Perks of Being a Teacher

So I'm starting to experience the much dreaded report cards and parent-teacher conferences that all my friends have complained about and dread doing twice a year. Report cards are due next Wednesday for us and I have yet to start, so from what it sounds like I'll be doing those all weekend. Oh well, as crazy as it sounds I'm looking forward to this first experience, although it might be the only time I look forward to doing report cards. We'll see how it goes.

Now I'm wondering why I decided to hold parent-teacher conferences. Since the State of Indiana took away teacher professional development days a year ago, West Lafayette decided that they would leave it up to the teacher to do conferences-which is really nice and extremely different than what my friends in TSC have to go through. Still being the goody-good person that hates to let people down (my kids' parents), I decided to have conferences. We have one day for Fall Break next Friday, so I decided I wanted to get them done before then. So I gave the parents a scheduled time and I'm only meeting with parents for 20 minutes each until 5:30 on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. I told them if they can't make their time it has to be rescheduled for one of those 3 days. I want to be done with them after Wednesday night. Luckily, most of the times have worked out and a few said they don't really feel the need to meet. =) I've gotten some really nice emails from some of my parents thanking me for holding conferences-they said they know it's all out of my own personal time and they really appreciate my graciousness. Haha-guess I'm getting brownie points. Still, I can't help but think that I would expect the same thing from my child's teacher someday. I mean everything aside, we are still teachers and we need to be looking in the best interest of the kids. I'll let you know how they go.

2 weeks ago, Kyle sold his truck and got a newer, updated style that he is IN LOVE with. He sold his 99 Ford outright and we actually made some money on it which was nice. We went looking because it sold so quickly and he found a 07 Chevy Silverado that's a brownish color and has leather interior, 4 door, a sunroof (totally unnecessary, but he wanted it if he could find it), and his favorite feature-the input to plug his iPhone into the stereo so it plays directly into the car (like my car does). It was a little bit more than I wanted to spend, but he really wasn't finding anything remotely close to what he liked, and well he had to have a truck because I for sure was not going to drive his toosh to work at 5:30 in the morning. So he now has a new baby and washes it and cleans it out almost every other day. After we broke down and bought it I asked him what he thought and if he was excited. He said he's never been so excited because he never thought he'd have a truck this nice that was exactly what he wanted. Definitely brought a smile to my heart. He doesn't hold high enough hopes, and goals, and dreams for himself sometimes, so I was so happy to be able to help him get his dream. And of course the dogs are loving have their own full window to roll down when they go for a ride with us. All in all, that's the only thing that matters with us-if our dogs are happy.

Last weekend we went to Bluefin with some of my besties from Hershey and their husbands. It was so nice to see everyone and catch up. I realized how much I miss those girls. My job now would be perfect if they all came to Cumberland, but I doubt that will happen.

I am definitely ready for next weekend to be here because we don't have school on Friday for our Fall Break which has seemed extremely far out. I'm going to try and get all my stuff done on Friday here at the house and for work because Saturday we are going to venture up to Chicago to see my ultimate bestest, Jackie and her...wait for it...husband, Alex. I'm so excited to go up there and see their place post wedding gifts and for Kyle to go to the big city. He hasn't been up there with me to Jackie's ever. I know he's a little nervous about going into a big city-he's not at all a fan of the traffic and all the people-but he is excited to get away for awhile and see their new place. Also wanted to give a big shout out and congratulations to Alex for passing his BAR exam!! He's now in the process of looking for jobs and I know he'll land a great one! We're so proud of you!!

I guess that's it for now. As much as I hate this colder weather, I am super excited and can't wait for Thanksgiving and the day after! This is my favorite time of year. I love the holiday season and just the overall mood that it sets. It doesn't hurt that there will be an insane amount of amazing food! I LOVE shopping the day after Thanksgiving to get good deals and just watch the people-it's always so interesting. Not yet sure what mom and I will do this year. Whatever it is I know it'll be a good time.

The Best Thing I've Heard in Awhile...

