Family, Friends, Food, and Fun

What a busy holiday season it has been so far! My week began with more parent conferences to wrap up and some fun holiday activities with my students. Tuesday night was spent at my daughter's Thanksgiving concert at her school. The kinders, 1st, and 2nd graders performed a myriad of songs and readings that ranged from folk songs, poems, to classic favorites. K was excited for us to see her sing with all of her classmates. She seemed a little overwhelmed by all of the people there, but participated in most of the songs. A few of my favorites were "Albuquerque Turkey" and "Rockin Robin." I was very impressed with the turnout of families there to support the kids. DH ended up having to stay home to take care N, who was recovering from a nasty virus. My MIL was able to attend though, so K really loved having her there with us.

Wednesday was a very relaxing day overall since I just let my students finish up some poetry and craft projects they had started the day before. I sat down and colored with them, which they loved! It has been a very stressful at work lately, so it felt good to just take a step back and appreciate some quality time with my students. I am hopeful that things will begin to calm down now. You can probably imagine what a welcome break the four-day weekend was. On Wednesday night, I had to make Costco run for a veggie tray, appetizers, and dinner rolls to take over to my MIL's house on Thursday. Traffic was insane!

On Thanksgiving, we spent a quiet morning at home just watching portions of Macy's parade and eating some cereal. Then we all got cleaned up and headed over to my MIL's home for the big feast. DH's sister, her husband, and their two little boys were also there. It was a pretty low-key day with lots of yummy food. All the Thanksgiving staples were on the table such as a golden brown turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce, twice baked potatoes, and dinner rolls. We also ate a lot of appetizers beforehand, so it was a surprise we had any room left for dessert. There was blackberry orange cobbler, pumpkin pie, and vanilla ice cream to cleanse the palatte. The kids played together and I got my baby fix by watching little 7-month old Kellan, while DH helped his mom and sister clean up in the kitchen (quite the sight to behold). If you know my in-law's family history at all, you know just how far they have come in the last few years alone. Suffice it say, we've been building bridges over troubled waters and it seems that bygones can finally be bygones.

We were all pretty tired and turned in early. My brother-in-law told us that there is a chemical in turkey (called Triptafen) that makes you sleepy. Well, I don't know anything about the chemistry of birds, but it was a good thing we did go to bed. The kids and I got up and braved the crowds of Black Friday. Actually, I've learned where to go and places to avoid from years past. Since I began this new tradition for us two years ago, just N and I have made the shopping excursion. This year, K got to finally come along. I would prefer to go alone to get more done, but the kids literally BEG to go. DH had to work this year, so he couldn't stay home with one of them. Thus, they both lucked out.

We slept in until 5am (an hour and a half later than previous years) and were out the door by 6am. Fred Meyers is always our first stop and is fairly close to home. They get busy like everyone else, but the crowds aren't too crazy and they also serve apple juice and doughnuts for their customers. Now that is shopping done in style! Their bargains were unreal, so I was able to get most of my shopping done in one place, always a bonus! We stopped for some Dutch Bros. hot chocolate and then drove clear across the river to the southeast end of Portland to meet up with DH for lunch. He treated us to some burgers at Red Robin. After a window-shopping trip to Toys 'R Us, the kids were getting tired. I wished I couldn've bought their presents right there to take advantage of the sales (but couldn't with the kids right there to see), I took mental notes instead. We made a quick grocery stop and then called it a day.

We spent Saturday over at the home of some good friends. My friend, R and I played some cards and chatted, while the guys tinkered with and fretted over their computers. I got to hold her now almost 3 week old baby girl again, so that was extra sweet. When I changed her diaper, I was happy that it was like riding a bike, second nature even though it's been a few years since I've done it. Though of course she had do her business right in the middle, but I caught most of it. The mess wasn't too bad, but it was hilarious that she just kept piddling as I would almost have her cleaned up. Too cute.

Now that it is Sunday, I am feeling more refreshed. It's hard to believe the past four days flew by. K and I spent the afternoon taking down our autumn decorations and put up our Christmas ones. Next wekk, we will go get our tree. We have a lot of activities coming up that will keep us busy in these final weeks of 2009. There has been much to be thankful for and many more things to look forward to. This truly is the most wonderful time of the year.

As Ralph Waldo Emerson so eloquently wrote:

For flowers that bloom at our feet;

For tender grass so fresh, so sweet;

For song of bird, and hum of bee;

For all things fair we hear or see;

Father in heaven, we thank thee!

Many happy blessings to everyone!

