Seriously....Again?!?!?

So I woke up to two new inches of snow this morning. That was a real treat to say the least! I guess the only good things about it (and this is pushing me to the extreme to even attempt to be positive about this crappy snow) is that it is now partly sunny and the snow is melting very rapidly. However, the forecast predicts MORE wonderful snow over the next three days. I guess local folklore states that this winter fits into the every 15-20 year cycle of snow up the wazoo! Figures, it would have to cycle through when I was living here. I hope we aren't here for the next cycle.

My sis-in-law is just leaving after having spent three days with us. What a blessing to have family close. Her and my wife had a great time working on baby shower invites for another sister and her two little girls had a great time with my kids. We wish she should have stayed another day. However, she did make the comment on her way out, as I had thanked her for coming and was teasing her about "being that way and just leaving" and she smartly replied, "At least I COME to visit! Oh!!! Snap..." Just goes to show you...

The snow made it really fun to drive around town this morning. I ended up going to get our food order from a neighbor who sells Alison's Pantry and to the post office. On the way back from the post office, I noticed that the older couple that cleans and maintains the public library were out battling the snow. I came home, got my snow shovel and headed back. I have asked to help many times in the past, but was always shooed away. Today, however, I didn't even ask, I just got out with my shovel and started shoveling. That was nice. I had a great visit with them as well. My oldest son walked down as well (we live a block away) and helped out as did two high school boys who were walking by. What a great way to start the day.

As I look at what is left of my Saturday, I am thankful that I was able to get all my planning and copying for the next week done yesterday. Last night I read a good portion of my college assigned reading, and this morning I have spent a great deal of time transferring all the photos from the 17 CD's my wife received for Christmas from her grandmother (father's mother). That took a while, but now my wife can access them, use them, and enjoy looking at them.

Well, I still have about 80 pages of textbook to read, research to do, and a HUGE portfolio to start on (it will take most of the next 1 and 1/2 years to complete- BLAH!). So, I guess I should quit playing around on here and get on with it.

Later...

Celebrating My 81st Post

Yea Me! I think this is a time to celebrate. This will be my 81st post. I have loved every moment of blogging. The excitement of 31 subscribers followed by the low of dropping to only 15. The humor, the feeling of calm after posting my frustrations. Thanks to those who have enjoyed the journey with me.

Today was an interesting day. School was not my favorite today. I feel like the kids have already slipped into the non-listening mode and I am trying to figure out the best way to proceed. I tried so hard to set my expectations and make clear what I need them to do. I think where I fell short was on the consequences. I have been studying how best to proceed, and I still haven't quite got what I want ready to go. I will keep you posted on that one.

This evening was wonderful. I love doing service. For Family Home Evening, our family and two other families in our ward, meet at the church and stamped the ward name in over 100 new hymn books for the chapel. We pulled all the old books, set aside all the books that were in need of some loving care, and put new books out and those that were still usable.

Afterwards, we all came to our house and had brownies and ice cream. It was also nice to sit down and visit afterwards. It was also nice when everyone went home. We were able to get the kids in their jammies, brush teeth, scriptures, prayers and into bed. Peace had fallen in the house at last.

My daughter had her first day of school today. She came home sad because all her friends played with other kids and she"played with two kids. I didn't know their names." My heart broke for her. I don't want school to be a social fight. Even her cousin had someone else to sit by. These are things that make me want to relocate so my kids can start out in a town where everyone isn't related to everyone else. Ah, such is life. My wife and I were talking about this today. We feel like we are always on the outside looking in. We have tried to have friends here in town, but it seems that we do all the inviting without having it reciprocated. That gets tiring and old. We don't need friends that bad. I am glad that I am close to my family. They are sweet and supportive. I have always felt that way- even in high school. I was far from popular and I didn't have many friends. But that is okay. I have a wife whom I love and is truly my best friends. But enough of this line of thought!

Tomorrow is promising to be a great day. I need one of those.

Later...

The Wait is Over!

Wow! I can't believe that it has been so many days since I last posted! Man, Time just sneaks up on me. So, sorry about the delay.

Life has been a whirl-wind. I think I last posted on Saturday. (Crazy!) Sunday came and went. For more on that, check out http://ldspointofview.blogspot.com/. Monday was a great day. I had to be up by 5:30am so I could carpool to our district offices 90 minutes away for opening institute (teacher pep rally, basically). Headed home around 1pm and went and helped a member of my church clean his house as a surprise for his wife's b-day. So I did that until 3:30 when I had to run to the school for our first faculty meeting, and then back to my friend's house to help finish cleaning. (My wife and kids came back with me- my wife made the cheese cake). We had to leave around 7:30 to come home and do FHE and do father's blessings for school. I also had some pre-first day school things to get ready. Was able to be in bed by 11:00pm. Pretty early considering the last few weeks bed time.

I was up early this morning and at school by 7am. I was lucky enough to get two new students today. So I now have 24 students. AHH! My room isn't designed to hold that many students. I had a great day. I have a good class and we had a lot of fun doing some team building activities and games. My oldest had a great first day as well in 3rd grade. He is such a great boy.

After school I was able to relax and plan for tomorrow, come home and mow my lawn and water the garden (thanks honey for helping with the watering), and then during dinner I received a call from the 2nd grade teacher asking for help moving some furniture. I stopped by and picked up the high school science teacher (who happens to be a good friend) and we spent about an hours moving a washer, dryer, fridge, oven, and sink back into place. She wanted to pay us, silly lady! I did because it is the right thing to do. Got home to find our dishwasher had leaked water EVERYWHERE! So no dishwasher for a while. I think it needs a new seal. So I will looking in to that. All the kids have runny noses, and the baby is teething so he is sick with horrible congestion and high fever. Fun stuff at night when he only sleeps for 40-90 minutes at a time. But that is okay. I can't believe that the timer has counted all the way to zero! Crazy stuff.
Well, since it is late again, I am off to bed- More tomorrow! Peace!

P.S. My dad's knee surgery went really well. They are expecting to be home by Friday. YEA!