DIY iPhone case

I saw this on another website. I'm excited to try it out. I got a clear iPhone case for my iPhone 4 that I found for a great price on Craigslist. :) I traced the back of my phone on scrapbook paper and cut it out. I just slipped it in the back and closed the case around it! It's awesome! Right now I have two festive cases to sport for the holidays! I'm so excited to make more. I wish I could show what it looks like all said and done. But that's kinda tough!

A crafty kindergarten Christmas tree. :)

Last weekend, some friends graciously gave me my first, ever Christmas tree. :) Gave! It's 4.5' tall and it's perfect. And they gave me lights to go on it. Our class had some fun making ornaments and a PAPER CHAIN to hang on it!

I had these squares cut out for another project (thanks to my Cricut), but thought they would make precious ornaments. Cut, hole punched, threaded with yarn, and graced with letters. Like everything in kindergarten should be!

This next ornament was stolen from Pinterest. Not sure if it's a flower or a snowflake, but it's perfect. Take a papertowel tube, cut it, fold it, and glue it. I also have a magnet glued onto the center of the back so it can be used after the holidays!

This wreath was another pinterest find. Cut a hole in a paper plate, and attach green pieces of paper cut in the shape of holly leaves. Then attach a pipe cleaner with which to hang it. :)

Circle puncher. Just way fun to use. So naturally, I punched holes and had the kids glue them onto a cardboard circle. Festive. Simple. Perfect. :)

Another wreath. Same basic idea, but with my beloved circles instead of holly leaves. And smaller.

Found this foam guy at JoAnn with a bunch of his tree friends, and even some snowmen, for 50% off. I grabbed a decent-sized package of each and made some ornaments out of them. All that glitters isn't gold. Some are trees!

That's what my classroom tree looks like. For my first year, I like it. :) And those lights, reason enough for me to leave the tree up year 'round. Thoughts??? ;)

Rockin' a-ROUND the Christmas tree: holiday craft

An art project with just circles. For your little learner. :)

Insert shout out for my AMAZING new circle punch from Fiscars... Picked up at JoAnn Fabrics. Love it!!!!!

Interest and Impact.

Occasionally, I look at my blog stats. I find it interesting to see what other people view, what titles and content catch their attention. Where in the WORLD some of my readers are from.

I might not interest many people (honestly, I might not even interest you!), but I have the chance to impact those few that I touch. My blog has been viewed by people in SEVERAL countries... including (and not limited to)

United States
United Kingdom
Portugal
Russia
Canada
South Korea
Germany
Kenya
Honduras
Hungary
France
Peru
Malaysia

I know people in just a handful of these countries. Seriously, Malaysia?? I'll take it! :) Apparently, my blog is reaching all over the world. My influence might not be as significant as a certain Denver Broncos QB, but I have the privilege and responsibility to share the joy of Christ with those I can reach. This blog might usually be pointless nonsense, but I can take even the little things in life and use them as an... aroma of my Savior.

How are YOU using your corner of the world? :)

So there's this box...

For my overzealous friends, yes, I DID mean to type box, not boy. So quit it.

A few years back, a good "friend" presented me with a box. I was comforted with promises of being safe if this box. I could grow and not be crazy and everything would be wonderful! I shrugged my shoulders and hopped in. During those months I spent in that box, I was blinded, and trapped, but I convinced myself I was happy. Soon after, I wasn't myself at all. Then my box got dumped over, and I had to learn to stand again. I realized what had happened and decided that I couldn't bear to live my life in a proverbial box.

Down the road, I was shown another box. This one was bigger. More wiggle room. Instead of opaque walls, they were translucent. So, I hopped in! This time, I still didn't realize it. It took longer. It took a good friend to point it out.

I've been confined to boxes. I've limited myself based on what others think of me. I've tried to fit into the mold that others deem "perfect" or "acceptable." I try to be the one who always has it all together. I try to say the perfect things, do the perfect things, wear the perfect things, have the right friends...

I have the joy of enjoying freedom in Christ. He gave me desires and interests and personality and quirks. Within the boundaries of obeying what He wants, I can be myself. What an amazing thing!!!

I like me a little CHANGE!

Over the weekend, some girlfriends and I took a whirlwind trip from KC to Iowa and back in less than 24 hours. During my trip, getting my hair done was a MUST. I needed something new. For the person who can't just move or fly across the world in a heartbeat, I feel like getting my hair done is almost as close. Almost. ;) a few inches chopped off and a few shades darker.

