The new Cedar Rapids library!

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy 45th to Bob!

(Alaynas white board in her room)

We had a very nice, quiet Thanksgiving day with games and movies and most of all RELAXATION!  We all needed it badly.

I am extremely grateful that Marisa is being watched over and taken care of by loving friends on the other side of the nation!  They had her over for dinner and sent her home with a space heater because she has been freezing.  They are also having her over for Christmas and even got her gifts for under the tree.  Her Visa status is still on the 1st step.

Bob turned 45 this week.  I am proud to say that I am also in the running for Wife-of-the-year.  I didn’t forget his birthday, but I have been so extremely busy with everything that I had to do it all last minute. I blew the pie and the décor was, um, hideous.  I asked Alayna to make a happy birthday sign and this is what she made… What the heck?  All I can say is that I try…

(Boo on me)

We did go as a family to see Catching Fire which was AMAZINGLY FABULOUS AND I CANT WAIT TO SEE IT AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   We also went to Zoeys for lunch and a zookie!

I cut my hair.  Im so sick of it I could scream.  I really like it.  But now it takes more effort.

Sinus surgery and hot chocolate cupcakes

Alayna left this cute note on my computer one night this week.

So we had our “bonding activity” on Saturday where we made hot chocolate cupcakes with homemade frosting and peppermint chunks.  They were amazing!

Bob had to have surgery again.  This makes 5.  The doctor was able to take out tons of polyps and apparently lots of infection behind his eyes and in all sinuses.  It took him a while to come out of the anesthesia.  I took a pic in the recovery room and he will probably kill me for posting…

This weekend, we watched several movies so he could relax.  “White House Down” which I loved!  You know me and action films.  “The Croods” very cute family film.  “Paranoia” intriguing film with Liam Helmsworth.  And of course, the best, “Man of Steel” in 3D.  Oh the awesomeness!

Kayla and Tyler saw Catching Fire and said its amazing.  I hope to go with Bob and Alayna next week.  We are all looking forward to and NEEDING that Thanksgiving break!!

Quick week update…

1. Kayla got accepted into UVU!!!  We are still waiting on 2 applications and then she will make the final decision on where she will go.  It is very exciting!

2.  Tyler started drivers ed and no one has died yet.

3.  Alayna started basketball this week.

4.  As exhausting as they were, both book fairs were a success.  The middle school one made almost $3000 so I was able to get 109 books valued at over $900 for free!!  So that was very exciting!

(All the ones on the top shelf are the ones we got free)

The high school one was the 1st one held there in over 35 years.  My goal was $500 and we made $560 so I was able to get 23 books ($220 value) for free!

BYU/Wisconsin Game

BYU, Book Fairs , and a Pokey Day

Bob, Tyler, and Kayla drove up to Wisconsin to attend the BYU game (and the fireside the night before put on by the BYU players and the coach.)  They froze but had a great time, even though BYU lost

On Friday, Alayna and I had what we called the “Pokey Day”.  She had to have a surgical procedure done in both toes (to permanently remove the ingrown toenails that keep causing her pain and infections.)  She was awesome.  The nurse even said she did better than all the other 11 year olds that have ever been in there . 

Then, I had a dr appt and had to get blood work done so I got poked by needles too.

Then, I FINALLY had the time to take her to get her ears pierced from her birthday (3 months ago).  She loved it and didn’t even flinch!  I was pretty impressed.

We spent the rest of the weekend relaxing, sleeping and trying to recoup.

My week was pure insanity.  I ran 2 bookfairs and ran 2 parent nights for the book fairs.  I would say the term “utterly exhausted” doesn’t even cover it.  The middle school one was a huge success.  I cant wait to see how much we made so I can buy new books!

We found out that the high school hasn’t had a bookfair in over 35 years!  Teachers kept coming in saying how excited they were.  We had over 100 people come through on parent night.  Sales weren't as good as the middle school, but we had to start somewhere right? If you want anything you can still order online! lol!

I received more comments about what a difference I am making.  I had a pre-observation conference last week and get observed tomorrow.  I hope for continued success.

Happy Halloween and Stay off the Road!

Halloween came up way too fast.  I remember when I used to plan costumes 6 months in advance.  My mommy skills are broken or something?  Anyway, thank goodness for Bob who took Alayna to party city the day before the Trunk-Or Treat and she decided to be Red Riding Hood, although I am not sure she knows who that is.  Then, the DAY of the party, Kayla took Tyler to walmart to get a skeleton shirt and she was a bed head.  So here you have it folks, awesome in action….

At school, I was an egg.  My para was bacon so the kids thought we were pretty awesome!

Alayna went trick or treating with a friend while the rest of us turned off the porch light and hunkered in the basement.  Sometimes its nice when your kids are older!

This week Tyler took his Drivers test and passed!!  Whoohoo!  He starts Drivers Ed on Tuesday.  Just remember Iowa folks, I have warned you…

(I love Bobs face!)

This week Kayla built a toothpick bridge for Physics.  I can let her tell more about it but everyone was impressed with it and it held quite a bit of weight. 

This week at work has been even busier than normal.  This week we got the middle school book fair set up.  This is my 1st time running one on my own.  I pray for its success because we REALLY need new books.

I set up the one at the high school on Wednesday- we will be running it 2 parent nights as well.  I can already feel the exhaustion setting in.  How you can love your job so much but be more exhausted than you ever have in your life?

I did run into a snafu…the HS principal informed me it was my year to be formally observed 3 times. Yes, this put me in tears as I just cant add any more to my plate.  I have my 1st preobservation meeting tomorrow and observation next Monday.  We also had several thing stolen from the HS library including my giant candy corn incentive jar (everyone got to make a guess when they checked out a book and the winner wins the jar.)  I feel like the progress I am making there is so slow and such a struggle.  But I keep trying…

Here is a picture of Alaynas fruit tray (palm trees).  Adorable!