Merry Christmas 2014

Reflecting on Christmas, I am forever grateful for the birth and life of Christ. His life provides me with hope, strength, courage, and reason to continue on daily. He lives today and I am thankful. This Christmas has been one filled with mixed emotions for me. Not too long ago we found that Michael and his family would be moving to Michigan, however, we had anticipated that it would be next Spring. However, he found out that they would be leaving right after Christmas. One of the reasons there are mixed feelings is because we left on the 20th to visit Jake's family in Cloudcroft, New Mexico, so that meant that when we pulled away, I had to say good bye to Michael's family. They will have moved by the time we get home. The kids did exceptionally well on the trip. We had let them open gifts the week before we left so they could play with them and we could travel lighter. It helped that they had a couple new small things to play with on the trip that were still new. On a side note, I am glad to see Jake enjoy his family. It is not always easy for me because I do not always feel apart of the family by certain individuals but I would not take this opportunity away from Jake or our children. There are times where I think it is because they do not know me well (but we have been married 13 years). I hope one day that they enjoy me and am glad I'm there. The kids are also having a great time and enjoying the snow. They have been sledding and ice skating. We also took them to the space museum in almagordo, NM. Several fun memories were made. Jake said his favorite part was chatting with his dad the night before we left. On the way home we went to Carlsbad Caverns and told the kids of our engagement there. 

The most wonderful time of the year...

I love the holiday season (Thanksgiving and Christmas) for many reasons. One if those reasons is all the time spent with family. I love the spirit, smells, scenery, and all the excuses we make to be together. This weekend we had thanksgiving dinner with my dad's side of the family. There were people I met for the first time and those I haven't seen in over ten years. It truly was great! We also had Amy snap a few quick photos. That evening the girls were surprised by a visit from their besties. I picked them up and took them dinner. I was somewhat bored but the happiness, smiles, and giggles of my girls made it worth every minute and dollar. 

As for teaching, I can't say that I love it yet but I'm surprised at how much I card for all 28 of my students (yes, 28...that's a lot for a 4th grade class), even those who make class more challenging. I had my first unannounced observation abs it was beyond bad. It was the first day back from break, the room was extremely hot (as we were all sweating), and one if my students was "on one" that day. I had skipped lunch to prepare my videos and get the lesson set up, even though I dust know they were coming so everything was prepared but the environment. The kids were anxious to get to music, right after lunch and a day out if school, the room was a sauna, and a few were just full that day. Oh well, I guess it's a learning experienced or me and I can only improve. Later I found out one of my students was deliberately misbehaving. 

As for my precious little ones, they are good. All four of them are growing up so quickly and Ginny is becoming quite the little lady. She is beyond beautiful. The boys are still all boy and Aubree is still the most giving child I have. It seems daily, my children teach me more than I teach them. I can only hope that I am preparing them to make good choices and always feel loved. 

My middle two....

My sweet babies are growing up way too fast. Look how beautiful and handsome they are these days....

Fall break

Phew....I am quickly learning the life of a teacher is not at all what one thinks until they become a teacher. Morning are early avid evenings are long but my sweets have been troopers as Jake and I both adjust. There are many times as ikay in bed at night, a student crosses my mind it I try to think if a way to best teach.  Jake takes our sweets to school every morning and he and Ginny arrive at his school about an hour before school starts. Each afternoon, the three youngest are brought to me and they patiently wait for us to leave. The girls are great helpers. A couple of weeks ago, we surprised them with a daddy/daughter date to see the Phantom of the Opera. I think they enjoyed it. It was so cute to watch them dress up and eyes full of excitement. 

We spend the weekend with Sandra and are spending the rest of the week on home improvements (well mainly Jake).  October is probably one of my favorite months of the year, along with April, because the weather is perfect and the leaves are changing. It's an added bonus that we get to decorate for holidays back to back. 

Happy 10th Aubree

There are fewer things that bring joy into my lives than my children. Likewise, I know of no child with a better heart than our, Aubree. Today we celebrate 10 years with her in our lives. It was not enjoyable knowing that I was unable to carry (I had but the night before and send) her birthday treats and have lunch with her on her special day but it was still good for her. Nana came, checked her out of school early, took her to lunch, and went birthday shopping too all before school got out. After school we went to dinner and for ice cream. Here are a few of her favorite things right now: shrimp, unicorns, Lindor truffles, water, swimming, reading, monster high, and Ever After. Aubree is a very forgiving sweetheart and an example of thinking of others. We are blessed she is an interval part of our lives. Happy birthday sweet girl! 

First days of school for all

This was a year of lots of first for our little family as we all experienced a "first" day of school. Anxiety ran through my blood for many nights before my first official day with the students. I am teaching 4th grade at Shelby Oaks Elementary and still feel as if I have a lot to learn. Jake is in his first year at Elmore Park and seems to enjoy it, he did not feel much anxiety about the change this year. Ginny is a big 7th grader at Elmore Park with her dad. Aubree is excited to be in 5th grade and see what the year has in store for her. Jake (Will) is in 1st grade and Christopher is still in pre-K. As a family, we can officially say that we finished our first week of school. To celebrate our first week, we went to a movie and a Redbirds game that night. Family is what it is all about!

Last week of summer

School for teachers or actually in-service meetings start a little early for teachers. Teachers report the week before students. We were able to send the kids to my parents for a few days so they would not be home alone all day. They enjoyed it very much. Jake was asked to present to the entire city and received many praises for his presentation. He was the talk of the in-service according to many and someone even mentioned it to Michael. Michael said that he did not know Jake "was such a big deal". I know I am a little biased but he really is an incredible teacher and has chosen to continue to teach instead of leave the class room. I hope to one day reach his abilities and hope that I also gain a love for teaching as well.