Connor and Landon

Connor & Landon

These two just make me laugh but you gotta love'em because they are always up for a pose for my blog :)

Landon, Connor & Erin

After a quick shopping trip to Dick's, looking for orange clothing, they decided they wanted ice cream, at Cold Stone. Nothing like cold ice cream, on a cold evening in Iowa. Isn't Erin cute, at least she gave me a normal pose.

I feel so blessed that Connor has such a great group of friends. They are all so unique in their own special way.

"" Friends are always worth the trouble.""
Author: Kellian Kennedy

Gotta Love Iowa

This is what I woke up to this morning. A February snow storm.

This is the backyard, still the same picture. Maybe I was hoping if I looked out back it would be sun shining :) We are only supposed to get 1-4 inches, not so bad.

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant.If we did not sometimes taste adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome."~ Anne Bradstreet ~

TGIF

This just cracks me up!!

I was at my favorite local coffee shop, Brewed Awakenings, yesterday. Nate, my favorite Barista was working and I mentioned I couldn't wait for the weekend so that I could just do some knitting and finish up some bead projects. He just started laughing....He said "I just don't see you as a knitter, aren't you too young to knit".

THEN

I am getting my haircut, and I mention that I am kind of excited for the weekend because we have NO activities, it's going to snow, so I can just curl up and knit. AGAIN, I get laughed at by my Stylist and Denise(the owner of Artistic Strands-our kids also go to school together). They said you just don't seem like a knitter. That is something my Grandma would do.

So, either they all need to get out in the real world because knitting is very "cool" among the younger generation now OR maybe I am aging myself.

This is my image of knitting now a days....relaxing

With the economy the way it is maybe I should retire and start knitting my tea cozy for my house to keep warm next winter. Do I really look like this when I knit.....

May every stitch you knit bring you a little closer
to that calm, clear space in the center of your soul.

Kennedy #2-LinnMar #3

It was a packed house tonight at Kennedy for the big showdown between Kennedy and LinnMar. I haven't been to a game, all year, but thought I would come out for this one. Nothing like sitting in a gym full of 2100 fans.

Students from Kennedy and LinnMar teamed up and created the coolest "Cat Fight" t-shirts, to raise money for Theater Cedar Rapids, which was devastated by the floods of 2008. You can kind of see them in this photo. The back had a claw print that looked like a scratch. The front had a Lions head and a Cougar head. Between the 2 school they sold 1020 shirts with Kennedy selling the most.

A little game of "I spy" because I spied Gary Criddle sitting across the way. It almost looks like he is posing for me.

I spy little Ms. Allie, my sidekick at Kennedy!!

I spy Landon, with the glasses and Connor with the headband.

I spy Luke and all of his buddies.

I have to admit that I left after the 3rd quarter because it was a blowout. LinnMar could not miss a shot. I bet their shooting percentage was above 70%. Kennedy couldn't do anything right tonight.

I did enjoy the games but I also loved people watching. High Schoolers just amaze me at how they dress. I also feel for the Basketball players because this is their first loss. I think it is a great time for it because Regionals and State are right around the corner. I know they can rebound from this loss and come back and be a stronger team.

GO COUGARS!!

Never let your head hang down. Never give up and sit down and grieve. Find another way.-- Satchel Paige

Weekends are for....

Visiting Grandma Aggie...

A little basketball....

A little txting...

Visiting Mom on Valentine's Day...

Teasing the birds, at Meadowview....

Laundry...

School Projects....

I didn't have time to take pictures of running the boys to practice, picking up boys for the basketball tournament, making breakfast, unloading the dishwasher, feeding the cat, getting groceries, filling the van up with gas, stopping by my parents for a quick visit, running to Michaels for supplies for school projects and the list goes on......

Where does relaxing come in at???

""Be happy for this moment; this moment is your life.""

These days will be gone before I know it. As busy as we are I enjoy all of it.

Roller Skating

Allie

Today we took our class roller skating along with all of the other schools in town. It was such a good time. I truly enjoyed watching all of these kids, with different special needs enjoying themselves. This is a picture of "my Allie". She can't actually roller skate, so I had to push her but she had slot of friend wanting to push her too.

Miranda & Nathan

This is the Teacher in my room with Nathan in his "stander". It amazes me the equipment they have for special needs kids to allow them to get around, use their muscles, and change positions. Nathan is one of my favorites. He has to be the most upbeat kid I know. I so enjoy working with him too.

Keaton, Katie, & Allie

Katie, is another Associate, and Keaton is another of my favorites. We thought we would try him on skates today. He actually did very well with our assistance.

I think this is my favorite picture. I believe Keaton and I have a special bond. From day one he has gravitated towards me. He loves to give hugs which I will take at anytime from him. He also will grab your hands and want you to rub his. I love it when we are in the classroom, he will pull 2 chairs together and tell you "sit". Then he grabs your hand and wants his hands rubbed or his head. He will even lay his head on my lap. He is just a sweetheart but he can be a boy too at times. Only once has he grabbed or pushed me but I believe it is how you respond to him, and tone of voice that triggers an outburst.

Anyway, I feel so blessed to work with these children.

THIS and a little bit of THAT

“Hapiness is anyone and anything that's loved by you.”
Charlie Brown

I spy a cardinal in my back yard. Can you believe it?? I had to hurry and grab my camera to capture this wonderful moment. I was so excited to see a hint of Spring since the ground hog saw his shadow, I am not looking forward to 6 more weeks of winter.

My Mother-in-law is now living at Meadowview. Outside of their rooms, they have a shadow box. I volunteered to design Ag's for her. I told Charley, my Father-in-law that I was going to walk around and look for ideas from the other residence. When I came back Charley asked if I got any ideas....all I said was "Ag's is going to be the best" I guess I am a little competitive, huh?? He chuckled.

Here is another view. Ag is 100% Irish and proud of it. She also enjoyed painting and was a wonderful artist. She always has to have a rosary with her and she is also blessed with a wonderful family.

Here is the button bouquet that, my Mother created, for Luke to give to his Teacher for Valentine's Day. How cute is that?

Think of all the beauty that's still left in and around you and be happy!

Happy Friday the 13th!!