Job, Fair, and Exercise

Well, I'm a little behind on blogging, so I'm going with numbers on this one so I can get everything in. Here goes...

1. I have had lots of people ask me how my job is going and what exactly it is that I'm doing. I basically work between 2 different 1st grade classrooms, and I pull the kids that need the most help out and work one on one with them. I have tested all of the kids in these 2 classrooms on their basic reading skills, and I know who I need to spend my most time with, and I'm excited to get to help out these precious kids. I have already become very attached to several of these students, and nothing makes my day like one of them telling me that they love me and give me a hug, or when they (out of the blue) smile and tell me how much they like working with me. That has happened several times already and it just makes my heart happy. I feel like I am where I need to be and I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing.

Austin's 1st grade class on Western Day! We LOVE Ms. Gosdin!!

I get to help out with Austin's art class every week. Getting to see him is a major plus of my job!

In saying all of that, I also have to say that I am worn out. Soccer started the same day school started, so we have something we have to go to almost every night of the week. So basically we get home from school, have snacks, do homework, and then leave to go to whatever that evenings activity is. And by the time we get home, it's time for bed. And somehow our weekends tend to pile up with things, so between going and doing all that we do, I try to squeeze in laundry, cleaning, bills, etc. I miss having downtime. My body and my mind NEED it. I've decided that I'm going to come up with some kind of organizational chore chart, so that I am not so overwhelmed with housework. I've always been the stay-at-home mom that did all of the laundry and cleaning, but I just can't do that anymore. Every member in this family is capable enough to pull their share around here without being told, so a chore chart is coming soon. (If you have any ideas on how to do it, please share!)

Ok, I realize that #1 had enough words for it to be its own post, but I'm just too behind to stop here.

2. Friday night was the annual 'take the grand kids to the fair' day for my parents. It was actually a really nice day to be there. The weather was nice, the lines were short, and the fair was better than it has been in years. My kids love the rides. I love the lemonade and jumbo corn dogs. It's a win-win for everyone really.

Kaulyn and Aaron, about to get on the Ferris wheel

Austin on the Dragon roller coaster

Aaron, Austin, Kaulyn, and Luke. My parents have 7 grand kids, but 2 are away at college and 1 was working.

3. Speaking of jumbo corn dogs, I've decided it's time to start exercising again. It has been 7 1/2 weeks since I had my hysterectomy (BEST DECISION EVER), and I have been released to resume exercise. So this week, I'm going to try waking up an hour earlier and working out. I'm hoping it will make me feel better throughout the day and have more energy.

This pic was taken Friday morning before school and Austin and I were dressed for Western Day. I haven't worn boots since high school, and those were the days of Rocky Mountains (that were probably a size 2) (do they even still make that size?) and and lace-up Justin's.

Yet another reminder that I need to exercise.

4. Just a few random pics and then I'm done.

My friend, Kimberly, and I sporting our HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY shirts at a Women of Faith get together at our house last weekend.

Austin with his friend, Lauren, at her birthday party yesterday.

And last but not least, this is my boys sitting out on the back porch today, listening to the rain and watching TV. Yes, the word here would be 'SPOILED ROTTEN'!

Y'all have a good week!

Football and Friends

Last night was the kick off for the Razorbacks football season. There are so many things about that sentence that I'm happy about: 1. That means it is almost fall. And I happen to love fall. 2. Razorback football games are just awesome. And Razorback red just happens to be a good color on me. 3. The games are a really good excuse to get together with friends...which leads me to what we did last night.

Since yesterday's game was only televised on Pay Per View (at almost the cost of a ticket to actually go to a game), we decided to have a few people over to watch it over here. And by a few I mean around 20. The menu was game day food, which means something with cream cheese or requires a chip to eat it with. I searched pinterest and decided on 2 recipes I had never made before (Garlic Chicken Puffs and Bacon Wrapped Smokies) and I also made a few things I actually knew would be good. We had a ton of food after everyone got here.

Which is exactly how a football watching party should be.

To be honest, the girls didn't see much of the game at all. We sat in the kitchen and talked about more important things, like Shelby's dogs hypothyroidism and Ainslee's new super cute haircut.

Some things are just more important than football.

During most of the game, the kids were upstairs or outside, doing whatever it is kids do when they are alone upstairs unsupervised.

Too bad they didn't know I had spies going around taking pictures of them so I could spy without actually having to walk up the stairs.

Do you have any idea how hard it was to get all the kids in one pic??

Toward the end of the game, the Razorbacks were ahead by like 20 points and there was no way they were going to lose the game, so the boys (and by boys, I mean grown-up guys) decided they were going to have a nerf gun war.

Y'all. These guys had sat pretty much in the same place during the entire game, but it was like they had been conserving all their energy for the nerf guns that no one even knew were coming.

I wasn't even aware that we owned that many nerf guns.

It was intense.

And SO much fun. I am shocked that no one came out of that crying. Well, except John G., but that was only because it ended before he was ready to stop.

John and Katie

Overall it was an awesome night. I really missed being able to entertain over the past few years, and it was one of the main reasons I designed the house the way that it is. I love having people over and love to see them enjoying themselves here.

Trey and Katie

Robbie and I have truly been blessed with friends that we love spending time with, and this is something neither of us take for granted.

Hannah, Levi, and Baby Peanut (that will make her presence in the next few weeks)

Jen and John

Maybe next time I'll even sit down and watch some of the game.

Josh and Sara

Unless there is something more important that needs to be discussed.