Our last day of 2019

Another year...wow.  I vividly remember one year ago today being at our friend's house and talking about how quickly the year had gone, and how we knew this past year would fly by as well.  We discussed how Catherine and Cameron (our friends' son) would be seniors when we gathered together again.  It's all true.  This is absolutely crazy.

Overall, it was a good year.  My father-in-law and grandmother have had some health issues, and we lost Aunt Cathy.  Those things make me sad, but on a regular, day-to-day basis, our year was pretty good.  Not much drama, and lots of fun memories were made.  I am so grateful for the days we all had together.  They are blessings beyond words.

Thank you, 2019 for all the wonderful moments, and for being a good year!

Such sad news to end the year

We learned today that a high school student was killed in a car accident last night.  Neither Andrew nor I knew him.  Anytime he was in a class for which I was subbing he was absent.  I do know from knowing an older sibling that the young man's home life could not have been worse.  It's all so very sad.

I also know the other students in the car, and at least two of them are critically injured.  The driver is a graduate, and I think very highly of his sister.  He is one that is critically injured.  I am so sad for the families that are dealing with this news.  My thoughts and prayers are with all of them.

We reached the end

Tonight, our family finished the last episodes of The Big Bang Theory.  It kind of felt like saying good-bye.  I hate the last episodes of shows.  I'm not sure I've ever seen the complete final episode of M*A*S*H, and I really don't like watching the last episode of Friends.  It's like saying good-bye to friendships.  I am especially grateful how our family was brought together to watch the episodes.  I am so grateful for the memories our family shared.

Lost power in the night

I wasn't sleeping particularly well anyway, but at 3:30 I was awakened.  I'm not sure if it was a crashing noise from outside because of the wind (very possible) or the if it was the lack of noise coming from my fan.  Regardless, the power had gone out.  It was no surprise given the wind noises outside.  Andrew got up to get his cell phone and set an alarm (the kids have swim practice this morning), and he also called the power company to make sure they knew about the outage.  I couldn't go back to sleep, and when I checked it was 5:15.  I still had over 90 minutes until I had to get up, but I was still awake at that point.  I did finally fall back to sleep, and of course now I feel a little crappy from the lack of sleep.

I am very grateful for the temps yesterday though.  The house was still plenty warm, and overall the power was only out for about three hours.  No damage done really...other than to body clock!  Thank goodness there is no school and work today!

Not quite accurate

Catherine decided to make a list of her Christmas gifts so that she could send thank you notes.  She asked me to look at it to be certain she was correct in who had given her what.  I laughed out loud when I got the item my sister had given her.  Catherine had listed it as "Bob Jovi" tickets.  Oh goodness!  I pointed out to her that first of all, the artist is "Bon Jovi", and secondly the ticket is for a Billy Joel concert.  Thomas was pretty appalled at her.  Very comical!

Post-holiday anxiety

I'm having a very anxious day today.  The biggest part of it is that Andrew is traveling to take his parents back today.  That alone can really cause me to be anxious.  Then this evening, he is going out with friends to a place with which he is unfamiliar.  I know that he is safe, but the circumstances cause me great anxiety.  It's just who I am and how I function.  I also don't love the fact that he isn't coming back until Sunday, and that trip will be almost entirely in wet weather.  Not good for my anxiety.

It also doesn't help that Catherine is still struggling with her pleurisy.  I know it was this way last time too, but I hate seeing my girl, who is usually so tough, struggle.  I also know that sleeping on a cot in her brother's room for the last four nights has not been great for her.  It will be good for her to get back into her own bed tonight.

Watching my father-in-law's mental and physical decline this week, along with that of my grandmother, has been tough.  It makes me sad, and it makes my heart hurt, not only for them but for everyone around them.  My mom is still grieving her sister and my grandmother is challenging on a good day...and she isn't having too many of those lately.  My mother also took a terrible fall this week and we are hoping she isn't too terribly injured.

And there is the end-of-year stuff I need to do at my church job.  When I went yesterday to do it though, the administrator with whom I share a desk was still there, even though she was supposed to be done 90 minutes earlier.  That was pretty much the only time I could get there, but I might try to squeeze in a few minutes this evening.  We'll see.  I know that there is a lot to do before the end of the year, but I don't want to miss family time that feels more precious than ever these days.  That is made all the more evident by watching our friends who lost their child this summer as they try to navigate this Christmas and still carry on for their other two children.

I know that there is really absolutely nothing wrong in my life, and this is all manifestations of my over-active anxiety.  I'm just struggling today, and could use some prayers for peace.  I am grateful for so much!

Ready for some quiet time at the holidays

My in-laws are here for today, and then Andrew takes them back tomorrow.  I'll be honest, I am getting ready for things to get a little back to normal.  It's been very nice having them here, but it's much more difficult than last year.  My father-in-law is way out of his comfort zone, and I don't think he loves being here either.  We are all grateful we can make this happen though.  Tomorrow is never promised, and I'm grateful we spent Christmas together.

The house is all picked up, and I'll be honest, I am looking forward to a couple of quiet days without much on the schedule.  Yes, swim resumes tomorrow, and Catherine has to work this weekend, but generally speaking, it's going to be a quiet weekend.  I would love for Andrew to be home, but he'll enjoy a couple of extra days with his parents.  I plan to spend the time allowing myself to recharge, as well as soak up memories with the kiddos.  Maybe we can even play some board games!

Merry Christmas 2019!

It really was a lovely, lovely day.  I'm not used to the day being over so early, but I knew this would most likely be the case with family wanting to drive home before it became too dark.  We had way too much food, and the fact that it was in the upper 60's today is ridiculous, but it was a very nice Christmas Day.

I had some concerns about how things were going to go knowing that my grandmother isn't doing very well, and that Andrew's father can be easily overwhelmed.  My mother took a very nasty stumble yesterday that has resulted in her being on crutches at the moment, and her face is pretty beat up.  And my sister arrived with the announcement that she felt lousy from her cold.  It turned out that everyone really enjoyed their time together, and it was just the right amount of time.  And I'm looking forward to a very nice evening hanging out with Catherine, Thomas, Andrew and his parents.

The only downside is that we never heard from Robert today.  I can't say that I'm overly surprised.  Andrew had texted him a couple of times yesterday, but never got a response.  I had asked him to contact us (our phones can't call him but he can call us) while the family was here today, but it didn't happen.  It is what it is, and it doesn't change the blessings that we had today, and have every day!

Merry Christmas everyone!  I hope your day was as full of a family, love, and blessings as ours was!

Christmas Eve 2019

Christmas is almost here again.  For the most part, we are pretty much ready.  The upside to having my in-laws here to stay with us is that the house was picked up before they got here yesterday.  That means we got to sleep in this morning!!!!

It's very nice because I certainly didn't sleep well last night.  Because Andrew's parents are here, the house is hotter than Hades.  We are sleeping in a full rather than queen size bed, and the dog is there also.  It wasn't the best night of sleeping.

Things are a little different today.  We had an egg and meat casserole for breakfast, and then we will have our "formal" Christmas dinner this evening.  We weren't sure how to make that happen between Andrew taking his parents to Mass at 3:30, and us wanting to be at church for our services by 6:30.  I suggested to Andrew that it would be best if we all just went with his parents.  He isn't pleased because it is our church in our town, but since coming with us isn't an option, we will just do it this way.  I am looking forward to being home early evening and not needing to leave again.  I love Christmas Eves with us at home.

It is a little weird not having Robert around, but we know this is military life.  He will be in our hearts and our thoughts!

Enjoying a few moments of quiet before that all comes to a screeching (mostly likely) end

Andrew is at his parents and they will be home much later today.  Hopefully around 4 or 5, but we'll see when they make it out the door and head this way.  Praying for safe (and uneventful) travels. 

Catherine and Thomas are at swim practice.  They practice twice a day today and Friday, and still have workouts those days as well.  Clearly, Catherine woke up on the wrong side of the bed.  She's in a mood, and of course her mood affects those of us around her.  We have plenty of work to do today, but I just don't feel like it is going to be peaceful and quiet.  I certainly hope I am wrong though.

In the meantime, I am sitting here enjoying a few silent (almost, the dryer is running) moments before the kids come home and we really get to cleaning!

I have enjoyed our Christmas celebrations so far

We have had two Christmas celebrations so far, and they've been so much fun.  Yesterday we drove an hour to near my hometown.  It was my dad's cousin's house.  All together, there were 36 of us there.  I loved that relatives from Massachusetts, Virginia, New York, and Kentucky were all there.  Andrew and I had not made it to this particular celebration, and there was no way I was going to miss it, especially with all of the out-of-town family there.  We loved it.

Today was Christmas with my Dad's more immediate family.  There were 16 of there today.  We were only missing Robert.  The youngest family member is turning four in February, and she did a great job of entertaining all of us.  We had a blast watching her open her gifts and then look at her books.

It's been a great beginning to our celebrations, and they are just the beginning!  Andrew has gone to get his parents and I'm a little overwhelmed with things to get done here, but they will get done!

I could not have been more proud

Swim meets began this week.  Because Catherine has pleurisy, she did not swim in Tuesday's meet.  I was able to get to see Thomas swim in two events before I had to leave for a church meeting.  Normally I would stay and miss the meeting, but that isn't really an option with budgeting this time of year.  One of Thomas's events was the 500m, and he did really well considering it was the first meet of the year.  I didn't get to see it, but he was really pleased.

