It’s been ridiculously long since i’ve written. Thanksgiving has come and gone and so has my favorite best funniest family. November 21 we left around 10 am and picked up Mom, Madison, and Ann (part of the breakfast club, mom’s coteacher, basically family) from the airport around 1. We did some shopping and drove around abit waiting on Dillon’s to fly in at 7. It was so so wonderful to have my little family all with me again!!

Thanksgiving Day was the 22nd. We spent the morning making food and talking mostly. Honestly, my table looked like it was from a magizine when it was set. I was briefly proud. We had sous vide steaks, mashed potatoes, marshmallow sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, and pies. We DID find out that if you forget to put Karo syrup in the pecan pie and take it out when its done baking, you can actually just scrape the filling out, put it in new crust with the syrup added and rebake it and it’s perfect. Twice Baked Pecan Pie we called it. haha After lunch we did a small gift exchange and played games and relaxed. The 23rd Madison and Mom made a yum breakfast. After breakfast we loaded up and drove up to Sonora. It was absolutely pouring but we went to a Christmas Fair there with lots of stuff for sale and little foods and people singing carols. We slogged around and it was a grand time. Then we did some shopping on Main and got coffees at Eighty One Coffee. Saturday the 24th was San Francisco day since Ann and Dillon’s hadn’t been there before. We did the usual tourist stuff mostly. Pier 39, ate lunch on Fisherman’s Wharf, street performers, went down Lombard Street were just some of the stuff we hit. Sunday the 25th we went to church in the morning and to Kevin and Yolanda for lunch. We spent the afternoon there playing games and relaxing. We kids went out for coffee later and Ja took us on a “where the less fortunate hang out” tour of Merced. In the evening some of our friends stopped by folks’ and played games with us. We left early Monday morning and dropped Ann and Mom at the airport. Since Madi didn’t leave until 6 and Dillons flew out Tuesday morning, we went to Alcatraz for the day which was really interesting. I’d never been there before. There was actually a former Alcatraz inmate there at the bookshop signing books for people. We dropped off Dillons and Madi early evening and came home to our empty house. Sad of course.

Wednesday was a swell day. Instead of doing a Christmas gift this year, we decided to put on a supper for our parents. My students brought extra clothes and stayed over after school. They decorated the tables with Christmas lights, black tablecloths, red and black napkins, birch logs, and tea lights. They helped mix up BBQ meatballs, gourmet potatoes, Ceasar salad, and cornbread muffins for supper. They had already decorated sugar cookies for dessert earlier in the week so those were for dessert. After supper they put on a little skit of the Christmas story and sang a couple songs. It was absolutely darling and I was very proud of them of course!

Friday evening we went to Waylon and Beth Jantz for a Pollo en Crema meal ticket supper and also Morgans best food. Les&Alice, Ben&Ang, Ashton, and folks in law were there! Saturday morning was the Winton Fire Dept fundraiser breakfast so Morgan was busy until mid afternoon with that. I stopped there and then went to Shenda’s and laid on the couch petting the pug and reading The Alchemist. Morgan picked me up and we went to help folks in law serve a supper and then we went back to Justin’s for supper. Sunday morning church and to folks for lunch. In the afternoon we drove up to Papa Roger’s cabin (they were gone sadly) to see the snow which is my best thing ever. We drove around abit and enjoyed the scenery and it was truly such a fun day.

Today, back at school in full Christmas mode. Tomorrow we are practicing program for the first time so it’s quite exciting for the students. I’ve been feeling sort of sad the last couple days. Maybe a pre-holiday low? Is that a thing? It’s another Christmas, another birthday Dad isnt here for, another season where you shop for Christmas gifts and find yourself writing “Dad” on the list of people to buy for because you forget he’s not here. It’s tough, honestly. I’ve been questioning alot of things lately too as a result of the low mood I’m sure. Friday my heart literally ached in my chest because i was just so Sad about my Dad. Anyways. Wishing you all a safe week. I’m sure its super busy! xo chey

Friday morning: We read that the Camp Fire in Paradise, California, has exploded overnight and left thousands of people homeless. Morgan calls one of the shelters and makes plans to bring a load of things they’re in need of. Dad in law sends around the quick alert for Winton and Ballico to bring towels, clothes, quilts, and pillows to a drop off spot. With the help of Sherri Giesbrecht and Morgan, we take my class on a clothes drive to their houses and pick up donations. Then we go to Walmart to buy towels and pillows and toiletries with donated money. Several of my students selflessly ask “can I donate all of my money?” Morgan and I leave after school with a borrowed van absolutely stuffed to the brim with donations.

