"Our Dog" named Chuck

Mark and I knew that when we rented the house, the 6 or so dogs on the property came with it. Which, to be honest, dosent bother us at all, it is kinda nice to have dogs always around watching out for us, and being our security. And for the most part, all the dogs are pretty sweet.... this is what Mark and I came home to the other day, 4 all lined up in a row, sleeping, and trying to stay dry from the rain....

A few of them truely have become our security dogs... here we have Whitey and Boy, guarding our house, on our front porch... they do this every night.

Well, as Mark and I have been watching these pups around the property, we have fallen for one.... he is the runt of the bunch, granted he is one of the bigger ones, but he is always getting picked on.... He's also skinner because the other dogs tend to eat his food.... SO.... Mark and I have sudo-adopted him =) He is really our landlords dog, but he spends more time on our front porch then anywhere else..... SO MOM, here is pictures of our Chuck! His name was boy, we have renamed him chuck and he now answers to both boy and chuck =)

We even have purchased some dog food, and he knows when we are going to feed him. None of the other dogs are around, we give him a little treat, just to "beef" him up =) He has fleas, so we really dont pet him, but he does hang out alot with Mark when Mark is outside. Fleas are a common factor on Dogs here on island.... our landlord gives them all shots, it helps, but doesnt stop them.... we are guessing they just keep growing because of the heat and humidity, nothing strong enough to kill them off....

Either way, it is nice to "have" a puppy around to spoil =) And he certainly is a sweetie!

Hopwood Junior High School, Room E12, Mr. Sawyer, Reading

On September 8, Mark began began his new teaching venture....

Hopwood Junior High School, I would like to introduce to you, Mr. Sawyer, One of your newest staff members, and new reading/literature teachers....

Mark went into this school year excited, ready for a new experience, with new ideas, and has yet to complain about it. Granted he has only been in school for a total of 4 days, and I have been for 5 weeks (progress reports went home last friday), so give him some time and I am sure I will hear a little complaining now and then. =)

But I am so thrilled for Mark and his new teaching position. He went from working at a school, Saipan Community School, where I still am, with a total of 180 students k-8. Mark is now teaching in a school where there are roughly 1,000 students 7-8.... he now see's about 180 kids a day. But loves it =) He has one class to prep for each day as he only teaches reading now, and its the same every class period, and realized, Hopwood wasnt like SCS, he now has mostly local Saipan natives, and roughly 2-3 Koreans, complete flop from my school.

Anyway, I wanted to take a moment and introduce to you, Mr. Sawyer and his reading class to you! Enjoy!

<3 He's Home <3

Where is he? I have waited a whole month! I dont want to wait 20 more minutes! COME ON! He's Here! Finally!

Oh I missed you, we are never doing this again!

Life pretty much perfect... Especially when its the two of us.... TOGETHER!

It's been awhile....

Sorry it has been so long since I have really updated anything... to be completely honest the month of August was kinda boring, I mean, I was constantly busy, but most everything I did was school related. Now that Mark has been back life is less boring... =) We are constantly on the go, but busy in a good way. Mark is in his second day of his first week at Hopwood Junior High, right now he is simply preparing his classroom. Kids start next Tuesday. I am already in my 4th week of school and have progress reports already next friday! Wowzers....

We are now fully moved into our new home and have recently purchased a new car.... It has been pretty rainy lately, so once the weather clears up, I will post some pictures of the new house and car!

Hope all is well with each of you!

Love,

B.

One of my bulletin board themes for the year. This is Sun Joon.

Just for you Mama, and thank you again for all the dice... My kids are now addicted to FARKLE! =)

Mikey and I in car line...

The kids waiting patiently for their cars....

Saipan Community School is now back in Session. Welcome to the 2009-2010 School Year...

Well, another school year has begun and I have jumped right into it. Mark is still in the states for the month of August as his school doesn't begin until the first week of September. This year our classroom decor. theme is Western.... Here is a sneak peak at my room and my kids.... 21 very sweet third graders. I think this is going to be a good year.... cross my fingers =). 

On the first day of school.... Nice Picture, Silly picture =). 

One tired teacher at the end of their first day =).

