Adventure Awaits

In about 9 hours I will board an airplane in the DR.

In about 21 hours I will land in Sioux Falls.

Crazy.

The school year has come to a close.

My first year teaching in the Dominican Republic.  

Crazy.

It's difficult to put words to how I'm feeling.

I'll try.

. Excited . Exhausted . Homesick . Sad . Overwhelmed . 

Transition is hard.

Several weeks ago, against my better judgement,

I started a pinterest board titled "Summer 2014".

To say I'm stoked is an understatement.  

I've been excited for many things this summer will bring.

But I've found myself daydreaming about a certain few most often.

[slow walks around my old neighborhood with friends after dinner]

[going to Target for no real reason other then it sounds fun]

[big family dinners filled with fresh food, good stories, and laughter]

[watching Gilmore Girls with friends in the back porch] 

[relaxing in quiet coffee shops with good friends] 

[chasing Liam around and scooping him into my arms] 

I'm excited for the big and small adventures this summer will hold.

I'll be back in the DR in six weeks 

and no doubt there will be more adventures waiting.  

What are you daydreaming about this summer?

Discoveries

Some end-of-the-school-year discoveries… 

Cresly, chinola juice, Emily, dominos, Cindy, and play dough

makes a bomb after school playdate.

Spending the night at the clinic with a sick Hannah

creates countess new memories.  

If I need to be humbled 

I can just have my loved ones put on a gigantic rummage sale

and raise money for my life.

When I'm an ocean away.

Kids go ecstatic when they get a package in the mail.

My family and friends sent THE best mail.

Giving kids their own mini greenhouses makes 

them pretty dang excited to check on their plants progress

and basil grows MUCH faster than cilantro.

This year's YL team rocked it

and next year's YL team is going to carry on the tradition.

A simple porch barbecue makes my heart soar

and "big cookie" tastes just as good in the DR.

Double Stuffed Oreos do exist on this island!

#firstsighting 

Making recipes with 5 year olds will create chaos

…the good kind.  

"Fancy" by Iggy on repeat will never get old 

while driving down the mountain.  

Have you discovered anything lately?  

Last night I discovered that not all parasites are horrible :)  

Gracias a Dios

All thanks goes to You.  

small hands using paint brushes to create beauty

and little voices that repeat everything I say

a butterfly migration during my planning period

and ideas becoming reality in our parking lot

stunning art created by 1st graders 

and teachers that inspire 

relaxing spaces 

and refreshing swimming pools

a day of solitude 

and outrageously generous friends

strong and deep relationships 

that make goodbyes extra hard

little people that can read

and bravery 

friends with tender hearts 

and parties that make silly dreams come true

a little boy that's not a baby anymore

and arms that cannot wait to grab onto him

What have you been thankful for lately?

It's a nice thing to talk about, trust me.