Friday evening: We drive to Chico, where most of the shelters have been quickly set up. We smell smoke most of the way, but the dense fog of it hits us about 30 miles from Chico. The headlights we meet coming on the road are orange and muted and we can faintly see that its burned along the highway 99. The 99 has been closed all day but reopened now although the roads off of it are blocked with police vehicles and National Guard Humvees. The town of Chico at 9 PM is like a ghost town in a thick, pea soup smoke that turns everything into shadows and there is ash floating down on our windshield. We navigate to the Elks Lodge and arrive to find complete disarray. Tables have been set up to hold the clothing and items donated, while people rummage for a few articles of clothing or pillows to help them through the night. Everyone is wearing masks and we are given a box to pass out if we see people that need them. Its chaotic. We decide to take a bunch of the blankets and hand them out so we find parking lots full of vehicles with people making makeshift beds inside. We pass out blankets to many people who come to our vehicle and accept with such thanks. Most of them look dazed and humbly accept anything we have to offer. It’s supposed to be 35 degrees tonight but we know there isn’t a place to sleep other than the van so we park with others and fall sleep in the back of the van to the smell of smoke and sadness and loss.

Saturday morning: We grab breakfast and decide to go to another shelter with the rest of our donation load. This shelter is much more basic and has no donations at all really so they are super excited about our stuff. We haul everything in and then put on nametags to volunteer where we’re needed. We start with just organizing the few clothes there into neater piles. A few women sitting close to me discuss whether or not some of their neighbors made it out of the fire alive. They sound matter of fact. Morgan goes to build Legos with some little kids he sees wandering aimlessly and I talk to the people. I’m scared to. I don’t know what I’ll tell them. But the Pastor at this place says “Cheyenne they just need someone to listen.” I visit with several people and brush a ladies hair because she’s shaky. She’s maybe 50. We start talking abit here and there and once she starts, words pour out. She’s alone because her husband is in prison. They’ve lost everything and he doesnt know it yet. She repeats several times that she has nothing left and her friends who live near her are on the missing persons list. Then she describes leaving her house. The power was out and she had five minutes to leave her house so the only thing she grabbed was her purse. The smoke outside made it hard to breathe and see where to drive but she managed to get to the main road but traffic was backed up for miles. She looks at me and has tears in her eyes. “I lost my whole life ” she says again. She continues with her story, and I hold her hand because there’s nothing else to do. She sat in traffic and watched people run out of gas, push their car off the road, and start walking. She saw the fire come up on both sides of the highway and fire trucks hose down their cars so they wouldn’t catch fire. She watched as the tar filling the little cracks on the interstate caught fire and started vehicles on fire. She lost her parents wedding rings, family heirlooms, her and her husband’s birth certificates and passports and all the keepsakes her children made her in school. She talks about her cat too. “I know she’s a cat but it’s just another thing I don’t have,” she tells me. Then she starts crying. She doesnt know where to go or what to do and has very little money. I sit and cry with her because she is only one of so so many who are exactly where she is. We hug goodbye and I tell her God will provide somehow. Funny she says. I actually have been thinking this morning about how everything has a reason. God has a plan. I admire her spirit. Morgan and I leave at noon. Our seats have ash on them and I’m losing my voice because of the smoke. We talk on the way home about how blessed we are to have our friends and family and a church to stand behind.

Now we pray. 42 people have been burned to death. Thousands of lives turned upside down. We hear some congregations may send money to us and we will buy gift cards to take up to the fire victims in a couple weeks. It’s the least we can do.

Another 10 days gone. We got home at 3 in the morning the 24th from KC. Morgan slept off his Cambodia and KC trips on Thursday and I was at school, of course. Friday evening we happened upon some meal tickets to a hot dog roast at Dean and Torey’s so we spent a relaxing evening there around the fire with friends.

Saturday morning was a work day at Benny&Sharilee’s. They recently bought a house that needs quite a bit of work so a crowd of people went there early Saturday. I slept in and regained sanity and then pulled “that” move and showed up just in time for lunch at Benny’s. haha. In the evening we went to Jesse&Tia’s barn for the annual fall supper for couples and youth. Soup was on the menu; beef stew, sweet potato and peanut, and white chili to name a few. After supper there was a skit and we all sang off the projector for awhile. I always love harvest suppers!

Sunday we were invited to Michael&Valerie for lunch which was so awesome! I have their son Logan in my class so its always cool to get to my students houses during the year.

