Life since school started

Well, I got scolded for not posting for a while - so, I am catching up. School is going really well. I still have 2 Pre-K classes each day. This year is a little different in which both classes are inclusion classes with special ed. I co-teach with a PPCD teacher for each of the 3 hour classes. We weren't sure how we would like doing an all day program since we were only use to doing one class a day, but we both have really enjoyed it. Last year, I had one of my hardest years to date. I just had a challenging child that really just tested my patience and sanity. This child has moved on to Kinder. My students this year are just wonderful. I have never had kids so quiet. That is either one of 2 things - they are just shy and quiet or they don't know much. We will be getting to that this week. I will start testing on the basics to see where we are and where we need to go. Pre-K is so much different than it use to be and has changed a bunch in the 10 years I have taught. I am teaching all the stuff I learned in Kinder. Our Kinder kids start off early reading and have stepped up their teaching as well. But, to sum it up...I am having a great start to a wonderful year. I could not be happier...well, I guess that isn't true - but I am darn happy and will never complain about that!

HAPPY 40TH B-DAY ARTIE!

On August 26th, Artie turned the big "40".

I threw him a birthday part on the 16th of Aug. with family our friends.

Here are some pics from the bbq bash!

Not really a great smile - it was forced - can you tell?

Artie looking VERY confused about his present from me - it is right behind him on the right - it was a custom cooler.

Lacy, my mom, and Karen Witte (family friend) hanging out at the pool.

Jeff, Artie, and Derek - he works with these guys.

Debbie and her dog Lolly - the party was held at her place.

Winonah - my sister in-law - isn't she cute?!?

Fletcher swimmin' in the pool.

Fletch eating the best cake ever - thanks Shannon.

Amber and Jeff - I did good taking that pic :)

Kiddos playing in the hot tub.

Isha and Shivi hanging in the hot tub.

Fletch showing off his goggles.

Daniel(brother in-law) and Artie trying to keep quiet about something.

Christine and Eric - all I have to say is, "You picked him!"

Daniel and Lacy - yes she has brown hair now, but no baby this night - he had his first sitter.

My brother Greg talking it up with Debbie.

Pops must be saying something really crazy. Rajeev is lookin' at him with some interesting eyes. (Rajeev is Artie's friend from college and Pops is Artie's dad.)

Afternoon with THE "G" MAN

Yesterday, I spent the day at Lacy's to hang out with her and Grant. Just some cute pics of him and how big he is getting. :) Pay no attention to the crazy aunt next to him.






Grant looking at Lacy while she tries to get him to smile.




Me and momma.









This is my new chew thingy. I love it, but I need some help keeping it in my mouth.

Last Saturday, I went with Artie as he and his friends had a day of shooting.

I was the official picture taker, so there are none of me shooting. But I did a pretty good job, if I do say so myself.

Artie putting on a pained smile for the camera.

Brett in his Army gear.

Artie shooting his gun the that he built himself.

BK and his son Nick waiting their turn to shoot.

Brett with Jeff's crazy LOUD and HUGE gun.

Jeff getting ready for battle.

Back to work

I have spent the last week up at school. It is kind of sad to start back so soon because I am the ONLY person up there. I have been stir crazy, so I figured I would put my energy to good use. My classroom is nearly finished and ready for little rug rats to come in and tear it all to pieces. I am just ready for a fresh start. Last year was such a trying year for me with a child that pushed my patience and helped me have cat like reflexes. I am excited to see some of mine move on to Kinder. and learn how to read and all that other good stuff. I am looking forward to our annual trip to the zoo in Oct. It usually is good and chilly the day we go! I love it. It is funny how the parents freak out that you have 40 4-5 year olds and I am not watching a one of them. I get in the front and they just follow the pack. I always tell my parents - "They aren't going anywhere. They are more scared to be without us than we are of loosing them." I like having dads come along. I put them at the back so they can talk and make sure no one is left behind. It also cracks me up how parents get when kid can't open their bag of chips. I just say, "Get after it." The kid knows what that means...figure it out yourself. I have already taught them by that time how to open a package. But there is always that one momma that can't stand to see a child not get their chips or a package open on the first try. That is when I go "all teachery" on them. I give the "parents are to remained seated at all times during lunch" speech. I shove down a sandwich and then make my rounds to see who has tried at least 5 times to open their stuff. At that time, I will help out with talking them through it. But I never touch the package. Low and behold, they open it up themselves. Well, this was a bunch of ramble and more ramble. Good thing I have somewhere to go tomorrow - COSTCO! I am throwing Artie a 40th b-day party and I need to price some stuff. Lacy and Daniel need to get some formula for Grant, so I am tagging along.
FYI - Artie and I are doing well. Back to normal life!

Bad news again

We got the call yesterday that the 2nd IVF didn't work. Of course we are very sad, but we are going to get back to being married without fertility in the mix for a while. It takes a lot out of your relationship to continue down this road.

Thank you for all your prayers.

Long time - no post

Well, to say the least, this has been an interesting summer so far. I started teaching summer school as soon as the "regular year" let out. I have to say it wasn't my favorite, but I survived. And trust me - there were a couple of days in June that I thought I was NOT going to make it. It was either going to be me or them.

July brought even more surprises. I spent all of June taking my fun hormone shots and getting ready for another IVF cycle. On July 4th, they took 15 eggs out. This is a huge number and nearly all of them were good. We were left with 9 fertilized eggs in which 4 of them were of excellent quality. This is so much better than the 1st time. We got a call today that they were able to freeze 5 of them and they are all looking good. They implanted 2 this past Wednesday. So it is just a waiting game for now.

That is where we are in our life at the moment. Praying and waiting.

We spent our 4th, since I had just has surgery, in our driveway looking at the red neck fireworks show that is in our neighborhood. New Years and the 4th are great times to be livin' in our neck of the woods. Here are some fun pics!