She has her braces

Today Catherine had her braces put on.  Strangely enough, she has actually been excited this.  I think it mostly boils down to the fact that she is excited to get the process started so that it can be finished and she can have great teeth....at least we certainly hope so!  So far she has only been a little uncomfortable, but not too terribly much so.  Robert thinks tomorrow will be worse...I guess we'll see!

It's the crazy time of the year!

Our days are crazy, and I know that is pretty much true for everyone this time of year.  Being an accountant, year-end is crazy and I expect that.  Even though the church doesn't generally require many hours, there are still certain things that need to be prepared for the end of the year.  Fortunately, I'm able to generally work around the rest of our life, but certain things need to happen at the office.

It's also the time of year for concerts, parties, and just general holiday activities.  Our big band fundraiser wrapped up this weekend, and I had things that had to be compiled by last evening.  The Sunday School program is this coming weekend, and I am on the religious ed committee.  Not a lot to do, but still time commitments.  And of course, all of the things that go along with the holidays in our lives...along with parenting three teens!

I'm trying very hard to remember to be thankful and grateful and to feel at peace in each moment...but some moments are better than others!

Working next door

Today I am in the classroom next door to Andrew.  To be honest, I am really enjoying it.  For one thing, I got to have Catherine in class this morning.  Sadly, she is in an absolutely rotten class, and I couldn't wait for it to end.  He is testing today, so I am grading papers for him.  I'm enjoying the day.

At the same time, I don't think we could do this every day.  I think too much togetherness is not always a good thing.  I am grateful though, for so many different opportunities!

First weekend in December

It's Friday of the first weekend in December.  After today, only 13 more days of school until the end of the semester and Christmas break.  I am looking forward to that, but I also want to try to remember to enjoy the entire month.  This evening, Robert & Catherine have swim work-out, then Catherine is playing in the pep band at the high school basketball game.  Thomas is returning to our former town to visit a friend overnight so I'm driving him there.  Tomorrow, other than picking up Thomas there is nothing on our calendar until we take Robert to his girlfriend's house.  They offered to bring him home later than we were willing to pick him up so we'll be home early.  Sunday we have a bunch of stuff at church, Robert has to work and has a driving lesson, and Andrew has a meeting.  Doesn't seem very festive, but I'm looking forward to knowing that a break is coming up!

Pros and cons of different subbing

When I was a substitute teacher before we moved, I always worked with the younger kids.  I absolutely loved Pre-k through 3rd grade, and I didn't mind fourth grade either.  By fifth grade the attitudes had kicked in, and they were full-blown by sixth grade.  I was only at the middle school twice and high school once, and that was exactly the way I loved it.  The younger the better as far as I was concerned.

Things have changed though.  Now my kids are in high school and middle school, and my husband is at the high school as well.  I still won't touch middle school with a ten-foot pole, but I really enjoy being at the high school.  I enjoy knowing the kids when they walk in the door, and it's certainly easy work.  Our high school is full of amazingly respectful kids and I've been lucky in that I've had very few problems.  Most of the kids are fabulously respectful and so many are self-driven.  It makes a day full of reading for me for the most part since they handle things on their own without being disruptive.

Sometimes I miss the little ones though.  I miss really having an opportunity to instruct and interact with the kids.  I enjoy being able to read and not have to really think for hours on end, but it can actually get a little boring.  At the same time, after being part of a third-grade classroom yesterday, I'm reminded how physically exhausting the younger ones can be.  I'll be in a first-grade classroom next Friday, and I'm sure I'll really remember then!  Ultimately, I'm just grateful for the opportunities to earn some extra money, regardless of which form they take!

I wish it was a week ago

I can't help but wish it was a week ago.  Exactly one week ago right now, we would be in the car on Thanksgiving morning driving from my in-laws in PA to my aunt & uncle's house.  We would get to spend the day with family, and we'd have several relaxing days in front of us.  Right now, those relaxing days feel so long ago.  I didn't take them for granted though when they occurred, because I know how rare and special they are.  So grateful for those days, even if I don't feel they last long enough!

December yet again

Last evening I was sitting in the living room with my youngest.  He suddenly looked at his watch and said, "I can't believe it is already November 30."  It's always a sign that they are getting older when they start to recognize and understand the speedy passage of time.

And yet, here we are again at another December.  Only 24 days until Christmas, and in 31 days we will have to write "2017" on our checks.  I know I say this all the time, but I'm not at all certain how we got here this quickly.  I can't help but think of how "The days are long but the years are short"...oh so true!  We are tired people in our house and things are crazy busy, but we are so going to miss then.  And the time of missing this is not that far away!