175 Days to Go

Okay, so this week that just passed us will go down in our history as one of the toughest we have gone through. So thank goodness it's over. Where to begin: I started at my new school (with students) on Monday. That hasn't been so bad. There have been different policies/procedures to learn but I'll eventually get the hang of all that. I had only one issue this week and that was on Friday. One little gal got herself suspended because of her mouth, so she will be visiting Mr. G next week instead of seeing Mrs. G, as my hubs runs the alternative school. Someone had to be made an example of. Afterall, I am not a dog and no student on earth is going to talk to me like one.

Anyway, I also had my biospy follow-up appt. on Monday afternoon. I am no closer to finding out anything than I was a month ago. The dr. basically gave me two options, either have another biospy or go through surgery to have that part of my thyroid taken out so they can analyze it. And since this is literally my neck on the line I decided that surgery wasn't an option at this point considering the fact that there is some risk involved. He also said that there is something on the right side of my neck measuring at 9mm so we might as well biospy that too. New biospy is scheduled for Nov. I am dreading it but trying not to dwell on it too much, afterall that is over 2 months away.

Then, Monday night our babysitter called and said her last day would be Sept 5th. What!!!???!?!? That came out of left field. So the better part of this week was spent trying to figure out some other arrangement. With very little sleep on the part of T and myself. As always God came through in a big way. When we are the moment it's so hard to see that He is so much bigger than us and our problems. So now Tug and Nor are attending daycare/preschool at a place called Carpenter's Kids. Their first day was Friday and they seemed to love it. Tug didn't want to come home and made a new friend, Lucas. This is a huge blessing for us and I think it will work out better for everyone involved. Thanks to my mom for bailing us out on Thursday. (Although I noticed Tug got ahold of Uncle Adam's clippers). After Nor came home on Tues with no diaper on I was freaking out.

Well, we've gotten to the end of the week and can now take a collective sigh of relief and regroup for next week. Aunt Cici's package came on Thurs. and Tug and Nor got hooked up big time. New pairs of Nike shoes and they were apparently having a huge sale at Old Navy. Way to go Aunt Cici. I'll post some pics later.

UNC Charlotte Here we Come

T is off this morning to orientation for his Ph.D program at UNC-Charlotte. I can't believe the time has finally come for him to start classes. The first class meets on Tuesday night. I am very glad he decided to go with only one class this semester. After the week I just had at West (which wasn't completely awful) I will need some time to adjust to T going back to school.

The countdown is on.....less than 48 hours until we start this school year. I am at least ready for the first day. I think one of the anxieties faced by teachers who teach in 90 minutes blocks is having enough for the students to do. You want to always have them busy. But I think I have it covered for at least Monday.

I got a call from the dr. on Thurs. about this biopsy. He didn't really tell me much. I think he wants me to go through another biopsy but there is no way I am ever doing that again unless they knock me completely out. My neck is still sore and it's been 4 days. We shall see what he has to say on Monday afternoon.

The kids and I are off to Walmart. Now there is a place I hate, but I have to break down and go there at least twice a month. There are just some things you can't get at Target.

Brain Overload

Okay, so this was my first official day on the school campus at WIHS. I don't think my brain can handle one more piece of information. I feel old. And if I were a first year teacher.....well let's just say that I am so grateful to have four years of experience under my belt. I am also grateful that at least I know most of the people since T worked there until last January. So that is a huge blessing otherwise I might have a breakdown right now.

This district is no joke about education. There are PLC's (professional learning communities), CFA's, (common formative assessments), PDSA's (plan, do, study, act). Listen, there is an acronym for EVERYTHING. In fact, I probably need to go and study right now. The yearbook rep is coming tomorrow so that should be fun. Then I am off for the biopsy tomorrow afternoon. If you think about it throw a prayer up for me.

Summer Days are Gone TOO Soon

Or instead of feeding the ducks, Tug
likes to eat the bread. Hilarious!!!

We were met by the welcoming committee

I can't believe as I sit here and type this that summer vacation is over for me. I am extremely lucky to get a summer break at all but this one has flown by. I have to attend an all day workshop tomorrow BUT there is a silver lining in that cloud because there is a women's event tomorrow night at the Cove and shopping before. Ten Thousands Villages is one of the vendors (or so I hear) so I am very excited about that. I have really struggled today with going back to work but I know that is what I am supposed to do, at least right now.

Health update: I saw an ear, nose and throat doctor yesterday who has ordered a biopsy for this Tuesday at 2:00 so please pray that I am calm, cool and collected during this procedure. I am sure there is really nothing to it, and that it really isn't that big a deal. But the thought of someone sticking a needle in my neck is not a very comforting thought. The doctor did make me feel better about this whole thing though with his statistics. There is about a 90% chance it is nothing, an 8-10% it's cancer (which it's not--you know what they say about positive thinking), and then there is a slim chance that the test could be inconclusive and then they would have to go back in and take out part of my thyroid. So we shall see. I hope to have as much of this taken care of before school starts. Although the follow-up appointment is the Monday that we officially start school with students. Not fun!!!

Anyway, I am sure there will be tons of antics to follow as we kick off the school year. I am sure I will have a ton of yearbook stories to tell. And did I mention before that I am teaching five preps????!!! The only thing that stays the same is yearbook. Insane!!!! Pictures from our last day before works starts are above. We went to a local park, fed the ducks, played on the swings, and Daddy brought us lunch. Oh and check out Tug's get-up. He is making a fashion statement. Just not sure what he is trying to say.

Waterpark Fun

We went to Wet n' Wild last Friday for our last hooraw of the summer. We had such a good time!!! We can't wait to go next summer!!!

Monkey Joe's + Mickey D's = Two Tired Kids

Wedensday is half price day at Monkey Joe's. This place is awesome for kids AND that is a great deal. We would have gotten in for under $7 except I forgot to bring socks, so it was really $11. Won't make that mistake again. We spent all day there and had such a good time. We even got to stay a little longer than I intended because it started to rain and who want to run outside in the pouring rain with two kids and try to get them strapped into car seats. My unsolicited parenting advice is this: when you have two or more children, you cannot be in a hurry to do anything. Just take your time and realize that things will get done when you get to them. If you have to go the store, take your time. There is no reason to get all sweaty and agitated. Anyway, I will have pictures to post from our water park adventure soon!!!