Last night was another meet.  Catherine hadn't been able to practice all week because of the pleurisy pain, but the doctor had said she could compete.  I was a little astonished when the coach put her in four events since she hadn't been in the pool all week.  I was further astonished that they were not all 50m races...she had a couple of 100m swims to get through.  Oh heavens!  After her first event she said she was fine, and after her second event (both of these were 50's) she said she was feeling some twinge of pain.  Her third swim was a 100m, and I could tell in the second half of her race that she was in pain.  She could barely get herself out of the pool, and even when she did she just sat on the edge of the pool.  When she finally stood up, she was doubled over.  I wanted to run to her, but she seemed to be handling it okay.  As she walked along the pool deck she was holding her side, but you know what I noticed?  My girl was smiling.  She is tough.  She was in pain, but she had finished and she was pleased and she was smiling.

I was again astonished (and frankly, pretty damn annoyed with the coach) when I realized that she also had to swim the final event...which was the next event after the one I just wrote about!  Ugh!  I looked at Andrew and said, "Oh my God!  She has to swim again right away!"  I was not at all certain that she could complete the race, and as a relay that is rough on the team to lose those points.  She was the third leg of the event, and again, it was another 100m.  The second 50m of her leg she was breathing on nearly every stroke, and I could tell she was struggling.  I could tell as soon as she got out of the water that she was really in pain, but my girl was smiling again.  I'm not sure how I didn't cry as I sat there being so proud of her.  She was in pain, but she pushed through.

I remember once talking to a classmate of Catherine's about Catherine.  Maggie's statement about Catherine is that she is "a tough cookie".  Maggie meant it as a compliment, although sadly, most high school students don't see that as an admirable trait.  My girl is a very tough cookie, and there truly aren't words to describe how proud I am of her always, but especially how proud I was last night!

Winter break eve

Break begins in this house tomorrow, but this evening is a pretty good warm up to it!  No swim practice, no evening commitments AT ALL.  We are so close to having much time off!

Technically, Catherine and I have already begun our break since Catherine didn't have to take final exams and I haven't worked since Tuesday.  Tomorrow, Thomas only has one final, and it's for his English class.  Kind of a tough one to study for since it is more skills based rather than memorizing facts or processes.  Andrew only has one final to give tomorrow, but it is the toughest one for him to grade.  He will get them done though.  We are so close...almost off for two weeks, and getting to celebrate holidays with loved ones!

A week before Christmas

I can't believe Christmas is in just one week.  I can't believe Catherine has finished the first semester of her senior year of high school.  This is all true though.  This is our reality...and it's lovely.

Yesterday I only worked in the morning, and then I should be off until school begins again after the new year.  In fact, I'm not scheduled until Thursday of that week, so maybe I will be off for three full weeks!  Regardless, I know that I am off the rest of this week, and I'm so grateful. 

Catherine doesn't have finals so she is home with me as well.  The band has to perform for the elementary schools in town though, so she just left to head to the school.  The morning finals are almost done, so Thomas only has four of those left as well.  I am sitting in my quiet home with our trees and a candle lit, and the sense of peace I feel is one I can't even begin to describe.  I am NOT leaving my house today, and it's just a day to be cozy.  The kids have swim work out and practice later, and Andrew won't be home until mid-afternoon, but for me, it's a day of coziness at home!

Joy

This past Sunday in church was the third Sunday of Advent...all about Joy.  Pastor's sermon was about joy, and the things that bring us joy.  I couldn't help but think about the fact that although Robert is clear across the world, the two kiddos that are still at home were sitting right there in the pew with us.  That hadn't happened since sometime this summer.  The second thing that I thought about was the weekend we'd had, especially our Friday evening.  Honestly, those memories will bring me joy forever.

Another thing that brought me great joy was this morning.  Andrew and I both had our vehicles full of Christmas packages from our church for three families in the school district.  And when I say full, I definitely mean full!  Each of us could only transport one child because the trunks AND back seats were full.  What an incredible blessing!  It brings me great joy to know we have a small part in making a difference for these families.  Andrew "borrowed" a colleague's Honors students during his own plan period and I happened to be off at that time as well.  It brought me great joy to see all of these students, about 25 of them, all with arms full of gifts being carried into the school.

It is definitely the season of joy, and I'm so grateful for it!

The rest of our weekend

Friday was definitely the best part of our weekend.  I absolutely loved it, and it is a memory I will always hold close to my heart.

Saturday Andrew began with a two-hour baseball practice, and Catherine had to work.  Thankfully, it was only a 5-hour shift, because I am fairly certain she has pleurisy again.  Her cough is absolutely awful, and the symptoms are pretty much the same as they were when she had it three years ago.  I had several band errands to run, and then I was home for the rest of the day.  Andrew had to work at an away basketball game that evening, and I convinced Thomas to go along to keep him company.  I spent the evening wrapping gifts, and I'm almost finished with everything except the kids' gifts! 

Yesterday was church, and Catherine enjoyed being there.  She hadn't been able to do that since July or August.  It filled my heart to have all four of us file into the pew.  More band errands happened in the afternoon (yes, in fact it is getting a little old!), and then we had dinner with my best friend.  It's been entirely too long since our families had been together.  We got home last night when it started snowing and watched the Steeler's game.  Some of us watched less than others, but still we watched.

It was busy, but not an overwhelming weekend.  It was full of many holiday opportunities, and it was lovely!

The last week of school before Christmas

It's going to be a busy week, but I'm reminding myself that in a week we will be getting ready to celebrate Christmas.  I will work most of the day tomorrow, and then I should be off until after the holidays.  Not sure when it will pick up again, but I'm going to enjoy the days off in between!

The kids have three swim meets this week.  Tomorrow and Friday are at home, and Saturday is all day about 90 minutes away.  I hate that they will be gone all day, but that might be the day we get the presents wrapped!  Andrew and I are required to volunteer at the home meets, and as soon as my volunteer shift is over tomorrow evening I have to attend the monthly church council meeting.  It's budget time and that is my job.  This evening Andrew and I need to finish the work required for our church's Giving Tree, but it will wait until after Andrew takes Catherine to the doctor (I think another head cold has lead to pleurisy).  Saturday evening we have a very extended family Christmas gathering (second and third cousins) and then Sunday is my large family Christmas at my Grandmother's house.  Andrew will leave from there to drive to his parents' house and stay over Sunday night.  And then they will be back shortly after this time next week.  I am so grateful to be sharing these days with so many people we love!

It was an incredibly gorgeous drive to work

According to my ruler and the picnic table, we received 4" of snow overnight.  It stopped snowing early enough though, that we got to sleep in two hours but still came to school.  In my opinion, that is absolutely ideal.  A little extra sleep, but still a full paycheck!  I'm especially grateful since my Wednesday morning job was cancelled.

Anyway, the two-hour delay also means that we get to leave for school in the daylight.  Oh my goodness, there are not words for how absolutely gorgeous it is outside.  With the fact that Christmas decorations are out, it was even more beautiful.  It has been such an awesome beginning to our last week before Christmas!

The snow is so pretty

It is really snowing here right now.  We are expected to get 2-4" overnight, with a possibility of freezing rain mixing in around 3AM.  I am pretty much banking on a delay at this point, and a pretty good chance there will be no school at all.  I am scheduled to work but I'm not going to lie, I would love a day to sleep in.  Also, tomorrow's jobs are mostly going to be just "babysitting" since exams begin on Tuesday.  Unstructured days of subbing are my least favorite.

Anyway, it began snowing, very lightly, while we were driving home from dinner about 90 minutes ago.  I hadn't looked outside again until about ten minutes ago and it is really coming down and covering everything.  With a wooded neighborhood with Christmas lights, it is absolutely gorgeous!

One of my most favorite evenings

This evening was exactly what I had hoped it would be.  Everyone was home by 5:30.  Christmas lights are on, and a Christmas candle is lit.  Frozen pizzas were made (and almost burned), and we watched not one, but two Hallmark Channel Christmas movies.  The channel is not offered on YouTubeTV, but for a monthly fee you can subscribe to it separately.  I decided it would be fun to have it here at Christmas, and through the colder winter months.  It was worth every penny this evening.  All four of us sat together and loved the two movies.  I am so grateful fo this awesome evening.  I was full of gratitude while watching, and it was just an awesome evening.

We finally arrived at Friday

Woohoo!!!  It is Friday!  Yes, I am excited!

It's been a long week.  Andrew was gone for two days at the beginning, and it just never felt like I could every really recover.  I actually went to bed BEFORE 9:00 last night.  It was awesome.  I almost feel rested today, but that might also just be the Friday adrenaline kicking in!  Both Andrew and Catherine aren't feeling the greatest either, so a little bit of down time this weekend will be good for everyone.

Originally my plan for today was to go home when I am finished at 2:30 and not leave my house again until tomorrow.  That changed yesterday when I couldn't make the trip to the middle school because the band director was home sick.  Not a problem.  It will delay me about 25 or 30 minutes, but still plenty of time to enjoy my Friday of nothingness!

Then of course, I learned this morning that we are OUT of cat food.  Not running a little low, which is when the kids should inform, but just out.  Okay, well that means I need to go pick some up at the grocery, which isn't a problem except that today is mass exodus for students AND winter commencement activities.  Way too much traffic in our small little town today.

I'm still grateful though, that our evening is activity free.  We are trying to decide which Christmas movies we want to watch, and I'm so looking forward to hearing some laughter and just hanging out.  I would love to try and get two movies in, but we may all fall asleep during the second one if we try that.  I am so looking forward to our time together!

