Back to the classroom tomorrow

I am very excited that I get to be back in the classroom tomorrow.  I'm especially grateful it is only 1/2 day...it's a great way to give it a try.  I'll be at the high school, and it's for a computer technology class.  It's definitely going to be different then what I've done in the past.  Wednesday I have a half day in a 5th grade classroom, and then Friday I'm back at the high school all day in an Ag class.  I'm really excited about these opportunities, and I'm so very grateful for the extra money!

Where did October go?

I really can't get over how quickly October has flown by.  It really seems as though the month just started, and yet tomorrow is November.  It seems so hard to believe.

The weather is very un-November like though.  We are going to be in the upper 70's, and possibly even lower 80's in the middle of this week.  I am so not looking forward to that.  I appreciate that we aren't having to turn on the heat, but I don't really want to have to turn on the a/c either!

This week also brings the end of marching band, and for that I am grateful.  In addition to my time commitment, the drama has been ridiculous the last couple of weeks.  Friday though, is the beginning of swim practice...so never a dull moment!

A really great day of sports TV viewing

Yesterday was Saturday, which is of course, a great day of the week!  Add in our easy schedule for the day, and the TV, and it was almost a perfect day!  I LOVE college football.  I enjoy the NFL, but I absolutely love college football.  I was able to get many things done around the house early, and during the noon game.  Michigan played Michigan State.  Last year's game was so dramatic, and with a resurgent Michigan I was looking forward to watching the game.  Wasn't really much of a game though, so I got some more stuff done.  The 3:30 slate brought Notre Dame playing Miami at the same time Ohio State played Northwestern.  They both ended up being much closer games than I had hoped they would be, and we did a lot of flipping back and forth.  That brought us to the Cubs/Indians World Series Game 4 last evening.  The Indians were pretty much in control the entire evening.  Rarely is there ever such a fabulous sports day on TV, and even more rarely do I actually get to watch it!

A wonderful Saturday at home

This is going to go down as one of my favorite days.  I know as I get older I'm becoming more and more of a "homebody".  I remember being a teen and not understanding how my Dad could want to be home so much.  Now, I completely get it.  Nothing brings me greater happiness than an evening at home with my entire family.  Even if we aren't really doing anything, this is where I love to be.  And after 1:00 today, none of us had anywhere to be.  Thomas had art class and we were home from that at 10:30 this morning.  Andrew worked as manager for the football game this morning, then he ran to the grocery and was home by 1:00.  I had put together two crock pots of potato soup, and we were all home and in.  The only thing that could've made the day better was if it was about 10 degrees cooler.  The temps today were in the upper 70's and I would've loved a fire in the fireplace.  As it was, the windows are open.  Regardless, I know it is going to be a very long time before we are able to have another day like today, and I'm very grateful for it!

She's doing great!

I am so happy to report that Catherine is doing great recovering from her oral surgery and having eight teeth removed.  She had a rough go of it first, and particularly hated that her lips felt fuzzy.  Once that was under control, she has been marvelous!  She only had some ibuprofen once yesterday, although we did give her some pain meds to make sure she got through the night.  This morning when she woke up she was uncomfortable and much more swollen.  I gave her one dose of ibuprofen again, we applied some ice, and she's been good every since.  In fact, we've told her that she REALLY needs to allow herself to stay down and rest.  I am so impressed with her toughness, and I'm so grateful for how well she is doing!

I even enjoy the dreary days in October

I honestly don't think I am more in love with any season than I am with fall.  Andrew took a personal day today, and as we were driving back from an appointment we had, I was noticing the leaves.  It was an overcast, dreary day, although it never did much more than sprinkle rain.  I made the comment to Andrew that I even enjoy the dreary days in the fall.  They are so cozy.  I'm so grateful to be a midwest girl in the fall!

Teeth extraction

We would appreciate any good thoughts that could come our way.  Tomorrow, my sweet Catherine is having not one, not two, but EIGHT teeth extracted.  Four of them are wisdom teeth, and four others need to come out as well.  My sweet girl doesn't really understand how she is going to feel this weekend.  She is missing not only a football marching performance tomorrow evening, but a band contest on Saturday as well.  She mentioned to me that she knew she wouldn't be able to play her clarinet on Saturday, but could she march?  Oh God love her!  Nope.  Not going to happen.  I mentioned that we aren't even sure that she'll be able to go back to school on Monday.  In fact, I didn't tell her this but I suspect that she will not.  I am dreading this weekend, although on the upside, it takes some things off our calendar and we can have a semi-quiet weekend.