K at her concert

All the 1st and 2nd graders singing

A family feast

Grandma J and N

My little turkey and me

Cleaning the kitchen together

DH and N

(I really like this one of them)



N and K with two of their cousins



N helping me entertain this not-so-little bundle of joy

K helping her cousin read

Wordless Wednesday

A Wild Life and Wildlife

This past week, our school library and our English department hosted an author visit. Shelley Gill is a renowned children's author who has lived a very exciting life and has chronicled many of her adventures in her picture books, with many of her storylines based in Alaska. Among many of her journeys, she has raced in the Iditarod, swam with whales, climbed a mountain in Antarctica, and spends her summers as a whale detective to study their migratory patterns and to help protect them. After reading several of her books to my students, I learned just how passionate she is about wildlife. As I listened to her presentation, she raised many interesting points about the dire ecological straits our planet is in. She seamlessly blended history, science, writing, and living life to its fullest during her visit. Her basic message to our students was that the reason she decided to write books was to help change the world in her own unique way.

Now I try to avoid preachy blogs, but on the heels of meeting Shelley Gill and reading a recent article, it definitely made me think. I believe in signs and having faith in a higher power, so when science backs up what the universe has been trying to show us for years...how can anyone ignore it?! I believe that all things are connected.

Global warming is real, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. I am baffled by the silly political squabbling surrounding this issue. If certain politicians or celebrity names are attached to an environmental cause, their opinions are dismissed as left or right wing mumbo-jumbo. It's not about them! It shouldn't be about monetary implications! Climatologists have offered study after study as proof and have forcasted severe implications if the world does not react accordingly. Mother Nature doesn't care what political party we all belong to or whether you believe it exists at all. Global warming threatens not only humanity, but every living thing on Earth. People can choose to believe however they want, it doesn't make the reality go away.

For instance, plankton are slowly disappearing. Now you might think, "so what?" Well, without plankton, the oceanic food chain would greatly suffer. Plankton are at the bottom of a very long food web that ends with whales and polar bears. I do not profess to be an expert on any of these issues, but I have done my homework. Wildlife have as much right to be here as we do. We share this planet with them, despite our arrogance that we run the show. I think Mother Nature would beg to differ. In the long run, I wonder if we can even stop what may be an inevitable future, but maybe we can buy more time us all.

Wordless Wednesday

All you need is LOVE

Pause

Here is a heartbreaking article I came across today. It reminded me a lot of a gal I worked with many moons ago, early on in the war. She was a single Mom in the National Guard and was set to be deployed to Afghanistan. She understood the risks, but when one joins they rarely think they'll have to go to war. She had no one to care for her son and had no idea how she would get out of it. As it turned out, they took pity on her situation and agreed to give her an honorable discharge from service. Things worked out well for her, but it is sad to think how many families have been affected by this war that just won't end.

Last night, I was watching an episode of Food Network Challenge that focused on "Thanksgiving Family Feasts." There was one family that was competing that really caught my eye and had me rooting for them. The husband had been deployed four times, so he gone so much that this holiday was going to be an extra special one for them. Most wars ask soldiers to serve an average of two tours of duty. These wars that we've been fighting in both Iraq and Afghanistan have seen multiple families sacrifice for literally years. Kids are growing up without their mothers and fathers. I have some dear friends that have or are currently serving overseas, and you can be sure it has been a struggle for all involved to get through each day. It truly gives you pause.

Obviously, there are many arguments for and against this war. I no longer know where I stand. I want it to be over for the sake of saving lives, but how and when that should happen is still unclear. The tide is constantly shifting in the Middle East, so there just doesn't seem to be end in sight. No matter what side of the fence you are one, we should be supportive of our troops and their families. While we may not yet have the right answer on how to end this terrible war, we can be sure of one thing this Thanksgiving:

Be grateful for loved ones close enough to hug this holiday season.

Tis' the season of grades, good times, and googoo-gagas

It has been an insanely busy couple of weeks. It's report card season and of course that means pulling really long days at work. After finally completing the nitty gritty of filling out all of the grading forms, my next task will be getting prepared for parent conferences this coming week. Needless to say, Thanksgiving break is welcomed in more ways than one!

With all of the work-related stress going on in my life right now, the unfortunate side effect has been neglecting things at home. I try my best, but sometimes things just get missed. My family is usually pretty understanding during this time of year, but I know it takes its toll at times. I've been trying to do better, but there just only so many hours in the day to make everyone happy and keep some semblence of my sanity. One example of this craziness still to come is an hour after I finish my final parent conference, I have to book over to my kids' school to attend my daughter's winter concert. She is super excited and has been practicing really hard. It will be the best way to release all of the stress, relax, and finally enjoy the season. My son's will be later in December (don't know why they separate the grade levels, but they do).