It's beginning to remind me of my wedding day

When it was decided that we would be hosting Christmas this year, I somewhat braced myself for my sister to make sure I knew how wrong I do things.  I knew that things would need to be done a little differently than we had done them at her house, but was hopeful we could all be flexible.

One of the things I talked to my mom about was that I thought we should do more of a mid-afternoon "open house" rather than having a formal sit down meal.  The only family members who really worry about making sure we have a formal meal is my sister and my in-laws.  We can have a traditional meal on Christmas Eve with my in-laws, and my sister is making sure we have a traditional meal on the Sunday before Christmas at my grandmother's house.  My mother and I discussed that by having something mid-afternoon my cousins who have evening commitments are more likely to join us, but it would be easier to have more of a finger foods kind of meal since it would be earlier in the day.  And of course, I have a house full of people for the week so I can't just focus on nothing but the food for the entire day.  Further complicating things is that my mother doesn't want to leave her dog for more than 5 or 6 hours, and it will take over 2 hours of that time just in travel...and more since she is most likely transporting her mother as well.

My mother informed me that invitations needed to be sent, so I ordered them and mailed them out this week.  Sure enough, I've received several texts from my sister this morning.  She's not flat out telling me she is unhappy, but her tone is clearly displeased, and she has told me that she's not sure she'll be there to exchange gifts since we changed the order of things.  Ironically, if we had done it her way, we would do gifts at 2:00 and eat at 4:30.  This way we are eating at 2:30, and will exchange gifts whenever everyone leaves...probably around 4.  So it's the same time frame, just a different order.  I even offered that she and Mom could come down earlier.  I explained the only "set" plans were the food at 2:30, and that we were flexible about the rest.  She curtly informed me that I was missing her point and she would do what she felt she had to do.  I didn't even respond to that.

At first I was sad and starting to feel stressed.  But then, I reminded myself that it will be Christmas Day, and I'm not going to let her attitude ruin the day.  I hope she come and enjoys herself, but I can't control that.  If she wants to spend the entire day irritated, so be it.  I will not let her ruin my Christmas.  It reminded me a great deal of my wedding day.  She was irritated by absolutely everything I asked her to do, and my best friend (who was also my matron of honor) has told me she couldn't believe how calm I remained towards her.  I remember feeling strongly that I was not going to let her upset me on my wedding day.  And I feel the same way about Christmas.  She can be difficult and make the holiday challenging for herself if she wants, but I'm going to do my best to enjoy the day and my family!

Things are winding down

Things are beginning to quiet and wind down around here.  It is finals week at the university, so the students are not on their normal schedule and are even beginning to leave town.  It's becoming more peaceful driving through campus and around town.  It will be really crazy Friday afternoon and evening as the major push for departure happens, but generally speaking it is quieter.

The high school is also winding down the semester.  Most classes are strictly in review at this point, although there are a few tests today and tomorrow to try to finish up before the end.  For Catherine, things are especially winding down.  As a senior, she is not required to take final exams as long as she meets certain requirements.  She will have no more than two exams, and may end up meeting the requirements in one of those classes.  So next week for her is pretty relaxed.  She has worked very hard this semester both at school and at work, and she deserves a little time off for that.

We also have a fairly unscheduled weekend, and even a possibility of a snow day on Monday!  I love all of this down time!

I know people

I have a high school class mate who was in a September issue of People Magazine.  How cool is that?  She is an amazing woman.  She adopted the infant daughter of a woman who was dying (and passed) from breast cancer.  Just a couple of months later, she herself was diagnosed.  She fought her battle and has been cancer free for ten years.  She then founded a non-profit organization to offer support to women who are battling any kind of reproductive/gynecological/breast cancer.  It has become a national organization, and she is absolutely amazing.

There was also a guy from my high school who appeared as a dancer on Saturday Night Live last month.  I was friends with his older brothers in high school, but he is significantly younger and I didn't know him very well.  I saw the episode though, and there he was!

I'm amazed by what people from my little town can do.  Someone else I know from my high school founded a local non-profit that gives Christmas gifts, Valentines, and back-to-school supplies to children in foster homes each year.  It's really grown into something amazing.

I'm in awe of these people who have done so much, and especially the women who are truly making a difference in the lives of others.

Two weeks until Christmas

Two weeks from right now I'll most likely be waking up on Christmas morning (8AM is our traditional wake-up time).  I am really looking forward to the holidays, as are many people, I'm sure.

I'm feeling more in the spirit, and more calm about the holidays than I have in many, many years.  It's going to be weird not having Robert home at Christmas, but hopefully we'll get to chat with him at some point that day.  It's also going to be different having the entire family at my house for the day, but I am looking forward to not having to be out that day myself.  Mostly, I am just looking forward to being together and making memories.  I am grateful for today's sense of peace.

A full week...in many ways

Next week the kids only have half days Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, so this is the last full week of the calendar year.  It's also the last week of the calendar year where I will be working all five, full days.  I don't mind, especially since the last pay period included not only days off for Thanksgiving, but two extra days off to prepare for the holiday and then a sick day as well.  No pay for any of those days.

It's also the week that final payments are due for the band fundraiser so I know what I'll be doing this evening...and tomorrow evening, and the one after that most likely!  It's worth it though, if the sale looks as though it will go as expected.  The kids have pep band tomorrow evening.  It's the only one they can attend this semester because of the swim schedule.  Andrew will be back from his school trip tomorrow afternoon, but has a meeting right away, and another one after school Wednesday.

On the upside though, we have a fairly unscheduled weekend coming up!  I don't know how we got so lucky!  The kids only have swim work out on Friday, not pool time.  Catherine immediately announced it needed to be Christmas movie night.  I suggested going to see some lights, but she might be on to something.  Maybe we could do both, or maybe we will catch some lights early Sunday evening (Andrew has to work Saturday evening at an athletic event).

I'm having a super tough time with my emotions lately.  Not only is Catherine graduating, but there are a few other things happening with the kiddos.  Everyone is fine, and I just need to learn to let them live their lives.  I want to protect them from any hurt, but I know that isn't possible.  I also need to accept that sometimes, my desire to avoid any risk in an effort to protect, is actually keeping them from something that isn't harmful, and could even be positive.  In other works, I don't always know what's best.  As a control freak, that can be tough to accept.  I've talked to so many parents who are going through so many things.  It's the toughest job ever.

Overall, I'm so looking forward to these holidays.  I'm looking forward to popcorn, and Christmas movies, and awesome scented candles, and fun food and beverages, and friends.  I want to soak up each event, each moment, big and little, and store it as a permanent memory in my heart.

Eleven years of blogging

I created this blog eleven years ago.  Oh my goodness, I am so grateful all the years of memories that posted here.  Without a doubt, each year flies by more quickly than the one before.  I am so incredibly blessed to be living this life, and I'm so glad I posted so many memories here.

With 2-1/2 weeks to go, I am actually almost finished with my shopping!  We have a few more things we need to pick up for Thomas, but we have some pretty good ideas for that.  Everyone else is pretty much finished.  The plan is to get the package for Robert in the mail tomorrow.  I hope to start wrapping gifts for family members who don't live here later today.

The next two days are pretty much my least favorite of the year.  Andrew is on a school trip.  In some ways, this trip is the least stressful for me because he is only going two hours away and is on a school bus which is a tremendously safe mode of transportation.  However, most of his trips are on weekends, but this is today, tomorrow, and Tuesday.  During the school week makes it really tough.  We'll get through though, and the kids are certainly old enough to be helpful with things.  I get to sub for Andrew for the next two days while he is gone.

It's hard to imagine where life will be in eleven years.  I certainly hope it will be as blessed as the last eleven!

I don't like this movie

Today, I am required to watch the movie, "Dumbo" in two classes.  I don't like this movie.  I hate any movies where animals could be hurt, and I don't like circuses.  I don't like movies where children are in danger.  I don't like this movie.

It's been a tough week with drama at home and drama at school.  I'm learning to try very hard to let go and have faith.  I've been doing lots of praying this week.  Honestly, I was convinced there was a full moon, but that isn't until next week.

It's a tough weekend ahead too.  Catherine works 20 hours just this weekend.  Thomas has two volunteer shifts for a fundraiser, and most likely since they are short handed Andrew and I will each take a turn.  Andrew also leaves Sunday morning for a school trip and doesn't return until Tuesday afternoon.  To be honest, I hate this trip.  It annoys me that it takes him away in December, but I will never tell him he can't go.

I know this post seems a little down, and I wasn't feeling that way until we got to lunch today.  I guess I'm just tired, and I started feeling beat down.  Most of the time I recognize that I have more blessings than I can count.  I think I just need a good cry and a good nap.  I plan to find time for that nap this weekend!

Stayed home sick today

I haven't cancelled a job for being sick since I started subbing here over three years ago.  Today though, I couldn't do it.  I woke up with a migraine.  Normally I can do what I need to do and push through, but today wasn't one of those days.  I almost cried while brushing my teeth because I hurt so badly.  Finally I called in, and then curled into bed and just tried not to move.  I hate losing a day of pay, but I am very grateful the pain has eased.  I still don't feel great, but I feel much better.

I need to be productive.  I can not just sit around and do nothing.  There are MANY things I can do while sitting at home, and that is exactly what I plan to do!

I felt like it was Monday about four times

Yesterday was a Monday.  Oh boy, was it a Monday!  In fact, I'm grateful it all happened on a Monday, because...well, it was Monday anyway.

For the privacy of my children, I am not going to go into details.  I will also tell you that all of my children are okay.  It was just a day full of emotions, consequences from choices, and more emotions.  There was also work stuff for both of us, and church stuff, and band stuff.  It was just a day full of drama.  It has been a long time since we have had a day that dramatic.  I am glad it is over. 

