First day of School!!!!

We ALL had a great first day of school today.

Normally I spend this morning dropping off my kids and shedding a few tears thinking that I will miss having them around the house and thinking about how fast they are growing up. Well I figured out the cure for those tears: GO WITH THEM!!

We all got up much earlier than we wanted to and headed up to school. The kids had great days and really like their new teachers.

I think I was just so excited to not be sitting in a meeting but actually being in my classroom with kids! I am sure there will be days that I long for a meeting again. However, today was a good one. I like my class and think that it will be a great year. It was hectic of course in moments trying to get everyone organized or back on the routine, but that will settle in over time.

Bottom Line: I decided that I will go back tomorrow for another day!! ha ha

Little League and Little Boys and big emotions!!

Did you watch the Little League World Series? Probably not unless you have a 10 year old boy in your house like mine. We watched it and it was great. I love watching my own kid play baseball the most, but this is probably the next best kind of baseball to watch.

These guys are such cutie patooties and playing their hearts out. They are full so much energy and emotions. The best part is they aren't hardened and calloused by the world that they think they have to hide all those feelings, like the big boys on the diamond often do!

Each summer this game is really such an amazing glimpse of the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat side by side! I am happy the team from Georgia won it all, but I still felt sad and even got a little teary eyed when the camera showed the sweet team from Japan in tears.

Well, "Put me in coach, I'm ready to play, today"...

Joshua's baseball season is right around the corner and today definately got our baseball juices flowing again!

Play ball!!!

Stress makes me stupid

I am coming to the sad conclusion that when I am stressed I get really scatterbrained. It's been a long week of meetings at school, sitting there wishing I could be in my classroom working on stuff and getting lesson plans ready. Nope, I have to hear about planning "engaging" lessons instead of being given the time to actually do that! I have just accepted the fact that I will not start the school year "ahead of the game" like I prefer, but a step behind and working hard to catch back up. I think that is what "Labor Day" is really for!

So yes, stress makes me stupid. Forgetting where I put things is probably the biggest issue. I managed to lose my class list of students that I was given in a mere 12 hours. (I did find it)
You know how you sometimes walk into a room to do something, then can't, for the life of you remember what it was? Well multiply by 10 and that's about how many times this has happened to me this week. Car keys, oh don't even get me started, I need those things stapled to my forehead. Forgetting words, that's another thing, I will be talking and all of a sudden I can't get the word I am looking for, and I am just stricken like one of the patients in that movie "Awakenings" with Robin Willams, until someone gives me the word or my brain reboots and I find it. It's kind of embarrassing. I have told some of the people I will be working with that I really am a college graduate and I promise I won't always act so strange.

I don't need any help so all comments can just be encouraging or feel free to poke some fun at my issues too, laughter is a stress reliever, does that include when people are laughing AT you?

Yes, I am making lists
Yes, I am using lots of sticky notes
Yes, I am trying to visualize where I parked my car
Yes, I am thinking of buying the clapper for my keys

No matter what I do though, I am just convinced, stress makes me stupid!!!

TRAINING UPDATE:
I am sure many of you thought that I have already given up! NOT SO!! I am actually finally getting started. I got up early two times this week and ran. The victory this week was the "getting up early" part more than the actual running. I kept it short and sweet. You know you don't want to kill yourself when you start out, right!? Baby steps people, baby steps!

Top 10 things I will miss about being home

I am headed back to work. Here is testimony to why you don't use the word "never". I am pretty sure I used it 10 years ago as I jetted out of my 7th grade classroom for the last time. "I will never teach again" I am done, take my stuff, I don't need it. Hmmmmmmm, well fast forward 10 years and here I am again, putting up bulletin boards, and arranging desks. Who would have thought, certainly not me. I am teaching 4th grade at the same school that my kids go to which is approximately 1/2 mile from my house, in the neighborhood. I couldn't ask for a better situation. I did a long term sub job last year and really enjoyed it, and so I decided to go back full time. I hope I still feel this way come Christmas. Well, no matter what you are headed into I think there is still bit of sadness saying goodbye to the past season so I have compiled my list of top ten things I will miss about being a stay at home mom for your entertainment.



10. Shopping during the day during the week when everyone else is at work.

9. dropping the kids off at school while I am still in my PJ's

8. meeting a friend for lunch or starbucks

7. Running errands WITHOUT my children, they will miss this too!!!

6. VOLUNTEERING at the kids school, coming and going as I please.

5. My morning cup of coffee while watching the Today show until Meredith Viera annoys me to a point that I MUST get showered and start my day.

