Spring is in the air!

It has finally...at long last...officially come to Pennsylvania!  This time of year brings with it a new sense of invigoration...zest...life.  I love it for that reason!  Watching things be brought to new life is such a picture of what God continues to do in the world's season cycle and in the hearts of the people who inhabit His world! 

Only 23 days left in the school year!  Unbelievable...my 2nd year as a full time teacher has been very busy, of course.  *smile*  (And all the fellow teachers read that sentence and nod.)  :) 

A good group of students...lots of energy to channel!

Of course, being engaged to be married has added a whole new dimension of busyness to the last several months, especially since the wedding will take place in Tennessee instead of Pennsylvania, where I'm finishing up the school year.  It has been crazy at times...very good...but quite stressful pulling everything together from a distance, without my family here to help me. 

Wading through music and church hunting made up a large part of Christmas vacation....

Fabric shopping in Philadelphia for bridesmaids' fabric...

Finding a house to rent...a sweet little three bedroom with lots of beauty and special touches...

More fabric shopping, this time in Virginia.  My family came up and Iwent down...six hours for both of us, and the priceless enjoyment of time spent together doing wedding preparations...

Workin' on all those wedding invitations...230 to be handmade...  :)

And of course, a final picture of me andmy man...less than 80 days until that special July 12th day!  :))

Take the time to enjoy this special season of the year!

Things green and gold...

Beauty, music, and history....

Ireland

Here I sit, eating yellow squash out of a blue bowl.  (It's all about color combination, folks.) 

My life could be currently summed up as:

Preparing for Ireland. 

In eight days, I shall be aboard a plane with the other members of Oasis Chorale, headed to the Emerald Isle for a visit of almost three weeks.  I am quite excited.    (That is a broad understatement.)  But, wow...it's taking time to get ready. 

I've been
sewing my little fingers off 
memorizing my little brain out
praying my little heart out over my passport arrival

The itinerary looks great...the songs are good...the company appears inspiring...and I'm accomplishing one of my dreams!  One of those things that was on my list of Things to Do Before I Die.  *happy sigh*  I am also very excited about trying to capture Ireland through my camera lens.  "Take lots of pictures," my mom tells me, "and of the landscape, castles, and things like that...not just a bunch of cafe chairs."   

My time at home is drawing to a close...which is good cause for melancholy thought.  It was far too short a time, enjoying being a complete family again.  Reconnecting with friends and family has been so good...my little brothers and I have been reading Winne-the-Pooh together...hearing Austin's giggle is one of the things I'll miss most.  It's very sad that I'll be saying good-bye to them soon again. 

Hm.

Eight days.

Let the packing begin!