Thanksgiving Week

We had a very busy Thanksgiving week. Sara, Mike and Logan made it here on Sunday. Wayne and I had to work Mon. Tues. and Wed. so they were on their own to find their own entertainment. They spent some time down at Kari's playing with the kids. Wednesday night I came home from school to find Kari and the kids here as well as Sara, Mike and Logan. They had played games all day.

Thursday morning we went to Newton Middle School to play a family game of soccer. The fields are awful and it had rained during the week so basically we played in the mud. Just the same, it was fun. There were a few funny plays. Wayne and Kari were pretty much out to get each other. Kari also picked on her four year son, Tanner. He was a great goalie. I know you can't see his face, but it was covered in mud from a ball Kari had kicked. We were all muddy, but I think Tanner was the worst.

We were the Gizzards
This is the winning team, the Star Crunch.

We enjoyed having Kathy and Tyler with us for Thanksgiving dinner. Leslie and Fernando Lobo were also with us as were Tim, Tanya, Marisa, Kari, Matt, Haylie, Cade, Weston, Tanner, Sara and Mike. Lori, Scott, Gabi and Lori's mom came to visit in the evening. It was a great day.

We continued with our tradition of breakfast at Ruby's on Friday morning. Then there was shopping at HSS.

Oops, I forgot to rotate before downloading. Sara and Mike at Huntington plaza.

Yesterday we went to see Gabi play soccer and then we went to the Call's grade school to play a game of family baseball. Everyone looked like they were having fun.

Sara, Mike and Logan, just left to go home. It is always sad to see company leave. Now Wayne and I have a house that is too quiet.

Teaching my student's child

One day this week one of my favorite little boys came to me and asked if I knew Stephanie. I said, "Stephanie who?" He told me Stephanie Renteria. She would be about Tim's age. (Just think Tim, you could have a child in first grade.) She was one of my students when I was teaching my 4/5 combo my first year at Meadow Green. I liked her a lot. He then told me that she was his mother. I just couldn't believe it. I guess when I start to teach my student's children I am getting old and it is time to start thinking about retiring.

Jeremiah is the one that looks up at me and tells me I'm the best teacher ever.

Halloween 2008

I thought you might like to see the students I get to teach this year. They have Snow White for a teacher. When I woke up Halloween morning and heard the rain I thought I was in for a wild day at school. My students surprised me. They had one of their best days. Once they got to school and unloaded their homework I took pictures of each of them. We have an annual school parade. The kids really look forward to this. The rest of the day was filled with Halloween math, Halloween painting, and an activity with their sixth grade buddies. They all told me they had had a good day. They were good but by three o'clock I had had enough of Halloween. I only wish I could have seen all my grandchildren in their costumes. Once I got home from school I thought I would have some trick-or-treaters. I only had one set of children stop at the door. That part was kind of sad. I hope the rest of you had a great time on Halloween.

In Memory of Mom

As I was getting ready for church I realized that it was November 2nd. Two years ago today I was at school and told that I had a phone call from my sister. I knew immediately that this was not a casual phone call. Lily Ann told me that Mom had passed away. Today I am remembering all the wonderful memories of my mom. She was a great lady. Janna mentioned in one of her blogs that she was becoming her parents. Actually Janna, you are becoming your grandparents. Wayne and I took you to all those parks because I enjoyed it when my parents took me to all those National Parks. I think I even acted as you kids did, sometimes not showing that I was enjoying myself. We live in a beautiful country and I am glad that I get to see some of the beautiful places. I hope my children have a few good memories of their Grandma. She was a hard worker. She was smart and stood up to what she believed. She was also a very caring, kind lady. She loved her family and only wanted the best for them. I see the same traits in my children. Hopefully I have some of the same traits too. Today Wayne is up visiting his mother. I hope he realized how lucky he is to still have a mom around. Donna Mae is also a wonderful lady.

The next few days is the final push for Prop 8. I believe Mom would have done all she could to help people vote for this Proposition. I want you to know I am out there doing all I can also. I'm walking the streets and making phone calls. I want my grandchildren to be able to live in a society that still believes in marriage between a man and a woman. I don't want our religious beliefs to be taken away from us or do I want to be forced to teach gay marriage.

Yes on Prop 8.