Wednesday there was no school so we teachers could prepare for the school meeting taking place Wednesday evening-Friday noon at our school. After a busy day we had supper with everyone arriving at church. Abby Schmidt, who I taught with at Grant, NE, and Scott Boeckner, a good friend, stayed nights at our house. Scott actually was the adventurer and stayed nights in the vanagon on our yard! It’s been getting pretty cool during the night but he apparently survived. Thursday was school meeting all day. Shawn & Bernice were here from Grant and it was so fun to see parents of dear former students! In the evening there was an open meeting and the school kids had two songs. I must say I wasn’t mad, just disappointed at their apparent stage fright or lost voices. I felt like it was mostly teachers singing and students being terrified. Shawn Becker had a tremendous talk “What is Your Why?” Milton Giesbrecht gave the example of us grilling a steak and seasoning with garlic and rosemary to make a delicious food but the next morning when we make pancakes, we don’t use garlic and rosemary because itd taste bad. He likened it to the point that each child/teacher is different and you cant have the same expectations for each one. You have to find out about them and accept the different “seasonings”.

Friday at noon we all had lunch at church and everyone went their separate ways. We went out to ASIP coffee with Abby and Scott before we left. Later afternoon Morgan and I left for San Francisco to pick up Madison! YES she actually decided to come here for a couple days and recuperate before heading back to Oregon. We ate supper at this amazing burger place that rivals Five Guys actually. If you need a cheap place to eat near Pier 39, definitely consider this! https://burgershack-hamburgerrestaurant.business.site/ We spent night at a hotel with a beautiful view of the bridges and Pier 39.

Saturday morning we walked to Pier 39 and grabbed breakfast before walking to the Ski and Snowboard Swap. Morgan got a new coat and some goggles. We walked around there awhile and went to Pier 39 for a lunch of clam chowder. We’d brought a wheelchair so Madi rode around because she still isn’t feeling that good and is still in some pain. I will admit we didnt let her health affect our picking on her. Haha. In the evening we went out for thai food with Ja and got coffees.

Monday&Tuesday madi slept and relaxed at the house. Wednesday evening we took her to the plane in San Fran. Or we tried I should say. Got to San Fran only to discover she flew from Oakland 🙄 we managed to get her to the right airport in time though! My school kids drew names for our class Christmas do they’re pretty pumped. We have a busy month ahead of us with Christmas program planning, parent Christmas supper, my family coming for Thanksgiving in two weeks, and various other projects. My class is putting on a Christmas supper for their parent gift this year so the decoration committee is deciding a theme and various other committees are also virtuously organizing. They cant wait!

How do other wives teaching school (or any other full time job) deal with the busyness? It seems like I have no spare time for buying friends birthday gifts or baking muffins for a new mom or making that favorite meal of Morgans or any of the virtuous things I feel obligated to do as a wife and teacher. Maybe someone has some good time management tips or ideas to make my life less hectic. It’s pretty organized which seems odd because it’s so hectic. I know its confusing. Since this blog is definitely honest why quit now…So since I started teaching I’ve felt like a really poor wife and friend just because my time is so filled with school which I DO love! When I do get a free hour I want to spend it selfishly writing or drawing or sleeping so how do I find the balance

Anyways. Have a happy week full of that thing called courage that occasionally escapes us in those discouraging times. Chey

Of course I’m like a record that keeps saying I’m busy but it’s too true. Last week got sort of long with Morgan away so I’ll list some highlights if I can remember. Saturday the 13th I went to San Francisco to a street food festival. It was sunny with a cool breeze from the bay and so much street food. Tacos, Haitian food, crepes, smoothies, desserts, bbq. I tried different stuff that was all so good. And there were many people wandering around eating and it was truly relaxing. Then I drove around and checked out a recycled goods place and a bakery.

I cleaned house, fed chickens, did laundry, taught school, and tried to get stuff at school ready for a substitute teacher. Thursday was national chocolate cupcake day so one of my students brought cupcakes for the class. I’d made some I was going to bring but I took them Friday instead. For art we had a scavenger hunt around the school yard.

Saturday evening was the school fundraiser at school. They served chili and cinnamon rolls, veggies, and had a coffee and tea bar along with cookies. They also had a sweet treat place set up with cotton candy and candied apples and different things that make children full of frenzied sugar energy. There was a program with singing after supper so the school had a couple songs. And, since this is california, we had the evening outside and it was beautiful and not windy. After the program I left for San Francisco. I flew out at midnight for Kansas City and got in there Sunday at 10. Mom flew in at noon and we grabbed lunch and went to the hotel since Madison didn’t get in until midnight. Mom had booked the hotel for us right across the street from KU Hospital so it was very handy to be able to walk 10 minutes and be where we needed.

Monday aunt nada, tori, dillon’s, and Bruce’s arrived along with Darvins and most of their family so we all went for supper to Red Robin. Our crowd mostly relaxed and tried to catch up on some sleep.

