The summer's almost over.......sigh

I officially only have two more weeks off and it seems like I have 100 projects to finish before then! The kids wanted a swing set for their birthdays (May and June, just a little late!) so we finally have the evenings free to start building it. Hopefully all will go well and we will have a tree house and swing set before I go back to work. Emmitt is so excited, all he ever says is swing set!
We were at my moms last week helping her out, we got quite a bit done but of course there is more we can do......I hope we get to go back soon and finish up. Although Joe and I about killed ourselves getting everything finished, the kids played with their Nanny and had a blast! It was a really good visit and wish we could go in more often.
The entire family attended the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes luncheon kick-off last week. The JDRF is a wonderful organization but I am always brought down a little by being around the other families. Being around everyone just reminds me how long-term Avery's diabetes really is. We live from day-to-day and try to give Avery the most normal life possible. Hearing everyone's stories brings me back to reality and makes me realize this is not going away. It's really hard, she looks normal but is no where near it and she is starting to be annoyed by all of the procedures she has to follow just to live. I don't blame her, it isn't fair that if she wants to eat a few crackers (like the other kids) she has to test her sugar, count out her food and then give her shot. It's a process. Hopefully they will find a cure soon.
I'm going to try to get these kids up! We need to head to Wal-mart and buy some school stuff and diapers! Emmitt needs to potty-train! I have been changing diapers for the past four years straight, technically it has been over six years, I had a short 6 month break before Mia was born! I won't know what to do once everyone is going potty like big kids!

It's so hard to say good-bye!

Okay, I am in count-down mode......three weeks.......that is the time I have until I have to go back to work! This is the time I have to start preparing myself to say good-bye to my summer vacation. It is a very sad moment and I don't know if I'm ready for the day. I'm sure I will need many diet cokes, cheese fries and chocolate to get me through it. Don't get me wrong, I love my job! Interacting with teenagers is great, it's just the prep stuff I don't enjoy! If I had someone to get all of my lesson plans ready for me, it would be the best job in the world!
It's a rainy day here so the kids and I are going up to the school and start working on a few things. They absolutely love going to my room! They play teacher, run around and draw on everything (I think they just get bored staying around the house!). Honestly, once I get to the school and start working on my room, I get a little excited too......school supplies get me excited about going back too! Love me some school supplies!
Keep checking back, we are going to the JDRF kick-off luncheon tomorrow and I will be getting everything ready for the walk on September 12th! I'm trying to design a cool team shirt but need a little graphic design help, if you know of anyone that would like to help out, let me know!

Keeping up with Joe!

I'm starting my first blogs today (one for school and one for the fam)....I never thought anyone would ever be interested in following a blog about us (they probably still aren't) BUT Joe has been doing one for the last year and I now feel pressured to do one as well! So we all know I teach, now Joe is a teacher too.....well, I can't let my little brother have one up on me so I have to give this thing a try too! He has been using this in his class and it has been awesome! He is getting rave reviews from everyone about his technology inclusion in the class....I just hope I am half as successful as he has been! As I type, I am sitting in the workshop to create my blogs, we will see how it goes once I get home and start working on it! (I'll either get really into it and Chris will never be able to get me off the computer, this could be like Facebook adiction x10 or I will drop it and this will be my first and last post!)
Keep checking in and I will keep you posted on how things are going!