long days.

So I've really started this entry several times over the last month. It seems as though I feel my life is never quite interesting enough to post a whole entry. I'd like to become better, as I grew up journaling and really enjoyed it. We'll see...you'll have to check back and see!

Latest updates...Brad's football team plays in regionals tomorrow when they thought they'd lose in the first round of sectionals. Hard to accept at home, but very exciting for him and his team! Things at school have been going well. I laugh my way through each day. My favorite quote of the last month:

While writing what we were going to be for Halloween as a whole class...
Me: "[Child's name], what are you going to be for halloween?"
Child: Mumbles under breath.
Me: "I can't hear you when you are mumbling...what are you going to be for Halloween?"
Child: Mumbles again.
Me: "[Child], what are you going to be for Halloween?"
Child: "Ugh...a PANCAKE!" Said as he stomps away and ashamedly covers his face.

I can't tell you how hard I had to work to keep myself from laughing. It was obviously one of those moments where mom decided what he would be with no opinion heard from the child. I'm still awaiting the picture :).

Our dogs are doing well -- Buddy has learned how to shake and whenever asked to sit will immediately offer you his hand. He keeps us so entertained and has become such a sweet dog. I have also never met a dog who gets so excited about meal time. He jumps around and frolicks as though his soul has just been saved. I look forward to this show almost as much as he looks forward to the food in his belly.

Today I had a tragic experience. I was driving home and was behind an uncovered semi. A huge piece of metal flew off the truck and hit my windshield. Not only did it cause my heartrate to triple, but left a crack in the windshield that goes in seven different directions! Thankfully I was on the phone with my genius friend Katie and she was able to write down his license plate number as I sped up to get a good look. Unfortunately, we have a $250 deductible for windshield repairs -- or so I learned tonight. Oh, what to do.



A week from tomorrow I head to PA for Jess' wedding. Last night I was almost sleepless with excitement. It may be silly, but even though my life there was so short, I fell so in love with the people there. I miss them dearly and cannot wait to hear how life has been over the past year.

That's about all for me right now...Brad's due home in the next fifteen and I probably should tackle the laundry that's been accumulating for about a week. Oh, and I wanted to be overzealous about the holiday season and put a new background with Christmas trees on it, but I chose this sassy pink one until after Thanksgiving. It will have to do :).

september update

Fall is upon us. I'm seeing signs of it all around. The days have cooled off a bit, thanks much to Ike, and the leaves have already begun to fall. I began an apple unit with my kindergarteners yesterday and it excites me to think of hayrides, pumpking carving, and haunted corn mazes!

Brad and I are continuing to adjust to the life of married folks. It has been a little difficult for me lately, I must admit, to adjust to the life of a football coach. He is gone so many nights and until so late. And, there is only so much TV I can handle. I need a hobby...any suggestions? And, if you ever need a friend on a weeknight...you are more than welcome here -- I would rather enjoy the company! Regardless, I am thankful for the short hours he is home in the evening. Mo is taking well to the adjustment, though I think he misses cuddling with me all night.

On a more serious note, I have been experiencing some odd chest pain lately. I've been to several doctors and was in the Emergency Room for a while last night and I continue to hear that it probably isn't serious, but still no diagnosis has been reached. It's a little frustrating because I've never had any problems before and here comes this weird blindsiding "thing." I go to the hospital again on Friday morning for a stress test. Hopefully, this might yeild some answers. For now, its pain killers and many acid reducers..."just in case" or so I'm told. Your prayers are coveted :).

Okay on to more bright things! I finally scanned in the letters we've received from James. The first is an annual report from his school. He is doing very well.

The second is so precious to us. He has drawn and labeled many pictures (something I would jump up and down if my Kindergartners would grasp hold of!) with a short letter he dictated to someone. Enjoy!

finally settled in

We have been home for quite some time now. However, with school starting so soon after we arrived, life has been a little busy! Our honeymoon in the Dominican was wonderful despite our travel dismays. When we arrived home we had wonderful gifts and cards to open from so many gracious people. The last two weeks have been filled of meetings, testing Kindergarteners, endless football practices, and an attempt to daily walk Mo :).
Other than that, we have been settling into married life just as I imagine most others do. The only real shock has been wrapping my mind around the fact that the wedding is actually over.
The main purpose of this blog is to update our wedding guests, friends, and family on the child we sponsored, in their name, for our wedding. We have received two precious letters from James since we have returned home and when I can get this computer hooked up to a scanner, I will post them!
Well I'm off to bake some chocolate chip cookies due to Brad's pleading requests. Wish me luck!
Mackenzie