These are a few of my favorite... blogs.

When I was in Portugal, I came across several blogs with the help of my friend Krisanna. We spent some of our extra time looking for different blogs within our categories of interest. Now, my GoogleReader is filled with various blogs from all over cyber space. A few of my favorites are...

Young House Love. I get to follow the lives of John and Sherry. Two HILARIOUS DIYers. They have an adorable little girl and they spend their lives completing projects and blogging. Seriously amazing.

Little Miss Momma. Follow the life and adventures of Ashley Stock and her cute little family as she tells the stories of her learning how to be a mom and her projects along the way... including my recent favorite posts about how she and her husband met. DARLING!

The Pioneer Woman. Ree writes all about photography and cooking and making her own shortcuts to store-bought things because she lives in the boonies.

The Dating Divas. Cheap, simple date ideas. PERFECT for you married ladies who "follow" my blog... which let this be a reprimand if you don't follow me. On the right side of my page, click either "subscribe to posts," "follow by email," or down by my followers on the right side, click "join this site" with google friend connect. Be a dear, just do it. :)

iHeart Organizing. Seriously, amazing organizing ideas. And sweet giveaways. LOVE IT!

Petit Elefant. Just fun. Life. Kids. DIY. Gifts. Learning. Fashion. Love it. :)

Less Cake More Frosting. Just love it.

And several of my PERSONAL faves. Friends of mine. Stories that pull at my heart-strings. These are their stories.

Jennifer (NiHART) HARTwig over at Always Keep HeART.

Alyssa Leonard over at Echoes of the Creator.

Erin Wahlstrom over (in Portugal) at Reflections of the Undeserving. SUCH an amazing woman who reflects her love of the Almighty in her posts. SO genuine. LOVE HER!

Jennifer Vaughn and her son's story of living with Leukemia. Vaughn Party of Seven.

Melyssa Dark at Melyssa with a "Y"

Mark Cannon over at Be of Good Courage.

Moral of the story, blogs are like the world you want to follow, rather than facebook which is the world that your "friends" force you to follow, which includes their drama.

Also, someday, I'd LOVE to be part of the BlogHer network, marry money, and blog for a "job." But we'll see how that all pans out. ;) Basically, I'm NOT counting on it. ;)

Thankful Thoughts: summary, surprise, sunrise.

some days, this blog is just a reminder that I really can't follow through with much. One month. 30 days. 30 posts of thankfulness. I failed. Awesome. And now November is over.

I had some bright idea to share different things each day of December, but since I failed at November, I'm just not going to try for another month. lol

I'll do my best to recap the last week-and-a-half of November then get started with a new theme for a new month. :)

November. 19th. The last day I didn't blog about what I was thankful for. Between that day and today, so many little things have happened. I've shed tears, I've made new friends, I've been reacquainted with old friends, I've discovered new possible paths in the roadtrip that is my life, I've gone "home," I've come back "home," I've learned, I've lost, and I've let go.

I'm thankful for my family.
I'm thankful for the vacation that is Thanksgiving break.
I'm thankful for peace.
I'm thankful for my (no longer) little brothers.
I'm thankful for my mom and her friendship.
I'm thankful for my dad and his willingness to work hard.
I'm thankful that my Lord has NEVER given up on me.
I'm thankful that God saves us from things that aren't His best for us.
I'm thankful for hardships that turn into the sweetest of blessings.
I'm thankful for my girl friends.
I'm thankful for friends that let me be real.
I'm thankful for friends that BEG me to be real.
I'm thankful for the friends that care enough to notice my heart.
I'm thankful for my time in Portugal.
I'm thankful for my car that is currently in working order (except for that O2 sensor!)
I'm thankful that I get to watch the sun rise and set every day.
I'm thankful for Chapstick. Seriously.
I'm thankful for chocolate milk.
I'm thankful for my kindergarteners.
I'm thankful for my junior highers.
I'm thankful for my coworkers.
I'm thankful for the blessing of Christmas decorations.
I'm thankful for the hope offered to me by the life and death of Christ.
I'm thankful that this world is the most suffering I will EVER experience.
I'm thankful for a God who not only loves, but PURSUES.
I'm thankful for the chance to pour my heart into my small group girls.
I'm thankful for those who didn't give up on me when I was a teen.
I'm thankful for the surprises God gives me. :)

There are a million other things I could add to my list, but those will come as time passes.

