Thankful for Summer...

I woke up 45 minutes early this morning.  I guess I'm excited/anxious about starting back to school today.  It has been an amazing summer!  As I was doing my mom jobs last night..laundry, making dinner...I was thinking about how grateful I am to have a job that allows me to have the summers off.  It allows me time to recharge, focus on my family and projects that I want to do at home.  I can sleep in, get everything done without rushing, and work on things that I don't have time for during the year.

I am so thankful to have the time off with my children to get to know them more intimately and to be able to help them develop into the people God has created them to be.

This summer I have traveled to Europe, been to a family reunion in Arkansas, cheered on my son in the World Series in Dallas, visited family in Florida, partied at Ray C.'s class reunion, read six books, learned to geocache with my children and their friends, exercised, concentrated more on healthy eating habits, laughed with my children, prepare my son for middle school, caught up with old friends, discovered how much I love my children, strengthened my relationship with my high-school-sweetheart husband, built a bookshelf/desk in my bonus room, partied with friends and family at my surprise birthday party, and I have been reminded of how truly blessed I am to have my family living so close.  I'm sure I have forgotten things, but suffice it to say that it has been a great few months.

Today, I go back to school.  Sadly, it is not the school I have been at the last two years, and it is not the team I have come to adore at Smith.  However, I am ready and excited.  Today I become an Anthony Raven.  I am "opening the school" with the rest of the staff.  I have the opportunity to work in a brand new state-of-the-art school.  (It isn't actually ready yet, but we should be ready enough for students next week.) I am looking forward to setting up my room, planning with my new team, and getting ready to welcome my precious little 6th graders on Monday!

Am I sad summer is over?  Not really.  It's been fun, but I am ready for the school routine.  I love what I do as a teacher.  I love that I am making a difference in the world 160+ students at a time!  I love that I get up early, work, and then can be home when my children return from school.  I am still a mother first and foremost.  It is the most important job God has given me.  We are molding three little people to go out and change the world.  I can only do so much as one person, but when these three kids grow up to love God and His people, they are going to go out and do so much more that Ray C. or I can do alone!

This summer I have had the opportunity to really see into their hearts, and they amaze me.  They are all caring and generous. They all love the Lord.  I have absolutely loved spending time with them and my husband this summer, but today, I am charged and ready to go out and do what God has called me to do in the world.  Teach!

My Mom...

I received this from Mary Frances recently:

Translation:

My mom is the best mommy one can possibly have.  She gives me kisses, milkshakes.  She gives me a good school to go to.  She is always teaching us how to be a good person.  My mom provides everything I need.  Like clothes, food, love, and home, and my friends.  My mom lets me have friends for play dates and sleepovers and birthday parties.  My mom is the best mom in the world.  If she was not my mom I would not be happy at all.  I love her.  She is my favorite mom!

Ahh....these are the little things that keep my going!  I love knowing that she really gets what love is! I love my babies!

Day 2...

So, Monday started at 6:45 because our kids NEVER sleep in! You'd think that the time change would help, but it works against us every season!

Ray C. had planned for us to leave by 10, but we were gone earlier. Actually, we were about to leave at 9:30 when we realized that Sugar (our sweet dog) was eating rat poison! I had seen her eating it earlier, but thought she had gotten some soap. It was waxy and green. It actually looked a lot like a Greenie dog treat.

Anyhow, we called our vet, and they said we needed to get her in to a vet right away. So, we began our trip by dropping her off at the vet for a fun day of vomiting, eating charcoal, and ingesting Vitamin K to counteract the blood-thinner that makes up rat poison! She stayed with the vet while we moved on to Natural Bridge Cavern.

It was so beautiful. It was discovered by a group of 4 college students from St. Mary's College in 1960. I can't imagine what it must have looked like to them when they first discovered it! The rooms in the cavern are huge. One of them was the size of a football field – filled with stalagmites and stalagtites. I could never remember which was which, but they said the thing to remember is that stalagtites hold tight to the ceiling and if stalagmites keep growing, one day they might touch the ceiling! I like that

Thomas journaled all day – drawing pictures of each sight. I gave him a journal before we left so that he could keep a daily record of what we do for Spring Break. He has really enjoyed it.

When we emerged from the surprisingly humid cave, we walked into the cafe for lunch and saw some of our neighbors. So, we enjoyed some lunch with them before heading off to pan for jewels! The kids found some really great stones and arrowheads.

After that, we decided to journey through the Wildlife Safari. I have to say it was my idea, and it was disappointing. I was so excited about going, but it just didn't do much for us. However, we did get REALLY close to the zebras – close enough to see all the green junk he was “saving” between each of his teeth! Chase even got to pet him!

Before returning home, we picked up Sugar, paid our HUGE bill, and received instructions on how to care for her the rest of our vacation until she can be seen by her vet. We have to wait for blood work results to come back to see how much she actually ingested!

We had a wonderful dinner outside enjoying God's creation. Then, it was off to the showers to pull out cactus spurs and clean up for bed!

Tomorrow, we're going to the library for a special St. Patrick's Day event!