A"salt"ed

It was just one of those days.  It had to be to explain what happened to me when I went to get the salt the other night ...

That's right.  I was a"salt"ed.  Sadly, Dean said it had happened to him earlier in the week.  Even sadder ... I stopped him when he appeared with the vacuum to clean up the mess.  Because it was absolutely blogworthy.

Apparently it is a sickness.  Perhaps it should be called "blogworthyitis".  And, I've definitely got it!

Game Day ... Finally!

You have heard me lament (over and over) about Torrey's ankle injury.  And, if you haven't ... welcome to the blog!  Please know that I brought up her injury again and again because it was horrible for her to have to sit on the bench during games.  She desperately wanted to be playing on the court!

Well, Thursday was finally the day ... game day!  And, she was back in the rotation.  And, since it was an away game I was given permission to take pictures

Back in and ready to go.  She said at first she was a little nervous because it had been so long ... but it didn't take her long to get into the "swing" of things.  (Sometimes I crack myself up!)

Ready for the ball ... and she made it over!  We weren't surprised though ... luckily she didn't get her volleyball skills from me ... which means she can play!

Torrey and her friend, Susie, waiting for their side to serve.  I'm not sure why they did this, but they did it during every serve.

Our cute #8 waiting to play.  And, you must know she was ...

THRILLED to be back on the court!

The Eagles did not pull out a win, however, for us, the victory was in seeing Torrey back on the court and doing something she really enjoys!  

It Was the Worst Day Ever

Yesterday.  I will not miss you.  

Let's start at the very beginning, shall we.  There was a stomach bug going around Kindergarten.  A very FAST moving stomach bug.  Need I say more?

I had one looking sickly for much of the day.  Another one with a very sore throat.  And a third that was looking healthy for most of the day.

Let me stop here and say that somewhere in the middle of the day I thought I had better get my flu shot.  

Let me continue by saying I may have been a day late.  Dern.

Anyways, as we walked in from the playground one friend from another kinder class started to throw up AS MY CLASS WALKED BY.  Do I need to say that it caused a bit of a chain reaction?

Well, it did.  

And, in the words of one of my friends, "THAT was disgusting!"

And it was and that is all I am going to say about the worst day ever.

What Are You Reading?

This week I have read or am in the middle of reading some books that have caused me to go "hmmmm".  And, I love that.  Because when I read something I want it to linger with me for far longer than the time it takes me to actually read it.

I read this book to my class ... and I know I caused them to think I was a bit crazy when I started to cry.  It is the story of a Masai tribe in Kenya who hears of the attacks on our country on September 11th.  To the Masai, the cow "is life".  They asked a diplomat from the American embassy to come and talk to their elders.  When he got there he was shocked to find that this wasn't an ordinary meeting ... it was a celebration.  The Masai tribe told the diplomat how sad they were for what happened to our country and they just wanted him to know they were sorry.  They then played the "Star Spangled Banner" and when the diplomat wept so did the tribe.  They then gave 14 cows to our country.  Their best.  Today in the middle of the village is a pen with our country's cows ... which now number 35.

The Masai people are known as mighty and fierce warriors, however they are quick to show kindness and compassion to help right a wrong.  May we all be like the Masai people ... ready to give our best when we see someone in need.

(Warning ... this book WILL make you cry!)

On the morning of May 22, 2008 we woke to the terrible news that Maria Sue Chapman had been killed in a terrible accident.  I wept.  For a stranger girl.  I could not imagine the pain this sweet family has endured.  They have chosen to allow God to be glorified ... and He has.   

I have woken up in the middle of the night with the Chapman children's names on my heart.  God is like that ... when we need Him most He calls an army to surround us.  Maria would have started Kindergarten that next year and I carry her with me each day ... because I don't know how many days my littles have ... I just want to make sure each one counts for Jesus.

I read this book in half a day.  I.  Could.  Not.  Put.  It.  Down.  

Warning ... this book WILL make you cry!

And, finally, I am rereading Book one in The Zion Chronicles series.  Israel is on the verge of becoming a state.  The scrolls have been discovered after being hidden for 2,000 years (coincidence?  I don't think so!)  Great Britain is about to pull out of Israel leaving the Grand Mufti in charge.  Oh, and there has been a lock down on the Old City.  

I have been to Israel (twice!).  My parents are currently there.  The names of the places aren't just faraway spots to me ... they are real and I can picture them in my head.  Sadly, the struggle that is occurring for Israel in the book continues today.  Happily, we know the ultimate ending.  Oh Glorious Day!

And, there you have it ... what are you reading?

It is Tuesday

And I am glad ... because it could be Monday!

Seriously ... I'm glad for many reasons.  Let's see ...

** Torrey is home from her Freshman retreat.  She loved it.  She had fun.  She protected her ankle at all costs.  And you thought I was done talking about the ankle.  Not yet.  Aren't you lucky?!

** Picture day.  One of my littles informed me that "yesterday the picture lady picked up a comb and started combing a girl's hair and combed out ALL OF HER CURLS!  And, today I have curls AND I DON'T WANT HER TO COMB OUT ALL OF MY CURLS!"  Just so you know, I first heard this at 7:50 this morning ... and I kept hearing it until picture time at 12:15.  The woman must have thought I had some nerve to tell her to NOT comb any of my kiddos hair ... but at that point I was hearing it from ALL of them.  Oh picture day ... I do not like you.

** Pedicure.  On a Tuesday night.  Need I say more?  Um, yes ... hot rocks.  Oh how I love.

** Pumpkin Spice Lattes.  From Starbucks of course.

** Dean's new glasses.  They just make me smile.  He just makes me smile.

** The arrival of my cousin's baby.  Was hoping she would name her Tracy, but I must admit I love the name she picked out even better.  (Updated to say that her name is Tymbor.  Don't you love?!)

** The arrival of our great nephew, Callen.  He is yummy ... and every picture I see of him just makes me smile.

Happy Tuesday ... it has been a good one around here!

Reason Number 782

And, here is reason number 782 why I teach ... I got this email from a parent last night ...

R (who is big sister): C do you like your teacher?

C (who is in my class): Huh?  What are you saying?

R:  Do you "like" her ... you know do you like your teacher?

C:  Duh, R that's a silly question.  I love her!

Sweet little thing just moved to the lead as Valedictorian of my class!  I am blessed (again!) with a sweet class of littles who love me ... and, as a bonus they think I can sing!

Happy Monday!

I Can See Clearly Now

After weeks of squinting and blurry vision, Dean finally went to the eye doctor.  And, guess who needed glasses?  Mostly for reading and the computer, but because of astigmatism he has progressive lenses.  Yup, bifocals.

Torrey and I were happy to welcome him to the "Four-Eyed Club" ... I've been a proud member since I was 4 and Torrey has been a member since she was 6.

And, we must add, he is quite cute in his glasses ... don't you agree?!