craziness

Thanksgiving is a lot about thanks, but it's a lot about craziness, too. We saw a lot of family and had some great visiting along with great food. My mom was careful to prepare dressing and side dishes that the kids could eat - it's different when others cook for my bunch now. I missed Michael, and Jenna even chimed in. After we left my maternal grandmothers (the one with six children of her own that has now grown to well over 100 family members), Jenna was contemplating that she had "a whole bunch of cousins" and then she asked, "Where was Michael." I guess she figured she had seen everyone, but he was missing. So, we explained his absence again, and she asked, "When I see him?" That was tough, but I'm thankful, above all, that he is in Germany, and not Iraq; that he is safe and sound. We're waiting on a little message to let us know his "fate" in the Army...(that's a hint, Mike).

We had the traditional "White girl" shopping trip on the day after Thanksgiving. This year none of us had any "hot" item on our list, so we slept in and didn't leave until 7:00. It is SO much fun, and this year we got to shop late...until 5:00. I'm almost finished - now for the wrapping!

I spent the last couple of days with a pink, mattery eye that was fastened shut each morning. The doctor agreed that it is infected, but no pink eye. My students have been fastidious about insisting that I should go home, after all, I had pink eye. I assured them I would not rub my eye and then come and touch them, high school is NOT touchy-feely. I can reassure them tomorrow...they'll be crushed that I don't have to get a sub (don't be tricked, they don't really care, they want a sub!).

Jenna is still staying clear. I have found a "new" lotion with the Melaluca company, and it is AWESOME! Even Jenna's dry, scaly skin stays soft. Of course, the diet is important too. She continues to amaze us with her young wisdom and insight.

Hudson found his favorite movie - Robots. All we can figure out is it is mechanical - he laughed (growled and grunted) so loudly that Jenna kept complaining and turning it up louder. It was hilarious. By the way, that is one funny movie!

Tomorrow we will put up Christmas lights - we bought them tonight. I'll post some pictures, because Jeremy is getting into the competitive spirit with the neighbors (I restrained him to just the lights on the house, he was about to head into bushes, trees, sidewalk, etc.). Jenna can't wait, and I"m sure Hudson will be into something!

Sweet Children

Hudson Reed is continuing to be a hilarious little guy. Last night, while playing chase, I noticed he was putting his little thumbs in his ears and sticking out his tongue. The tongue isn't new, it's his favorite play toy, but he was doing the "na na na na na" that Jenna does when she sticks here thumbs in her ears and waves her fingers. It was hysterical!

Jenna has been on a roll of "not being able to sleep." It really is taking from 30 minutes to 1 1/2 hours to get that girl to fall asleep. And, around noon she passes out for a nap, so I don't think stopping naps is an option (not that we would want to).

Thanksgiving break is here! The kids are at daycare today, I need, desperately, to catch up on lesson planning and grading!

You're Fired!

I think the blogger people should fire me for so little blogging activity.

Friday I moved my classroom into the building - it was a hectic tear down and set up to start a new trimester on Monday. I welcomed my new classes Monday - 2 section Bs, 1 section A, and 1 section AP A. I like all of my kids, so far, but I've only been with them two days. Today went to training for Sheltered kids (language learners). We were supposed to be 'in class' until 3:30, but the lady let us go at 12:00. Whoop! I came home, Jer and I had a date at PastaFina, and then I took a little nap. I ran to Wal-Mart on my way to get the kids, and I saw the Karnes family - it's been a long time since I've seen (or talked) to my friend Jennifer.

Last weekend I cropped all day on Saturday. I didn't finish many pages, but I got a lot of sorting and organizing done. H's book skipped from birth to 1 year old to 2 months - just not my kind of order. I also made some new friends. StoneWater has a crop on Dec 3rd for the ladies - yea! This weekend I'll be at AP training Friday and Saturday. That means a night and another Saturday away from the kids, but I'll get all of next week off.

Jenna is funny. We asked her what Mom and Dad do when she's at school. She said that I scrapbook and Daddy hunts deer. Oh, if only we had that life of luxury!
Hudson is busy being Hudson...he still prefers his grunts to actual words, but they're coming along. His grin is still the funniest thing about him, and I can't describe that.

Blessings

I can't even count all of my blessings right now, but one of them is the little girl with curls at my toes right now that has the little piggies going to market, etc. She's so cute & sweet.

Our Life Group had 21 adults and 15 kids tonight. We had all walks of life, really. Imagine the walk, and it was represented tonight.

I move into the building from my portable. I am mostly happy - civilization, dry erase boards, no wading through the gravel sea in and out. I will miss my anonymity, windows, AC control, and cat family (under and around the builing). However, the benfits far outweigh the losses, so, in I go!

I love little H; he's a hoot. He's talking a little - momma, dada, bye bye. Last night in the middle of playing in his room, he went trucking out, turned and blew me a kiss, then came and gave me a signature open mouth kiss on the cheek, waved and said 'bye bye' and took off. He was in the garage, unloading the fridge when I found him next. We just have to keep the garage door down because he can open the door and go out as he pleases.

Kendra is taking over planning for 2s and 3s - Huge, Huge praise. The boulder has been lifted and rolls down the road.

later...

Peace

Tonight was our Life Group meeting for StoneWater. We don't have a mom in our group who doesn't have peace (and patience, but you know what they say about praying for patience) on their prayer list. Jenna is still having these crazy fits - if you tell her no, even the nicest no on the smallest little thing, she begins screaming, crying and then screaming at the top of her lungs and just falls apart until she throws up. It's awful, and we just don't know what to do.

Our group was good, we're all really forming a connection and care group for one another.

StoneWater had 197 on Sunday. We felt a little silly for being a little disappointed that attendance was 'down.' We're still amazed at God's grace and provision for this new church that he has allowed us to be a part of. I love hearing how God has touched people's hearts. Set up and tear down are getting smoother. I have created the 2s and 3s into 'centers' so that is making my class easier. Plus, next week I will be meeting with a friend who is interested in doing the planning - that would take a HUGE burden off of my shoulders.

Kids are great, cute, and cuddly. I missed H a lot tonight, he was in bed asleep by the time we got home. Jen and I had time together, I just can't wait for Thanksgiving week!