Perfectly Imperfect

The holidays were busy and wonderful. Here are some of our experiences, in a nutshell:
Nights of Lights in Saint Augustine, visiting the Fort and Project Swing
Thanksgiving with Pat’s family and Dayna in Georgia. Lots of good food, little kids and giggles.
Cookie baking
Making a who-ville-esque gingerbread village
Visiting Santa with Sam’s Prek ESE class
Decorating the tree with special ornaments
Christmas Eve pageant with and angel and a sheep
Tia Dayna visiting
Reindeer leaving a MESS on the patio!
Lighting the advent wreath
Presents!
Yummy dinner at my parents’, kids climbing on aunts and uncles.

I am a felting addict! Here are some of the projects that I have worked in recently.

For more ideas got to www.livingfelt.com

I made this nativity scene for our church auction. The colors from the Living Felt multipacks were perfect. I especially love the donkey, I wanted to keep him (so did Sam!) for those of you who are becoming felt-heads, go to livingfelt.com

Hi! It’s been a long time =) We are moving into Fall weather and that means cooler temps and a lot less sweat. Granted, Fall lasts for about a week in the South. But, it is a glorious week to say the least.
The children are rocking the new school year. I am feeling more and more at home at BHS (although it will never be anything like the home that ASA was for so long). There are many days when I miss PY and all of our friends there. If there is one thing that stands out to me as a stark difference between PY and FL it is the distance everyone keeps, both emotionally and physically. I remember when I arrived in PY in 2000. I was uncomfortable with how close everyone got to me, and now I miss it. The start of each school year brings these feelings back.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my job at BHS and I thank God everyday for giving me the gift of teaching. I always smile while I am at work. I mean, please! I get paid to talk about books all day =)
I am also moonlighting at the Gainesville Rock Gym. I was hanging out there so much they finally decided to put me on the payroll so they could tell me when to leave =) And there is another blessing. I get paid to hang out at a rock gym teaching people how to have fun and reach new heights (pun intended).
Halloween is coming up. Eliana made my October recently by asking if we could watch a movie together. I was hesitant. Then she said, “We could watch your FAVORITE movie…” I replied, “What movie is that?” I really had no idea what she was talking about.
“The one with Jack and Sally–The Nightmare Before Christmas!”
I was delighted. We watched it together and she put up with me singing along, word for word, with every song in the movie.
Welcome Fall.

pat

Things we have done lately:

Pat has run the rock climbing camp for the past three weeks.

I taught Vacation Bible School and Eliana and Sam participated.

Eliana has been at rock climbing camp for the past two weeks.

Sam is totally potty trained!

I have been refinishing furniture….still sanding.

Eliana has logged over 50 hours of reading, on her own.

Sam and I made dinosaur cookies.

Pat is currently experimenting with colored pancakes during Sunday Brunch…this week they were…green.

I start teaching preschool on Monday!

Eliana learned to swim underwater!

It has rained a LOT!

Yep, like I need another hobby. Needle felting. This is my new fairy friend.

From 17_7_09

Eliana and I have new haircuts. Our friend, Judi, styled us up! Afterwards we even painted our nails glittery pink!

From 14_07_08

From 14_07_08

From 14_07_08

From 14_07_08

From 14_07_08

What a fun day!

Today our fun moment came when we were at the park swinging. Out of nowhere, the rain began. Since there was no thunder, we kept swinging and singing. Soaked and happy we finally came home to dry towels and pjs, popcorn and Alice in Wonderland.

Happy 4th to all of you. Living in Paraguay for 7 years makes me so so so so so so grateful for our great nation.

From 2009_07_04

From 2009_07_04

From 2009_07_04

This year my birthday and Fathers’ day coincided. A few days before, Eliana and I met my parents to see UP. I loved it. As rarely as I want to watch movies a second time, this one, I DO.

On my actual birthday, Pat was the organizer, grillmaster. Stephanie organized a ton of food inside. The kids played in the kiddie pool and we all played with bubbles. Without a doubt, it was the best birthday I have had in years.

And, I AM GOING TO SEE U2 IN OCTOBER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks to Pat!!!!!

Actually thanks to all of my family and friends, near and far for birthday phone calls, emails and facebook posts. I feel so loved.

Here are some pics that Jamie took at the cookout.

So, it has been raining a bit. Classic afternoon showers. I don’t know what is IN the rain though, because my sunflowers are going nuts. This one is over 6 feet tall.

09_06_09

Kat