sweet grandson

Last night I was lucky enough to have the boys (Jackson and Andrew) to myself for a few hours, while their parents went out on a "date". We took a little walk with Andrew in the stroller and Jackson on his bike. As we got back to the house, Jackson turned around and said "Nana, you are my best buddy."

I nearly cried, it was so sweet, so sincere and so spontaneous. I hope I will always be his best buddy, or at least one of his best buddies.
  • melissakae
    awww! How sweet!

    How's school? :-)
    by melissakae at 08/31/09 7:35PM
  • mother_hen
    I'm sure you will be. That's very sweet.
    by mother_hen at 08/31/09 9:23PM
  • alegna
    he is a sweetie. Last week, I was his 'very best girl'
    by alegna at 08/31/09 10:09PM
  • kimbo79
    there is something about boys, they can say some of the sweetest things in the world. underneath that tough exterior they are just so sweet.
    by kimbo79 at 09/01/09 12:21AM
  • mockinbird
    There is nothing better
    by mockinbird at 09/01/09 4:37PM
  • iloveponds
    I felt the same way when Paige, one of Kacey's twins, spontaneously told me, "I love Gig-ee!" and she had just turned 2. Her mom was a little jealous, but it's normal for kids to have special feelings for grandparents and still prefer the parents when they are feeling needy.
    by iloveponds at 09/01/09 5:35PM
  • beep_girl
    That's so sweet! You are a good grandma!
    by beep_girl at 09/01/09 7:23PM
  • alegna
    yes, thank you!!
    by alegna at 09/06/09 3:50PM
  • mother_hen
    We did have a nice and relaxing trip. I guess I should update again. :)
    by mother_hen at 09/25/09 2:59PM
  • alegna
    of course you can!
    by alegna at 10/15/09 4:46PM
  • crystalized
    I love moments like that. :-) That is just too sweet!
    by crystalized at 10/22/09 9:26PM

Baby!

We are about to leave for Lufkin because grandbaby #3 is on the way! Prayers appreciated. I can't wait to meet him.

UPDATE:
Baby Guy was born this morning, 8/13, at 9:52. He weighed 6 lbs. 14 oz., 19 3/4 inches long. Lots and lots of dark hair, some of it sticks straight up, so precious. He's adorable. Mom is doing well, Dad is wonderful too. We are blessed.
  • kimbo79
    Congratulations! Praying all goes well.
    by kimbo79 at 08/13/09 1:34AM
  • iloveponds
    What exciting fun!
    by iloveponds at 08/13/09 9:21AM
  • beep_girl
    Aw how exciting! Glad you are able to go up before school starts!
    by beep_girl at 08/13/09 11:53AM
  • spike427
    congrats!
    by spike427 at 08/13/09 1:11PM
  • outbeyond
    Congratulations to all!!! Is "Guy" the name? What is the full name? My grandfathers name was Guy - I like that name!
    by outbeyond at 08/13/09 11:48PM
  • mother_hen
    Congratulations! So glad you got to be there! Anxious to see pictures!
    by mother_hen at 08/13/09 11:58PM
  • dhudgins
    Yes, the baby's name is Guy, no middle name, Guy Hudgins. I think it suits him perfectly. I'll try to post pictures in a bit.
    by dhudgins at 08/14/09 8:29AM
  • melissakae
    Ok. So what is the difference between "planning" and "conference"? Is conference to talk to students if they need help or something? Aren't they supposed to be in classes?

    Congratulations on the new baby! :-)
    by melissakae at 08/14/09 11:28AM
  • sutherlandfam
    Oh, sorry about that. Go to my blog and leave a message under the section called "comments" directly under the giveaway. Let me know you are from Pleonast!! Thanks! Enjoy!
    by sutherlandfam at 08/22/09 8:54PM

08/03/09 1:17PM

Can it really be August already? Wow, it has been a fun and busy summer with lots of new things coming this month, too! My grandbabies, Jackson and Andrew, now live much closer, only about 25 minutes away - what a blessing. My newest grandbaby is due in about 3 weeks, so I think I will go ahead and pack my bag TODAY - I want to be ready when I get that phone call.

I worked a little while in my classroom this morning - it is really just about physically impossible for me to wait until the offical back to work day to begin setting up my classroom. Once August hits, I get the itch to get busy. Every year in May/June, we have to pack away everything, take things off all walls, and close up the classroom. When we get back. the room is completely cleaned and all furniture is moved to one area of the room. It's a lot of work, but I really enjoy the chance to start fresh each year. It gives me the opportunity to rearrange, redecorate, etc. and get excited about the new school year.

Less than 3 weeks until Ross moves to College Station - I think he's ready and I imagine it will be a fun day getting him settled in his new home away from home.

