It's the end of May....and it feels like it.

I am a little closer to summer with each blog post. :) It certainly feels like summer outside....what with it being 85 degrees at 6:24pm when I went for a run tonight. Sheesh! If you are wondering...the run was mas o menos...not so great, not so horrible...I only walked about 7 times. Not bad, right? Ha! Blame it on the heat. But after my run, God opened my eyes a little bit, and I "stopped to smell/look at the flowers" - so here is a picture. :)

Also, here is a picture of my running shoes. I tried to be artsy. Didn't work. But I do need new running shoes. :)

Last Sunday was Mother's Day...my mom rocks my socks off. You know what she always does when she sends me a card in the mail? She puts a stick of gum inside the card. I don't really know when that tradition started...but now my sister and I do it too. Funny family. My sister and sister in laws are all really amazing moms too. What with setting up a pool in the front yard, playing trains to no end, and taking walks around the neighborhood every night...Heidi, Michelle, and Lora are great moms. (the dads that go along with them aren't so bad either.) :) The happenings of life this past week include... a) teaching: It's funny; students think THEY are ready for a break. Ha! Teachers are just as ready, kids! I am giving finals this week....wa hoo! Also, my "secret prayer sister" at school gave me this super cute travel cup...see picture. I have always wanted one...!

b)leading fun games at youth group: (remember playing that pool noodle game when Michelle sprained her ankle at the lake a few summers ago? Yep...that's what we played at youth group), c)discussing future plans for our youth group, d) baking cupcakes for my former student Jordan and having her help me do some school work, e) going to Bible study to talk about the book of James and eat delicious treats made by Kelly f) sleeping a LOT of hours on Friday evening/night ..... I can hardly function, seriously! I guess summer really is just around the corner.... g) attending graduation at Cal State Fullerton with Megan Z and some fun people. CONGRATS to Megan - she is a rock star, and one of the most intelligent, innovative teachers I know. Ask her about her thesis sometime. It is fascinating. h) I got my bridesmaid dress for my cousin Noelle's wedding!!! And it's a good thing, too...seeing as how the wedding is in 3 short weeks! Mason City, Iowa...here I come! i) attending Megan's grad party last night....fun times had by all...holding baby Kyra, laying in the hammock with Jon (Lisa dared me/bet me $5 to do it..), eating tacos, talking with former colleagues, and just having a good time j) Today after church I drove to Whittier to attend the baccalaureate service for our seniors. Although I don't know any of them super well, it was cool to hear them talk about their spiritual experiences at WCHS. I had lots of other super inspiring ideas I thought of on my run, but they seem to have left my brain. Bummer. Instead, enjoy the pictures.....