Teacher of the Year

It took me two months to get this written, but I don't want to forget Andrew's big accomplishment of this year.  He was named the Rotary Teacher of the Year.  I am so, so proud that his talent has been recognized.  He's really awesome at his job.  He's going to use the prize money to take his kids on a field trip.  He's amazing!

Happy 50th to my awesome husband

Today is the day my amazing husband turns 50.  I can't believe we are both this age.  I'm so incredibly lucky to go through life with him.  It's not that every day is perfect, but overall we have far more good days than not-good.  We had a gathering with a few friends last week, and we had lunch with the kids yesterday.  Today I had to work at church after school, but we plan to have a drink on Friday.  He's amazing!

A weekend away in Chicago

Since Andrew and I just celebrated a milestone anniversary, we decided to celebrate with a get-away.  Originally the plan was to fly to Vegas, but the budget was not "airplane friendly".  We decided Chicago was better, and our dear friends love that city and are excellent tour guides.  Forty-eightish hours away is exactly what we needed.  We shared so many laughs, and good food and lots of good drinks.  I'm so, so grateful we did this!

Our anniversary

Today my wonderful husband and I celebrated a milestone anniversary.  It's really so very hard to believe all these years have passed by.  I am so incredibly grateful to share each and every day with Andrew, and I look forward to so very many more.  Our gift to each other is a get-away over President's Day weekend to Chicago with friends.  I pointed out to Andrew as we were driving home that we know for a fact that twenty years ago today there was snow on the ground!  

I'm so grateful for the life we've built together.  Catherine and Thomas both sent us a text today, and we had a lovely dinner out.  We also volunteered our church's community meal this evening, where an announcement was made that it's our anniversary and we were given a small cake.  It was so incredibly thoughtful!

I also appreciated that today was a Wednesday which means I only work until Noon or so.  It allowed me to take a two-hour nap, but I'm still planning on going to bed early.  There is so much going on and a lot to write about, but that will be another time.  Today I just want to enjoy my special day with my amazing husband!

The end of the season

Today is my amazing husband's birthday.  I always feel like I short change him because it is so right after the holidays, but this year I had gifts for him...actual gifts to open.  Then this morning I realized I didn't have a birthday card, so I'm still not completely on top of things.  I did at least leave the kids some cash so they could go buy him a card from them.  Anyway, in the last 90 days we have celebrated the birthdays of all four of us, and of course Thanksgiving and Christmas.  It's a crazy three month period of the year, but also my favorite.

Today also marks the end of the holiday season, as Andrew and I went back to work.  I ended up taking the morning off and I'm grateful my school was okay with it.  Six weeks ago today was the Tuesday just two days before Thanksgiving...one of my favorite days of the year.  It really kicks off the holiday season, and those six weeks are generally awesome.  It always makes today rougher, in my opinion.

We did manage to venture to our family's favorite restaurant in Cincinnati this evening.  I felt a little grumpy about it because it is such a drive, but traffic wasn't bad at all, and since neither Andrew nor I had any students, we were both able to get out of school a little early.  And the kids are home, so that made it even better.  In fact, it really was what I needed to do this evening.  I loved the dinner, I loved having all four of us at the table, and I love the fact that I am generally home early enough to get some things done.  I'm feeling grateful this evening!

There's no place like home

We got home about 7:00 last evening.  It was something of a rough trip home, and I was so grateful to finally make it home.  We walked through the house and did some unpacking, and my heart was full of so much gratitude not only for our amazing vacation, but for the house where we spend the majority of our time.  I felt like I was seeing home through new eyes, and I couldn't have been (and continue to be) more grateful for the home in which we live.

I'll write later this week about the vacation itself.  Today, I'm getting ready to face reality again with back to work tomorrow, and I'm enjoying celebrating my husband on this Father's Day!

Another trip around the sun for my husband

Today is my husband's birthday.  I am so grateful that we got to spend the day together, at least mostly.  He had baseball tonight, but other than that we were together today.  We ordered dinner in, the kids picked up a cake, and we gave him his cards.  For birthday gifts, I am having him choose exactly what he wants because many years I get him something, and it isn't what he wants, etc.  He was actually excited about this path!

I am so incredibly grateful to get to do life with him.  He is an amazing husband, father, and son.  I truly feel that I hit the jackpot when I married him! 

The same Anniversary card

Today is the date upon which my husband and I were married.  It's a Saturday which is awesome, but he has to work at a hockey game this evening, and we were invited over to some friends' house after the game, so we went out to dinner last night.  Since we had a snow day, it worked out really well.  We weren't too tired from the week to enjoy ourselves, as sometimes happens on a Friday.

