Settlin Settlers

I settled the score. yep.

Saturday night Eric and I joined some of our friends for a rousing came of Settlers of Catan. If you know what I'm talking about you're probably saying "Oh yeah!" If you don't know, you should play with us sometime. And if you're groaning, well then you're probably just Sarah or Susan.

Anyways, as all settler players know, there are six people that can play with the expansion pack, but we had seven. So Eric generously offered that we would be one person together (you know that whole marriage thing).

And so, it was my turn. And I used it.

"Eric, just stop talking!"

See, back in 2004, when Eric and I first started dating, we were introduced to the game by our dear friends Julie and Chase. Since many people were present, we were placed on the same team. In the game, you trade resources and another players asked if we had what they needed. I answered affirmatively and received a serious rebuke from Eric- "Nicole, just stop talking!

How we have laughed about it... and 5 years later we were finally on the same team again!

There might only be a couple of people who can appreciate this story, so I dedicate this to you.

Love you Eric!

A Child's View of My Class

Today our students wrote letters to the new first graders (for the next school year). They offered their advice and told them what to look forward to. They were all cute... here is one example (no changes... my helpful interpretations will be in italics).

Dear First Graders,

It is fun her! You'l git to lite a litebolb up! I think you no apowt know about fun Friday You will play with something cold oblick oobleck- think Dr. Suess! I-
t is green woter exept it is sticky and win you scwes it... it sticks mar! For Riggs som of you wil go nextor next door! Just thin-
ck if arte is fun pe P.E. is funer! Yven Even because thers alot of fun you gus guys stil haft to folo the rols be kind always be safe be a good listener and be respec-
tful to everyone to...

From one of my students that I will miss!!

I think the word breaks were the best! Other letter comments included... don't worry writing isn't scary (yay!); don't steal sticky tak (a not so fun this year adventure); what I like about school is math because I like when we take tests (we'll see if that continues...); and you should eat lunch even if it's gross (we actually have good food too!). I will miss these kiddos!

3 more days!!

One Room Down

Inspired by the fact that we had a house guest coming to live with us last weekend, Eric and I successfully finished the guest room. And I have to admit, getting some of my furniture in there was definitely a moral boost!

Witness the transformation...

from this:


to this:

Last Day to Bid!

Go check out our online auction if you haven't already. Thank you for all your support!

http://teachersinsierraleone.blogspot.com/

Sierra Leone Online Auction

As many of you know, this summer I am returning to Sierra Leone to continue teacher training in the area of reading and other topic areas.

I am excited to return for so many reasons- the children, the teachers, the relationships formed, and my hope to see national teachers raising a generation of godly, educated leaders.

It was a joy for me to use my time I am given in the summer to go and to serve and to be served by the Sierra Leoneans.

This year our team is conducting an online auction to help raise necessary funds. There are African batiks (cloth pictures), gift cards to national chain restaurants and stores, and if you are local some yoga or massage sessions to check out.

These were all generously donated and so the proceeds from the auction will go to our team fund and to the education program in Sierra Leone.

The auction and our team blog can be found here at:

http://teachersinsierraleone.blogspot.com/

Please lift our team up in your prayers as we make final preparations during May. Thank you!

Sheets and Marriage

After almost 3 years of marriage, our sheets are falling apart.

Last week, Eric's pillowcase ripped in half.

Then last night I tore the fold on our top sheet while sleeping.

I don't really know what that means when your sheets fall apart.

Probably that we didn't register for "nice" ones (though they did seem to cost a lot!)

The whole sheet thing reminded me thought of how "long" we've been married. (It's long for us. We're not competing with you 50+ year-ers!)

I'm happy to be married to such a wonderful man. And now to buy some sheets!