Oh where, oh where did 2007 go?!

Where did this year go!? As Jason and I try to get our Christmas letter completed, I can't believe how much has happened this year and how fast time has gone! I'm excited for 2008....(my favorite number is 8 and i've looked forward to this year for awhile). AHahaha. Anyways, currently, it's snowing like crazy, and it finally feels like December! My dogs are driving me nuts (they are play-fighting while I type), so i can't make this long.
In less than a week, it will be time to celebrate the holidays with family! I miss my family so much and can't wait to be with everyone for awhile. We pray that you have a wonderful holiday season too!

November...

The month of November flew by! We had a visit from some friends during the weekend of ONU's homecoming. It was great to see Jayme and Adam and catch up with some other old college friends! We also had Jason's syblings over for our 2nd annual Aukerman Sybling Christmas decorating and movie party. All 8 of them spent the weekend with us...watching the best old Christmas movies, decorating the inside and outside with Christmas decor, getting ice cream, watching football, and eating chili and tacos. It was a ton of fun!

Thanksgiving break was very much needed. We were able to catch up with some friends (The Chamberlains) who just had their third baby. They are such a precious family who we admire so much. In addition, we got to spend time with Jason's family...eating the best food, watching the Colts win on Thanksigiving, getting up at 4am to go shopping the day after Thanksgiving,...and the list goes on! Here are a few pics from the past few weeks in no particular order...

Of course no blog can go without a dumb picture of Byson.... This is him on the car ride home from Thanksgiving. Both dogs had barely any space to sit because our car is always packed TOO much! Reggie didn't make the pic because he is on the floor wedged between the back seat and Jason's driver seat...poor baby!

"Uncle Jason" with the Chamberlain kids (the cutest kids ever!!!!!!)

Jersey Day at school.... (we had quite a few forget and quite of few absent that day!)

Of course I'm wearing my Marvin Harrison jersey!!!! Get well soon pal!Here is Brendan, relaxing on the couch...

Shayna and Kara are coloring in old coloring books we used the summer I met Jason and them. (2002) They were only 4 and 7 at the time....

Colin, Jason's youngest brother... by our really red bush! He helped Jason rake our yard and was very proud of his efforts!

Lissy and Anna.... (and part of Adam) Sorry that my camera ALWAYS makes you close your eyes Anna!

The guys hung lights....

The Colts, Halloween, and a trip to Chicago!

Wow, I'm no good at posting! Well, here's a few pictures from the past month!

This first picture is letting you know how exhausted we were after watching our team get defeated last night. It was a sad night....

Here are my adorable nephews on Halloween. I laughed so hard at the clown wig and mustache.

We went to Chicago with our friends Major and Missy a few weeks ago. Here are a few pictures from our trip.

This is Missy and I taking a break from all the walking....

The next picture is our colorful starbucks drinks, followed by Jason at the field museum, and Jason and I posing with the lake behind us. Enjoy.

We have had lots of visitors on the weekends and I just haven't been able to keep up! Until next time....

Karla and the boys

Saturdays...

I'm so thankful for a Saturday with no major "MUST DO's." This was my first Saturday to sleep in since marathon training ended....and I slept in until 7:45am! ahahahha. Of course, the day I can....I can't! I went to my nephew's soccer game, got a flu shot, ran errands, cleaned, and now I"m waiting for Jason to finish carving pumpkins so we can go celebrate his birthday! I'm starving!!!
I hope everyone is having a great weekend.

Isn't she precious?!

This is a picture of our new little sister, Alayna. She's 5 months old and I just want to squeeze her adorable cheeks! Jason's parents are going to Guatemala today actually...to meet her for the first time. We ask that you keep this adoption in your prayers as laws are changing, and time is running out to bring her home! We believe in God's miracles, and she belongs in Indiana with her family! Thanks for praying!

Marathon Photos...

If you'd like to see pictures taken of me during the actual marathon, go to www.marathonfoto.com They will ask you to choose what even...Chicago Marathon 2007, type in my last name Aukerman, and bib number 13518. Enjoy! ahahah I ran on the edge of the road, so they got lots of me....

Chicago Marathon 2007

Well, I did it. I accomplished a lifetime goal....and I'm so glad to be DONE! This coming Saturday, I can sleep in past 6am!!!! No more long runs that start too early!

