What We've Been Up to Lately

Seriously?  It's been close to two months since I've attempted any kind of blog post.  What happened?  One word - SCHOOL.  I started the year with 27 first graders.  Our new teacher was added two weeks ago and I'm just now starting to come up for air.  This isn't in chronological order, but here is what we've been up to in addition to school...

Selfie in front of the Will Rogers Birthplace

A kind passerby took a family pic of us with the lake in the background.  If I hadn't already printed Christmas cards, I may have used this.

L and I watched Hubby and M taxi and taxi and taxi some more.  I got a little nervous.

They lifted off just before the trees and I was thankful that L was with me and not adding weight to the plane!

Hubby's first day of classes for traditional campus, not online.

M's first day of 10th grade.  Don't have one of L. because he wasn't cooperative and it would have been in football practice gear anyway.

M has had some preaching opportunities - this was the first in the sanctuary on a Sunday night.  We're so proud of his growth and excitement to keep following what God has for him!

I was looking in to the son, but I'm pretty sure L. is in this photo some place.  We've been enjoying going to Jr. High football games home and away.  L. is doing a great job too!  His last game he caught a pass for a two point conversion, got an interception and made a couple of great block/tackles.

I love my nephew!  We enjoyed our weekend visit  for my niece's 2nd birthday.  I didn't do a good job with pictures of her (they must be on the boys' phones).  You can tell by M's legs that he is ready to relax!

Both the boys knee boarded - L managed this 360. It was a very relaxing and fun few hours - just what I needed! 

I'm glad that I am posting these pictures.  They've helped me realize that even though the beginning of this school year was absolutely dreadful, we've had some really nice times too.  God has provided help, grace, guidance, peace and exactly what we've needed.

School Projects

L recently had to take eggs with the yolk blown out for a project in Spanish class.  It's a miracle these things ever got done!  I kept getting emails about them and the whole time, I kept thinking it was an extra credit project.  Finally, the Friday before they were due, I got an email reminder with a clarification: this isn't extra credit.....

L and Hubby were camping for the weekend so Sunday afternoon (best time to complete school projects isn't it?) the three of us worked on the eggs.  He turned them in plus a few extras and then on Wednesday, I realize that Friday (Good Friday - a day L was planning on missing at school so he could go to his brother's Good Friday service at school and spend time with visiting family) is when L's class was painting and completing their cascarones.  I emailed L's Spanish teacher and she's such a superstar!  She arranged for him to come to her class from another one on Thursday so he could complete the project.

And he left them at school!  I thought his baby cousin would have enjoyed seeing them crack and the confetti come out.  Silly me, I just now realized you're supposed to crack them "over" and not "on" someone's head!  Anyway, the cascarones finally made it home and I think he did an excellent job.

Yesterday, L. served with a group from National Junior Honor Society at a soup kitchen in the city.

The project today was actually just a paper - and it finally made it to school too.  L. did what he was supposed to and emailed me his essay so I could print it.  I kinda forgot.  So....I emailed it to his teacher this morning. Then I got a call from Hubby who said I needed to print it, the teacher wouldn't take it via email (I'm so thankful M's school takes electronic submission.  I'm thankful for his school for testing reasons too, but that's a rant and I won't go there.)

Hubby then got a frantic call from me because the printer wouldn't work!  I absolutely had to leave so he came home to take care of it. (It gets crazier.)  I forgot something so he met me where I dropped off M. for tennis, but when I grabbed the bag he had brought me, I also grabbed L's paper that Hubby was on the way to school to take!

I realized it and honked and honked.  Hubby stopped and got the paper and headed off to L's school to save the day.  He's our hero!

Did I mention that M. has three weeks of school left and L. and I have four?  We. Are. Ready.

On the Home Front - August 24

A peek through my window…. well, um, our lawn is kinda scalped.  I forgot to tell M. to raise the deck of the mower before he mowed.  Hubby is watering it right now in hopes of saving it.  We had such a mild summer that we had green grass ALL summer long.  First time ever I remember that happening.

What’s going on this week… “Be your student night” at one school.  I went to L’s last week.  Hopefully, I’ll be able to stay late at my school one night and get things organized.

What “the boys” are doing… L’s at a Scout campout/float trip.  M is doing geometry homework.

And...they are definitely growing!  When we take first day of school photos, Hubby gets down on one knee. It used to be so he would be closer to their height.  Now, it's to show how much they have grown!

On my mind…  we leave in two and half weeks to camp with Hubby’s family in Colorado.  I am so looking forward to it and hope we get to see moose!

Of course what’s on my mind before all that is finding a substitute and preparing work for my class.  Hopefully by then, they’ll have their routine down!

On my bedside table…  It’s clear because the house is on the market.  I read over a dozen books this summer, but am not reading anything right now so I’m not distracted from the things that need to get done.  If I start reading a book I usually have to finish it in a day – maybe two.

I am richly blessed…  even though there have been changes at school (new principal and I am in a new grade), I am blessed because we love our new principal and my team has accepted me well and been so helpful.

In reflecting back at what a difficult beginning of school I had last year, I am blessed to not have the same stressors this year.

