tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16014086815476051392024-03-05T23:31:00.457-06:00Living the LifeMaking Changes to be the best Wife, Mom, & TeacherDeAnn Aalbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14298745239223952363noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601408681547605139.post-62945626321401642522012-05-26T11:37:00.000-05:002012-05-26T11:39:37.580-05:00A Bittersweet YearUsually by this time of year, I am MORE than ready for summer vacation. I'm tired of grading essays; I'm tired of ARDs, I'm tired of paperwork, but mostly? I'm tired of kids trying to chew gum in my class.<br />
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But this year, I find that I'm not craving summer like I usually am. I've only felt this way once before - May of 2008 - when I was packing up and leaving Cameron...& some of the best kids I've taught in my career.</div>
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In the fall of 2008, I started teaching at Consol: 2 sophomore & 3 freshmen classes. I hated the thought of teaching freshmen & I wasn't looking forward to it. Little did I know, that I would fall in love with those kids and move up with them every year.</div>
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Fall of 2009, I had 2 sophomore classes and 3 senior classes. I had some repeater kids in my 10th grade class and it was fun teaching kids I'd taught before. It was my first year teaching seniors and they were challenging, so my sophomores became my comfort zone. I adored them and thoroughly enjoyed getting to spend my time with them.</div>
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Fall of 2010, I got my wish: all juniors all day! My favorite age group & my favorite group of kids. I had some old kids from my previous 2 years and it was one of my best years ever. </div>
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Fall of 2011, I was back to a split: honors juniors (3 classes) & seniors (2 classes). I wasn't happy about the honors classes (more on that later), but I was tickled to be teaching seniors. This would be my 4th year with this class and when I looked at my rolls, I noticed that I had taught half of the kids before. I actually have taught one kid all 4 years!</div>
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The year started great & then my dad had his stroke in September. I remember thinking that I wouldn't have the energy or the patience to deal with things and I wondered how in the world I was going to get through an entire teaching year when I had to deal with the health issues of my dad. </div>
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I shouldn't have worried. I'm a firm believer in the fact that God puts people in your life when & where you need them. These kids were who I needed to be around for 9 months while I dealt with his health issues & subsequent passing. They brought me cokes, coffee, chocolate...all sorts of things. I rec'd handwritten notes and texts from them asking about me and checking on me in the early days of his hospital stays. I even rec'd messages from parents asking about me and letting me know that they were praying for me. </div>
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The health issues with my dad prompted Stan & I to get our lives on track and get healthy. Since mid-October, he has lost 135 lbs. and I've lost 50 lbs. I've enjoyed our lifestyle shift. Where we used to come home, sit on the couch, & watch TV, we now come home and work out, go on walks; we're much more active now. I hate that the impetus was so tragic, but I'm thankful that we're healthier and we're making sure Caden is growing up healthier as well.</div>
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Having somewhere to go and something to focus on has made my days, not just bearable, but exciting. For 8 hours a day, I get to be Mrs. Aalbers and enter full 'teacher-mode.' And these kids have made it easy. I saw kids who struggled as freshmen and sophomores blossom this year. I've seen kids I thought would drop out, enter the military or start making plans to go to college. I've written countless recommendation letters and received countless thank you letters this year. </div>
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I thank God every day for my job and the chance to catch these kids at the end of the 'assembly line' before they go off into the world on their own. I hope that I've given them as much as they've given me this year. I am thankful that God put me with my seniors and the honors kids this year. My honors classes weren't where I wanted to be & I didn't go into it open-minded, but I learned so much about myself as a teacher and I loved the challenge. They presented their own challenges, but they're so smart & fun; I LOVED them!</div>
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All of this is to say that this has been both the worst year, & the best year. And I'm sad that it's ending and I have to say goodbye to my kids. Because that's how I feel about them - that they're my kids. I'm so excited for them and proud of them, but I feel like a parent watching the birds leave the nest. I am thankful for what they've meant to me this year and I wish them nothing but the best.</div>DeAnn Aalbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14298745239223952363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601408681547605139.post-50886038586378780142012-03-15T13:50:00.003-06:002012-03-15T14:12:08.875-06:00Melatonin ReviewSo, Caden & I get home yesterday afternoon & the melatonin landed on the counter.<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">Don't you like my organization style?</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">Later, Stan got testy b/c the kitchen wasn't spic & span for him to create his lasagna masterpiece (Wednesdays are 'eat what we want' dinners...God bless Wednesdays.)</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div>After cleaning things up for him (I'm a great wife), we (<b><i>HE</i></b>) got down to business & the house started smelling great.</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">Fast forward a couple of hours...</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">The directions for the melatonin say to take it 30 minutes before bedtime. My body has always had different timing, so I wanted to take it at 7:30. I went into the kitchen & looked on the counter.</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">No melatonin.</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">I asked Caden where he put it b/c he brought the bottle in when we got home. He walked around and then got upset b/c he couldn't find them & he thought it was his fault. Bless his sensitive heart.