Another early out

Well folks, we are dismissing yet again at 12:15 in anticipation on the storm heading our way. Our poor kids here at school really don't know what to think. We've already been out early once this week. We cancelled the parties scheduled for Friday b/c the superintendent didn't really think we would be here. They were supposed to be this afternoon and now we're leaving early so they're having them this morning. Granted the extra time off will be nice to get stuff done at my house, but I feel for the kids who look so forward to this. For some of this, it's really the best part of Christmas for them b/c they don't get much of one at home. Everyone's working really hard to make the best of the situation. Please pray for a safe and happy holiday season for all these little munchkins heading home. I know the majority of them will have a very blessed holiday, but for some of them, school is the place they feel safest and they won't be here for 2 1/2 weeks.

Also, pray for all the men & women that will no doubt get called out all night to make repairs and get things up and going for the rest of us this evening. Sometimes, I get excited about a snow day and forget that means some very dear friends are going to be out in the cold, ice, and snow while I'm tucked away in my house.

Have a great day. Stay warm, safe, and happy!

New Years?

I know, I know...Christmas isn't even here yet...but has anyone started thinking about their New Year's Resolutions yet? Just wondering!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Oh where to begin. First, I tried to type this post last night because I was bragging about the awesomeness of my new phone. Trenton & I got new Blackberrys on Sunday and I was super excited about having the internet on my phone and being able to blog. I spend about an hour trping a blog only to find out that I don't know how to get it to save. Isn't that wonderful! Anyway, I'm still excited about my phone b/c I feel a little bit more connected to the world with internet access. Unfortunately, it also means that my husband and I are spending more time on our phones now than we are actually speaking to each other. You know it's bad when he just text messages me from the couch to tell me he loves me. Can you say pathetic? Like I need one more reason to be a lazy bum?!?!

Second, I'm super excited for Christmas break. Not because I have my shopping, wrapping, baking, cooking, or cleaning done. But because I will get to spend some much needed time with my husband. I think he really needs some quality time (minus the phones). He's been really off lately. I think it's just because things have finally slowed down enough at work that he's just now processing everything that happened in October. I think he's been under a lot of pressure from certain outside forces that is really putting stress on him. And I hate that. He wants so bad to make everyone happy and when others purposefully say and do hurtful things, it just breaks my heart. I guess it's like they say though, sometimes those closest to you are the ones that can hurt you the most. All either one of us has needed the past few months is understanding and support. Yet he's expected to be the one to mend fences and make things right. I just wish for once, his feelings got put first. I'm probably a little biased though. I tend to be very protective of him...I can't imagine how I'll actually be when I have kids.

Third, I was so excited to see my neice, Angie, last week. She lives in Wyoming, but drove back for Uncle Gary's visitation and funeral. I hate the reason she was here, but I do miss her so much. She's only a year older than me so growing up we were more like sisters. I wish she could have stayed longer. I am going to miss Uncle Gary more than I will ever really be able to accept. I know he's in a better place now, but he has played such an important role in so many of my childhood and adult memories, that his death has left a gaping hole in my life. He's the one that bought me a Santa Claus that sings "We wish you a merry Christmas" when you pushed the nose when I was little. I'm sure he bought it mostly to annoy my dad, but that thing still hangs outside the door at my parents house. He bought me my first drink on my 21st. He taught me how to saddle and bridle a horse. He kept my horses for me when I went to college and didn't have a place for them and never asked for anything in return. He was a dancing fool. He taught me to two-step(not that I'm very good at it) He was a wonderful caring man. He raised two sons that were not his my blood or marriage, only by choice. He was a fun loving spirit and I will miss him dearly.

Fourth, I think that's it. Lerin is back from California this week so I'd like to get over to visit her more this week. We have our first official Christmas with that side on Saturday. Guess that means I should finish shopping, huh? I hope the weather holds out tomorrow and Friday so the kids will get to have their Christmas parties and programs!:)

It's Friday!!