Tuesday morning at 5 we were up and downstairs at the hotel ready to walk over to the hospital. Madi went into surgery around 8 and came out of recovery later in the afternoon. Since we were such a big crowd the nurses gave us a big private waiting room and that’s where we spent most of the day. After surgery madi and darvin were moved to the 6th floor. Madi was in lots of pain and couldn’t breathe very well so it was quite stressful. Mom spent a lot of time not on the room and Bruce and dillon sat by madi trying to calm her down for hours. In the midst of this I went to the hall for a phone call and I looked up and my love Morgan was coming down the hall towards me♡ I was so surprised!! So we all cried because we were so happy to have him there. They had flown back to San Francisco and he had waited 2 hours and caught the flight for KC so he’d been on a plane 20 out of 24 hours! I felt bad but also not really because it was so so good to have him with us!

Today, Wednesday we spent at the hospital. Darvin is already walking around but madi had a tough day so she took a few steps but that was all. She finally slept today which is just what she needs. And we flew away home at 630 this evening and got I to san fran at midnight. Home by 3 and I teach school at 830 so its gonna be a couple days where I feel like the students don’t learn much. I hated to leave madi when she wasn’t doing totally great yet so I’m worried my mind will be elsewhere. I am so proud of her that she did this for Darvin. Its amazing how it has already helped him! Thank you for your prayers♡ here is madi’s caring bridge page if you’re interested. https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/madisonkoehn

Thinking of each of you. And my friends from dewberry and around who have lost a special friend recently. You are in our prayers.

Surprisingly, I’ve discovered that although California mostly has less seasons than most, they do have fall. Im happy about it. Nights are cool and days only around 80 mostly and it is beautiful. I’m settled into school as much as can be hoped for, I guess. I seriously have an amazing class with lots of spunk and enthusiasm so it makes for interesting times. Today we sang at Grace Home since a class goes once a month. Another really fun thing we started…i signed up for a monthly subscription to a thing called SnackCrate. Once a month a box is shipped to me that is filled with different kinds of snacks and drinks from a different country. Our first box we got Monday full of processed snacks and very interesting things from Japan so each student wrote a fact down about Japan from the World Book and throughout the day we tried the snacks. So they are all super enthused about our next box, wherever it comes from!

Last Wednesday evening around 8 we went to Levi’s and nabbed him to go with us to Turlock for sushi. We had just picked him up when we got word that Jalen had been out riding bike and got T boned by some little man. So we went over there and sure enough he was talking with the police. He was lucky he went onto the hood and not under the vehicle and it left us all relieved and a little shook up. We still went to eat sushi because it solves alot of problems.

All the teachers went to Jen and Audreys house for supper Thursday night. We are in charge of some things for the teacher meeting here at the end of the month so we did some brainstorming and it was fun to hang out away from school for a change. Also Jen and Audrey made these amazing open face enchiladas that had yum stuff to stack up and then topped off with a fried egg. What? you may be saying. But it was so so good.

Saturday was my love Morgan’s birthday so we met some pals at Jantz Cafe for breakfast. Then we came back to the house and tried to be responsible and clean the house before Clark&Nicole, of Glenn, who are truly darlings, arrived. In the evening Morgan and I helped folks fry catfish for Bryce&Savannas night before supper and then went to ball.

Sunday was Bryce’s wedding which was very nice of course. Lots of people. After lunch Clarks and Zane&Lindsey stopped over for a couple hours before they headed home so it was quite fun to make new friends and connect. It seems like being married gives me a spot to hang out with Morgan so i meet less people so I’m very happy to continue expanding my cool people circle.

Monday night we went out to La Sonrisa for supper and then I headed to school board meeting. Morgan played basketball too so I watched for a bit after the meeting. Then we went home anddd *dramatic pause* WE BOUGHT TICKETS TO ITALY!! Since I have set breaks it’s easy to plan trips so we decided to go to Italy over spring break because tickets were cheap. And Levi is coming with us! I’m so excited even though yes I realize its a ways off. So if you’ve got good travel tips for italy, let’s hear them!

This morning at 11, Morgan, Ja, and Dad flew out of San Francisco to Tokyo and then on to Cambodia where they will spend the next 11 days working on a job there. So tonight i am relaxing at home and waiting to hear from them when they arrive in a couple hours. I’m debating what to spend the weekend doing..and I just got word from the school board that I can go to my sister Madison’s kidney donation surgery on October 23 so i’ll see if that works out. Please pray that everything continues to work out for her and Darvins surgery. This week I realized again why i teach school in the form of…a student raising their hand to tell me i looked cute haha…a 100% spelling test grade for one of my kids who worked s.o. hard for it…a surprise Starbucks drink on my desk when I arrived on the morning I overslept. and so much more of course:) have a good weekend.

hello dears. i told Morgan yesterday that this has so far been the busiest year of teaching school. I think it’s because i always feel like i have other obligations besides school to worry about. Anyways, I run from teaching to recess to bathroom to gulping lunch and cramming the students with work. Then the day’s over and i work at checking and cleaning up and planning until i finally go home where i make fresh dinner rolls for supper and fresh strawberry jam and a huge supper. haha except for the last part about supper. I feel like doing nothing when i go home. luckily, Micah and Kandis are out visiting so we have had supper plans lots the last week!

