I Heart Fall

I'm sitting here sipping a Campfire Mocha from Caribou (my quintessential Fall drink- yum!), and pondering how much I love Fall. I'm always so glad it's here when it arrives. This fall has had some weird temperature swings, but today definitely feels like Fall-- upper 50's and sunny.

For those who wonder, school has been great! I was initially on a major high from just being back in Middle School. There is just something about that age that I LOVE. The honeymoon is definitely over, but even so, I'm still glad I'm here. Yes, I deal with WAY more parent e-mails and phone calls about grades (thank you on-line grading system), and yes, some days I get frustrated with the kids. BUT, it's still fun to be my goofy self, and it's still fun to work with other goofy people, and it's still fun to try to help kids read better and focus solely on that. And, you'd be surprised at the kids' behavior- I know that this age gets a bad rap, but they're generally much better at school than for their parents. All that said, I still miss some things about Bamber-- especially a certain friend who taught right next door...

So, what else is new? Well, back at the end of August we took a fun family trip to Las Vegas. I know- family trip & Las Vegas? We stayed at a timeshare there and John's sister, Julie, and her daughter, Nevaeh, drove over from AZ to stay with us. Malachi and Nevaeh had non-stop fun the entire time. It really made me wish we lived closer! Last month I spent several weekends putting in some plants in front of our house- landscaping at last! It was a lot of work, but I'll be really excited next Spring and Summer to see everything growing and flourishing. And finally, last weekend we had some GORGEOUS family pictures taken at Northwoods Apple Orchard. Kadi Tiede, a 14-year-old who is friends with some other friends who attend our church, took them. I am absolutely amazed at her talent! We had so much fun wandering around the Orchard while Kadi took our pictures, and Malachi hardly complained at all. It was really some good family fun, and I can't wait to have another excuse for more family pictures! You can see some of them on the video slide show below. Enjoy! :)

Summer's been fun

For those of you who tell me you still pop over to check this out every once in a while- I'm sorry. I guess I needed a hiatus from typing out stories. After a while life gets busy and it's so much easier to ignore the nagging feeling that I need to write about my life. Obviously lots of things have happened since my last post. Malachi's toe healed nicely, and he's been back to the ER only one other time for a bonk on the head. I could go on and on, but instead I'll just move on.

Summer's been really fun for me this year. I've felt very free... I feel so much joy in spending the warm summer days with my son (and in the sun). I've also been pinching myself over my job change. I am finally headed back to Middle School-- what my Elementary adventure taught me was my true passion. While I've loved (and hated) my time in the Elementary school, and I know I learned some important lessons there, I am very pumped to be back where I feel I really belong. I spent a couple of days last week unpacking, and I've even done some professional and fun reading this summer. On top of all of this, we took two wonderful vacations! I really feel like this is the best summer I've had in a long time. It was so good, in fact, that I'm actually feeling ready to go back to work (not draggin my feet because I didn't get enough summer). There's just one week left of the fun, and I think I'll enjoy it. Then off to a happy job! :)

Malachi's Booboo

Last night we had a bit of a scare when Malachi pulled a kitchen stool down onto himself. It landed directly on his big toe. OUCH!!!!! In the short amount of time it took me to pick him up and carry him to the couch to have a better look and to comfort him, it had already turned an ugly shade of purple. I panicked! John was outside attempting to clean up the drivewy, and I was sure Malachi broke his toe. I finally got John's attention and we loaded our screaming child into the car. I felt so bad for him- he cried and screamed in pain for at least 30 mintues without stopping. All of the ER nurses felt so bad, and kept trying to come up with things to distract him. One wonderful nurse found an Elmo video, and that helped. He also was given some ibuprofen and then also some oxycodon. He finally relaxed, we eventually an X-ray, and it turned out it wa not broken. Phew! Even so, it sure looks ugly!

When he woke up today he was just fine, and he's really been playing and walking like normal today, so that's a relief. I had this horrible panic when it happened that he would end up in a cast or something (irrational, I know). I thought, "This poor kid didn't start walking until only a couple months ago, and now we're going to have to hold him back again?!" But, all is well. Thank you, Lord!

A Note from Daycare

I got the following note from Malachi's daycare lady (Jessica) today; I added the bold print. It made me giggle. :)


Individual Notes
Malachi has been pretty good today...he has been pretty busy and discovering things. He really liked the cars today and seems to enjoy those toys a lot more lately. He ate really well today and quite a bit of food. He has a thing about taking his pants off today. If the belt isn’t on just right he pulls his pants right down. I think we have it figured out now but he got really good at taking them off during our play time.

Hmmm... I'm rude

Okay, so that last post was just meant to be some of my rambling thoughts. I've since come to the realization that it could be read as me complaining that my birthday was not fun. Since I spent it with family down in sunny Arizona this year, let me point out that this year was definitely great! As I said- I got cake! I'm just saying that nothing can really come close to the little kid birthdays you have. You know, the kind where all of your friends come with beautifully wrapped TOYS, and you get to play games like "Pin-the-Tail-on-the-Donkey" and "Clothespin Drop." And don't forget the cake and goody bags! It's just, no matter what, nothing will ever come close again. I guess that means I'll just have to continue on with the tradition and live vicariously through my kid! ;)

Na-Na-Na-Na-Na-Na Yesterday was my Birthday!

Hello Readers! Yesterday I spent my birthday traveling to Arizona. It's much sunnier and relaxed here than it was at my home, so I'm happy to be here! However, as I turned 30 (!), I couldn't help but be reminded of the fun times a birthday brought when I was younger. Growing up we had parties, and cakes, and fun-fun-fun! There's something about being an adult that makes birthdays seem, well, a little drab (if I'm honest). I got a great dinner and a cake with candles this year! I don't believe I've had anything like that for the last couple of years. I guess the point is, if we have to continue to get older and keep track, how come it's only fun to do so when you are little? Why does it stop being a huge big deal? Just my rambling thoughts on the subject.... Now, I think I will go find a sunny spot to relax in. ;) Happy Thanksgiving!

P.S. There is a new little box on the right side of my blog. If you're an on-line shopper, please consider shopping through my link to help raise money for my students who can't afford the 5th grade Eagle Bluff trip in the spring. Thanks!

The Joys of H1N1

So I thought I'd pop on here to share the joys of sickness. I went down like a ton of bricks on Friday. I dropped Malachi off at daycare and came home. Then I sat on the couch and slept for 3 hours-- totally strange for me. I checked my temp-- yup, past 100. So I continued to be sick all weekend, and spoke with a coworker Sunday night. She came down with the same symptoms starting on Friday! So, she went to the doctor today, and found out she has H1N1. So I thought maybe I should go too. Yup! They tell me it's H1N1. So far the boys don't have it, but oh dear Lord, I pray they don't get it! Anyhow, I feel a little like I am whining on here, so I'll get off now.
-Sarah