The end of 2010...

Wow, this year has gone by so fast. I can not believe it will be 2011 in a matter of hours. Where did the time go. We have had a pretty good couple of days around here. I passes my FTCE ESE exam, and then Chuck got recalled to go fly again!!! That is the best news possible!!! He will be flying for ATI!!! I know he is super excited about this and so are we.

I start back to school on Monday night, and the kids go back on Tuesday. I am so not ready to start classes, but this is my LAST semester of book work. In August I will get to intern and then the end of November I will finally be a REAL teacher...I am so excited. It has been a long road, and lots of hard work, but I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel!!!

Sommer just left to go to work, Hunter is in Georgia hunting, Zach is home with Chuck and me...such the boring life we lead!!! No big plans for tonight, just watch some tv and have some quiet family time. Tomorrow I need to get busy and try to clean my house. I have been saying that for months and never seem to get it done. I have just been so lazy this Christmas break!!!

I hope everyone has a safe and Happy New Year!!!

Twas the Day After Christmas...

And all through the house, all the creatures were stirring and moving about!! Christmas is over, and went by in a flash. All the time we spend finding just the perfect presents and wrapping them so merry and bright, all ends up in a heap on the floor in less than 30 minutes!! We had a great Christmas!! Sommer had to work Christmas Eve and did not get home until 8:30 p.m...the boys were going crazy wanting to open presents. We finally opened the presents and them sent everyone to bed to get ready for SANTA!!

On Sunday before Christmas my Uncle Tony passed away unexpectedly. He has been fighting cancer, but we were not expecting him to pass away so soon. His memorial was scheduled for today. My mom and I are going to drive to Texas in January, and go visit my aunt.

On Wednesday of this week I am talking my FTCE ESE exam. Once I get this one done I only have 1 more test to complete beore March. This is my last semester of book work and then in August I will intern, and then FINALLY be done!! Next year at this time I will be a real teacher - I hope I find a job!!

Christmas break has gone by way too fast for me. I have gotten nothing done I had planned to do. Oh well. There is always tomorrow!!

Off to pick things up, and then read!! More later.

Where Has the Time Gone...

Wow, I can not believe it has been almost 2 months since I last updated this blog!!! I was doing so good about doing a weekly update...then homework struck!! That si my excuse and I am sticking to it!!! I have been busy with school and only have 1 more class left this semester...next semester is my last semester of book work and then I get to intern, student teach, in August!!! I have been doing my practicum this semester in 7th grade. I was SCARED at first, but by lunch the first day, it was a breeze and I have really enjoyed the middle school. Since I am a dual major, I will be certified to teach regular ed K-6 and ESE K-12. I am also going to take the Middle School Integrated so I can teach regular ed at the middle school level.

The kids have also been bust. Hunter killed his first deer last weekend in Georgia. It was Zach's birthday weekend, but he was not as lucky. Oh well, there are more hunting weekends to come. Sommer has been busy working and doing school work. She has been drawing like crazy this past weekend. Chuck and the boys went to Pensacola this past weekend and saw the Blue Angels...I stayed home and cleaned out my closet!!!

In October, Zach and I took a one day trip top Panama City to see my brother and his family. I FINALLY got to meet my new little niece Chloe...such a sweetie. I so enjoyed seeing them all...we never get to spend time together since we live so far, 10 hours, away...we need to work on making more family time!! I took the supplies and made goop with Weston and Gracie...I think they had fun with that. Next time we will make Ice Cream in a Bag!!!

So much I need to write about but just can't get my thoughts organized. I will write more later....I promise.

Have a great week!!!

Another Week has Gone By....

Well, another week has gone by. The year is really moving at fast pace, or so it seems!!! Sommer started her first "real" job today at Subway!! She was so nervous before she left this morning, but when she got home, she said that everything went well. She is working with a girl whom she used to be really good friends with, but not so much anympre. They did real well today and maybe this is the start of them getting to be friends once again!! I will keep my fingers crossed and my mouth shut!!!

My classes have started back and they are not so bad...yet!! I made a 49/50 on my first test so that was GREAT!!! I am doing my practicum hours in a 7th grade classroom and that has actually been alot better than I expected. I was very scared about being at the middle school, but I think I actually like it!!

Not much else really going on. Chuck is going to be on TV tomorrow. He is going to be presenting the Wal-Mart check on the Jerry Lewis telethon!! Woo Hoo, go Chuck!!! Sommer does not work again until Tuesday, and I have our first PTA meeting of the year on Thursday!!! It will be a busy week but i only have to go to class one time this week!!!!

