Super Bowl

UPDATE 2

New York won and I must say I really got into the game. As I was watching the game I decided I am such a catch (I don't mean to sound the way that sounds but really). How many girls really get into a football game and semi know what is going on? Not many that I know. The game tonight was really exciting and I loved watching in to the end. It was more exciting than half time, which I don't usually say. My dad would be proud.

UPDATE
Based on my friend Tim's theory... I'm going to go for New York. See his theory by following the link... http://www.inessentials.com/blog/archive/2008/01/25/08_55_05.html

(I've been trying to add a picture here for about 15 minutes and am now giving up)

The super bowl is today and contrary to what most people may think... I like football. Now... that doesn't mean I really care who wins today (I would if the Seahawks were in it) but I do enjoy the thrill of the game. In the last couple of days I have watched 13 episodes of Friday Night Lights (season 1) and I find myself excited when a good play is made and thats just a fictional show. I do thinking that football is much more enjoyable and exciting when there is a team you are rooting for... maybe I should figure out who to root for before the game begins... or I'll just be rooting for the commercials.

Snow Day

It's another snow day for our kids... I'm not as happy today though. I really in a bad mood. Hopefuly I'll get out of it soon and get over myself and my frustrations. I'm not that fun to be with when I'm crabby. Hope you are having a good day!!

Snow

We have had so much snow this week. We got about a foot on Saturday into Sunday and had a snow day on Monday. I don't think it snowed on Monday but we got a few inches on Tuesday. We had school in our district on Tuesday and Wednesday. It is supposed to snow from 4 to 8 inches tonight. Will we have a snow day tomorrow?? Who knows. A few of our school districts in the Spokane area have been closed since Monday... will they even open their doors this week? I didn't really get to experience school being closed when I was a kid. When we lived in Waitsburg WA the school was closed because the power was out for a few days. I even had to go to school in -50 degree weather in Roundup MT, even though the buses didn't run so there were not very many students in class. I had my first real snow day in college at the University of Sioux Falls. Those days were great. I also had a few when I was teaching in Grass Range MT... but never a whole day (that I recall)... we closed early a few times because the wind and snow combo. I think snow days are really great and a nice surprise. I, as a houseparent, am even okay with them because I don't really drive anywhere when the roads are bad anyway so I'm staying home anyway. I told my friends that if we are getting together this weekend they are going to have to come to my house because I'm not driving! Hope you are doing well :)

Snow Day and Sick Day

I started feeling sick on Thursday evening, there has been something going around. I felt okay in the morning so went out and did some errands. I had plans in the evening to go to dinner and play games with friends but when I got over to Jan's I was feeling awful. She ended up driving me home and the rest of the night in a blurr. I was feeling pretty good in the morning so stuck to my plan to go dress shopping with my friend Irene whom is getting married in a year. She tried on some beautiful dresses. Then it hit me and I began to feel awful again. I decided to take a sick day for Sunday and I just stayed holed up in my room. The snow fell all day long... big flakes and small flakes. There were numerous school cancellations on the news but not our school district. There was a press conference from the emergency personnel urging people to stay home on Monday. The largest school district in the area, Spokane #81 decided to close around 9pm but our district was still listed as open. This morning we found that we had a snow day so I decided to get ready and come to work... here I sit... some of our girls are out sledding with Russell and the rest are just sitting and watching movies. It's going to be an okay day!

It's been a weekend!

So... the weekend started out great.

I set out for Jan's house on Thursday night without a care in the world. We were just going to hang out and relax. We ended up going to Coldstone and I actually tried a different ice cream creation (I usually just get sweet cream with raspberries and this time I tried the Founders Favorite... I should have stuck with my standby). We also did some exploring of the South Hill area of Spokane. It's a neat area and I could probably stand living up there if I didn't have to drive down or up in the winter.

Friday brought some sleeping in time and a call asking if I wanted to join some people from work for a snowboarding trip on Monday. I decided that would be fun to do especially because I was going to be able to take a lesson. I found that my snowpants didn't fit anymore (grr) and I obviously needed some for snowboarding. I set out to find some without much luck. I didn't want to spend a lot on them and cheap ones just were no where to be found. I wanted to look at Cabella's but I never got around to driving to Post Falls. I spent that evening having dinner and playing a game called Settlers of Cattan with Cottage 1. It was fun. I was supposed to go to a late movie but bailed as I was tired.

Saturday was shopping and rearanging day. I moved a futon into my apartment/room and that meant I had to rearange my living room space. It took forever and than I decided I wanted to do something different with my kitchen area. I set out to Target to look at some put together yourself pieces. Did a lot of thinking and decided they would work. I bought 2 drawer thingys and put one together. It was really a frustrating process and I should probably not ever try to build again. I have done it before and done a fine job but really had problems. AND the pieces were not what I was wanting. So it was a huge waste of time, energy, and money. Crap!

Sunday... oh... that's today... I have had a good day. I went to church at a new place, Millwood Community Presbyterian. They are huge supporters of Hutton and I want to try it out. It was nice. I really kind of liked it. I'll probably go back again. Then Pamela and I met Jan for a movie across town, 27 Dresses... it was a good story and I really like Kathrine Higel. It was then time to find snowpants as the trip to Schweitzer was tomorrow. I bought some that I had tried on the other day and they are nice but to expencive. I also went to Target to return that blasted furniture that I didn't put together. I got home and got a phone call... Guess what... the trip is cancelled due to the weather conditions on the Mountain. So... I searched for snowpants for a trip that was cancelled. How sad! I'll have to try again next time I guess!

Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

Are you ready for this?

So... Here I sit, once again in the Salt Lake City International Airport. I NEVER want to come here again. It all started a week and a day ago... a Friday. I set out for my trip to Montana at 6am on Friday the 21st.