God is good and I am feeling very blessed today. Hope you are too!
  • aleta
    I'm so excited for you with the anticipation of your next grandbaby. What blessings!
    by aleta at 08/03/09 2:13PM
  • joyfulsong
    One baby coming and one leaving. Maybe the nest won't feel so empty. Also being so busy helps.
    by joyfulsong at 08/03/09 3:41PM
  • outbeyond
    3 weeks!! That's exciting!
    by outbeyond at 08/05/09 11:31AM
  • iloveponds
    I keep so little in my dyslexia classroom/lab that I don't need much time to unpack and set it all up. So, I hope to do it at the last minute, as usual! Most dyslexic students are very distracted by decors all over the walls and hanging from the ceiling, so our philosophy has to be "less is more" in our room. Sure works for me!
    by iloveponds at 08/05/09 4:33PM
  • iloveponds
    You sound like a REALLY good teacher and I know your room just gets better each year. We don't identify dys students until mid year of 1st grade, so I'm sure 2-4 of your class of 20 are probably dyslexic, since that's the average. Good luck on a new year and a new group of kiddos. It's always exciting.
    by iloveponds at 08/05/09 9:46PM
  • ryanandnancy
    Is Ross going to A&M? I enjoyed getting my classroom ready too. It is nice to have a clean room and a fresh start. And I'm so glad that Angela and family are nearby now! Hope to visit Houston soon! Good luck with the new school year!
    by ryanandnancy at 08/07/09 11:56AM
  • kimsisco
    pam had an oatmeal cake recipe not too long ago and she mentioned cutting it into bars... maybe that was it? i love oatmeal. and preserves. so if you find it, let me know! congrats on a new grandbaby! and i'm so glad to hear that josh and angela get to live together again! that's so hard!
    by kimsisco at 08/08/09 12:59PM
  • kimsisco
    i did make that a couple of weeks ago and it was real good. i overcooked mine a little and it was dry around the edges, but the middle was nice and moist! if y'all need anything when the baby gets here, let us know!
    by kimsisco at 08/09/09 4:30PM
  • ryanandnancy
    I only taught for a year in the public school system. I taught first grade then. It was when I first moved to TX, right before Ryan and I got married. I was living in CS and drove out to North Zulch to teach. It was definately an interesting first year experience. If and when I teach again, I think it will feel like I'm starting all over again! :)
    by ryanandnancy at 08/10/09 9:42AM
  • beep_girl
    I'm proud of you for working on your classroom early. I simply haven't had the time to. I left for Europe the day after summer school and we got back Saturday. Since then, I've been hit with major jet lag. I feel AWFUL. We go back to work on Wednesday! :( Clayton's going to come with me to school on this Saturday and next Saturday to help get my room set up. We have to do the same thing as you...packing up the entire room and coming back to furniture crammed in one corner. I know I'll get it done in time. :)
    by beep_girl at 08/10/09 7:34PM

Ahh, summer!

Today was the last day for summer school and I am feeling more relaxed already. I plan to enjoy the next several weeks of my summer vacation time. I know it will go fast, there is so much to do, but it will be fun and it's always nice to do something different! Some of the time will be spent helping Angela and Josh pack up to move to Katy - hooray, only about 20 - 25 minutes away from us. Some of the time will be spent preparing myself for Ross to move away to college. Some of the time will be spent doing things around the house, hopefully more than I usually do in the summer. Hmm, what to do with the rest of the time? I'm sure I will think of something. But for now, I am going to try really hard to not think about kindergarten and school for as many days as I can! That's hard for me, but I am determined to take a break.

Stay cool, everyone, summer has hit S. Texas with a vengeance, hasn't it? Whew! I am not complaining, though. There are many things to be thankful for even in this heat and a working A/C is one of them. Last week I came home one day and it was 85 degrees in here...God is good and it was fixed by 8:00 that evening and didn't cost us all of Ross' college tuition money! :) Happy Summer, enjoy!
  • aleta
    This weather is something else! Glad summer school is over. How neat to have your grandbabies closer - oh, yeah, and their parents, too!
    by aleta at 07/02/09 5:43PM
  • beep_girl
    Our AC has been messed up. We called and they came today to fix it. Not sure what it was. We'll see if the house cools better tonight! :)
    by beep_girl at 07/02/09 6:06PM
  • mockinbird
    We are having unseasonably cool weather here in Chicagoland. Yesterday it was 57. However last week we hit nearly 100 5 days in a row. and of course that was when our air conditioner went out as well . We got it fixed on Monday, and have not even turned it on.
    by mockinbird at 07/02/09 7:43PM
  • alegna
    I think he's been working on some new sermons. get ready! ;o)
    by alegna at 07/03/09 9:40AM
  • iloveponds
    Oh, I know what you mean to have the grandkids closer, as well as the kids! I love it that my daughter and SIL decided to move here with the kids!
    by iloveponds at 07/07/09 4:05PM
  • alegna
    These baby boys love strawberries too!!!
    by alegna at 07/09/09 4:16PM
  • alegna
    Andrew is still asleep and I'm still holding him! Getting lots
    done on my phone and iPod!
    by alegna at 07/09/09 4:17PM
  • mother_hen
    Happy Birthday!
    by mother_hen at 07/10/09 1:20AM
  • outbeyond
    Happy Birthday!
    by outbeyond at 07/10/09 9:05AM
  • iloveponds
    Gave Janet a BIG hug from you!
    by iloveponds at 07/13/09 10:17AM
  • melissakae
    I leave for austin Wednesday. I think we will come back Friday afternoon. It is my understanding that we're all carpooling in two cars.

