Hey Good Lookin...

On days that end in Y....

2010-09-01T22:38:00.003-05:00

We play football. No, I'm not kidding. I'm serious. We always play football on days that end in Y. Or, at the VERY least, we watch football. I'm not complaining, really. Football is a great game. I guess. My favorite part of the football game has always been, and most likely always will be... the band. Yep. I'm a dork.

But, I suppose I will finally have to break down and learn the rules (of which there are plenty), because my dear sweet boy is now a bear. No, not a carnivorous beast that makes caves or polar ice caps his home... I'm talking like "DA Bears". The Chicago Bears... or at least the Kingwood Football League's take on them.

As far as coaching goes... we hit the coaching jackpot. We have retired NFL players and a host of boys who played college ball helping fearlessly lead our very young, and very inexperienced team. Most of the parents feel like the opportunity to learn from this knowledge base is far more valuable than we imagined.

Our record, however, does not look so great at the moment. Remember, inexperienced? 13 of our 18 bear cubs have never played organized football before... Caleb belongs to that majority. As much football as the boy "knows", he is still inexperienced when it comes to field time. He's doing good though! He works hard, he fights hard, and he tries hard. What else could we ask for?

See all the days that end in Y....

MondaY - Practice 6-8
TuesdaY - study playbook and watch game video
WednesdaY - Practice 6-8
ThursdaY - Practice 6-8
FridaY - go to KHS or KPark games to watch our team "mentors"
SaturdaY - GAME TIME!
SundaY - You guessed it. The Cowboys. Or somebody...

Yep. It's the football channel at our house all day every day. No commercial interruptions or public service announcements. But, it's fun!

Here is some video of the last few weeks worth of practice and our first couple of games. Caleb is number 14 when you finally see the game footage (it's not much!) I'm still a video novice, so please forgive.

New Year

2010-08-24T19:45:00.002-05:00

So, I know I haven't been the best blogger lately, but I just haven't felt like I had anything of value to contribute to the blog-o-sphere.

However, with a new school year, comes new promise and possibility; which leaves me full of hope and excitement about the things to come.

Two days into 2010 I feel completely thrilled with the way my classes are going and the students that fate has dropped into my lap. Last year was so crazy, chaotic for me because of the move to Kingwood and the new school. This year, however, I am at ease and could not imagine being in a more wonderful place. We love the house, we love the town, we love our schools. It's just a spectacular time in our lives. I'm so blessed! I guess I'm especially relieved because I was offered a different job at a different school and had to think really hard about whether or not it was a good fit for me. It would have taken me out of the classroom and put me in more of a leadership role (a promotion) and would also have given me a slight increase in salary. BUT, I would have had to leave KMS and the wonderful people I work with. In the end, I decided that I just wasn't ready to leave and that I really have it made right where I'm at. I feel so glad to still be there and couldn't imagine having to start over... again.

The kiddos are doing great. Caleb started 5th grade at Hidden Hollow and Hannah is in her last year of day-care. Rodney can't wait to be done paying for her school! I'm a little more hesitant, as I know that when our baby starts kindergarten I will probably go into a near meltdown mode. Caleb is playing in the Kingwood Football League (Go Bears~!) and Hannah will be starting dance class in a few weeks.

In other news, the Balch children have now, officially, all fled the nest. Hunter starts school at UNT this week. Taylor is at TCU and Zach graduated from UNT and will begin graduate studies. I actually am going back to school too, sort of. I enrolled in a graduate program through UTA and will be pursuing a M.Ed in Science Curriculum and Instruction. I am trying to beat Zach!

My dear, sweet Rodney is working is butt off at two different jobs. His normal flying job and then he has also started doing a side job for insurance companies. He has to drive all over Houston and take pictures of houses on his days off. I tell him all the time how I appreciate his hard work but I don't think he really knows how grateful I am that he works so hard to give the kids and I the best life he can.

I got a new car!!! I traded in my Santa Fe for a Highlander. It's great! I went to pick up my plates today and saw my old car sitting in the used car lot. It was a little sad, but I am just so thrilled to have something a little bigger with more room for the kids to spread out.

I will try to do a better job updating my blog. I don't know if anybody but my dad reads it (hi Dad!), but it's fun anyway. Love to all!

One whole decade

2010-05-03T21:40:00.006-05:00

Caleb Riley 5/3/2000
6 lb 2 oz
18 1/2" long

I seriously have to get back into the habit of blogging. I find it...cathartic. I don't do it as often these days because now that I have an iPhone, I hardly spend any time on the "real" computer... not to mention the fact that I'm seriously depressed that my blog isn't as cute and clever as so many of the ones I read routinely. Have to work on that...

So today is a very important day. Today makes 10 years since the arrival of our precious first born, Caleb Riley. It is a day that I have looked forward to with a mix of emotions. Primarily, pride. My heart swells with pride for this boy. He is so gentle, so kind, so thoughtful, so funny, so talented, so witty, and most importantly, he is just such a good mix of the qualities I admire in the people I love. He was born during such a tender and emotional time, and holding him in our arms 10 years ago marked the end of one journey and the beginning of another. Caring for his precious soul has been the most impressive undertaking of my entire life, and I am extremely proud of the young man he is growing up to be.

I'm sad. Sad that the moments have gone by so fleetingly fast. Sad that we didn't celebrate more of the silly childlike moments with him and enjoy them while they lasted, because now they are gone. Sad that the memory of the way his chubby hands felt in mine while we walked together from place to place is fading. His hands are becoming larger, rougher, and are almost as big as mine. Sad that his legs are getting hairy and he has developed an interest in girls. Sad that he can do so many things without my help.

I'm hopeful. I see in his deep blue eyes, promise and potential. His athletic ability is astounding to me. The ways that his body moves around a soccer field or on the trampoline are incredible. He has such a propensity for kindness. He has always been so patient of a big brother to Hannah and is a very gentle soul. I know that his future holds great things.

I'm sentimental. We sat at dinner tonight talking about the day he was born. I tried to remember every last detail as if my life depended on it. The way I felt, the things I said, the people who were there, the events of the evening, I tried to wring out all of the details. Birth stories are always so special and unique, and I want to make sure he understands how loved he was before he was even born. We talked about the funny things he did when he was a baby... like the way he had to be put to sleep. Rodney would walk him around every night and we could always tell when he was about to fall asleep because he would sort of turn in his shoulders and get comfy on Rodney's chest. We talked about how his first word was ball. I told him that I should have known then that he would be such a dynamic athlete! The writing was on the wall! We talked about how special he was to all of the family, how they delighted in every single one of his days, and how thankful my granddad was that he had gotten to know him. If it hadn't been for Caleb, my granddad wouldn't have known any of his great grandkids.

He has been such an incredible little person to get to know and love. His tenth birthday makes me feel all kinds of things, but none of them compare to the joy that he has brought into our lives. Happy Birthday sweet boy! We love you forever and ever always.

Random Act of Kindness

2010-02-17T09:17:00.002-06:00

On a typical Wednesday morning, my breakfast would consist of Special K cereal out of a zip lock bag (no milk) and a bottle of water. On a typical Wednesday morning, I would eat at my desk before 8:00 and try to get some things done before kids start trickling through the doors to my classroom. Those are typical Wednesdays, but today is no typical day.

Today, I am eating my breakfast (Starbucks coffee and oatmeal) in front of my computer at home, while I wait on Rodney to get ready to go to the outpatient surgery center. Today, he is having an abdominal ultrasound and endoscopy to try to solve his digestive disorder that has plagued us for a span of 10+ years now.

I went to school early this morning to make sure things were in order for a sub. Then, I thought I'd swing by Starbucks and grab a quick bite before heading home to start our day of necessary evils.

On the way to Starbucks, my mind was wandering, as it often does while I drive (dangerous?). I was thinking of hospitals, and seeing loved ones in hospital gowns, and how invasive this procedure will be and how nervous I am for him. I pictured myself on a hospital bed while delivering our two babies, and how he must have been nervous for me. I thought of my mom in the hospital after her back surgery years ago, my grandmother in the hospital when she had her double knee replacement, and my cherished granddad in the hospital as we prepared for his departure from this life. I remembered those precious moments of vulnerability, fear, excitement, pain, suffering, and hope.

When my granddad had his stroke, my parents were already living in Denison, but Rodney and I were still in Lubbock. After I received the call that he was on his way to the hospital in the ambulance, I left my post at the third floor nurse's desk and went to wait for him in the ER. I remember seeing him come off of that ambulance (looking back it was really quite special that I was there) and being so frightened at what I was seeing. And, I was alone. Minutes later, I looked around to see my sweet grandmother coming through the doors of the building with her arms held high over her head in that "I'm totally lost and confused without my husband, somebody help me, somebody tell me where to go, where to find him..." look. I went to her (looking back, it was really quite special that I was there), and took her up to the ICU floor. And, we were alone. But, only for a few minutes. Soon enough, people started arriving to comfort and support us. A good family friend, Tommye, heard that I had left work suddenly and came up to check on me in case I was alone. I will never forget how touched I was that she showed up for me.

Zach came too, thank goodness he was in town. After what seemed like an eternity, we were allowed to go see him. Chris and Allie went in with my uncle Mike first. They stayed a few minutes and then Mike said he would take Zach and me in. My grandmother was there too. The things that stand out in my memory are the way his body looked so tiny in that huge bed. How he looked so uncomfortable with all those tubes and wires and machines around him, and how he just looked so, well, vulnerable. Of course, I cried like a baby. But, I asked Zach to say a prayer, and he did. And, it was beautiful. Together, we held hands and we prayed for comfort, for peace, and gave thanks for the wonderful man who had taught us so much. I remember that the nurse cried because she was moved by our maturity and wisdom. We were waiting for our parents to get there, and at that point we weren't sure they would make it in time. But we took that opportunity, and we were so young, to honor and comfort our precious granddad. Three days later, surrounded by family and friends, he took his last breath.

I was remembering those moments, and how proud of Zach I was for the words he was able to come up with, how much I missed my granddad, and how much I love Rodney and how I hate that he has to go through this today... so of course, I started to cry. (Dangerous?)

The line at Starbucks was long and slow. But, it gave me some time to chill. I considered my order. I knew I needed breakfast because I had a long day of waiting ahead of me. So, finally, it was my time to order and I went with the oatmeal and iced coffee.

The lady in the red truck in front of me was taking an extraordinarily long time to get her order, so I wondered what she had gotten that took so long. And, then I pulled forward to pay. The cheery cashier girl said to me, "And the lady in front of you paid for yours too, so you're good to go". The good little girl inside of me said, "Are you sure?" (My order had totaled $7.00 - you know they're pricey!) And, she said "yes, I'm sure, she paid for you and the car behind you". Let's just say... my tears came back. So, in order to pay it forward, I then paid for the next car in line ($4.00, not a bad deal).

How did she know???? How did she know that my heart was hurting? How did she know I was a little scared and apprehensive? How did she know that I was about to spend my entire day waiting on my husband to be poked and prodded and studied? How did she know how I did Starbucks just for me today, just because I needed a little indulgence to help me get through? How did she know?

I have never before experienced such a random act of kindness. I know strangers do kind things for other strangers all the time, and maybe you find this insignificant and silly. But, at the time when I was just a little unnerved and sad, somebody came along and did something totally unsolicited and nice for me. I'll never get the opportunity to say "thank you" to red pickup lady. I just learned a very valuable lesson.

My troubles are few, and my blessings are many. My brother has a song he calls "Somebody's Giant". The message in the song is that he wants to be something big for somebody who needs it. And, the act of kindness for me today, was enormous. It is my sincere hope that the person behind me in line, also felt some sense of gratitude, and that I was able to reciprocate for them my feelings of appreciation and surprise.

A lot like Christmas

2009-12-19T19:27:00.005-06:00

I just LOVE Christmas. I always have.

I love the feeling of excitement in the air
I love the way people smile even though they are in a traffic jam because Little Drummer Boy is playing on the radi
I love the way I look forward to seeing all my relatives
I love the time off from work
I love the way I get cutesie little gifts from the students I least expect
I love the way Rodney and I talk for months about what we'll get our kids and then we run out and get it last minute
I love baking all kinds of fun things with my sister
I love the MUSIC
I love the DECORATIONS
I love the candlelight service on Christmas eve
I love remembering all the special Christmas' past
I love remembering my precious granddad, who was buried on Christmas eve
I love opening the Christmas pajamas on Christmas eve
I love telling the story of Baby Jesus to my kids
I love feeling completely peaceful and appreciative of the blessings in my life
I love sharing with others who are less fortunate
I love waiting until the kids go to bed and playing Mr. and Mrs. Claus
I love waking the kids at 7:00 am because I am too excited to sleep
I love the tender moments in the early morning hours on Christmas day as our children wonder at their treasures

I just love Christmas. I always have.

May all your Christmas' be merry and bright.

Here's to the middle #

2009-11-04T18:59:00.002-06:00

It's been a long time since I felt 'good' about my physique. A really long time actually. I know I'm never going to be what one might call slim... but I really just want to be comfortable in my own skin. I want to feel good about wearing clothes that are fun.

I have tried convincing myself that looks aren't all that important, because I have a husband who adores me, and doesn't seem to acknowledge, or care about, my physical flaws. However, that just hasn't worked.

Last year, Taylor and I joined a gym and we started going religiously. Then, my parents jumped on the bandwagon and they started going religiously. Then, we moved away and I stopped going. The progress I had made towards weight loss was gradually erased by my increasing laziness and tendency to comfort myself with food. I do have a particular liking for sweet things.

Rodney and I have come up with a contest. We are each doing our own diet thing (and trying to work out at the YMCA as much as possible). We are weighing weekly and then will declare a winner on Christmas Day. The prizes are... if I win (which I will) he is taking me to some type of musical.... but if he wins (which he won't), there will be a sporting event in our futures. We have an anniversary coming up in January (8 years!) So, we will celebrate my accomplishments then.

Now, I tell you all this simply to provide the background information you need to be truly happy for this little piece of news. I have a new middle #. I can't tell you what it is, but I can tell you that it is a number I have not seen since.... well.... maybe since we were first married. I'm sort of pysching myself out about it too (well, maybe the scales aren't accurate...) because I just can't believe I'm actually seeing that number. Weird. I've seen lots of other numbers (higher ones), but I haven't seen this particular, very special number. I'm ecstatic. It is the number that comes right after the number that is in the middle of my goal weight, which means I'm very close to being sort of normal. Well, normal for me anyway. I think (last year's weight loss included), I may have actually lost a total of 20 pounds.

Here's to the middle # - It's good to see you friend, it's been such a long, long time since you visited me. I really missed you. I thought of you often. I thought of the days when we would go shopping and the clothes would fit just perfectly. I thought of the pictures we had made, and how I thought I looked so big then... but now realize how cute I was. It's so good to have you back in town. But, dear middle #.... please don't stay too long. I'm anxious to meet the cousin you've been describing. You've often told me how energetic she would make me feel, how I might even have more self-confidence. You've mentioned that she's alot like you, except that when I'm with her, I might actually feel good about the pictures I take, or the clothes I wear. I really look forward to meeting her. I hope I'll see her on the scales really soon :)

Uninspiring

2009-10-26T19:44:00.002-05:00

I read all of your blogs and I find myself moved by your ability to write with emotion, power, clarity, meaning, etc.