Incase you don't have facebook and didn't read my note posted there, they ended up cancelling the race due to the heat. There were about 10,600 or so that started but didn't finish due to people passing out, injury, dehydration, etc. I think they decided it was serious when one man died (they just posted that the cause of his death wasn't the heat but a heart condition he didn't know he had) and they ran out of ambulances. I was fortunate to make it to the finish (4 hours 21 minutes) before they forced people to stop. Overall, even though the end was sad since a lot of people couldn't finish what they started, it was a great experience. The crowds were so fun cheering us on....I forgot I was running for the first 14 or so miles because everyone was yelling for us (along with the bands, cheerleaders, dancers, Elvis, etc. that was performing on the roadside). For those of you who might do a marathon someday...this is a great one. The expo the day before was fun and full of samples and free stuff, and the pasta dinner was delicious.

We were thankful that our friend Jenny let us stay at her place on the north side of town, and we even became pros with riding the bus and trains. Our husbands found us after the race....and they took us out for lunch at a diner called, "Eleven." It's a great place if you haven't tried it. We had to walk up stairs to get to our table....and we looked liked idiots because we couldnt' bend our knees ahahha. Afterwards, we went back to gather our stuff and missed the metra train. The next one wasn't for two hours, so I also got to eat yummy pizza and hang out in Millenium park. Ryanne and I looked like bums because we laid on the park benches...ahaha we were so tired and sore!

OK, i know that was all very choppy and not full of detail that I should probably give, but I"M SO TIRED! Here are a few pictures.....

Us and Hal Higdon...the most famous man of marathon running. We used his training program to get ready for the marathon...(he told me he liked my neclace ahahah)

Us at the expo....16 hours and 1 minute until race time...

After the marathon coming back on the metra....we were so tired. Aren't we cute!? ahaha jk

Ryanne pinning her number on....she did mine next because I was so nervous and couldn't get it to be in the middle of my tank! ahahahahh What a good friend!

Oops...

I'm still alive! ahahah

Things have been CRAZY busy, but hopefully in one week, things will slow down! The marathon is exactly one week from today! YIKES.

This past weekend, we had the chance to go to good ole' Shelbyville and spend time with Jason's family. We went to see the Christian comedian, Dennis Swanberg, and WOW, my face hurt from smiling and laughing. It was a very fast weekend, but fun.
Here is Kara my little sister in law with her autographed picture of Dennis Swanberg....

Happy FALL and welcome to the month of OCTOBER!

CRAZINESS

So my best friend Ryanne came to visit for a few days. She is in town for the Fall Fest that she used to work at her old job...and came to visit me before hand. We went shopping for hours trying to find our marathon clothes. We spent about an hour in Target's dressing room yesterday, and we were laughing so hard people probably wondered what was wrong with us. (We're trying to follow a marathon pro's advice...and Target carries a Champion brand that is suppose to be great...for those of you who are runners, you'll have to check it out!) Anyways, the lady running the dressing room pretty much became our best friend. ahahahha. We think we found something....but have a few last minute online orders to place since Target didn't have what we needed. Most of you who know us won't be surprised when I say...for old times sake, we're going to dress like twins AHAHAHA. I can't believe we're doing it, but I think it will be funny. We also had to find something really cheap to wear over our running clothes before the race begins that we can just throw on the street when it's time to start! That was what really caused the laughing in the dressing room because we looked so silly. I was also having issues buying something that will be worn for an hour because it's such a waste, but i'm hoping someone who doesn't have a home and lives on the street may be able to use our sweatsuits. :-)

One last thing....I survived the big 20 mile run today...(it's the biggest run we do before the actual marathon), and anyways, I don't know if i can go 6 more after that. That will be another HOUR. ahahaha. I did feel good when I was done, and besides the fact that I thought my knees were going to break in half and that I was starving, it went better than I expected. I didn't think I could do it. So, yeah. It's all tapering down from here, so only 11 more days to run.....and nothing more than 12 miles. phew!
OK, well, hope everyone is doing well. Sorry I don't post very often and then when I finally do it's a book. With school back in session, my teaching duties take over my life!!!!!!!!!!

Less than one month!!!!