October baseball in the Midwest

This World Series is honestly the most fun I've ever had watching a baseball game that didn't involved my beloved Reds.  The long cursed Cubs are playing the often maligned Indians.  I've heard a lot of fans say that if the team they were rooting against were playing any other team they'd be rooting for them.  Our best friends in our former town are an absolutely split house.  She was born and raised in the Cleveland area, he is a die-hard (and sometimes obnoxious) Cubs fan.  They have four kids that are basically split 2/2.  Our house is split with Andrew and Robert for the Cubs, Thomas and myself for the Indians, and Catherine doesn't really care.  I decided on the Indians because I'm not going to root against Ohio, and also because our Cubs fan friend can be so obnoxious!  I would prefer Midwest baseball in October be played in Cincinnati, but since that isn't going to happen, it's fun to watch these two teams play!

I really love October

I truly, truly love the month of October.  I think it is such a gorgeous month.  It's certainly been warmer than normal this year, although since this weekend it has been absolutely fabulous.  I've found such a great deal of peace in driving around looking at the scenery.  Even though we are only about 30 miles southwest of our former town, there's more wooded areas here and it is just so beautiful.  I'm so very grateful for this time of year!

Baking sales

Even though I'm not a baker myself, I truly love seeing the sales on baking items.  It must mean that the holidays are nearly upon us!  While there are those who feel Halloween is the beginning of the holiday season, I am not among them.  Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year, and I love the week or so that leads up to it...because I know what's coming!  We aren't entirely certain what our plans will be for the year, but we are looking forward to family.  And all of this can't be too far away, because the grocery had lots of baking sales this week!

Sick hubby

Andrew is home sick today.  He's been feeling icky for about 24 hours, and since football is officially over (as of last evening) he decided to stay home today.  We've actually been looking forward to these days because I would be able to be his sub.

Not so fast though!  Today is one of the days that my volunteer job for our band requires me to be in the school the entire day. UGH!!!  So ironic!  Knowing my husband, this might very well be the only day all year that he has an unexpected sick day  I would love to be able to be him on my very first day back in the classroom just to get my feet wet and get acclimated again, but that just isn't an option today.

Ironically, my good friend who is an elementary teacher also sent me a text this morning asking if I could go in and be her this afternoon.  Nope, still can't!  I actually also have to go do my church job after I'm done with my volunteer responsibilities so I just can't today.  I would love to, and hope that the assignments start kicking in sooner rather than later.  I'm scheduled to be in on a day that Andrew has a field trip in a month, but hopefully I'll have a opportunity before that.  I'm ready to get back at it!

So excited to be getting back into the classroom

I am officially in the system to be a substitute teacher in our district.  I am so excited!  I am looking forward to be getting back into the classroom, and I'm excited about a little extra income.  I wasn't sure this was something that I was ready for, but after attending an orientation session today, I know for certainty that I am!  I'm looking forward to being around the kids and I'm grateful that I know a few of them, especially at the high school.   I know there will be changes again here at home, but I also know that I don't intend to do it quite the way I did it before.  While we could still use the extra money, I'm not going to accept a job at the expense of what we need to be doing here at home and our family's schedule.  Overall though, I'm very excited!

When will Fall arrive?

It seems so hard to believe that it is past the mid-point of October, and I am still sitting in my house in shorts and t-shirts with the windows open!  By the weekend, the highs are going to be in the 50's...I can't wait for that to arrive!  The leaves are changing and it is absolutely gorgeous around here.  It's so peaceful and I'm grateful for these days, but I'll be just a bit happier when the cooler temps arrive!