It has become increasingly hard for me to blog (wonder when that became a verb...) because I am increasingly uninspired by the world around me. Don't get me wrong people, there are great things going on here at 4526 Woodspring Glen Ln... but I am a bit, um, um, down???

My job is so hard. I should be better classified as a cat herder, rather than a teacher. Is there any meaning to what I do? Before you answer, let me first tell you how bad it really is. I teach 5 classes a day (not bad in an of itself...) 2 of those classes are what we call co-taught. This means that there are actually two classes rolled into one. One of the classes if kids who are required to receive special ed support, the rest are regular education students. For this reason, I get a co-teacher. Thank God for her. She's wonderful. She knows just what to do, just who to help, and just when to step on and rescue me. Of those 2 classes, one is really a behavior class. I have kids out of their chairs non-stop, I have girls that talk back to me, boys who have no idea that I am talking to them, and the most frustrating of all... they are scoring low low low low low on tests and quizzes. We're talking barnacles off the bottom of the boat low. IT makes me look like a crappy teacher, even though I know that daily, I give my all to them, only to see an absolute zero return on my investment. 2 of my other classes are considered level classes. You'd think that they would perform better... well they don't. They act like they have never heard the words I have said, or the activities we have done, or the assignments I have given them. There is absolutely no retention from day to day. The last class of the day, my little treasure, is my honors class. I don't believe they are truly an honors class, rather a high-average class, but it doesn't matter. They preform. However, they are just as crazy as the others.

I heard somebody say once that if your kids are scoring low it's not their fault its yours. I would like to meet that person. And, then I would like for them to meet my students. Then, they can re-evaluate that statement. I would go to the ends of the earth for these kids, but they can't complete a single assignment for me.

I've started looking at going back to school. It's only the 9th week of school and I'm fed up already. I love the people I work with, but I am just too angry at the system to commit my life to this work. There is accountability for teachers, I'm supposed to jump through hoops, but very little meaningful accountability for my students. I have so much respect for the people who make teaching into something valuable and worthwhile. But, for me, I totally doubt my ability to reach kids to a significant degree. The proof is in the pudding... or not in the pudding I suppose.

I can't really afford to go back to school now or anytime in the near future, which makes me even more frustrated. If I could, I would do it today. That's how ready I am. I see myself with a white coat on. The dream of medical school has come and gone for me. That ship sailed the day there were two pink lines on a pregnancy test for Hannah Claire. And, you know what, I'm okay with that. As I approach 30, I understand that dreams don't die, but they do sort of morph into something more feasible, more reachable. At this point, for me, I would really like to go to P.A. school, or another exciting prospect is to get a masters in genetic counseling. I think I would be good at that, it's the perfect combo of my background in OB, psych, and education.

I'd also like to write a book. If you know me well, you know the story carried within the walls of my heart and the confines of my soul. You know the story is trying hard not to leap out of me at any given moment, and bear itself to the world. You know that, for some unknown reason, the twisted path I am on leads to the telling of that story in an intimate, but perfect way. The day will come. But, first things first.

The plan: teach 2 more years (at least) to pay off student loan debt (the bane of my existence), somehow manage getting 8 hours of org. chemistry, grad school, white coat, book..... those are the steps to my happy... In the meantime, I'm trying to marginalize my discontent for my job situation and just enjoy this precious time in the life of my family.

Hannah's Birthday 10/17/2009, by Whitney Dove

2009-10-18T11:51:00.001-05:00

I'd like to share my Walgreens Photo Center photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.

Cold Front

2009-10-10T17:02:00.002-05:00

So it occurred to me that I really have no idea what to expect in terms of a Houston winter. I mean really, will it be frigid like it was in Levelland? Will it be so wet and frozen and gross like in Denison? I gotta admit, I'm a bit nervous about it. Don't have any good reasons for being nervous.... just am.

When the cold front (it's approximately 66 right now outside) blew in, I really started to think. I've been talking with my students about how temperature affects the right of reaction. My favorite example is a high school football game. I always talk about how kids act at the first football game of the year (in August, when it's hot!). They tell me they run around, talk to all their friends, etc. Then, I ask them to describe how they would behave at the last football game of the year (pretend they make the playoffs). I even tell them about the last football game of my freshman year in high school. We made it to the Bi-District playoffs and had our last game at the Dick Bivins stadium in Amarillo. It was sooooo cold, I had icicles hanging off my piccolo. Now, I don't really think that was a football game (I think it was a marching contest) and I don't really think it was my freshman (I didn't play piccolo that year). But, regardless... it makes for a more interesting story. I've always had a flair for the dramatic. Anyway. At the last football game, nobody was running around. We all huddled under blankets... and the poor twirlers almost got frostbite. It was crazy.

The point of this story is to point out the similarities though, in how changing the temperature affected the behaviors of the students (i.e. particles in a reaction). When it's hot... particles bump into each other more frequently, therefore reacting more readily. I happen to think it's a pretty darn good analogy. But this is not a teaching blog.

When it's cold, my brain does not work as well. Because we are less active (there's my teaching example again), we sit around and just watch football or movies. These are some of the best family times. I love these times. I don't need my brain to work as well because watching tv does not require that much cognition.

When it's cold, I find it harder to get out of bed in the morning. Going to work is hard enough (although it really helps that I don't have to be at school until 8:00 am). But going to work in the cold is absolutely the pits.

When it's cold, I have a harder time thinking of things to cook. Everybody wants comfort food and quite frankly... those are some of the hardest meals to cook. I am a fan of soups and stews, etc. But those things get old quickly.

When it's cold, I worry about my dogs. Right now, they spend most of their time outside (mostly because Rodney doesn't want them in the house :( ). I don't want them to be uncomfortable because of the weather.

When it's cold, I think it should be Christmas time. And, we will have to wait till December for that.

When it's cold, I can't think of anything to wear. Winter time clothes are just not as cute as summer time clothes (capris/flip flops).

When it's cold, I tend to eat more and exercise less... and we all know what that leads to.

There are plenty more, but I think you all get the point. Cold weather is not my friend. I like fall weather, where the mornings are chilly but by afternoon the air is gentle. Winter though, when the morning air bites your face and the afternoons are no better... I am not a fan.

In other news, Hannah's birthday is this Wednesday. This adds a whole new layer of sadness to my winter-is-rapidly-approaching-and-I-don't-know-what-to-expect blues. My baby girl will be 4. She's a person now. Not a baby. She's got her own opinions, strong ones at that, and she's growing a fine set of attitudes about the way she likes things done. I know every mother says this, but I cannot believe how quickly this time has flown by.

In her short time on Earth, she has seen a lot. She's been to Disneyworld, she's moved, she's lost a grandparent and a great grandparent, she's changed our families forever, and she has wrapped the world around her finger. Quite an accomplishment for somebody who weighs less than 30 pounds. I love her to pieces. But, I will do a birthday tribute later. This was just a foreshadowing. :)

We are still loving Kingwood and all of our new adventures. The house is wonderful, beautiful. We continue to be blessed beyond measure.

3 weeks

2009-09-10T18:02:00.002-05:00

I can honestly NOT believe it has been three whole weeks since we closed on both houses.

Rodney and I still are in utter disbelief at how lucky we are to have gotten through this ordeal finally. We LOVE LOVE LOVE this house. We have tons of space, everything is new, and the floor plan is just perfect. We will always cherish the memories of our starter house in Denison, but this is exciting too.

Caleb is adjusting really well to 4th grade. They switched his teacher after one week. Apparently all the 4th grade classes were too big, so they started a new one and he was 'chosen' to go to the new class. He was very worried about this change, but he is now very comfortable with the new teacher and his school. He is riding the bus every morning. I think he feels very independent and enjoys getting that time to visit with his friends from our street. There are about 5 boys his age right here on our block. Daily they are out riding bikes and exploring. It's tough for me too... to kind of ease into this more independent stage, but he's really something to be proud of.

Hannah is crazy, per usual. She loves her school and Ms. Janie. They really do a good job with the kids there. I love how it smells good when we walk in and how her teacher hugs her goodbye. We have been so very fortunate to have such wonderful childcare experiences with her. She has been in childcare since she was only teeny tiny, and I am so thankful for the ladies who have treated her as their own. She is starting to spell her name and is working on letter recognition. She brought home the cutest thing where they had to cut the letters of their name out of magazines. She must have found the tiniest words on the whole page because her name is only about a half inch long. But, it was very cute anyway.

Rodney has been home sooooo much! It's great, I mean, that's exactly why we moved! He had to run to Mobile yesterday and then somewhere today too... but is home at night. I feel like so much more of a family unit with him home more often. It's been so fun.

We joined the YMCA where we can exercise, swim, take classes, etc. Caleb will be playing YMCA soccer this fall. We signed him up yesterday and we are expecting a phone call from a coach any day. He is very excited about this.

I can't express enough how much I love my job. I am working my rear off trying to keep up with all the administrative responsibilities (paperwork, calling parents, etc.). But, I am thoroughly enjoying a school that functions as well as this one does. I told the principal today how impressed I am that somebody has already thought of everything. In other words, I am not having to come up with my own systems for contacting parents, rewarding kids, disciplining kids, whatever... it's all already done. It makes it so consistent and easy. It's just hard to adjust to a new school with such lofty expectations for their teachers. I think I am a better teacher already because of it.

I dearly miss my friends. Thank God Cassie came to see me last weekend. She was the medicine I needed. We hope to start visiting some churches as soon as Rodney is home on a Sunday. I look forward to getting plugged into the community. It's wonderful here.

Please come visit!

Time to update.

2009-08-20T22:19:00.007-05:00

Hello friends! I'm still here.

The last few months have been CRAZY hectic for us. We did FINALLY get an offer on our house towards the end of June/beginning of July. Two offers actually... we accepted the first one and then it fell through. But, the first one gave us the opportunity we needed to write a contract on a new home in Kingwood. Thankfully, we had that contract. Otherwise, we would not have gotten this house. But, as the first offer fell through, we had a second one waiting in the wings. We signed that deal the second week in July and we closed on August 14th.

After closing on the Denison house we came down to Kingwood and stayed in Rodney's apartment for a few nights. I had to start inservice on Wednesday! Then, we closed on this house on Friday. Movers came Saturday, and we have spent the last week unpacking, organizing, and decorating. Thanks to my mom, Taylor, and my aunt Terri for help in those departments.

So.... that was the abbreviated version of the move story. But, what you really want to know is... we LOVE it here. I cannot tell you all how grateful I am for this beautiful home, and a job that I know will be very rewarding and challenging.

I complain about teaching, alot. I do it because I always envisioned myself in some other type of career, (preferably one with a higher salary), but most days, I am very happy with my choice. I heard a quote the other day at one of our inservices, and I have been pondering it ever since. "Your life as an educator is your gift from God; what you do with your life is your gift to God." It causes me to really think. That, truly, being in a position to help young people learn and grow is a very high calling. That maybe this career shouldn't be my Plan B, or the stepping stone to something greater, bigger.

I would love to go back to school, partly because I love school so much myself. But, at the same time, I really enjoy being with middle schoolers. I think they are the coolest creatures on the planet. I love their enthusiasm, their unashamed sense of curiosity, and especially, the way they light up when you show them you care.

Being in a new place has allowed me to consider, or reconsider I guess, my educational philosophy. I've always been sort of the 'tough' teacher, the one who might have been a bit unreasonable in the opinion of some, but I guarantee that my students never doubted my high expectations for them.

I will always hold kids to the highest expectations I can imagine, but I want my focus this year to be relationships. I will strive to build a personal relationship with each child. To learn something about each and every one of them aside from their last TAKS data or the list of accommodations they will receive. I will ask them about their hobbies, their likes/dislikes, talents, etc. I will notice something positive about every one, even if it kills me, and I will appreciate the positive about all 150 of them ;)

It may sound a bit ambitious, teaching is hard, dirty work. But, I am convinced that taking this step will make many other things easier and more rewarding. Hopefully, I will be much more 'invested' in the child's success if I know them a little better.

I was lucky to teach some amazing kids for the past three years. A few of them absolutely stick out in my mind as shining examples of how relationships build success. I would like to make that my creed. Help keep me honest.

Here are a few pictures of the house, we are very proud and very happy ;)

This is me getting the keys to the new house... after closing without Rodney. Had to sign every single form like this: Rodney K. Dove by Whitney N. Dove; attorney in fact. It took forever!

Our house! We are finally here, can't believe it... but we are!

Love to all,

Baby Grand on Board

2009-05-09T17:20:00.005-05:00

You know I love my piano. You know it represents so much more than to me than the average piano. You know I can't play it without my mind flooding with happy memories of my grandparents' house on Aransas street in Levelland. You know it broke my heart today to put it on a truck to not be touched by me again until, well, who knows.

But, I did it anyway. The price was right, and the guys were wonderful. Here are a few pictures of the first big step in our move to Houston.

We plan on moving the dining room table back into this space, but for now... a giant baby grand sized-hole, in my house, and in my heart :)

Caleby's Birthday

2009-05-04T19:08:00.003-05:00

Caleb Riley Dove

May 3rd, 2000

12:37 a.m.

6 lbs. 2 oz.

18 1/2 inches long.

Perfect in every way.

I can't believe Caleb is 9. In that many years, I have had the privilege of being the mother of this incredible soul. Here are some things I have learned about him. In no particular order.

1. He is gentle. He loves all creatures, big and small. (Except he has a terrible disdain for stinging insects, we'll leave them out of his love for all creatures. He is terrified of them.)

2. He is philosophical. An example is that, while studying Black History Month, his teacher noted that Rosa Parks was born only a month after Harriet Tubman died. Caleb explained to her that God must have sent a new angel to take her place. She emailed me immediately to tell me this, because it was so sweet.

3. He is smart. He loves to come up with ideas and theories about the world. He's the 'What if' guy.

4. He's an athlete. He can't stand to not have a ball, of almost any kind, in his hands. When he was 3, he got a set of golf clubs and Rodney called him his 'retirement plan'.

5. He's a lady's man. He can't concentrate in class sometimes because there are too many good lookin' girls around :) No matter how hard I try to convince him that this is silly and immature, he still loves the ladies. Hmmm...

6. He is a mommy's boy. He still cuddles with me, but only when he thinks nobody is watching :)

7. He's a daddy's boy. He and Rodney are two of a kind. They enjoy each other's company so much, it's fun to watch ;)

8. He's slightly spoiled. But, then I think all kids are.

9. He's an interesting guy. He tells funny stories and loves to be in the center of attention.

10. He's Hannah's big brother, and the best one we could have asked for. She must have heard us call him Caleb Riley... so she shortened it to 'Caleb-y". Now, he's stuck with it.

11. He's a precious boy~ Our lives have been blessed because of him and we love him to pieces~

Birthday festivities at Grammy Tammy and Granddad's.

We bought him a Wii... and he got a TCU Jersey and football. Taylor has decided to be a Horned Frog next year, so that makes us automatic Frog fans!

