Busy, Busy, Busy...

Teaching takes up so much of my time that by the time I get home my computer stays in its' case and I refuse to even look at it. Today I am still at work, and am procrastinating. It is almost report card time and that is taking some mental energy, next week it will actually take some physical time and energy too, but for now I will just think about them!

Last weekend we spent time in the city. On a busy Saturday I went shopping with Sheri, to my Grandma and Grandpa's for a quick visit, to the fabric store with mom, and out for dinner with the family to celebrate my mom's birthday. Sunday was a quiet day for me but on both Saturday and Sunday Jay went to the comic convention.

As we sat around the table reminiscing we realized that it had been two years since Ashley's first official family gathering as the girlfriend. Wow, time flies! Their baby continues to grow and the excitement continues to grow right along with it. Today we all saw him/her for the first time on the ultrasound pictures. Of course I am already buying baby gifts for him/her! I can't wait to be an auntie!

I am almost longing for snow now, dreaming of getting on my skis and enjoying the cold and snow. For now I dread the in-between weather and the cold recesses. Of course the count down to Christmas and our trip is on, can't wait to be warm and in the sun!!

New Blog!

Jay is back in the blogging world, you can find his thoughts at: jboknows.blogspot.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

From this....


to this!

Today is Jay's 26th birthday!
I really am lucky to be married to such a great guy.

Ironically our first date was three years ago yesterday (yes I think it has been that long already!!) So happy birthday, and first date anniversary! Love you tons!

Into the Groove, and Loving It!

Routine is getting set, and life is getting into a normal rhythm. In fact with two whole weekends at home it feels like Jay and I actually live in Mennville!
I am loving my job for the most part. I am really enjoying getting to know my kids and they really are great! I have 19 eager beavers! Don't get me wrong, I had great kids these last four years, I am just enjoying the getting to know you part of school. Setting up routine and expectations, learning the students' strengths and likes and dislikes, it really is the good stuff of teaching. Being able to focus strictly on teaching and my students has made this first month at Morweena even more enjoyable, no government paperwork makes teaching much more focused. Of course I am also enjoying dusting off some of my old favourites and re-teaching them. Electricity has reemerged and it looks like my students are enjoying building circuits, lighting up light bulbs and playing with batteries, of course they are learning something too! Poetry has grabbed many of them. Shel Silverstien never gets old, and we have enjoyed many a chuckle as we read his poems. Kids are writing poems like crazy, the boys get to be funny, the girls re-write songs and express their thoughts on everything from hairbrushes to friends. With the lack of planning these old units take it leaves more time for marking and the such. There are still many late nights at work, and work to do in the evenings and on weekends but that is just the life of a teacher. I feel like we have had a really good start to the school year, and I love it!!
In other news Jay has been busy with work, he is coaching highschool soccer, has evening meetings, and such. We joke, but it is true, if we end up having dinner together twice a week we are doing good. Thankfully we have carved out some weekend time together the last couple of weeks. Although the October calendar is filling up so we will see if that continues.

Seeking Routine!

I meant to update sooner but life has been a little crazy! Starting a new job at a new school has taken some late nights and early mornings, by the time I get home from work plugging in my computer is low on my list of things I want to do. Usually fall routine comes quicker to me but Friday was the first day I left work before 5, which wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't only the second time I have left before 6. One night I managed to stay until 7:15. Add the half hour drive and my days have been rather long. Other than the adjusting to a new routine the start of the school year has been very enjoyable. I have 19 grade 5 and 6 students, 5 boys and 14 girls. They are really good kids and I have enjoyed the last two weeks of getting to know them. I really like being part of a bigger staff. All things considered it has been a great beginning. My goal for this week is to get into routine, spend less hours at work in the evening and start feeling like I have a life outside of my classroom.

This weekend was an enjoyable one. Joel and Ashley came up for a movie marathon. We ate and watched movies all day yesterday, and by watched movies that means the boys watched and the girls slept! Ashley had a rough week and needed rest, I have no excuse, but I look forward to starting the week well rested! Joel slept in the tent with the dogs while Ashley took the bed in the guestroom. It was nice to be at home this weekend as we haven't had a weekend at home in weeks.

Jay's schedule is picking up steam. between the two of us we are hardly ever home. It seems that that is pretty normal this time of year though. He has just started coaching the highschool's soccer teams so that will keep him busy.

On to completing work things!

A Quick Update!

This is my last Friday with no obligations for 10 long months. I had planned to go into work I today but have decided that I won't and instead will work from home and relax a little before the craziness ensues! As far as school goes things have changed in the last week or so. Originally I was teaching 30 kids in grades 4-6, but that was CRAZY!! So instead I am teaching 17 kids in grades 5 and 6, which seems much more manageable. I love those grades so the whole thing has me very excited. I have spent many hours in my new classroom this week and am feeling close to organized. I will work many more hours next week and feel good about having kids in front of me by the end of the week.

Jay is at work today, the first Friday he has worked since I finished school in June. We have enjoyed many Fridays together this summer and I have been thankful for the extra time we have been able to spend together. This will all end abruptly next week when I go back to work full time, and his fall schedule starts back up. We will keep focused on Christmas time, and the nine days of warmth and shopping we have planned!

Content and Loving It!

Yup, I am feeling content this week, and I love it. It seems that all fog has passed and I am felling normal. Some may know that this winter was unpleasant for me, apparently a hormonal imbalance isn't good for you. Since going off the dreaded pill I am happier, cry less, and have the energy and motivation to actually get things done. Amazing!

This weekend Jay booked our plane tickets for our trip. After visiting Arizona for 44 hours last February we have decided to make another trip. The original plan was for us to go to Mexico for Joel and Ashley's wedding so the money is saved and they are already married, thus the decision to go somewhere else.We are going for 9 days over my Christmas break. The condo is in a 55+ complex so my dad is joining us for at least some of the trip, mom will stay home and celebrate Christmas with Joel and Ash. Mom and Dad will go again in February but that just doesn't work for Jay and I. I am grateful that my parents are willing to accommodate us! We are so looking forward to this trip as a chance to spend some time together without thoughts about work or demands on our time. Being warm will be wonderful, and shopping is a must!

I am back to thinking and getting excited about work! The planning has begun. There are some definite pluses to the whole situation. I am teaching at a new school and therefore don't have to plan everything from scratch. My favourite read aloud novel study (The Tale of Despereaux) has been dusted off, unit plans from past years are reviewed, but not planned from scratch. I also look forward to meeting new kids and setting up new routines with them. Of course the fact that I could have up to 30 kids is a little intimidating! I can't wait to get into my classroom and organize it (plus that means getting some of this stuff out of my office and basement!!).

Ashley and I hit the mall this weekend. Bonus number 101 of having a sister I have someone to shop with! My cousin is getting married in a couple of weeks and the invitation says "black tie optional" so we shopped for outfits and accessories for that occasion. Ashley is defiantly showing and didn't have anything to wear. We found some dressy tops she could wear with her black maternity pants. I found earrings, a necklace, and a purse to complete the dress I bought when I was in Mesa.

Dad is doing pretty good. He is feeling restless at home and has made a couple of trip on the bus to keep himself occupied. His pneumonia has cleared up and his antibiotics have ended. Another week and he should be able to go back to work, and drive, and do more; a doctors appointment hopefully will confirm this.

Life is good!