And today is a new day.  As my husband said this morning, we can't let yesterday carry over into today.  That's good too, because my sub job is challenging again today, but we'll get through!

We made vacation reservations

Yesterday, after trying for a while, we finally made a vacation reservation.  We are headed back to our favorite place on earth, the Outer Banks.  We are staying in the same resort community in which we stayed last time.  I am so excited.  With Catherine graduating this year, there was no way we were not going to the beach this summer.  It will have been three years since we were there, and I know it will be great.  I will not wish away the school year, but I certainly will enjoy this trip when it arrives!

Thrown right back in to the thick of things

It's been an overwhelming morning...and it's only a little after 9:00!  I knew I would be working all five days this week, but I didn't really know what I was walking into this morning.  Apparently the teacher I am in for today and tomorrow will not be returning this school year.  I don't know the whole story yet, and I'm glad.  I hate having to lie to the students when they ask what is happening.  On the upside, there are only eleven days remaining in the semester, so the kids don't necessarily need to be starting any major projects.  This particular teacher is also my neighbor and it's all just awkward.  Ugh.

I also received a text from the mother of Thomas's girlfriend, and she is not a happy woman.  Thomas didn't actually do anything wrong, but his girlfriend made a poor choice that involves Thomas.  We need to have a conversation with him, although again, he didn't actually do anything wrong, so it's a fine line to walk.

Also still dealing with junk from the band fundraiser.  I feel like all of the peace and relaxation of the last week has just completely evaporated.  It sure feels like a Monday!

That sure went fast

This past week sure went by quickly.  It was wonderful having an entire week off work, and even better having those extra days with everyone off school.  It suddenly dawned on me how rested I feel...and now it's time to go back.

Other than dealing with a lot of crap with the band fundraiser, it really was a wonderful few days off.  I work every day this week, and there are several evening commitments, so I know it's going to be a crazy week again.  I am so grateful that our house is pretty much put together.  Our trees are up, and most decorations are in place.  I am very grateful that we managed to make that happen.

Only fifteen days of school until we have to weeks off for Christmas.  I absolutely don't want to wish away my days, especially since this is our last school year with our sweet girl, but I'm not sad that a big break is on the horizon!

I want to go "home"

Yesterday we had to take two separate cars to drive to my aunt & uncle's house.  I had Catherine with me and the rest were driven by Andrew.  We stopped to drop something off at my best friend's house, and then we were on our way.

A little over half way home, my eyes began to fill with tears.  I realized for the first time I really don't want to stay in this town for years on end.  I had so much fun with my cousins yesterday, but I miss small family things because I'm over an hour away.  We can't make it to dinner gatherings with our friends because we are an hour away.  I'm incredibly grateful that we are here and that are kids are in these schools.  When that need is finished though, I want to go back and be closer to the area we call home.  I don't know if that will ever get to happen, but maybe someday!

A Thanksgiving I will always remember

Today was one of my most favorite days.  I truly loved it.  It is a Thanksgiving I hope I always remember.

There were 28 of us all together at my aunt & uncle's house.  I loved watching how all nine of the great-grandkids, ranging in age from Catherine at 18 to Ava at age 4, hung out together and laughed together.  Most of the grandkids and spouses (along with Andrew's parents) all sat at another table.  I don't ever remember having as much fun and sharing as much as we did today.  While I am older than all of my cousins (in fact, I called them my "baby" cousins growing up), we are all adults now and the age difference doesn't matter anymore.  We all enjoyed watching our kids, and we laughed as we heard them arguing about the answer to a math problem.

We missed our sailor, and with the impending graduation of Catherine, and of course losing my aunt...with all of this, gathering together as a family seemed all that more important.  I so enjoyed getting to spend the day with so much family.

Thanksgiving morning

My favorite holiday of the year is here.  I'll be honest though, Thanksgiving isn't what it used to be.  There were so many years when Thanksgiving meant an entire weekend of time for our family to do exactly what we wanted, and to just hang out.  It's so different now.  Catherine will work all weekend, and the kids had swim practice and work out yesterday.  We also need to transport Andrew's parents back and forth, and it just isn't the amount of "down" time that we had in the past.  It is what it is though.

I've enjoyed the quiet of the morning.  I emailed Robert, and since he is 15 hours ahead of us his Thanksgiving was almost over.  I have enjoyed a cup of coffee, and now I am watching the parade.  Catherine has been sick (she does feel much better today) so Andrew and I have been camped out in the living areas of the house.

I am looking forward to heading to my aunt & uncle's house later today.  I am really missing Aunt Cathy today, and I can only imagine how her girls are feeling.  I am so grateful that we get to spend so much of our day with family.  I am thankful for so many things.  Life is full of so many blessings!

I just lost my mind

This was an extremely busy weekend.  It made it very difficult to feel in the holiday spirit, but we will get there.  I love Thanksgiving, and I plan to enjoy it.

We had a very nice lunch with my grandmother Saturday.  She never ceases to amaze me!  I was at the barn for our band fundraiser in the morning, and then again in the evening.  I also tried to get the house picked up since Andrew was having guests yesterday, and of course my in-laws are coming.  Yesterday I was up to make sure Catherine got off to work, and then did LOTS of house cleaning before heading off to the fundraiser...and this is where I just lost my mind!  I totally got confused about the time and was still sitting in my dining room when I was supposed to have been there ten minutes earlier.  Oh my goodness!  The day went along though, and it was fine.  As is always the case with this fundraiser though, even after spending four hours, I came home and basically spent the rest of my evening working on handling "issues" that resulted from it.  I even had to leave home at 8:30 last evening to drop something off at a house.  It felt like it would never end.

It seems as though losing my mind actually started a week earlier.  I went to do laundry this morning, and when I opened the washer, there was a load from last week still sitting there.  Ugh!  Everything obviously needed to be re-washed.  I wondered where several things had gone.  I can't imagine how this happened, but I guess it just shows I've had too much on my mind.

I am ready for a few days of family and fun.  Catherine is home sick today with a terrible cold.  I am hoping and praying that nothing more develops and she can still enjoy the week!

Ready to begin the holidays

It is the Friday before Thanksgiving...one of my favorite "we are in school" Fridays of the year.  We made it through this week, and now the time has arrived to think about the holidays...sort of.

The kids don't have swim this evening which is awesome!  Unfortunately, Andrew has to work at the hockey game, but even then he should be finished and home by 9:00.  The kids and I will be spending LOTS of time working on chores, but I am hoping there will be some TV sharing before bed.  Tomorrow I will be up early to get things going for our band fundraiser, then we have Thanksgiving lunch with my grandmother tomorrow.  I'll be back in time to finish the day's shift at the fundraiser, and will be spending all day Sunday working it with Thomas.  Andrew is having guys over to watch the Steelers/Bengals game on Sunday, so tomorrow evening needs to be some serious house cleaning.

Monday I will be traveling to norther Kentucky to visit some extended family, and will also need to spend some time at my church job.  I'll make sure laundry is done and things are ready for the week, because Andrew and I are leaving VERY early Tuesday morning to retrieve his parents and bring them back for the holiday with us.  By the time we get back the kids will be at swim, but I am looking forward to a few days of relaxing and hanging out.  Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and I'm so incredibly blessed to be able to spend the day with so much family.

Our lives are so incredibly blessed.  I realize I need to stop worrying about the things that "could" happen, and just enjoy the things that are actually happening!

Another step in the process

After school today, Andrew is taking Catherine to where she is going to school to sign her housing contract.  This school does not have dorms, but they do have a managed apartment complex that is adjacent to the school.  She is doing this early to guarantee she can get the room she wants, which is the cheapest of the choices.  Honestly, it's pretty reasonably priced, especially considering it is furnished.  This is all really happening.  My sweet little girl is growing up and moving away.  The thing about this living arrangement is that because it isn't a dorm, because it is an apartment, they aren't "closed" during holidays and breaks.  So my sweet girl could move out next August, and never actually come back home.  It just seems so hard to believe.  Somehow, the worrying in these years of life seem nothing compared to the worrying of the next years!

So blessed to have this quiet morning

I am again only scheduled to work this afternoon.  It is not yet 8:00, although I've been up for nearly two hours.  I am so grateful for this time this morning to relax and just allow myself some quiet time.  I am so grateful for the moments I get to sit here, with my sweet pup cuddled up next to me, and one of the cats snuggled up next to the pup.  These moments bring such a sense of calm and gratitude that I can't even begin to explain it.

The middle of another week

Yesterday morning, I kept feeling like it was Monday since I hadn't worked the day before.  By the tine I went to bed I was convinced it was Wednesday.  I literally felt like I had lived through three days!  Today feels like Thursday, but I'm not at all sad that it is actually Wednesday...early day!  My patience for the some of the stupid stunts by teenagers is just not there today.  I really don't want to hear how they "just don't want to work."  Not interested in hearing it.

I was very grateful I only had to work 1/2 day at the school yesterday.  I actually fell back to sleep in the morning with my sweet pup snuggled up next to me.  It was a peaceful way to begin a really long day.  After my time at school, I went straight to church and put several hours in there before our church council meeting started.  It was expected to be so long we actually brought dinner in for all of us.  By the time I finally made it home after the meeting it was 9:30.  I was exhausted.

It's going to be a crazy week as I try to finish up getting things ready for the band fundraiser, and next week Andrew and I are going to pick up my in-laws and bring them back for Thanksgiving.  I'm looking forward to having a break from work for an entire week, and I'm looking forward to family time!

