Winners!

Tonight is a good night. Nate and I (team "I Knew Bisa First") won the trivia contest, there's really yummy food to eat, and there are lots of fun people to hang out with. How many other places could I play whimsical new board games AND have an informed conversation about the state of the public library system in Georgia?

Manglass-Con!

We're in Athens with some friends (and some friends of friends) to play board games until New Year's Day!

On the Move, Again

We finally got all the cars up the driveway, just in time for us to pack up. First we're heading to Lawrenceville where NA will spend a few days with the AF (Adoptive Family) and then we're heading on to Athens for Manglass-Con!

All Here!

It's been the craziest 24 hours. Everyone if finally here, but each car (except our awesome little Yaris) has gotten stuck multiple times. Eventually we were able to get all the cars at least to the end of the lane and then we had to carry all our stuff up through the snow, thanks to the help of several passing drivers. We even have groceries now! We are all utterly exhausted and very tired of the snow.

Up the Snowy Mountain

We left Mom and Dad's a day early so that we'd be able to take my grandparents back to their hotel. It was only possible to get out of the neighborhood (not back in) because of the steep hill. We made it down without too much incident (we only slid off the road once) and then to the cabin. Luckily the GPS took us a weird back way because it turns out the roads we usually take are iced over. In fact, we are currently waiting for Nate's family who are stuck in a ditch not far from here. No tow truck will go out to get them so we're waiting for the sheriff to go pick them up.

More Snow!

It snowed about 6 inches yeterday with another 4-6 predicted for today. Laura and Chris are making their way here from Savannah- we're hoping the hill at the beginning of the neighborhood is plowed by then. I think I might spend some time shoveling the driveway after lunch...

Snow!

There's at least 3-4 inches of snow on the ground and it's still snowing. Brian, Todd, Nate, NA, and I went out to play for about half an hour- making snow balls and sliding down the steep road on boxes and our shoes.

White Christmas

Woke up to snow falling. Add a fresh pan of monkey bread, a cup of coffee, and a fire in the fireplace and I'm feeling pretty Christmas-y.

Opening Presents

I feel kind-of bad for NA as the only child here for Christmas morning- he's dying to open presents up early but I have a feeling we'll be lucky to get my brothers up before 10.

Coco Wheats

I just had a yummy bowl of Coco Wheats (chocolate cream of wheat) for breakfast and sang the theme song (which you can hear here).

Family Time

Tacos for dinner, board games, and watching movies curled up on the couch.

Shopping!

Today my mommy and I went shopping at this great discount store here. I found 2 pairs of pants, 2 shirts, a sweater, a skirt, and a really cute dress! Yay for new clothes and time with my mommy!

Aquarium

We're heading off on our Christmas adventure beginning with the aquarium! Then we're meeting up with 2 of the Princesses (my girl friends from high school) and finally heading up to my parents' house!

Proud Methodist

This article makes me proud to be Methodist.

Narnia

Off to watch the new Narnia movie (in 3D- boo!) with some neighbors.

Stockings

This morning we are opening our stockings- just me, Nate, and NA. Also there will be fresh banana chocolate chip muffins and a Christmas movie.

Elf

Just got done watching Elf. I love Christmas movies.

Boots

Do I need these boots?

Errands

This morning we're getting the oil changed on both cars, going to the post office, picking up the last Christmas present, and then buying some new jeans for NA (he just keeps growing!).

Dirty Santa

We spent the evening at our Sunday School's Christmas party and had a really good time. Good food, hilarious conversation, and a fun round of Dirty Santa made for an enjoyable evening.

Another Big Day

Dinner last night went really well. It was only anxiety filled because, honestly, there is not other situation to compare it to. It was hard for all of us to know how to act and what to say and what to do, but I think we navigated those uncharted waters pretty well. The adoptive couple (henceforth AC) are going to church with us this morning and then taking NA out for lunch and to Home Depot to pick out a color for his new room!

Big Day

As we keep telling NA, today's a big day. The prospecitve adoptive couple is coming over for dinner. But before that, I'm having lunch with my girls from college and after that we have a Christmas party!

Breaking Bad

Nate loves this show and I hate it. It's miserable and depressing and stressful and he makes me watch it with him.

Wings

Nate's cooking wings for dinner. Smells yummy!

Inexperienced

While I may be a technology guru compared to most of the teachers I work with, I know that in reality, I'm not.  I spent a large part of the day trying to set up a new website for the school and without the help of the band director (who actually knows what he's doing) I would have probably cussed out my computer and then cried.

Fail

I have failed (7 times each) to get in touch with the parents of 3 students who have 5 lost library books.  I have sent 2 emails, left 8 messages, and called 5 disconnected numbers.  I think it's time to give up.

3

Three more hours.  That's all.  I can make it.