This is my favorite time of year, starting with Thanksgiving and running until New Year's Eve. We have to rotate among all of the families, so we are somewhere different every year. My MIL is hosting it this year, so that will be fun. Then I get up bright and blurry the next morning with one or both of the kids to brave the shopping of Black Friday. I started this tradition just three years ago with my son. This will be my daughter's first time, so it should be an experience having both of them with me. I prefer to go alone or take just one child, but hubby has to work this year, so it's either stay home and miss the sales or take a chance that they'll last at least a few hours. Will cross my fingers.

After that, we have my birthday...something I no longer get overly excited for. I guess with age we stop looking forward to that annual reminder that youth is a thing of the past. I am facing #36 this year (did I say that out loud?). Yes, I am not to the point where I am embarrassed to keep it a secret. Hubby usually treats me to a nice dinner date with or without the kids (depending on the year and our mood) to a place of my choice. Just on the heels of my birthday, we have Christmas and New Year's. This is my absolute favorite part of the whole year. I will save my gushing for that in another blog as it could easily take up several pages.

Instead, I will share the wonderful day I had yesterday. I woke up exhausted both physically and mentally, having just finished report cards at 8:30 the night before. I literally felt the brain cells dying. Hubby tried to motivate me to get out of the house to go to a sporting goods store. As you can probably guess, I didn't budge. So he took our son with him to have some quality father-son time. After vegging for another hour or so, I called a dear friend of mine who gave birth this past week and whom I hadn't seen in far too long. I asked her if she was up for some company and she said yes.

K and I got up and though we were moving slowly, we finally got going. We stopped for some Dutch Bros. hot chocolate and drove out to my friend, Rosalee's house. K was excited as she hadn't seen her kids forever. She is best friends with Rosalee's middle daughter, so they had a blast catching up and playing dolls together. R had her 5th child, a girl, on Monday via C-Section. Little Emmalie Margaret was too cute and cuddly for words. She was so tiny and delicate. Can you tell I love babies?

People ask me sometimes if I want more kids and I always say yes, but the life of travel that we are striving to provide for our family is not conducive to having a whole brood. We just couldn't afford it. My family traveled all over this country (via car) as a child and I have so many lasting memories that I want to share with my two monkeys. I think that's partly why I love teaching elementary, it gives me a chance to be with a bunch of kids all day, yet leave some of that stress behind. My two keep me happy and busy enough. In the meantime, I get my fill of babies by having a lot of friends and relatives that have plenty of kids to love. Enjoy some pics of baby Emmalie below:

R feeding 5 day old baby girl

Meet little Emmalie Margaret

Hang loose!

A bundle of joy!

Sleeping on the Job

She had been cleaning under her bed...

Fever

After enjoying a fun evening of trick-or-treating and an extra hour of sleep, we woke up feeling relaxed. We had to make a Costco run, so we got right the door after a small breakfast of toast. We knew it wasn't much, so we grabbed a granola bar for each of the kids to tide them over until lunch. While we were shopping, we tried many of the tasty samples. K was acting a little tired, so she rode in the cart for most of the time. N kept clutching his tummy and pestering us for food (even after every sample). After one too many "I'm hungry" complaints, finished up our shopping and grabbed some lunch there. They love eating Costco hot dogs and we even treated them to churros for dessert.

On our way out the door, N became emotional and continued to complain that his stomach was bothering him. Worried that he was coming down with something, we put him to bed as soon as we got home. K and I both took naps as well. While mine lasted only about 45 minutes, both kids slept for a few hours each. N woke up feeling as good as new. K however, was not looking so good. She was very clingy with me and just never regained her normal energy. I knew something was off, so I took her temperature. And sure enough, she had a fever of 101.7. We got her into her PJs and gave her a water bottle to keep by her bedside. She fell right back to sleep until dinner. She managed to get down some chicken broth and bread, but that was about it. We are crossing our fingers that it isn't the flu and just a 24 hour bug.

With all the craziness going on with the H1N1 virus, you 've be too careful so I called in for a sub. I wasn't prepared for one at all, but thankfully the sub I got is pretty resourceful and has worked in my classroom before. It is very hard to catch up whenever you do have a sub and it's tough to lose any instructional time, especially with report cards looming on the horizon (grading period ends in a two weeks). As much as work beckons, my kids always have to come first. You can never tell with fevers though, so we are watching her closely.