Around Here: Week 16 2024

 {April 14th-20th}

Spring in Alaska, 2011

My sister sent this and said it looks like me.
She is too kind!

"Thank you for being our teacher"

Jack's cute friend, Lilli

...back when Roxanne and I were pregnant with Wyatt & Milo (2011). 

Crossing... things off my to do list. A serious favorite past time of mine.

Disagreeing... with a friend about student loan forgiveness.  It made my heart pound in frustration, and in the end, I felt really sad. 

Staying... home again on Monday & Tuesday, as our building is still unsafe with the electric issues. I mixed in time with Carly with getting things set up online with my mentor teacher for our students. Thankfully by Wednesday we were able to get back into the classroom. Fingers crossed the problem is solved. It was really stressful balancing teaching with being a parent with Carly home, and I don't know how teachers did it during COVID. Bravo, is all I have to say. 

Cheering... loudly as we attended the twins' award assembly and they received awards from Mr. Ledeboer who said he couldn't just choose one. He said, "If our school was filled with twins like these two, I could take a 50% pay cut. Kind, curteous, interested and interesting. I could go on and on." I teared up and felt choked up as the presenter read these words Ledeboer wrote about our boys. I am so proud of them. 

Subbing... for Katrina on Wednesday and feeling a little bittersweet about it as I know my time in her classroom is coming to an end. Also this week, I did my last observation, and that makes the end feel really real and close as well. 

Oohing and Ahhing... as the humidifier in Carly's room made her astronaut's stars look like part of a laser light show. So cool. 

Using... Iron Out at the encouragement of Gocleanco (Do you follow her on Instagram? If you don't, you should. She's amazing at what she does!) and being blown away at how clean it got the boys' bathroom toilet. It looks incredible!  We have hard water here, and their toilet appeared to be stained yellow/orange. But the Iron Out worked wonders!

Creating... an announcement for my graduation. I had so much fun putting it together. Between the top banner (which reads "second act") and the quote I put on it ("It is never too late to become what we might have been." -George Eliot) along with the colorful crayons, it just puts a big smile on my face! 

Taking... Carly out for ice cream while we were home from school due to the electrical issues.  She was so happy as Baskin Robbins is her favorite place. It was lovely to visit with her and have some special time, just the two of us. 

Finding... Carly asleep in her bed with her book, booklight and glasses next to her. Gosh, she's such a cutie. 

Watching... Wyatt in his baseball game and wishing only for a bit warmer weather. Other than that, I am loving watching these games.  Wyatt has improved so much in the last year (both in throwing and in hitting) and their team has so much fun together. But by far my favorite part is seeing Logan & Jack coach. Their encouragement, firmness and direction with the kids is incredible. I am so proud of them. And so thankful that Josh took the coaching position and knew the twins would make great assistant coaches. 

Buying... soft cat food for Geroge who, for some reason, is getting super thin and unhealthy looking. I think soft food is a bit of a bandaid, but I'm not ready to make a decision about putting him down just yet. He's so important to the kids and me & Josh, but especially Logan. We're going to love on him a while longer. 

Trying... to convince the twins to get perms from my friend Harmonie. Their hair is getting so long, and is really scruffy looking. But they would not be convinced. Oh well...

Listening... to The Tortured Poets Department as I got ready every morning this week. It's a sad, dark album, but I do love I Can Do It With A Broken Heart and But Daddy I Love Him. I think 1989 remains my favorite album of hers. 

Reminding... friends that time will pass anyway, so you may as well be working toward you goal. I honestly cannot express how quickly the last 18 months passed while working on my masters. And even if it takes you three, five, seven years to accomplish your goal (whatever it is), better that you be working towards it as time continues passing than to be content to not move toward an improved future. 

Receiving... a necklace I ordered a few weeks ago with my kids' names on it. I love it!!!

Loving... that the twins have taken to fishing.  It's such a sweet, wholesome activity.  I also love Jack's sweet friend Lilli. She is always willing to give him a ride, and they are so fun together. 

Crafting... Saturday morning with Carly. I love her little girl creativity. 

Redoing... my TBR (to be read) bookshelf, and finding such joy in all the books I've yet to read. It just feels so good to be approaching my degree being done and to be able to get back to both my responsibilities (house cleaning, organizing, etc.) and my hobbies (reading, blogging, etc.). I feel halfway human again!

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Graduation Pics Created by my Sister

Please Enjoy:

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Dedicated to my girl Carly. 
May you always be carefree.