...sickly...

I'm a little "under the weather" today. I've lost my voice COMPLETELY, and, ya' know, when you are a teacher, you pretty much talk ALL.DAY.LONG. So, I had to stay at home today. I'm not sure what to do about tomorrow... I don't feel exactly 100%, but this isn't the sickest I've ever been, either... But, I seriously can only make a small squeaky noise out of my mouth. I don't know HOW I can control a classroom full of active 3rd graders without a voice!

Suggestions?

IRON MAN 2010

First of all, yes, I know that it has been 10 forevers since I have posted, but hey, I am ridiculously busy. In fact, I should already be in bed. But, at one point in my life, this blog was a little bit like a "diary" of what was going on in our lives. If I want it to STILL be a reflection of our lives, I really do need to post more regularly...

But, in reality, that likely won't happen, so OH, WELL!

This past weekend, we took a little camping trip down to the Austin area and got ready for a little triathlon.

Actually, it was a BIG triathlon. Luke and his friend, Will, competed in a half Iron Man triathlon. Here they are: (Thank goodness for my friend, Shelley, who always has her camera... I totally stole this pic from her blog. You can go look at the rest of her pics right HERE.)
If you're not familiar with triathlon lingo, a half Iron Man means that they swam 1.2 miles, they biked 56 miles, and then ran 13.1 miles.

Yep, it's a little bit crazy, but they did GREAT!

Despite the fact that we had not one but TWO flat tires on our camper on the trip down, nearly missed the check in time for Luke, Luke had a flat tire during the bike portion of the race, Will had some stomach sickness during the run portion of the race, we had some "technical difficulties" with the slide-out part of our camper as we were getting ready to leave the camp site, AND... we had a problem with the emergency brake on the ride home... the trip was still a success! ha ha!

My newest most favorite quotation...

"Be who you are and say what you need to say because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind." — Dr. Seuss

Have you ever heard anything more true than that???

Dr. Seuss was a lot smarter than we sometimes give him credit for...

Just a little "Gracie Humor"...

... because everyone needs a laugh now and then!

Today her Kindergarten teacher comes and finds me (which in itself should have been a sign), and says she just HAS to tell me what Grace said earlier in the day...

Oh, NO!

Oh, Yes.

I guess it was a little warmer than usual today and the class had been at P.E. and they had been running. Miss Grace comes back into the classroom after P.E., and she is fanning herself. She announces (loudly, and unsolicited), "WHEW! It is HOT out there! I am sweating like a sinner in church!"

Oh. My. Goodness.

Where did she hear THAT?!?!?!?!

I could have DIED.

At least her teacher got a good laugh today...

I'm not dead...

... although you might think so, since it has been so long since my last post! We have just been so busy.

Work is... well, work. It keeps me insanely busy, but (at least for now!) I am still enjoying it.

All three girls have begun soccer. All three girls are on different teams. All three girls are in different age divisions. All three girls play and practice at different times. It is insanely busy. I am seriously thankful that soccer only lasts for 6 weeks...

On a bright note, today is my BIRTHDAY!! Happy day to me! I have worked hard to earn these 39 years, and I embrace every wrinkle. Hope I have another 39+ years to go!!

Just catching up...

Since it's Labor Day and I don't have to work, (YAY!!) I am taking the time to upload some old pictures today from the past few weeks. I just had a few of them on my phone, but if I have time later, I may try to get some more of the "real" camera.

Here are my girls on Homecoming this past Friday.
Here is Grace with her teacher on the first day of Kindergarten.
And here is Abby with her teacher on the first day of 3rd grade!!
Hope YOUR Labor Day is as FANTASTIC as ours!! We are loving having the day off. Happy Labor Day!

Answered Prayers

God has heard me and answered my prayers.

Abby went in and had some tests done this week. Today Luke got the report back and SHE IS JUST FINE. She does have a murmur, but it is nothing that we should be concerned about.

Thank you, Lord, for answering prayers!

TARDY

As I'm a teacher and all, I was thinking I should use some "jargon" from my profession in this post, and the only word that came to mind was "Tardy".

Because I am so late in getting any posts up on my blog. I'm TARDY.

It's not that I don't have anything to post... I have TONS to post. It's actually astounding how much I have to say, but no time in which to say it. I am perpetually late these days. I think it's something I'm just going to have to get used to.

I DO have a prayer request... For the two people who still read my blog...

Last week my little Abby was complaining of some chest pain and dizziness after running during P.E. Because I am a great mom, I told her not to worry about it. She was just hot, and that pain was probably just a stitch in her side. I'm real accurate like that (sarcasm!!) I should have known better, as Abby's not really much of a whiner. That evening, as she was still complaining, Luke got out his stethoscope and listened to her chest. She has a whopper of a heart murmur. We now have an appointment with a pediatric cardiologist. Luke says not to worry yet, so I am choosing not to worry. (I am also watching her like a hawk, and not letting her run or get hot AT ALL until after this appointment, just to be on the safe side!!)

Pray it's not a big deal, and pray she outgrows it.

Soon.

And I'll try not to be so TARDY with my next posts.

I did not cry...

...but it was still tougher than I thought dropping off my baby for Kindergarten today. She did great. I was oh, so proud of her. She was big and brave and wonderful, and I felt a chapter of our "book of life" slamming shut. We have no more pre schoolers. No more babies. We even have a *GASP* Jr. High Student living in our house now! I won't lie... it was tough.

But I am so very happy and reaffirmed that the decision I made last year to go back to work was THE RIGHT DECISION. Even though Kate is in Jr. High, she's just down the hall. Even though Grace is in Kindergarten, she's really just down the hall in the opposite direction. Abby is literally next door to me. I see them all day, every day. I love that. I am SOOOOOO much a part of their lives. Maybe more than ever!

I did take pictures this morning, but I'll be really honest... I'm too tired to load them right now. Soon, I promise!

Day #1 was a huge, wonderful, awesome, great SUCCESS.

Bring on day #2!!

Well, Hi there.

Well, Hi there! Haven't heard from me in quite some time, huh?

Let's just say it's been a LITTLE busy this week.

I've been in "teacher training" since last Friday, while at the same time trying to get my classroom ready for "Meet the Teacher" Night, which was last night.

I DID IT!

My room looked great, and I had 11 little darlings come out to meet me. I am going to call it a success.

On an even brighter note, dear hubby was in charge of taking OUR three darlings to meet the teacher night. Alone. As in without me. And, did I mention he also had to manage to drop off their school supplies with their teachers and additionally find all 8 classrooms in the Jr. High, get her schedule, find her locker, AND attend 6th grade orientation? (I know... I know... Your head is spinning. Mine was, too. I thought this had "DISASTER" written all over it!)

But, clearly I don't give the man enough credit. He did fine. Better than fine, actually. He did GREAT. Everyone was happy, and they got everything accomplished. I think hubby feels very proud of his accomplishment!

Now, today, one last day of teacher inservice and planning. Then comes what I am referring to as the "Last Free Weekend For A Very, Very, Very Long Time". I am hoping to enjoy it and *GASP* not go to my classroom over the weekend.

Because, on MONDAY, "it" begins!!!!!

I think I am ready. And, in the words of Rhino the Hamster from the movie "Bolt"...

LET IT BEGIN!!!