Better Late Than Never

Okay ladies . . . after many attempts at posting a blog, thanks to Laura's help I am finally successful. I will admit that I have been off of the home computer for a few weeks since school has started. I will promise to be a more faithful blogger now that I know what I'm doing!

I can't believe summer is over and I've already been at work for 15 days! The Doty's had a terrific summer. I spent a weekend antiquing in OH with my sister and some friends. It was a lot of fun and the first time my sister, Laura, has ever left her kids overnight. It was a huge step! My whole family also took a vacation to Lake Michigan. We all stayed in one house on a 4 acre wooded lot. It was terrific! The picture is of Maggie and Drew in a tree that all of the kids loved to climb. (all except Maggie, of course) We spent most of our other days this summer swimming at Mom's pool and hanging out with friends. The kids have changed so much this summer. Maggie isn't a baby anymore. It makes me a little sad. Did I mention the fun day we had at the Prusiecki pool??? What a beautiful place they have and what fun for the kids. It was Drew's first experience with a diving board and boy did he love it! The next pictures are from that day.

I started a new job this year at my school as a Title I teacher. I will be working with students that are 1-2 grade levels below in both reading and math. We are assessing all of the kids in the school right now and finding the students that qualify. It is so different than how most of my beginning of the school years have been. Not much stress and I bring nothing home! I know that will probably change once we start seeing kids, but for now, I love it!

I hope all is well with everyone's families. Thanks Laura for your help with the blog. I agree that we need to be better at writing! I'll do my best!

Love you all,

Jennifer

Hi ladies

So we are winding down our summer. Our trip to the ranch was fabulous and still detoxing from having waitrsess and cabin girls to clean up after us. We start school next week and we all have mixed feelings. We are enjoying our laid back summer days, not looking forward to getting the kids off in the mornings but looking forward to getting my list of things done once they do go back.

Jennifer Doty, I read When Crickets Cry this summer and loved it. I am going to rec. it for my book club. It was great.
Heading to Bloomington for my nieces wedding on the 13th, Julie do you want to swing by????

Anyway, just wanted to say hello to you all, I miss you and thinking of you all often.
Laura

A New Beginning....

Oh Girls, how these last few weeks have flown....here I spent most of the summer complaining how bored I was and how my kids were making me nuts assuming I was "Julie the cruise director" for them, and now it is the eve of school Orientation for us. So this is a big year for me. Cayla moves up to what our school calls "Intermediate", Coy begins kindergarten, and I go back to work! I am excited about what this all brings, but also know that my type-A personality may make life miserable for awhile. How do we find the balance? How do we re-charge our batteries? I am hoping to figure this out soon....let me know if you all have.

In other news, my Mom came up and spent the week with us last week while Sam was traveling and I had to attend a few work-related meetings. It was the first time she had stayed for that long --- can you believe that? It was a good visit, and even though some of her idiosyncrasies made me nuts, it was still good to have her here and I know she enjoyed it. Last week was also the week of pool disasters - which is another story in itself - but we do have concrete and a level lawn and a structure that looks like it may be filled with water someday. Honestly, we have only been in the construction mode for less than two weeks - it is just tough having your backyard look like a war zone --- see, here is the type-A rearing it's ugly head again....

So I always look at the beginning of school as a beginning for everything - taking better care of myself, being more organized, cooking better dinners, being a more patient mom, fitting in more yoga, etc...so I am embracing tomorrow. I will be thinking of all of you as I drive off to work/school in the morning, thinking of what you are all doing and how you are doing it.

Miss you all - hope you have a chance to get on the blog soon.

Hi girls-

Just wanted to update you. All 3 kids are now home and life will never be the same for Maribeth and Aaron. I went over and fed one of the kids last night and then went home and slept all evening. I'm still beat!

Going to the doctor on Friday for my first real prenatal appt. Should be uneventful.

Headed to Cincy to do some rental stuff this weekend and a family birthday party. David's dad turns 70. I think we'll probably share our news with his family. I'm leaving that up to him.

Hope all is well with you guys! Take care.

hello out there

hello out there good friends? what are you all doing that is keeping so busy. Nobody has been on the blog forever. What is everyone doing?
Miss you all
Laura