I am in pain! I need to get a root canal on Monday. Isn't saying those words painful enough? I went to the dentist before school started this week to see if they could do whatever they needed to do, but they said that my tooth was too "hyper" to work on so they sent me home with some antibiotics and told me to come back on Monday. After taking pain relievers and these antibiotics that make my stomach hurt- I am still in pain and feel discomfort. Oh well, such is life. Tuesday night, the night of Madison's first soccer practice, I took some pain medicine and went to bed at 6:30. . . .even before the kids did. That was also the night before Madison's "sneak peek" to kindergarten. I felt bad that I wasn't able to stay up with her and get her ready for her big day, but like I said I was in a lot of pain. . . and I was exhausted. Archie did AWESOME with her- he gave her her bath, talked about kindergarten, and put her to bed so sweetly. He did a better job than I could have. I have to remember to not just let Archie be a PART of the big things, but to be the LEADER in those big things- I want too much of the control and I tend to "run the show" with these types of things. Surprising huh? But, since Wed. was my 1st day back to work and Madison didn't want to miss seeing me leave, she was up at 6:30bright and early to see me go so we were able to spend some precious time together then. I am thankful for that.

Madison had her "sneak peek" to kindergarten on Wed. and today she actually had her 1st real day of school. Archie took her to school on both of these days. He even sent me a text with her picture outside of the school while I was at work which totally made my day. I am so glad that Madison's Daddy was able to spend this monumental day with her. . . and take a few pictures while doing so. After I got home from work Madison said "I think that my teacher is going to be my best friend since she is SO sweet." I thought that that was sweet.

Otherwise, I have been in pain this week and have been very exhausted starting back at school. Oh, I have some good news- I DO have my own desk in my office! Yippeeee! I was told that I would have to share desks with my job-share parner- but they were wrong. My assistant principal said that every teacher must have a desk- I was delighted to hear that! So, I will be getting my desk all ready for the new school year tomorrow with pictures and etc. Yipee! I also have a girls' weekend with my mom and sisters tomorrow so that will be fun too! Life is good . . . even though I am in pain.

Here is Madison on her sneak peek day with me in the morning and on her 1st day of school.

Hola!

It's been a while since I wrote sorry- I just can't believe how busy things get. Let me catch you up.

The wedding- The wedding was awesome! Katy, the bride, was a wonderful and beautiful bride and we all had a blast hanging out with her the weekend of her wedding. She had 4 bridesmaids and for our dresses, she asked us to pick out any black dress above the knee from the Black and White Market- a very classy store. I fell in love with a black strapless dress that I can easily wear again. The only "bad" thing that happened on the day of the wedding was that I ripped one of my contacts that morning as I was getting ready so I ended up only wearing one ALL day long. It wasn't all that bad, but I had to really concentrate on the way down the aisle because it was on a slant and I didn't want to trip and be embarrassed. Other than that, we all had a BLAST singing and dancing to Abba and Grease music.

On the way home from the wedding, Archie and I stopped in Normal, Illinois where we went to college and had fun reminiscing. Even though we didn't attend there at the same time, we still knew many of the same people and had fun sharing stories. We both updated our wardrobes and bought a new college t-shirt. We enjoyed a delicious lunch together and a walk around campus. We got back home Sunday evening and picked up the kids. Everyone seemed to enjoy their weekend and it was fun hearing all about what Grammy, Aunt Lori, and Aunt Julie did with the kids.

classes- Since we got home from our vacation, I have taken 2 technology classes to further my education. They have not been bad or hard at all, but they do take time away from the kids- especially before school starts again- oh well, my last class is Friday.

Madison's 5th bday-horse cake-- Tomorrow, August 14th, Madison, my baby girl, will turn 5! It's crazy to believe, but it's true. 5 years ago at this very minute, I was in heavy labor with our very first child. How time flies by! I made her a horse cake since she LOVES, no, is obsessed, with horses! My first attempt at it this morning failed because I did not let the cake cool long enough, and my man handling of it caused it to break. Ooops! But, my 2nd attempt was successful. Archie cut the cake the way the directions said to and I decorated it. It was a joint effort. . . .I hope that she likes it! Not too bad for our 1st time.

meeting my new teammates- Tomorrow I will be meeting the people that I will be working with for this next school year. I am excited to see who I will be working with and how our whole team collaborates and works together. My jobshare partner and I have not gotten together at all to discuss this next school year- and I am FINE with that. I am definitely learning how to be more flexible and relaxed with SOME things- I think that this next school year will be a really good one and I am excited for all the new changes.

Jenny moving- Sadly, I said goodbye to one of my best friends this past week. I have known Jenny since we were young- elementary school, but we didn't get close until highschool. She has been a rock for me these past few years with having the twins and learning how to go from 1 child to 3 children. We had MANY late nights together chatting and I could ALWAYS count on her to have a "Girl's Night" --out or in. Her last week here, we went to 2 movies with Julie, had some nice prayer time- and even a good cry together. I will definitely miss her. Jenny is doing a good thing so I would be real selfish if I asked her to stay- Jenny quit her job here with a very prestigious company and will be attending a college on the East Coast to get a degree in Children's ministry. From there, she hopes to go over seas and do mission work. I am very excited to see where she goes and who she meets in the future. Here are some pictures of her car fully packed and her hanging out with my kids (in Christian's crib) on one of her last nights here.

That's it for now. Tomorrow is Madison's bday and the family party and then on Friday the kids and I will be visiting my Dad and Marsha for the weekend. We will be going to a fair and celebrating Madison's bday together. Needless to say, I am not sure when I will blog again, but keep looking and I'll post again when I am able to.

Oh- and by the way- Christian is learning how to stand up for himself when Caleb tries to bully him around- sort of. Christian will still cry and scream if Caleb is mean to him, but now he has also learned how to pin him down, sit on top of him, and pull his hair- all at the same time! It's a sight to see, very comical, but I have to reprimand him for doing it. There's NEVER a dull moment around our house!

oh- one more thing- the kids all got haircuts this week. When Madison was sitting in the chair and the lady asked her how she wanted her hair- she said short- to her ears. What?! I thought that we were going in for a trim- I did not let her get it that short, but Archie and I agreed to her getting a "bob." We explained to her when it was cut that it can't be put back on again and that it will take a LONG time to grow back. She really wanted it so we thought that it would be a great lesson on cause and effect- and decision making so we let her get it cut. Her hair is cute, but when Madison was going to bed, she asked if she could "return" it. Isn't that precious?

I like all of you and am glad that you are in my life- just wanted to let you know! Thanks for reading!

We're back- sort of.

Archie and I got back home around 9:00 tonight and within an hour, I had the second load of laundry going AND we were unpacked. I LOVE that feeling of getting things done! Now, to pack for the wedding this weekend. My mom and sister kept the kids on vacation and they will be coming home tomorrow so I am looking forward to sleeping in without the thought of having to get children fed and ready for the day. Yipee! I will miss my children, but it will be nice to have a little quiet in the house tomorrow morning before we leave.

As for our vacation- we had a BLAST! By making sure the boys had naps and that we all had full tummies- we all had a great time with family and friends. We went jet skiing, swimming, and wave jumping ALL in Lake Michigan! We also played games until late at night and just enjoyed life together. It was encouraging to here the missionary and pastor talk throughout the week too. Here are a few pictures of the past week and I'll email pictures of the wedding after I get back. As for our family pictures that we took on the beach- I don't know how they turned out since the boys were not very happy about taking pictures. When I get time next week I'll go through and edit them and hopefully find a few that I like. We'll see. Until then, enjoy these pics.