Last Thursday night we went to Justins for supper and actually it was an early surprise party for my birthday! Melissa and children, Jake&Hannah, Jon&Alicia, and James&Jenn were there and we had awesome ribs by Jon and it was a very cool evening.

Friday night was Parent Teacher Meeting at school. We had supper with the family before Morgan and I went to school. It basically was just discussion about different school related topics before the parents come to your classroom and see the room and visit with you about whatever concerns they may have.

Saturday we slept in. We drove to Uncle Marshalls at noon for “Farm Day” which is where he and Grandpa fire up old engines and the Model T and give rides. Everyone goes and has lunch and spends the afternoon and then have supper. It was a fun day and quite hot out.

Sunday for lunch we all went to Jon Luke& Jamie’s for lunch. Their house is very cool and has a great view, or it will in spring when its green. We went and worked at school for several hours and then went to folks for supper and evening.

Monday morning at 2:30 am Morgan, Ja, Dad, Joe, Micah, Ralph and I left for Sausalito to go deep sea fishing! Yes. I teach school. But in my defense, I didn’t take off for our first anniversary soooo. Anyways we drove to the place of departure and left the dock at 6 i think. I’d been deep sea fishing before and hadn’t been sick but I was still worried about it so I really took precautions and was glad I had. The water was choppy going out but by the time we came in at 4 it was smooth sailing. We each caught 2 good sized salmon with the biggest being 37 inches and 28-30 pounds so it was a really good time of course!

Wednesday night Morgan and I went out for supper to olive garden to celebrate my birthday so that was wonderful of course.

Thursday was my birthday! Pretty normal day with cards in the mail and my class moms brought a party in the afternoon. Morgan worked late so I worked at home getting ready for the weekend!thanks all of you that texted me. This week st school we had fall week so every day I had a little activity for the class. Tuesday they had to guess how many candy corns were in a jar and the winner got to keep it. Wednesday they guessed how much a pumpkin weighed. Thursday we had hidden candy corns around the room that they counted. Friday was a box of things they had to feel and guess what was in the box. They all loved it I think!

Friday after school we went and picked rhoda up from Fresno. She’s here for a restaurant meeting until Tuesday so it is so awesome having her here at our house! Folks and the family came over for supper Friday night and we did pie irons on the fire. Hated to tell micahs goodbye:(

Saturday we shopped in turlock and met one of rhodas friends for lunch at 10 East which is so yum. I wrote out place cards for the wedding at winton Sunday. We went out for supper with steve&leann in the evening.

Have a happy week!🙂

Hello dear friends. Eventually i’ll get on a schedule again and be able to write every week but so far i just rush from one thing to the next and end up getting nothing done.

A quick overview of the 4th-7th: spent an evening with some darling girls eating supper and walking around a lake; helped tiffany write out wedding invitation envelopes one evening; morgan arrived home safe from LA; we went to folks a couple times for supper. *gasp* what a surprise i know.

Last Saturday, the 8th, we left early in the morning and drove up to Willows. Madison drove down Friday night from Scio so we picked her up and drove to the hospital in Chico to visit Anthony and visit our Ross and also Jons and the rest. We were so glad we were close enough to be able to see Ross. Morgan, madi, ross, and i went out for lunch to a pizza place and got coffee at this extremely rad place in downtown Chico. Then we spent a couple hours at the hospital. Madi, Morgan and I went to a place in Paradise for the night. In the morning we went back to the hospital and spent a bit more time there, then took madi back to her car so she could head back to scio. Morgan and I went to Clark&Nicole’s reception at Glenn in the evening which was really fun and i actually knew people which was a bonus.

Monday night was our first school board meeting but luckily it went fine. haha. Morgan and I went to Justin&Shenda afterwards and drank iced mint tea and relaxed.

Wednesday evening we were just home for supper. I think we had spaghetti. After supper we drove to AT&T and bought me a new phone. Whatttt you may be saying. I am always the least excited for a new phone that is expensive and that i have to set up again and that i will probably drop and crack the screen on my way out of the store. But finally we got our own plan anyways so i got an S9 and it seems to work fine. On the way home we stopped at Lenny’s to talk to Charity Peters who we love who lives at Lenny’s who is here working from Montezuma. But she wanted to go home for a family members reacceptance so Morgan had the idea we should buy her a ticket so we did! So we dropped her itnerary stuff off and ended up talking for awhile. *other people have now contributed to her plane ticket so it’s become a joint effort:)

Thursday after school we always have a get together with the teachers in the lunch room so I never get home in very good time on Thursdays. So we went out to Applebees Thursday evening and came home and tried to clean up some of the piles in our house at least.