Some evenings all together

Monday evening, Catherine wasn't feeling well.  She had a deep cough and a cold, and I just didn't feel that she needed to be at band practice.  Not only would she be out and about in the chilly air, but she would be up later than I would prefer.  We decided it wouldn't hurt her to stay home.  Normally Andrew would have a football game on Wednesday, but a few weeks ago it had been moved to Thursday.  That meant that our family had two evenings together this week!  We actually were all in the same place last evening as well, but somehow all of us doing different things at a football game doesn't exactly count!  Regardless, I loved those two evenings together, and I think the rest of the family did as well.  While these evenings have been rather rare for the last two months, I'm grateful that our family appreciates them when they occur!

Cross country league meet

This morning was the league meet for the boys' cross country season.  For Thomas, it was the final meet.  He set a new PR of 23:19.  Overall, the middle school boys won the league trophy.  It made my heart smile to see how pleased Thomas was to hold onto the trophy and feel as though he is part of that team.  I'm so grateful for how the boys, all of whom are clearly significantly more athletic than our little guy, accept him as part of the team.

Robert ran 20:18, his best time of the season...of all three races he has finished.  Because of injury to others runners, he will still be able to participate in district competition next weekend.  We aren't sure if we are going to be able to be there, but we will worry about that when the time comes along.  The high school team came in third overall, and some friends' son place in the top ten so that was very exciting.

To be honest, there is almost nothing, especially in these politically charged days, that can reaffirm my faith in humanity like these cross country experiences!

Homecoming isn't what it used to be

I am really a little bit astonished at how Homecoming is not at all what it used to be.  I went to Homecoming two out of my four high school years.  Both years I purchased dresses (one of which was considered my birthday present from my grandmother) that I could also wear the next morning at church.  They were just simply nice dresses.  Not so anymore!  Now the expectation is a cocktail dress.  And don't even get me started on how unbelievably short some of the dresses are.  I mean, my goodness!  And then there are the pictures.  For our kids two weeks ago, we just stood in the front yard, in front of a tree, and took some pictures.  However, both of the "other" sets of parents then took the kids and took them to sites around town to take pics.  And apparently, this is the thing to do.  In our former town, some of the families drove into the city to take some pictures at certain fountains or museums.  Are you kidding me?  I'm hearing I better get used to this in terms of senior pictures.  All those years ago, I had four outfits and they took a total of 20 pictures...all in the studio.  The props used were things at the studio.  Now?  Well if you don't have any outdoor pictures you might as well get over it.  I also had one mom tell me yesterday that her daughter wants to have outdoor pictures taken...at several different sites.  I am apparently entirely too old and to be raising teens today!

Best time yet

This morning the boys had their final regular season cross country meet.  It's our favorite meet of the season.  The course is wonderful, the meet is well run, and the park in which it is held is absolutely gorgeous this time of year.  Today was an absolutely perfect day as well.  My mom and grandmother came down to see the boys run.  Robert had a really great finish, and he really kicked it in at the end.  We were standing in a great spot to be able to see his determination.  It was his best finish of the season (sadly, there have only been two) and it's still questionable whether or not he is able to compete in the post season race.  It will be determined next week at the league meet.  But we are very impressed and pleased with where he is with things right now.  Thomas's race was the final race of the day.  He finished last, but was able to take nearly an entire minute off his best time and set a new PR.  We were so proud of him!  I was also so grateful that my mom & grandma were able to be there as well and see them.  It's been a great day!

It didn't work out at all as we had planned

Last evening, Andrew and I were really looking forward to an evening out just the two of us.  I had decided we would combine it with my birthday dinner, and that way I wouldn't feel so guilty about the amount of money we would be spending.  There are few really nice restaurants here in town.  After all, it's a college town and bar food is the norm.  We decided we would try a different one then the one we normally go to.  It would be a little less expensive but we'd hood fabulous things about it.  It's Italian, which isn't my favorite, but I had checked out the menu online and was willing to give it a try.  We called Thursday to make a reservation and they mentioned they didn't do that, but that we could call Friday and do "Call ahead seating".  They opened at 5.  We called at 5:20 and the earliest they could get us in was 8:00.  We were a little astounded, and couldn't make that work since Robert would be off work no later than 9 and we are still his transportation.  We decided we would just go to the restaurant we usually visit...a little more expensive but we know we like it.  I headed out to take Robert to work and told Andrew to go ahead and call them and get us a reservation.  Unfortunately, it appears as though that restaurant has shut down for good.  We are stunned.  We ended up going to a Mexican restaurant with good food, but it wasn't at all what either of us really wanted.  To make matters worse, I was brought the wrong food for my meal.  They were able to fix it quickly, but it just kind of fit with how the entire evening had gone.  Andrew and I were both disappointed, but ultimately, we are grateful we had the time to spend together.  We are grateful we have each other, no matter where we are eating dinner!

