Dear Blog Readers,

This post does not mean I'm back as a blog writer on regular occasion.  It does mean that I am toying with the idea of making this a part of my life again. 


Happy April!

It's the new year! 2012! I don't know where the time goes but 2011 went fast! We had a lovely Christmas and the boys and I are enjoying some down time before we head back to school. This is just a post to show post in the new year...and not November! More later!

So, the old Su is back...at least I would say she is most of the time.

Sheryl Crow said, "Every day is a winding road." I believe it. On Tuesday it was announced that our beloved principal Ms. Smith had been given a new position at central office. :( We will have an interim principal beginning on Monday. It has been interesting and definitely a time of questioning. Our new supt. is a difficult man to understand. Good thing I work for Jesus.

The other night Bucky said something that made my heart skip a beat. "Can I have the old Su back?"

We were on our way back from a late night run to Robbie and Lori's house to swap out food , something we often do, and we were hand in hand and all was right with the world. Then he said it. "Can I have the old Su back?"

I didn't really know how to respond. But I knew what he meant.

I've been grumpy. I've been moody. I've been a way less-than-perfect mother. My good deeds have all but gone by the wayside. I've been short with Bucky. I say things I don't mean. I never relax. Simply put, most days I'm a mess.

The cause? Oh, I guess any number of things. I love my life. Oh, how I treasure it. I am just.....tired. Spent. Exhausted. That particular day I'd arrived at school before 7, had a meeting at school until 5, had to come home and bake monkey bread for small group at 6, attend small group, go get the boys at the baby-sitter's and then try to come home and get things laid out for the next day. Shew!

There's school, meetings, kids, church, cleaning, grades, nurturing Adam and Luke, laundry, refereeing fights, church, conversations with Bucky, things I want to do personally, and the list goes on and on. I'm just tired.

I guess I'm trying to find balance. I think I need some sort of release or hobby and I'm not really sure what that is. I want it soon though.

Not every day do I feel like this. For example, tonight I feel very positive and in control of things. That is, for a brief explosion when Adam and Luke were fighting over flashlights. Seriously?

Anyway, I'm not saying any of this for a pity party. I'm saying this because admitting it is the first step to recovery. At least, that's what I've heard. I know every woman feels like this at some point. As Bucky says, I've got to "rise above."

My favorite verse lately that I've have almost literally held on to is this: "Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always." Psalm 105:4

Here's wishing that the old Su takes up permanent residence at 120 James Way.

Here I am. I have been meaning to blog but just haven't made the time. Lots has been going on with my crew. Here's the low down.

We are in our new house. We are loving James Way. The backyard makes me so very happy. Just today Luke and I took advantage of it. He can really hit the ball. I love pitching to him. He likes it just a bit outside, just like Adam did at that age. We really labored on Labor Day, but there are lots more things to do here. Little by little they will be accomplished.

Adam is doing well in Kindergarten. He is learning lots. Vocabulary-out of this world! Had his first hnting experience last weekend and loved it.

Luke is doing well. Bucky and I are working towards a more positive attitude toward the terrible twos. We are dealing with some official fits. Wow! We had his "dandelion" hair cut today. It is precious. Can't wait to share some photos on here of lots of things but especially of some pictures KK took of the boys last weekend. They are great!

Callie is a new dog. She loves having some freedom back yet she still wants to be wherever we are.

Bucky is fine. I am fine.

Can't believe I actually blogged. Now to do some things before bed.
Later.

A Full Plate

Things are buzzing with our lovely family of four! Our plates are full....and sometimes overflowering if we're honest. Here's a run down of things in Whirlin' Sterlin' lately.

Adam is loving Kindergarten.....all except the get-up-early-be-in-a-good-mood part. We've really had to change his bedtime. Right now he is going down at 8. Some days are better than other. I got a really great note from his teacher and she says he's doing well. We are proud.

Luke is adjusting to the new two year old room at daycare (now called "school" to match Adam) and he seems so grown up. When I pick him up I sometimes can't believe he is so big. The other day he was swinging by himself. He's had some issues with hitting but hopefully we can get those resolved. His hair is whiter and spikier than ever. I'm using gel on it on pretty regular basis to help. Hopefully I can tame it.

Bucky is staying busy with ending summer programming and planning fall programming. The Amazing Race went very well. Tonight is the awards program. He is also the football chaplain of the MC Indians football team. He goes to practice on Thursdays and Friday game nights.

Josh Powell. Do you know that name? He's the new superintendant of MC Schools and him coming here has had a big, no huge, impact on my life as a teacher. He wants to help bring up MC test scores and will do whatever it takes. Translated, that means I have LOTS LOTS LOTS LOTS more to do and MUCH MUCH MUCH higher expectations to deal with. It's crazy. Teaching in RC was like teaching in Heaven. Seriously. Teaching in MC in great as well. It just seems there is more responsibility and things to do. Plans, formative assessments, web pages, instruction driven by data, busy planning times, no meetings during school but after, no flip flops for Pete's sake, new Common Core Standards, and the list goes on and on. And did I say I had a student teacher? She is super and giving her guidance is one more thing on the list. Add to this the fact that ARW is with me after school ready for snack, drink, and entertainment. Shew! Don't get me wrong. I love all I'm doing. This is true! God created me to be a teacher. It's like having my own talk show. It's just that beginning of the school year struggle to find out how to get it all it. Mrs. Smith has given me some responsibilities as well--I'm on her "best and brightest" list (a Powell thing). Needless to say, this girl has no trouble falling asleep at night.

How's that for ranting and raving? On another note, we'll be moving to 120 James Way very soon. I love that address! A shout out to Jamestown for sure! God is funny like that. Reminds you of where you've been and where you're going.

More later.

Is this not the CUTEST ! It's a little something I did to put on my new teacher blog for school. And with that being said, I must go do some laundry. No time for fun......except to say that we will be MOVING VERY SOON! You can google 120 James Way Mt. Sterling and check out our new place. We are excited and feeling very blessed! Good ole Holt Avenue has been lovely and we think that James Way will be a place where more great memories are made! :) Praise the Lord!