Getting ready to take Z over to grandmama's so I gotta run!!! More later.

What to do!! What to do!!

Whatever am I to do? There is SO much that I need to do, but I just can not get motivated to get anything done. I start back to classes tomorrow and I am SO not ready for that. I do not mind going to class, but I do NOT want homework and projects. This is my last year of bookwork before I do my internship though s that is the light at the end of the tunnel!!

All 3 kids had a pretty good week at school. Hunter did come home early on Friday because he was sick, but otherwise, everything went very well. I was asked to sub twice this week but was not able to sub either day because of prior commitments. I do have some sub days lined up for September and October, and there are always those last monute phone calls!! I had even thought about applying for a parapro position that vecame available and decided against that. I was worried I would not have enough time to do my school work. Especially since I do not get home from classes until 9 pm some nights.

My walking is coming along slowly. It is really hurting my knee and my back when I walk though. All of this is from still being uneven!! I am going to be doing Gait Training at physical therapy so I hope that will resolve some of the pain. You never think sbout all the functions your feet perform until you do not have full use of your feet. Both my ankle joints are now fused so it makes walking a little strange at times!! I will get the hang of it with practice!!

Well, that is all for now. I need to go find something to do!!

Update on Our Friend Matthew!!

I have talked a little bit about Hunter's friend Matthew who had a terrible horseback riding accident back in early July. He was moved from TMH to Shands Children about little more than 1 week ago and he is doing SO much better. He still has the trach but they have been able to ca it off and he is breathing on his own for up to 24 hour period...woo hoo!! Hopefully, he will be trach free in a very short time. He is also going to be transferred to a rehab facility in Jacksonville soon. He may have to be there for up to 2 months but it will get him used to being "human" again. He was basically sedated , and in the bed, for almost 5 weeks. HIs body needs time to regroup and come back to life.

Needless to say. We are very excited about the progress he has been making. We hope to go and visit with him soon.

Back To School We Go!!

Well, it was going to happen sooner rather than later, but sooner came very soon!! The kids all started back to school on Thursday, yesterday. They all came home and everyone seems to be happy with their schedules and teachers. Sommer made a few changes to her schedule but, overall she is happy. I just wish that school had not started so early this year. I still have one week before I head back to class...woo hoo!! I am NOT ready for classes to start!!

I also went to the orthopedic on Monday and was finally given the go ahead to start walking again. Let me tell you, after sitting on my bum for 14 weeks, walking is pretty hard and tiring. I do not remember it being this hard when I had my left ankle fused many years ago...guess because I was younger maybe!! I still have to wear my boot and use my scooter for long distances, but I can move freely and independently!!!

Not much else going on. It is a deary dday and I have to go to the post office so I guess I will end for now. Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

Back to School so Soon

It is hard to believe that the kids all start back to school a week from this Thursday. Where has the summer gone? I am not happy that school starts back so early in August. Hunter is going into 6th grade, Zach into 8th grade and Sommer is a senior!! Wow, no more children in elementary school - just me because I was not promoted!! My classes start back August 23, so I still have a little time before I have to hit the books again.

We went to Panama City for the weekend and stayed in a beautiful condo. I wish I had been able to get to the beach but I am still scooter bound. Did get in some good shopping at Pier Park though!! I think the kids had a good time. My brother and his family are coming down in October so hopefully I will be able to go over and visit with them while they are here.

Sommer had an interview at Toys R Us today so we are keeping our fingers crossed that she gets the jpb. Jobs are just so hard for teenagers to get these days. My first job was working at Long John Silvers in Las Vegas, NV...I loved that job!!

I g back to the orthopedic dr next Wednesday and I am really hoping he will ok me to start physical therapy on my foot and I can start walking again. It will have been 14 weeks since surgery when I see him...that is a long time to be homebound.

Hunter's friend Matthew is still in TMH and not having a very good day today. They placed a trach on Wednesday and they are needing a bigger trach. The family is talking about transferring him to Shands, and I think that would be the best thing for him at this point. Poor guy has been in the hospital for 4 weeks.

That is all for now. I think I will get off the computer and get ready for bed. Have a great evening!!

A HUGE Surprise in Today's Mail!!