I am thrilled to be home today!

I have no sub job today, and honestly I am thrilled!  I work the rest of this week, although tomorrow and Thursday are currently only afternoons.  I've become spoiled by the really big paychecks, but I am so very, very grateful to have today to accomplish some much needed things around the house.

Yesterday I was able to run a few errands.  In only a couple of hours, I was extremely successful!  My Christmas shopping is coming along very nicely.  Since we are hosting Christmas Day this year, I want to be able to enjoy December as much as possible, and having shopping done as early as possible is key to that.

I am enjoying my lit candle and the peace and quiet of this chilly morning.  I am very grateful!

G.G. is home

G.G. has been released from the hospital and is at home.  The doctor strongly wanted her to receive some home health care of have the family stay with her, and G.G. is flat out refusing.  My mother is frustrated and stressed.  I feel badly for her.

I was able to see Mom this afternoon at a family wedding shower.  A second-cousin on my dad's side is getting married in February.  My mother and grandmother were there, and I enjoyed getting to see two of my dad's cousins.  Family is such a blessing!

Friday has finally arrived

I'll be honest, that day I had off on Tuesday feels like FOREVER ago.  I had an evening obligation every evening this week, and I'm just tired.  Add to it the emotions of the week, and yikes.  And of course, there is a great deal of things that need to happen in the next two weeks as well.  I'm trying not to panic about the next couple of weeks.  Next week I'm only working two days, and while that is a much smaller paycheck then I would prefer, if that is the way it works out at least I can take solace in the fact that it will be much less stressful!

This evening, we have plans with friends, but they can't decide what time or where.  I'll be honest, with my current mood, this is annoying on a new level!  Are people coming to my house this evening, and therefore I should pick up and vacuum?  Are we driving somewhere?  What time is all of this happening?  Most importantly, do I have time for a nap?

Honestly, I wouldn't mind just taking the evening and being home, but we do have tomorrow evening for that.  I am looking forward to it!  Catherine gets off work at 4, and although I have a wedding shower to attend up near my hometown, I should be home by 6.  French bread pizza in the oven should take care of dinner, and we should have some family time.  We really need this, as it's been a frustrating week.  Catherine has the attitude that no one can tell her what to do, and I am beginning to resent that Andrew won't tell her not to speak to me in that tone.  I just feel really dumped on this week, as it seems I am still expected to take care of everyone and everything, even though I am working nearly full time.  And this doesn't even count all of my volunteer responsibilities.  That is why I am especially looking forward to a little bit of family time tomorrow evening before I start getting in gear on Sunday and taking care of lots of things!

I was doing okay until this evening

The evening my dad died, we were at parent/teacher conferences for Thomas.  I remember I ignored my cell when it rang, but when Andrew's rang and I saw it was my mom, I excused myself and went into the hallway.  Mom told me Dad was unresponsive.  She suggested I should get up there.  I told her we were in a meeting, but I would call when we left and she could update if I needed to head to the hospital.  I called when we got to the car and she said she couldn't talk, but would call back soon.  I remember we pulled into the driveway, and I told Andrew I wanted to sit in the car until Mom called back.  Somehow I just knew I didn't want to be in front of the kids when Mom called back.  Strangely enough though, when Mom called, I wasn't distraught.  Andrew was much more upset than I was.  I immediately went into "we need to deal with this mode."  I called my best friends Stephanie & Chad, notified teachers that kids wouldn't be in school, etc., etc.  I remember it all so very vividly.

This evening I had to go to work at the church.  I like working Thursday evenings because the choir is practicing so I'm not there alone, but the kids are gone for almost three hours because of swim so I don't miss family time either.  Anyway, when I got home this evening and pulled into the driveway, it was all too eerily familiar.  My head and my heart went back to that evening six years ago, and it was a Thursday.  For a little while this evening, my heart broke all over again.  Having G.G. in the hospital isn't helping.  After all, she is 90 and isn't going to live forever.  I'm emotional this evening.

Dad has been gone six years

It doesn't seem possible that Dad has been gone six years.  I am so incredibly grateful that I had 40 full years with him in my life.  I regret that my kids never got to know him before he was sick, but I will forever be grateful that they also had many years with him.  I love that Thomas especially, still tells me little things that remind them of him.  I miss him so much.

Mom is having a particularly rough day.  Her mother has been taken to the hospital this morning.  I feel so awful for my mom.  When her sister became ill two years ago, it was predominantly my mother who made sure Aunt Cathy was at all of her appointments.  It was mentally and physically exhausting for her.  Mom admits that she has not recovered, especially not mentally.  To have to deal with G.G.'s illness right now is especially hard on her.  G.G. is not being a cooperative patient and is accusing the family of lying.  My mother is so angry, and I feel badly for her.  I have a feeling she is going to have a particularly long weekend.

The day I didn't want was much needed

I really didn't want to be off yesterday, but I needed it more than I realized.  I had worked really hard over the weekend, and the house was picked up and laundry was pretty much done.  It allowed me the opportunity to stay on top of the house, and it allowed me some real down time to just kind of "be".  It also allowed me the opportunity to take a nap.  It's hard not to feel really good about life when my sweet pup is cuddled up with me as close as she can possibly be.  It was gorgeous outside, but also really cold, so it really was a good day to be inside and enjoying my day.  I would've been happy to work if there had been an opportunity, but I'm grateful I had the day for me.

Next week I currently have three days off.  I suspect I'll be able to pick up at least another job, but at the same time, I will allow myself to enjoy some time to get ahead on Christmas if I have the time off!

I didn't expect to be home today

It is an absolutely gorgeous winter wonderland outside, but that isn't why I'm home.  Yesterday afternoon my scheduled job for today was canceled, and nothing else ever came along.  I haven't had a day off since September 9, and I didn't want to be home today.  Andrew kept telling me to enjoy it, and normally I would, except that when I get canceled, I can't help but feel I am losing money.  I like what Andrew told me this morning though, "You can't change it.  You have a day off, so enjoy it."  Sounds like a plan.

First accumulating snow of the season

We had snow flurries on Halloween, but tonight it is really snowing!  It is sticking to the grass, although as of right now the road temps are still to warm for it to be sticking to the pavement.  However, the temperature is supposed to plummet overnight.  It's a little hard to believe that our windchills are going to be in single digits in the morning when it was in the 50's today, and I was walking around outside without a coat this afternoon.  I don't work tomorrow so a snow day wouldn't mean a loss of pay, but I don't think that is going to happen.  It's early for this much snow, but it makes things feel so cozy!

State soccer champs!

My high school won the Ohio high school soccer championships today!  I am so excited for the team and community.  Soccer was a big part of my life when I was in high school.  We were a powerhouse at the time.  We made two state-final-four appearances and were often ranked in the top ten in the state (and sometimes at #1).  We never could quiet get over the hump to make it to the finals though, let alone actually win.  The best part (in my opinion) is that the coach is a classmate of mine.  He was probably the best soccer player to ever go through my high school and played at the collegiate level.  I was a statistician for the boys' team all four years of high school, and I loved every minute.  I'm so proud not only of the team and their coach, but of how the community has supported it all!

Sunday morning thoughts

Andrew is at his parents' house.  One of his best friends lost his father, and the visitation is today.  Andrew will be home tonight, although very late.  Catherine has left for work, and Thomas is still sleeping.  The quiet allows many thoughts to go through my head.

Six years ago today, also on a Sunday, was the very last conversation I ever had with my dad.  He was calling from the hospital where he had been since the evening before.  I was in a big building, and the reception wasn't great.  That building was destroyed by the tornadoes that came through last spring.  I am somewhat dreading this week, because the dates all line up to the same days of the week when Dad died.  The problem with being a person who remembers so much is that not only do I remember those feelings, but it's almost like I actually feel them again.

I'm also going to be brutally honest here.  I am dreading Veteran's Day tomorrow.  My son is a sailor, but it is hard to feel as though we are a military family.  We know almost nothing about what Robert is doing these days, and it isn't because he can't tell us, but because he chooses not to communicate with us.  Sadly, in some ways, it is better this way.  His drama doesn't involve us, and this way we don't have to deal with it.  At the same time, we love him, and I especially feel for Catherine and Thomas who miss their brother.

I have much to accomplish today, and I am grateful for this quiet time this morning before we start another crazy week!

A Friday evening exactly how I wanted it

Yesterday evening turned into exactly what I wanted it to be.  I closed my eyes for a bit, although I never really took a nap.  The kids had swim workouts and then pool practice, and it was nearly 8:00 before they got home.  Andrew was home a little after 4, and we just hung out and really didn't do much until we started dinner at 7.  We made potato pizza for dinner, which we knew everyone would love.  We finally watched "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown", and I loved that our family was all sitting together and enjoying the evening.  I can't even put into words how full my heart was as we all sat there.

It's been a really rough year for the city

This week, a City of Dayton police officer was shot during a drug raid.  He lived on life support for three days, long enough to donate his organs.  He was a 30 year veteran of the Dayton force, and the lives he saved with his donated organs added to the countless it was reported he had saved over the years of serving.  It's never easy to lose an officer, but this city has had a really rough year.  In May, tornados, including those at EF-3 and EF-4 levels, ripped through the region.  The north end of the city was hit particularly hard.  Andrew and I traveled through that area just a few weeks ago...five months after they hit, and it's still an unreal sight to see.  Then in August, the city was one of way too many this year that was the site of a mass shooting.  Now, a police officer was lost in the line of duty, unrelated to either of the tragic events earlier this year.

