Nothing to really enjoy about this game

Today, the Redhawks are playing at South Bend.  Honestly, there is nothing I am going to enjoy about this game.  As an underdog, I would love to see my alma mater knock off a big school, especially in their home.  However, as an Irish fan, there is no way I can root against them.  One way or another, one of "my" teams has to lose this game.  Ugh!

Yesterday was a real day off

I only worked 2-1/2 days this week, which is my minimum goal for the week.  I had to be off Tuesday because Thomas and Catherine both had a doctor appointment in the afternoon, and I had a meeting in the morning.  I also had parent/teacher conferences in the evening for Catherine, and because Andrew worked late I was the sole transportation for everyone.  It wasn't exactly a day "off".  I was willing to work yesterday, but the only jobs available were in phys ed and special ed.  Since I had worked such a great deal and have a good number of jobs scheduled, I allowed myself to be picky.  I didn't take a job.  I stayed home and I SLEPT.  I slept for several hours in the morning, then I went to the church office to complete payroll and a few other smaller items.  After finishing my job there, I came home and slept some more!  I had no idea I could sleep that much, but I definitely needed it.  I even still went to bed and fell fast asleep at my normal time.  Even with all of that sleeping, I still managed to get two loads of laundry finished, get dinner made, dishes done, and the house picked up.  Yesterday was much needed in many, many ways!

Sharing game moments with his dad

I watched with such mixed emotions at Thomas's game Wednesday evening.  Part of me couldn't wait for him to get in the game.  At the same time, as long as he was on the sidelines it seemed much safer for him.  He was basically his father's shadow as the game started.  I know part of it was that he heard his dad tell a story about how he wanted to put a player into the game last week, but that player was challenging to locate so he sent in someone else.  Thomas wasn't taking any chances on missing his opportunity!  He also knows that is a good way to learn things that are happening.  The game quickly turned into a blowout (not in our favor) and I know Thomas would have his chance.

My sister had come to watch the game, and Catherine was sitting with us also.  Robert was working on the chains and I'm not even sure if he got to see much of the action.  The very first play Thomas was in he lined up as a receiver (which means it was a running play...he probably isn't going to actually touch the ball this year).  As soon as the ball was snapped, the defender came across the line and absolutely planted Thomas.  I didn't actually see it happen, but I did see Thomas pop right back up and run down the field.  I was very proud that he made that decision.  He was in for an entire series in the second quarter and another minute at the end of the game.  No matter what happens from this point forward,  Thomas will be able to say he was a football player!

Weather Change

The cold front has come through!  It is an absolutely spectacular day.  I am sitting on the couch not only wearing a sweatshirt but with a blanket as well.  It is sunny, and just the perfect fall day.

It is also a fabulous day to be off.  I could've taken either a P.E. job or a special education job, but those aren't jobs that I really like.  I hate to turn down a job, but Andrew is amazing and understanding.  I had some really bad dreams last night and woke up feeling so unsettled, so I'm very grateful I've had this morning to myself.  I still need to head into the church today, so it isn't like I'm not earning any money at all.  I am so grateful for this life.

Game Day

Today, Thomas gets to play in his very first football game.  He needed a little longer than many to get through concussion protocol, and the time has come.  I'm very grateful that this evening also happens to be a home game.  I am going to be working in the concession stand during the 7th grade game, and then will be in the stands, along with Robert and Catherine (and most likely my sister) during the 8th grade game.  Thomas is so very excited about this game, and I am very excited for him.  We all know that he isn't going to be a star player, and we don't even expect him to play next year.  But for tonight, he gets to be a football player, and that is something he will always have in common with his dad, and he'll always get to say he played.  I am excited for him, and I am definitely glad it will be cooler by his game time (fall is kicking in).  I will also be very happy when the game is over and he is safe and sound!

