What am I doing this summer?

Well, after finishing the school year, I raced to Florida. It was a fun, busy time. Now, I'm back in good 'ole Illinois! For the first time.......in a long time, I'm relaxing. I noticed the other day that I felt the almost uncontrollable urge to get busy for the sake of being busy. I don't know that there is much value in this. Don't get me wrong....I'm not sitting at home doing absolutely nothing. Instead, I'm reading, mowing the lawn, trimming the shrubs, enjoying the outdoors, watching the sunset... It is a much needed time of healing and rejuvination. :)

BUT... I have been busy with a few fun projects...

A fun little skirt for my desk. :) (The material was purchased over a year ago. It's nice to have time to finish it.)

I will be doing a church camp and a VBS this summer. This is the background. I've also purchased two fake trees for the outdoor adventure of developing a trusting relationship with Jesus!

This is my parent's home, where I am currently living. I love the way the light shines off of the floor. It's my favorite spot in the house! :)

Spending Time with Cousins

Since I've been home, I've been able to spend some time with my little cousins! They are so sweet! We went to the Magic House and the Arch.

Other Florida Pictures

The Rest of Florida

Sorry for the delay.... Here are a few more photos of the Sunshine State!

The students at Hope Christian School had a pizza party to end a great school year! :)

The Kindergarten Graduation was adorable! :)

The High Schoool Graduates with Bro. Juan, the principal.

I have returned!

My lengthy absence has been due to a 17 day trip to Florida. I've included some pictures from the journey!

This is a picture of the sand art completed by the girls during the Spanish Girl's Retreat. I had the chance to share with the girls about God's love! It was a neat time and I thank the Lord for His help! :)

Some of the girls found these beautiful shells for the decorations for the banquet at the end of the retreat. We used them later in the week for a fund-raising banquet for my sister's school!

We also had the chance to visit the Gumbo Limbo State Park. It was beautiful.

I'll post more pictures later of the other adventures! :)

Good-Bye

Yes, I technically get 3 months off each summer, but I must convey the pull on my heart strings at this, the end of my first year in first grade. The following is a letter that I included with my report cards and it sums up my feelings. So if you ask, "Jo, are you ready for this year to be over?" I'll say something like, "Yeah." But, deep down this is what I'm feeling...

Dear Parents,

Today I give you back your child. The same child you confidently entrusted to my care last fall. I give them back pounds heavier, inches taller, and months wiser than they were then.

Although they would have attained their growth in spite of me, it has been my pleasure and privilege to watch their personality unfold day by day and marvel at this miracle of development.

I give them back reluctantly. Having spent nine months together in the narrow confines of a classroom, we have grown close and we shall always retain a little of each other. We have lived, loved, laughed, learned, and enriched our lives together this year.

Remember that I shall always be interested in your child and their future endeavors, wherever they go, whatever they do, whoever they become. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to be your child’s teacher this year!

Miss Ryder

BDB vs. ADB

Yes, friends, as my brother stated on the phone last night, my life has been redefined. Now and forever more I will refer to my life as the period before the dog bite and the period after this fateful time.

I, in an effort to get on the healthy side of life, ventured out into the beautiful outdoors last evening for a peaceful bike ride. I have traveled this certain route many times and felt fairly confident in attempting the 8 mile route alone. Thankfully my sister and I had been talking and I tucked the trusty cell phone into my pocket.

Traveling along at a comfortable clip I enjoyed the beauty of nature. The graceful fluid movements of the deer, the peaceful vivid green of new leaves, the smell of freshly plowed dirt, …the barking of dogs…

I rounded the turn at about mile six and saw two dogs racing toward me. Well, if you know me very well at all you will know that I am not a great lover of doggies. My small portion of ‘dog love’ depletes when they are coming at me at full speed. The world suddenly began to move slower. The larger dog, who was approximately the height of my bike came closer and closer. He first bit at my heal and then grabbed a good, strong bite on my leg. Thankfully a motorcycle came along and I had a brief second to get away. I yelled at the dear, possessed doggie and he backed off.

I called nearly every person I knew and no one was home. Finally, after contacting my brother in Cincinnati, I called my aunt. She picked me up about a mile from the scene of the crime.

After a visit to my doctor today, I began taking the antibiotic that he prescribed. My tetanus shot is up to date and I found that the dog also has his shots. So, I don’t think I’ll be foaming at the mouth any time soon.

Well, one of my greatest fears has been played out in my life and I have survived! But, to all of the lovers of pooches out there, I must say that I will not be having a canine pet any time soon.

Woof, woof!