Thanks, Kari!

Our friend Kari took some pictures for us at Dustin's graduation. She did a great job! Congrats again, sweet husband!

First Baby Shower

My class threw me a "suprise" (sort of...) Baby Shower yesterday. It was wonderful and hilarious. (Any Baby Shower that includes 15 boys is sure to be a good time, right?) It was complete with terrific cake and punch, chocolate ducks, a baby-food guessing game with prizes, jumping boys (I think I even saw some wrestling at one point) and sweet girls.

I took lots of pictures, and some of mine highlight my growing baby bump. Again, we don't have any easy way to get pictures on the computer (except for going to the store) right now, so those will have to wait. I have 3 that a parent e-mailed me - the message on a white board, the decked-out "kidney" table and a picture of Mrs. Butts and all her boys! Their generosity was a blessing. The big mystery gift was a nice Jogging Stroller. "Blueberry" (as my class calls Baby) also got a really adorable infant-to-toddler rocker, and lots of cute onesies, burp cloths and some children's books. And a few gift cards. It really blessed our family. We are thankful indeed! And having baby stuff at the house makes it all seem even more real.

P.S. You know it's a party at a private school one of the COOLEST things is untucking your uniform shirt... ooh, ahh. They think they are SO cool when they get to untuck their shirt. You can make their day really easily... Ha!

Really!?!?

I've got a slew of emotions/thoughts right now as the school year comes to a close. Is it really over in 3 and a half days? In one sense, the years drag slowly, but in another, they FLY! After this week and then a work day on June 1, I am officially done with this season of teaching, Lord willing, for quite some time. We'll have to tighten up the budget a tad to do it, but it's something we are ready/wanting to do.

I am VERY excited about this next season. However, surprisingly, or not so surprisingly (not sure which), some sad emotions are mixed in as I start to pack up my classroom. This has been a wonderful job overall, despite the many challenges/demands that it brought. Through it, I grew in several ways - from my Math skills to learning how to stay organized through fighting the fear of man (be it little 5th grade "men" or their parents). And, counting TX (taught 2 groups of kiddos at that job) I've had about 100 kids to love on and hopefully train up in the way they should go, from long division to Civil War to vertebrates to the Gospel.

Mostly, I am thankful. But more on this later!

Picture of the sweet girl

I received some pictures this morning from our class Christmas party. One was of me and the girl I mentioned, who said this:

My favorite attribute was Creator, because I love the thought of what is being created in Mrs. Butts' stomach - I love you Blueberry!

I thought I'd share.

In other news, Peanut/Blueberry/Peach/Batman Kicks is really showing off lately. (In other words, Baby is really growing... I get about 8 pats on my belly every day from co-teachers.) And, we are closing in on some possible names, so that's exciting. I'll wait until we're a little more set to reveal them though. :)

All I have for you...

We have LOTS of great pictures from Dustin's graduation. I just don't have any of them on the computer yet. This is the only one I have because someone sent it to me, but at least it proves that my sweet husband graduated from seminary. Over the weekend, we had such a wonderful time celebrating God's goodness to him during his 3 and a half years as a student here. Lots of fun family time was had with his parents. I am so thankful for and proud of my husband. He has worked really hard during this demanding season, but he has not neglected other important priorities - our marriage, family, church ministry, evangelism, etc. He also made great grades. He has learned so much, both inside the classroom and out, during this time. I know that God will continue the good work He has begun in Dustin!

Warm a teacher's (and mom's) heart...

It's nice of God to encourage teachers at the most random times.

I was grading my kids' Attributes of God books. There is a dedication page where the students are supposed to dedicate the book to someone and explain what their favorite attribute was and why.

From one of my 5 girls:

This book is dedicated to Mrs. Butts because she is such an amazing teacher and so supportive. (I know that's not exactly true, but I'm glad she feels that way!)
My favorite attribute was Creator, because I love the thought of what is being created in Mrs. Butts' stomach - I love you Blueberry!

Catch Up!

Here's the quick news to catch you up on the Butts' fam -

-Dustin had his last seminary class today! WOOHOO!
(Finals, small papers remain...) Since he's not pursuing a doctorate, this could be his last class EVER, except maybe for coming to some birthing classes or teaching classes, of course. :)

-I had two out with Strep, (not Swine Flu... no worries) and I may have it too. I am headed to the doctor today. It's either that or really aggravated allergies (typical for me for May), but the school nurse said my throat wasn't looking so hot, and I'd better get checked out by a doctor. So, sweet husby said our date night will be Chick-Fil-A Chicken Noodle Soup and going to bed early. Love him!

-Head here to catch up on my friends' adoption process in Kstan. It's sooo encouraging! Pray for them!

-On Monday, I'll be officially starting my 2nd trimester. We saw a picture in a pregnancy book the other day of the baby at 12 weeks. We had been so busy, we hadn't been devouring each week's info, like we did at the beginning. When we saw what Little Peanut looked like, it was a little emotional. It's starting to sink in.

-Unlike my belly... my belly is pooching out, definitely NOT sinking in. I am a proud owner of the BE (by makers of Bella Band) Band from Target. This is helpful, since I was having a wretched time finding pants that were maternity and long enough for me.

-We have 18 1/2 days of school left, but who's counting? :)

-When I'm not sick (with this strep-like/allergy crud), my energy has been coming back. I'm thankful, because it's just in time. My stacks of papers need some energy for me to be motivated to get the job done. A few weeks ago, I was literally napping EVERY day and it was like death to get up in the morning. I also had the messiest house in the whole world for over a month when my energy was low. I'm thankful at least some of the energy is coming back. And, it's all worth it. Overall, I've felt well. I can't complain. I pray often for my friends with constant queasiness... I can't imagine. Take it easy, gals. It's okay to let the house go and take lots of naps!!!

-Dustin graduates on May 15, and my sister (Joey) graduates on May 8. A big congrats to both!!!

-Dustin and I will be tutoring on Tuesdays/Thursdays this summer (good money!), and we have already lined up about 5 jobs total. Dustin has started as part-time janitor at church. The Lord provides! Pray that God would help and guide us as Dustin applies for Math teaching jobs in the local school districts.

-Pray for relationships we are making with friends who do not know Christ. Pray for wisdom and boldness, and that we'll know when and what to say and be obedient.

-HAPPY FRIDAY!