Neither my husband nor I are native Daytonians, but I'm eighth generation from a town just about 15 miles north.  My husband went to college in the city, and as the biggest city in our region, it's where we go for many things.  It's been a sad year for a city that is dear to our hearts.

It's been a tough week

This has definitely not been my most favorite week.  In addition to ALL of the other things that are happening, I've been in a tough sub job.  A teacher was out all week and had asked to have me so it would be consistent.  I knew it would be more challenging than normal, because he has really tough students.  They are all freshmen, which I don't mind, but while my husband is fortunate enough to have an absolutely fabulous group, these students are not.  These are many of the same students that were the reason I said, two years ago, that I would never return to sub at the middle school.  I had hoped maybe there had been some maturation, but clearly it is not nearly enough.  I am grateful to know that I am scheduled all of next week in classes where I should not be interacting with those who are making this week challenging.

Of course as I always say, being a Friday makes everything better!  And the really great part of it being Friday is that once I get home today, I don't have to leave the house again until tomorrow!  The kids have swim, but Andrew and I can just hang out, and maybe even take a nap!  I'll be able to do laundry, and band work, and cleaning, without worrying about what time it is and getting cleaned up in order to leave.  Even though I can't just sleep in until whenever tomorrow, sleeping in even three hours will be absolutely delightful!  Thank goodness for the weekend!

The day after the chili supper

Last evening was the chili supper fundraiser for band.  It's not my favorite activity.  I was there for 3-1/2 hours while my family was doing other things.  That's right, I got to spend my evening working at a band activity that doesn't even involve my children.  I'll be honest, it is one of the activities that makes me resentful.  It's so much better than it used to be though.  There are so many more parents that step up to help with things, and I'm so grateful.  The years where it was pretty much just me are still so clear in my memory. 

I'm dragging though, and it seems most students are this week.  I'm in all week for a teacher with a group of students I don't love.  I'm always grateful for the opportunities of extra income though.

Catherine and Thomas have started swim this week.  Catherine has realized her strength training class from this semester is really paying off and she is definitely a stronger swimmer.  Thomas is really feeling tired this week from the extra physical work of dry land and swim.  I am hoping his grades can stay up like they did in the first quarter.

Almost to the weekend for another week!  I'm grateful, but the school year is going so quickly!

The day after Election Day

Since yesterday was Election Day, we had the day off.  I'll be honest, it was absolutely wonderful to be able to sleep in.  I went to bed so early Monday night, and I was thrilled to get about ten hours of sleep.  I even felt rested for the day.

It wasn't really a day "off" though.  I did three loads of laundry, although folding hasn't happened yet.  Of course I needed to vote, then  I had to run to our former town and close our checking account (finally!), then swing by the furniture store in that town because my mother needs a new recliner and they have the best prices.  I needed to see if it was worth it for her to make the trip from her place.  I then headed to the mall area to deposit the proceeds from the closed account, and then needed to pick up a wedding shower gift.  My grandmother, aunt, sister, and mother are going in with me for a gift so I was in charge of getting it.  On my way home I did my weekly grocery shopping, and home in time to realize that in spite of instructions before I left, my children had spent all five hours I was gone sitting on the couch doing absolutely nothing...not even get dressed.  Then of course, they get irritated with me because they are "running out of time" to get things done, and aren't pleased that I still want crazy things like putting sheets on her stripped bed, or doing homework that is due today.  It's tough that Andrew doesn't get on them either.  He thinks I'm being too demanding.

After Andrew got home from voting, I left right away to go to my church job where I was for the next three hours.  I still wasn't finished, but knew the kids would be home from swim so I headed home.  That means going back Thursday evening again while they are at swim.  I made brownies for tonight's band fundraiser, but will still need to make two packages of corn bread before I have to be back at the school this evening to set up.  I don't have any kids performing at this evening's activity of course, but that doesn't really seem to matter.

Andrew has lost his car keys, and of course they are the only set we have for that vehicle.  He has a two hour meeting after school today, but Catherine needs the vehicle to drive to swim practice.  I can drop Andrew off at his meeting, but then will be at the fundraiser so he needs to find a ride home, and then find his keys.

All-in-all, life is pretty good.  All of these hours I am working are truly a blessing in terms of being paid.  The hard part is Andrew's reaction to things, but I know overall he is still a wonderful husband.  It's just a tough week!  And on the upside, the local election for school board went exactly the way we had hoped!

We will be hosting Christmas this year

Saturday when I was in my hometown, I stopped by my sister's house to drop something off.  The house was such a disaster area, I barely had room to walk.  I can not imagine living like that, but it is her house, she lives alone, and generally isn't bothering anyone.  I decided though, that she probably wasn't going to be hosting Christmas.  I mentioned to my mother that I assumed she would be hosting this year, and there was a less than enthusiastic response.  The dog that Robert left there last winter has done some very serious damage to Mom's house, and she doesn't necessary plan to take care of it until the dog is a little older.  I can't blame her.  I mentioned that I would be willing to host, although I seriously doubted that anyone would want to drive down to my house.  Mom called yesterday, and I was correct...my sister definitely doesn't want to drive down, but she wants to host even less, so Christmas Day is at my house this year.  I remember having to make an effort to slow down my racing heart when she told me that.  I truly am happy to do it, but suddenly it all seemed overwhelming.  I haven't had a school day off since September 9, and the next opening is November 18.  I also have the giant band fundraiser that finishes at the end of the month, plus a trip to get my in-laws for Thanksgiving.  Need the house cleaned before that, and then it is December, and aaaaccckkkk!

My goal is to try to slow down and focus on what really needs to happen (that includes grocery and laundry in the next 48 hours).  I want to remember to hug and kiss my kids, and just focus on enjoying each day.  Even thinking about that can be very calming.  I want to enjoy the next seven weeks, not wish it all away!

The end of marching band season

It really seems hard to believe that Catherine is finished with marching band.  Four years pretty much went by in the blink of an eye.  I hated that at the senior recognition on Friday evening she had had no one there except Andrew, Thomas, and myself, but maybe some of my family will come down for the swim recognition. 

Andrew and I attended their final competition Saturday evening.  I'm just not a fan of marching band, so we only stayed long enough to watch our band.  Overall I think Catherine is a little sad that it is over, but she didn't become terribly emotional.

Tonight are the marching band awards.  We've never gone because our kids have always missed so much swim by now.  However, I told her that she deserved to be recognized during her senior year.  Yesterday after wrapping up my two hours of Christian Ed commitments at the church, I spent another couple of hours shopping for tonight's awards.  I have more to do after school today, and then need to be back at school 90 minutes before it even begins to set up.  Wednesday is a fundraiser concert, and I'm hoping that my errand running today can knock out most of that as well.

Honestly, while I am sad about things coming to and end for Catherine, I can't be sad about the end of the season.  I know that swim is even more time consuming for her, but not for me.  I was thrilled with how she showed some leadership and took things very seriously.  Overall, the kids had a very positive season!

I'm feeling emotionally drained

I haven't slept well most of the last week.  I was amazed yesterday how I wasn't feeling tired.  And then last night, when my week was mostly finished, I felt exhausted beyond words.  Still didn't sleep very well though.

Senior night was lovely.  I really didn't get too emotional about it.  That might be because I was in "official duty" mode. 

I think though, I was really just suppressing my emotions, and that is why I felt so drained last night.  Today, absolutely every little thing has made me cry.  My sweet little girl is off to her final band competition today.  How on earth did we get here so quickly?

I also made a quick trip to my hometown this morning.  One reason was to support a lifelong friend who has opened a pop up shop for the holidays.  Another was to swing by and visit a friend who was having an auction at his house today.  We grew up together since the third grade when our mothers became very close friends.  His mother died eight years ago, and his father passed away last year.  He never married, and his brother moved away years ago.  He has decided he is going to leave also.  I can't blame him at all.

Driving around my quiet little home town this morning was rough.  I drove past my aunt's house, and the emotions of losing her this fall hit me like a ton of bricks.  She actually lived in the house I lived in when I graduated from college that is now owned by my sister (I rented it from my dad, then bought it from him, then sold it to my sister as she received her law degree right after I got married).  It also doesn't help that I was in my little hometown exactly six years ago today, also a Saturday, and it was the last time I saw my father alive.  Oh my goodness, so many little emotions created a big reaction in me today.

And I've also realized that I haven't been honest with myself about my son.  While I know Robert's choices are his own choices, and I'm not at all surprised by his choices, they are still hurtful.  Today was a day when I kind of realized just how hurtful they really are.

I'm so very grateful I had this morning to myself.  It's so much easier to process my emotions when I am alone.  I am so blessed in this life, and I never forget that.  Sometimes though, you just need to have a good cry.

The beginning of another November

There are only 61 days left in 2019.  I can't believe it.  I can't believe it has been twenty years since we were all trying to prepare for Y2k, yet here we are.

After the cloudiness and rain we've had, it seems weird to see the sun.  I am hoping that maybe I can get a few pictures taken of Catherine after school today.  Senior pictures are not a priority for her, and I am hoping maybe I can take a few myself just to have something.  Tonight is senior night at school.  I've both looked forward to, and dreaded, this day for years.  I am so proud of Catherine, and I look forward to her being recognized.  She has loved marching band, and it has been really good for her.  She is really going to miss it, and after four years it will feel very strange not having her around next year.  Tomorrow is her final band competition, and Andrew and I are planning to make the drive to be there.

I love the month of November.  Although it isn't quite as gorgeous as the month of October, it has Thanksgiving at the end, and that is always something to be excited about!

