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!