Waiting for it to feel like fall

It has officially been fall for about 67.5 hours.  It has felt like fall for exactly zero of them.  The heat is still in the upper 80's, and many days have a heat index in the 90's.  Yesterday was pretty miserable at the church.  Only our sanctuary and office have air-conditioning.  The rest of the church, specifically the classrooms, do not.  That is a big reason we do not have Sunday School between Mother's Day and Labor Day.  Yesterday though, there was class, and it was hot.

It also feels ridiculous to put up the fall decorations.  I usually wait until October to put up Halloween anyway, but I like to try to put up fall by the middle of September.  There is nothing fall-like right now, although that should change by the middle of the week.  In fact, it will probably change just in time for me to attend Thomas's football game on Wednesday, but sitting in the rain as the cold front comes through.  It will be worth it though!

I Hate Bats

On the mornings that I have to work, Andrew gets up and takes Abby on a walk.  It is the only way we can make our mornings function well.  Andrew doesn't mind, he enjoys walking with Abby.  I don't mind walking with Abby, but I truly dislike walking with her when it is still dark.  I realize I live in a very safe neighborhood, but as a smaller woman, I'm just uncomfortable in the dark.  I know that I have Abby with me, but she is hardly a ferocious guard dog.  In fact, when she sees people she begins to cry and likes to roll over on her side because she wants love and attention...hardly intimidating!  I'm also marginally concerned about the wild animals that are in our neighborhood that haven't yet been scared away for the day.  And now, I find out a bat flew right in front of Andrew's face the other morning.  I. Hate. Bats.  I understand they have value in the ecosystem, but I hate bats.  Some people have an unreasonable phobia of spiders, mine is of bats.  I maintain though, that it isn't completely unreasonable, as bats can bite you (and you might not even realize it!) and they can have rabies.  So, in spite of the fact that Abby and I have been up since before dawn, she didn't get her walk that early!!!

Awake too early on a Saturday morning

I had to be up at 6:15 this morning.  Granted, that is sleeping in over an hour, but it is still significantly earlier than I prefer to be up on a Saturday morning.  Robert had a Navy function though, and he was being picked up at 7:00, so we are up and at 'em.  I don't mind the quiet time, even if it was too early.  Tomorrow I have to be up a little after 7:00, so no sleeping in this weekend.  I know there will come a day when I am going to miss all of this, but I expect I will be more rested!

A very warm start to fall

Today, shortly after 4PM, Fall officially begins.  And yet, the heat index is 90 degrees...and it is still early afternoon.  This is not the way I like to kick off this season...my favorite season of the year!  I want to be wearing cozy clothes and lighting candles.  I want to be surrounded by cozy fall decorations and enjoy how even the scents of the season are cozy.  I do not want to be adjusting the a/c (which I don't even want on) to make it cooler because I'm too hot.  I don't want to be thinking how I don't want to use my oven because it will heat things up too much.  Such is life though.  The good news is that we should be getting closer (though not in the five-day-forecast) to how I like my weather!

I started my day with a disturbing dream

Last night I went to bed with a heavy mind.  It had been a rough day in many ways, and I also learned there was a troubled teen living in the basement of our neighborhood.  I had this young man in class at the beginning of the year and he was something!  He refused to even acknowledge that I was speaking to him.  This young man has had many run-ins with the authorities at school, and Andrew has said that this young man is most likely not going to successfully complete the school year.  Of course as I pointed out, that just means he'll be spending more time in our neighborhood.  We suspect he might be involved in the increased problems that are occurring in our common area and as well as some things that are disappearing.  There were just a lot of things weighing on my mind and heart last night.

The last dream I had before I woke up reflected my mind-set before I went to bed.  I had a dream that I was being attacked by a student.  He had already punched another student in the face and some of the larger and older students had created a human wall between us in an effort to protect me.  I had called for help, and in the dream I remember desperately hoping that someone got to us before Andrew.  I was afraid he would physically retaliate and then lose his job.  I woke up literally shaking from the dream.  It was a tough way to begin my day.  I also was beginning to head into a migraine, but since I'm working again today, I am happy to report that seems to have dissipated.