Into my favorite season

Fall officially began two weeks ago, but you wouldn't necessarily know it by the weather.  We did manage to have some days last week in the 60's, but there have been plenty in the upper 70's & even 80's as well.  This weekend is going to bring a cold front though, and I'm looking forward to much cooler temps.  I'm also looking forward to the leaves beginning to change.  They are starting to a bit, but not nearly as much as I remember in years past.

There is just something I find so incredibly peaceful about this time of year.  Even driving is so calm and relaxing.  I had to take Thomas to our former town for a doctor appointment and he was commenting on how much enjoyed looking out and seeing the farms.  It's almost indescribable.  I'm so grateful for these days!

Friday has arrived again, and there is no football tonight!

This week has gone quickly, but I don't mind.  Except, of course, that the weekends go even quicker!  Time is flying by, and I'm well aware of that.

Andrew and I have especially been looking forward to this evening.  Four out of the last six weeks there have been home football games which require Catherine, Andrew, and myself to be at the stadium.  Another weekend was an away game, but Catherine was still required to attend and Andrew went along to keep stats.  Tonight though, no one is required to do any football related activities.  It will be the last football-free Friday evening for the next month, and Andrew and I are taking advantage.  We are going out to dinner to celebrate the anniversary of our first date (and engagement, a year later) and also to celebrate my birthday later this month.  Robert still has to work, but only for a few hours.  By 9:30 this evening, we should all be home!  The fact that we all get to sleep in until nearly 8:00 tomorrow is even an added bonus.

Old videos

The house is actually picked up and presentable, and I have no place I need to be until I leave to pick up the boys from practice.  This is VERY rare these days, so I took a "me" day.  I allowed myself to sleep and sleep this morning.  I've done a couple of loads of laundry, but other than that I am pretty much just hanging out.  I had been wanting to watch some old videos for awhile, and decided today was a good day to do that.  The first one I watched was Christmas of 1989.  I heard my Dad's voice, and it made me teary...and it was just the beginning.  I watched a family reunion video from 1987, and so many of my great-aunts and distant cousins have now passed away.  I watched Thanksgiving of 1986 which was the very first year we had the video camera.  My youngest cousin was only two, and she was definitely the center of attention.  It was also the last year my maternal grandfather was alive and I'm so grateful for that video.  I was a little astounded as I watched Christmas of 1990 where I introduced myself as a junior...the very age Robert is now!  My favorite family video is my college graduation video.  It's the last video I have of my paternal grandfather (he became ill that fall) and in the video my dad is seen giving me a huge hug.  He also became ill that summer, although he survived for another 17 years.

There were also lots of videos with friends, and it truly warmed my heart.  So many videos had my friend Andy in them.  Even though he now lives in Chicago, we see each other whenever we can.  Which reminds me...it has now been 18 months and we need to try to plan another visit.  All of the friends' videos had Stephanie and Chad in them.  They are my two closest friends in the entire world.  I laughed so many times because we've always known each other so well, and so many things haven't changed.  I couldn't help but think about the night before my dad's funeral.  Andy was in town and staying at a motel in our hometown.  Andrew and I decided we would stay there as well because it was too much driving otherwise.  We managed to get a room right across the hall from Andy.  After we put the kids down, Andrew and I went over to Andy's room, and Chad and Steph were there as well.  We were able to hang out for several hours, and I remember feeling the greatest sense of peace that I could possibly imagine.  Chad and I had a conversation later that, outside of my immediate family, the three most important people to me in the entire world, were in that room that evening.  There is no other way I would've rather spent that evening.

I'm so grateful for the opportunity to watch these videos.  I'm so grateful for the memories, and I'm so grateful for the reminders to cherish those who are still with us!

