Introducing the book (repost)

This is so funny!

Lazy days of summer

Last night Luke was playing on the trampoline with the neighbor kids.
This is so what summer is all about.
All three of them were having so much fun. I love summer SO much.
Hannah is the girl and Caleb is the little guy with the fun noodle.



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Whew!

What a week it has been. Going back to school is always so over the top.
The Minnesota Department of Education released the data on our state's test scores. One third of all our schools failed to make annual yearly progress (AYP). Our schools are in panic mode. There are all these NEW things we need to do to ensure that our students do better on the tests next year. BLAH, BLAH, BLAH!!
So, instead of getting ready for my students this week, I have been sitting in meetings to discuss data, and new initiatives, and UBD's, and our PDP's and many other insane things with letters. And we are going to get it done ASAP!
I just really wanted to be in my room getting ready for another amazing year. I wanted to get my lesson plans finalized, my papers all ready for the first day, a cute little message on the white board in the front of the room. Do you think I got a chance to do that? NO!
I love my job, but sometimes the crap that surrounds my profession make me crazy!
I'm a teacher, and a pretty darn good one at that. I just want to teach. I will teach what the state says I should teach.
Pretty sure it is easier to teach when I don't have 50 pounds of paperwork on my head.
There is definitely a reason why I didn't go into corporate America. I HATE meetings. I feel for any of you who have to sit in meetings day after day. I SO could not do it.

Now that I have vented, I am getting ready to begin my last weekend of freedom before school starts.
The kids and I are going to my parents cabin up north. My boys are leaving today with their grandparents. Chloe and I will be going up tomorrow morning. Chloe has a birthday party for her friend Jessica. Angela and I are going to my friend Lynda's house for dinner. I am very excited about it too!!

My hope is that you have love, laughter and peace over your Labor Day Weekend.

A New Start

Today I was back to work. At the end of each summer I am ready to begin again.
As always I am exhausted when I first go back. Cut me some slack while I adjust to my new schedule.
Friends are the frosting on the cupcakes of life.

Show of Strength

Last night we went up to Richfield to play cards with Angela's parents. We had a good night of cards, desert, and laughs. I am not sure how it happened, but suddenly there was arm wrestling, and lots of it. These pictures are hilarious. Check it out!!



Seth and John. This was a tough match for Seth. John emerged the victor.



Much to Angela's chagrin, Seth won this match.



Angela and her mom went to town. Angela won this match.



Seth won the match against Ryan.



When it came time to wrestle Kathy.......



Seth was NO MATCH!

Psalm 55:22

My dear friend Shari, in a recent email, sent me this verse.
Psalm 55:22
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
I have been reading it over and over this weekend. While it is super easy to take things and worry about them, it is all futile energy. What a blessing it is to have friends and family who love you. It's always essential to stop and dwell on all the blessings that you have, instead of focusing on the negatives. I have been truly blessed by so many things.
When I cast my cares on the Lord, I allow HIM to carry my burdens and problems. While they may be WAY too heavy for me to carry, He can handle them no problem. Sometimes that is the only thing that will get a person through something.
Thanks Shari for reminding me.

Gorgeous Saturday

Yesterday was a beautiful day. The weather was wonderful. It was so great that I was able to turn off the air conditioning.
I went into the backyard to take some pictures of our "little retreat."





Here is our screened porch. We LOVE this room.









Our pool has been used plenty this hot summer.

Niagara Falls

My camera does these video clips.
I just realized that I could totally put these on my blog. This was one I had handy. I don't know if it will work. I figured it was worth a try.
This was from last summer when I took the kids to Niagara Falls. None of us had ever been there. SO, we were definitely in awe. There is nothing better than hearing your voice talk behind one of these things!

BIG DAY!!

Friday was a big day for us. Chloe passed her permit test. She even drove home from the testing place. She did a very good job! We studied really hard, and her hard work paid off. I learned a bunch too...you would be surprised how much you DON'T know about driving. I am pretty sure I would not have passed the test if I had not studied with Chloe.
This is a huge accomplishment for Chloe. So I wanted to make sure you could see her behind the wheel of my car. How cute is she?
Watch out world, Chloe is ready to go.