Well... It's now January 16th and I thought I would complete this entry.

So... the short of my travels is that I left Spokane on time and they wouldn't let our plane land in Salt Lake... We finally landed almost 1 hour late and my flight had already left to Billings. Billings is not an easy place to get to so it was a nightmare trying to get another flight. I ran into about 8 people who were in the same situation as me... trying to get to Billings. That meant that they flew our plane about 1/2 full and left us stranded with really no options. I ended up having a standby ticket to Billings and a confirmed ticket to Bozeman. I ended up getting on the Bozeman flight and my brother-in-law picked me up and drove me the 3 hours to Billings. Then... get this... my luggage was lost for 6 days... 6 DAYS! How stupid. Lets see... so I finally got my luggage after talking to people probably in India or something who wouldn't really help me at all. So I had a good Christmas. Ended up packing way to much stuff and I didn't need it for 6 days of my trip. But Christmas was good... family was great... I really like Roundup. I didn't get to see anyone really that I was hoping too but got to see a few people from church that are important to me. So it came time to come back to my home in Spokane and did those travels go without problems? NO! My flight into Salt Lake landed late again and my flight to Spokane left me. Luckily there was a seat on the next flight into Spokane... but when I arrived guess what happened... I only had 1 bag arrive. Seriously... I have never had this awful of a traveling experience. I don't think I will be flying on Delta anytime soon. I did decide that I needed a good souvenir for my trip so bought an "I Love Salt Lake" key chain to always remember this trip by.

I now need to get a letter written to Delta... hopefully they will give me something for my troubles... It just may be a flight voucher so I just may have to do something I said I would never do again... Fly Delta and go to Salt Lake.

Christmas Letter 2007

Merry Christmas!

I hope this letter finds you all healthy and happy. I am headed home to Montana for Christmas in a few short days. I just finished my Christmas shopping yesterday and am now on to my Christmas cards, which I didn't really think were going to happen. If it's after Christmas... sorry!
It has been a busy year for me. Work has been great most every day. I enjoy my girls most of the time. Those of you that are parents of teenagers know this to be true I am sure. They love me one minute... hate me when I say no... and then love me later. It's annoying, but part of life I guess.

I have been working at the Hutton Settlement for over a year now which makes this my longest full time job so far. It's also the longest I have lived in one place since I graduated from high school (which seems like so long ago). Many wonder what I do here and I basically act as a parent. I cook and clean and take the girls to appointments and watch TV and shop. It's pretty cool most of the time. I have also had many people ask what I am doing with my future. Well... that is a good question. Let me tell you the tentative plan. I am considering going back to school to obtain a Masters in Counseling. I have found that the most enjoyable times for me at work are when I am sitting and talking with the girls. I love to hear their problems, give them my input, and challenge them to do something about it. Now... I am really praying about this and am not 100% sure that this is what I will do, but I am really considering it heavily. Some things would have to happen at Hutton for this to happen. I hope to know more in the new year. Pray for me if you want. I always appreciate it!

This year I did some traveling and it was wonderful. In January I went to Seattle for a good friends wedding. Emily and Ryan had a beautiful winter wedding. I went home for Easter to surprise my family. Then in May I got to go to Goldendale WA for my favorite event of the year... a lamboree. Do you hear the sarcasm? It was a good work trip and it wasn't as bad as it seemed when I was there. In June I went on my first "real" vacation. I flew to Omaha NE for one of my best friend's wedding. It was great to meet Ryan and his daughter, Lindsey and wonderful to be there for Danielle's wedding. I got to see quite a few college friends and professors. It was wonderful. In July, I spent a weekend in MT on the Clark Fork river doing a rafting trip for work. It was great fun! Then the next week I drove home for a week in Roundup. It was some needed time with family. I miss them a lot. In August my whole family traveled over here and on the way to the Mertens family reunion I got to show them where I live and work. It was really nice. The reunion was great too. Almost all of our family was there... those that weren't were greatly missed. The fall was filled the girls going back to school and time has really flown. I can't believe Christmas is next week. I fly out on Friday for 8 wonderful days at my parents house. Then it will be 2008!

I hope that the Lord blesses you abundantly in the new year. Each of you have blessed my life and I am thankful to God for you.

Love: Traci

I'm Done

Christmas Shopping that is. Well... close to done. Only one little thing left to get and a couple of small things to make... and I'm crossing my fingers that one gift will arrive in the mail in time for Christmas. But it is nice to be done. I did all of my errand type things today because we are supposed to get quite a bit of snow tonight and I hate going out in the snow. You know that winter song... The weather outside is frightful... But the fire is so delightful... That's me... I like the snow and long as I don't have to drive in it. But it's not even snowing yet so who knows. I am headed home for Christmas a week from today... yea! It will be so nice to be home for a bit of time. I'm hoping that Tim and Nicole's schedule will collide with mine at least for an hour or two. We always seem to be home at the same time but never see each other enough for coffee and conversation. I should get on my way to bed. I had my first social gathering in my new "apartment" at Hutton this evening. Maybe more on that later. But it's Christmas in Cottage 2 tomorrow so I have to get up a bit earlier than I would like to to celebrate with them. Should be a fun time :) Thanks and Goodnight!

Photo Meme

I saw this on Jenn's blog and thought it was neat. Here I go...

So, just type in the answers to the questions on Google Images and pick on of the first pictures that comes up. Then post the picture.

If you choose to participate, tell me in your comments!

1. Age at my next birthday: 25

2. Place I'd like to travel: Europe

3. My favorite place: Silverwood

4. One of my favorite objects: My Mr. Coffee Burr Coffee Grinder

5. My favorite food: Frozen California Kitchen BBQ Chicken Pizza

6. My favorite color: Lavender

7. My nickname: Starfruit... From College... My friend picked it to describe me... What fruit or veggie describes you?

8. Place I was born: Lady of Our Lourdes Hospital Pasco WA

So... I didn't exactly follow the first picture rule... but I did get pretty close. It was fun... now that I'm done!