I got the mail today and did not really look through it until a couple of hours after I had brought it inside. There was an envelope there from a student organization called People to People which was founded by Dwight D. Eisenhower. Imagine my surprise after reading the first sentence and it said that Zachary has been invited to go and study in Japan during the summer of 2011!!! Ok, I admit I had to pull myself of the floor after reading this news!! Of course, he is ready to go NOW!! There is an information meeting in September so I guess we will go and see what this is all about and what the cost involved is. He can receive high school credit for going so that is good. I will let you know what happens. One thing is certain, I know a certain sister whois going to be very jealous!!!

Not much else going on. Had physical therapy this morning and then went to Wal-Mart...the exciting life I live. Hunter's friend Matthew is still in the ICU at TMH and not doing very well. They are looking at taking him off the vent this coming Tuesday and placing a trach...I am not happy about this at all. He has been on the vent for 2 weeks and has just made no improvements...his biggest problem at this point is the pneumonia he just can't seem to shake. Hopefully he can turn a corner before Tuesday.

More later. Enjoy your weekend.

A New Week Starts!!

Well, today is Sunday and the start of a new week. Of course, I am home alone once again. Chuck had to work today and the boys went to grandmama's. Sommer is in bed still sleeping and I am at the computer. I am BORED!! I have my boot and I can now drive, but I have no one to put my scooter in the car for me. I will be so excited when I finally get okay to put weight on my ankle.

Chuck works tomorrow and then he is off for 3 days. I have an eye dr appt on Tuesday and the boys are having a friend spend the night on Thursday. I also need to get busy and start making my niece Gracie her Strawberry Shortcake blanket. Oh, I also have a PTA meeting at school tomorrow!! Such a busy week...not!

Not much else going on today. I need to figure out a way that I can get in the pool and float!! I am tired of the pasty white skin this summer!! Maybe figuring out how to get in the pool will be my project for the week.

I will let you know how that goes!!

More later.

I Went to the Dr. and...

Yes, I am now the proud owner of a new boot!!! I still can not out any weight on the foot but I can finally shave my leg and take a real bath again!!! My leg looks like an overgrown Chia pet!!! I was actually surprised that they did not take xrays today. I go back on August 11 so maybe, hopefully, then I will get to start walking again.

Not much else happened today. We ate lunch at Sonny's and then went to the mall. The boys found some shorts and shirts and I got some new cotton tube socks!! Have to wear tube socks with the boot.

Hunter's friend Matthew had a horrible accident with a horse at camp last week. He has been in the pediatric ICU at TMH. We called and checked on him while we were in town. He was holding steady. Poor kid has had a rough week. I had planned on going by Toys R Us and picking up some goodies for him but my scooter died. When he gets home from the hospital he will be on bed rest for a little while. I thought I would get him some games and things he could do to keep him occupied. Since I can drive again, I told Hunter he and I would go back into town one day and get some things for him.

That is all for now. Gotta get busy and watch Reba!! Since I have not been able to do anything this summer I have fallen in love with her show!!!

Talk to you soon.

I'm getting Antsy!!!

Wow, it is already July, where has the summer gone. school will be starting in less than 1 month for my kids...hard to believe. I don;t return to my classes though until August 24 so that is good.

I go back to the orthopedic office tomorrow and I am so hoping that I can go into a boot and get out of this cast!! Keep your fingers crossed. I have been casted since May and I am just getting tired of it and I am having a hard time getting to sleep at night...signs it is time to shed the cast!! I still will not be able to put weight on the foot but I will be out of the cast!!

Not much else going on around here. Took my mom out to dinner on Saturday since her birthday was this past Sunday. We went to El Jalisco and ate mexican food. It was delicious and yes, she got pied in the face!! It has been so hot outside...hello Florida summertime.

That is all for now. I will update tomorrow and let you know if I got out of the cast or not!!! I am keeping my fingers crossed!!

It's Tuesday and...I am SO bored!!

What can I say except....I AM BORED!!! I am tired of not being able to do anything. This cast and I are becoming enemies very fast. It was my decision to give up my summer this year, but I am bored beyond belief!! A friend of mine does beautiful bead work and so I am going to try to make myself a new beaded id badge. After all, I have PLENTY of time to make it look wonderful.

I went to the orthopedic yesterday and my ankle is healing nicely. I was given the option of going from my cast to a boot but I would have to sleep in the boot. I opted to go back in a cast...it is much easier to sleep in a cast than it is a boot. Hopefully in 4 weeks I will be in a boot and able to walk once again.

My beautiful niece Gracie is turning 4 years old this week..seems like she was just born. She is really into Strawberry Shortcake so I am thinking about making her a Strawberry Shortcake blanket. I hope she likes it!!

Zach is making cookies and Hunter is in his room doing something. I guess I will go check on the cookies and maybe sneak and drive to Wal-Mart!!!

