A list of the happenings in my life.

Hello blog fans! I have been on a blog hiatus for some time now, and finally decided to write again. A LOT has been happening in my world (and by a LOT, I mean...a lot for Allison...) You know I love lists, and I like to be organized in my writing...so a list you shall receive. :)

*I got sick. Swine flu? Maybe. In either case, I was out of the teaching "groove" for a few days, and it was NOT fun trying to get back into that groove. But it was a really good opportunity for me to learn the lesson of being taken care OF instead of the other way around. Thanks, Aaron. :)

*I have questioned my passion for teaching more than I want to admit...and yet I am admitting it. Not sure if it's just because its the beginning of another year, I was sick, etc. or if God is truly leading me to go another direction. I feel led to look into counseling programs at grad schools...stay tuned!

*Donald Miller. Heard of him? If you have not, please log onto Amazon.com RIGHT NOW and order any one of his amazing books. I love this author more than any other. And I had the awesome opportunity to hear him LIVE at a local college. It was a-mazing. He is hilarous, and intelligent, and REAL. I laugh out loud when I read his stuff, and am just waiting for the right time to order his newest book. LOVE HIM!!!

*Not coaching Cross Country...has been interesting. I got to "take numbers" for kids at the finish line at two home meets, which was a JOY. I see the kids leave for a run and am slightly envious, and then I get in my car and it's 3:25pm and I rejoice.

*Thanksgiving '09. I AM GOING TO NICARAGUA!!! Woo hoo! My awesome brother J and SIL Lora live and minister in Managua, Nicaragua and I am finally getting around to visiting them! I look forward to 5 sweet days of stories, Spanish, and solid family time.

*Students. They are interesting this year. I have taken cell phones, given detentions, and had some really amazing conversations with kids this year. Which leads me to...

*Club day. This Thursday at our school is club day - where kids sign up to ... well..join clubs. And I have felt led to start a club in my classroom meeting during lunch a few times a month where we sit and talk about what God is doing in our lives, share prayer requests, and just be real. I have had many signs leading me in this direction...to lead a group of kids...and I am finally getting around to leading one! And for all you Calvin fans out there...I decided to name my club LOFT. Because, I love Calvin, and it seems to fit. :)

*Aaron. I had to make a separate line for Aaron, because he deserves it. Can I just say...I have gotten Starbucks delivered to my classroom by this guy MORE than once this year. What a blessing and a joy to have an awesome companion to walk through life with right now. Hopefully you can meet him sometime, because he's one of those people who actually listens and cares when you tell him how your day is going. I'm a big fan of this guy. :)

That's the short version of what's been going on in my life the past three weeks...in other news, my nieces and nephew are the cutest kids ever. So look at some pictures here. I know it's only October, but can I just say I am looking forward to spending some time with Keith and Gretch, Z, M, & C, N, H, S, & A, and J & L over Christmas break?? I love all these guys so much and sometimes life gets so busy that I forget what a blessing it is to have family all over the place who love and pray for me every day. I love you guys too!

I hope you made it to the end of this post...sorry there are no pictures...I'll work on that for next time. :) May God fill your lives with the joy and peace wherever you are!