My Future

I counseled at the Fall Youth Retreat at Ross Point last weekend. It was a great retreat. I taught a Character Study on Ruth... Did a couple hours of praying... and was really spoken to by a song. I had heard this song before but this time it really struck me.

No Sacrifice by Jason Upton

To you I give my life, not just the parts I want to
To you I sacrifice these dreams that I hold on to
Your thoughts are higher than mine
Your words are deeper than mine
Your love is stronger than mine
This is no sacrifice
Here's my life

To you I give the gifts
Your love has given me
How can I hoard the treasures that you've designed for free?
BecauseYour thoughts are higher than mine
Your words are deeper than mine
Your love is stronger than mine
This is no sacrifice
Here's my life

To you I give my future
As long as it may last
To you I give my present
To you I give my past

BecauseYour thoughts are higher than mine
Your words are deeper than mine
Your love is stronger than mine
Your thoughts are higher than mine
Your words are deeper than mine
Your love is stronger than mine
This is no sacrifice
Here's my life

So I've always been worried about who I'm going to marry and when that is going to happen but what is the point of worring? There is none because God has a plan. To Him I give my future.

My dad keeps asking me when I'm going to get my teaching certificate in Washington. He's not supposed to ask me about it again until January because I am waiting to hear about a possible new job at Hutton. To be honeset I'm not sure I want to go back to teaching. I am thinking of going back to school to get my Masters in Counseling. I have found that I feel happy and alive when I'm talking one on one with the girls I work with. I like listening to them and making them feel heard. Maybe that's what I need to do with the rest of my life. I don't really know yet but it's what I'm looking into right now.

I'm trying to not worry about my future becasue God has opened and closed doors for me in the past and I know he would'nt put me somewhere or let me complete something that I'm not supposed to do. I just have to be sure to listen carefully and follow what he asks of me.

Just Call Me Spacy

Went to Target today to return a couple of things I bought to much of for my tree... Guess what I forgot to take to Target... The returnees. Goodness... If my head was not attached I would probably lose it.

My First Christmas Tree

Well... not really my first Christmas Tree... but my first Christmas Tree that is mine. I got it from the Hutton Settlement Christmas Tree Lot. It is really pretty... I probably should have gotten a cheaper one but it is pretty. I will post pictures when I find the cord to connect my camera to my computer. I think I got a Douglas Fir... it has flat needles and smells great. I didn't have any of my stuff to put on it as it is all at my parents house in Montana so I took a trip to Target to get some things. See story about that later in the post. I bought lights, garland, raffia, silver icicle ornaments, and turquoise balls. I think it's pretty. It would be better if it had more ornaments but that is okay. At least I had the Angel that my parents gave me a few Christmas' ago to sit on the top of the tree. I'm happy with it :)

So... my trip to Target was actually 2 trips to Target. We had snow again last night so I had to clean off my car. I decided I would just go start it and leave my purse in the house. Bad idea. I ended up cleaning off my car and just getting in a driving off. Didn't realize that I forgot my purse until I got to Target. This is about a 10-15 minute drive. So I went home and got my purse and went back. Ugh!

Traci, Snow and a 12 Passenger Van

So... I'm not the most confident driver... especially in snow. We had the first snow of the season on Tuesday. I had the duty of driving some kids to school that morning. Let just say that my trip took about an hour and a half when it normally would take about thirty minutes. I did fine dropping the high school boys off (slid at one corner) but then I had to go up a hill. The car in front of me got stuck so I in turn got stuck. The little white car that was in the way of the huge van finally got going with some help from a pusher. My 2 girls got out of the van to push and the guy that helped the white car helped too. I finally got going, thank God, and the girls jumped in. They then told me that we got going because a guy in a jeep pushed us along. WITH HIS JEEP! I was shocked and so glad I didn't roll back and crush him. What a day. I was exhausted by the time I finally got home... and I didn't even take time to get my stress relieving White Chocolate Peppermint Latte.

Post Thanksgiving Shopping

I wasn't going to do it... But I did. I only went to 2 stores and knew exactly what I was going for. I was in and out of Fred Meyer for a wicker basket/trunk for the end of my bed in no time. I found the rug I was going to purchase for my room quickly at Shopko... but stood in like for at least 20 minutes to buy it. Was it worth it? I don't know... it wasn't a bad experience. It's not like I got up at 3 am to go shopping... I went at 10 and got what I wanted. I think people are nuts to get up at 3 am to go shopping. Really... is it worth it? Now that I bought things for myself I guess it's time to buy Christmas gifts. I did get my annual purchase of Starbucks Christmas coffee made today. Yum! I'm excited to brew some tomorrow. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Mistake

A few months ago I turned down an opportunity to be a primary houseparent for Cottage 1. I turned it down because I was nervous about working with the other houseparent, I thought it would be to hard. Plus I didn't want to give up my good schedule having Friday and Saturday off. I am now thinking I have made a huge mistake. I have no joy working with Cottage 2. They have always been the harder girls for me to connect with. It's really hard to love when you don't recieve love back. I'm not saying this is true for all of those girls but there are 1 or 2 each week that make it apparent to me that they don't like me. It dosen't help that my co-worker is young and fun. I'm not saying she is not good at our job but it does make it harder for me because we don't have the same personality. Thats my rant for today. Pray for me!

