Revolving Door

Pictures, how I want you, but how I forget to take you!  Someday I will have a plethora of pictures to add to my blogs, but for now I’m still learning to take pictures yet still be engaged in the activities. I can’t seem to do both yet.

This week our house has been a revolving door and it’s been fun! Monday night our neighbors came over for chili. There’s something nice about just texting each other to get together that night and hanging out. The kids played while the adults talked and it just made for a nice way to start the week.

We had church Tuesday night and then - of course - Wednesday we were at home because Corbin had a cold. I know, shocking that someone from our house was sick. Luckily it didn’t take him down for long.

By Friday he was ready to go again. We met a friend for lunch and enjoyed time together. Here’s Corbin all ready to go…I call this the “urban hunting” style:

So far our week had been pretty typical, but then Friday night came and the revolving door started spinning.

Chris’ brother, nephew, and Chris’ sister all came for supper that night. After that they hung out while I headed to my “book club”.  (I put this in quotes because it’s what we call ourselves, but we really just enjoy getting together. The book is talked about, but we also do a lot of other chatting!)

We read The Tipping Point this month. I loved it, but the group had mixed reviews.  I think you need to like reading case studies and informational text. The premise is about how small changes can create huge courses of change. It really got my wheels spinning and I’m already trying some small changes at school to hopefully increase reading among students. I think this information is super exciting.

I came home and the little boys were in bed and the adults hung out. Kati left that night while Brent and Collin stayed the night.

Saturday morning we fed Brent and Collin and they left late in the morning to go to a basketball game. Then Chris and I prepped for my mom’s birthday bash that afternoon.

My parents came that afternoon and then we met more family at the bowling alley.  We bowled and played arcade games.  It was a blast seeing the little boys bowl.  They beat us all…but in our defense, they had bumpers and ramps!

After bowling our little hearts out we all came back to the house for supper and cake.

My parents stayed the night and headed to early church service and Sunday School with us.  Then we went to an amazing brunch and stuffed ourselves silly.

That afternoon, after my parents left, we once again prepared for one more birthday. Chris’ grandmother’s birthday was on Sunday. She and Kati came over in the afternoon and stayed for supper.  We had a very relaxing afternoon hanging by the fireplace, talking, coloring, playing games, and then eating WAY too much that night. We had Mexican food, ice cream, and cake….those are hard things to eat in moderation. And trust me I didn’t even try….not even a little…it was embarrassing the amount of food I packed in 

They left that night and finally at 7:00 Sunday night our door finally stopped moving. Although there was a lot going on and many people coming and going I wouldn’t have it any other way.  It was super fun to have family around and celebrate special people!

Valentine’s Day 2015

I can see that each year Valentine’s will be changing and looking different.  For example, this year Corbin picked out his own cards.  I had other ideas, but it’s his choice so I’m starting the “letting go” process

Corbin chose buggy valentine cards this year.  Each card came with a sticky bug.  So after he finished writing his name on the cards he was to give out he took the extra bugs and had some fun!

Friday morning Corbin and I headed to his preschool for the valentine’s day party!  There were games, food, and of course excitement.  It was fun to be there and help, but I’m certainly glad that I am not a pre-k teacher.  Bless their hearts, it’s a hard job.

After the party we went to the doctor’s, out to lunch, and then ended the afternoon at my school to run the book fair. 

Saturday, Chris and I spent the whole day lounging, hanging with each other, enjoying the….wait, nope that’s not how it went

Corbin woke up with a fever and a cold.  So, we took care of him while prepping for a dinner party at our house that night. 

We had my bible study girls and spouses come over for a yummy dinner and then to play Hollywood Game Night (based off the TV show).  Chris did an excellent job putting the games together on a power point and having clips from the show and a timer…it was well done!

(Us at dinner…wish I had gotten a shot with us all!  And one with everyone looking in the camera.  Hindsight)

This game was How Do you DOO DO.  Singing a song with “do” and teams had to guess the title.

The night was SO much fun.  We will definitely be doing this again.  Really, I laughed so hard!  And sweet Corbin laid in our bed, watched some TV, and then went to sleep.  We checked on him a few times to make sure he was ok, but he never even made a peep.  Sweet boy needed to sleep!