4. Not having a boss. If you know me then you know that I don't like being told what to do. character flaw, I know!!!

3. Working out after I get the kids to school. I am going to have to do it BEFORE school now. People do you know how EARLY this means.

2. Oh this is a big one!! My stay-at-home mom 2:00pm power nap. Many days (not all) I turn on a little afternoon Law and Order on TNT set my alarm on my phone for about 30 minutes and like Pavlov's dog I would here the "bum bum" sound that starts Law and Order and I would be out!! I love a good nap!

1. the number one thing that I will miss the most...
Fridays with my husband!! Since he is off on Fridays it was like and automatic date day, without worrying about childcare. I will be a little bummed every Friday when I know he is home and I am not!!

ALL BOY!!!!

Joshua is spending a few days with my folks and here are some "all boy" moments my mom emailed me. I just had to post them. It's good for a suburban boy to get out to the country sometimes!

The Best Birthday EVER

Yep! That's right, today is my birthday. I am 35 years old, but I have decided I am not going to think about age anymore. I still think and often act like I am about 18 so that's all that matters! I look around and think where is the old lady that is driving this blue minivan and toting these big kids around, it can't possibly be me!! I like my fantasy world, I am staying in it and you can't make me come out!

I thought I would take a moment and tell you about the best birthday I have ever had and I know it's the best one I will EVER have. Strong statement, I know, but read on and I think you will understand and agree.

My best birthday ever happened on the day I turned 25. I recieved the most incredible gift that day. It was a gift that changed my life and radically invaded my heart. I had no idea at the time how much joy and love this gift would provide me on a daily basis. I would gladly give up my life for the gift that I recieved that day. It is one of the two most precious things in my life.

You see, my sweet boy Joshua was born on my birthday 10 years ago today. He came 9 days early just to surprise me and share that special day with me. I LOVE sharing my birthday with him. Yes, he is a full decade today. I can hardly believe it and have been teary-eyed over it for several days. It is such a joy and privilege to watch this baby turn into a young boy and now to keep moving toward that goal of becoming the young man God has called him to be.

If I can take a moment (I can it's my blog) I will tell you about this boy. He is smart, funny, athletic and polite, all great things. However as I was pondering him today I was prouder of what I see him becoming on the inside than those things I can see on the outside. He is a kind-hearted person and has an empathy for others that is well beyond his years. He is growing in wisdom in the things of God. I love to hear how his prayers are slowly becoming deeper, more about others and their needs and less about self and wants. I am proud of his honesty and character.


I love the age he is now. I think they should be called the "see saw" years. It's like a see saw, one moment you can see the pull of independence in him as he pulls to grow up and the next moment you can see the push of a young boy still ok with a snuggle from mom and dad. It's a fun time to watch and be a part of.

So no matter what I might get for my birthday today, nothing can top the gift I got 10 years ago!

Farewell Friday

Today was our last full day at Horn Creek. They served a late breakfast to let everyone sleep in some, which we did!

After an amazing breakfast we joined in the organized family games they were having. It was just a bunch of easy games for us to play. It was really fun and Joshua and Jessica had a great time.

After that the kids rock climbed some more and played. Chris and I ran to the little nearby town to grab a sandwich and I found a charm for my bracelet. I got a bear charm, because all week we were told about a bear that likes to hang around camp. He busted into the laundry room one night and tore apart a vacuum cleaner to get at some honey nut cheerios that had been vacuumed up!!

That night was "banquet night. They served this wonderful meal and then we headed downstairs for our last service and they also served the Lord's Supper. It was a really sweet time for all the families and a wonderul way to end the week.

We all really enjoyed our week together, playing together and doing new things. I am ready to be home but will miss my mountain view and cool weather.

It's actually Saturday morning and we left VERY early (4 am) to get going. We are just outside of Amarillo. We will be back in Big D before long!

Thanks for enduring all my vacation pics!! More legit posts to come. I have many brewing in my mind! Come back for a visit sometime soon!

Texas Thursday

I call this one Texas Thursday because all the things we did could have easily been done in Texas, but just a different type of scenery. We started out the day with a trail ride to this gorgeous scenic meadow where we hopped off our horses and had a picnic lunch.

That night at the camp was Western night. We all put our boots back on (well not Chris) and squeezed into our jeans. On a side note, I am not sure if I mentioned this but the food is AMAZING!!! Three meals a day all wonderful! All NOT cooked by me. I am eating my way through the week. Really!! Imagine Ms. Pacman, chomp chomp chomp that's me!!!

