Halloween = good times!

One of the other reasons I LOVE my job so much:

I love these ladies - what an amazing team! We dress up as crayons every year, and I love it and the kids get a big kick out of it. Being a pink crayon isn't easy, though. Yes, I may get to walk around all day in comfy slippers, but wearing the long, fake eyelashes, and cone and yarn for hair can get a little bothersome. So, when Austin and I were contemplating what we were going to be tonight...I wanted to have as little hassel as possible. So, this is what I came up with!

What's a crayon without her coloring book? (Front View)

Back View.

Here is a close-up - "Jennifer's Big Coloring Book of Fun!"

"Hours of Coloring Fun!"

What a good sport - he wore it just for me...not very long...but he still wore it! :0)

Jennifer :0)

Why I love my job...

One of the best things about teaching, is how often these little people say or do something that puts me into stitches!! For example, the other day I sat down to read them one of my favorite books of all time, and that is how I introduced the book. I told them I've been reading it since I was a little girl and it's so sweet, etc. Many of you may know it...

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. Ok, so I was going on and on about how it is one of my favorites, and I was clenching it to me (like a hug) to show my affection for the story, and also so they couldn't see the cover. Well, so as I'm (overly) gushing about the story, I hear one of my sweet little girls sitting in front of me whisper (in complete adoration), "It's Jesus!"..........

Haha!! I forgot that this huge picture of Shel Silverstein's face is on the back of the book. I can say that I can SORT OF see how she can see the resemblance, but I have never thought Shel Silverstein was that striking of a man! :0) Haha...I was trying not to laugh when I heard that, but she probably thought I was about to read her a book that Jesus had written himself! Lol! Oh, the things these kids say. I thought it was too cute not to share.

Jennifer :0)

"Celebrate Your Journey"

As Austin and I approach our one year anniversary, I become nostalgic and sentimental about this time of year. This time last year......I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to finish up last minute preparations for the biggest day of my life. Although it was the most exciting time of my life, it was very chaotic. I remember two weeks before my wedding I had run myself ragged. I was so busy trying to make sure everything was in place, I forgot to take care of one thing, my health. I came down with something that was yucky and put me on my back. I had a shower at work that I was looking so forward to, I made it...but barely. I remember being in that room with all my co-workers and thinking, "Wow. I'm lucky." I had so many people who cared about me and made the time to celebrate my marriage with me. Anyway, I'm going off in a different direction, but just a little bit ago I was goofing around on the computer and an ad caught my eye, "Celebrate your journey..." That made me think about not only the last year, but the last nine. Yes, NINE! Austin and I have been together almost nine years. We have been through major ups, and major downs. I'm not going to lie, there were times I didn't think that December 15, 2007 would ever happen. I know, though, if it wasn't for those down times, it wouldn't have happened. I am so thankful for that journey. I know that every single event that took place led us to where we are. I have God to thank for that. I can't help but reflect on the last nine months of marriage, and the last nine years of our life together. We did a lot of growing...and growing up. Seeing the word "journey" really made me think about our relationship and how everything works out exactly how it's supposed to. It really has been a wonderful journey. I'm so proud to (finally) be Mrs. Austin Aldrich, and I wouldn't trade that for anything in the world.







This is all....





Jennifer ;0)

From then....

To Now

Love you.