A beautiful fall week!

                                  Michigan in the fall...when the sun is shining!?  Stunning!

 Thursday was a special day at our school.  We had our Serve-a-thon day.  This year we did something different...we packed boxes for our military!  I had a group of "big kids" come in to help my class do a quick craft and finish some coloring pages that went in the boxes.

 They traced their hands...because when you are from Michigan...you use your hand to show it!  We added a colored leaf...blowing a little bit of fall to our soldiers.  Aunt Sara inspired me with this last minute idea!  I remembered how much she misses the fall leaves of the Midwest.

 There were mountains of donations!  This picture was after a couple groups had gone through the line.

 My Kinders wanted to know who was going to get their box!  They were so cute decked out in Red, White, and Blue!  I added a face paint treat for them.

 It was fun to catch glimpses of our children helping all the little ones.

 My class was the first one to the gym.  In the middle was a pile of the white packing boxes, and they had the Kinders circle around it...and one of the Seniors "popped out" of the pile...no one cried, but their faces showed that they were not expecting that!

What a fun way to spend this year's Serve-a-thon!  It was a very patriotic day shared with all the classes.  My class was so excited to say the pledge with the big kids!  When the Star Spangled Banner song started...they all turned to look at me as if to say, "Hey, we know this song!"  We have been singing it this month.  We enjoyed some special video clips about soldiers and from a soldier from our church.  How much I take our freedom for granted each and every day!  Thank you to our military who give so much!

Two days with Papa, Grandma, and Sammy

 It was a chilly afternoon for a soccer game, but fun to watch Teddy play with his team.  We came home to a warm house and a hot meal.  "What do you have for dessert, Kari?"  Why...I have an apple pie fresh out of the oven!  That is one way to warm up the house!

We all got a little teary greeting Sammy!  He cuddled right up with anyone who looked like they needed a buddy.  Once again, we were reminded how much we miss the little paws/toes tapping across the floor and the begging for treats!

 Saturday we took a tour of downtown Detroit!  It was serious business.

 We went to Bagger Dave's for lunch...a Michigan place.  It was worth the long wait!  We think the cook stayed home to watch the U of M and State game!

 The kiddos always seem to entertain themselves and us wherever we go!

 Saying "See ya later" is always hard!  Sammy even considered staying with us for a minute!

The Three Ts!  I think Ted stood on his tiptoes here...Teddy was quite proud of gaining on Papa and Dad's height!  Thankful for special times spent together doing nothing special in particular.  Thanks Papa and Grandma for making the drive once again!  We love you!

Every morning...

 the Stille kiddos come into my room to say "Hi!" and wait for the 8:00 a.m. bell with their cousins.  They have been good buddies for each other...and I am just thankful that they get this opportunity.  I look up from my desk as they stand and chat about homework and the day...so I ask them if I can take a picture...I want to remember...and this is what I get.
They make me laugh...as the girls tell the guys to "not be stupid and do it nice the first time" and I offer another chance...and it gets a little better... The guys don't think anything is out of order.
They are getting so big!  Where does the time go?

Fun in K5

 We had an ABC Fashion Show.  I found the idea on pinterest and the parents went over the top to make it successful!  I had the letter A...so all my "A" items went on an apron...because I couldn't get the paper bag to work right for me.  Paper bags are perfect size vests for 5 year olds to decorate with their special letter!

 We made it past the short vowels and now have begun reviewing the consonants...letter T...we had to do Detroit Tigers!  Teddy says I am a traitor.  I say I am a good K5 teacher...who is surrounded by loyal Tiger fans!

 I enjoy watching my kiddos interact with my Kinders in the morning.  "Mrs. T, those big kids sure are chatty!"

 I borrowed a reward coupon idea found on pinterest.  The Kinders use their earned tickets to buy special coupons for fun rewards that are not just candy/junk toy treats.  Sit anywhere coupon!  I lost my seat for two days in a row!  Obe the squirrel can sit with you coupon!

I am so proud of the progress I am seeing in five weeks of K5.  It is hard work to do what you are asked to do as a big kindergartener!  They love to sing and listen to stories.  I get tears in my eyes when we say Psalm 23 together.  Their excitement is contagious.  I love Kindergarten and the random things that come with it!

It has been a tough 48 hours!

