Life is Good!

(I left my camera at at school. I'll add some pictures soon.)
Happy Mother's Day to all of you incredible moms! Pele and Tina didn't get me anything; can you believe it? I will celebrate for my Godchildren and all of my incredible nieces and nephews. I know it's been forever since I posted (and spoke with many of you.) I mailed my National Board portfolios for the 2nd time April 11. It was easier this time -about 1/2 the work, but the last few weeks were about as time and brain-consuming. I know it's better than the 1st time, but still not a given. Once again, I'll be praying until November when I get the results. However, it didn't take long for end-of-year school to kick in. We've had lots of fun stuff going on, and everyone's doing the bitter-sweet countdown. The kids have 2 weeks (and 2 day), while I have 3 weeks. We visited the Jr. High for an orientation. That makes me sad - losing my kids! However, my new school is on the same campus, and it's looking like a real building - really 3! We'll have our own lunchroom and gym. Incredible. I'll have walk-in closet. Incredible. We'll have 2 computer labs. Incredible. As you can tell, I'm very excited. I'm not looking forward to moving a whole school, (yes, it's up to us to get it done), but it'll be worth it. I'm praying it'll be ready before August, but that may not happen. Greg's dad is here for a week. He picked a great time. Our weather has been typical spring, though hotter. The past few weeks it's been almost 90 many days, with bad storms on the weekends. However, this weekend we're getting a cool down - around 70. Really beautiful. Once national boards were done, I did yard work! I didn't procrastinate until summer, so my front beds are done. I laid the pine straw yesterday. I also have 2 topsy turvy tomato hangers. (purchased from the school book people) so I'll let you know if they work. The only definite summer plan that I have is my ticket booked to California after July 4th. YEAH!! I'm going solo to help with the newest Cronley boy - or probably entertain Marin. It was such a blessing to have them close for so long, but the separation is heart-breaking. I can't wait! We do plan on joining everyone in South Bend for November, but I have not made any reservations.

Jan - Feb 2010

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What a winter! I do not expect sympathy from my frozen relatives up north, but Birmingham had a real winter. Since I've lived here, we've never had months of below freezing temperatures. We even had a couple weeks where it never got out of the 30's. Pele and Tina are NOT winter dogs - especially Tina. I love winter clothes, but I am REALLY looking forward to the 60's this weekend. We did have one other nice weekend - when Boog left for his final Meridian to California drive. So I am officially the only southern belle again. I'll have to start wearing Easter egg colored outifts and hats. As you can tell by my lack of posts and pictures, my life is work work work. I must admit that the 2nd year of National Boards has been enlightening. The research and new instructional strategies that I am doing for the video entry have produced amazing results in my teaching. I even involved the Greening's school with a survey for John and Annie's classes. I am taking an online course to enhance my learning; the content and materials match my "new" strategies perfectly. I can honestly say that it is a good thing that I am in the 2nd year. However, I really do not want to do a 3rd... I have two weeks until spring break, when I will be doing major writing for NB. I have until tax day, but hope to have it pretty well done by the end of March. My voice treatment is March 18. We start standardized testing the day we return - great planning, Board of Ed...Greg's brother Brad and Co. visited last weekend. Unfortunately, I had a conference all day Saturday, but really enjoyed them. The boys are growing so quickly!

Christmas 2009

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My vacation this year was wonderful! I missed seeing my side of the family, but we enjoyed our time in Florida with Greg's family. The boys participated in their Nativity program, which was a special way to enjoy Christmas Eve Mass with them. The 3 boys are VERY true to their birth order; it's amazing. Griffin (16 months) is our Godson (not Grandson....). It's also amazing how the Norwegian genes seem to be dominant. Kim has very dark, naturally curly hair! Greg's dad was there, and he came to B'ham New Year's week to visit with us as well.
My time at home was not wasted. Since our last day was the 18th, I had plenty of time to do all of those things that I save for my time off. I did home projects and school/National Board work. I familiarized myself with my new computer, which I love, and video chats! It's so nice to see you when we talk. I hope to chat more when I have showered, dressed, and put on make-up. I'm sure you all agree!