Waiting Up

I'm sitting here waiting for my high school girls to get home. It's almost 10pm and they are on their way home from a youth group thing. I think this is one of my least favorite parts of my job. If this was a normal family situation I would just go to bed because they would have a key to get in the house... but this is not so. When night comes around I am soooo tired! I'm always ready to go to bed... and then I have to read for so long to wind down too. Luckily... I get to sleep in because my working partner said I could. Yea! On another note... I made a mock Thanksgiving meal for dinner... It turned out really good and I think I could probably pull off the real thing if I had the opportunity. That will be a fun thing to do sometime in life. I have learned that I really love to cook... especially for people that eat what I cook and love it. One Cottage has really picky girls and the other girls will pretty much eat anything. I really love cooking for Cottage 1 :) This post is really long and winded and I don't think anyone even reads this anymore... but that is okay! If you are reading... thanks!

Thursday

As much as I love the stress of my job... I gotta say I love that tomorrow is Thursday... that mean that I get to get some rest... But seriously... I do love my girls... Even if they don't love me all the time :)

Parent Teacher Conferences

It's parent teacher conference day for my elementary girls. I think that they will be good conferences and I always enjoy seeing their classrooms and talking to their teachers. I enjoy confereces much more as a parent than I did as a teacher. However... every time I go to a conferece and step foot in the schools I wonder what I am doing. Did I make a mistake taking 2 years now off from teaching? What should I be doing for the next school year. I would probably be content staying and working at Hutton... but is that the right thing to do? I just don't know. Please pray for me as I seek out God's plan for my life. My job is a great one and it will be hard to leave... but only God knows where I should be and what I should do.

Dan In Real Life

I just got back from a really good movie... Dan in Real Life. I was not so sure about it in the begining of the movie but as it moved along I grew to really enjoy it. It was laugh out loud funny... plus a good romance story... and a feel good family story... and my friend said it was a good cry too (I didn't cry... but... I usually don't at movies). Good music too. Go see it if you want or rent it... It's really good :)

It's Good

Life is good... I'm feeling really fulfilled lately. Things at Hutton are moving along. I still don't know my plans in the next year but it will all come together.

Today I am going to make carmel apples from scratch. We shall see how they come out. I've made carmel before but never for candy, only for sauce. Crossing my fingers that it turns out!

Tomorrow I may attempt to make my own gnocchi. I had this amazing dish for my birthday with my co-worker Sarah. I made some packaged gnocchi for my friends Jan and Irene... Now I want to make my own. It is so good with butter and myzritha cheese. Yummy!

Other than that... that is a glimpse into my life. I live... I cook... I clean... I read...I parent.

July

How can it be July tomorrow? Time is flying by so quickly! Life has been interesting lately. I recently decided that I will remain in Spokane working at The Hutton Settlement for the next year at least. I am also planning on Subbing in the West Valley and maybe Central Valley districts on my Friday's off. It will be good to get in the classroom, get my name out there, and the extra cash won't hurt either.

What else has been going on??? Well let me just think back and list some of the things I have done...

• Home to MT for Easter for a couple of days
• Rafting trip for work with Peak 7
• Lamboree with work... oh so fun
• Spending time with family
• Trip to Omaha NE for a wedding... one of my best friends
• Hutton vs. Starbucks softball game
• Bike rides
• Spending time with friends
• Kids out of school for the summer
• "Date" with awesome guy from Peak 7... praying and wondering where that will go
• Trip planned to MT for end of July... it will be so nice to be home

This summer will be a weird one for me... Something missing from my list is camp counseling. Senior high camp at Ross Point starts with staff training in a hour or so and I am missing it. This is the first summer since I was a freshman in high school that I won't be counseling at camp. I am really not okay with that so will have to fix it for next year. I do plan to go out for Thursday evening though. It won't be enough but it will be good to see people.

I seem to say this every time I post but I will try to be more a more active blogger again... Who am I kidding? You can probably expect a new post in a few months :) Hope you all are well!!!

My Life

My life has been crazy. Sort of. Since I last wrote I started a new job. I have become a parent to children that can't live with their own. It is crazy and amazing and stressful but rewarding. I believe that God has placed me here for some reason for this time in my life. I am anxious to see where I will go next though. I still am searching out what my life will look like. I really miss teaching. I will be applying for some teaching jobs for the fall in WA and MT. I also would not be opposed to teaching overseas with NICS or doing Teach for America. I just don't know what I want to do. All I know is that I want to do what God wants me to do and I just have to figure out what that is. I will admit that it scares me to just pick up and move somewhere though. I don't know people in many places and the thought of moving somewhere alone and knowing no one is so frightening. I don't know if I could do it. Moving to WA hasn't really turned out like I was hoping but it has had it's good things. I am not as social as I would like to be... I don't get to do all the church stuff that I want to do... this is all because of my job though. My job is my life and I'm pretty sure that is the one thing that I am really struggling with in it. I'm sorry that I am so rambly. Please forgive me. Hopefully I will be getting back in the grove of blogging. However I need to find some witty things to say. This post is boring and it is getting more boring as I go along so on that note I will say thanks for reading and goodbye.

Homeless

How do you deal with driving by homeless people? I'm talking about those on the street corners with signs. I don't have much experience with this and every time I go to Spokane for church there is someone standing at the exit I take. This last time the guy would have tried to talk to me if I wouldn't have just stared straight ahead. I don't feel like I have anything to give them. I guess I could carry some food around but who does that? Those of you with more experience in this... you city dwellers... what do you do? How do you feel?

I Need A New Job

Goodness... do I ever!!!

WOW!!!

Well... it has been a few months since I have been on here. I love reading what people are doing so don't know why it is so hard for me to update on my life.

You may have noticed but I no longer live in Grass Range. I ended up not going back to teach there in the fall. I am not teaching this year and I am beginning to become sad about that. I really miss being in the classroom.

Currently I am living in Idaho and am working at my aunt's daycare with the infants. I really miss my family. Jack is growing so much without me! I am going to an awesome church. I love it so far. I'm excited to learn more about it and find out how I can serve. Its called Eastpoint... www.eastpointchurch.com.