The Chicago Marathon is less than one month away! YIKES! My "marathon shoes" arrived in the mail a few days ago, and while Ryanne is visiting next weekend, we are going to pick out the clothes we will wear as we conquer the race! (PRAY for her....my knee injury has luckily left...but hers is still around, and training is crucial right now as we near the end!)
Anyways, this is my weekend to be productive as my husband is with my father-in-law in Iowa. So far, I'm not getting as much as I'd like done! What's New!? ahahaha.
I'm so thankful for the weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Have a great one!

St. Joseph, MI

I love St. Joseph, Michigan! Jason and I took a day and a half to go visit Adam at his new place in St. Joe. He has an awesome view out his windows....Lake Michigan! It's beautiful. I think I might want to move there. ahahahah. The beach was fun, and the weather was awesome. I fell asleep laying in the sun, and my left side got more sun than my right side....hopefully now that it's faded a little it's not too obvious and silly looking! ahahah Lissy came to visit too (Bethel College is about 45 minutes away), and she cooked for us! We went and got some ice cream at one of the cute little shops downtown, and of course, clumsy me....I tripped and fell, landing on both knees! I was so embarrassed and I was laughing and crying all at the same time. My left knee has needed ice to help some swelling and it's black and blue, but hopefully after I rest it a bit more, it will still be able to get me through the marathon (which is only a month and 3 days away!) Inspite of hurting myself, I did manage to save my ice cream in the fall! ahahahahah.

Here are a few pics...

Adam, Jason, and Lissy walking...

The boys swimming...

Sunday Blues...

I've got the Sunday Blues....

Other teachers would understand what I mean. It's that depression that hits on Sunday afternoon when you realize that tomorrow is another Monday...and week full of students and chaos. UGH. I think I'm also so sad because my best friend, Ryanne, is moving this week. I can't even be there to help her load the truck because I have Open House at my school....and I can't skip meeting all the parents of my students.

Well, I've put it off long enough....it's time to plan for this week of school.

Attached is a picture that make you laugh....I laugh now, but at the time was ANNOYED. Yup, Byson ate our car last week. Jason insisted he go to Kroger with us, since Reggie was coming along, and after a little arguing (because I said he'd chew something), I gave in....and after about 15 minutes in the car while we got groceries, this is what he did! He also ate my car freshner thing (and oil stains were on my seat), and he broke my Clay Aiken cd! THAT DARN DOG! ahahahah To top it off, he chewed part of my luggage toiletry bag while in his cage in the basement...(he's got a long tongue, so i'm assuming he somehow licked the bag close enough to the cage to chew!) OH BROTHER.......

And by the way, this picture doesn't make it look too horrible, but if you see it in person, it looks crazier. I need to attach a sign to my dashboard that says, "My dog ate my car," because I"m sure people wonder as they walk by....

Have a good week!

Ready or Not, Here they come...

Wow, I guess I won't be posting as much as I'd like now that I'm back to work! I've moved classrooms, and things are pretty well settled thanks to my mom's help the past few days! I have a few more things to sort, and then I need to make a schedule, update some things, make plans for this first week of students, etc, etc. etc. (I'm a little overwhelmed...). Tomorrow is a bunch of meetings, and Tuesday the kids come! OH MY WORD. I guess everything I didn't get done this summer will just have to wait.:-)
Have a great rest of the weekend...

I have an amazing husband...

So Jason pulled it off...he surprised me along with his sisters.....

Alissa, Anna, Shayna, and Kara came for a surprise visit last Friday until Monday morning. They were hiding in my bathroom when I got home from picking up some pizza...

It was such an amazing, relaxing, fun weekend. We watched movies, home videos, ate good food, and laughed.

Little did I know they had belated birthday surprise II planned for Saturday night. I ran some errands with Alissa and Kara, and when we returned, Jason and the other girls had the house decorated, and my friends Kristin and Ryanne were at my house too! Jason baked a strawberry cake and made a strawberry pie. He aslo made nachos! It was great! They brought gifts for me to open too. I felt so loved.

I feel so blessed to have such amazing family and friends!!!!!

Here are some shots from this weekend...

Kara, Reggie, and I....

My beautiful sisters...
Me and Jase after church...

Kristin, me, and Ryanne...

Shayna holding Reggie...(He was SO SPOILED having four of his aunts over!)

With August comes new students and a new school year!

