Might be awhile

Just wanted to let everyone know that we are having serious computer issues around here. My husband is going to be taking my desktop (also known as my lifeline!) in to get worked on sometime this week. God love him, he tried to "fix" it himself, and now I can't access my email or use several other features. I put fix in quotes because it wasn't exactly broken before he got his hands on it, it just wasn't doing exactly what it should be doing. Now, it pretty much does nothing at all. We still have our laptop (which is what I'm on now) but it's pretty inconvenient so I don't like to use it much. So please forgive my silence over the next week (hopefully not longer!) both on here and in the email world. In the meantime, maybe I'll actually be productive in real life! Happy Halloween everyone!

Catching up on our week

It was another crazy week around here. I ended up working every day except Monday. While the antibiotics are working, there is still a lot of gunk in my and I've pretty much lost my voice. That makes subbing a little challenging, especially with the sixth grade group who aren't quiet to begin with! While I didn't necessarily get a chance to really celebrate my birthday on Thursday, the kids tried their best to make a big deal out of it, and I tell myself the fact that I haven't cooked all week is my gift to myself (helping to alleviate the mom guilt of having take in!). Overall, nothing terribly dramatic happened in our week, and I'm very grateful for that. I have many, many things I hope to accomplish this week, but a lot depends on my work schedule. Mostly, I'm looking forward to having the entire family at home in the evenings!

Officially over

Football season officially came to an end this afternoon. Our team had to travel over 45 minutes to play our game, and unfortunately it wasn't our best game. In fact, we got crushed. We got down early in the game, and I think the fact that we had dominated most games this season really hurt us. The boys didn't know how to have to "bounce back" and instead they just began to panic. JR is not the least bit heartbroken about this, which leads me to believe that his football days may be over. My wonderful husband though, had a great time coaching and is taking it a little harder. I'm disappointed they won't have an opportunity to play for the championship next weekend, but I'm looking forward to a little more of a relaxed schedule!

Enjoying the mundane

Our life is very much mired in routine and mundane "family" things, and I'm so very grateful for that. My visit to the doctor brought me a round of antibiotics, and I'm happy to report that they seem to be doing the trick. I've almost completely lost my voice, but at least I know that I'm already on antibiotics and that things will be getting better and not worse. I also managed to accomplish getting my flu shot while I was there....bonus! I worked today, and will work again Thursday and Friday. Apparently someone requested me for tomorrow, but the sub person never called for that. I'm not really complaining because I could definitely use the time to get some errand running done. JR's football team has made the playoffs, and they've added an extra practice into our crazy week. My wonderful husband has parent conferences this evening, and both JC and HT have a scout meeting scheduled. But at this time, I'm so enjoying the fact that our biggest worry in life is wondering how we are all going to eat dinner at the same time and which parent is picking up which child. I'm so grateful!

To the doctor

I am admitting defeat and heading to the doctor this afternoon. Now, most people will tell me that going to the doctor is NOT admitting defeat. It is being an adult and accepting the fact that I might need some help in getting over whatever I've got, but I just don't see it that way. I really, really don't like going to the doctor. For whatever reason, schedule me a dentist appointment and I'm fine, but don't ask me to see a doctor. And there have been times when not going has paid off and my body has healed on its own. However two things are prompting this doctor visit. First, I am scheduled to work two days this week, and I expect November to only be busier. I hated the fact that I had to turn down two opportunities for employment today, but hopefully by doing so and getting to the doctor I'll feel better and won't have to say no again. And secondly, the cold/sinus infection has literally started coming out of my eye. Not only is this unpleasant and a little painful, but it has only happened one other time in my adult life. That was four years ago (also in the fall) and by NOT treating it quickly it led to an upper respiratory infection that not only landed me in the hospital with an allergic reaction to an antibiotic, but I ended up so sick that my in-laws had to come and stay with us for a week because I was literally too sick to function. It took me months to feel better again, and it was also when I was diagnosed with asthma. I remember how I felt during that winter, and I don't intend to sit by and let that happen again. So, to the doctor I shall go this afternoon!

It's that time of year again...

...for my annual cold/possible sinus infection. Almost frightening how I get sick at almost the same time every year. And with our current schedule, there hasn't been much time for resting. I'm hanging in there though, and grateful I can still function even if I don't feel like it!

It's also time to plan the Halloween costumes in our house. I realize some people have been working on this for weeks, possibly even months, but I'm all about trying to ignore it and see if I can get the kids on board with that. Needless to say it never happens, but my kids have grasped that the costumes need to be inexpensive and easy to put together. Two of the three are ready, and JR can always go with the slasher costume again this year if he needs to. I suspect someday my grandchildren will have elaborate Halloween costumes because my children will want to overcompensate for the Halloweens I never gave them. Doesn't change my feelings about Halloween!

