Cruisin' to Paradise

My oh my the summer is flying by and I thought I would be great and blog all the time during the summer, but that just has not been the case. I guess I blogged to take a break from the much needed school To Do's, but this summer it has been great to stay off the computer and read. Oh how I love to read, if I could find the time to read through out the school year I believe Adam would wonder where his wife went..haha!

At our Muster Station

Adam and I went on a cruise to the Bahama's to celebrate Adam's big brother, DW and Annie's cousin, Amy's 30th. Getting away from work (well for Adam anyway) and being able to spend 24/7 with each other for 4 whole days was amazing. There is nothing like waking up and not having to make your bed, worry about dishes, laundry, or making dinner for that matter. I LOVE A CRUISE! Our room had a balcony and I will always want one from now on. It was wonderful and relaxing to sit out there in the sun and read with the breeze. Oh and yes I started New Moon on the cruise and have since completed it. I never thought I would read the Saga, but here I am trying to wait to read the third one so that I can read a teacher book or two prior to school starting back. Back to the cruise... Dressing up for dinner every night is so much fun it brings me back to when Adam and I started dating. Doing your hair just so and picking out the perfect dress for the restaurant you are going to. It's like date night every night!

Casual Night

Adam, Me, Amy, and Gabe

We got the the Bahama's at 12 the next afternoon and we ALL were pumped about Blackbeard's Island for relaxing fun in the sun. It just didn't work out that way...Adam, Gabe, Amy, and me got separated from our group after they sent us through this crazy maze of a building. We got on the boat, and the rest of our group got left behind. After making a fuss with the captain, he still refused to return to the Pier to get our group. The low point of the trip but the four of us tried to make the most of Blackbeard's Island. It was fun to get to know Amy and Gabe better, and I completely understand why Amy means so much to Annie. Now those who know me, I am seriously scared of water creatures. Since the water was crystal clear and I could see all the way to the ground I was able to get in and stay in the water WITHOUT Adam. Amy and I were swimming when we realized everyone was out of the water pointing at the water behind us. Amy and I looked at each other and our eyes about popped out thinking when we turn around the shark fin will be right behind us. We didn't even bother to look at what it was we literally walked or you could say ran on the water. When we got out we realized it was just a lil' sting ray, but we didn't venture back to the water without the guys after that. We missed our crew on the island, but had a blast the rest of the cruise dancing and, checking out karaoke all together.

Our Favorite light up Mushroom Trees

*LRW*

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Trying out Wordless Wednesday :)
A prequel to our Bahamas Trip post!

*LRW*

Fireworks, Chicken Poop, and a 75th Birthday...

I read Annie's 4th of July post about the race in Daytona and I decided it was now or never for this post. Truthfully I can't say this is the first time I could have worked on it...I have been sucked (no pun) into the TWILIGHT series and I couldn't fathom putting the book down. I finished the first book yesterday and I am not going to read the next one until I get my to-do list done. In a teachers life her to-do list is never ending so I might have to throw the to-do list out...if I ever want to get to New Moon.

As you know I was up in Michigan and them Yooper's as they call themselves celebrate a bit differently so of course I had to document for all my lovely folk down here! The day started out gorgeous with it being cool but the sun shining bright. I knew it was going to be a great day, even though I was missing my sweet Adam, because I knew good food was in store! (There I am again with the food!) The parade started out at 12 pm and it was fun but different, because the last time I was up there I think I was one of the youngins running out to catch tootsie rolls, and bubble yum. The parade had floats for all the school reunions, the churches, and town companies. At the end there were the horses, but not as many as the Williston parade...you got Munising beat! :)

The Red Hats ( My grandma is in it, but she watched the parade with us.)

This guy has been singing God Bless America in the parade for years...Love the one man band!

After the parade we headed back for some much needed lunch and boy was it wonderful. My Uncle Michael knows how to cook just like my Grandpa, and he WOWed us with his amazing pulled pork. Mom made her famous mac and cheese and we feasted. Check out the grub and how festive everyone tried to be!