</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">I got Stan on the job b/c seriously, the man is a bloodhound. You need to sniff something out? Stan's the man.</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">We looked in every room in the house, even the LAUNDRY room...no go.</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">I am FREAKING out b/c this is the miracle drug everyone recommended AND WE CAN'T FIND IT!!!! </div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">Stan keeps his calm & opens the cabinet where we keep our medicine, & there...is the melatonin bottle.</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">I had put it up when he was being snarky about the kitchen. </div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">Ladies & gentlemen: I have been SOOOOO tired the past few days; I had NOOO idea I'd put them up.</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">Le sigh...</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">REVIEW: I give it a B- & here's why:</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><ul><li><span style="font-size: 100%; ">It helped me go to sleep, but my mind was still racing.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 100%; ">I got up at 3:30 to go to the bathroom & couldn't go back to sleep, </span><b style="font-size: 100%; "><i>BUT</i></b><span style="font-size: 100%; ">...</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 100%; ">I felt rested.</span></li></ul></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">I got up & cleaned the kitchen.</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">Is it just me or am I always cleaning the kitchen???</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">I did 2 loads of laundry.</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">And Stan & I got to spend some quality kidless time together.</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">So...I will take it again tonight & give it another shot. I can't fully blame the melatonin for not being able to go back to sleep. 'Anything Goes for Dinner' Wednesdays aren't really as fun as they sound & I wasn't feeling good when I woke up so that probably had more to do with it than anything else.</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">Stay tuned for 'Melatonin - the Sequel' </div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">:)</div>DeAnn Aalbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14298745239223952363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601408681547605139.post-49948596432869021182012-03-14T00:39:00.004-06:002012-03-14T01:04:44.134-06:00Still Learning<span style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">Working on night 3 of insomnia & trying not to play the 'If I go to sleep</span><i style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "> right this second</i>, I'll get x hours of sleep.'<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">I do really well until about 10 or so. I get tired, turn off the laptop, lie down, then try to relax. </div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">And then the brain starts going into overdrive: lesson plans, how to engage seniors after Spring Break, oh wow, I need to write that rec letter, & I need to read the novel that we assigned as extra credit over the break for the honors kids. WHY did we assign a novel??? Now <b><i>I </i></b>have to read it too! </div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">And the list goes on.</span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">After tossing and turning for 2 hours, I pulled out my bible & sat on my couch. Why is it, that this is my go-to fix-it when all else has failed?</div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">Sleeping pills? Check</div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">Relaxing music? Check</div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">Aromatherapy? Check</div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">Only after I've checked off the other, ME-centered items, do I choose to look at what I know is going to work. </div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">I have a proven track record of going to the Word as a last ditch effort to solve a crisis, only to turn to the page of reading, and find the verse I need staring up at me. Tonight was no different, except it was a note I took in Sunday School a while back:</div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><i>Rest cannot be achieved without faith and obedience.</i></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">Wow...</div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">Now, let me explain something. I do a lot of things right and I know I'm going to Heaven, but (& this is a biggie) I want to do things on my timetable, on my schedule, and for my reasons.</div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">I've learned a lot & grown significantly in my walk with Christ since I walked the aisle at FBC Bryan at 16...but this is an ongoing battle with me. </div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">I am not always faithful. I am not always obedient.</div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; ">And right now, I most certainly am <b>not </b>achieving rest. </div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">But I leave you with this verse I found as I scoured my bible for all references to rest:</div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">Jer 6:16</div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><i>Stand at the crossroads and look, ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, & walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. </i></div>DeAnn Aalbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14298745239223952363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601408681547605139.post-19120404613473049692012-02-28T21:43:00.000-06:002012-02-28T21:43:15.495-06:00Getting My Feet Wet AgainWow - it's been quite awhile since I used this blog. Once I found Facebook, I really never looked back & I stopped posting on here. I think I'd like to get back to it; I've missed writing (in detail) my thoughts on teaching, parenting, & 'wife'ing :) <br />
