Everyone has a busy life, many much busier than ours, but the main thing holding me up from blogging for the past several months is that Calla has been sick since the beginning of October... literally. An ER visit for croupe the first week in October, followed by more croupe, nebulizer treatments at home, multiple infections (sinuses and both ears), three rounds of different antibiotics, a semi-serious allergic reaction to the first prescribed antibiotic, major constant teething (she's gotten 8 new teeth in the past 3 months), many sleepless nights... and the list goes on. So I apologize for A) going on and on about my sick child's ailments, and B) seeming like I've dropped off the face of the earth, at least blog-wise, but C) I'm so tired and I've had little time and zero energy to focus on much else than my little family.
Some of you may know that the Bloomington campus of Minnehaha closed it's doors at the end of the 2010-2011 school year due to low enrollment and finances. We were very sad about the closing of such as amazing place, but at the same time know that life brings changes - some we don't always clearly understand or want, but have faith that God is in control and our futures hold new adventures in store that are full of positive things.
This picture is from MA Bloomington's last Fine Arts Festival (a.k.a. spring concert and art showcase), titled "New York, New York!" Matt is an amazing father, a wonderful husband, and a gifted teacher, but did you also know that he is an accomplished violinist? A man of many talents! Like every fine arts festival before it, Matt again played his violin with the musicians in the program. Mckenna and I were there, and she thought it was so cool to see her daddy up there with his awesome top hat on. The best part of the evening for me was hearing Mckenna shout out at the end of one of the songs, "Good job, Daddy!!!" :)
Here is picture I took of my business class at school one day for a program we were participating in called the Capitol Hill Challenge (a select version of the Stock Market Game.) I love teaching, I really enjoy my students, and I feel lucky to be able to do something I have a passion for.
Matt and I always chaperone prom, it's fun! It's fun to teach juniors and seniors and then get to see them outside of the classroom all dressed up.
My senior advisor group (MA's version of homeroom) - now these girls are over halfway through their freshman year in college. Time flies!
My friend Liz and I. It's nice to work with people you like so much!
Warmer spring weather means getting outside more and going to the park in our neighborhood. The girls always have a fun time here...
One morning when we were dropping the girls off at daycare, I stopped and noticed how beautiful it is where we leave our girls during the day. Who wouldn't be happy pulling up to this in the morning?
Calla at 7-months old... I think this picture captures her "squishy" baby face and big blue eyes pretty well. :)
My sweet girls!
I took Calla to a community ECFE (Early Childhood and Family Education) class called "Baby & Me" on Friday mornings. I met some great moms there, a few I keep in touch with a year later. As you can see, Calla had a fun time at class too - lots to play with! Right now while I write this Calla is 15-months old and running around like crazy... so it's funny to see this picture of her at 7-months and know she was only scooting/crawling around and playing on her tummy. Oh how much can change in just a few short months time!
Having all senior advisors and teaching seniors, Matt, the girls, and I went to several senior grad parties. Mckenna and Calla were the life of the party everywhere we went, and we often didn't even have to worry about them at all - a group of people were always playing with and entertaining them during the various parties. A nice break for us, and fun for them too!
Memorial Day weekend at the cabin! Matt and Craig were able to get the dock put in one of the days. (Nice waders, Grandpa Craig!) :)
Grandma Karen always loves time with her granddaughters.
We were able to visit Grandma Margie in May. Although we don't see her as often as we'd like to, we always enjoy our visits with her. This day we went to the chapel service at her senior home, and Matt played his violin with Matt's Aunt Karin (one of Margie's daughters, in town to visit from Texas) on the piano. I know Grandma Margie enjoys their music so much, so it was wonderful that it worked out for them to play together that morning.
Mckenna made sure to show Grandma Margie all of her little princess dolls and her princess purse (on Grandma's lap)... very cute!
So much has happened in the past few months, including two major birthdays in October - Mckenna turned three, and three days later, Calla turned one! Also, on Oct. 31st, we gained a new nephew! Casey John Person was born to Abby, Dan, and big sister Ayla! He is so sweet, and we're excited to welcome another baby to the family. Pictures of Casey to follow in a future post.
I know I need to catch up on this blog - I know, I know. I'm really going to try to catch up to real time over the next few months - I guess we'll all see how that plan works out! Until then... I'm going to keep telling myself "better late than never." :)