Saturday morning at 6:30 we went to folks’ and Morgan, Ja, and I got the van ready and went driving away into the sunrise. It was cool and beautiful and we drove up to Yosemite where we picked up a hitchhiker and hauled them into Yosemite Valley before we headed up Tioga Pass. We stopped beside the road where there were trees and mountains spread before us and made pancakes dipped in peanut butter and syrup and mostly cooked sausage patties. The little curtains and prayer flags fluttered in the back of the vanagon and I sat with my cozy hoodie and watched the trees slip away and sipped my tea until i spilled it on the floor. We stopped in Lee Vining which is this old small town with unique history and walked around and got ice cream cones. Then we drove back over the pass. It was cool and clear and the sky was blue blue blue. When we stopped and looked up at El Capitan, the clouds made it look like El Cap was falling. We got back to folks and they were gone so we made stir fry. I needed this day. it was tops.

Sunday we went to church and in the evening went to Ballico to listen to Matt and Sherry give their report on Haiti. It was so so interesting. There were snacks afterwards. My students spent alot of time today discussing Haiti/foreign countries/human sacrifices/voodoo so it was an interesting time of trying to let them discuss their ideas, but also making sure the conversation didn’t get too carried away.

Today is another Monday but also our FIRST ANNIVERSARY which is crazy. Can’t believe it’s been one year since i had the most perfect wedding ever. I have school and Morgan has work so we will go out for supper I think for now until we have time to do something else. Thanks for all the messages today♥ My students are learning metric units right now and it’s really throwing them for a loop. For art the last couple fridays we have been working on All About Me posters and they finally finished them so this last Friday we made magazine silhouette animals that turned out really cool. This is one of them.😍

Wishing everyone a safe week. Cheers. chey

so its been forever since i’ve written and we’ve been so so busy but i’ll try to just condense it and hit some of the highlights. Mom, Madison, Grandma, and I got home from Oregon on Friday, August 17th. We spent a couple days together eating Mexican food, shopping, and driving around. Monday Morgan drove us to Sonora which is a sweet little town in the mountains. We walked through the shops and had lunch and it was a very fun day. We left in time to get to my school enrollment in the evening.

Tuesday morning we went to the Turlock sale and found fabric. YAY. Then we took Grandma Jul to the Amtrak in Merced and she headed home. I am SO glad she got to come see my classroom and where we live!

Wednesday the 22nd school started for me..so now you will probably hear school tales! The first half week went fast. Mom and Madison brought lunch to me a couple times and ate with me so that was neat. They made sure my house was clean and made supper while i was at school so i came home to a fresh house and i could sure get used to that! It seems like Mom’s food is just always better than anyone elses. I loved having a live in maid service. We did various things in the evenings. Madison’s surgery got postponed in KC so they cancelled their tickets and ended up spending more time here than planned which i loved! We were all so disappointed for Madison and Darvin though. Hopefully they can work it out there in KC soon so the surgery can go ahead.

Monday night we had Mediterranean food at Joe’s and went and watched basketball. Tuesday i took off school. We had such an amazing day and packed it full of happy memories. The four of us drove to Phil’s Fish Market on the coast and had seafood for lunch out on the beach where we could listen to the waves. It was sunny with a tiny breeze that made it feel like fall. We hit some thrift stores, had coffees in the sunshine at Verve, and walked out to the point where we watched for whales. Then we drove home so Morgan could make it to fire training. It was a perfect day.

Madi and Mom left early Wednesday morning, the 29th, for Portland where Madison dropped Mom at the plane and then she went back to Scio. Morgan left for an LA job with Dad so I was suddenly left alone after a very busy week and a half. Good thing I now have school to focus on.

Thursday night Drew and Nicole and various others of the wedding party came and sat by our fire. Morgan made me lasagna for supper which was so amazing and awesome to come home to since i didn’t get home until 6.

Saturday we went to choir practice at Winton in the morning and had lunch with Perrins after. We worked around home in the afternoon and I made ice cream dessert for Saturday night supper and cupcakes for Sunday. Our company Scot & Raquel Dueck from Manitoba got to our place around 530 so we headed to the Saturday night supper at Ballico church shortly after. We went to ball for abit after the supper. I had sort of a sad day wishing i was with all my dear friends at Tiff&Matt’s wedding in Basin.