The bachelorette all geared up and ready to go out!

My best friend....EVER! LOVE YOU!

An upside down bus for Transformers 3.

Car hanging off the Michigan Ave bridge..

Cars for T3. We're thinking the ones that were covered are the ones that transform?

Uncle Kyle with his new buddy!

Sweet Landon Wesley

Well I have finally been blessed with some good news!! As of about an hour ago, I will be doing a 2nd grade maternity leave until mid October at where else?? Hershey! It's actually for one of my good friends, Sally, so I'm super excited and will be right across the hall from another good friend-Abby. I'm SO excited and relieved to know that I at least have something for awhile, no matter how short it may be. I met with Hershey's new principal this morning and she is extremely nice! I am definitely in such a better mood already!

We actually had some great news a few weeks ago as Kyle and I became and aunt and uncle not only once, but 3 more times. His brother Brandon and wife Tonia, had their first child Landon Wesley on Friday, July 9. Everything went really well and mom and baby are home doing well. He is SO adorable and we are glad to have a new nephew to spoil. A couple days later, my half-sister Hilary, had her twin girls, Ashlyn and Mia. Everything went really well with the girls, although Hilary had a brief scare. They are all home and doing well now. They are two amazing little girls that are so very tiny, even in comparison to Landon. Babies everywhere!

Two weeks ago I ventured up to Chicago with Roxanne and Kelsi for Jackie's bachelorette party. We had a blast! We just hung out and walked around downtown Chicago during the day and did some minor shopping. We even got to see the set and some of the filming for Transformers 3 on Michigan Avenue. Pretty crazy! You definitely forget how big of a city Chicago is until you see something like that. Very different from the simplistic life in L-town. In the evening, we got our baseball attire on and headed out to FlatTop for dinner and then the bars. The last bar we hit was a lot of fun with 80s themed music in the basement and more modern music upstairs. Definitely can't wait to go back sometime with Kyle and the soon to be Dimitts. The bachelorette party was a success! I don't think I've ever been around Jackie when she's been that drunk. She was a riot and I think overall had a great time. I love that girl!

And finally here we are-4 days away from her wedding! I can't believe it is already here, but I am so excited for her and can't wait to celebrate her big day with her. She's going to make a beautiful bride! She's back in Lafayette so I told her I would help out with any last minute details that need tended to. We'll see what I signed up for. Haha!

Finally, as their wedding week is finally here that also means the BAR exam is finally here for Alex. His testing started today and will wrap up tomorrow. I know he has done nothing but study since he graduated from law school earlier this year, so I want to give a special shout out to him and wish him the best of luck! We all know he'll pass, but I admire his ability to study as much as he has been! I would've checked out a long time ago! GOOD LUCK ALEX! Now get ready to party this weekend!

I LOVE wedding season!

My New Baby....

It's been awhile since I've wrote. A lot has happened since my last post. Kyle's great grandma Bol was released from the nursing home after being in there since December. Not much than a week later she was admitted to the hospital. We were called up by Kyle's dad, John, a few days later to say our goodbyes. She was ready to go and didn't want to live her life being taken care of and not being able to do anything. She lasted in the hospital a week and died on Valentine's Day. As hard as it is to say goodbye, we were given the luxury of being able to tell her what we wanted to and have as much time as possible to prepare for what seemed like the unevitable. She was very much at peace with what was happening and went peacefully. We had her showing last night and her funeral this morning. It was very emotional. I hate funerals. Regardless of how well I know the person I am always in tears....I was reminded how hard it is when you truly know and love the person dearly. Her birthday was this past Tuesday-she would have been 93.

Turning this into a positive note, Grandma Bol shares a birthday with one of boys, Zeke. He turned a year old on Tuesday. I can't believe how fast time goes and how big he is getting. He changes more and more everyday. He is becoming quite the cuttlebug with Kyle and I. He will now come lay his head on our lap and is giving more than just one kiss. He's such a sweetheart and brings such joy to my life. I don't know what I'd do without him.