Today we were up early because Catherine had to be at school shortly after 8, and Andrew was supposed to have baseball practice.  That ended up being cancelled, so we just hung out until Thomas got up later morning.  It was so sweet, Catherine texted us from her bus ride when she remembered the date.  She is a fabulously thoughtful young lady.  I headed to work at the church office around Noon, and after work I ran to pick up some groceries, and I also grabbed an anniversary card. 

When I got home, I noticed a card sitting on the counter that had a very similar envelope to the card I had just purchased.  I gave Andrew his card, and he gave me mine, and we both roared when we opened them.  We had purchased the exact same card for each other!  I really thought it was a perfect card for our relationship/anniversary, and obviously he agreed!  Or maybe we have just been married too long. 😆

I am so, so, so grateful to share each and every day with my husband.  I really don't think there could be anyone more perfect to go through this crazy life with.  I am so incredibly blessed.  More than anything, I hope my kids are able to find someone who makes them as happy as I am!

It turned out not-so-bad

Yesterday was my husband's birthday.  Of course, he had to return to work, and that is a bummer.  He doesn't mind so much.  I'm grateful that he enjoys his job so much.

On Tuesday, I had realized that although the kids had swim and workout practice last evening, Andrew and I had nothing on our calendar.  I got to work and invited about 30 people to join us for a couple of drinks uptown.  The college students aren't back yet, and it's awesome to be able to enjoy the establishments without the crowds.  I knew it was last minute, but was cautiously optimistic that some could make it.  I knew several would definitely try!

Unfortunately, as the days rolled along, more and more "sorry, can't make it" replies were received.  I was feeling terrible about the fact that almost no one was coming to celebrate my husband's birthday because I couldn't plan ahead.

And then things went further south.  My husband mentioned that the head baseball coach asked if they wanted to carpool to the baseball conference they were attending.  What???  What conference?? My husband neglected to mention that he was attending a conference that will require him to be gone for TWO NIGHTS.  I had made plans!  I was livid.  He swears he told me, and I pointed out that had he told me, I would've been planning to be his sub!  I pointed out that he is not getting paid to coach so this isn't exactly "work related" as he was trying to claim.  It wasn't pleasant.

In the end, only one couple showed up join us last evening...but it was our dear, dear friends from our former town.  As Andrew and I said, if it was only going to be one couple, at least it was them!  We absolutely loved getting to spend an evening with just them.  They are so very dear to us, and I'm so incredibly grateful that they made the effort to be there!

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!

Date night on the river

Last year for Christmas, Andrew gave me a gift card for a dinner cruise on a riverboat in downtown Cincinnati.  Honestly, I wasn't thrilled.  I hate cities, and I'm terrified of being on a boat in the water.  Most of the time I can handle it, but the thought of being forced to be on a boat without a life jacket for 2-1/2 hours was awful.  We made reservations though, and last evening was the date.  I appreciated Andrew's support on how hesitant I was, and he even offered to take me somewhere else.

I enjoyed the lovely city views from the river.  The first half of the trip was daylight which was cool, and then the second half it was dark so we got to see the city lights.  While that was all lovely, the rest of the experience left a little to be desired.  The food was "okay", but very few choices considering it was a buffet.  I knew alcoholic drinks wouldn't be included, but I found the prices to be exorbitant.  The bathrooms were awful, and service was also only "okay".  Overall I found the experience to be way overpriced.

However, I loved spending the evening with Andrew.  We discussed that we need to take evenings for ourselves more often.  I am so grateful to be living life with my husband!

It was a lovely evening outside

Yesterday afternoon, we hosted a gathering for Andrew's department.  Six of the seven others in the department joined us, and one brought the entire family.  As we are close with that family and they have young children we adore, we were all thrilled.  It was a lovely day and we all ended up being outside into the early evening.  Everyone departed by 8:00, which was fine with us.  It was so gorgeous outside though, and I told Andrew I didn't want to be cooped up in the house the rest of the evening.  We took a drink and went out to the back patio.  We even took my laptop so we could continue to follow along with the Reds game, which turned into a rout of the Cubs.  It was an absolutely lovely evening to be outside and relax for a bit!  We haven't had too many ideal outdoor evenings this summer, but I am grateful last evening was one of them!

A great night for front porch sitting

Today was a really lovely weather day.  I was able to get two loads of laundry hung out to dry, and I'm always grateful for that.  It wasn't overly warm and humid, and there was a good breeze.  In fact, it is a lovely evening for Andrew and I to sit outside and enjoy a beverage.  Unfortunately, he is at his parents' house tonight and won't be back until Sunday.  I have encouraged him to make whatever trips he feels are necessary this summer.  He was originally planning to leave yesterday, but with Thomas not feeling well and the water issue out front he decided to wait until today.  I never love him being gone, but I completely understand.  I've done some scrapbooking and Catherine and I are just hanging out.  This evening though, I really miss him not being here so we could enjoy the beautiful weather together!