Rodney, Caleb, Rance, Brady and I all went to see the Rangers play the Chicago White Sox Saturday Night. The game was delayed several times due to rain, but by George, we stuck it out and saw them win. Caleb had a blast.

Cake and Ice Cream at Grandma's hotel in Plano.

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy! We love you!!!!

Okay, well it's not THAT much later.

2009-04-30T20:36:00.006-05:00

I accidentally left my camera in Rodney's car at the IAH airport. He just now brought it home to me so I am uploading some very late pictures.

1. The back of the house that might or not be ours :( I won't get too attached <> because this deal is VERY much depending on whether or not we can sell ours in a certain amount of time.

2. Caleb and Hannah playing with the neighbor's beagle puppies. Want one or two?

3. Caleb's most awesome Tech football busted in an unfortunate airing-up event.

4. So... his grandma sent replacements.

5. Easter festivities - Balch house. Pictured are Hunter, Taylor, Ashleigh, Zach, Me, Hannah, and Caleb - YOU know it's hard to get that many people to look good all at once!~

An egg I decorated for Caleb = it says 2018... the year he graduates from high school!

We loved coloring those eggs! Fun stuff!

SOOOOO tired.

2009-04-30T19:24:00.005-05:00

I'm so tired I'm putting VERY little thought into this here little bloggy blog.

But, I did want to put a few things out there in cyber-space for the purpose of cathartic venting.

8th grade SCIENCE TAKS is over! Now, we sit back and wait to see if our super hard work and pleading with kids to study has paid off. We have a tough act to follow, the SUPREME math teachers at PMS managed to improve our 8th grade math scores by something like 11% this year. WHOA.

Last night I played in a concert with my sister, Taylor, and my favorite student, Cina. I came to the sad realization afterwards that if this move really does work out... that would have been my last time to do something like that with them. It's kind of crazy to think that moving will change the course of my lifestyle that much, but alas, it will.

My realtor had bad news for us today... the people that viewed the house yesterday were absolutely not interested.

Slightly better news - I've recently dropped about 15 pounds and working on 5-10 more... and I am happy to announce that thanks to my friend Kristen, I am sporting my summer blonde look!

I always feel happier when I'm blonde :)

Rodney is on his way home after 5 days of crazy hectic piloting. I can't wait to see him, but he will be getting 'what's left of me'... seeing as how tired and drained I am from all this stress.

Anyway, that's about it for now. 'Till later folks!

Are we there yet?

2009-04-19T19:52:00.003-05:00

I think the actual number of school days left in this exceedingly long and painful school year is around 36. That number is a good number, it's divisible by 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, and 18. I like it. The first number doubled is the second number. They are pretty together. I really like the number 36.

But, that's a lot of days! It should go fast though, seeing as how we only have one full week of teaching this week and the rest of the weeks are like speckled with little special end of year events like CAREER DAY!!! and many other less exciting things. Actually, if I'm right, there may only be 6 more mondays in the school year.

This weekend has been rough. Early Friday morning Rodney and I left to go back down to Houston for a quick trip. The Klein ISD job fair was Saturday and I wanted to be there. We had an awesome time meeting up with my long-lost friend Natali Friday night. Then, Saturday I trekked over to the job fair. I was immediately intimidated when I pulled up to the huge high school and the parking lot was nearing full. I was shocked. Then, after fighting my way through 2000 applicants, actually scored three separate interviews with junior high schools.

I hope they were as impressed with me as I was with all of them. I have always said that I have been lucky in life to meet some amazing mentors and teachers, and Saturday was no exception to that. I came across some people that would be just wonderful to work with. I will so miss my friends and support system at Piner, but felt that I would be welcomed onto any of those campuses with open arms. We'll just have to wait and see where this road leads us.

I then spent Saturday evening hoping for a chance at getting out of Houston. As you know, it has been like a tropical storm down there for the last several days. My flight was delayed and delayed and delayed and delayed. Finally, luckily, made it out of there at about 11:30 Saturday night. Which was a good thing, because my mom and I had to play handbells in church this morning. So, I finally arrived home in my bed at about 2:30 and my mom picked me up at 10 till 8:00. I can't complain though, because she and my dad chaperoned the after prom party last night until 4. So, we were both a little on the 'out of it' side.

In between church services, we ran to get a drink and then stopped by my house for a few minutes. When we got here, there was a police car and a white truck parked in front of my house. At the house across the street, there were policemen standing around in the driveway with a man who was beside a white suburban. He was wearing a suit with a name badge. My heart sank, I knew it had to be somebody from the funeral home. Sure enough, my other neighbor went to talk to the wife because they are friends. The husband (late 30's) apparently died in his sleep last night from what sounds like a heart attack. They are a blended family with lots of small children and teenagers. I have not felt well all day because I know how much heartache and shock there is just right across the street from me. All is well in my little family, but 30 yards away, tragedy. I hate it.

I also got word that our sweet aunt from Levelland passed away in her home this morning. We will be unable to attend the funeral services, but are just so sad to have lost such a sweet and amazing lady. Please send prayers in the direction of the Jeff Walker family of Denison and the Jerry Keller family of Levelland.

Our hearts are heavy but full.

In 55-60 days

2009-04-05T17:46:00.004-05:00

This will be our home.

It's really crazy to think about that, how quickly it will happen, but I guess it's becoming a reality. But, hold yer horses for just one minute, because our house in Denison still has not sold.

We had, yet another, open house today (#5 if you're keeping count). Sadly, not a single soul passed through. To be fair, the weather is yucky. Cold, blowing wind.

We keep getting little nibbles of interest, but never a follow-up. Last week there was a single guy who loved loved loved it, and promised to bring his family through for their seal of approval I suppose. Haven't heard a single word about that since last Monday.

I'm having the ugly conversation with myself that it might be time for a small reduction in the price (we don't have much room to work with). But, if that will increase the traffic just a bit. I'm still on target for my dream closing date (May 14th). I chose that date because it is five years to the day of the day we closed. I think it would be serendipitous to have the same closing date five years apart. So, even though I'm getting a little impatient and anxious, I know there's still some time. But, not much.

Please pray that the right person comes around in the next week or so and makes an offer on this adorable little house. It will make the perfect place for somebody, we just need to find them!

Spring Break Trip To Houston

2009-03-22T13:20:00.005-05:00

Sunday - The kids and I drove to Lubbock to go to Kyleigh's birthday party.

Monday - Rodney flew into Lubbock at about 10:30. We spent the day with his family.

Tuesday - Rodney, Hannah, and I flew to Houston. Checked out daycares in the afternoon.

Wednesday - Checked out the middle school I am most interested and then Downtown Aquarium.

Thursday - Meeting with builder in the morning, daycares in the afternoon, dinner with friends in the evening.

Friday - We flew back to Lubbock. Dinner with Rodney's mom and Nathan, then Rodney's mom and I went to a movie late Friday night.

Saturday - Drove home.

All in all, we had a very good, very busy, very exhausting trip. Pictures are, of course, in no particular order.

Plane ride home... told ya it was exhausting!~

Thursday night we went over to Rodney's friend Jeff's house. This is his little girl, Kate, and Hannah and I. We caught a gecko.

Some guy's finger pointing at the sawfish (not a shark, actually a ray) at the Downtown Aquarium

Our lot - a sold sign appeared between Wednesday and Thursday. We were very happy!

A carousel ride... she insisted on the crocodile. Go figure.

The Downtown Aquarium. If you visit us, we'll take you!

Rodney's face says it all. Houston skyline in the background.

The sawfish was the best fish in the sharktank.

She doesn't want to take pictures!

We found Nemo!

Icky gross eel.

Don't you want to pet the crab?

Fun!

White Tigers at an Aquarium... okay.

Kyleigh's party, and Kyleigh's horse, Raider.

Yikes!

Can we come again Daddy?

Hope you all had a wonderful spring break as well.

Just for laughs

2009-03-12T20:35:00.009-05:00

The things you can do with a Mac.

Caleb must be holding his hat....

Can you say squishy face...

She's never still, not even long enough to take pics...

This is so bad!!

What we do to entertain ourselves when Rodney's away...

A little love for mom...

Going through a wormhole, of course!

If you enjoy these kinds of things, you should definitely check out Zach's video on Youtube, He's a dork.

Feng Shui??

2009-02-22T20:33:00.005-06:00

A few posts ago I mentioned that I had rearranged the furniture in ours and Caleb's bedrooms. I heard on a show that you should put the beds as far away from the door as possible, so I did.

Compare to earlier pics to see what you think. I really like it this way.

Not if, but WHEN!!!

2009-02-22T09:14:00.005-06:00

Rodney and I just finished our whirlwind trip to Houston. I had two job interviews for teaching positions next year and we looked at about a million houses. Our realtor, Grace, has the patience of Job and is just what we needed to guide us through this scary time.

My first interview was Thursday afternoon in school district of my first choice. The HR director and I hit it off from the start. He said something to the effect of "I don't need to ask many questions because I know the reputation of Austin College." I think that's one of the things I paid for when I got my education there, and boy, does it work! He also went to the same college where my dad went, so it was just a very comfortable interview. He basically said that he wants me to come back to the job fair in April where he will personally introduce me to the middle school principals and he feels certain that I will have a position there.

Thursday afternoon we met with our realtor and she introduced us to about a half dozen builders. We really hadn't even discussed the prospec

t of building, but we knew she was guiding us in a safe direction. Thursday evening, Rodney's birthday, we met up with some friends for dinner at Saltgrass and had a wonderful time.

Friday morning I had an interview with the district that was my second choice. This interview also went exceedingly well and at the end, I had in my hands, a "contract offer". This simply means that if I choose to sign the document, I am guaranteed a position in that district. It was, however, my second choice, so I needed to really think this one through.

Friday afternoon - more house hunting. A lot more house hunting. But, our hearts leapt when we visited a certain neighborhood with some certain ducks and a certain lot that we fell in love with. So, we contemplated this Friday evening over Pei Wei.

Saturday morning I woke up with just an extreme peace about the decision to put a contingency contract on a build. Basically, we put a small amount of money down to hold the lot. They start the house to our specifications and then if in a few months our house in Denison has not sold, we get our money back. So, it's a win/win situation.

We spent 6 hours on Saturday picking out choices for tile, carpet, brick, etc. But, we're happy with our choices. Now we just sit back and wait for the offer on this house so that the whole thing can continue to progress.

Oh, by the way, the house is in the school district that was my first choice... so that makes me happy.

These will be our ducks - They come right up into the front yard

Our house will be this one's twin. Same brick, same trim colors, same everything.

Our back yard has a wrought iron fence that opens directly onto the walking trail and lake with beautiful fountain.

This will be our view from family room, game room, and upstairs bedrooms. It is very quiet and serene.

This is different

2009-02-09T22:02:00.003-06:00

So, in an effort to help my house reach maximum selling potential, I did a little, okay, a lot of furniture rearranging this weekend.

Mostly, I concentrated on the master. I took out one huge armoire, and as we were moving it to the garage it busted into a million pieces. This was not a huge surprise to me, seeing as how Rodney bought it at Big Lots about 6 years ago (or more) for 100 dollars. So, its time has come and gone. It served its purpose, and now it sits sad and busted in the garage. I had to move it out though, because I wanted to change the position of the bed. I heard on HGTV that you should always try to put the bed on the wall furthest from the door to try to make the room look longer, and larger. So, thus the need for the armoire removal. The next step was to get rid of the computer desk that Rodney has had since before we got married. I estimate that thing at 10 years old. It was one of those box jobs, you know where you have to put it together. It was too big for what I needed, so it had to go. Its fate is similar to the armoire... pieces of it remain on the garage floor.

So, then, I had a dilemma. Where to put the computer? The huge, iMac. So, I went to Wal-Mart and bought the smallest, simplest, computer desk I could find and came home to put it together. I'll take pictures of my room tomorrow, when I'm not so tired. But, I think it looks a million times better like this. It feels so spacious in here now.

It was very hard to sleep in here last night though, because the feng shui was off I suppose, but none the less... I like it! The really cool thing, I just discovered. Is because the computer desk is now right next to my bed, I can turn the monitor towards me, sit in bed (where my feet are toasty), and type! It's like a desktop/laptop and it is truly remarkable.

Now. There is one small casualty of this weekend's endeavors. My finger. My sweet, adorable, right hand pointer finger. You see, one of my other genius ideas was to 'stage' the brick patio we have in the backyard. This involved spray painting a very darling little glider bench. So, I bought some nice spray paint and got to town. It ended up taking 6 cans of spray paint to finally cover that darn thing. And, you guessed it, the nerve ending in the tip of my finger... dead! So, hopefully that will resolve itself and I won't require an amputation. That would be bad.

The realtor tour went through today. Our realtor said they had all positive comments to share and that everybody was really excited and impressed by the house. (Despite the fact that we've had a sign in our yard for three weeks now with no showings). I don't want it to sell, just yet, though because the timing would be really inconvenient. I'm hoping for like a May 15th closing. That would be perfect. It is making this Spring semester fly by though. I can't believe we are already into February, and staring Spring Break right down the nose.

I have plans next week to go to Houston and househunt with Rodney. I have two job interviews (more or less screening interviews with the HR departments). But, this will at least give me a footing. I'm excited!

Pictures later, when the feeling in my upload finger returns :)

On the market!

2009-01-19T20:23:00.005-06:00

I really wish I had before pictures, but we didn't take any. My parents and I have been the total weekend warriors for the last two weekends, and Rodney has painted like a madman during the week. But, we're finally ready.

Master Bedroom - No real changes here, just spiffed up.

Same goes for Caleb's room.

And Hannah's room...

Living room - fresh paint

Most of the labor was concentrated in the kitchen. New paint, new fixtures, new decor, new beadboard at the back. All cabinets and trim have been repainted.

Bathroom.... new paint, new towels

The kids with our sign! Yikes!

A bit about this house... We closed on it on May 14th, 2004. I was still in school and not making ANY money, so Rodney bought it on his very limited income. The house is in his name.

We had to make renovations almost the minute we moved in. The bathroom was the first thing. We ripped out all the yucky old stuff in there and put in new sink basin and cabinets. A few years later we did the tile in the shower and had the bathtub refinished.

Rodney and my dad took out all the green shag carpet in January of 2005 and refinished the original hardwood floors. I think they are beautiful, and really define the charming character of this house.

When we discovered there would be a Hannah Claire, we changed the office/breezeway area into a bedroom by painting over the paneling and installing new carpet. It was always just a temporary fix, but it has lasted us 3 years, so we're good with that.

This summer we bought Caleb new bedroom furniture and also replaced the rest of the green shag carpet with pretty new frieze. I love this carpet, I hope our new house has it.

This house has seen our family grow to 4 and has safely ushered us into a completely new chapter of our lives. I love that I can see Sherman from my front porch at night, I love that I'm just a block from my parents, and I love that we have lived here comfortably for almost 5 years. But, it is on to new things. We are ready, scared, and a little bit sad to leave this little house.

So on a totally sappy note, I have to thank my parents for spending their entire weekends two weeks in a row at my house. My dad was up to his elbows in plumbing issues in the bathroom and my poor mom sanded every single one of those cabinets and painted them. By the way... don't ever paint 55 year old cabinets. Buy new ones. Anyway, this episode of "Sell This House" would not have been possible without them. They are my rock, always have been, always will be...

