1. With much help, I was able to pack up my classroom and close everything out in four days. A whirlwind of a week was met with bittersweet emotions and fond farewells. It has been an intense journey to where I am now. I think I'm still sorting through it all.

2. My four hectic days of cleaning out my classroom were followed by seven relaxing days at White Sulphur Springs in Pennsylvania. Since Adam couldn't come (lame) Jenn and Jackson made the trip with me (awesome).

We enjoyed these views:

Campfire songs and s'mores:

Rocking on the porch:

Shopping for antiques and chocolate and a trip to IKEA on the way home:

I caught up with old friends and made some new ones. It was a great trip with the speaker's theme of Joy. I'm a pretty cheerful person, but Joy was something I needed to think about more as I walk through this deployment and the surrounding messiness that life brings. The only thing that would have made it better is if Adam was there with me. I miss that boy!

3. Now to make the most of the rest of my Summer...a trip home is in the works, time at the beach, and learning Photoshop (it was on sale at Best Buy last week!).