Today is also the end of the regular season for JR's football team. They will be in the playoffs though, so it isn't really the end of the season. We don't have any details about that, but I'm glad he's enjoyed the season so far.

And it's also the time of year for us to provide breakfast to Sunday School. This year's requirements are 11 doz. donuts/baked goods and 3 gallons of milk. I'm mostly done, but I've still got some baking to do!

Heart melting moment

Yesterday I subbed in fourth grade. As an aside, it was the exact (and much needed) opposite of my experience on Friday. I was able to have JC in class, which was awesome, and I LOVED the topic I happened to be teaching. Anyway, HT's class went by while I was alone in the room, and I went out to wave. I heard him say, "Hurry up Mom!" but I had to go a different way to retrieve my class from lunch. When he got home yesterday, he mentioned that he had been disappointed I hadn't caught up to him to give him a hug. I melted a little, but explained that I had a job that needed to be done and it just didn't work out. It was so sweet! Today I only worked in the afternoon, and I got to school while he was out on recess. I left a little note on his desk that said, "Hi Bug. I love you very much! Mommy" As his class was returning from the computer lab later this afternoon, my class was at the daily specials class so I stepped into the hallway to wave. I heard him say, "Mom!" and he pointed to his friend Sarah who handed me a note. His teacher and I laughed at his need to pass notes in the hallway, and we were amused that he had the foresight to realize he was in the line on the other side of the hallway and had made plans to pass it to someone on "my" side of the hallway. I opened it in the room and he had written to me, "I know that!" I just can't put into words how much I love these kids and how proud I am to be their mom!

Pierced ears

Yesterday JC got her ears pierced. I have to say, she looks really cute! We've always told her that getting her ears pierced would be her gift from us on her 10th birthday, but a poor decision on her part led to her getting a new DS this summer. We contributed towards that , and that became her birthday gift for the year. I had mentioned this to my mother, and she was happy to step in and pay for JC's ear piercing as a birthday gift from her and Dad. Yesterday was finally the big day! JC and I met my mom for lunch and then ventured to the mall. She was so excited, and didn't flinch at all when they pierced her ears. She's very cute, but it's also another reminder that my kids are growing up too fast!

What are the odds?

For various reasons, everyone in this family had a rather larger lunch, and none of us ate until about 2:00. No one was really hungry then, at what would be our normal dinner time, so about 6:15 my wonderful husband decided to grill some burgers. I wasn't overly hungry, but wasn't going to argue if he wanted to handle dinner prep for the evening! Unfortunately, as he was walking in the door with our grilled burgers, he tripped, and there went our dinner all over the floor and outside on the ground. He and the boys were especially disappointed, but these things can't be helped. Cereal for dinner instead. However, as I was sitting there eating my Lucky Charms, some kind of flying bug (gnat-like) decided to take a nosedive directly into my bowl of cereal. You have got to be kidding me! So much for my dinner plan b! I decided at that point to just throw in the towel and look forward to my evening snack of popcorn!

Random Friday tidbits

It's been a very long week around here. I worked three days this week, and none of them were under ideal conditions. Monday I was called at 9:50 saying that a teacher needed to leave ASAP. It's always stressful trying to get there quickly under those conditions, although I really enjoyed the third grade class I got to teach. They were a really good group of kids. Yesterday I was called at 6:30 AM to go in for kindergarten. There must have been something in the air yesterday, because this group behaved like NO OTHER group of little ones I'd ever had before. They managed to find a way to break EVERY single playground rule in the 25 minutes they were outside, and that doesn't even begin to discuss their indoor behavior! Today I had really, really hoped I would be home because my wonderful husband had the day off for fall break. We had agreed though, that since the sub calling policy has changed, it was important that I take a job if offered today. I thought we were out of the woods, but at 7:00 the phone rang and I was to be in 6th grade today. Because of the way 6th grade is done, I knew I wouldn't be having JR, but I knew that I would know many of the kids. It was the WORST SUBBING DAY EVER. I have no idea how parents allow their children to behave the way they do, but it was absolutely astounding, appalling, and just downright disrespectful. I had a headache by 9:15 (school begins at 8:50) and sadly, that was the "best" class of the day. I haven't been able to stop talking to my husband about what a wretched day it was.

