Easter Break…

Spring break...we don’t really get a spring break.  Not a real week long spring break like the big schools.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining, but we just get an Easter break...2 extra days off at Easter.  And that, my friends, is the last break until the end of the school year.  28 more student days starting tomorrow...but who’s counting?  This break was just what I needed to get me through all of the chaos that is better known as the end of the school year.  I am refreshed and re-energized.

I started things off right with a haircut.  It was much needed.  My last haircut was a back to school cut in August.  Needless to say, 4 inches off was a good thing.  The rest of the weekend was rather routine...grocery shopping, running and relaxing.

Sunday was Easter...one of my favorite holidays.  The week leading up to Easter is so powerful and humbling.  Growing up, my mom always decorated a bulletin board in the kitchen for each holiday.  One particular sign I remember most is an Easter one that read, “He didn’t rise from the dead to hunt Easter eggs.”  So often I get caught up in the commercialized side of holidays that I forget the true meaning.  I’m trying harder to really focus in, but often times, society makes it hard. 

Easter. Jesus paid it all...This is one of my favorite songs during the Easter season.  It puts things into perspective.  We are sinners.  We are not worthy of His love, but He loves us because Jesus paid it all.

Sunday was a busy day with church and family gatherings.  I quickly made up for lost time by eating too much candy and chocolate.  Just as my bellyache subsided, I headed in for round two of sugar overdose.

Hoppy Easter from the Launes!

{The Launes}

Sister Day…

I had been counting down to last Saturday for over a week.  My stress levels were a little higher than usual and with the start of middle school track, my extra time that I needed to be spending in my classroom became nearly nonexistent.   But Saturday was a sister day.  It included all things running, eating and movie going.

It started bright and early...9:30 on Saturday morning.  I wanted to sleep in a little and Jamie graciously allowed this.  We headed to Lake Zorinsky for some new scenery and a lovely little 10 mile jog.  The Lincoln Half is just over a month away so we wanted needed to get a few longer runs in.  It was a beautiful morning for a jog.  Temps in the 60’s, sun shining and my body even cooperated for the most part.

After our little jog we headed straight to Caribou to get our usual post run coffee before going home to get ready for the movie.  

Then, it was the moment I have been waiting for since early February when I finished reading the first Hunger Games book.  The movie.  It was everything I hoped for and more.  Now I can finally read the second book!

{Source}

The only thing missing from this great day was my camera...didn’t snap any pictures.  I did, however, find the above picture on pinterest.  It’s the best I could do.

Now, I’m ready for a 4 day week, Easter and hopefully some more spring weather.  Happy April Fools Day!

{The Launes}

Spring has Sprung…

and I love it!  It is the last week in March and I have worn capris multiple times and can no longer count the number of times that I have worn open toed shoes on two hands.  The grass is green, the flowers are in full bloom and the pollen count is off the charts.

Friday night mom, Jamie and I went to Stations of the Cross at Holy Family Shrine.  It was the perfect opportunity to reflect on the Lenten season as it quickly comes to a close.  Afterwards we explored outside and enjoyed God’s beauty as the sun was going down on a warm March evening.  Perfect.

 

I am still recovering from a busy weekend and anxiously awaiting a full Saturday...running, followed by coffee followed by The Hunger Games!  Middle school track started today so I am officially stressed until May 8th.  Too much to do and not enough time in my days...

{The Launes}

More Love and Basketball…

The first weekend of spring set the stakes high for things to come.  The weather was absolutely beautiful and the Launes were out in full force.  It was a weekend so busy that it even warrants more than one post...so I will start with Saturday.

Trent was participating in the second annual alumni basketball tournament.  The class of 2003 had big shoes to fill after being named the inaugural champions.  With the gang back in town they took the court bright and early Saturday morning. 

Amy, Amanda, Jackson and I took a quick walk around the lake in between games...

They put on a good show, but weren’t able to repeat as tournament champions...

Saturday night it was off the the Volentine/Murer wedding at the Durham Museum in Omaha.  An absolutely perfect day for a beautiful couple.  I remember back in college when Lauren liked a guy named Mike. A lot. Not much came of it at the time, but a couple of years later when we were together again for Julia’s wedding Lauren was dating a guy named Mike.  The Mike!  Now, three years later they are married!