Hope your day is going good.

I thought it was Time For an Update!!

Wow, it has been awhile since I last posted, and SO much has been going on. I had ankle surgery on May 4 an, and, boy, was that ever an ordeal!! The surgery went great, and my ankle is healing beautifully. My back, on the other hand, is n entirely different story!! I woke up in the recovery room screaming in pain - not my ankle but my back. It was not until May 18, when I went to my famiiy doctor, that I actually thought I might live. I have been going to physical therapy, and my back is doing much better. Honestly, I thought I was a goner.

The boys left for Kansas the day school got out and they finally made it back home this past Sunday. The worked hard in Kansas helping Grandpapa clear some land, and then enjoyed the Heydenreich family reunion in Wichita and then the Waites family reunion in Tallaassee, AL. Now, they are home nd are bored. Hello, go jump in the pool in the backyard!!!

Smmer and her friends have stayed busy this summer. They went to Wild Adventures and camped out a couple of nights and saw the Back Street Boys!! She is going to be a senior this year - where has the time gone. Seems like I just brought her home from the hospital.

Since I can't drive right now I have been dependent on other people to take me places. I appreciate all the time they have put into helping me out but I want to DRIVE!! I can't wa;l just yet, but I can DRIVE!!! I do know how to drive with a cast and a boot on my leg!!! My cast is getting changed this coming Monday and they are talking about putting me in a boot but still no weight on the ankle...but then I could drive, maybe!!! Keep your fingers crossed.

The boys are trying to make brownies so I guess I need to go supervise. More later!!

Class are Finally Over!!!

Well, my classes are finally over and I have the summer free!!! I so needed this break. This has been a very tough semester for me. The semester started off taking a doubvle class and it just went downhill from there - had some great teachers and the class content was great, just a TON of work involved. I am supposed to be taking a summer class this month but due to my surgery I will not be able to take the class until next year. My last class was Elementary Math Methods and it was a breeze.

My right ankle surgery is scheduled for Tuesday. I am nervous but excited all at the same time. I really need this surgery but I am a little nervous. It is to the point that walking is next to impossible. Hopefully, as long as everything goes as planned, I will be back on my feet come August!! Just in time for the new school year!!!

The Spring Festival went off without a hitch - thank goodness. We raised a little over $16,000 in ticket sales and made a little over $9200 the day of festival. Considering the economy, I am very pleased with the results. We did not have near as many sponsors this year, but somehow, I think we were able to match last years money!! This is all money that stays at our school so I think that was pretty good. We are still waiting on all receipts to come in and be paid and then we will sit down for the big budget meeting!!

Hunter participated in the CES Brain Brawl last Thursday and came out the overall WINNER!!! I was so proud of him - he won all 3 medals. He won for top scorer, team top scorer, and team winner. Great job little man!! You obviously got your smarts from your mama!!! Zach is being inducted into the National Junior Honor Society on Thursday evening, following in Sommer's footsteps. He is very smart in math, history and science. reading he could care less about and we have big discussions on that matter!!

Sommer is back from Europe. I think she had a good time although I do not think she would admit to that!!! She would rather complain - life with a 17 year old! I am having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that she will be a senior in the fall. Seems like she just went to kindergarten!!! Time flies so fast!!!

That is all for now. I think I might go watch The Blind Side. I am probably the only person to have not seen that movie yet!! I just have to figure out how to make the DVD work with the surround sound. All the kids are out of the house, so I can not get them to get it set up for me. Oh well, until next time....

Where Has the Time Gone...

Wow, the months are just flyinh by. Chuck and I went on our cruise, took the boys to Disney World over spring break and Sommer has been to Europe and back. The best thing...I only have 2 weeks of school left!!! I so need a break from classes. Our school festival is next weekend and I am SO behind. I am the PTA president and I have so much to get done and not enough time to get it done. Oh well, this is what always happens and it end up being great in the end. The past couple of years we have been able to raise over 20,000 for the school but I am really worried about this year. The economy is really hurting us. Oh well, we will be happy with whatever we raise as it all stays at our school!

My right foot was casted this past Tuesday. Bummer. I am scheduled for surgery on May 4 so hopefully that will not change. I g back to see Dr. Guyer on April 26 and that will be when I find out if the surgery is a go or not. Worse case scenario, it will be put off for a couple of weeks. The boot I had been wearing was rubbing an ulcer type sore so they decided to cast me instead. Keep your fingers crossed that all is healed!!