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I have big plans for 2012 - stay tuned...DeAnn Aalbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14298745239223952363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601408681547605139.post-9707931782190104302009-09-15T17:35:00.005-05:002009-09-15T17:43:25.573-05:00The boys in my life<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuf4ZjODNwVsfKQJGwj3suXVyz9l0Xt_Adv9c7VgOcMEPT0EE7Vf3_DFaPQraSapVr4b5Mw0amn3i54iuLruWn4nJoUtDO2xV2Zmv344QjRPJcIxLgXi9UOXm5VmxYsQGnZs5OiydKVk/s1600-h/hook.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381828325077159954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 144px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 181px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuf4ZjODNwVsfKQJGwj3suXVyz9l0Xt_Adv9c7VgOcMEPT0EE7Vf3_DFaPQraSapVr4b5Mw0amn3i54iuLruWn4nJoUtDO2xV2Zmv344QjRPJcIxLgXi9UOXm5VmxYsQGnZs5OiydKVk/s320/hook.jpg" border="0" /></a> Caden has decided that he needs a "big truck with a hooker on the back". I am hoping and praying that he's just mispronouncing 'hook'.<br /><br />I am married to a 10-year-old. We're driving along the other day (Stan at the wheel)in the rain, when I feel a nearly imperceptible shift to the right of the road. Where there was a puddle. I didn't think too much of it...until he did it again. I asked him about it & he nonchalantly told me he likes puddles. All day long, if it didn't impede other motorists, we swerved to hit the puddles.<br /><br />And you know what? It WAS fun!DeAnn Aalbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14298745239223952363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601408681547605139.post-40365345919637221732009-08-23T19:15:00.003-05:002009-08-23T19:24:38.853-05:00My prayer for the yearLord,<br /><br />Please help me to be the teacher that each of my kids needs. Please help me to see that they are in my room for Your purpose, that for a reason maybe unknown to anyone but You, they need me for that 50 minutes per day. Please help me to show love and patience to each of the babies placed in my care. Please make them feel welcome and safe. Please help me to show Your love and kindness and be with me because I can't make it on my own. Guide me as I try to make them better students and people, all the while being a mama, counselor, friend, confidante, referee, etc. And more than anything, let them see You & not me.<br /><br />In Jesus' name, <br /><br />AmenDeAnn Aalbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14298745239223952363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601408681547605139.post-868434162883593392009-08-15T08:16:00.004-05:002009-08-17T03:10:55.785-05:00What MattersI've had a lot of opportunity the last few weeks to reflect on what's important & what's not. This has been one of the best summers I've ever had for many reasons, one of which that may surprise some people.<br /><br />I am so thankful we lost our Mountaineer. Seriously. We have found out that God is taking care of us & we are going to be just fine. We never would've sold it, but God knew we could live without it & He was right. We received more money from the insurance settlement than we ever would've gotten for trading it in down the line & paying off bills feels great! Having one car isn't going to be the hardship we thought & we're glad God forced it on us.<br /><br />I am developing some great friendships in my Sunday School class. The ladies have been having a lot of social time this summer and getting to know different people has been a huge blessing for me. Between the ladies nights, slumber party(part<strong>ies</strong> hopefully!), & the book club (that will meet for the first time in September), I am getting to know & love a lot of awesome gals!<br /><br />I am so excited to get back to school! Knowing my colleagues & getting hugs Friday (our first day back) was awesome!! I get to teach 3 senior classes this year also, & I am so ready to go & tackle this new mountain (I LOOOVE British Lit in an almost obsessive way)! Teacher Field Day was great & even recovering from surgery, I got to participate. <br /><br />I had a great teacher's conference in Dallas. There are some "What happens in Dallas, stays in Dallas" moments, but what I can say is this - getting to hang out with these people for a week (& ride in a convertible!) & teach with them during the year is a huge blessing. They make me want to be better for my kids.<br /><br />I celebrated 13 years of wedded bliss with Stan. I canNOT believe it has been thirteen years!!! He, of course, looks more handsome and incredible as the years go by while I need a bit more...enhancement, shall we say, than I did at 22. <br /><br />The product of that wedded bliss turned 4 this summer. He will be an only child. I had the 'no more kids' surgery last week...more on that next post.<br /><br />Most of all, I am so thankful that God has surrounded me with people who don't judge my worth by my hip size. For the most part, I get to be with people on a daily basis who love me and accept me and 'get' me. I am terribly excited about the upcoming school year and all the chaos and activities that a new year always brings: football games, new kids to love, old kids to hug, books to read, family to see, & friends to hang out with.<br /><br />Have a great year!!DeAnn Aalbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14298745239223952363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601408681547605139.post-81939795863777027902009-08-02T18:37:00.009-05:002009-08-04T13:04:41.496-05:00Thank you God Part II<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6dmwCOFr-R33dCE3z76BUPlEXKkx0gWm5scILMFG81lJMZNOgMoMgS26L0CYLeAhc8ILIV-pGQhqGAIfR3lovxH2EN6qdhpxOyoNOkaS69-XjCy-pLdjyXLS4r7vwrGY6ySsfVeWLLY/s1600-h/IMG_4844.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365514842848671778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6dmwCOFr-R33dCE3z76BUPlEXKkx0gWm5scILMFG81lJMZNOgMoMgS26L0CYLeAhc8ILIV-pGQhqGAIfR3lovxH2EN6qdhpxOyoNOkaS69-XjCy-pLdjyXLS4r7vwrGY6ySsfVeWLLY/s320/IMG_4844.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Stan left this afternoon to get money from the ATM for me, laundry detergent (for me as well) & something to eat. Caden decided to stay home with me (Thank you GOD!!).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMdC9-KXFseSMxeprsqJTNqnI1qceae0Nj9vpMTF5ppqDz5RjW3ZlvzGr7sKXO-zjUpBJfMHFMK7ppdjUdLiT55_KXurjcXTuMC1HCKqIm8fSXGKvsb41NgcNA5UNAOeEpqpsH-sAN-8/s1600-h/IMG_4845.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365515103634205170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMdC9-KXFseSMxeprsqJTNqnI1qceae0Nj9vpMTF5ppqDz5RjW3ZlvzGr7sKXO-zjUpBJfMHFMK7ppdjUdLiT55_KXurjcXTuMC1HCKqIm8fSXGKvsb41NgcNA5UNAOeEpqpsH-sAN-8/s320/IMG_4845.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I get a call about 15 minutes later from Stan. "I need you to come get me at Longmire & Brothers. I got hit. I'm okay. And you need to know that the truck is upside down right now."