September brings many things...

Hello? Is this thing on? Test...1...2...3...

Where do I start?

Let's start with my "15³ challenge"...

The thing with setting goals is that sometimes we don't reach them, or at least fully. In this case, I got partway there. Instead of 15% by September 15th, I was able to do 15 lbs. by September 15th. Not bad, but not what I wanted.  I definitely feel GOOD about what I was able to do, but not so good about what I wasn't.  But - this gives me a chance to re-evalute my goals, and set a new one.

I guess I have a thing for connections, because here is my next goal.  I am going to be 36 in October (the 2nd to be exact - gifts and money welcomed...).  So how can I tie that in...?  How about being able to run again, and get to 3.6 miles, in 3.6 months?  That sounds like a long time, but it goes by quick when you are working, spending time with family, and trying to find time to do the things you like to do, not to mention the things you need to do.

Adam loves his class, and teacher!

Speaking of working...

The school year has started pretty well.  I have a lot of kids as usual, and finding ways to meet every individuals needs is tough.  But I enjoy my job, 99% of the time (it's the non-teaching stuff that gets to me), and I wouldn't trade the good parts for anything.

Lisa has started teaching 2nd grade this year.  After being away from the Elementary kids for 7 years, she found herself busier than ever (but like me, enjoys the teaching, and dislikes the "other" stuff).  

Anyone who thinks teachers don't work for their money should observe our lives for a week.  I get to make my own schedule, basically, but in order to meet every individuals needs, I pack lessons back to back for 5 hours straight most days without a break.  Not to mention the extra time outside of school I spend, on concerts, parent meetings, and rehearsals with the high school groups I am involved in.  I have been arriving to school earlier than normal on most days, as Lisa and I ride together most of the time, and she likes to be there early to get ready for the day.  Lisa's typical day?  Check it out:

• Somewhere between 2am and 4am: Wake up (I usually get up shortly after)
• Somewhere between 2am and 4am - get started on the days plans, and planning ahead for school, bible reading, journaling, and devotions (I do the same)
• Somewhere between 5am and 6am - shower, eat breakfast (I cook), maybe start some laundry (my job is dishes)
• 6am - Adam gets up, eats something (maybe - sometimes he eats in Lisa's room at school) and gets dressed, does devotions, and watches a little Netflix.
• 7am - we head off to school
• 7:05 am - arrive at school, and we both get started on the days plans, and planning ahead for school
• 8am - 3 days of the week, I have band, and start teaching at 8am, before the rest of the building (Lisa and Adam are still working in her room)
• 9am - the regular school days starts, and we both work straight without many breaks until 3:20, when the kids go home.  We both usually work more until at least 3:40, our contractual end time.   Often though, we are there a little later.
• Let's say 4:00pm - leave for home
• 4:05pm - get home (a blessing that we live close), unpack lunch boxes, repack lunchboxes for tomorrow, and get changed out of work clothes.
• 4:30pm - I start cooking dinner, while Lisa may do some more work for school.
• 5pm-ish: Eat dinner.
• 5:30 - Adam chills, or does homework, or plays, while I clean up dinner, and Lisa may do some more work for school.
• Somewhere between 6 and 7 pm - Adam takes a bath (unless it's swimming lesson night, in which case we drive to Batavia by 6:15, and return about 7:30).  I may leave for a rehearsal or meeting, in which case I am not home before 9pm.
• Somewhere between 7 and 8pm - BEDTIME for most of us.  I'm a bit of a night owl, and sometimes watch Netflix.
• And it repeats the next day.

Swim lessons in Batavia.

Weekends aren't much different, except that's when we get stuff done around the house, add in Tae Kwon Do, church, and family time.  I don't regret one part of that schedule.  We are doing what God called us to do, and we are busy because of it.  We try to help others, and we are trying to find ways to be more involved in ministries.  We recently became members (not just attenders) of Albion Free Methodist Church, and that is a good thing - they are our family, and we have built some close relationships with those folks since starting attending there.  God has big plans for his church - this one in particular.

So...anyway...where am I going from here?  Obviously, sharing every detail with you would be tedious, and if you've read this far, I don't want to bore you.

First tooth lost!

I am becoming a bigger part (as in planning and leading) of our worship team at church.  I am formulating my goals.  We are breaking from Facebook (though I may return - I use it a lot to communicate with teams, groups, and parents).  We are getting a "new" roof.  We are getting out of debt (slowly, but surely...Thank YOU Dave Ramsey!).  Adam has lost TWO teeth in the last 3 weeks.  We are tired.  Sometimes we are testy.  We get angry with each other.  But we love each other, even when we don't like each other.  Our family is strong, and I thank God for that.  Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ, thank God.