too bad...

...I don't know any educators who get overly organized for substitute teachers.

my bucket list...

Now, this is supposed to be top-secret.  So, I hope I'm not ruining anything for the six of you who still read my blog.  A few months back, I was part of Seattle's Glee Flash Mob (that's not the secret).  It was so much fun!  Fast forward a few months and there was another opportunity to be a part of this same group.  We were going to learn a new dance and then perform it for an even bigger crowd.  Turns out, we're the halftime show for an upcoming Seattle sporting event.  It takes place on Sunday and that's all I'm saying.  :)

Last night we had a dress rehearsal at the venue (providing you with more clues as to our event time, location, etc.).  It was absolutely insane.  There were nearly 2,000 people in attendance and we were running around the field, through the tunnels and dancing our hearts out.  The teacher in me (and Kristina & Katie) became a bit annoyed with the lack of organization and planning.  As a result, we turned into three of the most obnoxious students, I'm sure.

Here we are (me, Katie, and Kristina) showing off the yellow whistles we were given.  Somehow they'll be incorporated into the routine.  We've also got some yellow flags to include.  (I might have been using my district-issued camera to catch these moments...hence the less-than-stellar quality.)

This is my favorite picture.  No, it's not going to win any awards, but it simply shows you what the view from the tunnel was like last night.  Keep in mind, all of the soccer stuff was set up for tonight's game.  So, it will look very different come Sunday!  :)

This picture best captures how I felt last night, as we were leaving.  A little bit of excitement, a touch of nervousness, a ton of frustration, and TOTALLY tired.

I've don't know that this is something I would have initially written down as a life goal.  However, performing at halftime for a crowd of 70,000 is pretty cool.  So, I'll be adding it to my list and then promptly crossing it off said list.  I'm not saying it's going to be a perfect routine or anything...far from it.  But, you'll see a field full of smiling folks who have enjoyed practicing and working together (and how cool that I've been able to share this experience with two of my co-workers?!?!).

I'm still not sure how this is considered a "flash mob."  In my opinion, it's more like cheap (a.k.a. free) entertainment.  We're like a miss-matched drill team...although that might be giving us too much credit.  Regardless, I'm going to have a BLAST!  :)

rebecca's space...

A couple weeks ago, my friend Hillary and I got to decorate her sister's place.  Rebecca lives in a cute studio apartment in Bellevue.  (I've tried convincing several people to move into this building...great location, super nice staff, decent garage, sweet interiors, etc.)

We'll start with the before pictures.  Oh, and please excuse the photo quality.  I used my small camera and I haven't quite learned how to utilize it to it's fullest.

The view from inside the front door looking towards the hallway & living area.

From inside the main living space, looking towards the hallway/closet & front door.

The kitchen area...& Noah!  Did I mention that we decided to take on this project during one of the hottest days of the summer?!?!  Rebecca had a few fans, but it was beyond hot!  Needless to say, after we left, Rebecca went out and bought herself an A.C. unit...smart girl.  :)

This is the wall opposite of the bed & the kitchen.  If you can imagine walking in, this is the wall on the left side of the room.

This is the view as you enter the main living space.

Hillary was given a $200-$300 budget - I can't remember exactly how much was spent.  We met up one day and did the bulk of our shopping (Joann coupons can save you quite a bit).  Hillary also tackled a few projects before the big day (painted frames from Goodwill, created a chalkboard, had the headboard made, etc.)  Being prepared ahead of time allowed us to decorate and then shop for those items we still needed - all within the same day.

Now for the after pictures!  Again, same camera...so the picture quality isn't all that great.

I didn't really take a "before" picture of the hallway wall.  However, if you look back at the ones I posted above, you'll get an idea as to where this is.  I had 4 mirrors that were just taking up space in a closet at our place.  So, we were able to use a few of them throughout Rebecca's place.  I think the black piece pictured below is something that was already at the apartment...not sure though.  Since it matched, we used it!

As you come to the end of the short hallway, you'll see this!  I love how it all turned out!  :)  Rebecca's colors were black, white, and then a pretty blue-gray.  Noah's still looking pretty cute too.

Here's the view that you see when sitting on the bed/couch.  Hillary had all of the photos printed in black & white...good call.

Now, if you were to stand where Noah is (above) and turn around, this is what you would see.  Hillary decided that since the space has to function as a bedroom and a living room, it would make sense to create a padded headboard and then set it up like a day bed.  It's super comfy and cute too!  There were four pillows to begin with...and we found 2 more (Pier 1) to help give it even more of a plush feel.

Leslie, Hillary & Rebecca's mom, was kind enough to sew us some curtains for the room (just to the left of the bed/couch).  Unfortunately, we didn't do a great job with the measurements for her.  So, she's planning to add a contrasting fabric to the bottom of of these ones.

To the right of the bed/couch is the kitchen area.

We used another mirror above the sink and then installed a small rack (IKEA find) for some kitchen items.  This is where I should give props to Steve, Hillary's husband.  He came in and helped us with a ton of the hardward/hanging/manly stuff!

We put another mirror above the stove and this was an item that Rebecca had already...so it was free.  :)  The mirrors really helped to open up the space a bit.  It made you feel as though there were more windows in the apartment too.  Take note that we also included a few coordinating dish towels.

 I should have taken pictures of the bathroom before, but I forgot.  (To help visualize where this is at, just inside the front door, there's a bathroom to your right.)  Here's what Hillary did to change it up...I think Rebecca said this is now her favorite part of the apartment.  The sconces were something Hillary had and the small wooden wall hanging is a piece that Rebecca had.  The flowers on the wall were something we stumbled upon at Bed, Bath & Beyond - along with the little hand towel.  So simple, but so fun!

 The shower curtain was a great find at Bed, Bath & Beyond...half price!   It matches so perfectly too.

