Fall Break - 2010

Although it is only Thursday, we have had a full week already. Our area is out of school this

week for our Fall Break. We headed to Birmingham on Tuesday to visit some of our family. Tuesday night we stayed with Nana and Pawk. We were able to track down the highly anticipated mt. pinson, the army-Navy surplus store in downtown Pinson. Austin loved looking at all of the military gear and MRE options...LOL:)

We managed to gather a birthday gift or two there, a Vietnam era ammunition box and a vest. Somehow over the past couple of years, Austin has clung to anything military, especially knives and gear. We went to Oneonta Wednesday morning to see what deals we could find. We must make another trip soon, but just the girls:)

Next it was time to go to Helena to see sister Tina and her family. That night we met Joan and Larry and everyone for half-price appetizers. What a fun tradition Tina suggested. We all got plenty to eat and it was cheap for the seven of us. We then went elsewhere for dessert...Applebee's. From chocolate sundaes to apple pie, we all had our own piece of sweet heaven. We were able to go to Teddy and his bride, Jessalyn's apartment to see how the nursery is coming along. We also got to meet their new addition, their puppy, Cookie. She was so sweet. Since Erin had to work, we didn't get to see much of her until Wednesday night. We also got to meet her new beau, Chris. What a great guy. I am happy and excited to see what God will do next in her life. This morning we hung out with Erin and ran around until it was time for a Milo burger...it is quite sinful not to go to Bham without having this gazillion calorie meal.

Now we are back home to finish up our week off..but have to do homework.

School and more...

Wow, it has been a while, but so much to tell...This summer we discovered the kitchen fiasco of a leak that seeped under the house that resulted in a whole kitchen overhaul. After a summer full of drywall dust and hammering, we thankfully had great insurance and are now enjoying our new kitchen.
Austin has started middle school, I am in a different classroom (Deaf & Hard of Hearing, Pre-K), and school is still keeping me more than busy. Austin is adjusting to the workload of middle school and seems to like it. He is in band, playing the trumpet. He often rides his bike from my work to school, which is not too far. The other days, my dear friend picks him up for me. I am on the tail end of my last Algebra class (can I get a hallelujah?) Whew, it has been a lot harder and time consuming than any other class thus far. But the good news is, if I keep at my current pace, the end of February I will have my Associates in Elementary Ed. and will have another 18 months or so until I have my Bachelors.
Work is ever so fun and realized over the course of the summer that I would be in the DHH PreK class. It is fun working with these precious children every day. I am learning sign language and using it a lot! I am learnng so much from everyone around me. I feel I will be prepared when it is time to have my own classroom. I feel more than blessed to be able to work in this environment as I am studying to be an educator...not everyone has this opportunity.
God has known exactly where I need to be over these last few years as I have made the career move and started back to school. I am thankful for the opportunities that are available and praying that I can keep it up to see the degree that I have put off for way to long!