HAPPY HALLOWEEN~! 

Hazel, Oren, and I got two days in Lynden! Pumpkin patch adventures were part of our get away. The weather could not have been more beautiful! Pictures to come! 

 We got home last night and I was pretty happy to see this guy! 

I LOVE OUR PEOPLE

 

Man this is fun! 

Good isn't easy

 We have had a challenging two weeks. My sister Natasha is dealing with a skin rash that is breaking my heart. Her legs are raw. I can't begin to understand why God allows so much pain and heartache in this girl's life. I saw her last weekend and it was overwhelming. She navigates this with grace and a patience that is truly unreal to me. It is beautiful.  I right away sent a prayer request to Positive Life Radio and I asked seven girlfriends to pray. 

Let me focus on the positive. Her new heart is good. 

Lesha has had a rough few weeks. There is hope in change and prayer matters. 

Merit has been faced with so many challenges. When I tell the fifth graders about him I can hear a pin drop. They are so interested in his adventures, hard times, the way he navigates it. I shared that with Merit last night. 

The thing about Merit is he rarely complains. But a mom knows. I also know those California beaches offer some therapy and I know Merit will meet great people, some things just take a little time. Baseball is going well. 

These fifth graders have my heart. I laugh, I nearly cry. Their learning is so, so cool. I lay awake teaching math lessons in my head. And I hurt for those who go home to a house with hardship.

I need to up my game in the classroom management arena and I am working at it. I also need to keep these kids engaged when the math is hard. I hope every single one of them knows that I care about their learning and I just plain care about them.

And in the heavy STUFF, I want to surround myself with people who speak kindly to me. But even more importantly, I want to be kind to people. This world is so heavy. I do want to be a light. Speaking of lights, OPJ IS a light! 

I read this a few weeks ago and good or bad, I repeat it five maybe ten times a day. 

People who love you want more FOR you, Not more FROM you. 

And sometimes you live with people or have a parent or sibling that does not take on this mantra, But whether they do or don't, you can. 

CHEER GOODNESS!!

I love seeing these girls in action! 

 

Full days!

THESE DAYS ARE FULL! 

 

Monday!

 Teaching fifth grade is challenging and so fun! Who knew a schedule would be so good for me! I feel blessed! There is so much learning happening. 

My photography is keeping me busy too and also challenging me! 

Oren, Hazel, and Willem are doing well. 

Vance had a fun Alaskan adventure over the weekend. 

We are pretty excited about the Hawks win tonight! 

We are soaking up this guy's senior year! 

thankful, grateful, blessed

These cheer girls are just adorable! 

I love watching them.

I took four senior's pics this weekend -- so fun! 

Teaching fifth grade ( a long term) is blessing my socks off. 

I have so enjoyed this weekend!