Prom 2011: Done and Done!

After months of arduous planning, stressful budget talks, and 16-year-old-dominated prom meetings, it finally happened! The school gave me Thursday and Friday off to run errands and set up decorations, and somehow even with that time I felt like I was drowning in last-minute details! Thanks to some helpful moms, hard-working kids, and my mother the master floral arranger, however, we got everything done and it turned out well. I have my life back again, but here are some pictures that serve as proof of what took my life away from me for a few months! I apologize to all of you who think I am the worst friend ever...I really have been a hermit for a while. Calls coming soon!

Creepy Alice: Quite the conversation starter...

One side of the entrance walkway, complete with white flowers painted red!

The kids found this Alice costume for me and wanted me to wear it...the things I do for my students. Peyton was a good sport.

Thankfully, I was able to coerce two of my fellow teachers into being ridiculous with me. The three senior worldview teachers: the Queen, Alice, and the Mad Hatter!

A Reunion of Sorts...

This past Saturday, April 23rd, I had my first wedding shower at the Bass' house. All of my high school friends, their moms, and several teachers I now work with were invited, and it was so much fun to see everyone at once and catch up. With everyone working and so many married it gets harder and harder to stay in touch, which made the morning brunch even more of a treat. It was intimate and beautiful and a complete blessing!

Parts of our dishes

Monogrammed towels!

The Matrons of Honor

Mom and mom-in-law

Some of the girls 

Saturday School

Yes, I am at school on a Saturday. Not because I have detention or extra work, but because Arkansas does not factor in snow days well! In truth, we did have a large amount of snow this year, but somehow nothing makes getting to school on a Saturday morning at 7:45 any easier.

While here, however, I've been perusing training schedules and information about the Tour de Rock, Little Rock's summer cycling extravaganza. My friend Lindsey and I are going to attempt the 50-mile course, but we'll have to see how much training we get in from now until then! I had a fall last time I was out and am a bit paranoid about the thought of traveling in a massive pack. The good thing about the race is that it's Saturday, June 11th, which is perfect timing for the wedding and honeymoon!

Alice in Wonderland

Most days lately I feel like I just jumped down the rabbit hole and am confused, flying-by-the-seat-of-my-pants, and aching for normalcy...normal schedule, normal classes, normal day. I'm a bit overwhelmed right now... Looking to buy a house, planning a wedding, helping head up the week-long junior ski trip in Colorado, and completely in charge of Prom 2011. Oh, and I have to still teach all day every day. There are definitely days when I want to quit it all and pretend that I am having tea with the mad hatter instead. And, on those special days when the tears actually have time to come, I find myself wondering what is wrong with the world or with me instead of reminding myself that God IS sovereign. He knows the hairs on my head, the days of my life, the budget for prom, and the lesson plans that have yet to come for the next couple of weeks. Life is still good, He is still good, in the midst of all of this...I just forget sometimes to taste of that goodness. Help me take time to drink it in.

Speaking of Alice in Wonderland, here are some things that are inspiring the junior prom committee and me lately. Our theme: vintage and whimsical Alice in Wonderland. Hoping that we are not late in getting our very important date together!

April 29th...here we come!!!!



anthropological wedding

Literally! Anthropologie just launched its wedding line: www.bhldn.com. I'm in love. In more ways than one.



wedding inspiration.

 

 

 

 

Italy and the French Riviera

At Little Rock Christian we have a two week January Term after Christmas break that allows the students to choose from creative classes such as Greek cooking, exegesis, scrapbooking, and Japanese culture, or choose to do an internship for college, a mission trip, or an educational trip to places like France, Italy, and Ireland. This year I was able to go as a chaperone to Rome, Tuscany, and the French Riveria...a dream come true! (Teaching has its perks.) The trip went really well, and I experienced new pieces of history that I was not yet familiar with. The trip was both beautiful and powerful, and I can't wait to go back some day to explore on my own. Here were some of the highlights:

The Roman Colosseum (one of my favorite parts of the trip)

Little Rock Christian's three chaperones: two people who humble me with their knowledge of history! We had a great time together.

The Roman Forum: It was amazing to see the Senate, Julius Caesar's tomb, and ancient Roman temples.

Our group in Rome.

 The main square of Pompeii with Mt. Vesuvius in the background.

A gelatteria in Florence

I took lots of pictures of the houses in Florence; the architecture was beautiful. Plus, I recently bought a pair of old French shutters at an estate sale and was kind of obsessing on shutters the whole trip!

The old bridge in Florence during a morning walking tour of the city

Brunelleschi's dome

The view of Florence from the top of Brunelleschi's dome

The leaning Tower of Pisa! I was so surprised at how crooked it actually is.

We stumbled upon a park in Monacco overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. It was one of the most beautiful places that I have ever been.

The Oceanography Museum in Monacco