Chicago, Here we come!!

Last year at this time Jake and I had just sold our house and we were homeless. We had land to build a house on but we were not quite ready for the commitment it would take to go through the process of building. After all he wanted to do most of the work himself and his job just does not allow that kind of time. So, in transition, we moved in with my parents. We had an 18 month old and two dogs to add to their three dogs! It was INSANE!! But, we made it work for a couple of months while we found a "transition" house.

Needless to say we didn't get to do anything special for our 3 year anniversary. We were kind of bummed. We went to dinner while my mom watched Halle. On our way home we had a conversation about how we would never let another anniversary go by without doing something "special." Jake's idea was to go to a new city each year. I liked that idea! I love to travel and in our 4 years of marriage we haven't had many opportunities. We went on a honeymoon, of course and the next summer we spent a week in the Smoky Mountains. But, that is about it.

I said all of that to say...I'm pretty excited about our first city of choice!! CHICAGO!! I've heard so many great things about the city. I'm just praying that the rain is scattered and not a constant downpour!! On the agenda is Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, Skydeck Chicago, Navy Pier and SHOPPING, SHOPPING, and more SHOPPING (Jake is going to be thrilled!!) I've also heard that The Museum of Science and Industry is pretty cool. I'm just hoping to get to most of the attractions in one weekend!!

We have only left Halle two times overnight that I can remember. The first time she was 6 months old and we went to Branson for the weekend. The other time she was about a year old and we went to St. Louis overnight. We don't leave her ever....other than daycare during the day....she is with us ALWAYS. Honestly, I could probably count on two hands the times we've left her with a sitter. It just doesn't happen.

So, I am a little bit nervous!! I start thinking crazy thoughts like, "What if something would happen to us?" If we got in a wreck and she wouldn't have her parents? I know it is silly. But, I worry!! Say a prayer for safe travel. We are driving...which is crazy, I know! But, we really didn't have any other choice.

Hopefully we will come back still married!! :-) And with lots and lots of memories!!


Happy 4th Anniversary, Jake!! I love you!! :)

Kids:-)

I know parents always think their kid is the smartest kid alive. They also love to talk about them and go on and on about the funny things they do or say.

I'm no different, I guess! I'm just happy I have a place that I can "write" about it. If for no other reason to be able to look back and remember.

Bare with me!! Ha ha!!

The other day we were all at the dinner table. Halle was acting like a "normal" two year old (jabbing her fork into the table...making dents in the table and laughing). Ok, maybe that isn't normal for a two year old...but my two year old is quite the stinker!! Jake was sitting next to her and told her to stop several times. Finally he resulted to, "If you don't stop you are going to get a spankin." She didn't stop so he had to "swat" her... She got this shock look on her face and said, "Kwista, he hit me!" I was almost certain I didn't hear her right so I said, "What, Halle?" and she responded, "KWISTA, HE HIT ME!" I had to turn away to keep from laughing.

Halle is a HUGE Daddy's girl. He tends to spoil her a bit and she knows she usually gets her way with him. They like to play these games when she gets in trouble by me he asks her if she wants Daddy to spank Mommy and she always laughs and says, "Yes!" Ha ha, right? So, the other day he disciplined her and she came running to me. "Daddy, spanked me!" I thought I would be clever so I asked her if she wanted me to spank Daddy. And she said, "NO, I wuv him!"

Ugh!! :-) I can't win!!

Usually bath time is a time for learning in my house! Well, when I give baths it is. I use bath tub markers and draw shapes and ask her what shape it is. Or I might write letters and ask her what letter it is. She is pretty good with the shapes..but we are still working on letters. So, this morning I wrote the letter "B" on the side of the tub. (I knew she had been learning this letter at daycare.) I said what letter is this, Halle? She said, /b/ like ball! WOW!! I had no idea she knew the sound of the letter...so I tried "A" and she said /a/ like apple. Hmmmm!!! I am impressed!!

So, not only does my kid have a sense of humor but she is SMART!! LOL!!

God is so good!! He has blessed me with so much more than I deserve!!

It's not fair...(but thats life, I guess)

I'm being a big ole' baby...