On the upside from all of this, it is Friday, and we are at another weekend!

Lots of complaining & negativity

I try to be an upbeat person.  Sometimes, I'm just too tired to make that happen, but I do try.  I have not always been that way, but as I've gotten older I've made a conscious effort to be so.  Don't get my wrong, I still worry, and I can still be easily stressed, but I really do try.  I think it is one of those things where wisdom has come with age.

I realize teens are just not that way.  Some can be optimistic, but so many teens see the worst in every situation.  There are some that are just going to complain about everything, no matter how minor something might be.  Today, I am finding myself being particularly irritated by it, and I'm noticing that the most negative of the kids often seem to be the loudest!

My heart is hurting today

My heart is hurting today, and I'm not entirely sure why.  At the same time, it seems like there are so many reasons why.  I am tired, and I am overwhelmed, and I am sad.

As a mom, my heart always hurts if my kids are hurting and disappointed.  Thomas has finally been cleared to play in next week's football game, and he is so excited.  He told me several weeks ago he just wants one play in one game so he can know what it's like.  Andrew and I both got teary-eyed about that.  I'm glad he is excited and I'm excited for him, and at the same time I am scared to death.  I don't want him getting hurt.  Part of me still wants my chubby little two-year-old who smiled so much.  I notice teens don't smile as much, but he is still my sweet guy...except when he doesn't want to brush his hair or be nice to his sister.  I ache when I see that he is hurting because school is becoming more challenging to him.  He wants to do well...he just can't seem to figure out how.

There is lots of "not nice" happening from the teens and it makes me sad.  I know they don't treat people at school or outside the house like they treat their siblings (and sometimes parents), but that doesn't always make me feel better.  I think about Catherine and how her immaturity is really driving me crazy.  At the same time, I wish she was still small enough that I could hold her on my lap and just love on her.  She decided not to do Mock Trial this year, and while part of me is realized, part of me is sad that she still struggles to find her passion.  She has been a tremendous help with Abby this school year and I don't know what I would do without her.  Although she is nearly 16, she still struggles at times with having a foot both in the older world and the younger world.

Robert is, and almost always has been, the most challenging.  He seems bent on doing everything his way, and given his impulsiveness and poor choices, his way is almost always the hard way.  I am trying to let him become the adult that he thinks he is, but he still doesn't have the tools to make the best choices.  He needs to learn though, and I need to let go at times.  Cross country isn't going very well for him, and we don't really seem to know why.  I feel frustrated for him, because I really thought something special could happen for him this year.  Sometimes I feel angry that it seems my kids never get to feel special at anything.  I can only hope that each of them know they are special because they are who they are.

Our house is tired, and there are lots of emotions.  I often feel guilty that instead of helping, my own emotions can make things worse.  I feel guilty for taking time to take a nap instead of doing a chore that should be accomplished, and yet I know if I don't take care of myself I'm not helping anyone.  I feel guilty for waiting until Catherine is home to go run an errand because then I'm not home with her, but if I leave earlier I feel guilty because Abby has to be in her crate.  I feel guilty for not working full time or having a more steady job, but at the same time I feel guilty that things aren't getting done around the house.

I know these feeling are perfectly normal in any mom's heart, and I know they are normal in a mom's heart with three teens.  I know we will most likely be okay.  I just have to have Faith, and follow send up some prayers that I do the best I can do each day!

I was sick first

On Sunday, I began to realize I had a really stuffy nose.  I assumed it was just allergies, and it may have been.  At the same time, I was also a little achy, and decided by the end of the day I had a cold.  On Monday morning, I could tell that I truly didn't feel well.  Other than driving a couple of kids around though, I didn't have any plans that evening and I planned to take advantage of that.  My voice was weak, and I didn't sound good.  It matched how I felt. When I picked Robert up he could tell I wasn't well right away.

