywood sign up windey streets for a good picture, posing by Dear Abby's star, Kodak Theatre, Phillipe's French Dipped Sandwiches. Then to San Diego where we played in the Pacific Ocean, explored the San Diego Zoo and went to Seaport Village. We hung out with her grandparents and family a lot, which was really cool. Then the 8 hr drive back up to San Fran (which isn't very pretty. It's all dirt!) where I experienced the Winchester Mystery House, and then drove into the city to see trolley cars, walk on the Golden Gate Bridge and eat a Ghiradelli hot fudge sundae. We ALSO found the house from Full House!!! That was an extra bonus. :-) Erin's family was sooo amazing and giving and so fun!

Are you tired?? I am! It was such an amazing summer. I LOVE being a teacher for 3 reasons- June, July and August. For any teacher to WANT to go back to school, there NEEDS to be that break.

Volleyball has started and I'm so stoked about the season. I lost 9 of my 19 girls to graduation or moving, so it's a rebuilding year. The 5th graders......need work. But, that's why they are there! We've had 3 days of practice and last night we tried to play a game. Well....tried is about all that happened. Serving comes tonight!

Anyone still reading?? Erin and I have a lunch date with Wendy today when we REALLY get to find out about how life is and how the honeymoon was and just enjoy each other. We have to do it before school starts because once Monday comes, there is nothing else happening in our lives but school.

SO, what I'm saying is, it'll be a little bit before another blog comes out. Sorry! Pray for me as we start the school year. I GET TO TEACH SOMETHING THAT I TAUGHT BEFORE!!! This has NEVER HAPPENED in my 4 years of teaching! Elementary Spanish, Lower Elementary computer and 8th grade history.

WOooooooooo...............