Certified Sub

So I attended the sub training. Not much has changed in the last 5 years-administrators still live in LALA land, and I still get excited at the idea of presenting to a classroom of eager learners. We discussed district ideals, student success, classroom dicipline....all things so familiar. As I sat and listened so attentively to the presentation my mind began to wander to my "career" in general. Since Grady's hospitalization this summer I've tossed around the idea of Nursing School. Something so unfamiliar and seemingly exciting. It's something I am genuinely interested in, and yet am pulled back because of the logistics in schooling as well as the shiftwork involved with Nurses. Nursing School, school nurse, science teacher, sub...all possibilities...all taking up space in my mind.

Goal!!

My Tanner, he is so sensitive, so sweet, and so athletically challenged. He is in his second season of soccer and he really does try. It's just that the ground is so uneven. It's so hard to keep a sure footing, ya know? How could anyone not fall? one. thousand. times. And when we fall, don't we all cry? I mean, it hurts, right? In any case I have literally prayed for him to make a goal. I just knew that tasting that sweet sense of accomplishment would give my Tanner the little boost he needs. daily.

Today it happened.

It may very well have been an accidental goal, as Tanner was still down field due to yet another injury when the ball literally ran into his feet. BUT STILL!! IT WAS A GOAL! I jumped up and down like a crazy soccer mom. His look of amazement was completely priceless, and my heart swelled to 3 times its normal size.

Wicked Awesome

In these days of child-filled chaos I have found that "scheduling mom time" takes an effort but is well worth it. In that endeavor, I joined a book club-this month reading (almost finished with) Wicked-The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. I have to say I was super pumped to read this book having heard awesome rantings about the musical. I also have to say I struggled through this book, and sadly had not finished by our book club meeting tonight. BUT, our discussion was so super fun. I knew as I was reading the book that there was vivid symbolism, imagery, political nuances, religious undertones....on and on. I just had a really hard time defining what they were and how they fit together. It was interesting to see the story of Oz portrayed in this way, and I have to say I want to be a friend to the Wicked Witch. If everyone were as real as she is then we'd live in an honest and peaceful world. I do plan on finishing the book, but am not married to the idea of seeing the musical. As difficult as this book was for me to read, I would recommend it to others-especially if we sat down with a bottle of wine afterwards. There's no place like Oz.

Boo

Happy Halloween-I'm whupped. We just got in from a marathon run to the local nursing home for tricks and treats-accompanied by a dash through a friendly neighborhood for more treats.

Here are my little goblins:

A queen, superman, and Jeff Gordon

Next Year I will be drinking heavily.

Sex Ed

**Herbie Movie: blah, blah, blah "sexy"**

Madison: "uuummmm....they said a baaaad word."

Me: "what word?"

Madison: "sexy."

Me: "why is that a bad word? what does it mean?" (holding my breath)

Madison: "it means to have sex."

Me (holding it together): "what does that mean? when were you talking about having sex?"

Madison: "it means to go off by yourself and kiss and stuff. hannah said so at recess."

o. my. god.

here we go.

It's Me Again

I haven't posted in a while. I abandoned this little hobby for a bit since it seemed there was always something else to do. (and since noone else reads this, it didn't seem all that sad) I hence realized that there is always something to do, and while it might not be as productive as some things-well, it's just a good way to get some thoughts out there, and fun to use my brain in the process.

So, on that note...we are still in the process of building our house: Looks good so far, right? We hope to be in by the first of the year. In the meantime we are still living in my parent's house, but they have actually moved out. They recently bought a condo on the lake and one day *poof* we had this house to ourselves. I'm not sure if we caused them to buy an additional home or if it was in the plan already. In any case, they are there and we are here. It's still all too surreal in a way...living in my old room and all.

My eldest has started first grade and is reading on level bajillion:

(seen here reading to the Babe-of whom is the most vocal of the 3 at this point)

Seriously though, She is going to be the end of me. She is so very different than me! While I would choose NOT to do something for fear of consequence, she CHOOSES the activity IN SPITE of a consequence. If I'm supposed to "stretch my spirit", She helps me in a major way. Everyone has always told me she was smart, but now that we are in school I guess I believe them. At our parent conference this year her teacher informed us she was "in her own reading group". Well then, at least I'm not crazy for thinking she was just a bit high maintenance. :) We shall see how the rest of the year goes....

My Boy is now in Preschool, and will be ripped from the safety of my Arms in just a few short months when he starts kindergarten. KINDERGARTEN. He's so big-and just. like. me. Tears and all.

My Baby is now 18 months old, and turning into a little boy:

(seen here holding the newest member of the family-Chrissy)

He's a handful now as well, but it's good to see. This summer we spent the better part of 3 weeks in the hospital for an E. Coli infection. There aren't words to describe the despair those weeks held. Although he has no lasting effects, his personality has definitely changed-as did his ability to clamp on to my left hip for hours upon end. I know he won't be on my hip in 10 years, or really in just one year-so for now we are still moving on and letting him know his world is safe.

At least I hope it is.

And at this very moment, my darling husband is chatting my ears off with some delightful conversation:

while I tutor online, giving each student my undivided attention (except for a few words here and there on this blogish type thing)

until next time....

The Graduate

Tonight my little girl walked across the stage for the first time in her life. She graduated kindergarten-complete with cap (no gown just yet). In my usual sappy way I teared up as they sang their graduation song. I teared up when her name was called and she confidently took her diploma and strolled across that stage. Just as I teared up when she did her first dance performance...when she swam underwater for the first time.

A graduate-for the first time. DHS class of 2019.