Ro and Me

OK, so you know I am obsessed with Rosie's blog.
SO, I am writing my blog this morning about children.
I get done, I post the blog, and I go to Rosie's page.
She just posted a blog about Daughters. I tell you, she and I should meet.
We could be good friends.
I've said that about her since the early 90's!
I know, I know....you may not agree with all that she says, but I tell you what....see seems like a super cool chic!

Check out her blog if you haven't yet. Read her blog about Daughters.

http://www.rosie.com/

My Children

Niagara Falls, Summer 2006

I've been thinking a lot about my children lately!
I guess as they get older, you get further away from the little ones they used to be. As Seth gets ready to move out, and away, I find myself wanting to cherish every moment that I have with my three kids.

Seth, my firstborn, is ready to move out and begin his life as a grown up. He was my little boy just yesterday.
How can it be that Chloe is starting 10th grade? Wasn't she just a little pixie running around after her big brother?
How could Luke have just become a teenager? 13 can be so grown up at times.
Parenting is about teaching your kids what they need to know to be prepared for the "real world".
They are supposed to grow up and leave. The hard part is being ok with it.

I remember when they were little, I wanted them to grow up. Now that they are growing up, a part of me wants them little again. Back when life was so much simpler. Their problems were so much easier to solve.
Being a mother is the one job I am proudest of in my life.
I love you Seth!
I love you Chloe!
I love you Luke!

Soul Groove

This morning we went to Lifetime Fitness. Chloe and I took a class called Soul Groove. It was hilarious. We worked so hard. You can't tell by the picture, but Chloe is bright red in her face. I know you can tell that I am red faced.



Luke, Ryan and Isaiah went and played some basketball. For some reason, Luke wanted to shut his eyes in every picture.



Oh, and it's raining all day again today!

ups and downs

Life is sometimes a roller coaster.
Sometimes it's hard 2 understand.
The ups and downs can be exhilarating.
At times much too painful

Life has a way of teaching you lessons.
Children don't see what is best for them.
They can't see yet.
You have 2 trust your heart, and do what you know is right.


I have learned 2 trust the Lord.
2 let go and breathe.

Chloe's Next Chapter

Today Chloe, Ryan and I went up to Lakeville South High School to get their schedules, locker assignments, and pictures taken. This is Ryan's second year at LSHS, and it is Chloe's first year. They are both going into 10th grade. Chloe is NOT excited about transferring from Christian Life School where she had 12 kids in her grade. This will be a HUGE change for her. We are praying that Chloe will make good friends, and will have a very successful year at LSHS!

California

This past June I went to California with 4 of my cousins for a 40th Birthday Celebration. We had a WONDERFUL week in Palm Desert. It was hotter than hades, but we really enjoyed each others company!
Since I didn't have my blog started in June, I just wanted to put a picture of the five of us on here.
Don't you love it how I got to be in the back? ME TOO!!!

How Bizarre

It's raining AGAIN! I did get up and go walking with Tim, my neighbor, in the rain.
But now, as I am sitting in the house lamenting the weather on my last week of summer vacation, I keep thinking about Mexico. We had such a great time in Mexico. I just hope Hurricane Dean doesn't do too much damage to the Yucatan Peninsula, I really want to go back there again.

Seth

My oldest son, Seth, is getting all geared up to go on his 10 month missions trip to Georgia. I thought that I should put his link on here so you guys could get a glimpse of what he is going to be doing.

http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/

OH MY GOSH!!!

