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!

tammynischan.blogspot.com

When you have time check out this blog from a KCU professor's wife. I think it was Janette who wrote about it one time and I check it almost daily now. I cry pretty much every time. She's a mother, a teacher, a writer, and her life has had many uphill battles. She writes beautifully about it all. Sunday's post was very inspiring.

I am up early so Adam can go to JumpStart at Camargo. It's a program to help incoming Kindergarten students get familiar with the school and teachers. He is pumped. In fact, he wanted me to write down that I needed to get him up early today. Like I'd forget him! I will work in my room while he is there from 8-12. We will go some days this week and some next week.

We have some houses we want to look at hopefully this week. I am anxious and nervous and scared all at the same time. I know God has the right house for us. Patience, right? It's funny to think that I didn't even want to set up Luke's crib (and just use the Pack n Play) since I thought we'd only be in this house for a few weeks before we found one. Ha! It's a year and a half later.

Luke is pacifier free. Luke is using the potty on a pretty regular basis. Luke is talking so very much and so very well. Luke is having a nice July and will turn two this Sunday. We are having a Mickey Mouse party and hope to have a great time!

Bucky is busy with Amazing Race, softball games, and (still more) youth group trips. It sure makes the time go fast.

Well, time to get up Adam.

I can't believe July is flying by. All the fifth grade teachers met today to talk about the upcoming year. I love a fresh group of kids but can't believe summer is almost over. I'm going to try and enjoy each moment!

It's been an interesting couple of weeks since vacation. Bucky made cameo apperances here on Holt Avenue in between Summer in the Son, Spirit Song, not to mention work and the Amazing Race. The boys and I are doing the summer reading program at the library, had VBS, go to the pool often, and also have been to Cynthiana.

Luke is taking more and more and he's quite the conversationalist! I love to hear him talk. He can pretty much tell you anything. He's also been using the potty some. One day he went three times. Not bad for not even being 2! We have taken the pacifier away. He used it at naps and bedtime and some other times but today is day seven without it. Yay! He clings to his blanket and often has two or three toys with him in bed but all is well. I have noticed that he now wants me more often and I hear, "Mommy!" A LOT! Hopefully this will get better.

Adam is having a nice summer. He loves the Amazing Race and he's Bucky's big helper. He really likes to go to the pool. He is water dog. Of course, Luke is making every splash with him! We've not seen Cars 2 but we've not made it yet. Better do it soon!

That's about it. Luke has gone down for nap, Adam is playing his Leapters and I see some rest in my future. I'll be up and out early for a devotion group. Looking forward to it.

Hodge Podge of Pictures

This post is all messed up but I just can't seem to get it right. Gotta do the mothering thing so good luck looking at all these. Sorry for the jumbled mess. Adam playing games at Dollywood. He made 2 of 3 shots.

Technology!

Clay and Adam at Lost Treasure Golf

Adam playing in the backyard.

Hugs on the Ballfield

Luke had a blast playing in the water at Gran and Granddads recently. I love this face.

Luke playing games at Dollywood.

Well, the pictures are on our computer but their organization is lacking. As a result, so are the pictures in this post. I may have to delete them all (1500!) and try again with Bucky's assistance.

This first one is of us at our small group Rootin' Tootin' Shootin' Cookout and Luau. One of the guys in our group is a cop and his wife carries a gun with her all the time. Needless to say, we've all been intrigued by this. They invited us out to their property to shoot and eat. It was a blast. I shot a .22 and a .32 although I really don't know what that means. This was my first attempt at shooting.

Adam had a great season on the Diamondbacks.

We are home from a lovely trip to Pigeon Forge. We've been home since Saturday at 2 and my house looks like we've been here and not cleaned for two weeks. Guess this will be my project for today.

This is a new computer and I haven't made the time to figure out how to do pictures on it the best way. My memory card has WAY TOO MANY photos on it and I don't want them all on here. So....hopefully this week I'll find the chance to work on that. There's lots of pictures I want to post.