I know, it's been awhile...

I'm so sorry I haven't updated in a looong time. I think it's partly because I feel like I'm writing to myself. I got to thinking... I talk to myself...why can't I write to myself? So, let's get you (me) up-to-date.

Family
Mom and Dad just celebrated their 50th anniversary. We had family pictures taken and one big family portrait done at the cabin. We gave them the pictures at a dinner at Busters. Everyone had a great time. Oh, except Megan. She was in agony with a bad back. We've all been there. That's an awful pain. Hope you're feeling better Megan. You probably are since you won't read this blog --- ever.

Speaking of Megan, she just got a promotion at work. She is now working full-time at Geisinger. She has benefits and everything! Bad back, adult job... Wow. I think she's all grown up now.

My family is doing great. We have new neighbors now. Isaac is in heaven having someone to play with on a daily basis. Roy and I are loving it too. These neighbors are terrific people. We couldn't have asked for better. We have been spending a lot of time together.

Roy is laid off and has been since January. Rumor is that he'll be going back to work in August. Let's hope so. Being home is all the time is beginning to bug him.


Work
I've changed jobs. I'm now the senior high learning support teacher. I was almost the Emotional Support teacher. I consider myself lucky right now. Although I haven't tried to get senior high kids to actually do anything yet. This is going to be quite the transition year at school. We're getting a new principal and I'm getting 4 grade levels of kids whom are all taller than me. I'll either be blogging a lot more or not at all once school is underway. We'll see.


Other
Another transition I'll be making at work is being there without Chris Shultz. She's fighting a battle with cancer. She was tested, diagnosed, and started chemo within a weeks' time at the beginning of July. I can't explain how this event has affected me. I think about her all the time. I feel helpless most of the time, in awe of her strength all of the time. There has been some good news already (thank God), but she has a battle ahead of her.


I hear footsteps coming in the room so I'll have to go now. I'll be updating more often - I promise? Pictures - a lot of pictures - I hope.

The Spoils of Christmas Past

I promised you more information on guitar hero. Well, I just have to say that I LOVE THIS GAME! Who knew that I would like a video game so much. I won't brag here and tell you that I'm the top-scorer in my family. That would be insensitve to the other gamers in my family. Let's just say, I missed my calling. I could be a dried-up rocker by now. Oh well.

Isaac's best gift is always a Gander Mt. gift card. He loves them because he gets to go to Gander Mt. with the guys after Christmas. This year, he got a bow and a Woolrich flannel shirt. He used them both hard while at the cabin for New Year's Eve.

The other picture doesn't really pertain to Christmas, but it was cute and it summed up how I felt after Christmas was over. EXHAUSTED! It's been a great holiday. The tree is down, the lights are put away now. I think I'll go play some guitar hero!

Christmas Day

Christmas day started at 6 am when Isaac got up. At least we didn't have to wake him up this year (as in a couple years ago). The three of us opened gifts. Isaac was thrilled with his PSP. It's what he's wanted for months.

After the Vera gifts, Mom, Dad, BoBo, Dan, and Megan came over for breakfast. That tradition started when Isaac was very little.

Later that day, the whole family (add Bill, Kelly, Maddie, Carson, and Gram Zoe) came for dinner and gift giving. The amount of gift wrap that filled my family room was amazing! Everyone had a great time. Isaac got guitar hero from Gram and Pap (more on that later). The kids got a few (!) things from Grammy and Pappy.

Bonnie has a fake smile on because she didn't get a gift to unwrap yet. Megan is smiling because she knows that I'm about to unwrap the stupid Chia Pet that my mom and I have been passing back and forth for about 15 years now. Gram Zoe is smiling because that's what she does all the time!

Kelly shouldn't be smiling because she doesn't yet know that Carson is going to take the gun on her lap and shoot little balls at people all over the house!

Christmas Eve

The festivities started on Christmas Eve. That's when we get together with mom, dad, Gram Zoe, and Alex. We all have dinner and go to church. Afterwards, we return for dessert and Alex gets all of his presents.

It was a nice evening. We made it to church in time even though Roy had trouble getting my car out of the snow in front of the house. It took a good 15 minutes and a lot of dirty snow sprayed on Alex to get the car out. Alex had to change and then we were off.

Alex received a lot of money in the form of paper and plastic. We had a good time.

Thanks for checking in.

Diann