I’m praying for…  an opportunity for Hubby and also for family – a dear second cousin lost her husband to a stroke Friday. 

I’m still praying for God’s will in our housing situation.  We’d like to sell our house, live in Dad’s while we fix it up to use as a rental and build a new house for us.  We’ll see what His plans are.

Our home…  smells like roasted Hatch green chilies!  We haven’t gotten any since Texas and Hubby was so excited when I found a local place that had them.

Menu planning… Green Chile Burgers, Pork Loin, Cube Steak and Bumblebee Mac n Cheese, Potato Soup.

A photo or two… 

1st Day - 7th grade

1st Day - Freshman

Integer Race

My oldest, M - just doesn't feel very well right now. The nurse at school called today and when she didn't get me called my Hubby. After a second call - M got picked up at school. He was supposed to finish up some science project trials tonight, but I think that's going to have to wait.

Last week he turned in his math project. The assignment was to create a grade level appropriate math board game. M. did this racing theme where the object was adding and subtracting integers. (I must say that besides a few standardized tests, after college I never used negative numbers!).

The classes played/graded the games last Thursday and Friday. Here's M's creation:

One Thousand Gifts - November 3 and A Special Memory

800 Holding hands
801 84 degrees on October 24
802 Sub calls
803 A week’s worth of dinners planned
804 Seeing one of Mom’s old friends at Aldi
805 More free books
806 Pepper jack cheese
807 How God shares the same thing through several ways – sermon, small group, Bible study
808 Early morning light
809 Found wrist brace
810 Convenience of online forms
811 Challenges issued
812 He is my Watchman
813 L. being able to do something he enjoys with Aunt – the rats – because I don’t want any part of them!
814 All the Trunk r Treat cards passed out
815 Homemade croutons
816 Coram Deo
817 Most of the trees changed overnight!
818 Pumpkin projects
819 Wednesday night Bible Study
820 Clean clothes
821 Good health
822 A smile that makes me smile
823 Purple pens
824 Finishing grading papers
825 Unexpected free evening
826 Polite children
827 A clown picture made by someone special
828 Pumpkin spice hand lotion at school
829 All four of us at dinner together at a regular time
830 Roasting marshmallows over the stovetop for
831 Smores
832 Watching the World Series
833 Jesus is my joy and salvation!
834 The arrows in our quiver
835 Walking in the rain
836 Consistently writing thank yous for over a year
837 Clear CT scan for M
838 I am fearfully and wonderfully made
839 M & Ms
840 Photo collage
841 God Bless America
842 Goodie Day at school
843 Winning a giveaway
844 Text from a friend
845 The beautiful sound of a bird singing as I walked

M was in kindergarten seven years ago and I am still thankful for his kindergarten teacher, Mr. Bunch. He was perfect for M and exactly who we prayed for! M. is the boy in bright blue standing next to the girl in hot pink and in front of their assistant teacher.

A New Year

Well it's not a new calendar year, but it's a new school year. Last year I had the opportunity to teach second grade at a local elementary school. It was a gift. This year the school's numbers were down and other positions didn't work out, so I am not teaching full time.

I have chosen to see this as a gift also. God has already revealed so much to me! I am subbing (and would like to be subbing more) and I made these cards...



Of course the real cards have my name, phone and email on them!! The printing looks much better on cardstock than a blog post too.

That was just a little update on me and an opportunity to show off something I created.

Easter Eggs?

Some kids dye eggs at Easter. M. experimented with them...

This was after they were in vinegar for two days. I helped rub the shell off (but only because this was his third attempt - the others either burst in the vinegar or while he was rubbing). 2nd liquid: diet coke

3rd liquid: green tea (the 4th was blue salt water)

The project was complete after 6 days. It was all about osmosis and diffusion.

After all the necessary data, the boys had a little fun with the eggs.

Why I Love a Snow Day

I was kind of expecting to be out of school today. Yesterday, I had all my students take their reading books home (not the normal night) - I'm hoping they all used them today to keep from getting bored! The true teacher in me was hoping for a Snow Day and when Hubby checked his phone at 6am this morning, he confirmed we were out and I rolled over and went back to sleep for a few more hours.

All day, laundry and papers to grade beckoned me, but I had fun with the boys instead. L. worked on (and completed) his school project. Hubby brought me a sweet tea while he was between work sites. M. played outside which inspired me to walk to the park with the boys. They wrestled. We walked home in silence (almost silence - one boy was whimpering). The boys and I (mostly them) made sugar cookies - all I had were Easter cookie cutters. I made a pot of chili (what could be more perfect for a snow day?) M. has been reading most of the day and this evening we all looked at their new study Bibles. They are so excited to start using them!




I found out about 30 minutes ago that we are out of school tomorrow too. Well, I wasn't expecting that! I had JUST finished my plans (including printing them) for next week. Oh, well. I know what my mentor teacher would say, "That's what arrows are for!"

Maybe I'll get the laundry done and papers graded tomorrow.

