How could I resist posting these pictures of my silly sons?
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Camping...
We went camping in late September with two other familes & had a fun weekend together at Keystone Lake. On Saturday, we drove over to our "old" church for their Country Festival. The kids spent most of the morning at the petting zoo begging to bring an odd assortment of animals home with us.
Who gave these boys SUGAR? And WHAT were they THINKING?!?! :)
The barrel train
Grace found a kitten that looked just like Shadow
The kids fell in love with the ducks - AFLAC!
Obsessed with FIRE
Long overdue
It seems like so long since I've taken the time to think and process through our lives, and longer still since I posted any pictures. So without further ado...
Noah had fun helping Phil with a swarm of bees that had moved into our storage shed out back. I sewed this bee suit for Abbie several years ago. I was proud of my brave son. It was also a good introduction to "beekeeping", instead of being surrounded by thousands of bees and 20 hives.
My bathing beauties! We spent several afternoons at the public pool in Kremlin, but on the days we were home, the kids got creative. :)
Noah had fun helping Phil with a swarm of bees that had moved into our storage shed out back. I sewed this bee suit for Abbie several years ago. I was proud of my brave son. It was also a good introduction to "beekeeping", instead of being surrounded by thousands of bees and 20 hives.
My bathing beauties! We spent several afternoons at the public pool in Kremlin, but on the days we were home, the kids got creative. :)
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Conflict
My husband asked if I enjoy conflict, to which I replied, "Absolutely not!"
And then we fought about who was right.
And then we fought about who was right.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Aaaaaahhhh....
Why does a little picking up make a world of difference? I can see the floor in the boys' & girls' rooms, and in the living room. It is a wonderful thing. The kitchen & bathroom floors are another matter, but I won't focus on that right now. I'm basking in my accomplishments, small as they may be.
The past several weeks have been busy. Well...that's an understatement, but I'm trying to be positive here. There have been wonderful moments...and some tears too. In many ways I love where I'm at...working...teaching. I have fallen in love with these kids, with their unique needs, and funny quirks. I love teaching them & seeing the excitement when they learn something new. It is very fulfilling. Today I told a little boy, "You are so creative." His quick response was, "Like God?" ;)
In other ways, this journey has not been what I expected. There have been "promises" broken and expectations unmet, but it has been a learning process despite the disappointments. I was not prepared for the toll it would take on our family. I knew it would be an adjustment, but nothing prepared me for this. Some nights I feel like...I'm not just out of gas; I'm pushing a semi-truck up a hill...a very big hill. And I wonder where I will find the strength for tomorrow.
Tomorrow always comes, and thank goodness it is a new day! I have been blessed with a new friend - a fellow teacher who has taken me "under her wing", answered countless questions, and provided needed encouragement and wisdom. And I'm thankful for "old" ones too, though they aren't old by any means. :) We went camping with friends this past weekend, and despite being a lot of work & having little sleep, my soul was filled to the brim...and overflowing.
In just another day, I will turn the calendar over & see a beginning and an end...an end to this journey of teaching nine Kindergarteners. I know it will go by fast, despite the crazy days, and I want to make the most of it...not just at work, but at home too. I also know it will be hard to say "good bye". Maybe not at first, but I'll miss it...eventually. :) And I'm praying about the "What next?" and trusting God to show me.
The past several weeks have been busy. Well...that's an understatement, but I'm trying to be positive here. There have been wonderful moments...and some tears too. In many ways I love where I'm at...working...teaching. I have fallen in love with these kids, with their unique needs, and funny quirks. I love teaching them & seeing the excitement when they learn something new. It is very fulfilling. Today I told a little boy, "You are so creative." His quick response was, "Like God?" ;)
In other ways, this journey has not been what I expected. There have been "promises" broken and expectations unmet, but it has been a learning process despite the disappointments. I was not prepared for the toll it would take on our family. I knew it would be an adjustment, but nothing prepared me for this. Some nights I feel like...I'm not just out of gas; I'm pushing a semi-truck up a hill...a very big hill. And I wonder where I will find the strength for tomorrow.
Tomorrow always comes, and thank goodness it is a new day! I have been blessed with a new friend - a fellow teacher who has taken me "under her wing", answered countless questions, and provided needed encouragement and wisdom. And I'm thankful for "old" ones too, though they aren't old by any means. :) We went camping with friends this past weekend, and despite being a lot of work & having little sleep, my soul was filled to the brim...and overflowing.
In just another day, I will turn the calendar over & see a beginning and an end...an end to this journey of teaching nine Kindergarteners. I know it will go by fast, despite the crazy days, and I want to make the most of it...not just at work, but at home too. I also know it will be hard to say "good bye". Maybe not at first, but I'll miss it...eventually. :) And I'm praying about the "What next?" and trusting God to show me.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
A link
Today I'm just going to link you to my cousin's blog. I love what she wrote. Though our circumstances may be very different, we can all relate to feeling overwhelmed & needing to refocus on what is important, and on who God is.
Thanks, Beth, for always sharing from your heart.
Thanks, Beth, for always sharing from your heart.
Monday, September 14, 2009
The funnies
This year, the 3rd-6th graders have been receiving the paper at school. Grace is cute about making sure Phil gets her paper, "'Cause I know how you like to read the paper, Daddy." I love getting the paper for two reasons. Sudoku and the comics. The comics make me laugh, and (as oddly as it may sound) Sudoku is a stress-reliever. As it's been a while since I wrote about life in general, I thought I'd be corny, or cheesy, or whatever :) and compose a family newspaper, complete with the comics. Enjoy!
