"I can't cook...."

Well--the weather here is getting hotter, and with that comes humidity!  This weekend I was able to learn much more about Shirley's side of the family.  We attended a Demo Derby--which happens to be a fundraiser for her cousin's late son.  I was amazed to find out this event raised about $100,000, all which go towards a foundation called the White Dove of Hope.  The kids loved it!  It isn't really something they typically see, so it was very different for them--but pretty "traditional" for me, thanks to the Buchanan County Fair!  haha!  Everyone kept telling me, "This is going to be the redneck side of the family, I hope it doesn't scare you off!"  Well, the main difference was there were just more cowboy hats around the place than you see in Iowa!  Down below, I finally included a picture of the ranch for you all to see!  It's such a peaceful place!

Three weeks from today Mom, Dad and Jordan will be here to pick me up to take me back home.  Kind of a bittersweet thought!  It's too bad I can't split up my time here, or just fly everyone here to visit every once in a while!  I miss everyone back home--but I have grown to love it here too!  Everyone within the family has really made an effort to get to know more about me, and I have met a lot of new people through school and my membership at the MAC--the exercise facility I use.  I will definitely be making a trip back down here---maybe with some friends this time!!  And, to top it off, I'm finally relying less and less on my GPS!  YAY!  

Congrats to Kara, Sarah and Kassie on the half marathon!  I wish I could have been there--especially to help you all celebrate!  It looks like you all had tons of fun! In memory of you all, I ran 6 miles--and wanted to die--so more power to you girls!! haha!!  I'm getting there!

Also, thanks to Aunt Chickie and Sharon for the cards--I LOVE getting mail! :)  I also finally got to see Matt :)  He went to Brooke and Elliott's to Skype with me, so that was a very nice surprise!  

For any of you looking for a nice, quick, GREAT read, I recommend, Heaven is For Real by Todd Burpo.  I read it in a few hours--no joke! It's so good, and really makes you think! 

Well, Katie gets here on Thursday!  I have tons of fun things planned after talking with Kalynn, Reagan's wife.  Well probably hit the beach in Galveston, some live music, SHOPPING, some delicious food, and of course I will have to take her to meet my preschoolers and Mrs. Ogle.  So much to do all within the short 4 days of her stay!  

I have to tell you--on Friday, (the same little boy who had told me his dad likes to sleep naked in bed) walked into the bathroom and tried to sneak something underneath his shirt.  Well, I noticed this, and saw another little boy follow him into the bathroom, so I got up and went to check things out.  Well, before I even got to the door, the first little boy comes out and is holding this sopping wet stuffed animal by the ear crying, "My bear is all wet, Miss Hoefer, my bear is all wet!"  Well obviously, I knew where it had been, so I just said, "Well, now you know why we don't take toys into the bathroom!"

And for all of you who say I can't cook--get this.  I baked a cake and took it into school to help promote my Pampered Chef.  Well, one of the teachers at Yorkshire came up to me and asked, "Brittany--you were the one who made that cake right?"  I replied with, "Yes."  She then continued to say, "Well, I would be willing to pay you to make me that cake--it was so good!"  HA!