Sweetness

Sometimes I feel like I will never get to use "sweet" and "Emily" in the same sentence. She has an ornery streak in her that's more than a mile long. But every once in a while, she surprises me with a sweet sentiment or comment.

Like Friday.

When I visited her classroom on Thursday for Meet the Teacher night, I sat at her desk, and left her a little note that said, "Love (spelled with a heart) you kiddo--from Mom". I didn't tell her it was there nor did I tell her that I sat at her desk. When she got home from school on Friday she said, "Mom, I got your note. I almost cried when I read it because it was so sweet. I had trouble not crying." Ahh. She does have a sentimental side to her.

I left the same note in Hannah's desk and her reply was, "That was from you? I read it, looked around, and wondered who put that note in there."

"Hannah," I replied, "the note said, 'from Mom.'"

"I know, but I didn't get it." Geesh! Sometimes you have to hit that kid over the head! ;-) But Emily got it and not only did she get it, but she also deeply appreciated it. I'm glad she gives me these brief moments of sweetness so that when I just want to strangle her for being mean, I can remember that within that little body lies the potential to be very sweet and kind and loving. Lucky for her she's got a mom like me! ;-)

Up close and personal

(picture not from today. Thought if I saw myself smiling I would feel better)


Feelin' kinda blah today. Body's not really liking going to bed at 11:00 or later and gettting up at 5:00-5:30. Been trying to hit the sack by no later than 10:00, but it's just not working out. I'm trying out some new units at school, and the planning is eating up a great deal of my time.

I've needed a nap every day this week but Monday.

It kinda sucks, you know. The doctor said I could go symptom free for years. I realize I've only been taking the medication for one month (not even yet), but just when I think that maybe I'm "normal" again, my body sends me a little wake-up call. Like today. It's hard for me to go up and down the steps because my knee hurts. It's hard for me to write or type because my thumb hurts. My shoulder aches when I move it. I've had a headache non-stop for the past 2 days. And right now, I'm getting pretty cranky because I'm still tired and I still have lots to do.

I have to go meet the teachers. I have to figure out what Creative Writing and English 11 CP are going to do tomorrow. I have to figure out what English 9 and CP English 9 are going to do with their Independent Reading Project, which I told them about today, but have yet to figure out. Laundry needs to be done. A grocery list needs to be put together. The floors need to be mopped. And here I sit blogging. Feeling bummed out.

But, the funny thing is, I know it's going to be okay. I know today is just a blip on my radar and that when I wake up tomorrow, I'll feel completely different. I realize the potential for another bad day is there, but usually, it doesn't happen that way. So, I'll suck it up today, and look forward to tomorrow.

Luckily, there's always the hope for a better tomorrow.

Kinda like Christmas morning

That's what Hannah and Emily's first day of school was like today...kinda like Christmas morning. They were both so excited about going back to school that they had trouble sleeping last night. They had to sleep in Hannah's bed, giggling and chatting for at least an hour, and they were running up and down the hall in the middle of the night. We didn't even have to wake them up at 6:30 this morning because they were already waiting for us.

Last night I took Hannah to Target to buy her some shoes and a bag (I completely forgot I hadn't done that for her yet), and after buying a messenger-style bag and some ugly black shoes (which she thought were "fabulous"), she said in the car, "This is the best day ever! I can't stop smiling! I'm so awesome!"

I decided that since the girls aren't exactly new to school, I would just go on in to work. It was scary to trust Ray with the pictures. They were okay. This first one would have been super cute(after I cropped it and enlarged it), but it turned out blurry.

And this one's not so bad (again, after cropping and enlarging it), but you can't see their shoes.

Oh well, the important thing is that both Hannah and Emily had a great first day for the new school year. Hope it continues for us all! ;-)

One week down

and too many more to go to count...but who's counting??! ;-) My first week of school is officially over, and, although it is too early to tell, most of my classes seem tolerable. One always turns sour, so it will be interesting to see which one does, but maybe I'll get lucky and this will be the first year all classes stay fun! Here's hoping!

Celebrating the end and a beginning

Here's to the end of a fabulous summer break and to the beginning of an enjoyable, rewarding new school year!

