Fifty four years of marriage

Today my in-laws have been married for fifty-four years.  More often than not, the 28th of December is the day we wrap up our visit and head home.  However, we adjusted things a bit this year and didn't come over until yesterday and will leave tomorrow.  This gave us the entire day here.  We took Andrew's parents to dinner at a wonderful restaurant.  I'm so incredibly grateful we were able to do that today.  This many years of marriage is definitely something to celebrate, and you just never know how things are going to happen next.  It was truly a lovely dinner.

Another amazing Christmas

Today was another amazing Christmas.  As I mentioned earlier, we all enjoyed the gifts we exchanged this morning, and we enjoyed the gifts exchanged with my mother, grandmother, and sister this afternoon.  The drive to my sister's house was over some snow covered roads, but the sun was shining brightly and we enjoyed the drive.  We made a quick trip to my paternal grandmother before arriving at my sister's house.  After exchanging gifts at my sister's, Andrew and I helped with the dinner preparations, and aunt & uncle, another aunt, two cousins (a husband) and kids arrived before dinner.  Altogether, nineteen of us ate dinner together.  I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to visit with family that I don't often get to see, and I always love watching the kids play with cousins.  I am so incredibly grateful for today!

A White Christmas!

We have a white Christmas!  I can't remember the last time we had snow on Christmas.  Andrew and I think it might have been 2004 when we had over a foot of snow on the ground.  We vividly remember that one!  I am especially grateful it happened this year, our last year for being a family of five.  It is so very pretty outside.  Thomas also told us he could see hoof prints! 😁

Everyone seems pleased with their gifts.  I'm grateful for how far the budget manages to go each year to help make the magic!  We still have Christmas with my mom, sister, and grandmother later today.  I'm not sure how much of my mom's extended family will join us, but I know at least some of the cousins will be there.  I plan to soak up as much of the happiness as I can!

Snowing on Christmas Eve

Our family went to the 4:00 church service this afternoon.  I don't like to attend the 10:00 service because I like the kids in bed by then, and I prefer to be settling in with a drink at that time and not out and about.  Not long after church began, Andrew pointed to the window, and we all noticed that it was snowing.  It made the lovely service seem almost magical.  By the time church ended about an hour later, things are just covered enough that it is absolutely gorgeous outside.  I hate that Andrew is out and about getting us our traditional Chinese food for Christmas Eve dinner, but he assures me it will be fine...it better be!  I also feel badly for the road crews that are now out and about on Christmas Eve.  However, I am going to enjoy the beauty of it and be grateful!

2017 Christmas Eve

Another Christmas Eve has arrived.  After not feeling well yesterday, and Catherine definitely not feeling well (doctor thinks strep as well...antibiotics have begun) we are all feeling better today.  It is also the first Christmas Eve in several years that Robert hasn't had somewhere else to be.  We spent the day yesterday picking up and cleaning the house, and finishing so many other little things so that we can enjoy today.  Andrew got up and worked out and then ran to the grocery.  We will attend 4:00 church then order our annual Chinese.  We have some specific TV/movie viewing that is going to happen this evening and we will have some snacks and beverages (adult and non-adult) as we share our evening.  I have one more present to wrap after kids' bedtimes, but for the most part we are ready and are just going to enjoy our time together.  This is might very well be the last Christmas Eve our little family of five gets to spend together like this.  We understand that Robert most likely will not be able to  be with us next year, and we don't know when he will be again.

It is supposed to snow this evening and overnight.  We won't be receiving a great deal of accumulation, but it would be lovely if we could wake up with even just a coating of snow on the ground in the morning!

Christmas Eve Eve

Today is supposed to be a fairly laid back day, and a family Christmas party this evening.  Unfortunately, that isn't exactly going to happen.  It appears as though Catherine has strep throat.  She has already been to urgent care and had her first dose of antibiotics.  I expect that she will feel better by tomorrow, and pretty good by Christmas day.

There is also a chance I have a minor concussion from hitting my head last night in the laundry room.  At the very least, I have a pretty significant bruise on my scalp.  Andrew has given me directions to stay away from computer screens, but I'm not particularly interested in that.  Since Catherine is feeling so poorly, and I'm not feeling great either, it looks as though I am going to stay home this evening.  Such is life!  I'm sure I'll enjoy some time with my kiddos and Andrew, and finish things for the holiday.

