Moving???

My friend Jen Wade said that I must commit an entire post solely devoted to "our move"...here goes Jen. We weren't even looking to begin the idea of moving until this time next year. Xan would have been out of daycare (on a paycheck that translates to getting my freakin' doctorate in savings!) and Rob's truck would be paid off. So when my mother-in-law called to say someone was coming over to look at the house that Memorial Day evening we all were like "HUH?" At anyrate, God already knew the plan that would unfold within a week's time (last month) We had a chance to purchase my in-laws house and took it!! We will officially be going from 1500 sq. feet to over 3,000 on July 10th & a POOL!!!! Where do you even begin to clean something that is double from what you are coming from???? Hmmmm.....

We aim to make it ours (with lots of color changes in several rooms, sorry honey) and keep it for a few years, then sell it again to make a profit (fingers crossed that the economy changes), then purchase a smaller home with a very easy house payment once Blake leaves the nest (5 years and counting....) So, if anyone wants to be handy with a paintbrush in the next few weeks, call me!! LOL!

What are you teaching that girl??

Xan started karate (Little Dragons) this week. My dad is a 7th degree black belt, however, nothing could have prepared him to be so proud of his granddaughter's first karate class last night. It was a HOOT!!! Let's just say her jumping jacks were definitely reminiscent of Hannah Montana, and her push-ups looked X-rated...I had to giggle. But she did so well for her very first night of uniformed exercise. I was so proud of her little ADHD self, go Xan!! Punch, Punch Kia!!
Xan is anxiously awaiting her 8th birthday for her pink 22 we found this weekend. In this family, one's 8th birthday requires the purchase of a Duck Hunter's Special. I can already see this little greenwing in the blind with her daddy now. She was too cute telling her dad, "But I'm 4 now...that's really old." I think she thought we were taking it out of the store like her brother's new Beretta 12-gauge.

Bubba's Coming Home!!

Okay, so I have this friend named Derek who is on his way home from his international adventure to Europe since we got out of school on the 6th. If you have a minute and want a barrel of laughs (at his expense of course....) take the time to click on his blog, Southern Boy Goes to Europe for a hilarious adventure to call your own. He teaches with me and had this bright idea to "find himself" in Europe while staying in hostiles (Have you seen that movie Derek?) and bike-locking himself to his hiker's backpack while lying on the beaches, Lord Help Him!! Anyway, my Ten Things Tuesdays are dedicated to him and his homecoming self. Remember to go to his blog to read WHY he HAS to come home.

1. I am thankful he didn't take the job in Fort Mill!!

2. Looping up to 5th with me, YEAH!!!!

3. That silly laugh that gets me in stitches everyday!

4. That saw-mill gravy he makes for faculty breakfasts.

5. The gazillion stories of working the most RANDOM jobs any person could ever have in their short 24 year-old lifespan. I mean really, the Lizardman for the SC Lottery commercials in college....way to go!

6. The way kids adore him and how he steps WAY out of the box to teach the once thought unteachables!!! YOU ROCK!

7. Making Xan laugh when she had to stay afterschool some days. She loves Mr. Emmory.

8. Being a friend to Erin Gruwell (Freedom Writers) so you can hook me up with a conversation oneday?!?

9. That our Clemson-Carolina Rivalry reaches new heights in the South!

10. And finallly......thankful that your Barcelona self will be back in the states anyday now!!

See you soon "Del"!!

Neela Bags...SAVE OUR EARTH!!

I'm not a tree hugger or anything, but after watching a Powerpoint that was sent to me this morning I feel like I have to act. Now, I wish I could link the powerpoint to this post, but alas....I have no idea how to do that. Anyway, it makes for an amazing argument for the discontinued use of plastic grocery bags at all times by any individual that makes the effort to do so. Summertimes are always my "season" for asking for paper bags for back to school book covers for my kids. (you'd freak to know that kids these days have NO idea how to fold a bag to make te perfect cover....I guess that comes from today's available stretchy covers that you can buy for 3.99 EACH!!!) But I think I am going to pinch and save for a couple of these bags (5.00 each standard size) so can tote my own up to Harris Teeter. Thank you to Fast Lane for sending me the link to watch and shop. Love ya girl!!

