The wheels on the bus go round and round

We drove for days- literally. That is definitely one way to see the country! The kids were awesome. My sister was a driving fool and I just did a lot of crossword puzzles haha. I hope I was decent company! But in my one week of being away, I was able to be in over a dozen different states. There is so much beautiful country out there! It just puts that travel bug right back in my system when I think it has been subdued. Here's some highlights from the USA:


The Atlantic Coastline

Someone's amazing barn in Kansas


Gotta love this license plate lol

Denver Temple

The "other side" of the Rockies

My summer cottage

While visiting, I did get to see The Breakers- home to the Vanderbilts. They've since donated it to the historical society, however, family members can stay on the top floor any time they want. Part of the deal. Wow. Never fear, the TOP picture is the children's playhouse on the property. the ADULT house is below.

Surprise!

My sister and I managed to pull off a huge surprise for my family this week. :) I flew out to see her and then we drove back with her and the kids for my other sister's oldest child's baptism! (did you keep up with that?) No one in our family knew we were coming. We wove an amazing tale of lies and deception. haha- should I brag about that? Probably not but it WAS a pretty good story. She told her kids you could only lie to your family if you were older than 35. Unfortunately, I qualify for that. Anyway, while I didn't get to spend a lot of time at their place, we still managed to get in some beautiful things. Here's a sampling. I'll do a couple more posts with other pictures, as well.

After 4 years

These are "my" kids. :) We've been together for 4 years. Technically 6, if you count 7th and 8th grade. But really been close for just the past few. I enjoy teaching and most years are decent. You get to know some kids and they are great. But there was something about this year of kids that I just can't describe. They were different and fun and just had something. They graduated today. Quite honestly, there were times in the past 4 years where I didn't think some of them would be alive, much less pass their classes and graduate in such style. We've been through some really hard times and some of the best times. I know they're going to do great and I'll miss them haunting my room.

There's me- saying we need to move the camera over because it won't get all of us in it. Then Josh- he not only graduated from high school today, but two weeks ago from the community college with his associates degree. Impressive. He'll do something with his life that involves arguing and debating- guaranteed. Then Ali- who knows what she wants to go into but I would guess it would be in the field of helping people. She has such a caring heart and is a great listener. Although she can't remember a story to save her life. Then Derek- where to start with this kid? I blame him for ever starting this whole friendship. Thank you.

This is Jaycee. We've been all over the place. She is an amazing dancer and just made the college dance team. She'll probably end up in the medical field somewhere. My bet is dentistry or cosmetic surgery of some sort. We swap music all the time. And mailbox treats. I hope to have more brownie sundays with her.

And Ali-Jo- aka Alison, Alison MoJo, Mo-Mo. She started coming into my room one day because she was looking for Derek. Then she just never left. We've laughed together and cried together and argued and repaired. We've shared more than just about most people. :) What I would have done without her and grilled cheese sandwiches, I'm not sure. Love you, Alison.

Finally, Derek. I called his mom in 7th grade because he was playing bloody knuckles with some kid and made him bleed. Then he sarcastically started calling me his favorite teacher and would yell at me in the halls when he would walk by in 8th grade "Hey my favorite teacher!" lol- such a punk! So I started yelling back "Hi my favorite Derek!" We've been good friends ever since. We've been through just about everything. Now he's graduated. He'll do good things with his life.

I know teaching isn't all its cracked up to be, but kids like these make it worth it.