Our hearts are sad today

Erik's MiMi passed away today around 4:30. She had been sick for a long time. She will be missed a lot. We had prayed that she would recover, but only if that was the Lord's will. Obviously it was not. This comes less than 1 year since Grandad passed away. I wonder if her heart was missing him? This is both of them on Thanksgiving 2005. I am so glad Erik got to spend that holiday with his Grandparents. This was not long after we thought we would not have his other grandfather with us.

Please pray for us as we travel to Massachusetts this weekend to be with Dad and Uncle Rick--Erik's family. We ask for traveling mercies because we are flying. We would like to have a smooth flight and that the weather will be nice--I am still not too keen on this whole flying bit. Anyway, also pray for comfort and peace knowing that MiMi is better and not in any more pain. When we return, I will blog more.

Until then...us

I am sooooooo excited!!

Well, this year finding out about grade level assignments was done quite differently. Let me explain how my current principal used to let us know. 

1. Walk into faculty meeting mid-May with people missing (not returning) and new people (transfers, new hires--if possible).

2. Find your name on an envelope. 

3. Open said envelope. 

4. Read it and either cry, be upset, no surprised, or very happy. This all depends on what you wanted or did not want. 

5. Sit and listen to Mr. Principal talk about next year all the while being happy, excited, or holding back tears. 

6. Go home and grumble, celebrate, or be nothing--depending on what you wanted or did not want. 

This year, Mr. Principal actually listened to the Blue--emotionally driven people on the Leadership team. We said do this in private, preferably in a quick meeting. Well, the meeting thing didn't work, so tonight at 6 PM an email was sent to everyone in which we could read in the privacy of our own room or home and grumble, be happy, excited, or not surprised.

Tonight when I finally got home, I had to use Erik's computer because the girls would hear me and thus jump up and down at the door bothering me to no end. Well, wouldn't you know it, the darn thing was sooooo slow. I had to restart it and wait. And wait some more. Erik has all kinds of stuff on there, I don't know what was going on. So anyway, all this time my heart is going beat beat beat beat right out of my chest. SIDEBAR: I wanted to change. Needed a change. No longer a desire for early childhood for a while.  Anyway, finally the computer desides to work. I look and guess what?????  I got out of EARLY CHILDHOOD and I am teaching.........4th grade!!!  Hotdiggity! This is one very happy happy chick!  

I taught 4th grade my last year in Georgia. I loved it. Could have taught it until I retired. Now is my chance. I was quickly greeted with an email from my team leader (my buddy by the way) and a phone call. It is sad for a few people because they were changed from one grade to another, but I know that in the end it will be good for everyone. It's about the kids, and Mr. Principal does a good job of putting people in the right place. So, for now, all the drama I have dealt with for the last two years is coming to an end. PRAISE THE LORD!!  

TIP

GO SEE STAR TREK! It was great! Won't say more, will spoil it!

Update & GWL

Well, it's Friday again. They can't seem to get here quick enough for my liking. I guess I better not wish for my days to go by so quickly. I am certain to miss something. 

Last week Erik and I had the privilege to go the Great Wolf Lodge. We had a great time. I was so relaxed and chill...man, I didn't want to come home. My depressed state of being was gone and I had no worries. We almost didn't go. I was really worried about the puppies and them staying at the Vet's kennel. They would have been miserable. I have no problem with sleeping in there or staying in it while we are away for a few hours, but for 36 hours with only a few times a day to go take care of nature? Not my cup of tea. My puppies are active and have a whole backyard to play in most days. So, I strongly encouraged Erik to find a better place. He did. The girls were in a better place. 

So anyway, we leave Friday evening to go the GWL and arrive. First of all, this place is HUGE!  We are greeted at the door and when you walk in, you feel like you have stepped into a real mountain lodge but you are in Concord, NC!!  The reception area is nice. The people who work there have name tags that tell where they are from. Just like the Mouse's house in Florida. 

So, our friend from Puerto Rico checks us in. We take a walk around the lobby and see the sights. We check out the water park (downstairs to the 1st floor) and are instantly ready. We head to our room, which was pretty big. And clean. FYI--Alli does not do bathrooms or dirty, stinky hotel rooms. She will actually leave or request a change. She ain't shy about that!  But oh, this room was delightful! A nice plasma tv, a huge king-sized bed that felt like you were sleeping on a feather bed! SO STINKIN' SOFT!!  The towels, oh my, the towels. They were heavenly! I actually looked at the label and tried to find some at the outlets. Gotta find new towels. Anyway, I digress...We unloaded all our stuff, then went to On The Boarder for dinner under the stars. It was yummy!  

On Saturday, Erik slept in. In a bed like that, I don't blame him. However the teacher in me woke up at 6:30!!  I get up, check the weather and head to the gym in the lodge. I enjoy my workout and then instantly added any poundage back on by going up to the Dunkin Donuts---yes, it's in the GWL, for a coffee and donuts. If you are going to spend the day swimming, you gotta have carbs right? Energy? I thought you would agree with my thinking! So, I go back upstairs and get ready for the day. The only thing that I didn't really like was our view from our little balcony.  It was the back side of the lodge and had nothing really to look at, but I sat there and waited on Erik to wake up and get ready for the day. When he does, we get ready to go to the pool. This was fun! We go to the wave pool, which by this time (9:45 or so) is full!  We play and go down some rides. I have to tell you, I was brave. I went down one of the family rides and made it! I hate those things. The other ride that we did was the racer where you go down on your tummy on a mat. That was fun. I beat Erik 2 times. I avoided the Tornado. Can you imagine why??? This thing had part of it in the building and part out. You go straight down and shoot back up to this huge tornado shaped thing and slide back down. Nuh, huh! Erik does this 2 times. I don't know if this is brave or stupid. There is a Pizza Hut Express, restaurant, and candy/ice cream shop at GWL too. We have Pizza Hut in the park for lunch. More energy needed. 

I left early because I treated myself to an hour long massage and a 45 min. pedicure at the Spa--in the GWL. Heavenly! I have had massages before. This is the first one where I felt so relaxed. I could have slept. Oh, the peace. I could do that every week. My toes look great too! How amazing! 

We hang out and go to dinner at Sonny's BBQ. Don't have them here in Columbia (they would never make it!!!). Erik loves it and I like it really well. Then we check out Bass Pro Shops. No real good reason. Those of you who know us, realize that Erik nor I are fisher people. We are not hunter people either. But it was fun to look at. We walk through some of the outlet malls and then head back to our room. We take the time to play in the GWL arcade and win tickets. We of course give them to a young one who could always use more to buy things at the ticket counter. (Think Chucky Cheese or Frankies Fun Park).  We hang out and go back to the room for bed. 

On Sunday we got our things all together and head to pack up. We got to take some pictures and have breakfast at the restaurant buffet and watch the kids play MagicQuest a game that is interactive for the kids and all over the place. 

All in all, this was a great weekend. We loved it and kept thinking of how it would work for a family reunion or get together with friends with kids. We give it 2 thumbs up! Go, have fun, and check for specials. Food is pricey so take what you don't want to buy. Good places to eat in Concord and that can save money too. 

I am going to try to attach pictures. I hope you enjoy them!  

The Grand Lobby from upstairs. 

Oh, the wet and wild fun!  There is even a snack bar and store here.  Sorry, no pictures of us as bathing beauties!  

I have this thing for Moose. 

This is in the lobby. They have PJ story time here each night. The Wolf (mascot) comes out regularly to meet and greet you. I got a hug. 

Were were sad to go!