A snowy Halloween

We had very little "Halloween" in our house this evening.  Catherine had to work, and Thomas went to his "girlfriend's" house and spent the evening hanging out there.  It was a very wet day, and around the late morning/early afternoon, the winds picked up and the temps went down.  About 6:00 this evening, I realized there were actually white flakes falling from the sky.  Right now at 8:00, it is 33 but feels like 21.  Needless to say, our trick-or-treaters were limited!

Looks like we are going to have a Red Wolf

Catherine loved her college visit yesterday.  When she arrived home, the letter she had been waiting for came in the mail.  She has been accepted, and plans to attend IU East.  She was so excited.  She still has some decisions to make in terms of housing, but she is thrilled with her plan at this point.  She is so excited!

Last night when I went to bed she was in her bed reading, and I peeked my head in to say goodnight to her.  Of course the thought that she won't be living at home next year made my eyes fill with tears, although I didn't allow her to see that.  We've also learned that the place where she really wants to live is a 12-month lease, which means her moving to school next year might really be her "moving out".  This mama's heart isn't ready for that, but my job has always been to make her a functioning, productive member of society.  That seems to be where she is headed.

Mid-week at the end of October

It's been a crazy week.  But then again, I guess I could say that most weeks.  I don't love the crazy schedule our family has, and I don't feel being busy is a "badge" of which to be proud.  It just is what it is.  It's about doing what needs to be done, and doing it well.  That is life in my opinion.

School has been particularly interesting.  Monday there was increased police presence at our high school.  It was a little bit unnerving, but overall I knew we were safe.  We aren't exactly sure what happened in the area, but there had been a situation and the extra police were on hand just to be on the safe side.  Yesterday I got called in at the last minute for the morning (I was already scheduled for the afternoon).  It was a rush to get here, and then I ended up being in for a teacher who is in two different rooms...and not close together.  While I was in the office during the plan period, a student ran by followed by the school SRO who was chasing him.  Not something you see everyday!

We've also still had band and those responsibilities, plus we are at the end of the month nearing the end of the year so work at church is really gearing up.  I had a doctor appointment yesterday, and of course it is another full five-day work week for me.  I really need to get back to meal planning, but I just don't love that.

Andrew is taking Catherine on a college visit today.  This is the very first place she visited back in the summer of 2018.  She has loved it ever since.  Today is specifically for the nursing program, and they also have an appointment to visit the place where she would be living.  I'm anxious to hear all about it!

Just another crazy week in our lives, but I wouldn't change a thing!

My birthday weekend

Yesterday I celebrated another trip around the sun.  Originally my plan was to stay home and just enjoy the day.  Life happens though, and things had to get done.  There was a congregation meeting called at church, and as the Treasurer who could explain finances, it was necessary that I be there.  I had some errands that needed to happen, and while I didn't really feel like doing them, as I told Andrew, I didn't see additional enthusiasm on the horizon so I might as well just go.  And I'll be honest, it was a sunny fall day, and I'm glad I went.

Friday evening I started on laundry and also made a quick trip to the high school football game to watch the kids march at half-time.  After that I ran to the grocery.  Saturday was cleaning and more laundry then we had friends over to watch the Notre Dame debacle against Michigan.  Ugh.

Andrew made dinner and then I opened cards and gifts.  I really enjoyed my weekend.  It was truly very lovely!

The leaves are falling

It's a cold, wet October Saturday.  Just the kind of day I love for sitting around and doing nothing.  That isn't exactly how my day is going to play out, but it is a Saturday so there will be some of that!  There are some awesome college football games on today, and I'm enjoying the fall feeling all around me.

The last Friday of October

It seems so hard to believe that the last Friday of October has already arrived.  This month has flown compared to September.  I was reading a post from a previous year, and I had written the same thing.  Kind of funny how the years follow a pattern.

I really enjoyed my nap yesterday afternoon.  I slept solidly for an hour.  It was delightful!  It's a good thing too, because I was up way too late last evening doing laundry, and then overnight I had a nightmare that someone was trying to kill me.  It was awful.  I kept forcing myself to wake up in an effort to try to end the dream, and I kept forcing myself to try and stay awake to make sure the dream wouldn't continue when I fell back to sleep.  Not exactly conducive to a good night of sleep.

But today is indeed Friday, and I always say that makes everything better!  The football game is home this evening, so I am planning to try to make it for the halftime show.  I need to clean the house and hit the grocery as well, because we are having some people over tomorrow evening.  We get to sleep in tomorrow though, and that always helps to get us through the day!

I have been looking forward to this afternoon

We've had an extremely busy week.  Our afternoons and evenings have been far from "free".  Monday after school I had to run some errands for band, and the kids had practice that evening.  I also had a volunteer over to work on wreath sale items.  Tuesday afternoon Catherine had an orthodontist appointment.  Thankfully she could drive herself because Andrew and I had a meeting, then he had another work meeting.  I went to work at church and then went to the grocery.  Catherine had to work for a few hours.  Andrew took Thomas to get a Halloween costume and I had Catherine bring home McDonald's for dinner.  We VERY rarely do that, but it just seemed necessary.  I was supposed to attend a meeting that evening, but decided I needed to be working on band stuff instead.  Yesterday Andrew took Thomas for his temporary permit.  I had an appointment after school, then had a meeting at the bank.  The kids also had a band concert last evening for which I had several duties myself.  By the time we got home, it was 8:30, and I had to finalize the information for our band fundraiser.  It's just the way things have been this week.

Today?  The kids have band practice right after school.  I will have over 2 hours of quiet by myself.  They have a quick Halloween parade this evening, but we should all be home by 7:30 at the latest.  I am so looking forward to all of us actually being home and not having to stress about getting something done.  I am really looking forward to this...and hope to take a nap!

Our youngest is learning to drive

Yesterday Andrew took Thomas to get his learner's permit.  We weren't convinced he would pass the written test, but he did!  Andrew decided to allow him to drive in our neighborhood for a few minutes, and I was outside watching.  I also watched when Catherine received her permit, and I must admit Thomas did a much better job for his first time around then Catherine did.  In six months, if he has met all of the requirements, he will be able to try for his driver's license.  It seems impossible to believe.

He was so excited and shared the news with many friends and family via text.  I loved that he put in his saxophone section group chat, "I know no one really cares, but I got my permit!"  Of course, he also texted his brother to share the news.  My heart broke a little bit, when several hours later, Thomas's quiet little voice stated, "Robert didn't even read my text."  There is a notification system on the app they use to communicate.  Robert hasn't responded to Thomas in months, but Thomas was so sure he would get a response to such exciting news.  I hate seeing my kids be hurt and disappointed, but there is nothing I can do about it.

It's hard to believe it's time for the youngest to learn.  Wow, these parenting days are really flying by.  We are in such a changing (but mostly fun) phase right now, and I wouldn't change it for anything!

Fighting a migraine

About 4:00 this morning I woke up and looked at the clock.  I realized I still had over an hour to sleep, and I also realized I had a migraine.  While I knew it wouldn't go away if I didn't take something, there was no way I was getting out of bed at that point.  I would never be able to go back to sleep if I did.  When the alarm went off an hour later, my head hurt so badly I wanted to cry.  I took some medication, and that helped for about 45 minutes, but it came back.  I think it might be a day where I just need to be medicated.

It's funny how there are so many stressful band days where I have migraines.  I am beginning to think there is some strong correlation!

In spite of the headache, I am enjoying my day.  I at the high school in Math today, and the desk happens to look at the window which faces East.  It's a gloriously beautiful sunrise.  I am also grateful for the seat warmers in my vehicle.  It was a pretty chilly drive this morning, but I was nice and toasty.  And in spite of the band concert this evening, it is early day at school so we do have some extra time to get things handled!

The report card made me cry

I cried tears of joy over report cards today.  Catherine has struggled and there is a bit of senioritis setting in, but overall she is a fabulous young lady.  Even though her grades aren't the highest, I loved that all of her teachers report they enjoy having her in class and that she is a good worker.  I'll take it any day!

Thomas's report card was also really good.  He is being so much more conscientious about his work and staying on top of things himself.  I'm not necessarily convinced it will last all year, but I will certainly take what we can get!  And again, the comments were all about what a pleasure Thomas is in class.  It makes me so very happy to have things going so well for everyone this year!

I love fall, but I don't love Halloween

I think we all know that I loooooove fall.  I love the sights, the sounds, the smells.  I love the temps...I love fall.  I would say I love everything about fall, except...

I do NOT love Halloween.  In fact, I don't even like Halloween.  I very much dislike Halloween.  I don't like to decorate for Halloween, and I don't particularly enjoy the evening of the trick-or-treating.  Even when my kids were little and I could experience the holiday through their eyes, I didn't like it.  I felt it was more of a drag to have to come up with a costume.  Having a costume party?  There is a good chance I won't show up, and if I do, it will most likely be without a costume.  I am definitely the Bah Humbug of the holiday.

But everything else about the fall...oh, I am all in!  Yesterday Andrew and I even took a very long way home from our lunch plans so that we could see the sights.  Between visiting with our friends and enjoying the drive home, it was truly a lovely afternoon.

I suddenly make sense

I was reading one of my favorite blogs, and she mentioned that she was an HSP...a Highly Sensitive Person.  I was intrigued as to what that meant.  I looked it up, and I discovered that I am one!  Oh my goodness, it was so exciting to read.  I realize that may not make much sense, but honestly, I felt that I suddenly made more sense!  Approximately 15-20% of the population is this way.  It is enough that it is not considered a disorder, but it has to do with how our nervous system processes things.

