Merry Thanksgiving, Happy Christmas, Jolly Holidays

I can't believe it has been over two weeks since my last post. Although, I noticed that when I posted something totally unrelated to Twilight, I only got one comment. Hmmmmmmm. Oh, well. So . . . the movie came out last Friday and, admittedly/shamefully, I was out those school doors by 3:19. I was impressed by the movie, however, it must be noted that I went in with a certain level of expectation of disappointment. I had seen the trailers, and knowing that movies are never as good as their books, I felt reasonably assured of some disappointment. The production company is not a major in the industry and naturally had a limited budget. Overall, though, I think the movie was well done and I look forward to seeing the next one when it comes out.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving! I spent the better part of today Christmas shopping - by myself. In the past, I have always done the big "day after Thanksgiving" shop-a-thon with my mother. She would pick me up or we would meet at her house in Tulsa around 4 AM and finish up sometime in the afternoon. I couldn't find anyone around here willing to do that with me! It is making me miss my mom that much more during these holidays. We have recently decided to head back to OK during the Christmas/New Year holiday. My dad is flying into Louisville on Dec. 22 and will spend a few days here with us. Then, on Dec. 26, we will all drive back to OK together. On Jan. 2, the fam will head back to KY to get a start on a new semester. We all return to school on Jan. 5. Mark is taking a J term (a one month long, condensed class) - and he has chosen Greek! It will be a FUN month for us (is the sarcasm coming through in the text?)!

The boys are doing well in school. Both are making good improvements - although I still miss homeschooling. I don't know if we will ever get back to it, but given the choice of feeding them or homeschooling them, we went with putting food in their bellies! The students in my kindergarten class are doing exceptionally well! All of them are making excellent progress - some first grade readers, lots of kids starting to read little three letter words, and even my less experienced students are now getting nearly all their letters and letter sounds. It is so amazing to watch their transformations! We are indeed "fearfully and wonderfully made."

Return of the Mini-Van Mom

That's right people - I'm driving a mini-van again and loving it. And no, Michelle, it does not make me feel old! We got a really good deal on a 2000 Toyota Sienna. There was a family on campus trying to sell their van before leaving to head home to Korea (today). We really needed more space, especially for traveling to Dry Ridge once a week, and any trips back to Oklahoma we might be able to make. (Don't get excited, okies, we don't have plans anytime soon!) We are planning on selling the Avalon, so we should be able to recoup all the money we spent on the van - hopefully a little extra. Like I said, it was a really good deal. The boys love it. It has one of those automatic side doors, so they get to pretend they are using "the force" to open and close it! Mark and I already like it because it has captain's seats for the boys - quite a nice space between them now!

On a somewhat different note, we are still in the process of deciding whether to move into the parsonage in Dry Ridge this coming summer. (Actually, the parsonage is in Jonesville, and Dry Ridge is the closest town.) We love it here in Wilmore, but we really long to be closer to our churches - and when you're a poor seminary family, it seems almost stupid to pass up free housing (including utilities). I, of course, would have to quit my job, but I could try to get a job in Grant County. A member of our congregation teaches 3rd grade there and I'm sure she could help me out. My mentor teacher this year also knows the Grant County Superintendent and offered to help me get on there if we ever decided to move. So those are all positives. It is a very small area. It would take us about 20-25 minutes to get to the nearest anything. And our neighbors are a little worrisome - very rough around the edges - and we think the church has had problems with them. Obviously, right now, we are leaning heavily toward moving. Both Mark and I can really see our family there. Please be in prayer for us as we consider what God would have us to do.

O.C.D.

OBSESSIVE CULLEN DISORDER! The Cullen's are the vampire family from the Twilight series I have been reading. Believe it or not, I have already started re-reading the first book, Twilight, again. After reading all four books so quickly, they more or less become one long continuous story in my head. With the movie coming out in less than 2 weeks (which is based only on the first book), I wanted that story fresh in my head. For those of you who are familiar with the books, they now have one of those quizzes to see which character from the book you are. Mark took it before me (even though he hasn't read the book) and he is Carlisle Cullen. My friend and I thought this was humorous. Then I took the quiz and . . . I'm Esme (who is Carlisle's wife in the book). So at least we are still married in the land of fiction!!!! This post also comes with a promise that the next post will NOT be about Twilight. I will attempt to write something about family and our lives here in Wilmore. Happy Reading.

P.S.

For those who had asked:

Duh, yes I am going to see the movie! In fact, I need to go to www.cafepress.com and order a twilight t-shirt for this special occassion.

Breaking Dawn

That has been the story of my life over these last 6 days! Who would've thought this die hard non-fiction follower would fall so hard for the fictional world of Edward Cullen and Isabella (Bella) Swan. Remarkably, I finished the fourth and final book last night (er . . . EARLY this morning - hence the "breaking dawn" reference to the title of the last book). That's right, people - over 2500 pages of remarkable story telling in just 6 days. I've surprised even myself, not to mention irritated my husband, and neglected my children! All for the sake of a vampire love story. I know it sounds cheesy, but I urge you to just read the first book. If you don't like it, it is written in such a way that (a normal person) could simply put it down and not worry about finishing the rest. Why anyone would decide that is beyond me, but hey, to each her own.

Fiction or Non-Fiction . . . That Was The Question

until about 11:30pm last night. I was lying on the couch at the parsonage, and the 11:00 news had just wrapped up. I needed a distraction before bed. I had thought ahead while packing and remembered to bring a copy of TWILIGHT that my dear friend had loaned to me. I thought to myself, "I'll read the first chapter really quick; just to see if it is going to be any good." Bad idea. See, once I get into a book, really into it, I can't put it down. This book had me from the first chapter and the next thing I know it is, wait for it, 6:30 in the morning! I did manage to get in about 1 hour of sleep before I had to get up for church. I then, shamefully, continued to read the book on the way to our first church service. Then if that is not bad enough, I nearly finished the book during the entire 1 1/2 hour drive back to Wilmore! Totally awesome book. I can't wait for the movie to come out. NOVEMBER 21st!!! Strong story line, great character development. Ahhhh, young vampire love!