1st Day of School

I am back home after teaching my 6th first day of school. This day is fun for me. I love that the students are on their best behavior and that you get to set the tone. I know that some teachers get very nervous about this day and have trouble sleeping the night before. Not me. I don't understand why I don't get nervous, but I'm glad I do not.

My favorite part of the day is going over all of the students' names. I knew all of their names by the time they left class today, so that is good. I won't remember them tomorrow. Once my rosters are left alone, I will give them assigned seats and that will help me out tremendously! Since I teach 80-90% Hispanic kids, I really try hard to pronounce their names with the correct Spanish. For instance, Martin is "Marteen." I found out today that I had been mispronouncing Ruiz my entire life. At least this student said that it is pronounced "Reez." Unfortunately, there are some students that I will never get their last names correct. If I'm having trouble with their first name, they will usually give me a nickname I can call them. I really try hard not to get to that point. I told them today that their names are part of their identity, and I hate discovering in April that I have mispronounced their name for almost the whole year.

I only met my advisory class and 6th and 7th periods today. Tomorrow, I get to meet the rest. I have an awesome young lady that is my aide this year. So far, she has done more than I was expecting, so that is great! She is a hard worker and a people-pleaser...perfect for a teacher's aide!

I thought about all of the parents out there that took their child to school for the first time today. I hope you didn't cry too much! I can't imagine how it will be to take Audrey to her first day of school. How scary! Let me know how you handled your child's first day of school.

Another Belly Shot

So this picture is taken at home by me. I had to use the bathroom mirror to get a somewhat good shot of my growing belly. I am about 22 1/2 weeks. I'm wondering if my belly-button will pop out. I hear that some just stay flat while others become an outie. I'm well aware that this might be TMI, but I have to write enough here so that those who really don't want to see my belly won't be subjected to it! :) If you are courageous enough to comment on whether your belly-button popped out during pregnancy, then by all means let me know!

Random Thoughts

• The name we have chosen for our daughter is Audrey Grace.
• I am hoping that this weekend is a fun and slow one. It is my last free time before school starts.
• I am not dreading this school year like I usually do. I guess 3 months of work isn't as daunting as 9 months.
• What is daunting is the job of "Parent."
• I wish tropical storm Erin would bring more rain and cooler weather.
• I have THE best husband. There is no way I could have done better. I'm one lucky (blessed) gal.
• I just loved holding my new niece, Meredith. I'm glad Audrey will have Macie and Meredith as close girl cousins.
• The only thing I would change about our church is its location. It's a breeze to get to on Sundays, but Wednesday nights are a nightmare.
• Michael says at least every week that Farmers Branch is the eye in the storm of traffic. FB is as peaceful as can be, but venture out in any direction and you'll be in very slow traffic.
• I try not to think about traffic when I imagine going into labor.
• Audrey will be born in the same hospital Michael was born in. Yes, Michael is a Texan originally...I'm not delivering in Colorado!

BIG NEWS!!!

We were thrilled today to find out we are having a girl! Even more thrilling is that the baby is as healthy as can be! What a relief that is! She is growing just right and has all of her small little organs. The technician gave her an A+ for cooperating today. Below is a picture of her leg. Isn't that something? She looks like she belongs to a Perkins with a long leg like that!

I also discovered that I have gained 15 pounds in the last month!! When you count in what I lost while being sick, I'm right on schedule. I guess I'll have to skip on a few of my daily Blue Bell Cookies n' Cream dessert!

I got to spend the afternoon with my mom to celebrate her birthday - which is Friday. I think she's pretty happy with the gift of another granddaughter.

For those of you concerned about the baby pool - the gender isn't worth any points to keep it fair as the game continues. If you just can't stand that you're guess is wrong, it can be changed. If you registered when you guessed, you can do it yourself. If not, you can leave a comment or email me and I will change it for you. Also, there has been no change in the due date.

Thank you for all your prayers so far. This all has been such a blessing!

Welcome to the World, Meredith Mae!

Michael's sister, Melissa, had a baby girl early this morning. So now the family is Mike, Melissa, Matthew and Meredith. Enough M's for ya? I'm going to stumble over my tongue when I visit them...which will be soon! The picture is from a text message on my cell phone. Thanks to the kids in the youth group, I was able to transfer the picture to my computer. Kids are so smart! Mom and baby are doing very well. Meredith is 7 lbs, 13 oz and is 21 inches long. Don't you just love babies!?!?

Light bulbs...ARGGH!!

I don't like light bulbs. Well, obviously, I like light bulbs that work and give you light on demand. Lately, that convenience just hasn't happened for us. Last Sunday, Michael installed a new ceiling fan in our den. We checked the box to make sure we knew which bulbs to buy for this, our new fan. (BTW, a part of our old fan broke off and scuffed the floors Michael just put in! I literally cried when this happened. He put in so much work on those floors and then this happens! Awful. But all is not lost. Michael was able to disguise the scuff pretty well.) Back to the bulbs. The bulbs we bought did not fit! So, Michael made a trip back to Home Depot and bought another kind. One did not work. Michael returns to HD and buys two cases this time. He comes back and another bulb does not work! Luckily, he bought extra and did not have to make what would have been his 5th trip to HD that day.

Then there is this thing with our hallway light. At night, if there is no light to turn on in our hallway, it is like walking a mile in a dark, narrow cave to get to our bedroom. (I sometimes exaggerate like my oldest brother.) When we noticed our hallway light was out, we immediately replaced the bulb. No problems for one week. Then, *poof*, the light goes out again! We replace the bulb once again and we have light. THE NEXT MORNING, the light does not work. Later, that same night, the light works! Then, moments later, goes out.

My immediate thought is that we have something chewing on our wires in our attic. I didn't want to think about it, so we've lived w/o light for a few weeks in the hallway. The funny thing was that we would occasionally get light for about a tenth of a second when we flipped the switch. Michael replaced the bulb tonight and everything works again!

I'm beginning to wonder if I need to write I letter to light bulb companies and explain that the consumer expects the bulb to work and last as long as they advertise.

****This post was written for Blake who wanted a more manly post.

Hannah, Mother of Samuel

Hannah may be one of my new favorite women in the Bible. Her faith is incredible! I'm impressed by Hannah's actions before and after her pregnancy, so this post will be a little different then the previous ones.

First of all, Hannah is married to Elkanah. Despite having two wives (I can't imagine living this way today!), Elkanah is a faithful follower of God. (Praise God for all of the great husbands out there!) He makes yearly trips to Shiloh to make sacrifices to God. He gives meat to his wife, Peninnah, and her children, and double to Hannah. You see, Hannah can't have children.

Peninnah treats Hannah horribly. For years, Peninnah makes fun of Hannah for being barren. It goes to such extremes that Hannah cries and stops eating. Can you imagine dealing with this woman? Elkanah tries to console her. Although he is sweet to her, he just can't help her right now. She turns to God for help. She prays and prays hard for a son. So hard in fact, that Elkanah thinks she's drunk! In her prayer, she says she will give her son over to God for life. After she prays, she eats something and is happy and confident.

Hannah becomes pregnant! She has a son she named Samuel. I don't know how long women nursed their children during this time, but as soon as she stopped nursing Samuel, she turned him over to live with Eli, the high priest.

Now wouldn't you want to flaunt this baby in front of Peninnah? Wouldn't you want to just thank God and go about your life, raising the son you so desperately wanted? Hannah is so selfless and thankful that she keeps her promise and leaves Samuel with Eli. She wants to see him grow up in the Lord. What an amazing faith!