To My DaVincis

Okay, my children (you know who you are) - which of you made this contraption?  I was spring cleaning the table in the dining room that has the lamp on it.  This was in a drawer.  Who made it and what is it?  It required to much fine motor skill for Ethan to do.

'fess up.

The Big 3 - 0

No, not a birthday, an anniversary.  Mine!!

Our trip to Guatemala two years old.

Wow - that is a long time!  It doesn't seem that long really, but then I realize all of our children are gone.  I saw a young mother with her four kids yesterday and I thought, "That used to be me!" but no more.  So as time passes it is good to keep living a good life, but bittersweet when you realize some of those moments have come and gone.  I loved being at home when the kids were growing up.  I loved the endless days of blanket tents, dress up, and non-stop Disney tunes, the routine of bath and story time.  So, in a nutshell, I have a very blessed life - from beginning to the (hopefully not soon) end.  We were married in Arizona and have lived in Indiana, Ohio, Virginia, Illinois, Louisiana, and Arkansas.  We have managed through multiple moves, schools, jobs, five kids, two losses, and are raising a child with a disability....yet even the challenges are nothing compared to how great our life is.

Since we were limited in what we could do for an anniversary with Ethan around (we are hoping we can take a trip next summer) - we dropped Ethan off at the activity held at the Sunshine School.  He was so excited he didn't even want us to walk him in, he wanted to go in by himself.  Knowing we only had just over 90 minutes of free time, Phil decided he really, really wanted pancakes (lol, we are carb deprived, don't forget) - so we spent our anniversary dinner at IHOP.

Make no mistake, it was delicious!  See that waffle? That is MINE and I enjoyed every bit of it!

McGrath's can put down the food, no problem.  Toast, pancakes, and waffles never tasted so good!

We thought we would have time to return a toilet seat - we like to live it up that way - but alas, time was short and the trip to Lowes will have to wait.

It was Bingo Night at the Sunshine School and Ethan was very happy with his prizes.

Sorry, Logan.  Ethan really, really likes your shirt.  Maybe you can get it back when we visit next.

Perhaps next year we will plan a trip - I would love to go back to Guatemala, or Costa Rica, or Brazil!

I have been blessed with a great husband and a great father to our children.  We are healthy, have jobs, have each other, and our children (not to mention our sanity) - what more could we ask for?!?

Happy 30th!

Under the Sea

Ah.....that time of year.  Family Math/Science/Literacy Night - postponed because of snow and squeezed into a busy week.  We had about 500 people show up, and it makes me so happy seeing our students with their moms/dads and siblings.  They are so excited to come for the "party" and the Latino students always dress up.  The girls wear beautiful dresses and the young men wear button-up shirts neatly tucked in.  Adorable!!!!

We interventionists got together for our annual picture.  Becky, the woman saving me from the shark, is retiring this year.  I am really going to miss her!  She has been an inspiring and collaborative colleague.  And....she is a great teacher.

Ethan hung out with me since dad had a meeting out of town.  He waited patiently since he couldn't eat the pizza or the cookies.  Bummer.

My hat is funky because I was wearing my glasses on top of my head.  Ethan is nearly as tall as I am now!!

It was fun, but it was an exhausting 13 hour day.  I am now chilling with the latest episode of NCIS: Los Angeles.  I am easily diverted :-)