I know it has been awhile, but i promise to update soon about our summer in the states, our new house on Saipan, etc.... I promise =)

Love,

The Tired Teacher

Mrs. Sawyer 

<3 Y.O.U.N.G L.I.F.E <3

This last weekend Mark and I took 4 days and flew down to Denver Colorado for a Young Life Teacher's Summit! It was a blast! The summit was great! We got to meet other teacher staff, listen to some great topics being discussed and even got a chance to drive up to on of the YL properties, and see what that camp was like. Our friend Jen from Saipan and a volunteer leader of YL also met us there! So it was great for us to be on the same page... it was also Jen's first experience at a YL camp!

We have a small commitee being built in Saipan and have 9 volunteer leaders! So as of September we are hoping to have our first club! and Saipan first club ever! Pray for that please!

After the conference ended, we had a chance to meet up and spend a few days with some close family friends, the Johnson Family! While we were there we got to see Bill's new church, their new home and some sights of Colorado. One place to we got to be tourist's at was the "Garden of the Gods". Dad always talkes about this place, but we didnt realize how beautiful it was until we got there! If you are ever in CO and get a chance to go see it, do! It is amazing how much of an artist we has as a heavenly father!

It was a great 4 day weekend and mini vaca.

JoAnn and Mark enjoying the "Garden of the Gods"

This is Crooked Creek, the Young Life Camp we were able to visit!:

Saipan Young Life meets Colorado!

The kids lining up for club!

At the teacher's summit, I "got" to participate in Name that Tune!

Well we are back on Sawyer Farm for a few days and then headed to Spokane until next Wednesday. My brother Tom and nephew Aaron will be visiting for L.A... we havent seen them for almost 2 years so it will be great to be with them for a few days!

Then on Wednesday Mark and I will be driving to Seattle to spend a few days with the Tiegs family (Marks sister, her husband and our niece). Then on Friday I pack up and fly out of the Seattle Airport back to our island. Mark will be joining me at the end of August as he will be back here on the farm helping out with harvest. ( I am going to miss him like crazy!)

I cant believe how fast this summer has flown by! It has totally come and gone. I start school in 2.5 weeks and will be focusing on that and moving into our new home....

I am sad to say goodbye to all of our family and friends.... I wish we all lived closer... but sooner or later we will be once mark and I get back on to the Palouse.

We have missed Saipan too, so it will be good to get back there also.

Alright, well I am going to run and enjoy the time I have left here on the Farm!

TTYL!

...BFF's 4-Life...

"Friendship isn't a little thing - It's a million things." -Author Unknown

One of the main things I wanted to do this summer was hang out with my best friends. These are the girls that mean the most to me! We all met in college and it is true as to what they say those close friends you meet in college will be your friends for life. They will be with you threw thick and thin, in good times and in bad. And all is true for our friendship.

I met Kara my sophmore year of college and Nicole and Sara my Junior Year. And I couldnt ask for better friends. We have been through two weddings and lots of fun adventures. I couldnt ask for better girlfriends and am sooooo glad i got to spend 2 4day weekends with these ladies this summer. I wish we all lived closer but no matter how far away from them we are, I always know they are there.

One other thing i love about these ladies is that, I love how close not only are we to each other, but how close we are to eachothers families and husbands/boyfriends. We all love hanging out with eachother and that makes each time a real treat!

This summer Sara got married! And Nicole, Kara and I were honored to be a part of her beautiful day! She looks gorgeous!
Nicole, Kara and I at the Reception.

Kara, Nicole, the beautiful bride Sara, and Me.... These three girls were also bridesmaid in my wedding!

All teary-eyed when Sara was about the leave.... We love you!

Mark and Sara are two peas in a pod! Hanging out at Sara's the night before the big day!

BFF's. I love you and I miss you like crazy!

Congrats to the newly weds! Sara and John Grove!

Sara's Bachelorette Party in Boise! What a night! =)

I love you Kara Marie!

Nicole and I! (I had a blast with you and Joshy in Sun Valley by the way!)

Perfect night!

Kara, Nicole and Sara.... I love you and miss you. Thank you for your love and friendship. I can't imagine my life without you. See you in June for another week of fun! Or maybe earlier if you head to Saipan? (Hint Hint). =)