Monday, October 10, 2011

Wedding Weekend!

This weekend was full of wonderful things ... it is going to be hard to remember all of the "little things" that made it so special! This may be a long list! I will write what I can now, and perhaps add more later. I hope to add pictures as I get them!

  • a hotel full of out-of-town guests
  • wine & deep-dish pizza
  • a friend to curl my hair
  • breakfast with the bridesmaids
  • lending a hand wherever possible
  • five days of sunshine
  • the colors of autumn displayed on the trees
  • a perfect back-drop to a beautiful wedding ceremony


  • her ballroom gown
  • walking arm-in-arm with my brother
  • his smiling face as she came down the aisle
  • 4 white roses
  • my grandparents sitting in the front row
  • all stress dissolving as they become one

  • dancing with family of all ages
  • "the worm" - not once or even twice, but 4 times
  • celebrating a special couple, so excited to have another sister!
  • seeing them together again, how happy they are
Mr. & Mrs!

  • meeting up with college friends for lunch
  • the way she hopped out of the car to see us
  • enjoying the surreal October warmth and pristine views on Lake Shore Drive
  • out for dinner and gelato with siblings
  • meeting their new puppy, getting to pet him


  • amazed at their dedication, cheering on my roommates in the Chicago marathon
  • proud of their finishing times!
  • watching a soccer game, with skyscrapers and blue sky in the background
  • putting our feet up after a lot of walking
  • making dinner and dessert, enjoying a homemade meal together
  • a quick cab ride to the airport, no delays while traveling
  • great friends that were willing to pick us up in La Guardia on their day off
  • coming back to home sweet home after an amazing weekend with family & friends!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

  • my husband feeling better
  • filling the bucket with marbles!
  • enjoying an hour outside at a soccer game, soaking up the day's last rays of sunshine
  • struck by the beauty of God's autumn creation (there was a reason the light turned red in my hurry to work this morning!)
  • teachers offering to help so I can prepare for the wedding
  • packing our bags for Indiana, printing boarding passes
  • looking forward to a weekend of celebration with family & friends
  • ... more to come after A&A have tied the knot!

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2011

  • living close enough to my home-away-from-home that I can stop in even for a quick 10 minutes
  • paper-clipped copies
  • parent playground volunteers
  • warm, homemade soup on a cool day
  • escaping into the world of photoshop, a break from my "day job"
  • an extra blanket on the bed

Monday, October 3, 2011

  • MAP testing - I know it is not a highlight for my first-time-ever-taking-the-test 2nd graders, but it sure does lighten my teaching load!
  • my aide is back! 
  • relaxing mani/pedi to prepare for the wedding, walking in to find that mom had pre-paid for me!
  • surprised to find my husband home early
  • beginning season 3
  • cozy robes and Smartwool socks

Sunday, October 2, 2011

  • relaxing before church, eating waffles in front of the TV
  • breaking out our robes to keep warm on a cool morning
  • excellent sermon series in church
  • special delivery to the birthday girl
  • walk with mom on a gorgeous autumn day
  • finding higher-level spelling lists online
  • taking out the air conditioners, making way for sweatshirts
  • hot apple cider, curling up under a blanket

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2011

  • helping my brother move in downstairs
  • seeing his half of the house look more like a home
  • checking 3 days of sub plans off my to-do list
  • my husband's help with making apple crisp
  • trying a new restaurant with mom & dad

Friday, September 30, 2011

  • 7 a.m. call to tell me she is free tonight
  • student interviews: "What is the best part of 2nd grade?" "Having you for a teacher!"
  • excitement over stickers, working hard for them
  • brought to and from school by my husband
  • a letter in return
  • fresh mozzarella
  • Scholastic orders, earning bonus points for my classroom
  • a ride in the Juke
  • spending too long in Michaels, as usual
  • using coupons
late night Home Depot run, a cart full of wood!
(thanks to the kind old men who were oh-so patient with us)

Thursday, September 29, 2011


  • light streaming through the tear-dropped window after the storm
  • huddling under a kid-sized umbrella with three of my students during dismissal
  • successful centers without an extra adult in the room, adding lots of drops to the bucket
  • family Skype date over dinner, seeing her tiny smile
  • special deliveries, brightening their days with new jewelry
  • too much mint-oreo ice cream

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

  • all fairy tales edited
  • fixing mistakes
  • a box arriving on my porch, dividing up the goods
  • delicious vegetarian chili
  • one less load of laundry to do
  • husband making my lunch for tomorrow