People just don't get it!

I'm a PE teacher. That does not mean I'm a dumb jock that rolls the balls out every day while reading the sports page. I feel that I have to fight and fight to explain to people the validity of our PE program at school. It's so frustrating! Our program is a comprehensive program geared toward the indivivdual student and incorporates academic content, fitness related activities and motor skills.

Last week we had sad news that a 19 year old girl, who had graduated from my school the year before, had passed away. She basically died of obesity. Heart attack. And while this is so very sad, it is also very maddening that she never had to take a single class in PE during her 4 yrs. in high school. She got waivers for this or that.

Now, our drama teacher is asking our principal for waivers for kids who are in musicals because they do a lot off dancing in her program. Seriously!?!? It's not just about dancing and losing weight. While we want weight loss to be a result of hard work if that is what that particular student needs to be healthy, we also want to teach WHY it is important to exercise. And more importantly why it is important to make that committment when you don't have a dance troupe supporting you. How about when you're 36 with two kids, a job and you're dead dog tired? Unless you have that academic foundation as to why it's important to your overall wellness and health, you won't fit it in. It's why I don't think athletes should get waivers either, which they currently do. When I was coaching volleyball I didn't teach the academic content in practice that I teach in my classes.

SO FRUSTRATING!

Vent over.

Football Widow.... once again....

I seriously am okay with being the football widow but every now and then it just makes me melancholy. Here's to a great husband, here's to a great life and here's to the trip to the beach that we are going to take when this season is over!!!!

Time

The days are long and the years fly by....................

Leaving on a jet plane....

Well, we leave Thursday for Vegas and I have to say the panic has been less and less as the day apporaches. (For those of you who don't know, I have developed a fear of flying since Allie was born....) I think it has something to do with the fact that as the day (d-day) draws closer, I have been living more and more like it's my last day. Don't get me wrong, I haven't gone out and done anything stupid, but I have just truly been doing the things I want to do and savoring every moment. I am at such peace right now, it's bliss.

IF I survive this trip, and I'm sure I will, sort of sure...., I am going to try and take the things I have experienced in the last few days and apply them for always. It's crazy, this stupid fear of flying may have actually brought me something that I desperately needed, clarity and appreciation for where I'm at right now. This moment. Beautiful.

I'm baaaaaack!

Wow, been a LONG while since I've blogged. Hope you all are doing fantastic! I've been so busy with Allie and Josh that I can hardly believe the end of July is approaching. Didn't we just start getting used to writing 2009 on our checks? Anyway, I will do my best to blog more and post pics of the kiddos. Most of you follow me on fb anyway....

Ringing in the New Year

Happy New Year, everyone! (Okay, I'm 13 days late....)

Josh is 8 months today.
Allie is getting so big I almost can't believe it.
Cale and I are at an all time happy high for our marriage.
Work is great.
I'm exercising more.
I am blessed with the best friends.
LIFE IS GOOD.

Yes, a very Happy Year indeed.....

Say Da-da

Allie's Christmas Party

New Tooth!

Josh has cut his first tooth! On the bottom. It's barely there, but it's there! Too hard to get a picture but I'm sure in the next few days I will get one. But I was very excited and a little sad that the toothless grins are over.

To Times!!!

Tanya and I toast to the Titans and their wonderful season!

The Beach: Day Two

Well, the second full day was very stormy. We had sustained winds of 30-40mph and and rain and hail storms came and went all day. It was amazing. We didn't lose power, thankfully, which made if a very cozy day. We watched two movies, shopped and ate way too much. The perfect day! ;-)

Even the room bear thought it was a good day to watch movies (our room service always put the bear in funny poses wearing my hat or glasses or whatever... pretty cute!)

The Beach: Part One

Our first full day in Cannon beach included two walks on the beach (with a nap in between) and lunch at Bill's. The weather was cloudy in the morning with the sun breaking through about mid morning and this afternoon was down right gorgeous. The sunset was unbelievable. Didn't have my camera on me for that walk because Cale was making fun of how many pictures I'd already taken. I will NOT leave the Stephanie Inn without the camera again. Anyway, got some good photos nonetheless...

I had a picture of the sunset on my phone and uploaded it so that I could post it. Thank goodness for camera phones!!

Future Titans

Well, it was a great season for Cale and the mighty Titans. Finishing 2nd in State your 2nd year of the school's existence is just awesome. Great job, sweetie. The kids were very proud too!

Took the pics with my phone....

SLACKER BLOGGER

I have been so bad lately about blogging. I promise to do better. I know you're all so happy about this.

Random thought of the day: Why is coffee so special? I mean, it really is....

Every once in a while...

you take a really good picture or two. Here are a few of the kids that I took recently that I thought turned out good. And one of a tree..... I know.... random....

Trick Or Treat!!

Happy Halloween 2008!!

PUMPKIN PATCH!

It was a fun day at the pumpkin patch for Allie, Josh, Nana and mommy!!

Baby Weekend

Went over to Jerry and Kathy's for a baby shower for Amanda's friend. It was such a nice shower. GREAT food, great drinks, great time. Amanda's friend, Kathy looked so happy and too good for being so pregnant! ;-)

And, we all went over to Jerry and Kathy's to see Baby Harper. Cale and Allie were meeting her for the first time. "She was so cute" to quote Allie. It was great to see "Fun Mandi" and to spend time with Chris, Amanda and Christina. As well as the Portland gang: Barnekoffs and Cases. The food at the Piland's was divine, as always and it was such a great fun filled weekend. I feel as if I need to devote my time Sunday to napping and recharging for the week. That's proof that fun "times" were had!

Finding Time

It's amazing how it is soooo hard to find time to toast "To Times" . Anyone else feel like we're spinning around like whirling dervishes and never getting to all the things we want to do? For instance, Lori and I are trying to find a time to get together for an evening. We have ONE "iffy" date in the next month. Crazy...
Actually I have quite a bit of free time on my calendar in the next month, it just doesn't happen to sync up with anyone else's schedule. I feel as if I'm constantly fighting the frustration of a busy schedule with living in the moment and enjoying/being grateful for this wonderful life that we have.
Serenity Now!

CHOW TIME!!

Josh is eating food now. The first intro was to rice cereal and now he has moved into the land of peas. Steak and potatoes are next given how this guy can eat!!!