Anyone wondering...

where I have been? Because I have been wondering where the time has gone.... I mean really tomorrow is December?!?!
I promise to update with details of our turkey day and such...just as soon as I come up from underneath the crazy Christmas that has exploded within my house!
Lots of love,
The Grady's

Giving Thanks

I think at this time of year it is always great to remind ourselves of the things that we are thankful for...because we all have so many things to be grateful for.

• the health of my family and friends
• our jobs, even if they are stressful at time, at least we have them
• our beautiful children, who make me smile and laugh every day...I don't know what I would do without them
• our friends, really wonderful people in all different places
• the Internet...yes, I know very silly. But honestly I wouldn't' be able to stay connected with people if it weren't for my email and this blog.

I know there is so much more...but my brain is already on vacation!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Am I not needed anymore?

I mean really...look at what I walked into in the bathroom tonight.

Maybe it is time for me to go on vacation!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Hearing/Ear Update

Today, Brennan was off for another visit to our friendly ENT. Jeff took him to the appointment this morning. He had his normal hearing test, ear exam, etc. The verdict? The tube is still in place in the right ear, after more than 14 months now. Having that tube in place is great for Brennan for a few reasons. He has less chance of getting an ear infection and his hearing in that ear is 100%. As for the left ear, the tube has been out for a long time, therefore his hearing in that ear is not 100%. Although since his last hearing test, there has been a slight improvement in his level of hearing. So, the bottom line, we need to watch out for ear infections and as long as he stays healthy he will see us again in February. No more surgery or anything else right now. Phew!

Lots of love,
The Grady's

Job Description

Please explain to me why when I went to school to become a teacher, then again when I interviewed for various jobs over the years, and again when I spoke to teachers with many years of experience....Why did they not tell me the REAL description of this job?
Why did I only hear about the best methods to teach reading, and how to differentiate for different learning styles, and how to plan a thorough lesson? They never really told me that I would not only teach these kids how to read and write and do math, but I would be so many other things to them.
That I would perform first aid to a child who just stabbed themselves with a pencil. That I would clean up vomit after a student vomited all over my desk. That I would be their psychologist when they heard their mom and dad screaming at each other the night before. That I would be their counselor when I learned about their horrific experiences with a male figure in their house. That I would be their disciplinarian when they weren't following the rules. That I would be their mom when they were sad and just needed a hug because maybe they haven't had one in too long.

Why did nobody ever tell me that this job involved so much more...why?

Lots of love,
The Grady's

Annual Girl's Weekend

What could be better but three days of unlimited sleep, good friends, great wine, and much, much more! OUr annual trip to Santa Ynez was exactly the thing I needed. I was burnt out at work, at home, everywhere. I slept in past 7am, scrapbooked over 40 pages, and laughed until I cried. I would definitly call this a successful weekend!

Here is some proof!

Cindy, Tif, me, and Connie

Mom and I at Koehler Winery

Mom and Pam at Zaca Mesa

The girls at Lincourt Winery

Tif and I at Roblar Winery

Lots of love,

The Grady's

10 on Thursday

1. I am so tired right now but I am pushing myself to stay awake to watch Grey's. Cannot miss that.
2. This time change sucks. The kids have been waking up at 5ish all week. It is killing me.
3. Tomorrow I leave for my annual girl's weekend in Santa Ynez. Cannot wait.
4. I wrote 4 citations, 1 referral, and had one student put on in school suspension today. Honestly, isn't that enough?
5. Can you even believe it is November already!?! I mean honestly, where does the time go?
6. It is finally cooling down here in the desert. I am actually a little chilly in our house right now and it isn't from the a/c.
7. We had our pool drained two days ago for deep cleaning and it is still filling. Yes, the hose has been in there for almost two complete days and it is still going. How many gallons is that?
8. This election crap makes me mad. I don't' what else to say about it.
9. I went to Target today and left with buying only ONE thing, what is wrong with me?
10. I went to BevMo today...that place just rocks.