I have applied for a job at a place called the Hutton Settlement... www.huttonsettlement.org. It is an awesome place and I am really hoping that God has a place for me there. I would live at the settlement and also recieve a salary. It would really be a great thing right now.

I'll write more later. I hope you are well... It there is a you...

Summer Vacation Rocks!

Hey everyone... Summer is really nice. It is amazing that I don't have to work and I love it. I have 3 weeks of camp counseling scheduled and I love that I can just volunteer my time to serve kids. One of the reasons that I became a teacher was that I am called to camp ministry as well as teaching and I can do both. Right now I am spending a week house and animal sitting for my sister in Billings. I am senseing that I will have a lot of boring hours ahead of me. Hopefully I will find something to do. I have some sewing in the plans and that is about it. Anyway... that's about it for now. I hope that each of you have some wonderful times this summer!

The Coolest Thing About This Summer Is...

I don't have to work! It is going to be amazing to just live life and do things that I want to do. I am super excited!

The Crazy End of the School Year

Who knew that teachers had to do so much to wrap up the year? Someone sure fooled me. I have so much to do at school and I have to check out tomorrow. Pray that I will get everything done and done well. Than I have to pack and move my home. I will be returning to Grass Range in the fall, if all goes as planned, but will have a different house thank goodness!!!! Anyway... I am looking forward to an enjoyable summer and am hoping that I will see most of you at some point!

Take this advice...

Use sunscreen!!!! Ya'll... I got the worst sunburn I have ever had in my life last week. I could hardly handle wearing a shirt, which is not good for me! Anyway... not I am losing a layer or 2 of skin off of at least 1/4 of my body. SOOOO WEAR SUNSCREEN!!!!!

Age

What is your age limit for dating? I know that sounds crazy but how young would you go and how old? Not really ages but years between. Even if you are married... what would you have been comfortable with when you were dating? Just something I am curious about!

Update

Well... as you know I have been lacking entry on my blog. I do have reasons for this. Let me just start at what has been going on latley.

Patti Roth passed away on the first of April. What a sad time. She had been battling with her health for a long time but their family became very close to mine and she was like an extention of my mom. She was such an inspiration. Her daughter, Bekah, will be graduating from High School next weekend. I am excited for the celebration!

A couple of weeks later by grandfather (Ralph) passed away. He was such an awesome man. He was so good for my grandma. He was so good for my family. My "real" grandpa died when I was in 1st grade and my grandma married Ralph when I was in 10th grade. I well up just thinking about how willing he was to just become part of our family. The last big trip that they made was to my graduation from college. It meant so much to me that they traveled so far for me. I just wish that he could be there for the other momunental things that will happen in my life. But it was his time and as humans we have to accept that we have life and death and life in Christ forever.

The cool thing about death is that, when we are saved, we have life with Christ and we will all be together again. I am excited for that day, but I am also excited to see what will happen in my life. When will I get married? Have kids? Who will be around for those things?

Something that brings me comfort is that I think they can really know what is going on in my life now. It is hard to keep in touch and I believe that those in heaven know what is happening on Earth. Maybe I am just naive but that's okay.

Anyway... that is enough for now. I am tired and I don't want to write anymore so there!

Where am I??

Just a quick update... I'll write more later. I am currently in Idaho at my grandmas. My grandpa passed away on Tuesday morning and the funeral is tomorrow. That would be two funerals in two weeks with 2 very special people in my life. More later.

Also my computer when kapooy but that is fixed now... but not without a bunch of trouble... more on that too.

Anyway... I am still alive and kicking and will be back in blog world soon. Thanks for caring!

Where is MY prince charming?

Seriously... I could really use him about now. My life seems to be filled with sad and scarry things where I would really like to have someone to talk with. I want to have someone to hold my hand and to hug. I want someone to wipe my tears away and someone to bawl on when I need to. Where is he? Where is he? Where is he?

Something I Really Want To Do...

Do you want to join me?

I really want to take about 7 months of my life to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. Does that sound crazy? You start in Georgia and hike up to Maine. It is roughly 2000 miles. It would be awesome. What a thrilling adventure. I hope that in the next 7 or so years that I could actually do this. I would need to be financially stable in some way though. It would be crazy cool!!!

check out www.appalachiantrail.org

Job Possibilities

Hey There:

Just wanted to ask for your prayers. I have sent of 3 job applications in the last couple of weeks. Billings, Big Timber, and Huntley... I am just praying that the right job will be there for me and that I can fill a position that is designed for me. I want to thrive in my teaching career and know that I can't do that in Grass Range. Please just pray that God would open some doors for me if it is His will.

Thanks!

I'm Done

Stick a fork in me... I'm done. I decided this afternoon at about 3:45 that I am NOT returning to teach in Grass Range next year. I was going to stick it out if I couldn't get a job somewhere else but I am seriously done. I have never been so mad at administration until this afternoon. What a horrible superintendent they have here. She had her contract renewed so I am not going to sign my renewel. I'm done. I don't even care if I can't get a teaching job next year. I will substitute and work in a grocery store or McDonalds if I have to for survival. I guess I always have a month or so to change my mind about signing the contract but as of this moment I am done! Which stinks because I love my students!

Sigh

Well live is getting odd once again. What is going on? Well I am looking for a new job at the moment. I have applied in Huntley and am going to apply in Big Timber. I am sure something will work out. I really need to get out of this place and get back to the city. I really miss the city. That sounds crazy to me but I do.

My grandfater (not biological) is dying. I finally have realized this and am really sad. He has been suffering from lukemia for a few months. They gave him 10-12 months to live and the 10 months is up in May. I am hoping that he hangs in there for a bit longer. Dawn and Marc and I are planning on going over there for my spring break. I have a feeling it may turn into the whole family heading over. Please just pray for him and our family.

