Brotherly Love

It continually amazes me to watch my boys grow, both developmentally, emotionally, and socially. The other day, Neftali sat down next to Solomon in his little bouncy chair and the two just started chatting at each other. It was so precious! You could see little Sol's face light up with joy as he listened to his big brother. His mood was highlighted by his squeals of delight. Even though he's only 4 1/2 months old, he seems to have a powerful bond with his brother, and then understand each other so perfectly. It truly is amazing! Solomon's face lights up whenever he sees Neftali, as well as Neftali delighting in his little brother. I pray their bond continues to strengthen as they get older, and they might truly be the best of friends.

Monday...

Well, here we are at the start of another week. Only two more weeks (four more classes) before I have a break. Then, it's off to in-service, and then the first day of school! I can't believe it's already here. I am thrilled and terrified. I know it will all go well, but until I am actually in the classroom and getting to the know the kids, it's very nerve-wracking!

Last night, my sweetie and I had a date - our first since Solomon was born. We went to see the new Batman movie. It was really good, very action-packed. It was nice to get away from the house. Both of the boys were in bed before we left, so it was easy to rest assured that they'd be fine while we were gone. Not that I really worry that much anyway. But it helps. :o)

Today, I am trying to be productive and get some house-cleaning done so I can drive to Portland on Thursday to spend the day with my sister-in-law. I sure wish my brother and his family were closer, but I guess I can't really complain because Portland is a lot closer than California!

I've been feeling somber lately, thinking about how much I wish my mom were here so that her grandbabies could meet her. There are too many times when I wish I could talk to her, to go have some girl time, to play a game of rummy or just give her a hug. She truly was my best friend, my mother, my sister, my mentor. I miss so much my heart hurts. Will this sadness ever go away? I know she is in a much better place, with her Savior - where she wanted to be, and without pain. But I wish she could have stayed here with me a little longer. Maybe spending time with my brother and his family when we go camping in a few weeks will be just what I need to lift my spirits. Or maybe I just need to peek in on my sleeping babies...that always brings a smile to my heart.

Terrible twos???

I'm not sure if the phenomenon of the 'terrible twos' is real, or if it is just something that is sort of expected by the parent so the child's behavior seems worse than normal...but either way, Neftali is going through some sort of developmental change. He is so short-tempered, and it's his way or the highway! And last night, he refused to go to bed...even when Daddy and I (and Solomon) were climbing into bed at 10pm! Maybe he's just testing our limits, or going through some sort of jealousy issues...it's not too clear. All I know is that parenting is becoming a little more challenging (not that I expected it to be a breeze or anything) and Daddy and I are just trying to be extremely patient and reassuring. Solomon, on the other hand, is the most content, happy baby ever born. He wakes up with a smile on his face, and practically goes to bed with one too! I pray he stays mellow and happy. Both of our boys are a tremendous blessing - if they're not infecting us with their contagious joy and excitement, they are challenging us and helping us to build character!

Babies...

Here are a few recent pics of my growing boys. Solomon has his four month check up tomorrow - I can't believe it!! I can't wait to see how much he weighs. From left going clockwise: Nefty eating one of his favorite veggies; Solomon trying to call his cousins in Portland; and Nefty, the proud big brother.

It is finished!!!

Hooray for me! I submitted my completed work sample last night (even though it's not technically due until next Tuesday). What a HUGE relief!!! Now, I can focus on a few other projects I have to complete before summer classes are over and I step into the teaching role. It will be here before I can say "student teacher"! I am really excited to put all that I have designed into action, and I am already thinking of ways that I know I will tweak the lesson plans. I used a textbook (teacher's copy) as a guideline for the lessons, but I feel like once I'm in the classroom, I'll be diverting from them severely! But oh well...I think that's what it's all about - learning how to be spontaneous and flexible, as well as organized and intentional about what I'm going to teach. We'll see how it goes! In-service begins August 26th!
Until then, I am looking very much forward to the second week of August - my first of almost three since my program began. The hubby and I are hoping to squeeze in a vacation that week (with the kids, of course) before he starts daily doubles for soccer. We are thinking about going to either Yellowstone (I really want to, but it might be too much in one week), or the Grand Canyon. If we decided option B, we can swing by his buddy's place in Henderson, NV and visit for a bit before heading home. We'll see what we decide. All I know is that I seriously need some kind of vacation!!! A trip to the salon for a few hours of pampering and a new hair color isn't enough! :o)

Sick of Geometry

Okay, so my work sample is on the fundamentals of geometry...and I'm getting tired of looking at my lessons plans. I have to write 8-12 lessons for my unit - IN SPANISH. And the next hurdle is the assessments, pre and post. I have to admit, when I decided to get my MAT, I was thinking I was pretty much home free, because I don't have to write a thesis. Well, I might as well! The work sample needs to fill a 2" binder. It is so much work! And the remarks of those who have gone before aren't very inspiring - "You'll never, ever use it except during your student teaching." Great! All this work for nothing? Okay, so, it's not for nothing. I've already learned alot from the lessons I've created and the mini-lesson I taught to my colleagues. But man! Is it ALOT of work! (I think I said that already...) Let me just say that, though I know it will be worth it all when all is said and done, I am definitely looking forward to finishing, to having a normal schedule again and being home with my family for dinner...you get the idea. :o)

Crazy!

Well, I've been absolutely swamped and stressed out with school, now that everything is coming down to the wire. I have been putting together my work sample that I'll be teaching in the fall, and it has completely overwhelmed me! There are so many components, and each one is very detailed. But I'm probably about half way there, and things are finally starting to flow...at least a little bit more easily.

Neftali is still amazing and adjusting well to his new 'big boy' status. I still can't believe he's potty-trained! Hallelujah! Now we really are saving money - no more diapers at all! Just a little more laundry. But you hardly notice, since we have an energy saver washer and dryer. It is amazing to me what a difference cloth has made. My house smells and feels cleaner (and yes, I always took out the dirty disposable diapers, but there was a smell that wouldn't go away), as does my little guy's tushie!

My garden is growing along beautifully! We had to put up some posts and string to guide the blooming tomato plants. I also have to put more string above my green beans and snow peas. They are just growing up a storm! It's so exciting to watch vegetables grow in your backyard. What a metaphor for the spiritual walk with Jesus! I mean, I've read Matthew before, where Jesus talks about the three different types of soil and compares them to three different encounters with the LORD. But watching plants grow, watering them and feeding them, and weeding the garden, really puts all that Jesus was sharing into perspective. I pray that I will be the kind of believer who lets the Lord prune me, and who gets the only nourishment she needs from her Savior so that my roots can grow deep and healthy and I will be a fruitful, beautiful, blossoming plant for the Lord!