There you have it!  We had a ton of fun doing this and we joked about how HGTV would just love to have us on their network.  Ha, ha...  It was a blast getting to do this for someone else.  I think there was less pressure and that made it more fun.  Seeing Rebecca's response was the best part of the entire experience.  I should have captured that on film.  Next time...

he's the best...

It's currently 12:40 in the morning...that means it's officially our anniversary.  4 years ago today, we were in Hawaii, playing shuffleboard, swimming in the pool, and then things quickly shifted.  I put on a dress, we all wore our leis, the photographer took some pictures, and then I walked down the isle and married the sweetest man alive.  We were on a beach with a small crowd of family and friends and it was better than I could have ever imagined.  We ended the day with a luau and it all felt so surreal.

Here we are at camp a few weeks back.  This is where we met 5 years ago...and then got engaged 6 months later.  It's amazing how the Lord has used this place to bring us together...then and now.  It was so much fun to be back up there with Ben.  Serving alongside him at LBC made me excited for our future summer schedules - two teachers with 2.5 months off each year!

• Ben, you're the most forgiving man the world has ever known...seriously!
• You have a heart for worship (and you're good)!
• It's incredible to watch you with our nieces and nephew.  Your face lights up and you can't help but talk about them to anyone who will listen.  You'll make a great dad someday!
• I especially admire your passion to serve the youth...of our church, community, camp, etc.
• You put up with me and do it without complaining.
• I love it when you share what you're interested in.  I've been listening closely, as you tell me all about the wonderful world of sports.  You've opened my eyes to statistics, trading, fantasy leagues, and so much more!
• Ben, you work hard.
• You are quick to admit your faults and take ownership of those things which need improving.  I wish I could say the same about myself.  Instead, I'm trying to learn from you.  (Hang in there.)
• Babe, you're super funny.
• With so much on your plate these last few years, I stand in awe of all that you've accomplished.  You've completed school and returned for more.  You left one job and then quickly found another.  Then you endured the nasty world of retail.  Now, you've left that behind and you're on to the "real job" - the one you've been preparing for.  I can't wait to see how much you'll enjoy teaching!  Your students and the staff are going to love you too!
• It makes my heart happy to know that although we won't be together to celebrate today, you're serving the Lord.  Those campers are blessed to have you there this week.  I'm so proud to call you my husband!  Besides, we can celebrate once you're home.
• I LOVE YOU H.B.S.P. 

(Here's another thing I love about Ben.  I never wanted a traditional wedding. I always envisioned that I would go back to Maui - where my extended family had vacationed over the years - and exchange vows on the beach in front of a small group. Thankfully, Ben thought it sounded great too.  That family vacation/wedding is something we all still talk about.  We are determined to return sometime soon too...maybe we'll celebrate our 5th anniversary there?!?!)

now that life is slowing down a bit...

Perhaps I'll have a chance to try a few fun projects!  Here are a couple of ideas...

• Maybe I could use these when writing to my campers?!?!  Super simple and inexpensive...but thoughtful, of course.  :)
• This is one of those things that would be fun to do with kids...however, we're short on those around here.  So, I'm thinking this might be fun for our next family gathering.  My brothers would go for it, but my dad might take a bit of convincing.
• Maybe I should make a few of these sets now...then I'll have them on hand for any upcoming baby showers.  Too cute!
• After this last week at camp, I've decided that it might make sense to have some traveling pillowcases.  Instead, we've been using old, mis-matched cases (one of mine is Lion King, the other is a floral pattern - Ben got stuck with a plain, nasty colored green case).  Now, if I were to make these, adjustments would have to be incorporated for Ben's.  The super-girly look would not fly!  :)
• So simple.  So unique.  So easy to try on my own.  I can't wait to play around with this one.
• This makes so much sense!  I have some new towels that I picked up the other day...so, a transformation is in order.
• Finally, I did something like this a while ago...only they were enclosed balls.  This seems more useful and I really like the overall look.

I have a few pictures to post from camp, along with some of the crafting I've done lately.  Ben's cousin Ashley (I refer to her as my cousin-in-law) is getting married later this month and I've had the privilege of making some things for the festivities leading up to the big event.  I've got pictures to prove it too.

sioux falls...

I failed at photographing our time in Sioux Falls.  Since I didn't have the nice, big camera, I slacked-off.  Wish I would have captured a bit more...at least Julia came through with a boat-load of pictures.

We'll begin with Ben's bug bites...

Oh, and here are a few more...

Next up, I had a chance to go on a nice date with these three.  We had a delicious dinner and then hit up a movie.  Good times!  ;)

Finally (yep, that's all I captured), we've got the group pictures - minus the bride and groom.  My bad!  These guys were such troopers...most of them had just woken up and we were on our way back to Minnesota with Patti & Jason.  So, it was now or never.  (Blake is missing from this photo.) 

Here's the next family portrait minus Scott...but now you're able to see Blake in the mix.

We were teasing Scott that perhaps he should simply have his own solo shot.  I think he liked the idea.

Now, for a much better section of photos, I would encourage the rest of the world to take a look at the fun here.

I would like to think that we were having way too much fun to stop and take pictures.  Although we certainly had a blast, I think that excuse is rather weak. 

I had no clue that Sioux Falls could bring so much joy to someone's life...I think it might have something to do with the entire Iversen clan!  :)  We were blessed beyond measure to spend a few days with these fun folks who love each other and Jesus.  I can see why Ben has enjoyed them so much over the years!  I can't wait for the next big event.  (Hint, hint: Janelle, Blake?)

for evie & ella...

Uncle Ben and Auntie Anne ran into the Backyardigans while on vacation.  So, these pictures are for Evie & Ella.  We love you both and can't wait to see you!  :)