Summer time is over......

The kids are back in school. The time went fast as it always does, but would still consider it a good, but a little different summer. A1's surgery went so well and for that we are grateful. That pretty much took the whole month of June for travel and recovery from the surgery. A2 played rec league baseball for June and July too--many games were rained out though...

In July we went to Table Rock again. We had a great time w/ two of our favorite families who vacationed with us. We continue to love that place more each year we go.

August started out w/ baseball (school) and band. A1 has endured 10 hour days of band camp for the last couple of weeks.

The house is quiet and my heart is peaceful. My God is good and faithful.

Busy

Life has kind of taken over in another area of our lives...

I've posted a couple of times here about A2's surgery...

End of School Year...

We are trying to wrap things up for the year. Friday is A2's last day and A1 goes till the end of next week. Things have been busy. We're trying to sell our house and move to some acreage. We'll see if that works out or not. It seems like it has rained non stop. We're also gearing up for A1's surgery as soon as school is out. Life is never dull.

Birthday Girl/Fun Weekend

We had a birthday girl this past weekend--15 years old!!! To celebrate her birthday and D's mother's who turned 70 in January our family met in Chicago this weekend. We drove up on Saturday morning and checked in HERE.

A2 was anxious to get to Wrigleyville early so that we could watch batting practice and get some good autographs. So D, A2 and I took the "L" train north while A1, grandma, Aunt J, R, and N went to Millennium Park to hang out before the game.

At Wrigley Field we were the first in our line to get inside the stadium. As soon as we got in a lady walked up to us and asked us if we would like to be the "American Family of the Game". Sure, why not. It was our lucky day.

Right before the National Anthem we got to walk out on the field and hold the advertisement while our names were announced and written on the scoreboard. Cool!


We saw a great game--Cubs win with a home run in the 11th inning!

As soon as the game was over we jumped back on the train for our reservations at Harry Caray's. The food was awesome and we had a great time!


However, at the next table sat this man. He was very gracious to a very polite and awestruck 12yo boy.

Great Day!!!!

The next day we started off with a visit to the new American Girl Store. WOW! Love their new location! A1 still loves her dolls and we're just getting N started on them.


Then it was off to the Cheesecake Factory for Brunch.

And birthday shopping at Water Tower for the afternoon.
It was back to school and work yesterday, but we have some memories that will last a lifetime. The only thing that would make A2's story better in years to come if he could add the phrase "remember back in 2009 when the Cubs won the World Series?"...

Happy Easter!

I guess I'm just managing to hit the holidays, oh well! We have truly enjoyed celebrating our Savior's Resurrection these past few days. I took the whole week off work and the kids got out Wednesday. They each began their vacation spending the night with friends. The girls were here and the boys at a friends house. So, of course, Thursday was spent recovering. A2 got a mysterious fever that lasted a couple of days but was feeling much better yesterday. Friday and Saturday we did our spring cleaning. We moved all the furniture to clean behind and purged our home of excess. Boy does that feel good.

Saturday afternoon our neighbors hosted their annual Easter egg hunt. We now have two seniors, two freshmen, and a 6th grader plus our favorite little addition--18mo is such a fun age--who still love to hunt for eggs! D and I headed out that night for a long overdue night out. I'm always amazed how much that time rejuvenates us!

Yesterday we had a great service with over 1300 people worshiping together. We had some friends over for Easter dinner. I made ham loaves, twice baked potatoes, roasted asparagus, spinach salad, rolls and homemade ice cream.

Today is just a quiet day for us. It will be back to school and back to work tomorrow...

Happy Easter--Christ is Risen!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Two Weeks?

I've thought about just giving up this blogging all together since I don't seem to get it done in a timely manner at all. Oh well, I enjoy doing it--just don't have the time it seems...

I've been substitute teaching at the high school the last month. It's going well and I like it. I never teach any of the classes that A1 is in (that's just weird she says) and I think I've only seen her in the building twice. In a high school that size I rarely run into her. So anyway, I've been able to work a few days a week and save up some cash.

I taught high school for one year before jumping back down to JrHi 18 years ago. My perspective is much different. First of all, 18 years ago I was only a few years older than the high school students and looked about the same age. They were intimidating to me then. Let's just say I'm not intimidated anymore. The behaviors have not changed much since I was in high school--se*, dr*gs, alcoh*l, bad language (sorry, I don't like weird google searches) were the norm just as they are now. HOWEVER, attitudes are much worse. Also, years ago students tried their best to slide under the radar for the most part. Now it seems that students try to shout out their indiscretions. Just my observations...

Basketball season will be over in five more games...

D sprained his ankle BADLY on Sunday playing basketball. He's not been out of the house since. He can't walk...

I'm home today catching up on laundry, grocery shopping, and the internet...

OH--I'm doing Beth Moore's Bible Study on the Psalms of Ascent--love it!

No pictures on the camera yet this month. D got me a new wreath for the front door for Valentines Day--I should take a picture, but the sun has yet to shine to show it off!