I put slaw on my pulled pork sandwich and it was amazing!

Mom, Dad, and Me at the Barge Inn (famous for their bloody mary's)

Mom and Uncle Michael...Most Patriotic!! ( Mom got the hat from the parade)

After lunch we all got excited for the Pier festivities...this is where the chicken poop comes it! They have game booths and craft tables down along the shore of Lake Superior. The star game is called Chicken Poop Bingo (Oh I know you are thinking I am crazy). So the premise of the game is you buy the wooden paint stirrer sticks that have a number on it for a dollar then you hope that one of the two chickens poops on your number. It wasn't as fascinating as it once was but my mom, dad, and I played one round for old times. Once a chicken poops on a number that person gets the money, you don't actually have to get 5 in a row like real BINGO. I even took a video lets see if I can get this puppy uploaded. (no success)

Our BINGO numbers (My dad looks like an irritated Italian in this picture)

Chicken Poop Bingo board

When we maxed out on the Pier festivities we headed up to the water fight. Another bizarre but fun Munising tradition. All the firefighters come in on the fire truck and they form four teams to battle against. Then they proceed to have a massive water fight where all the town children play in the water behind their favorite fireman. I have a video of this too, to bad I can figure out the video upload. It is precious to hear the children squeal with delight as they run through the water.

We ended the day with amazing fireworks!! We had to wait until 11:30 though which is way past my bedtime. It just takes so long to get dark there.

The next day we celebrate my Grandma's 75th birthday with family out at camp. Good food, great company, and cherished memories!

Decorations and the theme is 4th of July

A toast to a special lady, Grandma D

The Birthday girl cutting the cake!

Off to cruise to the Bahamas...

*LRW*

Home from Yooperville

Home Sweet Home

There is truly no place like home. After being away from Adam for 6 nights and 7 days, I decided not to leave him for that long again. My family can vouch for that, because toward the end of the vaca I proceeded to get more and more grumpy (that was a kind word to use). So last Thursday afternoon I headed on down to Tampa to celebrate my Dad's 51st birthday. We were happy to celebrate his birthday, since the 50th year of life wasn't filled with good luck for MJ and Billy Mayes. On Friday morning we woke up bright and early to head off to Munising, Michigan were my mother grew up and where my Grandma D lives. My Mom and her two brothers and their children all got together to through Grandma D a 75th birthday party. More on that later! When we arrived the weather was a bit different than our hot, humid, sticky, muggy weather...I reach for my north face jacket because it was quite chilly. It might have been chilly but oh how glorious is was to have my hair do exactly what I wanted it to do. I do love the cold, dry weather just for that! Heading out to camp we stopped in the happening town of Chatum (I am being facetious), and hit up The Village Pub, oh wow the food was divine, but the cigarette smoke could have been less. My brother, Matthew and I shared the everything fired bowl.

16 Mile Lake Camp

This is where we stayed all week at the camp. My great grandfather and my Uncle Al built this cabin together in the 50's and there are so many wonderful memories that were made out here. I loved hearing about all of my Mom's and her brothers memories they had from their childhood. When I was growing up we would go to Michigan for two weeks but it has been 6 0r 7 years since I have been so it was interesting to see what had changed. You no longer have to walk outside and down tot the basement to shower (my mom and dad added a shower to the main part of the cabin, which was wonderful)! When we arrived, not everybody was there yet so we got settled in to our rooms and relaxed after a long day of traveling. It was great to visit with everyone!

All the girl cousins

All the girl cousins except for me slept in a tent out behind camp. So they blew up there mattresses on the deck and we use it to lounge on and visit. I have to say though that it gets really cold and damp up here at night so I don't know how they did that. It did help with the amount of people in camp because there is 4 twin beds and 2 pull out couches which all were getting used. Once everyone arrived we ate some yummy lasagna and of course had an awesome bonfire. What fun was had by all! The Fourth of July festivities and Grandma's birthday will be in the next post. Happy Weekend!