Lots of love,
The Grady's

Can you feel it?

The excitement, the anticipation, the electricity in the air??? I have to admit I am on pins and needles today, this Election Day.

I know that I will be following the news all day and especially tonight. If you haven't already, please VOTE! Obviously this is a historic election, for which ever party is elected and I am excited to see history be made.

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Superheros, Pumpkins, and Candy

I have to admit, I have never been a big fan of Halloween. But ever since I have had kids, I have really learned to enjoy it a bit more each year. Thursday night we had dinner with the Black's and then carved our pumpkins. The kids thought carving was fun, for about 5 minutes, then we were left to finish the job.

Halloween night was perfect! We took the kids trick or treating to a few houses in our neighborhood, then headed back to our neighbor's house for the rest of the night. We knew the kids would only last a few houses, so we got a jumpy house for the kids to enjoy for the rest of the evening. It worked out perfect!

Wonder Woman

Spiderman


The Trick or Treaters!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Ten Reasons I haven't been blogging lately...

1. I have been sucked up by that monster called work.
2. Halloween is in two days and I haven't bought candy yet, wonder if it will be on sale now?
3. I have an observation from my principal tomorrow during our ELD grouping. Joy.
4. Emerson had her first speech therapy appointment yesterday from 4-5pm. LOVE her therapist!
5. My tivo box is SO backed up I cannot seem to catch up, even watching 2-3 shows a night.
6. Our field trip today started out as a total disaster...no buses, hotter than crap outside, and 1.5 hours late for our tour at the pumpkin farm.
7. My laundry pile is just rotating between dirty to washing machine to dryer to dirty again. Notice that I left out folding and hanging and putting away.
8. My to-do list is growing by the mile, and I have sadly not crossed much off of it lately.
9. I read others blogs and then it is too late to blog myself.
10. Okay, no more excuses, I promise I will be better.

Lots of love,
The Grady's

Hargreaves Visit

Wow, look how far we have come since college!

Last weekend we were finally able to go and visit with Hargreaves. We had such a nice visit with them. The kids all loved playing with each other, especially Emerson playing with Baby Austin. We were able to help celebrate Andrew's birthday (a great surprise for him!) and even enjoyed a nice adult dinner out on the town.

Thanks Connie and Andrew for a wonderful weekend!

Hayden enjoying his ride on the swing.

Brennan swinging!

LOL! Isn't this face great!

Brennan loving on Austin

Lots of love,

The Grady's

San Diego Fun

So after an amazing Buffett show we were able to stay in San Diego one more night for a little more fun. We spent Friday in La Jolla, enjoying the great weather close to the beach. We had a great lunch outside, then walked to the beach. We were able to the seals, surfers, and the sea.

Friday night we had a great dinner celebrating our friend Amy and Tad's brother Eric's engagement. We rode a roller coaster (crazy!), walked on the boardwalk, and had a late night cruise on the Bahia Belle, a smaller riverboat on the bay. What a awesome getaway it was!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

We are the people your parents warned you about!

Seven Buffett shows and counting....this one certainly did not lack in excitement, great entertainment, and awesome memories with great friends. Our group totaled 18 people, some Buffett "virgins" in the mix as well. One of the highlights for me was surely the fact that Carrie and Austin flew all the way from Ohio to join our crazy mix of friends at our annual Buffett party.

Good times with the girls!

Nina and Tif pre-partying

Jeff and Austin

Carrie and I enjoying the fun!

Jeff and I

Whitnee and Joseph

Eric and Tad with their "Buffett" Hats

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Fins UP!

The car is packed. The suitcase has the appropriate Hawaiian shirts folded and ready. The ice chest is full, ready for ice. Chairs, leis, blankets, decor, and much more all ready to go.
Tickets printed and ready for use.
How do you make a crazy week great? Go to a Jimmy Buffett concert with 18 of your greatest friends of course!!!! Tomorrow morning at 9am the fun starts!
Making it even better? Great friends flying from Columbus, Ohio just to join the craziness!!!! CANNOT WAIT.