Ok so we all eat our picnic barbeque outside and later that night we head down to this indoor arena area for some square dancing. It must be pretty funny to watch me square dance since I have serious issues remembering my left from my right! We did that for a little while and then Chris and I sneaked away and went bowling at the rec center. That was fun, even though he beat the fiddle out of me.

Wilderness Wendnesday

Ok so Wednesday after breakfast we headed out for a family hike to a Venable Falls. We were told this hike was a good one. It was about 2.5 miles from the trail head to the falls. No problemo I think to myself, we hiked in Georgia alot and all loved it. Hmmmmmmm, I seem to have forgotten that little thing called elevation. We were already at 9000 feet at camp and I think the falls were at about 11,000 feet so we had a little climb ahead of us. It was a challenge for the kids at times just with the altitude and steady inclines. I felt like I was on the stairmaster at the gym, huffing and puffing, with a much better view of course. So we made it the Falls and enjoyed our lunch on this rock that was jutting out over the water with the falls way up to the right. They were huge and beautiful and high, oh so high. I don't like heights. I forced myself out on the rock to look because I knew I would be sad to come all that way and miss it. They were beautiful. My kids were so cute eating their lunch on that rock and toasting their lemonade together in victory.

The hike down was much easier! That afternoon Chris played volleyball for 2 and half hours and the kids played at the recreation center and I took a nap, a glorious, quiet, nap!!

White water Tuesday

Today we left the campsite to do a little white water rafting through Brown's Canyon. It took about an hour and half to get to there, the drive was beautiful. We took Joshua's buddy Caleb with us. Once we arrived we put on our "splashguards" that we rented to help keep us dry then headed to the waters edge. Our guide spent about 10 minutes telling us all the different ways we could die on the river or strategies to do to try to avoid dying. I think Joshua and had some serious concerns by the end of that lecture, but we trusted our fearless leader and went anyway. Well it turned out that the lecture was not needed and these were very "family friendly" white waters rapids. I guess the guides enjoy the look of fear in the peoples eyes when they give that lecture. The rapids were fun, no one fell out, Chris and I even did some rowing too. The water was a chilly 48 degrees. We came to one point where the water was slow moving and he gave us the choice to jump in it. 3 out of 5 of us said, no thanks and looked at him like he was crazy. One of us said, "I want to go." Who was that you ask? Well of course if you know my family it was my water girl Jessica. I looked at Chris and he knew, if she was going he had to go, my baby wasn't getting in that water without an adult!

So we lived to see another day after the rapids and headed back to camp, cold and tired, but thrilled to have done and seen some incredible scenery through the canyon.

Funday Monday

Monday started bright and early. Our first morning here I woke up VERY EARLY to VERY bright lights shining in my face, my first reaction was to be a bit grumpy about that light, but then when I opened my eyes to the amazing mountain view out my window it just didn't seem right to be grumpy about that.

Monday morning started with a pancake breakfast outside. They rolled out this huge griddle and started flipping the pancakes. Literally!!! The cook stood about 15 to 20 feet back and you braced yourself with your flimsy styrofoam plate and kept your eye on the pancake!! I am happy to report the Havard pancake flipping stats:

Joshua had a solid shortstop catch on the first try

Jessica held her ground with strong second effort catch

Chris tried to showboat with a behind the back catch, but missed and had to get back to fundamentals and catch normal

Me I caught mine and gave the fist pump of victory.

After pancakes we spent most of the morning at the recreation center. They had arts and crafts for Jessica and Joshua bowled. I even tried to be "sporty spice" and play a little volleyball with Chris. It's not my favorite, it hurts like the dickens. Really why would we create a sport where we use one of the smallest, least meatiest parts of our body to pound a not exactly soft ball!? So I got my sporty spice on for most of the morning. (Does that count as my training for the Half?)

After lunch we went to the Alpine Swing. The Alpine Swing is this device that you harness yourself to the rope and the rest of the group pulls you up, up, up to about 25-30 feet in the air. Then this other rope gets pulled and sends you into a free fall swing. aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!

So Joshua was signed up to go and he did it, no problem, no hesitation (crazy kid) then while we were down there Jessica decided she wanted to do it. I didn't suggest this nor did I try to deter her, it was completely her choice. So she gets all harnessed up and is about to be pulled up and slowly the fearful tears started to flow. She never said, "put me down or I don't want to do this" so she gets pulled up about halfway and still the tears are flowing and I was just feeling helpless on the ground, fully aware that I couldn't do anything, this was her little battle. So "snap" went the rope and down she swung, with a huge scream, then she was ok and enjoyed swinging and twirling around. She claims she would do it again. I think Chris and I were about to bust with pride watching this sweet little 7 year old girl conquer her fear and follow through. I was just thinking about how much we all need a dose of that. Often alot of joy and fun comes on the other side of that fear.