When Andrew came home from football practice, he immediately began to moan and complain about how he felt.  I could've smacked him!  I realize that him being sick isn't his fault, but he is NOT a good sick person.  I immediately looked at Robert and said, "I was sick first!"  Robert kind of laughed because we both knew what was coming!  And in the days to follow, Andrew has continued to point out how he doesn't feel well.  The whining and moaning hasn't been awful, but it still has been more than mine.  I sure love my husband, but the stereotypical male sick person is definitely him!

Family health issues

Unfortunately, there are a few things happening in our family that aren't the best.  My immediate family is okay, and I'm very grateful.  My mom broke her wrist several weeks ago, but that has healed and she is doing as well as she can.  We've come to realize that the radiation from the cancer will always cause her to have balance issues, and as time passes that might continue to be a concern.  However, my mom's sister almost certainly has a form of skin cancer.  Sadly, she has let it go on for entirely too long, and that makes me nervous.  She will know more when my mom takes her to her appointment on Thursday.  My mom also took my grandmother to the doctor yesterday, and there is some concern that she could have skin cancer as well.  The good news is that they don't believe anything is terribly advanced, and she is 88 so it wouldn't be surprising she has had time in the sun.  We are all certainly hoping that everything is treatable for everyone!

Shopping ahead

I am definitely a person who likes to "shop ahead" for the holidays.  It is mostly due to wanting to catch sales and also to spread the expense out over a period of time so it doesn't just destroy our December budget.  It also has to do with not being stressed in the month of December trying to make it all happen when I really don't have time.

This week I am working everyday, but they are all pretty easy days.  Yesterday was a half day at the elementary, but it was 45 minutes with nine gifted fifth graders, and then an 80 minute break, then another 45 minutes with nine gifted fourth graders.  In other words, pretty darn easy.  The rest of this week I am at the high school.  Honestly, it is easy money generally speaking.  However, in most of the classes all I am really there for is to keep things "legal".  There are a few classes where I get to go over some instructions and at times there are opportunities to interact with the kids, but a great deal of the day is just hanging out behind a desk and looking at a computer, or reading, or something like that.  I've decided to use these days to begin to get ahead on my Christmas shopping.  I have to admit...I'm a little bit excited!  I enjoy knowing the holidays are coming up, and I enjoy being productive!

Enjoying an afternoon cup of coffee

I am enjoying an afternoon up of coffee.  Normally I am strictly a morning coffee person, but I purposely don't drink coffee on days when I have to work.  And this week, I am working every day.  I don't mind skipping coffee here and there, but today I am feeling absolutely lousy, and I am fairly certain that one cup of coffee at this time of day isn't going to keep me up six hours from now when I want to be sleeping.  It is also helping to calm the irritation I am experiencing about my volunteer "job" with band that should not be so ridiculously consuming at this point.  There are some people seriously in need of the reminder "failure to prepare on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part".  I am pleased with myself that I have allowed myself to say no...but it sure doesn't stop them from asking for more!  Ugh!

A Friday evening home alone

I'll be honest, I'm a little bit giddy about my Friday evening!  In fact, I've been looking forward to it all week!  The band decided that we aren't manning a table at home football games this year for a variety of reasons, so I am not committed to being at the games each week.  Catherine still has to be there to perform, and Andrew still has to be there for stats.  Eighth graders are invited to play along with the high school band, and Thomas has decided to do so.  Robert has to work this evening, so I am home alone.  I felt a little bit of guilt about it since it meant I would be missing Catherine's band performance, but if I went it would mean Abby would have to be in the crate after being there most of the week while I worked.  I have oodles and oodles of work to take care of around the house this evening, but I am looking forward to actually having the opportunity to get it done...and I might even take a quick nap!