We took the boys to Disney over Spring Break. We went to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. We had a blast!!! We stayed at the Disney All Star Music Resort and it was a really nice place. We still have a 1 day park ticket left and 3 water park/Quest tickets left to use before October. We rode the Rockin Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios and that is some ride!!! If you go, you have to ride that ride!!!

well, I gotta run. I have to work on a lesson plan for school and do some other things. I will update next week after festival.

Easter

Wow, today was Easter. Seems like the year 2010 just started!! Chuck had to work today and Sommer went to Orlando with her friends, so it was just Zach, Hunter and myself at home today. I took the boys to go see Diary of a Wimpy Kid. It was a cute movie and so middle school!! I have not read the books but it was a cute movie. Sommer called this afternoon and said that they had gone to Epcot (boring) and were now on their way to Wet N Wild. They will be home tomorrow and then she leaves for Europe on Tuesday - oh to be a teenager with no responsibilities!!

Chuck and I went on a cruise for our anniversary and had a blast. We LOVE to go cruising. The boys are wanting to go on a cruise this week while they are on spring break but that is a no. I think we are going to load up the car and head to Orlando on Wednesday and go to Disney ourselves!! I have class on Thursday night but I am thinking I will just miss this one class...no big deal right?

I have just finished my Test and Measurements class. Once again I think I will end up with a B in the class. I am ok with that but I have missed making my A's this semester. It has just been a tough semester and my family has to be first. I start my Math Methods class tomorrow and then no class in May, June, and July. Class will start back up the end of August - a much needed break!!!

Our school's Spring Festival is in 3 weeks so I have been busy as a bee working on all that stuff. It is about to drive me crazy!!! With the economy the way it is, it is just getting harder and harder to get donations. We will do the best we can and be very grateful for whatever we make this year.

Well, gotta run. I have a ham in the oven and it is getting ready to come out!! Chuck wil be home soon and the boys are ready to eat. Hope everyone had a blessed Easter!

Ok, I guess I need to post a new post!!

Wow, it has been a long time since I last posted something. I have been VERY busy and I have had no time to do anything!! The month of January and February was very hectic and fast paced for me. I had 2 classes combined, social studies and kanguage arts. No big deal, right? Wrong!! Typically, we do one class for 4 weeks. This time, we did 2 classes over 8 weeks and all the big projects were due at once. What a headache these 2 classes were. They are finally over and I ended up with a B in both classes. Yes, that is a good grade, but not my typical A work that I am capable of doing. Tjose classes are behind me and life moves forward!!

My husband has surprised me with a cruise for our upcoming anniversary. This is huge because he never does anything like this. I was very surprised and so looking forward to our cruise.

Sommer's Euro trip is coming up in about 5 weeks. I know she is excited but sayd that all the kids going on the trip are "douches" and she is not going to have any fun. I am sure once she gets there she will have a blast. I wish I could go with her!!

FCAT starts this week. What fun. The boys are dreading it and Sommer is looking forward to it because she gets a couple of days off from school. Juniors and seniors do not take FCAT.

Festival is getting closer and closer and I have been busy with trying to find time to work on that. Donations are going to be down this year due to the economy. Hopefully we will do ok. Keep your fingers crossed.

What else. I will have a new little niece in a month or so. Can't wait to see her. I know she will be beautiful!!

We had our first chili cookoff at CES in January and we did very well. I think this will for sure become an annual event. The chili cookoff was much easier to put together than festival is!!!

That is all for now. I need to go work on some homework. More later. Have a great week.

Back to School...

Well, Christmas break is officially over, for me anyway. I head back to class tonight and the kids go back to school tomorrow. I am NOT looking forward to going back to class. I am entering my half-way point but my next 2 classes are together and that is something new for the night program. We usually have one 4 week class at a time but this time we are doing two classes over an eight week period. Social Studies and English, at least my practicum hours are at Crawfordville Elementary this time so that will be GREAT!! I am in a fifth grade class and that will be a little bit of a challenge although I am thinking I would like to teach thrid or fourth grade, I think fifth grade might not be too bad. We will see how everything goes!!

Sommer's car is on the disabled list so she and her daddy are going this afternoon to look for a new "used" car. She really wants a Jeep or a small SUV type vehicle. Mom really wants a new car too but I guess I will have to wait. Chuck says I get a new car when I start teaching, we will see if I can move that date up a little.

Well, gotta make a run to Wally World and look for a hard drive for the XBox and then come home to get ready for class. I think it is TOO cold to go to class tonight!!