We finished the night playing board games with Wally and Staci and as usual fell into bed and crashed.

By the way if you are still reading my blog, I feel like I am forcing you to come over and watch my vacation slides. Yet this is even better because I don't have to clean my house or fix you popcorn!

Jessica getting hooked up to swing, the tears were starting.

Up, up and away! He's about 3 stories up and I think I was more scared than he was!

PANCAKE CATCHES!

FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS (I catch like a girl don't I)

Yes!!

A step back in time (Sunday report)

So Sunday was our first full day at Horn Creek. I added some pictures of the lodge and views for you to get an idea of things. We had breakfast that morning then church. It was of course different from our regular rock and roll time we usually have at the Heights, but it was sweet to sing some hymns with just a guitar. I got a little chuckle thinking that my children probaby thought these were "new" songs. I am certainly NOT trying to open any sort of debate on worship style, just commenting that I did enjoy it.

Sunday afternoon we got signed up for our recreation activities for the week and then hit the pool and the waterslides. The slides were freezing, but the pool was warmer, at least that was what was reported to me. This Texas girl is not up to the polar bear Colorado water!

The highlight of the day came after dark when they set up the "log roll". We weren't sure what all that was about but the "regulars" sure did seem to be getting excited about it. (There are families here that have been coming for years and have multiple generations with them.) So we head downstairs to the main meeting room and they have this huge log hanging from the giant log beams in the ceiling and two by two they line up grab their pillows and just beat the tar out of each other! First one to fall loses. So we watched a few rounds, then my friend Staci who is the mom of Joshua's friend Caleb (they invited us to camp) get in line to do this strange tradition.

It was so funny. Of course you guys know me and I am acting nice, but of course I HAVE to win

(see post on random facts). Eventually I ACCIDENTLY went for the cheap shot and hit her in the boob, and she started laughing so hard that she fell off. I really didn't mean to, but it made for a very funny story. So then Joshua and I have a go at it and I was playing nice, letting him have a few hits, not wanting to crush the fragile male ego, then he smacks one across my face and it was "ON" after that. I took him down too!!

After that we played in the recreation center where they have bowling, basketball, rock climbing, raquetball etc. Fell into bed about 11:30.

At one point during the log roll, I looked at Chris and said, this is so old fashion. I meant that in a positive way. It was just so simple yet so amazingly entertaining. We are having a good time and enjoying plenty of family time. Check back tomorrow for the Monday report and pics.

Road Trippin

LeRay vs. Chris in the mapskills, Chris wins!!!

We made it!!!

She's such a great traveler, Joshua is in the back asleep! (yes Poppy he IS buckled!!)

Yes, that's Chris, with my shades on then his glasses on top!

Well after a long day yesterday we made it to Colorful Colorado. It was a long 7 hour drive and a few too many one lane highways, but it wasn't too bad. The kids were wide awake the whole time until of course we got into Colorado and they slept right through the beautiful scenic mountain drive. Here are a few pics from our road trip.

I included one picture that tells the difference between Chris and me. It's two sets of directions side by side. One done by me and one done by Chris. I am sure that you can guess who did which one. I would still be driving lost in the mountains if is weren't for his skill with the map!! At one point I was driving and Chris was sleeping and Joshua was VERY nervous that I didn't know where to go! "Maybe we should wake up daddy" he said at one point and I wasn't EVEN lost.

We are finishing up our first full day here at Horn Creek. It's been fun and the kids are going non-stop and we are trying to keep up. We signed up to whitewater raft on Tuesday and ahorseback ride on Thursday.

Check back later for more pics! Some of you might be thinking I am crazy, why are you blogging on vacation? Well, I enjoy it and I enjoy it even more when I am sitting here looking out this big open window with the mountains right in front of me and smelling the cool mountain air and afternoon rainshower.

