Sunday, May 8, 2011

So I've been AWOL

Thought perhaps I had given up on the blog, but today is Mother's day and I always have some strong thoughts about this day. I am a mom because two women half the earth away made the decision to chose life for my daughters. I celebrate the gift that I was given when I became a mother and I always wish that I could somehow let these birth mothers know what amazing daughters I have. I wish I could let them know about their passionate hearts and their love of learning. I wish I could let them know how they are both such gifted artists and avid readers. I wish they could hear their giggles and see what a strong sister bond there is between them. I wish for just a few moments God could open the great distance between us so that we could share pictures and information. As it stand now, I can't do any of these things, so instead I offer a pray for them and for their families and for their salvation. Perhaps if not in this world we will be able to share this information in heaven. Blessings to my daughters' birth mothers on this Mother's Day

Monday, February 21, 2011

I know this is crazy...

I'm in Anchorage at the ASTE conference learning all about using technology in the classroom. Lots of interesting information and fun getting to meet people and talk about the different areas of our state. BUT one of my favorite things is the fact that I have total control of the remote when I come back to my hotel room each night and the fact that I can eat all the peanut products I want! Miss my kiddos a lot. Feel like part of me is missing. So here's the photo to commemorate thepeanut feeding frenzy that's been happening here! oh and I forgot the king sized bed and the no cooking or cleaning
 
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Sunday, February 13, 2011

Happy New Year

 

 

 


I better check in and let you know we are still alive. Just a very busy week last week. Each morning is starting a little after 5:00 am so Cadi can get to volleyball practice on time. Then I've had a little quiet time to spend before Josi gets up and we get to school. Life at school has settled into a nice routine now. Everything doesn't seem quite so new and I'm remembering when I put stuff and life is a little more automatic. This was nice too this week because several of us have been using the new gym to get some exercise. So that has been a good feeling and my broken leg is finally starting to move more normally again. Yesterday the three of us got much needed haircut. That's what we're supposed to do for Chinese New Year. Josi was gracious enough to pose so you can see her new do. Last night we had the great pleasure of going to some of our friends for a Chinese New year celebration. We had quite a bit of snow during the day, but by the time we were finished with the delicious meal the snow stopped and we set off some more of the sky lanterns. They were so pretty in the snow! Of course we had to have a few firecrackers too! It was just such a lovely evening and again I am reminded of the first CNY I spent with my new daughter and how the traditions have formed over the last 12 years. It's an important part of our year, just like Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and birthday celebrations and I treasure the familiarity of the celebrations we have.

The pictures of the sky lanterns I lifted from the internet. I wanted you to have an idea of what our celebration looked like!
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Sunday, February 6, 2011

A busy weekend

Cadi was involved in a volleyball tournament all day Friday and most of Saturday. It was really a lot of fun to watch the games. I learned how to keep the score books. I did a couple games on a practice sheet and then did one in the official book. Didn't screw up. Whew! The rest of Saturday was spent enjoying Iceworm activities. We were able to get to the parade and the photo show and after the volloeyball tournament was over we went and watched the fireworks display. What quite the show for little Cordova. We finished up the evening setting off some sky lanterns. That was so very cool! I got them for our Chinese New Year celebration, but the weather was so perfect last night we had to set off some of them.
Today we went to church and after the homework was finished we settled in for an afternoon of movies. The best news we got today though is that the volleyball team is taking the morning off tomorrow so we don't have to wake up at 5:15! Yeah!


 

 

 

 
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Monday, January 31, 2011

January is gone

That was pretty darn fast! Just two very random pictures today. Cadi's amaryllis is in full bloom and cheering up the house even though it's dreary and windy outside. The other one is Josi's doing. She has her pandas back out again. Haven't seen them for a very long time, but they came to breakfast. Actually she said they were playing poker. Panda's playing poker with rice crispies...never quite sure where she come up with this stuff!

 

 
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Sunday, January 30, 2011

Better check in today

Last week was a pretty busy week. End of the quarter, report cards, two inservice days Friday and Saturday to sit in class. Basketball tournament and visiting relatives. Last night we were able to keep one of the younger cousins while her parents went to watch the ball game. Forgot how busy 2 year olds are, but she was super! Today, it was another nice day an I sent the kids out to blow bubbles. When it's freezing out and there's no wind, bubbles last a long time!

 

 

 
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Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Grand opening

Last night we had the grand opening for our newly renovated school. Probably the crowning jewels are the new gym and the library. We didn't have either of those before so it was pretty exciting to sit in the gym with about 400 people and finally get to use the new space. The evening was filled with speeches, kids singing, flags, and cheerleaders, but the mose excitement was probably when the mural was revealed. Must have been a moment of deep satisfaction for the artists. It shows kids enjoying our surrounding area. I still need to just take some pictures of the different areas around the school, but it seems like I'm always teaching...

 

 

 

 
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Sunday, January 23, 2011

Quote of the day...

At least she said it with a smile on her face!

 
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Kate Pertiet Ad Inspiration 4410
Joyce Paul- Elegantmess
You and Me-Bellisae Designs

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Homework day

Cadi has spent the last 5 hours working on a podcast for her social studies project. Her little sister help her out by doing the voice work. I think The should work together in broadcasting. It turned out really well. If I can figure out how to get it on the blog I'll do it. Don't hold your breath though...
I've been putzing around the house and managed to get a few of those projects I kept putting off done. The PFD applications are submitted and the fish are no longer swimming in a toxic sespool! Still trying to give my leg a bit of a rest when I can.
 
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Wednesday, January 19, 2011

So if it ain't broke...

don't fix it. But if it is broken, you should probably go back to the doctor a little sooner than I did, and get an x-ray. A week after I tumbled down the stairs, I went to the doctor. He said I had a sprained ankle on my right side and a bone contusion on my left and that it should be better in 4 days. Well 4 weeks later, the left side is still killing me so I decided that I should go back and see what's going on. Different doctor said to xray and sure enough the fibula is broken, but is healing. Add one air splint and a few more weeks and I'm supposed to be healed up and all clear for Disneyland in March. I quess I am one tough old broad considering I've moved my classroom. helped organize other spaces in the school, done Christmas, and taught through the last 4 weeks. Don't supposed I can get any retroactive sick leave...

 
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Simply Amazing

 
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Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Jan 18

 

 

 

 

The clock represents the time Cadi's getting up in the morning now so she can get to volleyball practice ready to go by 6:00 am. Makes for a long day for her. The other pictures are of Josi as she was explaining what an oxymoron is. She talked about it at school today. Then we looked up some on the internet. Their favorite seems to be "a little pregnant". Being the mom of tweeners is sure a lot of fun!
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A great video to start your day...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhOUaszMGvQ

You'll have to copy and paste. I can't get the link to work this morning...

Sunday, January 16, 2011

No pictures today

In fact we didn't even get out of our pajamas at this house today. Daughter #1 wasn't feeling well and we decided to take a much needed break day at this house. Now it's 8:30, everyone is in bed except me and I'm heading that direction shortly. Maybe tomorrow will be worthy of clothing!

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Two Layouts i did from the pictures last Sunday.

 

 
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Too cold!

We just got home from a high school basketball game. Interesting to watch and think about what those seniors we like 13 years ago as kindergartners... They did really well and won by 20 points. it was brutal to leave the warmth of the gym and to get into the feezing car to come home. I know a lot of you see temperatures colder than this, but i live in the banana belt of Alaska and we just don't get this cold very often. Brrrrrrrr.
 
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