    Whew. I just got the volleyball schedule! Games start August 11th! There are two tournaments before school even starts and several games as well.

    I'm doing what I can to get as much as possible studied before the beginning of August (for my exam) because I don't think I'll have much time after August 3!!!!
    by melissakae at 07/13/09 4:27PM
  • alegna
    I'm behind on comments- thank you for yours!!! You have been a HUGE help to us and a big part of why we were able to do this happily for so long!!!
    by alegna at 07/14/09 11:20PM
  • melissakae
    YES! I want to read Harry Wong! :-) Can I get it from you at church on Sunday? :-)
    by melissakae at 07/16/09 7:26PM
  • missysnapp
    The very very old thing was an exaggeration intended only for the context of rollerblades. I imagine he was 70 or more. In the scheme of regular living, this isn't old. But on rollerblades, passing someone under 40, it's old.
    by missysnapp at 07/23/09 10:29PM
  • beep_girl
    It took me awhile to get it right but it's super easy to do, after a couple trial runs. :) I just do a basic pizza dough. Grease your grill rack. Put the dough on (carefully!) Close the lid and let it cook 1 minute. Open it and check. It should have grill marks and be ready to flip. If not...leave the lid open and cook until it is ready. Flip it. Top with your desired toppings. Close lid and cook 1 minute. The bottom should be crispy. If the cheese isn't melted yet then turn off the grill, close the lid and let the cheese finish melting. The key is to keep an eye on the dough/crust to make sure it doesn't burn. The result is a YUMMY pizza that is WAY better than the oven! Plus...it's nice not heating up the kitchen!
    by beep_girl at 07/24/09 8:38PM
  • beep_girl
    Oh...it's SUPER important to put the dough on a very hot grill (about 450*)...and well greased. :)
    by beep_girl at 07/24/09 8:39PM
  • cmvermont
    thanks! :)
    by cmvermont at 07/25/09 10:49PM

Graduation is around the corner

Here's some photos of our youngest, about to graduate from high school. We are looking at an empty nest by the end of the summer, when he heads to College Station.

Check out his recent assignment in art class.



Way to go Ross! We are proud of you! Congratulations to all the graduates!
  • alegna
    he's so cute! yay ross!
    by alegna at 05/18/09 9:37PM
  • beep_girl
    That's wonderful! CONGRATS! :)
    by beep_girl at 05/19/09 8:01AM
  • spike427
    aw, congrats!! college station will be happy to have him! :)
    by spike427 at 05/19/09 2:38PM
  • ex_pat
    Congratulations to Ross.
    by ex_pat at 05/21/09 3:59AM
  • iloveponds
    Empty nest isn't so bad! Enjoy, after the tears stop.
    by iloveponds at 05/21/09 6:18PM
  • mother_hen
    The quilt is the same -- one side is front, other is the back, that my mom made.
    by mother_hen at 05/22/09 10:09PM
  • beep_girl
    Good luck at work today! I'm in for a rough day when I return tomorrow. :)
    by beep_girl at 05/26/09 8:04AM
  • beep_girl
    BTW- I have coupons for Angela to give to you tomorrow night! Would you mind giving them to her when you see her again?!
    by beep_girl at 05/26/09 8:05AM
  • melissakae
    Tomorrow I am going to revise my resume and then start applying in different districts. I am also going to work on my portfolio this week. :-)

    Are principals still at schools even though it's summer? I want to go to a few of the schools around here and personally drop off my resume after I apply online. :-)
    by melissakae at 06/08/09 6:33PM
  • melissakae
    yes, classes start Monday. :-)
    by melissakae at 06/09/09 9:52PM
  • melissakae
    I did try some Alief schools! Outley, AJ martin, Smith, Bush and a few others that I can't remember. There were cars in front of Youens but the doors were locked and I didn't see anybody!

    I meant to get over to Heflin and Petrosky but discovered I could look up schools on the GPS and got distracted with all the others in the area!
    by melissakae at 06/11/09 5:38PM
  • melissakae
    I would love to borrow the Harry Wong book. I put a hold request for it at the library but it hasn't come in yet and I've been waiting three weeks!

    I'm going to start writing my procedures and some rules for my classroom this evening while it's fresh on my mind. :-)

    I need to work on a written, executable discipline plan to help me prepare for interview questions! :-)
    by melissakae at 06/17/09 4:04PM