Home

 I have been overwhelmed pretty much since Hubby accepted the job as principal 100 miles away from where we were living.  I mean, we had one day of celebration before the work began, but the mental load has been big... heavy for the past, well, seven months.

I still have a lot going on and a lot to accomplish headed in to Christmas.  We are BARELY settled in out home (and settled is a widely generous description), almost no Christmas decorations are up, I have so much work to accomplish at school (always work to accomplish at school), the end of graduate semester in the coming weeks, and all the Christmas activities I want to do -- Christmas cookies, Nativity pageant, Christmas cards, making family calendars, and so much more.

I have been overwhelmed and pretty much on the brink of tears for months.  I'm sorry to say it, but its true.  And that's not to say that I haven't been excited, and incredibly grateful to be here with these new jobs... its just been a lot.

But, can I just say, we are finally home, and I feel it.  I can rest in it.

I still have a ton to do... but I have a place to rest... really rest amidst the multitude of tasks.

I have a MILLION things to do, but my TO DO list does not make me cry anymore (at least at this moment)... I will do my best, and I will do my best in a place where my family has what it needs.

Secure and Comfortable

 She now has her own room, she has a new bed.  A snowstorm is raging outside, and she is contentedly reading until bedtime.

I wish I could always make her feel as secure and comfortable as she feels right now.

Football

 This little boy watched football ALL day on Saturday, and finally conked out watching the USC-Nortre Dame game around 9:00pm.

Michigan Football

 A few weeks ago I attended a professional development seminar with a few colleagues on a Friday in October.  The speaker began the workshop by asking each of the attendees to share something for which she was grateful.  The speaker said it could be something in our classrooms, and with our students, or in our personal lives.

Each of the other attendees shared something she was grateful for in her classroom and with her students.  I, unashamed, shared that I was grateful for Michigan football.

Of course, I am grateful for hundreds of things in my life -- probably thousands of things in my life, but Michigan football has been very important to me this fall, even moreso than in past years.

I have had a long list of stressors in my life since May.  I don't mean to complain, because a lot of these things are good things... but I have worked almost nonstop for months:

• moving one hundred miles away
• preparing a house to go on the market
• living in a home while trying to sell it
• trying to buy a home for 8 people in a town WITHOUT ANY HOUSES FOR SALE
• starting a new job where the work is never done (I am filing two teaching positions that the district has never had before)
• supporting my husband as he works a new job
• being mother to our six children
• moving a second time in three months
• attending graduate school classes online

When I attended this professional development day, Michigan was going to play their in-state rivals, Michigan State the following day.  Michigan had not played the previous Saturday as they had a week off.

What I learned that previous weekend was that the only time during the week I let myself take a break and fully relax is when I'm watching a Michigan football game.  The weekend that Michigan did not play a game, I didn't put my feet up and relax at all.  I need that break each week and I really look forward to it.

I am so grateful for Michigan football.

I am also grateful that Michigan is undefeated with a 12-0 record for the first time since 1997.  That just makes those Saturday games where I relax all the more fun to watch!

Holly Days

 Grammie and I took the kids to Holly Day sin Vernal to have fun on black Friday, and the kids had a ball.  By the time this picture was taken, they were pretty cold, but still having a great time.

The Tree

 Yesterday, our kiddos made a tree out of brown paper where we decided to write things for which we are thankful on leaves in order to fill the tree.

It was a really sweet project, and I've included a few of my favorite leaves (love the phonetic spelling).

college football and NFL football

Rodriguezes and Urban Millers

Grammie and Papa and Memaw and Pepaw

Cousins

Michigan football

Thankful

 So much to be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving.

1000 Words

 1000 Words

Fitted Sheets

 Everyone helped me make Grammie and Papa's bed for their visit.

Gotta love the tricky fitted sheets.

Unpacking

 I am pretty sure that at this point I have unpacked more boxes in the past 2 days in the new house than I did during my entire 3 months living at our blue house.

We're making some progress!

Canned Green Beans

 Lee Lee's preschool class made pilgrim stew leading up to Thanksgiving.  Everyone was supposed to bring in canned veggies to share in the stew.

I think Lee Lee was the only child to bring in homemade canned goods -- green beans grown in Great Aunt Patti's garden and canned with great love and prayers.

It was enjoyed by all in the preschool, and I thought of my Aunt all day.

The Fingers

 When you know how old you are but you're still working on how to make that number with your fingers.

Welcome to age 3, Hunter!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HUNTER!

 Happy 3rd Birthday, Hunter!

This little adventurer is three years old today, and what a smart, kind, loving, energetic little boy we have.  He loves trying to keep up with Howard, taking care of Brady, being cared for by Lee Lee, and being looked after by Tracey and Caroline.

After several years of not saying much (his older siblings did much of the talking for him), he has CERTAINLY found his voice these last six months.  He says what he means, and he means what he says.

He is incredibly determined and we love to watch his grow and learn.  This year he has begun to live up to his name as he has taken any opportunity to hunt with Daddy, and spot animals around our property.

We love you, Hunter Nicholas and we are so grateful to have you as a big little brother.