Last Day!!!!!!!!!!!

Yay!

Photo Book

Yesterday we got a photo album from the couple that is interested in adopting NA. Nate and I looked through it last night and we gave it to him tonight after dinner. I have a feeling he'll be carrying it around until we meet them on Saturday night. I think this is really good.

Tired

There are only a few children in the library.  They are quietly reading.  I'm ready to go home.  It's tired in here.

Thief

I was just called into the principal's office to watch a surveillance video from the hallway. She was trying to find out who had stolen a snowman from the hall. It was me. I saw the snowman had a rip in his hat last week so I put him in my office to sew up. And then I got busy. I didn't know there was an investigation going on. I am the snowman thief.

Going In Late

This is a special morning.  This is the first morning all school year that I have not had to get NA up (he exempted his finals).  Also, I don't have to do the morning news or teach my math class.  I have no reason to go in at 7 AM!

Detox

Best way to calm down after a long, hard day? Watching TV alone in my house with a purring cat on my lap.

The Smell

I never thought I'd hate the smell of popcorn, but I think I do.  It's everywhere.

Twitchy

Noooooo!  Today has caused a really horrible eye twitch!

AR Celebrations

I must be out of my mind.  I'm running 9 AR parties today AND giving popcorn out to all the 4th and 5th graders.

Chipmunks

We played the Alvin and the Chipmunks Christmas album this morning on the news and it made me wonder... does my dad still have the record that we used to listen to as kids while we decorated the Christmas tree?

Christmas Break

I only have to get up at 6 AM 3 more times.  Then I get 18 days off plus 3 teacher work-days and another weekend before the kids come back.  That should help lower my stress level.

DFCS

Overall, we've had a really positive experience being foster parents but today I almost lost my cool with our caseworker. It's not her fault- it was just miscommunication somewhere along the way, but it's still SO FRUSTRATING. I spent my whole day crying and stressing and planning to be out tomorrow to be at a meeting with Austin and then I get a phone call- we don't even need to be there. It was all I could do not to yell "What the ****?!" Thank God for the reminder that everyone makes mistakes or I'd still be trying to punch the phone.

9

I just taught a 9 year old how to run the circulation desk.  She has to sit on a stool to reach the scanner and it's got to be the cutest thing I've ever seen.

Not a Good Start

Before 9 AM, I'd already cried in my AP's office and then made a student cry.  Clearly, this is going to be a great week.

Fantasy In Lights

It's freezing cold outside and we're heading out to ride the trolley at Callaway Gardens!

Brrr!

The wind is whipping around, it's 32 degrees outside, and I have 2 boys in my house who are watching the windows like hawks for any sign of snow flurries.

Wrapping

I've spend the last 2 hours wrapping Christmas presents (in hand-painted wrapping paper!) and listening to Christmas music. I'm ready for Christmas!

Neighborhood

We just got back from a neighborhood gathering- guys from the college changing the oil in people's cars, grilled hot dogs, hot cider, cookie decorating, and my contribution- salt dough ornaments!

Grocery Shopping and Laundry

Every Saturday morning it's the same. Grocery shopping and laundry.

It's Nate's Fault

Nate convinced me to stay up until 11 watching the last episode of Rome. Now he's sleeping in and I've been wide awake since 6. Not fair.

Lump

The last few days have been so crazy and busy that when I finally sat down on the couch, I curled up in a ball and could not get up for over an hour. I'm totally going to bed tonight before 9, but only after laying on the couch and watching TV for a while.

Blog Withdrawl

The internet was down today so I didn't get to give you the regular updates you have become accustomed to.  I went to a really boring meeting about office supplies this morning and then I've spent the afternoon trying to figure out what on my to-do list can be done without the internet (which, if you're wondering, is not much).

Holiday Concert

The PTO Meeting/Holiday Concert went on without a hitch thanks to our amazing new band director. Now for some time time sit on the couch with Nate and watch TV.

Favorite Foods

I'm almost 27 years old.  Will my favorite foods ever stop being pizza, french fries, and ice cream?

Soooooo Loooooooong

Tuesday and Wednesday were both 10.5 hour days and today is going to be a 12.5 hour day.  It's so hard to face that fact at 7 AM.  I need Christmas break to be here.  Now.

Time Travel

Once again I stamped a huge amout of date due cards with the wrong date- Jan. 10, 2010.  Guess the kids will have to do a little time travel if they want to return their books on time.

Superintendent

Our school system is in the process of hiring a new superintendent.  Today I looked over the qualifications of the 3 finalists and I noticed that none of them were teachers for more than 6 years and that all of them have been out of the classroom for more than 25 years.  I am really concerned that our future superintendent won't have a clue what it's like in the classroom today.

Soapbox

A 7th grade student just dared to ask me, "Why do we have to read?"

