January 17 and 18, 2004

By Rylee

My first weekend with a student was awesome. I got to go home with Rylee. Sam, Rylee, Katie, Kelsey T, and Erin G made posters for Wacky Wednesday. Wacky Wednesday is a fun school spirit day that the Student Council sponsors once a month. This month we are having a Hippie Day! Peace out! We hung the posters that we had made up in the hallways of the school.

It was time to go to Rylee’s house. It was a large house outside Atkinson, Nebraska (about 15 minutes away). We ate, and then it was time to go to the basketball game. The O’Neill boys and girls played basketball at West Holt (Atkinson, Nebraska). We saw Mollie, Haley, and Katie there. It was interesting to see what they do at ball games. The kids seem to run around the school and hang out with their friends instead of viewing the action on the court. Tyler and a couple other boys got in trouble and made us have to leave the stage area where we were having a great time hanging out.

Once the game was over we went back to Rylee’s house. It was time for bed and I got to sleep with Rylee.

In the morning Rylee told me about her dream. It sounded scary. We had breakfast and then watched T.V. Rylee had basketball practice. I felt like staying home, so I did.

When she got home we went outside to take pictures of her little sister, McKenna who is 7 years old. Their family is making a photo collage for Valentine’s Day. Brrrrrrrrrrr…… was it cold out! I think the weatherman on the radio said it was 12° F.

We went to a wrestling meet and I got to meet Rylee’s grandparents. They were very kind people. Once they went home it was time for bed. I almost forgot that I got to meet Rylee’s family. Besides McKenna, she has an older sister, Danika, in addition to her mom and dad. Dani stuck me in the clothes hamper, but thank goodness Rylee saved me! The next morning I woke up to the sound of Rylee’s mom yelling to wake us up.

It was time for church and we drove in to O’Neill. Rylee’s family goes to Faith Community Church. We got to listen to missionary kids. It was interesting to hear what their experience was like in another country. Where they went was the 5^th poorest country in the world. It made me think of how much we have here. Then we went to Sunday school. They really didn’t get why I came, but I still had fun.

When we got home it was time to eat. They had steak, but I really wasn’t that hungry so I just sat by Rylee. While they did dishes I relaxed a little bit. Rylee’s dad set up the Nintendo and we played for a while. I got to the 5^th level and it froze on me. That was a real bummer.

After that she played her flute for me. She was excellent. We got to play on walkie-talkies that they just bought. We watched T.V., ate, and hit the hay. Rylee’s house was a ton of fun, and Nebraska is awesome so far!