Update June 2007

Ok, so I guess I should update this as it's almost the end of school and the last update was well, forever ago. Over Spring Break, I had a couple of interviews for jobs and I accepted one at the John Ball Zoo working in Food Service. I have been working mainly weekends since mid-April. I'm loving it. Once school is done next week, I'll be working full time all summer. It'll mean lots of babysitting for Heather, but it will bring in extra money. So, if any of you are at the zoo this summer, just keep an eye out for me wherever food is sold. I never know where I'm working until I get there. I'll also be doing summer library at school for the last 3 weeks this summer. I'm looking forward to that.
Amanda & I went to a West Michigan Whitecaps game in April. She said it was ok. It was a pretty slow game until the last inning. I also went with her on her field trip to Fredrick Meijer Gardens. I had a group with her and 2 other girls. They all had fun and loved seeing the butterflies. She had a Laura Ingalls Wilder day which I was able to attend for part of the time. I helped out with a game similar to Oregon Trail. They had to figure out what they would take with them according to how much weight they had available and they also had to pick which of the things they were taking were the most important 3 items.
Heather had 3 parades and a band concert in May. The business manager at school got smart and planned a professional development day for one day of the Tulip Time parades, so I was able to enjoy the parade with Amanda & Emily while Heather marched. (Thanks Steve!!!) My sister, Lois & her husband, Adam surprised the girls for the 2nd Tulip Time parade by coming all the way from Missouri. My sister, Sarah & my parents came too, but the girls knew they were coming. For once, it was a great day for a parade. Her band concert went well and she received another practice medal. I missed the Memorial Day parade because I had to work at the zoo, but it sounded like it went well too. I had the opportunity to go with Heather on her Physics day trip to Michigan Adventure, but passed it up as I'm not into roller coasters. Next week is exam week for her and this is the first time they've really had to deal with exams in every class. She's hoping she does well.
I had the opportunity to go to Odyssey of the Mind State Tournament in Traverse City in April to judge spontaneous again. I really enjoyed it and was paired with the same head judge from our regional competition. He & I judge a lot alike & we had fun comparing our scores to see how many times we judged exactly the same. One of our teams from Hamilton went on to Worlds at Michigan State this past week. They finished 39th, but it was just a great honor for them to be able to go.
Once school is done, we'll have a fairly quiet week or so before the schedule gets busy for a month. After that, things should slow down for the end of the summer before we head off to school again. It's hard to believe that I'll have a high schooler next year. My, I'm getting old. Another year and then Emily will be off to school. Where does the time go??? Well, I've got to get a couple of things done before I head to bed as I have to work in the morning. Hope you all are doing well. Love ya!!!

Update 7/13/06

Ok, so much for the idea of monthly updates. Here's a brief listing of all that's happened in the past few months. (Like from March until now.)

Odyssey of the Mind Competions in Grandville & Traverse City
-Heather's team placed 1st in Grandville & 3rd in Traverse City
-My team placed 3rd in Grandville & 8th in Traverse City

District 10 All-Star Band for Heather
-She did great. Her Aunt Sarah went to the concert with me.

Surprise Hockey Game
-Anthony brought home tickets to the Grand Rapids Griffins vs. the Toronto Marlies one night for the two of us

Central Christian College of the Bible Choir Concert
-My sister, Lois and her fiancee were in the choir. They did great.

Spring Break
-The girls spent a day in Holland with grandparents and a couple of days in Niles with their Aunt Sarah.

Job Changes
-I had to quit my music job. It was a very hard decision since I love teaching music.
-Applied for a full time parapro position, but didn't get it.

Tulip Time
-2 parades for Heather & both went well (one was hot & sunny and one was cool & rainy)

Job Shadow
-Heather had to job shadow someone in the her interest area, so she went to Vestaburg to job shadow the band director there.

Field Trip
-Amanda & I went for a river boat ride on "The Star of Saugatuck" and then went to the "Dutch Village"

End of School Year
-Everyone moves up a grade with fairly good report cards
-Not all of my projects got done, but the key ones did
-Band concert for Heather

Garden
-Got planted, but not weeded
-Corn, pumpkins, watermelon, cucumbers & gourds growing well

Break for Mom
-All 3 girls went to Vestaburg for Vacation Bible School
-The following week was only Emily home while Heather was at camp & Amanda stayed in Vestaburg

Bedroom Changes
-Heather has her own room in the basement
-Emily's in the small bedroom now
-Amanda no longer has to share a room

4th of July Vacation
-Trip to Grand Have to the Musical Fountain on the 1st
-Day in Holland with fireworks on the 2nd
-The girls went to Lake Michigan on the 4th with grandparents

Wedding
-Tomorrow we head to Vestaburg for my sister Lois' wedding which I'm in

Ok, so there's the run down on the past 4 months. Hope all is well with all of you. Hope to hear from you soon.

Love,
Elizabeth

Topsy Turvy Land - Poetry for Children by Donna J. Shepherd: Free! A Topsy Turvy Picture to Color!

Here's a coloring picture for all of you. Donna writes for Inspiration Station. Have fun coloring!

Topsy Turvy Land - Poetry for Children by Donna J. Shepherd: Free! A Topsy Turvy Picture to Color!

Welcome

Well, I've added myself to Blogger besides having my Xanga blog. Don't expect me to keep too updated. I'm terrible at keeping thinks updated. Feel free to send me a note and let me know what's up with you. If you're really lucky, I may update this monthly, but don't hold your breath.

Things have been a roller coaster ride here lately. Between wonderful times with family over Christmas Break and celebrating Christ's birthday with them, we've had to deal with leaky pipes and the flu bug. We're ready for a break from the ride.

Hope you all are well and enjoying God's great gifts.

Love,
Elizabeth