In sickness and in health

What can I say?  I am absolutely SICK of being sick!  Luckily, it's nothing serious but I sure would like to feel 100% again.  Just as a few weeks ago, I have a soar throat and headaches that come and go.  I went to work yesterday, but went straight home after, took some medicine and crawled into bed.  My ever-thoughtful husband was kind enough to have dinner almost done when I got there, so I didn't even have to worry about feeding everyone before heading to church.  It didn't take long for the meds to kick in and for me to doze into blissful sleep.  Before I knew it, Kevin had the kids all ready and they were heading out the door.  Now, we like our children to understand the importance of church, but usually if someone is sick at home and Kevin or I are missing church, we usually keep the little ones with us.  Not this time...I can't tell you the last time I was home, completely alone!  I slept for a good chunk of it, but then got up and watched half a movie while I ate the meal that amazing man of mine had prepared.  I have to tell you, it felt good!  While I'm still not feeling quite up to par, it makes me happy to know my guy will be there in sickness and in health!  And as an added bonus, he came by the school to take me to lunch today :) Gotta love that guy!

Happy birthday MLK

Thanks so much for having a birthday MLK!  Or thanks to our school for observing it...we don't ususally but am hoping it becomes a regular thing.  Something about January and just needing a day off.  It's just good timing all the way around.  So very happy to spend some time at home with the kiddos today...seems like it's been nothing but busy lately.  I think perhaps I may just stay in my PJs all day and play games!

We are the Champions!

What an incredibly amazing weekend!  I was given the opportunity to coach JV volleyball this year.  Now, I'll be the first to admit I don't know as much about volleyball as I should, or as I do about...say...soccer and I fully acknowledge the fact that Liz Munoz taught these girls much of what they know....buuuuuut WE WON THE TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP and I couldn't be more proud of our girls.  They played their hearts out and didn't quit.  I really couldn't tell you who is more excited :)

The Mall

It's the end of the semester...hard to believe the school year is already half over!  Today was an in-service day at our school so the kids stayed with a friend and I spent the morning with my co-workers, learning how to be better teachers and finishing up our grades.  When that was all said and done, I picked up the kids and we headed to the Tacoma Mall.

 It's been a along time since I've taken my kids there and was only doing so now because I had an appointment at The Picture People to have the their pictures taken.  Might I just say, the mall is not what it once was.  I remember my mom dropping me and my friends off for a few hours so we could look around.  No way will I be dropping my kiddos off any time soon!  Apparently every kid within a 10 mile radius had just gotten out of school (or skipped it entirely) and headed to the mall.  Now, admittedly, people might consider me a bit on the conservative side, but I was not prepared for the full range of attire we saw.  For the middle of winter, there was a generous amount of skin on display.  And, to be honest, that was the least of my worries.  These kids were just plane rude...bumping into us as they plowed past in droves, swearing loud enough for the world to hear.  What has happened to children today that they can't hold a door open for their elders or excuse themselves when they run into you or use decent language in public.  I hope and pray that Kevin and I can do better by our children.

On the upside, got some great pics of my kiddos!  This one's a little blurry since I "saved" it from the Picture People site.   You can check out more pictures from our session here!

Talk the talk

I had the opportunity to spend last evening with my dear friend, Eileen Papale.  I had nearly forgotten how much I enjoyed the day to day conversations we shared when we worked together and the great advice I always gleaned over our lunch time chats.  We talked a lot last night: on the drive to Seattle, over a delicious meal at Wild Ginger and of course on the way home.  We talked about school (her pre-req classes and my teaching), we talked about children, we talked about marriage, we talked about personal standards.  Of course, we talked about the symphony we had heard (which was amazing) and we even talked some about the weather!  We talked about everything and I was so grateful for the opportunity to catch up with a good friend and acutely aware of the godly influences that have been laid our before me.  I've done a lot of learning these past few years and a lot of growing in so many areas of my life.  While the way is never clear, it can become clearer with discernment. and I pray daily for that, and wisdom.  Things that once seemed to be so important, no longer have such a foothold in my life and those things which are increasingly more precious, such as my husband and children, I am want to focus my time and efforts on.