Needless to say, she got a 30 minute speach.  She should have known better.

Library Fines

It's almost the end of the semester and irresponsible middle school students throughout the school are realizing they have to pay their library fines in order to exempt their finals.  I'll hear excuses, listen to arguments, and ultimately collect handfuls of change that I will then use to purchase more books- books they will check out and then return late.  It's the library circle of life.

The Dangers of Yoga

I was barely able to drive home from yoga this evening because my leg kept shaking whenever I had to push down the clutch. Good thing it's a short drive!

Patience-o-Meter

I'm running on empty.  My patience for the day was entirely used up by a group 6th graders.  I am worried about this evening, alone with NA, when I have no patience left.  Somehow I'm doubting the faculty meeting will charge it back up...

Faculty Meeting, Take 1

We have our first faculty meeting today, our second tomorrow, and a PTO meeting/holiday concert on Thursday.  On Friday, I will need a nap.

Spontaneous Crocheting

I had a little impromptu crochet class with my principal and the school system's technology director today in the media center.  It started with a compliment on a scarf and ended with the 3 of us crowded around some scrap yarn teaching each other our favorite stitches.

On Hold

In order to get a special teacher discount to Fantasy in Lights, I have to call and make reservations.  It's 11:45 on a Tuesday.  Why have I been on hold for 15 minutes?  Who else is ordering tickets right now?

Spelling Bee

We held the Spelling Bee in the media center this morning (and I knew how to spell almost all the words).

Surpise, Surprise

I used one of the techniques I read about in an online foster parent training yesterday on NA and it actually worked.  What a pleasant surprise.

Rewards!

Our new behavior system rewards the kids with tickets when they are "caught" being good.  They can then trade tickets for things like extra recess, an entry into a drawing for an iPod, and my favorite, "Teacher's Helper."  I just had an 8th grade helper for the past hour and I got so much done!  I love this new reward system!

Alone

My library assistant has been relocated to the ISS room for the day, so I am in the library alone.  Oh, and did I mention that I'm teaching a research lesson to 3 6th grade classes and I'm supposed to read to both 3rd grade classes?  Plus I need to work the circulation desk for all the kids who finished their books over the weekend.  Clearly someone in this school does not understand what my job entails.

Christmas Story

Nate totally redeemed his Scrooge status by watching A Christmas Story with me and even tolerating my quoting of all the lines under my breath.

Another Sunday Dinner

Roasted turkey breast, green beans, seasoned rice and apple crisp for dessert! Trying to enjoy having time to cook since this week is going to be crazy.

Raking

Because of some poor behavior in school, NA has had to rake the yard yesterday and today. In total, he's been "raking" the same 10' x 10' patch for about 3 hours.

Acorns

I woke up once in the middle of the night and thought, "Man, it's really raining hard." When I woke up this morning, I realized it wasn't rain but thousands of acorns falling on our roof.

Party Time

Foster Christmas party this morning and college football this afternoon.

Therapy

Had a really rough day so I bought myself a pint of Ben and Jerry's (Imagine Whirled Peace). Ice cream therapy will commence tonight.

Naked

I forgot my planner at home today.  I feel so lost... so unprepared.  It's almost as bad as coming to school without any clothes on, though obviously without so much pointing and laughing.

Mean

Nate and I are mean parents tonight. NA got in trouble at school so he is currently in his room writing apology letters to his teachers. He is not happy with us.

Matchbook

In the back of my desk drawer I found a matchbook.  It is blue and inscribed with these words:

How Beautiful Life Can Be

When Touched By Love

Yvonne and Bobby

July 20, 1985

 

I wonder 1) how are Yvonne and Bobby going to do to celerate their 25th anniversary this summer? and

2) how much longer will I continue to find these little surprises stashed away in my office?

Where everybody knows your name...

As I walked down the hall and was greeted by a chorus of, "Hey, Mrs. B!" and I realized that there are 500 children at this school and all of them know my name. If you add in the 450 students who have already gone on to high school that's 950 people (alright, little people) who know me. I'm pretty sure that qualifies me as a celebrity.

Popcorn Fingers

I'm giving the kids who have met their reading goals popcorn-scented bookmarks (which they are just crazy about).  But after handling them, my fingers now smell like popcorn and no amount of washing has been able to remove the smell.

Eye Doctor

My ophthalmologist appointment today was both shorter and more pleasant that expected. I didn't have to get that air blown in my eyes or get them dilated and I found out my eyesight hasn't gotten worse. Best of all, the holes in my retina haven't gotten any bigger. Guess I won't be going blind as soon as I thought!

Brunette

I just got back from the bathroom where I had a revelation.  I am definitely not a blonde anymore.  My hair is brown and henceforth, when asked to describe my physical appearance, I must be truthful.  I am a brunette.