Our engagement anniversary

It was on this date, many, many years ago, that Andrew and I became engaged.  It was exactly one year and one day after our first date.  For some reason, it is really kind of hitting me this year.  I just can't believe how much time has passed since that day.  I'm so grateful for the days we have together, and I hope we aren't even half way through those days.  At the same time, oh our days of this crazy parenting are so much more than half over.  I'm so in love with this life we have right now, even as exhausting as it is.  I wouldn't trade this time together for anything at all.

Another race last evening

Thomas had another race last evening.  Both boys will race this weekend, but there is a chance, because of the schedules of the others, that I may not get to see Robert race again.  It stinks, but as parents we do what we have to do.

Robert and Catherine were with us for this race.  I can't help but worry about Thomas and how long he takes.  Goodness, he doesn't move quickly.  At the same time he is exactly who I would be if I had ever thought about running.  I'm proud of him for never complaining, and never, ever asking to quit.  He's a part of the team, and he's enjoying the success as a team overall.

And folks, there is nothing like the sportsmanship of cross country.  I mean nothing like it!  My young guy finished second to last, as he pretty much does every single time.  His time was slower, because basically he pushes himself just hard enough to not finish last, so his time depends on the strength of the runner behind him.  There was one young man who finished behind Thomas, and I always make sure I stay and cheer on any runners who are behind Thomas.  They deserve the cheers for finishing as well.  After the race, the young man came by Thomas, and these two congratulated each other on running a good race.  And it was a good race because both of them finished.  I love, love, love seeing the sportsmanship.  It give me faith that there is still some kindness left in the world!

They all went well for the first time in years

Last week, we finished up the third of our three sets of parent teacher conferences.  For the first time in about six years, ALL of them went well.  Catherine is actually the one struggling the most with her grades, but that is part of the adjustment she needs to learn from middle school to high school.  We are keeping our fingers crossed that Robert stays determined and motivated, and I actually cried at conferences for Thomas.  Andrew was able to come along for that one (although he was part of Catherine's, he was only able to hear from one other teacher).  Sixth grade was just a complete flop for Thomas.  He didn't seem to know whether he was coming or going, and there were a lot of tears of frustration.  This summer, we began him on a very low dose of medication to help with his focus issues.  I had suspected for years Thomas might need some help, but because he didn't have the hyperactivity component, it was written off more as either laziness or a lack or organization.  I was just as guilty of that at times as the teachers.  Finally after sixth grade math, which is something Thomas is VERY good at, with my son sitting in tears because of barely passing things, I knew we had a problem.  This year, I sat and listened to fabulous reports across the board from ALL of his teachers.  It was kind of astounding, and when they even showed me some of the classroom work he was completing, I actually got tears in my eyes.  I'm so grateful for the medications that, even at such a very low dose, can help my son succeed and reach his potential.  I'm so grateful for the alternate way that Robert has an opportunity to learn by being in a career based program that motivates him, and I'm so grateful for Catherine's teachers, who while understanding that she is struggling a little, all mentioned what a truly nice young lady and hard worker she is.  I know all of this being so great won't last, but we will take it while it does!

Moving on into October

It is October.  Yep, sure is.  I love this month.  I pretty much always have.  Of course, it doesn't hurt that it is my birthday month.  It is also the month that Andrew and I began dating all those years ago.  And of course, generally speaking the weather is gorgeous.

Right now, I'm also feeling a little overwhelmed by the month, but we will get through.  Life is good, and very blessed, and I'm grateful for each day.

The first Saturday of October

October has finally arrived.  September felt like such a long month.  Andrew and I are understanding and accepting of how our lives are working and that we just don't get to see a lot of each other right now.  We also know that it is temporary though, and life will settle down in a few weeks.

Of course all Saturdays in the fall involve college football.  Notre Dame and OSU both had great wins today.  I was able to watch them because I personally had no place to be!  I had to transport some kids here and there, but that was the extent of my schedule as they were all "drop and go" activities.  This evening, Andrew has taken the younger two to a baseball game and Robert is working.  I'm enjoying the quiet time (and of course watching some football).

I'm also enjoying the cooler weather.  There will be a warm up this week, but hopefully nothing above the 70's.  The weather this fall has led to not much color yet, but I am hoping that come eventually.  I find the color changing such a peaceful experience.  There are so many things I love about this season!