My Mom, Grandma and I setting up the kitchen. 

Our class turtle "Tornado". This is his mean face. 

The other day I prayed for an apartment. I told God the specifics of what I wanted, which is not something I normally do, even though I know He can do anything. Last weekend, after looking at two dumps, we looked at a barn apartment that we loved and put a deposit down on it. That's right, we share a building with two horses and dog named Ozzie. As we were moving a few boxes in yesterday we were greeted with a gentle neigh every time we walked through the barn doors with our boxes. It's a beautiful apartment with a view and a yard and it's exactly what we wanted. The people we are renting from are Christians and on the day we looked at the apartment we talked to them for about an hour and a half over tea. We could not be more happy and thankful. Pictures soon!! (I promise)

Our turtle can eat goldfish. Real goldfish. We haven't tried it yet but today a student brought me a little bag of goldfish crackers for the turtle.

We have these play barn and zoo animals in our classroom. The other day I over heard some kids playing with the ducks and saying, "Aflac! Aflac!"

My class named the turtle "Tornado". It was down to the wire between Swimmy and Tornado. Soon I will have a picture of it for you!

"There are ten people in this class. Please tell me there are ten people here!"

-Kindergartener

"This is the sign of the closed expression."

Kindergartener

I got a turtle for my classroom! My family has unofficially named him Red Green (this is an obscure canadian tv show), but I think I will let my kids name him. I'm not so sure he is a him, now that I think of it. I assumed it was a him because he hissed at me once. I guess it could be PMS...

Hinson house alumni 

Sarah and Paul 

Mom's garden 

Our faun - it visits our house! 

"Teacher, I am so hungry I could touch my lungs."

-Kindergartener

My first two days of school have been fine, if you were wondering. I don't have anything more to write, I'm tired. The good thing is, I have tomorrow off!

Kindergartener: Teacher, can anaconda's live under schools?

ME: No, I doubt it.

Kindergartener: Can an anaconda break through the carpet?

We're moving tomorrow!

My First Day of Work

Today was the first day I was officially required to be at work. We had a teachers meeting with all of the small schools around our area and went over what is required at the grade level that we teach. It was a little boring but information that I really needed to know, so it was a good day. I met a lot of people. It was great to see one person I went to highschool with and reconnect. She teaches first in a school close to mine. I also met a person who knew me when I was a baby.
I love the fact that everyone is connected to me somehow. I think I kind of forgot about that in Portland. There is a shift in my thinking when I come here. In Portland I am skeptical about people and tended to think the worst about them. It's the opposite here. I like it. I think Paul will like it here too.

facts about the place I teach in:

5 is the number of miles of gravel I have to drive on in order to get there
6 is the number of deer I saw on the way home from school last night
0 is the number of times I will ever hear a cell phone ring there because there is no service
30 is the number of minutes I will have to drive to get a latte
7 is the number of new friends I have there
10 is the number of kindergarteners I will teach there
0 is the number of people I heard complain today at a teacher's meeting (you know this is rare if you are a teacher)

In honor of my 200th post to my blog, I have changed the format of my blog. I know, the pink was just ridiculous.

Things I will miss about Portland: Our Mosaic Community Group

Chris and Lanaia 

Macy 

Matt 

Chad, Doug, Anya 

Things I will miss about Portland: Letha 

WHEN IT RAINS IT POURS

I've had one interview call and one job offer since I took the job in Washington. What a weird time this is for us! Now I'm turning people down after a year and a half of practically begging them for a job. Neither of the positions are as good as the one I have but they are still professional teaching positions and that makes me feel great! The day I got my job I threw out tons of files of prospective job information. It was so cleansing. What a load lifted.

On another note, the blogs may be few and far between from now until we get settled in our new life but we'll try to keep you posted as much as we can! I'm heading up next week for meetings and stuff and then we move on the 30th.

The view out my window. It's a spinach field but has been harvested. The slide is one that isn't really used any more, because they have a new playground. 

My reading corner 

My desk 

I spent the last three days getting my classroom ready for school. I have posted some pictures below and hope to take another one of the whole room when it's completely finished. My Mom, Dad and Grandma all helped me at different times. Next week I officially start inservice and different meetings, and we move the weekend after that.

I spent the last three days getting my classroom ready for school. I have posted some pictures below and hope to take another one of the whole room when it's completely finished. My Mom, Dad and Grandma all helped me at different times. Next week I officially start inservice and different meetings, and we move the weekend after that.

While I was packing today I found my pig, Bacon. Oh the memories! 

I have decided to post pictures, like a photo journal, of all the things I will miss about Portland. Enjoy!!!

Things I will miss about Portland: STARBUCKS (the town we are moving to does have a starbucks - whew!!! - but we have to drive for half an hour to get to it) This Starbucks is two blocks away from my house. At the hieght of my coffee addiction, the good people at this place would start making my drink while I was standing in line.  

Things I will miss about Portland: Our garden. 

Things I will miss about Portland: Our neighbor Richard 

Wildflowers at Sunrise 

The summit of Mt. Ranier from our campsite 

Cow Parsnips at Spray Falls 

The lake in the lower left corner is Shadow Lake where we camped at Mt. Ranier. 

We're packin'.  

Today I spent all day arranging my classroom for me and my little kidlets. It was really fun. I had to throw out tons of stuff from the other teacher. Next week I will take pictures. I have a desk and a mailbox in the office with my name on it. Yes, I got teacher mail today. Teachers get junk mail. Magazines with all sorts of toys you can buy for your classroom and advertisements for teacher clubs you can join.

Our trip to Mt. Ranier National Park