Job Satisfaction

I am about 1 month into my 2nd year working as a Speech Language Pathologist in the school system. I have to say I'm really enjoying it. This year I know my students, I know the paperwork, and I know the law governing Special Education. Okay, so I still don't know EVERYTHING but I do know enough to feel like I can provide the best services possible for these kids.
Fortunately, I work at a school where the staff are 100% concerned with what's best for the child. We have systems in place that make working in Special Education incredibly fulfilling. I feel like we truly are providing the best education for these struggling kids and giving them the support that they are seriously lacking at home.
I feel incredibly blessed to be where I am this year. This is how a Special Education program should be run and I'm grateful to be a part of it.

Dan's B-day BBQ

I just realized I never wrote about Dan's big BBQ birthday bash. Dan's big gift this year was a BBQ, so, we decided to host a BBQ party. We ate burgers, hot dogs, salad, corn on the cob, etc. This was the first gathering at our home. I loved having a full house. Here are a few pics from the evening. (Since it had been a couple of months since Dan had sugar, he opted for the yogurt parfait in place of bday cake. He seemed to enjoy it - see picture above)

Opening gifts.

A great Grill It cookbook, Thanks Leslie.Not the most photogenic moment of these children's lives. They did have a good time, I promise.Miles had a good time relaxin'.

B-day phone calls.

Dan has been grilling up some amazing meals since the new addition. Money well spent.

The Office

Dan recently bought "The Office: Season 3" with his b-day money and, OH MY, it is the greatest ever! We don't have television so when Dan and I decide a TV show is worth it, we either rent or buy it on DVD. We have a portable DVD player and basically carry it around our house watching episodes during any possible free time we find.

I can't express to you how funny we find that show. It's actually an incredibly binding experience for Dan and I:). We find ourselves quoting lines at opportune times and usually nobody else knows what we're laughing about.

I'm not sure we're going to be able to wait for Season 4 to come out on DVD so we'll need to find some friends or family who wouldn't mind some company while they watch (hint, hint, any takers???:)

For all of those who have not discovered this beautiful joy, check out Season 4 premier Sept. 27th, NBC.

The Hair, the final episode!

For all those who care. Here is the new 'do. The first go round was a wreck, but I think she salvaged it on round two. Dan laughs at me because every time I get my hair cut I want to go shorter. It's an addiction. With this cut, I feel like I've crossed the short-short hair barrier. I think I may be ready to do what I've wanted to do for a long while, the pixie cut! I'll give this 'do a run but I'm kind of excited about going for it next time. Just for curiosity sake, lets get some feedback. How do you think this cut would work for me (see below pics)? I know, it's unfair to compare myself with Audrey Tautou but that's what celebrities do, they teach us how to 'wear our hair in interesting ways'.


And now I will stop with the hair obsession, I promise!

Canned Peaches

I can not think of a food, other than peaches, that are as pleasing to the eye as they are to the mouth. Now I get to enjoy the look and taste of this beautiful fruit all year long. Thank you to my mother-in-law for teaching me the art of canning.

Camping then Wisconsin

Before I get too far away from summer I need to write about our last two trips.

First, Dan and I went on a weekend camping trip with our good friends Ashley and Derek. They live in Hood River along the Columbian Gorge. We spent a Friday night in Hood River eating dinner and walking around town. Cute little place in a gorgeous area. Hood River is famous for the Wind Surfing and Kite Boarding. It was a perfect weekend with hundreds of people out on the river.

We had a great time talking and catching up. We spent the night at their home, casually enjoyed the morning, then got ready to go camping. We loaded Dan's truck full of camping supplies. Lets just say, we didn't rough it by any means. We stopped by the grocery store on the way out and Dan went crazy with the meal planning. Menu: Lunch - French Bread, Roast Beef, squash, peppers, zucchini, roasted and toasted sandwich.

Dinner - Tin Foil Dinners - the works!

Breakfast - English Muffin Breakfast sandwiches.
We drove about 1 1/2 hours to a beautiful lake and camping grounds in Washington. We got there, set up camp, Dan and Derek went trail running, and Ashley and I talked by the lake. The rest of the day and night were spent eating, talking, s'more making, swimming, talking, and having a great time. Ashley and Derek are the perfect people to go camping with because they're so easy going. We love them and are glad they live in Oregon so we can do fun things like this!

Cold morning = delicious hot cocoa

Yes we did put a blow up mattress in our 2 person tent.Yes, we were still able to zip up the tent. Yes, it WAS comfy!

That's a happy camper.

S'more smile!

THEN WISCONSIN!!!!

The weekend after we went camping, Dan and I went out to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to visit my two brothers and their families (thanks to flight vouchers we got last summer for giving up our seats to Costa Rica). Another great weekend of hangin out, talking, and eating good food. We took the Miller Brewery tour one of the days. The tour guide was amazed that we were truly interested in the tour and not just there for the free beers at the end. However, we did take advantage of the free lemonades and postcards. Brother Steve

Brother Bob

Did I mention it was a 'behind the scenes' tour. VIP comin' through!

We also celebrated Dan's 28th b-day while we were there. The boys played golf while Kara, Hallie, and I played with our cameras a little. That evening we all went out for Tai food then went to the fancy "Majestic" theater to see the movie 'Hairspray' (we all totally enjoyed it, especially Dan).

For me, the highlights of the weekend were the great conversation, games, and the adorable Hallie. Thanks for the great weekend Bros!

Update on the Crummy Day

For all those who sympathized with me about my crummy day, I am feeling much better. I went back to got my hair fixed and now I actually like it. I might even post pictures of it, we'll see.

Also, I found the miracle cure for sore throats....... gargle hot water and Cayenne Pepper! Honestly, I had the worst sore throat of my life for about 4 days straight. After trying an assortment of meds I went to the Internet looking for natural, home remedies. I came across this one, tried it, and now I'm feeling much better. Hopefully this bug/virus will run its course and move on soon. In the mean time, Cayenne Pepper is my best friend.

My niece Hallie

You must all watch the video of my niece on my sister-in-laws blog. It's titled "Tinkle tinkle little star" at http://thepothiers.blogspot.com/ . A posting of our visit to see them in Wisconsin is coming soon!

Crummy, Crummy Day!

Oh man, I'm having a really bad day! Everything is wrong in the world (or in my mind) and I can't even blame it on PMS. I'll go ahead and blame it on being sick.
First week back to work and I've picked up one of the million bugs these kids bring to school with them. It's not like I can take a sick day already! I thought after the first year in the schools you become immune to it all!
Then, to add to my terrible, rotten, no-good day, I got a bad hair cut this week and I've realized that there's nothing I can do about it except let it grow for the next few months. If she would have followed the pictures, I wouldn't have to deal with this!!! Who gave her any creative liberties, just follow the picture for crying out loud!!!
What is it about a bad hair cut that can completely break a person and cause such concern. Do I really put that much pride into what I look like? I know I shouldn't wallow in such trivial things, but come on, who doesn't once in a while. If your saying "I don't", then you're lying!! or you're just a better person than me.
Tomorrow and the next day I know I will wake up, make do with what I have, and give it little concern, hair does grow back. But for today, I'm going to be bummed about it and I think that's okay.