At Home in the Mountains

Well, the whole week was just a little crazy. Instead of describe it all, I just put the craziest highlights into a time line. A very incomplete time line. It doesn't include Aaron's final schedule, routine doctor appointments, or activities we did catching up with friends. We did our Christmas last night. We wanted to give Maddy a few days to play with what she got from us before we leave, and I am thinking that we'll take down the tree BEFORE we leave this year. Otherwise, it is just going to be too big of a mess. Anyway, Maddy did her first trip to the ER last night. While opening presents, we had one that had plastic zip ties that needed to be cut off. Aaron got the pocket knife and was working on them. Maddy was watching him. I had gotten up to go to the kitchen or do something for just a minute so I didn't see the incident, but suddenly heard Maddy wailing. Tammy and Aaron said she got cut so we ran to the bathroom for tissue, rubbing alcohol and bandaids. It ...

Okay so I am excited that our Christmas tree is up, Christmas lights are up,Christmas cards are close to being mailed out, Christmas parties are at hand, and the countdown to Christmas on the Advent Calendar is well underway, but so far, the highlight of the season for me, is that finals are complete! I don't know why (since I only had a total of 19 students between two classes), but this semester was particularly hellacious (spelling? spell check doesn't recognize this word. so is it not a word or have I butchered the spelling that bad? hhmmmm. might be explaining some of my struggles as an english teacher this semester). I think a lot of it was the marathon Saturday classes and that that class was a new prep and I had to spend hours and hours and HOURS preparing for the class. I felt in over my head on that one for sure. Regardless the reason for my stress this semester, I am ready for a little peace on earth, a slow down, a time to focus on the" reason for the season...

If any of us wanted decent hair for our picture after our White Rock runs yesterday, White Rain was probably our only chance. :) That stuff probably wouldn't have even held up in the pouring rain and cold we had for the race. The race experience was great this year despite the rain and cold. Janet, Rachel, Tammy, Raya, and Nat made up a family relay team, Jessica, Tricia, and I ran the half marathon, and Aaron ran the marathon. Aaron also organized two student relays and for the first time ever in the history of having student relay teams, BOTH teams finished and got their finisher shirts and medals. No one missed the buses to the relay spots or missed the person handing off to them. Maddy got to attend the race for the first time and hang out with Uncle David. He was very gracious to watch her while we all ran. Sadly, things did not go as smoothly post race. Before the race Aaron had brought a box for people to put sweats or whatever in that they didn't want to carry. Why ...