I love TECH

I just spent the night in Lubbock, Texas so you are probably thinking my title is saying I love Texas Tech!! NOPE!! No self respecting Aggie likes Texas Tech! What I am saying is I love TECHnology! Why you ask? It's because I am sitting in the front seat of my Dodge Caravan with a laptop in my lap (imagine that) and I am posting a new blog. Chris borrowed this cool little device that plugs into your USB drive and it picks up cell tower signals and you can be on the internet. I LOVE TECHNOLOGY! Now if we can just get a keyboard on the steering wheel I can drive, blog, and talk on the phone all at the same time. We are on our way to Colorado this morning. We just said bye to our sweet friends Keith and Laura that just moved to Lubbbock. Keith is now the music man for First Baptist Lubbock. Their house is beautiful and looks like it was built just for them. They seem to be adjusting well and my prayer is that they are happy, healthy, and have a smooth transition into the Fall. I miss them already. I hate goodbyes.

Ok so today is about a 7 hour drive on into Westcliffe, Colorado. I am so looking forward to watching my kids expressions when they see real MOUNTAINS!!! I will update if my little device gets a signal there.

8 things you might not have known about me

SO I got tagged by my friend Natalie. She follows the rules to a tee and was told she had to tag 8 people and she put me as one of them. It's fun to be handed a topic for your blog so I thought I would go ahead and do it. However I don't think I will be able to tag 8 people, I don't know 8 people and if I tag random blog people that I lurk at, then I will be found out.

The tag is to list facts/habits about myself:

1. I like every bed in my house to be made up and made up quickly. Chris fears that my obsessiveness with this will cause him to have the bed made up while he is still in it. Oh and I love laundry, really I do.

2. I burp. I burp ALOT. I burp often. It's a problem. It's also entertaining.

3. I HATE it when I have to get up yet Chris is still in bed. HATE IT! It's been this way since we were first married. I can't explain it, I should be happy for him when he has a moment to sleep in, nope, I just roll my eyes at his snoozing body and walk out, bitter.

4. I use to want to be a Doctor. Now I just pretend to be. I think I am getting my degree from Web-MD. Feel free to bring your symptoms to me, I will diagnos your ailment.

5. I LOVE school. Chris thinks this is the ultimate dork factor in me, but that's ok. It's true, I played school all the time when I was a little girl. I love libraries, cafeterias (not the food), desks, bulletin boards, kids, grading papers, etc. I LOVE school.

6. I am VERY competitive. In everything. I have even sunk so low as to try to stay on the treadmill at the gym longer than the fella that was on the treadmill next to me, he was irritating me because he was constantly looking over at my treadmill, I guess trying to see how far or how fast. Well buddy, I might not be going that fast but I am NOT getting off until you do! I had a good workout that day. When I was little and in the car I was always racing everyone else on the road. Of course if you passed me you were automatically disqualified. I like to win.

7. I was a lifeguard and can't swim. Yes folks that's the truth. The pool wasn't exactly safe when I was working! Well mostly I just can't swim the length of the pool freestyle, I can't figure out the breathing thing and then I kinda freak and have to stop and breathe. So if your drowning nearby no worries, I will get you. However, if you are across the pool then just hold on I will either slowly breaststroke over to you, or maybe backstroke, but then I might miss you altogether since I can't see where I am going. I had a nice tan though with that job!

8. I am a scaredy cat! It doesn't take much to make me jump and scream. I can even know you are hiding and about to jump out at me, but yet I will still be scared. My chilren and husband find this trait funny and use it to entertain themselves often!

OK so hopefully we can remain friends. Just think I kept alot of the deeper stranger stuff still underwraps.

arg!!

I can't sleep!!! Don't you hate it when you can't sleep! Every once in a while the insomnia bug bites and I lay in bed til I get frustrated and then go ahead and just get up come out to the living room. I have no idea what time will show when I post this because it's usually not correct and I don't know how to fix that yet. Anyway, I woke up at 3am and laid there til 4 and now I am on the couch with the laptop reading blogs and the newspaper. I know I know there is a lot more productive things I could be doing, but I have insomnia AND laziness. Plus if I started to clean the house which is what I really need to be doing I would wake everyone up, wouldn't they be thrilled. I don't know why I can't sleep, maybe I am stressed about my really tough day tomorrow (actually today) of taking kids to the movies, out to lunch and a COSTCO run. Maybe I can't sleep because I was thinking about our Colorado trip. I am excited. In fact I must be super excited because apparently I have been asking Joshua a few too many times if he is excited. When I asked him about it last night he said, "Yes mom, I am excited, I already told you that" Oops :)

Ok well now it's 4:45, I guess I should try to go lay my head down and sleep, so "grumpy mom" doesn't rear her ugly head tomorrow! Good night, or good morning whichever you want.

Can someone come over and fix me breakfast...