How exciting! I've waited all week for Friday b/c...well I'm not really sure why. #1) I'm hoping Jenn will have that baby this weekend! 2) I've had a headache constantly since I woke up last Wednesday...as in the day before Thanksgiving and it will not go away. I am looking forward to taking some good medicine this weekend and resting some. 3) I'm going shopping tomorrow with Amee, Sarah, and April. Which means hopefully I'll have more presents to wrap b/c my tree looks sad without gifts under it.

I think that's it for now. Oh AND I only have to go to school 2 days next week. I'm going to that grant workshop in Jeff City. The fun part of it is...Trenton is going with me, the school is paying for it, and our hotel has an indoor heated pool and hot tub. So, despite the cruddy all day workshops...it's like a mini vacay before a 2 week vacation! And I don't have to pay for it...I can tolerate the boring workshops for that and who knows...I might learn something. In actuality though, I hate being gone because things seem to snowball when I'm away and then I spend more time trying to play catch up.

On a different note...our kindergarten teacher got a note from a parent today saying to watch her child because last night he couldn't stop sneezing. When she asked him what was wrong, he said he had an eyeball in his nose. Turns out he wasn't lying. He had shoved one of those googly eyes up his nose and apparently couldn't get it out. He's now being closely watched so something similar doesn't happen...what a mischievious little boy! What a way to make a teacher laugh on Friday!

Christmas has arrived at the Tallman's!!!

Trenton & I finally found a night to go get our Christmas tree, and I have to say...I think it's perfect! It's without a doubt the best one we've had in 4 years and it's so pretty. Each year I think I want one of those trees with ornaments that are all the same color and ribbon, and each year I put up the one with Trenton's John Deere ornaments, my great grandma's crocheted snowflakes, and the bear my kindergarten teacher gave me and I fall in love with my tree all over! I love my husband who spent 3 hours setting up the tree, helping me pick up pine needles, answering my questions of "Does this look okay here?", untangling strands of crochet popcorn, and hanging ornaments. After all that, he looked at me and said, "we better be close to done because I'm losing my enthusiasm!" What a trooper! I should have taken his picture! I told him I can't believe this is our 5th Christmas together. I have so many memories already, I can't imagine what people who've been married 50 years feel like! After we put the tree up and turned off the lights, it was so peaceful and beautiful. I told Trenton that for the first time in 2 months, I felt like there was true joy in our house again. Now...if only I could manage to get more than 3 presents wrapped.

Until next time.....

Good Grief...

So either I'm a major sucker or just looked like I needed something else to do? The principal and superintendent just came in and asked if I would go to a grant writing workshop in Jeff City next week. Apparently, the school board wants to apply for more grants and thinks the district needs a "grant writer" to learn about different types, etc. Guess who? Apparently, I'm a "good writer" or just full of BS...I'm not really sure. All I know is, I already have to go to Jeff tomorrow for a meeting all day. Then, turn around and go back next week for 3 days...oh well, at least I can get some Christmas shopping in. I just hate being gone from school. That means, I'll miss the school Christmas program and Sarah Visser's baby shower. I'm so disappointed about that, but how do you say NO to the principal and super? Just when I think I'm caught up....

On top of that, one of our dogs got hit this weekend. We knew he was missing on Friday night, but couldn't find him. Apparently, some kids saw him get hit, but the people didn't stop. We weren't home. He laid there all night, then they saw he was still there the next day, so they picked him up and took him to their house. They came to our house yesterday saying they had found a dog. Sure enough it was ours. However, his front leg was broken, as well as his pelvis, and he was bleeding internally, so we had to have Doc put him down. You would think growing up on a farm, it wouldn't have bothered me so much, but it was the first time I'd ever had to have an animal put to sleep, and it killed me. We had a great Thanksgiving for the most part. We had a fabulous time with my family on Saturday...and I had a blast shopping with my sisters in Des Moines on Friday. Trenton has been sick since Friday fighting a cold, I've been sick, but all in all, we had a great weekend.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!