Vacation Update

So yes it has been a week since I have been home and I am just now posting anything about the fantastic family trip I got to take. Along with Steve and all the kids we made the big journey to Ohio to see Steve's family. I can't get caught up all at once so maybe day by day.
Day 1--Friday July 8
We rented the 15 passenger van, loaded up and headed to mom's with Andrea and Austin. The plan was that Steve would sleep all afternoon and be ready to drive ALL the way. Yeah that's the plan--he will drive ALL the way-stopping for gas,restroom and food. Hmmmmm
The rest of the kids made it to mom's after work. We ate the last Okie food for a while(thanks mom) and headed out about 8:30.
This was fun until it got dark....and until Tulsa traffic....oh yeah I HATE riding in cars. This will be a great trip.
At 1:30am Sat. Steve could no longer stay awake,I was sleepy too soooooo we took a long break in Lebanon MO to sleep in the parking lot of a McDonalds. Everyone sleep well except for the person who had Austin laid out all over them--uhhh that would be ME!!!
About 3:30 everyone woke up---Amber was first to get too hot to sleep. Back on the road---lots of fog, a semi off the road. Stopped outside St. Louis and then on the road again. I'm sure all the kids have great pics of the Arch but not me I was on the look out for traffic:)
Yes I drove for a while after a stop in Effingham for breakfast and a stop for White Castle. Then I happily drove the monster van(yes I did cry....I was scared!)

Then the exciting part....Johnny Appleseed's grave.  Yes this is the good part.

I forgot flowers and felt bad.

What a wonderful story.

So after the thrill of this we decided to head on to Ohio. Everyone was excited to get there.

Elliot was the only one perky enough to crawl out of the van for this pic. He was also the one who yelled LOUDLY everytime we crossed a state line.We drove through Hicksvill where Steve's mom-Barb use to teach and then spent the night in Defiance. This is the end of day 1.

Smiles-Kathy

The Countdown is ON!!

Only 3 more mornings in Oklahoma before the BIG trip to OHIO.  We have never taken a family trip out of state so this is BIG for our family. The kids are all getting excited in each of their own ways.  Oldest is worried about everyone getting along and is anxious for some down time. She has so much on her plate I am praying she can just enjoy herself. Daughter number two is the organizer of the bunch. She made a list weeks ago and except for that broken toe :( is ready to hit the road. Daughter number 3 is concerned about clothes and entertainment. Number one son in law is ready for some down time to read. Oldest son hasn's said much but I think he is missing us since he moved out last month and will enjoy time with everyone...He is my smiler so he will play an important part on the trip. Baby son is too laid back to act excited but I am praying he will enjoy himself.

This morning devotional talked about giving control to God and relaxing and trusting.  I will still be praying on this for ever but I am really going to let go and let GOD. I so want to enjoy these opportunities with my family....both close and far. I just know it will take a lot of prayer!!!

So plans include Johnny Appleseeds gravesite, seeing Lake Erie, family reunion in Rossford,visiting and meeting lots of family, touring around Steven's old stomping grounds, Titantic museum, Silver Dollar City, shopping, and probably too much eating!!!

Now's the hard part.....time to make my list and get organized to leave.
-
*color my hair--doing this as I write
*laundry(big surprise, I know)
*prepare snacks for car
*clean house
*PACK...and don't forget the tickets for everything!!!

And then Have FUN....this is an order.
Smiles-Kathy
No time for spell check...gotta go rinse my hair.

Happy Father's Day

Thinking of those two special men in my life.
Daddy even though you are in heaven now you are still in my heart and thoughts. I am so proud to be your daughter.

Steve-you are such a great dad to our kids. You are such a gift to  our family. We all love you.

:)Time to grill the steaks!!
Smiles-Kathy

Short People.....

have short attention spans, use short words, don't sit in their short chairs at their short desks, and can only be quiet for a short amount of time. I am very thankful for the opportunity to make some extra money for the family and am extremely thankful that I do NOT teach first grade full time. I do not have a calling to teach first grade. I could lie and say I enjoyed the challenge but why?? I will enjoy that tomorrow is the last day and I can go cash that lovely check!!

Is this too mean? I apologize to all the short people in the world!