Mom, Dad, Uncle Jeff, Uncle Michael, Grandma D, and Aunt Pam

Angel Island on 16 Mile Lake

All of the grandchildren

Update:

Remember our A and L's Pumpkin patch, well they are "gettin" some growing on! Here is what they look like now. They have been in the ground for almost two weeks!

*LRW*

Coming this Fall....A and L's Pumpkin Patch

Adam and I woke up this morning and decided this was the day we were going to plant those pumpkin seeds we order a few weeks ago! Adam plowed the land one more time , before we headed into town to get some supplies for planting. I had never been to Sparr before, so I was excited to check it out. For those who have been to Sparr you may think I am crazy but, I love to go to places I have never been before. We picked up some fertilizer and Black Kow (Compost), which confused me since we live on a farm with cows who poop. Adam convinced me that it would take a long time to pick up that much poop, plus Black Kow has extra stuff in the mixture.
Adam laying out the fertilizer while I snap shots...just to clarify the bags were too heavy for me to carry so I was unable to help with this aspect. After the fertilizer was layed Adam used a "bedder" which makes "beds" for the seeds. Being from the city and never planting a garden he had to explain all this technical stuff. Here is the plot after he ran through it with the bedder.

Sadie was wanting to help too!

As you can see through pictures I have not been able to assist yet! I just had to document this monumental moment of planting my first garden/pumpkin patch. Then we layed out the drip tape for watering purposes , which I was finally able to help with. Once we were done we planted all the pumpkin seeds.
Now it is a waiting game to see if they start to grow. I do hope so because it would make for a fun fall full of wonderful pumpkins for decorating. Tonight we ordered some decorative squash and Indian corn that we will plant when the package arrives. What fun!

All done and ready for a cool shower. Here is a picture of my feet...and yes I was wearing tennis shoes! I think I need some work boots for our next garden. What do you think? What made me laugh was the fact that they are dirty but they were manicured!
After a crazy, hard working day some much need food was in store. I will be out of town on the fourth of July, so we decided to have our typical 4th dinner... RIBS!! We cooked with the music on and danced around(this is a favorite pastime)! Our dinner plate was so beautiful and colorful...our momma's would be so proud! Yum Yum!

After dinner we took a drive on the farm. They sun was setting and the blistering heat was in the past this evening! It was the perfect day of working plus some relaxation. I love days like this when I can spend the whole day hanging out with my amazing husband...we look forward to pumpkins!


*LRW*

God's Focus for Our Marriages

I have been searching for some literature for us to possible use for the couple's bible study Adam and I are trying to get together for this upcoming fall. I talked to Annie about it last week and thought I would get all of your input. To be completely honest I have never attended a bible study. I have been on retreats (ages ago), and Adam and I have participated in many devotionals, but I am unsure as to what a successful bible study needs. I know it starts with the bible but where do you go from there (it is a huge book you know)! We are coming up on the second church summit that is addressing our refocus plan this weekend. I wanted to have some information on the idea of getting together a couples bible study and possible literature to share with the preacher. So here is what I found...


When Sinners Say I Do (book and study guide) By: Dave Harvey

It is a 10 chapter book and this is the synopsis I found, "Marriage is the union of two people who arrive at the altar toting some surprisingly large luggage. Often it gets opened right there on the honeymoon, sometimes it waits for the week after. The Bible calls it sin and understanding its influence can make all the difference for a man and woman who are building a life together. When Sinners Say "I Do" is about encountering the life-transforming power of the gospel in the unpredictable journey of marriage. Dave's writing style embraces the reader as he speaks honestly, and sometimes humorously, about sin and the power of the gospel to overcome it. He opens the delightful truth of God's word and encourages the reader to see more clearly the glorious picture of what God does when sinners say "I do"."