So....go to Neela Bags and check it out, literally...check out using these bags!!

Ten Things Tuesday...

I love Tuesdays, really I do. I have grown accustomed to even thinking ahead on Monday nights about what I am thankful for....

1. Disney Channel, thank you so much Walt!!! Xan can be mesmerized for more than a few minutes when Zack & Cody, Hannah Montana, or Wizards of Waverly Place is on....that means a few minutes of peace from all of her questions of randomness, whew!


2. A snappy hairdresser that is going to cut this soon-to-be mullet on Thursday, PTL!


3. Camp Invention is my life this week and I love it!! It is a really cool science camp geered towards all of the future "Bill Gates" of the world (ages 5-12 only). I love the thought of this camp because (keep reading, I mean no disrespect at all) all of the kids that would typically be picked on at summer camp SHINE with creativity and their quirkiness is rewarded and praised, not scoffed at. Maybe you have Camp Invention in your area.


4. Freshly polished toenails....they're so shiny!!


5. Money to pay the powerbill....it's triple digit heat with 100% humidity in the south. We are so blessed to have a home that is cool to walk into each afternoon.


6. Ultra-pasteurized chocolate milk. The date on the carton is in JULY, hooray!!


7. A daughter that LOVES the water. We've been 3 times to the pool this week and everytime we go she is a little more eager to jump in. She loves it and I love to see her "swim" in the pool. I remember having a pool when I was her age and how my parents probably laughed at us all the time too.


8. My new Charleston Magazine came in the mail yesterday and I read it tonight cover to cover. Even though I don't live there anymore I enjoy looking and reading about all of the familiar sites and people I was once around. It's a great publication, no matter how far away you may be.


9. Did you know that fingernail polish remover with take off any permanent marker writings on laminated surfaces? I shared this trick with another teacher friend of mine today who flipped her lid to learn such a new tidbit of knowledge.


10. My kids!! Thank you Lord for giving me such a healthy son and daughter who make me smile each day (AND grin and bear it on occasion, lol!)

My Motley Crue....

I Love this picture!! This was after the last night's ballgame.

Ten Things Tuesday...

1. 16 more schools hours til summer!!

2. My school secretary did all of my record keeping for my permanent file, I didn't touch a thing this year!!

3. My son won the district little league championship last night and go to Columbia, SC to play tomorrow night!!

4. Homemade Icecream Day is tomorrow....mmm!!! Can you beleive that half of these kids have never made it before. I remember when we used to beg our grandparents for a turn at the crank, now we have the electric kind!!!

5. My wife-in-law is supposed to be going to the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam this week. I hope to have a great powerpoint for teaching WWII next year, how cool is that!! Anne Frank is my hero.

6. My best friend Mandi brought in Rubik's Race today for her 3rd graders' Game Day. Do you know what a smile that put on my face!! We're talking 1982 Vintage people!!! It was so much fun!! The box was yellowed and smelled just like attic space, talk about nostalgia!!!

7. Baby Showers....I have one this weekend for a friend that is going to be an awesome mom. Try her husband's blog sometimes by clicking here. It's just a fun time to think back and talk all about the sleepless nights that you personally went through and the fact that first times mothers seem almost excited about the prospect. What naive rookies....God Bless Her!

8. Personalized Stationery....love it!!! Got some new stuff from a student for being her "favorite teacher".....but that doesn't mean her thank-you card will be written on it though=0

9. A husband that loves to be a great dad to Xan and Blake. (....see the pic!)

10. Our house sold!!! Now we are about to embark on THE SEARCH...we'll see what happens!!!