Just a little blog

2009-01-10T18:07:00.005-06:00

To recap the last few days...

January 1st... First, we met with a realtor to discuss putting our house on the market. Then, Rodney, the kids, and I all went into Dallas to see Rodney's Papa Ralph at the Embassy Suites in Dallas. We wanted to have a good visit with them before the cotton bowl the next day. Here are some pictures of the kids with Papa, Hortencia, and their daughter Elizabeth.

January 2nd.. we actually went back to Dallas for the Cotton Bowl. We endured nightmarish traffic and extremely high temperatures for the Red Raiders to totally disappoint us. That's okay, we had a good time anyway!

Goin' Band from Raider Land... Skull and Crossbones formation, I assume this has something to do with Leach's affinity for Pirates.

Kickoff

January 3rd... relatively uneventful

January 4th... Rodney goes back to work

January 5th... I go back to work... and it's our anniversary

January 7th... Rodney comes home...the family celebrated Zach's 24th birthday... pictures soon.

January 8th... the realtor comes back and we discuss the LONG list of things that need to be done before we can officially list our house on the 11th.

January 9th... Rodney does some marathon painting of the trim in the living room and hallway.

January 10th... He goes back to work and my parents and I take over the painting marathon.

They say it has to get worse before it gets better... it's definitely worse!

Kitchen cabinets have been taken off so they can be primed and painted tomorrow. Everything we own seems to be out on the counter.

I banged my head trying to paint the underneath of the cabinets. I know it doesn't look like much. but I assure you, it really hurt!

2555

2009-01-05T20:18:00.003-06:00

That's how many days it's been since Rodney and I said "I do".

I consider every single one of those days to be a small victory in loving life and loving each other, and the sum of those victories is one monumental accomplishment. Those of you who are married know how difficult and trying it can be at times, but you also know the sweet reward of sharing your life with somebody who knows you so completely.

It translates to seven years, which makes me feel all of a sudden, very old. It's amazing though, because I'm not. We were talking earlier today about what our wedding day was like, and interestingly enough, there are very few things I remember in great detail. For example, it was about 5 in the afternoon when we talked, and we were trying to remember what we were doing at that time on our wedding day. I'm sure I was getting close to ready, the ceremony was at 7... but I honestly don't remember for sure. The schedule that we stuck to so rigidly that day is now gone.

I guess my point is that we worry so much over those tiny details, and then they turn out to be insignificant in the grand scheme of things. What's more important is the commitment that we made to one another, and the where-with-all to see it through. Our journey is just beginning, we know that, but we are certainly very proud of the relationship we have grown,

Here are a few things you may not know about us as a couple, just for fun.

1. We DVR every single episode of Desperate Housewives, the Unit, the Mentalist, and NCIS. If he happens to be gone on the day they air, I always wait for him to come home to watch them. It's sort of a silly thing, but it's time I can count on!

2. When we go out to eat, we almost always go to Logan's. He loves his steaks, and I can eat just about anything on their menu and be happy.

3. We have big plans to travel the world together someday.

4. We never spend more than $100.00 without consulting the other person.

5. He drinks Cherry Limeades and I drink Cranberry Limeades at Sonic. :)

6. We can't go very far out west without stopping at Allsups for those deep fried bean burritos... tragic, I know... but it's tradition.

7. We met in Slaton, Tx in front of an old oak tree. It's a long story, but if you want to hear it, I'll tell ya!

8. His younger sister, Tricia, was in first or second grade with my brother, Zach. We were fascinated with her because she had just moved over from Australia. The first time Rodney came to my house, my dad came in and my introduction went something like this "Daddy, do you know who this is?" Of course I was referring to the fact that he was Tricia's older brother... but my dad tells the story and says that his heart leapt within him. He said he knew then and there that this boy would be very special in our lives.

9. We wanted to honeymoon in Mexico, but Rodney was not a citizen of the U.S. at the time! So, we honeymooned in Orlando instead, and it was great, of course!

10. When we first married I was working as a unit secretary in the Antepartum Unit in Lubbock, and Rodney was working as the RDA delivery boy. Soon after, he also started working at the Hampton Inn in Lubbock.

I am so honored to be his wife, he is really a precious gift. Here's to the next 365 days, let's see what they bring.

P.S. Refer to last year's anniversary blog for pictures of our wedding day!

One more TINY little thing...

2008-12-30T21:24:00.002-06:00

You can now download Zach's songs on iTunes. Just search for Zach Balch and four of his songs, professionally recorded, are available.

You will be impressed, I was.

Christmas at the Farm

2008-12-30T20:26:00.009-06:00

So we went to the farm, it was great because my mom's family came from Abilene and met us there. Such a stress-free, relaxing way to get together. Did I mention that we love the farm?

Hannah and Caleb

Tuck and Caleb

Zach and Ashleigh

Breanne and her boyfriend, Patrick... the reason he is green is not because of my camera, it's because he was truly, truly, ill. Sorry Patrick!

Breanne and Blake

Zach and Ashleigh and Hannah

Hillary and Martin

Taylor and Frank

Boy cousins. Blake, Zach, Hunter. Check out those teeth.

Lots of People

Boy cousins plus Granny and Papa... Caleb, Zach, Granny, Papa, Blake, Hunter

Girl Cousins... Me, Hillary, Breanne, Taylor, Bailey.... oh and my Granny's cute little doggie, Lulu

Lots of people, part 2.

Caleb gets a new football.

Opening presents, she started before it was actually time, oh well.

Martin and Hillary

Lots of people part 3

Tucker and Scout.

Bailey, Breanne, Hillary, Terri and my mom.

My cousins, and my sister. Bailey, Breanne, Taylor, and Hillary

Scout finds a sunny spot to rest.

More introductions... poor Frank has had to live out the farm porch introduction scene twice now, once with my dad's family and now with my mom's.

Taylor and Frank arrive... awwww.

Me practicing my new camera skills on the unsuspecting Hillary. But she's still gorgeous.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning

2008-12-30T17:52:00.006-06:00

Zach and Ashleigh opening presents at my mom's house.

Caleb's reaction to his present....

Three tickets to the Cotton Bowl January 2nd.
Hannah staring at the presents that Santa left at our house.

Such a sleepy face! It was only 7 am.

Trip To Lubbock 12/21-12/24

2008-12-30T17:01:00.009-06:00

Our Christmas was truly fabulous. I'll have to document in several posts, as the number of pictures and details would be entirely too cumbersome for one post. You'd get bored and you'd leave.. and what good is that?

The kids and I trekked to Lubbock on Sunday 12/21. We anxiously awaited Rodney's arrival the next day, so that the fun could really begin. The pictures are posted exactly backwards of how they happened, but for the life of me I cannot fix it. I'll do better next time. Sorry.

Christmas gift exchange at Grandma's... Caleb gets a Michael Crabtree jersey and Hannah gets a Tech cheerleader outfit.

Hannah, Zaey and Zoey playing dress up. They were so rambunctious, it was hilarious!

Visit with Nana at her house.
A stop at the Red Raider Outfitter yielded unusual results. Caleb struck up a conversation with a stranger, who turned out to be assistant coach of the Tech men's basketball team.. and he gave us tickets to that night's game. Go Caleb!

The guy in between the guy in the redshirt and the black vested Pat Knight is the one who gave us the tickets. He and Pat Knight were both shopping in the store.

We elected to take Rance and Lexi to the game. It was great fun.
We took the morning to visit the Tech campus where Rodney and I used to roam. The kids loved it.

We went out to Levelland to visit Rodney's precious great-grandmother. She is 95 years old and lives in the nursing home. We love visiting her because she truly exemplifies the way we should all live our lives. She is selfless, patient, kind, and so very warm. We are lucky to have her.

Now I have an awesome Mac too

2008-12-19T21:06:00.003-06:00

Our computer bit the dust. It was time I suppose. We got it with our tax rebate check six years ago. So I didn't feel that bad about just replacing it. We went and got the same computer my parents have because I love theirs so much.

Anyway, it means lots of playtime for mom and kids, and here's the video to prove it. You have to please forgive the silliness, but ya know, we're silly.

In other news, I finished school today with a feeling of accomplishment. One semester down, one to go. I really am very fortunate to teach great kids and work at a great school. I know I complain sometimes, but my complaints are with the education system in general, not particular issues at the fixable, controllable level. Of course it's only natural to wonder what else is out there for you, and as I continue to struggle with whether or not teaching is a lifetime profession for me, I am enjoying it while it lasts.

Christmas is nice, because it's one of the rare times of year when students will write little notes and tell you how much they enjoy your class or how much they've learned from you. One thing I'll say I don't like about teaching is that there is very little instant gratification. And, I'm an instant gratification kind of girl. I want to know right now. And when you mold future citizens, you don't know how you've done until... the future. But occasionally they are grateful, or they are appreciative of you in at least some small way and that will carry us through. I have a student that, last year, in 7th grade scored some unnatural score on the pSAT. His parents are trying to get him into a prep school in the northeast. He brought me the sweetest card today and that really made my day. An uber-genius appreciates me. Wow. That feels good.

In case you missed it, Peter Pan was absolutely precious. I will post pics from the show as soon as I can get them off my mom's camera. Caleb was the cutest Indian and he stole the show at one point when he flip-flopped across the stage. Hunter was Slightly, the head lost boy, and he was great. And then Taylor got to fly at the very end because she was Jane, Wendy's daughter. I don't know how DHS does it, well I do, but they put on the best shows I've ever seen a high school do. They are fabulous. Kudos to them for a job very very well done.

Christmas shopping is not anywhere near complete, but I have high hopes of doing that tomorrow. Rodney's not home and it's no fun without him, but I guess I'll do it anyway.

Anyway, I hope you all have a fabulously merry Christmas and I can't wait to see pictures and hear about your adventures.

Giving Thanks - Flint Creek Style

2008-12-07T14:14:00.006-06:00

A little background first, for those who don't know. The Farm is a house located near Graham Texas. It's not just any house, though. It's our special family homestead. The house sits on 106 acres of land given to my grandmother's family through a Civil War land grant. The house itself turned 100 years old this past summer. It was home to my great grandmother for a short time as she was growing up and now serves as a get together location for our widespread relatives. Until the 70's, it was hardly ever used, and sat empty and abandoned on old Flint Creek Road. Then, my dad and my granddad, added on living space and an actual bathroom so that it could be used. It is a labor of love for the entire family and needs constant maintenance and care to keep it in good shape for future generations. We really do love the farm.

Taylor and Frankimus Maximus - The reason I expect she won't go to college in Texas :( He's a Chemistry major at Boston University

Zach and Hunter - off to the woods

Frank and Caleb - nice

He's a lumberjack and he's okay....

Yes, my brothers are weird...

But you have to admit this is very clever.

The pie I was telling you about in a previous post.... yum-O

My grandmother and her cousin Carol - They built a farm house on the lot adjacent to the one where our farm sits. We love the Bentley family!

My uncle Allen and my grandmother (they are brother and sister) and little Hannah in between

Ummm....

Good times

Denison Yellow Jackets 21 vs. Sulfur Springs Wildcats 42 @ Texas Stadium 11/28

2008-12-07T14:01:00.008-06:00

So we lost, we lost pretty bad. But we had a great trip and really enjoyed seeing Taylor direct the Touch of Gold band and Hunter take pictures for journalism from the sidelines. Oh what a night.

Because my parents have an awesome Mac and I'm at their house!

2008-12-07T13:14:00.004-06:00

Be somebody's something

2008-12-04T08:40:00.002-06:00

I was watching our local news broadcast the other day and after a run down of reports on break-ins, thefts, other crimes of desperation, the newswoman said, "People are really hurting".

While I knew this all along, it was really interesting to hear it from her and it was quite the eye-opener. I know that we, personally, have been really affected by the economic downturn. We are really thankful that we are not in over our heads with a mortgage we can't afford. But, we've had to tighten the purse-strings just the same.

There are a few stories I'll share that point to the hurt and despair that's in the world around us.

1. Although its unrelated to economic issues, I received word that a former student's mother suffered a stroke last week on Thanksgiving day. She went to the hospital where they discovered a hole in her heart as well as a benign tumor in her heart. During a corrective surgery, she suffered from major complications and is now on life support. This news literally made me sick to my stomach. The woman is a teacher at one of our elementary schools and has two precious daughters. We taught her oldest daughter last year and she was one of those kids you'd like to clone. Anyway, it sounds like a very dire situation and I can't imagine the pain that family is feeling. In one of those weird, imaginary sequences of events, I imagined myself seeing this student in a hallway and just hugging her and crying with her. Of course, when we deal someone else's grief and loss, we try to come up with ways to help. And, in my imagination, that's what I did. I went to her, and just cried with her.

2. I also found out that one of my students this year has had the electricity turned off at his house. The family is sleeping in their clothes and leaving the oven on at night to stay warm. In my imagination, I wondered what I would do. I am still working on this one because this situation is so different.

The point is, and it's vague I know, is that so many around us are in worlds of hurt that we can't even imagine. When I have been in the darkest valleys of my life, I walked around, drove around, and carried out my activities like everybody else. Only those nearest to me knew my pain. Strangers on the street did not know, acquaintances at work may not have known. It's so stressful to bear the burden on your own.

How many times a day do we cross paths with those who are hurting so bad? How many times a day do we ignore them or become upset with them because of something that is, in the grand scheme of things, unimportant. How many of these kids that I teach, that drive me crazy sometimes, are in those dark valleys now. When I could be busy being somebody's something, so often I'm not. What a sad and unfortunate truth.

Especially now, at Christmastime, let's try to remember that those around us may not always let on how they really feel. But that, those hurts exist in a real, tangible form to them, and we must be sensitive of that.

You never know, you could really mean something to somebody.

"Easy as Pie" Pie

2008-12-01T18:18:00.002-06:00

I didn't believe this myself, but BELIEVE me... it is worth a try! So easy, a man remembered the recipe!

Ingredients:
4 cans of Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 Graham Cracker Pie Crusts
Whip Cream
Chocolate Chips

ALL you do is: Take your four cans of Eagle Brand and place them in a large stock pot. Wrap kitchen towels around the cans so that they don't bump into one another. Leave the cans closed. Boil for 4 hours.

After 4 hours, remove the cans from the stock pot and pour out mixture. The boiling causes the mixture to caramelize. Stir up the contents of the can to remove lumps and inconsistencies.

Pour into the two graham cracker pie crusts. Top with whip cream and chocolate chips. Chill before serving.

This makes an absolutely delicious caramel pie. I tried it myself! So good, so easy! My kind of cooking.

Some variations we discussed:
1. Use the Jello No-Bake cheesecake filing in the bottom of the pie crust, top with the caramel mixture.
2. Put melted chocolate in the bottom of the pie crust.
3. And of course, serve with ice cream.

Enjoy!

My First Grant

2008-11-19T20:15:00.002-06:00

I have always been very interested in the development of curriculum and absolutely love differentiating for my G/T students. Three out of my six classes are G/T, and now I am the only 8th grade science teacher that has that schedule. So, it gives me sort of a creative outlet, and it allows me to teach at the level where I think all eighth grade kids should be. It's so much fun.

