9/11

I had a crazy revelation today. As I was walking into my class of 5th graders, someone mentioned that it was 9/11. Several of the kids were confused about why 9/11 was important. I was SHOCKED!! And then I realized that these kids were 4 years old when it happened. CRAZY!! Even high school seniors were only 10 and probably don't really understand it all. It is very strange that I have experienced something that is just 'history'' to someone else. But I do remember it, and now I guess I've seen how important it is to pass what I remember on; to show them why 9/11 IS important and why they should remember, too.

Introducing...Mo!

I am very slow with this post, but I figure she's so cute she deserves to be introduced to our loyal fan base anyway. (All one of you.) End of June we adopted a little sister for Maybe. Her name is Mo (because of an orange "Mo-hawk" on the top of her head) and she's wonderful! Maybe now has a friend to keep him company and she has certainly entertained us all summer. So without further ado, I give you Mo!

Our two kitties--one big and one little!

Wierdest nap position ever!

This would be Mo on top of the blanket snuggling with Maybe under the blanket!

Funeral

I have to go to the funeral of one of my first grade students tomorrow. I'm really not looking forward to it, but I feel like its important for me to do, especially since her older brother is also my student. But man-oh-man its going to be hard. So if you think about it, keep her family in your prayers tomorrow and beyond. Thanks.

What a wonderful Fourth of July!

We had a fantastic Fourth here at the Krohmer household. The Boise Krohmers (sans Kent) came down for a lazy day of hiking, board games and feline entertainment. (With a 1.5 month kitten in the house, its ALWAYS entertaining!) We feasted on hamburgers (thanks Kurt!) AND fresh fruit salad, baked beans, potato salad and four bean salad! Yummy, yummy, yummy!

And the fireworks--OH, the fireworks! Kurt and I discovered last year that we have the perfect viewing place from the empty lot next to our apartment. No crowds and practically in the comfort of our own home. How cool is that!?! It is definitely my favorite way to celebrate the fourth and quickly on its way to becoming a family tradition!

Hope everyone else's Fourth was just as wonderful!

Happy Mother's Day!

This weekend I get to spend some just-us-time with my mom. Yay! I love my mom. For those of you who have met her I'm sure you can see why. She's simply wonderful. =0) I'm excited to just talk with her--not have to worry about what needs to happen around the house, or what is waiting to get done, but to get to just sit and talk about whatever. So Momma, if you read this in time, know that I love you and I'm excited to see you tomorrow!

I really do think my body hates me.

After waking up at 5am with fever, chills and an upset stomach, I'd say that pretty much proves it. Especially since I already had the mother of all stomach flus earlier this year. -sigh- And of course there is no way I can miss school tomorrow, so look out kids! Here comes your slightly feverish music teacher. All I can say is they had better be nice to me.

For Charlie

I met Charlie my summer in Africa. We were both working with Overland Missions. I was a sheltered Idahoan whose world had been blown wide open. He was a South African, searching for his place, I think, but very content to follow where he was lead. He was a doer, a man of patient action. It's very strange, how quickly you can become attached to people.

I knew him for maybe a month and a half, but still every year I feel the ache in my heart. I don't know his last name--not that I could pronounce it if I did. I'm not even sure of the exact day he left us, but still it hurts. I almost feel selfish in a way. What right do I have to miss him, to wish he was still here? I ache for his family, knowing that if I can feel the loss, how much more do they--those that have real, life-long memories of him?

The memories I do have are precious, but so precarious at the same time. I push them away so often, not wanting to feel the pain and tears that follow, that I become worried that I'm forgetting. Then, when I least expect it, they come flooding back, bittersweet and lovely, reminding me why. And so I ache; waiting, longing for the day when I see him again.

I am thankful for that pain because it means I knew him, that I have the memories to make me feel. But I resent it in a way. It reminds me that there aren't anymore memories, that there won't ever be. And that hurts.

How can you not...

absolutely love a shopping trip like this:

While shopping for shoes with Kurt, I found a pair of heels that I really liked--comfortable and all! Even on sale, though, they were just too much money for the enjoyment I would get out of wearing them.

5 Minutes later and ONE store down the mall...

I find the exact same shoes for half the sale price at the other store! YAY! (Now I can afford both the shoes and some longer pants that won't make me look like a goon in high-waters.) =0)