Proof that I was there

It's not a great picture but at least it proves that I do indeed exist. This is me and Ed on one of the rides at the Clermont County Fair. It was taken by Vickie with Ed's cell phone. As much as I love taking pictures, it sometimes sucks that I don't end up actually being in the pictures. Or, if someone does take a picture of me, and it's not with my camera, I never see the picture afterward. Because of this, I have decided that my next purchase will be a tripod and a remote for my camera so that I can prove to the world that I do indeed exist! ;-)

Another last hurrah

Last Monday we went to the Nature Center as a way to celebrate the last of hazy, lazy summer days, and last Tuesday I took all 4 of them to Sue's house where we walked to the store, bought chicken and stuff and then walked to the park where we (Sue, Patrick, Grandma, Mya, the girls, and I) hung out for awhile. It wasn't too hot nor was it too cold. It was a great day and I think I speak for all of us when I say it was a very enjoyable day. Glad I have the opportunity to enjoy such non-stressful summer days!

Another Nature Center Trip

I'll try not to bore you with more pictures of flowers ;-), but I took the girls (mine plus Hailey and Emma) to the Nature Center last Monday for a kinda last hurrah of summer. (Just a head's up that I haven't edited these pictures yet) Plus, I just needed to get them out of the house!

They insisted on choosing the path, and the one they insisted we take was the geology path. It was labeled "moderate." It turned out to be quite hilly and they lost excitement and enjoyment about 10 minutes into the trek. Especially Emma who grabbed her head and said, "I don't think I can make it!" She's very much a drama queen like Emily!

I made them forge ahead and they became appreciable when we had to actually walk through the creek to continue on our way.

We ended the hike with a bee attack. A bee made it's way into Hailey's hair and no matter how hard I tried to get it out, it just burrowed deeper into her hair. It was a bit creepy.

We did get to see a few turtles, though, and they found that to be pretty cool.

The experience didn't turn out quite as enjoyable as I had hoped, but I'm glad we went. I really do enjoy the Nature Center, especially on Mondays since they are free!! ;-)

The winner is...

Brrriiiaaaannnnn Moooeellllll!!!!!!!! (announcer's voice here)

WHOO HOO!!!!! YEAH!!!!! (this is me cheering)

As my loyal blog readers know, Brian won his first MMA fight on Saturday night. I wasn't keen on going because I am literally sickened when I see violence, but I have to admit I was into his fight. I was hootin' and hollerin' and cheerin' and I was almost brought to tears to watch Brian win. It was an amazing adrenaline rush and I am so glad I got to be a part of something so HUGE for Brian.

I really didn't understand what I was watching. It didn't look good for Brian from where I was standing, but I yelled and cheered for him anyway along with everyone else. When the match was called (did the other guy tap out????), I didn't even know who the winner was, but everyone who was there to support Brian was cheering, so I cheered too.

Brian even had a theme song that played as he walked toward the ring.

He was surrounded by his men from his gym.

He got a pep talk from his "coach" before entering the ring.

I wasn't very fond of this girl...

Talking to Lance in the corner (I think it was Lance...)

Here's the first move. The other guy sucker punched Brian. He was supposed to come out and tap Brian's glove as a sign of sportsman-like conduct, but he only acted like he was going to tap his glove. Instead of tapping him, he punched Brian right in the eye. Jerk.

Some of the different positions I saw... like I said, I don't know what was going on... ;-)

I believe this last picture was the end of the fight. I'm not sure if the other guy tapped out or not (I think he did), but I thought Brian was losing because he was on bottom (those are Brian's legs around that guy's neck if you can't tell what's going on). Apparently, Brian is chocking his opponent with his legs. Ouch.

Brian's opponent's first moved foreshadowed his poor sportsman-like conduct because when the fight was over, and Brian was the winner, he didn't stay to have Brian's hand raised above his head. Instead, he walked out of the ring, and off to the "locker room." I actually felt really bad for him. It was his first fight too, and it was clearly visible that he was very upset that he lost. In fact, he was crying in the back afterward. Sometimes that's what I hate about contests--there always has to be a loser. Don't get me wrong; I'm glad that Brian wasn't the loser, but that other guy has trained just like Brian and wanted to win just like Brian, but he didn't. I was kinda sad for him.