Last week my friend and colleague Kim and I went to the conference for the Texas Association of Gifted and Talented. Basically we attended lots of workshops on differentiation and design of curriculum. It's great if you can go to a conference and bring home one or two useful ideas, but this time I just got so much out of it.

One of the most powerful things was that I learned, through an exhibit, about Project Learning Tree. It is a super-fabulous program that provides a cross-curricular basis for taking learning outside into nature. I had the best time talking to their representatives and felt such a strong urge to get involved. One of my favorite college experiences was a 'field' class where we actually got into a bus and went into the wild to study. I learned so much! If I could share even a fraction of that with my students, I know they would be greatly, and forever, impacted. Here is an example of one of the activities we might conduct; testing the quality of the water on Lake Texoma and then studying how it impacts the local marine ecosystem. Another example is studying the exposed rock layers at the lake and the nature preserves here to determine the geologic history of our area. I love this stuff! I get so excited just thinking about it.

Anyway, to make a long story short, I came home and wrote my very first grant. A generous foundation here in Sherman provides mini-grants up to 2500.00. Who knows if I'll actually get one, but I wrote a heck of a proposal. My intention is to build little conservationists out of these kids. If they can have an experience, even one, that changes their footprint, I would feel so very successful.

Here are the main components of my proposal, in case you're interested.
1. Teacher training - we have to have at least 10 teachers trained (in several disciplines) to really make this work. All lessons are multi-disciplinary and correlate directly to TEKS objectives (YAY, talking point)

2. Three field excursions (I would especially love to visit the Lake (we could hike to several interesting points), the Sneed Blackland Prarie restoration project (An Austin College initiative, very cool), and the Hagerman wildlife refuge)). All destinations are within 30 miles of our campus and all offer extreme potential. A key component in this project is visiting the same location on different occasions to see how changes in the environment, climate, etc., effect species survival.

3. Digital cameras to record observations

4. Journal writing for reflection. Students will get to keep their journals at the end of the year.

Anyway, the proposal is due by December 19th and I dropped it off in my principal's office today for approval before I send it off.

It is my very first grant, but I just feel so good about it. I love the idea, I think it would make such a difference, and I'm just keeping my fingers crossed!

Kissable Baby Contest

2008-11-03T19:40:00.003-06:00

My friend from high school has the most kissable baby in all the greater Dallas Fort Worth area. Here's our chance to prove it.

Eli has made the top 5 and they have a chance to win, get this, $5000.00 if all of you will just GO VOTE!

Here's the link:

http://www.1061kissfm.com/pages/contests/baby/

You do have to enter your email address and then confirm your vote through email.

They would certainly appreciate all of our help.

OH, and don't forget to vote in that other election too!

No Trick or Treating for me.

2008-10-31T20:17:00.004-05:00

So, after I failed to get the Halloween costumes in time, we decided we'd rather go to the football game anyway. The band is all dressed up in costumes and they are doing the thriller song and dance at halftime, so we wanted to do that. Caleb informed me that he was 'too mature' to dress up and I figure Hannah doesn't really know the difference. So, I was feeling totally guilty about this decision. But, my friends at work assured me that it was probably no big deal, that I wasn't permanently damaging their psyche by omitting the Halloween ritual for one year.

We went to Whataburger right before the game and Hannah refused to eat. She kept saying she didn't feel good. But, we went to the game anyway (mistake).

About ten minutes into the game she started with her hacking cough again, and then after Denison scored one touch down, she threw up all over the bleachers. I'm sure the Jacket supporters around us were not impressed, but I cleaned up and whisked her away. We were on our way home and she threw up again, but luckily I had put a sweater in her lap so it didn't get on my car.

Now she's in the bathtub moaning and I'm trying to figure out what I can give her to make her feel better, because it's really sad!

But, the good news is, I don't feel so bad about the costumes, because look how we're spending our evening! I'm really glad I didn't spend thirty dollars on a costume that would have been puked upon.

So, on a happier note, here are some pictures from Halloweens past... I'll show these to my kids one day so they'll know I wasn't always a slacker. (Caleb always dressed up before 2005 too, but unfortunately, those pictures are all of the traditional nature, rather than this high falootin' digital stuff.)

Happy Halloween to you all!

Try it. You'll like it.

2008-10-26T10:08:00.003-05:00

I'm not really a fan of tomatoes, but I had this bruschetta at a party last week and I was very impressed. So, I tried it out last night on my family and they liked it too!

Bruschetta

1 pkg grape or cherub tomatoes, quartered
2-3 TBS red onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, pressed or diced
3 TBS aged balsamic vinegar
2 TBS extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
salt/pepper to taste, preferably fresh ground
¼ cup coarse chopped fresh basil, or more/less to taste*
2 TBS grated parmesan cheese, optional

1 garlic clove, use later
1 French baguette, sliced

-Mix the first six ingredients. (If you are making ahead of time, save the basil until right before serving because it browns quickly)
-Allow to marinate 10-15 minutes.

-Toast the baguette slices. While hot, rub with the last garlic clove.

-You may add fresh mozzarella cheese

-Serve toasted bread with bruschetta mixture.

-Enjoy~

Next time I might try adding all ingredients to the food processor to cut down on the prep time, although the nice big pieces are very pretty.

Things my husband loves...

2008-10-20T18:55:00.012-05:00

I was tagged by Susan, so here are a few of the things that Rodney loves.

Playing with toys... of all kinds.

Wild adventures with the family.

Flying airplanes.

Playing in the snow.

Taking naps with Hannah, or Caleb, or whoever will slow down for long enough.

Trick or treating, yah right.

Being a family man.

Tucker and Scout, most of the time.

And of course, he loves me.

There are also a few things I couldn't find pictures of:
1. The Texas Tech Red Raiders
2. Politics
3. Logan's Steaks
4. Home cooked meals
5. Talking on the phone to his buddies

Coincidentally, these are also the things I love about him.

I tag Jessica, Stacy, and Hillary.

For your reading enjoyment

2008-10-20T12:49:00.002-05:00

I had fun researching the origins of the term 420, but didn't want to miss key points, or to be redundant for those who are actually aware of our pop culture. I must have been hiding under a rock to have missed this.

I thought the Snopes article was pretty good. Just click the title of this post to be linked to that article.

By the way, I stayed home sick today. Fever, chills, body aches. Fun!

What's Cooking....

2008-10-18T18:22:00.003-05:00

Hello again.

I just had a brilliant idea. Since my blog is loosely cooking themed, I thought it would be fun to actually share recipes from time to time. I'm trying to do a much better job of cataloging my favorite recipes in a computer file. So, I'd like to share some that work well for our family.

I'll start out with a WONDERFUL fall chili. Try it, and let me know what you think.

Pumpkin and Black Bean Chili

• 2 pounds pumpkin or butternut squash, peeled and seeded
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 jalapeño chile, minced
• One 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
• One 14.5-ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup apple juice
• 4 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3 cups cooked or canned black beans, rinsed and drained if canned

1. Cut the pumpkin into 1/2-inch chunks and set aside.
2. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and jalapeño. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 10 minutes. Add the reserved pumpkin, diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, water, apple juice, chili powder, salt, and cayenne, and stir well. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, cover, and simmer until the pumpkin is tender, about 30 minutes.
3. Add the beans, and more water if the chili is too thick for your taste. Cover, and continue to simmer about 15 minutes to blend flavors. Serve hot.

--- I have also done this in a crock pot and just let it heat all day. I've made it with the butternut squash and it is truly delicious. Serve with bread for a great meal. For those who need meat in their chili, add browned turkey or beef.---

420

2008-10-18T18:05:00.003-05:00

That's a pretty big number when you consider that I'm talking about people. 420 people. I got to thinking about my impact as a teacher and I realized that in three short years, I have had the privilege, sometimes burden, of educating 420 youngsters.

That's crazy! If I do this for even three more years, that number will climb to nearly 1000.

I used to have this opinion of teaching as sort of a 'last resort' profession. In my mind, I reserved it for people who weren't smart enough to do anything else. Talk about a wake up call. I was SOOOOOO wrong. Teaching requires quick thinking, creativity, strength, determination, resourcefulness, comprehensive knowledge, the ability to find common factors between topics, and a genuine enthusiasm for learning.

The job is taxing physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and every other kind of -ally there might possib-ally be. But, the reward, or even the glimmer of hope of a reward, is definitely worth the cost. So, to all you teacher folks out there, thank you for the job you have done and continue to do every day. Thanks for shaping my life and the lives of many many more.

In the words of a trusted colleague, 'just enjoy your kids'. For, they deserve our best.

---Interesting side note, I thought it would be really cute to post a picture of the number 420 at the top of this post, but have just discovered a link between that number and dedicated pot smokers, I must investigate. So, I'll leave you with this picture instead.---

She really is three.

2008-10-14T20:38:00.014-05:00

Well, as of 9:08 this morning, my baby girl is three. She entered this world at 6 pounds 10 ounces and was 19 inches long.

Luckily, I was busy at 9:08 or I probably would have teared up uncontrollably. This birthday is just really hard for me to swallow.

The birthday party went off without a hitch, and I will be adding pictures later. I had my mom take all the pictures so they are all on her camera,and I haven't quite gotten them loaded to my computer. But, in honor of my sweetie's birthday, I thought I'd share a few of the best things we've learned about her in the past three years.

First off, she was born pouting. We thought it was so ironic at the time because Caleb puckers his bottom lip, still, when he cries. We knew they must be siblings when we saw that. What turned out to be so funny about it though, is she has never hesitated to show her emotions. She can be the happiest girl in the world, hysterical laughter, or she can be as mean as a snake. Her newest trick is to just shout at the top of her lungs, just to let you know she's not content.

I cannot get enough of her. I find myself just staring at her, just taking her in. I study every curve of her face, the softness of her skin, the shape of her hands and feet. I learned with Caleb that those things are but a fleeting moment, so I am trying to press the slow-motion button on her. I want to remember everything about her at this time. From the first moment I held her in my arms, I knew she was very special. She would one day be my very best friend, as my mom is to me.

She idolizes Caleb, and rightfully so. He has always been such a patient, kind, and wonderful big brother. Even though she insists on calling him her sister, they have such a precious relationship.

She wants things to happen fast. She was born just three hours from the time my labor was induced. And, she hasn't slowed down since. She is very impatient, much like I am, but she is not good at hiding her dismay when things don't go exactly as she plans.

She might be a vegetarian some day. She has never been a big meat eater, but man does she love fruits and veggies. Her favorites are corn and green beans.

She's the life of the party. She always has been and I suppose she always will be. She has an infectious little giggle and can fill a room with laughter.

She truly loves animals of all kinds. Rodney came in the other day to announce that Hannah's first act as an animal conservationist was relocating rollie pollies from the sidewalk to the grass. She has such a heart for all kinds of life. She is so sad when she sees me smash a bug. It's really funny.

She tells everybody that she meets that "My daddy's flying airplanes." I guess this means she is very proud of him and she misses him. Also, every time we hear a plane or helicopter pass by, she squeals with delight in thinking it "MUST" be her daddy. She might be a little bit crazy about him, as he is absolutely in head over heels with her. He says the thing he looks forward to the most about coming home from his trips is how she runs up to him so very excited to see him, as if it's been months since he'd been home.

She loves to play pretend. She carries around little 'stuff' all the time. A play phone, fake fruits and vegetables, brushes... whatever. She has even invented an imaginary friend named Darby, who she seems to know very well.

She loves music. She can bebop with the best of them. She knows the words to all my favorite songs, including Bleeding Love and Life Goes On. When my phone rings, she sings the songs. Her favorite song, coincidentally, was my favorite song when I was her age, Uptown Girl. She can sing it. She has great rhythm and isn't afraid of an audience.

She's precocious. And, I mean that in the very best way. She loves to read books, but only the pages she wants to read. She loves to watch TV, but only if her shows are on. And, you better hope they are. She loves to wear Crocs... who cares what feet they go on. And, she REALLY loves to be outside with her granddad, who would swim across the ocean if she asked him to.

She thinks Tay-Tay has hung the moon, and well, she has.

She went to Disney World when she was only 18 months old and was a perfect little lady, but went to Chicago at 2 1/2 and was not. She also totally has my mom wrapped around her finger.

She can do funky weird things with pacifiers, and she may take one to college.

She's scary smart, is truly a precious gift sent from above... and, is three! I can't believe how fortunate we are to have her in our lives. She makes us complete.

Impatient

2008-10-06T21:32:00.003-05:00

I must admit that one of my major personality flaws is that I am extremely impatient. I've been trying to sort through the psycho-analytics of this for quite some time, but I end up nowhere. My mother has been telling me since I was, I don't know, six... that I have got to delay gratification and wait. She said that I won't always get what I want "right now". I'm sure she's disappointed that I still haven't learned that lesson.

When I get my mind set on something, it's all I can do to wait five minutes to get it done. This has created several problems.

1. I do everything VERY fast. I walk fast, I talk fast, I type fast, I cook fast, whatever it is... I do it fast. I don't like to waste time in the details.

2. I end up sort of dissatisfied with the results. For example, I rushed into buying my car two years ago. I HAD to have a new car, why... probably because everyone else had a new car, and I felt like I needed one too. And, don't get me wrong, I love my car, but if I had it to do over again, I would make a different choice. (How's that for a run-on sentence?) I end up comparing what I've got to everyone else (everyone that WAS patient), and then what I've got simply doesn't measure up.

I guess I'm feeling sort of convicted right now because we are in a situation where we just HAVE to be patient, and it is, quite literally... eating me alive.

Here are the things I really want.
1. A new house. A shiny, new, big, house. One where everybody has a door. Have I ever mentioned that Rodney and I don't even have a door between our room and Hannah's? The one door we have doesn't even lock. Poor Hannah's room is adjacent to the kitchen, no door, and the garage. Not only do I want a new house, but I want one somewhere besides Denison. I incessantly look on the internet to 'see' what's out there, and I need to quit doing that too. It just makes me crazier.

2. This brings me to my second point. I want a new job. I love teaching, when I get to teach. I would love to be in a district that valued teachers enough to let us do our job.

3. I want Rodney to feel stable and secure in his job. Just the other day we were talking about how when he got hired on with ExpressJet, the upgrade time wsa two years. That means that, if the economic crisis had not struck the airlines, we would be looking to upgrade to Captain in December. That also means almost double the salary, better benefits, more time off, etc. And now, we are looking at a pay cut, less hours, and another 3 years to upgrade.

4. Hannah's turning three... this has me very selfishly wanting another baby. I'm trying to keep things in perspective and understand that this is just NOT, obviously, a good time. And, it may not ever be. But, like I said...I'm impatient. I want the opportunity to do it 'right'. Meaning that I want all the cutesie nursery stuff, the perfect timing, the maternity pictures, blah blah blah.

I'm trying to remember that I'm only 26, and that there is plenty of time to be rewarded with all of these selfish desires. But, it pains me to know that we are working so very hard, so diligently, and we haven't even put one foot up the ladder of success. I guess we have though, we're both college educated, we both have jobs, and we love each other mightily.