Garage sale this weekend and I am sure I will not enjoy that either but again money is my motivation. After subbing the last week of June in fifth grade I will be finished doing anything for "the money" for the rest of summer!Yeah!

Also don't look in my closets!!
Smiles-kathy

Failing Grades

Since I did not complete my weekend assignments I AM FAILING summer:(
I did the bathroom, the porch, moved Elliot our, sorta cleaned his room, cleaned the porch(I should have done a before and after because it was awesome and yet I am the only one who noticed), and trimmed fence row in backyard.

Doesn't seem like much.....and that trend continues today.  Worked outside for a bit, bike has 2 flat tires! Then went to school to check in with teacher I am subbing for tomorrow, hung out with Andrea. Cleaned 2 bags of garbage out of hallway drawers.

I also got tried to get some details of Ohio trip organized. Only a month away. I really am trying only to plan enough to stay sane and yet be relax and flexible with the other details.

Still trying to "find" the perfect word to put on the dining room wall. Redoing the kitchen is my reward for being nice during the Ohio trip.... So back to the room.....Erin has EAT on her kitchen wall so I can't copy her.  Some words I am considering: relish,renew,faith,family,celebrate,enjoy,clean up,sit down,pray,---why can't I think of the perfect word? I still have time because hobby lobby doest have the chip board letters on sale yet.

Other thoughts----what about going by Kate? Seems so much more grownup than Kathy. Well this isnt getting my dresser drawers cleaned out and I will do that today!!!!!
Smiles-Kathy/Kate

Summer Lesson Plans

I should have started on this earlier. I don't know why I didn't. I always turned my lesson plans in on time!  How did I miss taking care of myself ---again???

So yesterday when I got (another) call to sub for summer school, I got the distinct feeling that my summer was slipping away. Yes I had cleaned the bathroom!!! (This is not a small feat---old tile and grout attracts dirt.) But I was already worrying about time slipping away before I had any more exciting accomplishments.  That's when I realized I need to do lesson plans for my summer.  Long term planning looks like this:
June--objective: Clean house, sub at summer school
July--objective:vacation and recovery,mental prep for school   
Important date: June17 & 18---Garage sale
                        July 8-17 Vacation

Short term looks like this

May 30-June 3
             Clean bathroom-This one is done
             Move Elliot out
             Clean Kitchen
             Clean out bedroom drawers, organize(HIDE) school things until July!
              Help Steve at store
Weekend of June 4---Mow, new ceiling fans, new backdoor knob, plant ground cover, clean front porch,wash car
June6-10
             Clean out Elliot's room
             Start culling for garage sale
             Clean utility room
              Clean hallway storage
             Clean living room closet
             Help Steve at store
Weekend of June 11--Mow, clean out shed
June13-17
              Sub at summer school M-Thursday
              Help at store
              Clean my closet
               Help Austin with his room
June 17& 18--GARAGE SALE
June 19-Celebrate with Steve
June 20-buy groceries,laundry,clean house
June22-26 Mini vacation at Mom's
June27-30  sub at summer school

Well now I am overwhelmed so I'll do July plans later.
Smiles, Kathy

Don't Judge Me

Okay,Okay....so it has been awhile since I last posted. What was I thinking when I started this?Posting everyday...dream on Kathy, dream on. 

I wish I could say I have been busy saving the world, building homes for Habitat for Humanity, training for a marathon, remodeling my house, or even cleaning my house. But all of those choices would be lies. I have been busy....being a mom, a daughter, a wife, a teacher, a friend. I have been busy being thankful for all my gifts from God....hugging and loving, listening and watching, laughing and crying, working and sleeping, reading and writing(if only a little).

I am striving to live this wonderful life I have been so lovingly given. I am striving to enjoy the wonders around me, appreciate the little stuff, interact with the people around me,and live to the best of my ability.

I am striving to let go of guilt,shame, anger, pettiness, and jealousy.

I am striving to live in the moment.....even while counting the days until school is out!
I am striving to accept me as I am.....even while the weight doesn't go away and the grey hairs increase!

I am striving to BE HAPPY!!!

And yet....I will try to post more, share more, be more.

Ahhhh...

Smiles-Kathy