Sunday morning Morgan and Scot went to folks to help do tri-tip for the wedding lunch and Raquel and I went later and had breakfast. Drew and Nic’s wedding was beauty of course with gold mason jars set on brown paper with eucalyptus and dahlias and the occasional rose in them. After lunch Morgan and i left and went to Monterey. We had supper at Il Viccio which was INSANE pasta and had mismatched wooden chairs and tables and a barn wood wall. Monday i had off school of course so we relaxed in Monterey. We went out and watched tide pools for awhile which is my best thing to do because they’re so full of weird things and this time there were so many tiny crabs just scuttling around and sea anemone hanging on for dear life and the occasional little fish and also snails and seaweed and abandoned shells. It was overcast and cloudy and cool which we both loved but the sky and sea met on the horizon and made it look even more misty than normal. We drove around and shopped abit and had lunch on the wharf and it was clam chowder of course because i just adore that stuff. Got home late afternoon and Morgan packed again and left with Dad to another job in LA until at least Thursday. We had such a relaxing time after being so busy all month!

Today I’m back at school to my darling class of 5th graders who are so kiddish but also sometimes have grown up thoughts and questions. It’s entertaining. I will likely post pictures of art projects, etc. here because i do have other teachers following this. I have school to keep me busy but it doesn’t keep me from missing my family so much, and they’ve only been gone a week. Madison and Mom’s schools both started today. Morgan and I are already planning for Thanksgiving and Christmas and spring break because we like to travel haha so if you need me im likely researching where we should go next. have a great week dears. xo. chey

Last Wednesday I spent mostly working at school. Everything big is done but just lots of little things to finish up and organize. We went to folks for supper in the evening since us and Ja were going to be gone for the weekend.

Thursday I cleaned house, ran to the bank, and quick tried to work at school and finish things up. Morgan got home and then James&Jenn called so we went and met them for supper at Villas in Livingston. Then we happened to run into Charity and Tiff&Ty happened to be here visiting from Kansas! I worked with Tiff at Bethel Home back in the day so it was really rad to see her again. Went home and we packed the backpacks and then went to Lenny’s to hang out with tiff&ty and various Jantzs.

Friday morning at 4 we went to Levi’s house and left for Scio, Oregon. YAY! I tried to sleep most of the trip as Levi & Morgan are disgusting when they’re together. Uneventful drive mostly with some scenic views and definitely a lot of smoke farther up north in California where the big fire is slowly fizzling. We got to Mike&Sharon Jantz’s at 2 ish which are Levi’s uncles. Hung out there abit and then we HAD to see where John&Amberly live so we drove to their house and wandered around. Got back to Mikes and got ready for John&Amberly’s reception which was at 7. The people here were so so awesome and lots came up and met Morgan and I. After supper and reception we went with random people and drove to Newport on the coast to go “jetty fishing” which is apparently a thing here in Scio. It was super fun. You haul your stuff out on the rocks with the mist soaking into your hoodie moccasins and sliding on the wet rocks and finally get a good spot to brace in the dark and begin casting. They fished for sea bass and whatever else would take the bait. Some of them caught little ones and threw them back. I sat on the sand with my feet over the edge of a little cliff and watched the action from there. Got home at 4 in the morning.

Saturday we all slept in and us and Levi, Kat, and Anna went for lunch to Albany. We had a pretty relaxing day. The guys swam in the river I think. Some of the visiting family came to Mikes for supper so we had chicken gumbo and cornbread there. After supper a load of youth stopped in.

Sunday morning Morgan and I had breakfast at Brick & Mortar in Albany and it was so so good. Please go there. Then Morgan headed back to California. He had a job this week helping Uncle Galen haul a Boeing airplane to a place in Nevada so they left at 4 am Monday morning and will be home maybe Friday?..so I went thrift shopping and hiked a waterfall down by Eugene and then drove back to Scio. Mom, Madi, and Grandma Jul got to Scio at 8 or so in the evening. We unloaded Madi’s school stuff at school and then we spent night at the teacher house.

Monday through Wednesday we worked at school and stopped only to get coffees. haha. We are setting up Madi’s room here, then driving down to Winton and they will spend a few days with Morgan and I there. Grandma takes the train home Tuesday, and Mom and Madi fly out to Kansas City Tuesday as well. Madison has a pre op appointment Wednesday and the kidney transplant surgery is scheduled for August 24!! So exciting and also scary. She will be in the hospital a day or two, then spend the week with Mom there in KC close to the hospital. She has a post op appointment 5 days after surgery and if they see no issues she will fly out to California and stay with us a few days to recover before she goes to start teaching at Scio. So that is the current plan I guess! We are leaving for sweet home Winton Thursday morning and driving out along the Oregon coast. Yay because I get to see my hubby soon!