After the fight, we checked into Quality Inn and then headed to a small local pub within walking distance where we hung out 'till closing time. I really enjoyed my time (minus a few bumps along the way ;-)). I really needed the break from the daily grind at home, and I was sooooo craving one-on-one time with Ray. I was also looking forward to chillin' with my siblings (and my MMA fighter brother-in-law).

The most refreshing part of the whole night, was just being with Ray. No kids. No basement. Just us. I just needed that one night to feel content again, to feel rejuvenated, and now I can go back to work feeling a bit more refreshed and I just might go see another one of Brian's fights. Who knows, maybe I'll become a groupie!! ;-)

When kids are bored

they will do some silly things.

The other day, after a lot of rain, Ray looked out the kitchen window and said, "You better go get your camera." I peered out the window myself and found this:

They took these little red chairs and placed them in the water in the creek. And they just sat there.

I'm not really sure how this was enjoyable, but they seemed to like it.

The next thing I found them doing was picking up rocks and throwing them into the creek. Check out Emily's outfit. She's the one with the orange leggings, teal shirt, and pink and black rain boots! ;-)

I'm glad they like to play out there; I remember playing in our creek when I was kid, but it sure would be nice if they could do it with a little less mud!!!!

Off to the fair

On Monday, July 27th we went to the Clermont County Fair with Uncle Ed, Aunt Vickie, Lauren, and Aaron. Ed met his friend and his wife there.

The truck and tractor pull was going on, so we watched some of that.

My camera battery died shortly after we were there (bummer!), so I didn't get shots of the actual pull. I at first thought the whole idea of watching tractors and trucks pulling a big weight was stupid, but I have to admit, that the "thrill" of the event finally got me. I'm not saying I will be sitting front row at the next event, but it was kinda "neat" to watch it.

Since it was kids night, the kids rode lots of rides.

The kids rode this ride over and over and over. They LOVED it. Aaron got to ride his first fair/carnival ride ever.

Hannah and Emily were missing the "simple" rides of their formative years, I guess

And then Emily took one for the team and rode another "baby" ride so Aaron could have a turn. It was getting darker, and I haven't edited these pictures yet, so they are a bit dark.

We then strolled over to pet the animals--or should I say goats and pigs and cows. That's all they had.

This guy reminded me of JaJa Bing (if that's how you spell it) from Star Wars


Hannah tried to sound like a goat...I think she just ended up annoying them with her less-than-stellar rendition ;-)

And Aaron tried to say "Hi"

but he didn't seem too enthused about it.

We also let the girls play games--Lauren won this one.

After a while, Ed convinced the girls to try some of the other rides. He worked on them all night and it took all night for them to finally change their minds. They were too scared before to ride them, but for some reason, decided to give Ed the benefit of the doubt. Boy were they sorry that they didn't listen to him much sooner. They had a BLAST riding those other rides, but the Fair was closing and it was time to go. No more rides for them.

This was the first time Hannah and Emily have been to the Clermont County Fair and they had such a good time that they are already talking about next year! Maybe then Mya can come and ride some rides with Aaron!

As promised...

pictures of paths.

I guess paths hold the same fascination for me as flowers do. They are stationery (--ary??) but at the same time suggest movement. Your eye meanders along the path taking you through the picture. Plus, I like how symbolic paths are--like the paths we take in life, opportunities that come our way, journeys we take. Some paths are easy going, requiring little effort,

some are more arduous.

Some are downhill trails,

some are uphill climbs.

Most of the time, you have no idea where the path will take you because you can't see the end from the start,

and you encounter unexpected twists and turns and even stumbling spots. Sometimes, you find yourself on a path you didn't consciously choose. You start off going in one direction, and then all of a sudden you find yourself going in a totally different direction maybe because the path is hard to see.

But no matter which path you choose, consciously or not, there is always something to see along the way, something to learn, something to savor and carry with you. It's not so much about where the path takes you, but what happens along the way.

Enjoy your path!