I've always said I feel more passionately than others.  If I'm happy, I'm probably thrilled.  If I'm sad, I'm very sad.  I avoid political debates because of conflict, and conflict of any kind make me physically uncomfortable.  I've always been intuitive, and observant.  Even if I know that it is only a toy mouse, I jump a mile high.  My brain can literally be thinking, "It's a toy mouse," but my body has already reacted by jumping and screaming.  I detest going places where there are crowds and loud noises.  I often dread the thought of social plans, even though I am not an introvert.  Because of how my nervous system processes things, I have food aversions and a heightened sense of smell.  I am often physically exhausted by my emotional reactions.  I don't want to watch anything that will make me cry, and I prefer not to have surprises...I actually prefer watching TV and movies that I've seen before.  I prefer (almost demand) that my mornings do not involve music or TV.  I want quiet, and I certainly can't handle anything "heavy".  Vacations are awesome...except that everything is new and my nervous system "has" to process everything.  I am annoyed by things I can't tune out that most people don't even notice.  I've had vivid dreams that stay with me throughout the entire day.  I often can't shake the way I felt from a dream or worse yet, a nightmare.

And it turns out this is all perfectly normal!  Honestly, I always thought I was just wound too tightly, and that actually is true.  But it turns out it isn't my fault.  I literally can't just relax and let it go.  It may sound silly, but it is such a relief to know that I'm not the only out there that reacts this way to things!

I really enjoyed today

Today is the kind of Fall Saturday I really love, even though neither Notre Dame nor OSU played today.  The kids had to leave for the school by 9:30 for a band competition, and Andrew had to be at school by 9 to work an athletic event.  That meant no sleeping really late, but even getting up when we did was sleeping in a good amount.  I left shortly after the kids to go run a bunch of errands.  I didn't love my errands, but I did love the weather.  It was a beautiful fall day.  It was bright and sunny in the mid 60's.  I purposely took the long way home because it is a more rural drive   Andrew arrived home not long after I did, and the kids were another hour later.  I was really looking forward to an evening at home together.  Catherine was exhausted and really just wanted to relax, and I had a ton of band work to do...fall fundraiser time!  Andrew had made a batch of chili earlier this week for a school lunch, and doubled it for us.  We saved it to have today...perfect!  I had no time to cook, and it was perfect to just heat up on a Saturday.  This evening before Catherine went to bed we played a quick game as a family.  I love those moments.  I love how we laugh together, and I love how we share our lives together.  Life is so good.

This day is moving so slowwwwwwly

Overall, I feel like this week has flown by.  It's been busy, but not terribly overwhelming.  I am pleased today is Friday, but I don't feel like it took forever to get here.  I thought the week would feel longer because last week was only a four day week.

Today, however, is a different story.  Oh.  My.  Goodness.  I am pretty sure the clock is just standing still and not moving.  It feels ridiculous.  At the beginning of third period, I couldn't believe it was ONLY third period...and I didn't even have a class first period!  It's not that there is anything overly exciting about our weekend either.  Just a day that is moving very slowly!

Exciting plans for next year

There are lots of things on our family's horizon next year, and we are excited about all of them.  I know I keep saying that we are soaking up all we can of having Catherine and Thomas around before we are empty nesters, and it is true.  Hopefully our kids will always want to do fun things and hang out with us, but there is no guarantee.

We did similar things before Robert left.  The summer between his junior and senior year, we invited my parents, my sister, and my in-laws to join us for our summer vacation at the Outer Banks.  Only my mother joined us, and she mentioned that she would like to do something like that as each child graduated.  I'm not sure she is up to a week long vacation at the ocean anymore, but I still wanted to do something.  Since we had Andrew's parents join us on a small trip last year over spring break, we decided to ask my mom to do the same this coming year.  I tried to think of something that would be indoors (our break is in March) and not to far away, but something we would all enjoy.  When I suggested the Henry Ford Museum to her, she gasped and said she was going to suggest that to us.  It will only be a couple of days, but I know it will be a lot of fun.

We are also committed to going back to the Outer Banks.  Our plan is go early in June as we normally do, and we are planning to stay in the same community as last time.  It has the best amenities, and we are hoping to stay fairly close to the pool/ocean complex.  We haven't been to the ocean in three years, and I know we will enjoy it.

The other thing we have planned just kind of fell into our laps last evening.  My sister had asked if Catherine wanted her Christmas present to be a trip to Notre Dame for the Billy Joel concert.  She was fine with that, although Andrew immediately exclaimed that he wanted to go.  I suggested my sister want to take both kids, because while Catherine was fine going, Thomas LOVES Billy Joel.  My sister only had two tickets, but said she would see if she could get three together.  I jumped on the offer to use the two tickets she already had, and then she bought three together for herself and the kids.  Merry Christmas to all of us from Aunt K!  She got online this morning and made reservations for us at an airbnb just two blocks from campus.  The only downside is that this is just a couple of weeks after vacation, and we have to leave our sweet pup again.

I am NOT going to wish away these days, because they are too precious.  I also know that there will be many awesome things happen along the way.  It sure is exciting to have these things happening though!

Half way through October

I can't believe how quickly this month is flying by!  I should be accustomed by now, to the quick passage of time, but it feels like it keeps getting faster.  According to the news, we will have lots of leaf color change happening in the next week, and I look forward to that.  We are also expected to have lovely days to enjoy the leaves.  While that isn't good for our drought situation, it does make taking walks, etc, enjoyable.

Catherine commented last night that she doesn't want to wish away time.  I can't blame her.  She is starting to get a little emotional about this being her senior year.  She commented on how she only has two weeks left of marching band...ever.  Oh, tugging at the heart strings!  Things are starting to really get real about her applying to colleges.  She turned in her second application last weekend, and that school is very much her first choice.  Andrew is taking a day off school in a couple of weeks and taking her on a college visit for the day at that place so she can check out the nursing program specifically.  Where has the time gone?

In addition to band wrapping up in two weeks, swim begins at the end of next week.  The schedule is intense, but no more so than any other year.  In fact, having Catherine be able to drive is HUGE.  It can be tough to make sure that either Andrew or I are always available to transport, so we are very grateful she will be able to handle that.

Speaking of driving, Thomas will be getting his temporary permit very soon.  We are pleased, overall, with his grades, and he has earned the right to do so.  It doesn't seem possible that my baby has reached this stage, but that is reality.

September felt like a month that would never end, but October is rushing along!

Happy to be back where everyone can tie their own shoes and wipe their own noses

I am so incredibly happy to be back at the high school today.  My 3+ hours at the elementary is first grade yesterday was a lot to handle.  I especially noticed that there was a lot of thick, green snot coming out of noses, and one young man had skin below his nose so raw it hurt just to look at it.  I can't even remember how many times I had to bend down to tie shoes (and there was one young person that it was at least three times).  I also can't keep track of how many times I heard, "I caaaaan't."  Oh goodness, it was draining.  I've been averaging one day a week at the elementary, and I think it might just be time to take a break.

And that is exactly what is going to happen.  In the next month, I currently have only two days that aren't scheduled, and of the days that are scheduled, none of them are elementary.  Because I have only two days off, I am going to allow myself to decline if nothing comes up at the high school, so I should be "elementary free" for awhile.  I'm sure by the time a good opportunity presents itself, I'll be ready again.  Until then, I am going to enjoy being with the teenagers who can all tie their own shoes and wipe their own noses!

A cool, cloudy fall morning

Today I am only working 1/2 day at the elementary, which means I don't have to be there until Noon.  I loved having all morning off.  I allowed myself to go back to sleep, and even once I woke up, I loved snuggling with our dog.  I couldn't help but feel so grateful for those moments.

It's a very chilly and overcast day.  I love bright and vibrant fall days, but I also love these kinds of days...especially when I am able to be home all day.  I can't be today, but I sure have appreciated these extra hours this morning!

He isn't Chuck Cunningham

I have kind of joked a little bit that I haven't had any stories to share about Robert...it's almost like he is Chuck Cunningham from Happy Days.  Some have asked, "Who is Chuck Cunningham?", and my answer has been, "Exactly."  For those that don't know, he was Richie's older brother who left for college and was never heard from again...at least not on the show.

Robert is living on an island in the pacific.  Yes, I know where he is, but I won't share for various reasons.  For one thing, he is an adult and it is mostly just his story to share.  Secondly, while he is hardly doing major intelligence work, we just don't need to go there.

Robert has chosen to share very little of his life (and life stories) with us.  I could certainly speculate why that may be, but I won't.  Andrew and I accept this, and honestly, we aren't really surprised.  The part that breaks my heart is that he is missing so many awesome things with Catherine and Thomas, and I can't do anything about it.  They adore him and miss him, and he has no more contact with them then he does with us.  It is what it is.

I just kind of wanted to put this here, because I don't want people wondering "what happened to the older brother?"  We might see him in the next couple of years, we might not.  We do hear from him enough to know that he is safe.  We accept it for what it is, and we focus on our sweet little family of four.  We soak up these days of still having two at home, and are very grateful for it!

Guess where I am today???

I am at the high school today.  I got a phone call last evening about 6:30 from a teacher with a vomiting child wondering if I could go in for him today.  He is a friend, and teaches the same subject as Andrew, so I was happy to do so.  His classroom is only two doors down from Andrew, and I always enjoy days when I can see a little extra of my husband.  This is one of those days when I can't help but be amazed at how amazingly blessed I feel about getting to live this life!