Back to School!

It's that time of year again... those three little words that mean a lot to teachers, students, and parents alike - BACK TO SCHOOL. This time of year is bittersweet for Matt and I. On one hand, it's sad to see our fun and relaxing summer come to an end and know that we have 9 months of hard work ahead of us before our next nice summer break. On the other hand, it's good to get back in the swing of things, start classes, see our friends and co-workers, see our old students, and meet our new students. This fall is also exciting for us for another obvious reason... just about 5 weeks left or so until our much awaited and anticipated baby is here! So last week Matt and I had faculty meetings, and this week the kids come. Please pray for both of us during our transition back, as we begin classes and continue to prepare for the baby and that we can be effective teachers that care about our students and help them learn and grow. Thanks for your prayers - we appreciate them all!

I am also preparing for the sub that will take over for me for two months while I'm at home with the baby. The sub that the school has lined up to fill in for me is great, but I am still practically making myself crazy making sure all of my plans for her are as organized, complete, thorough, and "perfect" as I can make them... I get that perfectionism trait from my mom, I think. Thanks a lot, mom! :) The baby is due October 2nd, so I will work until she is born, and then I plan to take off through our Thanksgiving break from school. Then I will go back and Matt will stay home with the baby through our Christmas break. Then we have a two week break at home, and we'll both go back to school in January. I am fortunate that I only have to be at school (most weeks) on M/T/Th to teach, and then I do administrative things for the school from home on W/F, so it is a nice schedule. My parents just recently told us that they are willing to watch the baby on the days I'm at school for the rest of this school year, starting in January when we go back after break, which is so generous and wonderful for us and for our little one. My parents will get to know her well, and she will form a bond early on with her Person grandparents - how special. We feel so blessed. Blessings to all of you on this beautiful, sunny MN afternoon!

Minnesota State Fair

Today Matt, Kristi and I went to the MN State Fair, otherwise known as the Great MN Get-Together. It is one of the nation's largest and best-attended state fairs, as well as boasting the most "foods on a stick" of any fair, such as cheese on a stick, MN hotdish (known to most as casserole) on a stick, spaghetti and meatballs on a stick, deep fried candy bar on a stick, and much more. Every year there are a few new treats on a stick added to the lineup, and this year one of them is chocolate covered bacon on a stick... sounds strange, right?

I was wondering how I would feel at this point (34.5 weeks) and if I'd want to go or not, but I was feeling good, so we went for it. We left home earlier in the morning so we could get back home for our last evening before school starts tomorrow. It was a beautiful day, not too hot, and I held up surprisingly well. Here are some pictures from our day. Enjoy!



Kristi took this picture of Matt and I and wanted me to put my big belly in where your face should go. Funny picture! Notice the famous big yellow slide in the background.


One of Matt's favorite state fair treats - Pickle on a Stick!

I took this picture of Kristi for her to send to her friends in Alaska... home of the roving moose in the street. :)





I love to go to the Miracle of Birth Center, an agricultural education exhibit that is the birthplace of approximately 200 animals every summer, including chicks, ducklings, bunnies, calves, lambs and piglets during the fair’s 12 day run. The animals are so cute, and fun to watch in their first few days and to pet. :)




And 7 hours after we arrived, we were definitely ready to go home... we'll sleep well tonight! It's fun to think that next year we will have a little baby to experience the fun with us. :)