What caught his eye!

Wanna hear a semi-secret!?


One of the first things about me that caught Eric's eye was my hair....more specifically, my braids!  tee hee


SOOoo....because of my genuine like of braids & exploration of new hair styles, as well as wanting to have some fun braid-dos for my man.... I found a lovely little new style on pinterest!!! :)


I tried it today & loved it.  Super quick, super easy, & stayed in all day! :)  I even got compliments! :)

Here's a picture!

Mine of course didn't look this rockin'....but I have plenty more time to practice! :)

Braidin' it up in Oswego for 11 more days! 

our bodies create drugs!!!!

Endorphins: 

are endogenous opioid peptides that function as neurotransmitters. They are produced by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus in vertebrates during exercise, excitement, pain, consumption of spicy food, and love, and they resemble the opiates in their abilities to produce analgesia and a feeling of well-being.

THANK YOU JESUS for these little neurotransmitters!!!!!

It's so crazy that we were designed SO well that participating in certain activities can boost our mood and give our bodies a little boost when we need it!  Good job God, I give you a high five!


I've been "working out" & taking ZUMBA classes at the Rec while it's still free!  Man does Zumba 1. Boost my endorphins. 2. Make me sleep like a baby & 3. Trick me into thinking I'm a really sexy dancer!


Either way, endorphins or not the past few weeks/months have been really great and really peaceful!  I feel like I am better able to experience joy in life.  Even with craziness & obstacles I can still find joy & peace!  Now that's crazy because 6 months ago those 2 things were like fairy tales words to me.  God's grace and faithfulness is so good!  He IS the HEALER!  Let's keep this goin' big Man! :)

Spring: NEW life!

Look at the precious little miracle right there!  Our class watched this little guy & 10 of his siblings peck their way out of their safe protective little shells & then peep with encouragement beckoning their un-hatched siblings out of their shells!  

The boys LOVED it and today we were able to play with two of the little guys and practice handling animals, observed their features, and talked about how they live & what  they need to survive.  

                       It was a great day!

Looking ahead:

I'm so stoked about all of the upcoming changes happening in life! (Which is SUPER off if you know how I usually handle change)  It's like a NEW LIFE is beginning!

• This is my LAST week of student teaching.  After Thursday I will have officially completed all of my hours and will be a certified Special Education Teacher / Learning and Behavior Specialist!!!
• Thursday will be my LAST home group with Cornerstone as a student.
• I am going with my BEST friend to help and support her as she begins to plan for her new life with her future husband on Friday as we hope she says "Yes to the Dress".
• My best friend and darling sister graduates Friday!
• Friday I will party into the morning hours with my Gustafson siblings (ALL of us)!!! :)
• Saturday I graduate with the love of my life!
• Monday I will OFFICIALLY be hired as a full time Special Education teacher at Le Roy Elementary School!
• *** AND... only 27 days until I'm a Gustafson! :)***

There are so many wonderful things coming to an end...I will (hopefully) gracefully step through the threshold  of these doors as they close, and joyfully embrace the mysterious doors that open!

:::Praise & Prayers:::

Praise God for a new precious life!  My friends Tracy & Nate had their little baby boy last week!  Praise God for his beautiful creation, Mateo!

Pray for their new family!  Mateo is fighting battles no baby should & Tracy & Nate along with him!  Pray for healing, endurance, and trust in God's goodness.