Goodbye Tracey and Marin

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I created an album for Marin to take with her to remember her time with Aunt Sara. You can tell that I did not have my camera for the first year that they were "here." Also, I neglected to take enough pictures with the adults, especially Tracey! Who could imagine that the majority of my pictures are of my precious Goddaughter only? I am grieving their departure, but I remind myself how blessed we are that we had three years! Not only did I get to enjoy sharing in Marin's first few years, but I also treasure the time with Boog and Tracey. I feel that I have the pleasure of knowing my baby brother as a superb grown man (didn't I teach him to tie his shoes and carry him around the house?) and his lovely wife. I know that I have incredible brothers and sisters-in-law, but this opportunity allowed me to enjoy a new friend in Tracey! I could go on, but I do not want to start bawling (again). I must add that although I dwell on my loss, I AM very happy for them to get back to California. It will be an incredible place to visit, and they promise to still have "Aunt Sara's room and bathroom!" (Did you hear the comment by Marin to Mom this summer that she was allowed to use "Aunt Sara's" bathroom during her visit? )
p.s. Can anyone tell me how to get music in the slideshow?

Merry Christmas!

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I hope this works. I'm watching Christmas Vacation and thinking of my family! Found this on youtube.

No Excuse!

I have no good excuse for not updating my blog. I have enjoyed keeping up with all of yours! Greg and I have been enjoying our normal, everyday life - work, gym, dogs, and football. I've visited Boog and family for some good times and good food! It's fun being there for the growth of "California Baby" and preparing the big sister. They've been here a couple times, and Greg and I were petsitters for Muzzy when they went to South Bend. Leah (I can never remember how she spells her name...) was not available. As you can see, she is a true pet lover! A little later Pele even kissed Mr. Cal. It was quite amusing, especially since Mr. Cal didn't seem to mind. Marin continues to impress with her growth and brilliance. I can say that as her aunt! She is like her cousin Annie with language. I'm also amazed at her "negotiation" skills. (For example, Boog told her she could have a candy after church. She brought it to me, pointed to the label, and proclaimed to me that it said, "eat before church.")
My voice continues to improve, so I hope to catch up with everyone. Even better, my Christmas/Birthday present is a new laptop and I will be good to go for video chats! I decided that it would ease the national board pain to have a better "tool" to work with. After many hours of research and continual checking websites for deals, I ordered an MSI computer from Tiger Direct. Although I'm not familiar with the brand, I spoke with a human computer guy for my final comparisons. THis one appears to meet my needs, and even has the webcam, which was a "want" not a "must have" on my list! I'm quite pleased with the deal that I got, and it has a 3 year warranty to ease my mind. It has dual core tech, plenty of storage, and windows 7. Speed! It may take a week or two to get here because it was back ordered, but I will be in touch!! (Yes - I even woke up every two hours to see if I could get the $298 HP deal from Wal Mart online Friday, and went there at 4:00 AM to confirm what I thought - impossible. ) I ended up getting more (without the brand name) for less than $100 more. As you can tell, I'm excited about this. Hopefully I'll be able to transfer all of my info and software with ease.
As for the holidays, we plan to visit Greg's family in Florida and be at home to work. I have a couple work sessions scheduled already with some fellow "national boarders" in my district. There are 2 others in year two for my same subject area and one who just earned hers. We should be able to provide moral support to each other and collaborate. I'm not clear yet on how much I must do over, but at least I'm in a better starting place then I was last year. It will still be a ton of work, but hopefully will not consume me as fully as it did from January - March '09.
Sorry for the long, rambling post. You will probably be happy if I don't do another for a month! Love to all.

Seaside Sept '09

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What more can be said while viewing the beautiful pictures? This place called Watercolor was absolutely amazing. The weather was not so cooperative, but that did not stop us from enjoying each other. (Birmingham has had almost non-stop rain for 3 straight weeks.) What a joy to be able to be with all 3 of my brothers and families, Mom, and Wendy!! Of course we missed our sisters and families, but you could not skip school! (Ha ha - I did for 2 days...) A few of the pictures were affected by the humidity, but they were so cute I kept them.