It was great visiting my parents tonight. We always have the best conversations. But, tonight they got me a little fired up. I was talking (ok-complaining...lol) about having to spend my Anniversary at school...7:40 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. for Parent/Teacher conferences. They informed me that they also have to have P/T conferences...from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. They tried telling me its the same....ha ha! Seriously? Elementary teachers are putting in WAY more hours than those stinkin' High School/Middle School teachers. :-) How is that fair?

Ok, Ok...I KNOW!! "Life isn't fair!" GRRR...it is just frustrating that is all!! And my Dads solution, "Just move up to Middle School!"

"Uh, No Thanks, DAD!"

"I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my 2nd Graders."

...WOW!! That's just all I have to say!!

On a different note...I have been a little frustrated with my water bill. We are on Pilot Knob Rural Water. The last two months my bill was exactly $63.33 (FOR WATER! NO TRASH OR SEWER) So, after paying 4 years of water bills I've NEVER had the same exact bill to the penny. I decided to call because I was sure they didn't read the meter one month and just gave me an estimated bill. Low and behold he told me the "Meter Reader" didn't make it to read a month...that explains it. But, he still tried to convince me it was accurate...Whatever!

So, I asked him if he could give me a print out of my usage so I could see if there was a spike in usage one day or another. He said, "No, we don't have anything like that.' I asked him if he could look up and see what kind of bill I could expect for the month of September usage. I explained that my water bill should be much cheaper now that I'm not home all day. He flipped through a book (Yes, a BOOK! No computer...I could hear pages turning) and said, "Well, it looks like here you used 10,000 gallons last month. And you can expect a $92 bill. WHAT?!? (EYES POPPING OUT OF MY HEAD!)

Naturally, you might think there was a leak. So far this is what I found. The meter is not spinning at all when the water is shut off. I did find a leaky toilet and a faucet dripping. But, 10,000 gallons of water? Wow!! So, I've found myself obsessed with checking my water meter. My husband made the mistake of showing me where to check the numbers. So, I've found myself running out there after every load of laundry, car wash and shower...he he. I'm sure my neighbors think I'm hiding something valuable in that hole...or they think I've lost my mind. LOL!! It is just beyond frustrating!! It seems we are on average now about 1100 gallons a week. Maybe that is a little on the high side...but that is no where near 10,000 gallons in a month.

So, as I pay a really cheap electric bill to Ameren, I'm going to choke out a check made payable to Pilot Knob Water for a whoopin' $92! FOR WATER!! UGH!! I miss my City of PH!! :)

I'm so so glad tomorrow is Friday! Morning duty+TESTING=One Tired Teacher!!

I am ready for a wonderful Friday and relaxing weekend!!

Teaching is SO much more...

My day at school always starts out the same. My students come into the classroom at 7:55. They flip their attendance cards, get two sharpened pencils and begin working on morning work. I usually help them out with the pencil sharpening (otherwise they could be there FOREVER!!).

One day last week, as I was sharpening a students pencil, I was completely humbled. Second graders love to tell stories to their teachers...some things I'd rather not hear. This student said, "We don't have electric at our house so we are using camping stoves to heat our water." At first, I don't think it quite registered to me what he was saying. After all he didn't sound upset by it. He said it very matter-of-factly...like it was totally normal. So I started asking more questions. "Why don't you have electric?" He said, "Oh it was shut off on Monday." Although he didn't seem to be phased by this at all...it literally brought me to tears and made me realize how much I take for granted. What I consider to be a "basic need" may be a luxury to some. Today I asked him if it was still off and he said, "Yes, and it is getting COLD!" :-( I'm currently trying to get them help.

It is moments like these that I realize why I became a teacher. Sure, my job is to educate children. But, it is so much more than that. I have to remind myself that some of these children need more than just an education. They need love, praise and attention. They need to hear about all the good things they are doing. Some kids do not hear one kind word at home. I think it is so easy to get caught up in meeting AYP...and teaching all of our GLE's to prepare our students for the MAP. But, as I was reminded last week...it is SO much more than that!

Please pray for all of our children who are less fortunate.

I feel the need to thank my parents for all they are doing for two young adults. My parents have the biggest hearts of anybody I know. They are making a difference in the lives of two high school students. Their story would rip your heart out! Please keep them in your prayers as they adjust to having two teenagers in the house again. We all have a difficult road ahead.