Where has the time gone?

This was a question posed to me by my dear friend Rachel M. (whom some of you may know simply as Borris). It has been 98 days since my last post and that is simply pathetic. I am extremely disappointed in myself. It just seems like it has been so long and so much has happened that I'll never catch up and fill y'all in on everything. So I have given up. Not in a bad way; I'll just start from scratch.

In the last 98 days:

• Mikki M. decided to get married. The upcoming nuptials will take place on March 21, and drumroll please....we made the cut. We're bridesmaids and looking forward to walking down that aisle.
• Rachel M. got a job! Not that she hasn't had one in the past. It's just that she has a new one. She works with the sweet little 3rd and 4th graders at Fellowship. Whoop! Whoop!
• Mel L. got a boyfriend. It's been a long time in the making, and we LOVE Dirty Dave.
• Annie turned 23 and got her birthday wish: Obama in the White House!
• Yours truly fell in love with a bunch of kindergarteners and realized just how hard 4th grade can be.

There you have it. The last 98 days in a nutshell. Now that I'm caught up, I can get back in the blogging swing of things.

LYLAS!

The Intern Skit

There are 11 interns at Smith Elementary this year, and I must say that we are a pretty fun bunch! We started back to school last Thursday, and it's been a blast so far! Last week, Mrs. Simco asked us to perform a little introductory skit for the rest of the teachers on their first day back. We jumped right on this assignment and started practicing.



We decided to do a little number to the Jackson 5's ABC song. Grace took the lead and sang the solo parts. Anna choreographed a great dance and taught everyone else her moves.



Let's just say that we did a knockout performance and shined on the stage of the Cafetorium!

I can't figure out how to get the video to work, so please bear with me. My efforts to post the video will soon be worth it!

Can a Right Undo a Wrong?

After a much needed Sonic trip last week, Melinda and I returned home to find out that neighborhood street sign had fallen down. Now, I had seen the sign earlier and pointed it out to Mel.
*Let me also say for the record that I had previously turned down an offer by a certain Russian to steal the sign for fun. I am a rule-follower to the extreme and hate breaking the law (unless you count speeding as breaking the law).


Against our better judgement, we decided to take the sign home as a surprise for our roomies. We loaded it up in the back of June Bug and headed home. Just take a moment to picture the longest sign ever (probably 9 feet at least) hanging out the back of a Jeep Liberty. We carried out our crime in broad daylight, no less. Not our brightest moment.


We returned home to find that the sign would not fit in the door. At this point, we realized just how dumb this was. We were felons-criminals and lawbreakers. I could kiss my future as a teacher goodbye. My finger prints would be in the database...


We decided to hide the sign in the garage and not tell anyone about our crime. What were we going to do? Well, I'll tell you what we decided-we would just take the sign back. You couldn't possibly get in trouble for undoing your own crime, could you? The aforementioned Russian agreed to help us fix the situation.


However, in the meantime, Will decided to have a little fun of his own. A certain faux-FBI agent actually called Melinda informing her of the severity of our crime. The phone call was completely believable and left poor Melly in tears. I had to break the news that it was just a prank entirely too soon in order to avoid further panic attacks and tears.


At the opportune moment late one night, we carried out Operation Sign Return. Will came over and helped us straighten things out. We loaded up the gigantic sign and headed for the street corner. We returned it to its original location; while our finger prints are all over it, I don't think it's a major concern for the Fayetteville Police Department. Let's just say that we most definitely learned our lesson...

Operation Sign Return

Looking the Part - Hard Criminals

Citizen's Arrest

She Works Hard for the Money...

We are just a bunch of working girls around here lately (somebody's got to work hard to make a living and provide for the rest of us...). Waking up early is not our strong point, so it's been a rough adjustment. However, we are slowly but surely getting the hang of the whole workplace life. Mikki, Rachel, and I are finding that life in the real world is not all it's cracked up to be. We are bound and determined to make the best of it though!

Due to a lack of pictures of me on the job, I've simply included a picture of the outside of Smith Elementary where I'll be interning this year. Once I make some friends, I'll be able to post better pictures; I would hate to be the awkward girl taking single shots all by myself. Don't worry-the school is much more colorful and welcoming on the inside... I absolutely LOVE my mentor teacher in kindergarten and am ready for those sweet little kids to come to school next week!

