September is Over

Wow! I can't believe that I haven't updated this blog before now. I'm wondering where the month of September went? We are sitting here watching the Giants play their first game in the division play-offs and I am reminded that it is fall already! Yesterday someone mentioned Thanksgiving and I thought "where did summer go?"

As you can see, I posted some pictures of our Carpinteria camping vacation. We had a wonderful, relaxing time with family and friends. It was so nice to catch up on what has been happening in the lives of our Chino friends and their families. We were joined by some of the kids from three of the families. Kenny and Erin and Danny and Kristi represented our kids. They pitched some tents, braved the cold, ignored the raccoons, and enriched our time. I hope the girls have a better idea now of what "Carp" is like since they've heard the boys talk about it often enough. The weather did not cooperate during their stay and I'm not sure if they believed me when I said that we did have a couple of nice days with sunshine, but we actually did have a couple of warm days. The nights were cool however. I actually even got in the water for a few minutes, but it was cold! BR.r.r.r.r.r!! However the beach was still fun and the girls were very willing to indulge us by playing cards and other games with us! They are good sports!

I'm still teaching and it is going well. The kids are very nice and since it is only half a day, I don't feel too overwhelmed. I will probably be teaching for the whole semester. I feel like I have a handle on the lessons now and am in a routine of sorts. I still pick Dylan up every morning and I totally enjoy our "special" half hour together each day.

Ken is fine. He is staying busy with church duties and the business. He will be a very happy man when the corn is out of the fields. He is watching the weather like a hawk.

Go Giants!!! (As a life-long Dodger fan, I can't believe I just wrote that).

School Days

Well, I decided teaching school is a lot like riding bike. Once you're back in it, it just comes naturally. I now finished the second week and I'm feeling a true sense of deja vu. I'm sitting here at night with my laptop on my lap, writing lesson plans, creating quizzes, and grading papers while Ken is watching the Giants and taking naps between rallies. This scene could be a picture of us five years ago.
The kids in my classes are very nice kids, which helps a lot. They whine a little about the work, but at least they are doing it. There is a very pleasant perk about going to school every morning. I pick up Dylan and take him with me; he entertains me all the way to school! Oh to be seven and have such a love for life! Yesterday he recited his memory verse several times for me and then we figured out he could say it 34 times in the time it takes us to get to school. Fortunately, he decided to talk about recess for part of the trip instead.
We had extremely hot weather this past week, which is proof (at least in my mind) that sane people start school after Labor Day. The fact that the air conditioner in my classroom didn't work, emphasized this point. Fortunately I could come home at noon and float around the swimming pool. I was able to see all the local grand kids twice this week, so it was a great week.
Next week, we get the trailer ready for our camping trip to Carp. I can hardly wait!

Back to a Schedule

School was just out in June when I received a call to "long-term" sub at Ripon Christian for the months of October, November & December for a lady who is having a baby. At the time, this seemed like a nice little gig - half a day and English! Who can't use a little bit of money at that time of the year, right? But man only makes plans... he can't control what happens.

Yesterday, I was out in the back of the place walking my route with dear old George, when my cell phone rings. It was the girl I am subbing for. She asks me if I can be there at school on Wednesday already, because she is in the hospital where they will try to stop a premature birth. Wednesday is opening day, YIKES!

My initial thought was "I can't possibly do this". But then I thought of the stress she is under, and I could only say "No problem". (However, I did get a promise that I can have off for our annual Carpinteria Beach vacation next month.) So, this morning I am off to school to try to figure out what I will be teaching Sophomores next week. Pray for me (calmness of spirit) and Darla (safe arrival of her little one!)

Family Fun

Wow! It has been a busy but great July so far. We finished the Alaskan cruise on Monday the 12th and Tuesday morning Melanie came with her kids for a visit. The house was an exciting place for Andrew to explore and Jenny entertained us with her stories of imagination. It was so nice to have them stay with us a while. The boys, their wives, and kids all came to visit a few times which made the days together even more special. I love watching my kids and grandkids have fun together. Between swimming in the back yard, swimming lessons, a wedding, visiting, pool day, and an outing to the beach - it was a busy nine days! I did take advantage of the situation by taking a picture of all the grandkids together at the beach. It's not too often they are all together and awake! Fun times!!! Now the house is very quiet..... too quiet.