happenings in life

I have taken a mini vacation from my blog but I am back now. I have been relaxing at home and enjoying my summer. Last week we put on a soccer camp at church. It was great. There were a lot of neighborhood kids that came and I think we may have some families start coming to our church from it. It was so nice to be involved in our church again. It's been over a year since we did youth ministry and after that we wanted a break. I think it's time to get back into it. We've been house hunting lately and have become discouraged from not finding THE ONE yet. But, you know, what this whole thing has made me realize is that I really like my house. I will be happy if God blesses us with a bigger house, and I will be content if we stay in this house. I like that feeling.

We are going to Colorado later this week to visit Aaron's family. I'm excited about camping in Colorado and cooler weather!

Embarassing moments

We got into LAX at 9:40pm- which was 19hours into our looong day! Three airlines were getting their luggage from the same baggage claim. So after 45 minutes, Aaron finally retrieved our luggage. When he brought my suitcase over the me he said, "The front pocket is ripped open and I think some of your underwear are on the conveyor belt going around." I was like, "Are you serious?" Sure enough, there are my underwear riding around on the baggage claim for all 500 travelers to see! I was so embarrassed! Aaron, being the great husband that he is, picked up my underwear and the other things that had fallen out and brought them too me. We had a good laugh about it once we got in the car. He said he may have missed a pair, but they weren't his favorite so it was okay. Can you believe that? I thought to get a picture of it, but I was too mad and humiliated at the moment to get out my camera.

National History Day Trip Days 1-2

This trip has been a whirlwind so far. The days are flying by. We arrived Saturday night. Had our first thunderstorm Saturday night right after we got to the hotel. It reminded me why I didn't like living in West Texas! Sunday we registered at the University of Maryland which is a beautiful campus and saw our performance room. The props all made it here in one piece thank goodness! we came back to the hotel and practiced. Today, we had an 11am performance time. The kids did an outstanding job! I was SO IMPRESSED and PROUD! All our hard work has paid off! We relaxed this afternoon and then found out tonight that we are going on to finals. There were 14 teams in our preliminary room and they choose 1-2 teams to go on to finals. We were that team from our room.

So tomorrow morning we are heading to Baltimore to see the Harbor and visit Fort mcHenry. I am HOPING we can find Charm City Cakes as well. We perform tomorrow night at 8:15pm. I am so proud! We are one of the top 14 teams in the nation! WOW!

Here's a picture of the kids yesterday rubbing the terp's nose for good luck. Aren't they so cute?

The fun begins

We leave tomorrow morning for the East Coast. I am looking forward to seeing the Capitol and mush of the East Coast I've never seen before. Then I am really looking forward to MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING! I'll post as we travel- internet willing- maybe even some pictures!! Pray for our numerous pet sitters while we're gone.

summer time

The weather has been gorgeous here- in the 70s and 80s! That is SO unreal for Summer and I am loving it! I have too much going on and too much on my mind to think about writing anything substantial- unless you want to hear about all the research I've been reading or my history day kids- which I'm sure you don't. We leave for our two week trip to Washington DC, Virgina, and South Carolina on Saturday. I'm so not ready. With that, I will leave you with pretty flowers blooming in my front yard. They are agapanthis or Lily of the Nile.

The Holocaust Museum in Los Angeles

Gonzalo and Sylvia Mendez in front of their exhibit in the Museum of Tolerance.

Today my history day group had the opportunity to perform for the local Rotary club- which was awesome and they gave the kids money. The also got to go to the Holocaust Museum in Los Angeles and tour and perform. While our topic isn't on the holocaust, it is on civil rights, and fits into the umbrella of their museum so they invited us to come. First of all, it was such an honor just to be invited to perform at the museum. We called our primary source- Sylvia-and invited her to watch the performance as well. The whole project is about her and her family. The whole experience was moving and emotional. The museum had the Mendez family in their civil rights exhibit already- something we didn't know, and when we saw it, it brought us to tears! To learn about US changing history- from the person who lived it, and then see them be honored- is a moving experience!

We didn't get to tour the holocaust part of the museum, but we did get to meet a few holocaust survivors! I can't explain how powerful the whole day was. As tired as I am from all this "work" I've been doing for this history day group- today reminded me why. It was all worth it today. To perform our project for Sylvia herself- was amazing! To bring her to tears, was success. We know that we told her story well! As much as I can't wait to go to nationals and win, this was the highlight our this year's history day experience. If you ever have the opportunity to go to the Holocaust Museum in LA or DC, go, you won't regret it and I don't think your life will be the same for it.

I don't usually post pics of my kids, but I couldn't resist- they've put SO much hard work into this. Here we are with the director of the museum and Sylvia and Gonzalo Mendez.

This is when they got 1st at State.

Getting Older

Last Wednesday I went to Six Flags in CA with the 8th graders from my school. There were several of us "younger" (I use that term loosely because I still think of myself as young) teachers that went to ride some rides. Here's what I noticed: It's not as fun as it used to be. We got on the first ride and I actually feared for my life more than I ever have before- and I've ridden that ride every year! When it was over I was limping- I felt beat up! I was thinking, I don't remember feeling this way before. Then we went on another and another ride. After several rides, we were done! They all had the same results. So, as much as I LOVE riding rides and it sounds like fun, I'm thinking the "fun" I had riding rides doesn't compare to the pain I feel when I get off. This must be what "old" feels like.