Ten Days

Ten days without blogging is a sure sign of a busy schedule! We had a great visit with my parents and they were able to go to Gabe's Chick-Fil-A company picnic with us. It was on a hot day at the Pumpkin Patch but lots of fun, awesome food and a free pumpkin too! More later . . .

Celebration Soup

Each fall we like to celebrate the first day of chilly weather with a hot bowl of soup or chicken and dumplings. So far we haven't had "hot soup" weather yet but we had a celebration of another kind yesterday. My mom and dad came up here for a visit! Hannah made a great pot of Cheeseburger Soup and it was delicious in spite of the fact that it was the AC keeping us cool rather than a crisp autumn breeze.

Thank you so much for your prayers. Tuesday - Thursday were much better days. Far from ideal but more manageable. The principal and those above her are considering moving "D" to another facility. I am heartbroken for him because it's a step in a not so right direction. But he is uncontrollable (he was with the other teacher as well) and I fear for the safety of others.

More good news, we are going out to dinner soon! I haven't been out to eat in a while and we are trying a new to us restaurant tonight. What's your favorite restaurant?

Is it Fall Yet?

I would like to see some fall weather, real fall weather. Here it is, halfway through October. The days are cooler and the nights dare to dip down into the 40's. But many days are still seeing temperatures that soar up into the 80's. That, in my opinion is hot and hot means summer. Add to that, the fact that I spent the last several years in Romania where we had about 3 weeks of summer and therefore I do not own a large wardrobe of summer clothes. It was an insufficient wardrobe to begin with for a summer in the southeast and now it's worn out. I really want some cool, crisp temperatures. Is anyone else tired of summer?

Tomorrow is my first day as the board substitute in the special education class. I do not know if the teacher has had her baby yet or not but her doctor told her that Friday had to be her last day. So I'll be the new teacher from October 15 - November 21. There is one student holiday and one half day during that time. I'll be there for 26.5 days. I am excited and nervous at the same time. This is not the typical classroom that I am accustomed to. Your prayers are requested!

What I Was Doing

I saw this tag on Karen’s blog and thought I would join in.

1) What I was doing ten years ago:
September of 1997 we were in Romania for the first time. We had only been there for two months. Two of the most difficult months of my life. Just to add to that, I found out that we were expecting Holly just two weeks after we arrived. I had a horrible case of all day sickness that lasted 9 months. John and I had just started taking Romanian lessons. A simple thing like talking made me nauseous. That made language lessons and homeschooling much more challenging. I consumed peppermints continuously. So many that even now I cannot stand the thought of them.

2.) Five years ago:

We had been in Romania for our second term for six months. My 4oth birthday was coming up and I was so blue. We had met a lot of people but none of them were really friends yet. I did not want to turn 40 yet I didn’t want such a milestone to go by without a celebration. Poor John didn’t know what to do with me! He ended up fixing me a nice dinner and he and the kids bought me some gifts. It was a good day and the next day I woke up feeling like the same person. I realized I was making a big deal out of a silly number.

3) One year ago:

I am amazed that one year ago today, I never dreamed that we would be back in the states. My first few months in Romania a decade ago was a nightmare. I could have left the country and never looked back. But over time, I learned to love the country and the people. Last September I assumed that we would spend many more years there. I never dreamed that God would ask us to return to the States, leaving our hearts behind.

4.) Yesterday:

Yesterday I subbed in a first grade classroom. One thing I love about substitute teaching is that when the kids are gone, the school day is over. There aren’t any lesson plans or all the many other things to do. And if a class is particularly difficult, and some are, I don’t have to go back!

5.) 5 snacks I enjoy:

Nacho chips and salsa, Double stuffed Oreo cookies, peanut butter crackers, brownies, anything with cheese.


6.) 5 Things I would do if I suddenly had $100 million
What wouldn’t I do if I had that much money?? I’d buy a house. I’d buy my parents’ a house – here of course! I’d buy a jet so we could fly comfortably to Romania and anywhere else. I’d buy myself a new car and I’d buy John a new car. I would NOT buy my kids a car. I’ve told them over and over. I don’t care if I had a million dollars, that is something they have to earn themselves.

7.) 5 locations I would like to run away to:

Romania, San Diego, Hawaii, Alabama, Mexico

8.) 5 bad habits I have:
You don’t really think I have any bad habits do you?

9.) 5 things I like doing:
Reading, Bible study, playing games – especially word games, being with my family, blogging

10.) 5 TV shows I like:
LOST, HGTV, that’s about it

11.) 5 things I hate doing:
Washing dishes, cleaning the bathroom, putting away the laundry, cutting up raw chicken, moving

12.) 5 Biggest joys of the moment:
Being where God wants me to be (or trying to anyway!), spending time with my husband and kids, singing in the music group at church – tomorrow is our first time, the cool fall breeze coming through my open window, My friend, Monica, from Romania who just called me to wish me a happy birthday!

13 Things Keeping Me Busy This Fall - Edition #47

Thanks to Write From Karen for the TT Banner

1. Homeschool with Gabe

2. and Hannah

3. Substitute teaching

4. Long term (six weeks) substitute position with lots of afterschool paperwork

5. Helping Holly with homework

6. A visit with my parents

7. Keeping up with clutter

8. Homeschool field trips – we are going to Jamestown next week!

9. Playing taxi driver, taking the kids to school, work, church and drama

10. Reading – I know, wishful thinking

11. Blogging – of course!

12. Birthdays! Mine, Hannah’s and John’s

13. Enjoying fall – the coolness, candles, coffee and beautiful colors!

What's keeping you busy this fall?