<br /> I'm so glad he told me. Even knowing that, it was very difficult driving up to the scene, seeing the ambulance (with lights on), the firetruck, and all the cop cars. I threw the car into a parking place & I grabbed Caden's hand and probably dragged him across the street. Stan assured me that the blood I saw on his head and arm were from the window when he climbed out. He said a nice man cut his seatbelt for him so he didn't have to hang in the air. And no, I canNOT believe I just wrote that sentence.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ygOObjW8V56e7-HpDKBqLDDFxsHFW-ofjxCahH7y88yiRS8o8Tn_RmOtnERGUACXv4sun7HflNEbyD_928TkzBJc8GX6o3edVdG8EFl0lMBjEmTiD6zQ5X-Uk68wNM2GNvz78VdpTXc/s1600-h/IMG_4843.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365514966828025714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ygOObjW8V56e7-HpDKBqLDDFxsHFW-ofjxCahH7y88yiRS8o8Tn_RmOtnERGUACXv4sun7HflNEbyD_928TkzBJc8GX6o3edVdG8EFl0lMBjEmTiD6zQ5X-Uk68wNM2GNvz78VdpTXc/s320/IMG_4843.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />One of the firemen immediately came over and asked Caden if he wanted to see the firetruck. Caden grabbed my hand and held onto the fireman with the other. He was interested in the truck, but didn't want to get into it - he's not a fan of the noise.<br /><br />Later when I told him we needed to thank God for keeping Daddy safe, he asked me, "Are the firemen God, Mama?" I teared up a little and said, "No. But God is with them all of the time and He helps them help other people."<br />After we took some more pictures with Stan's phone (the camera died), he said he was still hungry and with a bleeding head and arm, he said he wanted a Freebird's burrito.<br /><br />We're down to one car & we're not sure about a lot of things right now. But - Stan is safe and at home with us - he didn't even need to go to the hospital.<br /><br />Thank you nice man who cut his seatbelt.<br /><br />Thank you policeman for telling us what was going to happen step by step.<br /><br />Thank you firemen for being there to help and being sweet to my little boy.<br /><br /><br />...Thank you God.DeAnn Aalbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14298745239223952363noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601408681547605139.post-2661990750405636862009-07-26T20:43:00.003-05:002009-07-26T20:54:34.703-05:00Thank You GodCaden's prayer tonight:<br /><br />Thank you God. Mama, you're not saying it. Say it<br />(He repeats) Thank you God. (I solemnly echoed)<br />Indivisible with liberty and justice for all. (I repeated, albeit a little less solemnly)<br />Thank you for turning the TV on. (me lauging uncontrollably, barely able to get the words out)<br />And for not wasting any power. Amen<br /><br />I'm going to be away this week at a teacher conference. Oh the things I will miss:<br />1) Caden helping me walk down my dark school hallway because he "has big eyes and he will use them to help Mama."<br />2) Caden asking me to read him a book and then tell him a story. Now, Caden gives me the basic plotline, characters, & setting so all I need to do is draw them together.<br />3) Stan giving me a blow-by-blow account of the Tour de France.<br />4) Reading on my bed while Caden watches TV in our bedroom.<br />5) Hearing Caden sing the theme song from the Geico commercial, "<em>Let me be myself</em>"<br />6) Taking Caden to Lowe's & hearing him tell another little boy (who is playing on the riding lawnmowers like Caden) that he will share his (imaginary) tools with him. Caden likes to fix the lawnmowers by lifting the hood, tinkering with the engine, & then the most crucial step - blowing leaves in the engine.<br /><br />I will miss both of my boys so much!DeAnn Aalbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14298745239223952363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601408681547605139.post-48793048143710700292009-07-12T14:12:00.011-05:002009-07-12T14:56:20.472-05:00A boy, a party, & a dog<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFBWy6fc12Nmm7ziFxCiOth5YBMOhoZmwWAbiHSIOI5Hs5x0Mf8aggTVsY-PHOBKGydVcltiQ2is-M_KAkMcnTaiKQe9fVDb9VSHTe2M9ZgAQyaSU6wQedhlHdZwRIYsiRY_6FEP5SB0/s1600-h/IMG_4831.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357653756719791154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFBWy6fc12Nmm7ziFxCiOth5YBMOhoZmwWAbiHSIOI5Hs5x0Mf8aggTVsY-PHOBKGydVcltiQ2is-M_KAkMcnTaiKQe9fVDb9VSHTe2M9ZgAQyaSU6wQedhlHdZwRIYsiRY_6FEP5SB0/s320/IMG_4831.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> <span style="font-size:85%;">There's not a trace of my genetic code in that kid!</span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left">We had Caden's party yesterday. I was pretty nervous about it because, well, that's just what I do. It was his first party & my first as a birthday boy's mama, so it was a little nerve-racking.<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3jX3X-PQFJtM-YPrmoY98yFnol3gz8YIH-sC9AGzViD_qAgwahH1yMAvH2YaRdACZiZng0ctPZd0OWq3SN6iEs9OkaRZ7qjT8EUDh3r53_89lDQrCf9-E5p4BkiX7oPWh5KvYjzmneg/s1600-h/IMG_4777.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357660213223549458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3jX3X-PQFJtM-YPrmoY98yFnol3gz8YIH-sC9AGzViD_qAgwahH1yMAvH2YaRdACZiZng0ctPZd0OWq3SN6iEs9OkaRZ7qjT8EUDh3r53_89lDQrCf9-E5p4BkiX7oPWh5KvYjzmneg/s320/IMG_4777.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I shouldn't have been nervous. The kids started piling in around 10 & within a few minutes were all outside playing on the moonwalk/bouncy thing we rented for the day. I had to do the girl thing & cut the cake & give it to all the kids. I know it sounds silly, but doing typical girl/mama things doesn't come easily to me.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHNiVXfhQCAfe9IWBtW-WA9K5Y0nuW_TcLWMkN6JTvkXxzqS3wCNAEEZQZ3yu54_C8IHPBjHt_vgcp2UrPrCalg_SGeCV-55qVmmOqkiDQbtrW0WNx06pCPLP7ac8VWay9E_1mRH-Cpk/s1600-h/IMG_4784.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357658551934503170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHNiVXfhQCAfe9IWBtW-WA9K5Y0nuW_TcLWMkN6JTvkXxzqS3wCNAEEZQZ3yu54_C8IHPBjHt_vgcp2UrPrCalg_SGeCV-55qVmmOqkiDQbtrW0WNx06pCPLP7ac8VWay9E_1mRH-Cpk/s320/IMG_4784.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I hope everyone wasn't expecting a great big show, because at the Aalbers house, we're pretty laidback. The kids were running back & forth, inside & outside playing. Our living room was a wreck with toys! A friend of Caden's gave him a bag filled with all sorts of outdoor games, so a few dads put them together & the kids played with that. Everyone was sweaty and happy when they left.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlkiYC9Uvy6uK_isHaY4Cp_XYxjt1MqvE8tCIzI7ULBKkYqpJLwZsBnWHWrvMU9P6RYOcBXenjYVT3WoCAOsEfkFqIkK1WSPKyQk0Mre3jjxtdrVNGutd4b_oRdS6s9o8Bd5PCdJ_QYM/s1600-h/IMG_4803.