During December, I'm going to (hopefully) share some (pinterest finds) ideas for personalized gifts and such that would be a way to encourage a friend. I wish I gave more gifts and wrote more notes. Maybe this will be the kick in the skirt that I need. :) Enjoy your holiday season!

Thankful Thoughts: Silent Cries

Tonight I'm thankful for tears. I'm thankful for second chances. I'm thankful for eyes that look on me with love, and choose to see righteousness... The righteousness given to me. I'm thankful for pain. I'm thankful for the wilderness. I'm thankful for a Comforter that feels our silent cries. I'm thankful for the price that bought me. I'm thankful for the One who is still putting the pieces of my life together. I'm thankful for grace.

Thankful Thoughts: Days 15, 16, 17, AND 18.

I was asked by a friend if I was going to blog again soon, and I thought "geez, Louise! It hasn't been that long!" . . . false. It has been. I failed. Here I am, trying to make up for lost time.

Tuesday (the 15th): This was such a long time ago...

I'm thankful for an hour-and-a-half basketball practice. :) (better than our usual hour)
I'm thankful for my small group. Seriously, a group of the most encouraging people I know. LOVE them!
I'm thankful for preachers who have no fear to preach the Gospel.
I'm thankful for my friends, Jeremy and Emily, who were able to join me for small group.
I'm thankful for friends who can cook. Seriously. WINNER!

Wednesday (the 16th):

I'm thankful for other church families.
I'm thankful for the entertainment I experienced while I was donating plasma (included but not limited to the "I don't go to college" guy who would rather "stay home and do a bong" and the rapper across from me)
I'm thankful for the chance to share the hope of Christ with the two aforementioned "entertainers"
I'm thankful for Thanksgiving dinners... and those who can cook them well.
I'm thankful for mashed potatoes. I LOVE them.
I'm thankful for the chance to practice with the Oak Grove worship team. This was such a blessing, and a small taste of the parts of my church in Iowa that I had been missing.
I'm thankful for friends with open hearts, willing to be my friend and get to know me.

Thursday (the 17th):

I'm thankful that I did NOT consume pizza, pecans, green Kool-aid. (which I had consumed prior to the last time I had the flu)
I'm thankful that God knew I needed a break and saw fit to give me one.
I'm thankful for "unexpected" weight loss.
I'm thankful that I didn't get the flu when I was planning on traveling home.
I'm thankful for Emily and Laura who got to spend a "sick day" with me.
I'm thankful for people who look out for me.
I'm thankful that I didn't pass out or end up in the hospital.
I'm thankful for people who offer to bring me soup to make me feel better.

Friday (the 18th): Yes, it isn't even noon, but I have a feeling not much more will happen today...

I'm thankful for rest.
I'm thankful for encouragement from believers.
I'm thankful for my family.
I'm thankful for weekends.
I'm thankful for cocoa puffs.
and... I'm thankful for naps.

And I'm thankful for my "faithful followers."
(Someday, I'll have enough followers to do a give-away. Something fun. Something personalized. Something that you'll love... if I ever get followers... hahahaha)

Are you spending your days being thankful? Or are you looking past the little things?

Thankful Thoughts: Day 14

Today, I was reminded of my thankfulness for a few things specifically. While I was waiting to donate plasma, I was reading through the book of guidelines an things to know. One requirement was that you couldn't have lived in Portugal for more than three months in 1996. Weird, I know, but I was reminded that living in Portugal was an incredible experience that I wouldn't trade for the world. :) Another thing, while I was waiting, was my health. I have nothing wrong with my health, aside from occasional allergies and my occasional irregular heartbeat (which might just be a very athletic heart... so I'm still not convinced that's a bad thing)! Praise the Lord for His goodness in my health. He is good in my un-health and He is good to those with health problems. But He has richly blessed me! :)

Thankful Thoughts: Days 11, 12, and 13

Day eleven was Friday: I was able to drive up to Iowa after school and basketball practice to see my brother, catch up with some friends, and watch basketball. I'm thankful for:

basketball. LOVE it.
my younger brother, Seth.
my car that runs.
my new alternator.
a friendly, yet unexpected smile. :)
friends who speak the truth in love and continually shower me with encouragement.
girlfriends...
[specifically Jennifer over at always keep HeART and Melyssa over at Melyssa with a "Y"]

pasta. love that stuff. seriously.
finally realizing some things about yourself that puts some pieces together.
finding contentment. :)

Day twelve: Thankful for...

whomever came up with hair dye. :) love that stuff too!
friends that are friends no matter the circumstance.
advice from those who understand what my life circumstances are.

