Camping!

With our friends, Adam and Maria, Gerrit and I went camping this weekend. Since we didn't leave until after work, we arrived at our campsite around 8 p.m. and got set up right away. It was our first time camping as a couple and I was curious to see how putting up the tent would go. I think setting up a tent really brings out a person's true colors. But yay! We made a good team (and I like our "colors").

When we finished setting up, we made a fire, which sparked a debate about which formation is best: Tepee or Log Cabin. I say Log Cabin all the way. Even as I write this, Gerrit is reading over my shoulder waiting for me to defame him. But alas, we both made successful fires using both formations.

After our fire, we went to bed. I had discovered earlier that I had forgotten to pack my sweatpants. I spent the night trying to find any warmth from Gerrit's frigid body. Is that a TMI? The next day, we got up from our freezing night of little sleep and made our way to the waterfall. Obviously, it was gorgeous!
Here we are! The happy campers!

Adam and Maria!
The boys found a cave.
There was a lookout on top of the cliff that we wanted to check out. We had to climb about a horrific amount of stairs to get there. We were all gasping for breath when we reached the top when along came a jogger who seemed completely unaffected by the stairs of death. She made several trips up and down and made us all feel very bad about ourselves.
Later that day, we wanted to take a swim. Once we got there we decieded against swimming because the beach looked like this: (those ARE dead fish, in case you were wondering)
Some other highlights from the trip were walking up a ridiculously steep hill to see the grave site of the first settlers in the area. Again, were gasping for breath wondering why we would do this to ourselves when along came the stair jogger! What was she on? Maria and I were also quite amused when we took a trip to the ladies restroom and found a woman with a blow dryer....and a curling iron!!!! Seriously?!
And here are our portraits from our second morning of camping! All looking very attractive, I might add.
Despite what you might think from the portraits, we all had a great time. We hope to do it again sometime. Who wants to come next time?

Lord Help My Little Broken Body

In the past week, I have been hit, punched, kicked in the shin and head, bit in the arm, scratched, had my hair pulled and been called R-rated words. Am I a UFC champion? No. Do I work with talking, exotic animals? No, no. As you may recall, I work at an elementary school with 5-10 year olds. I work in the EBD room (Emotional and Behavior Disorder Room), so violence can sometimes be an issue. But the closer we come to the end of the year, the more bruises I'm getting. I look like a battered woman and have to explain to people that Gerrit doesn't beat me!
I come home with new battle wounds and stories to go with them almost everyday.
Gerrit's reaction is, "Those little jerks. I'm sorry, babe. How can I make you feel better?"
My sister Courtney (in a high-pitched, disgusted voice), "WHAT?! Oh my gosh, Cass!"
My mom (with deep concern), "Well honey, how are you ever going to be pregnant someday with a job like that?"
I don't know, Mom. I just don't know. Surprisingly enough, I do love the kids and my job. But I'm praising the Lord Jesus that school is almost done. Amen.