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357658965840031922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlkiYC9Uvy6uK_isHaY4Cp_XYxjt1MqvE8tCIzI7ULBKkYqpJLwZsBnWHWrvMU9P6RYOcBXenjYVT3WoCAOsEfkFqIkK1WSPKyQk0Mre3jjxtdrVNGutd4b_oRdS6s9o8Bd5PCdJ_QYM/s320/IMG_4803.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7XYQRjv2D0UYzAi2YO2dI2srrsWL6e8-X4AhHDf6DAO1AIj5Tpv0Q5ooli2UyHE7drz_FS4PTo265beUApHEyYZ0ezHvgKEgIjb_2yyD5nVm9uFsEcr8qYUksnhiFPb59BYdVjABSY0/s1600-h/IMG_4800.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357657610670841026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7XYQRjv2D0UYzAi2YO2dI2srrsWL6e8-X4AhHDf6DAO1AIj5Tpv0Q5ooli2UyHE7drz_FS4PTo265beUApHEyYZ0ezHvgKEgIjb_2yyD5nVm9uFsEcr8qYUksnhiFPb59BYdVjABSY0/s320/IMG_4800.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlHUvgSicB3OAdOTl1DX_X3JnBKPC9bVNek-a8SgzORe8ByeRjFePvjoufrhEYrmmhLuX_TJegsz9S68QE36xx1pH3iqbVnYHP3yRZBW9b1aGkDM6pu6LHj1czvHg9fHFFHZfLfM9NI0/s1600-h/IMG_4804.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357656923079576258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlHUvgSicB3OAdOTl1DX_X3JnBKPC9bVNek-a8SgzORe8ByeRjFePvjoufrhEYrmmhLuX_TJegsz9S68QE36xx1pH3iqbVnYHP3yRZBW9b1aGkDM6pu6LHj1czvHg9fHFFHZfLfM9NI0/s320/IMG_4804.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9MrqOPF3bjYC6svDPDAjsSIjFULGfMsxzeKpMR1FkV4qYXN-b1PiRAxw-PvSey_vgvIZY3wetuc7J8cbQd-uN6PS7CabBZ4_IbF9ErahB1P6VuOJq0XZkiIlXL7SN316r-25ZB8FLws/s1600-h/IMG_4807.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357657124665043234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9MrqOPF3bjYC6svDPDAjsSIjFULGfMsxzeKpMR1FkV4qYXN-b1PiRAxw-PvSey_vgvIZY3wetuc7J8cbQd-uN6PS7CabBZ4_IbF9ErahB1P6VuOJq0XZkiIlXL7SN316r-25ZB8FLws/s320/IMG_4807.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />After the party we went to lunch with Oma & Opa (Stan's parents) and then came back home and recuperated from the party. The moonwalk guy told us we would have the bouncy thing much longer than we had paid for because he had to travel out of town to break down a rental for a VBS going on in Milano. Caden was able to get a few more hours of playtime out of it.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DvhyphenhyphenPYHXqTghH3d72Xvqja1e_83nY7_pWzzBbuE3rVWZfRzNzfdGYPGn2qNZI2VLHGi5k1mWRRSUWZnk83nah02ps6JCY2Hjj-WeYtRUi7dgl5ut3-MgcSDrZMXtFH31fo8Nh0rs2zQ/s1600-h/IMG_4815.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357659159640331986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DvhyphenhyphenPYHXqTghH3d72Xvqja1e_83nY7_pWzzBbuE3rVWZfRzNzfdGYPGn2qNZI2VLHGi5k1mWRRSUWZnk83nah02ps6JCY2Hjj-WeYtRUi7dgl5ut3-MgcSDrZMXtFH31fo8Nh0rs2zQ/s320/IMG_4815.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />About 6, he shows up at our house & Stan sees a black blur go across our backyard window. The guy brought his dog, Bella! We all sat on the back porch and played fetch with the dog while her daddy broke down the moonwalk. I always think it's hilarious, because the bigger the dog is, the more Caden loves it. He cannot stand little dogs; he's terrified of them. But a great big lab or Weimeraner (sp?) makes him shriek with glee.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOik4bEs3jPdg-I-K1bPuFCYFO-kL4NgmWrtIcUAjrXpVm-GibsezzmvFjtXzGrLOozml2t1pOBsvVQ-lMMW30U2j_WMPX7eBqcLHXufcIGcC6wHI1pX6e9UORjJpDKuDc_nPYLfGJAS4/s1600-h/IMG_4820.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357659701536288514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOik4bEs3jPdg-I-K1bPuFCYFO-kL4NgmWrtIcUAjrXpVm-GibsezzmvFjtXzGrLOozml2t1pOBsvVQ-lMMW30U2j_WMPX7eBqcLHXufcIGcC6wHI1pX6e9UORjJpDKuDc_nPYLfGJAS4/s320/IMG_4820.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSzsTuAcgy3chbj3apqMZj0YndNjovJWDlL9hsPXy3AwKSncMRiuklPToyo2BU9K6xvymw_jfiIdBp3CSmuVZmeRPO5YUwX02xCfCYwCMXFNSCctuoxeak8Lamms0PQqnWEQlA2zaAwWY/s1600-h/IMG_4828.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357659585759185202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSzsTuAcgy3chbj3apqMZj0YndNjovJWDlL9hsPXy3AwKSncMRiuklPToyo2BU9K6xvymw_jfiIdBp3CSmuVZmeRPO5YUwX02xCfCYwCMXFNSCctuoxeak8Lamms0PQqnWEQlA2zaAwWY/s320/IMG_4828.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLeQx3SShHvnRKgeH0FcNBur14G6oYFEglg2byflbPS-iTe8ysZMPs_L4Qvx0mdI_OHEOXVxALQ2AvjXo3GllFw274q3i_IUq7H-SrSnoT3YkbuOgGTJMWyGG501huSZGqtRrbOhW6tQc/s1600-h/IMG_4823.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357659403826268850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLeQx3SShHvnRKgeH0FcNBur14G6oYFEglg2byflbPS-iTe8ysZMPs_L4Qvx0mdI_OHEOXVxALQ2AvjXo3GllFw274q3i_IUq7H-SrSnoT3YkbuOgGTJMWyGG501huSZGqtRrbOhW6tQc/s320/IMG_4823.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I hate to say it & if any of the kiddoes' parents at our party are reading this,I am sorry, but this was the highlight of his day. He laughed and had so much fun with her. Maybe in a year or 2 we'll get him one of his own.DeAnn Aalbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14298745239223952363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601408681547605139.post-73302623941055198782009-07-09T18:43:00.007-05:002009-07-09T18:51:16.060-05:00Big BoyCaden turned 4 on June 20th. We made the deal with him that on his birthday, he would throw away his little boy potty.<br /><br />He was more than OK with it.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKSKyUoWojGD6Vj0N0sjAAWvAi4pL9tx4kzv3wAf7Umjbk23pl8CBphFdDxS8LpKFqXgKu71w3DIH-58PefHSCkNbTa8IobX4Q7-rBu2yZN9FSVbFiLH9kUq8aloUaUkVx6eSbjNdm04/s1600-h/IMG_4743.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKSKyUoWojGD6Vj0N0sjAAWvAi4pL9tx4kzv3wAf7Umjbk23pl8CBphFdDxS8LpKFqXgKu71w3DIH-58PefHSCkNbTa8IobX4Q7-rBu2yZN9FSVbFiLH9kUq8aloUaUkVx6eSbjNdm04/s320/IMG_4743.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356610654426082226" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYlDvYNAFBEZBzGLxOTTga_Fn9_GWnDn4C4Mw6znTjy3HRTc6Cg_x2f97V91M1wiA2XWu-1b-k36qIff-z97iov7FSG7iQVATKFjvR9MxQ6tkhYQC7WC8AVG0J0NiEjkzDsITyeb6ihzQ/s1600-h/IMG_4744.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYlDvYNAFBEZBzGLxOTTga_Fn9_GWnDn4C4Mw6znTjy3HRTc6Cg_x2f97V91M1wiA2XWu-1b-k36qIff-z97iov7FSG7iQVATKFjvR9MxQ6tkhYQC7WC8AVG0J0NiEjkzDsITyeb6ihzQ/s320/IMG_4744.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356610858045665906" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfkb-yoJ9Tt3fE1w_ChIucuuMez2YaKECyrMY1mB4tvG_8bDHnErejTRn-eJl2SdvypaXeJca3PhIjbu7bglLiFoUL332mnS5D66Z8HcGZ5RaNKHhGu08ertOnwe9PT9jhQ7Z41G-htQ/s1600-h/IMG_4745.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfkb-yoJ9Tt3fE1w_ChIucuuMez2YaKECyrMY1mB4tvG_8bDHnErejTRn-eJl2SdvypaXeJca3PhIjbu7bglLiFoUL332mnS5D66Z8HcGZ5RaNKHhGu08ertOnwe9PT9jhQ7Z41G-htQ/s320/IMG_4745.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356611033863169474" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqaHHlgdnjiB04WAlJRK5cKNYpwq8MsqsSLlBmyNkZ9G1v-bekPwmWQDB1TcvKB0lPLtQWJmJ0RWpiLxUjUO8TsLDbkscbYJ_EinThoCEz5TUkI2I4ICTdTj9TDyvtQ6l03lSV1mAV6CU/s1600-h/IMG_4746.