I must be a nut.

Levelland Lobos - Where are they now?

2008-09-30T22:20:00.006-05:00

I received an email earlier today from one of my best friends in high school. It was from a teacher at my alma mater, good ol' LHS. In an effort to encourage more students to pursue college or technical training after high school, they are compiling information on past graduates and their successes.

I thought this was such a great idea, and I would love to get a look at the 'wall' now. Guys...remember when we used to do the wall.... WOW!

Okay, so here is the information that the form asked for, I thought I'd share it with you.

Name: Whitney Balch-Dove

Levelland High School Class of 2000

College/Tech School/Military Experience: I received my Associate of Science Degree from South Plains College in 2002, then I transferred to Texas Tech and majored in Biology. When my husband, Rodney graduated from Tech, his new job brought us to Denison. So, then I transferred, again, to Austin College. Austin College is a top-ranked liberal arts college in Sherman, Tx. I changed my major to psychology, so I could finish sooner, and graduated in 2006.

Degrees/Certifications received: As mentioned, A.S. in Biology and then my Bachelor of Arts is in Psychology/Biology. I also earned my Texas Teacher Certification in 4-8 science in 2006.

Current Employer and Job Title: Sherman Independent School District 8th grade Science Teacher

Current Residence: Denison, Tx

Then, the kicker... they asked for pictures, a then and now...

So, I have to throw in a few of those.

The DAY we graduated from high school. Bottom left: Jenny Top Left: Mary Kay Bottom Center: Jennifer Top Center: Kelsey and then, far right...ME! What's so interesting is that Jenny is holding a picture of us at our freshman band banquet and we were posed in that exact way. I'm still in close contact with 3 out of 4 of these gals!

Yah, um, yearbook picture. I had professional senior portraits done, but they are at my mom's house. They were better though, promise!

And, then... last years school pic. This year's is terrible, I'm totally double-chinning, so I'm selectively omitting that one.

Anyway, LHS grads, if you are interested in sending your stuff... The person to contact would be Joanna Runkles. You can find her email on the website I bet. Or,you can just ask me!

Talk about a BLAST from the PAST!

Hannah's Birthday Party

2008-09-29T17:12:00.003-05:00

My cousin Hillary made these fabulous invites! Please see her blog for details on how to commission her. She's great!

It MUST be my fault.

2008-09-23T20:08:00.002-05:00

We had open house last night. The 8th grade counselor said that they voted this morning and decided NEVER to have open house after three week grade reports come out again. The parents were, um, hostile.

We are adapting to a new curriculum, called CScope. It's actually really great because it's all hands on, lots of activities, and it requires deep, complex understanding of the material. The kids though, are struggling... obviously. Here's an example. In years past, it was enough for a kid to memorize a definition out of the book. He'd see the same definition, verbatim, on his worksheets, quizzes, and ultimately... tests. Wow! Of course they did well. I mastered rote memorization by the time I was in 8th grade and they are little wizards as well. However, as educators and as a society, we rightfully demand more! Memorization of straight facts is no longer enough. We need our students to be able to truly wrap their minds around a concept, and then apply that same concept to an unfamiliar example. That shows true mastery.

Well, we're facing growing pains. I have G/T kids scoring in the 40's and 50's, which doesn't bother me all that much because I know they'll catch the wave, eventually. I keep preaching that we've just raised the bar, and that it's time for them to step up. I think they can. It's just an exercise in patience.

Well, last night, some dad came in and demanded to know my 'failure' rate. He was literally angry with me because his daughter had failed the first two tests. So, I asked why she did not make corrections to the first one (she made a 27), and she had no idea. She didn't remember. I was frank, but nice, to this guy, and just suggested we schedule a conference. He was satisfied with that answer and left me alone. But, I was flustered. So, I asked my counselor about her first thing this morning. The girl failed TAKS last year, and consistently scored in the 70's and 80's on report cars... going back to third grade! You're right, guy, it's my fault she's not doing well.

Apparently the guy had come in this morning to the office and asked for her to be moved out of my class, citing 'personality conflicts'. OMG! Are you serious?

I mean, really... I work my self to the bone to try to help those who won't,or are incapable of, helping themselves. It is such an uphill battle. The last thing I need is a parent who won't confess to his daughter's shortcomings or mistakes, and instead blames them on the nearest teacher. I found out this afternoon that he had basically accosted three other teachers last night. It made me feel a little better, but this whole ordeal is really eating at me.

I tried to schedule a conference but they didn't answer, go figure. I'm really nervous about this one because this guy is intimidating. But, I know I have the support of the administration and this guy is out of his mind looking for the cause of the problem. That's a lot easier than asking his daughter to take accountability for her schoolwork and learning. Really, it is.

Tucky Tucky

2008-09-14T20:12:00.005-05:00

Actually, that's Kentucky in nearly-3-year-old language. That's where Rodney has been since Thursday evening and who knows when he'll get to leave there.

Here's what happened.

His four day trip was supposed to take him through Veracruz, Mex and several other places but his first overnight was in Lexington. With anticipation of Ike making landfall, his trip was 'changed' to a 55-hour overnight there in Lexington. We thought this was good news. An easy way to make money. Sitting in a hotel that's connected to an Orvis store and the arena where the Kentucky Wildcats play ball... But with all planes being moved out of Houston and little activity at the airport, the 55 hour overnight turned into an 80 hour.

The latest news is that they have changed his trip to end tomorrow night (day 5) in Newark. So, then he'd have to get on a plane and come home to Dallas. Unless they reassign him to do something else. A member from the union said they don't expect anything to go in or out of Houston until Wednesday. Yippy for us.

I'm trying to keep it relative and understand that he is safe, while thousands of others are not. I'm trying to remember that he hates being gone as much as I hate having him gone, but that this was the decision we made, together.

In other news, I removed the crib from Hannah's room and instead she has Taylor's old double bed. I stood in front of that crib for several long minutes and tried to remember placing her tiny infant self in the bed the day we brought her home from the hospital. I remembered all those nights I stood over her to pat her sweet back as she fell asleep. I remembered all the nights I had to go get her out of the bed to keep her from screaming while Rodney and Caleb slept.

They grow too fast! I have loved every moment of being her mom, and while I hesitantly switched her bed, I just look forward to so many more sweet memories with her.

***UPDATE*** Rodney has been reassigned to go to Newark today, Kansas City tonight, and then hopefully home tomorrow evening (Tuesday). He said they are not releasing any of the pilots from duty unless they are already on day 7. Today makes day 6 for us, so he'll have to be released tomorrow. It's just a question of whether or not he'll make it home.

A New Balch Baby

2008-09-13T20:43:00.005-05:00

NO.... NOT for me.

My cousin Jenny and her hubby Eddie are preparing for their trip to Vietnam to pick up their precious angel, baby Eddie.

It's funny how looking at his pictures can connect a family thousands of miles apart... but from the very first time I saw his picture, he was 'ours'.

The adoption process has always been so intriguing and special to me. I think it is just such a beautiful and wonderful thing. I'm thrilled that our family is growing through this amazing journey and practice in patience!

Please keep them in your prayers as they make last minute travel preparations and please pray for a safe journey to and from Vietnam.

Check out their blog for more info and more pics! (Lee Family Blog)

We love you guys! Can't wait to meet the little guy!

No drama here...

2008-09-08T19:27:00.003-05:00

I've always considered myself to be a relatively low maintenance, low drama kind of girl. I mean, really. I don't want to get all swept up in multiple crises, I don't want people to worry themselves over me, I don't want to get into arguments or conflicts with people. My goal is to just 'be'. Simply and singularly, me.

I've found that finding that singularity is increasingly more challenging as I take on more responsibilities, and hence, more concern. I find I am worrying about things that in reality, I have no conscious control over.

What a mind game! Worrying over things I cannot and will not be able to fix. Other people's problems!

I am trying to focus on accepting the things I cannot change and just being patient as these things resolve themselves. In the interest of my own sanity and happiness, I have to let them go.

So, that's what I'm going to do. I listened to a Joel Osteen sermon one of those days when I had no vision, but my hearing was really good. He was talking about how important it was to only choose the battles that had a personal payoff. He said why waste your energy fighting battles that don't offer a reward. He says if it does not impact your destiny, it is not worth the struggle.

David would not have fought Goliath if he hadn't been promised the king's daughter and tax forgiveness in return, Joel says. He talks about trying to 'make' people like you. And, honestly, that matters to me. I want people to like me. But, Joel says that out of all the people you come across in your life time...

25% will not like you, no matter what you do... they just won't like you
25% will not like you in the beginning, but will eventually 'learn' to like you
25% will like you in the beginning, and then will stop liking you
25% will like you always and forever, no matter what

So, this got me thinking.

The battles I need to fight are those that involve my own family, our happiness, our success, and our health, and, I will stick my neck out for that last 25%. The ones that would do it for me too.

I'm not choosing apathy, I'm just accepting that I have no control. I can be supportive of others as they fight their own battles, and I can offer advice when solicited, but otherwise... I need to relax!

******P.S.******* I went back to Dr. Selkin in Plano for my one month post-PRK visit.... and the results are..... 20/20 vision! Wow!

Myface

2008-08-27T20:51:00.002-05:00

The first week of school is always a little bit chaotic. Adjusting to the new schedule, making sure everybody understands the routine, etc. But, this week has been extra crazy, and I am just now becoming aware of the residual effects of this.

I literally just typed into the web address bar www.myface.com. Okay, so my nighttime internet ritual includes checking myspace and facebook... and in a moment of decreasing brain power... I merged the two names. Genius. The really sad part is that I didn't realize it until after the page came back as an error.

Caleb started third grade. I remember, this is so weird, but when he was a baby thinking that he would always be a 'baby' until he was 8. In my limited scope of imagining parenthood, that's what I figured. I really hated the day he turned 8 for this reason. Now that I am watching him become a real kid, it's scary. I REALLY feel the burden of parenthood. I feel like every single word I say to him has to be carefully calculated and that every single choice I make on his behalf counts, big time. It's scary! I'm actually molding a future citizen, and I don't want to mess him up... I mean, we all have our baggage. But, I just want to be so careful to make sure he is happy, healthy, productive, responsible, and I really hope he stays sweet. I am SOOOOOO proud of him. If you have any idea of the journey we traveled to get here, then you would be proud too. I have to say, I think Rodney and I have done an amazing job of growing this little human, and we love him to pieces.

I recently became a fan of the blog, Bring the Rain, thanks to Buffy. I read it as often as I can, because crying is good for the soul. I also remember the blessing of that baby boy and how he changed our lives forever. Our children are so precious and so often we take that for granted. Caleb reminds me every day that the love Rodney and I share for each other is literally strong enough to withstand anything. He also reminds me that dreams change and that God is always in control. I must thank Angie and Todd for helping me to see that in every day challenges and tragedies.

Todd is the brother in the group Selah. An interesting and divinely crafted side story is that the first time I heard of the group Selah was when Amanda and I were preparing for a Chrysalis. I had been asked to give the "Prodigal talk". I never really considered myself a prodigal because I never felt I turned away from God, but that I simply made a mistake. I knew that all Christians made mistakes every day, but mine was just outward, visible, and permanent. So, anyway, the prodigal talk. I wanted to end my talk with a recording of my all time favorite hymn, "It is Well with my Soul." On our way to Petersburg, I think, Amanda asked if I had ever heard the Selah version. I hadn't.

Selah is a brother/sister duo. They were raised in South Africa (I think) because their parents were missionaries. Their voices are amazingly perfect. Anyway, she brought me the CD... wrote "Whitney, I love you" on it, and of course I loved it. I still have it!!!! I used it in my talk to tell young girls my story. How a baby boy changed my life, and hopefully, how our story will help to change the lives of others.

Here I am, 8 years later... reading the blog of the wife of that beautiful voice. She bravely and boldly tells the story of how her sweet baby changed her own life, the lives of many around her, and now has even changed me. And the tears, they come freely. Life is truly a miracle, the fragile networks of friends and family are a miracle, and the ability to see God in even the small things, that is a blessing.

Thank you Angie for that gift. I encourage others to read the story of Audrey Caroline. I have linked it on my blog. Be prepared to spend many hours and many tears there. But also prepare to leave there with a renewed sense of gratitude and purpose.

Also I want to mention that there is a special young lady whom I will not name but who will need lots of prayers and remembrance in the coming months as she faces a journey similar to mine.

Hunter's Hobby

2008-08-24T20:36:00.004-05:00

I thought this was pretty funny. Hunter is my youngest brother, age 17. If you haven't seen him since we lived in Levelland... I'm sure you'll be shocked to know how much he's grown. He is the one in the long sleeve red and white shirt. His friends Trevor and Ross help round out the trio.

Just click the title of this blog to see the Youtube video. For best results click 'watch in high quality" and make sure your sound is turned up.

Enjoy.

The PRK Experience, and a few other things

2008-08-22T19:56:00.002-05:00

Rodney and I went out to eat at the Tokyo restaurant in Sherman towards the end of May. They had one of those little drawing boxes at the register for Free Lasik Surgery. I jokingly said, "Hey if I don't win it, I'll probably never get it"... so I put in my name.

Somewhere near the end of June, they called me. They said I had not won the surgery, but that they were going to offer a significant discount and wanted to schedule an appointment. I was thrilled. That sounded great! So, we scheduled an appointment for August 10th.

The day approached and I nervously considered the options. I didn't want to finance ANY of the cost, but we just didn't have the money to pay cash. I wanted to get it done before school started but didn't even think I'd be a candidate because of all my issues. Rodney took me to Plano for the appointment. Like thirty minutes later some gorgeous blond girl is telling me that I don't need LASIK, my eyes are too crappy, I need the 2400.00 surgery instead of the 1200.00 one that I was planning on. We went back and forth for a few minutes and I told her that we just flat weren't prepared to spend that much and so we'd just have to come back later. So she says, let me go talk to the doctor. She came back, said they would do it today, the surgery I needed, PRK... at the price they had quoted me. I was ecstatic! No more than 15 minutes after that I was on the table.

I had been warned of a few things about PRK.
1. It takes about a week to heal.
2. They operate on a larger surface of the eye than they do in LASIK, so typically the results are better... but it takes longer for the 20/20 vision to set in.

So, I'm anticipating blurry vision for about a week and then maybe some visual fluctuations.

The surgery itself was very traumatic for me. I absolutely was not prepared for the smell of my own tissue burning. It happened so very fast, I just kept thinking, "what have I done... this is so scary..." After he finished the right eye, he said, "whatever you're doing is great, keep it up, we're almost done"... and then they were. Basically, they put you on the table, tape one eye shut... put some anesthetic on your eye and then put the little eye speculum in, not as entirely uncomfortable as I expected. Then, the doctor puts some kind of solution on that actually dissolves the epithelial cells on the cornea and allows for the larger operating surface. THEN, the laser gets turned on and zap zap zap... smell smell smell.... lots of really cold fluid gets dumped in your eye. Then, switch, other eye.