School Year Is Underway
School seems to be our life these days. We leave around 7:15am & get home around 5pm most nights, so it is a long day for everyone. The kids are enjoying school (for the most part) and love their teachers. As parents, it's exciting to watch our children excel because of their desire to please their teachers. Abbie memorized 1 Cor. 13 after her teacher challenged the class. Grace has read above her reading goal (which isn't due until October & is a huge deal for my girl who "doesn't like" reading!). Noah is working hard on his reading & we're amazed that he can read stories already. Daniel loves his teacher & everything about Preschool. And he doesn't mind being the only boy in the afternoon with six girls! Phil has been a big help on the mornings I can't "rally the troops" & even though the dishwasher doesn't get loaded the "right" way (Right, Mom? :) I'm not rearranging it, I promise!), I'm thankful he is doing his part to help out.
Mysterious Stomach Pains Are Slowing Subsiding
Abbie has been suffering from stomach and intestinal cramping for the past 3 weeks. She claims it has nothing to do with Math. :) It got bad enough that we took her to the ER to be sure she didn't have appendicitis. After blood work and other tests, the results were negative. A visit to the Doctor's office last week & more tests confirmed that she didn't have an intestinal parasite. She is slowly getting back to her old self & her pain & cramping are decreasing each day, for which we are very thankful.
Motorcycle Moves On Down the Road
After several garage sales, unsuccessful sales attempts, & a final farewell ride up & down the road, Phil loaded up his motorcycle at the crack of dawn Saturday morning. He & Jim drove down to Clorita to an auction & he finally sold his high school pride & joy. Abbie is glad she has one less obstical in the backyard to mow around.
Funnies
One night Daniel asked, "Are we having library tomorrow?" I told him I didn't know. To which he replied, "But Mom...teachers know everything!!"
Daniel asked Phil, "Dad what is bear day?" "Bear day?" Phil scrambles for an explanation, "Um, is bear day on Friday?" "No! Bear day means a green crayon." Understanding. "Oh! You mean verde?" "No, Dad. Bear day."
We were trying to get information out of Noah about his reading group - procedure, what they read, who is in the group, etc. No matter what we asked, he kept giving the same answer, demonstrating how he reads. Soon we were cracking up at his repetitive reply - "Some kids read like this - (loudly) B - A -T ...BAT! And I read like this (quietly) b-a-t...(yelling) BAT!!"
After listening to talk radio all day about health care reform, Phil is more convinced that we need to care for our own bodies. He was cutting apples for supper & in an effort to drive his point home, said, "What is it they say? An apple a day..." "...gives you soft poopies." Nothing like a 4 year old to turn things upside down. :)
School Year Is Underway
School seems to be our life these days. We leave around 7:15am & get home around 5pm most nights, so it is a long day for everyone. The kids are enjoying school (for the most part) and love their teachers. As parents, it's exciting to watch our children excel because of their desire to please their teachers. Abbie memorized 1 Cor. 13 after her teacher challenged the class. Grace has read above her reading goal (which isn't due until October & is a huge deal for my girl who "doesn't like" reading!). Noah is working hard on his reading & we're amazed that he can read stories already. Daniel loves his teacher & everything about Preschool. And he doesn't mind being the only boy in the afternoon with six girls! Phil has been a big help on the mornings I can't "rally the troops" & even though the dishwasher doesn't get loaded the "right" way (Right, Mom? :) I'm not rearranging it, I promise!), I'm thankful he is doing his part to help out.
Mysterious Stomach Pains Are Slowing Subsiding
Abbie has been suffering from stomach and intestinal cramping for the past 3 weeks. She claims it has nothing to do with Math. :) It got bad enough that we took her to the ER to be sure she didn't have appendicitis. After blood work and other tests, the results were negative. A visit to the Doctor's office last week & more tests confirmed that she didn't have an intestinal parasite. She is slowly getting back to her old self & her pain & cramping are decreasing each day, for which we are very thankful.
Motorcycle Moves On Down the Road
After several garage sales, unsuccessful sales attempts, & a final farewell ride up & down the road, Phil loaded up his motorcycle at the crack of dawn Saturday morning. He & Jim drove down to Clorita to an auction & he finally sold his high school pride & joy. Abbie is glad she has one less obstical in the backyard to mow around.
Funnies
One night Daniel asked, "Are we having library tomorrow?" I told him I didn't know. To which he replied, "But Mom...teachers know everything!!"
Daniel asked Phil, "Dad what is bear day?" "Bear day?" Phil scrambles for an explanation, "Um, is bear day on Friday?" "No! Bear day means a green crayon." Understanding. "Oh! You mean verde?" "No, Dad. Bear day."
We were trying to get information out of Noah about his reading group - procedure, what they read, who is in the group, etc. No matter what we asked, he kept giving the same answer, demonstrating how he reads. Soon we were cracking up at his repetitive reply - "Some kids read like this - (loudly) B - A -T ...BAT! And I read like this (quietly) b-a-t...(yelling) BAT!!"
After listening to talk radio all day about health care reform, Phil is more convinced that we need to care for our own bodies. He was cutting apples for supper & in an effort to drive his point home, said, "What is it they say? An apple a day..." "...gives you soft poopies." Nothing like a 4 year old to turn things upside down. :)
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