Lots of love,
The Grady's

My Day.

What a day. I am not even sure where to begin.

• Teacher union meeting (before school EVEN started) discussing how the district doesn't care about teachers and how if we back down on negotiations we will lose some pay and they may also stop paying for the PPO insurance our family desperately needs.
• Students come in for ELD time, trying to teach kids correct English=EXHAUSTING
• Meeting with parent about child's potty mouth.
• Phone call to Ob/Gyn because I have a sore breast and "might" be feeling a lump. Yes, a lump. They tell me that I need to come in today at 3pm. Friend/coworker comes to cover my class while I rush the 20 minutes to the Dr. Dr. does his exam and decides that I do have lumps but nothing that needs to be worried about because I have Fibro-Cystic Breast Disease (or rather condition). Basically, there is nothing wrong except for breasts that are more prone to cysts that can cause pain. Great.
• Race from my doctor's office to get Emerson from school to her dentist appt. all the way across town. We arrive 3 minutes early only to wait for 20 minutes before we are seen. Then spend 40 minutes getting x-rays, cleaning, Dr. visit, etc.
• Finally get home after 5pm, unpack backpacks, go through mail, make dinner, etc.

I should really be going to sleep now...but oh well. Why rest now?

Lots of love,
The Grady's

Apples, Pumpkins, Fresh Air

It has been months since we have been outside and been able to really enjoy the weather. Our weather the past few days has been incredible, dare I say, almost fall like. Saturday morning we decided to take a trip up the hills to Riley's Farm.

It was a very brisk day, but beautiful! The kids had so much fun running around in the cool weather and open fields.

Brennan and Lauren looking at the goats, sheep, and horses.

Lauren proud of her little pumpkin.

A trip to Riley's Farm would not be complete without some apple picking. We picked our fair share of apples and promptly made an apple pie when we got home. Yummy!!!
Now that is my idea of a great Fall day!
Lots of love,
The Grady's

OH goodness...

I am SO annoyed by Obama right now, watching the debate. He irritates me behind belief! If he has to interject one more time, with a retort to something McCain says I might just scream. So irritating, follow the rules, you idiot. I feel so bad for poor Tom Brokaw. Best quote of the night by Tom Brokaw"Don't worry, I am just the hired help." (LOL!!!)

Lots of love,
The Grady's

p.s. can you tell who I am voting for?

Bad way to start a week

You know it is bad when you are sitting at your desk, Monday morning and wondering how quickly Friday will be here.
Bad.

Lots of love,
The Grady's

Taking a moment

Every night our routine for bedtime is the same. Brushing teeth, two stories,, prayers, and then goodnight kisses all around. I tuck Brennan in his bed, then onto Emerson's room. Brennan inevitably calls for Daddy to come in, to tell him something or to coax him to hang out for a few more minutes to delay bedtime. Emerson is getting much better at curling up and going to sleep on her own. Although there are many nights when she will also call for me a mere minutes after I have left her room.
Tonight is no different. Emerson calls for me and I go back to her room. She wants me to lay with her and I tell her to try to fall asleep on her own. Because honestly I have loads of laundry to fold, lunches to make, a kitchen to pick up, a husband I haven't seen all day, and many other mindless tasks to get done. But as I walk out of her room, I stop and change my mind. I lay down next to her. I realize that someday she will stop asking me to lay with her. Someday she won't "need" me to help her fall asleep. Someday I will be hurt because she wants me to leave her room quicker than I am ready to.
So tonight, I lay there and watch her fall asleep, because I know it won't be forever. I know that this is a moment I should not let pass.

Lots of love,
The Grady's

Autumn is here...

At least the calendar says so. Don't mind that it is still over 100 degrees outside. I figured if I put out the fall decorations, then maybe it would actually start feeling like it.

Lots of love,

The Grady's