Listening to teens

My kids are not "social butterflies".  They have friends, but most of their friends are children of friends to Andrew and me.  They don't do a lot of things without the adults, and their isn't a lot of communicating on their own.  Andrew and I have encouraged (and at times even begged) our kids to have a social life, but honestly, I've decided if the kids are happy I am just going to leave well enough alone.

Because of all this, I don't have the opportunity to overhear conversations between teens.  I haven't necessarily had the opportunity in many classes as well, but in the Ag class the environment leads itself to it.  There is a lot of down time after the assignments are completed and they chat.  It is definitely very interesting to hear their conversations.  Sometimes the opportunity presents itself to chime in, and honestly I do because it can be a bonding experience with the kids.  Sometimes though, I just kind of sit back and listen.  I have some hearing issues and sometimes I miss some things, but there are definitely things I hear that amuse me.  At the same time, there are things that most certainly do not.  I listen carefully because if I ever hear something that would indicate a teen is in danger, I would absolutely contact a guidance counselor.  Most of the time though, it is just kids talking and being kids.  At this age, so many of them think they have all the answers to life, they are always right, and you can't tell them anything.  I am realizing how full of drama the teen years are, and it is definitely an eye opener.

It's also making me realize how much kids themselves do listen.  Some of what they "spout" is just things they are repeating from their parents and they don't even really understand what they are talking about.  I'll be making sure I make more of an effort to pay attention to what my kids are hearing from my mouth, and to explain why I feel the way I do.

Always an interesting day as a sub.  As Forrest Gump would say, "You never know what you're gonna get!"

A cross country meet with some sadness

Tuesday Robert had a cross country meet at our former town.  Thomas really wanted to go along and see some people we know and since he is still not cleared to play football, missing practice wasn't really an issue.  Robert wasn't able to ride the team bus to the meet because he doesn't return from the career school early enough.  He got home and we left right away, which was about 25 minutes after the bus was supposed to leave.  I took the back roads just because it was easier based on exactly where we were going.  As we pulled into the park, we received a text from the coach letting us know that there was a bad accident on the state routes and that route should be avoided.  We realized that the team bus hadn't even realized yet.  As I began to chat with friends, I learned the coach had been involved in the bad accident.  He actually lives in our former town as well, and he was driving separately since it was ridiculous for him to return to our current town after the meet.  There were other coaches on the bus, and they had gone a different way because of the accident, but they got lost on the way.  We certainly didn't expect to beat the team and the coach there!  Fortunately, the coach was uninjured, although his car was totalled.  Sadly, the accident did claim three lives.  A semi had plowed through a red light and t-boned a car carrying a married couple and their young daughter.  It is such a sad situation, and is certainly a reminder of how quickly things can change in life.  Our coach was pretty shaken up about the entire experience, which is very understandable.

Robert had a really tough race and apparently developed a cramp with less than a mile left.  He ran across the finish line screaming and collapsed as soon as he had finished.  Thomas was already there with him, and one of our best friends was working the finish line and she was right there with him as well.  I thought it had been a breathing or heat issue, but it was just the cramp.  Sadly, his times are continuing to be poor and I know that he is disappointed.

We stayed for the middle school race as our friends' son was running, and we knew so many of the boys.  We enjoyed getting to visit with so many different people, but I also recognized that I've become a little more settled in our town.  I would hope so, we've been here four years now!  I no longer ache with yearning (or cry) when we have these experiences.  I'm so grateful that we've had such good times in both of our towns!

Another crazy week

I know that this is the season of our life.  It's exhausting, and someday we are going to miss this.  I'll miss it while being rested though!