Counting My Blessings - Day 30

58. M & L's constant creativity and learning. M. had to make a ping pong ball launcher for science. He and Hubby had been working all week on designs and prep work and put it together in the garage Sat. M. spent most of the weekend doing trials. My children are such a blessing and it's such a blessing to have a husband who is involved with them and intentionally guides and teaches them.

59. Extended family. We've been back in my home state for a little over a year now. I have an aunt and uncle and an uncle who will be joining us for Thanksgiving dinner at the VA. I don't ever recall (or it's been since I was tiny) having Thanksgiving dinner with the group who will assemble on Thursday.

I also have a (3rd maybe?) cousin who works at the same school I do and now goes to my church (along with her family). We were blessed to have her son (and my cousin and the boys' too - I know it gets complicated) spend time at our house yesterday afternoon. Somehow he got elected to fish the ping pong ball out from under the oven. With it came tons of dog hair! Woops. Dog hair is definitely not a blessing (unless it's on the dog!!).

I didn't blog much about it, but last weekend, we were blessed to be visited by two sets of extended family from out of state!

60. Medicine - even though I may disagree with some on when to take it, etc. I am extremely blessed to have access to medicine and medical care. Last night M. dropped a bottle of Mucinex that didn't have a completely closed lid. As we were both working on getting it cleaned up, I was trying to find the blessing of having sticky syrup on my floor and I found several. -we can afford medicine - I am able to clean and care for my children - I have a floor in which to spill medicine (and many other items) and -the care of my home isn't my sole responsibility.

61. A very old van - We have a completely paid for van that has over 187,000 miles on it. That van has carted us around to two long distance moves and countless family vacations and holiday trips. What a blessing and what fun family times we have shared in it!

62, Saving money. Hubby is doing some work on the van right now. Once again, it is a huge blessing for Hubby to be able to do routine maintenance and not-so-routine work on our vehicles. He saves us loads of money.

Daybook - November 6

Outside my window… there was frost on the ground this morning!

I am thankful for… Hubby being home safely and for L’s finger not being broken.

I am wearing… OKWU sweatshirt, sweatpants

Some plans for the rest of the week… Hubby’s family (2 sets) come Thurs. and Fri., Harlem Globetrotter game on Saturday.

I am hoping… to be able to teach 2nd grade again next year – especially since I’m starting to figure it out. I love all 19 of my kids!

On my mind… L. getting hurt so much lately, M. being "1st chair" in band, making plans for family next weekend and thinking ahead to Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Hearing…. the air purifier we moved in the office – we were smelling the dog, L checking Fantasy Football.

I am praying that…… for healing for a friend’s daughter and for the best for a student.

From the kitchen... Hubby made the chili tonight. He and the boys are making chocolate chip cookies now.

Around the house… some things I’m finally finding time to cut out that I laminated five weeks or more ago, magazines on the stairs waiting for me to sort through them and put them away to use in my classroom.

One of my favorite things… Saturday, cookies and milk, eating with my family.

From my picture journal…

I just love this picture of L. perched on top of the cat house. He was watching Cedarmont Kids. Age 1 1/2

A Thanksgiving Memory

To view more daybooks visit Simple Woman's Daybook.

Yesterday and Today

Yesterday I was sad when our family left after visiting for about 10 days. I was excited for the carpet installers to arrive with our new carpet. They stayed until it was all done - yay! (I just knew they were going to have to come back today and finish). I was excited to meet L's teacher, sad that my Dad asked me my name when we visited, and excited to watch M enjoy football so much (scrimmage #3). What a day!

When I was considering my up and down emotions of the day, I was reminded of Hebrews 13:7-8:

Appreciate your pastoral leaders who gave you the Word of God. Take a good look at the way they live, and let their faithfulness instruct you, as well as their truthfulness. There should be a consistency that runs through us all. For Jesus doesn't change—yesterday, today, tomorrow, he's always totally himself.

Now, it's okay for my emotions to flux, but I'm reminded to check my consistency. It's in Christ. The first part of the verse says to look at the way our pastoral leadership lives. Fitting as our Sr. Pastor celebrated 40 years in ministry this weekend. I haven't known him for long, but I can see that LP has lived a life of dependence on God, friendship, and laughter. So...in my sadness I can remember the fun we had during our family's visit. I can reach out in love to my Dad and tell him my name (and use my children's name whenever possible) and treasure the times he could remember. I can depend on God during all the exciting and sad times, knowing that Jesus doesn't change.

J on the new carpet. Boy do I have a lot to put back together in the house!

Today was the first day of school! M remembers his locker combo and schedule so all should go well. This is the first year the boys aren't together for first day photos. L. was just getting up and around when I was leaving with M and wasn't exactly dressed. When I dropped M. off he was so excited he left his lunch in the car. I handed it to the teacher on duty who called after M and handed him the lunch. BTW, I am super impressed with all the staff at this secondary school. Hubby went with us to take L to school. I'm so thankful he always makes a point to be there (and is able to) for this milestone. Now, although I have tons to do in the house so far I have shop vacced (how do you spell that???!) the car and garage (carpet strands) and am now blogging!

M wanted a picture with J, but the grass was wet.

L, first day of 4th grade