Day thirteen:

restoring friendships.
music.
church family.
being able to wholeheartedly praise my Savior.
music that points to the Creator and King.
hanging out with friends.
my dear mother who is an encouragement. :)

A week and a day until I visit the homeland! Which reminds me... I entered "home" in my GPS and had no idea where it would take me... and at this point, I can't remember. :/

Broken.

We are vessels. God's Word tells us that. I was once told that when we are cracked and imperfect, that is when the Light in us has the greatest chance to shine. My vessel is broken. And frankly, so is my heart. I feel like pieces of me are scattered all around and I am distracted. He alone can set my focus and fix my eyes on Him. He alone can put me back together. There are jagged edges to my brokenness. There are pieces waiting to be glued back together with the grace and healing only Christ can provide. But with each broken piece, comes the super glue of grace, pressure of life, and time. Time to heal. Time for the glue to set. Time for our hearts to remember the brokenness and remember the lessons learned from it.

I am broken.
But my God is healer.
He only knows what my vessel will look like.
But while I wait for the pieces to be put back together, I must wait for the glue to dry an remember that the Light within sometimes shines brightest when we are weakest... and...

broken.

Thankful Thoughts: Day Ten

The morning of the tenth of November, I found myself wanting to hop on a plane. Where I would fly to? I'd take just about anywhere... Lisbon, Salt Lake City, down south, STL, PA... seriously, if I could've, I would've hopped on a plane to go about anywhere but here. Why? Comparison. The ONLY reason. I LOVE Kansas City and I love the things and friends God has provided for me here. But I found myself thinking of a friend in Utah that I would love to see, and a friend in North Carolina that I would LOVE to just spend time with, and a friend in Pennsylvania who I could really stand to make some SWEET memories with!!! But here I am, living the life God has planned for me. I'm here, not there. And I love it here. Why do I go out of my way to make myself discontent? Good question...

Theodore Roosevelt worded it well when he said, "Comparison is the thief of joy."

Those words are so true. Today, I'm thankful for life. I'm thankful that my Savior knows what's best for me. I'm thankful that I was able to spend the day teaching kids how to read, write, and count. I'm thankful that I could spend my afternoon teaching girls the fundamentals of basketball and an example of being wholehearted about something and learning to do a certain thing well. I'm thankful for my dear friend, Laura. Thursdays are our only real day to talk, and I enjoy that. We spend our Thursday evenings playing volleyball in a rec league, then we get Sonic Slushies (lemon berry is the BEST), and we catch up on each others' life. She is truly a blessing. And she talks sense into me when I get a little gung ho about something that should just be let go of. ;) That girl is a blessing.

God is good to me.
He holds my hand.
He helps me stand.
He holds me tight.
He helps me fight.
God is GOOD to me.

Thankful thoughts: day nine.

Yesterday marked seventeen years since I trusted in the saving work of the blood of Christ. The grace God has shown me has kept me from so much filth and redeemed me from an eternity without Him.

Another thing I'm incredibly thankful for was the chance to talk to a good friend from camp tonight on the phone. It's amazing how and when things like that work out. What a blessing! :)

A thankfulness tree: fall craft

I recently made this cute little tree with my cricut. My cricut and I have a love/hate relationship. :) but anyway, I glued it onto some cardstock, cut out leaves, glued away, and started writing things I am thankful for. What a blessing to do and a cute craft to make. What are YOU thankful for!?!

Thankful Thoughts of November: Day Eight

As I think back on the different things I'm thankful for, I realize there is a trend. I'm thankful for people. I don't think that is a bad thing. God created us to be relational people. And I have seen that very much in my life. I am a people person, sometimes almost to a fault.

But I have been immensely encouraged by the people in my life...

who point me to the cross.
who stop and pray for a lost soul in the middle of an evening of fellowship.
who encourage me to try new things without reservation.
who desire the things of God.
who acknowledge the goodness of our Savior in even the smallest ways.
who seek out others to make a difference.
who lead.
who encourage.
who choose to be a blessing even if it means being inconvenienced.
who become transparent for the sake of growing in grace.
who desire to learn the person of our great God.
who open their hearts and lives to "newbies" like me.
who are simply following the Lord with no abandon.