Here he is at 1 week old. He got to move to his house today. It is an exciting day! I can't wait for Friday... I finally get to hold him and kiss him and tell him I love him! 

This is Jack. I can't wait to hold him and see him with my own two eyes. Isn't he gorgous? 

It's That Time Again...

What am I going to do this summer? I hate that question. This is a summer where I don't really have to work so that is awesome but I don't believe I can spend the summer without a job. I am pretty sure I will need some extra cash when those student loans come due, which I am freaking out about by the way. My problem with a job is that I have certain weeks that I am going to want off... like the whole month of July. I want to get back to Templed Hills and spend some time serving the Lord. I would like to work in a coffee hut maybe but I would have to get a job and than quit it and than try to get another. I don't know if it is worth it. I just don't know what to do. Is there any advice out there for me? I know I know... no one reads this anymore because I have not written for months. PS... I am going to be looking for a teaching job in the Billings area for the fall as well!

William Jack Wass

There is now a name for the precious bundle of joy that I have not met yet. I am anxious for them to come home. Hopefully it will be soon so I can spend a little time with the new family.

The Baby Is Here!

Well... It is about 38 days early... But I am now the proud aunt of a beautiful baby boy. Unfortunately I have not been allowed to see him because of the hospital and he does not have a name yet. I will try to update soon. Life has been BUSY!

As Crazy As It Sounds...

I am so ready for Christmas Break! Although I just started my teaching job on Monday I am really ready for Christmas Break. I feel like I have been running since I started Student Teaching in September. I need a break where I don't have to do anything if I don't want to. I am really looking forward to being home (although I just left there Sunday and am returning tomorrow). I don't know. I really love my family I guess. I must admit that I would rater visit that live with them but that is beside the point. I love Christmas and my parents house is not even decorated yet. Maybe we can do that on Saturday. It is definitly going to be a short Christmas season in the Mertens house. Oh well. It is the thought of the season and what it stands for that really matters. I haven't even written my Christmas letter yet or wrapped my gifts (I have, however, bought them though!) Anyway... I will sign off for now. Hopefully I will be around more now that I have my own home and life and such!

May God Pour His Blessings Upon You as You Reflect Upon This Season!

My Little Yellow House

Well... I am living in a little yellow house. It is okay... I don't want to live here next year but it will work for awile. It is really tiny. It was super dirty when I arrived on Tuesday. Thank goodness I have a mom and also Nicole's mom. They were a big help. I am so thankful for many things this season. Those who helped me move (Pastor John and Red), my new job, a "warm" place to live... I could probably go on and on.

I do have tons to do at this point in time though. I need to get my student teaching paper work wrapped up. But I also have to get my house in order, my classroom in order, and my lesson plans in order. Pray that I will have the motivation and energy to get everything done. It is now 7:30 pm and I am seriously going to go get in my bed... read a book and go to sleep. I am so tired!

God Bless You!

It's Official!!!

Well... I have officially fulfilled my dream. Starting December 12, 2005, I, Traci Mertens, will be a full time teacher. I will be teaching 5th and 6th Grades in Grass Range Montana. I have so much to do, am really overwhelmed, and am pretty stressed out, but am soooo excited! It is pretty surreal. God's provisions for me are amazing though. I am going to Grass Range on Saturday to see a little yellow house that sounds perfect for me. Pray that is really is as good as it sounds! Wow... I am really in awe of God's grace and mercy for me!

Happy Thanksgiving

Traci's Top 10 Things to be Thankful For...

1. Wonderful Family
2. Beautiful Old Friends
3. Beautiful New Friends
4. Awesome Pets
5. Great Church
6. Good Place to Live
7. Superb School
8. Lifes Many Amenities
9. My Great Car
10. Employment Opportunities

Happy Thanksgiving!

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

Gratious... It is almost the 1st of December and there is no snow to really speak of. Do I not live in Montana? Recently I have felt like I live in California or somewhere silly. I don't really like the snow that much but I sure would like some to fall!

Where in the world is Traci Mertens?

Goodness Gracious! I can't believe how busy life is when you are all grown up and are making something of yourself.

Student Teaching has been wonderful and I only have 8 school days left... It's kind of sad and kind of wonderful. It is sad because I have become attatched to my students... but wonderful because I am ready and prepared for a class of my own. Speaking of a class of my own...

I had a interview in Grass Range Montana for a 5/6 possition. I am feeling very good about it. That could be a good sign or a bad one. I should know the outcome tomorrow. I am really praying that if God wants me in that place that He will provide. If He provides the job than I am praying double that He will provide some housing. I'll keep you posted.

Since my Student Teaching is winding down I am hoping to have a bit more time to spend with all of you. I have been a horrible friend these last few months and I don't really like that about myself.

Anyway... I will be in touch... especially about the job. I may need some visitors soon!!!

Blessings!

Three Things I Plan to Do Before I Die
1. Be married and raise a family
2. Go on a mission trip overseas
3. Go on an big family vacation

Four Things I Can Do
1. Teach
2. Sing
3. Be a friend
4. Sew

Six Things I Cannot Do
1. Talk to strangers
2. Draw
3. Play guitar
4. Be organized
5. Love all people all of the time
6. Not sin

Seven Things That Attract Me to the Opposite Sex
1. Godly
2. Family Oriented
3. Compassionate
4. Forgiving
5. Solid
6. Accepting
7. HOT!!!! well you know... you have to be able to look at them you know :)

Eight Things I Say Most Often
1. I'm so confused
2. Seriously
3. I'm so tired
4. Ugh
5. Whatever
6. I don't know
7. What?
8. Sad

Nine Celebrity Crushes:
... Sorry I don't fall for people I don't know... Am a really odd???