 I worked all day Monday and today, and will be working again tomorrow.  Tuesday was my "off" day, and I was able to get a bunch of errands run before Robert, Thomas, and I returned to our former town for a cross country meet (a post of its own).  Yesterday I worked in first grade before heading to the church for my other job.  I picked Catherine up from an after school activity and since Robert didn't have cross country practice, the three of us spent the rest of the afternoon preparing packets for our band fundraiser.  Andrew and Thomas had a football game (Thomas is still not playing from the concussion) and I had a band meeting last evening.  After school today Andrew and I have a half hour drive for Robert's parent/teacher conferences, and in addition to all the normal practices Thomas also has youth group this evening.  Tomorrow is a home football and Robert has to work.  On Saturday, Robert has a cross country meet and then he and Andrew have to take off immediately for a Navy function.  I am having breakfast with my friend who moved away, and Catherine has a band competition.  Andrew and I have a Christian Ed meeting after church on Sunday and Robert has to work...and next week we pretty much get to do it all over again except that I don't have any school days off.  This season doesn't last forever though, and when I think about how much we won't be doing next year because Robert won't be here, I remember to enjoy these moments.

Back in Ag

I am so happy to be back in the Ag classroom today!  This is the teacher who had the extremely challenging class, but this year there are fabulous students and it's awesome.  The only downside is that while I no longer have to deal with the "dark side" (as I took to calling the especially challenging boys), I also miss last year's seniors who are no longer here, as well as some other students with whom I bonded that are not enrolled in any of this teacher's classes.  Overall it's a great day today, and I'm so glad to be here!

Striving to be a better person

Our weekend last evening didn't end the way I really wanted it to end.  Thomas had forgotten homework and was trying to get it completed before it got too late.  Andrew was on the phone trying to iron out lesson plans with his student teacher.  Robert and Catherine were somewhat working on chores I had asked them to complete and I was trying to get laundry finished.  Everyone was frustrated and it didn't go the way I wanted.  I regret it.

But I take some solace in knowing that is not the person I want to be.  I'll never be a perfect person, but I am always trying to be a better person.  At the end, when it is my time, I hope that people will say that.  I think that is all we can really ask.

I'm a bit melancholy about things today, this the 16th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.  I'm subbing in an American History class of sophomores today, and it seems to weird to realize that most of these kids weren't even born when the attacks occurred.  Time certainly moves!

Monday again

The weekends in the school year fly by so quickly.  This one was pretty busy, and of course that only makes them go even faster.  We had gorgeous weather this weekend and were able to spend some fun time together.  Thomas and I even ventured to my cousin's daughter's soccer game, and we took the dog with us.  She was a huge hit and we loved seeing family.

This week is another very busy week.  I am scheduled to work 3-1/2 days, and Robert has an away cross country meet tomorrow evening.  It's in our former town, so we are looking forward to it.  We also have parent conferences for Robert and Catherine has a few extra activities as well.  Sometimes I'm not even sure how we get it all done, but as I think about the things we WON'T be doing next year because Robert will have graduated, I know that I really will miss this some day!  At the same time, I'm sure hoping there is a nap in my future this afternoon!

Saturdays in the fall

I think Saturdays in the fall are my absolute favorite.  The only downside is that they usually begin a little earlier than I would like with Robert having to catch a bus for cross country, but Andrew and I love watching him run.  We are often home anywhere from mid-day to early afternoon...just in time for college football!  There is usually an opportunity for me to close my eyes at least for a quick nap, and then almost always there is a great college game on in the evening.  There really is nothing like Saturdays in the fall!!

The short weeks sometimes seem the longest

Labor Day was Monday, so it was a four-day week.  I've often thought that four-day weeks feel longer than regular weeks.  I think it is because, especially in a school week routine, there are certain things that still need to be accomplished and so we just stuff the missed day into the other four.

This week there just seems to be so much sadness.  In addition to my cousins' friend who passed, I learned today that a classmates mom passed away.  Greg and I were in Kindergarten together and his mother was such a sweet lady.  There is all the damage in Houston, and now Florida is in the path of another hurricane.  Teddy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry was killed in a plane crash.  My mother was in the e/r this afternoon (thankfully all is well).  We've had issues with both boys, and while it yanks at my heart, it also terrifies and worries me to no end.  I know that is a parent's job, and I'm definitely good at the worrying part.