Kyle and I took the boys to Armstrong Park for a walk today. We left them off their leashes and just let them run around. They loved it! Zeke just loves going and sniffing around and Tucker loves playing in the snow. We never thought we'd be able to leave Zeke off a leash and walk with us like we can with Tucker, but he is proving us wrong everyday.

I finally convinced Kyle to let me get an SUV in preparation for starting a family. Saturday we traded in his Honda for a 2009 Buick Enclave. I did not know much about these cars before test driving it on Saturday, but they are amazing! I am in love with it and could not be happier. I was finally able to purchase my own first car. It has plenty of room to put the boys in the back and room for two car seats in the future.....if we need them. We won't be needing them anytime soon though-I'm not pregnant...yet! =)

Brandon and Tonia found out last week that they are having a boy! I am so happy for them. The pressure is definitely on now when the time comes for Kyle and I to have a child to have a boy. Brandon & Tonia, Jessica & Phil are having boys. Kyle wants a boy so bad that he's completely convinced we'll have nothing but girls. I'm sure he'll be happy with whatever as long as it's healthy, but he definitely is hoping for a boy to hang out with his brother's son. Tonia is finally starting to show...finally after 5 months! Jessica on the other hand is due in a week. She's definitely 9 months pregnant and is ready for baby Phillip to be here. At least for now.

Jackie came back a few weeks ago and I was able to hang out with her and her mom. My mom and I went with them to see the movie Dear John. SOOOO good! It was nice to see them. I went over to her parents house afterwards and helped her with her Save the Dates. Her wedding is coming up so quickly. It's so nice to sit in the back seat on this one and provide help and guidance whenever she needs it and not have to stress about everything. I've even started buying a few things for the bachelorette party! I can't wait to start planning and helping out more as the wedding gets closer.

And finally, to try and get my mind off all the stress at work, I went out with some of the girls last Friday for dinner at Red Seven (very good restaurant by the way) and to see Valentine's Day (the movie). I had a blast and it was exactly what I needed as each week at work brings about a new concern and stress about whether or not I'll have a job. I'm just trying to not let it consume my life and worry about it too much. We'll just have to wait and see what the future brings. Hopefully I'll have a job for many reasons, but also because we're all thinking about taking a trip to NYC this summer for a few days. I've never been there and would love to go. Kyle said there's no way he's going there. He hates big cities. We'll see if I can make it to the NYC....

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Well, I find myself in a foul mood because I have to go back to work tomorrow after having 2 weeks off. I know-selfish because I'm already spoiled by getting 2 weeks away but I want more! However, these past two weeks have been a much needed break from work and grad. school. I had a blast spending time with my family and friends!

Christmas was great! We are so blessed to have such great families that can provide us with great gifts. Kyle's Christmas was very golf oriented. He got a whole new set of irons, putter, wedge, driver, bag, and a rottweiler golf head that is so cute! Nonetheless, once it gets nice I'll probably never see him because he'll be golfing so much! Oh well-I'm glad he's found himself another hobby that he enjoys.

I was able to spend a fun day with my bestest Jackie. We went to lunch and went to see Blindside, which is an amazing movie that everyone must see if you haven't yet. It was so good to finally see her again and catch up! I definitely look forward to any time that I get to spend with her once she's back in L-town. Her wedding is coming up at the end of July, so I'm anxious for things to start picking up with her planning and festivities! =)

We went to the Cactus on New Years with Brandon & Tonia, Phil & Jessica, and Kyle's sister Lauren. I had a great time! I had never been to the Cactus when it was really packed so that was fun. I probably had a little too much fun because I was not feeling very good once we got home or the whole next day. I figure that can be my one last hurrah for awhile now.

As much as I'm not looking forward to going back to work, I am also just as ready to go back to get back into the routine of things and get this school year over. I've heard that the corporation might be making staff cuts this year so I'm keeping my fingers crossed I won't be one of them! Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Hope everyone had a great new year! Here's to a successful 2010!