Three Cool Things About Becca
1. She is a wealth of information
2. Easy to talk to and voice concerns to
3. She is a beautiful woman of God

I don't have anyone to tag because I only have a few blogging friends and they have all done this already... sad.

The Crazy Life I Am Living

Oh my goodness you guys that still check to see if I am alive... I cannot believe how busy I am. There is so much to tell all of you so I guess I will just start from the top... when I left you last I was leaving Idaho for the summer.

lets see if i can get this all down briefly... my grandma thought that my jeep was a piece of crap so she decided to buy me a new car (great for me eah)... I came home and my dad and I found a 1994 grand prix at the local dealer in town... it was owned by a women from our church and in excellent condition so we bought it... than i had to leave for sioux falls for school... i drove there and it was really boring... they let me stay in a dorm room for free... i went to class and spent way to much money on gas and food... i saw my friends why too little... i went to omaha ne to visit my best friend from college... that was great fun... we were driving in the dark and i thought it was raining but it was really bugs (ewww)... my sister had surgery to remove a tumor from her side while i was in sd... it was scary... she was in icu for a day or so and than they moved her to general surgery... than they od'ed her on morphine so she almost died... very scary (my family did not tell me this until after the fact)... than my mom called and said joy had to go back in to surgery... at this point i was setting up my credential file so was in the education office and my professor asked how my sister was and told me to go home 2 days before my class was over... so i drove to rapid city and checked into a motel and than i left at 3 am... the clerk at the desk was dumfounded that i was checking out at such a time... well i made it to sit with my family during the surgery and got to see my sister... ugh... i hate the hospital... she is doing well now though so that is a big blessing... i started my student teaching and that is going well... i have taught a few lessons and will be gradually taking on the whole load in the next 5 weeks, this week i have reading and will add lanuage next and so on and so forth... yesterday i was telling some people that i would really like my jeep to sell this week because the registration was coming up... than my dad showed me this check for $1600 and i was so excited... what a blessing... than i went to school today and will tomorrow... oh i got a job at the grocery store too... that is crazy in itself... like i have time to work... pray that i will find a way to serve in the church... i need time... well thanks for reading the crazieness that i call my life... love to you all and i will try to update sooner next time! ps... i have been reading your blogs... just have not had the desire to write...

A List

I am posting a list of things that I hope to write about. As much down time as I have on my hands right now it is hard to get all the words down!

• Hurricane Katrina
• Sisters Surgery
• Time in Sioux Falls
• Trip to Omaha
• New Car

Well... we will see if I get any of this written about. Sorry if it does not interest you... well actually I'm not sorry because I should write about what I want to... eah!

So Much To Say

I have so much to say about many different things. I have to go to class now though. I will post more later. I have not fallen off the face of the earth.

Busy!

Well I am back from Idaho but have been really busy since I got home. There is just so much to do. I have been painting mostly. I am also car shopping and think I have found the car I want (1994 Grand Prix, Marron). I get a 24 hour test drive tomorrow so will be driving it to Billings for my birtday party at my sister's. In the evening tomorrow I will be 22 years old. How exciting... well not really... 22 is not really to special... it's just a year older. Anyway... that is a short update on The Life. I hope that all of you are doing well and are enjoying the last part of summer.

ANNOUNCMENT!

I have an announcement... I am going to be an aunt again! I am super excited. The baby should be here in March sometime. Congratulations Dawn and Marc!

I would like to propose a question.

Why is it that the Catholic bible has extra books? Why are they not used by the Protestent Church?

* This is really a question as I have no clue.

2 Weeks

In 2 weeks I should be back home in Montana. I am so excited! I talked to the teacher I will be working with Fall Semester and just am so happy to be working with her. The experience is going to be so wonderful! What a blessing it will be to work under Ms. Tande (she was Mrs. Hanson when I had her for a teacher in 5th grade). I hope to do a new blog documenting my experience with student teaching. We will see if I have time!

* UPDATE - Here is my new blog... The Teaching Journey (http://tracisteachingjourney.blogspot.com/).

Crazy

So I just talked to a friend from camp and retreat stuff and she told me that she is getting married in September. This is something that I really didn't expect her to be saying to me. Crazy! For you single people that read my blog... do you ever get sad when you hear someone else is getting married. I need to explain that better I guess. It's not that I am sad... I am happy for my friend I just get a sense of loneliness when I hear that kind of news. This was supposed to be a happy post so I will end with congratulations Shauna!

Exhausted

I am so exhausted! It has been a long couple of weeks with camp and than my family here this weekend for my grandma's 80th surprise birthday party. I haven't had a good nights sleep for a couple of weeks and it is really catching up with me. It was fun to be with my family though. I wish that I wasn't far away from them again. I hate it! I miss them so much. I'll be back home again in just about a month though so I am looking forward to the end of my summer job (which I DON'T love) and the beginning of my student teaching. I just wonder how I am going to survive money wise in the fall. There seems to be no where to get a job in Roundup these days. I could work at the Busy Bee but if you know what I am talking about you know that would be horrible. Anyway. Just an update of my recent life. I have been busy busy busy and I am tired tired tired and I have TONS of school work to finish up before the end of the month.

Such and amazing time!

I had such an amazing time at camp this week. I am sure that God's plan was for me to be there because I couldn't have been there without His help. I wanted to share something really cool. Those of you that know me personally know that I am a pretty shy and quiet person. That is just who I am on the outside I think though. The question proposed to the staff at the beginning of the week was what are your expectations. I was thinking and all I could think of was myself. I knew that God had called me there to do something and I was expecting myself to come out of the shy bubble that I often live in and just speak His words. Well I was definitely a different person this week. I have never talked and laughed and been so encouraging in my life and I loved it. I loved that people noticed a difference in me. We had a question and answer time for the campers separated by genders and I would have never said anything in those times in the past but I had things to say and I was able to say them and say them well. I am just so happy with the person that God has made me and am so happy that He has given me the opportunities to work for Him and spread His word in this way. I am so excited for the things that He is going to continue to use me for. He is just so good!

