End of September already?

I think it's a function of growing older (notice I said older, not old), but the months fly by now. I still am finding it to be a strange time of life. How the heck did I get to be this age???
Some of the September highlights, in addition to the fabulous Labor Day party...
- I am getting settled in my new "school" and by school I mean church and by church I mean building. It has been quite a transition. My new classroom is smaller and hotter than any of my past classrooms, but interestingly enough, I am growing to love the new digs. Looking past the sweltering conditions of the classroom for the first four weeks of this school year, I am finding the new space to be quite zen. Private, calm, spartan, uncomplicated. Bloom where you are planted, as the saying goes. It certainly helps that my boss, Eileen, always makes sure that we have all the tools we need to get the job done. I know that the heat in our classroom bothered her more than it bothered me, even though she is not in our classroom on a daily basis. Eileen cares that much about her team. She even bought a new window air conditioner for our classroom. It should arrive later this week and of course, the temperatures are now in the 60s. That's ok because we have a three year lease and even if we don't need the AC now, we will for sure in the future.

the view of my room as I unlock the door each morning

- Ellie attended her first Hillsdale County Fair this past Sunday. It was super sweet to have Ellie and Sally with us (Matt was out of town on business and Wayne and Julie were in Nashville visiting friends). We did a day trip and Ellie was a trooper. It was pretty much a dream come true for Jack to be on his college campus and then at "his" Fair with his GRANDDAUGHTER. Wow.

Ellie wasn't sure about Winston Churchill

Ellie, here is the yearbook office

this year's photo button

God is so good.

Labor Day 2016

I am only a week late in posting about our outstanding Labor Day with our dear friends. Mark and Cathy have hosted a party on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend for 20 plus years and it is always a great time. Sure, there's incredible food (Peter Luger steaks flown in from New York, Cathy's famous bean casserole) and drink (best of the best wine and champagne), but even better, there are amazing people. I think back to those early years when the kids were in grade school and it does not seem that long ago. Now, those grade schoolers are in their late 20s and early 30s, married with kids of their own. The third generation of Labor Day party goers is expanding every year. For example, last year, Mark and Cath had 4 grandchildren (Mason, Lila, Savannah and Casey) and this year they had 7! Kai and twins Max and Mia joined the crew. Last year, Ellie came home from the NICU on the same day as the party, so this was her first year, too. Who knows how many more kids there will be at next year's party? God is so good.

Adam and Mark, bringing out the steaks

Julie, Mark and Gordon

Ellie with Uncle Wayne and Aunt Julie

love!

A milestone!

Two years ago I bought a pair of sandals at Nordstrom, based mostly on Sally's advice. I love them, but have never been able to put them on by myself because they have 2 side buckles on each sandal. Because of my hip issues, I have only been able to wear them if Jack was home to buckle them for me. True story. 

Well, this morning I decided to wear them and thought I'd try to put them on by myself. 

Success!!! So thrilled! 

Ellie's First Birthday

We had such a fun time celebrating Ellie's first birthday. Matt and Sally hosted an amazing party on Saturday. Loved everything about it, from the darling birthday girl in her Lily Pulitzer outfits (one custom designed by Carol B, Breezy's mom) to the food truck to the sweet smash cake experience.

Love my sweet granddaughter and she is blessed to be surrounded and loved by many wonderful people. 

right before her party; love the cheesy smile!

smash cake time!

Grandpa Jack, Ellie and Sally

A year ago today

A year ago today, Sally's water broke. 5 weeks early. Matt was in Peoria with his menfolk and Jack and I were in Florida with his dad. 

Wow. 

I remember well the stress and unknown of the next 36 hours or so before Ellie came into the world. 

Beth drove Sally to the hospital last August 23rd and today she is babysitting for Ellie. 

So thankful for how it all worked out, to say the least! 

Transition Monday

My new school year officially started last Wednesday with our Institute Day. I enjoy this opening day. It's a chance to see my work friends and listen to speeches. It's not much effort on my part.

Lisa and me

Today was the first day I "worked" and by that I mean a half day, starting with a fun breakfast with Cath and Christy. Love our catch up breakfasts and love these ladies. 

girlfriends 

I worked in my room from 11am on. It was hot. No AC. Not good for my hair do. It'll be ok, though. 

my new work home Mon-Thurs this year

I'm transitioning to a new home for my classroom and to a new school year. The key is to be open minded and flexible. 

I've got this. Right?

True confessions of a grandmothering fail

I experienced a huge grandmothering fail this past Wednesday night. Under my watch, Ellie crawled off of a bed and did a header on to the floor. I don't want you to be too stressed, so I will tell you that three days later, she is fine other than a skinned nose. But I assure you that Wednesday night was very traumatic for Ellie, me, Matt and Sally and Jack.
Here is what happened:
Matt and Sally are having a bunch of painting done at their house and Sally was starting work on Thursday (two full days of meetings on Thursday and Friday, then classes start on Monday August 15, so I offered to babysit those two days). Things were a bit hectic with the painting, so Sally decided that she and Ellie would spend the night at our house. Matt came to pick up Otto to take him to his folks' house. I offered to change Ellie into her sleeper and took her into the bedroom to change her diaper and put on her pjs. The diaper change went well, but when I reached down to get the sleeper, Ellie scooted out of a sitting position in the middle of the bed and sprint crawled to the edge of the bed with a giant smile on her face. I tried to grab her, but she was too fast and she crawled right off the edge of the bed and landed on her face on the floor. There was a huge thud, Matt and Sally came running and Ellie started crying, I picked Ellie up off the floor and handed her to Sally and just buried my face in my hands and kept repeating "I am so sorry".
I thought I was going to throw up.
It's a terrible feeling being responsible for someone else's hurt and it's even worse when it's your granddaughter. It did not matter how understanding Matt and Sally were.
There wasn't any blood and all of Ellie's body parts appeared to be working. Her forehead and nose were red, like a rug burn. Matt called his dad who just happens to be a pediatrician (as I might have mentioned a time or two). Bob was reassuring and told him what to watch out for. I prayed more than usual Wednesday night, that's for sure. On Thursday morning, Ellie was acting like Ellie and I was very thankful.
The scary thing was how quickly that tumble happened. It was so so so fast. It made me realize once again how life can change in an instant. I felt like life is one big accident waiting to happen. I know, however, that that is no way to live life, worrying about what might happen, what could happen. I have to control the variables that I can and trust in God.
I am so thankful for our positive outcome and for everyone being forgiving and understanding.

shortly after the fall #toughcookie

the next morning

36 hours after the fall/Friday am