Updates on the photo album!

We added a few slide shows to the
photo album page.
For now, they include the Wedding
and Our Honeymoon.
Family Photos to follow!!!!

2010 in Review

The season is wrapping up, and looking at bits of wrapping paper and ribbons to go out in the trash- I know the New Year is just around the corner. We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and the time spent with your families was warm and special. Our family certainly had a nice holiday, filled with lots of laughter, lots of food, and lots of love.
Before we go any further, I decided to take time to reflect on the past year. It has been such a busy and wonderful year!

January- Greeting a new year, planning the wedding officially begins.
February- Lots of SNOW!! Cold, but oh so fun! Zack begins basketball
March- Zack finishes basketball! He did so well!
April- A month for slowing down, starting to see Spring...
May- School almost out, trip to NYC
June- Brought changes in career for Leah and the beginning of summer. Leah's birthday!
July- Camping with the Campbells, Z's birthday, and Our Wedding in Oregon
August- Summer Ended and Z began at his new school and new schedule
September- Busy with homework for both Z and Leah!
October- Halloween Party with our friends
November- Thanksgiving was spent in our home along with Faith and Iowanna
December- Christmas Eve Celebration, Trip to NYC, Ben turned 38!

November

This is officially my first blog entry EVER. Quite a departure from sending news down the river on papyrus, as I am accustomed.

The big news is that Zack has made honor roll at Quarterfield Elementary School. He is in second grade.

I've been working steadily at the bookstore, but am getting restless. I'm considering other options as I prepare for my next steps towards becoming a teacher.

A month later...

Ok, so its been awhile. I guess that's life. I am at "work" which really isn't that much like work at all. Three days a week, I care for a sweet little baby. Corrine is 6 1/2 months old and a very loving and snuggly little thing. I'm writing this as she sleeps her last nap of the day on my chest. She is the youngest of three girls, pretty close in age.

So work is going well. School is also going well.

Ben has had his first "gig" as a substitute teacher, but we are nervous about cutting back hours. You never know if you will have work that week or not. Lucky for us, he will be shooting another wedding in about two weeks!

Z is growing like crazy it seems! Seriously, he is so big and so mature. I am really amazed watching him interact with others; hearing his vocabulary. He's doing great in school and really enjoying his time!

First Day of September

Hello everyone!

Well, it has been a month since our wedding and since then has been nonstop. We are now into the full routine of school. Z is getting to walk to school most days, which seems like a luxury to me; our bus rides to school were about an hour each way. Today we received our first email of the year from Z's teacher;

"In our short time together, he seems to be extremely apt as it pertains to academics. We are continuing to work on classroom rules and my set routine. Being purposeful about these concepts in the beginning of the year creates a classroom environment conducive for fun and learning.

He seems to be adapting socially since there are other students who are new to the school as well. I will contact you periodically throughout the year to give updates on his progress and behavior. Fell free to contact me at your convenience should you need additional information or clarity!"

Knowing that our little guy has been going through so many stressful changes made me nervous about the school year, however, I was very comforted by Mrs. Jones' words. Consequently, her family is from Georgia and just relocated to Maryland. So the new students and new teacher are learning to adapt to the school together.

New in our world, not only did Z begin school last week, but I also started classes at the community college. So far, I am excited and confident. For those of you who don't know, my Mom is also going back to school. Last semester, she happily maintained a 4.0gpa; I feel there may be some competition in the future. ;oP At least I will strive to achieve the standard she is setting. (I'm very proud of you Mom!!)

Z is craving pumpkin pie, and I promised we would make caramel apples. In fact, we went apple picking with Emily last weekend in Western Maryland... so I have 10lbs of apples I have to do something with!

For now, I think I need to be studying!

School has begun!

This school year, I have resolved to be the most organized. I've even made our schedule and posted it to the fridge. I know what you're thinking, and yes, I was worried that having a schedule would result in us never having fun time... but I was wrong! Day two of our scheduled life, and everyone was on time! We even walked him to school today!

Ben wakes up earlier than Z and I do. He showers, dresses, and enjoys his morning coffee.
Z and I wake up around 7:00am.(this is a feat.. I would easily sleep until 10!) Z dresses immediately, while I make PANCAKES (yes, on the first school day!) for breakfast and we have time to sit and enjoy breakfast together.

Fast forward. Everyone is dressed and ready to leave on time. We both got to take Z to his first day of school. He was pretty excited... and man, did he look cute in his uniform!



After school, we went to meet with Randy, Z's counselor. Came home, had dinner and even had an hour to go on a walk after dinner before Z's shower and "bed time routine" (which now includes Z reading to himself most days... last night, he read for almost 40 minutes!)

Everything was done by 8:30, giving Ben and I time to catch up and talk about our day.

Like I said, this morning we even had time to walk Z to school! Let's hope once activities begin, we can keep it up!

Our Week!

School is starting on Monday! This week has flown by! Here is an overview of our week:

Monday morning Z was dropped off at our house to begin our week with him. He and I played, read, and watched a movie together while Ben was at work. After work, we took Z to the Aquatic Center for an hour or so.



Also this week, Z and I ran to the post office while Dad was at work. There had been one of those lovely pink "you have mail that wont fit in your box" notes lying on the table for a few days, and since it was for a certain "Z. Weybright" I felt it would be fun if he went to get the package. The lines were long and he was squirmy, but the second that package got in his hands, he was completely happy.

We opened it in the car to avoid 7 year old death caused by suspense. The receipt was from Grandpa Loren and when Z saw a tin of Pokemon cards he began almost breathlessly,

"WOW! Pokemon cards! Awesome! Grandpa is the best! Look, Leah, Arceus! He is the strongest ever! Grandpa is the greatest, isnt he?"

I of course agree. Evoking that much enthusiasm from a little guy really is what makes grandparents special. Thanks Grandpa Loren, for making Z's day very special.

Thursday morning, Z and I met his mother at QF Elementary for New Student orientation. For the first half, the School Counselor addressed the parents and discussed policy... during that time Z rolled his eyes plenty. Boredom is the worst possible form of torture. The second half of orientation, we were divided into groups and partnered with one of last year's QF 5th Graders. It seemed to be an honor for these 10 year olds, leading adults and children around, talking about the media room and introducing them to teachers.
Z's favorite part, I think, was his tall, skinny red locker. The concept of a locker is both exciting and new to him. He also noted that Mrs. Jones, his new teacher, seems very nice.

Monday morning will bring us to the end of summer and we will be forced back into routine... which I cannot say I am sad about. Just like Z finds comfort in consistency and stability, I think our family benefits from having a schedule too.

Our Family Blogs!

With school beginning in less than one week, we thought it would be a great opportunity to begin blogging for our family.

Our life is going through several major changes right now. Zack will be going to school in our district and living with us during the weeks. He will spend most weekends with his mom, but the last weekend of each month will be his weekend with us.

We're excited about these changes, and yet we are a little sad to say so-long to the summer!