Playing Catch-Up...Random

The funny thing about working is now that I am able to do a little extra shopping here and there I'm too tired to! Isn't it ironic...

But really, it's the little things that excite me these days. A favorite t.v. show, a dinner out with friends, an early night in bed. Our weekdays are filled from sun-up to sun-down, it's amazing how well we can function on so little sleep. Weekends are a beautiful thing. It's when I get to re-focus, re-energize, relax, and remember my purpose.

Another one of life's funny little ironies is how it always seems to come full-circle. Back in the day when I went to Evans Jr. High I loved being in the classes that the coaches taught...there was a different, more laid-back vibe about them. And I liked learning about their lives. Every one of them had 2 daughters, cute little wives...just a simple, pleasant little life. Now Chad is at Evans and he is that coach...I am that wife (working on cute and little)...and we have those daughters...plus one cute little boy! I like our life!


She is free from the bondage of braces!! Yippee!! She was so happy she had to go back to school after the appt. and show her class.




His first field trip...the apple orchard. I looked forward to the apple orchard every year with the girls. I hate that I couldn't be there with him, but I loved hearing him tell me all about it!

Happy Birthday to Our Fall Baby...

I love that we were blessed with a spring baby, a summer baby, and a fall baby. It was so much fun experiencing pregnancy at all different times of the year.

Seven years ago today our precious little Averi came into our lives. At the time I was lucky enough to be able to stay at home, and I remember thinking what an awesome time of life we were in. I felt that I had forever with my girls...that my babies would be babies forever. I guess it was wishful thinking. I've learned to treasure every day because time has a way of passing when you're not even looking.

Happy birthday, baby girl!! We love you to the moon and back!



The birthday girls! Mema and Averi's birthday are a day apart. We celebrated at Cheddars.

Life Right Now...

Not gonna lie...I was a little worried about how this dude would handle being dropped off at "school" every Tuesday and Thursday. But he surprised us and did great! He came home the first day insisting he had homework!


He was a little hesitant walking in the first day, but now he's a pro! When I asked him how his day went this past Thursday, he told me very proudly "I didn't cry!" Now that's a good day in my book :)


He even takes naps on his napmat. He was very against the whole idea and was sure he would not stoop so low as to sleep at school...who do we think he is...a baby?? His teachers tell him that he doesn't have to sleep...he just has to stay on his mat quietly. It never fails...he is the first one out! (Dondi is so sweet to take these pics so I can feel like I know what's going on!)


And this is Averi's latest adventures...at the ortho. It's her turn to get an expander, and eventually braces. She was pretty excited about the whole thing! And she didn't even gag when they did the impression :) That's impressive!


I don't know why, but I love this shirt!


Taylor is our busiest kid. She has joined Girl Scouts, so 3 out the 5 weekdays she is busy with dance or that. This next Tuesday she is getting her braces off!! She is so excited! I thought this was funny :)

Back to School...

WOW! It feels good to say I survived the first two weeks of teaching. My 2nd grade team is so amazing and helpful...and just a fun group of girls to work with.

Last week is pretty much a blur. Tuesday, the 2nd day, ended up being pretty rough. I left school in tears, wondering if I had it in me to return the next day. When I picked up the kids at my in-laws, Connor asked me "Why are you crying, mom?" I told him it had just been a long day...he grabbed my face and said, in his precious 3 year-old voice, "I so proud of you." Melted my heart!

Things are MUCH better now. We're getting in a routine and life is grand! Next week dance starts for the girls and Connor will go to KDO. He is so excited about his Thomas the Train backpack, but refuses to believe he actually has to attend class! I think he will love it.


Taylor is loving fourth grade. She got her first planner at school this year...another thing to remind me she's growing up too fast. Averi is loving 1st grade. Mr. Lamm told me she leads by example in class. So proud of both of them!
P.S. I did not drop my poor children off at Honey while it was still dark, but I had to get pics of them for their first day of school. I try to be at work by 7:00, so I take Connor to Dondi's, Nana's, or Granna's...and Chad takes Taylor and Averi to school. Maybe I will get medication for anal-retentiveness and allow myself to arrive at 7:30 so that I can take the girls every once-in-a-while :)





AND...fall is in the air!! Everytime the seasons change I think it's my favorite time of year. But I really mean it about fall. There's something so romantic about this time of year...and so many things to look forward to. LOVE it! I am excited for:

Cozying up with a good book and a blanket

Punkin' Days

Chai

Tech football

The last season of LPBW

Cute jeans and sweaters

A New Beginning...

Congratulations to Taylor on becoming a Dance Gallery Darling!!! We are so proud! Yesterday she learned her dances, this morning she auditioned, and this evening the results were posted. WooHoo!! She has waited a long time for this opportunity




Well...school starts Monday. It's a bit surreal. I've had several nightmares about the first day. In one of them, I walked into my class only to find that the principal had turned my class into the P.E. room. Nothing like waking up in a cold sweat.

Thursday was open house and I got to meet my students! It kind of made everything official. And these three little munchkins came to see me after their open house at Honey.














Stop Light Behavior Chart and Reading Corner


Lunch Count


Calendar Math


Homework and Monday Folders/Mailboxes for Graded Papers


Desk Area


Team Baskets/Desk Work Folders


Books to Read on First Day


CHAMP/Birthday Wall


The Room!

It's All Coming Back to Me...Except Now I'm Getting Paid

Holy Moses! Overwhelmed doesn't begin to describe how I felt today. All the feelings I experienced during student teaching came flooding back...x10. It's not a bad thing, it will just take some time to get used to. I admit, not being able to be a part of Taylor and Averi's classes is tough. And Connor will be starting KDO, which I won't be there for either. thus is the life of a working mom. But mama will be getting a paycheck (not to mention all the perks/holidays that come with teaching)!!

So to deal with the added pressure, I have acquired some coping mechanisms. One of which is cleaning...like a mad woman. It feels so good to focus all my energy on something other than work.

As tough as it is starting out, I know this is exactly where I'm supposed to be. I feel sooo inceredibly thankful, excited, blessed to have this job! Now it's time to get in a routine!

Oh...and my name is outside the class now!!! Can't wait to meet all of my kiddos;) Notice the mountain of paper I am holding? That is Math Lesson #1. Just tryin' to keep it green...ha!

My Babies are Getting Big...

Denae took these last night at Tech...and she worked her magic, because you can't tell how H-O-T the kids were by looking at them...Whew-eee! But Denae is smart because she keeps massive amounts of PEZ in her camera bag :) Bribes are a good thing! I love that these pics capture my babies as they are right now!


Mother hen and chicks.


My 4th grader!


My 1st grader :)


I ♥ his chubby, baby wrists.


Dogpile!