Three days before Christmas

It is only three days until Christmas.  For the most part, I am ready, although I need to get a gift put together for my grandmother.  I just haven't been as on top of things this year as I like to be, but it is all going to work out.  I am enjoying a quiet morning.  Catherine and Robert are at swim practice and Thomas is still sleeping.  Andrew and I are enjoying a cup of coffee, and the pets are sleeping around us.  I am grateful for this morning.

We got a lot done around the house yesterday.  We picked Robert up from school mid-morning and the kids were all mostly cooperative.  Mid-afternoon we headed out to the kids' swim meet.  It was nearly 10:00 before it finished, although I came home earlier in order to check in with Thomas.  It was a rather late evening before everyone got to bed.  There are a few things to do today, but I am looking forward to enjoying the holiday weekend!

Break begins...sort of

Today is the last day of school for Andrew, Catherine, and Thomas, so break begins!  Robert however, has school tomorrow.  Catherine finished late morning and we ran to the grocery.  She and Robert have swim practice this evening, and Thomas is managing at a home basketball game.  Andrew and I are planning to attend the game.  Tomorrow Robert will need to be picked up from school because there is a home swim meet that is going to last about seven hours...ugh.  They have practice twice on Friday, and I'm not even sure what Thomas's basketball practice schedule is yet.  There is definitely not a dull moment.

It is still going to be less crazy than our normal school routine, and I'm looking forward to enjoying some fun together!

A little blown away

As a member of our church's Christian Ed committee, one of the things I have wanted to do is to increase service opportunities for our students, and for our church as a whole.  Andrew agrees entirely on this matter.  One of the things we decided to do was to adopt a family from our community who might not otherwise have Christmas.  I'll be honest, when it comes to this time of year, I will whip out my wallet for just about anything.  Our family is beyond blessed and I don't ever want to forget that.

Andrew connected with the school district's community liaison and our church adopted three families...one of which has six children.  I was a little concerned that we were responsible for Christmas for eleven children.  I had no reason to be worried.  Not only was every single request filled by our church members, there were at least two families who had wanted to participate and the tags were already gone.  I am blown away by how generous our church was in this situation, and I'm so grateful to be a part of our church community.

This time of year makes me so very emotional about things like this.  I grew up with Christmas being so incredibly magical, and I want to do everything possible to make sure other children have memories like that.  I also hope that I can remember to help spread that feeling throughout the year!

I enjoy having our little town back

The college students left town yesterday!  I've already had to make a couple of trips into town today, and I'll be honest, I love having our little town back.  I am grateful for the university in the fact that we have so many positive things here because of it, but I also acknowledge that it isn't all roses...especially when they are walking around!  I am often terrified of my kids driving through campus (and unfortunately we have no choice to get into town), and it's nice not to have anyone walk out in front of us...for five whole weeks!

Five years since the tragedy at Sandy Hook

I don't think I'll ever forget the day of the Sandy Hook shooting.  It is one of those things ingrained in my memory, like when I was in sixth grade and learned about the Challenger explosion, or when I learned a plane had crashed into the second tower on September 11 and we were, in essence, under attack.  I was working in an elementary school that day, and was so grateful that two of my three children were so close by.   I can't even fathom how those families have moved on with their lives, but I guess you do what you have to do.  I am so thankful that my three kiddos are going to be home soon, and I'm grateful for each day we have together!

So excited to have the next three weeks off

There aren't even words to describe how excited I am about having the next three weeks off.   I worked today in first grade, and I absolutely love working with the little ones.  The days go so quickly and there is never a dull moment.

However, I am so incredibly grateful to know that I will be off for the next three weeks.  I can't take an elementary job for the last four days of the school year due to their schedule, and finals begin at the high school tomorrow so I seriously doubt anyone will take any time off.  And there is no amount of money that would make me take a middle school job.  So for the next three weeks (the earliest I could take a job is January 4), I get to totally focus on my family.  I get to just be "mom".  I am so grateful for that, and I am so looking forward to it!

The middle of the week

It is Wednesday!  Next week, this day will be the last day of school for the holidays.  I am so looking forward to the days off.  Even though the kids have swim every morning at 8 A.M., getting up at 7 is still sleeping in two hours!  Strangely enough, we still haven't even finalized our plans with Andrew's family...because there is just so much think about between now and then.