Last evening I took HT to our local fire department with his cub scouts. I am astounded and amazed that out of all the second grade boys in our town, the three boys that have decided to join scouts are, without a doubt, the three worst behaved boys in the second grade. It is so frustrating for me, because HT is such a follower. He rarely causes trouble by instigating something, but he always manages to find trouble and jump in. Needless to say, the addition of these new scouts is not making cub scouts the positive experience we had hoped it would be.

Speaking of scouts, more drama ensued in JR's group. My husband and I are getting a little tired of the fact that there has been more drama the last three months (2 episodes) than there have been meetings (that would be none). We did some research and found another scout troop that we think would be great for JR, and as a bonus, JR had mentioned that he would really prefer to be with this group because he knows both the boys and the adults better. The only downside is that they aren't going to be "official" until early in 2012, so we just have to bide our time until that can happen. We are excited about this opportunity though, so good things do happen out of frustrating/less than pleasant things!

JC also got back into the routine of scout meetings this week. Her leader resigned so the asst. leader (who was the one doing all the work anyway) has taken over. Unfortunately, no one has stepped up to be the new asst. leader so they are in danger of having to disband. I told my husband that while JC talks about enjoying girl scouts, I don't understand how that can be. I've witnessed the girls from scouts being mean to her (and others) and I just don't understand how she can enjoy being around such mean people. I know that she enjoys the activities, and I really think that might be more the case than actually enjoying the troop. I feel a little badly for not stepping up to help out as an asst, but it's really, really not something I enjoy (and I didn't enjoy it as a child) and I'm also convinced that again, if this falls apart, it means that she will have the opportunity to try something even better for her.

There is officially one week of football left, but unofficially we know that it will probably be at least two more weeks, and possibly three. There is about a 95% chance that JR's team is going to make the playoffs. I'm excited for the boys, and grateful that JR is enjoying the experience of being part of a successful team, but my husband and I are starting to grow weary of waving to each other when one of us is leaving as the other is arriving home.

On the upside after all of my complaining, the kids are enjoying school and doing fairly well. JC and JR have both had some adjustments to how things are being done this year, but they have mostly worked through them and we are pleased. They've made new friends, and we are happy with their teachers and how the school year is going. And as always, even though we are crazy busy, we are grateful for the opportunities and blessings!

Homecoming at our house

Last evening was homecoming for our school district. JR was in the parade with his sixth grade team, and my husband was one of the coach supervisor's on the "float" (really a flatbed). He took HT with him, and JC and I watched from along the parade route. Because we only live a block from the parade route, several of our good friends met us here and we all walked over together. As we were walking back, we were discussing dinner. We decided to order a few pizzas to feed the seven adults and eight kids, and we are ended up spending several hours here. It was a gorgeous evening, and the adults enjoyed our time on the front porch while the kids enjoyed lots of fun outdoor activities before setting down to some board games later in the evening. It was so fun having an impromptu gathering at our house with so many good friends!

A pretty crappy day

Sadly, it was a pretty crappy day, and most unfortunately, I mean that literally. I subbed in kindergarten today, and one of the little ones had an unfortunate accident in her pants. Thanks to poor decisions made at school I also have two grounded children, and I spent the evening at a scout meeting where a child (thankfully not mine!) was completely and totally out of control. He was rude, disrespectful, and disruptive, and his mom just sat there and did nothing. I'm enjoying a glass of wine and some peace and quiet before I have to deal with another day...which will undoubtedly be better!

Date night

Last evening, after football practice had finished, my husband and I treated ourselves to a date night. Someone mentioned that it was a shame that we had to wait until football practice was over, but that made me laugh. Our very first date ever was also on October 4 (which is why we decided to treat ourselves last night) and it was also worked around football. It was on a Thursday evening because we obviously couldn't go on a Friday night (games), our next several Saturdays already had commitments, and Thursday was the day that practice ended the earliest and my (now) wonderful husband could make the 75 minute drive from where he taught to where I lived. The one year anniversary of our very first date is very memorable. We didn't celebrate that night because it fell on a Friday and guess what...there was a football game. I vividly remember sitting in what was considered to be hurricane remnant rains and just wanting the game to end. We did celebrate the next evening though, and that was actually the evening we became engaged. That however, is another post for another day. Anyway, my husband and I really enjoyed taking about an hour to escape the house and just hang out as the two of us. It's definitely a rare treat these days!

It makes all the difference

About once a month, our school district has a one hour delay for teacher inservice. I love those days! Today was one of those mornings. I am amazed at how that extra hour of sleep makes things run more smoothly here. We still have 65 minutes until school begins, and the kids leave 15 minutes before that. Normally at this time frame before school begins I haven't seen any of my children physically moving and I'm hollering up the stairs to make sure they are doing so. Today though, not only are they all up, but they are dressed and have already completed some of their morning chores. It's really a much nicer way to begin the morning. I can't really blame them for not being so happy/jolly/jump-out-of bed on the other mornings though. They have a mom who is most certainly NOT a morning person!