Shout outs are in order for Rachel too! She just accepted a job working with the 3rd and 4th grade program at Fellowship. She will be responsible for planning the Sunday morning worship services and small group times and a plethora of other very important tasks. She wanted me to say that her office is a work in progress. More pictures will be added as she settles in. It already looks professional to me; I mean, she has a phone and a computer. What more could a working girl need?

Mikki is the true business woman of the group. She headed off to work looking very much a professional ready to conquer the business world last Monday morning (see above). She is working at Ivie in Bentonville. While I'm not really sure what her job title is or what she actually does, I do know that it is very important and involves many challenging projects and multiple trips to Sam's and Wal-Mart every day.

We Have Mice...

Or rather, we have a mouse (a pretend one, that is).

A few months ago, we were in Little Rock for a wedding (one of many this summer) and stopped by one of our favorite stores in the city. We shopped around for quite a while, and I spied something very unusual. They had a galvanized bin full of nothing but the cutest little fake mice made of wood and sticks and other unidentified things from the woods. Don't get me wrong, I am terrified of mice, but we knew that many good pranks would result from this purchase. We left the store feeling great about our $4.00 purchase.

Well, the mouse seems to turn up in all kinds of surprising locations throughout the house these days. It is hidden for days only to be found at the most unlikely moment, much to the shock and dismay of the finder. It's sad-I know about the mouse and still jump (literally) and scream every time.

This latest scare comes to you compliments of Melinda...

Four Shrewd Shoppers

I just got back from a wonderfully relaxing weekend in Dallas, that is if you count shopping, eating, and laughing non-stop as relaxing (which I do). My mom, sister, and I always go on a girls shopping trip before it's time to head back to school; this year we added our dear friend Kristi into the mix. Fun times were sure to follow!

We ate our way through the city. Literally, I'm really not joking. We hit all the local favorites - La Madeline, Chuy's, Patrizio's, Bread Winners, Sprinkes, and J. D. Chippery. I probably won't have to eat again for days... Kristi, our resident food expert, took careful note of each meal and entree ordered. Her careful reviews and fun photos can be found on her newly rediscovered blog - http://www.farmersfavorites.blogspot.com/. (We're just a blogging bunch these days.) We even carted cupcakes and cookies back to Arkansas for our dear friends and families. This is quite the feat in 100 degree weather... Let's just say the cupcakes went inside every store we did.

I am no stranger to the phrase "shop until you drop", but we took it to a whole new level this weekend. I got a few necessary "teacher" items (cardigans, pants, teacher boots, etc.) and a few other fun things. All in all, we had a wonderfully successful back-to-school/work shopping trip!

(Don't worry Dad. They're not all mine!)

The Party Bus

It started out as an ordinary day but turned out to be so much more. The official kick-off for the Best Friend Dinner (a weekly or bi-monthly dinner that allows us to stay adrift on the happenings of each others' lives) was scheduled to be hosted by Caroline. We were all looking forward to seeing her new place and catching up. We were supposed to wear cute dresses because the theme of the night was "Cocktail Chic" (yes, I did just make that up). Well, Mel and I decided to ride together as everyone else had to stop somewhere on the way. It turned out that we were running late and didn't even know where Caroline's house was (both shocking, I know). Surprisingly, I was not stressed at all.

We pulled up and saw everyone's cars and...drum roll please...a PARTY BUS! Mel's reaction went something like this, "Wow! They live in a mansion, and they have a party bus." With the enormous amounts of weddings we've been attending, I figured a certain someone might have gotten engaged. I know it doesn't make sense that a party bus would be involved, but it did at the time. Then, I thought that Caroline must have decided to surprise everyone with a night on the town. Once again, this one doesn't make sense either. Oh well!

Mel and I figured that we should join the party on the bus. We got on, and everyone yelled, "Happy Birthday!" My birthday is still a week away, and I was totally surprised! I had absolutely NO CLUE about the party. Considering my knack for snooping and nosy nature, this must have been a pretty tricky fete. Rachel got the idea for the party, and everyone else pitched in to make it happen. Have I mentioned that I have the BEST friends in the entire world? Party hats, streamers, and balloons filled the air, and Mel's mix was blaring the perfect songs in the background. The bus also came equipped with a little-used VHS player. Who knows why? We traveled to Bonefish (one of my top five favorite restaurants) where we were met by my lovely family (minus Big Dan) for a delightful dinner. The cake ended the night on a sweet note.

Then, it was back on the party bus for the ride back to Fayetteville. The night was absolutely perfect, and I cannot thank my friends enough!

Sometimes words just aren't enough...