So this week has been consumed by classroom preparation. I'm trying to get extra organized as I move into a new classroom (they shuffled some things around in our building). I'm so in denial that school starts in a few weeks! I'll have to post pictures of my room once it's finished.....but right now, it's still a disaster.:-)
My boys are all doing well this week....nothing new to report about them.
Hope everyone is doing well!
Karla

The Joys of being the Birthday Girl....Funfetti cake and RAINBOW CHIP FROSTING!

I'm officially 26 now....meaning, i'm getting old because rounding up....I'm closer to 30 than 20! Anyways, today I got to go shopping and found some cute shirts. I was excited. Then, Jason took me to Monicals for thier pizza lunch buffet. I loved it. When Jason got home from work, he walked in with a cake mix and frosting.....Pillsbury's funfetti cake, ....however, he had the wrong frosting (and he knew it). He spent atleast 20 minutes at Kroger searching for my favorite Rainbow Chip frosting, and he finally settled for another kind because he couldn't find it. When I made a sad but happy face.....he immediately said he'd go check Jewel for the frosting. I offered to go instead because I could tell he was exhausted, however, like the great husband he is, he said he'd go get it and not to worry about it. He returned from Jewel with another kind of frosting, once again, not Rainbow Chip. I KNOW they still sell Rainbow Chip, so I insisted that I go and look, but he wouldn't let me go alone. So....we returned the frosting to Jewel, and nope...no Rainbow Chip. Then, we returned the other frosting to Kroger.....and guess what we found????? Betty Crocker's Rainbow Chip Frosting....right next to the frosting Jason originally bought. ahahahahah AHAHHAHA, we laughed so hard and said this is a day we'll never forget. :) He has a very picky wife when it comes to her birthday cake.:-) (Ryanne, you understand....the other frosting just isn't the same!!!!!)

SO, the moral of this story is, if you've never had Pillsbury's Funfetti cake with Betty Crocker's Rainbow Chip frosting, go out there and buy some tonight! You won't regret it. ahahahahah

one more thing...

Reggie's friend (and my best friend) Ryanne came over tonight after our bible study.....

She took a shower here (that is why she has a towel on her head) and if you know her well, you wouldn't question why she was laying on the floor wrapped in a blanket. That's just what she does. One time, she fell alseep on my kitchen floor.....

I had to get a few shots....

hi...

It's been a crazy week! I finished my second grad class....so that's good.

Great Times, Good Friends!

We had such an awesome weekend! We started by driving half way to Indy...and spent some time with Jason's family. They were generous enough to let our dogs stay while we headed onto Kentucky. Friday, I was able to meet up for lunch with my teacher friend Debbie. For old time sake, we had Tastebuds pizza. I got to see pictures and hear about her missions trip to Africa, something that I'm considering someday if God leads. We got to share about life and eat ice cream. While I was with Debbie and her family, Jason got to have lunch with some guys that he used to work with. He had a wonderful time.

Friday night was the rehearsal dinner for Major and Missy's wedding. Saturday, we slept in, went to Walmart to stock up on Ale-8....a very good Kentucky ginger ale, ran some errands in Lexington, and happened to fall upon a new strip mall that had MAGGIE MOOS! I was so excited, and Jason of course let me get my favorite better batter ice cream!:-) The wedding was BEAUTIFUL. We had such a wonderful time and we're grateful to have had that time to spend with such awesome friends! We drove back to Indy late Saturday night aka Sunday morning, slept for 5 hours, got up and had breakfast with Jason's family, and then hit the road to head home. Besides the fact that I got car sick and came down with something I'm feeling might be bronchitis.....the trip home was good.

I LOVE THIS PLACE! Of course they got one once I moved away!

I was able to take a nap when we got home....as you can see in the picture. Byson missed me, and I missed him, so I let him sleep on the bed with me.

The lovely couple....they had their own table set for 2 at the reception! I LOVED that idea! (they are looking at the slideshow)

Their cute cake! They also had bags of M & M's (get it? Major and Missy) for a favor.
Thir rehearsal dinner cake (Major and Jason share a love for literature).

Jason and the best man, Chet. He's such a cool guy!

Hope everyone had a good weekend!

Morning at the Aukerman household...

