heehee

Michael Phelp's first picture :)

RESPECT

Here is my Matt's tricep...it says "Discipline. Integrity. Respect." Oh such important virtues.

I encountered a hiccup to put it nicely at school when we reported back this year. In short, my principal pulled a fast one on me and it was not cool. One of the main reasons I wanted to stay in 8th grade again this year is because I loved my team. We have interdisciplinary teams, and you work verrrrry closely with these people all year long, share students, reward systems, meet weekly as a team, home visits, etc! Did I say I loved my team?

I get a phone call as I am driving to work (7:30 on the day we report back) and it is my principal telling me she has switched me and the other ATL teacher, and now I am on the other team. Followed by an annoying, "so, that's a good thing right? I thought you would be happy!" NO. The answer to that was no, and at least I let her know I was not happy. I am getting better and better as I age at standing up for myself or for what's right, even if it means a little conflict. She didn't bother to tell me the reason, or ask me if I was okay with the switch, she called to tell me it was a done deal and gave me no notice to prepare (aside from the remaining 3 minutes of my drive to school.)

The thing is, I knew exactly the reason why she did this...2 teachers on the other team have personal issues with each other and can't get along and work professionally. This is not my problem!! There is more to the story, but the bottom line is I did not feel respected at all, and I lost trust in 2 people...my principal and the other ATL teacher who requested the switch and apparently didn't think it would be a good idea to ask me if I thought that would be okay. However, after 12 hours of being really mad, I now choose to be happy. It is what it is, and I will have a great year regardless. I can get along with pretty much anyone, it too bad others can't. Respect goes SUCH a long way in my book.

date day

matt planned a date day for me a couple weeks ago. it pretty much rocked. it was all a surprise, and the day went like this: wake up and go to starbucks for a coffee and to sit in the sunshine, then we went to the mission-a delicious breakfast place by our house, then home to chill for a couple hours. next, came the best surprise of all...hour massages! this was fabulous. man, how i love getting massages. we came home and got ready for dinner, and had reservations at PF Changs! (i love that place.) i have photos from the first and last event of the day only :)

take one: up close and personal, and kinda ugly

take two: i set it up on a newspaper box across the sidewalk, and right as it was about to take the picture, a skateboarder was coming by, saw us smiling for the camera, and put on his brakes and stopped right before he entered our picture! that's why i have squinty eyes, i was laughing at skateboard man :)

dinner

one more day

we have one day left until summer vacation is over. it really has been a great summer. matt is ready to go back to work and get on a schedule and blah blah blah...i am so NOT ready to go back. it makes me a little nervous, i'm not sure why i really am not looking forward to going back-it is almost a sense of dread. i'm sure as soon as the year gets rolling, it will be good. i am glad matt is feeling ready, and i will have no other choice than to get myself ready with the rest of this week! because ready or not, here they come! we work in our classrooms wed-friday, and the first day of school is next tuesday after labor day. without fail, i get so nervous and jittery before the first day of school--6 years later and i still have the same feelings as I did my 1st year! (okay, probably not quite that bad...i am more confident now, thankfully) i also have had a nightmare every single year about something chaotic happening at school. last year, everything was crazy in my room and i was yelling at the top of my lungs to get the kids under control and no one could hear me. i wonder if my nightmare will be better this year. it is due any time now :)

family fun!

Aunt Melva, the Wegis' and Robin and Jordan came to San Diego for Mike's graduation (Matt's aunt, cousins and their kids) and we had so much fun hanging out! Here are some fun photos from the weekend...

aunt melva, megan (our flower girl!) and her little sis, olivia on the carousel at seaport village

megan checking out the bay

feeding the birds

sooooo funny, those birds :)

mackenzie and megan

olivia loving those kites, she just couldn't quite get close enough to them!

matt and his cousin robin hangin' in seaport village

olivia and her minnie mouse (the balloon guy was amazing, he could create anything!)

megan and rudolph (so what it's august, who doesn't love rudolph?!)

mike's graduation party...megan wanted to dance, and this was a slow song...so kirstin was on it!

olivia enjoying some party snacks :)

super-daaaaaad!

matt and ryan playing "chicken" with the girls!

we had such a fun time hanging out, we wish we lived closer!!! love you guys and miss you already!

Sea World

Last week, we went to Sea World with Em and Abigail. We thought it was a Monday, everyone else thought it was vacation in San Diego. It was packed!!! Nonetheless, we had a great time hanging with our Goddaughter and our dear friend, Em! Here are some photos from the day.







someone was tired :)

finalists!

My team made it to the finals of our tournament this past weekend, and lost a tough game in the final. Once again, we played so so well, and medaled with silver!! Back to back weekends winning medals is so exciting!! These girls have come so far, it is incredible! I am looking forward to a fun season in league! Before I took over this team 2 years ago, they finished dead last in league. I knew I couldn't do any worse that that ;) Last year, we finished 6th out of 12 teams. Batting 500. This year, I am hoping to finish in the top third. We shall see.