Week #12

#77

JACKPOT!

 Can you believe these mini bags of Nibs exist???????  Just when you think the Twizzler company couldn't get any better, they surprise us with these delights.

Where did I find these might you ask - well, we (staff at RTPS) have a secret candy drawer at school and they were just sitting in there waiting to be chosen between all of the mini-size chocolate treats.  

I did some candy research and found that Mrs. Zenter purchased a bag of Easter candy at Sam's Club and they were included.  I went to Wal-Mart looking for the exact same bag - no luck.  I may need to make a trip to Sams just for this sweet indulgence.  

#78

Just when you think Aiden is done surprising us, we are wrong and he joins the USA Clay Target League.  This is a brand new sport in the area and is sponsored by South Heart High School (who would have thought Aiden would be participating in a sport in the same high school where I graduated).  He participates in competitions as an individual and as a team.  I wonder if this is a spectator sport or not????????

#79

Mrs. Rivinius (a colleague) posted an episode of 'I Survived' from YouTube on her Facebook page.  It was a story of two individuals who were captured and became prisoners of war. I watched that first episode and became hooked. Each episode documents stories of survival by means of faith, resilience, miracles, and determination.  These harrowing stories of real people who have endured the unthinkable are truly inspirational.  Thanks Robin for the recommendation!

#80

As Greg and I were peacefully sleeping, we were startled awake by a very loud crash.  We both shot out of bed expecting to see that our ceiling had fallen, a cabinet fell, something large hit the house, but we checked every room and could see no damage.  

Garage ... clear

backyard & frontyard ... clear

Aiden's room ... clear

kitchen, dining room, foyer ... clear

downstairs ... clear

storage room ... clear

 1/2 bathroom off of the kitchen....................seriously....... this small mirror is what caused all of that noise?????  

The only reason I felt the need to post this picture is that the mirror did not break.  I am not sure if they make better quality mirrors or we just have some fantastic luck!  Of course, Greg thinks this is a sign he should increase his wagers on the ponies. 

#81

Sergeant Matthew Perry presented me with a certificate of completion for my Marine Corp Educator's Workshop.  I had no idea that he was coming, but I was grateful I chose my patriotic outfit that day.  

#82

I know it is hard to see, but in this photo lies hundred and hundreds and hundreds of pine cones.  After the winter thaw, our backyard has them scattered everywhere in our yard.  If you ask any one of our three children, they will tell you the most dreaded household chore is picking and bagging the pine cones.  This task is required several times a year, as we have approximately 18 pine trees in our backyard.  

I am not a fan of picking up pine cones either; however, those seeds are a sign of life and growth.  If we do not have pine cones to pick up, we do not have living trees in our yard.  These trees have provided a playground for our children as they were growing up.  Landen built a dirt bike track, Ireland had scavenger hunts with her friends, and Aiden and Chance G. built a tree house in one of them (which is still intact).  So, as Greg, Aiden, and I gather the pine cones once again, we need to be thankful for the mess that the growing and living trees (and the ND wind) have dispersed throughout our yard.  

#83

Water - one of the most important human needs.  I know I was raised to conserve water when I was growing up, but not until I spent time in Africa did I truly understand the luxury of clean drinking water.  I call it a luxury because millions of people do not have what we in America do (clean, safe drinking water).  People die each and every day from dehydration or from disease due to drinking contaminated water.  Several years ago, I was visiting with a gentleman from Africa when he was student at Dickinson State University and we struck up a conversation about the dire need for wells in Africa.  He stated that when he first came to America, he was almost disgusted with our wastefulness of water.  He stated that he could not believe we flush clean, treated water down our toilets.  It had never occurred to me that we indeed do that as a culture.  

Again, I have to remind myself that we live in such a blessed country that clean drinking water is the norm and is available at our fingertips.