Have a safe week..and please remember those who are missing loved ones or awaiting recoveries. xo chey

Monday morning very early we left for Belleville, PA, Mom, Madi and I. We took turns driving and sleeping and arrived to our destination early evening. The Belleville church and school sit on the same yard, and the teacherage where we stayed is right behind the church so it was a great setup. Monday night was supper at church and we met the girls and fellow workshop leaders. We got to know each other abit through intros made at the front of church after supper, and then dispersed to our houses for night.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings at 9 we began with devotions followed by either a lecture or workshops. We had the lower grade workshop with 15 girls in it. On the 3 days of classes, we discussed classroom structure, procedures, discipline, teaching tips, and each of the girls had to get up and teach part of a lesson. They did so good! It is so fun to see each of their unique teaching styles and ways they would deal with things. From the first day to the last you can see them come out of their shells more and ask questions and it is so cool. It’s always an inspiration for mom and i to teach this class because we get inspired by hearing the girls’ ideas and enthusiasm. We had break partway through the morning, then lectures or workshop, lunch, more lectures or workshop, afternoon break, lectures or workshop, and supper, usually with a lecture after supper. Very full days and the mental energy of the girls and us at the end of each day was pretty low!

Wednesday and Thursday mornings, Mom, Madi, and I went to a little breakfast place called “Taste of the Valley” and had coffee and blueberry baked oatmeal with cream and it was delicious. Wednesday after breaky we stopped at a farm market in our Sunday clothes and walked around looking at shoofly pies and quilts and handmade soaps. It was interesting. Belleville itself was so so pretty. Its buildings are all quite old and even the gas station building doesn’t look like a gas station. Coming into the valley you come over big hilly ridges full of trees and overlook a rolling green valley with old houses and red barns and even sheep on the hills. It is truly beautiful.

Thursday evening was the program and snacks after. I met up with my dear long lost friends haha Burnell&Cindy from Shippensburg and it made my whole week just to see them at the program. Said our goodbyes to the dear girls and wished them luck. It always amazes me that they are on their way to teach the next couple weeks with only a few days of instructions to help them. Truly the Lord that keeps our schools held together and running.

Friday morning at 4 we were on the road to pick up Dillon and Renae from Baltimore airport and head into Washington D.C. to spend a couple days. We started with the Holocaust Museum which of course is an era of time very close to my heart, especially after going through Anne Frank’s house in Amsterdam and seeing up close the places where Adolph Hitlers cruelty hit so hard. The museum itself was not as heart rending to me as it was overwhelming. The amount of lives and the measures they went to to insure only the pure Germans were left to live was astounding. Everything from a device to measure nose or forehead width, to a card of hair colors that if their hair color wasn’t on, they were sent away. We spent several hours there and then went to the Air and Space Museum. Dillon and Madi were super interested in this one and since we only had a couple days to tour, we each had to pick out something we really wanted to see. So we saw the Wright Brothers plane and Charles Lindbergh’s “The Spirit of St. Louis” and much more. Went to the National Mall later in the afternoon and went to the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial. Very fun day full of emotions and my best family.

Saturday morning we started at the Arlington Cemetery which we took the tour in. Saw JFK and Jackie Kennedy’s gravesite, Arlington House, and watched the changing of the Guard in front of the grave of the unknown soldier. It’s so quiet and solemn to watch and i pity the poor men who stand in the sun with sweat pouring down their faces but they simply march in the same line and make no movements to wipe their faces or scratch their heads. From the cemetery we went to the Capitol and toured around there abit. Madi went and met some of her friends that happened to be in town for the evening and Mom, Dillons, and I went for supper and walked around town for awhile.

Sunday morning at 4 i told my dear family bye and caught the shuttle to the airport. I flew to San Fran at noon ish and Morgan picked me up. Finally, after THREE weeks apart we got to see each other!! We grabbed lunch to go from the Embarcadero and took it to a grassy park area and had lunch on the quilt. Dogs came by and licked us and owners chatted and people flew kites and it was delightful. Came home and went to Uncle Jon & Aunt Holly’s with a bunch of the Jantz fam that was still around.

Monday morning at 6 Morgan left with Dad for a job in LA and i slept late which was fabulous. I didn’t get anything done all day really. Except i surfed the internet for awhile and pretended to work on school stuff but i definitely wasn’t fooling anyone. In the evening was school cleaning so i actually did go and work in my room for awhile and socialize with people i hadn’t seen for a week. I went and stayed at Mom’s for night.

This morning I went to Savannah Dyck’s bridal shower which was held at Ballico church. She is marrying Bryce Giesbrecht from Glenn? I think Glenn. Then I ran errands and am going swimming with Alicia over at Hannas. Morgan has fire meeting tonite if they get home in time from LA, and i do need to work again at school this evening. In the midst of the busyness, a part of my heart aches for the loss of a mother in Greensburg, and the diagnosis of a friend in Michigan. Prayers to all this week. chey