Little houses

Our house is small, and some days it feels unbelievably small! We've done many things over the last several years to make our tiny house more functional, and there are so many things I absolutely love about our house. I love our location, and that we are able to walk to the school, the bank, the library, several eateries (Mexican is only a block away!), the hardware store, and even the little one screen theater in town. We have amazing neighbors for whom we are very grateful. This is the only house my husband and I have lived in during our married life and this is the house where we brought our children home. Our house was built in 1865 and in my opinion, has a lot of charm. Of course there are drawbacks, not the least of which is the size and the lack of storage. Some days, especially in the cooler months, it feels as though we just can't get away from each other. But that makes me think of a song that was out when I was in college. Doug Stone sang a song entitled, Little Houses. I absolutely love the lyrics of that song and have decided to share them here. I choose to think about those things when I think about our house!

Little Houses lyrics
Songwriters: Ewing, Skip; Cates, Mickey;

A little white house, in the heart of town
On a little sad street, just a little run down
Became a home, for Bill and Sue
Two newlyweds, who did the best that they could do

And when they brush each other, passin' in the hall
Sue would smile and say, "This place is pretty small"

"But you know, love grows best in little houses
With fewer walls to separate
Where you eat and sleep so close together
You can't help but communicate
Oh, and if we had more room between us, think of all we'd miss
Love grows best, in houses just like this"

Before too long, Sue and Bill
Were makin' plans, for Jack and Jill
Oh, happy day, when the news came in
But what to do, when they found out Sue was having twins

When they could not pass each other in the hall
Well, Sue would smile and say, "This place is really, really small"

"But you know, love grows best in little houses
With fewer walls to separate
Where you eat and sleep so close together
You can't help but communicate
Oh, and if we had more room between us, think of all we'd miss
Love grows best, in houses just like this"

That little white frame house still keeps them warm
Though it's been thirty-two years, since the kids were born
And when they look back now, they hold each other tight
And whisper in each other's ears, "You know you were right"

"Because love grows best in little houses
With fewer walls to separate
Where you eat and sleep so close together
You can't help but communicate
Oh, and if we had more room between us, think of all we'd miss
Love grows best, in houses just like this
Yeah, love grows best, in houses just like this

Midwest Living

There are so many things I love about living in the midwest, and almost all of them have to do with fall! When I was younger I never particularly liked the fall decorations...so many things were brown and orange that I didn't find it appealing. Now though, I love decorating for fall. To me, it is the coziest season. Rarely is it so cold that it's unpleasant, but the coziness of a sweatshirt or a warm jacket can't be beat. And the colors are so gorgeous! I love the pumpkins and I love the beauty of the leaves changing color. I love the sound of the crisp leaves under our feet and I love the smells of the fireplaces. Fall in the midwest also means football, and we all know I love that! Fall is, without a doubt, my favorite season.

And yet, I also find fall marked with a tinge of sadness in it. After all, it's the season of dying, the leaves, the plants, outdoors is shutting down. It's also heading into the end of the year. And while the holidays are an absolutely wonderful time, the end of the year always makes me reflective and a little sad about the passage of time. The fall is also when the school year starts again. While that is obviously a beginning and not an ending (although it does mean the end to our glorious carefree days!) it too marks the passage of time and the fact that my "babies" are another year older. With my obsessive personality, I find that I have to fight very hard against focusing on these things in the fall. Instead, I make sure I decorate (in those wonderful orange and browns!) and I cheer for our favorite football teams, and I soak in all the wonderful, absolutely wonderful things that living in the midwest brings us each fall!

Still undefeated

JR's team won again last evening. I'm amazed that we started this game in the 5:00 range. As I pointed out to my sister at the time, at 5:50 it was halftime...the week before we were still 15 minutes away from even starting the game. Anyway, it was a good game, and it pretty much sealed the fact that his team ought to make the playoffs. Not sure if I had mentioned, but as of last week JR has been moved to playing wide receiver. They'd had lots of injuries at that position and had asked if he was willing to move. The head coach had told my husband that he'd get more playing time by making the move. We are disappointed, very disappointed, that he's getting less time than he did before. We know that it's hard to get 50 kids playing time (yep, that's how big the team is!) and we also recognize that JR isn't the best, but we'd still like to see him be able to play a little more. He enjoys the victories though, no matter how much or how little he plays, and we are glad that he's learning that lesson...the lesson about the team.