Lauren and I were roommates back in college.  Many fun and crazy times together.  We both worked at Dippin’ Dots, got ice-cream practically every night one summer and filled a good portion of some nights taking pictures.

Exhibit A...

Exhibit B...

Apartment 734 then...

And 734 Reunited...

The wedding was lots of fun.  Not only did we tour the Durham Museum, but we also caught up with old friends, had some delicious food and even danced a little.  Trent was pooped from his big day so we called it an early night and headed home.

Now that spring is in full swing my schedule is quickly filling up again.  Middle school track starts this week and I have about ten things to check off my to-do list before I head to bed tonight.  Getting ready for another crazy week at school!

{The Launes}

Love and Basketball…

I have been MIA...I know.  I really have been around, but between school and parent-teacher conferences and who know what else, I have not had a chance to blog. 

That means I have to take a jump back a month to start things out.  Check out my new nativity.  A Christmas themed gift for Valentine’s Day...I love it.  I left it displayed through St. Patrick’s day, but then thought I should box it up so I can look forward to getting it out in December.

And now, it’s March Madness and I’m all kinds of excited.  I filled out my bracket Wednesday night and have been closely following and highlighting my wins over the last few days.  Currently Trent leads 28-26 in picks.

Friday afternoon we headed out to the Century Link Center to catch some of the Midwest regional games.  We watched Florida defeat Virginia and Norfolk State upset Missouri.  During the Virginia/Florida game we spent part of the time out in the concourse cheering on Creighton as they battled Alabama in a close game.  My blood pressure was basically off the charts.  Creighton has had a lot of “barn burners” lately as the sports commentators like to call it.  The outcomes have been mostly good, but it’s a little more than I can handle!

The quote from a commercial that has been played 101 times since the start of the tournament saying, “You pick the favorite and root for the underdog,” is my new favorite quote.  I found myself doing just that at the Missouri/Norfolk State game.  I had picked Missouri, but Norfolk State had spirit and played really well.  Plus their band was a crowd favorite.  It was a good game and even though I was surrounded by Missouri fans I secretly cheered for the underdog.

Now it’s back to the second half of the Creighton game.  Here’s to crossing your fingers that they can pull through!

{The Launes}

I Believe the Children are Our Future…

I love my sister, but growing up, she was always the boss.  I think it comes with the territory of being first born.  For me, it was character building.  When we played school she was the teacher and I was the student.  One time she made me write “I will not talk back to the teacher” ten times.  My life was rough.

One of my favorite memories is our late night singing lessons.  Long after we should have been in bed, I would stand on the kitchen stool and sing “I Believe the Children are Our Future” at the top of my lungs while Jamie would critique me...less like Kermit the Frog and more like Whitney Houston.  Come on Meg.  I never quite nailed it.

Thank you Jamie  and Whitney for that memory.  I am not a singer.  Sometimes I think I sound good, but this is just because the music is so loud I can’t actually hear myself.

Tomorrow will be a crazy day at school.  It’s Valentine’s Day.  The kids are so excited.  I painted my finger nails red in celebration.  Must. Get. Sleep!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

{The Launes}

Super Bowl Sunday…

Is it really February?  Sometimes I think I want time to slow down because it is flying by and other times I want it to speed up so I can have summer break.  Regardless, I have been busy, busy, busy.  Nothing really blog worthy as you can tell from the lack of posts.  I survived the 100th day of school, some basketball games and about 6 inches of snow. 

Last night we did what any other true American did.  Ate way. too. much. and watched the Super Bowl.  

Jessie made some amazing food for the party.  I definitely had a bellyache and major regret by the end of the night...

Tim has the ultimate “man-cave” set-up...perfect for the Super Bowl. 

Jackson and I read some good books...

Thanks for having us over...we had a “super” time!

Trent can’t wait for this guy to move to town...

The boys...who’s tallest?  I can’t tell?

I am 99% sure that Jessie and I had a picture together on my camera, but it was nowhere to be found.

And now for my top commercial pick.  I am voting this as my #1 pick in Super Bowl commercials...I’m a sucker for animals.

Now it’s on with the rest of the week.  One more week of the challenge, some basketball games and a full week of school!  Bring. It. On!

{The Launes}