God has blessed me beyond what I could ask or think. He took this opportunity to answer a prayer I hadn't even prayed. O taste and see that the LORD is good. :)

Thankful Thoughts: Day Seven

Wow. Already day seven. Today, I was reminded that I'm thankful for...

the friends I lose touch with and reconnect with. :)
students that play well together.
a vacuum that works.
rain.
a warm bed.
a conscience prodded by the Holy Spirit.
scent memory... just the recollections that my brain holds from smells... :) :) :)
Christmas-time.
friends with senses of humor.
chocolate.
dear family.
friends that evoke smiles. :)
a mother who is my friend.
going to bed early. :)
Emily.
Heidi.
Laura.
Moriah.
Katherine.
Ryan.
Aaron.
Tanner.
Jason.
Sunil.
Joel.
Hannah.
...and the list goes on...

Next step in my month of thankfulness was an idea from a dear friend, Emily. Write a thank you note every day this month. I'm a few days behind, but I think I can catch up. :)

Blessed.
Truly blessed.

Thankful Thoughts: Day Six

A little late, but I'm thankful for my church family. I have a few now, and they are all a blessing to me. It's been neat over the years to be a part of a few different churches, all very different. It has made me a more rounded individual and not just because of the potlucks. Haha ;) I love that they pray for me and uplift me and want God's best for me even when I'm far away. So thankful for my church families :) what a blessing!

Thankful Thoughts: Day Five

Today, I'm thankful for old friends. I've made several new friends lately with all the new life experiences that have ambushed me, but today I was reminded that there's a great comfort in the friends that know you better than yourself. Praise the Lord for those friends that take the time to get to know you that well, and stick around after they do... even if it isn't in the most conventional of ways... God has blessed me with solid, godly friends that I've had for years, and I'm excited for my new friends to become those solid friends that I keep for years.

"There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother..."

Thanks: Day Four

Tonight's thankful thought will be brief. I feel like everyday could be thankfulness for friends. Tonight, I just spent some INCREDIBLE time with AMAZING friends and had a blast! But more on that later... maybe...

Today, I'm thankful for my junior highers. I teach junior high P.E. every afternoon. And then after school, I coach junior high girls' basketball. I was nervous at the beginning of the year. Junior highers??? The dreaded children that no one else wants??? Yes. Those are the kids I get to teach every day. And they have been such a joy! Yes, I've disciplined them when needed, but they know I mean business. And we can have a BLAST together. They keep me on my toes (in more than just dodgeball) and give me more reasons to smile. They bring so much excitement to my afternoon. Love those kids!!!

Outfit of the Day: a little brown and bronze

Since Wednesday is never my best-dressed day, I'll give up on that parameter.

Today's sweater is from The Limited:
Thanks to all sorts of coupons, special deals, a $15 off coupon and my teacher discount, this sweater was a steal! I love the kimono sleeves, the texture of the sweater and the length of the torso. It looks superb with a skinny belt, chunky belt, or no belt. :) Today, I went with no belt. :)


Skirt courtesy of the one and only Target! Clearance racks often contain the most wonderful things. And sure enough, I found this puppy hidden amongst the plus sizes. For those of you who know how I'm built, you'll know I have an "athletic figure" . . . meaning I have zero hips. Which came in handy in turning this around the waist pencil skirt into a skirt I could easily wear around my hips. :) And at $4.98, I looked classy and didn't break the bank!

Today, I busted out my boots. Big fan of these Maurice's clearance find. :) LOVE! The weather was chilly this morning, so the boots just completed the Friday ensemble.
My nails were painted a deep plum and my ears were graced with bronze beaded pendant earrings from Portugal. :)

Thankful Thoughts: Day Three

In order to try to stay caught up, I have to start blogging at night. NOT when my brain is in high gear. Actually, I don't remember the last time it was really firing on all cylinders. But I digress...

Today is day three of November. I'm thankful for opportunities. Not a day goes by where I have not been handed an opportunity to impact a life, smile at a student, or even change someone's world by praying for them.

