188-Year-Old Bible Discovered

This story is intriguing to me. This man seems to have found an old family bible in the city dump. It was in pieces and he did some research on the family mentioned in the front of the bible and found a direct decendant living in Ohio. I think it is a pretty cool story!

Joyce Meyer

Are you familiar with this woman's ministry? I love to listen to her because she is entertaining but SO truthful. Today she was talking about how you cannot be powerful and pitiful at the same time. I really enjoyed listening to her and I learned a lesson or two.

Back to School, kind of

Well, I have been working like mad at school trying to get the classroom ready for next month. It has really been exciting and fun to look through the materials and get the walls ready for school. The other day I put the books on the desks and organized my desk, it is really looking like a classroom. Now is the time to pray and pray and pray for a smooth year. :)

The Producers

Have you seen this movie? We rented it this last week and it was funny! We weren't sure how it would be and had heard that it was amusing...we laughed through most of the the entire movie. I recommend you go and rent it if you haven't seen it yet. (Photo compliments of IMDb)

Pride and Prejudice

Today my thoughts and values were challenged by a speaker that was presenting information on prejudice and multi-culturalism. You know, I really don't have a problem with being challenged on my ideas but sometimes I get a little overly sensitive when I feel like others believe that all the bad in the world was/is created by the "white folks." I mean, I am all for growth and equality and I accept that my heritage was part of the problem. HOWEVER, that being said, I do get tired of defending actions that I did not commit. I appreciate his point of view and that it is his job to move people out of the comfort zones and question their own attitudes. I understand that the only way to change is to confront, BUT...I really found myself getting frustrated. Is this just pride on my part or do I have validity in my feelings? I think that we live in a multicultural society and we need to make changes to how we interact with others from different vantage points. That major change needs to be, in mind, mutual RESPECT for one another and variations in cultures! Am I the only person who sometimes feels a sense of guilt and then subsequently, anger when presented with these thoughts?

Busy Week

I am sorry I haven't blogged in a few days it has been busy around here. I have been working in my classroom at a rather quick pace trying to get everything done before August. On Sunday we went to a birthday party for Drew's Grandma. So, I am sorry that we have been so quiet here but it has been busy!

Storm Clouds a Brewin'

I hope ya'll don't mind the regular posting of pictures on this Blog. Last week there was a storm that came through and dumped some heavy rain (and hail) on our surrounding area. It somehow managed to TOTALLY miss us. Thank God for that because we really don't need the hail. Anyway, the clouds were clear and I took a few pictures. So, enjoy!

Butting in vs. Unwanted Advice

Yesterday I was at (yet another) workshop and the presenter was talking about some studies done on men and women. He said that the researchers put pairs of women in a room and told them to talk about whatever they wanted and to act normal in their conversations. They filmed them and noted that the number one social error women make in conversation is.....BUTTING IN! Yes, butting in (or rather constant interruptions if you prefer), believe it or not. Anyway, the study also said that the other woman in the conversation did not mind the other interrupting. They did the same with men, filmed, studied and found that the number one social error made by men was giving advice that was never asked for. Surprisingly, the other man was not bothered by receiving advice that he never asked for. Then they studied men and women talking together. They found that men got most annoyed with women butting in and women got most bothered by men giving them unwanted advice. I guess it is obvious that the differences between men and women do not merely end at anatomy!

Lawn Mower Returns

Well, last night Drew got a call that our lawn mower was fixed and we could pick it up. So, we did! Then we came right home and Drew mowed our lawn. The grass was still wet from the 2.5 inches of rain we got 2 days ago and long because it hadn't been mowed in 2.5 weeks. Oh well, It is done now and I am so happy to not be the neighborhood embarrassment any longer! Whoo Hoo!

K Love Online

Do you listen to K Love? If you are not familiar with this radio station, it is a national christian radio network. In Nebraska, radio (along with TV) is hard to come by if you rely solely on waves sent through the air. (Trust me, even an antenna is of little help.) Most people rely on cable TV, DSL internet, and XM Satellite Radio. We have Cable and DSL internet. However, we have not yet joined the bandwagon on the XM radio yet. We do, however, love K love radio. We can pick it up near Grand Island and Hastings, and we listen to it when we get a chance to go to Denver, but cannot pick up a signal in Lex. Well, Drew found the link to listen online! It is surprisingly easy, free, and clear! So, if you want to listen...look to the right of our screen. You can click onto the K Love website, click here, or as is always, click on the K LOVE icon. Then on the left, about half way down, it says "Listen Online."
Very Very Cool.