The party planners tooting their horns for a job well done!

Amy, Mel, Annie, and I peek out the bus door...

Turning 22 may not be so bad after all...

Rachel Jessica (aka the mastermind of the evening) in action. Get it girl!

Toot! Toot! It's Jen's birthday!!!

Sing it sisters!

Pretty much the whole group (minus Kenlie - We missed you girl!)

Will put on a show for everyone. Whoop! Whoop!!!

The whole group after dinner!

(Nick and Caroline, Erin, Melinda, Mikki, Trent and Erin, Will, Katelyn, Luke and Kirsten, Annie, Rachel, and Blake and Amy)

All the girls! A perfect party!!!

The Story of Us (in pictures of course)

Well, they say a picture speaks 1,000 words, so I thought this might be a good way to catch you up on our lives so far. Here goes nothing...

Meet the Girls

Standing 5 feet, 7 inches tall, and hailing from Shawnee, Oklahoma, it's Amy Rachele A. (formerly W.). Amy recently graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in communications. Amy works at Glo in Fayetteville and makes sure that we always look our best! She married our dear friend Mr. Tornado almost one month ago and is LOVING married life. After a beautiful wedding and a honeymoon in Jamaica, Amy and Blake are playing house in their new apartment in Rogers. She is becoming a true homemaker in every sense of the word, and we are so proud of her.

Introducing the literature expert of the group, here's Annie Carlisle R.! The 5'4" Fayettevillian is finishing up her last semester as an English major at the U of A. After that, she's off to grad school somewhere very fun and exciting (and hopefully not too far away). She resides in the house and loves working out as well as reading the latest hits and the old classics. She keeps us on our toes with her great sense of humor and quick wit!

Back from a spectacular honeymoon with Mr. Rain Maker himself, it's Caroline Marie R.. Caroline hails from Conway/Springdale and recently completed her educational career at the University of Arkansas. She is gainfully employed at Loving Choices and is working hard to settle in to her house with her new husband. Caroline excels at keeping Mr. Rain Maker's inappropriate comments to a minimum with one fell swoop of the eyes.

Hailing from Fayetteville, Arkansas, meet Katelyn Marie G. The 5'5" Kappa sister is a senior communications major at the U of A (following in Amy's footsteps...). She currently presides as the marshal of Kappa Kappa Gamma where she works to maintain order and keep the traditions of yesterday alive for years to come. She works as the manager of Monday's Child, selling clothing to the finest of Arkansas's citizens (under the age of 7, that is). While she does not officially live in the house (she lives in the good ole KKG), she has 24/7 access to the house with a turn of her key...

Introducing Melinda (Long Legs) L.! An only child raised in 5 states, Melinda calls Cabot, Arkansas, home these days. She is in the process of finishing up her kinesiology degree at the U of A and plans to go to physical therapy school soon. She loves running and doing anything active outdoors. Melinda is certainly most well-known for her moves on the dance floor. She can shimmy like no other and can usually be found leading the "train" at wedding receptions. All aboard!!!

We may call her the president (due to her service and dedication to the Kappa house), but others know her simply as Elizabeth ("Mikki") M. The daughter of a Rogers, Arkansas, real estate tycoon, Mikki now resides at the house in Fayetteville. Her boyfriend Mr. Sampson (a local celebrity in his own right) frequently stops by to visit, much to our delight! She graduated from the U of A in May with a degree in international relations. She is currently on the job hunt, but the end is definitely in sight!

Rachel Jessica M.-enough said. A Southern belle in the truest sense of the word, Rachel loves being from the South. A 5'4" Fayetteville native, Rachel plans to graduate from the U of A with a degree in finance. This will allow her to fully realize her dream of owning a business and becoming a politician's wife. She loves the babies (aka her 2-soon to be 3-nieces and nephew)! She lives for fun and is always up for a night on the town (wearing sequins of course)...

Last, but certainly not least, meet yours truly Jennifer Leigh W. Hailing from Springdale, Arkansas, I went out on a limb and moved to Fayetteville to attend the U of A. I graduated in May with a degree in elementary education; however, I am still in school working on my master's degree. I am so excited about student teaching in the fall! While the picture does not do me the least bit of justice, I am actually very cool and organized. A teacher at heart, I love kids, crafts, and having fun! I would love to join Rachel in Washington, D.C. in the near future. Our love for all things Southern and desire to be fabulous PW's (politician's wives) seems to bond us together. I have the best friends in the world and love my life!