Merry Christmas!

Since I splurged for my long flight and purchased the inflight internet, I figured I'd take this time to post (since it's been too long - sorry). 

What a crazy past couple weeks it has been. The weeks in between Thanksgiving break and Christmas break will probably always be that crazy. We all survived! I don't know if the kids were more excited or if I was? Not that I was happy for a break from them, it was more the fact that I knew I'd be getting back to civilization for awhile and more importantly, my family! I've not seen them since August, so to say I miss them a lot, may be an understatement. Plus, it's nice to get to civilization every once in awhile. I love the village love, don't get me wrong but I do love some good restaraunt food and a fountain soda. 

The weekend before break started, I flew to Togiak for a visit to Nick and a few other teachers, which is another village in our district. It was a great weekend away which gorgeous (but cold) weather. It got me just that much more ready for my trip home! 

The last week before Christmas was almost a free for all. Between the kids and myself, we were lucky we got the school work done that we needed to. We watched a few Christmas movies and did a few crafts, as well as some presents for their parents/guardians, even a Christmas party with lots of sweets and dried fish.... Yum! 

I had my flights scheduled for awhile now thanks to my travel agent of a mom. ;) but those flighs being scheduled don't mean anything if the weather doesn't cooperate. We had quite a long few days of nice weather, up until the day or so before I was supposed to fly out. Go figure.... Snow and ice came down and brought some fog with it! Bad timing? So instead of flying out of KMO Friday after school, getting all my flights and returning home to PA on Saturday, I was stuck and missed all of those flights. I'll spare you the details but after a lot of phone calls, switching, money, even some tears, I am now on my way to PA. I will unfortunately not wake up in my house for the first time ever on Christmas morning and I missed Christmas Eve candle light service at church which is my favorite, but I will get there and be with my family and that's all that matters.... And Macy will be able to meet everyone as well and spend Christmas with me. :) 

On a brighter note, I wasn't the only one that couldn't get out of their villages on the day that they were supposed to. I along with others tried for Saturday as well but it was the same story. Finally the sun decided to shine on Sunday and after not so patiently waiting ALL day, Macy and I made it out of KMO and landed in Dillingham. We were even able to get on the flight to Anchorage that day instead of having to spend the night there.... Even better than that? I ended up being on the same flight as Nick and two other teachers from Togiak! Made that just a little better. After taking off about an hour late, we landed in Anchorage around 10:30.... Back to civilization! And Macy seemed to do really well. The next day we went to breakfast - our first real meal since August - went to lunch, grocery shipping, mall shopping, a movie, ice cream and dinner at a steakhouse. We basically ate the entire day. We had a few months to catch up on though so it made it alright. :) and the food was all delicious, but let me say that your stomach goes into shock after not eating like that for months. It was worth it though! 

Some of the other teachers left in the middle of the night to catch their flights or very early this morning. I finally made it out of Anchorage around 5:30 (after my plane was delayed about an hour). I love Alaska but I was glad to get this trip going.... Finally!! After landing in Seattle and running to catch my next flight, here is it. Only a few short (or long because it's late and I'm impatient) hours away from home. A 3 hour layover after I land in DC and a short flight to Harrisburg stand inbetween Macy and I seeing my family on Christmas Day!!

Everything truly does happen for a reason. Although I've been so stressed and emotional the past few days because of all this craziness and changes, and although I won't get home until Christmas Day, I got to spend some quality time with awesome people and have so much fun in town for a day! It all works out in the end. :) 

Macy loving life in the hotel.... Queen size bed to herself. She wasn't waking up for anything. Spoiled?

Reindeer sausage cheese steak for lunch.... So, so delicious but so greasy. 

Nick and I! Finally back in civilization. 

Drake helping me in the school store. 

Raina not helping me clean up her spilled soda. It's a good thing she is so darn cute. :) 

My Aunt Sandy and cousins Brynna and Seth are absolutely awesome and made each one of my kids shirts. They LOVED them. I gave them out on Wednesday and I promise they wore them the entire rest of the week! Thank you guys so, so much! I also got a new student who was in another class so that now gives me 11 crazy boys and 4 girls! He'll get his shirt when we get back to school. :) 

How I try to teach, on a daily basis. I love these kids so much it's crazy. 

Just missing one of my boys who was already traveling for Christmas! 

From Togiak I got to see the view of our main village at the base of the mountain. The school and teacher housing as well as some other housing is about 5 miles up the road to the right in this picture.

Tiny little plane! 

Nick's sweet puppies! Gibbs and Gemma. 

Sunset traveling in AK :) 

Well I can officially say its Christmas Day! Time for a little nap to make this flight go a little faster. Merry Christmas everyone! Enjoy your time with your friends and family!!! :)