Unpacking her Personality

I've never had to balance being a mom with a real job and I'm still trying to get the hang of it. Throw a little strep throat in the mix and I'm feeling quite unbalanced at the moment.

While my kids can attest that I spend a whole lot of time preparing for a part-time job, I honestly don't think of it as work. Dan calls it an expensive hobby...I'm a sucker for books :)

But, I digress...I'm trying to keep this blog from dying a slow death.

 So, today my topic is my favorite 6th grader... JULIA

 She got to bring the coveted "blue bag" home from school last week. 

The purpose...to bring it back filled with some specific items about herself and then a few surprises too.

Among some favorite photos, she threw in an African doll and a Spanish one we picked up for her  birthday (she collects dolls from different countries). And for the life of me, I can't remember what else :) 

The most important thing is that we love this girl so much!

Happy Weekend

So glad to have a LONG weekend!

I especially love Sundays when you know that you have no where you have to be the next day and when the kids and husband are all home together.

Balloons and Roses

Yesterday evening while the neighborhood was still brimming with activity, 

we noticed two young men on our porch with a large bouquet of colorful balloons and a whole lot of masking tape. We decided not to disturb them...they were frantic and trying to not get caught in the act of attempting to anchor helium balloons to our porch bench.

Finally, the doorbell rang and two large bouquets of balloons and beautiful peach roses were by the door with an invitation to Homecoming

for Hannah.

She is so excited!

Coming Up for Air

I had an unexpected day off today...thought it was tomorrow...but I'm not complaining!

Teaching a class of 34 is a tad bit overwhelming but I adore each and everyone of those kids already. It's a lot like parenting...you learn the most by just being "on the job."

Before the whirlwind of this week descended though, Dan and I escaped to Flagstaff, Arizona to see Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers perform at Pepsi Amphitheater. Several weeks ago, when Dan indicated that all he wanted for his birthday was to have me see them in concert with him, I decided to go against my prudent nature (like...how I can leave town the weekend before school starts?) be spontaneous and seemingly crazy, and drive 7 hours, one way, to see the show.

Let me just say that Dan really gave me the gift. It was a quick but perfect get away from the phone, the doorbell, yes...even church meetings, and all work of prepping for the new school year. And the show was nothing short of AMAZING. I highly recommend it! 

Thank you Flagstaff for permeating pine fresh air and a spectacular starry night.

A New School Year

It's hard to believe we are in the full swing of another school year around here.

Emily is enjoying another week of nothing (which is well-deserved I might add).

Different this year is the fact that I am teaching half day!!

So far, so good :)

JUNIORS

Driving to school this year!

And last but NOT least, Julia is a 6th grader!

She walks every morning with a group of girls from the neighborhood. 

The littlest one is even in my class!

The highlight of my day is when Julia walks into see me in the classroom. I'm so glad she has one more year at the elementary school!

Growing Up Before My Eyes

Julia

New glasses for days when she doesn't want to wear contacts

On the brink of 6th grade

New oxfords

Her furry best friend

Summer slipping away

Blessed

Life has been extremely different for me the last few days.

I'm up with the rising of the sun, showered and ready with my book bag packed, and out the door by 7:10 am.

I'm in a carpool...with adults.

I'm in classes from 8:30am to 3:15pm every day...my summer vacation is over.

I'm learning TONS of great and interesting things for the upcoming school year.

I come home exhausted, but in a good way.

I feel incredibly blessed!

I AM BLESSED because...

I have a husband who arranged his hectic schedule to be in town all week, insisted on making dinner  every.single.night. Listens to me, texts me, calls me, encourages me like no other person can. I always tell him and I always mean it when I say it...he is practically perfect. He just turned this many years :)

Emily is my on-call "go-to" person for nearly anything these days. I can talk to her for hours, she offers calming perspective, she is solid as a rock. Oh to possess such maturity and wisdom at her age!

Hilary is my right arm at home...dishes are done, laundry is folded, carpets are vacuumed, Julia doesn't feel abandoned, and she greets me with a sweet smile each evening when I walk in the door around 4:30. She is patient beyond her years.

Hannah is working tons of hours at the waterpark, running errands all over town for me, always happy and willing to talk, providing me with a good laugh.

Julia...I haven't blogged about her nearly enough! She finished tennis lessons, plays constantly in the neighborhood with kids of every age, babysits and loves it,  provides me with nonstop incredible ideas.