End of two Seasons... beginning of another...

It is that time of year again... the time of year where we do not know if we will see the ever inspiring Chief again. NCAA says he is hostile. We see him as a sign of loyalty. Tyler and I have closed out another season, well two actually. We were very lucky to have gone to Game 4 of the World Series. It was a spectacular night (cold as can be), but we had a great time. And then today, in 30 degree weather, we watched the Illini lose another football game. This year we got Season tickets for football and had a good time, even though they lost miserably most of the time.

Christmas season is nearing once again. I have the ever faithful list of maybe gifts ready in hand. Trying to shop for so many can be a challenge, but I take it on and try to do a nice job with it. We were in TN for Thanksgiving and IL for Christmas, so I should have some good shopping opportunities.

Also, the first weekend of December, I am taking an album class from Miss Ali Edwards herself! I am taking her Perspectives class. I see it as being a time for reflection before I move into the next stage of my life. I turn 25 in a week and we are buying a house in the Spring, so I see this as good of a time as any to reflect back on where I came from and where I am going. I am completely psyched about meeting this creative force. I need to really sit down and work on the "homework" before I get too busy to do a nice job on it before the class.

That same day we are going to a showing of "It's a Wonderful Life" at the local theatre in town. We are taking Tyler's parents with us. They started a tradition decades ago about watching this movie for the holidays, and we thought it would be nice to see it on the big screen.

Creativity is calling, so I am heading out. Thanks for reading... whoever you are :)

-L

Creating

This week has been a heck of a time. The honeymoon is over with the kiddos. They are RESTLESS! Let the 3 ring circus begin :) I seem to slowly be etting back to myself. I actually created this weekend. All of my stuff is out and I plan to do as much as I can when I want to. I don't want it to feel forced. Here are the latest in the collection:

I am having fun with these halloween pictures. Last weekend I was able to decorate and I had a blast. I am very much in the mood for Fall. School just gets me like that. Speaking of which, school pics are on Tuesday and I have no idea what to wear... great! Looks like I have some work to do. Take care!

In a rut...

It seems that I am in a rut. I get up, take a shower, eat cereal, do my hair, get dressed, and go to work. I become Mother Hen to over 150 kiddos each day. I give them my all, grade papers, go to meetings, counsel and love and then I go home. Sometimes I feel so bad for not being able to give Tyler more. Sometimes I am so tired, I have nothing more to give. This makes me worry.

What will it be like with a little one at home? Will I have anything left to give? I worry.

This year is my third year teaching at the school I have grown to love. I am known by all the students and can't go down the hall without being recognized or loved on. I love that. I need that. My kiddos have really become my life. They are so special to me. I care about how they feel and what they need. But sometimes I wonder if I give too much. I have never been this busy so frequently before. I am in a rut.

I miss making my Layouts. I don't have the energy to drag out all of my supplies. I miss that. I need to do it. I need to create. So tomorrow, after midterms go out, I am going to create. I don't know what pages I will do, but I need a release. I need to let go and be myself.

Tyler is making macaroni and cheese from scratch and I am melting into my couch. My very good friend turns 25 today and I only can wish her the best. Lord knows how I will be in 2 months when mine comes around. House hunting is starting to slowly make its way into our everyday lives. Realtors are being iffy. We will see how that goes. Thanks for reading, if you are out there. I needed this :)

Labor Day Weekend

This past weekend has been so nice. We have been busy from the beginning of our break, but it has been a good time. Friday night, we decided to play some tennis with Josh and Audra. After warming up, I did alright. My knee held in for about an hour or so and then started to act up. So, all in all, it was a successful attempt. Then we all headed out to Steak 'n Shake for dinner and on to Walmart for some serious tailgating shopping. We picked up burgers, buns, brats, hotdogs, potato salad, deserts, beer, and lots of ice. Your typical plunder for a great day of tailgating. This year Tyler decided to get season tickets to Illini Football, so hopefully we will get out moneys worth.

Saturday morning we packed up the Jeep and headed out to the stadium. We got there a little bit before Noon and settled in at a beautiful spot that was shady and had plenty of room. Josh, Audra and the crew started showing up around 1 and we drank, grilled and goofed around until the 6pm kick off time. It could not have been a nicer day, company or weather-wise. The game turned out great, U of I crushed EIU (sorry Josh) and our seats were in the first row on the aisle, so all held up to be true.