My Cabin

Well... this was an amazing week. This is my group of girls. Starting in the back row we have Amanda, Carolyn, Corinne, Blythe, Lauren, and Jessica. In the front we have counselor Amanda, Xenia, Nicole, counselor Me, Katherine, and Chelsea. What a wonderful group of girls. They were really a blessing. We didn't have any problems that I know of amoungst us. It was a really smooth week. Praise God!

Noah's Ark Building

We were given 4 things... another cabin to work with, cardboard, a few plastic bags, and duct tape. Our goal was to build a boat (Noah's Ark) that would hold 2 people and float. The girls had the excellent idea of filling the bottom with empty plastic bottles. I think it may work!

Noah's Ark Transporting

Transporting our creation to the dock. We are all hoping that it will float.

Noah's Ark Sailing

Well... it got a bit of water in it but it served it's purpose!

Squish in time!

The girls gather on my bed for a photo. Sadly we are missing Kat and Amanda whom had to leave early for a state softball tournement. I have never had campers in my cabin leave early before and this year I had 3 (Carolyn left at 5 am to catch a plane to her new home in Hawaii). It is really sad to lose campers early. I don't particulary like it!

High Ropes

The high ropes course is such an amazing part of camp. This year it was optional so I was able to go up with some campers. I had such a good time. I did some things that I had not done on the course before. It was great to push myself to go new challenges.

Climbing UP

Climbing up the net. I think it would have been easier if I had longer legs.

Resting At The Top

I finally made it up the net. Oh my goodness... my upper arms are still hurting!

Vine Walk

This is called the vine walk I think. It's a bit hard.

Hesitation

I stand here getting ready to jump. See the hesitation on my face? It was really scary.

Leap of Faith

I finally do the "Leap of Faith". I didnt' land very well but I did it! I still hurt :(

Burma Bridge Flipping

We flipped the bridge together. How super fun!

Almost Off

My last obstical before reaching the platform to get on the ground again.

Swinging!!!

It's time for me to exit the course. How exilerating!

Serinading

The last night the boys come and sing to the girls and than the girls decided to return the favor. We cramed about 55 girls into one cabin and than went out to see the boys... sadly the directors informed us it was to late and we would be to noisy due to city noise laws. It was sad!

Praise the Lord

Well, I will be gone next week for a week of camp counseling at Ross Point!!!! I am super excited. I have tons to do before I can go though. Homework and planning for my substitute teacher next week. Pray.

The Purpose Driven Life

I bought a journal yesterday thinking I could use it with out the book, "The Purpose Driven Life", but I was wrong. So now I need to go find a copy of the book and that is okay because I have been told that it is amazing. I am kicking myself thought. Someone donated boxes and boxes of that book to my college and they have been available to the students for free for like 3 years. Did I ever go get one?? NOPE! Silly me.

Why do I lack motivation??

I am taking 2 classes online this summer to finish up my undergrad work. One class has definite deadlines (not late work accepted) while the other is just "do whatever". I am really struggling with that class. I am really far behind and really need to get caught up. That is my goal this week... to get caught up. Pray for me! I have 3 papers to write and a 6 question essay test to do. I am going to need some motivation.

Extreme Dodgeball

I was just watching extreme dodgeball on the game show channel. It is soooo funny!

What did I do today? Well a bit of nothing really. I read a book and than went to the mall with my cousin. Than I went back to the mall and got my hair cut and my brows waxed. It was really good (it took about 20 minutes total). I am really happy with my hair! It was so long and bugging me a lot! I think I shall do homework this afternoon. Oh... I watched the movie Hitch as well and laughed a bit. It's good for the soul.

Bothered

Is anyone else bothered by anonymous posts?? I love that people read and comment but I do like to know who is reading and commenting. Just an annoyance for today. So if you read and comment please leave your name:) I hope you are all having a wonderful Saturday.

So this is the awesome group of people that I worked with all summer last year. I just got a call requesting my services for camp counseling and am so sad that I had to say no. I miss Ross Point more than anything right now. I am so homesick for camp it is ridiculous. Templed Hills was good but Ross Point has so much more to offer and I'm not talking facility wise. God is definitly the center of everything. I want to ask for the 4 days off that I would need but don't know if it is appropriate. Hum... the delima. It's in 2 weeks so I guess I better figure out if I can ask for it off. Pray for me in my decision making.

Heat Stroke...

It is so hot here... I hate the heat for one and you don't have much energy for two. It was probably 95 degrees today and I don't think it is going to get better anytime soon.

My summer... so far has been

busy and frustrating and good all in one. I am now in Idaho and am busy busy busy. I am finally seeing what it means to work and not get paid (teaching). Not that I don't get paid, its just that I work quite a bit while not on the clock.

Having gone through my first full week with my kids in the classroom I now know to expect the unexpected and to be flexible. Like on Friday I had about 10 pre-k kids in my room and I had to entertain them and my school age kids sorta got put on the back burner. It sucked for me and for them. But now I know that I need to expect that kind of thing to happen and be prepared for it.

Anyway... thats all the time I have (well the energy I have) folks. Hope you are all doing well and enjoying the summer!

Open House

Party with my oldest sister... so many people were there... why do people attend an open house when they don't even know you? It was at the youth center so a few people just came to play... it was really annoying cause it was a party for Joy and I... am I being to selfish?? I love my sister though and that we graduated the same year!

It's blurry but I got my diploma folder... no diploma until December