In less than 5 minutes I was done. I saw Jessica simpson get LASIK on the Newlywed's show and I knew that she could see immediately. So, I expected that. WRONG-O. I felt like I was walking around without my glasses... remember that my prescription was extremely strong. So strong I had to have special lenses in my glasses so they didn't look like coke bottles. Really.

Anyway, I stand up, talk to the doctor for a minute and then he hands me a prescription for Vicodin. WHAT!!???!!??? Nobody told me I was going to need pain meds. Wow.

The 45 minute ride home was terrible. I wanted to be able to see so badly and kept trying to open my eyes. But, I could still smell that smell and was just weirded out by the whole experience. I got very nauseous. We had to stop and get a drink just so I could cool off and try to settle down. I'm not much of a panic-er, but I was honestly freaked. Messing with your vision is scary. I was afraid I had made a huge mistake.

We get home, I send Rodney to get all 4 of my drops and I settle into my bed. Finally.

Pretty much, I didn't do a whole lot of moving from that bed for the next 7 days. I had good days and bad, but mostly, I was very achy and very hazy in my vision. The nausea would come and go. I couldn't watch TV, couldn't see the clock, couldn't read, couldn't even see the caller ID on my phone. I was extremely photosensitive, so I had the lights off all the time. It was awful. The only productive thing I did all week was continue working with the flute section at Denison High School. Not that I could read the music, but I can hear mistakes and fix things with my ears. Thankfully the girls were very gracious and kind.

My instructions were to call the office on Friday, day five after surgery. So, I did. Bright and early Friday morning I called. They instructed me to take the contacts out that evening and then start a slightly different eye drop regimen. I couldn't wait, so when I was in the shower I thought... I'm just gonna take them out. And, I did. I immediately regretted that.

Could not even open my eyes. Felt like I had dumped bleach in them, or worse. Stuck needles in them, or caught them on fire. It was excruciating. Plus, the visual progress I had made over the course of 5 days seemed to relapse instantly. I was so upset. I stayed in bed most of Friday in agonizing pain. Tylenol did not touch it. (I had run out of the 4 day prescription of Vicodin because I needed them to help me sleep and stand the bright lights at the high school). I called my dad to help, he was busy. My mom was at work... Rodney was working. So the kids thankfully did not create too much chaos and I just tolerated myself all day. But, finally when my parents were home we went over there and I spent the night. My dad asked me if I needed more pain killers and I said no. But by Saturday morning I had changed my mind. It had just gotten worse and I was miserable. My mom took me home so I could try to get comfortable in my own bed after not sleeping all night. She even did the dishes from Friday because Rodney was on his way home. My dad called me in more Vicodin. I took the first one at 1:00 in the afternoon and the second at about 5:00.

By the time my eyes relaxed enough I had much better vision and the pain was gone. By Sunday I didn't need the Vicodin and the vision was improving by the second. I had several landmarks that I was watching every day to see how the vision progressed. Rodney's diploma on the wall, the corners of the wall, the clock, and of course the TV.

I was finally able to drive on day 10, Tuesday of this week. Reading has been a different story. I just read to Hannah last night, Thursday. And this is the first time I have written anything on the computer in a normal sized font.

So, yes... it was a long, hard experience that I was not adequately prepared for. Thank goodness for the kindness of my family and the dependability of my children to behave themselves. Sometimes its nice to let yourself be vulnerable to others so that you can be reminded just how much you care.

I am excited about the results and look forward to the continued improvement in my vision. We are shooting for 20/20. I go for a checkup on September 7th, so I'll let you know how close we came.

In other news, school will start on Monday. Please help me to maintain a positive attitude when there are plenty of factors to make me insane. Please also remind me that there are right ways and wrong ways to go about doing things when it comes to colleagues.

Now, I've got to go play Guitar Hero with Caleb... should be fun~

ARGGGHHHHH!!

2008-08-04T22:18:00.002-05:00

Many of you know that Rodney and I seriously contemplated a move to Houston this summer. I applied in many school districts and we even contacted a realtor there. Our plan was to go during spring break and find a house, figure out which school district we wanted to live/work in, etc.

But, then the airline industries went all topsy turvey and we got scared. We panicked. We weren't sure we could sell our humble abode in this financial climate and we certainly didn't want to take on a bigger mortgage. So, we listened to the advice of our family and friends and we waited.

I had to answer phone call after phone call from school districts down there seeking to interview me and every time it pained me to tell them no, because we knew that even though we were being patient, that's what we really truly wanted.

Tonight was Rodney's last day of this trip. He was supposed to be able to get on the last flight out of Houston at 9:20. However, they brought the model of plane that has a weight restriction, he was expecting the one that does not. The captain of the flight turned down him and two other commuters citing weight restrictions. It was the last flight of the night, and all the flights out tomorrow morning are cancelled due to the expected tropical storm, Eduardo... not spelled that way though.

So, here it is 10:30 and he and the other two commuters are getting in a car and driving to Dallas and they will drop him off at Love field where his car is. Thankfully, one of the commuters is a flight attendant who is on reserve and she happens to have a car down there. They are just splitting gas.

I'm just so frustrated, I look forward to his homecoming for three whole days every week, lately its been four days, and then this happens. Now, he won't be home till probably 3:30 am or so, and does he get paid for that... nope. Thank God his day started at 10 this morning, instead of 5 like usual. Otherwise he would be going for 24 hours straight.

We are hoping to move next summer but in the meantime I guess I'll have to keep putting up with this kind of inconvenience. Bummer.

What a crazy week!

2008-08-01T22:02:00.011-05:00

Caleb attended the Theater Arts and Music Camp at the Texoma Children's Museum. It was such a great opportunity for him to channel his dramatic side. He had absolutely the best time hanging out with the high school kids and learning about the fine arts. He received the "Under the Sea Award" for the class where they learned about all things oceanic. Probably thanks to his piqued interest in sharks (Shark Week-Discovery Channel).

But, this change in our schedule (up at 7:30 every day) created quite the ripple effect in our little family. We had really adjusted to summertime stay up late and sleep till 9 or 9:30. I wanted him to do this camp, too, to help us ALL get back on a normal people schedule. Today, my grandmother visited from Fort Worth (please pray that the pain in her shoulder lessens to a tolerable level so that she can maintain normal activity). We spent the first part of the week preparing for her visit.

Here are a few of the bumps along the way.

1. Hannah finds lipstick. I don't even wear lipstick, but they always give them away at Clinique Bonus Time, so I've got a bunch of tubes. I thought I had thrown them all away the first time she found some, but she had hidden a stash! I had lipstick on my carpet (Dr. Spot = miracle worker) and also, on my dogs. I'm impressed that they stood still long enough to get painted.

2. The last picture brings me to my second issue this week. Potty training breakdown. This has not been a good week. This little girl talks and talks about her potty skills. But, she is all talk and no action. I'm not sure if it's just not quite time yet or if I'm not consistent enough since we've been so very busy lately. Next week is literally my last week to get it done before I go back full force to school so its now or never.

3. Money mistake. I made a big oops. Part of the money makeover that Rodney and I are committed to is to operate on a cash only basis. I am supposed to get a certain amount of money out at two times during the month. But, I have been trying to save money and not getting all that I need. I think that I'll go back later and then I don't, I just use the debit card. I ended up buying a bunch of stuff from Bath and Body Works that I probably didn't need and then I also spent 53.00 at Hobby Lobby on some cutesie stuff for our living room (remember, my grandmother was coming.) I also had my piano tuned, ordered some sheet music, and bought some exercise clothes at Academy. Anyway, I got home and figured out exactly how much I had spent (debit cards are dangerous) and felt terribly. I called Rodney right away to confess my mistake and he still loves me. So, that's good. I learned my lesson and have committed to getting the right amount out at the right times so that I won't fall into that trap again. By the way, it feels so great to be on the same page with him as far as money is concerned. I reorganized all of our files so that we can start taking folders out as we pay things off. We have, in three months, paid off two of our smallest debts and paid off the new furniture we bought for Caleb's bedroom. My entire summer school salary went to that... geesh. But, anyway, if any of you are worried about your debt load I would highly recommend Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover. It is working for us, despite my minor setback.

Okay so those are all of the little bumps. We spent some great time at Loy Lake, a small lake about 3 minutes from my house. We took the dogs and my dad's new little canoe. Tucker is definitely a water dog. He was hilarious, his activities required a bath when we got home. I couldn't believe it, but Hannah stayed in that boat for an hour. Rodney said she would just sing, dip her hands in the water, and had a great time. There's no priss in her. That's for sure.

Then Rodney got up at 4:30 this morning and went back to work. We did the last minute running around to get ready for my grandmother and then she was here! I sort of surprised her with this picture! That piano sounds so beautiful when she plays. I miss that so much about being close to her. She noticed that it had been tuned! It was really funny because when the tuner was here I noticed a spot on the interior where she and my granddad had written all the dates of tuning. So, I got out my pencil and wrote Monday's date right underneath his scrawl. It really felt like the passing of a legacy. I cannot express the importance of that piano in my life. What an amazing heirloom and gift.

Well, then we had to go to the concert for Caleb's camp. The pictures turned out really bad because of the bright light coming in through the windows. But, I did get some good pictures of Hannah playing with all the stuff at the museum. She was so funny.

And then we went for a great walk around Waterloo with my dear friend Jessica and her precious baby Quinn. I am always thankful for amazing and trustworthy friends in my life, no matter where we roam.

Next week has the potential to be even crazier, I'm teaching summer band at DHS and trying to prepare for an entirely new curriculum to be implemented at Piner.... bear with me!

I really LOVE Chicago!

2008-07-22T22:07:00.013-05:00

It's taken me a few days to recover from our quick trip to Chicago, but I couldn't go without posting a little about it.

Thursday morning, 4:00 am, I woke up and finished packing so we could leave our house at 5:00. Our flight was at 8:30 out of DFW and we had to figure out the parking thing. Oh, we includes, me, Hannah, my mom, and Taylor. The girls.

We got to the airport, parked in remote parking and rode the shuttle to the terminal. We got situated and Hannah requested breakfast. Here she is watching the airplanes and waiting to board.
We had a one hour layover in Fayetteville, Arkansas where I found the Vera Bradley bag I've had my eye on for several weeks and just had to purchase it! This brings my grand total of Vera Bradley items to 7. Ridiculous I know.

Then we boarded another flight to Chicago... we flew for about 2.5 hours total. We were REALLY ready to get off that plane... I mean really. Hannah slept the second flight, thankfully. We picked up our rental car and my aunt Sandy and uncle Jim and checked in at the hotel~! We only had about 2 hours before we headed to the rehearsal. Hannah did not cooperate and I had to walk her down the aisle. Lovely. I made a mental note to make sure my outfit was walk the aisle appropriate for the real wedding.

Friday morning we woke up to go to the bridal luncheon hosted by Allie's stepsister Kate. It was in a panoramic suite at the hotel and was very fancy! We had a great time. Here's a picture of Allie giving Hannah her flower girl present, a beautiful teddy bear.
And then a picture of me and two of my girl cousins on the Balch side, Emily on the left and Jenny, Allie's sister on the right. It was so great to see them! We grew up so close and then we hardly ever see each other anymore!
We spent Friday afternoon cruising the streets of Downtown Naperville, Ill. Probably the cutest, quaintest town I've ever seen. I could definitely live there. Great shopping, great dining, and beautiful landscaping.

Then we headed to the church for the wedding. I was totally stressed because Hannah did not get a sufficient nap and I knew she'd be a turkey. I was right. She wouldn't put her dress on and ultimately threw her bouquet and bow down about three paces down the aisle. I had to get up and walk with her down the aisle. But, it was cute.
We got to ride on the trolley to the reception at an upscale restaurant, Meson Sabika. It was probably the nicest reception I've ever been to. We even had name cards and all the tables were dog breeds (Allie and David are both in veterinarian school...) We were assigned to the Basset Hound table :)
Hannah was just flat tuckered out so we went back to the hotel and crashed after the wedding. Saturday morning the aunt and uncle of the groom hosted a brunch at their home, so we went to that. It was great too, but I guess I didn't take any pictures. They are on my mom's camera.

Then, we braved the big city driving because we just "had" to get a look at downtown Chicago. Here are a few pics... it was fabulous. I would love to go back sometime...without a two year old... and explore the history and architecture in more depth. Oh, and cuisine too!
Anyway, it was a great trip. I loved being there to see Allie get married and to meet David and his sweet family. We fell in love with the city and plan to go back sometime.

Long Day

2008-07-12T23:12:00.006-05:00

My plan for today was to first, scoop doggy doo in the backyard. I had noticed yesterday that there were more piles than I am comfortable with, so I put it on the agenda. I hoped to do it early, before the heat of the sun radiated through the poo, making for a not so pleasant aromatherapy experience. But, alas, the best laid plans....

Scout acted really crazy last night. She was growling, my Scoutie never growls. So, I always get paranoid that there is somebody lurking around outside my house. I stayed up really really late making sure we were safe. She finally settled down and so I felt more comfortable. Then, at about 3 this morning she started up again, so I let her outside... and she took off over the fence. I let Tucker stay out for a little while because he also seemed restless. He started barking at about 7 so I let him back in.

So, my kids woke up about 10... yes 1o! I couldn't believe it. I looked at the clock and was totally surprised. Usually we are all up by 8:30 at the latest. I went into Hannah's room to get her out of her bed and saw a graham cracker mess all over the place. Apparently, Tucker had found a box of graham crackers that I left on the shelf in the kitchen and he had a midnight snack. I decided to vacuum first. Dogs and vacuums are a funny combination. Kids and vacuums, also an interesting combination. Hannah insisted that she sit in her garden (a little tikes play house thing) while I did the chore. She somehow felt protected in there... not like she has any reason whatsoever to be scared!

Once I had the graham cracker mess cleaned I thought well I might as well vacuum the rest of the house. So, I made my way slowly through the other rooms. Lastly, the living room. Guess what! Dog poo, on my rug. I was so disgusted. This is the first accident we have had in a million years. I immediately blamed Scout because of her weird behavior last night. But, she was safe at Jim's house so she was spared my wrath. I started to clean the mess and then I realized... this is diarrhea and I did not feel comfortable letting my kids walk around on this rug. So, I rolled it up and hauled the heavy thing to the garage. We'll have to get a new one later. But, I was on a roll. So, I swept and mopped the hardwood floors in the living room and then applied the finisher that makes them all shiny. It took me 2 hours, and I was wrangling the kids the whole time... but they look really lovely!

By the time I finished that it was time for lunch... mac and cheese was an easy fix.

So, after lunch we went outside to scoop the poo and let the floors dry. Aromatherapy deluxe. It steamy hot today in Grayson County. In the meantime Hannah jumped in her dirty swimming pool and had to have her first emergency bath of the day.

I only say first emergency bath of the day because at about 4 she started complaining that she didn't feel 'goob'. She told me that her head hurt. So, I pulled out my ready stash of children's Tylenol and dosed her up. Hoping that she would feel better. Well, she started to run a fever. So, we took our second emergency bath of the day to try to get the fever down. I tried to push liquids but she just would not drink anything. I started supper at about 5:30, chickeny noodly soup. A favorite for ailing children. But, she wouldn't eat! While I was dishing out soup, she threw up chocolate milk all over my kitchen. You guessed it! Third emergency bath of the day. So, I cleaned my kitchen floors.