So today I got up bright and early as usual. Jason and Reggie were up and around, and I noticed that I didn't hear Byson whining to be let loose yet (he sleeps on a leash that is attached to our bed and wakes up when the rest of us are up). I went in to check on him, and then realized I heard what in dog world would be sleep talking....and...this is what I saw....I guess Byson's new thing is to sleep half under the bed. ahahahaha Tonight we're off to Indy to split our trip up and drop off our boys.....then back to our old homewtown of Wilmore, Kentucky so that Jason can be a groomsman in our friend's wedding. Have a great weekend everyone!

Fewer and Fewer Days of Freedom are in the Forecast!

OK, so today I realized that tomorrow is really my last day of not really having to do work. This is what I mean.....
We are headed to Kentucky this weekend. Jason is in a friend's wedding....so when we return, the next day I start my week long, all day grad class. When that is over, I can start working in my classroom at school.....which takes many hours.........YIKES. I also really wanted to have a garage sale, but I've ran out of days, so I'm thinking I may still have to have a last minute one day sale. We'll see. I still have so much I need to accomplish before I head back to work..........YIKES!
Alright, well, anyways, nothing else is new here. Jason is still working, and the boys are still play fighting all the time. Byson is getting huge though!
Happy Wednesday!

Vacation with my In-Laws.....Slade, Kentucky

We had such a great time! It was sad that Jason couldn't be there, and neither could Grandma Donaldson and Jason's sister Krista, but the rest of the gang and I had a very relaxing week!

We went to Kentucky, about an hour away from where Jason and I lived for 2.5 years. It was weird to be back....but it definately reminded me of how beautiful that state really is!!!!!!! (especially compared to my new home of FLAT Illinois).

Our week looked like this:

Sunday-we arrived at our AWESOME cabin and hung out

Monday-hiked to Natural Bridge and then went grocery shopping, overtaking Kroger ahahah. The first picture shows Natural Bridge in the background before we arrived. The second is Lissy and I on Natural Bridge.

Tuesday-We drove to Walmart about 50 minutes away ahahahahah. We also watched my new favorite movie, "Bridge to Terabithia"

Wednesday-A trip to a beach in Morehead....we got burnt! We also played board games, grilled burgers, and watched "Simon Burch..."

Thursday-We hiked again....around Red River Gorge........it was beautiful!

Here, Colin is singing "I've Been Watching You," a country song about a boy and his daddy....He has the whole thing memorized...TOO CUTE.

Friday-We had a campfire and went fishing. Here, Kara is waiting to catch a fish. It wasn't a good biting day....Anna was the first to catch a fish after 3 hours of waiting!!!!!!!!!!!!


Saturday-Hoseback Riding....WOW, we have stories. Let's just say, riding next to cliffs on an animal bigger than me is not something I'll ever do again, however it was a pretty ride! OH, and I learned that my mother in law is so tough and brave!

Sunday-drove home and stopped for lunch at Ruby Tuesday....yummy salad bar!

Some other highlights:

Lissy ran with me so I wouldn't get behind on my marathon training! WOW, I'm not used to running hills! (We were almost Deer Breakfast too as one morning...a deer ran after us! ahahaha). I was able to finish 4 books (a record for me!) and complete the Karen Kingsbury series I was reading. YEAH!

Another cute shot:

The Aukerman men minus my husband....

I'm glad to be back home with my three boys! I sure did miss them! Jason had Reggie groomed while I was gone and had both boys in scarfs....awe...

That's all for now......ahahahh

I'm outta here...

I'm sad to say you won't see a new post for about a week. (unless my husband decides to write!!!) I will be going on vacation with Jason's family (he has to work) until next Sunday! We'll be about an hour from where Jason and I used to live in Kentucky. I'm excited for a week of relaxation, but I'm going to miss my three boys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Have a wonderful week everyone!

Good News...

Byson said, "I love you" to me today. AHahahaha, well, no, he didn't, he's a dog, but he licked me like crazy so I think that was what he was trying to say. ahahahah

Today my second grade team met for breakfast. Afterwards, we went over to the local teacher store and picked out some things for our classroom with the money we're given. It made me somewhat excited for school! I'm thankful however for this time off, and I DO NOT want to rush it!:-)

Where's Waldo...I mean, Reggie?!

Ok, so I've tripped on Reggie numerous times lately because he blends in so well with the new rug in the back room..... Can you find Reggie? ahahahahahha If it weren't for his blue collar, he really would be hidden!!!!

Happy Wednesday!