Man after I read that I got excited! I love it when the book summary gets you excited, but then again that is what it's supposed to do. The study guide for this book is neat because it has a personal reflection, a reflection portion for couples, and then the group reflection.


Fireproof Your Marriage Couple's Study

I pulled this blurb about the study from the Love Dare website, "This six session in-home study is a great way for you and your spouse to build and strengthen your marriage. The Fireproof Your Marriage study integrates movie clips from FIREPROOF, along with key Scriptures, thought-provoking questions and devotionals, including concepts from The Love Dare book. Learn to appreciate the God-designed differences between men and women, how God's love enables you to love others and how to live a life free from temptations that can destroy your marriage."

Adam and I borrowed Fireproof the movie from my parents a couple months back, and we loved it. The acting was a bit hairy at first but the overall message was powerful. I cried because it was hard to grasp how a marriage can become so volatile when you are so happy in yours. We did not buy The Love Dare, because we were reading several books at that time, but my mom did it and she loved it.


Love and Respect by DR. Emerson Eggerichs.

A snip of what they have on the website. There are several different types of studies, but the concept of the book was interesting. "Based on over three decades of counseling, as well as scientific and biblical research, Dr. Emerson Eggerichs and his wife, Sarah, have already taken the Love and Respect message across America and are changing the way couples talk to, think about, and treat each other. What do you want for your marriage? Want some peace? Want to feel close? Want to feel valued? Want to experience marriage the way God intended? Then why not try some Love and Respect."

Love and respect...what more could we ask for from our spouse. In all the books Adam and I have read together thus far for men it is all about respect, so this book title has me intrigued.


So there you have it the three I have found...what do you all think? Do you have any other suggestions for studies you have heard of or have taking part in. What books of the bible are great for reading that focus on the sacrament of marriage?

*LRW*

A Fullfilling Year

It is hard to believe my first year of teaching has come to an end. It was an amazingly tiresome, yet rewarding year. I made mistakes, but I learned from them. I laughed with my students often. I had days when I was unorganized, and I didn't get to everything I had planned. I enjoyed recess when I could watch my students be children. I had days when we threw up the planned lesson and layed on the carpet together and read out loud. I had days that made me think what am I doing in this profession. I learned that teaching is not for the weak, it for the strong hearted. But you know what I literally cannot wait to do it again, because every moment this year was a precious moment. Now with that said I am excited about this summer, going on vacation, laying around the house and by the pool, but I can't stop thinking about what I am going to change next year. This year was such a learning experience and I have things I am going to change and I am trying to organize my thoughts and ideas.

I also am changing classrooms this year. It took me three days to haul my classroom contents across campus, but it is all in my new room in the actual first grade wing. I am pumped to get my room organized and set up for next year. When I got my room assignments I was a bit upset, but now I am for sure God was looking out for me. I was acting childish (as we adults sometimes do...admit it) when I did not get placed next to the people I wanted, but in due time He revealed why He place me where He placed me. He knows me better than I know myself, and I need to learn to trust Him more. I was placed next to two teachers that I really do not know very well because they do everything together. I spent all last year on the other side of campus and was pretty much forgotten about. My own mentor only stepped foot in my classroom once. With that said I was worried I would not be included and my goal this year was to work closely with a seasoned teacher so I can learn from them. I was worried these two teachers would do there own thing and I would be left hanging yet again. I was wrong, because they have been more than awesome emailing not only me but my cousin-in-law Stephanie, who is across the hall. Now Stephanie and I have been driving a hour each way to a training in Lake Butler, FL this past week and the one coming up...I know my summer has not really started. The training is called SUMS, Students Understanding Math and Science, and it is a fabulous hands on curriculum. I plan on implementing it in my classroom next year, and guess who is a trainer for the program and uses it in their classroom...you bet the two teacher we have been placed by. Now was God telling me to trust Him or what...I believe so!

P.S. Adam and I started our first sweat equity project, we are redoing the office...more to come!

*LRW*