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqaHHlgdnjiB04WAlJRK5cKNYpwq8MsqsSLlBmyNkZ9G1v-bekPwmWQDB1TcvKB0lPLtQWJmJ0RWpiLxUjUO8TsLDbkscbYJ_EinThoCEz5TUkI2I4ICTdTj9TDyvtQ6l03lSV1mAV6CU/s320/IMG_4746.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356611209442429410" /></a><br />He hasn't missed it at all!<br /><br />And just because there are never any pictures of the 2 of us (you can tell I'm the photog of the family), here's a few pictures of us playing at a park on his big day.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTfdcRxqJ-XcuSquilg1WwenZlfQwBmvUWtI2AHUD1YR-TCLBNxK10-DHI_6d1Y6VHEWBtPr4ed55WTs5Sj5Wsgj1WoZz8tP_19-EAOFOBxNCS6J3ud_AZDortYVJ0iZmSIjlBUicovE/s1600-h/IMG_4754.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTfdcRxqJ-XcuSquilg1WwenZlfQwBmvUWtI2AHUD1YR-TCLBNxK10-DHI_6d1Y6VHEWBtPr4ed55WTs5Sj5Wsgj1WoZz8tP_19-EAOFOBxNCS6J3ud_AZDortYVJ0iZmSIjlBUicovE/s320/IMG_4754.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356611929060362130" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6zMVi7mvqVe4WaT8feIoqyAhN3y4d7M5Y1iUzo-1evKvP9Bz2AA2nfJIYciXDxsNtQi6QXOwFJ6Tp2Iq7vie_pQn8mp6AXhsVJycsYBNYBqsL3vLedweT46xuMDUlGvOPHRspJEosi0/s1600-h/IMG_4759.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6zMVi7mvqVe4WaT8feIoqyAhN3y4d7M5Y1iUzo-1evKvP9Bz2AA2nfJIYciXDxsNtQi6QXOwFJ6Tp2Iq7vie_pQn8mp6AXhsVJycsYBNYBqsL3vLedweT46xuMDUlGvOPHRspJEosi0/s320/IMG_4759.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356612098006492258" /></a>DeAnn Aalbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14298745239223952363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601408681547605139.post-11383440346569048052009-07-04T14:06:00.002-05:002009-07-04T14:13:49.413-05:00It's been how long????I'm not really sure where to start blogging since it's been sooo long, but here goes.<br /><br />I apologized to Caden awhile ago for yelling at him. He rubbed my back & kissed me & said it was OK. I wanted to say, 'Are we friends again?' but I don't believe in parents & kids being friends so I asked, "Are we Mommy & Caden again?" I know, pretty lame.<br /><br />He said yes & then asked me, "What happens if you're not my mama?"<br /><br />I said I would always be his mama.<br /><br />He asked, "But what if you're not?"<br /><br />I replied, "Do you want a new mama?"<br /><br />He started to say yes but then stated, "Actually, no."<br /><br />I laughed and thinking we were done, I started to walk away.<br /><br />But he couldn't let it go. "I always want the old mama...and you're old."<br /><br />I looked back at him and he grinned like he knew <em><strong>exactly </strong></em>what he had said.DeAnn Aalbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14298745239223952363noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601408681547605139.post-68624203864562694142008-12-21T16:00:00.003-06:002008-12-21T16:06:56.387-06:00Can you stand the cuteness?<OBJECT class=BLOG_video_class id=BLOG_video-7aeb45698417d777 height=266 width=320 contentId="7aeb45698417d777"></OBJECT><br /><br />We apparently are NOT paying enough for daycare if this is the kind of stuff they are teaching him. Stan & I heard it the first time when Caden was walking down the hallway. We just heard the part about the naughty girls and making them cry. <br /><br />I looked at Stan & asked, "Did you teach him that?" <br /><br />He said, "No!" <br /><br />We were parking the truck at Kroger today when we got him to sing the whole thing and we cracked up. It's the funniest thing I've ever heard!DeAnn Aalbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14298745239223952363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601408681547605139.post-52115302989609957102008-11-13T17:57:00.001-06:002008-11-13T17:58:32.831-06:00Workshop DayWhat's the best part about going to a workshop? An hour and a half long lunch and getting to pee whenever I want to!DeAnn Aalbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14298745239223952363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601408681547605139.post-55468555201314858732008-11-08T09:29:00.010-06:002008-11-08T09:50:37.284-06:00What's a girl to do?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgik3wW9R8gq0aIeni_KOmNqbcynzCcxaEXGrhFXJT5b1sz2e6gzxhNRITx2q3QdSKkx0Ob2Qcj8cMqwy_t1DzMldiGj2po9hRa9vxdlxs0wDMme98Nhq71cHif5di14zJ2xgNH5HqvffU/s1600-h/mailbox.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266312623124265570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 116px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 116px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgik3wW9R8gq0aIeni_KOmNqbcynzCcxaEXGrhFXJT5b1sz2e6gzxhNRITx2q3QdSKkx0Ob2Qcj8cMqwy_t1DzMldiGj2po9hRa9vxdlxs0wDMme98Nhq71cHif5di14zJ2xgNH5HqvffU/s320/mailbox.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The relationship between a girl and her mailman is a very tenuous and important one.<br /><div></div><br />I've just realized how much so. <br /><br />There's something going on between me and mine. <br /><br />He leaves the box open when it rains so my mail gets wet. <br /><br />He wads up magazines and newspaper ads so they are crumpled and torn when I retrieve them. <br /><br />The other day, he stuffed a package in there and I almost couldn't get it out. <br /><br />I question myself - did I do something? Did I antagonize him in any way? Whenever I've seen him, I <em>THINK</em> I've been politely friendly. I mean, I've never baked him cookies, but to tell you the truth - my cookies aren't that great, so maybe that's a good thing...right?<br /><br />Should I leave a note in the box? Stickers? A McDonald's gift card? Lotion? Those polyester uniforms must certainly chafe the skin. <br /><br />Have any of you gone through this turmoil? It's killing me inside to think that someone I don't know very well could have this animosity towards me. If it was someone who knew me, I could understand - I'm cute & funny & have cool glasses. <br /><br />But that's a whole other post.DeAnn Aalbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14298745239223952363noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601408681547605139.post-7717869650292988132008-11-03T09:59:00.004-06:002008-11-03T10:01:17.526-06:00Injury time-outThe other night Stan, Stumpy, & Caden went to the A&M Consolidated football game. Nana & I stayed home. When they got home, Caden put his football helmet on and began running around the room, tackling Nana & throwing his football.<br /><br />He then laid down on his back, hiked his pants leg up and yelled, "I hurt my knee! Someone needs to come look at it!"