I am stealing this idea from two places: My sister's blog and another blogger friend's blog. I love the idea of looking back at the important moments that occurred over the last ten years. I started the decade married and living in Wisconsin.
2000- This was the year we had Andrew. We started the year in Wisconsin where I was teaching and Chris was finishing his Master's degree. We had Andrew in March and promptly moved back to Ohio in April.
2001- Chris was working at Athersys, and I was staying at home with Andrew. Then, we had Brendan in July. Before we had Brendan, however, we purchased our little bungalow in Brooklyn, Ohio.
2002- This was a crazy year for me at home with two little guys. I am not sure what happened this year beyond feedings, diapers, and naps. Chris and I did manage to squeeze in an awesome vacation to Maine, NovaScotia, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick. All without kids!
2003- Another year of being at home with the babies. I am stymied for an important event. . . (Besides of course raising my kids!)
2004- This was the year that Evan was born-- our final attempt for a girl that turned out much more wonderful than I could have imagined. This was also the year that Andrew and Brendan began preschool in Parma Heights. Andrew began kindergarten in the fall.
2005- Our big move! Chris' got a new job in Madison, Wisconsin and we uprooted and moved the family to a great new home- our current home-- in Deforest. Brendan went to kindergarten this fall, and officially our house became sports headquarters with more activities piling on by the minute.
2006- I went back to work in the fall. After six years off, I took a part time job teaching every other day. What an ideal transition back to work!
2007- I increased my work load to full time and officially made Ev a full time babysitter-kid. The boys were in so many sports that our after school time was almost laughable.
2008- I officially put Evan in preschool/ daycare in 2008. We also took our first major family vacation to Mount Rushmore, Custer state park, and Yellowstone/ Grand Tetons. That trip was so very memorable for the boys.
2009- This year. . . All three boys had baseball last summer, creating the craziest summer schedule I have ever entertained. I began coaching cheerleader for the high school girls. Andrew started football.
What will the new decade bring? Predictions about what I will reflect on in a year?
I am guessing it will be mostly sports and kids related. In ten years, Andrew and Brendan will be in college!!! Yikes- In ten years, I am guessing that I will have sat through enough sports games to be in the world record books. In ten years I think I will have no money left as my boys will drain me with their food needs. In ten years, I hope we are still as happy as we are today.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Christmas in January
No, we aren't celebrating our fourth occasion to unwrap presents a month after the holidays. I am finally getting to the point where I have a moment to post a blog showing all of the holiday pictures.
As I looked through the pictures, deciding what to post, it felt like a lifetime ago when stacks of essays weren't waiting for my eye to read and my brain to grade. This is the beginning of finals weeks, a time where I read an incomprehensible amount of work in an attempt to capture 18 weeks of effort into one letter.
Sorry- I digress--
Christmas was an incredible relaxing time filled with much visiting and fun. Here are the highlights:
We celebrated Christmas morning at my mom and dad's home again. The boys just know that Santa can find them there.
I got a few precious moments with my brand new-- seven day old at the time-- nephew Rylan. I love little babies!
Here is a feeble attempt to get six boys to stand still to take a picture. The first three pictures all show them wrestling on the floor.
My nephew Noah enjoys himself by climbing into his mother's wreath box that she hoped to win in our gift exchange. Too bad the gift was quickly claimed by another person. Noah was part of the gift, so he has a new mommy now. -haha
The Annual cookie making session with grandma came after Christmas this year.
We took this group of five boys to Tower city for a little dinner before. . .
We took them to see the Globetrotters. They are all sporting autographs from Cobra, one of the Globetrotters. They loved this night!
Evan worked on his snowboarding skills at Grandma Doucette's hill.
Brendan also tried his hand at daredevil sledding.
The Doucette grandchildren posed in front of the tree before the present melee.
Evan is sporting his favorite new presents: his Gryffindor hat and scarf. (He also has a wand and Harry Potter glasses!)
We had a remarkable holidays!
As I looked through the pictures, deciding what to post, it felt like a lifetime ago when stacks of essays weren't waiting for my eye to read and my brain to grade. This is the beginning of finals weeks, a time where I read an incomprehensible amount of work in an attempt to capture 18 weeks of effort into one letter.
Sorry- I digress--
Christmas was an incredible relaxing time filled with much visiting and fun. Here are the highlights:
We celebrated Christmas morning at my mom and dad's home again. The boys just know that Santa can find them there.
I got a few precious moments with my brand new-- seven day old at the time-- nephew Rylan. I love little babies!
Here is a feeble attempt to get six boys to stand still to take a picture. The first three pictures all show them wrestling on the floor.
My nephew Noah enjoys himself by climbing into his mother's wreath box that she hoped to win in our gift exchange. Too bad the gift was quickly claimed by another person. Noah was part of the gift, so he has a new mommy now. -haha
The Annual cookie making session with grandma came after Christmas this year.