Sunday morning Grandma Tammy and Grandpa came by for a late breakfast.  They were supposed to have Corbin for the night, but since he was sick he stayed with us.  But, he woke up with no fever and really sounded so much better so they came over as planned.

I love breakfast.  There is something about having a ton of breakfast foods at your fingertips that is just amazing.  I made a hashbrown casserole, biscuits and gravy, mini quiches, bacon, fruit, muffins, and yogurt.  It was a nice way to close out the holiday!

Here Corbin is opening his V-Day gifts from Grandma and Grandpa Williams.  Nothing shows love to this little guy like maps! 

Our weekend was filled with love surrounded by family and friends.  It was a great way to spend our Valentine’s Day!

Weekend Wrap Up

We are almost recovered from the yucky stomach bug.  But, we still took Friday and Saturday easy.

Friday night the boys helped me create a Rube Goldberg machine.  Ours had the end result of vinegar dribbling out onto baking soda and bubbling.  Corbin thought it was great!

My 3rd graders at school are learning about inventors and so I’m going to let them invent their own Goldberg machine.  I just needed an example to show them.  I might be crazy for doing this with 50 3rd graders…wish me luck!

Wednesday night some sweet friends of ours gave us this measuring chart they made as a gift.  Isn’t it awesome?  They are super creative and artistic. 

Saturday morning Chris hung it up.  Ever since then Corbin has been measuring himself at least twice a day.  (And being slightly disappointed that he isn’t growing in that amount of time.)

It was a beautiful day Saturday so we played a family soccer game (no pictures…we were all playing).  It was good to get out and move after our weeks of sickness and recovery. 

Then Corbin helped wash my car.  He was a great helper!  I see a future job for his chore chart

Sunday was our big day.  I am the chair person for the children’s board at our church.  We started a preschool a few years ago and on Sunday my board organized and hosted a preschool celebration and fundraiser.

Our church has some members who play in a German band, so we had them come play and we hosted a German festival.  It was really fun.

My parents came and were the polka experts and danced away.  Dad and I got a polka in as well as Chris and I.  The kids did the hokey pokey, chicken dance, and mickey mouse march. 

It exceed our expectations with around 100 people and raising over $3,000 for the preschool! (The dance floor looks a little empty but we had lots of onlookers from the tables Thanks for dancing mom and dad!)

Now it’s on to a long week of teaching, running the book fair and staying a few late nights at school for parent teacher conferences.  But of course, the week ends with some Valentine fun!

Really?

For the past couple of years I usually pick a word for the new year.  Well, this year I didn’t, but no worries the word picked me: SICK.

Oh. My. Goodness. I have never been sick so many times in recent memory. I was sick again Monday and Tuesday. I have already taken two sick days for the school year.  I averaged maybe one most other years.

By midmorning Monday my stomach started to hurt, by the evening it was painful, and by night I was doubled over in the worst pain of my life. 

I’ll spare you the details, but I had intestinal issues from every end. I was in so much pain that at one point I really thought I would need to go to the hospital. Chris was downstairs with his phone and I was upset writhing in bed. 

I sent him this text: “Need I”.  I could not even correct it to say me.  That was all I had in me.  I was shaking, dizzy, in SO much pain.  Did my husband come running….noooo. I waited….nothing. I was on the bathroom floor so I laid and yelled down the vent, “Chris, I need you.” Nada.

Finally, several minutes later Chris stumbles up, half asleep and asks “Did you need me?” Umm, yes!

Well, I got through it. I didn’t have to go to the hospital and somehow I survived the horrendous stomach bug of ‘15.  Which forever in our house will be labeled as the “Need I” sickness. 

But, other than the old news of being sick AGAIN, we’ve been busy living life. Lots of church activities, some get togethers, a birthday party, and maps. Corbin LOVES maps. Most often, right now, you can find him looking at a map or drawing his own.

Here are some pictures from my phone that I took of a few things.  There’s not a lot…remember my word for the year…yeah, I’ve been sick….A LOT:

Here’s praying for healthy months ahead!