He's so "Smert!"

I just wanted to write a quick note sharing some exciting news in the George's world.

As required by his job he has to take an Oklahoma licensing exam. Last week the first group took it and only 6 of 12 employees passed it. George was scheduled to take it yesterday morning, so he studied several hours each night this week, and I even quizzed him over practice tests.

Well, thankfully, yesterday he took the test and PASSED! When he took it only 6 of 11 passed it, so it must be a very difficult test. Anyway, just wanted to share the exciting news (and sigh of relief!)

Family/Engagement Pictures #1

Mom was easy to please this year, well, she is always easy to please actually...but this year was especially easy and fun at the same time. With the recent additions to the family she wanted an updated family picture. George and I had just gotten engaged the week before so we took a few engagement pictures at the same time. Below are some of the 100+ pictures we took that day.

The whole gang!! It keeps growing!!

This one above is my favorite!!

Aren't they precious?

Family/Engagement Pictures #2

Our attempt to be creative. Fadraon is wondering what is going on behind him.

Another big gang picture!

Tried to change it up a bit with changing clothes.

Trip to the Cornhusker state

Friday evening George and I jumped in the car for a quick trip to Cozad, Nebraska. We had promised several we would make a trip to see them since we lived so "close" now. Well, I still don't know that Overland Park, KS is "close" to Cozad, but it is closer than it was from Illinois. We arrived just before midnight, which made the nearly 400 mile trip last just about 6 hours.

We were blessed to stay with Elder Thomas Bond and his sweet wife Sister Elaine. Friday evening we visited briefly then headed to bed for the night. Saturday morning Sister Elaine made a wonderful Southern Breakfast; homemade biscuits, bacon, eggs, and all the fixin's. After breakfast we sat around the table visiting for quite awhile, then we headed over to Brother Howard and Sister Cynthia Halbgewach's home for fellowship and lunch. Brother Jesse Halbgewachs, David and Anna Taylor, and their daugther were there as well. Once again being well fed, we visited some more, and headed back into town to see David and Anna's home. I have known David most of my life and met Anna for the first time about six years ago. They were so sweet to welcome us to their home and have some time to visit with another young couple.

Saturday evening we went to Mt. Zion for services. As always, they were so welcoming and we were thankful to be there with them. The singing is always so beautiful there, both George and I really enjoyed it. After church the Bonds felt George needed to experience a true Nebraska original, The Runza!!! I have to him credit, he tried one and ate the whole thing! Granted, I'm not sure he'll ever order one again, but he said, "It was okay."

Sunday we attended services at a local nursing home followed by services at Mt. Zion. Thankfully, we didn't have to get on the road too quickly so we were able to enjoy some more fellowship with everyone at church, as well as a birthday party for Katherine (David and Anna's daughter) and Brother Harold Halbgewachs who was celebrating his 90th birthday. Brother Harold is also Katherine's great-grandfather. It was so sweet to see the generations standing there as we sang Happy Birthday.

As everyone began to head their separate ways Brother Thomas called for George and I to come over to the door. The church was standing in a circle and we were asked to stand "front and center". As we took our place the church began to sing "God Be With You Till We Meet Again." Standing in the midst of everyone it made me reflect back on the last day and a half and again was so thankful for the ability to make the trip.

We headed home shortly after 3 and made it in just before 10, just in time to start another work week. We had a wonderful trip to Cozad and were greatly blessed by the services at Mt. Zion. We encourage anyone who is ever traveling through or even near there, to stop by and visit. I know they would be happy to have you any time.

Student Funnies...

As many of you know I work at an elementary school that houses 400 students K though 5th grade, including 25 children who are emotionally disturbed (ED). I see about 55 students, including about 9 ED students, for speech and/or language therapy.

Thus far I've heard some pretty funny things coming from the mouths of my students, from the youngest to the oldest, they make me laugh repeatedly. Periodically I hope to share some of the funny things I've heard. Who knows...some day I may be able to write a book!

I was reviewing opposites with a second-grade student, always starting with the easiest, I asked, "what is the opposite of cold?" She quickly responded, "hot". We continued at a rapid pace, hard/soft, dark/light, etc. Then I finally stumped her..."What is the opposite of rough?" She thought long and hard and hesitantly responded, "meow?"

Part of the assessment process includes collecting a language sample from students. This basically involves a brief conversation with the student talking about like and dislikes and writing down 25 of their utterances. One kindergarten student asked what I was writing and I gave a simplified version of what I was doing. He looked at my notebook wide-eyed and said, "I am saying all those big words?"

Lastly, a group of fourth-graders were working on learning new vocabulary. One of the words was "successful". This word brought us into a discussion of what it means to be successful. Of course most answers revolved around making money or having a family. I asked one student how he intended on making so much money. Of course I anticipated aspriations being a doctor or a lawyer, but no...he said, "I'm going to be on Deal or No Deal!"

I'm sure there will be more stories to share over the coming months, at some point I'll write more about my job and my responsibilities at Daniel Young.