OK, I hate to be a whiner, but the rain is getting me down. I've had enough now. My friend, Lynda, told me to think of how much our grass and trees need the rain. She is so funny. She also told me that the sun will come out again. I am pretty sure it will come out again...the day I go back to work. The forecast looks like it's going to be cold and rainy all this week, and I go back the week of the 27th!
Angela, Ryan, Isaiah and I went to Lifetime Fitness today to work out. Angela and I have a one week free membership. It was fun...but hard work.
We also went to Evergreen church this morning. This is the church that bought our old church, Trinity. It was so weird being in the church that I know SO well, with a bunch of people I have never seen before.
To those of you who enjoy a rainy day, make the most of your day.

Update on Jon's Mom

Apparently everything went well with Betty's surgery. I just got off the phone with Jon and Chloe. Betty is breathing on her own (something that she wasn't doing for a while), and is now on the long road to recovery. Thanks for your prayers during this time. I know the whole family appreciates them.

Jon's Mom

Late in the day yesterday, we found out that Jon's mom, Betty, was in the hospital. She was scheduled to have quadruple bypass surgery this morning. Jon and the kids took off late last night for Fargo. Jon's one sister flew in from Atlanta last night around 11:00 PM. Then they began the long trip up to Fargo in the middle of the night. Jon has promised to keep me in the loop as to what is happening. If you read this, please say a prayer for Betty Simonson.

Wild Mountain

Yesterday was Luke's 13th Birthday. We took off to Wild Mountain in Taylors Falls. Luke brought two friends, and Chloe and I went along to keep each other company! Chloe did take one trip down the alpine slide.


The kids also did some water slide stuff.



I think Luke's favorite part was the Go Karts. On his last race of the day, he got the fastest car and really tore up the track. He even started lapping cars. He really can't wait to drive.



I think everybody had a really good time at Wild Mountain. We did end up forgetting Luke's towel and swim suit there though. I am working on trying to get that back.

Trip to Chuck E Cheese

We went to Chuck E Cheese with Grandma and Grandpa today to celebrate Luke's birthday a day early. We had a great time....



Luke got a great outfit from Grandma and Grandpa, plus an awesome soccer bag...which he desperately needed! His old one was so stinky!



Luke also went on a fun ride for an almost 13 year old. Chloe, Ryan, Isaiah and Luke spent a ton of time playing arcade games. A good day was had by all!

Pictures from Lutsen trip

Here is the link to view the pictures from the trip we took to Lutsen last weekend. They are stored at Flickr.

http://www.flickr.com/gp/11349363@N05/k7005U

America's Got Talent

How bizarre. I am watching this show right now. Who thinks that singing with a puppet on your hand constitutes talent? Not sure. Going to watch Singing Bee next. Now that show is more entertaining. I will say that show is SUPER hard though. I thought I would do well with this game, but have discovered that I wouldn't do very well.
My summer has consisted of more tv and computer time than is advised.
Guilty pleasures:

Scott Baio is 45 and Single:
http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/scott_baio_is_45_and_single/series.jhtml

Rosie O'Donnell blog:
http://www.rosie.com/blog

Singing Bee
http://www.nbc.com/The_Singing_Bee/

The Power of 10
http://www.cbs.com/primetime/powerof10/?source=reprise+Google+Power-of-10_Show+Power$of$10

I watched the 19 year old win a million bucks. It was very cool.

OK, before you feel TOO sorry for me, just know that I have also spent lots of time outside by the pool. Don't cry for me Argentina.

A New Day

Today is a new day! I am going to spend less time on the computer, and more time reading. I supposed I will have to clean up the pool area as well...again! Much needed rain last night. I am tired today. Need to get more energy. Have to go deal with a house full of kids. Can't wait! (-: Can't believe that school is starting so soon. It is always sort of a blessing in a way. Everybody needs the structure in their lives...or they spend all day on the computer, or watching TV!
NOT GOOD!

Geekdom

Hey! I like how that first post turned out. I wonder how anybody will ever read this....if I am the only one ON here. Oh well....I truly am the biggest geek I know.

Wow

I am not even sure where to start.
I am just starting to get into these blogs.
Maybe it's time for summer to be over.
I need to get a life.
We shall see if this is something fun or not!