Sunday we tried our best to get up early and be ready for the Arthur Cheese Festival down south. We made it up and got going relatively early for having such a long day before and headed down. There were more types of cheese than you could imagine: cranberry, blueberry, swiss, salami, all types... We had a nice time visiting with Tyler's parents and ended up shopping in Tuscola at the Outlet Center. We then came back to Urbana and grilled out with Josh and Audra to use up some of the leftovers and went to a movie called, Little Miss Sunshine.
This movie about killed us. We were cracking up so much at how funny/tragic something could be at the same time. Many times we didn't know if we should be laughing or not because it was such a tragedy, but it was just too much. I won't give away any spoilers, but it was worth the money to go. After we checked out the downtown scene, we headed to a local hangout and ended the night playing cards at the apartment.

Today was a little slow getting going, but it has been so beautiful out and just nice to not have anything scheduled. I just love weekends like this. Hope yours is nice as well. Bye for now!

Summer coming to a close

I can feel it down deep in the pit of my stomach. My summer is slipping away. Where did it go? Under the couch? Behind the tree? Nope. Into the wind, I say. It flew right on by. So yes, it is that time of year again. Time when I am sick of trying to look decent in my swimsuit and ready for the warm comfort of my sweaters and hoodies. Time for buying out the penny and ten cent sale items at Staples and Office Depot. Time for my trunk to stop looking like a large office supply store and for the goodies to go in their right places. Time for updating the school website with start dates, times and lunch menus. Time to start thinking of what to wear on the first day of school, even more important the Open House for the new little ones that night. It is that time again. School is here again.

What a pain in the KNEE!

Today was my appointment with my orthopedic surgeon. Too bad I won't be having his services any time soon. That's right. Today I found out I have significant wear and tear of the knee cap. It will hurt me off and on for the rest of my life. An option is major knee surgery with all the bells and whistles. He didn't offer the surgery. He told me he couldn't guarantee that the surgery would make it better.

I am a complete mess. I feel like I have been given a life sentence. My knee won't get worse; it won't heal; it won't develop arthritis. It will just hurt like the dickens several times a year or month or day. I am now going to start an exercise program to strengthen my legs and get into the best shape I can to take pressure off as much as possible. This just isn't what I needed.

Second opinion you may ask... Well I thought about that until I remembered I was with the Head Team Physician for the University of Illinois... I think he has his credentials in order. Enough blabbering from me. Any happy thoughts appreciated. Thanks!

Goals and Intentions

Today is a post on goals. As a teacher, I have goals each day, and it is easy to point out goals in the classroom. But as I sit here, I realize that I have many goals in my personal life as well. I try to be a pretty outgoing person and I think that is what helps me to accomplish my goals.

Goals I have accomplished:

1. Marry my bestfriend. complete (Good thing my bestfriend happened to be a guy :), and a wonderful one at that.) - This goal seems to be a simple one, but knowing this world and how people change and grow apart I consider myself to be very lucky in life to be married to my husband. We were fortunate to meet young in life and grow together instead of apart.
2. Do something extreme. complete - On July 22nd of this year I took the plunge. I flew out of a plane and went skydiving. I had this surreal calm about it. My husband was freaking out, my mom was beside herself, but I did it (with little sister at my side) and it was great. I am so proud of myself because I conquered my fear of flight and not many people know that about me. I secretly want to vomit when on a plane during take off and landing... well this time I canceled out the landing part and dealt with the take off :)
3. Be happy. complete and ongoing - This is actually a major feat in my life. I have dealt with depression from an early age and I really seem to have it together lately. Junior High was not kind to this gal, but I have used my experiences to make me stronger and better for the wear.
   
4. Become a teacher. complete - I teach at a wonderful Junior High in Illinois and I have a blast. I get to entertain and educate all day long. 12 year olds are so fun to be around. They are growing at an incredible rate and it is wonderful to be a part of their becoming young adults. I don't think I could give this up.
5. Make a difference. Hopefully each day - With my background, I made it a point to be in a profession that could help young people. After careful thought, I knew being a public school teacher was right for me. I promise each year to be there for each student. Someone to talk to for any child in need. It melts my heart each student smiles after a conversation, whether it be a light-hearted chat or a deep conversation. I love being there for our young people.

Goals to be completed:

1. Become a homeowner - Spring 2007 ! ! !
2. Obtain my Masters degree - starting the program next summer
3. Become a mother - Even though I feel like I have about 170 kids each year to mother, I am awaiting the say to have my own. My husband will be a wonderful father and I can't wait to be a part of that.
4. Visit a volcanic island - big stuff for an Earth Science teacher!
5. Life life to the fullest - I want to live life for what it is. I don't want to wish for tomorrow. I want to make the most of today. Each day is something new and anyone can try to make the best of it.

Thanks so much for reading my short novel. We had a great mini vacation this past weekend with the inlaws. Lots of baseball, outdoors and fun. Here are some pics from the weekend. Have a good one!