62 Year old woman gives birth!

WHAT!? This seems to be a trend lately...older women giving birth. This woman is reported to be the oldest British woman to have a baby. This woman will be in her 80's when her child goes to college! Yikes.

4 inches less and much COOLER!

Yesterday afternoon (Saturday) I woke up from a long nap to find my hair in total disarray. I looked in the mirror and said "Enough! Go get a haircut!" So, I did. She cut 3-4 inches of length off and I feel much much better! What do ya think?

Traveling Tractor

If you are not aware, this is the traveling tractor. You can get one at any gardening store. We purchased ours at Ace Hardware. Anyway, the ad boasts the following (especially note what I have highlighted in RED):
"Product Details: This Traveling Tractor Sprinkler is a classic that you will love to use on your lawn. The Tractor Sprinkler has a rust resistant cast iron body as opposed to a die cast body style for added longevity. Simply follows along the hose path."

Hmmm...simply follows the hose path eh???

This is our tractor. Today when I came home from the store, the Tractor was OUT OF CONTROL. It had jumped the track, slammed into the brick of our house and dug a deep trench in the new grass. GROWL. I recognize our lawn is just short of bing a jungle, BUT, as you can clearly see the hose is laid out in a straight line. At the point where it is curved, that was the point it jumped the track and proceeded to go on it's own course. SET it and forget it...not so not so...
*sidenote, I do love our traveling tractor, I ocasionally get frustrated over the silly thing not following the set hose track

Flat Land

Whoever said that Nebraska was all flat land OBVIOUSLY never ventured away from I-80 or the river valley. Last weekend, Drew and I went to a family reunion in Callaway, Nebraska. Callaway is about 40 miles Northwest of Lexington. I was amazed at the beauty of the area. We went back to the area the next day so I could try to capture some of the landscape in photos. The rolling hills, blue skies and natural formations are a site to see. Sometimes I think I am a photographer in waiting. Our first Christmas after we were married Drew gave me a digital camera and I am constantly taking pictures. These are just a few that I took last weekend. I know a photo can never quite be the same as viewing it on your own, but I hope this helps to dispell the idea that Nebraska is flat land!

Live Above the Line

At the workshop I attended last week, Quantum Learning, the presenter (Dan St. Romain) exposed us to the concept of living above the line. He was saying that teaching kids that life and behavior is about choices is the best way to handle classroom discipline. He suggested that living below the line is engaging in denial, laying of blame on others, constant justification, or just plain quitting. However, living above the line says the person is exhibiting truth, freedom, and power. I really liked this idea and I have been chewing on this for next school year.

What in the World??

Why would you swallow 119 3-inch nails?! This woman apparently did and the doctors had to remove them. They said that many of them were RUSTY, indicating that the nails had been in her stomach for months. What was she thinking?

Leave the testing behind

I think this article is a good thing. Regardless of how people feel about No Child Left Behind, at least action is being taken instead of just talk!

Fireworks

Last night we drove over to Kearney and watched the fireworks display. I always find myself entranced by the bright lights and beautiful designs. The best part for me was holding hands with Drew on our anniversary watching the fireworks light up the sky.

Photo courtesy kearneyhub.com

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary to US! That's right, two years ago today we met at 2:00pm at First Christian Church and pledged our love to one another. We were surrounded by our friends and family, the lighting was perfect, and Pastor KC was all smiles. After the wedding we had a short reception where I was "kidnapped" by the Lexington Possy and rode around in a Paddy Wagon. That was fun. (Thanks to all of you that contributed to the funds to get me out, it was used on our honeymoon.) Then, we went off to Kearney and then Columbus Nebraska where we spent some time at Traditions Inn Bed and Breakfast. The last two years have gone quickly by but I can say that every day is a new adventure! I love you Drew and I thank you for every moment we have together.