We have an incredibly busy weekend here.  I'm hoping we can enjoy some family time, and I'm grateful for each day we get to be a family.

Life can change so quickly

Our family hasn't been able to make the trip to Norris Lake to visit our cousins for the last several years, but my sister has gone.  She makes the trip the same time that the Massachusetts cousins make their trip down.  Those cousins always bring their best friends, and the year we were there was no exception.  Their oldest child is the same age as Thomas and then there is one a few years younger.  My sister has also gotten to know them on her visits.  This year while my sister was there, Steve, the father, collapsed while running.  His wife is a nurse who began CPR.  The ambulance arrived, he was able to be revived, and was going through lots of tests.  He remained in a hospital in Tennessee for a few days before being released, and then the family spent a little more time than originally planned at Norris Lake so he could rest.  They had been back in the Boston area about six weeks, and he was continuing to go through lots of tests and seek answers.  Nothing wrong could be found.  He had managed to get into the best heart hospital in the Boston area and was having a stress test performed on Tuesday.  In the middle of the test, in the middle of the hospital, surrounded by medical personnel and equipment, Steve dropped dead at the age of 42.  My sister called that evening to tell me the news.  I can't even imagine the pain his family is experiencing.  As I said to my sister, if someone is going to have a heart episode, the middle of the best hospital in Boston is about the best place to have it.  If he couldn't be saved there, it must have been his time.  My prayers go out to all of his family and friends.  It's such a reminder that life is not guaranteed and anything could happen at any time.

I am loving the weather

We are absolutely heading into my favorite time of year...fall!  I really can't complain too terribly much because honestly even August wasn't that bad, but September has been absolutely gorgeous.  Yesterday I actually wore long sleeves all day and lit our candle for the evening.  I love the chill in the air and in just another month I'll be raving about the colors.

And to go along with this gorgeous weather, college football began last weekend!  Both our Irish and Buckeyes were victorious, and I got to watch lots and lots of games.  There are more spectacular games on this weekend, and the NFL also makes its debut.  Loving it all!

The only downside to this time of year is that I can't help but notice how it is getting dark by 8:00.  I know that is nothing compared to how it is going to get, but the darkness is never fun.  As I was driving to work at 6:45 this morning and the sun was just starting to try to come up, I know that it won't be long before we don't even get to think about seeing the sun that early in the morning.

For right now though, I am enjoying this gorgeous time of year!

Celebrating GG

When the first great-grandchild was born, my maternal grandmother became GG  Since both of my grandmothers are still alive, it became a convenient way to distinguish between them.  My mother decided last spring that we weren't going to wait until GG turned 90 to celebrate her.  GG turned 88 this past May and we were going to celebrate her now!  Mom had requested that everyone send available dates, but some cousins are less responsive than others.  Back at the beginning of June I suggested we do it the Sunday of Labor Day weekend.  It gave everyone plenty of time to plan their schedules, and it also gave us the day after to still be off school.  This past  Sunday, our entire family (except for two grandson-in-laws who are fire fighters) gathered at my mom's house.  GG's sister, and two of her three living cousins were there as well as many family friends and even her neighbors.  It was absolutely wonderful to see everyone, and my favorite memory came late in the evening.  Eight of the ten great-grandchildren (my oldest two were too "cool") were running around the back yard playing tag.  I'll never forget watching the kids have fun like that, and I'm so very grateful for family!

Lots of reasons for being away

I know I'm normally not gone from the blog this long, but there have been lots of reasons.  The biggest is that the computer I normally use to get on here had some issues, and I had to wait until Andrew could get them resolved.  We've also all been super busy, and life has just been kind of stressful in ways I don't really want to think about.  We are hanging in there though, and are well into our school year routine.  It seems so weird to realize that six years ago today, was the first day of school for that year.  We started school three weeks ago!  I'll be working a lot, and especially at the high school so hopefully I will have an opportunity to get back on here more frequently!