Ahhh....Stress is lifted

Well, summer is officially here in the Dudley household. Shaun says that I am almost back to normal! It was a difficult end to the school year. I was pretty stressed about getting out of my classroom by the last day of school. I had to spend a few late nights at school just to get it all done. My last day was especially hard-knowing I won't have my "own" students next year is weird and sad. This year's bunch, though, cried with me and went out the door only after giving me a ton of hugs. It will be fun to work with them again next year, in the Library and at Mallo Camp in September.

Before the last week of school came we had our weekend apart. Shaun is now certified to scuba dive. He had a pretty good time and is really looking forward to going on our cruise now. Mom and I had an excellent time in Scottsbluff with Scott and Carm. On Saturday Carmen took us to one of her fav new places called Paradise. It is the oddest combo of businesses. There is a carwash, dogwash, tanning beds, a sign business, and then the cafe! I loved it-the environment, my yummy baked potato salad and my tasty frozen mocha! We went to a show at the college that night. Rylan did really well considering it was her bedtime. I think the music helped-she loves it. The next day after church Rylan had her first ice cream cone. Sadly, those are the only pics I got of the trip. Not any of Ry wondering through the Nikont's awesome yard, or my mom and aunt making me pee my pants laughing while we attempted to play bocci or my pouty face when they taught us to play the card game Push. I'm thinking about giving up all card games. They make me really angry.

Rylan and her first ice cream cone-the best way for mommy to get a taste and share some calories!


I taught her how to dip her fries in the ice cream-which is what we do with Frostys from Wendy's. Yum!


The last week of school wasn't all stress-we had our teacher performance at the Annual Talent Show. I didn't want to do it this year-we were just lip synching-but it ended up being a lot of fun. The students LOVE it when we are up there making fools of ourselves. This year we did "Move Along" by The All-American Rejects. I borrowed one of Tucker's bandanas, and my glasses and headset from other teachers. I think I looked pretty awesome as I played the keyboards. And I'm not ashamed to admit that I spent some time giving autographs to my students at the conclusion. Too fun.


The Sunday after school got out Shaun and I had planned to go to the cabin for a few days. Sadly, though, we had been getting non-stop rain so we had to cancel those plans. We waited until Monday and spent the day and night hanging out in Rapid City. We had a great time shopping, eating and seeing a movie. Oh, and the previous Friday we got to join some of my co-workers at a going away party for our Librarian. We have really appreciated getting some time to reconnect. Thanks, Kaeleigh and Mom!

Shaun at a coffee shop downtown. I like getting ideas for the library and the coffee was great!


The night we returned was my last Esther Bible Study. I have grown so much through this Beth Moore Study. It saw me through some pretty heavy transitions. I haven't been able to but the book away yet. I am still opening it and pondering the things I've learned. For our last night a couple of the girls made us crowns. They are a great bunch and we enjoyed ourselves so much that we are going to do LPM's Summer Siesta study. All thanks to you mentioning her blog, Kristen. Thanks! I'm really excited about still getting to meet with these incredible women. And I love that three of them are my grandma, mom and sister. It's so awesome to have family in town to share with!


The past week I got to spend time with Elizabeth and her brood. We got a few evenings to ourselves to watch movies, eat ice cream and of course chat it up. I really wish we lived closer to each other. I miss her! Rylan was a bit overwhelmed when we first got together with the kiddos. But it didn't take long before they were all interacting and having a good time. Both days we were together Rylan had already eaten lunch but she was a mooch when other food came out! After looking at all the times I have mentioned eating in this blog it's not hard to see why! We are looking forward to their trip back for our HS reunion in July and then our trip to see them in August.

The boys checking out Rylan-there may have been some encouragement from the moms for Rylan to give David a smooch but I will deny it if asked. Only Elizabeth might have evidence on her camera.


Ry and Aria chatting it up. I think this is a pic of things to come. I pray it is, at least!


The boys were going crazy that their cousins were in the other room and Ry wanted to know what all the noise was about!


It has been a good first week of summer. I am starting to get really excited about my trip to Seattle. I leave on Monday!! A.G. has mentioned a few things we get to do and it's going to be fun. I'm thankful that Shaun is supportive enough to be staying home with Rylan! Pray that all goes well for him. Hope your summer is off to a great start!