The Good Kind of Noise

by Erica

I would love to take a nap right now. The problem is there is a lot of stapling (or something) happening downstairs. I cannot complain because this noise is being created by the hands of someone else. I am so glad that Jason doesn't have to do this part of the basement project.

On a new note, today was the first day of school. I wondered how I would feel not going back to work in my own classroom. After watching the sheer craziness of the day, I was not envious of my co-workers. I really enjoyed being around the school, helping as needed. Not having all the responsibility was nice.

Even Better

by Erica

When I got to work this morning, not only had they hired a 4th kindergarten teacher, but also a 5th. So, for the next two weeks I get to be a floating sub and mentor the new teachers and assist the other teachers with beginning of the year assessments and whatever else comes my way. This is really ideal, especially with where I am at in my pregnancy.

Back to Work

by Erica

Temporarily that is. My teaching license is for PreK-3rd grade. I have taught 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades. Before I take a few years off from teaching I thought it would be good to add kindergarten to my resume. For the next two weeks I will be teaching 6 year olds until a full-time teacher can be hired. This will be interesting to say the least!

Drywall is Complete!

by Erica

This is big news in our house. Jason (and countless helpers) have finished drywalling the basement. It sounds like we will be able to have the tape, mud and texture done by this weekend which means that I can paint soon! I am so proud of all the hard work my husband has done.

by Erica

I successfully made my first lemon meringue pie today. Yum! It doesn't look exactly like this picture, but I forgot to take a picture of it before I put the tin foil on. You can find the recipe here. I was pleasantly surprised how easy it was to make.
I met up with some friends for lunch and then had them over to the house for a bit. Now, I am relaxing and enjoying a fierce mid-day thunderstorm.

Like Father, Like Son

by Erica

Thanks for coming up to help us!

I Like This Picture

by Erica

My husband is so handsome......I love him. Picture credit goes to Josh Fisher

The Rest of the Summer

by Erica

The last three weeks of summer school have felt a bit like a blur. I finished up with my last day today. Although I did a little complaining about the curriculum we had to use, all in all it really is a great part-time job. If only full-time teaching was more like summer school....small class sizes, less stress, 5 hours a day. Oh, well.

So now what? Perhaps I will just kick up my feet and eat bon-bons for the next 7 weeks:)

I do know that I am going to sub or help out in some way with the first week of school with the incoming kindergarteners. That should be interesting.

We have a basement that is going to need painted and decorated in the next 7 weeks. The nursery has started to be cleared out and will need to be put together. Plus, someone has to be home when the tape, mud and texture guys, the carpet layers and whomever else comes to do work around the house. I am sure that there will be enough to do. I think for now, I might try to take a short nap.

O-H-I-O

by Erica

We are back home from a 4-day trip to Ohio. Thankfully we have our luggage with us. That was not the case on the way out. I am not sure how an airline can just leave our luggage behind in Denver? After numerous calls to United we picked up our luggage in Dayton (we landed in Cincinnati) the next evening.

Jason and Dad spent Friday installing hardwood in my sister, Karisa's kitchen. Friday was also Karisa's birthday. We enjoyed a great birthday dinner together that evening.

Saturday was Dave and Lauren's wedding. They had a beautiful, God-centered ceremony. Dave has been a friend since my freshman year of college and I had the oppertunity to get to know Lauren when they came out to Colorado last winter. It was very exciting to see them on such an important day in their life.








After the wedding, we drove down to Cincinnati. Julie and Troy's opened up their house to a few overnight house guests--a couples slumber party if you will:)
As you can see in the picture, our group of friends is expanding:) . Our friendships begin by living together in Printy Hall. We were seven girls who didn't fully know what the future would hold. Seven years later six out of the seven are married. Two (almost three) of us have children. One is a doctor and one has her masters. Two (those who are not pictured) are living oversees. It is amazing how our lives can be so different, yet when we get together it is like being back in the dorms again. I love these girls. They are my best friends.

Sunday, we went to the Creation Museum with my parents. I enjoyed the museum, but I haven't fully gathered my thoughts about it. That can be another post.

Now it is time to get the laundry washed and our things back together.

Ramblings

by Erica

It is much too hot to be outside today. Really, that has been the case for much of the summer. There are things that I would like/need to do in the yard, but it is simply not safe for me to be out there for very long. The same is true for the dogs. They are sitting here inside with me enjoying the coolness of the house. They are sleeping, I am searching around on the Internet and getting ready to make a dessert.

Lately, I have been investing more time and thought into how to become more frugal. Not that we are strapped for cash, but I am trying to think of ways to make going down to one income a little more bearable. There are people out there that obsess over finding good deals and clipping coupons. Entire websites are created for the sole purpose to save $.25 on a can of tuna. I can't see myself becoming one of those people, however, I think with a little extra thought and invested time you can discover ways to cut the costs of everyday items.

I do know this. I am not the only one who enjoys a good sale. Compliment and women on an article of clothing and notice how many times she says, "Oh, thank you, I got it for such a great deal-it only cost $____."