I was off yesterday, and I'm off again today.  Catherine had a toe nail removed last week due to an infection, and the toe is more swollen now than it was before.  We think she had a reaction to the local anesthesia that was used, but the doctor wants to see her to confirm.  I don't mind the time off, although I am spending most of it in the car running around to get things done.  I am working in first grade tomorrow, and I am both looking forward to it and dreading it.  It will be so much fun, and yet very exhausting all at the same time.

Right now I am sitting in the our family room and our sweet Abby is sleeping at my feet with Lincoln (one of our cats) curled up next to me.  I have it mostly dark and the glow of the Christmas tree lights is lovely.  I am watching the weather channel and the dishwasher is humming.  In these peaceful moments of quiet (and even mundane, and I'm perfectly okay with that!) it is so easy to remember our blessings!

Another crazy December weekend

Friday was definitely the only truly relaxing part of our weekend.  Everyone was up by 8:00 Saturday morning, which wasn't awful because Andrew and I had gone to bed at 10:00 the night before.  The kids had stayed up later than they should, but that is a learning experience for them.

Anyway, Andrew took Thomas to basketball practice at the school, and I awaited a delivery for an apparel sale we had for the band.  Three boxes arrived mid-morning, and I continued work on the other fundraiser that I needed to finish.  Robert and I ran to the bank then picked up Thomas from practice so that Andrew could be packing.  He left shortly after we arrived to go spend the weekend with his parents (he took a personal day today).  I left shortly after Andrew to go to work at my church job, and then Robert and I had to run to the grocery to get supplies he needed for a Navy commitment this afternoon.  We also had to run to my aunt & uncle's house to take care of their cats while they are out of town.  We were home for about 40 minutes before I had to take Robert to work for the evening.  I was then able to be home for another hour before I had to take Catherine to the high school for a pep band activity.  In the two hours before I had to pick her up, I spent the time sorting and coordinating the $1300 worth of apparel orders that had arrived that morning.  I picked Catherine up between 8:30 and 9, and finished the work that needed to be done at home.  It was nearly Midnight before Robert was off work, and he had managed to spill wet trash all over him so his clothes needed washed before he went to work again last evening.  I decided that could wait until morning, so we could get some sleep!

Yesterday was the Christmas program at our church.  I was in charge of being the adult volunteer, so everyone had to come along with me.  I threw the clothes into the washer before I left, and we spent the next three hours enjoying this year's program.  We appreciated that it was something different and celebrated Martin Luther as this is the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.  We left straight from the church and ventured to have lunch with my mom.  By the time we got back from that, we had time to throw the laundry in the dryer so Robert didn't have to wear totally wet clothes to work.  While he was at work last evening, I got a few apparel orders out of the house, and spent most of the time working on my Christmas cards...I am so much less father along that I want to be with them!  It was after 11:00 before Robert made it home from work, and on those nights 5:00 A.M. rolls around so quickly!

Meanwhile, Andrew was at the Steelers game with his dad, and what a great game he got to see!  I had fallen asleep assuming the Steelers weren't going to win, so when I got a text at 1:30 with an excited text about what a great game he saw, I decided I must've been wrong!  I'm so glad Andrew had this opportunity.  He recently learned about some health issues his father is having, and it makes this even more special.  As I write this, he is on his way home, and of course I pray for safe travels.

I am in as Andrew's sub today.  This evening Catherine has swim workout and then practice, Thomas has an away basketball game, and Robert has a Navy activity and then will go straight to swim practice.  I know this is the season of our life, and I'm trying to enjoy it.  It snowed on Saturday, and between that and seeing the lights on Friday, I was almost in the Christmas spirit!

Friday lights fun

Friday evening everyone was home...no one had anywhere to be after 5:00.  That just doesn't happen this time of year!  After not having the opportunity to see any Christmas light displays the last two years, I was not going to let this opportunity pass by.  In addition, the temps turned cooler and it the right time to get into the Christmas spirit.

The kids wanted to take Abby along, which meant that we would order dinner in instead of eating out.  To be honest, I was fine with it as it meant that I would be gone less and would be able to get some laundry done.  We stopped on the way home to pick up the pizzas we ordered, and everyone settled in with food (and we were hungry by 8:00 when we ate!) and we binged watched more episodes of Big Bang Theory, Season 10.  It was such a fun evening, and our family really enjoyed ourselves.  It was fabulous to be able to spend that time together, and to know that we all enjoyed it!

