On Friday, we had a reading party in the morning. The children brought slippers, blankets, pillows, and snacks. They read to a partner and to themselves. The children LOVED it! Also, the three 2nd grade classes had been working on practicing Reader’s Theaters (which are stories, songs, or poems that groups of students read together in different parts). We went to the music room, and they performed them for each other. It was fun to see the children get up in front of the other kids!

In the afternoon, the children gave me a going away present. They had made a book and t-shirt for me. I will keep these with me to look back on and remember my wonderful experience. Although there were hard times, I learned so much and am thankful for my experience.

Now, onto senior seminar. I have 3 weeks left of class and then it is Christmas break! Ahh! We have to work on making a portfolio in order to be licensed, so it will be an intense three weeks, but I’m sure it will go fast. The fact that I am a senior and almost graduating is starting to sink in. I have no idea where God will take me next year, but I am trusting Him and His plan! Until then, I will continue to enjoy my last year of college!

In the afternoon, my teacher was gone so we had a substitute. Well, since I am the second teacher in the classroom, I taught everything! The substitute did not teach but rather helped. It was awesome to see how well the children listened to me. I enjoyed teaching by myself, and it gave me some confidence for the rest of the time I have left of student teaching!

This weekend has been fun, too! Friday evening my friends and I went to eat at South Side Soda Shop. It was very tasty! We also watched Baby Mama. Yesterday I watched my friend Laura play tennis here and then we went out to eat with her mom and aunt. I worked on some schoolwork too, of course! Today I went to church at East Goshen. I always enjoy worshiping there on Sunday mornings! This afternoon my friend Allison and I made cookies! They are delicious! We are having an apartment potluck tonight, so we will take some of them to that.

As for the rest of the evening, I should look over what I am teaching tomorrow some more so that I am prepared for my supervisor to observe me. I am excited to start teaching math this week! I’m sure the week will fly by again!

On Saturday, we went out to eat with my cousin and aunt who live in North Carolina. They moved there a couple years ago, so we were excited to have lunch with them and visit. In the evening, my parents and I went to a hymn sing at Menno Haven Camp. Some friends of mine and our family, Yasi and Ben Bouwman, got married at Menno Haven on Sunday, the reason I went home, and they had activities set up all weekend there. It was wonderful to sing with many other people!

Sunday was wedding day! The wedding was at 11:00 in front of the lake. It was beautiful- the setting, the weather, the wedding, everything! It was fun to see many people, eat yummy food and desserts, and rejoice in the marriage of Ben and Yasi! After the wedding, we headed back to Goshen. It is always nice to get back here!

Yesterday was Labor Day, so we teachers got the day off! We made brunch at my friends’ grandma’s house, went to see Eat, Pray, Love, did some lesson plans, and hung out. It was a relaxing day off and a very enjoyable weekend!

And now another week of school! I am teaching a reading group this week. It is going well! I love the children, and they are what keep me going!

This weekend has gone by quickly, too. On Friday, I went with some friends to Dairy Queen and then we watched a movie. Yesterday, I went with my friend Allison to Mishawaka to shop a bit. More and more students are getting here, so the apartments are filling up. There was a presidential picnic last night on the lawn and also were soccer scrimmages. It has been fun to see friends again!

And now, it is Sunday afternoon, which means lesson planning and preparing! I am teaching writing to the children tomorrow and from now on. I am excited to see what this week brings!

Last weekend I went home for see my sisters go to prom, visit friends, and celebrate Mother’s Day. It was a quick, but enjoyable trip!

This week has been very fun, too! I have been babysitting during the mornings. Today I only had a 15 month old. He is so cute and a very good child. On Monday evening some of my friends and I went to our friend Bethany’s house for a cook-out. It was nice to get away from campus and have some delicious food! On Tuesday morning I went with 3 of my friends to Rachel’s Bread for breakfast. We had delicious French pastries. In the evening we watched Monster’s Inc. Yesterday my friends and I went miniature golfing in Mishawaka. We thankfully missed the rain! It was so much fun. Afterwards, we went out to eat at Red Robin. That was my first time there, and it was delicious! Tonight we have our last intramural sand volleyball game before the tournament. We are undefeated so far! Yes! We also are going bowling tonight. We have been trying to do a lot of fun things!!

Monday and Tuesday ended up being busier days than I thought they would be! On Monday, I went rollerblading with my friend Ashley. It was a nice day out. I enjoyed that a lot! I went with my friend Bethany to our friend Alicia’s house for supper. We had a feast! Alicia left yesterday for her Business in Spain May term class, so we had a fun time with her on Monday night. Our friends Allison and Katelyn left this morning for SST in Peru. We hung out with Allison yesterday and watched Glee last night!

May term started today. I am a TA for the Foundations of Education class. I helped with that a bit this morning. I am also taking tennis! We just had a short class to talk about what we will doing, and we will begin playing tomorrow. I’m really excited for it! It should be a fun May term! We have an intramural sand volleyball game tonight!

Last night, a group of us went to my friend Bethany’s house. She lives about 30 minutes from campus. We had pizza, played some yard games, had a bonfire with s’mores, and played some more games. It was a wonderful evening! This morning was nice outside, too, so I went for a run along the Mill Race. It is beautiful on that path. I also went to The Brew, a local coffee shop, with some friends. Our friend Julie who recently got married was visiting for the weekend, so it was nice to see her! As for the rest of the weekend, well, I better study some for finals. I have two on Tuesday, then I’ll be headed home for a few days! Yay!!

Yesterday, I enjoyed the beautiful sunshine! I went rollerblading with two friends. I also worked on a bit of homework, as this is the last week of classes before finals! I went to the Goshen College softball game. Unfortunately, Goshen lost. Last night, the choirs here held their spring concert, so I heard some beautiful music there! We have been into playing games, so some of us did that here at the house, too, last night! It was a wonderful Saturday! With all my school placements done last week, I had some more free time. It was nice, but there is still stuff to do. Now, homework must get done so that I am ready for the week!

My sister’s birthday was on Thursday, so we had a celebration for her! We went out for lunch, and her friends threw her a surprise party! I had a great time! I went with my best friend to see the movie The Last Song. It was pretty good, but not as good as the book. On Saturday, I hung out at home and helped my mom cook. I also went to my friend’s house and saw a lot of high school friends. Easter Sunday I went to church with my family and my grandparents and uncle came over for lunch. It was a nice day! I headed back here, and now it is Monday already. At Least the sun is shining!