We took this group of five boys to Tower city for a little dinner before. . .
We took them to see the Globetrotters. They are all sporting autographs from Cobra, one of the Globetrotters. They loved this night!
Evan worked on his snowboarding skills at Grandma Doucette's hill.
Brendan also tried his hand at daredevil sledding.
The Doucette grandchildren posed in front of the tree before the present melee.
Evan is sporting his favorite new presents: his Gryffindor hat and scarf. (He also has a wand and Harry Potter glasses!)
We had a remarkable holidays!
Monday, January 18, 2010
We Joined the Fun
Christmas sweaters have long been a fun way to celebrate the holidays. People love to find unique holiday sweaters to show their love of the season. Christmas trees, ornaments, bells, and snow all make quaint sweaters even cuter.
Yet, in a high school, anything that resembles a "festive" sweater is ridiculed by a student body that believes style is of the utmost concern. So, my friend Corina and I decided that hosting a festive holiday sweater day would be both hilarious and full of holiday spirit.
The trouble became, however, that on that day we had a difficult time determining who was being satirical and who sincerely owned their red Christmas tree sweater. Yikes! It was a tricky line to trace. But, I took some pictures to celebrate a few of us participants.
My coat had two snowman pockets, and the creepy part was that there was a giant snowman on the center back of the sweater. One of these sweaters had ice skaters and another had bows tied on her shirt. Too fun!
Here are a few more. One owned a Christmas poncho that she had received as a gift from her sister. The lady with the snowman has the matching sweater with her daughter.
A student got in the spirit as well. I am sporting matching cardinal turtleneck and vest. His sweater actually has yarn balls that come off in many places.
I believe we have started a tradition that will continue for many years.
Yet, in a high school, anything that resembles a "festive" sweater is ridiculed by a student body that believes style is of the utmost concern. So, my friend Corina and I decided that hosting a festive holiday sweater day would be both hilarious and full of holiday spirit.
The trouble became, however, that on that day we had a difficult time determining who was being satirical and who sincerely owned their red Christmas tree sweater. Yikes! It was a tricky line to trace. But, I took some pictures to celebrate a few of us participants.
My coat had two snowman pockets, and the creepy part was that there was a giant snowman on the center back of the sweater. One of these sweaters had ice skaters and another had bows tied on her shirt. Too fun!
Here are a few more. One owned a Christmas poncho that she had received as a gift from her sister. The lady with the snowman has the matching sweater with her daughter. 
A student got in the spirit as well. I am sporting matching cardinal turtleneck and vest. His sweater actually has yarn balls that come off in many places.I believe we have started a tradition that will continue for many years.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Off to a Running Start. . .
On your mark, get set, and go!
Every New Year's, people -- including me -- set resolutions and then tenaciously attack the goal like a frantic sprint. The urgency to see results is akin to wanting me get across the finish line quickly.
This year, I am changing my approach a little. I have decided that slow and steady just may win this year's resolution race. Incidentally, a race is my goal.
Slowly over the past year, I have begun running; this is something I haven't attempted since my days of big hair and Aqua Net, but as an adult, I have discovered that running has greater benefits than attracting attention in short shorts (I'm not looking for that anymore. . .) Running burns calories- and lots of them! I love and crave the burn I get during a good run.
I have built my running capabilities to a 4.4 mile run in about 45 minutes- slow and steady. Then, I have to race home to get ready for the day. So, this year my goal is big and scary.
I want to run a half marathon on Memorial Day weekend.
13.1 miles.
Running.
I am excited, daunted and ready to cruise. Writing the goal down makes it feel real. I will officially start a training regimen at the start of March, but I will continue building my endurance until then.
Stay tuned as I attempt to race to the finish of my personal goal.
Every New Year's, people -- including me -- set resolutions and then tenaciously attack the goal like a frantic sprint. The urgency to see results is akin to wanting me get across the finish line quickly.
This year, I am changing my approach a little. I have decided that slow and steady just may win this year's resolution race. Incidentally, a race is my goal.
Slowly over the past year, I have begun running; this is something I haven't attempted since my days of big hair and Aqua Net, but as an adult, I have discovered that running has greater benefits than attracting attention in short shorts (I'm not looking for that anymore. . .) Running burns calories- and lots of them! I love and crave the burn I get during a good run.
I have built my running capabilities to a 4.4 mile run in about 45 minutes- slow and steady. Then, I have to race home to get ready for the day. So, this year my goal is big and scary.
I want to run a half marathon on Memorial Day weekend.
13.1 miles.
Running.
I am excited, daunted and ready to cruise. Writing the goal down makes it feel real. I will officially start a training regimen at the start of March, but I will continue building my endurance until then.
Stay tuned as I attempt to race to the finish of my personal goal.
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