I tend to think that if I only had opportunity, I'd change the world. I really do have chances to impact many lives. As a teacher, especially in my position, I interact with almost every student in the school in a given week. I can show them the love and grace of Christ... EVERY time I see them. And when I'm not around them, I can be praying for them. Prayer is never the least we can do. It's the most.

I have millions of tiny opportunities to share love and grace. I am thankful that my God continues to give me chances when I continue to blow it.

He is gracious and giving. Praise His name. Let His words fill me and His grace and love overflow from my life and heart.

Thankful Thoughts: Day Two

Day two was a reminder that I am thankful for the body's ability to protect itself and heal itself. Last night, I sat outside in 37 degree weather while it was pouring down rain. I was praying that I didn't get frostbite. But, my body kept shivering. It knew I was freezing! As annoying as shivering is, my body was trying to tell me how dumb it was to be that cold! My body was telling the rational side of my brain to make wiser decisions, but the "I'm a 22-year-old who wants to watch an MLS game, so I'll be invincible for the night" side kept me outside with friends freezing royally. So yes, my body might be smarter than my mind. But how incredible is it that the God of the universe made our bodies to respond to our surroundings and protect us and prompt us to do things like bundle up and get more sleep??? Truly incredible. The human body is immaculate.

I will praise You,
because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made.
Your works are wonderful, and I know this very well.
Psalm 139:14

Here's a video that I LOVE to watch (about Laminin, some of you might have seen it...) that points everything about our body back to the Creator. :) Praise His excellent name!

freezing at the Sporting KC game

Thankful Thoughts of November: Day One

As a trend for the month of November which serves as the carrier of the holiday that reminds us to be thankful one day of the year, I thought I would take a small effort to blog everyday about something significant in my life that I truly should thank God for more than I do.

Day one (which was yesterday) is friendships. I'm sure I'll mention this one at least once more during the month. In my last post, you saw a little glimpse into my friendships. God has truly blessed me with a group of friends that is encouraging, hilarious, easy-going, and excited to try new things (or at least include new people)! They have brightened every Tuesday night for the past couple months with their "dinner night" as we all (usually about ten of us) gather in the kitchen and take part in making dinner. This extravaganza brings laughter, occasionally some tears (from the laughter) and nerves about trying new things (for me, it's slicing bread...). But every week, we enjoy time together preparing dinner and dessert. Then, time is spent reflecting on the greatness of our God in different ways, whether it be from a sermon or a glimpse at our own lives. I truly love this group and love the time we've been able to share together.

Today (day two) will bring something else. :) And it might just be a different group of friends. ;)

Praise the Lord for His goodness in even the "small" ways. :)

Small groups and soccer.

My list of things to blog about is growing, yet my free time is shrinking! Tuesday night's are small group nights for a local church here in KC. It isn't the church I attend, but I was included by a friend, only to make several other friends. Last night, we spent our evening at a soccer game and encouraging a high school senior on senior night. I just love the bond that the body of Christ brings no matter where your life may take you. My life brought me to KC and my Lord dropped me in the midst of a group of godly, encouraging friends. Praise the Lord for His excellent goodness. :)

blast from the past: pictures from high school

A few pictures from back in the day when I had bad clothes, bad hair, bad teeth, you name it... But they made me laugh. Praise the Lord for His grace!!!!!!!!!

1- mission trip sophomore year to DC

2- same mission trip

3- same trip. i dyed my hair on the trip.

4- had the privilege of leading Donnell to the Lord. then he asked me to prom. :)

5- resident pianist.

6- overalls. seriously. 7- just skin and bones.

8- practicing cheerleading anywhere and everywhere. in a bowling alley in indianapolis...

9- again, awful hair and clothes and smile... TFC. junior high.

10- high school. the haircut i loved but am too nervous to attempt again.

11- mission trip to DC, 2005.

12- what did i tell you about cheerleading?? 13- pants filled with balloons. 34 if i remember correctly... and my short hair.

14- youth lock-in.

15- ice breakers in youth group.

16- waiting at a train station in Chicago, 2004. seven whole years ago! TFC nationals!

17- camp retreat, Manitoumi.

18- surprise sweet sixteen party.

19- the day i decided i hated surprises.

20- mystery dinner theater at Delhi. 21- ice-blocking. :)

I hope none of you "faithful" followers take me any less seriously now. I was clueless. Really, I was. I have a certain respect for junior highers and high schoolers that actually look put together. Props to you. :)