I love me some November

There is so much to like about November. It's not winter yet, it is a shorter work month for those of us in education, and there is Thanksgiving! Love love love Thanksgiving- maybe because I have so much to be thankful for.
Last weekend was full and totally out of the rut. I attended an all-day professional development training on Friday (Nov 3) about Narrative Language Measures, presented by Doug Petersen from Brigham Young. It was a worthwhile, productive day. Though I felt guilty not being in my two Friday ED classrooms, this training will so benefit those students. It was as if I was on vacation that day! The training started at a very reasonable 9am and the day flew by.

got my coffee and ready for the day

Doug Petersen was an excellent speaker

After work, I got a quick bite to eat with Sally and Ellie. Both Matt and Jack were out of town, both due in later that evening, so we met at Labriola for some soup and a sandwich. I always love to see Ellie and I am always impressed by her restaurant manners. At 2 years 2 months, she is a polite little diner, sitting in her high chair, keeping herself occupied (and no screens!). Granted we were only there for 45 minutes, but still. She is only 2! Impressive. Matt and Sally are doing a great job.

this girl loves her fries and ketchup!

I picked up Jack from the airport around 9, came home and processed the week over a glass (or two) of wine.
On Saturday, I met the Birthday Club girls for breakfast. We were supposed to go for a walk but it was storming so we ate instead. That was fine with me!
Jack and I  spent the afternoon buying new phones. Jack had already done all of the fact-finding and so it went smoothly. My iPhone 6 was almost 3 years old and kept shutting down, even though it said it had tons of battery left. I had been patient for almost 2 weeks and my patience was rewarded. I got an iPhone 7 plus. Even though it's kinda big, the camera is able to do lots of things that the regular 7 can't. We all know how much I love to take pictures! It has been almost a full time job to get my new phone up and running. Lots of details!
We baby sat for Ellie on Saturday night. Matt and Sally had a fund raiser for the beloved Jim Horan. It wasn't quite fair because they dropped off Ellie right before bedtime and then picked her up first thing in the morning, but we will take whatever we can get! There's nothing sweeter than when Ellie says "I love you, Grandpa Jack!" , followed by "Bye, Patty!". I love how genuine toddlers are!!!

I love their connection!

This weekend was far less social, but all good. Jack and Wayne had their yearly father-son outing. They spent the afternoon and evening together. Jack decided to spend the night in the city, which made it a bachelorette Saturday for me. I ended up meeting Jenny for a little walk and shopping in the afternoon (so fun) and then just hunkered down at home and started sorting through some of our boxes and boxes of pictures. I can't even believe how many pictures we have! I am trying to organize them and throw out ones that we don't need..it is an impossible task! It's hard to decide which pictures have value and will continue to have value to other people. At one point, I thought about just chucking them all, then I came across some gems. I will just keep on trying to pare down the collection.

Halloween 1985, love the faces of all!

Going through old pictures made me realize how many great people I have in my life and how many fun times we have shared. The pictures of Wayne and Sally through the years just reinforced the reality of how fast time flies. My babies are adults with babies of their own! In the blink of an eye it happened.
I will not even start with how much it made me miss my loved ones who are gone from this earth.
I am thankful I ever even had them in my life!

Tuesday Night Hot Date

Jack and I had our twice yearly hot date tonight- a visit to the dentist to get our teeth cleaned. So romantic, I know. I joke, but actually we are really thankful for decent dental insurance, one that covers our teeth cleaning twice a year. It makes it much easier to go and to get that maintenance done, knowing that it is covered. Our appointments were at 7:30 and 8:00pm and Jack and I are high-fiving each other that we were able to stay up that late AND are still awake at almost 10pm! #pullinganallnighter
In other news of this chilly fall Tuesday night, the Cubs are in the second round of the playoffs. They beat the Nationals in the first round and are down 2 games to none in this series against the Dodgers.
Everyone at the dentist office (well, except Dr. Larry, who is not much of a sports fan) wanted to get home to watch the game.
Other fall news is the repaving of our street, including new curbs and driveway aprons. It has been a little inconvenient the past few weeks and once again tonight we had to park a few blocks away. Totally first world problems and I am not complaining, just documenting because in a few years I will look back and read these words and remember just how I felt tonight. I know this because recently I got out my old journal, from back in the days when Jack and I got engaged and the next 6 years or so. I remember SO vividly those times because I took the time to document them (and my feelings, which can be a bit embarrassing!) I think that is why I love taking pictures so much. Pictures and writings bring back total sensory memories for me.
Happy Fall!

Ellie’s First Pony Ride- The Movie!

Ellie loves to watch videos of herself. As her dad says, “Ellie loves herself some Ellie”. And justifiably so! Check out this movie:

Rainbows and Blessings

The day before yesterday, Tuesday Oct 3, I stopped at Mariano’s on the way to work to pick up a few things. As I pulled out of the parking lot, I looked up in the western sky and there was one of the longest rainbows I had ever seen! It hadn’t even really rained. For the next mile I kept thinking I should pull over and take a picture. I was stopped by a train, pulled out my phone and snapped a quick picture. Moments later I crossed the tracks, looked up and it was gone. 

It was such a blessing, a promise from God. This was in addition to the piece of the big Host that both Jack and I got at communion last week. Lots of blessings, that is for certain. 

Thank You, Lord! 

Settling into Fall

It is officially fall, though it doesn't feel like it with temperatures in the 90s all week.
I finally feel like I have made the transition from summer to the new school year. I know how fortunate I am to have a job that I enjoy so much. I never dread going to work in the morning. The only part of my job that I don't enjoy is the paperwork and writing reports, but those are just part of the package.
Today we are having family pictures taken. It is my birthday present from the kids. It is hard to get a picture of the whole crew because it's hard to get us altogether at one time. Everyone has busy lives which is how it should be. We are having the pictures taken outside at a park today. I can't wait to see everyone!
Next weekend is Lauren's wedding shower. So excited to celebrate our sweetheart of a niece!

signs

This morning I announced to Jack that I am getting too old for my Friday job. I said this from a place of inadequacy. Monday through Thursday, I've got it. I know that I am doing a great job with the kids I work with. I have been well-trained (thank you, Barbara Hodson!) and understand the intricacies of improving the speech intelligibility of the children I work with. When I leave for work Mon-->Thurs, I look forward to my day.
On Fridays, it's different. I am "related services" to kids (mostly boys) who have a wide variety of speech and language needs. I am not an expert in all areas of communication needs and I do not like that feeling that I am not giving them all that they need. Plus I am not good at restraining anymore, except for a finger while my teammates are doing all the heavy work.
Then today, God gave me signs throughout the day that I was enough.
Not perfect, but enough.
I care and I am trying and that's enough.
The signs included a morning Social Skills group with full participation, productive individual speech sessions, a great afternoon with the middle school kids, including a surprise pop-in visit with a former student who is now a senior in high school and wants to join the Air Force next year, a quick visit with a former coworker who lost her dad recently (profound discussion about what matters in life).
God is so good. He had the perfect plan for my life and continues to guide my steps.

oh my goodness! I need to get back to my blog

I am in the limbo state with this blog. I have been unfaithful and have not made this blog a priority in my postings on social media platforms.
I apologize for the neglect.
It has been a fun August.
Ellie turned 2 on 8/25. So thankful for this girl!!! I don't even mind that she prefers Grandpa Jack to me. (it's true. When she facetimes with us, Ellie always asks for Jack!)
I started school with my sweet phono friends. What a gift to have the job I have!!! My Friday job is starting off well, too.
I just need to post more often on here. It helps me process life.