Our family said "Goodbye" to our little fuzzy white dog this morning.  It was one of the hardest parenting moments we have had.  Ted and I have been watching Chevy, knowing that we were going to have to visit the vet and make some decisions.  Last Sunday afternoon we all watched Chevy struggle and had to help him...this had been happening more and more.  We talked as a family and cried.  We agreed on how things would be handled.  I made an appointment with the vet, but couldn't get in until Thursday.  Ted and I went on Thursday afternoon and talked with the vet and we both cried.  I was relieved to find out that Chevy wasn't in any pain, but there was nothing we could do to prevent the effects of aging.  Last night, we sat down as a family and discussed the decision that Ted and I have wrestled with for awhile.  We knew it would be hard...we just weren't prepared for how hard it would be.  Our hearts broke as we watched our children absorb the reality of saying "Goodbye" to our little buddy...our first baby...our watch-dog turn lap dog...our little heartbeat at our feet.
Ted and I hardly slept.  We got up this morning and found Teddy and Ashlynn sleeping on the floor next to Chevy's cage.  They all got up and sat on the couch with him.  How do you know when you make the right decision?  How will this affect our children?  Will we actually be able to do this?
Taking Chevy from the arms of the children who have only known life with him...was really hard!
I am thankful for a husband who had the idea of pulling up our blog and mirroring it last night so we could take a trip down memory lane together.  We did some more reminiscing tonight.  It has been a quiet day with red, puffy eyes off and on.  Chevy was part of our family for 15 years and 9 months...a gift to me from Ted...to keep me company when he worked nights.  Thankful for the memories...both funny and not so funny...they are all sweet now!
It is quiet tonight...no barking and woofing for treats...no tapping of his little toenails on the kitchen floor...
...and about the time that I think I'll be ok...the tears roll down my face unexpectedly.

Enjoying the days as we transition into fall...

 there is nothing like being at home with my family on a Saturday!

A couple weeks ago...we thanked our Civil Servants...thankful to be living in America!

Spoiled in South Haven

 We loaded up on Thursday and headed west for our teacher retreat.  What a beautiful day!  Since I drove...my vehicle just naturally heads to the lake!  We drove into South Haven and parked so we could walk to the lighthouse.

 The channel was rolling and the waves were crashing on the north side of the lighthouse...but not on the south side.  We talked to a fisherman who was catching salmon!

 These pictures loaded onto this page all mixed up...and I'm not in the mood to fix them.  The house that was rented was beautiful!  Every little thing to make our stay enjoyable...plus...the weather was the perfect fall mix.

 The "downstairs girls' room"was fun and cheery.  On our beds...gifts!  Our administration team thought of special details to make our stay special.

 So much room to fellowship...

 meetings on comfy couches with a blanket...snacks...laughter...and challenging questions!

 Our speaker...someone from our MBBC days...someone in the daily trenches...someone who encouraged our group...

 and someone whose wife served right alongside for the weekend.  We couldn't fix meals or help clean up!  Thank you, Michelle, Melanie, and Danielle!!!

Shopping...and getting our steps!

The Livingroom Cafe...a coffee shop with comfy chairs.

Resting after a relaxing afternoon...waiting for supper.

Conversations after our session...around dessert!  Thank you, Scott and Michelle!  I am thankful for the opportunity to serve with this group of people.

A couple days away to focus on unity as a group of educators...I feel the goal was accomplished in my heart!

The second week of school is in the books!

It was another busy week and we are all tired!
Kindergarten is busy and full of fun times.  I am enjoying my 16 little kinders!  We are practicing many rules and procedures.  We are using our pencils and crayons.  Cutting and gluing proved to be a bit of a small challenge.  We reviewed our short vowels.  My favorite time of our day is the beginning...pledges, singing, Bible time, and memory verse work.  I am so proud of them...we have the first four verses of Psalm 23 pretty well memorized....as we plan ahead to K5 graduation...we are tucking this chapter away in our hearts.  They love to sing and often sing while they color or practice writing their letters...I haven't stopped them...because it squeezes my heart!  "Safe am I, safe am I...in the hollow of His hand!"
Ted sprang for Chinese food after all the ball games tonight.  The kiddos are crashed in the living room watching the A-Team.  Ted is relaxing. I am learning how to use my new school tool...we had to update our computer.  I'm overwhelmed by the support that Ted constantly gives to his family...always sacrificing to provide for what we need.  What we all need most...right now...is a good night's sleep!

My kind of humor these days!

The sweetest 46th birthday I ever had!

 This picture text sent all the way from Florida made my day!  It was a sweet "29th and holding"!  29 is the new 46...right, Dad!?!

Birthday treat with my family.  I am blessed!  I am thankful!