Everyone has eyes in a small town

I love living in a small town.  As it is, our current town, still definitely a small town, is much bigger than our former community.  It is still a small town though, and people know each other...especially when our entire lives pretty much revolve around the school, and we attend church.  We know people, and they know us.

This has been part of Robert's undoing throughout his teen years.  Before he left for career school and was attending our home high school, he never really could figure out that his father worked in the building, and I was there often.  Skipping classes and lying to his teachers was not going to go unnoticed.  His most recent round of trouble in October all began unravelling when I received a text from someone who had seen him in town.  It was actually a fairly innocent text just mentioning she had seen him with someone, but she had no idea he didn't have permission for that.  It all began to fall apart for him.

And of course, with my husband and I both working in the school (and 90% of my days being at the high school) we talk about the students and they can't get away with things either.  I had a student that I know my husband also has.  I was in for my husband for four consecutive days while he was "playing principal" last week and while he was on a school trip earlier this week.  This particular student was a royal pain in the rear.  Today I have him again in a different class.  He asked to use the restroom and I granted permission, and told him to return quickly.  Twenty minutes later he returned.  I mentioned he hadn't hurried and he responded he had no reason to do so.  I reminded him he had been told to do so, and he frankly just didn't care.  I texted my husband about it since I knew my husband has him the next period and thought perhaps Andrew could remind him.  Andrew texted back that he had a detention waiting for him for an incident from yesterday, and would definitely make sure to give it to him and mention I had texted.  It may not be nice, but I couldn't help but smile.  You just never know connections that might occur in a small town!

Nine years of blogging

It was nine years ago today that I began this blog.  It seems like it has gone by in the blink of an eye.  At the time, I had a child in third grade, first grade, and preschool.  Now, I have an eighth grader, tenth grader, and a high school senior!  I enjoy reading the memories that are here and I'm grateful that I've recorded them.  I'll never have those moments back with my kids.  I'm grateful for these memories, and for having a place to record the new memories we are making.

I've really been looking forward to today.  Not only is it my "blogiversary", but we have family plans that I'm really excited about.  The kids don't have swim this evening, and unlike last week when that happened, there is no pep band or other commitments either.  It is literally the only evening we have during this season our family has to go look at Christmas lights.  Our Mondays - Fridays are usually swim, and Robert works on Saturdays and Sundays.  Honestly, I am almost giddy about this.  We didn't make it all last year, so I really wanted to find time to make it happen this year.  Thomas wanted to bring Abby (our dog) along, so instead of grabbing dinner while we are out we will order take out on our way back into town.  In some ways, that makes it even better!  I am really excited about this evening!

A week into December

It has been December for an entire week now.  It is finally starting to feel like December with our temps, but I am still not "feeling" the holidays.  What I am feeling, is a great deal of stress and guilt, and I'm struggling to know what to do about it.

I think the guilt leads to the stress, and the stress leads to guilt.  And of course, we are parenting three teens.  Thomas, especially, is struggling right now.  Andrew had a meeting with his teachers yesterday and it did not go particularly well.  Not only is he struggling in his classes, but his teachers feel as though he is just beginning to "check out" of the entire process.  I am devastated, because that is exactly how things went with Robert...and I don't think I can go through everything again.  Goodness knows I'm not done going through it the first time!  It seems as though Thomas wants to do well, but doesn't know how to make that happen.

I can't even begin to describe how I feel about all of it.  As I told Andrew last night, I feel guilty for working so much because I'm not home to take care of other things, but I feel guilty for not working full time and adding to our family income.  I feel guilty for taking on so many different volunteer tasks and commitments, and yet I feel guilty for not doing more to be helpful...it takes a village!  I feel guilty for being too strict but then worry that we are too lenient.  I worry about things we've done and things we haven't done, so in addition to being physically exhausted, I am mentally exhausted.

I am sure nearly every parent feels this way at some point in time.  For some it lasts longer than others, and it isn't just because my kids are teenagers.  It can happen to parents of any ages, and in so many ways I know my children are lucky because I am doing the best I can, even if my best isn't always exactly what they need.  As a sub, I've been so aware of some kids who have issues so much deeper that need to be addressed before they can even begin to consider being a successful student.  All of this has led to so much prayer!