<br /><br />Obviously the kid watches too much football. He even re-enacts the injuries.DeAnn Aalbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14298745239223952363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601408681547605139.post-81190951165612382732008-10-28T14:14:00.003-06:002008-10-28T14:18:10.241-06:00It's never dull!Last night the whole family went to Macy's to get some fancy britches for Stan. We're walking around the men's department upstairs and they have tons of mannequins that are only from the waist down, showcasing their collection of slacks.<br /><br />We were shopping and Caden was running and playing, but then Stan & I got distracted. Caden had been quiet for a minute (& that's never good) and when we looked up, he was standing on the little platform gripping the mannequin tightly just below the waist.<br /><br />I said, "Caden, get off of that."<br /><br />And he said - or yelled - "NO, THAT'S MY DADDY!!!!"<br /><br />I informed him that it most certainly was NOT his daddy & he needed to let go RIGHT NOW.<br /><br />I can<strong><em>not</em></strong> make this stuff up.DeAnn Aalbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14298745239223952363noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601408681547605139.post-85881937605814532412008-10-12T00:44:00.002-05:002008-10-12T01:12:10.446-05:00Feeling a little sadLast night I went to my first Varsity Consolidated football game. Those of you who know me may think it's weird that it took me this long to go, but I really had no desire to. I don't know ANY of the kids playing. I have one Bengal Belle & 2 sophomore cheerleaders, but that's it.<br /><br />And as the band played, I teared up because I remember the last few years being eager to be at the games so I could take pictures of my kids, hurriedly get them developed at Walgreens and then take them to school Monday morning so I could have them up on the wall before the kids came in. <br /><br />I remember Adolfo, my incredibly mature, sweet-natured kid who led the drum line in band but played football too so he would get out there and march during halftime in his uniform. But he did it barefoot because he said it was easier to march that way.<br /><br />I missed Dino, one of my alltime favorite students (I know as a teacher I'm not supposed to say that, but it's true!). I watched him mature from a little sophomore all the way to a self confident senior. It was so much fun watching him grow and I loved snapping pictures because he has 'that face' and it's so expressive.<br /><br />I missed watching Danny get so frustrated on the sidelines when things weren't going their way. He'd stand with his hands on his hips and then shake his head in disgust when a play didn't go as planned.<br /><br />I missed watching James, Cordrick, and Jared laugh and goof off when the team was on and the game was good. As a teacher, getting to see them in their element was exciting and I tried to bring football into the classroom more because of them.<br /><br />I missed watching Coach Tuck get so irate that his bald head would turn red as a beet and he would have those big macho players quaking in their cleats. Whenever I had trouble with football players in class, all I had to do was email Tuck. Problem solved.<br /><br />I missed seeing all of my sweet babies in the stands. I love seeing students outside the classroom. It reminds both of us that we're people and we're not just 'student' and 'teacher'.<br /><br />I missed seeing Bethany & Jill in their cheerleader outfits, catching my eye so I could take their picture.<br /><br />I missed working the gate and seeing former students come back to the game, or have them sneak up behind me to give me a bearhug and tell me they missed me.<br /><br />I will forever miss bringing Caden to school one day and having the star quarterback come by my room on his 'aide' period, hold out his arms to Caden and Caden jumping to him, and then both of them walking around the school for half an hour. I didn't worry about Caden at all because I knew he was with Brian and he was safe.<br /><br />All of this is running through my mind - as the band is playing and the game is getting started - like a slideshow. I didn't have my camera with me. I hadn't even thought about bringing it.<br /><br />I know this is part of being somewhere new - and especially someplace so incredibly huge as Consolidated, but I'm still struggling because I miss my kids. I <strong><em>miss</em></strong> my kids. What makes me love teaching is what made the decision to leave Cameron so heartwrenching. <br /><br />So please pardon the melancholy nature of this post. I promise not to wallow. But for one night at one football game, the memories were just too much.DeAnn Aalbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14298745239223952363noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601408681547605139.post-11434073189466568472008-09-28T19:12:00.002-05:002008-09-28T19:16:24.692-05:00The gas factorI got gas today.<br /><br />Now, normally that wouldn't be blog worthy. I used to fill up my car every 3 days.<br /><br />Today was the first day I got gas since AUGUST 20!<br /><br />That's right - I made it from August 20 until September 28 on one tank!!!!!<br /><br />So, last year at this time, I would've already paid $420 purchasing gas (or more with all of the fluctuations) for my car & right now...since the beginning of the school year (really a week before), I've paid a total of $42!DeAnn Aalbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14298745239223952363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601408681547605139.post-73183844206763431632008-09-25T07:48:00.002-05:002008-09-25T07:51:26.826-05:00Not quite so separatedYesterday I showed up at school, stepped out of my car, and inexplicably heard the sounds of drums and guitars. I looked over at the front of the school and there was a band, all set up, singing their hearts out - about Jesus! <br /><br />Wow! What a way to start my day. It was awfully early, but the kids were bright-eyed and bushy-tailed - and they sounded good!<br /><br />Way cool.DeAnn Aalbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14298745239223952363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601408681547605139.post-55797468473656359902008-09-18T10:21:00.001-05:002008-09-18T10:29:41.949-05:00Oxford StreetI am sooo sad that Oxford Street has closed down! Stan & I went there on our 1st date, well, our first official date. We also ate there the night of our wedding. My family had a celebratory lunch there when I graduated from A&M. Stan & I celebrated our 11th anniversary there.<br /><br />I get so sentimental about dumb stuff, but this was a really special place to me. If Stan & I had to pick our restaurant, this would've been it - not the place we went to all of the time, but the place we reserved for the special occasions. We always had good food, good service, and I loved the atmosphere.