Back from Indiana.... Now the Count Down is ON!!!

We're back from Indiana, and I'm not sure if I've caught up on my sleep from the trip back. Although those along would say I had PLENTY of sleep, as I slept almost the whole way back. But that's not comfortable sleep!

It was nice to sleep in and enjoy family time and not really worry about anything. I enjoyed the shopping, as usual. We came back with a truck load! Almost had to leave precious Maddie in Indiana!!!!

On Saturday we drove to Holland, MI. Jason had flown Shaun and I up there back in August, but Janet wanted to go, so we went. We went to Lake Michigan while we were there. Here are a couple of pictures from the day.

Here's proof that I'm the favorite in-law! Jason was an outcast at the beach.

Stanley and I sitting on a bench. Everyone got into the Flat Stanley project. He really enjoyed the dunes at Lake Michigan. He was able to see the waves, bury himself in the sand, build a snowman, and lots more.

The family at Windmill Island. Yes that is a Dutch windmill in the background, just can't see the top of it. We got the FREE wintertime tour, as the door was unlocked b/c someone was working in there and we just LET ourselves in. Why pay, when you can get it for free???

On the positive side, only 37 more days of school until Summer Break!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Flat Stanley

Flat Stanley's in Shipshewana, Indiana!

So I gave my students this project over Spring Break, and of course I said I would do it too. I can't give them homework and not do any myself! We read the book Flat Stanley last week and created our own Stanley's or Sally's to take on adventures. If you haven't heard of Flat Stanley, you're missing out. In the book, Stanley was squished by a large bulletin board and discovered being flat wasn't such a bad thing. He could go slide under doors, fly as a kite, and be mailed in an envelope.

Anyways, the students were supposed to take them on 2 to 5 adventures and journal about them in their "Travel Journals." We are then going to have another class in the school do something with Stanley and then send them to our Pen Pals in my sister's class in Topeka.

So here is my Stanley posing for a picture with an Amish horse and buggy. He's getting VERY tired of shopping- but I'm not!

Will it ever be Spring Break????

I definitely think that something needs to be done about this whole Spring Break thing. It is definitely not fair that some schools get today, next week, AND the following Monday off of school, while we are in school for two more days! I'm not sure how much "actual" teaching will take place next week, as I have to wonder how much they will really remember. Do you think they would be suspicious if I called in sick Monday and Tuesday??? I haven't used any sick leave yet, what perfect timing. (Those of you at school.... I wouldn't actually do it, but don't think the thought hasn't crossed my mind :). )

So, what's been happening... there's still some unknowns about the upcoming school year, but I'm leaving it in God's hands to figure it all out. As we begin to think about our presentation to the school board, I pray for guidance in the direction to go and I also pray for community support. Parents need to be aware of the upcoming changes, so they too can ask questions. Those of you out there.... let the community know about our March 23rd community meeting. You'll see more info in the Ledger next week.

So, it's been really cold here this week and it's finally going to warm up next week... just in time to go to Indiana- back to the cold! Oh well, hopefully spring is right around the corner and we'll be done with the cold weather.

On the bright side, after spending LOTS of hours at school this week and horrible headaches in the evenings (not to mention crashing at 9 or 10 every night), I got a lot accomplished tonight. It's amazing what you can get done when you don't procrastinate! I came home at 5, did a load of laundry, finished a baby quilt, got all my grades entered for report cards, folded laundry, fixed dinner, and am now updating my blog! Now, I need to iron my millions of pairs of khaki pants. The more you have.... the less often you have to do laundry and iron.

Have a great weekend!

Prayer WORKS!

So, this kind of goes with my post from a couple of weeks ago. We (myself and many people from school) have been praying really hard about the budget cuts the state was proposing to make to education. It looked like our school district was going to have to cut $200,000 from our yearly budget and the only way we were going to do that was to cut 3 teachers. I was one of six with my job on the line. So many people were sure that there was no way of avoiding it, but like I said in that previous post- God IS bigger than the government and He can make things happen.

Here's the GOOD NEWS... Governor Sebelius proposed using the money from the stimulus package to reduce the cut to schools and it looks like it will allow our school to not have to cut anybody!!!! YAY!!!! Now I know this is not 100% done and things could still change, but it looks like the impossible has become possible. I just want to ask each of you to keep on praying about this because it's not finished.

I have another song that I recently heard for the first time at TBC that fits with hoping for the "impossible." It's called "I Have a Hope" and is sung by Tommy Walker.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSbJtqYow3Q&feature=related

Here are the lyrics...

I have a hope, I have a future.

I have a destiny, that is yet awaiting me.

My life's not over.

A new beginning's just begun.

I have a hope, I have this hope.

God has a plan, it's not to harm me.

But it's to prosper me and to hear me when I call.

He intercedes for me, working all things for my good.

Though trials may come, we have this hope.

Chorus: I will yet praise Him, my great Redeemer. I will yet stand up and give Him glory with my life. He takes my darkness and He turns it into light. I will yet praise Him, my Lord my God.

My God is for me, He's not against me.

So tell me whom then, tell me whom then shall I fear.

He has prepared me.

Great works He'll help me to complete.

I have a hope, I have this hope.

Goodness and mercy, they're gonna follow me.

And I'll forever dwell in the house of my great King.

No eye has ever seen all He's preparing there for me.

Though trials may come I have this hope. (Chorus)

There's still hope for me today. For the God of Heaven loves me.