Sometimes silence is golden

We are in the middle of our first week at home together.  In some ways, this is really just the beginning.  We had a weekend like normal, then Monday was Memorial Day, and then yesterday I was incredibly sick.  Today is really the first day we are all up and functioning on what would normally be a regular work day.  When I am home by myself during the week, my morning is quiet.  I watch the local news until everyone leaves, then I usually turn off the TV and work on my computer, or get other things done around the house.  Andrew though, likes having the TV on.  He is in the back family room on his computer, but had some sports program on.  Now, we all know I like sports, but listening to idiots discuss random and irrelevant facts about teams and athletes is not my thing.  I also acknowledge that I'm still far from feeling great and my patience is not at full strength, but it seems we have some adjusting to do!

Department chair

My husband was officially named department chair today.  The previous chair accepted a position as a middle school principal, so a new chair was needed.  Three individuals expressed their interest, and I am so proud of Andrew for taking this on.  Congrats to my hubby!

It was so incredibly thoughtful of him

Andrew hasn't felt well all week.  He stayed home from school Monday, but went back yesterday for the teacher work day.  Today he had students and came home exhausted.  He also came home with a plate full of desserts for me.  Apparently today was a Teacher Appreciation at the high school.  I worked, but was able to leave early due to the teacher's schedule.  Andrew decided that I needed to have some desserts because I am important at the school.  He even told the principal that he was bringing a plate home to me, and the principal agreed I am part of it.  It was so thoughtful of my husband.  I am lucky to have him!

He has officially resigned

Andrew kept saying he thought this past fall was the end of his football coaching days.  I didn't particularly believe him.  Someone else from the middle school had already left, and I didn't think Andrew would want to make them find two new coaches in the same year.  He was hoping the that the other assistant athletic director would not want to return next year, and then he would be able to get the full contract (and pay) for that.  I don't think that is going to happen though.  I had told him that next year there is a step increase, so as long as there is even a little bit of a raise negotiated into the next contract, he will make what he is making now, even with giving up football.  I don't think it is possible for me to work any more days then I've been woking, but we've cut some expenses and it should all be good for another year.

As he's been coaching baseball, he realized how much fun he is having.  And in doing so, he has realized how much he wasn't enjoying football.  This week, he finally made it official.  He will no longer be coaching football.  The hardest part was telling the person who has become a good friend.  I'll be honest, I'm not at all sad about this.  With my band volunteer job, the beginning of the school year can be especially crazy and I'm not sad that we won't have football on top of it.  I'm not sad that he won't have to start practicing in early July, and I'm not sad that we'll have a few days to be able to hang out with the kids.  With next year being Catherine's last year of high school, that was especially important to Andrew.  He'll still have at least have of the assistant athletic director's job, but that is so much more flexible.  I am looking forward to having some extra time together...something which has definitely been lacking lately!

I hate cooking

There, I said it.  I hate cooking.  Always have.  I hate baking, I hate grilling, I hate making food.  I don't like mixing, stirring, measuring, seasoning, none of it.  This is not new information.  This is the reality of our house.  However, I also accepted that I am the parent who has been home, and I'm the one that does the grocery shopping.  I get it.

Now however, I am often working 25-30 hours a week.  Still not full time, and with all of my husband's athletic responsibilities, still many fewer hours than Andrew.  However, before I could accept it was something I needed to do, and since I was home it didn't really get in the way of other things.  This is no longer true.  I am still the one who manages everything in the household, and it is in addition to the working hours.  I am not complaining about this because again, it is still fewer hours than Andrew.  However, if I'm doing all the cooking, other things aren't getting done.

Something has to change.  Honestly, because I hate food prep, I'm not good about planning ahead.  Andrew and I have got to come to some changes.  My grocery shopping lately has simply been processed foods and things to make quickly.  I don't know if the answer is to have Andrew plan and I do the shopping and then we both come up with a plan for cooking, or if the answer is we try to plan together...I don't know what the answer is.  I do know though, that something has to change for us to have healthier and more satisfying meals!

Today is another anniversary

Today, we have completed another year of marriage.  In so many ways, while not all that long ago, our wedding day does feel as though it was an entire lifetime ago.  I am very blessed to be able to share each and every day with my husband, and for now, with our kiddos.  We make a pretty good team overall.  Since it is Friday, we are heading out to dinner at a place that actually required reservations!  It's kind of a busy weekend, but I'm very grateful for all of it.

My husband's birthday

Today Andrew turns 45.  I'll be honest, his birthday often sneaks up on me.  Part of it is because he is always home in the days leading up to it, so it can be difficult to get out and get his presents and cards.  Part of it is that it is always next month/year, and then all of a sudden here it is.  We did go out to dinner though, and although I had to run some errands this morning, I made the decision not to go in and work at the church today.  Instead, we ran a few errands together, and I love getting to spend time with my husband.  I am so incredibly blessed to get to share life with this man!