Friday, August 31, 2012

the stage is bare

gratitude
8 new books ~ Sloane
spending Sabbath evening singing along with the Ball Brothers ~ Relyn
finding new music I like ~ Jeffrey

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Branson rooster

gratitude
Frog Dude and Queenie (2 new Webkinz) ~ Sloane
time with my Mom ~ Relyn
a chance to go shooting with Norm today ~ Jeffrey

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

balloon clown

gratitude
that cute clown picture ~ Sloane
Today was a rough day. It really was.  There were quite a few insults and unkindnesses.  So tonight, I am reminded more than ever of how important it is to be grateful.  I am thankful for my beautiful, peaceful home, my happy family, my dogs who are unfailingly glad to see me.  I am thankful for open-hearted, curious children to teach, and friends to teach alongside.  I am thankful for life, for breath, for the moon in the sky.  I am thankful for smiles, and tears, and books that make you think.  I am thankful for my daughter and my husband and time to talk over a delicious dinner. I am thankful for love, for my Lord, and for this quiet evening.  I have so many things to be thankful for.  Look here, I've already nearly forgotten what was difficult about today.  ~ Relyn
colleagues that I like ~ Jeffrey

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

school days...

gratitude
our puppies ~ Sloane
I got so many DRAs finished today. ~ Relyn
bad days always end ~ Jeffrey

Monday, August 27, 2012

our first day of school

gratitude
banana bread ~ Sloane
time laughing and playing with the dogs ~ Relyn
quiet nights at home ~ Jeffrey

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Mom and Dad after 45 years

gratitude
Mysterious Benedict Society ~ Sloane
my parents' long, Godly marriage ~ Relyn
Relyn's parents' 45th wedding anniversary ~ Jeffrey

Saturday, August 25, 2012

a borrowed picture of my Dad and my niece

gratitude
time with Lauren today ~ Sloane
seeing the Ball Brothers today in concert and fun with the Rices' tonight ~ Relyn
ditto ~ Jeffrey

Friday, August 24, 2012

more of Mandy's house


gratitude
tonight was fun ~ Sloane
time laughing with my small group ~ Relyn
a great night with friends ~ Jeffrey

Thursday, August 23, 2012

at Mandy's


gratitude
Mysterious Benedict Society ~ Sloane
tomorrow is Friday and I don't have to work this weekend ~ Relyn
great tuna salad ~ Jeffrey

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

at the big meet


gratitude
giggling ~ Sloane
I got a TON of work done tonight. ~ Relyn
the scary letter from the IRS was their mistake, not mine. ~ Jeffrey

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

playing with light


gratitude
no more Iron Chef ~ Sloane
 a great haircut for me and new bangs for Sloane ~ Relyn
food in the cabinets ~ Jeffrey

Monday, August 20, 2012

earlier this summer - heading off to camp

gratitude
Chopped ~ Sloane
Advil ~ Relyn
Pluots ~ Jeffrey

Sunday, August 19, 2012

muddy reflection

gratitude
I got to have Lauren over. ~ Sloane
I got so much done in my classroom this weekend. ~ Relyn
Sam Cooke's voice~ Jeffrey

Saturday, August 18, 2012

three pairs of feet

gratitude
Lauren is spending the night. ~ Sloane
I get to spend the night. ~ Lauren
Jeffrey cleaned the house today. ~ Relyn
Spending the day with Greg ~ Jeffrey

Friday, August 17, 2012

Marisa and her blue eyes

gratitude
a good first week of school; I like my teacher. ~ Sloane
a great day today ~ Relyn
Sabbath ~ Jeffrey

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Sloane

gratitude
I am making new friends at school. ~ Sloane
Greg's great news! ~ Relyn
Greg's great news!  ~ Jeffrey

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Purple Percival

gratitude
cool homework and Chick-fil-A ~ Sloane
fun with my parents at Chick-fil-A~ Relyn
my American Lit class ~ Jeffrey

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

I'm missing her today...

gratitude
a good first day of fifth grade ~ Sloane
a great first day at a new building ~ Relyn
I am thankful for the people I enjoy working with.  ~ Jeffrey

Monday, August 13, 2012

lots of candles

gratitude
my new glasses ~ Sloane
a fun last day of summer with Sloane ~ Relyn
It was a wonderful first day back to school. ~ Jeffrey

Sunday, August 12, 2012

by sculptor, Augustin Pajou

gratitude
We got a lot done in Daddy's library. ~ Sloane
the way we all work together and help each other out ~ Relyn
We got my library display windows done. ~ Jeffrey

Saturday, August 11, 2012

street art in Bentonville


gratitude
going to the gun show ~ Sloane
having fun shopping for my classroom ~ Relyn
spending the day with Greg and Sloane ~ Jeffrey

Friday, August 10, 2012

High Pointe Elementary


gratitude
Gadzooks, a dragon in the book The Fire Within ~ Sloane
Sloane worked so hard in my class today.  She is such a blessing.  
Plus, the weather today was purely heaven sent. ~ Relyn
a grill and how good a salad with grilled chicken tastes ~ Jeffrey

Thursday, August 9, 2012

bowl of cherries


gratitude
Mom's Parent Orientation went well. ~ Sloane
Parent Orientation was fantastic.  Even more, God has really blessed 
our new second grade team with laughter and friendship and a quick affinity.   ~ Relyn
cruddy days come to an end ~ Jeffrey

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

hydrangeas


gratitude
I get to spend the day with Tara tomorrow. ~ Sloane
God is good, even when the day is hard.  ~ Relyn
I am thankful to come home to my girls. ~ Jeffrey

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Lawson's at Silver Dollar City

gratitude
It was a fun day with Tara ~ Sloane
my classroom is really turning out well ~ Relyn
a great Freshman orientation ~ Jeffrey

Monday, August 6, 2012

High Pointe

gratitude
getting to see Tara tomorrow ~ Sloane
I had a great first day at a new school.  ~ Relyn
getting to know a new coworker a little bit more ~ Jeffrey

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Peonies in the Wind


gratitude
Olympics ~ Sloane
my helpful, supportive family ~ Relyn
getting the chance to work with the kids in Sunday school this year. ~ Jeffrey

Saturday, August 4, 2012

at the Nelson-Atkins

gratitude
the Olympics ~ Sloane
Sabbath ~ Relyn
Food Network ~ Jeffrey

Friday, August 3, 2012

She's home!

gratitude
my new (back to school) outfit ~ Sloane
Lola is going to do a bunch of sewing for me.  ~ Relyn
the Olympics and specifically the classy behavior of the US swim team ~ Jeffrey

Thursday, August 2, 2012

a manicure

gratitude
I'm home. ~ Sloane
Sloane is home from Oregon. ~ Relyn
Sloane is home. ~ Jeffrey


Note: We painted Sloane's nails as we waited for her to board on her way to Oregon.  This is her manicure the day she left.  She arrived home safely today, thank God.