<br /><br />In the grand scheme of things, this is not a tragedy - far from it. But it's one of the little things that meant a great deal to me and I'm sad it's gone.DeAnn Aalbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14298745239223952363noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601408681547605139.post-78520334277221891982008-09-12T12:53:00.006-05:002008-09-12T21:40:35.844-05:00Mama & Caden's Day. of. Fun!!*<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzn2XgeWWFWKkaCr-llzKGxt1FfWBBZcs9p6lAhz0yl7tAZ0qcFEE_NxqB_uotak7M7TBT3Cc-h3w6rAbLBcai_fgA-dtigX6sa8pHc9NLVRPieIcehk1HMF6JtJzPeMYW4eN5KomIbk/s1600-h/images[4].jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245329785232971810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzn2XgeWWFWKkaCr-llzKGxt1FfWBBZcs9p6lAhz0yl7tAZ0qcFEE_NxqB_uotak7M7TBT3Cc-h3w6rAbLBcai_fgA-dtigX6sa8pHc9NLVRPieIcehk1HMF6JtJzPeMYW4eN5KomIbk/s320/images%5B4%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/70/Escalators_Canary_Wharf.jpg&imgrefurl=http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Escalators_Canary_Wharf.jpg&h=1200&w=900&sz=211&hl=en&start=2&usg=__tkKhMpg_3RyoiZ7VZB65BgmVH4c=&tbnid=JZUfH-n8ghZQYM:&tbnh=150&tbnw=113&prev=/images%3Fq%3Descalators%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den"></a></div><br /><div>So school is out today to house evacuees from Hurricane Ike and Caden's school is closed b/c CSISD is so we have had a super fun day!<br /></div><br /><div>I (stupidly) stayed up late reading b/c I didn't have to go to school today. Oh wait - I have a 3-year-old who has decided to get up at 6:30 every morning now!!! Oh, the joy. But he was super sweet and let me bribe him with Spongebob Squarepants and Dora while I slept. I told him I would get up after Dora and when I did, he said, "No - I want to watch another one" so I got to sleep until 8:30! He watched TV and played with his new trash truck in our bed. So sweet.<br /></div><br /><div>When I woke up, he told me that it was not raining and we could go to the park this morning. (He remembered me saying that last night.) So we got up, got ready, and went to McDonald's for breakfast. We sat on the same side in the booth - so fun. Then we went and got my car inspected. Not so fun, but one of those life necessities. But it was cute listening to Caden try to say 'inspected'.<br /></div><br /><div>I was going to take him to Tanglewood Park (so he could put rocks in his new trash truck) but when we drove by the park at South Knoll Elementary, he decided he wanted to go there. There were plenty of rocks and also plenty of sun so I cajoled him in to going to the mall and playing at that playground.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We had fun. Caden was very shy and withdrawn at first. I really hope I don't project my social phobias on to him. After a bit, he started running around with the best of them. I think he's too passive at times. There was this little girl who made the most inhuman noises as she ran every kid off of whatever they were playing with. Her and her little friends then picked up the little frogs & bees and repositioned them so they could play with them exclusively. I just figured this out (I'm not the typical playground mama) - if you're wondering who the 'playground bully' belongs to, 98% of the time it's going to be the parent who is paying absolutely NO attention to her child. Seriously, I wanted to spank the girl. And her mother.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We then traipsed back to Macy's where Caden wanted to ride the escalators. He did fine on the way up. As we're walking to the down side, he stuck his tongue out and grinned at the cleaning lady. We stepped on. Caden stepped off. I kept going. And Caden begins screaming and crying. The sweet cleaning lady ran around the corner and picked him up and carried him down for me. I felt horrible. One more reason to get in shape - to run UP the down escalator!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I asked him if he was OK & he looked at me with big ol eyes and crocodile tears running down his face and said, "I cried for you!" Gah! Knife to the heart right there.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So we came home and in a guilt-induced fit I gave him candy. Yeah, I know - lesson learned. He was bouncing off the walls (literally one time!) for hours. I'm just hoping he stays in bed tonight.<br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><em>*You have to read this as Janice from Friends. If you're not familiar with this, then it's really not that funny & I'm sorry.</em></div>DeAnn Aalbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14298745239223952363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601408681547605139.post-5562329960987340712008-09-08T20:50:00.003-05:002008-09-08T20:52:05.696-05:00Funny CadenWe drove by my school this afternoon and saw the football players. Caden asked what they were doing & I said they were practicing. He asked why and I told him so they could get better.<br /><br />A little later we drove by a park and there was a trainer there with several people he was working out. Caden looked at me and said, "They're practicing so they can get better."<br /><br />Yes, Caden. Yes they are.DeAnn Aalbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14298745239223952363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601408681547605139.post-59922897762274004242008-09-08T20:47:00.001-05:002008-09-08T20:48:46.056-05:00That hasn't happened before!I just ran to Kroger & I saw one of my students there! I guess now that I'm teaching in town, that's going to happen more often!DeAnn Aalbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14298745239223952363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601408681547605139.post-26406523999476128482008-09-02T16:03:00.002-05:002008-09-02T16:08:07.181-05:00Poo on the libraryI tried to renew some items last night & the system wouldn't let me do it for 2 books b/c I'd already done it once already. OK, I'll just go up to the library, turn them in, & then recheck them out. Right?<br /><br />Wrong.<br /><br />I have to leave them there for 24 hours to give someone else a chance. Pardon me for being a selfish cranky pants, but if someone wanted them, they could've requested them online like I did.<br /><br />So I came home & immediately put the request in - that the desk guy told me I couldn't do - and they'll probably be ready for pickup this evening.<br /><br />If everyone would just play by the rules of Aalbersland, life would be sooo much sweeter!DeAnn Aalbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14298745239223952363noreply@blogger.com1