Unwell

I am having one of those weeks, where most of the time I don't really feel well.  Not bad enough to miss work, just un-well.  I've vacillated between a throbbing headache, occasional body ache, off and on chills, a bit of a soar throat and a general run-down kind of feeling.  I'd like to just crawl back into bed, but that won't get the work done.  The semester ends on Friday and I have a load of final exams to check and then get all those grades recorded so report cards can go out next week.  Thankfully, there is a lot of review going on, so I'm not actually having to stand in front of a class and teach.  Although hiding out behind my desk hasn't really work either...they always find me and then ask a million questions.  The nerve of those pesky students...don't they know I don't feel well? I hope not.  I do try and keep it on the topside even when I'm really feeling more on the bottom side.  I have been going to bed early and trying to stay warm and hydrated but frankly, I'm sick of being sick! I have heard that the flu is making its rounds again and I hope that's not it.  I also hope that nobody else in my home has a similar experience. 

Project 365

So I've been snapping away for the past week, making sure I take a picture each and every day.  Doesn't seem like it would be all that difficult, does it?  Well I am finding it a lot harder than I thought.  First and for most, it's a time issue.  I have to find time to take the picture, do any editing (which, so far, I've avoided) and then upload for others to comment on.  The second issue I am running up against is the lack of creativity.  I just sort of draw a blank when I look around for something to photograph.  Inspire me, please!!  I don't want to keep posting stuff that I (and I'm sure others) find boring.

On the upside, I am "following" several people on my Project 365 and so many of them are very talented.  It does make me a bit reluctant to post my "have given little effort to this" kinds of pictures.  I keep telling myself, it is meant to be a learning experience and I am learning some.  I just don't want it to become a chore that I come to dislike.  Those that do comment on my pics are always very encouraging and I do enjoy seeing amazing photos from around the world...so I guess that alone is a good reason to continue on. 

First Friday

Getting back into the swing of things after Christmas break is always a bit of a trial.  Kids don't want to get up, students don't want to think...the school in general is moving a bit sluggishly.  I had considered skipping the First Friday back sale this month, since I too was feeling a bit lazy...but I'm so glad we didn't!  We had many donations and lots of delectable goodies and I really believe it was something for the kids to look forward to.  They are always so very enthusiastic when they come to peruse the bake sale tables.  It also provides me several guinea pigs for any new dessert recipes I want to try.  Come to think of it, I think this will be I great "outlet" for all those yummy recipes I've pinned to my "All the Sweet Stuff" Pinterest board.  Kevin is always telling me not to try new things when we have company over or are contributing to a potluck, but when else will I try them?  This is my chance!

Spring Fever

Is it too early for spring fever?  Maybe it's the bright sunshine outside today but I sure have had an urge to plant some stuff and watch it grow!  I follow several blogs (mostly for gardening and craft) and I think it was Mavis at One Hundred Dollars a Month that most recently got me thinking about seeds (she started some onions today) and winter growth.  Well, she and my friend Denise, who is always showing me super-cool seed catalogs and making me dream of possibilities!  It's amazing the many things you can get a head start on during the winter and I'm thinking maybe...just maybe I'll try it this year.

 

 Anyway, obviously I have gardening on the brain, so at lunch today, I hopped in the truck and headed down to the local library to peruse its selection of gardening books.  There are many.

I think I did well, limiting myself to just 3, since there is a WHOLE stack of books dedicated to gardening genius.  It's still very cold outside, but the thought of spring planting and summer mornings admiring my garden at the very least, warm my heart.  Now to thaw out my very cold feet and get back to work...the actual reading and inevitable planning (and dreaming) will have to wait until I get home.

 

Happy New Year!

Welcome 2013!  My brother Freeman noted via Facebook that this is the first year without a repeated digit since 1987.  It is true, you can learn something new each and every day.  We had a very relaxing, low-key day at home with the family...played some games, did some laundry and spent way too much time on Pintrest looking at still more ways to spend my free time!  I also successfully uploaded my first picture to Project 365 and would love for you to follow and comment if you are interested.  I'm excited at all the prospects this new year will bring.  One of my favorite OCD tasks of the new year is to fill in all our pertinent dates on a calendar so I took the time to do that, as well.  I have been using the calendar on my phone a lot, but there is still something gratifying about writing out birthdays and anniversaries on the crisp, clean pages of a brand-spanking-new 2013 calendar.

Tomorrow, we are back to our regular school schedule and looking forward to all that this new year will bring!  Stay tuned