I was feeling really worried by this point because not only had she not kept any fluids down, she had also thrown up the tylenol. So, we dosed her up again and I tried to push fluids. To no avail. She has since thrown up four times and will not take any fluids. But, it got me thinking. It really did. Being a mom means so much to me, but some of the most powerful moments you will have with your kids is when they are sick. At that time, they are completely vulnerable and afraid. And your actions mean so much to them. You can use that precious time to cuddle them and help them to feel better. What a gift! So, my kitchen is still a mess from supper and it will be until tomorrow... gross, yes... but I am beat! I have so enjoyed these last few hours just being with her and catering to her needs. I held her hands as she threw up over the toilet. I know that's not a pretty image, but also, I consider that a gift. To be there for this precious child when she's hurting and scared. To provide her the comfort that she needs and to help her to not be so scared. To a two year old, throwing up has got to be terrifying. She was just in tremors. It was really pitiful. But, it just made me so very grateful for those moments in our lives when we are able to care for another human being, especially our own children. I believe that this is what binds us together as families and friends. Anyway, my sweet little baby girl is sleeping now. We've got a towel handy in case we have to go through this again, but we're hoping that the worst is over!

Potty Training...

2008-07-11T11:06:00.003-05:00

So as we approach Hannah's third birthday I am feeling more and more pressure to get her potty trained. It's silly, really, because we know that all children grow and develop differently, and if she's not ready, she's not ready. But, I am terrified of going back to school and not having utilized our time together in the summer. Plus, we are getting ready for a trip to Chicago for a wedding, and I'd really like to not have to pack diapers!

I promised myself that I would get it done this week. But, she is so disinterested. So, yesterday we went to the dollar store and bought a plethora of little goodies that can be used as rewards. You may think I am bribing her, and maybe I am... but this is the same tactic Pavlov used on those dogs of his! If she'll associate going on the potty with getting a reward, she'll be quicker to make the practice a habit.

So it works... man is she excited about those toys. But, the problem is... we are just sitting and sitting and sitting! Thirty minutes worth of sitting... she'll say, I'm doing it! And then, nothing. So it's just day two of this mission and she's not quite gotten it yet. She's much too busy to worry about using the potty. I would say the motivation is there though...

With Caleb, he was three. I finally got him trained two weeks after his third birthday. He was on a formal point system. We kept up with his points on a whiteboard on the fridge. How he was able to comprehend that, I'm still unsure. But, anyway when he got to like 100 points (2 weeks) we went and bought him something really cool. I think it was a blow up toy for the swimming pool. It was lots of fun. I don't remember being so stressed!

I've always heard that little girls are easier to potty train than boys, but this little girl is very stubborn! Yesterday I cleaned poop up off my brand new carpet, and not from the dogs! I have been scraping poop out of panties and off of her legs. It's just so unglamourous. She doesn't like it anymore than I do... but like I said, stubborn!

So anyway, I'm just a little frustrated and ready to see this thing through. Any ideas? Advice?

The soundtrack of my life.... so far.

2008-07-10T12:30:00.006-05:00

So, it's no secret that a very large portion of my life has revolved around music. My grandmother used to sit with me at the piano and mash on my little fingers. We'd sing things like "Peter Peter pumpkin eater", and we'd work on scales and arpeggios. I used to HATE it.

Then, when I entered the sixth grade I started taking flute lessons, so my time with my grandmother at the piano changed slightly. She'd play, skinny fingers on the piano keys, and I'd play, skinny fingers on the flute. Our favorite thing to do was read hymns out of the hymnal. She'd played in church all her life and could make beautiful music out of 8 note chords. I was always very impressed. The greatest thing though, was my granddad would sing in the background. When I'd mess up, he'd just stop, wait, and then start up again when I regained my footing. I LOVED this. We were like a little trio.

Every Sunday morning while we were getting ready for church, my dad would put in some random CD, be it the oldies or whatever! He sang to me as an infant, and all through my life.

So, quite obviously, I had no choice but to love music. I started to think about this alot recently as I find myself singing to Hannah. She loves little songs and she'll sing with me. She also loves to listen to the radio, and knows the words to Bleeding Love and Uptown Girl... two of my faves!

The same piano that my grandmother used to mash my fingers on now sits in my living room. I could never be more proud or sentimentally attached to a piece of furniture. Caleb has developed an interest in music, especially rock (thanks to the Jonas brothers), and is asking for help with the piano. I have found myself MASHING his fingers!

I guess my point is, that the things that we hold so near and dear, the very core of our being, really do come full circle. Here I am doing the things that my parents and grandparents did for me.

I sincerely believe that music has danced through all of my days, helping me to realize the full meaning of so many things. I am making a list of some of the songs that hold the most meaning to me (there are sooooo many though!)

1. Thriller - my dad says that I used to just LOVE to watch the video on MTV when I was just a toddler, can you imagine????

2. Uptown Girl - The first song I learned to sing, although it came out Updown girl... and now Hannah can sing it too

3. I think we're alone now - The best way I can sum up the 80's.

4. Jack and Diane - The only song I listed to in the car the summer I was 16. Brings back great memories!

5. It is well with my soul - a powerful old hymnsong that has brought me through many tragic moments

6. Jesus Loves Me - yes, even me!

7. I can only imagine - I played it a hundred thousand times on my trip to Graham for my granddad's funeral. Every time I hear it I think of him.

8, Amazed - Even though every time Rodney finds a song that he likes he says it is 'our song', this one was the first. We were riding around in my car before we had ever even kissed and he said to me, "oh this is that song I was telling you about, it reminds me of you." Dorky yes, country yes, meaningful and special... most definitely.

So, those are just a few of the special songs that have kept me connected to the power of music throughout my life. I am eager to see where the future takes my songlist...

The element of surprise

2008-07-02T22:19:00.004-05:00

So I mentioned in my last blog about how I had become so very interested in dogs all of a sudden. This lead to a pathological abuse of Craig's list and my desperate search for a new puppy... the perfect puppy, to add to our family. This lasted a few weeks. I emailed several people about potential puppies, but it never worked out. And, Rodney acted like it was a terrible idea. So, it remained almost a dream. Just a project.

I am happy to report though, that I won his heart. Last weekend I started telling him about a goldendoodle puppy I had seen listed. He acted disinterested but I emailed the owner anyway. She sent me pictures and I fell in love. SO, I called him and told him all about the dog. Still, disinterested. A few hours later, the ad on Craig's List disappeared. As did my hopes of this dog being, The One.

Rodney was supposed to be coming home from a trip on the 7:20 flight to Love Field. He called at about 9 and said he was 'on his way', and was I 'waiting up for him'. The answer was no, I'm not waiting up... I'm exhausted. So, I fell asleep. At about midnight, I heard him coming in and so I just woke up a little. He came in, kissed me on the forehead, and then he grabbed my arm and put my hand on... YOU guessed it... THE perfect dog~!! He had found the ad on Craig's list... emailed the lady, talked to her on the phone, and then driven all the way to Highland Village, near Flower mound to get the dog I wanted. How SWEET!!!!! I was so surprised! I mean really really surprised, I didn't think he wanted a dog.... but he did it for me. He is in love with this dog too though, so it worked out. Here are a few pictures so you can see for yourselves how wonderfully perfect this dog is for us.

We are keeping Scout for the moment, she has been doing much better, and seems to be pretty happy with her new brother. Sibling rivalry symptoms are mild.

Meet Tucker, the goldendoodle pup.

I really should do this more often....

2008-06-28T12:49:00.002-05:00

Well so here I am just a short four days of summer school left before I can REALLY be on summer vacation. People keep asking, what are you doing for summer? Any big plans? And the sad truth is, not much of anything! We do have plans to go to Chicago because my cousin Allie is getting married, so that will be fun!

I also plan to take my parent's dog, Lynde, to obedience classes. I have become very interested in dogs lately, don't know why. But, Lynde is on the verge of having to go live somewhere else because she's not cooperating with puppy training in the home. So, I have boldly volunteered to take care of it myself. They don't have the time or energy to get her properly trained and I'd like to give that to them. (They have given so much to us, it may be a small thing, but I want to do something!) My dog, Scout, is listed on Craig's List. Can't believe it, because I love her SOOOOOOO much. But, we just got new carpet and she runs away all the time. I'm so conflicted though. As soon as I think about getting rid of her, my heart aches. Then, I start looking at other dogs, and I think maybe if we had 2 dogs she would be happier. If she had a friend.... I don't know.

I hope Rodney can get a good trip in July so maybe we can go together. That's a great way to get a free vacation, but flying these days is kinda scary. They keep canceling flights and so most flights that go are completely full. Pilot's families fly stand-by... what a slap in the face. So, most of the time I end up waiting all day to get on the last flight of the day... kinda takes the fun out of going.

Other than that, I plan on trying to do better about keeping my house clean. It's so hard during the year, but Rodney is a clean man and I know that to honor the amazing husband that he is, I need to do my part to show him that respect.

We recently read the book "Total Money Makeover" by Dave Ramsey. IT has changed our finances completely. We are committed to getting totally debt free in the next 3 years or so. It will take hard work, sacrifice, and diligence, but we can do it! It is so nice to have a conversation about money and be excited! We are working together and we love talking about our plans. I am cutting coupons (I have NEVER done that), and operating on a cash only budget for groceries and miscellaneous. I love it so much. In 1 month we have already paid off 2 of our smallest debts. Awesome!

I hope to take my kids to the park and the lake more, I would like to go visit my friends in Lubbock (2 new babies out there!), and just spend time with my precious family.... so I guess that's what's in store for the rest of my summer! What are your plans?

Career Day

2008-05-23T19:45:00.002-05:00

So, I am very excited. Career Day at Piner went off without a hitch!

What is career day, you ask? Well, I'll tell you. It was an idea I had. My project. I feel very strongly that this generation of students does not understand the requisite EFFORT and motivation involved in the careers to which they aspire. So, why not let them learn more at the junior high level so that maybe, just maybe, a spark will ignite. That was my initial idea anyway. Then, the idea grew... and it grew... I remembered how important it was for the community to become invested in the education of the children, how wonderful it was to know as a student that the entire community was behind me. And, with my principal's enthusiastic approval, I was off. I started in early March contacting business people, civic leaders, friends, colleagues, etc. We got a pretty great list together. Our presenters included; Sherman mayor, lawyers, doctors, electrician, website designer, publisher of a magazine, photographer, meteorologist, architect, child care center director, veterinarian (and a BEAUTIFUL golden retriever named Sunny), Texas Park Rangers, Police Department, Fire Department, one of my favorite professors from Austin College, and many many other wonderful people. There were a total of 30 presenters and a total of 430 8th graders involved.

These are the things I am thankful for.
1. A team of teachers who will stay at the school till 5 o'clock if need be to help me get the last minute details arranged. We were working schedules, hanging signs, cleaning our classrooms, and finding people to fill in where we had cancellations.
2. Professionals who gave freely of their time and enjoyed being with us as much as we enjoyed having them!
3. The ability to walk into my principal's office with a crazy idea and get her instant approval and support.
4. Some really amazing parent volunteers who thought about bringing water to our guests! Geesh! I don't know what I would have done without them!
5. Flexible teachers at Piner who let me kick them out of their classrooms so that our guests would not have to rotate.
6. And MOST importantly, I am thankful for the smiles and the appreciation that my students had. The gratitude that they expressed to me, sincerely, after the day was over. It was completely, utterly, worth the effort.

Romance

2008-01-07T21:49:00.001-06:00

Romance is when you get your anniversary present on the actual day of your anniversary despite the fact that the two of you are hundreds of miles apart. I was actually beginning to think he'd forgotten to get me something, I didn't actually mind because we didn't have much time to plan anything. So, I was okay with that. But, my mom got in the car Saturday morning to go to Dallas with me and she snuck a box to Hannah. The sweetest man in the world had left a beautiful diamond necklace in her care so that I would get it on 'the' day. Imagine my surprise! He is truly my prince. I am eternally grateful for the man he has been, the man he is, and the man he will one day be. What a blessing to know he loves me the way he does.

On six years...

2008-01-05T12:06:00.001-06:00

Six years ago today, January 5th, I married this man. So here's a list of what the past six years have brought:

4 Zip Codes
4 Houses
5 Cars
7 Jobs
4 College Degrees
2 Dogs (RIP Raider)
1 Cat
Lots of Goldfish
1 Hamster
1 Guinea Pig
2 Amazingly Beautiful Children
Millions of laughs
Lots of fights
Even more opportunities to make it right ;)

After six years, I feel that we have come so very very far! Rodney is the wind in my sails, the joy in my song, and all those cliche things... truly, madly, deeply! I can't not wait to see what this, the seventh year brings. I have comfort in knowing that, whatever it is, it will be a pleasure to experience it with this wonderful mate by my side.

I love you, Rodney! Here's to a lifetime of experiences, hand in hand, side by side.

2007-07-08T23:15:00.000-05:00

So, I have officially claimed another corner in cyberspace. I am a facebooker, a myspacer, an ebayer, and now a blogspotter. I was telling my dad just yesterday that I remember being in computer class in middle school and watching a video about the 'Information Superhighway'. I think that when we all finished the video we were just confused! The hosts were two teenagers in a crazy looking car that was obviously green-screened onto a fast moving highway. They talked about all the wonderous things that would be available to us via the internet. I could not fathom it. And, now, well over 10 years later... I am posting my very own brain drippings to a place for you all to ready, enjoy, etc. What an amazing concept. Why, why, am I doing this you ask? Well, probably because I am expecting my pilot husband home in about 45 minutes and if I don't do SOMETHING I will fall asleep. I thought this would be an excellent way to spew my thoughts and only the people who really cared wouldread them. So, let me tell you about my weekend. You will be oh so excited. No, actually, let me tell you about my week. Last weekend Rodney and I ventured out to Lubbock to help his mother and his grandmother move into new houses. His mom and stepdad just built a beautiful new house but the move in is slow-going due to his stepdad's chemotherapy and recovery from surgery. So, we decided we could help by going out there and doing our part there and then bringing home three of their small children. You see, his parents are foster parents and have adopted three little girls. Lexi is 11 and Zaey and Zoey are both 4. I thought that the best and most helpful thing would be to get them out of their hair for a little while so they could get some stuff done in the house. I must be a really nice daughter-in-law. The girls were pretty good. Aside from the typical little spat here and there, and an attitude problem from Zaey, we had success. We took them halfway to Lubbock on Thursday. Rodney left at 4 in the morning to go to work on Friday, and then the kids and I, along with my parents, Taylor, Hunter, and Scout went to the farm in Graham for the fourth. There we met up with lots of extended Balch family at tmy uncle Jim's lake house and had really great time. We swam in some very merky lake water, ate lots of very yummy food, and enjoyed the fun and fellowship of family. And, of course, everybody thought my kids were the life of the party! So, it has been very busy around here, not to mention the bathroom model in progress... But, I am loving my summer vacation. All the while wondering how next year will go and thinking of ways I will do things differently or better. I must be a dork. Well, enough for now. My musings are turning into ramblings, so I will spare you the rest... for now.